265 A Family of Three
uodie's measurements, Ye Li shivered slightly and gently patted the covers over him, whispering, "This isn't your fault, Xiuyao... Don't be afraid... It’s not your fault...""Father... Big Brother..."W...265. A Family of Three
Sitting by the side, Ye Li leisurely sipped her tea while watching the two engage in a verbal battle. Clearly, Mo Jingli was not only inferior to Mo Xiuyao in martial arts abilities but also lost in terms of wit and eloquence. Many people had told Ye Li about how arrogant Mo Xiuyao had been in his youth, but what she saw most often from him now, especially since he had passed thirty, was a man who remained calm and composed for the most part. However, at this moment, Ye Li could sense a hint of youthful arrogance and recklessness in Mo Xiuyao's serene demeanor, no wonder Mo Jingli was so angry that his face turned black.
Moi Jingli took a deep breath and stared at Mo Xiuyao, saying, "Alright, I believe you. I won't interfere with your affairs in the capital, but you'd better not do anything unnecessary." Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow disdainfully, "Do you think those little tricks that you play with Mo Jingqi are very enticing Seeing them too much might hurt my brain."
Moi Jingli stopped arguing with Mo Xiuyao because he knew he couldn't win. Since he had received Mo Xiuyao's promise, he didn't want to stay here and be frustrated any longer. He got up, gave Ye Li a glance, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.
"Ah Li, look at him - even in an argument, he can't beat me. Don't you think that marrying me was the best arrangement ever It's like heaven sent, right"
Ignoring Mo Jingli who hadn't yet left the courtyard, Mo Xiuyao crossed over to Ye Li, holding her hand and boasting about his victory in the argument. Ye Li helplessly glanced at Mo Jingli, who stumbled a little upon hearing someone's grandiose boasts before hurrying away even faster. "Is it really something to be proud of to win an argument against him"
Mo Xiuyao nodded and proudly replied, "Of course, I must let Ah Li know that no matter what aspect we're talking about, your husband is far superior to others. Including arguing."
Ye Li rubbed her forehead in thought before sincerely looking at the man across from her, "If you want to argue with someone better than Mo Jingli, you shouldn't choose him because he doesn’t have any combat ability."
"Then who should I find" Mo Xiuyao asked while squinting his eyes and basking in the sun.
Ye Li smiled, "The Lady of Mr. Wang's household on South Street of Li City." Mo Xiuyao looked puzzled, who was she
Ye Li said with a smile, "Mr. Wang’s wife is known as the fastest-talking and most aggressive woman in Li City. It is said that she once publicly made three grown men cry from her verbal abuse. Why don't you give it a try when we get back" Mo Xiuyao was stunned for a moment before raising his head, eyebrows raised, "Does she dare argue with me"
Ye Li was speechless; indeed, even the most formidable Lady Wang would be silenced in front of the Prince Consort Ding. Seeing this, Prince Consort Ding said smugly, "Look at Ah Li. Compared to me, those who are more powerful than me aren't as argumentative, and those who can argue better than me aren’t as powerful. Your husband is still the best."
Ye Li covered her face in embarrassment, completely bowing down to this person's low standards.
The news of Prince Consort Ding returning to the capital certainly wasn't known by Mo Jingli alone; he was just the Regent King living outside the palace who had acted first. Not long after Mo Jingli left, Chancellor Liu came seeking an audience but was informed that the Prince Consort and his family had gone out.
The ancestral spirits of the Ding family were enshrined in Wuyue Nunnery located outside the city. Although Mo Jingqi had ordered the sealing of the Ding residence, no one dared to disturb the generations of Prince Consorts' spirit tablets at Wuyue Nunnery. There were still people looking after and maintaining Wuyue Nunnery, and some citizens in the capital occasionally visited its outer hall to burn incense or offer sacrifices. Therefore, even without a master residing there, the ancestral spirits' altar never lacked offerings.
Seeing Prince Consort Ding's entourage coming for worship, the soldiers guarding here naturally did not dare to stop them but respectfully let them in.
The two men left their guards outside and brought Mo Xiaobao into the innermost chamber of the temple. Inside the Buddha hall was where the ancestors of the Ding王府 were enshrined, with the first generation Duke of Ding, Mo Lan Yun, having the highest position. The lowest level was occupied by his father and brother, Mo Liufang and Mo Xiwen. Without needing to be instructed, Mo Xiaobao respectfully walked forward and paid respects to their ancestors.
After paying homage to the ancestors, the family of three had just stepped out of Wuyue Nunnery when they encountered a large group coming towards them. Standing beside Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li raised an eyebrow and said, "At this time, there are still people who specially come here to pay respects to the ancestors of the Ding王府"
Since the Ding王府 had severed ties with the Great Chu empire, aside from commoners, most of those who came to pay their respects were nobles who quietly arrived and left. A scene like this was quite rare indeed. Mo Xiuyao frowned and said coldly, "Those coming out of the palace should be turned back!" The last sentence was naturally for his accompanying guards; they all knew who could come from the palace at such a time. If it wasn’t a sincere act of reverence, then there was no need to have these offerings at the Ding王府.
Upon receiving their instructions, several guards stepped forward and stopped the large group before they even reached the temple steps.
Their guests were indeed from within the palace, and as such each one of them had high ambitions and looked down on others. Seeing two people suddenly blocking the way ahead, someone immediately asked sternly: "Disgraceful! Do you know who is in this carriage How dare you obstruct their path." The guards of Ding王府 were even more arrogant; they smiled coldly and said, "We do not know who is inside, but a hundred steps before Wuyue Nunnery, all carriages must stop. If anyone dares to carry the sedan chair up the stairs, we will not accept your reverence. Please return by the same route!"
"Daring! Even in the presence of Empress Dowager, how dare you be impolite Arrest them for me!"
"Hold on," a cold female voice echoed from within the luxurious sedan chair. The curtains were lifted and Lady Liu, dressed in white, walked out with a palace maid's assistance. A eunuch who had been boasting outside hurriedly greeted her with a fawning smile: "Empress Dowager, please forgive these two rascals for blocking your way! I will have them arrested immediately." Liu frowned and said coldly, “Get lost!” The eunuch was left speechless and could only reluctantly step back. As Lady Liu walked to the guards, she asked, "Is His Royal Highness here"
The guard did not reply but instead said, "Empress Dowager, please return."
Liu frowned and said, "I merely wished to pay respects to the ancestors of Ding王府."
The guards remained silent; their rejection was clear enough without words. They needed only follow their lord's orders and did not need to know the reason behind others' visitation. Liu had been pampered since childhood, and as empress dowager for over a decade she had grown accustomed to everyone obeying her. Seeing these two men refuse to budge, she suppressed an outburst of anger and said instead: "Report to His Royal Highness that I wish to discuss matters with him."
The guards exchanged glances before politely replying, "His Royal Highness and his family have already returned to the city. He left instructions stating that unless one is truly sincere in their worship, then there’s no need to disturb the peace of our ancestors.” Liu's expression darkened; as she had little emotion on her face, this only made it seem like an awkward moment was being hidden. In truth, she hadn’t been sincere in wanting to pay respects at all, but merely thought that Ding王府 would be deserted since Duke Mo Xiuyao had left the city. She had come here hastily with that assumption. Yet now she found herself stopped by one of his guards, and for a moment Liu was truly embarrassed.
After some time, she composed herself and said coldly: "In this case, I will return to the city to see His Royal Highness."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," replied one of the guards as he bowed.
Returning into her sedan chair, Liu’s face was dark with icy rage. She knew Mo Xiuyao was inside, yet refused to come out and see her. This thought kindled a sense of resentment in her eyes. Did he hate her so much that he wouldn't even come to see her once Her hands clenched tightly around the handkerchief she held as determination flashed in her eyes. Mo Xiuyao... someday you will be mine!
Having had his fun ruined by Lady Liu’s unexpected appearance, Ye Li no longer felt like sightseeing. She knew that this grand gesture of paying respects was merely a pretense. Now Ye Li could say with certainty that the person she hated most in her lifetime would definitely be Lady Liu; even Mo Jingqi and Mo Jinglei or Lei Zhen霆 couldn’t compare to how much she detested this woman. Su Zuì蝶 might have been narcissistic, selfish, but at least she had a sense of decorum. This Lady Liu cared nothing for reputation. While Su Zuì蝶 believed that Mo Xiuyao still loved her and thus was confident in pursuing him, Lady Liu knew full well that Mo Xiuyao didn’t care for her in the slightest yet continued to believe only she was worthy of him, that they were a match made in heaven. Truly, this woman had an unbreakable will and abnormal mental strength.
"Gelai, I'm sorry..." Seeing his wife's gloomy expression, Duke Mo carefully explained himself. He used to feel unhappy because Gelai did not get jealous over him; he felt she didn’t love him enough. But when Gelai was actually upset, he found himself wanting to apologize and make amends in order to cheer her up. He wished that Gelai would never be jealous for the rest of her life. Jealousy wasn't good for one's health.
Ye Li turned back to look at him sideways, "Hmm" Mo Xiuyao quickly explained: "That woman came to me on her own accord. A long time ago I clearly told her that my only wife was Gelai. How could she not understand what I said
Ye Lü smiled and said, "Isn’t that because our Prince Ding has exceptional charm" Mo Xiuyao was pleasantly surprised and asked, "Ah Li also thinks that this King is exceptionally charming"
Ye Lü nodded and calculated earnestly, "Of course. Su Zuodie, Princess Lingyun, Concubine Liu. Although the number isn’t large yet, they are still ranked first and second in Chu and Xi Ling respectively. The quality is definitely outstanding. Compared to so-called handsome men or Prince Ding’s charm, it’s simply trash, right" Mo Xiuyao immediately became disheartened. Ah Li was still angry too. "Ah Li, your husband understands now. Whoever dares to give your husband a glance in the future will have their eyes dug out!"
Ye Lü raised her eyebrows and said curiously, "Why not destroy his face That’s the root of it all, right"
Mo Xiuyao sternly refused, "If your husband disfigures himself again, you won’t find it pleasant to look at either."
Moxiaobao poked out a small head from his father's arms and blinked his eyes. He said with assurance, "Dad, don't worry about destroying yourself. Your son will definitely grow up to be an incredibly handsome man when I'm older. Mom just needs to look at me." Mo Xiuyao angrily pushed his interrupting child back into his arms. "Using inappropriate words Go back and copy 'Heaven-shaking and Earth-moving' five hundred times!" Moxiaobao wriggled his small bottom in his father's arms and grumbled, "Mommy, my dad’s seventy… uh…"
After returning to the city, everyone knew that Prince Ding had returned with his wife and son after King Li visited the inn they were staying at. The imperial concubines also left hurriedly in a hurry.
The moment they entered the city gates, countless people’s gazes immediately fell on them. However, due to their relationship with the royal family and Prince Ding’s residence, the commoners did not dare to approach or say anything. But one could see their excitement from their expressions. Although most of the influential figures in the court were preoccupied with power struggles, there were still many commoners who remembered that a war was currently taking place hundreds of miles away.
Moxiaobao stood up and curiously looked at the streets around him. This kind of spectacle wasn’t rare even in Li City; hence Moxiaobao didn’t feel any stage fright at all. In fact, he seemed to be saying that people admiring him made him happier. He cuddled against his father while sticking his head out and smiling brilliantly at the passersby, immediately melting everyone around them.
"The young lord is so adorable."
"No wonder he’s Prince Ding and Princess Ding’s child. Truly as pure as snow and lovely."
"At such a young age, his courage already stands out. Indeed worthy of being the successor to Prince Ding’s residence. The succession for Prince Ding’s residence is assured."
These compliments naturally reached Moxiaobao's ears, making him even more spirited.
Walking beside Mo Xiuyao, Ye Lü looked at her enthusiastic son and raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiuyao. "All those who say Prince Ding was rash when he was young were always unbelievable to me; now I finally believe it." She pointed amusingly at Moxiaobao and said, "At such a tender age, he’s already so attention-seeking. What will become of him in another few years"
Moxiaobao stuck out his lower lip and defended himself, "Mommy, I’m doing this for my father's face. Isn’t it said that the offspring can never disgrace a tiger If Father is so formidable, but if I were as dull and weak like Little Cold, wouldn’t it be disgracing him" Mo Xiuyao looked at him with a smile that was half-smile, half-laugh and asked, "How did His Highness know when his face became so important in your eyes"
Moxiaobao chuckled foolishly. Ye Lü tapped the top of his head gently and said, "Little Junhan is much more obedient than you are. Be careful that Uncle Cold hears what you say and punishes you." Moxiaobao hid himself in his father’s arms, patted the part on his head where he got tapped, and grumbled, "I didn’t say anything wrong; Uncle Cold wouldn’t dare to punish me." If he were as weak and dull like Little Cold, he would definitely be bullied to death by Father. It was a blessing that he became a child of Second Uncle Cold instead of being a child of Prince Ding’s residence. He rubbed his head while looking up at the sky, feeling that he had been born for a great purpose.
Looking curiously at her son who looked like an old man with worry on his face as he gazed at the sky, Ye Lü asked in surprise, "What is he thinking about again" Her son always liked to think of strange things that even his parents would be speechless and laugh.
Mo Xiuyao pinched Moxiaobao’s bottom without showing any emotion. He smiled and said, "Are you hungry Look at how your eyes are dull and uninterested. You ate too little for lunch…" Moxiaobao glared angrily: You have big eyes that lack spirit! You’re a food bucket, you’re an idiotic food bucket!
Moxiu Yao smiled: Do you really think this King doesn't know that you're thinking of doing bad things to me
A family of three, a tall and handsome silver-haired man holding a delicate black-clad boy. Beside them was a clear-eyed woman wearing a light-colored cloak. They were walking slowly along the street, chatting happily while smiling faintly. This warm yet tranquil scene left many people speechless; even acquaintances who wanted to greet them hesitated out of embarrassment. People watched as they strolled down the previously noisy streets in serene quiet.
In a tea house by the roadside, Empress Consort Liu dressed in white and wearing a snow fox cloak stood quietly at an open window. From her high vantage point, she gazed far off at the approaching couple with a hand tightly clenched until blood was drawn by her nails. "Truly a pair of perfect lovers," said Tan Jizhi coolly from behind Liu. "And also Dingwang's heir. After he grows up, his charm will surpass even that of Dingwang."
Liu suddenly turned around and shot Tan Jizhi a cold glance. He shrugged indifferently without responding.
When she saw him remain silent, Liu turned back to look at the silver-haired man again. Thinking about how his black hair had turned white, her heart filled with resentment once more. Back then... if only she knew that Ye Li could win Moxiu Yao's heart, she would never have let Ye Li stay by his side. It was just unfortunate; one wrong step led to many others. Back in the day, to gain Moxiu Yao's favor, she had even helped Ye Li.
Why... why couldn't he love her What did she lack compared to Ye Li
Gazing from afar at the green-clad woman beside the silver-haired man, whose beauty was unparalleled but whom Liu still thought herself more beautiful than. When it came to family background, she was the Prime Minister's daughter, while Ye Li had merely an external grandfather in Xu Family, counting her current status as a commoner’s daughter.
Tan Jizhi smiled at the woman before him; too much passion and obsession could turn one into a demon. Moreover, did Empress Consort Liu genuinely love Moxiu Yao as she imagined It was likely more out of resentment. Think about it: how could a proud and beautiful woman who captivated an entire kingdom tolerate a man who had no eyes for her
"Send someone to invite Dingwang and his consort upstairs," said Empress Consort Liu coldly.
Tan Jizhi frowned, "Isn't this wise It's not good news when the Empress Consort leaves the palace."
"Go!"
Tan Jizhi shrugged. "If that’s what the Empress Consort insists on."
Below, Ye Li sensed a resentful gaze following her from afar and looked up to see the figure of a white-clad woman at an upstairs window.
The Empress Consort Liu was indeed deserving of her reputation as the first beauty in Chu's capital after Su Zuodie; despite being over thirty years old, she still resembled a snow plum blossom. Her presence had already drawn many gazes from passersby, but she seemed oblivious to it, lost in staring at distant pedestrians like an exquisite white statue.
"Your Excellency Dingwang and Consort have been summoned by Empress Consort," said a guard-like man appearing on the street.
Moxiu Yao's eyes flashed dangerously. Lowering his gaze, he said calmly, "Aili must be thirsty; let’s go get some tea."
Ye Li smiled faintly and replied, "Alright.smile. "You want to join the fight What use are you in battle These past two days, General Zhang’s troops fought just fine without your help; not once did he need to send reinforcements. Even if your...