Within a few days, Princess An Xi arrived in Li City with her Prince Consort. Almost simultaneously, an envoy from the Western Ling Emperor arrived. Though the Western Ling Emperor didn’t come personally, sending an envoy despite the Southern Garrison King’s presence made the tense relationship between the Western Ling Emperor and the Southern Garrison King clear to all observers. Whether intentionally or through oversight, those responsible for accommodating the guests arranged for the Western Ling Emperor’s envoy to stay in the same courtyard as the Southern Garrison King since they were both from Western Ling. Whatever might transpire between these two parties was no longer the Settled King’s Manor’s concern.

Among all the distinguished guests, the Northern Rong people arrived latest, but their envoys carried considerable weight. With the Northern Rong King too elderly to travel, they sent Crown Prince Yelü Hong and Seventh Prince Yelü Ye as envoys. For a time, it could be said that the most powerful and influential figures across the realm had gathered in Li City. The last time such a grand gathering occurred was during Mo Xiao Bao’s full-month celebration.

Seeing Princess An Xi again gave Ye Li quite a surprise, as the princess was already five months pregnant.

In the Settled King’s Manor, observing Princess An Xi in her white queen’s attire, her formerly flat abdomen now slightly swollen, Ye Li quickly had Qing Shuang help the princess to a seat. “Why did you travel in your condition? Isn’t your Prince Consort worried?” An Xi smiled brightly and openly, “We Nanzhao women aren’t as delicate as you Central Plains ladies. What’s four or five months? Even at seven or eight months, we can still move about freely.”

Seeing An Xi’s rosy complexion without any signs of travel fatigue or pallor, Ye Li finally relaxed. After carefully examining her, she smiled and said, “It seems the Queen and Prince Consort’s relationship is quite good.” An Xi lowered her eyes with a gentle smile, and at the mention of Prince Consort Pu A, her expression grew tender as she said softly, “He’s an honest man, without all the complications of you Central Plains people. Having such a Prince Consort is my good fortune, isn’t it?”

Ye Li smiled faintly with contentment. An Xi’s deep feelings for Xu Qing Chen were destined to remain unrequited, so finding her happiness was naturally wonderful. As they sat down, Qing Shuang thoughtfully served An Xi a glass of juice suitable for pregnant women before withdrawing.

Ye Li looked at An Xi with a slight smile and asked, “Speaking of which, how did you end up arriving with the Western Ling Emperor’s envoy?” This wasn’t just Ye Li’s curiosity; others were surely speculating as well. While it wasn’t impossible to travel from Nanzhao to Li City through Western Ling, the route was much more difficult than going through Broken Snow Pass. It seemed strange that An Xi, while pregnant, would specifically travel through Western Ling and coincidentally arrive with the Western Ling envoy. An Xi didn’t conceal anything, smiling as she said, “Before coming to Li City, we visited the Western Ling Imperial City.”

They were all clever people who could understand with just a hint. Ye Li looked at her with a smile and asked, “You plan to… cooperate with the Western Ling Emperor?”

An Xi sighed somewhat helplessly and said, “Cooperating with the Western Ling Emperor is better than cooperating with Lei Zhen Ting, isn’t it? Lei Zhen Ting is now wedged in the middle of Da Chu. To the north is the Mo Family Army, and to the south is the natural barrier of the Yunlan River. If he wants to break through the current stalemate, he must either cross the barrier to face Mo Jing Li head-on or deal with us in Nanzhao. Nanzhao is small, unable to match Western Ling’s military might. If we can’t let him strike Nanzhao first, then we can only cooperate with the Western Ling Emperor. I just hope the Western Ling Emperor isn’t a fool.”

Ye Li smiled, “The Western Ling Emperor is somewhat inferior to Lei Zhen Ting, but he’s not truly a fool. However, with Lei Teng Feng still guarding An City, can he let you cooperate smoothly?”

An Xi smiled and said, “Lei Teng Feng is indeed troublesome, but he has had his problems lately.”

“Oh?” Ye Li raised her delicate eyebrows curiously. Though Lei Teng Feng seemed unremarkable, overshadowed by his father’s reputation, and appeared to have no military achievements, that was because his opponent was Mo Xiu Yao. Information from the Settled King Manor’s intelligence network was enough to prove that Lei Teng Feng was not a simple or mediocre person. An Xi smiled and said, “Don’t you remember? The King of Hell Palace has a vendetta against the Southern Garrison King’s Manor. It’s just that in recent years, the Southern Garrison King’s Manor’s influence was too strong, and even though the King of Hell Palace was formidable, as a jianghu organization, they naturally couldn’t do anything about it. Now that the Western Ling Imperial City has just moved to An City, and the Southern Garrison King’s Manor’s power has been greatly weakened, Lei Teng Feng’s days in An City aren’t easy either.”

“I see.” Ye Li nodded and smiled, “I wonder what grudge Ling Tie Han has against Lei Zhen Ting? It doesn’t seem like a deep blood feud.” If it were truly an irreconcilable blood feud, given Ling Tie Han and the King of Hell Palace’s strength, they could have charged in for a decisive battle with Lei Zhen Ting, and the possibility of killing him would have been quite high. But Ling Tie Han had never made a move, and in their several encounters, he had never truly acted against Lei Zhen Ting, so it probably wasn’t an unresolvable blood feud.

An Xi gently stroked her slightly protruding belly while smiling, “I learned something about this from the Western Ling Emperor. It seems to have something to do with the late Southern Garrison King’s Consort. She passed away shortly after giving birth to Lei Teng Feng, and her death was said to be suspicious. The Western Ling Emperor didn’t say more, who knows?” Ye Li frowned slightly and thought for a moment before saying, “If you truly plan to cooperate with the Western Ling Emperor, it would be better to investigate this matter thoroughly. Although I know Palace Master Ling’s character, this is a crucial matter. If someone stabs you in the back at a critical moment, it would be very troublesome.”

A warm expression crossed An Xi’s face as she nodded and smiled, “I understand, thank you for the reminder.” There is no permanent peace and friendship between nations, this was something they both knew. Perhaps in the future, they might become enemies, but at least for now, An Xi knew that Ye Li genuinely cared and worried about her.

“Let’s not talk about these troublesome matters anymore,” Ye Li smiled. “Princess Xi Xia has come to Li City with Mo Jing Li, would you like to meet her?”

An Xi frowned slightly and shook her head, “Never mind. She doesn’t consider me her sister, and I also pretend I don’t have such a sister. All these years, following Mo Jing Li without any proper status, leaking so many Nanzhao secrets for his sake. Whatever happens to her in the future will be her fate. But I haven’t met your family’s young heir and princess yet.”

Ye Li smiled warmly, “That’s easy enough.” She turned to ask Qing Shuang to bring the two little ones over and had Qin Feng invite the young heir.

Soon, Mo Xiao Bao appeared at the doorway like a gust of wind, “Mother, did you call for me?” Seeing a stranger sitting beside his mother, Mo Xiao Bao’s pure smile gradually faded, replaced by a polite and proper one. Ye Li smiled and beckoned to him, “This is Queen An Xi of Nanzhao, come and pay your respects.”

Mo Xiao Bao then stepped forward and said clearly, “Mo Yu Chen pays respects to Queen An Xi.”

Seeing the exquisitely handsome boy seriously paying respects to her, An Xi’s smile grew broader. She turned to Ye Li and said with a smile, “As expected of the Settled King Manor’s young heir. My seven or eight-year-old children are still running wild in the palace.”

As a mother, one always likes to hear others praise their children. Ye Li smiled and said, “Don’t let his current well-behaved appearance fool you, he can be quite rambunctious usually.”

An Xi thought for a moment, took out a blue gemstone, and handed it to Mo Xiao Bao with a smile, “I forgot to prepare a meeting gift. Please take this to play with. Don’t think poorly of it.” Mo Xiao Bao accepted it with both hands and said steadily, “Yu Chen thanks the Queen.” An Xi couldn’t help but be charmed by his serious little demeanor, “If my child could be even seventy or eighty percent as handsome as the young heir, I would be content.”

Mo Xiao Bao blinked his eyes and said in a clear voice, “The Queen has phoenix-like grace, whether it’s a little prince or princess, they will naturally have dragon and phoenix bearing, with extraordinary appearance.”

An Xi laughed, “Then I thank the young heir for his auspicious words.”

After paying respects to Queen An Xi, Mo Xiao Bao handed the gemstone given by An Xi to the person behind him, and sat down properly beside Ye Li. Seeing him not only exquisitely handsome but also conducting himself with perfect etiquette, seeming to possess an innate noble bearing, An Xi couldn’t help but marvel at Ye Li and Mo Xiu Yao’s good fortune. Looking down and gently stroking her slightly protruding belly, she felt even more anticipation.

“My lady, the young master and young miss have arrived.” Two wet nurses carried two babies in. Mo Xiao Bao’s eyes brightened as he stared fixedly at the two babies being placed in Ye Li and An Xi’s arms. The two babies were very well-behaved, not crying even when held by a stranger like An Xi. The baby lying in Ye Li’s arms seemed to feel the mother’s warm presence and began to smile. Mo Xiao Bao stretched his neck to look and said, “This one who loves to smile must be the little brother.” The two newborns in the Settled King Manor didn’t cry much, and among them, little brother Lin’er was particularly fond of smiling. As long as he wasn’t asleep, he would giggle when anyone played with him. Of course, this was provided the person playing with him wasn’t the Settled King, Mo Xiu Yao.

An Xi held little Xin’er, still somewhat stiffly and carefully patting the princess’s swaddling clothes, and sighed enviously, “The King’s Wife and Settled King are truly blessed, all three young heirs and the princess are so lovely as ice and snow.” Ye Li smiled faintly without speaking.

After seeing An Xi off, Ye Li sent the two babies back to their rooms and settled them before turning to go to the front courtyard’s study. Just as she reached the garden in front of the study, she encountered Mo Jing Li coming toward her. Seeing Mo Jing Li’s gloomy expression, Ye Li wanted to avoid him. Although she wasn’t afraid of Mo Jing Li, constantly facing someone who looked like others owed him five hundred thousand taels and refused to pay was always uncomfortable.

But with just a slight pause, Mo Jing Li had already seen her. Naturally, she couldn’t turn and leave now, so Ye Li had to step forward and nod slightly, saying, “King Li.” These days, several important tasks at the Settled King Manor kept everyone busy. Not only were they busy with various matters of the Manor and the birthday banquet, but they also had to deal with people like Mo Jing Li who had nothing better to do than come up to chat. Though she didn’t know what Mo Jing Li wanted to discuss with Mo Xiu Yao today, judging by Mo Jing Li’s expression, the discussion had not gone well.

Mo Jing Li blocked Ye Li’s path, saying nothing but staring at her fixedly. This gaze made Ye Li frown in displeasure as she said coolly, “If King Li has nothing to say, this consort has business with our King. I’ll take my leave.” Mo Jing Li looked at her and said, “Must you speak to me this way?”

Ye Li was stunned, momentarily bewildered. She looked at Mo Jing Li in confusion, completely unable to understand his meaning. She believed her words and manner had been perfectly proper.

Mo Jing Li seemed agitated, glaring fiercely at Ye Li as he said, “Back then when I broke off our engagement, did you hate me so much that you had to help Mo Xiu Yao oppose me? Now that Mo Xiu Yao has taken Chu Capital, are you satisfied?”

Ye Li couldn’t help but roll her eyes heavenward at this absurd logic. Taking a slight breath, she calmly said, “Your Highness King Li, I think you should remember that you abandoned Chu Capital first, and only then did the Settled King Manor go to rescue Chu Capital—no, to rescue Chang Xing. We didn’t seize it from you.” Mo Jing Li faltered before saying stiffly with a dark expression, “Even so, it still belongs to Da Chu. Moreover, wasn’t it Mo Xiu Yao’s scheme for Northern Rong and Northern Jin to attack Da Chu? If you hadn’t helped Mo Xiu Yao, could he have taken Western Ling so quickly?”

Ye Li laughed in extreme anger, “Your Highness King Li, what do Northern Rong and Northern Jin’s attack on Da Chu have to do with our King? Did our King instigate them to attack Da Chu? Furthermore, I am the Settled King’s Consort—if I don’t help my husband, who should I help? Also, many years ago, this consort said something to the King, I wonder if the King remembers?”

Mo Jing Li frowned slightly, clearly not understanding which words she meant.

Ye Li said leisurely, “Delusion is an illness that needs treatment. Please consider this carefully, Your Highness. This consort takes her leave.” With that, she ignored Mo Jing Li’s reaction and walked around him toward the study.

“Ye Li!” Mo Jing Li suddenly called out, reaching to grab her wrist. But how could Ye Li be like other weak women so easily grabbed? She raised her hand to block Mo Jing Li’s. Mo Jing Li said in a deep voice, “I have something to say to you!” Ye Li replied coolly, “This consort has nothing to discuss with King Li.” Mo Jing Li reached out with his other hand to grab her arm, but Ye Li sidestepped, a cold glint flashing from her sleeve as she created distance between them. She raised her hand to stop the hidden guards from intervening and stared at Mo Jing Li, saying, “King Li, this is the Settled King Manor, not a place for you to do as you please.”

Mo Jing Li was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, “I have something to discuss with you privately.”

Ye Li frowned and said, “This consort has already said, there is nothing to discuss privately with Your Highness. This consort respects you as a guest and requests that King Li maintain his dignity. Farewell.” With that, she turned and left. As Mo Jing Li stepped forward to follow, two black shadows flashed before him—two black-clad guards blocking his path. “King Li, please maintain your dignity.”

Looking at the two skilled individuals before him, then at the already distant Ye Li, Mo Jing Li finally gave a cold snort and stormed off.

Entering the study, Mo Xiu Yao was sitting reading. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and smiled upon seeing Ye Li, “A’Li, has Queen An Xi left?” Ye Li nodded and said, “I just ran into Mo Jing Li in the garden. He had such a strange attitude—what did you discuss?” Mo Xiu Yao pulled Ye Li into his arms, forcing her to sit on his lap, causing her a moment of embarrassment. Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly and waved his hand, a burst of energy slamming the main door shut. Mo Xiu Yao smiled and said, “What else could it be? Cursing this king for being despicable, taking advantage of others’ misfortune, and so on. Meanwhile trying to see if he could get Chang Xing City back.”

“Get it back?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Mo Jing Li was truly living in a fantasy. The Mo Family Army had broken through multiple Northern Rong army blockades on their way to reinforce Chang Xing City, with many soldiers dying in battle. How could Mo Jing Li think he could get it back with just a few words? The Settled King Manor wasn’t a charity, and Mo Xiu Yao wasn’t a saint.

Mo Xiu Yao lazily rested his chin on her shoulder and sneered, “Even if we returned it to him, could he hold it?”

Ye Li also smiled. All of Da Chu’s military forces were now in Jiangnan, while the north of Jiangnan was already occupied by various forces. Not only would they not return the capital, but even if Mo Xiu Yao truly returned it, Mo Jing Li might not dare accept it. Taking it would require deploying troops to defend it and officials to govern it. Not to mention, if the capital fell into Northern Rong or Northern Border hands again, Mo Jing Li’s face would truly be ground into the dirt.

“Then what did he come for?” Ye Li asked, puzzled.

“Just bored and overfed, coming to make some noise. Did he give you trouble in the garden earlier?” Mo Xiu Yao affectionately nuzzled Ye Li’s hair as he asked softly. Ye Li smiled lightly, “How could he trouble me?” Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “That’s not certain. Seeing us living so well, he naturally feels envious and resentful. He might even think you’re helping me to get revenge on him or something like that.” Ye Li was speechless—that was exactly what Mo Jing Li thought. Raising her head and cupping Mo Xiu Yao’s handsome face in her hands, Ye Li said seriously, “Don’t waste time trying to understand the thinking of idiots, it might be contagious.”

Mo Xiu Yao blinked, instantly understanding Ye Li’s meaning. He couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and not content with just laughing, he pulled Ye Li closer and planted several firm kisses on her pink lips while continuing to roar with laughter.

Seeing him laugh so happily, Ye Li could only helplessly go along with it. Leaning in Mo Xiu Yao’s embrace, she took the opportunity to tell him about her conversation with Queen An Xi. While playing with her delicate fingers, Mo Xiu Yao mused, “Nanzhao has no conflicts with us for now, so helping her secretly is fine. If the Western Ling Emperor can deal with Lei Zhen Ting, it would save us quite a bit of trouble.”

“Do you think the Western Ling Emperor can handle Lei Zhen Ting?” Ye Li asked.

“No,” Mo Xiu Yao denied without hesitation. The Western Ling Emperor might have some cleverness, but he was far from Lei Zhen Ting’s level. “As long as they can give Lei Zhen Ting trouble earlier rather than later, that’s enough. What we need to consider now is… Northern Rong!” At the mention of Northern Rong, a killing intent flashed through Mo Xiu Yao’s calm eyes. Northern Rong’s hatred of the Mo Family Army, or rather of Mo Xiu Yao, definitely exceeded that of all other countries combined. Mo Xiu Wen had died at Northern Rong’s hands, and the Mo Family Army’s most tragic defeat in two hundred years had been at Northern Rong’s hands. Mo Xiu Yao’s seven or eight years of endurance and humiliation were largely thanks to Northern Rong. Now that the Mo Family Army had recovered, it was time for Northern Rong to face retribution. Moreover, Mo Xiu Yao would never let them get away with the numerous crimes they committed in Da Chu last year.

Leaning in Mo Xiu Yao’s embrace, Ye Li frowned slightly and said, “Yelü Hong and Yelü Ye will arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest. How do you plan to accommodate them?” Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly and said, “This is Grandfather’s birthday celebration, I’m not planning to deal with them now. Just treat them like the other guests. Our Li City is small, so having Yelü Hong and Yelü Ye stay together will be fine.”

Ye Li smiled gracefully. Yelü Hong and Yelü Ye had never gotten along, openly and secretly competing for over ten years without a clear winner. Having them stay together would let them keep each other in check, preventing either from causing trouble in Li City.

“I should also meet Princess Rong Hua,” Ye Li said after some thought. It would be a shame if there were any problems with a piece that had been in play for so many years. Mo Xiu Yao was completely at ease with anything Ye Li did. Although Princess Rong Hua had been arrogant and willful before, she was said to have developed quite good methods these years. However, another person made Mo Xiu Yao frown slightly, “Is that Ye Ying not a problem?”

Mo Xiu Yao had no good feelings toward Ye Ying, who had nothing but a decent appearance and was incompetent in everything else. Such a woman, with such an unpredictable nature—forget about having her do anything, even just being a steady household mistress would be elevating her too much. Compared to women like Ye Ying, Mo Xiu Yao felt more at ease using someone like Yao Ji who came from a brothel background, or even someone like Princess Rong Hua who had been pampered and willful since childhood.

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “As long as Your Highness can help her find her son, she will be very reliable. Besides, Your Highness shouldn’t underestimate women, especially delicate women like Ye Ying. Often, the more fragile a woman appears on the outside, the more ruthless she is at heart.” On the contrary, those who appeared imposing often couldn’t accomplish much, because such people easily made others wary.

Mo Xiu Yao nodded and said, “As long as A’Li knows what she’s doing.”

“About Mo Jing Li’s son, do you know nothing, Xiu Yao?” Ye Li asked curiously.

Mo Xiu Yao said, “Originally I wasn’t interested, but since A’Li needs it, I can send people to investigate. However… given Mo Jing Xi’s usual way of doing things, this child probably…”

“What about it?”

“Far away in the distance, yet close at hand. But even given a hundred years, Mo Jing Li might not guess it,” Mo Xiu Yao smiled.

A thought flashed through Ye Li’s mind but slipped away before she could grasp it. However, Ye Li felt she might have a clue. Mo Xiu Yao carelessly played with Ye Li’s smooth black hair, “Does A’Li plan to help Ye Ying find her child and return him to her? Ye Ying isn’t the type to show gratitude.” Ye Li smiled and said, “I know this, of course. I’m not planning to return the child to her immediately after finding him. But since I promised her, we should at least look. Besides, this child is very important to Mo Jing Li too.” After all, seizing the throne but having no son to inherit it would instantly diminish the sense of achievement many times over.