“Reporting to the Prince and Princess, Noble Consort Liu and Princess Langle from Great Chu seek an audience,” the guard outside announced.

Ye Li felt irritated at the mere thought of Noble Consort Liu. It wasn’t that she doubted Mo Xiuyao’s feelings for her. Rather, it was like having a fly constantly buzzing around that you couldn’t simply swat away—it was bound to cause some discomfort.

Ye Li realized for the first time that Su Meidie, whom she originally despised most, and Ye Ying, whom she disliked, were nothing compared to this woman. Su Meidie was merely narcissistic and vain, while Ye Ying was just presumptuous with a touch of selfishness that everyone possessed. These traits paled in comparison to Noble Consort Liu’s persistent pursuit. Even after Mo Xiuyao had treated her so coldly, she still had the nerve to come here. Ye Li couldn’t fathom where she got such thick skin. Though some say foolish women compete with women while clever women compete for men, with someone like Noble Consort Liu, even a well-behaved man wouldn’t make a difference.

Seeing Ye Li’s displeased expression, Mo Xiuyao became cheerful. Ye Li glanced at him and said coolly, “Since Your Highness is so happy, why don’t you meet Noble Consort Liu yourself?”

Xu Qingchen nodded, “Lier is right. I see Noble Consort Liu received news of your return and came specifically—surely not to see Lier. Don’t waste the energy. Lier must be tired these past few days, better return to your chambers to rest.”

Hearing this, Mo Xiuyao shot Xu Qingchen a resentful glare, keeping both hands on Ye Li and refusing to let go. “No, Ah Li don’t leave…”

Xu Qingchen looked helplessly at the man who seemed to grow more childish with age and his resigned sister. He stood up and left on his own. Even knowing Mo Xiuyao was acting, what could he do if Lier couldn’t bear to refuse him? He didn’t want to sit there being a third wheel. As the saying goes, even a wise judge can’t rule on domestic affairs—when both parties are willing participants, it’s none of his business. Looking back at the two being affectionate together, Master Qingchen sighed helplessly. Having spent half his life untouched by matters of the heart, Master Qingchen truly couldn’t comprehend such mutual affection. What is love in this world… how would this master know?

Mo Xiuyao spent another while sweet-talking his wife, secretly noting that even if he felt pleased about Ah Li caring for him, he absolutely mustn’t show it in front of her or she would become shy. The guards in the courtyard were long used to seeing their prince lose all dignity while flattering the princess. As Phoenix Third Young Master said, being henpecked was perfectly normal.

By the time Noble Consort Liu and Princess Langle were invited in, their expressions were quite unpleasant. Prince Ding’s skill at coaxing wasn’t quite there yet, so Noble Consort Liu had waited nearly half an hour before being allowed entry. However, when Princess Langle saw Ye Li smiling and winking at her, Ye Li gave her a faint smile and nodded in return.

She beckoned Princess Langle to come sit with her. Princess Langle didn’t stand on ceremony and sat beside Ye Li, saying with a light laugh, “Princess Ding, did you and Uncle Prince go out to play? I was saying yesterday I wanted to come visit you, but Phoenix Third Young Master said you weren’t here.” Ye Li nodded and smiled, “Indeed I wasn’t here these past few days. Did the princess just arrive yesterday?” Princess Langle nodded, “You left so quickly, we couldn’t keep up in our carriage.”

Noble Consort Liu walked over, looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, and asked, “How has Your Highness been these past days?”

Mo Xiuyao leaned against Ye Li, ignoring her words.

Noble Consort Liu’s expression changed. She gritted her teeth and continued, “Princess, I have matters to discuss with the Prince. Would you mind stepping aside?” Ye Li lifted her eyelids to glance at Noble Consort Liu, then looked down at Mo Xiuyao leaning against her. Mo Xiuyao raised his head to look at her pitifully, his dark eyes appearing especially bright under his snow-white hair, “Wife, I’m not talking to her, don’t leave me…”

“Pfft…” Princess Langle sitting nearby couldn’t help but burst out laughing, nearly choking on the tea she had just swallowed and coughing repeatedly, “Princess… Uncle Prince Ding…” Princess Langle didn’t know what to say. In her mind, Uncle Prince Ding had always been dignified and unapproachable, but was this person looking so pitifully at Princess Ding the imposing Prince Ding?

Ye Li helplessly gave Mo Xiuyao a white-eyed look and said to Princess Langle, “He’s gone mad, don’t mind him.” Mo Xiuyao was displeased and rubbed his handsome face against Ye Li, “Wife, this woman has ill intentions toward me, you must protect me.”

“There, there…” Ye Li patted him perfunctorily. Raising her head to look at Noble Consort Liu, Ye Li said seriously, “Noble Consort, you’ve frightened our Prince.” Noble Consort Liu’s beautiful face almost twisted for an instant. She forced a smile and said, “Lady Ye jests. How could the wise and brave Prince be frightened by me?” Ye Li said calmly, “That’s not necessarily true. Persistently clingy women are the scariest—our Prince has always been most afraid of shameless women. Look, isn’t he frightened?” Mo Xiuyao nodded repeatedly. Though his face couldn’t be seen, that unhesitating nodding motion thoroughly humiliated Noble Consort Liu.

“Ye Li, you—” Noble Consort Liu finally couldn’t maintain her carefully preserved good manners and called out harshly, but before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a moving cold gaze.

Mo Xiuyao rested his head on Ye Li’s shoulder, turning his face so silver hair covered most of his features, but that pair of eyes carrying a coldness and ruthlessness as if from hell stared directly at Noble Consort Liu. Noble Consort Liu had constantly hoped this man would look at her properly, but when Mo Xiuyao’s gaze finally fell on her, she found herself frozen as if her entire being had been frozen solid. Even though fear had almost completely consumed her, she didn’t dare move even slightly in her rigidity. Those handsome deep eyes carried an unprecedented killing intent—Noble Consort Liu even wondered if her eyes were playing tricks on her when she saw a flash of bloodlust in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes.

“Since… since the Prince is occupied, I shall take my leave.” After speaking, as if being chased by evil spirits, Noble Consort Liu unhesitatingly walked toward the courtyard exit, even forgetting to call Princess Langle to return with her.

Ye Li and Princess Langle looked at each other in confusion, not understanding how Noble Consort Liu, who had been so persistent about not leaving earlier, now ran away as if she’d seen a ghost.

“Your Highness, what did you do?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked. Mo Xiuyao blinked innocently, “How could I have done anything to her? Ah Li, chat well with Langle. I’ll go have a drink with Phoenix Three.” Ye Li knew he had business with Feng Zhiyao and nodded, watching him get up and leave.

After Mo Xiuyao was out of sight, Princess Langle finally put down the teacup she had been holding and collapsed onto the table giggling. Ye Li looked at her helplessly and said, “Is it that funny?” Princess Langle’s eyes curved with laughter as she raised her head to look at Ye Li, “Of course it’s funny! If Princess Ding hadn’t been here too, I truly wouldn’t have believed that was Uncle Prince Ding.”

Ye Li reached out to pat her, smiling faintly, “What did you think Prince Ding was like—imposing and domineering at all times? People have to live their lives; naturally, they’re more relaxed in private. As for you, we haven’t had a chance to chat properly before. For Princess Anxi’s wedding, no princes came to attend—what’s a princess like you doing here?”

Princess Langle’s smile gradually faded as she said lightly, “Naturally it was Father Emperor’s command for me to represent the royal family at the Nanzhao Princess’s wedding.”

Ye Li let out a cold snort and said harshly, “Are all the Great Chu princes dead, that they send a lone princess? And that Noble Consort Liu—as a palace consort, by Great Chu’s rules she especially shouldn’t be here.” Princess Langle said, “I heard Noble Consort Liu begged Father Emperor to come herself. These past years Father Emperor has increasingly trusted the Liu family and favored Noble Consort Liu, so approving such a request probably isn’t strange. However… only now do I understand Noble Consort Liu begged Father Emperor to come because she wanted to see Uncle Prince Ding.”

Ye Li reached out to hold Princess Langle’s delicate jade hand and said seriously, “Langle, don’t change the subject. Tell me, why did your Father Emperor send you to the Southern Frontier? Does he want you to make a political marriage?”

Princess Langle started, biting her pearl-like teeth lightly as she smiled, “Indeed nothing escapes Princess Ding and Uncle Prince Ding. Father Emperor… Father Emperor doesn’t want me to make a political marriage—he wants to… give me to the Nanzhao King.” Hearing this, Ye Li’s expression darkened, “Has Mo Jingqi gone mad? You are Great Chu’s eldest legitimate princess—a political marriage is one thing, but what does he mean by giving you to the Nanzhao King?” Princess Langle held Ye Li’s hand and smiled faintly, “I know Princess Ding cares for me. But… whether it’s being given away or a political marriage, what’s the difference? Isn’t this what royal daughters are for?”

Looking at the young girl’s faint smile and dimness, Ye Li’s heart ached slightly. She asked softly, “What did your Imperial Mother say?”

Princess Langle frowned, “Mother naturally disagreed. Mother said even for a political marriage there must be proper procedures, but Father Emperor insisted. Before I left, Mother argued with Father Emperor and was confined to the palace. When I left… Father Emperor wouldn’t let me see Mother one last time, I don’t know…”

At this point, the young girl who had been trying hard to hide her emotions with smiles finally couldn’t hold back her tears. Thinking of her mother’s guilty expression the last time she saw her, Princess Langle couldn’t help her eyes growing hot as tears fell uncontrollably. Ye Li understood—Mo Jingqi’s actions weren’t just about allying with Nanzhao through marriage, but also about humiliating the Empress and the Hua family. But no matter how dissatisfied Mo Jingqi was with the Empress and the Hua family, had he forgotten that Langle was also his flesh and blood?

Looking at the beautiful young girl before her, Ye Li sighed lightly and asked, “Do you plan to follow your Father Emperor’s arrangements? Though I don’t have a daughter, I do have children. If my child encountered such a situation, how heartbroken would I be as a mother? Let’s not speak of your Father Emperor, but your Imperial Mother… if you’re sent to the Nanzhao King like this, I fear your Imperial Mother will feel guilty for the rest of her life.”

Princess Langle wiped her tears, choking with sobs as she said, “I once told Princess Ding that if Great Chu needed a political marriage in the future, as a princess I would naturally do my duty without hesitation. But only now do I understand… the so-called princess’s responsibility was just my presumption. Father Emperor doesn’t need me, his daughter, to make a political marriage and connect the friendship between two countries. All he wants is to see Grandfather and Mother unhappy, to make the Hua family lose face. That day when Mother went to speak with Father Emperor about my marriage, I heard everything outside the door. Father Emperor said he wouldn’t let me make an honorable political marriage, nor would he let me stay in the Chu capital. With my status, if I were to marry into another country, I would at least be a proper primary consort to a prince. He said if I were to side with outsiders in the future, I would surely help others against him. If I married in the Chu capital, I would surely ally with my husband’s family to help the Hua family make trouble for him. That’s why he wants to send me to Nanzhao, yet ensure I can never become Nanzhao’s queen, only a low-ranking consort.”

Hearing Princess Langle’s words, Ye Li couldn’t help wanting to give Mo Jingqi a good thrashing. She sighed and said, “Princess, shall I have someone help you leave here?”

Princess Langle shook her head, “Thank you, Princess Ding, but that won’t be necessary. Since Langle has agreed to come to Nanzhao, I won’t run away halfway. I only ask that if Princess Ding has the opportunity in the future, please look after my Imperial Mother and the Hua family.”

Ye Li wanted to persuade Princess Langle further, but a guard came to report that palace maids from Great Chu had come looking for Princess Langle. Presumably Noble Consort Liu, after fleeing in a panic earlier, only realized upon returning to her quarters that Princess Langle was still there and sent someone to find her. Princess Langle stood up smiling and said, “Princess Ding, I’ll take my leave first. Oh, and be careful of Noble Consort Liu—that woman is quite mad.”

Ye Li nodded, instructing in a low voice, “Take care of yourself. If you need any help, just send someone to let me know.”

“Thank you, Princess Ding. Farewell.”

With only a day or two until Princess Anxi’s wedding, the Nanzhao people still held great respect for their Crown Princess. The entire Nanzhao royal city was extraordinarily lively, with many Nanzhao citizens traveling especially from outlying regions to participate in the grand occasion. In a teahouse patronized by people from Great Chu, Ye Li sat leisurely drinking tea by the window while Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, coldly eyeing two very irritating men across from them. “What are you doing here?”

Han Mingxi elegantly sipped his wine, his expression lazy but his smile pleasant, “What kind of question is that, Your Highness? Princess Anxi’s wedding is no small matter. I am a merchant, and merchants follow profit—why shouldn’t I be here?”

Mo Xiuyao narrowed his eyes dangerously and said coldly, “If that’s the case, go do your business. Why come find us?”

Han Mingxi put down his wine cup and said sincerely, “Your Highness misunderstands. I didn’t come to find you—I requested to see the Princess. You came along yourself.”

“Heh heh…” Sitting beside Han Mingxi was indeed Young Master Mingyue, Han Mingyue. Though he no longer had Young Master Mingyue’s former bearing, clearly Han Mingxi had taken good care of his elder brother these past few years. Though Han Mingyue’s brow showed signs of weathering, his overall spirit seemed quite good.

Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s expression change, Han Mingyue couldn’t help but smile. Worried that Mo Xiuyao would take it out on his brother, he spoke up, “It’s rare to see Your Highness’s expression change after all these years.” Though Han Mingyue had lived in Li City these past years, and Su Meidie was long gone from this world, the brotherhood of the past could never return. Han Mingyue no longer presumed to call Mo Xiuyao by name as if nothing had happened. “Your Highness”—this form of address marked their current relationship and distance.

Han Mingxi snorted lightly and raised his sword-like eyebrows. Doesn’t His Highness change expression often? Does this mean his elder brother was poor at judging people?

“Alright, Mingxi, did you come specially to Nanzhao for something important?” Seeing Mo Xiuyao was truly about to lose his temper, Ye Li quickly interrupted.

Han Mingxi’s expression grew serious as he nodded, “Indeed. After I escorted Yaoji back to the Chu capital, I met with Leng Haoyu. He specifically asked me to relay something to Your Highnesses.”

Seeing Han Mingxi’s manner, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li knew it must be extremely important. Otherwise, Leng Haoyu wouldn’t have asked Han Mingxi to deliver the message rather than simply sending someone to Li City. Ye Li frowned slightly and asked, “Has something happened in the Chu capital?”

Han Mingxi shook his head, “Nothing’s happened in the Chu capital yet, but Mo Jingqi is likely to face trouble.”

Mo Xiuyao let out a contemptuous snort. Was Mo Jingqi facing trouble such a surprise? When even his brother wanted him dead, it showed how much he invited heaven’s fury and people’s resentment—it would be stranger if he didn’t face trouble.

Han Mingxi could understand somewhat from their expressions and smiled, “It seems not just one group wants to deal with Mo Jingqi. Does Your Highness’s side also know something? Let me think… is it Mo Jingli?”

Ye Li didn’t answer but smiled and asked, “What you want to tell us presumably isn’t about Mo Jingli?”

Han Mingxi smiled, “Of course not. It’s the Liu family.”

The Liu family? Ye Li was somewhat surprised. Though they had previously guessed the Liu family was ambitious, why would they want to deal with Mo Jingqi? Currently, Mo Jingqi trusted the Liu family most and favored Noble Consort Liu most—what benefit would they get from dealing with him?

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly before quickly realizing and asking, “Does the Liu family want to put Noble Consort Liu’s son on the throne?”

A flash of appreciation crossed Han Mingxi’s eyes as he nodded, “Correct. Speaking of which, Mo Jingqi has had some luck. The Liu family had originally planned to act soon, but Mo Jingqi suddenly sent Minister Liu to Nanzhao. This threw the Liu family’s plans into disarray, which is how our people noticed something was amiss. Otherwise, the news we received might have simply been that Great Chu had changed emperors and Mo Jingqi had passed away.”

Ye Li couldn’t help but press her temples—how had Mo Jingqi managed to make himself so universally opposed?

Mo Xiuyao remained unmoved, “How is this important news? Is Leng Haoyu so idle he has nothing better to do?”

What did it matter to him whether Mo Jingqi died or not? The more miserable Mo Jingqi’s death, the happier he would be. Though it was somewhat regrettable not to do it himself, he didn’t mind if someone else wanted to do the job.

Han Mingxi rolled his eyes, “If that were all, naturally no one would care about this matter. But Leng Haoyu says this doesn’t seem to be solely the Liu family’s doing—there seem to be shadows of the Northern Rong and some northern tribes involved. I fear the day of Mo Jingqi’s death will be the day these forces invade Great Chu with all their might.”

“The Northern Rong and northern tribes are involved?”

Han Mingxi nodded, “Otherwise, how would the Liu family dare to plot to usurp the throne without someone backing them?”

Ye Li frowned deeply and said gravely, “Princess Langle… is likely in danger.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded, “Someone wants to drive a wedge between Mo Jingqi and the Hua family. Targeting Princess Langle is naturally the best way.”