“Excellent technique, Princess Consort.” After dispatching the last assassin, Yelü Ye turned to praise Ye Li. The assassin had been too close to Yao Ji, and given the Princess Consort’s position, deflecting the hidden weapon with the jade pendant without harming Yao Ji couldn’t have been luck alone. It required precise aim, technique, and power – all three elements had to be perfect. But Ye Li had no time for Yelü Ye’s compliments. With nothing else suitable for throwing nearby, she had grabbed Mo Xiu Yao’s jade pendant, and only now did she have time to worry about it. After all, anything he carried personally couldn’t be ordinary. As she stepped toward where the jade had fallen, Mo Xiu Yao caught her arm, raising an eyebrow, “What are you doing?”
Ye Li apologetically said, “I want to check the jade pendant… is it important?”
Mo Xiu Yao smiled gently, looking at her with amusement, “What if it is?” Ye Li frowned in distress. If it was just valuable, that would be one thing, but if it had some special use or sentimental meaning, that would be troublesome. Seeing Ye Li’s pitiful look, Mo Xiu Yao’s mood brightened further. Drawing her into his arms, he put on a troubled expression, “Though it’s nothing crucial, it was my favorite jade pendant. My wife, what should we do about this?” Ye Li looked up at him, “I’ll get you a new one?” Mo Xiu Yao nodded magnanimously, “Very well, it’s decided then. But you must choose it personally.” Seeing his pleased expression, Ye Li felt even more guilty. She silently reflected on whether she had been neglecting him. Since their marriage, Mo Xiu Yao had personally attended to all her needs, but she… Ye Li remembered with embarrassment that she had only given him clothes for his birthday last year, and even then only because others had reminded her. Thinking of this, Ye Li felt increasingly that she hadn’t treated Mo Xiu Yao well enough, and nodded seriously, “Alright, I’ll choose one myself.”
“My wife is so good to me…” Mo Xiu Yao smiled contentedly.
Though Mo Xiu Yao said he didn’t mind, Ye Li still went to collect the broken pieces in her pouch. While these two shared their tender moment, the atmosphere on the other side was so frigid that even Yelü Ye, who had been watching, couldn’t help stepping back. Yao Ji’s face was deathly pale, her earlier allure completely gone. Though it was nearly June, the night wind made her shiver and hug herself, her colorful silk clothes only making her look more wan and haggard. Mu Yang silently watched the woman before him, a complex light flashing in his eyes. He sighed and said gravely, “Come, I’ll take you back.” Yao Ji stepped backward, saying coldly, “No need to trouble yourself, Young Master. I know the way and can return alone.”
“Yao Ji!” Mu Yang called out sternly, his voice carrying a note of displeasure, “Haven’t you had enough? Throwing the embroidered ball in such a place… Are you trying to destroy yourself?”
Yao Ji raised her head, forcing a bitter smile onto her pale face, “Is Young Master suggesting it would have been fine if I had thrown the ball in Chengfeng Quarter? Those here are common folk, while Chengfeng Quarter is frequented by nobles and wealthy merchants – at least that wouldn’t tarnish the name of the capital’s premier dancing courtesan, right?” A flash of frustration crossed Mu Yang’s eyes as he said softly, “You know that’s not what I meant.” Yao Ji commanded considerable respect in the capital, not just because she had the backing of the Muyang Marquis’s heir and the Third Young Master of the Feng family, nor solely for her supreme dancing skills, but importantly because she never privately entertained clients and maintained an untarnished reputation. If today Yao Ji truly… then from tomorrow, those nobles and wealthy heirs who lusted after her would surely wear down the path to Chengfeng Quarter. By then, no one could help her – after all, neither the Muyang Marquis’s household nor the Feng family could oppose all the capital’s nobility for the sake of a courtesan.
Yao Ji glanced at Ye Li standing to the side, her eyes carrying sadness and envy. She slowly stepped forward and gave Mu Yang a slight curtsy, “Thank you for your care these past years. I am deeply grateful. However… Young Master should return and need not see me again.”
“Yao Ji!”
But Yao Ji wouldn’t look at him anymore. She nodded to Ye Li and walked step by step toward the end of the street. Ye Li frowned slightly and secretly signaled the hidden guards to follow and escort Yao Ji back to Chengfeng Quarter. Though past curfew, it was still dangerous for a woman to walk alone through the capital at night. As Mu Yang frowned and moved to follow, Ye Li called out to stop him, “Young Master, wait.”
Mu Yang turned back to look at Ye Li in confusion. Ye Li asked gravely, “What does Young Master intend to do if you catch up to her?” Mu Yang frowned, “Naturally, to escort her back.” Ye Li said, “And then what? I’ve met Miss Yao Ji twice now – why not let my people handle this? Or… does Young Master not trust this Princess Consort?” Mu Yang looked at Ye Li hesitantly, “But…”
“If Young Master cannot give Miss Yao Ji the future she desires, it’s better to make a clean break now. Though cutting off an arm is painful, I can see Miss Yao Ji has the strength of character to survive it. If Young Master continues to waver, you may end up hurting both ladies’ hearts.” Ye Li said calmly, fixing Mu Yang with a steady gaze, emphasizing “both ladies” to remind him that he was responsible not just for Yao Ji but also for Miss Sun, to whom he was betrothed. Mu Yang’s body tensed, and he glared at Ye Li angrily, “You don’t understand anything!” Ye Li remained silent – indeed, she understood nothing. She knew neither the history between Yao Ji and Mu Yang nor his situation with Miss Sun. Given Yao Ji’s status, if the Young Master’s household would accept her, or if she were willing, becoming a concubine in the Muyang Marquis’s household should have been possible. But seeing how things had developed, whether due to Yao Ji’s unwillingness, the Marquis’s opposition, or the Sun family’s objections, it was impossible. That being the case, Mu Yang’s current indecision was not helping matters.
“Let’s go home,” Ye Li said to Mo Xiu Yao after a moment of silence.
Mo Xiu Yao nodded, glancing at Mu Yang and saying flatly, “Given the relationship between the Muyang Marquis’s household and the Sun family, the Marquis will never accept Yao Ji.” Without waiting for Mu Yang’s reaction, he nodded to Yelü Ye and led Ye Li toward Prince Ding’s residence. Mo Xiu Yao’s words seemed to darken Mu Yang’s expression further. He stood there for a long while before finally turning and heading in the opposite direction. Left alone, Yelü Ye watched the departing couple with raised eyebrows, finding it all quite interesting. “What an intriguing woman. It seems Mo Xiu Yao indeed has deep feelings for the Princess Consort…” Yelü Ye had seen that jade pendant – it was bestowed upon the founding Prince Ding, Mo Lan Yun, by the founding emperor of Great Chu. It could be said to be a symbol of the Prince Ding’s status. Only as time passed and the Prince Ding’s household’s authority grew, they no longer needed a jade pendant to represent their status, and it gradually became merely decorative. But for Prince Ding’s household, this jade’s significance still couldn’t be compared to any ordinary precious jade.
“Mo Xiu Yao, oh Mo Xiu Yao… is it wise to expose such an obvious weakness in front of others? Or perhaps… you simply don’t consider this prince worth your concern?!”
A crescent moon hung in the night sky like a delicate eyebrow, casting the quiet street in dim, cool light. As the couple walked side by side, Mo Xiu Yao asked softly with a smile, “Is A-Li still worried?”
Ye Li started, looking at him in confusion. Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “Aren’t you worried about Yao Ji?” Ye Li sighed helplessly, “Yao Ji is such an exceptional woman. Unfortunately, her courtesan background has led to such hardship.” Mo Xiu Yao looked down at her, “Does A-Li want to help her? Perhaps with your support, the Muyang Marquis’s household would accept her.” Ye Li shook her head, “Even if Yao Ji were willing, to use my position as Princess Consort to force the Muyang household to accept someone they don’t want… even if Yao Ji entered their household, she wouldn’t have a good life. Besides… isn’t Miss Sun Mu Yang’s legitimate fiancée? She’s done nothing wrong – why should she be forced to accept a… rival? If Mu Yang truly loves Yao Ji above all else, he’ll naturally handle everything. If not… how can one have everything go their way in this world? As I said before, what needs to be let go should be let go, what needs to be cut should be cut.” Mo Xiu Yao sighed softly, “A-Li is so ruthless. If you were to speak up, both the Muyang household and the Sun family would give you face.”
Ye Li gave him a sidelong glance, “If someone came to ask me to accept a concubine for you based on their influence, I would send them flying. Your Highness seems quite concerned about this matter – do you have similar considerations? No worries… I’m quite reasonable. Just tell me yourself directly.” She looked at Mo Xiu Yao with an ambiguous smile, her expression deceptively gentle. Mo Xiu Yao touched his nose helplessly, “This prince will never have such considerations in this lifetime, A-Li can rest assured.” Ye Li snorted softly, offering no comment on his guarantee.
Just after returning to the residence, Mo Xiu Yao was called away for matters of state – clearly, his people had already received news of Yelü Ye’s appearance in the capital. As Ye Li turned to return to her chambers, Qin Feng appeared before her with an odd expression. Ye Li raised an eyebrow questioningly, smiling at him, “What is it? Has training been too easy lately? Why aren’t you resting?” Qin Feng hesitated before speaking, “Your Highness, that Miss Yao Ji…”
Ye Li raised an eyebrow in sudden understanding, “You escorted Yao Ji back? Does Commander Qin have much free time? Perhaps I should mention to Dark Three that your training could be intensified. What about Yao Ji?”
Qin Feng’s face fell as he glanced at Ye Li before continuing, “She fainted by the roadside before reaching Chengfeng Quarter.”
“And?” Ye Li looked at him with obvious amusement in her eyes. Qin Feng could only forge ahead, “Nothing else… I just escorted her back and came to report to Your Highness.”
Ye Li sighed lightly, looking at Qin Feng, “You think she’s pitiful, don’t you?” When Qin Feng remained silent, Ye Li continued gravely, “I also think she’s pitiful, but many things cannot be done simply because we feel sympathy, because our so-called kind deeds might make others equally pitiful.” Qin Feng understood and nodded, “This servant understands his error and asks for Your Highness’s forgiveness.” Ye Li raised an eyebrow with a slight smile, quoting, “The moon rises bright, beauty stands alone. Graceful and delicate, the heart grows weary with care?”
Qin Feng started, then quickly turned and fled, “This servant takes his leave!”
Watching Qin Feng run away as if for his life, Ye Li couldn’t help but smile. Then, remembering Yao Ji’s rigid, straight back as she departed, she could only sigh softly.
Having promised Mo Xiu Yao she would personally choose a jade pendant for him, and remembering his birthday was approaching, Ye Li went out with several maids the next day. She visited several familiar shops but found no suitable jade pendants or stones. Ye Li wasn’t anxious – truly exceptional jade was something to be encountered, not sought. Good jade pieces were either already carved but not to her liking or their quality wasn’t satisfactory. Taking pieces directly from the manor’s treasury would lack sincerity. Walking along the street, Ye Li pondered her dilemma.
“Princess Consort, what a coincidence to meet again?” A cheerful voice came from behind just as she left a jade shop. Ye Li raised an eyebrow, turning to look at the man standing casually with folded arms nearby, “Prince Yelü. Has the prince not yet had an audience with His Majesty?” Yelü Ye smiled carelessly, “The wedding delegation won’t reach the capital for some days yet. I’m just taking these days to enjoy myself privately, so there’s no need to trouble your emperor yet.” Ye Li nodded, smiling faintly, “In that case, I won’t disturb Prince Yelü’s leisure time.” Coincidence? In this vast capital, meeting the day after last night – quite the coincidence indeed. Yelü Ye seemed completely oblivious to Ye Li’s distance, smiling, “This is my first time in the Chu capital, and I’m quite unfamiliar with it. Might the Princess Consort show me around as a gracious host?”
Ye Li smiled slightly, her beautiful face full of apology, “I’m sorry, but I rarely go out myself and might know the capital even less well than the prince. I’m afraid I can’t guide you. Speaking of which, yesterday you mentioned visiting our residence, and my husband specially waited at home this morning to receive you. It seems he waited in vain.”
Yelü Ye’s mouth twitched as he smiled, “I beg the Princess Consort’s pardon, but I felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to visit Prince Ding’s residence privately before having an audience with your emperor, to avoid causing trouble for the Prince and Princess Consort. Don’t you agree?”
Ye Li smiled calmly, “The prince is most considerate. I have some matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Watching Ye Li turn away without hesitation, Yelü Ye’s eyes narrowed as his lips curved into a smile, “I recently acquired an exceptional piece of jade. I wonder if the Princess Consort would be interested.”
Hearing his words, Ye Li neither turned back nor paused her steps. Yelü Ye raised an eyebrow and continued, “Doesn’t the Princess Consort want to know what that jade pendant you broke yesterday was?”
Ye Li slowly turned back, and just as Yelü Ye showed a hint of smug satisfaction, she said calmly, “If His Highness didn’t mention it, it means he doesn’t mind. Whatever jade it was, it’s already broken. If I wish to know, I’ll naturally ask His Highness directly. Why should I learn from outsiders? Don’t you agree, Prince?”
The smile gradually faded from Yelü Ye’s face as he thoughtfully watched her departing figure, “No wonder she has won Mo Xiu Yao’s favor – truly interesting. Princess Consort, we’ll meet again.”