The news of the Mo Family Army’s severance from Da Chu spread like wildfire throughout the empire and neighboring countries. Its impact far exceeded Mo Jingqi’s expectations. Not only were the common people and scholars who felt deceived and deeply dissatisfied with the court, but even the princes dispatched to various regions began showing signs of unrest. The neighboring countries’ increasingly frequent military movements were even more concerning. It wasn’t just the Northern Rong making their moves; even small northern tribes began occasional border provocations. While the emperor and his ministers in the Chu capital might still be cursing in anger, the citizens at Da Chu’s borders were already experiencing firsthand what losing the Mo Family Army meant for Da Chu.

“Mo Xiuyao! That Mo Xiuyao… that Prince Ding’s manor! One day I will execute your entire household!” In the Imperial Study, Mo Jingqi frantically smashed the room’s furnishings. This time, Mo Xiuyao had completely outmaneuvered him. Mo Xiuyao dropped such an enormous bombshell at his son’s full-month celebration that by the time the news reached the Chu capital, it had essentially spread throughout the world. Never mind Mo Jingqi wanting to refute or counter it – every day at court, countless scholars submitted collective petitions that were more like interrogations. The evidence from the Northwest was particularly damning and logically sound without a single flaw. No matter how he tried to explain, his words seemed weak and hollow. Every time he saw the memorials, Mo Jingqi couldn’t help but get a headache. Amid their anger at being deceived by their monarch and worry about losing the Mo Family Army, the scholars, and common people had almost collectively forgotten any questions of legitimacy regarding Prince Ding’s manor declaring independence from Da Chu.

“Someone! Relay my imperial decree – immediately mobilize five hundred thousand troops to suppress the traitor Mo Xiuyao!” Blinded by rage, Mo Jingqi roared. Now he didn’t want to think about anything else; he only wanted to exterminate the Mo Family Army and execute Prince Ding’s entire household to quench the hatred in his heart.

Standing in the corner, Prime Minister Liu frowned at Mo Jingqi’s manic state. After some hesitation, he advised, “Your Majesty, the Northern Rong are currently eyeing our borders like tigers watching their prey, and the southwestern border with Xiling is also unstable. Moreover… Prince Ding…” Before he could finish, Mo Jingqi interrupted, “You mean the traitor Mo Xiuyao!” Prime Minister Liu nodded, “Mo Xiuyao has dispatched two hundred thousand Mo Family troops to guard Feihong Pass. For us to… it won’t be easy. Please reconsider carefully, Your Majesty!” The Mo Family Army in the Northwest numbered at least four hundred thousand. Although Da Chu’s military force was several times that of the Mo Family Army, few could match them in combat. To clear out the Northwest, Da Chu would need to be prepared to stake the entire nation. But from any perspective, this wasn’t worth it.

How could Mo Jingqi not understand this reasoning? It was precisely because he understood that he became even more enraged.

“Get out! All of you get out!” Mo Jingqi roared, grabbing things from his desk and throwing them. Prime Minister Liu, despite his advanced age, was startled even though the flying inkstone didn’t hit him. Glancing at Mo Jingqi, who was leaning on the desk with a face full of dark fury, Prime Minister Liu’s eyes darkened slightly as he quickly retreated.

At Prince Ding’s manor, Ye Li raised an eyebrow as she accepted the letter Zhuo Jing delivered. The letter was sent by Tan Jizhi’s people, naturally to remind Ye Li that it was time to release Shu Manlin, whom they had imprisoned for quite some time. Although Shen Yang and Doctor Lin had verified that the Blue Fallen Flower brought back from the Chu capital was genuine, Ye Li had still casually detained Shu Manlin without releasing her before the medicine was developed. Zhuo Jing asked, “Princess, shall we send a reply?” Ye Li smiled as she folded the letter and put it back, saying, “Tell Tan Jizhi it’s not that I’m unwilling to release her, but Princess Anxi of Nanzhao is currently a guest in Li City. It wouldn’t be good if she learned about the presence of the Holy Maiden of Nanjiang here. Ask him to wait a few more days – as soon as Princess Anxi leaves the Northwest, I’ll release her immediately. Tell him not to worry, we haven’t mistreated Shu Manlin these past few months.”

Zhuo Jing nodded, then after some thought asked, “These days various forces have been secretly moving about the Northwest, and even our manor hasn’t had peace. Should we release the news about the Imperial Seal?”

Ye Li nodded in agreement and smiled, “Otherwise what would Tan Jizhi be lingering in the Northwest for? Let’s spread the news – about Tan Jizhi’s identity and the whereabouts of the Imperial Seal. And… that he came to the Northwest now to retrieve the Imperial Seal and treasure. Since he originally spread this news himself, let him deal with the consequences now.” Zhuo Jing smiled, “Princess is wise.” Just thinking about Tan Jizhi being chased openly and secretly by various forces made Zhuo Jing’s mood brighten considerably – watching others’ misfortune does make one happy.

“Princess, there’s one more matter… the Sick Scholar from King of Hell Palace has appeared in the Northwest. He entered the city early this morning and is staying at an inn in the city.” Having finished discussing Tan Jizhi’s matter, Zhuo Jing changed topics to another issue. The Sick Scholar was one of Prince Ding’s manor’s key surveillance targets, both due to his personality and his grudge against the manor. If not for Ling Tiehan’s face and his friendship with Xu Qingchen, Ye Li wouldn’t have minded striking first and killing this person.

“Have someone watch him, and inform Ling Tiehan that if he dares to do anything inappropriate in Li City, don’t blame me for not giving face to the King of Hell Palace Master.” Zhuo Jing acknowledged and withdrew. Ye Li frowned, thinking about how it had been over half a month since the Blue Fallen Flower was brought back from the Chu capital, and Shen Yang and Doctor Lin had been researching behind closed doors daily with no word on when there might be results. Although Mo Xiuyao showed no obvious signs of distress, Ye Li understood that with such poison and old injuries in his body, he definitely couldn’t be comfortable. After some thought, Ye Li got up and walked toward the courtyard where Shen Yang and Doctor Lin were staying.

As soon as she entered, she heard Shen Yang and Doctor Lin arguing back and forth endlessly. Shen Yang usually maintained a scholarly demeanor, and even when occasionally sharp-tongued, he rarely lost his composure so completely when arguing with others. Doctor Lin had an eccentric personality, but in the several months of acquaintance, Ye Li had never seen him nearly rolling up his sleeves ready to fight someone. Stepping into the courtyard, Ye Li smiled and said, “Master Shen, Master, what’s the matter with you two?” Shen Yang let out a light snort, stroking his chin proudly, and said, “This divine physician won’t stoop to the level of an uncouth rustic.” Doctor Lin was equally unrelenting, looking askance with complete disdain, “It’s the uncouth rustic who doesn’t want to waste words with you. Rigidly clinging to outdated ways yet daring to call yourself a divine physician? You must have killed quite a few patients over the years with that attitude?”

Shen Yang immediately bristled, jumping up angrily and shouting, “Old Lin! Don’t think I won’t hit you just because you’re old! You dare slander my medical ethics!” Doctor Lin coldly laughed, “You think I’m afraid of you? How did you enjoy yesterday’s diarrhea?”

Ye Li couldn’t help but groan behind her hand. As the saying goes, two tigers cannot share one mountain – clearly, this courtyard couldn’t contain two divine physicians either. In the beginning, the two had gotten along so well they seemed to regret not meeting earlier, yet how had they reached the point of drugging each other after just a few months? Quickly stopping the two who looked ready to fight, “Master Shen, composure, composure. Master… calm down, calm down, let’s talk this through.” Doctor Lin gave a light snort, glancing sideways at Shen Yang, and said, “For Princess Ding’s sake, I won’t hold this against you.” Shen Yang snorted even louder, waving his sleeve to recover his scholarly bearing, and asked, “What brings the Princess here?” Ye Li was speechless – if I hadn’t come, wouldn’t you two have killed each other?

Ye Li was completely overthinking it. In recent days, these two frequently disagreed, and the servants in the courtyard had grown used to it. As soon as they saw them start arguing, the servants would hide far away to avoid becoming collateral damage, yet even so, no one had killed anyone yet.

The three sat down, and Shen Yang looked at Ye Li and said, “I understand why the Princess has come.” Ye Li nodded with a slight smile and said, “Then I presume Master Shen and Master have made progress?” Shen Yang and Doctor Lin glanced at each other and each let out a sigh. The reason they argued daily was that although they had made progress, the two couldn’t agree on their approach, yet neither could convince the other. The ancient formula for the Blue Fallen Flower had been lost for nearly a thousand years, and the recipe was extremely complex with many ambiguous parts. If even one aspect was wrong, the consequences would be unthinkable. Hearing Shen Yang’s words, Ye Li fell silent for a moment. She also understood that nothing could be easily resolved. Moreover, the Blue Fallen Flower wasn’t some commonly available herb – there was no room for trial and error.

“What are Master Shen and Master’s opinions?” Concealing the flash of disappointment in her heart, Ye Li asked.

Shen Yang gave Ye Li an approving look and said, “The more conservative approach would be to use the Blue Fallen Flower to create a medicine that can temporarily suppress the dual fire and cold poisons in His Highness’s body, ensuring his safety for several years.” Ye Li shook her head, rejecting Shen Yang’s method. Anyone with eyes could see that the days ahead would not be peaceful. If something were to happen to Mo Xiuyao’s health when the time came, it would be better to let the Mo Family Army and Prince Ding’s manor’s people all die now for peace of mind. Besides, where in the world could they find a second Blue Fallen Flower? After pondering for a long while, Ye Li said, “His Highness’s condition is temporarily stable. I trouble both of you to continue your research.” Both men also didn’t favor the conservative treatment, but they simply didn’t dare gamble with Mo Xiuyao’s life. Hearing Ye Li say this, they naturally agreed.

Leaving Shen Yang’s courtyard, Ye Li’s mood was somewhat gloomy. Walking along the corridor, Ye Li suddenly stopped and said in a deep voice, “Qin Feng, go invite the Sick Scholar over. I wish to see him.”

“Yes, this subordinate accepts the command.”

The Sick Scholar’s poison arts could be said to be unmatched in the world, but his martial arts were not particularly impressive due to his physical condition. Since Qin Feng knew both his special qualities and weaknesses, it wasn’t difficult for Qilin to invite someone over as a guest.

“Third Palace Master, it’s been a long time. Have you been well?” Ye Li walked into the flower hall with her people, smiling as she looked at the sallow-faced young man with a gloomy expression sitting there. The Sick Scholar turned his head at her words, narrowing his eyes to stare at the graceful woman in blue robes before him, malicious light flickering in his eyes. “Cough cough… Princess Ding? Indeed, it’s been a long time. How is it? Mo Xiuyao isn’t dead yet?” Ye Li didn’t anger, smiling gently as she said, “Thank you for your concern, His Highness is well. Otherwise, why would Palace Master take such trouble to come from Xiling to Li City?” The Sick Scholar coldly stared at her and said, “The Blue Fallen Flower is in your hands?” Back then, for the whereabouts of the Blue Fallen Flower, he and Ye Li’s people had quite the battle of wits and strength, but he never expected the item would end up in Ye Li’s hands first. Ye Li lowered her eyes, saying calmly, “Was it Mo Jingqi or Tan Jizhi who told you?”

The Sick Scholar raised an eyebrow. Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “When Feng San returned from the capital, he told me he was pursued and attacked on the road by people suspected to be from the King of Hell Palace. I guessed it wouldn’t be long before I would meet with the Third Palace Master. However…” Ye Li’s tone changed, and her serene eyes took on a hint of coldness, “Third Palace Master daring to risk entering my Li City alone – is it that you don’t take me and Prince Ding’s manor seriously, or do you think I wouldn’t dare touch you out of respect for Palace Master Ling?”

At the mention of Ling Tiehan, the Sick Scholar’s expression also darkened. He sneered, “This young master doesn’t need you to show respect for my big brother! Didn’t Princess Ding invite me here because you want something from me? I hear Divine Physician Shen Yang has been residing at Prince Ding’s manor for years – how is it? Has he figured out the formula for the Blue Fallen Flower?” A very faint smile curved Ye Li’s lips as she nodded in acknowledgment, “Third Palace Master is correct. I did invite you here for the Blue Fallen Flower formula.” A venomous smile twisted across the Sick Scholar’s gloomy face, “Forget it. Don’t even dream about me saving Mo Xiuyao. When this young master perfects the Blue Yellow Springs poison, I’ll invite Mo Xiuyao to have a taste!”

Ye Li sat calmly in her chair watching him, not even a ripple disturbing her gaze. The Sick Scholar looked at her somewhat strangely and asked, “You’re a strange woman – are you truly Mo Xiuyao’s woman?”

Ye Li raised a delicate eyebrow, looking at him quizzically. The Sick Scholar studied Ye Li for a while before asking, “Without the ancient formula for the Blue Fallen Flower, Mo Xiuyao will certainly die. You’re not worried at all? You don’t even get angry hearing me say this? Ah… I remember, back then in Nanjiang you heard me say this too. At the time you didn’t show even a trace of reaction – I’m afraid even Mo Xiuyao himself isn’t as composed as you.” Hearing this, Ye Li laughed bitterly in her heart. How was she composed? She had no choice but to appear composed. Right now she wanted nothing more than to give the person before her a good thrashing. But she couldn’t!

The Sick Scholar looked Ye Li up and down, and after a while suddenly smiled and said, “I’ve got it. If you want to save Mo Xiuyao, it’s not impossible. Follow me from now on – if you follow this young master, I can be generous and spare Mo Xiuyao’s little life.” Ye Li blinked her eyes, asking calmly, “Follow you? What does Third Palace Master want me to follow you for?” The Sick Scholar gave her a disdainful look and sneered, “You don’t think this young master has taken a fancy to you, do you? With your status, you’d make a decent tea-serving maid for this young master. What do you think?”

Qin Feng, standing behind Ye Li, had already changed expression and stepped forward wanting to take action. Ye Li raised her hand to stop his movement, calmly looking at the Sick Scholar, and said, “Third Palace Master, I have a not-so-good habit. If I’m unhappy, I’ll make others more unhappy than me. So… if my husband dies…” The Sick Scholar laughed contemptuously and said, “Princess isn’t planning to say you’ll kill my wife, are you? Sorry to disappoint, but this young master isn’t married yet.” Ye Li smiled faintly and continued her interrupted words, “I will make others lose their entire family. Not just your relatives – even people you know, I can kill them all clean and neat.”

“Such arrogance!” The Sick Scholar’s eye twitched slightly as he said coldly. Did this woman think that just because the King of Hell Palace was called the world’s number one assassination organization that even the Xiling royal family didn’t take seriously, she could move them as she pleased? Or did she think that he, the Third Palace Master of the King of Hell Palace, was some inexperienced child who could be intimidated by a few threatening words? Ye Li smiled gently and said, “Even if the Third Palace Master doubts my abilities, you shouldn’t doubt the capabilities of the Black Cloud Riders and Qilin. Or has Third Palace Master been opposing Prince Ding’s manor for so many years without even understanding your opponent’s strength? I don’t understand what deep grudge Third Palace Master has with our Prince to make you so desperate. Let’s not mention anything else – without the Blue Fallen Flower, with your current body that could perish at any time, how will you get your revenge? I see Third Palace Master’s complexion and health seem much worse than when we were in Nanjiang. I wonder who will succumb first – will our Prince’s poison act up, or will the Third Palace Master succumb to illness?”

The Sick Scholar’s expression twisted as he glared at Ye Li with venomous hatred. From childhood, his ill-fated life had led to a twisted personality that demanded revenge for every slight. To say he had any deep grudge against Mo Xiuyao would be false, but among those who hated Mo Xiuyao most in the world, he could rank in the top three. All because years ago Mo Xiuyao had crippled half his martial arts with one palm strike, damaging his heart meridians and leaving him with severe internal injuries, such that his martial arts could never advance again, and his body became the sickly state it was today. But at the root of it all, it was because the King of Hell Palace had tried to assassinate Mo Xiuyao first that led to such results. However, the Sick Scholar had from then on hated Mo Xiuyao, hated him to the bone, to the death – it was as inexplicable as Han Mingyue falling in love with Su Zuidie, completely defying reason.

After a while, the Sick Scholar suddenly began to laugh wickedly, and only after a good while did he stop laughing and lift his chin to say to Ye Li: “Princess Ding, whatever you say means nothing. Even if I die, I will drag Mo Xiuyao down with me. As for the ancient formula for the Blue Fallen Flower, don’t waste your effort – no one in this world can decipher it. If you’re not careful and turn the life-saving antidote into a lethal poison, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Ye Li quietly looked at him for a while and slowly began to smile as well, “In that case, the Third Palace Master might as well stay at Prince Ding’s manor for now. You can see whether Prince lives longer or you live longer. Even without the antidote, as long as Prince lives another day, he can still command the wind and rain from on high, while you… you spend half the year bedridden, and apart from concocting some useless poisons, you’re nothing but a worthless wretch hiding under Palace Master Ling’s protection.” Ye Li’s voice was gentle and slow, and even her face wore a mild and graceful smile, yet the words from her mouth were like countless sharp blades mercilessly stabbing at the Sick Scholar’s heart and lungs.

The Sick Scholar suddenly widened his eyes, staring at Ye Li with an indescribably horrific, twisted gaze. He abruptly stood up and lunged at Ye Li, “Bitch! You’re talking nonsense!”

However, he didn’t even get the chance to touch Ye Li – a sharp palm force struck him diagonally, throwing him into a chair to the side. Before he could recover, a cold and murderous voice came from the doorway, “Sick Scholar? I think you don’t want to be a sick scholar – you want to be a dead scholar!”

The tall man who appeared in the doorway wore dark purple brocade robes trimmed with cloud patterns, his snow-white hair casually tied up, naturally exuding an air and dignity that stood above all beings – who else could it be but Mo Xiuyao?

— Extra Scene —

Little Drama: Little Treasure’s Growing Up Records

Little Treasure Mo could call “mama” at nine months.

Little Treasure Mo could call “uncle” at one year old.

At one and a half years old, Little Treasure Mo could distinguish between First Uncle to Fifth Uncle, Great-Uncle, and Great-Aunt, and had no problem with Great-Grandfather.

At two years old, Little Treasure Mo still wouldn’t call “father,” making Prince Ding furious.

“Call me father.” Prince Ding hooked one hand under Little Treasure’s collar.

Little Treasure blinked – what’s “father”? Can you eat it?

“Call me Royal Father.” Prince Ding’s hand shook slightly.

Little Treasure dangled in mid-air, smacking his little lips – can you eat Royal Father?

“Really won’t call?” Prince Ding narrowed his eyes and brought the little dumpling to his chest threateningly.

Little Treasure held his breath, his little face turning red.

“Whoosh—”

Prince Ding’s magnificent royal robes suddenly had a wet patch…

…