Walking up to the second floor of the tea house, there wasn’t a single customer in sight. This wasn’t a particularly high-end establishment, and its furnishings certainly wouldn’t meet the tastes of Noble Consort Liu who had long resided in the palace. She had chosen this place purely to wait for Mo Xiu Yao and the others. Of course, Noble Consort Liu couldn’t possibly share a room with common citizens, so the tea house had already been cleared out.

The empty upper floor was quiet. As soon as one reached the top of the stairs, Noble Consort Liu could be seen standing by the window, presenting only her white silhouette. The palace maids and eunuchs attending her all stood with lowered heads, none daring to make even the slightest sound.

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow, carrying Mo Xiao Bao to an empty table nearby and placing the little dumpling on it. Mo Xiao Bao pouted his small mouth – he wasn’t a little kid anymore and didn’t want to sit at the table. He reached out his little hands toward Ye Li for a hug. Ye Li smiled gently and lifted him into a chair beside her. Only then did Mo Xiao Bao happily settle in the big chair, wiggling his little bottom and blinking his eyes at Ye Li, saying, “Mother, didn’t that auntie invite us for tea? Why isn’t she paying attention to us?”

Auntie? Ye Li’s mouth twitched. Don’t think Mo Xiao Bao didn’t know how to speak – he could offend people with just one word. For this little genius who had known to call Qin Zheng “sister” and his maternal aunts “auntie” since he first learned to speak, whether to please someone depended entirely on his mood. Sometimes Ye Li worried that when this son grew up, he might become a flirtatious playboy, which was why she had rarely agreed with Mo Xiu Yao’s suggestion to keep Mo Xiao Bao from associating with Han Ming Xi. So, Mo Xiao Bao must have found something about Noble Consort Liu displeasing.

Noble Consort Liu turned around and was startled upon seeing the black-clad child sitting between Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao. Though she prided herself on her beauty and looked down on Mo Jing Qi as a person, she had to admit he was quite handsome. However, even his three children combined – two boys and a girl – weren’t as beautiful as this black-clad boy before her. As Noble Consort Liu truly looked at the black-clad boy who was staring at her expectantly, even her previous anger dissipated somewhat. But it was replaced by even more dissatisfaction – her child with the Prince would surely be more beautiful…

Beside them, Ye Li helplessly looked skyward, knowing from Noble Consort Liu’s absent expression that someone was lost in fantasy again. No doubt she was having some unrealistic daydreams.

“Auntie? Pretty auntie?” Mo Xiao Bao considered himself a person of excellent aesthetic taste, so even though he didn’t like the auntie before him, he had to admit she was a pretty auntie. Unfortunately… this auntie seemed to have some problems with her mind. She had just been glaring at him angrily, and he thought she was about to lose her temper, but then she became lost in thought while staring at him. Young Master knew he was good-looking, but Auntie was too old to be drooling over Young Master. Mo Xiao Bao thought narcissistically.

“Auntie, are you going to invite us for tea or not?” Mo Xiao Bao asked impatiently.

Being repeatedly called “auntie” by a child, even someone as slow as Noble Consort Liu realized the child was doing it deliberately. Even if children don’t know better, they must have been instructed by someone. Noble Consort Liu stepped forward with furrowed brows and said, “Little Young Master, I am not an auntie.”

Mo Xiao Bao frowned and studied her for a long while before quietly saying, “My Royal Father says anyone ten years older than my mother is called auntie.”

Although his mother was in her twenties, many people said she looked like she wasn’t even twenty yet. The auntie before him looked over thirty, as old as his father. “It’s okay if you don’t know how to take care of yourself. I’ll introduce you to my mother’s skincare products later,” Mo Xiao Bao said sympathetically. It was such a pity that such a beautiful person had become an auntie because she didn’t know how to maintain her appearance. So, Mo Xiao Bao was determined to call Noble Consort Liu auntie.

“Cough cough.” Ye Li, who had been drinking tea nearby, choked accidentally. One of Mo Xiu Yao’s eyebrows raised as he looked at his serious-faced son with an ambiguous smile. He didn’t remember teaching him that anyone ten years older than A Li should be called auntie.

“The Little Young Master is so clever!” Noble Consort Liu said coldly through gritted teeth. “Miss Ye has taught him well.”

Ye Li maintained her composure and smiled, “You’re too kind Noble Consort.”

Who’s being kind?! Noble Consort Liu harbored deep resentment in her heart. Looking at Ye Li’s radiant smile, her heart twinged. She had always believed Ye Li’s appearance was far less beautiful than hers, but now seeing her up close, she discovered that Ye Li wasn’t as ordinary as she remembered. Her features were delicate and graceful, her smile gentle enough to make anyone feel like they were basking in spring sunshine. Beneath her gentle and graceful brows, there was a hint of elegance and nobility. These two contradictory qualities combined in the woman before her to create a unique confidence and dignity she had never seen before. It reminded people that this woman was not only born into a noble family but was also a female hero capable of riding into battle. This quality needed no external decoration or facial expression to mask it – even when she smiled as gently as any ordinary lady, people still dared not offend her easily.

Of course, this wasn’t what concerned Noble Consort Liu the most. What made her grit her teeth in hatred was Ye Li’s age. Compared to fourteen or fifteen-year-old maidens coming of age, Ye Li was considered old. But compared to Noble Consort Liu, who was over thirty, Ye Li at twenty-one or twenty-two looked like she was eighteen made her hatefully young. No matter how unwilling Noble Consort Liu was to admit it, she had to acknowledge that compared to Ye Li, she was old.

Thinking of this, Noble Consort Liu looked somewhat anxiously at Mo Xiu Yao sitting to the side. She saw that although Mo Xiu Yao held his tea, he wasn’t drinking it, nor was he looking at her. Instead, his gaze rested on the green-robed woman seated one place away. Looking at the shallow dimples in Ye Li’s smile, even his handsome face beneath the white hair showed a trace of pleasure. Such a beautiful couple with a child between them who seemed to have inherited all their best features – the scene was beautiful enough to entrance anyone, yet it made Noble Consort Liu suddenly feel cold all over.

“Your… Prince.” After pondering for a moment, seeing that Mo Xiu Yao had no intention of speaking, Noble Consort Liu had to speak first.

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow and looked at her silently with a questioning expression. Noble Consort Liu bit her lip and said, “This Consort has some matters to discuss with the Prince privately. Would Miss Ye and the Young Master mind stepping out?”

Before Ye Li could speak, Mo Xiao Bao jumped in first: “No!”

Even though Noble Consort Liu was angry, she couldn’t lose her temper at his son in front of Mo Xiu Yao. She could only force out a somewhat stiff smile through her anger and say, “Little Young Master, This Consort has important matters to discuss with your father. Why don’t you let your mother take you out to play?” Mo Xiao Bao pursed his little mouth, looking up at Mo Xiu Yao with puppy eyes, his clear black and white eyes instantly brimming with tears that looked ready to fall. Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow at his son: What are you up to now?

Mo Xiao Bao looked pitifully at his father and choked out, “Father… do you not want Xiao Bao and Mother anymore? Xiao Bao loves Mother and Father the most, Father doesn’t want Xiao Bao anymore. Wuu wuu…” And so, thanks to Noble Consort Liu, Mo Xiu Yao heard his son say he loved him for the first time in his life. Usually, this kid only wanted to kick his father as far away as possible, of course, the feeling was mutual.

“Father won’t abandon your mother,” Mo Xiu Yao promised. Only you.

Mo Xiao Bao said tearfully, “But just now this auntie wanted Mother to take Xiao Bao away. Wuu wuu… Little Uncle said that women who want to talk to Father alone all want to be Xiao Bao’s stepmother. Xiao Bao doesn’t want a stepmother…” Mo Xiu Yao was exasperated, deeply feeling that their earlier decision to only keep Han Ming Xi away from Mo Xiao Bao was a mistake – they should have kept him away from all five Xu brothers too. Look at what Xu Wu had taught his son! And all those tricks he learned from Xu Qing Chen, going around calling everyone uncle this and uncle that. If Mo Xiao Bao didn’t still often cling to A Li, he would have suspected Mo Xiao Bao would just go live with Xu Qing Chen at the Xu family home. Of course, he would be fine with sending Mo Xiao Bao to the Xu family now, but there was a difference between him as a father sending him there and his son happily running there himself.

“Your little uncle is right, so Father won’t talk alone with other women,” I only want to talk alone with A Li, so you shouldn’t always cling to A Li. Then Father will love you too.

“Xiao Bao knew Father wasn’t a heartless man who would abandon his wife,” Mo Xiao Bao said contentedly.

This time, both Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li twitched. The couple exchanged a glance – whose educational failure had turned their five-year-old son into this?

Mo Xiao Bao didn’t care that he had shocked his parents, climbing over the chair into Mo Xiu Yao’s arms, his tear-stained little face breaking into a sweet, happy smile. He said to Noble Consort Liu, whose face had turned blue with anger: “Auntie, men and women should maintain proper distance. My Father won’t talk with you alone. A man’s reputation is very important too, Auntie, don’t try to harm my Father.”

Ye Li helplessly patted her son’s little head and turned to Noble Consort Liu, saying, “Children don’t know better, Noble Consort, please don’t take offense.” Mo Xiao Bao smiled and nuzzled into his mother’s palm. Although he hated his father the most, his Father belonged to his Mother. If Mother still wanted Father, then even though he disliked it, he would generously accept it. Other women wanting to steal him away? Hmph hmph hmph!

Noble Consort Liu maintained her cold expression, knowing it was impossible to speak alone with Mo Xiu Yao today. She could only suppress her anger and say in a deep voice, “If that’s the case, it’s fine if Miss Ye listens too.”

Ye Li nodded with a smile, indicating she would listen respectfully.

Only when Mo Xiao Bao had settled quietly in Mo Xiu Yao’s arms, becoming drowsy, did Noble Consort Liu finally speak. Though their exchange had been brief, she had truly become somewhat afraid of this precocious boy. Despite his pure, innocent, and naive little face, every word he spoke made her look bad, and it was impossible to believe he was doing it unintentionally.

“What are the Prince’s thoughts on the current situation in the capital?” Noble Consort Liu asked in a low voice, staring steadily at Mo Xiu Yao.

Mo Xiu Yao raised his eyebrows and said, “This Prince returned only to pay respects at the ancestral temple and has no intention of involving myself in the capital’s affairs. Moreover, the Mo family army no longer has ties with Great Chu, so it would be improper for this Prince to interfere rashly. Noble Consort Liu need not ask about this, especially since this is not a matter you should be inquiring about.”

The words “should not inquire” were undoubtedly a huge blow to Noble Consort Liu. They indicated that Mo Xiu Yao still regarded her as just an ordinary palace woman. Though Mo Xiu Yao was exceptional, he was still a prince in an imperial era – he absolutely wouldn’t have inherent ideas about gender equality. But he was different from ordinary men; he believed some women’s abilities were no less than men’s, so he could accept them studying literature, practicing martial arts, engaging in politics, or becoming generals. Like Ye Li and Princess An Xi.

But at the same time, he still believed most women were ordinary ladies who needed only to stay properly in their chambers. The former represented equal status and respect with him, while the latter represented being men’s dependents.

Therefore, in Mo Xiu Yao’s eyes, it was natural for Ye Li to inquire about anything, while Noble Consort Liu had no business meddling in court affairs. Not because she was a palace consort, but because she simply wasn’t qualified. Noble Consort Liu clearly understood Mo Xiu Yao’s thinking, which made her even more furious.

After a long while, Noble Consort Liu finally said through gritted teeth, “The Prince should know that my son has been named Crown Prince. Once the Emperor passes, he will become Great Chu’s Emperor, and I will become Great Chu’s Empress Dowager.” Mo Xiu Yao nodded – of course he knew, but so what? “There have been many Empress Dowagers. In Great Chu alone, there have been seven or eight. So what?”

So what? The great Chu had never had an Empress Dowager who could control a young emperor and stir up trouble from the previous dynasty. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to – few women who had struggled all their lives to reach the position of Empress Dowager didn’t want to rule from behind the curtain. But… Great Chu had the Prince’s Manor. As long as the Prince’s Manor existed, there was no room for palace women to meddle in court affairs. Thus since Great Chu’s founding, the most powerful Empress Dowager had only been the current one, Mo Jing Qi’s birth mother. Even so, she hadn’t reached the level of power held by imperial women in previous dynasties. First, Mo Jing Qi was already quite old when he ascended the throne, and he was someone who absolutely couldn’t tolerate power falling to others. Second because Great Chu’s officials were no longer accustomed to letting palace women hold power.

Noble Consort Liu lowered her eyes. She couldn’t argue with Mo Xiu Yao, not only because she loved him but because she had no leverage to contend with him. She could only try another approach: “The Prince must know the current situation at court. Mo Jing Li not only poisoned the Emperor but forced him to name him Regent. Once the Emperor passes, Mo Jing Li as Regent will surely use the young Emperor to command the realm. When that time comes, Great Chu may become Mo Jing Li’s alone. This wouldn’t be good for the Prince either, would it?”

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow, looking at Noble Consort Liu without speaking. She continued, “The Prince should know that Prince Li has never gotten along with you since childhood, and now because of Miss Ye, he harbors resentment over a stolen wife. Once Prince Li holds great power, if he uses the nation’s strength to make trouble for the Northwest, won’t that give the Prince a headache?” Mo Xiu Yao casually picked up his teacup and took a sip. The slight bitterness of the mediocre tea made him furrow his brows as he said coolly, “Noble Consort Liu speaks these words without consulting Minister Liu, I presume?”

Noble Consort Liu’s smile froze as she asked in confusion, “What does the Prince mean?”

Mo Xiu Yao said, “This Prince has said before, Noble Consort Liu should stay quietly in the palace and not interfere in matters you don’t understand. If you had discussed this with Minister Liu beforehand, he would surely have told you that neither your son nor Mo Jing Li, regardless of who ascends the throne, can trouble this Prince!”

Noble Consort Liu’s expression changed slightly as she tightly gripped her fingers and forced out, “The Prince is too confident.” She truly didn’t believe it – how big was the Northwest? In Noble Consort Liu’s view, if every person in Great Chu spat once, they could drown that tiny Northwest region. But she forgot to consider how many of Great Chu’s common people would be willing to spit at the Prince’s Manor for her.

“However, what you say is not wrong. The young Crown Prince ascending the throne would indeed benefit this Prince more than Mo Jing Li’s ascension,” Mo Xiu Yao said quietly, gazing down at the tea in his cup.

Hearing this, Noble Consort Liu’s heart leaped with joy as she smiled and said, “Does this mean the Prince agrees to help This Consort?”

Mo Xiu Yao looked up and glanced at Ye Li, who had been silently drinking tea beside him, and asked, “A Li, did this Prince agree?” Ye Li raised her head and said coolly, “This Consort didn’t hear anything.”

“What does the Prince mean by this?” Even though it was Mo Xiu Yao toying with her, Noble Consort Liu still found it unbearable to feel like she was being played with. But in fact, Mo Xiu Yao had no intention of toying with her. He looked at her calmly and said, “This Prince has already promised Mo Jing Li not to interfere in court affairs.”

“Why?” Noble Consort Liu asked, her heart filled with deep disappointment. She had hoped to cooperate with Mo Xiu Yao, at least to make him see how different she was. Mo Xiu Yao would surely discover that compared to Ye Li, she was the better choice. “Why? Don’t you care what you could gain by cooperating with me? If you help me, the Prince’s Manor will remain Great Chu’s Prince’s Manor, you could become the next generation’s Regent, even…” Even if he wanted to become Emperor, she would help him – compared to being Empress Dowager, she would rather become his Empress.

Ye Li’s eye twitched as she spoke coolly, “This Consort doesn’t know what could be gained from cooperating with Noble Consort Liu, but… at least it could anger Mo Jing Qi to death. Isn’t that right, My Prince?” His most favored consort, the Crown Prince’s mother, cooperated with his most hated enemy, his most feared opponent. Wouldn’t that make Mo Jing Qi die of anger if not from illness or poison?

“Miss Ye! This Consort is speaking with the Prince.” Noble Consort Liu said coldly, her angry eyes warning Ye Li. Ye Li remained calm and composed as she said lightly, “Ah, this Consort is also speaking with the Prince. This Consort is merely offering opinions on Noble Consort Liu’s proposal for the Prince’s reference. Isn’t that right, My Prince?” Mo Xiu Yao smiled indulgently and said softly, “A-Li thinks thoroughly. This Prince’s affairs are A Li’s affairs – there’s nothing that cannot be discussed. Besides, this Prince can anger Mo Jing Qi to death without cooperating with the Liu family. A Li, you must believe in your husband’s abilities.”

“Is the Prince refusing?!” Noble Consort Liu addressed Mo Xiu Yao while glaring fiercely at Ye Li.

Mo Xiu Yao said carelessly, “It’s not a refusal – this Prince never considered such a boring and time-wasting proposal in the first place.”