With the battle at Fei Hong Pass concluded, Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li set out for Li City. While the military might be necessary for conquest, governance required more than force. Even with Master Qing Chen in charge, many matters in Li City needed Mo Xiu Yao’s attention. Counting from when they left Li City for the northern borders last year, they had been away for exactly ten months. Ten months seemed long, but considering all they had accomplished—pacifying the northern borders, expelling the Northern Rong, defeating Southern Chu and Xi Ling—the time seemed incredibly short. Such military achievements would have been enough to sustain anyone for three lifetimes. Yet Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li had accomplished it in mere months, leaving others speechless with amazement when they considered these formidable feats.

Ten months seemed both brief and long—long enough for two infants who could barely roll over at one-month-old to now sit in adults’ arms, curiously observing their surroundings and beginning to babble. When Ye Li saw the two babies in the arms of the two Madame Xus, she couldn’t help but shed tears again. The babies had been fostered with the Xu family since they were just a month old, not seeing their parents for nearly a year—how could Ye Li not feel guilty?

Fortunately, although they had barely seen their parents, the children showed no signs of stranger anxiety. First Madame Xu smiled as she placed the baby wearing a moon-white brocade jacket trimmed with white fox fur into Ye Li’s arms, coaxing sweetly, “Lin’er, call Mother… call Mother…”

The baby opened his dark eyes wide, looking curiously at Ye Li. The embrace felt soft and fragrant, different from his usual great-aunts and aunts, but he liked it. The baby smiled broadly at Ye Li and followed First Madame Xu’s prompt: “Mother… Mother…”

“Lin’er can already speak?” Ye Li asked delightedly, looking up at the other baby in Second Madame Xu’s arms, dressed in pink brocade. Second Madame Xu smiled, “These two are as clever as Little Bao. Xin’er, call Mother.”

Little Xin’er giggled at Ye Li, her sweet face full of affection. Not shy at all, she reached out her tiny hands toward Ye Li, calling, “Mother, Mother, hold me…”

Ye Li felt her heart melting, something warming gently within. She carefully took Xin’er into her arms as well, and fortunately, both children were nearly a year old and could sit steadily, one on each side of her lap. Having grown up together since birth, the babies were very close. Not only did they not fight for her embrace, but they held hands in her lap, babbling to each other in their incomprehensible language.

Mo Xiu Yao stood behind Ye Li, occasionally reaching out to help steady the babies in her arms, a faint smile softening his lips, washing away all traces of the battlefield’s killing intent.

Mo Little Bao stood beside Ye Li, looking somewhat wistfully at the two babies in her arms. He had grown up and could no longer be held by his mother. At least… not like his little brother and sister could.

“Mother, Little Bao missed you too,” Mo Little Bao gazed at Ye Li expectantly.

Ye Li smiled, “Mother missed you too. Have you been listening to Great Uncle these days?” Remembering Little Bao’s hurt expression when they had to send him back to Li City, Ye Li felt another pang of guilt. Though it was for his safety, Little Bao was an extremely intelligent child who surely understood the gravity of the situation even without being told, which was why he had left with the guards without any fuss. He must have been very worried all this time.

Mo Little Bao nodded repeatedly, “Little Bao is the most obedient, you can ask Great Uncle if you don’t believe me.” As he grew older, Little Bao became more mischievous, and with his clever mind, those without real ability couldn’t catch him even when he played tricks on them. In all of Li City, only Xu Qing Chen could keep him in check.

“You, obedient? Who was it that insisted on going to Fei Hong Pass yesterday?” From outside, Xu Qing Chen’s voice carried in with a hint of amusement. Soon, the immortal-like master appeared before them, dressed in snow-white robes. Some people are naturally blessed by heaven, with even time seeming to freeze around them. While Mo Xiu Yao’s unchanging handsomeness over the years could be attributed to his profound martial arts, Xu Qing Chen was simply heaven’s favored child. His youthfulness didn’t appear immature; his stunning appearance and bearing combined the beauty of youth with the steadiness of middle age, yet different from the gravity of court officials worn down by years of administrative work. He possessed instead the carefree air of an unbound spirit.

Stepping into the hall, Xu Qing Chen smiled, “Less than a year to defeat four nations. Such unprecedented military achievements—congratulations, Your Highness.”

Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “Not at all. If Brother Qing Chen hadn’t been managing Li City, how could I have campaigned with such peace of mind? Let alone conquer the realm.” This wasn’t mere flattery—as the saying goes, provisions move before troops, and logistics are vital to warfare. For nearly a year, thanks to the Xu family overseeing the northwest, Mo’s army had never worried about supplies or provisions. With such logistical support, victory naturally came more easily.

Xu Qing Chen smiled faintly, not being modest. Both were clever enough to discern truth from courtesy in each other’s words. Moreover, given Ye Li’s relationship with the Xu family, maintaining formal distance through excessive modesty would seem artificial and distant.

Xu Qing Chen sat down, and the two Madame Xus, knowing they would discuss official matters, rose to leave. Ye Li, having just returned, naturally couldn’t bear to part with the children, so they stayed. The babies, sitting in Ye Li’s arms, weren’t distressed to see their great-aunts leave, prompting Second Madame Xu to playfully scold them for being ungrateful.

Mo Xiu Yao took the pink-robed Xin’er, adorned with silver anklets and bracelets and looking delicately lovely, from Ye Li’s arms and sat beside her. Away from her mother’s embrace, Xin’er didn’t fuss, as she also liked this white-clad person. She curiously grabbed and gently pulled at Mo Xiu Yao’s white hair. Mo Xiu Yao gave his daughter a helpless look before taking out an intricately carved hollow jade bead the size of a pigeon’s egg and placing it in her hands to play with. Xin’er accepted it happily, lowering her head to examine the jade bead with interest.

Mo Little Bao looked at his brother in his mother’s arms and his sister in his father’s arms, then pitifully sidled up to Xu Qing Chen. Xu Qing Chen smiled and shook his head, pointing to a spot beside him. Only then did Mo Little Bao sit down in the position below Xu Qing Chen.

After a moment of quiet in the hall, Xu Qing Chen said, “You’ve just returned, and I shouldn’t disturb you. However, there’s a matter that requires Your Highness’s attention.” Xu Qing Chen took out a memorial from his sleeve. Ye Li recognized it at a glance—the imperial yellow exterior decorated with a snarling wolf marked it as a diplomatic letter from Northern Rong.

“What does Northern Rong want now?” Ye Li frowned. She had never had a particularly good impression of the Northern Rong, even though they had once cooperated in some fashion with the Northern Rong Crown Prince.

Mo Xiu Yao, holding his daughter with one arm, took the letter with his free hand and read it with furrowed brows, “They want to exchange Princess Rong Hua for Yelü Ye’s remains and those of the Northern Rong soldiers?” Mo Xiu Yao fell silent for a while before looking up at Ye Li with some annoyance, “Where is Yelü Ye’s body?”

Ye Li was speechless—she truly couldn’t remember where Yelü Ye’s remains were. They had been so busy then, and battlefield cleanup wasn’t her responsibility; how could she remember such things?

Mo Xiu Yao said with displeasure, “If they wanted to exchange for Yelü Ye’s remains, why wait until now?” After so much time, who knew where Yelü Ye’s remains had ended up?

Xu Qing Chen couldn’t help but twitch his lips, saying, “Northern Rong is frozen for thousands of li in winter, and spring has just begun. Their envoys have already reached Li City—they’re quite prompt.” Besides, Northern Rong surely needed to observe the situation; if Mo’s army had lost to the combined forces of Xi Ling and Da Chu, who would bother negotiating? They would have simply invaded again.

Mo Xiu Yao nodded impatiently, “Fine, I understand. Tell them we can exchange Yelü Ye and the Northern Rong soldiers’ remains, but Princess Rong Hua alone isn’t enough.”

“What else do you want?” Xu Qing Chen raised an eyebrow.

Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “That depends on what Master Qing Chen can get them to offer.” More benefits were always better—the Prince of Ding’s estate might be as wealthy as a nation, but it couldn’t sustain so many people indefinitely. Everything required money.

Xu Qing Chen nodded, “I understand, but… can you find Yelü Ye’s remains?” Given Mo Xiu Yao’s character, it was certain that Yelü Ye hadn’t been given a proper burial.

Mo Xiu Yao looked at Xu Qing Chen as if he were stupid, “Are Yelü Ye’s ashes made of gold or inscribed with something?”

For the first time in his life being questioned about his intelligence, Master Qing Chen had to admit defeat: So you plan to pass off any ashes as his?

“Do you intend to exchange for Princess Rong Hua?” Xu Qing Chen looked at Mo Xiu Yao doubtfully. In his impression, Mo Xiu Yao wasn’t a benevolent person unless there was profit involved. But Master Qing Chen truly couldn’t think of what benefit Northern Rong could offer that would tempt Mo Xiu Yao. The territory was out of the question—even if the Northern Rong were willing to give it, beyond the border lay endless grasslands. Few civilians would want to live there, having to endure Northern Rong raids for at least eight months of the year. When they hadn’t even settled matters in the Central Plains, Mo Xiu Yao certainly wouldn’t extend his reach outward at this time. As for anything else, Northern Rong seemed to have nothing that would catch Mo Xiu Yao’s eye.

Mo Xiu Yao nodded, “Of course. Didn’t the Northern Rong say that Princess Rong Hua is A’Li’s sworn sister? If something happened to the Prince of Ding’s wife’s sworn sister in Northern Rong, wouldn’t that shame our estate?”

“We all know that’s not true,” Xu Qing Chen raised his eyebrows. While Ye Li and Princess Rong Hua’s relationship wasn’t bad, it wasn’t close enough for them to become sworn sisters.

Mo Xiu Yao waved his hand, “That doesn’t matter. Oh, and make sure to tell the Northern Rong that I’m very interested in their warhorses.”

“What if they refuse?” The Central Plains’ horse breeds had always been inferior to those of Northern Rong and even the Western Regions. Even when foreign horses were imported for breeding, their quality deteriorated over time. Northern Rong and the Central Plains had been hereditary enemies, and warhorses were strictly forbidden from entering the Central Plains through any channel. Though the Prince of Ding’s estate had obtained some through various covert means over the years, the numbers were pitifully small. No wonder Mo Xiu Yao was being so generous this time.

“Refuse?” Mo Xiu Yao sneered, “Then I’ll take them myself.”

“I understand.” Xu Qing Chen nodded, acknowledging Mo Xiu Yao’s determination. With Xu Qing Chen’s acknowledgment, Mo Xiu Yao’s expression immediately softened, and he set the matter aside. When Master Qing Chen gave his word, it meant the matter was ninety percent certain.

Having finished discussing Northern Rong matters, Xu Qing Chen looked at Mo Xiu Yao with raised eyebrows and smiled, “Also, people have been asking me about something lately. But… I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I thought I’d ask Your Highness’s opinion.”

“What matter could stump Master Qing Chen?” Mo Xiu Yao said dismissively, clearly thinking Xu Qing Chen was being unnecessarily troublesome. Xu Qing Chen played with the blue-and-white teacup in his hand, his refined eyes fixed on Mo Xiu Yao, “People have long been asking me when Your Highness plans… to ascend the throne.”

“Ascend the throne?” Mo Xiu Yao’s hand, which had been playing with Xin’er’s small fingers, paused. He frowned, “Who said I plan to become emperor?”

Xu Qing Chen raised an eyebrow, “No one specifically said so, but everyone assumes this.”

“Including Master Qing Chen?” Mo Xiu Yao asked.

Xu Qing Chen smiled without answering, the response obvious.

“I have no plans to ascend the throne,” Mo Xiu Yao said seriously. If he had wanted to be emperor, he would have done it years ago—why drag it out so long? Xu Qing Chen sighed softly, frowning slightly, “You should know the advantages and disadvantages.” Master Qing Chen was looking at it purely from a governance perspective. With legitimate authority, Mo Xiu Yao lacked nothing, and his rule over the realm was inevitable. But as long as he didn’t ascend the throne, he lacked that final legitimacy. This didn’t hinder Mo Xiu Yao’s control over the Prince of Ding’s estate or even all the territory it currently held, but it left people feeling somewhat uneasy.

Moreover, because it wasn’t officially a court, the official ranks within the Prince of Ding’s jurisdiction were in complete disarray. Master Qing Chen himself was amazed that no major mistakes had occurred in all these years of chaos.

“Even if you, Prince of Ding, have no interest in the throne, you should consider the feelings of your followers.” The many people who served the Prince of Ding’s estate surely did so out of loyalty, but not loyalty alone. Though Master Qing Chen didn’t care about fame and power himself, he didn’t look down on those who valued authority and strove for achievement and wealth. “Perfect your arts and skills to serve the emperor”—this was a deeply rooted concept in people’s minds for thousands of years. In people’s eyes, only the imperial family was legitimate. Only serving the imperial family meant true status. Today’s Prince of Ding’s estate was no longer what it once was; under its command were not only generations of loyal commanders but also many more people and families who had come seeking refuge.

“Oh? Does Master Qing Chen have such aspirations? How about I make you Grand Chancellor?” Mo Xiu Yao looked at Xu Qing Chen with a broad smile. Xu Qing Chen lifted his eyelids indifferently, “Thank you, but I couldn’t accept such an honor.”

Mo Xiu Yao raised his eyebrows, giving him a slightly smug look. So, if he became emperor and appointed all the officials, putting everything in order, wouldn’t the Xu family immediately resign and retire? Did they take him for a fool? One Qing Chen was worth half a court of officials, let alone the entire Xu family…

More importantly, why become emperor? As emperor, he’d have to attend morning court daily, listening to officials argue over trivial matters. Skip one day of court, and the censors would nag his ears off. Things were fine as they were now—handle matters when they arose, do whatever you want when nothing is pressing. Surely a prince didn’t need to attend court every day?

If Xu Qing Chen didn’t understand what Mo Xiu Yao was thinking, these years would have been wasted. He ignored him and turned to Ye Li with a smile, “What does A’Li think?” Ye Li smiled while playing with the baby, “For such matters, Brother can just ask Xiu Yao.”

Mo Xiu Yao looked triumphantly at Xu Qing Chen, “A’Li and I are husband and wife, naturally in harmony. However… if A’Li wants to be empress, I wouldn’t mind ascending the throne.”

Ye Li frowned slightly. She knew Xu Qing Chen raised these points for their benefit. Even if he hadn’t mentioned it, someone surely would soon. But… becoming empress wasn’t something Ye Li hadn’t considered; she simply wasn’t eager for it. In her current position, being empress wouldn’t improve things for her, but rather add many constraints. These constraints wouldn’t come from Mo Xiu Yao or anyone else but from the era’s inherent restrictions.

“No need to consider further, I’ve decided,” seeing Ye Li’s frown, Mo Xiu Yao made an immediate decision, “A’Li, let’s not be emperor and empress, alright? We’ll let Mo Little Bao make you Empress Dowager later.”

Xu Qing Chen raised his eyebrows. Mo Xiu Yao’s words, if nothing else, clearly indicated that the Prince of Ding’s estate’s next heir, and indeed the future ruler of the realm, would undoubtedly be Mo Little Bao.

Looking at the two of them, Xu Qing Chen sighed softly, “Very well, as long as you’re certain. Regardless… Li’er, the Xu family will always support you.” Ye Li nodded gently, smiling, “Brother, I know.” She knew the Xu family had always stood behind her in support. Without the Xu family, even with all her abilities, it would have been difficult to command the loyalty of so many in the Prince of Ding’s estate. The noble status of being born to the Xu family, and having such formidable grandfathers, uncles, and cousins who were all considered incredibly powerful in others’ eyes, had always been her strongest backing.

Xu Qing Chen stood up and said to them, “Even if we don’t consider the matter of ascending the throne, Lin’er and Xin’er are about to turn one year old. We’ll need to hold a grand celebration this year.” Whether to reward the army or accommodate those coming to assess the situation—even without an invitation, those who wanted to come would arrive uninvited anyway.

Mo Xiu Yao nodded, “I understand, do as you say.”

As Xu Qing Chen left, Mo Little Bao, knowing his parents needed to talk, quickly slipped out after him.

In the hall, Ye Li smiled at Mo Xiu Yao, “Xiu Yao, do you not plan to…” Mo Xiu Yao smiled, “I never planned to be emperor.” He rose with the baby and squeezed onto the same chair beside Ye Li. While playing with his daughter, he smiled at Ye Li, “We’re living so well now, why complicate things? We’ve lived like this for years; I don’t believe we can’t continue for a few more years. Let Mo Little Bao worry about it when the time comes.” After all, in recent years, the Xu family had begun teaching Mo Little Bao the ways of ruling. Wouldn’t it be perfect timing for him to become emperor after completing his education? He, Mo Xiu Yao, had never learned how to be an emperor.

Ye Li looked at him with an ambiguous smile, “Aren’t you afraid Little Bao will resent you?”

Mo Xiu Yao declared righteously, “I’m developing his abilities. If I did everything for him, what use would he be?” How could good things come so easily? Most importantly, after spending most of his life working so hard, why should Mo Little Bao get to be a peaceful emperor without effort?

Ye Li sighed softly, “I won’t manage this—you go explain it to those people yourself.”

Mo Xiu Yao looked at Ye Li with a smile, “I know you’re happy that I’m not becoming emperor too. Right?”

Ye Li didn’t hide it, frankly nodding in agreement, “I am indeed happy you’re not becoming emperor.” Though saying this felt somewhat unfair to the commanders and subordinates who had fought so hard for the Prince of Ding’s estate, Ye Li had to admit Mo Xiu Yao was right. What was an emperor? The Son of Heaven, ruler of all under heaven. But he would never again belong solely to any one person. Not to mention, there would surely be many advocating for the three palaces and six courts and such things. Ye Li didn’t want to share Mo Xiu Yao with any woman; she wasn’t, after all, a woman native to this era. Mo Xiu Yao had to be entirely hers, or not hers at all. There was no possibility of him being partially hers. Ye Li smiled faintly in her heart—she loved him… so she didn’t want to share.

“Isn’t that good then? Mo Little Bao is already nine. In a few more years, we can hand the Prince of Ding’s estate to him. Whether they want an emperor or whatever else then won’t be our concern. After all these years… I’m tired too. A’Li, you wouldn’t be so heartless as to make me get up before dawn for morning court every day? I’ve always thought that being emperor… isn’t a job for humans. Up earlier than chickens, to bed later than dogs, can’t eat this, can’t do that. Can’t necessarily marry the woman you like, might not like the one you have to marry. Make one small mistake and get scolded by censors, then have to endure it to show magnanimity. Otherwise, the court historians will write harsh criticisms in the records…”

“Alright, you’re getting carried away,” Ye Li said, caught between laughter and exasperation, but had to admit Mo Xiu Yao had a point. More importantly, his words had immediately lightened her mood considerably, “As long as you don’t regret it.”

“Then… A’Li must persist with me. We won’t be emperor and empress; when Mo Little Bao ascends the throne, we’ll be Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager… uh?!” Mo Xiu Yao was speaking cheerfully when his expression suddenly froze. Ye Li looked at him curiously, “What’s wrong?”

Mo Xiu Yao stiffly held little Xin’er, the little girl’s dark eyes looking innocently at her mother.

The Prince of Ding’s snow-white robes were stained with a large wet patch, with more quietly dripping from the hem.