After hearing Ye Li’s words, Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin turned their heads to glance at the magnificent pavilion not far away. Though their internal energy surpassed Ye Li’s, they could hear He Lian Zhen’s laughter just as clearly as she could. Wei Lin frowned and whispered, “Young Master, should we…?” Ye Li waved her hand with a smile, carefully picking up the freshly written calligraphy to dry in the wind, appearing just like any other wealthy young master in the garden.

Although Ye Li cut a graceful figure in white robes that made many young ladies blush, the two guards by her side appeared less than virtuous, causing many who had intended to approach for conversation to halt their steps.

Looking at the reactions of those around them, Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin couldn’t help but deeply admire Wang Fei’s thorough planning. Zhuo Jing’s handsome face bore a three-inch scar, which combined with his cold expression made people tremble at a single glance. While Wei Lin relied on his perfect features, his gray-white hair and violet eyes, though common enough among the various peoples frequenting Crystal City that its citizens were used to such sights, were quite different in Nanjing. At the very least, they were more than enough to frighten these sheltered young ladies.

Although Wei Lin and Zhuo Jing had previously questioned whether such appearances might be too eye-catching and draw attention, Ye Li had smiled faintly and said, “Precisely because spies would never draw such attention, being this conspicuous means we absolutely cannot be spies.” Even if Mo Jing Li racked his brains, he would never have imagined Ye Li would appear before him disguised as a man. Indeed, with two such distinctive guards accompanying a young master of the Chu family who carried himself with such unique nobility in his white robes, those who saw them didn’t find it strange at all but rather felt it perfectly natural as the manner of a noble family’s son. They frequently praised how the Chu family truly lived up to their reputation as an ancient and distinguished house of Da Chu.

“Young Master, your poetry is excellent.” Just as Ye Li was putting down the scroll and preparing to leave, a familiar female voice came from behind. Looking back, she saw Dong Fang You standing not far away, staring at her. Ye Li knew it was likely her face that had caused the trouble, but didn’t mind—she had been looking for a chance to approach Dong Fang You anyway. Now that Dong Fang You was willing to come over herself, it was naturally for the best. With a faint smile, she cupped her hands and said, “Chu Jun Wei greets the Regent Prince Consort.”

Hearing the words “Regent Prince Consort,” Dong Fang You unconsciously frowned before nodding, “Chu Jun Wei? Of the Chu family from Yun Province? How fares the third young master Wei Yun of the Chu family?”

Ye Li’s face showed a trace of confusion as she smiled at Dong Fang You, “So the Prince Consort knows Wei Yun? However… though I’ve had little contact with my clan brothers these past years, I recall Wei Yun is the fourth son, while my third brother’s given name is Wei Feng.” Ye Li paid no mind to Dong Fang You’s probing. Since they needed to establish the identity of Chu Jun Wei, how could the Prince’s Manor not have made thorough preparations? Not only Chu Jun Wei’s identity but even his parents’ life stories had been arranged in complete detail. Ye Li naturally remembered clearly exactly who was who in the Chu family.

Dong Fang You remained unperturbed, saying calmly, “Perhaps I remembered wrongly. I met the fourth young master of the Chu family once several years ago.”

Ye Li laughed inwardly at how poorly conceived Dong Fang You’s words were. Who didn’t know that Dong Fang You had only just come down from Cang Mang Mountain this year? How could she have met Chu Wei Yun several years ago? Moreover, how old was Dong Fang You several years ago? Naturally, Ye Li wouldn’t expose her words, instead smiling with cultured grace, “What guidance does the Prince Consort wish to offer?”

Dong Fang You remained silent. In truth, she didn’t know why she had spoken up. She had merely been passing by when she saw this young master in white’s faint smile, which somehow reminded her of another man who seemed to always wear white. That was what had compelled her to speak. After a moment of silence, Dong Fang You finally said, “Young Master Chu has lived in Yun Province and is new to Nanjing. If you encounter any difficulties, you may send someone to find me at the Regent’s Manor.”

Ye Li started slightly, then immediately smiled and said, “The Prince Consort is too kind. Thank you. If I truly encounter any troubles, I’ll have to trouble the Prince Consort then.”

Dong Fang You stared at her, saying softly, “If only he were like you…” She suddenly caught herself halfway through the sentence, naturally leaving the rest unsaid. Ye Li pretended not to hear, maintaining her cultured smile, “Prince Consort, if there’s nothing else, may I take my leave?”

Dong Fang You nodded, “I’ve disturbed the Young Master. I’ll be going as well.”

“Farewell, Prince Consort. No need to see me off.” Ye Li bowed. Watching Dong Fang You’s retreating figure, Zhuo Jing asked somewhat puzzled, “Young Master, this Dong Fang You seems… a bit unstable?”

“More than just unstable,” Wei Lin spoke up. “The way she was looking at the Young Master earlier was truly chilling. The Fifth Young Master was right—the First Young Master has terrible luck getting involved with such a woman.” Just now, seeing how Dong Fang You looked at their Wang Fei, even outsiders like them couldn’t help but shudder. It was remarkable that Wang Fei could maintain such a composed demeanor. More importantly, Wang Fei was just a stranger with a passing resemblance to Young Master Qing Chen. If this was how she looked at Young Master Qing Chen himself… Wei Lin couldn’t help but shiver, hoping that Young Master Qing Chen hadn’t yet encountered such a Dong Fang You.

Ye Li sighed lightly, saying with some regret, “One thought leads to Buddha, one thought leads to demon…”

Zhuo Jing said, “Young Master means that this Dong Fang You has become obsessed to the point of madness because of her unrequited love for the First Young Master?”

Ye Li closed her folding fan, saying, “In any case, we must find Big Brother quickly. Looking at Dong Fang You’s current state, she likely won’t be able to hold back much longer. Have our people watching Dong Fang You keep a close eye on her.”

“Yes,” Zhuo Jing acknowledged.

At the Regent’s Manor

In the study, Dong Fang You expressionlessly watched Mo Jing Li before her, who was speaking at length with great self-satisfaction, while her thoughts had long since drifted elsewhere. Mo Jing Li paused, glancing at the distracted Dong Fang You, displeasure flashing across his face.

By now, Mo Jing Li’s opinion of Dong Fang You truly couldn’t sink any lower. If possible, Mo Jing Li would have liked nothing better than to kill this woman immediately. This woman held power and authority that others could only envy and covet, yet she did nothing with it, single-mindedly throwing herself at a man who wouldn’t even look at her. Not only had she used every possible scheme, but she had become deranged and viciously cruel. If not for wanting to avoid conflict with Dong Fang You, Mo Jing Li wanted to tell her that from a man’s perspective, the more she obsessed like this, the more Xu Qing Chen would despise her.

“I have decided to ally with Xi Ling and Bei Rong. Where have you hidden Qing Chen? Hand him over immediately, I have use for him,” Mo Jing Li said sternly, suppressing his anger. When he had dared to capture Xu Qing Chen initially, it certainly wasn’t to provide this woman with an object for her infatuation. Xu Qing Chen could be said to be the third most important person in the Prince’s Manor after Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li—having him in hand would make many things much more convenient.

Dong Fang You’s eyes flickered as she said displeased, “I’ve told you, I don’t know.”

Mo Jing Li laughed coldly, “Do you take me for a fool? Dong Fang You, I’m showing you courtesy now, but Jiangnan is my territory. Do you think I can’t find him just because you won’t tell me?” Seeing Mo Jing Li like this, Dong Fang You also dispensed with courtesy, saying coldly, “Then I warn you as well, if you dare harm a hair on his head, don’t blame me for being discourteous.”

Mo Jing Li now thoroughly understood Dong Fang You’s nature. Taking a deep breath, he said mockingly, “Even if you won’t hand him over, what do you plan to do? Keep him locked up forever? Do you think everyone in the Prince’s Manor is dead? Perhaps the Prince Manor’s people are already searching all over Jiangnan for him. With the abilities of the Prince Manor’s secret guards, how long do you think it will take them?”

Dong Fang You remained silent for a while before raising her eyes to look at Mo Jing Li, saying proudly, “Don’t waste your schemes. As long as I’m unwilling, no one will find him.”

Mo Jing Li finally couldn’t contain himself. After glaring at Dong Fang You for a long while, he coldly spat out, “Dong Fang You, go ahead and die with Xu Qing Chen. I fear Xu Qing Chen wouldn’t even want to die together with you.”

With that, ignoring whatever else Dong Fang You might say, he turned and slammed the study door shut as he left.

Mo Jing Li strode quickly through the Li Prince’s Manor, his fury evident even from behind. The confidant following him exchanged worried glances before carefully asking, “Your Highness, regarding the Princess Consort…”

Mo Jing Li paused mid-step, saying sternly, “Ignore her! Let her go out if she wants from now on. I want to see how long she can hold out!” The person behind him nodded, “Your Highness is wise. Given her feelings for Young Master Qing Chen, she surely won’t last long. We can follow behind and be the bird that catches the praying mantis after it catches the cicada.”

Though he had no feelings for Dong Fang You, she was still his properly married Princess Consort. Having his subordinate openly speak of Dong Fang You’s obsession with Qing Chen made Mo Jing Li’s expression even darker. He snorted lightly and swept away.

Mo Jing Li was busy with the alliance with Xi Ling and Bei Rong, originally not having much time to deal with Dong Fang You, merely having people watch her. However, at court, because of the explosive bomb, Mo Jing Li suddenly dropped, everything erupted into chaos. Not only those ministers who originally favored the Prince’s Manor, but even those supporting Mo Jing Li couldn’t help but look at the self-satisfied Regent on the throne as though looking at a madman.

Mo Jing Li had just thrown out the news of allying with Xi Ling and Bei Rong, not yet having had the chance to expound on his grand ambitions and plans, when someone below the throne stood up, saying sternly, “Your Highness, this absolutely cannot be done!”

Seeing who it was, Mo Jing Li immediately darkened his face. These were the Empress Dowager’s faction—after dealing with the Empress Dowager for so long, if Mo Jing Li still didn’t know who was supporting her behind the scenes, these years would have been wasted. Mo Jing Xi had fallen out with the Empress Dowager while alive, and many of the Empress Dowager’s original supporters had been removed by himself. Under such circumstances, besides the Prince’s Manor, there was no one else who could help the Empress Dowager maintain her footing both in and out of court. Therefore, Mo Jing Li viewed Empress Dowager’s people directly as Mo Xiu Yao’s people, naturally wishing he could flay and quarter them. He coldly looked at the person below the throne and asked, “Why can it not be done?”

The minister who had stepped forward said seriously, “Xi Ling and Bei Rong have carved up our territory and killed our people. Your Highness, as the Regent of Da Chu, holding the nation’s fate, how can you ally with them? How is this different from recognizing thieves as fathers?”

“How dare you!” Mo Jing Li’s face turned black with rage as he berated.

“Minister Wang speaks truly. Please reconsider, Your Highness.” Everyone spoke in unison.

Mo Jing Li looked carefully—the kneeling ministers made up over eighty percent, and even the remaining twenty percent showed much disapproval on their faces. In truth, when originally agreeing to ally with Xi Ling and Bei Rong, Mo Jing Li knew such a result was inevitable, but when truly seeing so many people oppose him, that feeling that the whole world was against him still made Mo Jing Li fly into a rage. Staring coldly at the ministers kneeling below the throne, he said, “Xi Ling and Bei Rong are Da Chu’s enemies? Then is the Prince’s Manor not? Isn’t the territory Mo Xiu Yao now occupying Da Chu’s? I want to know, are you loyal to Da Chu, or to the Prince’s Manor?”

Such piercing words immediately sent chills through many of the veteran ministers in court. Many of these old officials had served two or even three reigns—if they weren’t loyal to Da Chu, they would have directly joined the Prince’s Manor earlier, even if they couldn’t obtain important positions, they could at least spend their twilight years in peace. Now, merely for opposing the Li Prince’s wishes, they were branded as disloyal to Da Chu. How could they not feel disheartened? Moreover, the Li Prince’s decision to ally with Xi Ling and Bei Rong was fundamentally wrong. Regardless of victory or defeat, it would be condemned for ten thousand years.

“We old ministers have no such intention, but an alliance with Xi Ling and Bei Rong truly cannot be done. We beg the Regent to reconsider!” the ministers said in unison, bowing.

Mo Jing Li waved his sleeve in displeasure, “I have made my decision, there’s nothing more to discuss.” As he spoke, Mo Jing Li’s gaze swept over the young emperor sitting on the dragon throne, whose eyes were beginning to well with tears from the suddenly tense atmosphere. A dark light flashed in Mo Jing Li’s eyes as he walked to the young emperor’s side and asked sternly, “Your Majesty, what do you think of my decision?”

The young emperor Mo Xu Yun had always been extremely afraid of this regent uncle. Under Mo Jing Li’s intimidating stare, he immediately burst into loud sobs. Mo Jing Li glanced at him with disgust and roared angrily, “Why are you crying? You are the emperor—how can you behave like this in front of the ministers? I asked you a question!” The young emperor choked in fear, his tear-stained little face turning bright red as he sobbed, “Uncle… wu wu… Uncle is… right…”

Mo Jing Li snorted lightly, glancing at those below the throne, “Did you hear? This is His Majesty’s will. You don’t want to respect my orders, but surely you won’t defy His Majesty’s will as well?” The ministers were speechless. The emperor was barely eight or nine years old and had been thoroughly frightened by Mo Jing Li these past two years. Even with the Empress Dowager’s careful teaching, it had been of no use—he was even less capable than ordinary children his age. But what could they say? That the emperor was too young to understand? That his words didn’t count? Several elderly ministers could only silently lament the young ruler’s isolation and the usurpation by this powerful minister.

“Li Prince, what are you trying to do?” The Empress Dowager emerged from behind the throne, coldly regarding her now only son.

Seeing the Empress Dowager appear, Mo Jing Li’s expression darkened as he said flatly, “The inner palace may not interfere in politics. Mother, what are you doing in the front court at this time?” Young Emperor Mo Xu Yun’s tears, which had just stopped, began flowing again at the sight of the Empress Dowager. He looked at her and broke into loud sobs, “Wu Wu, Imperial Grandmother… grandson is scared…” Seeing Mo Jing Li’s cold gaze, the Empress Dowager felt waves of darkness before her eyes. She now had only Mo Jing Li left as her son—if possible, how could she not wish to get along harmoniously with her child? But things had become too tense when Mo Jing Xi died. Over these past two years, the Empress Dowager had increasingly realized that in this son’s eyes, her position as empress dowager probably ranked below even Consort Xian Zhao, his aunt. The Empress Dowager had lived her entire life in an exalted position—how could she tolerate being stripped of power by the son she had raised with her own hands and be forced to live in the deep palace watching others’ expressions? Later, when Mo Jing Li gained the support of Cang Mang Mountain, he increasingly targeted the Empress Dowager’s people, making the mother-son relationship even more strained.

But this time the Empress Dowager had not come out to argue with Mo Jing Li. She truly couldn’t understand what was going on in this son’s mind. Indeed, the Empress Dowager had once been single-mindedly focused on dealing with the Prince’s Manor. But even when the Prince’s Manor was at its weakest, she had never thought to openly deploy troops against them.

She had been by the late emperor’s side, watching him spend half his life trying various ways to deal with the Prince’s Manor only to fail time and again. She had also seen how extraordinarily talented Mo Liu Fang had been, shocking and brilliant. She had further watched her eldest son sacrifice Da Chu just to suppress the Mo family army and seen how Mo Xiu Yao had restored the Prince’s Manor from its precarious position back to its peak. Unconsciously, the Empress Dowager had a vague feeling that the Prince’s Manor was not something ordinary people could deal with. Most importantly, even if the three allied armies destroyed the Prince’s Manor, then what? Would Xi Ling and Bei Rong withdraw from Da Chu’s territory? Of course not—without the deterrence and containment of the Mo family army, they would only become more frenzied in swallowing up Da Chu’s land. She feared… she wouldn’t even have peaceful days in her remaining years.

Mo Jing Li didn’t know these thoughts of the Empress Dowager’s. He only saw that the Empress Dowager, as his birth mother, had opposed him at every turn these years. She had even gone so far as to rely on the Prince’s Manor, helping Mo Xiu Yao to contain him. Now seeing the Empress Dowager about to block his plans again, he said coldly, “Mother, as someone of the inner palace, you’d better return to rest. Court matters will naturally be handled by your son and the ministers. Or… does Mother truly wish to interfere in politics? I still remember Imperial Brother’s final edict…”

“Mo Jing Li, you!” The Empress Dowager immediately trembled with rage. The final edict Mo Jing Xi left before death was a taboo in the Empress Dowager’s heart. For Mo Jing Li to bring it up so openly, with implicit threats no less—the Empress Dowager finally couldn’t bear it. Her vision darkened and she fell backward.

Mo Jing Li glanced at the Empress Dowager who had fainted to the ground and ordered coldly, “Mother is ill. Quickly send her back and have the imperial physicians treat her well. If you let the Empress Dowager wander about again and harm her health, I will hold you all responsible!”

Watching the Empress Dowager being supported away, the ministers’ hopes were once again shattered. Mo Jing Li looked down at everyone from his high position and said, “Mo Xiu Yao leads several hundred thousand Mo family troops occupying the northwest, northeast, and the capital, having long since rebelled against Da Chu—he is the greatest traitor of our time. My alliance with Xi Ling and Bei Rong is precisely to eliminate these rebels and uphold the state. Anyone who still has objections will be treated as a traitor.”

With that, he ignored the ministers below and the pitiful young emperor still whimpering and sobbing, sweeping away.

In Nanjing City these days, the most discussed topic was none other than the Li Prince’s alliance with Xi Ling and Bei Rong to jointly oppose the Mo family army. There were even many highly respected elders who wept to the heavens in broad daylight, declaring that heaven was abandoning Da Chu.

Although the Mo family army had long since severed ties with Da Chu, in many old people’s eyes, these connections were not so easily cut. There were no small number of people who hoped the Prince’s Manor would save Da Chu. Even setting aside such hopes, the Prince’s Manor had protected Da Chu for hundreds of years, and even after being driven away by the royal family, could be said to have never done anything to harm Da Chu. The Regent’s actions were inhumane, ungrateful, and immoral. How could such a court not be abandoned by heaven?

Similarly, common people also condemned this extensively. Although Mo Jing Li wanted to forbid it, he was already beset with difficulties both internal and external, dealing with more problems than he could handle. If he forcibly suppressed public opinion now, he feared it would truly drive the people to rebel. Having no choice, Mo Jing Li simply ignored these people, pretending not to see or hear. Meanwhile, he issued edicts, mobilized troops, and prepared supplies, making ready for the northern expedition to come.

In a quiet teahouse, Ye Li sat smiling in a private room, sipping tea. Although the door was closed, the discussions of the tea guests outside continuously filtered in. This showed just how intense the debates outside had become. Such scenes weren’t limited to this one—it was the same in every teahouse and restaurant throughout Nanjing. With the court not restricting the common people, they naturally became increasingly vocal. Those who angrily cursed Mo Jing Li grew more numerous by the day.

“What does the Young… Master think of what these people are saying?” In the private room, Yao Ji sat opposite, smiling charmingly as she looked at the carefree young master in white before her. Ye Li smiled faintly, “These likely won’t affect the Li Prince’s decision.”

Yao Ji thought for a moment and could only sigh, “Isn’t the Li Prince’s hatred for the Prince’s Manor also an obsession? If the Li Prince truly saw clearly, he would know this alliance with Xi Ling and Bei Rong could bring him no benefit. Regardless of whether the Mo family army wins or loses, he will surely be condemned for ten thousand years.” It was a pity that Mo Jing Li was too fixated on surpassing Mo Xiu Yao—even for the slightest chance, he had to personally see Mo Xiu Yao defeated before him.

“The Mu Yang Marquis’s manor has also received the Li Prince’s orders. Both the Marquis and Mu Yang will join the expedition,” Yao Ji said softly.

Ye Li nodded, unsurprised. Da Chu had few capable military commanders to begin with. Leng Huai and Nan Hou had already joined the Prince’s Manor, and though Mu Rong Shen hadn’t explicitly stated his position, his actions had long since proven his intentions. Moreover, Mu Rong Shen was not only one of Mo Liu Fang’s former subordinates but also the father-in-law of Leng Hao Yu, the Prince’s trusted confidant. His connections to the Prince’s Manor could never be severed. Although the Mu Yang Marquis was advanced in years, peers of his age like Leng Huai and Nan Hou were still active on the battlefield, so he naturally wouldn’t have any problems either.

“Since Mo Jing Li has decided, then… I should also send him a generous gift,” Ye Li smiled faintly, taking out a list from her sleeve and placing it before Yao Ji and Qin Feng. Yao Ji picked it up to look and asked puzzled, “Young Master, this is…”

Ye Li said solemnly, “Kill everyone on the list.”

Ye Li’s voice showed neither joy nor anger, as calm as an undisturbed sea surface, yet made people vaguely sense the danger of a ten-thousand-fathom-deep sea. The people on this list were all currently very important figures for Da Chu’s military forces. Though they might not hold high positions or great power, their absence would significantly impact the army. But what puzzled Yao Ji was that the names of Mu Yang and the Mu Yang Marquis weren’t on it.

Ye Li glanced at her and smiled faintly, “Don’t be surprised. The Mu Yang Marquis and his son will certainly become the main commanders of the Chu army this time—if anything happened to them, whether the Chu army could even deploy would be questionable. Since Mo Jing Li has already gotten involved, he shouldn’t think about withdrawing. These people aren’t important or conspicuous figures, they can be eliminated along the way. Big Brother is still in Dong Fang You’s hands, we shouldn’t draw attention.”

Qin Feng put away the list and nodded, “Young Master, rest assured.”

Ye Li nodded and asked, “Does Ye Ying have any news? Does she know the list Dong Fang You gave to Mo Jing Li?”

Yao Ji hesitated for a moment before saying heavily, “She knows, but she won’t say.” Ye Li started slightly, pondered for a moment, and nodded, “I understand her meaning. She fears I’ll go back on my word and not tell her that child’s whereabouts.” Yao Ji asked, “Then should we try to…”

Ye Li shook her head, “No need. Ye Ying is the kind of person… who has never accomplished anything in her life. But once she’s made up her mind about something, it’s very difficult to get the truth from her mouth. Rather than have her tell us and then waste time verifying it, better to let her willingly tell us herself.”

Yao Ji frowned, “But what if something happens in Crystal City or to His Highness…”

“Dong Fang You said they weren’t important figures. Then they shouldn’t be people close to Xiu Yao. Even if Mo Jing Li wants to use them, he won’t be in a hurry. Uncle and Second Uncle should also be investigating,” Ye Li said solemnly. Yao Ji thought that since the Prince and Master Hong Yu were extraordinary people, it would be very difficult for Dong Fang You’s people to scheme against them—otherwise, how could they not even have known about Cang Mang Mountain’s disaster?

Having heard Ye Li’s words, Yao Ji no longer dwelt on this matter and looked at Ye Li asking, “After the Mu Yang Marquis deploys troops, how should Yao Ji proceed? Please instruct me, Young Master.” Ye Li looked at her deeply and sighed lightly, “Yao Ji, you don’t need to force yourself like this.”

Yao Ji smiled and nodded, “Yao Ji understands Young Master’s meaning. Since Yao Ji has made her decision, she naturally won’t harm Young Master and the Prince Manor’s affairs.” Ye Li played absently with her folding fan, thought for a moment, and said, “In that case… when Da Chu deploys troops, you go with him.”

Yao Ji frowned, “I’m afraid the Mu Yang Marquis won’t agree.” Apart from military commanders permanently stationed at border garrisons, armies on the campaign weren’t allowed to bring family members along casually. Moreover, she wasn’t like the Prince Consort who excelled in both civil and military affairs and could direct hundreds of thousands of troops—it was impossible to have Mu Yang bring her along.

Ye Li smiled, “As long as Yao Ji is willing, ways can naturally be found.”

Yao Ji started slightly, then smiled faintly, “Yao Ji understands. Thank you for your guidance, Young Master.”

“Young Master, Wei Lin requests an audience,” Wei Lin said softly from outside the door.

Yao Ji and Qin Feng stood up, with Qin Feng saying, “Young Master, I shall take my leave first.”

Ye Li nodded, “For this period, you follow Yao Ji. As I said before, you have authority over matters in the Mu Yang Marquis’s manor.” Qin Feng nodded, “Qin Feng thanks the Young Master.”

Ye Li said softly, “Too much is as bad as too little—you should understand my meaning.”

Qin Feng silently nodded and left with Yao Ji.

Wei Lin entered, not bothering with formal greetings, and said gravely, “Young Master, Dong Fang You has left the manor.” Ye Li’s expression changed slightly as she suddenly stood up, but quickly sat back down and asked seriously, “Is she alone?”

Wei Lin shook his head, “She only brought two guards, both from Cang Mang Mountain.”

Ye Li lowered her eyes in thought before saying, “Dong Fang You’s martial arts are extraordinary—don’t get too close lest she discovers us.” Wei Lin nodded, “Young Master, rest assured. With our abilities, as long as we can determine the general area, we can always find Young Master Qing Chen. But Young Master Qing Chen is defenseless, I don’t know…”

Ye Li waved her hand, “Judging from Dong Fang You’s condition when we saw her the other day, she likely hasn’t met Big Brother yet. Big Brother won’t be in any danger.”

Wei Lin nodded—that Dong Fang You was obsessively infatuated with Young Master Qing Chen, surely she wouldn’t easily harm him.

Ye Li thought for a moment and asked, “Have Cang Mang Mountain’s forces in Jiangnan been investigated clearly?”

Wei Lin said, “After Cang Mang Mountain’s destruction, their forces in Jiangnan underwent changes, but they still left many traces. Following these leads, we can uncover about seventy to eighty percent. Young Master, shall we move now?”

Ye Li shook her head, “No, wait until after Mo Jing Li leaves to make our move.”

Wei Lin blinked, hesitating, “Young Master means Mo Jing Li will personally join the expedition this time.” Ye Li sighed somewhat helplessly, “Xiu Yao is playing for such high stakes this time, I fear not only will Mo Jing Li go personally, but Lei Zhen Ting will go himself as well.”

“This…” Mo Jing Li wasn’t much of a concern, but Lei Zhen Ting was quite troublesome. Although in several encounters with the Prince’s Manor, Lei Zhen Ting seemed to gain no advantage, aside from one time when he underestimated the Princess Consort, the remaining times could all be said to be forced by circumstances. Lei Zhen Ting’s abilities were far beyond what mere Mo Jing Li and Ye Lu Ye could compare to.

Ye Li shook her head and smiled faintly, “It’s nothing. Since he’s chosen this path… all I can do is try my best to reduce his pressure.”

“Princess Consort, if His Highness truly…” Wei Lin couldn’t help asking.

Ye Li smiled faintly, “Partners in marriage, friends even in the yellow springs…”

Wei Lin fell silent. In the eyes of those close to the Prince and Princess Consort, they always saw the Prince’s obsession and devotion to the Princess Consort, while the Princess Consort always seemed as light as the wind and clouds. Only now did Wei Lin understand that the Princess Consort’s feelings for the Prince were no less than the Prince’s for her. It was just that compared to the Prince, the Princess Consort was less inclined to speak of such things. That was why the Princess Consort went to such lengths—whatever the Prince wanted to do, she had rarely opposed. She simply quietly did what she could or stayed silently by the Prince’s side…

For the remaining questions, Wei Lin felt there was no need to ask further, only respectfully looking at Ye Li, “Please instruct us, Princess Consort.”

Ye Li stood up, smiling faintly, “Let’s watch for now. After Mo Jing Li leaves, this capital… should see some changes.”

Outside Nanjing City, Dong Fang You walked slowly wearing common women’s clothing, accompanied by two young men also dressed in coarse clothing. The group looked like ordinary siblings just returning from the capital.

Upon reaching a crossroads, Dong Fang You stopped, a trace of killing intent flashing across her beautiful face as she said flatly, “Deal with those annoying flies following us.”

“Yes, Young Leader,” the two men responded respectfully, turning and disappearing into the roadside with a flash. Dong Fang You stood by the road for a while before finally showing a faint smile, turning onto another small path in the opposite direction.

On the quiet path, the cloth-clothed man cleanly put away his blood-stained weapon, returning to his original appearance of an honest commoner. He glanced indifferently at the scattered corpses on the ground, shook his head, and left.

After quite some time, two black-clothed men appeared beside the corpses, looking down at the bodies with blood not yet dry, kicking them slightly and saying helplessly, “We lost them.”

The other man said, “Just because we lost them doesn’t mean others did too.” Since they couldn’t get too close, naturally there wouldn’t be just one group following. The black-clothed man sighed, “Let’s go back and report to the Young Master. These Cang Mang Mountain people have some skill.”

“No need,” a calm voice came from behind as an elegant young master in white approached with two men in black. The two quickly went forward to bow, “Young Master.”

Ye Li smiled faintly, “Don’t take it to heart. If Cang Mang Mountain’s people didn’t even have this much ability, how could they have managed to snatch someone from the Prince’s Manor without a sound? Let’s go.”

“Young Master already knows Young Master Qing Chen’s whereabouts?”

“We’ll know when we get there,” Ye Li said calmly.

Dong Fang You’s hiding place indeed proved difficult to find. Even though Ye Li seemed to know the route, the group still wandered through the mountains near the capital for half a day before finally stopping at an unremarkable hunter’s cabin in the mountains.

Zhuo Jing frowned, “This doesn’t look like a place where Young Master Qing Chen would be held.” Though the mountains were sparsely populated, there were still occasional hunters and herb gatherers coming and going. Young Master Qing Chen’s appearance was far too eye-catching—if such a celestial-like young master were staying in such a place, surely word would have spread by now. Cang Mang Mountain’s people couldn’t possibly silence everyone who entered the mountains; that would only draw more attention.

Ye Li smiled and pointed at the small cabin, asking, “Do you see anything unusual about that cabin?”

Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin both looked over but couldn’t spot anything unusual after quite some time. Ye Li smiled faintly, “Looking at the cabin’s appearance, it must be several decades old. But… look at that chimney…”

The two looked closer and suddenly understood. Wei Lin said, “The chimney seems to have never been used.” Ye Li nodded and smiled, “Even if this cabin was only occasionally used by hunters in the mountains, it couldn’t possibly have used the kitchen stove, unless… there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

“But how can we investigate? There might be people inside,” Zhuo Jing said.

Ye Li pondered, “We haven’t confirmed if Big Brother is here yet—it wouldn’t be good to startle them prematurely. But to avoid alerting anyone…” The cabin was too small—it was impossible to investigate without alerting anyone inside.

After some thought, Ye Li still decided to wait and see. Meanwhile, she pondered what secret lay beneath the small cabin. A secret passage, or an underground palace? There had to be a suitable place to hide someone—Ye Li believed that given Dong Fang You’s feelings for Xu Qing Chen, she definitely wouldn’t casually hide him in some cave.

After waiting for a long time, they finally saw the cabin door open from inside, and soon Dong Fang You walked out with a dark expression. Even from far away, the three could sense Dong Fang You’s extremely poor mood, and the men and women following her appeared terrified. Ye Li suddenly had a bad feeling.

They watched as Dong Fang You struck a middle-aged man who had frantically tried to speak. Before he could get half a word out, he spat blood and fell dead. Something had happened to make her extremely angry. As Dong Fang You was facing their direction, Ye Li could read what she was saying from her barely moving lips: “Useless bunch! You can’t even keep watch over someone who can’t even fight—what use are you to me?”

Ye Li’s heart jumped—could Big Brother have escaped? If so, why hadn’t he contacted them?

The subordinates were trying hard to explain something, with everyone except the two men who had come with Dong Fang You kneeling on the ground. But Dong Fang You was still furious as she said coldly, “When did he disappear?”

Ye Li naturally couldn’t see the subordinates’ response. She lowered her eyes in thought for a moment before asking, “Can we capture Dong Fang You now with certainty?”

Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin exchanged glances before saying softly, “Our people have arrived nearby—it shouldn’t be a problem. But Dong Fang You’s lightness skill seems extraordinarily good. We fear she might make a desperate escape when she realizes she’s outmatched. To capture her without any injury would be quite difficult.”

Ye Li smiled faintly, “She’s not one of our people—who said you need to avoid injuring her? As long as she doesn’t die, it’s fine.”

“We understand,” the two said in unison.

Outside the hunter’s cabin in the forest, Dong Fang You said angrily, “Go search now—if you don’t find Young Master Qing Chen within three days, watch out for your worthless lives!”

“No need for Young Lady Dong Fang’s people to trouble themselves about Young Master Qing Chen’s whereabouts. Why doesn’t the Li Prince Consort have a chat with me first?” A man’s voice carrying a faint smile suddenly came from a nearby hillside.