Li Ying frowned as she watched the two men before her drinking in silence, while Lord Ye almost rolled his eyes out of his head without anyone paying attention. Lady Ye barely managed a word of caution which Mo Jingli completely ignored, while Mo Xiuyao merely smiled and nodded at Lady Ye without refusing Mo Jingli’s continued urging to drink. Li Ying glanced at Ajin standing not far away, who caught her look and showed concern on his face as he watched Mo Xiuyao drinking in silence.
As Mo Jingli reached out to pour more wine, a jade-like delicate hand covered the wine cup. Mo Jingli’s face darkened as he raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiuyao: “Mo Xiuyao, what is the meaning of this?”
Li Ying spoke calmly, moving the wine cup in front of herself, “Is Prince Li drunk? I am the one stopping the wine, why ask my lord husband?”
Mo Jingli sneered disdainfully, “What business do women have in men’s drinking? This prince won’t lower himself to argue with women.”
Li Ying smiled coldly, “Women won’t lower themselves to argue with Prince Li either. However, my lord husband and I have to visit the Xu family this afternoon. Surely Prince Li doesn’t want us to arrive at the Xu residence reeking of alcohol? Not everyone can be as informal as Prince Li. Especially since the Xu family is a scholarly household that values propriety – Prince Li wouldn’t want my uncle to throw us out, would he?”
“Mo Xiuyao, don’t tell me you’ve developed a fear of women since getting married?” Mo Jingli glared at Li Ying for a long while before coldly laughing at Mo Xiuyao.
Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly, even adding a hint of a smile, “Jingli, respecting one’s wife’s opinion isn’t a bad thing. Ah Li is right – this afternoon we still need to pay our respects to Master Xu and Imperial Censor Xu. You know Master Hongyu really would throw us out.”
Mo Jingli remained stubborn, “Since when does returning to the bride’s family require visiting the uncle’s family too? Stop making excuses, Mo Xiuyao – will you drink my toast or not?”
“No,” Mo Xiuyao answered simply. Sitting beside him, Li Ying sensed Mo Xiuyao was in an exceptionally good mood – she could even hear a teasing tone when he spoke to Mo Jingli.
“*cough*… Prince Li, since the Duke of Ding has other matters, let’s not force him. We can all drink together another time when everyone is free.” Fu Zhao reluctantly stepped in to mediate. They had all grown up together in the capital. Mo Xiuyao and Mo Jingli had never gotten along since childhood, but unexpectedly their relationship had only worsened over the years, making it awkward for onlookers like themselves. Looking at Mo Xiuyao, Fu Zhao couldn’t help but feel relieved – Mo Xiuyao’s temper had improved considerably, and he could even listen to his wife’s advice now. In the past, the two of them would have either fought to the death or started throwing punches.
“Jingli…” Ye Ying called out coquettishly, “Don’t we have to go out this afternoon too? Let’s invite the Duke of Ding for drinks another time.”
Mo Jingli narrowed his eyes at her, snorted lightly, and said nothing more. Everyone else secretly breathed sighs of relief. Lord Ye rubbed his slightly aching temples and vowed never to let these two sons-in-law drink at the same table again.
After lunch, Li Ying and Mo Xiuyao bid farewell and went directly to the Xu residence. Before leaving, Xu Hongyu called Mo Xiuyao alone to his study to talk for half an hour. Li Ying was ordered not to listen in and had to wait outside the study. Among the Xu brothers, except for the elusive Xu Qingchen and Xu Qingze who were being ordered around by their second aunt, everyone else kept her company in the courtyard.
Xu Qingyan lay sprawled on the table, grinning at Li Ying: “Sister Ying, my father won’t eat your husband – you don’t need to worry about him.”
Li Ying gave him an annoyed look: “Which eye of yours saw me worrying about him?”
Xu Qingyan pointed at his eyes and smiled: “Both eyes saw it.”
The usually insensitive Xu Qingfeng was unexpectedly emotional, looking at Li Ying sadly: “I never thought that in just a few days, our Ying would become someone else’s. If the Duke of Ding bullies you, just come tell Third Brother – I’ll stand up for you.”
Li Ying nodded solemnly: “I’ll remember that, don’t worry Third Brother.”
Xu Qingfeng sighed: “I’ll be leaving the capital in a few days. I’ll tell Second Brother to have his future wife visit you often at the Duke of Ding’s residence.”
Xu Qingyan laughed: “Third Brother, aren’t you being too dramatic? The Duke of Ding’s residence isn’t exactly hell on earth. With us around, how would the Duke dare bully Sister Ying?”
Xu Qingbai rolled his eyes: “Who was it that hid behind me at the mere sight of the Duke? How did the Xu family produce such a coward? And you expect to stand up for Ying?”
Xu Qingyan’s face reddened. Thinking of certain someone’s methods, he shuddered: “Fourth Brother, you can’t blame me for being cowardly. It’s just that someone is… too ruthless.” Remembering those two unfortunate bandits at the villa that night, Xu Qingyan had nightmares for several nights afterward. Even now, he reflexively wanted to hide behind Xu Qingbai whenever he saw Mo Xiuyao. Looking at Xu Qingyan’s guilty expression, although he hadn’t finished speaking, Li Ying could guess what had happened. Someone must have done something frightening that had scared Xu Qingyan. Li Ying had no interest in investigating further – Mo Xiuyao was a famous general who had fought his way through battlefields since his youth. She never expected him to be a completely unblemished gentleman.
After returning to the residence, Li Ying began busy managing the various affairs of the household. Just reviewing the account books took her two full days to understand. She secretly marveled at how truly wealthy the Duke of Ding’s residence was – the accumulated assets, both obvious and hidden, from several generations of dukes left Li Ying in awe. Just as she was getting things under control, they received an invitation to a palace banquet. With the reason being a farewell feast for envoys from various countries, neither Mo Xiuyao nor Li Ying could find any excuse to refuse.
Entering the palace again, Li Ying’s mood was not particularly pleasant due to her previous unpleasant experience there. The Duke of Ding’s carriage did not stop at the palace gates like other nobles’ carriages but went directly through. Mo Xiuyao wore moon-white robes embroidered with silver dragons, auspicious clouds, and flying eagles in subtle patterns, his hair bound with a white jade crown inlaid with sapphires, looking refined and elegant. “Is Ah Li in a bad mood?”
Li Ying lounged lazily in the carriage, saying: “It’s nothing. The palace just always feels a bit oppressive.”
Mo Xiuyao smiled in amusement: “Many people would do anything to get into the palace. Ah Li’s thoughts are unique.”
Li Ying gave him a bland look: “Is it so interesting to climb up by stepping on countless corpses, or to be stepped on by others climbing up?”
Mo Xiuyao thought for a moment and smiled: “The process is uninteresting, but most people can’t see that process. They only need to imagine themselves at the top, the thrill of standing above everyone else is enough to make them forget everything else.”
Li Ying raised an eyebrow, staring at him for a good while before asking, “Is that what Xiuyao thinks too?”
Mo Xiuyao froze, looking down at his hand resting on the wheelchair armrest. After a long while, he said in a deep voice: “I just don’t want to become someone others step on to climb up.”
The carriage was silent for a moment before Li Ying’s voice quietly rang out: “I don’t like stepping on anyone, but I also don’t like being stepped on by others.”
“My Lord, we’ve arrived. The Empress requests the presence of the Duchess.” Ajin’s deep voice came from outside as the carriage gradually came to a stop. Li Ying estimated in her mind that their location wasn’t anywhere she had been before. Judging by the position, it should be near the Empress’s Fengde Palace.
Mo Xiuyao turned his head: “I have to go see His Majesty and can’t accompany you inside. Will you be alright on your own?”
Li Ying nodded, preparing to get out of the carriage. Mo Xiuyao held her back and said softly: “Be careful. If anything happens… immediately have Qingluan go find Ajin – he’ll be near Fengde Palace.”
Li Ying frowned: “But you…” Ajin was Mo Xiuyao’s guard and his most trusted person. If Ajin wasn’t by his side…
Mo Xiuyao smiled: “You don’t think Ajin is the only person I can trust, do you? Don’t worry, go on.”
“Alright then, see you later.” Hearing him say this, Li Ying didn’t insist further and rose to exit the carriage. People from Fengde Palace were already waiting outside. Seeing Li Ying descend, they hurried forward: “This servant greets the Duchess of Ding. By command of Her Majesty the Empress, we are here to receive the Duchess.”
Li Ying nodded, “Thank you for your trouble.”
“We wouldn’t dare. Please follow us, Duchess.”
Entering Fengde Palace, there were already many noble ladies seated in the hall. Fengde Palace was decorated with dignity and grandeur yet without excessive luxury, showing a special elegance in its details. Li Ying couldn’t help but feel curious about this Empress who didn’t have a particularly prominent reputation among the common people.
“This subject greets Her Majesty the Empress. May Her Majesty live ten thousand years.” Li Ying entered the great hall and respectfully bowed to the dignified lady on the throne.
“Duchess of Ding, please rise and be seated,” the Empress’s voice was refined and peaceful, without any of the imagined superiority of an empire’s first lady.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Li Ying rose and was led by palace maids to sit in an empty spot at the front. Although Li Ying was among the younger noble ladies present and her rank might not be the highest, in terms of status, the Duke of Ding’s residence was above all other princes, marquises, and dukes in the capital. Naturally, the status of the Duchess of Ding was also above all other noble ladies. Even though Li Ying arrived late, the front position had still been reserved for her.
Li Ying casually glanced around, seeing many familiar faces. The First Lady of the Hua Duke’s mansion was there with Hua Tianxiang, while Princess Shaoyang and Princess Shaoren sat with the long-unseen Princess Qixia and Duchess Ronghua. There was also the beautiful Princess Li, Ye Ying. Those seated in Fengde Palace were all those who either had some relationship with the royal family or held titles. Ordinary titled ladies were not among them.
After sitting down, Li Ying finally looked at the Empress on the phoenix throne. The Empress wore imperial yellow phoenix robes, her dignified bearing displaying her unique position as the empire’s first lady. When Li Ying looked over, she caught the Empress smiling at her, and couldn’t help but be startled. The Empress wasn’t particularly beautiful – also being from the Hua Duke’s mansion, Hua Tianxiang’s beauty surpassed the Empress by a measure. But that peaceful and dignified elegant bearing was something that neither the current Hua Tianxiang nor any of the other noble ladies present possessed.
“Your Majesty, is this the Duchess of Ding?” A clear voice rang out from across the hall, immediately drawing everyone’s attention. Li Ying looked toward the voice and saw a young woman in colorful clothes sitting to Princess Shaoyang’s right, clearly someone of extraordinary status.
The Empress smiled and said, “Yes, this is indeed the Duchess of Ding. Speaking of which, Princess Lingyun from Western Ling has been unwell since arriving in the Chu capital and hasn’t yet met the Duchess of Ding. Duchess, this is Princess Lingyun of Western Ling.”
Li Ying nodded, “Greetings, Princess Lingyun.”
Given Li Ying’s status, even a foreign princess couldn’t treat her carelessly. However, this princess who had been all smiles moments ago seemed not to hear Li Ying’s words, brazenly looking her up and down before saying, “I heard from my royal brother that you pulled out the Lanyun Sword?”
Li Ying nodded slightly, smiling faintly, “I did indeed see the Lanyun Sword.”
Princess Lingyun was unsatisfied with this answer. Standing up with her chin raised, she declared, “This princess doesn’t believe it. This princess wants to have a sword match with you.”
“I don’t know how to use a sword,” Li Ying replied calmly.
“How is that possible? How could you pull out the Lanyun Sword if you don’t know how to use one?” Princess Lingyun stared at her aggressively.
Li Ying raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly, “Princess, pulling out a sword and using one are two different things. Who says someone who can’t use a sword can’t pull one out?” She really couldn’t understand why these princesses and noble ladies always had to force others to compete in this or that without considering whether the other person was even skilled in what they wanted to compete in.
“This princess doesn’t care, this princess wants to compete with you. Unless you dare not accept the challenge?”
Li Ying stood up, “How could I not dare when the Princess asks in front of Her Majesty the Empress and all the ladies of the capital?”
Princess Lingyun said with satisfaction, “In that case, where is your sword?”
“I’ve never touched any sword in my life except for the Lanyun Sword. That day, when the Crown Prince of Zhennan brought the sword, was my first time touching such a weapon. So I don’t have a sword, and I don’t even know how to hold one.”
“Pfft—” Forcing someone who’s never even touched a sword to have a sword match… “Your Majesty, does this mean Tianxiang can challenge the General to an embroidery contest tomorrow and claim to be the best embroiderer in the world?” Hua Tianxiang asked coquettishly, leaning against Lady Hua. Her voice wasn’t loud but carried throughout the entire hall. Many people couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh. The Empress glared at Hua Tianxiang, though with a hint of amusement in her eyes, “You dare bring up your needlework?”
Hua Tianxiang covered her face and laughed, “How can Aunt Empress say such things about me? I just want to make a name for myself. Isn’t the title of ‘best in the world’ impressive?”
Li Ying gave Hua Tianxiang a grateful look. Hua Tianxiang winked at her and leaned against Lady Hua, pretending to be shy behind her hands.
The Empress held back her smile and said to Princess Lingyun, “Princess, the Duchess of Ding is not skilled in swordsmanship, so let’s forgo this match.”
Princess Lingyun’s face had already reddened with anger from Hua Tianxiang’s words. She gritted her teeth and said, “She pulled out the Lanyun Sword, how could she not know swordsmanship? She’s just toying with this princess.”
“The Lanyun Sword belongs to the Duke of Ding’s residence, their Duchess can pull it out however she likes. What does it matter to you whether she knows swordsmanship or not?” Duchess Ronghua glanced sideways at Princess Lingyun and mockingly asked, “Are all foreign princesses this strange? Always forcing others to compete in this and that? Knowing full well someone isn’t skilled but still refusing to let it go. Princess, why not just directly ask the Duchess to admit defeat and acknowledge your superior swordsmanship?”
“You!” With Duchess Ronghua’s words, not only Princess Lingyun but also Princess Qixia looked embarrassed. Many present couldn’t help but recall the incident at the Hundred Flowers Gathering when Princess Qixia had challenged the Duchess to a dance competition. Seeing the situation becoming tense, the Empress quickly intervened, “Enough of this matter. Ronghua, mind your words in front of the two princesses.”
Duchess Ronghua snorted lightly and sat beside Princess Shaoren without saying more. More than Li Ying, she disliked Princess Qixia, who was as forceful as herself and beloved by Princess Shaoyang, and by extension, she now disliked this equally proud Princess Lingyun.
“Noble Consort arrives!”
With this somewhat sharp announcement, Noble Consort Liu entered the hall in goose-yellow palace robes, her expression cold and distant.
“This subject greets the Empress.” Noble Consort Liu was just as cold and proud as during their last meeting, giving only the slightest curtsy to the Empress as her greeting. It seemed that whether it was the Empress Dowager or the Empress, this Noble Consort who had taken the palace by storm had no intention of showing either of them face. The Empress seemed used to Noble Consort Liu’s manner and nodded slightly, “Rise. Why has Noble Consort come to Fengde Palace today?”
Many of the noble ladies present also showed surprised expressions. Noble Consort Liu typically didn’t attend palace banquets, and even though many of them visited the palace almost monthly, they rarely saw Noble Consort Liu in person.
Noble Consort Liu said coldly, “This subject had nothing to do with, and His Majesty mentioned the liveliness at the Empress’s palace, so I came to see. Does the Empress doubt this?”
The Empress’s fine brows furrowed slightly, but she still magnanimously said, “Since you’re in the mood, please be seated.” She waved for palace maids to prepare a seat. However, Noble Consort Liu walked directly to Li Ying and asked, “May I sit here?”
Li Ying smiled faintly, “If Noble Consort doesn’t mind, please do.”
Seeing Noble Consort Liu sit beside Li Ying, the Empress didn’t bother arranging another seat. Regarding this most favored consort of the Emperor, the Empress always maintained a respectful distance. Fortunately, although Noble Consort Liu was exceptionally proud and sometimes quite willful and unreasonable, she still showed some restraint when facing the Empress. Today’s coldness and discourtesy were about the limit. At least compared to the Empress Dowager, the Empress felt a strange sense of balance.
With Noble Consort Liu sitting solemnly beside Li Ying, the other noble ladies who had wanted to speak with the new Duchess of Ding temporarily abandoned their intentions. Though they didn’t know why, Noble Consort Liu was known for never giving face to anyone. If they approached and earned her displeasure, they would only embarrass themselves.
With no one to talk to, Li Ying could only sit and listen to others’ conversations, fortunately, she was someone who could sit quietly.
“I heard about what just happened in the hall.” Originally thinking Noble Consort Liu wouldn’t speak to her, Li Ying was slightly startled to hear the faint voice beside her.
“You’re truly useless! Last time you couldn’t dance against the Nanzhao Princess, this time you can’t fence against the Western Ling Princess! What can you do?” Noble Consort Liu’s voice was full of dissatisfaction and disdain. Fortunately, she kept her voice very low, otherwise rumors of the Duchess of Ding being scolded by Noble Consort Liu at her first palace banquet would have spread throughout the capital.
Hearing Noble Consort Liu’s rebuke, Li Ying didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. If she remembered correctly, Noble Consort Liu had only admired Mo Xiuyao in the past, not his mother, so what was with this disapproving tone? “Noble Consort, I have no interest in dancing, and besides… the Duke of Ding’s residence doesn’t need a duchess known for her dancing skills. As for swordsmanship… that doesn’t seem to be something noble young ladies of the capital are expected to learn.”
Noble Consort Liu snorted lightly and said, “You forgot to mention your mediocre painting skills, and how you even need others to write poems for you. You’d better be careful, if you dare bring shame, I won’t let you off easily.”
“Noble Consort, are you sure you’re not Mo Xiuyao’s mother?”
“What are Noble Consort Liu and the Duchess chatting about? You seem to be enjoying yourselves?” Princess Shaoren suddenly asked from across the hall.
Noble Consort Liu raised her head, staring at her for a moment before saying, “Which eye of Princess Shaoren saw me enjoying myself?” Princess Shaoren was immediately speechless, while Li Ying secretly envied Noble Consort Liu’s straightforward personality. Unfortunately, not everyone had the right to be so direct. If not for the Emperor’s protection and favor, someone with Noble Consort Liu’s personality, regardless of her family background, probably wouldn’t have survived long in the palace.
Seeing Princess Shaoren speechless and her face darkening with anger, Noble Consort Liu seemed quite pleased. She stared proudly at those opposite her and said, “Didn’t the Princess ask what I was discussing with the Duchess? I said since the Duchess isn’t skilled in swordsmanship, why don’t I spar with Princess Lingyun instead?”
“Noble Consort!” The Empress frowned disapprovingly.
Noble Consort Liu paid no attention, just coldly staring at Princess Lingyun, “Princess, what do you think?”
Although Princess Lingyun hadn’t been in the capital long, it didn’t prevent her from knowing that Noble Consort Liu was the Eastern Chu Emperor’s most beloved consort. She would not cross swords with Noble Consort Liu. Putting aside winning or losing, if she accidentally injured Noble Consort Liu, the Eastern Chu Emperor’s investigation would put her at a disadvantage, especially since they were currently on Eastern Chu soil. “Earlier, Lingyun was just joking with the Duchess. Lingyun is young and ignorant, how could I dare cross swords with Noble Consort?”
“Enough, Noble Consort. Princess Lingyun was just being childish, and she didn’t know the Duchess wasn’t skilled in swordsmanship. She wasn’t deliberately insulting our Great Chu.” The Empress said calmly, her expression unusually firm and brooking no defiance. The Noble Consort standing up for the Duchess could be both good and bad. Moreover, Noble Consort Liu’s admiration for the Duke before she entered the palace wasn’t exactly a secret among many of the nobility. What she needed to do was find an appropriate excuse for Noble Consort Liu’s intervention.
After chatting with the Empress for a while, since it was still early for the palace banquet, the Empress invited the noble ladies to enjoy themselves in the Imperial Garden. Everyone thanked her for her grace and bid farewell to the Empress, heading toward the Imperial Garden. As they left, Noble Consort Liu was held back by the Empress. As soon as they left Fengde Palace, Hua Tianxiang immediately came over to Li Ying with a smile, “Greetings to the Duchess of Ding.”
Li Ying glanced at her and said, “Are you too free?”
Hua Tianxiang waved her hand, “How can you say that? According to protocol, I should pay my respects to the Duchess of Ding. So, did Noble Consort Liu give you any trouble just now?”
Li Ying was puzzled, “Why would she give me trouble?”
Hua Tianxiang looked at her silently with a pitying expression, “Ah Li, I told you to go out more often but you wouldn’t listen. You don’t know that Noble Consort Liu…” Realizing it wasn’t appropriate to gossip about a Noble Consort in the palace, Hua Tianxiang leaned close to Li Ying’s ear and whispered, “Before entering the palace, Noble Consort Liu was quite… infatuated with the Duke.”
Li Ying was speechless. If even Hua Tianxiang knew this news, it must have been more than just infatuation. She nodded, “I know. She didn’t give me any trouble.”
Walking beside Li Ying, Hua Tianxiang shrugged and said, “To be honest, I was shocked when she stood up for you. Her expression didn’t seem like she had any ulterior motives either.”
“Is Noble Consort Liu skilled in swordsmanship?” Li Ying decided not to tell Hua Tianxiang about being repeatedly looked down upon by Noble Consort Liu.
Hua Tianxiang sighed with a face full of envy and jealousy, “You know, for all these years in the capital, they’ve been selecting ‘First Beauty’ and ‘First Scholar’ and such, which has become quite commonplace. But Noble Consort Liu… she’s genuinely both beautiful and talented. They say that year’s Hundred Flowers Banquet was the most spectacular since the founding of Great Chu. The competition happened to be between the top two beauties of the capital as depicted by Han Mingyue.”
Li Ying strongly agreed – even without seeing it, she could imagine how fierce that competition must have been. “Did Noble Consort Liu win?”
“No, she lost,” Hua Tianxiang said regretfully. “Noble Consort Liu was only thirteen then, while Su Meidie was already sixteen. Even though Noble Consort Liu is now an incomparably beautiful woman, at thirteen she was just a budding beauty. That’s why Su Meidie became the capital’s First Beauty, and the second portrait of Noble Consort Liu was painted by Han Mingyue when she was fifteen. Of course, speaking purely of looks, I’ve truly never seen any woman surpass Su Meidie. Noble Consort Liu’s defeat was understandable.”
“Hmm. Then what?”
“Then these two faced off. That year’s Hundred Flowers Banquet became just about them. Su Meidie won first place in dance, painting, poetry, and zither, while Noble Consort Liu won first in chess and calligraphy, with them taking second place to each other. After Su Meidie got engaged, she stopped participating in the Hundred Flowers Banquet competitions. But Noble Consort Liu went on to win first place in every single competition – dance, painting, poetry, zither, everything the Hundred Flowers Banquet had to offer – over the next three years.”
Li Ying was genuinely impressed – no wonder Noble Consort Liu could look down her nose at her; she certainly had the credentials. Seeing Li Ying’s unconcerned expression, Hua Tianxiang said irritably, “Can’t you show some spirit? Don’t you have any sense of crisis at all?”
Li Ying sighed, “You’re overthinking it. I’m not even on the same path as talented ladies like Noble Consort Liu. If I had to become that kind of perfect talent who excels at everything, I’d rather go spend a month surviving in the wilderness. I can draw terrain maps and firearm structures just fine, but when it comes to artistic painting, I’m only at the embroidery-pattern level. The Hundred Flowers Banquet was already an exceptional performance for me.”
“Never mind.” Hua Tianxiang waved her hand dismissively, then glanced at Princess Lingyun who was staring at them from not far away, and asked, “How did you end up provoking Princess Lingyun?”
Li Ying said helplessly, “I’m certain this is my first time meeting Princess Lingyun. I’ve only met the Crown Prince of Zhennan from Western Ling before.”
Hua Tianxiang was puzzled, “Then why does she look like she wants to eat you alive?”
“The Lanyun Sword?” That was the only connection she could think of with Princess Lingyun.
“The Lanyun Sword? That belongs to the Duke of Ding’s residence, what does it have to do with Princess Lingyun?”
“Everyone knows it was sent back from Western Ling. Perhaps Princess Lingyun is reluctant to part with it. Let’s go somewhere else.” Li Ying suggested, seeing Princess Lingyun walking toward them.
Hua Tianxiang pursed her lips, “What’s meant to be will be, what’s fated can’t be avoided. Unless you want to try running around the Imperial Garden?”
“Duchess of Ding.” As they spoke, Princess Lingyun had reached them, while noble ladies not too far away pretended to casually glance in their direction.
“Does the Princess have something else to discuss?”
Princess Lingyun said, “This princess wishes to speak with the Duchess privately.”
Li Ying frowned, “I don’t know what there is to discuss with the Princess.”
Princess Lingyun’s pretty face darkened slightly, “This princess has come from thousands of miles away. Is the Duchess unwilling to even accompany this princess for a walk in the Imperial Garden?”
Li Ying nodded helplessly, “If that’s the case, please lead the way, Princess.” Princess Lingyun snorted lightly, holding her head high as she walked ahead. Li Ying gave Hua Tianxiang a reassuring look, sighed softly, and followed. These young people nowadays… they need to be taught a lesson!
Princess Lingyun dismissed her maids, and naturally, Li Ying couldn’t let Qingluan and others follow either. The two walked side by side along the garden path, and Li Ying asked, “What did the Princess want to tell me?”
Princess Lingyun turned her head to look at her and snorted, “You’re not worthy of the Duke.”
Li Ying smiled, “The Princess flatters me. Marrying up is a good thing – doesn’t it just show I’ve found a good family and a good husband?”
Lingyun said disdainfully, “You don’t need to pretend. This princess has already investigated you thoroughly. An obscure daughter of a minister’s family, a woman whose engagement was broken off by Prince Li, who only gained some reputation in the capital because the Emperor arranged her marriage to the Duke. Even if you got some title like ‘Capital’s First Scholar,’ you still aren’t worthy of the Duke.”
“Oh, is that so?” Li Ying’s expression remained unchanged as she asked calmly, “Even if I’m not worthy of the Duke, what does that have to do with you, Princess?”
Princess Lingyun raised her eyebrows with a slightly smug smile, “You’ll soon find out what connection this princess has. The Duke belongs to this princess. Li Ying, if you’re smart, you’ll get out of the way.”
Li Ying frowned, staring seriously at Princess Lingyun for a long while before asking, “Princess, may I ask you something?”
“Speak.”
“Tell me, does Xiuyao even know who you are?” Li Ying asked. “As far as I know, Xiuyao hasn’t left his residence for at least seven years, so even being conservative, if you’ve met, it must have been when you were seven or eight. Tell me… do you think Xiuyao remembers who you are? Or perhaps he never even knew you?”
“So what? I am Western Ling’s most noble princess – am I not better than you?” Princess Lingyun glared at her angrily.
Li Ying looked at her strangely, “If the Princess truly wanted to marry the Duke, shouldn’t you have appeared before our wedding to compete for him? What’s the point of appearing only after we’re married? You should know the Duke’s residence has never had examples of taking two wives simultaneously or divorcing to remarry. Unless… the Princess is willing to be a concubine? If not… even if I died and you successfully married into the Duke’s residence, you would only be a successor wife, having to kowtow and burn incense at my spirit tablet on the first and fifteenth of every month.”
“You… you wish! This princess will become the Duke’s primary wife!” Princess Lingyun said angrily.
“Think what you like.” Li Ying looked at her with pity, “But I think the Crown Prince of Zhennan seems to have different ideas, don’t you think?”
A flash of hatred passed through Princess Lingyun’s eyes – if Lei Tengfeng hadn’t confined her to the embassy as soon as they arrived in the capital, claiming she was ill, and only released her after the Duke’s wedding, how could she have only come to find Li Ying now? Li Ying smiled as she watched Princess Lingyun’s changing expression and continued, “Come to think of it, it’s rare to send a princess in her prime as an envoy to a neighboring country… Usually, it’s for… a marriage alliance. I heard Western Ling suffered from a snow disaster last winter, could it be…” Many things she simply chose not to think about, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t understand them. She wasn’t worried about this Princess Lingyun at all – regardless of her capabilities, the Emperor would never allow Mo Xiuyao to marry a Western Ling princess and create trouble for himself. Not just a Western Ling princess – even princesses from Northern Rong or Southern Zhao had nothing to do with Mo Xiuyao. Only this young princess before her couldn’t see the situation clearly, thinking she could get her way by directly confronting Li Ying and asking her to step aside. She didn’t want to look down on these princesses’ intelligence, but… were there any normal ones among the younger generation of princesses? Or were they just too young?
“What exactly do you see in the Duke?” Looking at the determined Princess Lingyun before her, Li Ying asked curiously.
Princess Lingyun snorted, “What do you know? The Duke is the most outstanding man in the world, the youngest and most formidable general, and also the most talented man in existence. Naturally, this princess wants to marry the most excellent man in the world.”
“He’s not quite as excellent as you say right now,” Li Ying reminded her.
“You’re just… you’re so vulgar it’s unbearable. Every word I speak with you makes this princess feel utterly disgusted. The Duke must have been blind to choose a woman like you. I know it was the Emperor of Eastern Chu who ordered him to marry you. How could someone like you understand how truly excellent he is?”
Looking at the righteously indignant young woman before her, Li Ying wondered if she should feel ashamed. Compared to this princess, Yang Qianru was so normal, and Ye Ying was so lovable.
“I will become the Duchess!” Princess Lingyun stared at her decisively.
“Good luck, may you succeed,” Li Ying said flatly.
“I will become the Duchess!” Princess Lingyun said through gritted teeth, then suddenly jumped into the artificial lake beside the path.
“Ah! Help! The Princess has fallen into the water!” A sharp female cry rang out through the Imperial Garden.
Li Ying cursed under her breath and jumped into the water after her.
“Damn it, there are too many crazy people these days! Mo Xiuyao, you better be prepared for how you want to die!”