The Imperial Palace buildings were predominantly wooden structures, with the borders painted in various decorative colors. Once the fire started, it spread ferociously. In less than a quarter hour, the entire Qiuliang Palace was engulfed in flames, and the surrounding palaces began to catch fire as well. Ye Li and her two companions could only escort Princess Zhenning to the Imperial Garden, far from Qiuliang Palace. They placed Princess Zhenning by a small lake in an open, flat, and well-ventilated area. Looking at the distant glow where people had begun fighting the fire, she ordered, “Go fetch an Imperial Physician.”

“A’Li!” Before the physician arrived, Mo Xiuyao, clad in white, had already swooped in like the wind. Only after seeing Ye Li unharmed did he relax, glancing at Princess Zhenning beside her with a raised eyebrow. Ye Li silently shook her head – it wasn’t appropriate to discuss these matters in front of Princess Zhenning. Behind them, Mo Xiaobao was carried over by guards, along with Leng Junhan who was also being carried.

“Mother!” Mo Xiaobao happily jumped from the guard’s arms and rushed toward Ye Li. However, he was caught mid-way by Mo Xiuyao, who held him suspended by his clothes as he flailed his limbs. “Mother, Mother… your child was so worried about you… Father is mean, let me go! I want Mother…” Ye Li laughingly took him from Mo Xiuyao’s arms and patted him soothingly, “Mother is fine, sorry to have worried you. Good child…” Mo Xiaobao contentedly nuzzled against Ye Li’s embrace, ignoring Mo Xiuyao’s gloomy expression as he nodded repeatedly, “As long as Mother is safe. Your child loves Mother the most…”

Princess Zhenning, leaning against a rockery, watched Mo Xiaobao giggling in Ye Li’s arms and saw the gentle, faint smile on Ye Li’s face. A flash of envy and bitterness crossed her eyes. Ye Li noticed this, put Mo Xiaobao down, and crouched to ask softly, “Princess Zhenning, are you alright?”

Princess Zhenning nodded and said quietly, “Thank you… thank you for saving my life, Defined Prince Consort.” Looking at the elegant and graceful woman before her, she truly felt unworthy to face her. She knew what her mother had done, yet the Defined Prince Consort had saved her life regardless of her mother’s actions. While her birth mother had not only used her but had nearly killed her. Why… why was her mother such a person?

“Sister! Sister!” Urgent calls rang out as the Qin Prince, rushing over with his eight-year-old brother upon hearing the news, arrived hastily. Behind them were Mo Jingli and other royal clan princes and court nobles. The fire at Qiuliang Palace burned fiercely; although people had gone to fight it, today’s light breeze only made the flames more intense, now spreading to nearly three or four palace buildings. Even standing at the opposite corner from Qiuliang Palace, they could feel the fire’s intensity.

Mo Xiaoyun rushed over, his first glance falling on Princess Zhenning sitting on the ground. He hurried forward, “Imperial Sister, how are you? Are you injured?” Princess Zhenning quickly tried to cover the scar on her face, saying, “It’s… it’s nothing serious…” But how could a fresh wound that size be hidden by her hand? Everyone drew in a sharp breath – the once delicate and graceful young lady’s face now bore a palm-sized scar. The wound still showed raw flesh and burn marks, making onlookers nauseous. Many of the accompanying ladies and young misses cried out in shock and stepped back.

Princess Zhenning’s face darkened, and she lowered her head even more timidly, trying to hide the scar with her hair.

“Don’t use your hair, it’s not clean and could infect the wound more easily.” A slender, plain hand gently pressed on her shoulder, stopping her attempt to pull at her hair. Princess Zhenning froze, looking up in a daze at the woman before her with a faint smile on her lips. There was no trace of disgust or fear on her face, but in her gentle, bright eyes, Princess Zhenning saw her unsightly reflection. She trembled and quickly lowered her head.

Ye Li sighed softly and took out a plain white silk handkerchief, carefully tying it over Princess Zhenning’s face to cover the ghastly wound. “Once the Imperial Physician arrives, we’ll get some medicine to treat the scar. It will heal soon.”

In Great Chu, well-bred ladies often wore veils when going out, so although Princess Zhenning seemed out of place among the unveiled ladies with her face covered, it wasn’t entirely inappropriate. The surrounding crowd also breathed a sigh of relief – most were sheltered ladies who had never seen such wounds. Now that it was covered, it was better, and more people turned their attention to the gentle and beautiful woman in white, deeply admiring the Defined Prince Consort’s composure.

“What exactly happened here?” Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Li, who had returned to Mo Xiuyao’s side and asked gravely.

Princess Zhenning bit her lip and refused to speak. Mo Jingli looked at Ye Li, who said calmly, “We only rushed over when we saw the fire from the Imperial Garden and barely managed to save Princess Zhenning. We don’t know if there were others inside.”

Mo Jingli frowned and asked, “Why was Princess Zhenning in Qiuliang Palace at this time?”

When Princess Zhenning wouldn’t speak, Mo Xiaoyun took a breath and patted his fearful brother hiding beside him, saying, “The Empress Dowager confined our mother to Qiuliang Palace, and the Imperial Sister went to visit her.”

“Indeed, it was I who confined her to Qiuliang Palace,” the Empress Dowager arrived surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, just in time to hear Mo Xiaoyun’s words, and calmly continued.

Mo Jingli said gravely, “Noble Consort Liu was confined in Qiuliang Palace? Why wasn’t I informed?”

The Empress Dowager laughed coldly, “This is an internal palace matter. Since when does this old one need to consult with Prince Li about punishing the late Emperor’s disobedient consort?” Mo Jingli had no response. Although he was displeased that the Empress Dowager had dealt with Noble Consort Liu behind his back, he couldn’t say so in front of so many people. After all, even as Regent, he could only manage state affairs – officially, he had no right to interfere with matters concerning the late Emperor’s harem.

After a moment of silence, Mo Jingli asked, “If that’s the case… do we know if Noble Consort Liu perished in the fire?” Everyone looked at Princess Zhenning. With the fire still burning, no one except Princess Zhenning knew the situation inside, nor did anyone know if Noble Consort Liu had burned to death. But Princess Zhenning stubbornly refused to speak, leaving everyone helpless.

Mo Xiuyao’s gaze swept lightly over everyone. Just as Mo Jingli thought he would say something important, Mo Xiuyao said casually, “Since there’s trouble in the palace, this banquet probably can’t continue. This prince and his consort will take our leave now. Also, in a few days, we’ll be departing for the Northwest, so we won’t come to bid farewell then.”

Mo Jingli secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded, “In that case, Defined Prince, please go ahead.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded, carrying Mo Xiaobao in one arm and holding Ye Li’s hand with the other, ready to leave the palace.

“Defined Prince Consort.” Mo Xiaoyun, who had been quiet until now, suddenly spoke up, walking to Ye Li and saying solemnly, “Thank you for saving Imperial Sister. This life-saving grace is beyond repayment. Please accept this young prince’s bow.” With that, he made a deep bow to Ye Li. Seeing such a formal gesture from a twelve or thirteen-year-old youth, Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “Prince Qin is too kind, it was nothing. Please take good care of Princess Zhenning. Farewell.”

Watching the family of three leave the Imperial Garden surrounded by guards, Mo Jingli felt relieved. Only now did he truly begin to believe that perhaps Mo Xiuyao had no interest in Great Chu’s affairs.

In the carriage leaving the palace, Leng Junhan had already fallen fast asleep in Ye Li’s arms. Mo Xiaobao sat in Mo Xiuyao’s embrace, though not yet asleep, he had lost his earlier energy from the palace. After all, for five or six-year-old children, a half day of excitement was enough to exhaust them.

While gently patting Leng Junhan, Ye Li asked, “Xiuyao, is Noble Consort Liu dead?”

Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “Not necessarily. Noble Consort Liu has been in power in the back palace for over a decade. Even if her support has crumbled, she must still have some useful connections. With today’s palace feast bringing many people coming and going, it might not have been impossible for her to escape the palace.”

Ye Li frowned, “If she still had people she could use, why did she treat Princess Zhenning that way? Did she truly intend to burn Princess Zhenning to death?” Thinking of this, Ye Li felt a chill in her heart. How cruel must one be to willingly harm their child like that? Even if the child’s father wasn’t the man she loved, the child was still her flesh and blood. Princess Zhenning had risked punishment from the Empress Dowager to visit her, only to receive such treatment in return. No wonder her eyes looked like dead ashes when we rescued her.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “I don’t know. Have our people keep watch. If that woman appears, kill without mercy!” He had no interest in whether Noble Consort Liu intended to burn Princess Zhenning to death or why. But if it was true, then Noble Consort Liu must die! Such a ruthless woman would surely be trouble if left alive.

Ye Li silently nodded, feeling no pity or sympathy for Noble Consort Liu.

“I heard from Xiaobao that earlier in the garden, Muyang’s wife was disrespectful to you?” Having put aside the matter of Noble Consort Liu, Mo Xiuyao asked casually.

Ye Li glanced at the tattletale Mo Xiaobao and smiled, “Just a woman twisted by jealousy, did you expect me to deal with her? Don’t worry, Yaoii isn’t one to be trifled with, she won’t let her off easily.” Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, “Indeed, we were too lenient with the Muyang Marquis’s household back then.” Thinking of certain grievances with the Muyang Marquis’s household, Mo Xiuyao somewhat regretted his earlier plan to use them to hide Yaoii and Mu Lie in the capital, as it meant he couldn’t move against the Muyang household for now. But whenever he saw people from the Muyang household, especially the Marquis himself, certain unpleasant memories he had tried hard to forget would surface again, putting Mo Xiuyao in a very bad mood.

News that a great fire had broken out in the palace on the new Emperor’s coronation day, nearly burning half the palace, spread rapidly among the common people. Many speculated that the new Emperor must be unworthy of the throne, causing Heaven to send down punishment. The people of the Defined Prince’s mansion secretly laughed at this talk. How could a six or seven-year-old Emperor be judged worthy or unworthy? But once rumors start, they’re not easily suppressed. Especially when certain people deliberately fan the flames, rumors spread as rapidly as wildfire.

The people of the Defined Prince’s mansion didn’t bother with these matters, as they were all busy packing to leave the capital and return to the Northwest. Although most of them were born and raised in the Chu capital, their years of life in the Northwest had given them a stronger sense of belonging to Li City. Everyone packed their travel preparations with happy, joyful smiles. Meanwhile, at court, besides Prince Li officially becoming Regent to manage state affairs, they also announced the death of the Empress and Noble Consort Liu’s death by immolation. The Empress Dowager, who should have become Grand Empress Dowager, was excused from ritual suicide due to the death of the late Emperor’s principal consort and the new Empress Dowager’s inability to shoulder such heavy responsibilities. Her hair would be offered instead of her life, and she would be temporarily interred in the Imperial Tomb. Later, when the Grand Empress Dowager passed away, she would be buried in the Grand Imperial Tomb.

Disregarding the tumultuous events in the capital, Mo Xiuyao’s group departed for the Northwest three days later. Their carriage now carried additional passengers: an elegant and beautiful middle-aged woman, a similarly striking young lady, and a distinguished elderly gentleman.

“Tianxiang.” In the carriage, Ye Li took the still-shaken Hua Tianxiang’s hand with a gentle smile.

Hua Tianxiang’s beautiful face still showed traces of shock as she stared at Ye Li for a long while before letting out a soft breath. “Ruier… Aunt…” The Empress nodded, tenderly smoothing her black hair while saying softly, “Tianxiang, you’ve had it hard these years.” As the legitimate granddaughter of the Hua Duke and the Empress’s niece, she had been the envy of many ladies in the capital. Yet because of this very status, she remained unmarried despite being over twenty. Ordinary women her age would already be wives and mothers managing households. Instead, she had to avoid attention by staying in temples, ostensibly praying for her grandmother’s health but essentially living as a nun.

Hua Tianxiang shook her head and smiled, “Aunt, what are you saying? I’ve lived well with good food and clothing. But you, Aunt, seeing you are truly…” Overcome with emotion, her eyes reddened. When she heard the news at Ciyun Temple, she truly believed her aunt had passed away. This morning, while doing her morning prayers in her chamber as usual, she was suddenly rendered unconscious. She never expected to wake up to find her supposedly deceased aunt and long-unseen friend, already in a carriage headed for the Northwest. No wonder she needed time to process everything.

“Ruier, Aunt, I…” Looking at the two before her, Hua Tianxiang had many questions but didn’t know where to begin.

Ye Li held her hand and smiled, “The Hua Duke has entrusted you to me. From now on, Young Lady Hua will have to endure the hardships of life in the Northwest with us.”

“Grandfather…” Hua Tianxiang said emotionally, suddenly remembering her grandfather’s strange instructions when he visited a few days ago. She hadn’t thought much of it then – so grandfather had already planned to entrust her to A’Li?

The Empress spoke softly, “Your grandfather has your best interests at heart. With the new Emperor’s ascension and Prince Li as Regent, Prince Li recently hinted at wanting to take you as a secondary consort. Although your father refused immediately, as long as you remain unmarried…”

Wiping her tears, Hua Tianxiang said, “I know grandfather means well. But with us all gone… what about grandfather…”

“Don’t worry, the Hua Duke commands great respect. Mo Jingli has just gained power and won’t dare move against him. However, to avoid trouble, you should change your name and the Empress… Sister Hua should too.”

They nodded, understanding Ye Li’s words. Though few had seen them, necessary precautions had to be taken. If people learned that Li City, especially the Defined Prince’s mansion, harbored people who shouldn’t be there, it would be bad for both the Prince’s household and the Hua family.

After some thought, Hua Tianxiang said graciously, “My maternal grandfather’s family name is Yang. I can go by Ruohua.”

The Empress smiled faintly, “In that case, I’ll borrow Tianxiang’s surname and be known as Madam Yang.” She didn’t even want to choose a given name.

Ye Li sighed softly, looking worriedly at the Empress. The Empress smiled, “Being freed from the palace’s shackles is already more fortune than I ever dreamed possible in this life. Besides, Changle is in the Northwest – everything will be fine.”

“I’m just worried about Feng San…” Ye Li frowned. Since Feng Huaiting had been persuaded by Feng Zhiyao to return to the Northwest with them, the relationship between father and son had gradually become less strained. Unlike the Empress and Hua Tianxiang, Feng Huaiting had been openly requested from Mo Jingli by Mo Xiuyao. Having already stripped the Feng family of their wealth, Mo Jingli naturally didn’t care about a man nearly sixty years old. He even allowed other Feng family members to leave. However, the Feng family’s two legitimate sons refused to live under their common-born brother’s roof in the Northwest, especially now that they enjoyed Prince Li’s favor. Madam Feng was angry at her husband’s decision and naturally took her sons’ side. Of the entire Feng family, only a few loyal servants and the younger common-born children were willing to follow the now-impoverished Feng Huaiting to the Northwest.

“But Elder Feng…” Though Feng Huaiting hadn’t said it directly, Ye Li could see his attitude toward the relationship between Feng Zhiyao and the Empress. The Empress shook her head, smiling, “A’Yao grew up without parental care, so he values emotions more than others. With his father watching over him now, he’ll gradually understand. After all these years… I’m tired. As long as Tianxiang and Changle are well, I have no regrets.”

Ye Li remained silent, knowing that outsiders could hardly interfere in matters of the heart. Feng Zhiyao and the Empress would have to resolve their issues themselves. Hua Tianxiang looked at them both somewhat naively, but sensing the heavy atmosphere, she took their hands and smiled, “We’ll all be fine, everyone will be fine. Aunt, please call me Ruohua now, to avoid mistakes later.”

They all smiled, and Ye Li nodded, “Indeed, we’ll all be fine.”

In a dark corner of the capital, a disheveled woman with a gaunt figure wore the plainest gray clothing, her hair held up by a crude wooden hairpin, barely recognizable from her former self. Hidden in a dilapidated house at the end of a cold, deserted alley, her eyes gleamed with a chilling light in the darkness.

“Has the Defined Prince left the capital?”

“Yes, the Defined Prince left the city this morning with his consort and heir,” a deep, hoarse male voice replied softly.

“It’s been so many days, and you still haven’t found a way to get me out of the city?!” the woman’s voice was sharp with anger.

The man wrung his hands anxiously, “The city is under strict guard now. They say there was a fire in the palace on the new Emperor’s coronation day that burned Princess Zhenning’s face. They must be searching for assassins.”

“What?” The woman’s eyes widened in shock, her face, pale from days without sunlight, showing clear horror. The man thought she was frightened and hurriedly tried to grasp her hand in comfort, “Don’t be afraid, assassins wouldn’t come to a place like this.” Looking at the woman who, despite wearing coarse clothing and no makeup, remained stunningly beautiful, the man’s gaze changed and his hands began to wander inappropriately.

The woman’s face flashed with impatience as she pushed him away, “Get off, I’m not in the mood!”

“Darling… don’t worry, we’ll find a way out of the city soon. Darling…” The man grabbed the woman and pushed her down, his eyes burning with desire as he began to kiss her wildly.

The woman endured her disgust, allowing the man to have his way while her thoughts drifted elsewhere. How could this be… how could Zhenning have been burned? Although she had drugged Zhenning out of fear she would interfere with her plans, she had clearly ordered them to get Zhenning out before setting fire to Qiuliang Palace.

What she didn’t know was that they needed someone to burn to death in her place – not just a corpse, but someone who had been burned alive. Those who worked for her were flesh and blood people who would neither sacrifice themselves nor send their close associates to die. Princess Zhenning, whom Noble Consort Liu had personally drugged, naturally became the perfect substitute. Otherwise, once Princess Zhenning woke up and told others, they would have no escape either.

Zhenning… don’t blame your Imperial Mother. I didn’t mean to burn you to death, it was just an accident. If only you hadn’t…

“Darling, why aren’t you paying attention?” the man complained dissatisfied, his plain face flushed as he forcefully kissed the woman’s delicate red lips. The woman closed her eyes in disgust – compared to this crude man, Mo Jingqi would be considered an exceptional beauty. But now, she could only rely on this man to escape the capital. Mo Xiuyao… Ye Li, this is all your fault! All your fault…

“Darling, you’re so beautiful…” The man eagerly tore at the woman’s clothes. Never in his life had he seen such a beautiful woman. This kind of pleasure was something he hadn’t dared even dream of before, but now this beautiful creature belonged to him and would become his wife in the future.

In the deep alley, in the dark room, intimate sounds of breathing and impact could be heard, soon joined by the woman’s soft moans…

—

Author’s Note:

You all hate Noble Consort Liu, don’t you? Can’t wait for her to die, right? Well, I’m going to turn her into a supervillainess! The process will be arduous, and the resolution tragic.

A certain Feng: Do you want to live?

Noble Consort Liu: Of course! I want to live and see Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li meet their doom!

Certain Feng: Dreams are full, and reality is skeletal. Survival means enduring all kinds of suffering.

Noble Consort Liu: This Imperial Consort isn’t afraid of suffering!

Certain Feng: Survival might mean dying and reviving without a guarantee of revenge (I’m lying to you, it’s impossible. If I let you get revenge, I’ll be killed).

Noble Consort Liu: This Imperial Consort is willing.

Certain Feng: Survival might mean being violated by multiple men.

Noble Consort Liu: This Imperial Consort…

Certain Feng: Survival means marrying…

Noble Consort Liu: Actually, this Imperial Consort is willing to burn to death, I’ll return to the palace now.

Certain Feng: …