After seeing off Princess Ronghua, Ye Li returned to finish preparing the training plans to hand over to Qin Feng. The next morning, she went to bid farewell to the Great Princess before returning to the city. The Great Princess looked at Ye Li with meaningful eyes and smiled, “Yes, you should return. How can it look for the dignified Wang Fei of Prince Dingguo to stay with an old woman like me outside the city? Besides, without a Wang Fei to help him, Xiuyao must find many things inconvenient.”
Hearing the Great Princess’s words, Ye Li was startled, increasingly feeling that something was happening in the capital that she didn’t know about. After bidding farewell to the Great Princess and seeing Qin Feng waiting at the door, Ye Li gave him a meaningful glance, “Has something happened in the capital that I don’t know about?”
Qin Feng’s expression stiffened as he smiled nervously, “If there were any important matters, who would dare not report them to Wang Fei?”
Ye Li narrowed her eyes, tilting her head to look at him with a smile, “So it’s not very important then? Tell me about it.”
Seeing Ye Li turn to walk outside, Qin Feng hurriedly caught up, explaining, “Actually, it’s nothing major. Well… you know how the Northern Rong marriage envoys arrived in the capital a few days ago. Prince Yelü petitioned the Emperor, saying that since the two nations are joining in marriage, there should be both giving and receiving to demonstrate the friendship between the countries.”
Ye Li turned back to look at him coolly, “So this time it’s a Northern Rong princess coming to marry the Wang Ye? Do they want Wang Ye to marry again? Does the Emperor think Prince Dingguo’s mansion is someplace where he can stuff in all sorts of random people?”
Qin Feng shrank his neck – was the Wang Fei jealous? The Wang Ye would surely be pleased to know this. Seeing Ye Li’s expression, Qin Feng hurriedly explained, “It’s not a Northern Rong princess… it’s Helian Huimin, the adopted daughter of Northern Rong’s Flying Cavalry General Helian Zhen.”
Ye Li couldn’t help but twitch her mouth – the adopted daughter of Helian Zhen… who didn’t know that Helian Zhen harbored a deep hatred for Prince Dingguo’s mansion? And this adopted daughter… it seemed the other side must be very confident to dare come to Da Chu with such an identity. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
“Wang Fei, please calm down.” Qin Feng hurriedly apologized. Ye Li gave him a cool glance, and Qin Feng remembered that Wang Fei disliked subordinates wasting words on such apologies. He quickly explained, “It was the Wang Ye’s intention. Wang Ye said that since Wang Fei was outside and busy, there was no need to trouble Wang Fei with such minor matters. He doesn’t take a mere Northern Rong woman seriously.”
Ye Li nodded slightly, accepting his explanation, and asked, “If that’s the case, why has it spread throughout the entire city?” It was one thing for Princess Ronghua who was always in the capital to know, but even the Great Princess living outside the city knew about it – this couldn’t be called a small matter anymore.
Qin Feng said, “The Emperor and Empress Dowager said that Wang Fei and Wang Ye have been married for over a year but Wang Fei… there’s been no news, so they approved Prince Yelü’s request, saying it was to help the Wang Fu continue the family line.” After speaking, Qin Feng carefully glanced at Ye Li – this was the real reason they hadn’t dared to report to her.
“What a fine way to continue the family line!” Ye Li laughed coldly. “Taking a Northern Rong woman to continue Prince Dingguo’s line? Back to the city!” She had no racial prejudice, but even if she truly couldn’t bear children, neither Da Chu’s common people nor the Mo family army would accept a future Prince Ding having Northern Rong blood – this was purely a political issue. Mo Jingqi had quite a scheme, but did he think everyone in the world was a fool?
Before even reaching the mansion, Ye Li had already heard many rumors about Prince Ding and Helian Huimin along the way. Among them were plenty of rumors about how Wang Fei had been married for over a year without getting pregnant, yet refused to let the Prince take concubines, calling her jealous and unvirtuous. Just as they entered the mansion, Steward Mo hurriedly came to invite Ye Li to the main hall. Ye Li raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Steward Mo explained, “Prince Yelü and Miss Helian Huimin are visiting, and Wang Ye is speaking with them in the main hall. As the mistress of Prince Ding’s mansion, Wang Fei should naturally appear to receive the guests.”
Ye Li looked at Steward Mo with amusement and smiled, “Does Uncle Mo have nothing to say about the rumors outside?” Although those messy speculations made Ye Li uncomfortable, one point was correct – she had been married for a year without conceiving and showed no intention of letting Mo Xiuyao take concubines. In the eyes of people of this era, this indeed appeared jealous and unvirtuous.
Steward Mo said steadily, “How can subordinates have the right to discuss the master’s affairs? Moreover… most of the rumors outside were spread by the Wang Ye’s people.”
“Oh? What does Wang Ye want to do?” Ye Li was somewhat surprised, but thinking carefully, it made sense. In just a few days, rumors had spread throughout the capital and were even intensifying. If Prince Ding’s mansion was involved, it wouldn’t have been like this. It seemed Mo Xiuyao not only hadn’t quelled these rumors but had been secretly fanning them.
Steward Mo said, “The Wang Ye said Wang Fei would understand his intentions when you returned. Now Wang Fei…”
Ye Li smiled brightly, “Since they’ve personally come to visit, how can this Wang Fei be so discourteous as to not see them?”
Just as she reached the main hall’s entrance, she heard a clear young woman’s voice from inside, “Wang Ye, might Huimin have the honor of meeting the Wang Fei?”
Mo Xiuyao’s voice was as gentle and cultured as always as he replied coolly, “Ah Li has gone to visit the Imperial Aunt outside the city. I’m afraid there’s no chance for Miss Helian to meet her.”
“Wang Ye jests – how could there be no chance? Once Huimin marries into Prince Dingguo’s mansion, she’ll be sisters with Wang Fei, and there will naturally be time to meet.” Yelü Ye laughed loudly, “Huimin, don’t worry. The Wang Fei of Prince Ding is refined and elegant, truly a model of Da Chu womanhood. She absolutely won’t make things difficult for you.”
“Cousin speaks truly. Huimin has long admired Wang Fei’s reputation and was just eager, making Wang Ye laugh at me.” Helian Huimin’s clear voice laughed, her words showing natural grace without any of the shyness and panic that Da Chu women would show when discussing their marriage.
“Marry into Prince Dingguo’s mansion?” Mo Xiuyao asked puzzledly, “Prince Dingguo’s mansion has no branch families, and my father and brothers passed away many years ago. I wonder which of our ancestors Miss Helian has a marriage agreement with?”
“Pfft…” Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh. With rumors already spreading wildly outside, Mo Xiuyao’s pretense of ignorance was a bit too theatrical. After a light cough, Ye Li finally stepped into the hall.
Mo Xiuyao was delighted to see Ye Li, personally rising to take her hand with a smile, “Ah Li, you’ve finally returned. Have you stopped being angry with your husband?” Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “Does Wang Ye think he did something wrong?” While privately giving Mo Xiuyao a hard pinch, with her back to Helian Huimin, she used her eyes to signal: What are you up to? Ye Li’s grip was not light, and Mo Xiuyao’s body stiffened. He lowered his face and said, “Is Ah Li still angry? This Wang knows he was wrong. Whatever my wife thinks is wrong must be wrong, even if everyone in the world says it’s right. Please sit, dear wife.”
With his handsome face still wearing the half-cold mask, combined with Prince Dingguo’s reputation, this display of a husband coaxing his wife – common in ordinary households – appeared particularly strange to outsiders. Both Helian Huimin and Yelü Ye couldn’t help but look at each other in surprise. They could hardly believe that Prince Ding would put on such an act in front of others.
Yelü Ye raised his eyebrows with interest and smiled at Ye Li, “Wang Fei, it’s been many days since we met, but Wang Fei’s grace remains unchanged.”
Ye Li smiled and nodded, “Prince Yelü is no less impressive. This young lady is…?”
Before Yelü Ye could introduce her, Helian Huimin rose and performed a Da Chu curtsey to Ye Li with a smile, “Little sister Helian Huimin greets elder sister Wang Fei.”
Ye Li frowned slightly, stepping aside to avoid her curtsey, and smiled, “Miss Helian may simply address me as Wang Fei. Speaking of which, Miss Helian should be several years older than me – I cannot accept the title of elder sister.”
Only now did Ye Li see Helian Huimin’s appearance. Being from Northern Rong, Helian Huimin was much taller than Da Chu women, but her figure was graceful and delicate, showing none of the sturdiness typically associated with Northern Rong women. Her features were quite refined, bearing some of the beauty of Da Chu ladies. However, she wore a peach-red Northern Rong noble’s attire, and her smiling eyes carried an additional air of heroic spirit. She somewhat resembled Murong Ting, but with one glance, Ye Li understood that this Helian Huimin was completely different from the guileless Murong Ting. Her outward brightness and straightforwardness were merely a facade. Just from those pretty eyes fixed intently on her face, Ye Li knew this seemingly guileless appearance was just a cover while she was still unclear about Ye Li’s background.
Hearing Ye Li’s words, Helian Huimin was briefly stunned but quickly recovered with a smile, “Elder sister Wang Fei may not know, but Huimin has already received the Da Chu Emperor’s decree to marry into Prince Dingguo’s mansion soon. Though I don’t know Da Chu’s customs, in our Northern Rong, the first to enter the household is considered senior, so it’s proper for me to call you elder sister.”
Ye Li pondered for a moment, then turned back to look at Mo Xiuyao, “Wang Ye, congratulations on the Emperor personally bestowing such beauty upon you. Is Wang Ye happy?”
Mo Xiuyao quickly shook his head, “My wife misunderstands. This Wang has never received any such marriage decree. Just now, this Wang was wondering if Miss Helian might have had a marriage agreement with my father or brother. In that case… though my father and brother have long since passed away, Prince Dingguo’s mansion can still afford a ghost marriage. It would just trouble my wife with the arrangements. I wonder… would Miss Helian be my stepmother or… my sister-in-law?”
At these words, even the usually composed Yelü Ye couldn’t help but twist his expression. Though Northern Rong women were less concerned with propriety, being teased this way by her intended husband made even Helian Huimin’s face turn ugly. What did he mean he had never received a marriage decree? The Emperor had granted the marriage on the spot without time to write an official decree, and Mo Xiuyao had left immediately without giving any face to either the Emperor or Northern Rong. Later he even kept the decree messenger locked outside the gate, so naturally, there was no marriage decree.
Ye Li raised her clear eyes, “Is that so?”
Mo Xiuyao said seriously, “My feelings for Ah Li are as clear as day and true. If I shamelessly marry Miss Helian, may heaven strike me down and leave me without descendants.” After all, he absolutely wouldn’t go to Helian Huimin, so making such vows carried no pressure.
Hearing this, Ye Li’s expression softened somewhat, and she said gently, “I believe you, there’s no need for such vows. If that’s the case, I’ll have people prepare for the wedding. But… whether it’s for father or elder brother, should we invite elder sister-in-law to return?” Never mind if she ruined Helian Huimin’s reputation – Northern Rong people didn’t care much about that. Besides, she had no intention of being polite to a woman trying to steal her man.
Mo Xiuyao was very satisfied with Ye Li’s cooperation. He turned back to look at Yelü Ye, who sat to the side, clearly asking him to clarify whether Helian Huimin was to marry the previous Prince Ding or the previous Prince Ding. Yelü Ye’s face turned ashen – Mo Xiuyao had tied marrying Helian Huimin to a matter of morality and honor, clearly determined to push Helian Huimin onto someone already dead. If they went along with his wishes, they would truly lose both the woman and their advantage. With a light snort, Yelü Ye said, “Prince Ding, you surely understand both this prince’s and the Da Chu Emperor’s intentions. Isn’t this willful confusion beneath your dignity?”
Mo Xiuyao appeared even more wronged than him, sighing lightly, “The Prince doesn’t know, but my ancestors had a teaching that we must never marry foreign women into the family, or we would be unworthy to be descendants of Prince Dingguo’s mansion. But for the friendship between our two countries, since my father and brother have already passed away, they are no longer bound by the mansion’s rules. Isn’t this the perfect solution for everyone?”
The perfect solution my foot! Yelü Ye couldn’t help but curse inwardly.
“Wang Ye, Huimin admires you wholeheartedly. Why does Wang Ye humiliate me so?” Helian Huimin stood up and looked at Mo Xiuyao resentfully.
Mo Xiuyao said coolly, “This Wang has no intention to humiliate Miss Helian.”
Helian Huimin said, “If that’s so, why does Wang Ye keep refusing? You and I have been properly matched by the Da Chu Emperor’s decree. Though I’m not of royal blood, I am still Northern Rong nobility, educated in both literature and martial arts since childhood. I dare say I won’t bring shame to Wang Ye.”
Mo Xiuyao looked at Helian Huimin, then lowered his head to look at Ye Li sitting beside him, saying gently, “This Wang will only marry Ah Li in this life, that is enough. Where does Miss Helian’s actions place this Wang’s beloved wife?”
All three people in the hall were stunned. Helian Huimin looked at Ye Li with complex emotions and said, “Will Wang Ye disregard even Da Chu for Wang Fei?”
Ye Li frowned, looking at Helian Huimin, and said, “What do you mean by that, Miss Helian? Are you suggesting that if our Wang Ye doesn’t marry you, Northern Rong will invade our country?”
Helian Huimin naturally wouldn’t be foolish enough to accept such words. She just looked at Mo Xiuyao and said, “I’ve heard Prince Dingguo’s mansion has always been loyal to the court. Could it be that Wang Ye wants to defy the imperial decree for the Wang Fei? Aren’t you afraid the court officials will consider the Wang Fei a national calamity?”
Mo Xiuyao’s face darkened slightly, seemingly finally putting away his earlier theatrical smile. He looked coolly at Helian Huimin and said, “This Wang sees Miss Helian’s eloquence as unlike a Northern Rong person, but rather like our Da Chu people’s skill at argument. Miss Helian, this Wang has just one question for you.”
Helian Huimin was startled. Though she couldn’t quite understand why Prince Ding, who had been responding to everything she said with gentle courtesy these past two days, was suddenly angry, she still nodded and said, “Please ask, Wang Ye.”
Yelü Ye at the side frowned, watching Mo Xiuyao warily, feeling that whatever he was about to say wouldn’t be pleasant.
They saw Mo Xiuyao’s cold eyes fixed on Helian Huimin’s beautiful face until she blushed and turned her head away. Only then did he coolly utter a single sentence, “Miss Helian, are you unable to find a husband?”