In Li City’s main study room for official business, Master Qingchen, dressed in white, sat in the first chair below the empty main seat. He gazed at the vacant chair ahead with a smile on his handsome face, his bearing elegant and immortal-like. However, those seated below him couldn’t help but shudder. Master Qingchen’s current demeanor… was truly frightening.
“Master Qingchen, when will the Prince finally return? For over a month now, Xiling’s border forces have been increasing…” Others looked at the questioner as if he were a fool. Couldn’t they see that Master Qingchen was already irritated about the Prince’s delayed return? Why bring up such a sensitive topic? Though speaking of which, when would the Prince return? It appeared Xiling’s border was preparing for war, yet the Prince still wouldn’t come back. Of course, it wasn’t that they couldn’t fight without the Prince, but without his presence, they all felt uncertain.
Xu Qingchen turned with a faint smile, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, “Once he’s done playing… the Prince will naturally return.”
“But what about Xiling…”
“Haven’t we also increased our troops? Xiling is merely testing us. Even if war breaks out… the Prince should be back by then.” If he only returns after the fighting starts, he’ll be thrown straight onto the battlefield! Of course, Ruier must remain to defend Li City.
Everyone fell silent. Master Qingchen was excellent in every way. He handled administrative matters even more efficiently than the Prince since Master Qingchen never deliberately slacked off as the Prince did. Moreover, when subordinates didn’t understand something, just a few casual words from him would bring enlightenment. His only flaw was his otherworldly beauty. With his immortal-like bearing, when he smiled gently and elegantly at you, most people would swallow their words, unable to raise any objection. And when his smile carried a hint of coldness, usually related to their Prince, everyone would feel a winter wind’s bitter chill.
“Reporting to Master Qingchen, the Prince and Princess Consort have returned!” the guard announced loudly from outside.
A bright smile bloomed on Xu Qingchen’s handsome face as if spring had suddenly returned and flowers bloomed across the land. Yet most present still shuddered. When Master Qingchen showed such a smile, someone was usually about to have bad luck.
“Good, very good.” Xu Qingchen nodded and smiled, standing up to sweep his gaze over everyone present, “Let’s all go welcome the Prince’s grand return.”
The Defined Prince, who had been enjoying himself in the capital, hadn’t even had time to catch his breath before being pleasantly “invited” to discuss matters in the study by his most trusted military advisor and brother-in-law. Originally, Ye Li felt guilty about leaving everything to Xu Qingchen alone during this time and planned to go help. However, the Master’s anger was directed only at the Prince, so he very politely declined Ye Li’s help, kindly reminding his cousin to rest well after the long journey. As for other matters… the Prince. Would. Handle. Them. All.
Ye Li felt that when her brother said the Prince would handle everything, he was grinding his teeth. Of course, her brother would never make such an uncouth gesture, but Ye Li still decided to follow his instructions and rest. After all, she had several guests to settle in.
In a previously empty guest courtyard deep within the Defined Prince’s mansion, someone was already waiting. Just as Ye Li brought the Empress and Hua Tianxiang to the courtyard entrance, someone rushed out, “Princess Consort! Princess Consort… has my moth… mother arrived?” Princess Changle, unseen for a long time and wearing light purple clothes embroidered with orchids, ran out and froze at the sight of the Empress beside Ye Li.
“Changle…” The Empress gazed at her daughter, unseen for nearly a year, who had grown taller and looked healthier than when in the palace. Although she had heard from Ye Li about her daughter’s life in the Northwest during their journey, seeing her in person still brought tears to her eyes.
“Moth… Mother… Mom!” Princess Changle blinked, finally coming to her senses and throwing herself into the Empress’s embrace with a joyful cry. The fifteen-year-old girl was only slightly shorter than her mother now, but before the Empress, she still acted like a seven or eight-year-old child, smiling and being coquettish.
Hua Tianxiang stood to the side, smiling as she watched Princess Changle, “So Changle only has eyes for your mother, have you forgotten about your big sister?”
Princess Changle finally looked up, turning to Hua Tianxiang who was smiling at her, and called out shyly, “Sister Tianxiang.”
“Sister Wuyou, and me, and me…” Mo Xiaobao, unwilling to be ignored, reached out his little hand trying to attract Princess Changle’s attention. Princess Changle had always had a good relationship with Mo Xiaobao, and she smiled, bending down to pinch his little cheeks, “Oh, it’s little Bao. Was the capital fun? Is this your new friend?” Leng Junhan stood beside Mo Xiaobao, blinking her big eyes at the pretty older sister before her. Princess Changle was immediately drawn to the dewy-eyed, pink-cheeked little dumpling. Compared to the clever and sometimes tricky Mo Xiaobao, this soft, pink baby inspired more maternal affection in women. Throughout their journey, even the Empress and Hua Tianxiang preferred to hold and touch little Leng Junhan, which made young Master Xiaobao feel somewhat lost.
“Not fun… but I brought gifts for Sister Wuyou. This is Cold Little Silly, my new friend,” Mo Xiaobao said, not without disappointment.
“Oh? You only brought gifts for Sister Wuyou? What about us?” A clear laugh came from inside as the two Madame Xus appeared at the door with Qin Zhong, who was holding a little boy’s hand, all smiling at Mo Xiaobao.
Mo Xiaobao immediately cheered and threw himself into First Madame Xu’s arms, “First Aunt, Second Aunt, Second Uncle’s Wife, Little Bao brought gifts for you too. And there are gifts for Brother Zhirui too.” The four-year-old young Master Xu Zhirui snorted proudly and nestled into his mother’s arms, “I don’t want your gifts.” That’s for sneaking off to the capital without taking me!
Mo Xiaobao’s eyes twinkled as he said with a smile, “If you don’t want them, that’s fine. I heard General Lü’s youngest son is having a birthday soon, I’ll have someone send them to him in a few days! I had forgotten to prepare a birthday gift for him anyway.” However clever young Master Xu Zhirui might be, at four years old he was still an adorable little innocent, fundamentally different from Mo Xiaobao with his black sesame filling. Hearing this, his little eyes immediately wetted, “Mother…”
Qin Zhong helplessly patted her son, comforting him, “Your cousin is just joking.”
“Yes, yes, I’m just kidding. How could I give someone else the things meant for you? I’ll have someone bring them to you right away, okay?” Receiving a warning look from his mother, Mo Xiaobao had to personally comfort the little dumpling. Watching the two little ones, not even two years apart in age, being held in adults’ arms while seriously comforting and being comforted, everyone covered their mouths and laughed.
“Come on, let’s go inside to talk. How can we keep everyone standing at the door? We’ve spent the past two days preparing the garden, take a look and see if you like it,” Second Madame Xu spoke up, ushering everyone into the courtyard.
The Empress looked worriedly at Ye Li, “Princess Consort, is it appropriate for us to stay in the Defined Prince’s mansion…” Their identities were different after all. If people discovered them living in Li City, that could be explained, but if people found out they were staying in the Defined Prince’s mansion, it might harm the mansion’s reputation. Ye Li smiled and patted her arm, “Just settle in comfortably. Not just you two, but Wuyou will also be moving back to the Prince’s mansion soon. The coming days in Li City might not be peaceful, staying in the Defined Prince’s mansion will at least be safer.”
Princess Changle nodded, “Mother, Sister Tianxiang, the Princess Consort is right. In a few days, both masters will also move back to the Prince’s mansion. These days many people have left the city, and several groups have even visited both masters’ medical clinics.” Hearing this, the Empress and Hua Tianxiang finally agreed.
The group entered the flower hall, where all the furnishings were indeed newly replaced, many in the capital’s style. It was arranged with great care. After the host and guests were seated and the maids served tea and withdrew, Ye Li said, “Please make yourselves at home in the Prince’s mansion. If you need anything, just tell the steward. Treat this as your own home.” Second Madame Xu also smiled, “Ruier is right. When you have free time, feel free to visit us or go for walks.”
First Madame Xu wasn’t familiar with the Empress, but Second Madame Xu knew her. Now meeting again, she showed no discomfort, as if they were truly just old friends Ye Li had brought back from the capital. However, her eyes brightened when they fell on Hua Tianxiang, who was catching up with Qin Zhong, and she glanced questioningly at Ye Li.
Ye Li secretly smiled and nodded imperceptibly. She certainly understood her second aunt’s thoughts. For several years, both aunts had worried endlessly about their sons’ marriages. The Northwest wasn’t as prosperous as the capital, with fewer noble families, making it difficult to find first-rate young ladies from good families. Yet their cousins were all stubborn and unwilling to marry. The First Aunt had it better, as her second son was at least married with children. Second Aunt was particularly anxious, so naturally her eyes lit up at the sight of Hua Tianxiang. Even back in the capital, Hua Tianxiang had been among the finest young ladies. Although so many years had passed, and Hua Tianxiang still wore a maiden’s hairstyle, Second Madame Xu wasn’t sure if she had any marriage or engagement arrangements.
Getting Ye Li’s confirmation, Second Madame Xu’s gaze toward Hua Tianxiang grew even more eager. Being stared at so intently, Hua Tianxiang turned back bewilderedly to glance at them. The Empress immediately understood Second Madame Xu’s thoughts and smiled faintly without saying anything. The Xu family was certainly excellent, and Tianxiang had suffered much over the years – if a good match could be made, it would be wonderful and fortunate for Tianxiang.
After settling in the Empress and Hua Tianxiang, Ye Li thought for a moment and headed toward the study.
In the study, Mo Xiuyao was buried in thick stacks of official documents, writing fluidly but with an expression worse than if he’d stepped in something foul. Sitting nearby was Feng Zhiyao, whom Mo Xiuyao had dragged in to suffer together. Feng Zhiyao’s face was ashen as he stole a glance at Mo Xiuyao behind the desk, then looked at Xu Qingchen leisurely reading a travelogue by the window, before helplessly burying his face back in the documents. These two, he couldn’t afford to offend either one. Better to keep his head down and work.
Xu Qingchen put down his book and looked toward the door with a smile, “Ruier, why aren’t you resting? What brings you here?”
Ye Li entered carrying freshly brewed tea, noting Mo Xiuyao’s iron-grey face and Xu Qingchen’s serene smile before saying with a smile, “I brought some tea and snacks. Brother, you’ve worked hard these days. Is there much to handle?”
Xu Qingchen picked up a cup of tea Ye Li had poured, sighing helplessly, “Indeed, a married daughter is like spilled water…”
Ye Li could only smile wryly as she poured tea for Mo Xiuyao and Feng Zhiyao. Mo Xiuyao took a sip before letting out a breath and complaining, “A’Li, your brother is torturing me… I haven’t had even a sip of water since I returned. And he wants me to finish reviewing all of this today!”
Ye Li looked at the stack of documents taller than Mo Xiuyao’s head and could only give him a sympathetic look.
Xu Qingchen leisurely brushed off non-existent dust from his clothes and coldly smiled, “Am I torturing you, Your Highness? Or are you torturing us who work like oxen and horses? These are all the military, civil, and financial affairs of the Northwest from while you were away, including fiscal reports and border military analysis. What we many people worked on for a month or two, we’re merely asking Your Highness to review in half a day. Is that too much?”
Who would dare make you work like an ox or horse must be mad! Mo Xiuyao grumbled internally. He refused to admit he had made Xu Qingchen work like a beast of burden – he was merely making good use of talent. You could explain all this in just a few sentences, why make me search for answers in these towering piles of documents? Even if necessary, did you have to deny me even water? The study’s servants are sick and on leave – was such a foolish excuse thought up by you, Master Qingchen?
“Really can’t wait until tomorrow?” Mo Xiuyao asked without much hope.
Xu Qingchen replied with a pleasant smile, “Of course you can. After all, from tomorrow onwards, Your Highness will be handling all these matters. However… I recall there are other matters requiring Your Highness’s attention tomorrow. Would you prefer to push those to the day after? There’s some military intelligence regarding Xiling and the Northern Rong among these – can that really… wait?”
Of course not! Mo Xiuyao ground his teeth in resentment. Agreeing to let Xu Qingchen oversee the Northwest’s affairs was a mistake. How could he have thought his brother-in-law would be easier to handle than his uncle-in-law? How could he have thought that because his brother-in-law was younger, he could order him around for a few more years? At least Master Hongyu would never be as terrible as this immortal-like man before him!
To the side, Feng Zhiyao looked sympathetically at Mo Xiuyao. Your Highness, having such a brother-in-law must be karma for all these years of enslaving good people like us.
“Third Master Feng, I heard you did something earth-shattering in the capital?” Having finished dealing with Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen turned with a smile to look at Feng Zhiyao, who was sprawled lifelessly on the table.
Feng Zhiyao’s face stiffened, and he could only force a bitter smile. If it had been just him alone, he wouldn’t think he had done wrong, but this time his actions had implicated the Feng family and possibly even the Defined Prince’s mansion. Xu Qingchen looked at Feng Zhiyao and said mildly, “Well done.”
Feng Zhiyao, who had expected to be scolded by Master Qingchen, nearly dropped his jaw onto the table – he had personally seen how Master Qingchen treated the Prince and certainly didn’t dare hope that an angry Master Qingchen would cut him any slack. Mo Xiuyao was even more dissatisfied, “What did he do well?”
Xu Qingchen replied calmly, “The outcome is good.” Not only did it deprive Great Chu’s new Emperor of the Feng family’s support and make the Great Chu court more chaotic, but it also brought back Feng Huaiting, who could independently handle commercial matters – this outcome was truly quite excellent. Mo Xiuyao was speechless with anger. Wasn’t this good outcome achieved through this Prince’s efforts? Could Feng Zhiyao have achieved such results alone? Why did he get all the scolding while Feng Zhiyao, the troublemaker, received praise? Where was the justice? Where was the fairness?
“A’Li, your brother is bullying me!” Mo Xiuyao wrapped his arm around Ye Li’s waist and complained pitifully.
Ye Li patted his shoulder sympathetically, indicating what could she do if her brother wanted to bully him. She didn’t dare go against her brother either.
Xu Qingchen turned back to cast a cool glance at the person whining while holding Ye Li, “If Your Highness still plans to have dinner, it would be better not to waste time. These documents on the table are all awaiting Your Highness’s decisions.” Mo Xiuyao resentfully released Ye Li and picked up the documents to read: Xu Qingchen, with all this fault-finding, you surely aren’t secretly in love with this Prince’s beloved wife?
The study maintained peace for a while. Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s pitiful gaze, Ye Li’s heart softened and she sat down to help him with the towering stack of documents.
“Eh? What exactly does Lei Zhenting want to do?” Feng Zhiyao raised the document in his hand and asked, “In just one month, he’s increased his border troops by several hundred thousand. This brings Xiling’s border forces to over 600,000. He can’t be planning to move against us, can he?”
Mo Xiuyao tilted his head, stroking his chin, “That doesn’t seem right. Lei Zhenting isn’t the impulsive type. Besides, if he wanted to attack the Northwest, he should have done it while this Prince and A’Li were away, not waited until now.” Feng Zhiyao asked puzzled, “Then what does he want? Just provoking us for fun?”
Ye Li pondered for a moment before saying, “If he doesn’t want to fight us, then he must want to fight someone else. Military matters are a country’s greatest affairs. Lei Zhenting wouldn’t rashly move several hundred thousand troops just to play games with us. However… we originally thought he would attack Nanzhao, but unexpectedly he pulled back.”
Xu Qingchen spoke with some regret but also acceptance, “I truly miscalculated this time. Nanjiang sits in an isolated corner. Its border with Xiling is particularly treacherous – in most cases, Nanzhao cannot effectively threaten Xiling. Similarly, it would take considerable effort for Xiling to take Nanzhao. Lei Zhenting has always been wary of us, so temporarily abandoning plans for Nanzhao is quite possible.”
Mo Xiuyao turned to look at the map hanging on the wall, saying, “He still wants to attack Great Chu.”
Feng Zhiyao smiled, “That’s quite possible. Compared to our relatively barren Northwest, Great Chu’s Jiangnan region and capital are truly prosperous areas. Now Great Chu has a new Emperor, is at war with the Northern Territory, and the Northern Rong are eyeing them hungrily from the north. It’d be strange not to want a piece of that pie. So… these several hundred thousand troops at the border are prepared to prevent us from helping Great Chu? They think highly of the Mo Family Army – I doubt the forces he’ll use to attack Great Chu will be much more than this.”
Xu Qingchen calmly looked at Mo Xiuyao, “What are Your Highness’s plans?”
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, looking uncomprehendingly at the leisurely seated man in white. Xu Qingchen smiled faintly, “Once Xiling attacks Chu, the Northern Rong in the north will certainly seize the opportunity to strike. Does Your Highness plan to help or stay uninvolved?”
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows, “What if we help? What if we don’t?”
“Helping would mean Your Highness acknowledges Mo Jingqi’s dying decree. The Mo Family Army would remain Great Chu’s guardians, the Defined Prince’s mansion would remain Great Chu’s subjects, and the Northwest would remain Great Chu’s territory. Staying uninvolved means no one would dare provoke the Northwest in the short term, but once Great Chu is conquered, Xiling and Northern Rong would surround the Northwest, then…” Xu Qingchen’s voice was flat without a ripple, as if he weren’t discussing matters concerning the fate of the Northwest and Mo Family Army, but rather what to have for breakfast tomorrow.
Mo Xiuyao propped his head up and studied Xu Qingchen for a long while before turning back to smile slightly at Ye Li. Opening his lips, he said, “This Prince chooses neither.”
Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. Mo Xiuyao smiled coldly, his brush flying out with a whoosh to embed itself in the wall map. Everyone looked up to see the brush sunk two inches into the wall, its position exactly on Xiling’s capital, Lu City. Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “This Prince chooses… to attack Xiling!”
Feng Zhiyao’s eyes brightened as he stared fixedly at the brush firmly stuck in the map as if that small wolf-hair brush were a sharp sword truly splitting open Xiling’s capital.
“Attack… Xiling?! Your Highness is serious?” Feng Zhiyao’s voice trembled with excitement.
“Would this Prince joke about such things?” Mo Xiuyao smiled. Feng Zhiyao’s eyes grew even brighter. The Mo Family Army had laid low for many years – finally, it was time to show their brilliance. This most elite army of Great Chu had been established with the initial purpose of unifying the world. But due to various endless reasons, this dream could never be achieved. Nearly two hundred years had passed, and the Mo Family Army’s edge and glory had almost been ground away. Now, had they finally waited long enough…
“In that case…” Xu Qingchen smiled serenely, his voice clear and calm, “Is Your Highness prepared?”
“If this Prince weren’t prepared, wouldn’t the three hundred thousand troops Master Qingchen sent to the border be wasted?” Mo Xiuyao laughed heartily. Having his arrangements exposed by Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen remained unperturbed, smiling, “In that case, I wish Your Highness victory from the start.”
In the previously calm and ordinary study, the seemingly casual conversation had decided the future situation of the world. Ye Li sat to the side with a faint smile. The world… chaos was approaching. As a wife, she would forever stay by his side. As the Defined Prince’s Consort, she would personally participate in this game of pursuing power over the world.