Leaving the dungeon, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li walked side by side. Ye Li hesitantly looked up and asked, “Is it alright to just let Tan Jizhi go?”
Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, “What’s there to worry about? If A-Li is happy to release him, then so be it. If you’re not happy, we can always kill him.”
Ye Li gave him a helpless glance, “Killing someone isn’t like chopping vegetables. What’s this about being happy or not? Though letting him go isn’t a big deal, since his conditions were indeed quite good. Still, I feel like we’re missing something.” Although the Dinguo Prince’s estate was wealthy, their break with Mo Jingqi had become inevitable, and the estate’s assets weren’t entirely unscathed. A hundred thousand taels of gold wasn’t a small sum, but it wasn’t an enormous amount either. Adding Tan Jizhi’s influence built up over ten years in the Northwest and the capital, if this was just about his attempt to capture her, the deal seemed unusually favorable.
Mo Xiuyao shrugged, mimicking Ye Li’s usual manner. To him, the difference between killing people and chopping vegetables wasn’t particularly significant. “If we’ve let him go, we’ve let him go. If he doesn’t behave, we can always capture him again.”
Ye Li smiled, “Does Your Highness think Tan Jizhi is so easy to capture?” If not for Tan Jizhi’s bad luck of being discovered by Mo Xiuyao in the Northwest, capturing him wouldn’t have been so simple. The fact that he could lurk beside Mo Jingqi for so long without arousing suspicion was proof enough of his capabilities.
Mo Xiuyao replied carelessly, “No one this Prince wants dead can escape death. Even if he’s fine now, he’ll die eventually.”
Taking Mo Xiuyao’s arm, they strolled along the corridor. Mo Xiuyao had truly changed a lot since his return, and Ye Li couldn’t tell if these changes were good or bad. The former Mo Xiuyao had been too profound; even Ye Li couldn’t always see through him completely. Sometimes she felt she only saw what Mo Xiuyao allowed her to see. Now he showed more spontaneity and uninhibitedness. Of course, there was also a strange obsessiveness, like his dislike of Han Mingshi, releasing killing intent whenever he saw him. Occasionally, Ye Li worried Mo Xiuyao might kill Han Mingshi behind her back. She had discussed this with Mo Xiuyao when he was in a good mood, and he had gazed at her seriously, saying if A-Li wasn’t happy, he wouldn’t kill him. Ye Li believed his promise, but what made her both amused and exasperated was that he would still release killing intent at Han Mingshi right after. This had gotten to the point where Han Mingshi no longer provoked Mo Xiuyao when he saw him, instead taking detours to avoid him.
And now, since Mo Xiuyao had marked Tan Jizhi for death, Ye Li figured Tan Jizhi would have quite the headache in his days ahead, even after being released.
“Your Highness, My Lady.” Qin Feng appeared at the corridor’s end, bowing to them.
Ye Li nodded, smiling as she asked, “Any news from Su Zuidie?” Qin Feng frowned in frustration, looking dejected as he said, “This servant is incompetent. Beyond revealing Tan Jizhi’s identity, Su Zuidie refuses to say anything more.” Qin Feng felt his previous underestimation of Su Zuidie had been a grave error. In all these years, he’d never seen a woman who could endure torture like this, especially one who normally seemed so delicate she’d cry over a pinprick.
“No matter, it’s expected. Take it slow, there’s no rush. Just be careful not to kill her,” Ye Li said. If Su Zuidie were truly as fragile as she appeared, she wouldn’t have had the courage to seduce Han Mingyue, betray Mo Xiuyao, and then abandon Han Mingyue to align herself with the Western Ling Emperor and the Marquis of Zhennan. For a noblewoman who had never left even Chu Capital to possess such cunning and skill was remarkable. So Ye Li wasn’t surprised if she had other capabilities. But Ye Li didn’t want to kill her yet, sensing that whatever secret made Su Zuidie endure such torture without confessing must be earth-shattering.
“This servant understands,” Qin Feng bowed in acknowledgment. Mo Xiuyao looked down at the contemplative Ye Li and said softly, “A-Li shouldn’t tire herself thinking too much now.”
Ye Li smiled lightly, “It’s nothing, just that something feels off about Su Zuidie.” Indeed, while Su Zuidie was capable of endurance, she wasn’t naturally suited to suffering. Unless speaking would lead to consequences worse than her current situation.
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then told Qin Feng, “Spread word quietly that… this Prince has found Su Lao’s granddaughter, Su Zuidie.”
Qin Feng started, looking puzzled at Mo Xiuyao, “Your Highness…” Mo Xiuyao played with the hair on Ye Li’s shoulder, saying casually, “No need for much effort, just make sure the right people know. Understand?”
Qin Feng comprehended, “This servant understands, and will do it immediately.”
Early the next morning, before Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li needed to ask, Tan Jizhi sent word through the dungeon guards. He completely agreed to all of Ye Li’s conditions. As long as Shu Manlin’s safety could be guaranteed, he agreed to have her temporarily held hostage in Ruyang City until Ye Li found the Biluo Flower. Neither Ye Li nor Mo Xiuyao were surprised by this. When one’s life was at stake, any trade would be profitable for Tan Jizhi. After all, without one’s life, everything else would be worthless. Tan Jizhi wasn’t an indecisive person, and he paid generously. With his seal, the secret agents received a hundred thousand taels of gold that same day from Tan Jizhi’s hidden forces in the Northwest. This also indirectly proved how formidable his concealed power had become.
Mo Xiuyao’s mood hadn’t been too bad lately, so he didn’t plan to go back on his word. He immediately ordered Tan Jizhi’s release from prison. Eager to leave the Northwest, Tan Jizhi directly declined Feng Zhiyao’s possibly genuine or false invitation to stay until the next day, stating he would depart immediately. Ye Li didn’t try to keep him either, except for one last matter: the whereabouts of the Biluo Flower. Tan Jizhi looked at Ye Li, his expression carrying a hint of malicious amusement, “My Lady, you’ve been searching far and wide for the Biluo Flower, but actually… the real Biluo Flower has been right under your nose all along.”
Ye Li frowned, pondering briefly before saying, “The Biluo Flower is in Chu Capital?”
Tan Jizhi smiled proudly, “Indeed, the Biluo Flower is in Chu Capital. Moreover, it’s in the Chu Palace. In… Mo Jingqi’s hands.”
“Why would it be in Mo Jingqi’s possession?” Ye Li frowned and asked. Mo Jingqi couldn’t possibly be unaware that the Biluo Flower could cure Mo Xiuyao’s condition. If he had obtained it, wouldn’t he simply destroy it? Tan Jizhi seemed to sense her concern and smiled, “My Lady need not worry. The Biluo Flower is said to be able to regrow flesh from bone and revive the dead. Someone as concerned with self-preservation as Mo Jingqi would never destroy it. He would only hide it carefully, in a place no one would think to look. To be honest, since the Biluo Flower came into his possession, even I haven’t been able to guess where he’s hidden it.”
Ye Li gave him a cold look, asking, “You gave the Biluo Flower to Mo Jingqi?” Tan Jizhi didn’t deny it, smiling somewhat smugly, “Doesn’t My Lady think this was a good idea? I originally didn’t want to give it to Mo Jingqi, but once I learned that you and that sick scholar from Yanwang Pavilion were both looking for it, I had no choice. With the capabilities of the Dinguo Prince’s estate and Yanwang Pavilion, you would eventually discover it wasn’t in the Liang family’s possession, and then I might have been in trouble. But who would think such a priceless treasure would be in the hands of the Great Chu Emperor? The thing the Prince needs most is in the hands of the person who hates him most. Hehe…”
“You may leave. Since this Lady has agreed to your conditions, I won’t go back on my word. However, pray that you don’t fall into my hands next time,” Ye Li said coolly. Tan Jizhi withdrew his deliberately affected smile, giving Ye Li a sinister glance, “This one will certainly remember My Lady’s words. I absolutely won’t let myself have another chance to fall into the Dinguo Prince estate’s hands. Farewell.” Ye Li turned away, “No need to see you out.”
After sending Tan Jizhi away, Mo Xiuyao immediately showed his true colors and unceremoniously threw Mo Jingqi’s envoys out of Ruyang City. As for their demand for Tan Jizhi… everyone in Ruyang City, men and women, young and old, had seen Tan Jizhi leave through the city gates. If he wasn’t willing to return to Chu Capital, that wasn’t the Mo army’s or Dinguo Prince estate’s concern. Regarding Tan Jizhi’s identity, Mo Xiuyao hadn’t planned to tell Mo Jingqi, but he hadn’t deliberately concealed it either. Whether Mo Jingqi could find out wasn’t his concern.
In his chamber, Mo Xiuyao, freshly washed, sat with his still-damp white hair loose, looking with disgust at the white-haired man in the bronze mirror. His gaze fell on a small black porcelain bottle placed aside, containing the hair dye Shen Yang had specially prepared for him. Previously, Mo Xiuyao hadn’t considered himself someone who cared about appearances, but now, each time he saw his reflection, he found it increasingly unbearable. The snow-white hair, combined with the grotesque scar on his left face, made his already pale complexion appear even more eerie and terrifying. He didn’t want A-Li to see such a frightening appearance. It wasn’t that he feared scaring her, but he didn’t want her to see him in such an ugly state. His A-Li was so perfect, while he… A flash of hatred crossed his dark eyes. While he was so broken and ugly. Only now did Mo Xiuyao realize it wasn’t that he hadn’t cared about appearances before, but rather that at seventeen or eighteen, he had been naturally blessed with extraordinary looks. He did not need to envy anyone, and after seventeen, there had been no one whose opinion of his appearance he needed to care about. He could even imagine what a bizarre picture he and A-Li must make standing together now.
“Bang!” His palm struck the table before him, neither too light nor too heavy. The purple sandalwood table let out a painful groan, several cracks rapidly spreading across its surface.
“Xiuyao.” Ye Li’s voice sounded outside the door. Mo Xiuyao’s body stiffened; if he hadn’t known who was outside, he might have sent the person flying with a single strike. He felt an urge to hide, but there was nowhere in the room suitable for concealing someone of his height, and besides, A-Li knew he was inside – how could he possibly really hide? Ye Li entered slowly, coming around the screen to see the white-haired man sitting before the bronze mirror. As if not noticing Mo Xiuyao’s tension, she walked over and picked up the towel lying aside, gently drying his hair. “Why is your hair still wet? Even though the weather is quite warm, you still need to be careful about headaches.”
“A-Li…” Mo Xiuyao turned, staring dazedly at the gently smiling woman before him. After several days of recuperation since returning, Ye Li’s complexion had improved greatly. Though she wasn’t as plump as many women seven or eight months pregnant, she still looked quite healthy and beautiful. While drying his hair, Ye Li asked softly, “What’s wrong?” Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “Nothing.” Ye Li smiled gently, “If it’s nothing, that’s good. Let me fix your hair.”
The room fell into peaceful silence as Ye Li gently dried his hair, then skillfully gathered the snow-white strands and tied them up with a silver ribbon from a nearby box. Finally, she nodded with satisfaction, “Perfect.”
Mo Xiuyao pulled Ye Li into his embrace, pressing his face against her round belly, listening to the energetic movements of the baby inside, occasionally receiving a kick. “A-Li, I’ve become so ugly. Don’t you find me repulsive?” Ye Li started, unable to suppress a smile. But seeing his cautious expression, her eyes suddenly stung with almost tears. Gently stroking Mo Xiuyao’s silver-white hair, she asked softly, “If I became ugly, would you find me repulsive?”
“Of course not. A-Li will always be the most beautiful,” Mo Xiuyao said solemnly.
Ye Li smiled, “There you have it. Besides, you were never handsome to begin with.” Had Ye Li seen a few handsome men? There was Xu Qingchen, transcendent as an immortal; the Young Master Mingyue, as refined and brilliant as the moon; Han Mingshi, extraordinarily handsome, seemingly unrestrained yet pure and sincere; and the capital’s renowned beauties Feng Zhiyao, Leng Haoyu, and others. In comparison, no matter how outstanding Mo Xiuyao’s features might have been, it couldn’t change the fact that half his face was already disfigured. So in Ye Li’s eyes, Mo Xiuyao truly couldn’t be considered a handsome man. Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s stunned expression, Ye Li said with a smile, “But since you’ve become aware of this and know you’re not good-looking, why don’t we have Master Shen and Master look at your facial injury?”
Mo Xiuyao hesitated. Initially, not treating the facial injury wasn’t because it couldn’t be treated. Rather, when the virus had severely wounded him, leaving him suffering daily, Mo Xiuyao simply hadn’t cared about the scar on his face. When he had lost both his healthy body and his legs, what difference did it make whether his face was ruined or not? Moreover, several times Shen Yang had thought Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t survive, so naturally hadn’t have time to worry about dealing with facial issues. By the time Mo Xiuyao’s condition had stabilized and Shen Yang remembered this matter, the then-melancholic Mo Xiuyao had rejected the idea without hesitation.
Touching the scar on his face, he said, “It’s been so many years…”
Ye Li smiled, “What harm is there in trying? I heard that someone didn’t even apply medicine to his face back then, letting it heal naturally. Really… impressive. Since that’s the case, why is Your Highness suddenly concerned about appearance today?” Teased this way by Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao felt much lighter at heart. Pulling her by the waist into his embrace, he muttered, “Even if A-Li finds me repulsive now, it’s too late. Anyone who dares try to steal you from me will be torn to pieces!”
Ye Li patted him helplessly, “You’re becoming more and more childish. Do you think I’m a gold ingot that everyone wants?”
Mo Xiuyao snorted softly. His A-Li was worth far more than any gold ingot. But… she could only be his! Anyone who coveted his treasure would die!