Ye Li swiftly navigated through the dimly lit palace, moving as if she had traversed these grounds countless times before. Her slender figure gracefully landed beneath the eaves of a palace hall. She halted and glanced back at the rooftop, speaking coolly, “Prince Yelü, is there something you need from this consort at this hour?”
Having been discovered, Yelü Ye dropped down from the roof without hesitation, smiling as he asked, “Is Princess Consort looking for Prince Ding? Do you know where he is?”
Ye Li replied indifferently, “That seems irrelevant to Prince Yelü. Rather than concerning yourself with such matters, you should focus on explaining how an assassination attempt occurred right after you arrived in Da Chu.”
The assassin at Zhaixing Tower had called out Yelü Ye’s name directly, and many had heard it. Though few knew about the assassination attempt at the Lantern Festival, that news might spread as well. If any significant casualties occurred tonight, the noble families would likely place the blame on Yelü Ye.
Yelü Ye responded with feigned innocence, “I came from afar, who knew Da Chu would be more dangerous than our Northern Rong?”
Ye Li gave a cold laugh, “In my view, Prince Yelü seems more like someone from Da Chu than Northern Rong.” Without waiting for his reaction, she turned and hurried forward. They moved through the palace, maintaining a measured distance between them. Due to the assassin incident, most guards had rushed to Zhaixing Tower, leaving the palace less heavily guarded than usual. Ye Li frowned as she walked, realizing that if someone chose to infiltrate and hide in the palace now, the consequences could be devastating.
Yelü Ye followed leisurely behind Ye Li, having noticed that the Princess Consort wasn’t wandering but heading in a specific direction. Yet despite his keen eye, he couldn’t detect any traces left by Mo Xiuyao. After much consideration, he could only attribute this to some secret marking system used by Prince Ding’s mansion that he wasn’t privy to.
Soon, they reached the peach grove at the edge of the Imperial Garden.
“Princess Consort, are you certain this is the right place?” Yelü Ye frowned.
Ye Li leaped across the river blocking their path, responding coolly, “I didn’t request Prince Yelü’s company.” As soon as she landed, she entered the peach grove without hesitation.
Yelü Ye shrugged and followed with a smile, “You seem quite trusting of me, aren’t you worried I might attack from behind?”
“You’re welcome to try.”
Yelü Ye touched his nose, speechless. Though he was bold, he wasn’t suicidal. Besides the Princess Consort’s formidable abilities, he had sensed someone following them since they entered the Imperial Garden. What made him more uneasy was his inability to identify their pursuer, relying solely on instincts honed through countless near-death experiences. Given the Princess Consort’s response, Yelü Ye understood these followers must be from Prince Ding’s mansion. He couldn’t help but privately curse the mansion’s overwhelming strength. While the palace was in chaos, he’d bet not even the lowest guard from Prince Ding’s mansion showed a hint of panic.
Shortly after entering the grove, Yelü Ye heard voices in the distance. Rather than sounds of combat, it seemed to be a woman’s voice in an argument. Looking at Ye Li’s unreadable expression ahead, Yelü Ye smiled with interest – following this woman had indeed been the right choice.
In the peach grove, Princess Zhenning sat on the ground, staring bewilderedly at her mother, who appeared completely different from usual. Though she wanted to throw herself into her mother’s arms and cry after being frightened, she could only sit mutely, not daring to make a sound. Her mother hadn’t even properly looked at her, and despite her young age, she keenly sensed that her mother didn’t want her to interrupt.
Mo Xiuyao frowned at the white-robed woman before him, “Now that Princess Zhenning is safe, this prince shall take his leave.” Shortly after leaving Zhaixing Tower, he realized the assassins who took Princess Zhenning had no intention of harming her – they merely wanted to lure him away. What he hadn’t expected was that the woman before him had arranged the princess’s abduction, accurately predicting that Mo Jingqi would ask him to save Princess Zhenning. It seemed he had underestimated Noble Consort Liu’s influence over Mo Jingqi.
“Do you despise me that much…” Noble Consort Liu spoke softly, her usually cold and detached voice tinged with reproach.
Mo Xiuyao frowned, turning back to look at Noble Consort Liu, “There isn’t even a question of like or dislike between this prince and the Noble Consort.”
Hearing this, Noble Consort Liu’s face paled as she bit her crimson lips, speechless. Such an answer was more cruel than pure hatred – in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes, she didn’t even qualify for his hatred because they had no relationship, to begin with.
“Why… why do you treat me this way?” Noble Consort Liu’s voice trembled, her snow-like features taking on a fragile and sorrowful quality, adding a vulnerable beauty to her usual lofty demeanor. She raised her head to look at Mo Xiuyao, asking with unwilling persistence, “Why have you never spared me a glance? Before it was Su Zuidie, now it’s Ye Li, I’ve never been inferior to any of them. Xiuyao… why won’t you look at me…” Whether in family background, beauty, or talent, she had never been lesser than anyone. Even when compared to the legendarily beautiful Su Zuidie of the past, she had never felt significantly less attractive. Yet from their youth, this man she had fallen for at first sight had never spared her a glance. In the past, he would only look at Su Zuidie, smile gently at her, play music, and compose poetry with her. He never noticed there was another woman by his side. Originally, she thought after Su Zuidie was gone, he wouldn’t treat anyone especially anymore, but now… As a woman who harbored deep feelings for Mo Xiuyao, she was more sensitive than anyone – Mo Xiuyao treated Ye Li even more especially than he had Su Zuidie.
Mo Xiuyao frowned in displeasure. He wasn’t unaware of Noble Consort Liu’s feelings for him. In his youth, he simply hadn’t cared – as the second young master of Prince Ding’s mansion who was the dream of countless maidens in the capital, some too many women secretly admired him to count. Moreover, due to his parents’ circumstances and his already having a fiancée, he wouldn’t have paid attention to other women anyway. After Noble Consort Liu entered the palace, any possibility was even more out of the question. Even if he despised Mo Jingqi, he wouldn’t stoop so low as to seduce his consort. Therefore, he completely failed to understand Noble Consort Liu’s current grievances, “Noble Consort Liu, mind your words. This prince’s given name is not for just anyone to use.”
Noble Consort Liu gritted her teeth, “Why have you never been willing to look at me? Am I truly so beneath your notice?”
Mo Xiuyao frowned, “This prince only advises you to remember your position.”
“I can give up my position as Noble Consort!” Noble Consort Liu cried out, her voice taking on a tearful quality, “Do you think I enjoy being Noble Consort? None of this was my choice… As long as you… as long as you… I can give up everything…”
Mo Xiuyao looked coldly at the uncontrolled woman in white before him and turned to leave without expression.
“Don’t go!” Noble Consort Liu cried, lunging forward to grab Mo Xiuyao’s sleeve. Though her martial arts weren’t weak, she was completely outmatched by Mo Xiuyao. Not wishing to harm her, he merely flicked his sleeve to brush her aside. Noble Consort Liu stumbled and finally fell to the ground, “Don’t go… Xiuyao, I have something important to tell you. Mo Jingqi… Mo Jingqi harbors ill intentions toward Prince Ding’s mansion, he’s plotting against you!” Mo Xiuyao looked down at her and said flatly, “When has His Majesty ever had good intentions toward Prince Ding’s mansion? Your previous assistance to A-Li and today’s rescue of Princess Zhenning – consider this prince’s debt repaid. Take care of yourself, Noble Consort. Our emperor isn’t known for his tolerance.”
“Why…”
“Tsk… truly a heart of iron,” Yelü Ye gloated beside Ye Li in the shadows of the peach grove, “This Noble Consort Liu is quite the rare beauty.”
Ye Li gave him a cool glance. Finding Noble Consort Liu here had indeed surprised her. When she left Zhaixing Tower, Noble Consort Liu had still been beside Mo Jingqi – how had she managed to slip away and appear in this peach grove so quickly? She had long known of Noble Consort Liu’s feelings for Mo Xiuyao and equally understood Mo Xiuyao’s thoughts on the matter. Thus, seeing these two together hadn’t particularly angered her. She was only surprised by the depth and recklessness of Noble Consort Liu’s feelings. Looking at Princess Zhenning still sitting silently on the ground, Ye Li shook her head internally. While having deep feelings for a man wasn’t wrong, disregarding everything else for it wasn’t good. How little must Noble Consort Liu care for her daughter to express her feelings for Mo Xiuyao in front of her? Though Princess Zhenning was only eight years old, in the imperial family, an eight-year-old was no longer completely ignorant.
“What do you think, Princess Consort? Don’t you want to go out and see?” Yelü Ye smiled, “Seeing Noble Consort Liu’s deep emotions, doesn’t the Princess Consort have any thoughts? What if Prince Ding is moved…”
Ye Li gave him an uninterested look, “If the Prince wishes to provoke, at least use a more clever excuse.” Going out now would be foolish. Currently, Noble Consort Liu might only be heartbroken and distressed, but if she appeared before them, that sorrow would likely instantly transform into boundless hatred. Of course, this didn’t mean she didn’t already harbor hatred. Ye Li reminded herself to be more careful of Noble Consort Liu in the future. To still attract attention even after having her face ruined – clearly, the ruination hadn’t been thorough enough. As Ye Li silently calculated in her mind, Mo Xiuyao in the peach grove inexplicably felt a chill run down his spine. He glanced at the tearful Noble Consort Liu and turned to leave without hesitation.
Mo Xiuyao walked out of the peach grove, and stood by the river for a moment before turning back with a faint smile, “A-Li, since you’re here, why not come out?”
Ye Li walked out of the peach grove leisurely, smiling lightly, “I was just afraid of disrupting Your Highness’s affairs.”
Mo Xiuyao fell silent, then after a while said, “This prince just felt a sudden chill – A-Li wasn’t thinking of ruining this prince’s face, was she?”
Ye Li glared at him fiercely – she would never admit that he had guessed her thoughts correctly. Yelü Ye followed Ye Li out casually, looking at Mo Xiuyao with a smile, “Prince Ding truly has an extraordinary bearing, this prince admires you.”
Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, “Prince Yelü is too kind, this prince can’t compare to Prince Yelü…” Before he could finish, Mo Xiuyao turned to look toward another part of the Imperial Garden. Yelü Ye said, “It seems someone is looking for Prince Yelü…” Yelü Ye looked up to see several figures hurrying in their direction – clearly palace guards. It seemed that even though Mo Jingqi feared death, he hadn’t forgotten about his distinguished guest. Yelü Ye clicked his tongue and smiled brilliantly at Ye Li, “This prince won’t trouble the palace guards then. Princess Consort, we’ll meet again tomorrow.” With that, he leaped into the peach grove and vanished.
“Your servant greets Prince and Princess Consort!” Several guards came over, startled to see Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li standing together, and hurriedly came forward to pay their respects.
Mo Xiuyao nodded, “What are you doing?”
The lead guard replied, “Your Highness, during the chaos, we discovered Prince Yelü and the Princess Consort were missing. We were ordered by His Majesty to search everywhere.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded, saying calmly, “The Princess Consort was concerned about this prince and followed to check on me. Send someone to inform His Majesty that the Princess Consort is with me. As for Prince Yelü… continue your search.” The guards naturally dared not delay, taking their leave to both report to Mo Jingqi and continue searching for Yelü Ye.
Ye Li looked back at the peach grove, frowning, “Noble Consort Liu…”
Mo Xiuyao pulled Ye Li along as they walked back, laughing softly, “Noble Consort Liu has nothing to do with your husband, don’t wrongly accuse me, wife.”
Ye Li gave him a sidelong glance, “Is it right to leave Noble Consort Liu there?”
Mo Xiuyao said, “Noble Consort Liu isn’t as simple as you think. Do you believe someone with ordinary skills could travel from Zhaixing Tower to here in such a short time? If you’re on good terms with the Empress, you’d better warn her to be careful of Noble Consort Liu.” Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao strangely – hadn’t he just said he owed Noble Consort Liu a debt? Even if it was just repaid, wasn’t it too quick to turn against her? Mo Xiuyao smiled at her, “Did you think if I had accepted her then, she would truly give up everything and follow me?”
Ye Li raised an eyebrow – wasn’t that the case?
Mo Xiuyao said quietly, “How could noble families raise daughters who would abandon everything for love? If she truly meant to give up everything as she claimed, how could she have continuously given birth to two sons and a daughter to become the most favored in the rear palace? She doesn’t truly want to be with me – she simply can’t accept that I ignored her then but treat you well now.” Ye Li frowned slightly, believing that Noble Consort Liu did have genuine feelings for Mo Xiuyao. At least they weren’t completely purposeful – such a proud woman wouldn’t beg a man so pitifully knowing her chances were slim unless there was some true feeling and hope involved.
However… even true feelings were useless. Mo Xiuyao was hers now, and she refused to let others interfere.