Standing before the majestic palace, Ye Li sighed inwardly – this was her third time entering the imperial court. Given her unpleasant experiences from the previous two visits, being summoned by the Emperor this time made her particularly vigilant and cautious. As the Princess Consort of Prince Ding, she was technically a female member of the imperial family. Under normal circumstances, even if the Emperor wished to see her, the summons should have come through the Empress or Imperial Consort Ye.
“Princess Consort Ding, His Majesty awaits inside. Please enter,” the leading eunuch said in a slightly fawning tone. Ye Li glanced at him sideways, vaguely recognizing him as the same eunuch who had delivered the imperial marriage decree to the Ye residence.
Ye Li nodded. Qingluan and Qingyu were left outside, and her guards naturally couldn’t move freely within the imperial palace. Ye Li could only enter alone into the resplendent hall that symbolized power and wealth.
“Princess Consort Ding of the Ding State pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor.” The spacious palace hall felt cold and empty due to the lack of human presence. Mo Jingqi sat high on his throne, looking down at the woman kneeling in the hall. After a long moment, he finally said, “Princess Consort Ding, you may rise.” Ye Li stood, responding, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Mo Jingqi gestured to a chair at the side, indicating Ye Li should sit, and asked with a smile, “Since the start of winter, Prince Ding’s health has been poor. How is he faring now?”
Ye Li lowered her gaze and said softly, “Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Now that the weather is warming, though the Prince’s health remains delicate, it is much better than during the severe winter.” Mo Jingqi’s eyes narrowed as he carefully observed the woman’s demeanor below. She appeared as calm and peaceful as an ordinary young married woman, but such serenity and composure before the sovereign made it somewhat extraordinary. Moreover, according to his intelligence, Prince Ding was quite fond of this Princess Consort. Could someone without any natural talents earn Prince Ding’s regard? It seemed… he had indeed misjudged earlier. Even his arrogant royal brother had suffered several defeats at her hands. Recalling Prince Li’s face turning black as ink whenever Ye Li was mentioned, Mo Jingqi truly began to wonder whether marrying such a woman to Mo Xiuyao was an insult or provided him with an asset. But it didn’t matter… he would soon resolve all these issues.
“Managing the Prince Ding residence while caring for Prince Ding must be quite taxing for the Princess Consort,” Mo Jingqi said with a smile.
“Your Majesty overstates it. These are simply Ye Li’s duties,” Ye Li responded calmly.
The two exchanged pleasantries for a while, and Mo Jingqi grew increasingly frustrated as he observed the composed woman below. It seemed everything had started going wrong after he had arranged this marriage for Prince Ding. Prince Li, who had previously only made small moves in secret, was now taking increasingly bold actions with the Empress Dowager’s support, nearly openly opposing him. Due to the Empress Dowager and Prince Li’s actions, there was a subtle unease among the court officials. His trusted deputy Guan Ting, who had been sent to guard Suixue Pass, mysteriously had his leg broken by a horse, necessitating a change in command at the pass. He had stationed his confidant at Suixue Pass both to guard against Prince Li and to defend against Nanzhao. Although the replacement, Murong Shen, was capable of warfare, he wasn’t as trustworthy as Guan Ting. Having such an important position as Suixue Pass in the hands of someone who wasn’t his trusted subordinate made Mo Jingqi very uneasy. However… after reviewing his options, Mo Jingqi had to admit there weren’t many capable people among his confidants. At least he couldn’t find anyone qualified enough to replace Murong Shen.
Thinking of the recent news that Prince Li dared to secretly collude with the Holy Maiden of the Southern Frontier made Mo Jingqi even more furious. But he could only endure it – Prince Li was his brother, and he had no evidence to prove any connection between Prince Li and the Holy Maiden. Neither the Empress Dowager nor the court officials allied with Prince Li would agree to him taking action against Prince Li. He was the Emperor, but he often found he didn’t have the absolute authority he had once imagined; even simple decisions were frequently constrained by various factions.
“Princess Consort Ding, when I arranged your marriage to Prince Ding, did you harbor any resentment?” After a moment of silence, Mo Jingqi stared at Ye Li and asked somewhat abruptly.
Ye Li was startled, her mind racing to understand Mo Jingqi’s intention, but her expression remained calm as she replied, “Your Majesty’s arranged marriage was a grace bestowed upon Ye Li. How could I harbor any resentment?”
“Oh?” Mo Jingqi looked down at her with interest and smiled, “You were originally betrothed to Prince Li by the late Emperor himself. My royal brother is talented in both civil and military affairs, considered the finest among the capital’s elite young men. Yet because of a single imperial decree, you went from being Prince Li’s betrothed to becoming the pitied Princess Consort Ding. Do you truly harbor no resentment at all?” Ye Li’s eyes flickered slightly as she smiled faintly and said, “Prince Li’s withdrawal from the engagement came first, Your Majesty’s arranged marriage came after. Your Majesty’s decree resolved Ye Li’s awkward situation. How could Ye Li feel any resentment?”
“If not against me… then perhaps you resent Prince Li? Indeed, from what I understand, my royal brother has suffered quite a few setbacks at your hands.”
Ye Li’s heart skipped a beat, but she smiled faintly and said, “Your Majesty jests. How could Ye Li have the ability to cause Prince Li any setbacks? May I ask… why Your Majesty has specially summoned Ye Li today?” If this continued, she probably wouldn’t be able to leave the palace until noon. It wasn’t proper for a noblewoman to spend too much time alone with the Emperor without the company of palace consorts.
Mo Jingqi looked at her with a smile and said, “Very good, I like intelligent people. Since that’s the case, I won’t beat around the bush with the Princess Consort anymore. Princess Consort Ding, does Prince Ding know about Prince Li’s collusion with the Holy Maiden of the Southern Frontier?” Ye Li lowered her gaze and respectfully said, “In response to Your Majesty, Ye Li is ignorant… I don’t understand much about Prince Li’s affairs with any Holy Maiden.”
“Don’t understand?” Mo Jingqi raised an eyebrow, looking at Ye Li with an ambiguous smile, “Prince Ding trusts the Princess Consort tremendously. From what I understand, many affairs of Prince Ding’s residence were personally handled by the Princess Consort during Prince Ding’s serious illness. Now you tell me you don’t know? Princess Consort, do you know… the punishment for deceiving the emperor?” A cold gleam flashed through Ye Li’s half-lowered eyes as she kept her gaze on the ground and said, “Deceiving the emperor is punishable by death. However… if Your Majesty is certain that the Prince Ding residence knows about Prince Li’s affairs, why not directly question the Prince? Ye Li is but a woman, and even though I manage the Prince Ding residence, I would not involve myself in such matters of state.”
“Impertinent!” Mo Jingqi shouted in anger, his eyes flashing with malice and killing intent. An ordinary noblewoman might have been frightened by such a display of murderous aura. But for Ye Li, this level of threat and intimidation was far from enough.
Rising and giving a slight courtesy, Ye Li said, “I have been impertinent. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”
Mo Jingqi snorted softly, staring at Ye Li, and said, “The Prince Ding residence has extensive intelligence networks, I know this better than you do. Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao cannot protect you forever. You may not understand Prince Li’s temperament, but Mo Xiuyao certainly does. You might want to ask him to consider my question.” Ye Li smiled inwardly – was the Emperor threatening her?
“Thank you for Your Majesty’s guidance. Ye Li will consider it carefully,” she replied.
Seeing Ye Li’s continued defiance, the anger in Mo Jingqi’s eyes intensified. But he also knew he couldn’t do anything to the Princess Consort of Ding within the palace. He merely stared at her for a long while before snorting and ordering someone to escort her out.
“Your Majesty.” Watching Ye Li leave, Mo Jingqi’s eyes flickered with inscrutable emotions. A plain-looking young man emerged from the rear hall, respectfully looking at Mo Jingqi. Mo Jingqi calmed his anger somewhat and said to the young man, “It seems that arranging Ye Li’s marriage to Mo Xiuyao was truly a misstep. What was Ye Wenhua thinking? This Ye Li is more troublesome than all four of his daughters combined! With her presence, we can’t be certain the Xu family won’t support Mo Xiuyao.” The young man said softly, “The Xu family hasn’t had much contact with the Prince Ding residence. Moreover, it’s not advisable to anger the Xu family at this time.” The young man sighed inwardly – the Emperor was good in every way except for being too suspicious. While they were secretly contending with Prince Li and the Empress Dowager, it wasn’t wise to make more enemies. If the Emperor’s suspicions pushed the Xu family to Prince Li’s or Prince Ding’s side, that would be truly counterproductive.
Mo Jingqi understood the young man’s advice, but the inability to fully control the situation made him extremely anxious. Waving his hand, Mo Jingqi frowned and asked, “During the morning court, Duke Hua proposed that Da Chu assist the Nanzhao royal family in suppressing their rebellion. What do you think?”
The young man pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “Duke Hua is loyal to the country, and his proposal is indeed beneficial to us without any drawbacks. However, we need not rush to help them quell the rebellion – let the Nanzhao King and the Holy Maiden destroy each other. As long as we provide some assistance when needed, the Nanzhao King will surely remember Your Majesty’s kindness.” Mo Jingqi frowned in thought and said, “You make sense. I want to see what my dear brother intends to do. He wants to help the Holy Maiden, doesn’t he? Well, I’ll specifically support the Nanzhao royal family. I want to see who wins in the end!” The young man frowned, looking at Mo Jingqi’s cold smile, but ultimately suppressed his concerns. He hoped the Emperor wouldn’t invest too much energy in the Southern Frontier.
“Greetings, Princess Consort Ding. Imperial Consort Ye requests your presence.”
Just after leaving the hall, she encountered the head eunuch from Ye Yue’s palace who had been waiting at the side. Ye Li frowned slightly. In October, Ye Yue had safely given birth to a prince, the Emperor’s sixth son. However, Ye Yue’s position in the palace hadn’t risen as expected – she remained an Imperial Consort. She had become the only mother of a prince who wasn’t elevated to the rank of Imperial Noble Consort. This made Ye Yue’s position, which had been quite prominent in the first half of the year, suddenly awkward. Even with two sisters who were legitimate wives of princes, the lack of sufficient status in the palace made Ye Yue’s life somewhat difficult. Ye Li understood that this was likely Mo Jingqi’s warning to the Ye family.
After some thought, Ye Li said, “I am feeling unwell and wish to return to the residence to rest. Please convey my apologies to Imperial Consort Ye.”
“Princess Consort…” The head eunuch hadn’t expected Ye Li to refuse so directly, and said anxiously, “Princess Consort, Imperial Consort Ye requests that you see her once, for the sake of sisterly affection.” Ye Li frowned. Since Mo Jingqi had already targeted her, the Empress Dowager’s side wouldn’t be far behind. Meeting Ye Yue now would do neither of them any good. Last year, she had told Ye Yue that if she wanted to survive peacefully in the deep palace, she should avoid getting involved in these matters. Now it seemed Ye Yue had gotten involved anyway. Indeed, since the Ye family had already waded into these troubled waters, even Ye Yue in the depths of the palace probably couldn’t avoid it. “Very well, lead the way.”
“Thank you, Princess Consort.” Hearing her agreement, the head eunuch gratefully thanked her and hurriedly led the way to Ye Yue’s Yaohua Palace.
Compared to when Ye Li first visited Yaohua Palace and saw Ye Yue radiant despite her pregnancy, the current Ye Yue had lost much of her luster. Holding the infant prince still in swaddling clothes while sitting on a soft couch, her beautiful face was filled with worry and gloom. Seeing Ye Li enter, she hurriedly tried to rise, but Ye Li shook her head and said, “Second Sister need not stand on ceremony.”
Ye Yue dismissed the attendants around her, and looking at Ye Li’s composed yet more elegant and dignified appearance compared to a few months ago, she smiled bitterly and said, “I thought Third Sister wouldn’t come to see me.” Ye Li lowered her gaze and said softly, “Second Sister should know that meeting now does neither you nor the little prince any good.” Ye Yue started, looked down at the unknowing child in her arms, and smiled bitterly, “How could I not know? But… you see my current situation, Third Sister. What else can I do?” Ye Li frowned and said, “Now that Second Sister has the little prince, you should focus on caring for the child. No matter how heartless the Emperor is, he won’t harm his flesh and blood. As for Father’s matters… Second Sister should stop getting involved.” Even if Ye Yue wanted to, she lacked the ability. She couldn’t help in the power struggle between the Emperor and Prince Li and the Empress Dowager. Instead, she would be implicated by Minister Ye’s attempts to play both sides. If Mo Jingqi won in the end, having a prince would protect her from death. If Mo Jingqi lost, she as a mere woman couldn’t change heaven’s will.
Ye Yue held her child, staring blankly at Ye Li for a long while before saying softly, “Grandmother was wrong, and Father was wrong too. I know Ying’er’s temperament – she’s more liable to ruin things than accomplish them. Whether Prince Li wins or loses, Fourth Sister won’t bring any glory to the Ye family. And the Emperor… when the Emperor can rule absolutely, Father’s actions today will likely bring disaster upon the Ye family.”
“So the Emperor truly hasn’t elevated Second Sister’s rank because of Father’s actions?” Ye Li asked.
“What else could it be?” Ye Yue smiled, her smile tinged with sadness. When she first entered the palace, she had been ambitious and aspiring. But gradually she discovered the palace was never as wonderful as she had imagined. The Emperor’s greatest favorite was the peerlessly beautiful and talented Noble Consort Liu, and the one he respected most was the dignified Empress from a noble family. Though she had considered herself talented and beautiful, in this palace full of beauties she was nothing. Even the initial favor she received was only due to her father’s loyalty. Once it was discovered that her father wasn’t as loyal as imagined, the ruthless Emperor didn’t even bother to save her face anymore.
The Emperor was without sentiment. Whether Ye Yue chose this path willingly or was forced onto it, Ye Li couldn’t offer her much sympathy. “Second Sister had people find me – is there something you needed to say?”
Ye Yue looked at her cold and calm expression, but ultimately shook her head and said, “I was being foolish. Even if I begged Third Sister to help us mother and child now, you wouldn’t agree, would you?” Ye Li said, “I can’t help Second Sister. Now… perhaps no one can help anyone. Since the Second Sister knows about the situation between the Emperor and Prince Li, you should also know the Prince Ding residence’s position. Isn’t it no better than Second Sister’s current situation?”
Ye Yue sighed and said, “I used to think myself clever, but now I know Third Sister was truly the smart one among us sisters.”
Ye Li frowned slightly and said, “Since Second Sister has nothing else, I’ll take my leave now.”
Ye Yue sat quietly holding her child on the soft couch, watching Ye Li with eyes containing faint guilt. Ye Li suddenly felt alarmed and rose sharply, but only felt a wave of dizziness as her vision went black and she collapsed to the ground with a thud. Ye Yue silently watched Ye Li fall to the ground and said softly, “I’m sorry, Third Sister, but I am a mother. I must plan for my son’s future.”
In the spring of the twelfth year of Emperor Ping of Da Chu’s reign, a fire broke out in Yaohua Palace. Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince perished in the sea of flames. Princess Consort Ye Li of Prince Ding’s household, who had been visiting Imperial Consort Ye at the time, went missing.
“My Lord… My Lord! Terrible news…” At the Prince Ding residence, Steward Mo, known for his composure and steadiness, ran with unsteady steps toward the study located in the side hall of the main courtyard.
Feng Zhiyao lounged lazily in a chair in the corner of the study, smiling carelessly as he said, “Ah Yao, for Steward Mo to be this frightened, it must be truly bad…” Before he could finish speaking, Steward Mo had already reached the study door and said to Mo Xiuyao with a deathly pale face, “My Lord, the Princess Consort… the Princess Consort has gone missing in the palace!” Feng Zhiyao started, immediately jumping up and exclaiming, “How is this possible? How could she just go missing in the palace?” They both turned to look at Mo Xiuyao sitting to the side. Mo Xiuyao seemed to be in a daze, and only when they looked over did he slowly put down the book in his hands. He asked in a deep voice, “What happened?” Steward Mo said tremulously, “After the Princess Consort’s audience with the Emperor, Imperial Consort Ye of Yaohua Palace sent someone to invite her over, saying she had something to ask. By the time the hidden guards in the palace arrived, all of Yaohua Palace was ablaze. Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince perished in the flames, and the Princess Consort… the Princess Consort is missing.”
Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his wheelchair, closed his eyes briefly, and asked in a deep voice, “Where are Qingluan and Qingyu?”
“Qingluan and Qingyu are also missing.” Steward Mo said gravely, “They didn’t accompany the Princess Consort into Yaohua Palace, but… the hidden guards in the palace couldn’t find them.”
“Very good.” Mo Xiuyao’s voice was low and seemingly without anger, yet it made people feel as cold as ice. The entire study seemed to be instantly covered in a layer of frost, bone-chillingly cold. “The Princess Consort is missing, the two maids have vanished without a trace, and the hidden guards in the palace know nothing. How very good… Should I praise the hidden guards for their years of loyal service?”
“Please calm your anger, My Lord.” Feng Zhiyao and Steward Mo’s expressions changed, and they both knelt to beg forgiveness.
Mo Xiuyao didn’t look at either of them, waving his hand dismissively, “Go make preparations, I will enter the palace immediately. Feng Zhiyao secretly blocked all routes leaving the capital. I don’t want to see any suspicious person leave the city.” Feng Zhiyao rose and said, “This servant obeys.” Steward Mo hesitated, then said, “My Lord, your health currently may not be suitable…” Before he could finish, Mo Xiuyao cast a cold glance at him, that gaze sharp as a knife’s edge making Steward Mo’s heart tremble, the remaining words stuck in his throat. Feng Zhiyao quickly pulled Steward Mo away, and Steward Mo worriedly furrowed his brow, saying, “My Lord’s health really can’t handle this strain… I know he’s worried about the Princess Consort’s disappearance, but if My Lord collapses too, then Prince Ding’s household won’t need others to scheme against it – it will fall immediately.” Feng Zhiyao shook his head and said, “You know My Lord’s temperament – nothing we say now will help. Quickly go invite Physician Shen over, it would be best if he accompanies us into the palace.”
Steward Mo had to agree that Feng Zhiyao was right, and could only sigh deeply as he hurried toward the guest quarters where Shen Yang was staying. Feng Zhiyao looked back worriedly at the silent study, and could only sigh in his heart, hoping Ye Li was safe and sound.
In the study, Mo Xiuyao silently lowered his head to stare at his hands resting on the armrests. A thin layer of frost had formed at some point on the backs of his hands, which appeared excessively pale from prolonged illness. Mo Xiuyao looked at them expressionlessly, as if completely unaware of the abnormality in his hands. Gradually, the frost began to melt into tiny droplets of water, finally transforming into faint warm vapor that dissipated into the study without a trace. A streak of dark red blood slowly slid from the corner of Mo Xiuyao’s lips. Mo Xiuyao looked down at the bloodstain that had dripped onto his pale cyan robes, methodically took out a snow-white handkerchief from his sleeve, and slowly wiped away the blood from his lips. “Mo Jingqi… you… seek… death!”
By now the palace was in complete chaos. Mo Jingqi’s face was dark as he stared at everyone present, his eyes frantically flickering with suspicion and ferocity. He could disregard Ye Yue and the newborn Sixth Prince being burned to death, but he couldn’t ignore the involvement of the Princess Consort of Prince Ding. Mo Jingqi never imagined that someone could exploit a weakness within his palace. Indeed, the moment it happened, Mo Jingqi was alert that this was no ordinary accidental fire – this was a plot against him. The Princess Consort of Prince Ding had died in the palace after being summoned by him… Mo Jingqi could hardly imagine the waves that would be stirred if the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Riders were to raise an uproar over this incident. Although he had immediately dispatched his trusted men to guard the capital, his heart remained unsettled.
His gaze fell on the Empress Dowager sitting to the side, becoming even more complex and indecipherable. If Mo Jingqi had to suspect someone, the first would be his mother. Having grown up by the Empress Dowager’s side, he naturally understood her unscrupulous nature in pursuing her goals. From childhood worship and admiration to current intolerance, Mo Jingqi didn’t want to admit that he still somewhat feared the Empress Dowager.
Looking again at Mo Jingli sitting indifferently to the side, the anger in Mo Jingqi’s eyes gradually receded. He couldn’t lose his composure now – there were more difficult people to deal with ahead. And he… was the Emperor. He couldn’t retreat.
“Prince Ding has arrived!”
Among those present, the last time they had seen Mo Xiuyao was in June of the previous year. At that time, aside from his inability to walk, Mo Xiuyao appeared no different from a normal person, causing many to feel somewhat worried. But after just a few months came news of Prince Ding’s serious illness, and the Prince Ding residence, as in previous years, closed its doors to visitors. This allowed many people to gradually set aside their concerns. Now in early spring, the climate in the Chu capital still carried some biting cold. Mo Xiuyao sat in his wheelchair, pushed by Ajin, wearing a light cyan silver-threaded cloud-patterned cloak, with the white silver-embroidered dragon prince’s court robes visible at the collar. Even with half his face concealed by a mask, one could still see that Mo Xiuyao’s complexion was poor. His unusually pale skin showed he was indeed still ill.
“This subject, Prince Ding Mo Xiuyao, pays respects to Your Majesty, the Empress. Greetings to the Empress Dowager,” Mo Xiuyao said calmly from his wheelchair.
The great hall fell silent. Mo Jingqi collected himself and said clearly, “Prince Ding may dispense with ceremony.”
Mo Xiuyao said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. Forgive my rudeness, but may I ask Your Majesty where my wife is?”
The crowd in the great hall exchanged glances. Mo Jingqi swept his gaze over the completely unmoved Empress Dowager and Mo Jingli, his eyes darkening as he turned to look at the Empress. The Empress gave Mo Jingqi a faint look, inwardly sighing before speaking: “Prince Ding, the Princess Consort was also in Yaohua Palace at the time. I’m afraid she has already… please accept our condolences.”
“Condolences?” Mo Xiuyao calmly surveyed the crowd in the hall and asked in a deep voice, “My Princess Consort entered the palace by imperial summons for an audience, and now she’s missing, and you tell me to accept condolences?”
“The fire at Yaohua Palace… Imperial Consort Ye, the Sixth Prince, and the palace servants have all been found. Only the Princess Consort of Prince Ding is missing. Prince Ding speaks truly – perhaps the Princess Consort escaped harm,” the Empress Dowager sat up and said seriously. “However, now… the Princess Consort is neither seen alive nor found dead. This fire at Yaohua Palace… is indeed very strange.”
Ye Ying sat beside Mo Jingli, her eyes red from crying. She had indeed been jealous of Ye Yue and disliked Ye Li, but she never expected both sisters to suddenly be gone like this. Moreover, Ye Yue had been very good to her when they were at home, and her relationship with Ye Li had improved considerably over the past half year. Life as Princess Li’s consort had taught her many things that Madam Wang had never taught her. So she knew clearly that the deaths of Ye Yue and Ye Li would not benefit her. “Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, how could Second Sister’s Yaohua Palace suddenly catch fire, and how could Third Sister happen to be inside? I beg the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty to seek justice for my sisters!”
Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Ying and snorted softly, “Blame Ye Li’s bad luck – instead of staying properly in her residence, she went running around, and just happened to accompany Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince in death, didn’t she?”
Noble Consort Liu, sitting beside Mo Jingqi, raised her head at Mo Jingli’s words and asked coldly, “Is Prince Li suggesting that someone meant to harm Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince, and Princess Consort Ding was just accidentally caught up in it?” Mo Jingli laughed coldly, “Isn’t that natural? Who would have such audacity and ability to set fires and kill people in the imperial palace? And just happen to burn Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince to death? Who knows if Ye Li saw something and was silenced? Even if she wasn’t burned to death, shouldn’t she still be somewhere in the palace?”
Mo Jingqi narrowed his eyes, staring at Mo Jingli, “Does Prince Li have any suggestions?”
Mo Jingli smiled, “Your subject brother has no suggestions, only that since the Princess Consort is neither found alive nor dead, we must give the court officials and common people an explanation. We can’t simply say the Princess Consort disappeared in the palace, can we? If so, which noble lady would dare enter the palace in the future?” The Empress frowned and asked, “Then what does Prince Li suggest?”
“In response to Imperial Sister-in-law, your subject brother suggests we should search the palace thoroughly. If Princess Consort Ding is truly alive, she must still be in the palace, and perhaps we might even find the arsonist. With all of us just sitting here, the culprit won’t simply appear before us, will they? I’m sure Prince Ding shares my opinion. Isn’t that right, Mo Xiuyao?”
Mo Jingqi certainly didn’t want his inner palace searched, but faced with Prince Li’s righteous proposal and Prince Ding’s detached agreement, he couldn’t refuse. One could almost imagine that before tomorrow, this incident would become a joke spreading to every corner of Da Chu. Mo Jingqi secretly cursed – this royal brother he had doted on since childhood now never missed an opportunity to smear his face.
Mo Xiuyao didn’t participate in the grand search, instead staying in a side hall to rest, citing poor health. He knew in his heart that Mo Jingli’s so-called search couldn’t possibly turn up any useful clues. Rather, it was quite likely to uncover various messy affairs in Mo Jingqi’s inner palace. Normally he wouldn’t mind going along to watch, but right now his mood was very poor – maintaining a calm demeanor to exchange a few words with those people in the great hall had already pushed him to his limit.
“My Lord, your health…” Shen Yang and Steward Mo stood behind Mo Xiuyao, one on each side, asking with concern.
Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to stop them, shaking his head, “I’m fine. Tell Feng Zhiyao to give up on the palace – Ali isn’t here.”
Shen Yang raised an eyebrow and asked, “My Lord is so certain the Princess Consort is still alive?”
“Since Ali went to visit Imperial Consort Ye, she should have been with her at the time. Even the Sixth Prince’s remains were found, yet Ali is missing… Given Ali’s abilities, she certainly could have escaped Yaohua Palace, so…” Mo Xiuyao frowned in thought. Yaohua Palace had burned completely clean – it was impossible to find any clues now. The hidden guards had arrived outside Yaohua Palace the moment the fire started but hadn’t seen Ali come out. Moreover, the fire at Yaohua Palace had spread too quickly…
“Come.”
“My Lord.” An unremarkable-looking old eunuch appeared at an inconspicuous side door of the side hall, respectfully awaiting Mo Xiuyao’s orders.
Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “Go see if there are any secret passages or hidden chambers in Yaohua Palace. Also, find out who Imperial Consort Ye is frequently associated with. Lastly… send someone with medical knowledge to examine the bodies of Imperial Consort Ye and the Sixth Prince.”
The old eunuch showed no surprise at Mo Xiuyao’s instructions, his wrinkled old face remaining perfectly calm as he respectfully said, “This servant obeys and will not fail My Lord’s commands.”
Mo Xiuyao snorted softly and said quietly, “I won’t pursue the matter of this time’s failure, but if the remaining tasks are still not handled well, none of you need come to see me again.”
“Thank you, My Lord. This servant takes his leave.”
“Ali, I know you’ll be alright… you must be!”