In Prince Ding’s mansion, after hearing the news Ye Li brought back, Feng Zhiyao remained silent for a long while, unable to say anything. Regarding this, Ye Li was also helpless. From Feng Zhiyao’s perspective, she could naturally blame the Empress’s stubbornness for wasting his time. But this actually couldn’t be blamed on the Empress. She had never given Feng Zhiyao any hope. And what she was doing now was truly the best that a woman of this era, especially one who was Empress, could do. Ye Li couldn’t possibly use her standards to judge a woman who had received a traditional education in loyalty to the emperor and feminine virtues.

“Xiuyao, Feng San…” Ye Li asked with some concern.

Mo Xiuyao lifted his head from the book in his hands and said, “No need to worry about him, he knows his limits.”

Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s response, Ye Li also shook her head and put the matter aside. She told Mo Xiuyao about seeing the Tenth Prince in the palace, finally sighing, “That child is truly too timid and fearful. Who knows what Mo Jingqi was thinking when he left that imperial edict.”

Mo Xiuyao put down his book and walked behind Ye Li, embracing her from behind and letting her lean against him as he said softly, “These are Mo Jingli and others’ affairs, they have nothing to do with us. Why should Ari worry about them?”

Ye Li smiled gently and shook her head, “I’m not worrying about them, it’s just…” It was just that seeing that innocent child who was destined to be sacrificed made her feel somewhat unable to bear it. That child was only a year older than Mo Xiaobao. Perhaps becoming a mother had truly made her more soft-hearted than before.

Mo Xiuyao said softly, “Although the capital is under martial law everywhere now, no one dares to stop people from Prince Ding’s mansion. If Ari feels bored, you can go for walks around the city. There’s no need to concern yourself with those palace matters.”

Ye Li nodded and said, “I understand.” Understanding that Mo Xiuyao didn’t want her to worry about those trivial matters, Ye Li naturally agreed readily. They were family; as for others, no matter how pitiful or innocent they might be, they were still outsiders. She also didn’t want Mo Xiuyao to worry about her.

“Mother! Mother…” Mo Xiaobao’s voice carried across the long corridor as he ran over joyfully. Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly in displeasure, raising his eyes to stare at Mo Xiaobao who had already run to the door and was about to step in. Behind Mo Xiaobao followed Cold Jun Han, who was panting from the run.

Ye Li sighed helplessly, “Chenr, slow down a bit, look how tired Jun Han is…”

Mo Xiaobao turned back to look at Cold Jun Han who was still catching his breath but smiling at him, let out a light snort, and nestled into Ye Li’s embrace. Ye Li looked down at his somewhat annoyed little face and couldn’t help but laugh softly. She patted Mo Xiaobao and said, “Jun Han is younger than you, you’re the big brother so you need to be more considerate. Understand?”

“I understand,” Mo Xiaobao said quietly. He looked up at Cold Jun Han and said, “Cold Little Fool, if you can’t walk anymore just say so. I… I would have waited for you.”

Cold Jun Han rubbed his little head, grinning at Mo Xiaobao with pure innocence. This only made Mo Xiaobao feel more embarrassed. Having seen enough of her son’s awkward appearance, Ye Li smiled and beckoned to Cold Jun Han, “Jun Han, come here to auntie.”

Cold Jun Han cheered and also rushed to Ye Li’s side, happily nuzzling against her arm. He also really liked Little Bao’s mother – she was fragrant and warm, just as nice as his mother. It was just a pity that Big Brother Xiaobao didn’t like him clinging to Auntie.

Mo Xiuyao stood behind Ye Li, his face darkening. Having just one little one, Mo Xiaobao, was already enough, but now with two little ones monopolizing Ari, the time he could spend alone with Ari each day had decreased significantly. Thinking of this, Mo Xiuyao began to regret his decision to send Cold Haoyu away.

Mo Xiuyao had said Feng Zhiyao knew his limits, but unexpectedly, Feng Zhiyao caused major trouble that very day.

Late at night, when all was quiet and the entire Prince Ding’s mansion had already settled into silence, only the candlelight in the study remained lit. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li sat in the study, reviewing documents while occasionally chatting. Though they seemed leisurely and carefree in the capital, being in their positions meant there were still countless matters that required their attention each day. Even if these didn’t need immediate decisions or handling, they still needed to stay informed of this news to prevent sudden changes.

“Feng San went out today and hasn’t returned?” Having finished reviewing the last document in her hands, Ye Li looked at the large pile still in front of Mo Xiuyao, and casually took one to read while asking.

Mo Xiuyao said, “He probably went out to find a place to vent his anger.” Though Feng Zhiyao appeared romantic and unrestrained, seemingly born with a good temperament his personality was distinct, with his emotions clearly shown on his face. It was just that years of experience had taught him to hide his emotions in front of others.

Ye Li’s fine brows knitted slightly as she said, “I felt something was off about Feng San’s mood when he left this morning.”

“He’s waited so many years – it would be strange if his mood wasn’t off.” Mo Xiuyao had never approved of Feng Zhiyao’s feelings for the Empress and had tried to advise against it subtly several times in their youth. However, each time ended with them fighting furiously until they were exhausted. When they grew older, they learned to respect each other’s feelings, making it harder to give advice. So it dragged on for many years until Feng Zhiyao was already in his thirties. By the standards of this world for ordinary wealthy young masters, in a couple of years, Feng San would be holding grandchildren.

“These two…” Ye Li sighed, but before she could finish speaking, she suddenly stood up from her chair, “Someone has broken in!”

Mo Xiuyao had already streaked out of the study like a wisp of smoke, leaving only his deep voice behind, “Ari, go watch those two little ones.” Ye Li looked somewhat regretfully at the white-robed figure disappearing through the door – this was the difference between masterful and merely adequate qinggong.

When Ye Li arrived at the courtyard where Mo Xiaobao and Cold Jun Han lived, Zhuo Jing was already guarding outside. Seeing Ye Li, he bowed and said, “Princess Consort.”

Ye Li nodded, “Thank you for your trouble. Are the two children alright?” Zhuo Jing said solemnly, “This is my duty. The young heir and young master Cold are fine.”

As they spoke, Mo Xiaobao had already rushed out from inside, “Mother, has something happened?” Ye Li saw the eagerness written in someone’s bright eyes, raised her hand, and lightly tapped his forehead, saying, “Stay properly with Zhuo Jing and take care of Jun Han. Mother will go see what’s happening with your father.”

Unable to join the excitement, Mo Xiaobao pouted his little mouth in disappointment. But he still obediently nodded, “Then mother, please be careful.”

Ye Li smiled gently, “Such a little adult.”

After settling the two children, Ye Li quickly headed toward the front courtyard. However, she found there was no fighting taking place, clearly whoever had broken in was someone they knew. Shaking her head, Ye Li turned toward the front reception hall, but what she saw made her temples throb.

In the hall, Feng Zhiyao sat collapsed on the ground, with a pool of dark red blood beside him. The blood wasn’t yet dry, clearly having just been coughed up by someone. Mo Xiuyao stood in the hall, hands behind his back, with an expression that chilled one’s heart. Ye Li had no doubt that Feng Zhiyao sitting on the ground coughing blood was Mo Xiuyao’s handiwork. But what gave her a headache wasn’t just this – in the chair beside them, under a large black screen, was wrapped a person. Though the face couldn’t be seen clearly, from the figure Ye Li could tell it was a woman. And as for what woman Feng Zhiyao would bring back in the middle of the night, Ye Li’s head ached more as she thought about it.

The woman leaning in the chair was still unconscious. Ye Li walked over and pulled back the cloak covering her face, revealing the woman’s beautiful and dignified countenance. Who else could it be but the Empress she had just seen today?

“How reckless!” Ye Li turned and glared at Feng Zhiyao, scolding in a low voice.

Feng Zhiyao didn’t mind, giving her a crooked smile. His usually playful eyes now carried deep helplessness and sorrow, making even Ye Li unable to say more. Sighing, Ye Li asked, “Did she agree to you bringing her out like this?” Feng Zhiyao’s silence was answer enough – Ye Li understood that he had directly knocked the Empress unconscious and brought her out of the palace against her will.

Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s increasing anger, Ye Li silently walked to his side, took his hand, and pulled him to sit down at the side. Otherwise, Ye Li couldn’t guarantee that the furious Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t give Feng Zhiyao another palm strike.

“Your courage has grown indeed. This Prince never knew Young Master Feng San could be so audacious,” sitting beside Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao suppressed his anger and stared coldly at Feng Zhiyao.

Feng Zhiyao smiled faintly, no longer showing his usual unrestrained charm, only faint helplessness and weariness remained, “I’ll bear the consequences of my actions. I won’t implicate Prince Ding’s mansion.”

Bang! Mo Xiuyao slammed his palm on the table beside him. The table remained intact, but the items and teacups on its surface instantly shattered. Mo Xiuyao laughed in extreme anger, “Good… very good! Young Master Feng San has grown quite capable – won’t implicate Prince Ding’s mansion? Since you’re so capable, why didn’t you just take her straight out of the capital?”

Feng Zhiyao remained silent. The city gates were now tightly closed and the capital was under martial law. It would be one thing for him alone, but it was impossible to leave the city with an unconscious person. Feng Zhiyao closed his eyes wearily, “Xiuyao, I’m sorry. But… I don’t regret doing this.”

Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly and looked at him coolly, saying, “For all Young Master Feng San prides himself on his intelligence, didn’t you think about an escape route before acting? You just rushed into the palace to kidnap someone on a whim?”

Feng Zhiyao looked somewhat embarrassed – he indeed hadn’t considered much. After sneaking into the palace to find the Empress and being firmly rejected by her, he became increasingly upset, and in a moment of impulse simply stopped thinking and returned to the palace to kidnap her. He just hadn’t expected that what made Mo Xiuyao so angry wasn’t that he had gone into the palace to kidnap the Empress, but that he had kidnapped someone without even having a plan.

“Then… what should we do now?” Understanding Mo Xiuyao’s thoughts, Feng Zhiyao stopped trying to act tough. In terms of strategic ability, he was indeed far inferior to Mo Xiuyao, and he could accept this fact.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, “How about sending her back while no one has discovered anything?”

“No!” Feng Zhiyao hurriedly said. He had finally managed to bring her out – if he sent her back now, he couldn’t guarantee he would have such courage again. Moreover, he hadn’t brought her out just because of his feelings, but because he knew her future life in the palace would not be easy. Even if she still wouldn’t accept him, he at least hoped she could live more freely and happily. At least… he could still have some hope, couldn’t he?

Mo Xiuyao looked at the sky – it was already the fifth watch. Shaking his head, he said, “It’s too late. In at most half an hour, someone will discover the Empress is missing.”

Ye Li frowned and said, “Then what should we do? Send her out of the city now?” The sky was neither dark nor light now – not a good time to leave the city, but if they missed this last window of time, once people discovered the Empress was missing, it would probably be even harder to enter or leave the capital.

“She can’t leave now. We all know the Empress’s character – she’s not the type to just run away. If we send her away now, she’ll come back on her own,” Mo Xiuyao shook his head and said, “Let her stay at Prince Ding’s mansion for now. Even if the Empress is missing, no one dares to search Prince Ding’s mansion.” Fortunately, all the guards and servants of Prince Ding’s mansion were trusted confidants, and Feng Zhiyao had returned at night. Otherwise, tonight’s events would probably be like Mo Jingli kicking his son to death – spread throughout all the mansions in the capital before dawn.

“Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Princess Consort,” Feng Zhiyao said joyfully.

Ye Li waved her hand and said, “Alright, find a place to settle her down yourself. After all this trouble, get some rest while there’s still time.”

Feng Zhiyao thanked them again, picked up the sleeping Empress, and left. In the hall, Ye Li turned back to look at Mo Xiuyao and raised an eyebrow, saying, “Is this what Your Highness meant by knowing his limits?” If kidnapping a country’s Empress counted as knowing one’s limits, what would count as not knowing them?

Mo Xiuyao smiled helplessly, “This is probably the only time in Feng San’s life that he’ll act without limits.”

Leaving Feng Zhiyao to settle the Empress, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao didn’t go to check on them. The couple returned to their courtyard to rest, but less than an hour later, someone came calling.

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, Duke Hua requests an audience.”

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao exchanged a glance, and Mo Xiuyao rose, saying, “Please show Duke Hua to the study, I’ll be right there.” Ye Li reached out to hold Mo Xiuyao’s hand and smiled slightly, “Let’s go together.” Mo Xiuyao didn’t object, and after changing clothes, they headed to the study.

Duke Hua, who had been shown to the study, was restless, his white hair and aged face looking even more haggard. His somewhat clouded old eyes were full of anxiety and worry. Seeing Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao enter hand in hand, he hurriedly stood up to greet them, “Your Highness, Princess Consort.”

Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to support Duke Hua, unusually gentle as he said, “Why has the Duke come so early? Has something happened?”

Duke Hua sighed mournfully and smiled bitterly, “Hasn’t something major happened? Otherwise, how could this old man be so inconsiderate as to call so early in the morning?”

The two supported Duke Hua to sit down, one on each side, before taking their seats. Ye Li smiled slightly and said, “How can the Duke say such things? You are welcome at any time. You haven’t yet told us what has happened.”

Duke Hua was in no mood for pleasantries and said gravely, “The Empress has disappeared.”

Though they had already known Duke Hua must have come about this matter, when it came to speaking about it, they still found themselves unsure how to begin. After a while, Ye Li finally spoke slowly, “Duke Hua… the Empress is here in Prince Ding’s mansion.”