“Your Highness, the Dowager Consort has arrived,” reported a maid who entered the study where Ye Li was organizing account books brought from the Ye family manor. Ye Li looked up and was startled to see the maid standing at the door. Qing Shuang had already spoken: “Jing Wen, why are you here?” This maid was none other than Jing Wen, formerly named Han Qing, whom Ye Li had assigned to the sewing room. The maids of Prince Dingguo’s manor all wore identical moon-white robes with plain-colored sashes, and even such simple attire seemed to bring out her natural allure.
Jing Wen looked anxiously at Ye Li and said softly, “The head matron said that Princess Consort wouldn’t wear clothes made with my embroidery. With four first-rate embroiderers already in the sewing room, she had me reassigned to outer service.” Though she was happy to leave the sewing room, shame flickered across her face at having her needlework dismissed as worthless. Ye Li inwardly sighed at the girl – after a month or two in the embroidery room, she still hadn’t learned to be more prudent. Did she think that a pretty face would solve all her problems?
“Very well, you may go. Please show the Dowager Consort in,” Ye Li waved her hand.
“Yes, Princess Consort.” Jing Wen curtsied respectfully and withdrew.
Qing Shuang complained disapprovingly, “How could Matron Lin and Matron Wei assign her to attend to the young mistress? She’s not one to know her place.” Qing Luan and Qing Yu, being newer arrivals, weren’t familiar with Jing Wen who had always stayed in the sewing room, but they too noticed her overly alluring appearance. Hearing Qing Shuang’s words, they both turned to look. Qing Shuang stomped her foot in frustration: “It’s all my fault for forgetting to speak with Matron Lin.” Qing Xia smiled lightly: “Now, now, Qing Shuang. Matron Lin served our lady from the beginning – do you think she can’t see what kind of person Jing Wen is? Besides, she’s only an outer-court second-rank maid now. She doesn’t even match up to Yun’er and Cui’er. Being new to Prince Dingguo’s manor, she can’t cause much trouble.”
Ye Li put down her book and smiled, “Qing Shuang, you still have much to learn from Qing Xia. Don’t be so impetuous about everything.”
Qing Shuang stuck out her tongue, “Yes, I shall heed Princess Consort’s words.”
As soon as she stepped into the reception hall meant for female guests, Ye Li was startled. Seated in the main position was a middle-aged woman in her fifties. She wore magnificent cloud brocade robes adorned with gold-inlaid kingfisher feathers and jeweled ornaments, emanating an imposing nobility. If Ye Li hadn’t known her identity beforehand, she might have mistaken this person for the primary consort rather than just a secondary consort of the old Prince Dingguo. The Dowager Consort was currently resting with her eyes closed, leaning against her chair. Two maids stood behind her – one massaging her shoulders, another gently fanning her with a palace fan. Ye Li could hardly suppress a smile. It wasn’t even June yet, and by Chu capital’s standards, it could hardly be considered hot. Wasn’t she worried about catching a chill from all that fanning?
“Princess Consort.” Everyone rose and curtsied upon seeing Ye Li enter.
“You may withdraw. My apologies for keeping the Dowager Consort waiting.” Ye Li dismissed them with a wave, frowning slightly as she sat down on the other side. Yang Dowager Consort slowly opened her eyes and looked at Ye Li with an appraising expression. Ye Li maintained a smile, allowing the scrutiny. She then turned her gaze to a white-clad young woman seated below, who appeared quite timid. Upon meeting Ye Li’s eyes, she immediately shrank back and nervously avoided her gaze.
“What brings the Dowager Consort here today?” Ye Li withdrew her gaze and turned to Yang Dowager Consort.
Yang Dowager Consort narrowed her eyes in displeasure, her face – clearly past its prime – darkening further. She snorted, “The Princess Consort puts on such airs. You’ve entered the household but haven’t paid respects to your elders. This Dowager had no choice but to come visit you instead.” Ye Li understood – she had come to pick a quarrel. She frowned in apparent distress and smiled faintly at the Dowager Consort: “If so, then I have indeed been remiss. However, when I inquired with His Highness yesterday, he only mentioned that after the return visit, I needed to pay respects to my sister-in-law. He made no mention of anyone else in the manor requiring my visit.”
Yang Dowager Consort’s expression froze. After a long moment, she recovered and said to Ye Li: “His Highness has been in poor spirits these years, so oversights are inevitable. As Princess Consort, not only did you fail to remind him, but you dare to be so discourteous!”
Remind him? Mo Xiu Yao didn’t even mention you – he can’t stand you. Why would I be foolish enough to remind him?
Before her marriage, Ye Li had already memorized the identities of most members of Prince Dingguo’s manor. Take this Yang Dowager Consort for instance – her position was quite special. Not only was she old Prince Dingguo Mo Liu Fang’s only secondary consort, but she was also Mo Xiu Yao and Mo Xiu Wen’s maternal aunt – the younger sister of the former Princess Consort. However, such connections didn’t earn her more respect in Prince Dingguo’s manor. In fact, whether during Mo Liu Fang’s lifetime or later under Mo Xiu Wen, and now under Mo Xiu Yao, she was essentially treated as if she didn’t exist. Yang Dowager Consort wasn’t yet fifty, about the same age as Princess Imperial Zhao Yang. But between these two widows, one might think they were a decade apart just by looking at them.
But Ye Li felt no sympathy – one could only say she had brought it upon herself. Yang Dowager Consort had entered Prince Dingguo’s manor when the former Princess Consort was giving birth to Mo Xiu Wen. After Mo Xiu Wen’s birth, the Princess Consort’s health deteriorated significantly, and her once-loving relationship with the Prince grew distant. Seven years later, shortly after giving birth to Mo Xiu Yao, she passed away. Moreover, compared to Mo Xiu Yao’s indifference toward Yang Dowager Consort, Mo Xiu Wen – known for his cultured gentility – showed outright aversion to her. Thus, Ye Li had sufficient reason to believe Yang Dowager Consort had used some irregular means to enter Prince Dingguo’s manor, directly leading to the breakdown of Mo Liu Fang and Wang Fei’s relationship. Even setting all this aside, even if Mo Xiu Yao were to take concubines in the future, she would not accept either Ye Shan or Ye Lin. If sharing a husband with another woman seemed difficult to accept, sharing one with her sisters would push her tolerance to the absolute limit.
“This Princess…” Ye Li lowered her eyes and said coolly, “truly sees no need to personally pay respects to a secondary consort.”
“You! How dare you!” Yang Dowager Consort’s face flushed red with anger, pointing at Ye Li but unable to speak for some time. The position of secondary consort was her life’s greatest pain. When she married into the manor as a secondary consort, she wasn’t disappointed – after all, she was of concubine birth. After her sister’s death, she thought she had a chance to become the primary consort, as she was the Prince’s only secondary consort. But until his death, he never spared her a glance. Since Mo Liu Fang’s passing, she knew she would never have the chance – until death, she would remain only a secondary consort, and even in death couldn’t be buried alongside Mo Liu Fang.
“Surely the Dowager Consort knows the manor’s rules – who is truly being presumptuous here?” Ye Li raised her head and gazed at her coolly. In Prince Dingguo’s manor, externally the Prince commanded respect, but internally the Princess Consort held authority. Let alone a mere secondary consort, even a proper Dowager Consort couldn’t slight the Princess Consort. That’s why after Mo Xiu Wen’s death, the servants no longer addressed Consort Wen as Princess Consort, but as First Lady – indicating her status as the Prince and Princess Consort’s elder sister-in-law rather than Prince Dingguo Manor’s Princess Consort.
Having subdued Yang Dowager Consort’s bluster, Ye Li’s expression softened and she smiled faintly: “What brings Yang Dowager Consort here so early?”
Stunned by her sudden change in demeanor, the Dowager Consort was about to flare up again when the white-clad young woman anxiously called out softly: “Aunt…”
The Dowager Consort glanced at the white-clad maiden and managed to suppress her anger. She turned to Ye Li and said, “This is my niece from my natal family, Qian Ru.”
The white-clad maiden rose and curtsied gracefully to Ye Li, saying softly, “Qian Ru pays respects to sister-in-law. Greetings, sister-in-law.”
Ye Li frowned. A daughter of the Yang family and the Dowager Consort’s niece would make her Mo Xiu Yao’s cousin. This cousin was utterly unfamiliar to Ye Li, mainly because the Yang family wasn’t from distinguished nobility. In fact, except for the first Prince Dingguo Mo Lan Yun who married a princess from the previous dynasty, the family backgrounds of several generations of Princesses Consort in the Mo family weren’t illustrious. This was partly because the Mo family’s men didn’t need marriage alliances for support, and partly probably to avoid arousing suspicion from the royal family. As far as she knew, Princess Yang’s natal family had no legitimate brothers, and her only half-brother had passed away several years ago, making Yang Qian Ru the orphaned daughter of a concubine-born son. “Cousin, no need for such a ceremony, please sit.” “His Highness must have forgotten earlier as he never mentioned cousin to me, so I haven’t prepared any welcoming gifts. Please forgive me.” As she spoke, Ye Li removed the icy jade bangle with floating flowers from her wrist and placed it in Yang Qian Ru’s hands, then turned with a smile to ask the Dowager Consort seated beside them, “Does cousin live with the Dowager Consort?”
The Dowager Consort glanced at Ye Li and nodded, “Qian Ru is still young and has no other relatives. I brought her to stay by my side so I could look after her. She’s not a lady of the prince’s manor after all, so there’s nothing improper about her sharing my courtyard.”
Ye Li had no intention of interfering by arranging separate quarters and nodded with a smile: “As long as cousin and the Dowager Consort don’t find it uncomfortable. If you need anything, feel free to send someone to let me know. Don’t hesitate.” The Dowager Consort’s eyes flickered as she said, “Actually, this is precisely why I brought her to meet you. Qian Ru is almost seventeen now – more than old enough to consider marriage. But His Highness is rarely available, and this old woman lacks insight. Since you are Qian Ru’s sister-in-law, please help look after this matter. Also, it’s not proper for a young lady to dress so plainly all the time – her wardrobe needs attention as well.”
As the Dowager Consort continued speaking unprompted, Yang Qian Ru beside her had long since blushed and kept her head lowered, unwilling to look up. Ye Li sat comfortably in her chair listening to the Dowager Consort’s demands, which had started somewhat as requests but had become commands by the end. Ye Li frowned as she looked at Yang Qian Ru’s snow-white attire. Had the manor been withholding her cousin’s allowance? Even if Mo Xiu Yao couldn’t stand the Dowager Consort, he wouldn’t go so far as to skimp on a young lady’s expenses, would he? Looking at Yang Qian Ru’s plain white clothes, even her hair adorned with just white silk ribbons – anyone who didn’t know better might think she was in mourning. Even the maids with some status in the manor dressed more properly than her.
Yang Qian Ru suddenly raised her head, tears glistening in her panicked eyes, and hurriedly said: “No… the manor hasn’t mistreated Qian Ru. Please don’t misunderstand cousin… it’s Qian Ru, Qian Ru herself who…” Ye Li couldn’t help but press her forehead – what was all this about? She rubbed her brow and said to Qing Luan beside her: “Go see if Matron Sun is available, please ask her to come over.”
Matron Sun arrived quickly; Qing Luan had briefed her on the situation, so she brought along both the internal accounts manager and the household expenses manager.
“Greetings to Princess Consort. Greetings to Dowager Consort.” The three curtsied in unison.
Ye Li nodded, “Matron, you may rise.”
Matron Sun stood and said: “Thank you, Princess Consort. This old servant heard you summoned me regarding the expenses for Dowager Consort’s quarters. I took the liberty of bringing Manager Wang from accounts and Matron Zhang who manages household expenses. Please forgive my presumption.” Ye Li smiled, “No need for such formality, Matron. I’m new here and unfamiliar with these matters. When the Dowager Consort brought up Young Miss’s expenses, I thought to consult you. Since you’re here, Matron Zhang, how are young Miss’s allowances? If our cousin has suffered any neglect and outsiders learned of it, it would reflect poorly on our manor.”
Matron Zhang quickly stepped forward, her expression somewhat uncomfortable: “Your Highness, the young miss’s allowance has always followed the standard for concubine-born daughters of the manor. Though we haven’t had young ladies for several generations, the old rules remain. We would never dare to withhold the young miss’s due.”
“Then, what exactly are the young miss’s monthly allowances? If the old standards are truly insufficient, we can make appropriate adjustments. Or we could allocate additional funds from His Highness’s and my allowances,” Ye Li said.
Matron Zhang glanced at Yang Qian Ru seated to the side and said: “The young miss receives thirty taels of silver monthly for personal expenses, while cosmetics and such are provided separately by the manor. She receives four sets of clothes each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, plus two sets of jewelry and hair ornaments at the start of winter and summer. Festival allowances are never short by even a fraction. We servants have served the manor for generations – we would never dare mistreat the young miss.”
The accounts manager standing to the side also spoke up: “Princess Consort, please note that for His Highness and your wedding, the entire household received rewards. The First Lady received five hundred taels, the Dowager Consort two hundred taels, and the young miss one hundred taels. Even the servants received rewards. Your servant can provide the account books as proof.” At these words, all eyes turned to Yang Qian Ru. Looking at her all-white attire and frail appearance as if she might collapse in a breeze, she hardly seemed like someone who hadn’t been mistreated. Displeasure flashed across Matron Sun’s stern face. Never mind that the manor hadn’t mistreated her – even if they had for all these years, wasn’t it still the manor providing for you? What message were you trying to send by wearing all white at His Highness and the Princess Consort’s wedding?
The maids who came with Ye Li from the Ye family also took issue with this delicate cousin. Fourth Young Miss was already quite delicate and charming, but this one seemed even more fragile. Moreover, the manor’s treatment of this cousin was nearly equal to that of legitimate daughters in the Ye family. Their mistress only received thirty taels monthly allowance at the Ye manor, and this Young Miss Yang had no reputation whatsoever in the capital, suggesting she never went out socially and thus had few expenses. To come crying in poverty right after the wedding was too much.
Ye Li frowned at the Dowager Consort. It wasn’t that she was being stingy, but having just arrived at the manor, she couldn’t possibly violate long-standing rules to increase Yang Qian Ru’s allowance. Even though Prince Dingguo’s manor was wealthy and prestigious, they couldn’t carelessly dispense silver without consideration. Without rules, there could be no order, and the manor had truly treated Yang Qian Ru quite well. Unfortunately, the Dowager Consort didn’t see it this way. Seeing Ye Li’s troubled expression, she angrily said: “What does the Princess Consort mean by this? Qian Ru is His Highness’s cousin – are you saying a few taels of silver are too much? If outsiders learn that our Prince Dingguo manor mistreats an orphaned girl who’s lost both parents, it wouldn’t look good for His Highness.” In short, the Dowager Consort was determined to pin the reputation of mistreatment on Mo Xiu Yao.
“Then, how much does the Dowager Consort consider reasonable?”
The Dowager Consort frowned, her face full of reluctance as she said: “At least eighty taels monthly, and as for jewelry and ornaments, how could two sets be enough? Qian Ru hasn’t been able to go out in society all these years, even delaying her marriage prospects. She’ll certainly need to accompany you on many social occasions in the future – have Feng Hua Tower send over four more sets.” Seeing the Dowager Consort’s matter-of-fact expression, Ye Li couldn’t help but roll her eyes internally. When had she agreed to have Yang Qian Ru accompany her? Even her years of social isolation were being blamed on the manor – if not for being in Prince Dingguo’s manor, with the Yang family’s status, they might not even have qualified for a concubine-born daughter of the manor.
“Dowager Consort, please mind your words. The Princess Consort is the lady of Prince Dingguo Manor. She absolutely cannot bring an unmarried young lady when going out in society. If anyone, it should be the manor’s young ladies or the Princess Consort’s legitimate sisters,” Matron Sun said sternly. Ye Li privately applauded these words. She had no desire to bring along a fragile girl who would weep at flowers and grieve in the rain while making social calls. Hearing Matron Sun’s words, Yang Qian Ru’s face had long since turned red with shame. She let out a soft cry, clutching her chest as tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall. Before the Dowager Consort could rage, Ye Li frowned and said to the three: “Now that we’ve clarified matters, Manager Wang and Matron Zhang may return to their duties. Additionally, allocate ten more taels monthly to the young miss from my allowance. She is our guest, and we shouldn’t let her feel slighted.”
“Yes, we’ll follow Princess Consort’s instructions.” Manager Wang and Matron Zhang withdrew with acknowledgment.
Ye Li continued: “Dowager Consort and young miss should return as well. Regarding the young miss’s marriage prospects, I’ll discuss it with His Highness and reply to the Dowager Consort later.”
The Dowager Consort was reluctant, but seeing Ye Li’s expression dismissing them, she didn’t dare truly defy Ye Li’s wishes. She had no choice but to leave in a huff, taking the aggrieved Yang Qian Ru with her.
After seeing them off, Ye Li looked at Matron Sun and said: “Matron Sun, increase Manager Wang and Matron Zhang’s monthly wages by ten taels each, drawn directly from my allowance.”
Matron Sun acknowledged this, then looked at Ye Li and said: “Actually, Princess Consort needn’t concern yourself with the Dowager Consort and young miss. Our manor has never mistreated the young miss, and we haven’t touched a single bit of the inheritance the Yang family left her.” Ye Li sighed helplessly: “But look at what she’s wearing today – what would outsiders think if they saw?” Matron Sun pursed her lips and said: “Princess Consort may not know, but this young miss is quite peculiar. They say she’s extremely partial to white. Originally, we sent seasonal clothes in colors young ladies typically favor, but the young miss called them vulgar. She’ll only wear white, and if the clothes we send don’t include white, she’d rather wear her old clothes. It’s wasted quite a lot of clothing. The household managers had no choice but to try selecting white clothes to send over. For His Highness and your wedding, Matron Zhang specially had a peach-red set and a light purple set made for her. But who knew…”
“Vulgar? That’s probably not the real reason,” Ye Li thought of another person who loved wearing plain clothes.
“We’ll likely have many guests at the manor in the future – we can’t let her appear before people like this anymore.” Since Prince Dingguo’s manor had previously minimal contact with outsiders, now that Mo Xiu Yao was married and had begun seeing people, they certainly couldn’t continue refusing visitors. “I’ll ask His Highness if he wants to replace all the plain clothes,” Ye Li smiled thoughtfully. Matron Sun started, then quickly understood, “Princess Consort means…?”
“I didn’t say anything, just that I don’t particularly like white clothes,” Ye Li smiled.
“Princess Consort, His Highness requests your presence.”
As Mo Xiu Yao didn’t have maids attending him, it was his guard who came with the message. Ye Li nodded and stood up, asking: “Where is His Highness now?” The guard replied: “His Highness awaits the Princess Consort at the Water Pavilion.”
“I understand, you may go.”
Prince Dingguo’s manor could be called the largest residence in the capital, which naturally related to Prince Dingguo’s status in Great Chu. Though the manor hadn’t expanded in the area through modifications by successive princes over more than a hundred years, its scenery could be called the finest in the capital. In the manor’s southwest corner was a natural lake occupying one-sixth of the entire property, with wooden corridors built over the water winding to a three-room pavilion in the center of the lake. The water’s surface was covered with emerald lotus leaves, reflecting clear rippling waves. Just walking in brought a subtle coolness – an excellent place for summer heat relief.
Waving for her maids to stop, Ye Li walked alone along the lake corridor toward the central pavilion. Sure enough, she saw Mo Xiu Yao sitting lost in thought by the open window. Hearing her footsteps, Mo Xiu Yao came back to himself and smiled: “Ah Li.” Ye Li walked in, “What are you thinking about?” Mo Xiu Yao shook his head and smiled: “I’ve been busy with trivial matters these past two days and haven’t had a chance to ask if you’ve settled in well?”
Ye Li shrugged, finding a seat across from him, and smiled: “I’ve always been good at adapting. The people in the manor are nice, and I’m quite comfortable.” Seeing Mo Xiu Yao’s somewhat strange expression as he looked at her, Ye Li blinked and smiled: “Don’t tell me you’re the one who hasn’t adjusted?” Unexpectedly, Mo Xiu Yao nodded, saying softly with a laugh: “I am indeed somewhat unaccustomed. It seems… for many years it’s felt like I was the only person in this manor.”
“Hmm… should I keep my distance then?” Ye Li asked apologetically, not having realized her presence might trouble Mo Xiu Yao. Mo Xiu Yao laughed helplessly, shaking his head: “How could that be? Ah Li, I thought we were husband and wife.”
“So?”
“I think we need to spend more time together,” Mo Xiu Yao said.
Ye Li understood – some people habitually retreat from unfamiliar situations, while others choose to face challenges head-on. Mo Xiu Yao belonged to the latter category. “For couples like us who had no feelings before marriage, we do need to cultivate them after. Do you have any good suggestions?” Mo Xiu Yao said: “If you have time, you could keep me company for conversation or reading, or if you don’t mind losing face, I could accompany you on outings.”
“Going out?” Ye Li felt a spark of interest. She seemed to have forgotten one benefit of marriage – going out was now more convenient than before.
“No problem.” Ye Li nodded, agreeing to Mo Xiu Yao’s suggestion.
Seeing her unhesitating manner, Mo Xiu Yao paused briefly, a faint smile curving his lips. “Yesterday I mentioned painting your portrait. Would you like to see this one?” Ye Li walked over in surprise. “You finished it so quickly?”
An open scroll lay on the table before Mo Xiu Yao. In it, a woman in red stood holding a sword. Ye Li immediately recognized the accessories and ornaments as those from her wedding day, but instead of the elaborate, heavy phoenix and peony-embroidered wedding dress, she wore a light, simple red robe with gold cloud pattern trim and a golden sash at the waist. The peony at her brow had been replaced with a bright red flame. The woman held her sword in a dance pose, her expression bright and dignified, yet carrying a hint of proud sharpness.
“Is this me?” Ye Li stared at the woman in the painting, speaking softly. The woman in the portrait had her familiar features, yet somehow felt slightly strange. But that strangeness somehow felt more familiar than her usual self. For some reason, Ye Li found the woman in the painting extraordinarily beautiful, a hundred times more beautiful than what she saw in the mirror.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled: “They say when a beauty dances, one sword moves in all directions. Ah Li has the spirit of the former Princess Qing Yun.”
“I haven’t…” Ye Li shook her head. She had never danced with a sword in public. To be precise, she didn’t know how to dance with a sword at all. Ye Li gazed at the gleaming Lan Yun sword in the painted woman’s hand.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly: “I feel this is the real Ah Li.”
Ye Li remained silent, her eyes unable to leave the woman’s face in the painting. Indeed, she had once seen such an expression on another familiar face. The graceful freedom moving through gunfire and bullets, the proud sharpness when killing enemies bare-handed in bloody storms. That was a completely different life. Since accepting reality, she had always tried to conform to this era’s standards for women, believing she had gradually forgotten that woman who laughed freely in mud and sweat. But… if she had truly forgotten, if she had truly accepted it, how could she still possess such hidden martial skills?
“That day when Ah Li held the Lan Yun sword… I thought you were more beautiful than I had ever seen.” Mo Xiu Yao said, almost sighing, recalling the moment Ye Li drew the Lan Yun sword. Though it was just a brief instant, that fierce bearing utterly unlike any other woman, and that bold, heroic grace in wielding the sword. At that moment, Mo Xiu Yao thought he saw a renowned general commanding the battlefield.
“Could… could you give me this painting?” Ye Li asked hesitantly.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled: “It was meant for you all along.” Since yesterday’s casual mention of the painting, Mo Xiu Yao knew Ah Li had only taken it as a jest. But his mind kept returning to her radiant appearance on their wedding night and the scene of her drawing the sword in the Ye family hall. So despite the manor’s many tasks these past two days, he had stayed up last night to complete this painting. “However, it still needs an inscription. What do you think would be appropriate?”
Ye Li shook her head, hesitating before saying: “Let’s not. It’s not like we need to show it to others.” She loved this painting and worried an inscription might spoil it.
Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow, then nodded: “Alright, no inscription then, but it still needs a signature.” He took up a brush from the stand on the table and instructed: “Help me grind the ink.”
Ye Li was curious about Mo Xiu Yao’s calligraphy. Judging by the painting alone, his earlier claim that his skill wasn’t inferior to Han Ming Yue’s wasn’t empty boasting, but how was his writing? Mo Xiu Yao looked at her and smiled: “Ah Li’s calligraphy is unique – I may disappoint you.” Ye Li watched smiling as he dipped his brush in ink and wrote on the side of the painting: “Prince Ding Xiu Yao presents to wife Ah Li.” Mo Xiu Yao’s characters were tall and elegant, showing strength without appearing overly sharp. Ye Li was quite satisfied and carefully moved the painting aside to dry before putting it away. Catching sight of the words “presents to wife Ah Li,” she suddenly felt oddly strange and looked up to find him watching her. Wouldn’t looking away now seem guilty? Ye Li had no choice but to stare back with wide eyes. Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly and was the first to look away.
The awkward atmosphere made Ye Li want to leave, but the painting on the table held her back. Besides, wouldn’t leaving now mean admitting defeat? She had just agreed to spend more time with him. Her mind worked quickly to change the subject. “Oh right, I wanted to discuss something with you. Could you replace all the white clothes? Or do you particularly like white clothes?”
Mo Xiu Yao shook his head, “I have no color preference, it’s just habit. But what made you think of this?” From what he knew of Ye Li, she would never be interested in dictating what colors he wore.
Ye Li smiled and related what had happened in the courtyard. Mo Xiu Yao looked at her speechlessly, “So you think she only wears white because I wear white?”
Ye Li nodded, “That’s what I think.”
“But I don’t wear white every day.” Though he had many plain-colored clothes, he did wear other colors.
“But, you happened to be wearing white every time you appeared before her,” Ye Li shrugged languidly.
“Hehe… Ah Li, are you jealous?” Mo Xiu Yao stared at her for a long while, laughing softly.
“Jealous?!”
Ye Li’s face darkened involuntarily. She shot to her feet and said stiffly: “Sorry, this humble house is short on vinegar!” With that, she turned and walked out, not even waiting to take the painting.
“Your Highness?”
Shortly after, A Jin appeared at the door looking at Mo Xiu Yao. Matron Sun was right – His Highness didn’t know how to get along with the Princess Consort. He had managed to drive her away in such a short time.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled faintly, “Send this painting to the Princess Consort later.”