“Second Sister, are you leaving just like that after not seeing each other for so many years?”

Ye Yue’s figure froze at the doorway. Looking at the expressionless black-clad guards standing outside, she finally turned around, face pale, and said softly, “Third Sister, it has been many years.” Indeed it had been many years – it was almost a decade since their last meeting. The somewhat naive young girl in Ye Yue’s memory had now become the renowned Princess of Prince Ding, capable of holding her own in any situation.

Even in terms of beauty alone, the looks that Ye Yue had once prided herself on seemed so thin and laughable before Ye Li. Though Ye Li might not have been the most beautiful woman in the world, she was certainly the one with the most unique presence and most captivating aura. Completely different from any other beauty’s composed gentleness, quiet elegance, or noble dignity, she also possessed a resilience and sharpness that even men couldn’t match. Such vastly different qualities would normally never appear in the same person, but this was precisely what made Ye Li entirely different from any other woman. No wonder Mo Jingli still couldn’t forget her even now and harbored such hatred toward Mo Xiuyao.

Many had said that Prince Ding had both good fortune and good taste. Even someone as proud as Ye Yue had to admit that this half-sister of hers was indeed worthy of making the world-commanding Prince Ding bow.

Seeing Ye Yue’s composure, a flash of appreciation crossed Ye Li’s eyes. “How have these years been, Second Sister?”

Ye Yue lowered her gaze, smiling faintly, “How could they be? Just barely surviving in this world.”

As Ye Yue was observing Ye Li, Ye Li was also studying Ye Yue. No wonder Prince Ding’s people stationed at the Ye residence hadn’t recognized her. Not only had Ye Yue lived in seclusion, rarely seeing anyone, but her current appearance made it difficult to connect her with the radiantly beautiful Imperial Consort Ye from years ago. Over the years, Ye Yue’s appearance has changed dramatically. The former Ye Yue had been alluringly charming, while the current Ye Yue, though still beautiful, had acquired more delicacy and fragility. If the former Ye Yue had been like a crabapple flower, the current Ye Yue was more like an osmanthus blossom. Though not as dazzling as before, careful observation revealed a lingering charm that drew one back for another look. Unless one knew beforehand, even those who had known Ye Yue would likely think she was just someone who bore some resemblance to her.

“If you’re just barely surviving, why not simply die and be done with it?” Mo Xiuyao spoke carelessly from beside Ye Li. Though his words were delivered without emotion, they carried endless killing intent.

Ye Yue’s face paled. In all of Li City, Mo Xiuyao was the one she feared most. With Ye Li, she could still engage in verbal sparring, but against Mo Xiuyao, there was nothing she could do. If possible, Ye Yue truly didn’t want to face Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li again or have any connection with Prince Ding’s manor. But perhaps from the moment she came to Li City, this confrontation with Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had been inevitable.

Not only Ye Yue, but Ye Wenhua, the Ye Dowager, and Madam Wang also turned pale. Madam Wang, suppressing her fear, stepped in front of Ye Yue and said, “What does Your Highness mean… Yue is a daughter of the Ye family, is she not allowed to be here?”

Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li’s hand with one hand while the other rested on the armrest, tapping the redwood slowly and deliberately, keeping everyone on edge. After a while, Mo Xiuyao finally smiled faintly and said, “It seems Madam Ye has forgotten what your beloved daughter did to A’Li?”

Madam Wang trembled slightly, “That was so long ago, and besides… Ye Li wasn’t harmed, was she?”

Mo Xiuyao’s beautiful eyes narrowed, laughing in extreme anger, “Well reasoned… In that case, let this prince strike Ye Yue once with a sword. If she doesn’t die, we’ll consider her past attempt on A’Li’s life settled.”

Hearing this, Madam Wang nearly screamed in terror, while Ye Yue similarly clenched her teeth, unable to speak. If the Prince wanted to kill someone, how could one sword strike not be fatal? Ye Yue was no martial arts expert; in fact, she was just a weak woman who couldn’t even tie a chicken. In terms of martial ability, she couldn’t even compare to Murong Tinghua and Tian Xiang from military families, or the supposedly accomplished in both civil and martial arts Noble Consort Liu.

“Li’er,” the Ye Dowager frowned and spoke, “What happened back then was indeed Yue’s fault against you, but Yue was also forced by others. She has suffered much these years. For the sake of your sisterhood, can’t you let it go?” Ye Li turned her head, looking at the Ye Dowager with an ambiguous smile. Though it was meant to be a plea, the Ye Dowager’s tone didn’t quite match that intention. Instead, it carried the air of an elder commanding a junior. Although Ye Dowager was indeed Ye Li’s elder, she had forgotten that Ye Li was no longer someone she could command, “Grandmother, Second Sister nearly killed me back then. Though Grandmother has always favored Second Sister more since childhood, for the same legitimate granddaughter, isn’t Grandmother’s heart a bit too partial?”

The Ye Dowager was stunned. She certainly knew she was biased, and she had always believed her bias was justified. Compared to Ye Li, who spent most of her childhood either with the Xu family or with Madam Xu, Ye Yue was the one who grew up by her side. Ye Yue was beautiful, intelligent, and knew how to speak pleasingly – why shouldn’t she favor her? This was just the first time she had heard Ye Li speak so frankly about it. Her graying eyebrows furrowed as she said, “Grandmother knows you were wronged, but now the Ye family only has your sisters left. Can’t you be more magnanimous?”

Ye Li blinked, barely suppressing a laugh. Could the Ye Dowager think she was complaining about not being loved? She looked up at Mo Xiuyao, who raised an eyebrow. That was exactly what the Ye Dowager meant.

Ye Li curved her lips in a smile, asking unhurriedly, “Grandmother if I spare Second Sister, what do you plan to do with her?”

Before the Ye Dowager could speak, Ye Wenhua said seriously, “I will build a Buddhist hall in the mansion, and she will live there, eating vegetarian meals and reciting sutras, never stepping outside.”

“Nonsense!” The Ye Dowager’s face darkened as she glared at Ye Wenhua. She hadn’t gone to such trouble to persuade Ye Li just to add another Buddhist hall and support another idle person in the mansion. Ye Li raised an eyebrow, smiling as she glanced at Ye Wenhua before asking, “Then what is Grandmother’s intention?” The Ye Dowager looked up and said, “Since you and Prince Ding don’t welcome us, your father and I plan to go to Jiangnan with Ying’er. For the sake of your sisterhood with Yue, let her come with us.”

“Father, is this your intention as well?” Ye Li looked at Ye Wenhua and asked calmly. She didn’t believe Ye Wenhua was unaware of the relationship between Prince Ding’s manor and Mo Jingli. If he also chose to leave, it would mean he had decided to become enemies with Prince Ding’s manor from now on, and she wouldn’t need to be polite anymore.

“No,” Ye Wenhua shook his head and said, “I won’t leave Li City, and neither will Ye Rong. I have no other wishes, only hoping to see Rong peacefully marry and have children.” Ye Li was very satisfied with Ye Wenhua’s choice. Even if she disliked him, it couldn’t change the fact that he was her biological father. Ye Li wasn’t the kind of person who would treat patricide lightly. Regardless of this life, her previous life’s twenty-plus years in a military family had given her very proper values. As long as Ye Wenhua didn’t do anything to harm Prince Ding’s manor, Ye Li felt it wasn’t difficult to provide for his peaceful old age. Of course, only that much.

While Ye Li was satisfied, others couldn’t be. Madam Wang and the Ye Dowager glared at Ye Wenhua in exasperation, screaming at him.

Ye Wenhua, who usually compromised before his father and wife, showed rare determination this time, remaining silent despite Ye Dowager’s angry scolding. Having spent half his life in officialdom, Ye Wenhua’s intuition was far sharper than Ye Dowager’s, Madam Wang’s, or even Ye Yue’s. Once he compromised and showed a willingness to live together, it would likely be the end of the entire Ye family. He believed Ye Li wouldn’t take his life out of filial duty, but Mo Xiuyao’s ruthlessness was world-renowned.

Mo Xiuyao, who had been watching the show from the side, seemed tired of the farce before him. He sat up straight and looked at everyone with a faint smile, “Ye Dowager… do you know that Prince Ding’s manor and Da Chu are enemies?”

The Ye Dowager was stunned, clearly not understanding what Mo Xiuyao meant.

Mo Xiuyao continued carelessly, “Since the Ye family has settled in Li City, you are now under Prince Ding’s manor. Now you tell this prince you plan to take someone who once tried to assassinate this prince’s beloved consort to Jiangnan to join the King of Li’s manor. Should this prince consider this… treason?” The Ye Dowager opened her eyes in terror, unable to understand how this matter had become connected to treason. But this didn’t prevent her from knowing what a serious crime treason was.

“How can this be?! We’re not people of your Prince Ding’s manor!” Madam Wang screamed.

A smile curved Mo Xiuyao’s lips, “Not people of Prince Ding’s manor? Then you must be Mo Jingli’s people. In that case… this prince can treat you as spies. How about that? For A’Li’s sake, this prince will allow you to choose your preferred method of death.” This time, the Ye Dowager and Madam Wang were truly frightened, trembling as they looked at Mo Xiuyao’s smiling handsome face, “No… no…”

Ye Yue, who had been silent all along, stepped back and collapsed weakly into the chair behind her. She had ultimately underestimated Prince Ding’s manor’s capabilities. She had calculated everything carefully – she had escaped the war, followed Madam Wang to Li City, met Mo Jingli, and successfully persuaded him as she wished. But she hadn’t expected to fail at this final step. In the end, she was just a weak woman without any fighting ability. No matter how clever her schemes were, without sufficient leverage, she was no match for a behemoth like Prince Ding’s manor. And clearly, Ye Yue was among those without sufficient leverage. The cards in her hand, except for being useful to Mo Jingli, were nothing but waste to others.

Mo Xiuyao stood up and walked leisurely to Ye Yue. Looking down at her, he lifted her chin and examined her carefully for a while before saying softly, “You were the first person who dared to move against A’Li. This prince… has always remembered you.” Hearing this, Ye Yue felt no joy at all, instead shuddering as unmistakable terror showed in her beautiful eyes.

However, having evaded both the Empress Dowager’s and the royal family’s attempts to silence her, escaped Prince Ding’s manor’s investigation, traveled thousands of li from the capital back to the Ye family’s old home in the Southwest, and even managed to live peacefully for so many years, she wasn’t someone who would be easily frightened. Steadying herself, Ye Yue tried to make her voice sound calmer as she said to Mo Xiuyao, “Your Highness, regarding what happened to Third Sister then… I was coerced by the Empress Dowager. I had no choice. Please show mercy. Even if I have to be reborn as grass or carry rings in my mouth, I will repay Your Highness’s kindness in sparing my life.”

“Forced to do it?” Mo Xiuyao gave a cold laugh, disdainfully releasing Ye Yue’s chin, “Do you think this prince would spare that old woman? This prince doesn’t care whether you were forced or not – anyone who hurts A’Li deserves death. Even if someone forced you, you should have died yourself. Why didn’t you die? If you had died, perhaps this prince would have avenged you, might even have made your son emperor.”

Ye Yue had met many unreasonable people before. But someone who would so naturally ask “Why didn’t you die?” – this was her first time. She was stunned for a moment, then trembled and said, “Your Highness means… when the Empress Dowager forced me to kill Third Sister, I should have killed myself?”

“Exactly,” Mo Xiuyao nodded with satisfaction, “You all can die, but no one can harm my A’Li. Anyone who dares harm her, this prince will make them regret being alive. You’ve lived many extra years – you should be satisfied.”

“Madman!” Ye Yue said tremblingly, turning to look at Ye Li sitting to the side, laughing bitterly, “Third Sister, aren’t you afraid of being with such a madman?”

Mo Xiuyao’s face darkened, a trace of savage ferocity flashing in his eyes. He raised his hand to strike Ye Yue’s head, but from behind, Ye Li caught his wrist, pulling back his raised hand and interlocking their fingers. Looking at Ye Yue’s shocked expression, Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “Why should I be afraid? I believe if there’s only one person in this world who would never harm me, it would be him. Don’t you think having such a person by your side is a very happy thing?”

“Happy?” Ye Yue stared blankly at the two people standing shoulder to shoulder, confusion flashing in her eyes. Looking back, she realized she had never experienced what happiness was in this life. The only pleasant days had been during her maidenhood before entering the palace, and that was only after Madam Xu’s death when Madam Wang was elevated to primary wife because before that she had been merely a concubine’s daughter in the Ye family. Those days had lasted only two or three years, and after entering the palace, walking on thin ice everywhere, how could there be talk of happiness? Mo Jingqi had never loved her, and of course, she had never loved Mo Jingqi, so she couldn’t understand the happiness Ye Li spoke of. But looking at their tightly clasped hands, her heart was filled with envy and loneliness.

“Second Sister, tell me, what did you trade with Mo Jingli?” Ye Li asked softly.

Ye Yue closed her eyes and remained silent. Ye Li didn’t anger, smiling gently, “Second Sister, I don’t want to torture you. With your constitution, you probably couldn’t endure it anyway.” Ye Yue said coldly, “What difference does it make whether I can endure it or not? Would the Prince spare me?” Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, “No, but… I seem to recall the person who examined the corpse reported that the child burned to death in the fire back then didn’t seem to be the Fifth Prince. Hmm?”

Ye Yue’s expression finally turned ugly, “Mo Xiuyao, you dare!”

“What wouldn’t this prince dare to do?” Mo Xiuyao asked, “You’re very clever, not bringing that child to Li City. How much does that child resemble Mo Jingqi? But you weren’t clever enough – you shouldn’t have brought him to the Northwest.”

Ye Yue, face pale, gritted her teeth and said, “I’ll tell you… Back then the Emperor gave Mo Jingli a type of poison, I have the antidote…”

Mo Xiuyao frowned, “Antidote? Wasn’t it said there was no antidote?” Back then he had also had Shen Yang research that poison, but Shen Yang had looked at it once and tossed it aside, saying it was incurable.

Ye Yue said, “Nothing in this world is truly incurable. Even the vicious poison in Your Highness’s body was cured, wasn’t it?”

“You know quite a lot,” Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. If this woman hadn’t truly crossed his greatest taboo, he wouldn’t have minded giving her some praise. Ye Yue ignored him and continued, “The reason that poison has no cure is because both the poison and antidote come from the same herb, and it cannot be substituted. This means that even if you found the same herb and extracted an antidote, it would only cure poison extracted from that same plant. Therefore, each dose of poison and antidote is unique. The antidote to the poison Mo Jingli took is in my hands.”

“If that’s the case, no wonder Mo Jingli dared to cause trouble under this prince’s nose,” Mo Xiuyao smiled, raising an eyebrow. For Mo Jingli, even if Ye Yue had no other use, just this alone would be enough for him to try his utmost to take her away. After all, being childless could be said to be Mo Jingli’s greatest pain and weakness besides the throne now. “Where is the medicine?” Mo Xiuyao asked.

Ye Yue gritted her teeth. Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “This prince doesn’t need that medicine, this prince only needs to ensure Mo Jingli can’t get it. Tell me… could this prince accomplish that by killing you right now?”

Against such an opponent, there was no path but unlimited retreat. In the end, Ye Yue could only reluctantly pull out an ornate hairpin from her head and throw it at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao casually tossed it to Qin Feng at the door, saying, “Take it to Shen Yang to examine.”

Having lost almost all her leverage, Ye Yue seemed to relax somewhat instead. She collapsed into the chair and looked at Mo Xiuyao, saying, “I have nothing else to say. What else do you want?”

Mo Xiuyao was about to speak when a guard reported from outside, “Your Highness, Princess, the King of Li has arrived.”

Mo Xiuyao leaned against Ye Li’s shoulder and laughed softly, “We truly hit Mo Jingli’s weak spot – he’s come right on time.”

Ye Li gave him a helpless look – was it appropriate to take such pleasure in this situation?

After having his laugh, Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li’s hand and turned back to address Ye Wenhua, “Father-in-law?” Ye Wenhua had rarely heard Mo Xiuyao address him as father-in-law in his life, but at this moment he felt it would have been better never to hear it at all. Somewhat nervous, he stepped forward. Mo Xiuyao said, “Ye Yue is temporarily in your custody. If anything goes wrong… your entire family need not live.”

“Yes… I understand. I absolutely won’t let them do anything rash.” Ye Wenhua agreed, almost with joy. He had hardly expected today’s events to end well, thinking Ye Yue was surely doomed. He hadn’t expected Mo Xiuyao to unexpectedly show leniency, so naturally he hurried to agree. After all, Ye Yue was still his daughter.

Mo Xiuyao nodded with satisfaction and left with Ye Li.

In the study, only after all the guards outside had departed did the Ye Dowager and others finally catch their breath.

Madam Wang pulled at Ye Wenhua’s sleeve, crying, “My lord, what should we do now?” Ye Wenhua’s face was dark as water as he stared at the crying Madam Wang for a long time. Just when Madam Wang thought he was about to say something, a fierce slap struck her face. This slap was even harder and more vicious than the previous one. Madam Wang’s head hit the edge of the table, immediately causing blood to flow freely.

“My lord?!”

“Father!”

“Hua’er, what are you doing?” The three cried out in alarm. Ye Wenhua stared at Madam Wang with fierce eyes and said, “Stay quietly in your room. If you dare step out half a step, you can take your divorce papers and leave.”

“My lord…” Madam Wang was so frightened she forgot to cry. After speaking, Ye Wenhua ignored her and looked at Ye Yue beside her, “As for you, if you don’t want to die, don’t try to be clever. Don’t bring down the entire Ye family with your death wish.” Ye Yue lowered her gaze, her hands hidden in her sleeves clenched tight, “Father, I understand.”

“You’d better,” Ye Wenhua said heavily.

“Hua’er…” the Ye Dowager frowned, very displeased with her son’s harsh actions. Before she could finish, Ye Wenhua cut her off sharply, “Mother, do you want to see the Ye family end without descendants before you’re satisfied?” The Ye Dowager was shocked, saying, “How could that be? You are Ye Li’s birth father, surely she wouldn’t dare…”

Ye Wenhua laughed bitterly, “Perhaps Li’er wouldn’t, but when has the Prince ever truly treated me as a father-in-law? Mother, don’t you know how many people the Prince has killed over these years? Or does Mother think he wouldn’t do it?”

The Ye Dowager fell silent. Not to mention how many people Mo Xiuyao had killed on the battlefield, just counting those he had killed for Ye Li’s sake… Thinking of this, the Ye Dowager couldn’t help but shudder.

Ye Wenhua gave a cold snort and left without paying any more attention to the Ye Dowager who seemed to want to say more.

After leaving the study, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao walked side by side toward the front hall. Ye Li asked curiously, “How do you plan to deal with Ye Yue?” It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Mo Xiuyao, but letting her off so easily wasn’t like his character. Mo Xiuyao looked down at Ye Li, his eyes filled with gentle warmth, “Since she amused this prince a bit, let her be happy for a few days.”

“Ye Yue doesn’t seem like someone who would accept fate,” Ye Li said. Back then in the palace, she had found ways to escape death, let alone now. Moreover, Ye Yue was clever – she couldn’t possibly guess that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t truly spare her. Leaving things like this would likely cause more trouble later.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, “This prince is afraid she would accept fate. Back then… didn’t she want to burn A’Li to death? Dying just like that would be too easy for her. A’Li needn’t worry about her, come play with this prince in teasing Mo Jingli.” As he spoke, he didn’t give Ye Li time to think, pulling her toward the front courtyard.

Following behind them, Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin couldn’t help but shudder, glancing at each other. Surely His Highness wasn’t planning to burn Ye Yue alive? If so, they had to sympathize with her – it would have been better to be killed directly by His Highness earlier. And about teasing the King of Li – Your Highness, are you sure you’re talking about the King of Li and not the little white foreign dog kept by Young Madam Xu?