Ye Li quickly translated the text on the silk. Fortunately, this time the Founding Emperor wasn’t trying to deceive anyone – the true location of the treasure was indeed within the Northwest territory. While it wasn’t too far from Li City, now clearly wasn’t the right time to go treasure hunting. At the very least, they needed to wait until the various nobles from different countries who were secretly searching in the Northwest had departed. Ye Li handed the translated text to Mo Xiuyao, who merely glanced at it to commit it to memory before burning both the translation and the original treasure map completely, leaving no trace behind.
Ye Li arranged for the Yanwang Pavilion group to stay in a moderately sized courtyard in the northwestern corner of the manor. Though Li City wasn’t completely peaceful yet, it was remarkably tranquil compared to the chaos outside. With no major matters to attend to, Ye Li turned her attention to the matter of the Bilo Flower, with dealing with that irritating Sickly Scholar as her top priority.
After breakfast, when Ye Li went to visit the courtyard where the Yanwang Pavilion people were staying, she found Ling Tiehan and Leng Liuyue sparring. The Sickly Scholar sat alone to one side, his eyes fixed intently on the siblings as they flew and dodged around the garden, completely absorbed in their match. His expression was dark, his hands gripping the armrests of his chair so tightly it seemed he might leave marks in the redwood. Ye Li approached him with a smile, saying casually, “I’ve long heard that though Pavilion Master Leng is a woman, she’s one of the top martial artists in the jianghu. Now I see she and Pavilion Master Ling truly make a perfect match.”
The muscles in the Sickly Scholar’s face twitched as he looked up at Ye Li with a sinister expression. Due to her previous life’s profession, Ye Li had seen all manner of fierce and evil people with twisted minds – the Sickly Scholar’s level wasn’t enough to faze her. She looked at him with curved, smiling eyes and said, “Come to think of it, isn’t Pavilion Master Leng already in her early thirties? For a woman to remain unmarried at that age – Pavilion Master Ling has held her back. I should mention this to my Prince and ask him to remind Pavilion Master Ling. Don’t you agree, Third Master?”
“Ye Li!” the Sickly Scholar gritted his teeth, followed by an earth-shattering bout of coughing that left his palm covered in spots of blood when he pulled it away.
Hearing the commotion, Ling Tiehan and Leng Liuyue immediately stopped their sparring and rushed over. “Third Brother, what’s wrong?” Ling Tiehan asked gravely. But the Sickly Scholar showed no appreciation for their concern, instead shooting Ling Tiehan a resentful look before returning to his room. Ling Tiehan frowned and said to Leng Liuyue, “Liuyue, go check on him.” Leng Liuyue nodded silently, putting away her pair of short daggers before heading inside.
Ling Tiehan picked up a cloth from nearby to wipe his hands, then turned to Ye Li and said, “Your Highness, Third Brother’s health is truly poor. Please be mindful of your words.” Ye Li raised an eyebrow with a smile, realizing that Ling Tiehan had noticed the Sickly Scholar’s coughing fit was triggered by her words. She didn’t deny it, but instead sat down across from Ling Tiehan with a sweep of her sleeve and said, “Pavilion Master Ling, even though Third Master is your family, you shouldn’t be too biased. I was quite upset by Third Master yesterday. If I can’t vent this frustration, I’ll truly be unable to eat or sleep peacefully.”
Ling Tiehan sighed helplessly. Even he, as the eldest brother, sometimes wanted to give his adoptive brother a good beating for that sharp tongue of his. Looking at Ye Li, he sighed and asked, “Is Your Highness wondering why I continue to protect Third Brother?”
Ye Li nodded slightly – she was indeed curious. Given Ling Tiehan’s personality and temperament, he shouldn’t like someone as obsessive, gloomy, and ruthless as the Sickly Scholar. It wasn’t that Ling Tiehan was particularly compassionate, but rather that despite being the leader of Yanwang Pavilion, he was far more upright than many so-called righteous people who presented a virtuous face while engaging in debauchery behind closed doors. Such a person would naturally dislike those with dark and twisted minds.
Ling Tiehan sighed regretfully and said, “I’ve known my two younger siblings since childhood. Though Third Brother was quiet in his youth, he wasn’t like he is now. Back then we were all children with no real skills, naturally suffering many hardships while wandering the jianghu. One year… Liuyue fell seriously ill, and we spent all our savings, but how could that small amount be enough for treatment? To save Liuyue, Third Brother sold himself, leaving only the money before going with his buyers. After Liuyue recovered, we joined Yanwang Pavilion, and Liuyue practiced martial arts day and night hoping to find Third Brother one day. When I finally found him, it was already more than a year later. No one knows how much he suffered during that time – when we found him, he was severely injured and nearly dead. Third Brother’s natural aptitude wasn’t particularly good; even with martial arts training, he could never reach mine and Liuyue’s level, making him unsuited for a place like Yanwang Pavilion. After he recovered, Liuyue and I wanted him to live a peaceful life as an ordinary person, with us watching over him to prevent anyone from bullying him. But who knew…”
Ling Tiehan gave a bitter laugh and continued, “He wouldn’t listen to our advice and joined Yanwang Pavilion anyway. With his aptitude, if he’d focused on martial arts he could only have become a second-rate assassin in Yanwang Pavilion, often used as cannon fodder. So he took a different path, specializing in poison techniques, which allowed him to become one of Yanwang Pavilion’s top assassins. Though he’s ruthless to others, he’s extremely good to his people. Although she’s an assassin, Liuyue is still a woman and sometimes shows mercy. Third Brother would always voluntarily take on the jobs she couldn’t bring herself to complete.”
Ye Li listened quietly to Ling Tiehan’s words, surprised to learn of this past shared by the three most feared leaders of Yanwang Pavilion. Then again, people aren’t born twisted – the Sickly Scholar’s psychological problems didn’t develop overnight. “Do Pavilion Master Ling and Pavilion Master Leng tolerate him because you feel guilty towards him?” Ling Tiehan remained silent, clearly acknowledging Ye Li’s words. Back then, Ling Tiehan had been young and impetuous, and being in a place like Yanwang Pavilion, he had spent most of his energy on improving his martial arts. By the time he came to his senses, his adoptive brother had already become the feared poison master of the jianghu.
Ye Li thoughtfully observed Ling Tiehan and asked, “Speaking of which, even the Third Master must be nearly thirty now, yet none of the three Pavilion Masters are married. Why is that?”
Ling Tiehan lowered his eyes in contemplation before finally sighing, “I’ve been focused solely on the martial path and haven’t had thoughts of marriage. Moreover, Yanwang Pavilion is in the business of killing. Those who kill will eventually be killed… it’s better not to have family attachments. However… hearing Your Highness mention it today made me realize I’ve held back Liuyue and Third Brother.” Ye Li frowned, carefully observing Ling Tiehan’s frank yet somewhat regretful expression. It seemed Ling Tiehan truly had no feelings for Leng Liuyue. The Sickly Scholar’s secret love for Leng Liuyue was certain, and if Ling Tiehan had no interest in her, things would be much easier to handle. The only question was Leng Liuyue’s feelings. Even for a female assassin, it seemed unlikely to reach thirty without having someone in her heart. The only men close to Leng Liuyue were the Sickly Scholar and Ling Tiehan – if Ye Li had to choose, she felt she too would never choose the Sickly Scholar over Ling Tiehan.
“Pavilion Master Ling must know why I’m here?” Ye Li asked softly.
Ling Tiehan nodded, “Of course. These past few days, Liuyue and I have been trying our best to convince Third Brother to share the formula. After all, this is beneficial for both sides – there’s no need to make it mutually destructive.”
“Then… would Pavilion Master Ling answer one question for me?” Ye Li asked.
Ling Tiehan was startled, somewhat surprised but still nodded, “I’ll answer truthfully.”
Ye Li lowered her gaze and asked quietly, “How does Pavilion Master Ling view Pavilion Master Leng?”
Ling Tiehan’s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as he replied, “Naturally, I see Liuyue as my sister…” Ling Tiehan was quick to react, understanding Ye Li’s meaning as soon as the words left his mouth. His steady, handsome face showed surprise as he asked, “Your Highness means…?” Ye Li gave a faint smile and was about to nod when they heard the rustle of clothing behind them. Both turned to see only Leng Liuyue’s black silhouette retreating. Ye Li looked helplessly at Ling Tiehan with a bitter smile – it seemed Leng Liuyue had overheard their conversation. More importantly, Leng Liuyue likely had feelings for Ling Tiehan and was left heartbroken after hearing his words. “Pavilion Master Leng is unfamiliar with Li City. Pavilion Master Ling should go check on her. We don’t want anything to happen.” Ling Tiehan also knew that Li City was different from other places, with the Prince Manor’s hidden guards, the Mo family’s Black Cloud Cavalry, and the mysterious Qilin all gathered around this city. If Leng Liuyue caused any trouble, she might not be able to escape unscathed. Nodding, Ling Tiehan rose and went after Leng Liuyue.
Watching the direction where Ling Tiehan’s figure disappeared, the gentle smile on Ye Li’s face gradually faded, her beautiful features slowly taking on a cold expression. Originally, the emotional entanglements of the Yanwang Pavilion members weren’t her business to meddle in, but if this was the Sickly Scholar’s only weakness, she didn’t mind using his feelings for Leng Liuyue to achieve her goals.
Standing up, Ye Li walked leisurely toward the Sickly Scholar’s rest chamber. Before she even reached it, she could hear intermittent coughing from inside. Shen Yang and Doctor Lin were right – the Sickly Scholar’s illness had indeed reached a critical stage. Pushing open the door, the person inside suddenly turned at the sound, but upon seeing it was Ye Li, his eyes gradually dimmed. “What are you doing here? As a Princess Consort, don’t you even know how to announce yourself before entering someone’s room?” Ye Li wasn’t bothered by his rudeness. She walked into the room with a smile and sat down in a chair not far from his bed, saying lightly, “Just now when I was talking with Pavilion Master Ling, I wasn’t careful and let Pavilion Master Leng overhear. Then she ran off alone.”
“What exactly were you talking about?!” the Sickly Scholar shouted angrily, his eyes flashing with worry.
Ye Li blinked and smiled, “Nothing much. Just that Pavilion Master Ling said he sees Pavilion Master Leng as his sister. Is there a problem?”
The Sickly Scholar froze, and for once, instead of spewing venom at Ye Li, he lowered his head and fell silent. Seeing his silence, a faint smile curved Ye Li’s lips. She spoke seriously, “Third Master, in life, one can’t have everything. It’s about personal choices – compared to spending a lifetime with someone you truly love, is holding this grudge against my Prince so important? If my Prince had some blood feud with you that destroyed your family, that would be one thing, but as far as I know, besides that one confrontation a few years ago, you’ve had no other contact with our Prince. Even your family clan has no grievances with the Prince’s Manor. Why must you be like this? Sometimes, taking a step back really does open up new horizons. Don’t you agree?”
The Sickly Scholar suddenly raised his head, glaring fiercely at Ye Li. His expression was unpredictable, showing both anger at having his thoughts seen through and hatred and resentment toward Mo Xiuyao, along with some indescribable inferiority and gloom. “You make it sound so nice, but you just want the formula, don’t you?” Ye Li nodded in agreement, smiling, “Of course, I’m saying this for the formula, for my husband’s life. It’s not like I’m trying to play matchmaker for Third Master – I’m not that idle. With the formula, my Prince will stay alive and I’ll be happy. Whether you get better and pursue Pavilion Master Leng is your own business. Though I must say, if Second Master ends up with Third Master in the future, I would feel quite guilty.” In Ye Li’s view, the peculiar Sickly Scholar was unworthy of Leng Liuyue. She was only using Leng Liuyue as a way to negotiate with him, and would never actually help him pursue her. Of course, a woman like Leng Liuyue would naturally be strong-willed – if the Sickly Scholar couldn’t move her heart himself, others’ suggestions probably wouldn’t work either.
“You!” Nothing infuriated the Sickly Scholar more than people saying he wasn’t worthy of Leng Liuyue. Though he knew in his heart that he wasn’t worthy of his adoptive sister, he couldn’t bear to hear others say it.
Ye Li felt she had said enough and stood to take her leave. “Third Master, think it over carefully. Whether to preserve your life and try your chances or to gamble with my Prince to see who’s more stubborn. I promise… before you die, I’ll find a suitable husband for Pavilion Master Leng.”
Leaning against the headboard, listening to Ye Li’s unhesitating departure, the Sickly Scholar had another violent coughing fit. “Ye Li! You’re ruthless…” Ye Li had indeed caught his weakness. He had never been the type to rejoice in others’ happiness – watching Leng Liuyue marry someone else would be more painful than death.
No one knew what Ling Tiehan and Leng Liuyue discussed, but later they returned to the Prince’s Manor one after another as if nothing had happened.
After dinner, Ye Li and Xu Qingchen were enjoying a rare moment of leisure playing chess and chatting. The Sickly Scholar had the guards stationed in the courtyard deliver a piece of ancient fabric covered in writing, its material unknown. When Ye Li unfolded it, a satisfied smile appeared on her face. She handed it to Qin Feng behind her, instructing him to personally deliver it to Shen Yang and Doctor Lin’s courtyard.
Finally resolving this long-standing concern, Ye Li’s expression became more relaxed.
Xu Qingchen contemplated his move while saying, “You’re this happy about getting the Bilo Flower formula?”
Ye Li smiled, “Of course I’m happy. Isn’t Big Brother happy too?”
Xu Qingchen shook his head and smiled, “Little sisters grow up so fast.”
Ye Li was embarrassed by his words – she’d been married for over two years already! Xu Qingchen calmly placed a piece and said, “You deliberately stirred up the emotional entanglements between Ling Tiehan’s three siblings to force the Sickly Scholar’s hand. Right now Ling Tiehan is too troubled to realize it, but when he comes to his senses, he might cause trouble for you.” Ye Li wasn’t concerned at all. She placed a piece, capturing several of Xu Qingchen’s white stones, and said, “How could Ling Tiehan have the nerve to cause me trouble? Pavilion Master Leng is already over thirty, her whole youth spent by his side. Shouldn’t he give her an answer?”
Xu Qingchen’s hand paused as he held a piece, looking at her with a smile, “Why do I feel like your words have another meaning?”
Under Xu Qingchen’s meaningful gaze, Ye Li immediately felt a chill down her spine. Still, she maintained her composure and said, “Am I wrong? In these times, what good marriage prospects can a woman over thirty find? Whether Ling Tiehan realizes it or not, as an elder brother to let his adoptive sister pass thirty without marriage and never even asking about it is too unreasonable. To put it nicely, Pavilion Master Ling is immersed in martial arts and undisturbed by worldly matters. To put it harshly, he’s a scoundrel who’s ruined a woman’s life!”
“A scoundrel?” Xu Qingchen’s smile deepened, “Little Sister Ye Li if you have anything else to say to your elder brother, you might as well say it all.”
Ye Li broke into a sweat, inwardly cursing her weakness. She didn’t know why she feared Xu Qingchen more than Xu Qingze, who had been stern since childhood. Of course, this wasn’t just Ye Li’s problem – in fact, all three younger Xu brothers were more afraid of the cultured and refined Xu Qingchen. “I wasn’t talking about you, Big Brother. Please don’t take it personally.” Xu Qingchen nodded, looking at Ye Li’s rare show of guilt and sighing helplessly, “Has Princess An Xi approached you?”
Ye Li felt somewhat awkward – Xu Qingchen’s romantic affairs weren’t her business to meddle in. “Princess An Xi didn’t mention anything about you, but…” As a princess and crown princess of Nanzhao, with such different cultural traditions from the Central Plains and no interest in the Imperial Seal, why would she stay in Li City if not for… how could Ye Li not know? Though Xu Qingchen wasn’t avoiding Princess An Xi, the busy affairs of the Northwest left him little time to accompany her. Every time Princess An Xi came to see Ye Li, her hesitant and dejected expression aroused Ye Li’s sympathy.
“Big Brother, what exactly are your thoughts about Princess An Xi? Second Brother is about to get married, and Uncle and Aunt must have urged you too, right?” After some thought, Ye Li decided to ask Xu Qingchen’s intentions. This wasn’t just about Princess An Xi, but also about their aunt and grandfather who had long hoped for their eldest brother to marry. “Princess An Xi isn’t young anymore. Regardless of how you feel, you should be clear with her.”
Xu Qingchen nodded, “Big Brother understands and will handle it properly.”
“Big Brother, you…”
“An Xi and I aren’t suitable,” Xu Qingchen said calmly with a smile. “She’s the Crown Princess of Nanzhao, and will one day inherit the throne.”
Ye Li frowned, unable to tell if Xu Qingchen had feelings for her or not. “What if Princess An Xi is willing to give up the Nanzhao throne?”
“We’re just friends.”