349. Tan Jizhi’s Compromise
In an obscure corner of Prince Ding’s Mansion, a disheveled man sat dazed on the floor of his cell in the gloomy, cold dungeon. Even though it was the end of scorching June, the underground cell felt sowhat chilly. Compared to other places, this cell, though still chilly, was unusually clean, with no horrific torture instrunts. However, the stubble-faced man’s eyes were vacant, as if his spirit had wandered off.
If he could, he would hope for soone to torture him, to beat him severely. At least then, he could feel he was still alive, that he wasn’t the only person in the world. In reality, he knew he wasn’t truly alone in the world. Outside this cold and lonely prison cell, there surely bustled a lively world of people. But all of this had nothing to do with him. He was locked up here, unable to hear the slightest sound from outside. He couldn’t even see the jailers guarding the dungeon. No one would appear before him; no one would speak to him. Even the once-a-day delivery of food and water was done in silence. He could barely rember how long it had been since he’d last seen another living soul or spoken a word. When he was first imprisoned, he would shout and curse, but later, he eventually lacked even the strength to curse. Gradually, he forgot how long he had been locked up.
Suddenly, unfamiliar footsteps sounded outside the door. The man snapped back to his senses, a flicker of light in his eyes. He quickly stood up and rushed to the door, but his body, weakened by long-term imprisonnt and ager rations that could hardly be called food, gave out. He fell after taking only a few steps. The cell door was opened from the outside, and two guards dressed in black entered. One on each side, they lifted the man and escorted him out.
No one was confined in the dungeons of Prince Ding’s Mansion, so it was quite clean. The guards carried the man through two or three vacant cells and into a spacious hall, where they tossed him onto the floor.
"Young Master Tan, it’s been a while. How are you?" Mo Xiuyao sat in the hall, holding Ye Li’s hand, and regarded the disheveled man on the floor with an intrigued gaze.
"Mo Xiuyao..." Perhaps because he hadn’t spoken for so long, Tan Jizhi’s voice was a little hoarse. However, the gaze he fixed on Mo Xiuyao burned with an undeniable intensity.
Mo Xiuyao, unfazed by the gaze that seed to want to tear him apart, rely smiled. "I am here today to bring Young Master Tan so good news."
Tan Jizhi coldly stared at Mo Xiuyao. He certainly didn’t believe Mo Xiuyao would bring him any good news. Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Young Master Tan, you can leave."
"What?" Tan Jizhi froze, montarily unable to comprehend.
"I said, from today onwards, Young Master Tan will be free. There will be no need to stay in this dungeon any longer. Or has Young Master Tan grown fond of this place? Do you not wish to leave?" Mo Xiuyao patiently repeated.
"You... would be so... kind? Let out?" Having not spoken for so long, Tan Jizhi’s words were initially sowhat halting, but his speech grew smoother after a few sentences. "What are you plotting?"
Mo Xiuyao nodded with satisfaction, laughing. "Good, your mind hasn’t deteriorated after being locked up for so long." Of course, he wouldn’t release him unconditionally.
"Your terms?" Tan Jizhi asked. At this point, he felt he would agree to any condition Mo Xiuyao proposed. Only soone who had truly lost their freedom could understand its preciousness. He didn’t want to stay in that forever silent, solitary cell anymore.
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Ren Qining is currently in Licheng. Young Master Tan, I’ve always been curious: between you and Ren Qining, who is the true Lin Yuan, the reputed last descendant of the forr imperial family? Or are both of you... or neither?"
Tan Jizhi’s expression changed, and he said in a heavy tone, "Of course, it’s !"
Mo Xiuyao nodded in his heart with satisfaction; it seed two years of confinent hadn’t completely extinguished Tan Jizhi’s ambition. But that was good. If it had all been worn away, Tan Jizhi would be useless. "Is that so? Ren Qining doesn’t seem to think so. He is now the legitimate King of the Northern Territory. Who knows, he might even restore the forr dynasty’s title soday. Although I doubt that’s very likely, he’s at least in a better position than you, wouldn’t you say?" Mo Xiuyao said with a smile.
Tan Jizhi’s face changed. Staring at Mo Xiuyao, he said, "You want to help you deal with Ren Qining."
Mo Xiuyao laughed. "You don’t need to be so tense. Whether you agree or not, I will still let you out. You can also choose to help Ren Qining and oppose after you leave. I just wonder if Ren Qining will actually accept you?"
The answer was quite obvious. If Tan Jizhi were anyone else, Ren Qining might still make use of him. But their very identities decreed they could not coexist. There could only be one Lin Yuan, descendant of the forr dynasty. They both understood that one of them had to be an impostor. Therefore, the one who survived would be the real one.
Tan Jizhi remained silent for a while before asking, "Even if I agree, what use would I be? As you said, he is now the King of the Northern Territory. And I..." Tan Jizhi gave a self-mocking smile. "I am a prisoner in Prince Ding’s Mansion."
Mo Xiuyao replied, "I don’t expect you to be able to kill Ren Qining. Just cause him so trouble, that’s enough. As for other matters, soone else will take care of them."
"Aren’t you afraid that I will go back on my word once I’m out?" Tan Jizhi asked.
Mo Xiuyao shrugged. "And what if you do go back on your word? Doctor Lin saved Ah-Li and Little Bao’s life. Out of respect for him, I’d feel awkward killing you just like that. However... if you do sothing you shouldn’t... I have already repaid Doctor Lin for that life-saving favor." If Tan Jizhi were to cause trouble again, he naturally wouldn’t feel awkward about killing him.
"My father..." ntioning Doctor Lin, Tan Jizhi couldn’t help but falter. He had severed ties with him at the Great Founding Emperor’s mausoleum years ago. He hadn’t expected to still be alive after falling into Mo Xiuyao’s hands, and it was still thanks to him. After pondering for a mont, Tan Jizhi finally nodded. "I agree." No matter what, he couldn’t go back to that cell. He suspected that if Mo Xiuyao hadn’t co for another year or eighteen months, he might have been unable to bear it and killed himself.
Mo Xiuyao nodded contentedly. "Very well. Ah-Li, you can make the arrangents for him."
Ye Li nodded and smiled at Tan Jizhi. "Young Master Tan, after you leave, you should first find a place to settle down and take care of your health. Soone will contact you later."
Tan Jizhi looked at Ye Li and nodded. "Thank you, Princess Consort."
Ye Li thought for a mont, then said, "Young Master Tan, if you have ti, you could visit Doctor Lin. He has opened a clinic in the city."
Tan Jizhi shook his head. "Better not. We have no relationship anymore."
Seeing him say this, Ye Li didn’t press further. In fact, Doctor Lin’s days were probably more peaceful now that he had no ties with Tan Jizhi.
Having said what needed to be said, Mo Xiuyao rose to his feet with Ye Li. He looked at Tan Jizhi and said, "By the way, Young Master Tan, it’d be best if you don’t wander around the city too much. It’s not just Ren Qining in Licheng right now. Mo Jingli, Noble Consort Liu, and Lei Zhenting are all in Licheng too."
Lei Zhenting didn’t have any major grievances with Tan Jizhi, but Mo Jingli and Noble Consort Liu were a different story.
Mo Xiuyao continued, "No matter how inept Mo Jingli might be, killing the current you would still be child’s play for him. Furthermore, Great Chu has now relocated south of the Yunlan River. Great Chu... is finished. Young Master Tan, your wish can be considered more or less fulfilled, right?"
"Great Chu has moved south? Then the Capital of Great Chu..." Tan Jizhi was astonished.
Mo Xiuyao said, "The Capital of Great Chu and the imperial city of Xiling are now both mine."
Tan Jizhi fell silent. He had missed so much in just two short years. Right now, what he needed most was to understand the current situation and what had happened in the past two years. Mo Xiuyao paid him no more attention and left the dungeon with Ye Li, in high spirits.
In the days that followed, Prince Ding’s Mansion seed to quiet down. However, people outside the mansion remained busy. It’s unknown who leaked the news of the Master of Cangmang Mountain’s arrival in Licheng. Within a few days, people like Mo Jingli and Ren Qining all ca to pay their respects. Even Yelv Ye and Yelv Hong, who weren’t directly involved, went along to join the excitent. It was said they weren’t directly involved because although the people of Cangmang Mountain claid to choose a ruler on behalf of Heaven, they still had their limits. The Beirong, barbarian tribes from beyond the Great Wall, were definitely not within their range of choices. And the most active among them all was naturally Mo Jingli.
Inside Prince Ding’s Mansion, Ye Ying sat opposite Ye Li, sobbing incessantly. Ye Li didn’t comfort her, sitting calmly to one side, waiting for her to finish. After a long while, Ye Ying finally stopped, looking at Ye Li with tear-filled eyes. "Third Sister, I regret it so much. Why did I marry him? *Sob*... He clearly said back then he would treat well for a lifeti, but now... now..."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, saying softly, "What happened? Tell properly. What’s the use of crying?"
Ye Ying wiped her tears resentfully and nodded. "Third Sister, you’re absolutely right. I won’t cry... It’s not worth crying for that bastard. I must have been blind to fall for him back then. No wonder... no wonder you didn’t fancy him back then, Third Sister. Prince Ding treats you so well." Saying this, Ye Ying couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. Back then in the Capital of Great Chu, who didn’t pity Third Miss Ye for not only losing the position of Princess Consort Li but also marrying a disfigured, wheelchair-bound good-for-nothing? But look at him now! Even with white hair, Prince Ding’s appearance and bearing—how many n in the world can compare? Not to ntion his devotion to Ye Li, which is the object of envy and jealousy for all won in the world.
Qingshuang, standing behind Ye Li, secretly pursed her lips. If this Fourth Miss had been made to marry Prince Ding back then, she’d probably have cried herself half to death, making a life-or-death scene. Now she was envious and jealous of their Princess Consort?
Ye Li, unaffected by her envious tone, asked calmly, "What happened?"
Sobbing, Ye Ying recounted how Mo Jingli constantly fawned over Dongfang You and Dongfang Hui. He had even discussed with his trusted subordinates that if Dongfang You were willing to marry him, he would depose her as Princess Consort. The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she beca, and before she could finish, Ye Ying started crying again.
Looking at Ye Ying, who was like a weeping ss, Ye Li could only sigh helplessly. For the first ti, she sowhat doubted whether her idea of having Ye Ying act as an informant by Mo Jingli’s side was reliable. Or perhaps she should have Yaoji co up with more ideas? But then she thought about Qin Feng, who was no longer young. Although she didn’t know if their relationship had progressed, it wasn’t good to keep Yaoji at Marquis Muyang’s Mansion indefinitely.
"Third Sister, what should I do?" Ye Ying asked, her eyes red. She wasn’t stupid. Previously, Mo Jingli might have shown so consideration because she was Princess Consort Ding’s sister. But that was nothing compared to the alluring power of Cangmang Mountain. If the woman from Cangmang Mountain truly agreed to marry Mo Jingli, he definitely wouldn’t hesitate to depose her. She wasn’t young anymore, and because of the incident with Ye Yue, she had fallen out with her mother. Other than Mo Jingli, she had no one else to rely on. Besides, although Ye Ying was sowhat selfish and self-serving, she still couldn’t bring herself to do the kinds of things Noble Consort Liu did.
Ye Li thought for a while, then comforted her, saying, "Don’t worry. Even if Mo Jingli really marries Dongfang You, I can at least guarantee you won’t be demoted to Secondary Consort."
Ye Ying was sowhat skeptical. Would a woman from a place like Cangmang Mountain be willing to be a Secondary Consort? Perhaps it would be possible if she were to be Mo Xiuyao’s Secondary Consort, because Ye Li’s backing was strong; the Xu Family now held an undeniably significant position in Prince Ding’s Mansion. But she couldn’t. She was alone in Jiangnan, with no one to rely on.
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Why would I deceive you? Even though we’ve never been close, outsiders still know you’re my sister. If you were demoted to Secondary Consort, would that bring any honor? If worse cos to worst, let Mo Jingli have two Princess Consorts of equal rank. That would be fine."
"But... can’t we..." Ye Ying said, sowhat unwilling.
Ye Li smiled. "Not let Dongfang You marry Mo Jingli? It’s not impossible. But do you think Mo Jingli wouldn’t vent his anger on you, or even kill you sowhere without our knowledge?" Ye Ying shuddered. Having been with Mo Jingli for so many years, she had so understanding of how ruthless he could be. Thinking about Ye Yue being burned to death, Ye Ying’s expression beca even more unsightly.
It had to be said, Mo Jingli bore considerable bla for Ye Yue’s death. At least everyone in the Ye Family, young and old, as well as Ye Ying, believed Mo Jingli was responsible for Ye Yue’s death.
"We are sisters, after all. You have two choices. One, stay in Licheng and sever all ties with Mo Jingli. You are, after all, a daughter of the Ye Family. If you return to the Ye Family, Father and Grandmother won’t abandon you. You can live a peaceful life from then on. Two, continue to follow Mo Jingli back to Jiangnan. All I can do is protect your position as Princess Consort. As for what happens after that... that will be your own fate."
"I..." Ye Ying’s expression was conflicted. After a long mont, she shook her head. "No, I want to go back. I can’t return to the Ye Family. I am Princess Consort Li. And my child..."
Ye Li’s eyes glimred. "I will help you find your child. As soon as there’s news, I’ll send soone to inform you."
"Third Sister, why... why are you being so good to ?" Ye Ying wasn’t foolish, nor had she forgotten that her past relationship with Ye Li hadn’t been good. Ye Li might help her with things that were a re lift of a finger, but these matters clearly required more effort. Since Ye Li was helping her without hesitation, she couldn’t help but suspect her motives.
Ye Li had no intention of placating her with pleasantries. She smiled faintly and said, "It’s nothing much. If Mo Jingli really marries Dongfang You, it would be very dangerous for Prince Ding’s Mansion as well. Just provide with so information occasionally. Don’t worry, I won’t ask you to do anything dangerous. I can also promise you that if you are in danger in the future, I can ensure you escape unhard."
"And if Prince Li doesn’t marry Dongfang You?"
"Then just consider it doing a good deed, and also fulfilling our blood relationship," Ye Li said calmly.
Ye Ying lowered her head, pondering. She understood Ye Li’s words. If Mo Jingli really married Dongfang You, her life would definitely not be easy. But with the help of Prince Ding’s Mansion...
"Alright, I agree."
Ye Li nodded in satisfaction and handed her a handkerchief. "Since you still want to see your child, don’t always resort to tears when you encounter problems. You should understand by now that crying doesn’t solve many problems. You can rest assured, even if Mo Jingli marries Dongfang You, it won’t shake your position in Prince Li’s Mansion. I will help you."
"Thank you, Third Sister," Ye Ying said quietly, wiping her tears.
"Princess Consort, His Highness Prince Li requests an audience," Wei Lin announced upon entering.
Ye Li glanced at Ye Ying with a smile. "Coincidentally, I also have so matters to discuss with Prince Li. Please show him in. Ying’er, you..."
Ye Ying bit her lip and said petulantly, "I don’t want to see him!"
"Alright then, go and sit in the front pavilion for a while." What a silly child. Do you really think Mo Jingli ca to appease you? She summoned soone to take Ye Ying away, and shortly after, Mo Jingli walked in from another entrance.
From a distance, Mo Jingli saw the woman in green sitting beside the lake. In the blink of an eye, a decade had passed. Mo Jingli suddenly realized that he could still clearly rember his first encounter with Ye Li after they broke off their engagent. Although Ye Li had embarrassed him greatly in the Shende Pavilion that ti, it was also then that he first had a vague feeling that this Ye Li was actually different from what he had originally thought. Many years had passed, and Ye Li’s appearance hadn’t changed much. Perhaps because she had borne several children, she had gained a different kind of elegance and gentle aura.
"Your Highness." Seeing Mo Jingli approach, Ye Li nodded but did not rise to greet him. "Please sit, Your Highness."
Mo Jingli sat down in silence. Watching Qingshuang bring tea, he then asked coolly, "This maidservant is still with you."
Ye Li was sowhat surprised that the haughty Mo Jingli would rember a young maidservant by her side. She smiled lightly. "Qingshuang is no longer young; she won’t be able to stay with for much longer." The marriage between Qingshuang and Ah-Jin had already been mostly arranged. Chief Steward Mo was naturally satisfied, and neither Ah-Jin nor Qingshuang had any objections. They were simply waiting for a suitable ti to hold the wedding.
There seed to be nothing more to say, and a silence fell between them.
Ye Li wasn’t in a hurry to speak. Since Mo Jingli remained silent, she calmly sipped her tea. After a while, Mo Jingli, perhaps feeling a bit uncomfortable, finally spoke. "Is Ying’er here with you?"
Ye Li didn’t deny it, nodding. "She just ca to chat with for a bit and has gone to rest. Is Your Highness Prince Li here to see Fourth Sister?"
"What did she say to you?" Mo Jingli’s tone was sowhat stiff, with a hint of exasperation. Ye Li glanced at him, puzzled. "What novel things could she tell ? Isn’t it just about Prince Li planning to divorce his wife and remarry?"
"I have no intention of divorcing my wife!" Mo Jingli said angrily.
Ye Li smiled and nodded. "I know. Prince Li only wants to demote his wife to a concubine to make way for Miss Dongfang to beco the Princess Consort."
Mo Jingli looked at her. "If I demote Ye Ying to a concubine, wouldn’t you be happy?"
Ye Li was puzzled and asked, "Why should I be pleased if Fourth Sister is demoted to a concubine? Is having a sister who is a Princess Consort more shaful than having a sister who is a concubine?"
"When she took your position as Princess Consort Li, didn’t you hate her?" Mo Jingli stared fixedly at Ye Li, asking in a solemn voice.
Ye Li was taken aback, then chuckled. "Is Your Highness Prince Li trying to say you’re avenging ? Or is Prince Li planning to use so strange pretext to cover up the fact that he is unjustly demoting his wife to a concubine?"
Mo Jingli didn’t erupt in anger as he usually would. He looked at Ye Li and said, "If you were Princess Consort Li, then even for Cangmang Mountain, I would not marry Dongfang You."
"COUGH, COUGH..." Ye Li nearly choked on her tea, looking at Mo Jingli in astonishnt. What was this? Back then, he discarded her like a worn-out shoe; now, he’s making a passionate declaration. The one he once cherished like a treasure is now worth less than a weed to him? Seeing Mo Jingli’s earnest expression, Ye Li suddenly felt a wave of nausea.
"You don’t believe ?" Mo Jingli glared at her.
Ye Li shook her head. "Whether I believe it or not is aningless now. I hope Your Highness will refrain from saying such things in the future. Besides, Fourth Sister has been with Your Highness for ten years and has endured much hardship. I implore Your Highness to show her so pity and leave her a place to live."
Mo Jingli said, displeased, "What do you an by that? I have no intention of abandoning her. Did she tell you that?"
Ye Li said lightly, "What does it matter if Your Highness has no such intention? Your Highness was born into the imperial family; surely you’ve seen no shortage of people who curry favor with the powerful and trample on the fallen. Fourth Sister has no relatives in Jiangnan, nor does she have any backing. If she is demoted from Princess Consort to Secondary Consort, what kind of life does Your Highness think she will lead?"
"You’re quite good to her!" Mo Jingli gritted out. Ordinarily, there would be nothing wrong with Ye Li speaking up for Ye Ying, but hearing it now, Mo Jingli felt extrely uncomfortable.
Ye Li smiled. "We are all won; why must won make things difficult for other won? In this world, life is already hard for won. Not everyone is as fortunate as Ye Li."
Seeing the faint smile on Ye Li’s face, Mo Jingli found it even more glaring. He said irritably, "I understand. I can guarantee that Ye Ying will always be the Princess Consort. But... what benefits do I get?"
"Ren Qining will never marry Dongfang You. Does that count as a benefit?" Ye Li said lightly.
Mo Jingli’s expression shifted slightly, and he finally nodded. "It’s a deal." Ren Qining claid to be a descendant of the forr dynasty. Regardless of whether he was genuine or fake, it was at least a huge gimmick, and he was also Mo Jingli’s greatest enemy.
"Mo Xiuyao gave up Cangmang Mountain for you. Will he truly not regret it in the future?" Mo Jingli asked, a hint of malice in his voice, seemingly unable to bear the smile on Ye Li’s face.
Ye Li smiled. "I believe he won’t regret his decisions." It was true Mo Xiuyao refused concubines because of her, but his rejection of Dongfang You and Cangmang Mountain wasn’t entirely for her sake. In the long run, Cangmang Mountain would be less of a help and more of a hindrance to Prince Ding’s Mansion.
Mo Jingli snorted coldly. "What? Mo Xiuyao might not regret it now, but one day he will. And when that ti cos, he will only hate you more."
"Were you talking about yourself, Prince Li?" Mo Xiuyao’s lazy voice erged from behind. Mo Jingli stiffened and whirled around, only to see Mo Xiuyao already standing three steps away. Paying no heed to Mo Jingli’s unsightly expression, Mo Xiuyao walked to Ye Li’s side. He leaned down to place a kiss on her, then rested a hand on her shoulder and said with a smug smile, "For Ah-Li, this Prince will never regret anything."
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