Dong Fang Hui rushed to the courier station where Mo Jing Li was staying, but neither Mo Jing Li nor Dong Fang You were there. Her expression darkened as she headed to the Dong Fang residence, where she finally found them. Unfortunately, the scene that greeted her nearly made her cough up blood.

Inside Dong Fang You’s room, scattered clothes lay strewn across the floor. Dong Fang Hui’s face darkened as she dismissed her attendants and entered. Sure enough, on the bed lay an embracing couple—the woman’s face flushed red, eyes closed in deep slumber. The heavy musk lingering in the air left no doubt about what had just transpired.

“Mo Jing Li!” Dong Fang Hui gritted her teeth.

Mo Jing Li had opened his eyes the moment Dong Fang Hui entered. Unafraid of her expression, he sat up calmly and said, “Lady Dong Fang, would you please step outside for a moment?” Dong Fang Hui’s face was frost-like as she swept her sleeve in anger, “Prince Li better give me a reasonable explanation!” As they spoke, Dong Fang You gradually awakened. Seeing her master’s furious expression, she froze, then realized she was lying in Mo Jing Li’s arms and let out a piercing scream. Dong Fang Hui coldly said, “Silence! Do you dare to scream?! Get dressed and come out immediately!” With that, she turned and left.

Dong Fang You were completely stunned by this sudden situation. Her mind was foggy, and she couldn’t remember anything after her failed attempt to enchant Xu Qing Chen. But the current scene made it clear what had happened to her.

“Mo Jing Li, how dare you! I’ll kill you!” Dong Fang You shouted fiercely. Ignoring their state of undress, she struck at Mo Jing Li’s head. Though Mo Jing Li’s martial arts might have been slightly inferior to Dong Fang You’s, she was still recovering from internal injuries and weakened from their recent intimacy. Mo Jing Li easily caught her wrist and held her tightly against him.

“Mo Jing Li! I’ll kill you! I must kill you!” Dong Fang You’s eyes turned red with rage. She couldn’t understand how her well-laid plans had gone so wrong. Not only had she failed to enchant Xu Qing Chen, but Mo Jing Li had taken advantage of her weakness. She knew that she had now completely lost any chance of Xu Qing Chen accepting her. How could Xu Qing Chen, the number one young master from the centuries-old scholarly Xu family, marry a defiled woman? The mere thought made Dong Fang You want to flay Mo Jing Li alive and tear him to pieces!

Mo Jing Li firmly restrained Dong Fang You’s hands and said displeased, “Are you done making a scene?” Originally, he had planned to treat Dong Fang You well, given her status and abilities—more importantly, having her meant having Cang Mang Mountain’s support. If she behaved obediently, he would naturally treat her well. Yet this woman woke up screaming murder and cursing at him. Had she forgotten she was now his woman? What use was there in making such a fuss?

“Now you’re causing a scene? Earlier you couldn’t get close enough to this prince,” Mo Jing Li sneered mockingly.

The fragmented memories in her mind made Dong Fang You’s face turn extremely unsightly. Hearing Mo Jing Li’s words, she trembled with rage. Mo Jing Li wasn’t wrong—she had initially been the one to throw herself at him, even if it wasn’t her true intention. That fact couldn’t be changed.

Seeing she had calmed down, Mo Jing Li released her and got up from the bed, casually putting on his clothes laid aside. Bending down to look at Dong Fang You, he said, “What’s done is done. If you behave obediently, this prince will naturally treat you well. As for your beloved Young Master Qing Chen… he knew you were suffering from internal injury backlash as if poisoned, yet he didn’t hesitate to throw you out. Don’t tell me you’re still thinking of him?”

“Slap!” Dong Fang You’s palm struck Mo Jing Li’s face hard. “Bastard!”

Mo Jing Li’s eyes turned cold, but he quickly suppressed his towering rage. Standing up, he looked at her and said, “Since you’re awake, get up quickly. Your master is waiting outside.”

“I won’t marry you!” Dong Fang You glared at him hatefully.

Mo Jing Li was unfazed, “Now, who else would have you beside me?”

Outside in the main hall of the Dong Fang residence, Dong Fang Hui had dismissed all the servants and sat alone, deep in thought. Her still-beautiful face was filled with malevolence. The Xu family’s move had been ruthless, truly cutting off Dong Fang Hui’s last hopes for the Crown Prince’s manor and the Xu family. Although Xu Qing Chen made it sound like a complete accident, Dong Fang Hui wouldn’t believe things were so simple. Dong Fang You’s technique had failed, causing internal injury backlash. Xu Qing Chen had someone send her back but just happened to encounter Mo Jing Li, who then naturally became the one to treat Dong Fang You’s injuries. Everything seemed ordinary, but decades of managing Cang Mang Mountain had given her the sharp intuition to know this was no coincidence.

In truth, after Dong Fang Hui had rejected Ren Qi Ning, Cang Mang Mountain didn’t have many choices left. They could either all return to Cang Mang Mountain and live in seclusion, or they had to choose Mo Jing Li. But making their own choice versus being forced into this choice were two completely different feelings with different outcomes. This feeling of being calculated against and coerced not only made Dong Fang Hui hate her disciple’s lack of discretion and Mo Jing Li’s opportunism, but even more so Xu Qing Chen’s ruthlessness and scheming against Dong Fang You. Thinking deeper, this was the Crown Prince’s manor showing disdain and contempt for Cang Mang Mountain.

“My lady, the Crown Princess, and Second Young Madam Xu have come to visit,” a servant hurriedly reported from outside. Dong Fang Hui frowned—Ye Li choosing this moment to visit seemed too coincidental. After some thought, Dong Fang Hui asked, “Did the Crown Princess state her purpose?” The servant replied, “The Crown Princess said she heard Miss Dong Fang was unwell and came with Second Young Madam Xu to visit.”

At this moment, Dong Fang Hui didn’t want to see Ye Li, but Ye Li had come with the Xu family’s Second Young Madam, making Dong Fang Hui suspect that Ye Li already knew the truth. After a moment of silence, she sighed in defeat, “What’s done is done… invite the Crown Princess in.”

Soon after, Ye Li and Qin Zheng entered hand in hand. Seeing Dong Fang Hui’s displeased expression, Ye Li pretended not to notice and said with a smile, “Please forgive my sudden visit, Lady Dong Fang.” Dong Fang Hui’s gaze lingered briefly on Qin Zheng before saying, “Your Highness is too formal. Having Your Highness and Second Young Madam grace our humble home is our honor.”

Qin Zheng didn’t know much, only having heard a few words from First Madam Xu about Dong Fang You’s actions. Though she had heard about Dong Fang You’s pursuit of Xu Qing Chen lately, she never imagined Dong Fang You would dare to enter the Xu residence and attempt to take advantage of Xu Qing Chen. Even though Qin Zheng had interacted with women like Ye Li and Mu Rong Ting who were different from ordinary ladies, and had heard of many strange incidents, Dong Fang You’s actions still shocked her greatly. Not to mention that Xu Qing Chen was her uncle-in-law—just considering his reputation as Qing Chen, how many noble ladies of Great Chu hadn’t secretly admired him? With his title as the Immortal Young Master, naturally, the woman worthy of him wouldn’t be ordinary. Someone like Dong Fang You—forget about Xu Qing Chen himself and the Xu family’s disapproval—probably none of the young ladies in Li City would accept it.

“When Miss Dong Fang visited the Xu residence, I wasn’t able to receive her personally, and she left while unwell. My mother-in-law has already severely reprimanded me. Our Xu family’s hospitality was lacking, please forgive us, Lady Dong Fang. How is Miss Dong Fang’s health? Please allow me to see her in person so I can apologize,” Qin Zheng looked at Dong Fang Hui and said softly with great remorse.

Though the words were polite, they didn’t sound very courteous. As a young unmarried lady visiting the Xu residence, Dong Fang You should naturally have been received by the youngest female family member, Second Young Madam. But from the doorkeeper to the servants to Second Young Madam Xu herself, no one had seen Dong Fang You. How exactly did Miss Dong Fang enter the Xu residence, and what did she go there to do? Since she wouldn’t use the front door and follow proper guest etiquette, whatever happened to Dong Fang You naturally wasn’t the Xu family’s responsibility. Moreover, Dong Fang You’s incident didn’t occur at the Xu residence, yet they still sent Second Young Madam personally to visit—they had already shown the utmost kindness.

Dong Fang Hui’s smile was somewhat rigid. This Second Young Madam Xu, though unremarkable and not well-known, turned out to be quite sharp-tongued. “You’er is indeed somewhat unwell, but it’s nothing serious. However, she’s just resting now, so I’m afraid she won’t be able to meet with Second Young Madam. Perhaps when she’s better, we can invite Second Young Madam for a small gathering.”

Qin Zheng smiled and didn’t press the matter. Beside her, Ye Li said with a faint smile, “In that case, we shouldn’t disturb Miss Dong Fang’s rest. However… we just met Princess Qixia outside, who said Prince Li came to your residence and hasn’t returned. Please inform Prince Li that Princess Qixia seems to have urgent business with him. If nothing’s wrong, he should return quickly, or Princess Qixia might come to the Dong Fang residence soon.”

“Princess Qixia?” Dong Fang Hui’s expression darkened slightly as she said coolly, “I don’t recall which country has a Princess Qixia.” Ye Li smiled apologetically, “This princess forgot—it’s Miss Qixia. This young lady has been by Prince Li’s side for many years and has earned his deep trust. Now that I’ve delivered the message, the princess and Zheng’er will take our leave. Please give Miss Dong Fang our regards.”

As Ye Li stood to leave, before Dong Fang Hui could speak, she saw Mo Jing Li already standing at the door. Seeing Ye Li and Qin Zheng, Mo Jing Li’s eyes flickered, “The Crown Princess and Second Young Madam Xu are here as well?” Ye Li’s calm eyes swept over Mo Jing Li, a faint smile appearing on her lips as she said, “We heard Miss Dong Fang was unwell and came to visit. So Prince Li was indeed at the Dong Fang residence.”

Mo Jing Li was unusually uncomfortable. He had used such methods to gain Cang Mang Mountain’s power, which certainly wasn’t honorable. Especially when the Crown Prince’s manor wouldn’t even deign to use such tactics, yet he valued it so much that he’d resort to such underhanded methods—naturally, people would look down on him. Although Mo Jing Li was proud and arrogant, he understood that he wasn’t Mo Xiu Yao. Mo Xiu Yao could disdain Cang Mang Mountain’s power and reject their support, but he, Mo Jing Li, couldn’t. Though unwilling, he had to face this reality. However, in this situation, facing Ye Li, Mo Jing Li inevitably felt embarrassed. In this world, what he least wanted was to lose face in front of Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li, but heaven didn’t grant his wishes.

“Miss Dong Fang is not seriously ill and will be able to come see you shortly,” Mo Jing Li said. Whatever the case, since things had come to this point, he needed to first establish this matter. Once established, Mo Jing Li wasn’t worried about Dong Fang Hui going back on her word. If she did, Cang Mang Mountain’s reputation for choosing rulers on heaven’s behalf would become meaningless—neither Cang Mang Mountain nor Dong Fang Hui could afford to lose face like that.

“Oh?” Ye Li’s eyes flickered slightly, her smile gentle. “It seems we’ve missed something. Or is Cang Mang Mountain about to celebrate a joyous occasion?”

“Indeed,” Mo Jing Li said gravely. “When the time comes, the Crown Princess and Crown Prince should come to share a drink.”

Ye Li secretly laughed at how much Mo Jing Li valued Cang Mang Mountain—was he planning to hold the wedding right here in Li City? “If Prince Li plans to hold the wedding in Li City, the Crown Prince and I would naturally be most honored. Congratulations to Prince Li.” Mo Jing Li looked deeply at Ye Li and said solemnly, “Thank you.”

“Mo Jing Li, don’t even think about it. I will not marry you!” While Ye Li and Mo Jing Li were having their cordial exchange, Dong Fang You’s voice from outside the door had lost its usual coolness and softness, becoming sharp and harsh instead. Everyone turned to see Dong Fang You standing at the doorway, red-eyed with fury as she glared at Mo Jing Li speaking with Ye Li.

Qin Zheng studied Dong Fang You with some surprise. In their previous meetings, she had always felt Dong Fang You was like a soulless puppet, but now this white-robed woman colored with anger seemed more real. However, the faint purple marks visible at her slightly low neckline made Qin Zheng blush and quickly lower her head in embarrassment.

“You’er!” Dong Fang Hui rebuked in a displeased low voice.

Dong Fang You froze, looking at Dong Fang Hui with a grievance. “Master, I… I… I don’t want to marry this beast!” Mo Jing Li’s expression changed, looking at Dong Fang You with equal displeasure: “Dong Fang You, don’t think you’re the only one who’s upset. Are you blaming this prince for what happened? You got yourself into that state—at the very least, this prince is your lifesaving benefactor.” Dong Fang You gritted her teeth: “I don’t need saving from a bastard like you!”

Mo Jing Li sneered, “You hoped someone else would save you, but unfortunately, they didn’t want anything to do with you. Or perhaps Miss Dong Fang would have preferred to grab some random person on the street…” Dong Fang You’s face turned pale. Compared to what happened with Mo Jing Li, if she had truly been thrown onto the street… No one knew better than Dong Fang You have the power of that internal injury backlash. If that had happened, she might have been on the street… “I…”

“Enough.” Dong Fang Hui cut off her words, saying coldly, “Haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough?”

Dong Fang You stared blankly for a moment, then seeing the cold expression on Dong Fang Hui’s face, she finally collapsed against a nearby table and began sobbing. Ye Li watched from the side, sighing inwardly. Compared to her previous aloof manner of lecturing everyone with memorized admonishments as Cang Mang Mountain’s successor, this white-robed woman crying so heartbrokenly seemed much more endearing. Unfortunately, this situation was entirely of her own making. Using such bewitching techniques to try to control Xu Qing Chen—naturally the Xu family wouldn’t sacrifice themselves to save her. So Dong Fang You’s tragedy was destined from the moment she harbored such thoughts.

Dong Fang Hui lowered her eyes, concealing her emotions before looking at Ye Li: “Crown Princess, I have some matters to attend to here. I won’t be able to properly host you and Second Young Madam Xu.”

Ye Li stood tactfully, smiling: “We’ve intruded. Please attend to your matters, Lady Dong Fang. We’ll take our leave.”

After bidding farewell to Dong Fang Hui and Mo Jing Li, as soon as Ye Li and Qin Zheng stepped outside, they heard Dong Fang Hui’s furious scolding from within. Dong Fang Hui had managed Cang Mang Mountain for over twenty years with shrewd calculations and steady temperament—for her to be so angry she couldn’t even wait for guests to leave before starting to berate showed how greatly Dong Fang You had angered her.

Leaving the Dong Fang residence, Ye Li and Qin Zheng exchanged smiles. Qin Zheng asked curiously, “Will Lady Dong Fang marry Miss Dong Fang to Prince Li? Both Lady Dong Fang and Miss Dong Fang seem rather unwilling.” Ye Li smiled, “Miss Dong Fang is truly unwilling, but as for Lady Dong Fang… she’s only upset about Dong Fang You marrying Mo Jing Li under these circumstances.” If Dong Fang Hui didn’t want to retreat to Cang Mang Mountain and wait another sixty or seventy years, Mo Jing Li was her only choice. As long as things dragged on, she would eventually agree to support Mo Jing Li. But that would have been Cang Mang Mountain truly choosing a ruler on heaven’s behalf, with Cang Mang Mountain maintaining its lofty position. Now, with Mo Jing Li and Dong Fang You having such a relationship, Dong Fang You had no choice but to marry him, but both families would likely harbor some awkwardness and grudges. Moreover, in the hearts of Great Chu’s scholarly gentry, Cang Mang Mountain’s status would plummet. Not to mention, with Dong Fang You’s personality and temper, she would not make any effort to be a virtuous consort supporting a future enlightened ruler. And this was precisely what Ye Li and the Crown Prince’s manor had intended. How could the Crown Prince’s manor give such a gift to Mo Jing Li for no reason? Now, though this gift looked nice on the surface, who knew when it might become an unexploded bomb?

“Miss Dong Fang brought this on herself. Such a proper young lady…” Qin Zheng sighed. Though Dong Fang You appeared pitiful, Qin Zheng felt no sympathy for her. Relying on her special abilities to try to manipulate someone’s heart, even planning to force someone to marry her against their will—such a person could only be said to have reaped what she sowed.

Ye Li smiled, “Even without today’s events, Lady Dong Fang would likely have married her to Mo Jing Li before long. Second Sister-in-law needn’t feel sorry for her.”

Qin Zheng laughed, “I certainly won’t feel sorry for her. As long as she doesn’t harm our Xu family, I don’t care who she marries.”

Ye Li nodded in agreement, “Exactly.”

Sure enough, the next day Dong Fang Hui announced Mo Jing Li and Dong Fang You’s marriage—Dong Fang You would become Prince Li’s primary consort. Both the Dong Fang residence and Prince Li’s courier station specifically emphasized that she would be a primary consort, not a secondary one. Though a secondary consort wasn’t considered a concubine, they still ranked below the primary consort. Although Mo Jing Li had agreed not to depose Ye Ying, Cang Mang Mountain wouldn’t accept such an insult. So both parties compromised—they would both be primary consorts of equal rank. Mo Jing Li was now Great Chu’s Regent Prince with sole authority, so he naturally had more freedom in such matters. Subsequently, he issued an edict naming Ye Ying as Noble Consort Rong and Dong Fang You as Noble Consort Min, both as the Regent Prince’s primary consorts.

“Why do I feel like Mo Jing Li chose these titles specifically to mock them?” Upon receiving news of Mo Jing Li’s conferral of titles to his primary consorts, Ye Li questioned the two titles. Ye Ying now had no support in Great Chu, no children, and no favor—how could she deserve the character “rong” meaning glory? As for Dong Fang You who schemed against others only to entrap herself, the character “min” meaning quick-witted seemed more like a joke.

Mo Xiu Yao replied indifferently, “Perhaps Mo Jing Li hopes Ye Ying will live a peaceful life of wealth and glory, while also hoping Dong Fang You might grow some wit. With such titles, if they’re not true now, then they’re aspirational.”

Ye Li smiled gently, casually tossing the letter onto a nearby table. “Originally we were wondering how to handle Dong Fang You and Cang Mang Mountain’s situation—who knew it would be resolved so easily.” Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “It’s all thanks to Young Master Qing Chen’s unmatched wisdom. His technique of going with the flow was truly admirable.”

On the side, Xu Qing Chen, who had been writing with his head down, looked up and smiled faintly, “If Your Highness hadn’t wanted to see the show, how could there have been such an effect?”

If Mo Xiu Yao hadn’t suddenly wanted to see whether Young Master Qing Chen could resist the bewitching technique and prevented the guards from intervening first, Dong Fang You would never have had the chance to use any enchantment on him, and naturally, none of the subsequent events would have occurred. So, tracing it to its root, the Crown Prince was truly the main culprit.

Mo Xiu Yao showed no embarrassment at having his mischief exposed. Nuzzling Ye Li’s hair, he smiled, “That’s how we learned that Young Master Qing Chen’s mental fortitude is truly rare in this world.” When Dong Fang You had previously used just a bit of her power in public, even many skilled masters with deep internal energy were affected. But this time, targeting Xu Qing Chen alone with all her might, she still failed—showing how incredibly strong Young Master Qing Chen’s willpower was. Or perhaps it showed just how cold and emotionless Young Master Qing Chen truly was. Besides those who already had someone in their heart and thus paid no attention to worldly beauty, only truly cold-hearted people who viewed beauty and bones with equal indifference could remain unmoved by such enchantment. It seemed those in the Xu family hoping to see Young Master Qing Chen settle down would have to wait much longer.

Xu Qing Chen smiled faintly, “Your Highness praises too much… There’s trouble at the border.” His hand holding the memorial paused as he spoke quietly.

Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow. Xu Qing Chen continued, “As soon as Ye Lu Ye left Flying Swan Pass, he began mobilizing troops. He likely wants to fight another battle with us before winter arrives.” Though Mo Xiu Yao was startled, he wasn’t particularly surprised by this. “What about Ren Qi Ning?” Ye Li frowned, “Ren Qi Ning bid farewell this morning—he should have already left Li City by now.”

Mo Xiu Yao lowered his eyes, contemplating for a moment before looking at Ye Li with a smile, “Ah Li, we’re going to war again. This time… it will be Ye Lu Ye and He Lian Zhen’s time to die!” A cold light flashed in his eyes.

Ye Li started, then smiled, “Good, we’ll go together.”