336. Mo Jingli Is Bled Dry
In the Ye Mansion’s main hall, Mo Jingli sat drinking tea with a gloomy face. Only his tightly clenched fists revealed the anxiety and anger in his heart. He had pondered over it throughout the night, unable to rest due to his concern. His plan was to co to the Ye Mansion to try and get the most critical thing from Ye Yue before helping her escape the city. Yet, he had arrived a step too late; Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had beaten him to it. No matter how dominant Mo Jingli was in Jiangnan, here in Licheng, he was largely powerless against Mo Xiuyao. It was just as the old saying went: a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. Here, in this Northwest territory, regardless of his strength, he was rely a tiger forced to lie low, a dragon compelled to coil up.
He glanced at the black-clad guards standing respectfully at the entrance. Mo Jingli’s expression darkened, but he managed to suppress his rising anxiety.
"So early in the morning, why is Prince Li visiting Ye Mansion?" Mo Xiuyao’s lazy voice, laced with humor, echoed from the entrance. Mo Jingli’s eyes twitched as he looked up to see a pair entering hand-in-hand. The sight of their entwined hands turned his complexion even grimr. Looking at Mo Xiuyao, who was smiling yet not smiling, he said, "Aren’t Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding even earlier than this Prince?"
Mo Xiuyao led Ye Li to the main seat and sat down, laughing. "Ah... last night, soone reported that Ye Mansion had discovered an escaped criminal who Prince Ding’s Mansion has been pursuing for many years. So, Ah-Li and I, concerned for the safety of the Ye Family, ca over early to check. Could it be that Prince Li has also received this news?"
Mo Jingli retorted indifferently, "Prince Ding jests; this Prince has heard nothing of the sort." He scoffed silently to himself. Does he think I don’t understand Mo Xiuyao? He probably wouldn’t even blink if every mber of the Ye Family died in front of him. Spouting such lies is clearly just to brush off.
"Prince Li still hasn’t told this prince what brings him here so early?" Mo Xiuyao asked in good humor.
Mo Jingli replied coldly, "Is it inappropriate for this Prince to visit Ye Mansion?"
Mo Xiuyao shrugged. "Prince Li is also a son-in-law of the Ye Family, so of course, he can visit. Ah well, Prince Li, as a guest, it would be rude of this prince to press further, lest outsiders think Prince Ding’s Mansion lacks hospitality. So, Prince Li, please make yourself comfortable. This prince just acquired an interesting item in the mansion and was planning to go back and study it."
A strange glint flashed in Mo Jingli’s eyes. He hadn’t expected Ye Yue to hold out against Mo Xiuyao without confessing. But hearing Mo Xiuyao’s words, he couldn’t help feeling resentful. If I had known this earlier, I would have risked Mo Xiuyao discovering yesterday and dragged that woman Ye Yue back to the posthouse. The won of the Ye Family, aside from Ye Li, are truly more trouble than they’re worth!
Having said all this, Mo Xiuyao wasn’t in a hurry. He played with Ye Li’s hair while relaxing on his seat, leisurely awaiting Mo Jingli’s reaction. Anyway, the bargaining chip was in his hands; he had the final say on the price. It seems Ye Yue has indeed delivered a great gift to him.
After a long pause, Mo Jingli stared at Mo Xiuyao and said gravely, "What do you want?"
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows in confusion, seemingly not understanding Mo Jingli’s aning. "What does Prince Li an? This prince doesn’t quite understand."
Anger flared in Mo Jingli’s eyes as he glared fiercely at Mo Xiuyao. "The thing you took from Ye Yue—what will it take for you to give it to !" Yesterday, he had only obtained a very small portion from Ye Yue. After the physician’s examination, it was confird to be the true and only antidote for the drug Mo Jingqi had used on him. But such a tiny amount was almost negligible.
"This..." Mo Xiuyao watched Mo Jingli’s anxious and furious deanor, like a cat on hot bricks, and his mood instantly brightened. He playfully rubbed against Ye Li’s hair, his mood excellent, and asked softly, "Ah-Li, if there’s anything you want, quickly ask Prince Li for it. Prince Li holds sway over Jiangnan, which is hardly as barren as our Northwest. It’s rare for Prince Li to be so generous."
Ye Li watched Mo Jingli being enraged by Mo Xiuyao with amusent. It wasn’t surprising that Mo Jingli was furious; any man whose weakness was grasped like this would fly into a rage. Of course, Ye Li didn’t know that a significant part of Mo Jingli’s anger was because Ye Li herself was sitting right there, listening to their conversation. Although he had been drugged by Mo Jingqi, for a man to have such issues was always embarrassing and made him feel unable to hold his head high, especially in front of a woman he had always desired.
Mo Jingli sat on his chair, gasping for breath, his eyes reddened as he stared fiercely at Mo Xiuyao. Ye Li believed that if their martial arts skills hadn’t differed so much, Mo Jingli would definitely have lunged at Mo Xiuyao without hesitation.
After thinking seriously for a mont, Ye Li shook her head slightly. "I don’t seem to want anything." Indeed, at that mont, Ye Li couldn’t think of anything valuable that she needed from Mo Jingli and that he would be willing to give.
Mo Xiuyao gently smiled and said, "Since Ah-Li can’t think of anything, then let this prince do the thinking."
Ye Li looked at him noncommittally. Wasn’t it his intention to extort Mo Jingli from the beginning?
Mo Xiuyao stroked his chin, pondered seriously for a mont, and said, "Since Prince Li is so generous, this prince won’t be polite. The Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe, the White Jade Phoenix Harp, the Nine Dragons National Seal, and Emperor Tai’s Annihilation Sword. Also, your two nephews and nieces just passed their full moon celebration not long ago, and Prince Li hasn’t had a chance to send gifts. This prince rembers a small shop called Chenxiang Workshop that sells nice things for children; that should be acceptable, right? And also..."
"Mo... Xiu... Yao!" Mo Jingli’s eyes were almost bloodshot; the look he gave Mo Xiuyao could no longer be described rely as hatred. It wasn’t that Mo Jingli was too stingy to part with them, but Mo Xiuyao was truly asking for an exorbitant price. Not to ntion that the so-called ’small’ Chenxiang Workshop was the most profitable enterprise among all of Mo Jingli’s private assets. As for the four items he demanded, they were described as rely four pieces, but their value was such that even selling the entire treasury of the Great Chu imperial palace might not cover it.
The Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe was made from the silk of snow silkworms, unique to the peak of the Snow Domain. It was said that snow silkworms were extrely rare, and each one produced very little silk in a year. Just collecting enough silk to weave one robe would take hundreds of years. The Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe was warm in winter and cool in sumr, impervious to water and fire, and impenetrable by knives and spears. It could be called the world’s foremost defensive treasure. Most importantly, the technique for weaving snow silkworm silk had long been lost to the world. The one in the Great Chu imperial family’s collection was the only Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe in existence. If it weren’t kept in the Great Chu imperial palace, it would likely have caused a bloodbath in the world. The value of the other three items was no less than that of the Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe. Among them, the Annihilation Sword was said to be the personal sword of Emperor Tai, the first monarch recorded in writing. Never mind how the sword remained sharp after thousands of years; the sword itself represented the legitimacy of the imperial family.
Mo Xiuyao demanding these four items at once was tantamount to digging out more than half of the Great Chu imperial family’s treasury. This didn’t just pain Mo Jingli; his heart was about to break. What’s more, he actually dared to say ’And also’!
Seeing Mo Jingli’s towering rage, Mo Xiuyao seed even more pleased. He calmly continued, "Also, those things Prince Li left behind in the north, especially in the Capital of Great Chu, which he dared not keep. Does Prince Li intend to take them back himself, or will he give them to this prince?"
Mo Jingli’s pupils contracted. Of course, he knew what Mo Xiuyao was referring to. Despite the fact that the Great Chu court had moved south, Mo Jingli had still planted many spies in both the Capital of Great Chu and the Northwest. Was Mo Xiuyao suggesting that he withdraw all these people?!
"Don’t even think about it," Mo Jingli gritted his teeth.
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Prince Li need not be so angry. When it cos to giving gifts, it’s all about mutual willingness. If Prince Li is reluctant, this prince naturally won’t force him. Although it’s sowhat regrettable, as long as the items are still around, sooner or later, one will get to see them, right?" Mo Xiuyao unreservedly conveyed his aning to Mo Jingli: Even if you, Mo Jingli, don’t offer them, does that an I can’t obtain them anyway?
Mo Jingli was so angry his face turned deathly pale. Helplessly, this confrontation was dood from the start to have him on the losing side.
Mo Xiuyao wasn’t anxious. He smiled and said, "Prince Li can go back and consider it before giving this prince an answer. Ah, by the way, if Prince Li is interested in that Second Miss Ye, he can take her back. Consider it a return gift from this prince?"
Mo Jingli, his face grim, glared fiercely at Mo Xiuyao, then turned and stord out. Compared to his losses, even a hundred Ye Yues wouldn’t make up for it. What would he want Ye Yue for? If he saw Ye Yue now, he would only want to strangle that woman.
Watching Mo Jingli depart, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li didn’t linger either and soon left Ye Mansion as well. Seeing Mo Xiuyao smiling rarely all the way, Qin Feng and the others following behind couldn’t help but put a considerable distance between themselves and him.
Ye Li asked sowhat helplessly, "Are you really that happy scheming against Mo Jingli?"
Mo Xiuyao curled his lip disdainfully. "Who’s happy about that? With Mo Jingli’s brains, isn’t it a piece of cake for this prince to sche against him?"
"Is it for the treasures?" Seeing Mo Jingli’s expression, Ye Li also understood that the objects Mo Xiuyao wanted must be extraordinary.
Mo Xiuyao nodded delightedly. "This prince has been searching for the whereabouts of the Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe for several years. Unfortunately, Mo Jingqi hid it too well. Even the secret guards of Prince Ding’s Mansion couldn’t find the entrance to the imperial palace’s treasury. And the Phoenix Harp, hehe... with it, we can at least make Young Master Qingchen slave away for Prince Ding’s Mansion for another twenty years, right?" Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li’s hand as they walked, very happily discussing with her the uses of the treasures once they were obtained. The Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe, impenetrable by blades and spears, would naturally be for Ye Li. The Phoenix Harp would be used to sche against Young Master Qingchen to continue slaving away for Prince Ding’s Mansion. The Nation-treasured Seal didn’t have much practical use, but it was said to hide a rare, handed-down book. It could be given to Mr. Qingyun to research. And the Annihilation Sword... Although Prince Ding’s Mansion had a collection of many fine swords, including the Lanyun Sword personally forged by the founding Prince Ding, Mo Lanyun—which, though not considered a world-renowned ancient sword due to its recent creation, was still a rare divine weapon—all of these clearly paled in comparison to the legendary ’Number One Sword Under Heaven’.
Qin Feng and the others following behind them had dark lines on their faces. Your Highness, Prince Li hasn’t agreed to give you those things yet!
Mo Xiuyao, in an extrely good mood, didn’t care whether these things were his or not. If he fancied them, even if they weren’t his, they would beco his sooner or later. Looking at the elegant woman beside him, a satisfied smile spread across Mo Xiuyao’s lips. When he gets the Thousand Silk Snow Thread Robe, he will have one less thing to worry about when it cos to Ah Li’s safety. "Ah-Li, let’s go shopping."
"Shopping?" Ye Li looked up, sowhat puzzled. Other things aside, they had indeed rarely gone shopping these past few years. Even when they had free ti, they would go for a walk outside the city. The most important reason, of course, was Mo Xiuyao’s white hair, which was too conspicuous. Even people in Licheng who hadn’t seen them before would naturally recall their identities upon seeing a young man with white hair. Being the object of everyone’s attention wherever they went was less relaxing than going to less crowded places outside the city.
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Licheng is more lively these days than usual. Ah-Li and I have worked so hard to govern Licheng; shouldn’t we go and celebrate with the common people? Let’s go." Without waiting for Ye Li’s agreent, he took her hand and headed towards the most crowded part of the street. The guards trailing behind watched as the Prince and Princess Consort lted into the crowd like the wind. They exchanged confused glances. "Commander Qin, what should we do?"
Qin Feng stroked his chin and said, "A few of you follow from a distance. The rest, disperse and return to the mansion. Don’t get too close, lest the Prince and Princess Consort discover you." The Prince clearly wanted to spend so quality ti alone with the Princess Consort. If they disturbed the Prince’s mood, they would be the ones to suffer. The guards behind him grimaced. Following the Prince and Princess Consort without being discovered was a formidable task.
Walking hand-in-hand through the crowd, they naturally attracted countless turning heads. Not to ntion Mo Xiuyao’s white hair that announced his identity, just their outstanding looks and aura were enough to capture most people’s attention. Although they were being watched, the citizens of Licheng were very polite and wouldn’t approach to bother them. But while the people of Licheng, Great Chu, and perhaps even visitors from Xiling and Nanzhao were aware, there were ultimately still a few who were not, or who didn’t know their identities. So, when the two were standing in a newly opened shop specializing in goods from the Western Region, and the tall shopkeeper from the Western Region—who looked completely different from Central Plains people—was fawning over Ye Li in broken Central Plains speech, Mo Xiuyao’s face instantly turned green.
The shop specialized in selling all sorts of delicate ornants from the Western Region. Although Central Plains craftsmanship in porcelain, gold, and silver items could be called the pinnacle of perfection, the craftsmanship of the various Western Region countries in gold, stone, and especially gemstones, was also ingenious and possessed a unique charm. And this young rchant from the Western Region, who had traveled thousands of miles to Licheng to open a shop, clearly possessed the genes of so romantic nation. Upon Ye Li’s entry, he imdiately overlooked Mo Xiuyao, who stood beside her with an equally strong presence, and took out the most exquisite jewelry in his shop to present to Ye Li. He even said that if Ye Li liked them, he could give them to her for free, and of course, it would be even more perfect if the beautiful Eastern lady would do him the honor of having afternoon tea together.
This was the first ti in this life she had been hit on like this. Of course, this was also because people in this world who were so passionate and unrestrained were a rarity; even if there were one or two, they were usually classified as scoundrels. Sowhat torn between laughter and tears, Ye Li looked at the tall, handso, yet utterly clueless Western Region man before her, shook her head, and quickly pulled the about-to-explode Mo Xiuyao out of the shop.
The Western Region rchant behind them held his most exquisite jewelry, crestfallen. Why did the beautiful Eastern lady pull that white-haired man away without even looking back? Could white hair really be more beautiful or attractive than his golden hair?
A local Licheng shop assistant, who had been silently watching his boss’s death-courting behavior from the side, thought it over and decided to say sothing to his boss. After all, although this newly arrived boss from the Western Region was a bit eccentric, he was quite good to people. It would be really tragic if he died in a foreign land due to offending the wrong people. He told the boss about Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li’s identities, emphasizing the deep affection between the Prince and Princess Consort.
The blond young man imdiately exclaid after listening, "Are you saying... the beautiful lady is a Princess Consort?"
The assistant nodded, and the blond young man instantly beca frantic. "But that lady looks like she’s only fifteen or sixteen. I heard the renowned Princess Consort is already the mother of three kids."
The assistant silently rolled his eyes. You don’t look like you’re barely twenty either. People from the Western Region just look older... "Anyway, Boss, the Princess Consort is older than you. There are many other beautiful young ladies in Licheng, so you should just..." ...stop pursuing the Princess Consort! You’ll get killed! Even if the Prince doesn’t kill you, the citizens of Licheng will beat you to death!
A beautiful love that had just begun to sprout was thus cruelly nipped in the bud by an unknown shop assistant. True to the nature of a naturally passionate and unrestrained people, the blond young man was dejected for a mont but then perked up again. "My dear Li, I just t the supre ruler here! Heavens, I didn’t even greet him; that was so rude! Quickly, prepare a gift. I want to pay him a personal visit... I hear your Prince is a very wise man. Although I didn’t notice him just now, a man who can match such a beautiful Princess Consort must be a fine ruler. He definitely won’t mind doing business with ."
He was the second son of a wealthy rchant from a certain country in the Western Region. According to family rules, the eldest son could inherit almost all the property, while other sons would only receive an amount that wasn’t particularly large but enough for a lifeti of comfort or to start a business. The still-young second son took this money and traveled thousands of miles to the East, which was said to be paved with gold. Although it wasn’t actually paved with gold, he felt he could make a lot of money here, perhaps even establish an enterprise that didn’t belong to his family. Thinking of this, the blond young man couldn’t help but dance with joy. "It’s so wonderful. Although the beautiful Princess Consort is already married, she might have unmarried sisters. Li, you’re right, this city is filled with beauties. Yesterday, I saw a beautiful girl. Maybe she is unmarried and willing to accept my love?"
The assistant nad Li rolled his eyes again and turned to prepare the gifts. However, he could already foresee his employer being ruthlessly turned away from Prince Ding’s Mansion or even being stoned to death by the Licheng citizens for harassing decent won.
After leaving that shop, Mo Xiuyao’s face was still very dark. Ye Li, holding his arm, looked up and said with a smile, "That man clearly just arrived in the Central Plains and doesn’t understand Central Plains customs. Why are you getting angry with him?"
Mo Xiuyao gritted his teeth. "This prince will shut down his shop and drive him out of Licheng!" Daring to covet his Ah-Li! This prince will make him suffer!
Ye Li shook her head. "He didn’t an that. It’s probably just their national character." Ye Li could see that the young man had no ill intentions. Like so romantic Western peoples, he was rely expressing his admiration upon seeing a beautiful girl. If there was an opportunity, it might develop further, but for many, it would just be a cup of tea and nothing more.
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly. He had, of course, seen the frankness and pure appreciation in the man’s eyes. But even so, he was still unhappy.
"Alright, don’t mind him. Didn’t you say you’d accompany shopping? How can we shop with you looking so glum?" Ye Li said with a smile. It was a rare occasion to accompany Ah-Li, so Mo Xiuyao naturally didn’t want to spoil the mood. He put the earlier incident out of his mind and strolled through the crowd with Ye Li, holding her hand.
「On Licheng’s most bustling main street, from the wide-open windows of a teahouse by the roadside, one had a clear view of more than half the street.」
Inside, by the window, several n and won of extraordinary appearance and deanor sat facing each other. The won sitting next to Ren Qining were Queen Helan and Consort Yun, while Yelv Ye, who was sitting opposite, was accompanied by Qing Yina, whose face was still covered by a light veil.
Won from the Northern Territory were generally bold and straightforward. Queen Helan particularly disliked Noble Consort Liu’s haughty deanor—her cold eyes that seed to look down on everyone and her coy affectations. With a curl of her red lips, she laughed. "Seventh Prince, when did you Beirong won start to imitate the affectations of Central Plains people?" While speaking, she also casually glanced at Consort Yun, who was sitting on Ren Qining’s other side. Evidently, that ’affectation’ was also directed at her. But even soone as affected as Consort Yun did not wear a veil.
Consort Yun naturally was infuriated by Queen Helan’s insinuation. But she disliked the white-clothed woman across from her just as much. This woman is clearly from the Central Plains. Accompanying a Beirong prince, yet she insists on taking a Beirong na, all secretive as if she can’t bear to be seen. This woman, who was veiled as if she hated being seen, dared to look at her with a disdainful gaze. Who did she think she was?
"Queen sister, you’re mistaken there," Consort Yun retorted. "While we Central Plains won may not be as bold and generous as Northern Territory won, we are all open and aboveboard. Apart from unmarried girls in their boudoirs, no one hides their head and shows their tail." If one is an unmarried maiden, one naturally shouldn’t be running around with a man. Since she is running around with a man, what’s the point of covering her face?
Being relentlessly picked on by these two won, Noble Consort Liu’s cold eyes seed to freeze over. "King of Northern Territory, is your palace filled with won who love to wag their tongues? Or did Mo Xiuyao kill all the presentable won in your Northern Territory, forcing you to bring these two out to disgrace yourselves?"
Upon hearing this, not just Queen Helan and Consort Yun, even Ren Qining’s expression changed. He stared at Noble Consort Liu with a sowhat gloomy gaze for a long ti before he nonchalantly said to Yelv Ye, "Brother Yelv, your fiancée sure is... interesting..."
This ti, it was Noble Consort Liu whose face turned unpleasant. Just as she had disregarded Queen Helan and Consort Yun, bypassing them to confront Ren Qining directly, Ren Qining had done the sa by ignoring her and speaking directly to Yelv Ye, clearly indicating that he was above quarreling with a woman.
Yelv Ye gave Noble Consort Liu a subtle warning glance. Although she was furious, she had to suppress her anger silently.
Queen Helan looked at Yelv Ye, then at Noble Consort Liu, and smiled. "I indeed can’t compare to my elder female cousin, but I’m still presentable enough, right? Seventh Prince, our Northern Territory still has many won suitable to be wives. Your woman is not good."
Consort Yun, montarily forgetting her rivalry with Queen Helan, asked with schadenfreude, "Where is she not good? I think this young lady (Qing Yina) is very beautiful."
"She’s too old." Queen Helan stated bluntly, clearly referring to Noble Consort Liu. "In the Northern Territory, won her age can already be grandmothers."
Beirong won indeed married earlier than those in the Central Plains. At Noble Consort Liu’s age, there were quite a few who were already grandmothers or maternal grandmothers. No matter how enchanting Noble Consort Liu could be, the traces of age could never be completely covered.
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