Nanzhao’s wedding ceremonies differed greatly from those of the Central Plains. Princess Anxi and Pua’s wedding was held in the square before the royal palace. Not only were Nanzhao nobles and envoys from various countries present, but ordinary Nanzhao citizens also gathered in the vast square, singing and dancing to celebrate the princess’s wedding.
Though the Northwest wasn’t large and couldn’t even be considered a true country, Nanzhao still arranged for Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li to sit in positions closest to the Nanzhao King and the newlyweds. Even the envoys from Great Chu and Xiling had to sit behind them. Though Minister Liu was somewhat displeased by this, he wasn’t a reckless man and naturally wouldn’t directly confront Mo Xiuyao over such matters. Lei Tengfeng’s expression remained dark, his sword-like brows furrowed. Being robbed on the journey and losing the newly acquired medicine worried him greatly. To make matters worse, this time the Garrison South King hadn’t come along, wanting his son to handle matters independently, leaving Lei Tengfeng with no one to consult even when he had concerns.
Princess Anxi sat beside her groom wearing a snow-white ceremonial dress embroidered with delicate blue patterns. The usually valiant and heroic woman now possessed an additional ethereal charm.
Shu Manlin wore the yellow silk robes of a Holy Maiden, her makeup exquisite. Though she merely sat smiling below the Nanzhao King, she seemed even more radiant than the bride. If not for the presence of an even more stunningly beautiful and aloof Noble Consort Liu, most people’s gazes would surely have fallen on her.
Feng Zhiyao, sitting behind Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, glanced at the seated ladies and teased, “My, Princess Ding, it seems you’ve been outshone.”
Ye Li pursed her lips in a faint smile but didn’t respond. She had no interest in competing for attention with the bride. Mo Xiuyao looked down at his wife beside him, wearing light cyan silk robes, her hair in a simple but elegant bun with two jade hairpins inserted at an angle. She looked graceful and beautiful; in the moonlight and lamplight, her eyes sparkled even more enchantingly. “In my eyes, Ah Li is the most beautiful.”
Ye Li smiled at him and said teasingly, “Prince Ding, no matter how sweet your words, I won’t forget you have a dear friend eagerly awaiting you.”
Mo Xiuyao had naturally noticed someone’s gaze and sneered disdainfully, “If Ah Li doesn’t like it, I can have those eyeballs dug out.”
“What would I do with eyeballs? Eat them?” Ye Li rolled her eyes.
Mo Xiuyao considered seriously and said, “Not good to eat. Feed them to Mo Xiaobao.”
Ye Li was completely speechless. Not good to eat, so feed them to Mo Xiaobao? Was that his reasoning? Perhaps Mo Xiaobao was picked up from somewhere outside?
She glared fiercely at Mo Xiuyao, “Instead of feeding Xiaobao, how about feeding Dabao?” Mo Xiuyao immediately understood what Ye Li meant by Dabao and frowned, “Won’t eat.”
Behind them, Feng Zhiyao was sweating profusely—how loose must his tongue be to have spoken up? And how skilled must the couple in front be to diverge into such topics? Please don’t discuss such brutal topics at someone’s wedding! If Princess Anxi’s marriage turns out unhappy in the future, it will be their fault!
“Princess Ding… Princess Langle seems to be absent,” Finally, unable to bear the increasingly brutal conversation in front, Feng Zhiyao spoke up. Ye Li looked toward the Great Chu envoys’ table and indeed didn’t see Princess Langle, but she did notice Noble Consort Liu, who had been staring fixedly at Mo Xiuyao, reveal a strange smile. Ye Li frowned in thought, then turned back to give Feng Zhiyao some quiet instructions. Feng Zhiyao’s expression changed slightly before he finally slipped away from the square when no one was paying attention.
Feng Zhiyao’s quiet exit didn’t affect anyone. Mo Xiuyao continued chatting and laughing softly with Ye Li. Though neither intended to steal attention from the newlyweds, the gazes directed at them didn’t diminish at all. Mo Xiuyao glanced casually across and caught Mo Jingli staring absently at his companion, as well as Lei Tengfeng’s thoughtful expression. A cold light flashed in his eyes as he snorted lightly and gave Mo Jingli a mocking smile.
Mo Jingli naturally saw Mo Xiuyao’s cold smile but showed no embarrassment at being caught staring at another’s wife. Instead, he stared back defiantly at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao raised his wine cup slightly in a gesture, silently saying, “Wishing you all the best.”
Though Mo Jingli habitually disliked Mo Xiuyao, he still paid close attention to his every move. He naturally understood Mo Xiuyao’s meaning and initially didn’t take it to heart, but when he saw Mo Xiuyao’s meaningful smile, his heart trembled involuntarily. He felt as if Mo Xiuyao had seen through something about him. This feeling that his enemy knew his most secret matters made Mo Jingli very uncomfortable, and he naturally lost any interest in looking at Ye Li.
After the Nanzhao King personally conducted the wedding ceremony for Princess Anxi and Pua, he returned to the palace early. Then the entire square truly became an ocean of joy, with everyone, including Princess Anxi and her new husband, singing and dancing merrily. Amidst all this jubilation, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao sat in the most inconspicuous corner watching everything before them. “Though Nanzhao’s weddings aren’t as formal as those in the Central Plains, they’re more lively,” Ye Li commented softly.
Mo Xiuyao watched the dancing, singing people below with interest, and asked, “Ah Li, shall we join them in their revelry?” Ye Li gave him a bland look and said, “Go yourself if you like. I don’t know how to dance.” Mo Xiuyao was somewhat disappointed but quickly brightened, “Then never mind. I don’t want to see Ah Li dancing in front of others anyway.”
“Princess…” Zhuo Jing appeared behind them and whispered something in Ye Li’s ear.
Ye Li frowned slightly and looked up at Mo Xiuyao, “Something’s happened with Langle. Let’s leave first.”
Though Mo Xiuyao wasn’t very familiar with Princess Langle, she was still Empress Hua’s daughter, and he was quite fond of the young girl who was completely different from her father. He nodded and was about to lead Ye Li away when a voice from behind stopped them, “Your Highness, leaving so early?”
Noble Consort Liu had somehow approached them. Even in the lamp-lit night amidst the surging crowd, she wore pure white robes like snow on high mountains, stunning yet unapproachable.
Mo Xiuyao frowned and said coldly, “What business is it of yours?”
Noble Consort Liu smiled very faintly and said, “The envoys from various countries are still here. For Prince Ding to leave early seems disrespectful to the hosts?” In just the short exchange, the three had become the focus of attention, with Mo Jingli, Lei Tengfeng, and others already glancing their way.
Ye Li’s fine brows furrowed as she glanced at Mo Xiuyao and said, “Noble Consort Liu has a point. In that case, Your Highness… you need not accompany me back. I’ll return on my own.” Besides Princess Langle’s situation, someone needed to keep watch over Princess Anxi’s side as well.
Mo Xiuyao hesitated briefly, understanding Ye Li’s meaning. Still, he put on a worried expression, “Will you be alright returning alone?”
Ye Li smiled lightly and nodded. Noble Consort Liu examined Ye Li suspiciously and asked, “What’s wrong with Lady Ye?” Ye Li said blandly, “There are too many people tonight and I’m feeling unwell, that’s all. Thank you for Noble Consort’s concern.”
“Is that so?” Noble Consort Liu neither confirmed nor denied, but Ye Li leaving alone made her very happy, as she unusually softened her expression toward Ye Li, “Then Lady Ye should return early to rest.” Ye Li couldn’t be bothered by this problematic woman and merely nodded to Mo Xiuyao before leaving the square with Zhuo Jing.
As soon as they returned to the guest residence and entered the courtyard, Feng Zhiyao hurriedly came out to meet them, his expression troubled. “Princess.”
“What happened to Princess Langle?” Ye Li asked. Feng Zhiyao’s expression was grim as he said, “Princess Langle has been taken into the royal palace.”
Ye Li frowned, “When did this happen?” Feng Zhiyao said, “When we were attending the wedding feast. I came back too late—Princess Langle had already been taken into the palace.”
With Prince Ding’s Manor’s agents in the Nanzhao palace, they might be able to get Princess Langle out. But the cost would surely be exposing their agents, and the series of troubles that would follow bringing out Princess Langle wasn’t something Feng Zhiyao could decide on his own. Ye Li thought briefly and said, “The Nanzhao King just returned to the palace. According to Nanzhao customs… if we enter the palace now, we might still make it!” A light flashed in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes, “Thank you, Princess!”
Though they hadn’t brought many people to Nanzhao, Ye Li only needed Feng Zhiyao, Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and two Qilin guards to enter the Nanzhao palace. The group bypassed the noisy square in front of the palace and slipped into the palace without alerting any palace guards. Feng Zhiyao had already discovered that Princess Langle had been taken directly to the Nanzhao King’s bedchamber, so they headed straight there upon entering the palace. However, just as they reached outside the bedchamber, they heard commotion from inside, “Assassins!” Feng Zhiyao started, “We’ve been discovered?”
Qin Feng shook his head and pressed down Feng Zhiyao’s hand as he reached for his sword. “The Nanzhao palace defenses aren’t that formidable.”
Except for Feng Zhiyao, they were all first-rate masters of stealth. As long as they remained careful, the Nanzhao palace guards’ skills were nowhere near sufficient to detect them.
Indeed, the guards who came rushing in response to the alarm didn’t even glance in their direction, all rushing into the bedchamber. Immediately, the sounds of clashing weapons and combat erupted from within. Ye Li raised her hand to signal those behind her, and the two Qilin guards split into two teams with Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, circling left and right toward the palace. Soon, four dark figures appeared on the bedchamber roof, one of them making a signal toward them. Before Feng Zhiyao could react, Qin Feng grabbed him and flew with him to the roof of the opposite palace building.
After finally steadying himself, Feng Zhiyao found the four figures had already vanished. He said helplessly, “Brother Qin, my lightness skills aren’t bad. Also, what did those hand signals mean earlier?”
Though Feng Zhiyao had some contact with the Qilin, he still didn’t quite understand these people’s methods. Qin Feng said blandly, “Hand language. The Princess wanted them to check the situation ahead in alternating groups. They said this area is safe.”
Feng Zhiyao snorted dismissively, “Why so complicated? True masters just charge straight in.” At this rate of trying to rescue someone, it would be too late.
Qin Feng gave him a bland look and said, “That’s why masters die quickly. The Princess says that though sacrifices are sometimes unavoidable, ordinary soldiers’ lives are still lives—even if losses can’t be completely avoided, they should be minimized.” Feng Zhiyao started, then wordlessly rubbed his nose.
Soon, another dark figure appeared briefly under the eaves inside, making an extremely brief hand signal. Qin Feng stood up and said, “Hurry, those inside aren’t assassins—they should also be people coming to rescue Princess Langle.”
By the time the two reached the innermost sleeping chamber of the palace, fighting had broken out in front of the hall. Feng Zhiyao looked around but couldn’t spot where the four people were hidden. Ye Li appeared beside the two out of nowhere and asked, “Are those below from the Hua family?” Feng Zhiyao’s eyes showed emotion as he stared fixedly at the people fighting below and said, “They should be. Besides the Hua family, I can’t think who else would come to rescue Princess Langle. But… why did they wait until now to act? Surely rescuing her on the road would have been much easier than in the Nanzhao palace?”
“Naturally, there must be some reason they could only rescue her inside the Nanzhao palace,” Ye Li said. “Let’s go see Princess Langle. Qin Feng, watch this area.” Qin Feng nodded, “Rest assured, Princess.”
Getting past so many guards’ eyes and ears to enter the chamber naturally wasn’t easy, so Ye Li didn’t attempt it. Instead, she led Feng Zhiyao across the rooftop, moving until she found a specific spot and stopped, pointing below, “This is the Nanzhao King’s bedchamber.”
They watched as Ye Li swiftly removed the glazed roof tiles without making the slightest sound. Soon, everything in the chamber came into view. Ye Li had chosen an excellent position—looking down from above, they could see most of the room. And because of the ceiling beams, unless someone walked directly under this hole, they would be hard-pressed to notice their roof had been opened. Feng Zhiyao watched as Ye Li descended through the roof opening, silently standing on a ceiling beam. The people in the room remained completely unaware.
The Nanzhao King stared darkly at Princess Langle sitting on a nearby couch, his eyes flashing with lecherous desire and vicious anger. This was Great Chu’s legitimate eldest princess who, though still young, was already a beauty. In just two more years, she would surely surpass his daughter Princess Qixia, who had once been called Nanzhao’s greatest beauty. Normally, he could never have hoped to marry such a princess—Great Chu rarely sent princesses for political marriages, especially not legitimate eldest princesses. Though he didn’t know why the Great Chu Emperor would send his most noble princess to him like this, he was extremely satisfied with this gift.
Princess Langle sat on the couch, nervously watching the tightly closed chamber doors, her hands clutched tightly within her sleeves. The Nanzhao King stared at her unblinkingly, completely ignoring the assassins outside as he gazed at her beautiful face with undisguised eagerness, “Such a little beauty. Great Chu’s princesses truly are different. Don’t worry about the assassins outside—forget just ten or so people, even a hundred times that number couldn’t escape the Nanzhao palace alive.”
Princess Langle trembled, looking toward the door with rising panic finally showing on her face. Seeing her expression change, the Nanzhao King grew even more pleased, “Haha… my little beauty, better submit to me willingly. If you’re obedient, I can leave those people outside with their corpses intact.”
Princess Langle gritted her teeth and suddenly stood up, trying to rush toward the door. How could the Nanzhao King let her escape? He reached out and firmly grabbed one of her arms, “Little beauty, what’s the hurry… haha…” Princess Langle struggled constantly, but how could a delicate young girl be a match for the Nanzhao King? Her captured arm couldn’t move at all, and her face showed signs of pain. She gave up trying to run outside and called out loudly, “Whoever’s outside, I don’t want you to rescue me, quickly leave!”
The people fighting outside clearly heard her voice, and someone immediately responded, “Princess, we will rescue you!”
“Everyone leave! I don’t want you to rescue me!” Princess Langle’s clear eyes streamed with tears as she shouted. Seeing the Nanzhao King’s triumphant leer and face approaching hers, a look of determination flashed across Princess Langle’s beautiful young face.
Princess Langle suddenly raised her still-free right hand, a cold glint flashing from her sleeve. A gleaming dagger appeared in her hand, and she unhesitatingly stabbed toward the Nanzhao King’s hand that held her. How could the Nanzhao King let her stab him? He immediately released her, causing her strike to miss.
Hadn’t expected this seemingly delicate girl to be so bold, the Nanzhao King flew into a humiliated rage and struck her with a slap that sent her falling to the ground, blood trickling from her lips.
Princess Langle sat fallen on the ground, raising her head to look coldly at the Nanzhao King. Her face showed no fear, instead displaying the pride of a noble princess and contempt for the Nanzhao King, “You’re not worthy to humiliate this princess!”
With that, Princess Langle unhesitatingly raised the dagger toward her chest.
Whoosh—a green light shot down from the ceiling beam, striking Princess Langle’s dagger precisely. The tremendous force sent the dagger flying away at an angle. A jade hairpin simultaneously embedded itself in a pillar near Princess Langle.
The Nanzhao King stared in bewilderment at this sudden turn of events, looking up toward the ceiling beam. There he saw Ye Li in cyan robes sitting unconcernedly on the beam, smiling and nodding at him. The Nanzhao King was stunned for a moment before coming to his senses and about to call for guards, but in that instant, a cyan shadow flashed before him—Ye Li had already reached him and unhesitatingly placed a dagger against his throat.
Ye Li looked helplessly at Princess Langle and said, “You are ruthless, girl. That strike would have sent you straight to the King of Hell without even taking half a breath.”
“Prin… Princess Ding…” Princess Langle stared at Ye Li in shock, clearly unable to understand why she was there.
The Nanzhao King said gravely, “Princess Ding, what is the meaning of this?”
Ye Li said helplessly, “It was an emergency, please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Ye Li was truly quite helpless. Since she couldn’t kill the Nanzhao King, she had originally planned not to appear before him. She had been considering how to knock him unconscious without leaving traces and take Princess Langle away, but before she could act, this scene had unfolded. To save Princess Langle’s life, Ye Li had no choice but to deflect the dagger in her hand, simultaneously exposing herself.