The First Jasmine - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Early Summer Boating on the Lake

Whether the Empress Dowager, her son, and her brother were truly competing and killing one another in the shadows was naturally not something Ye Li could manage. It was merely that whenever people from the Ye family came again to invite her back for any matter, under normal circumstances, she would find a reason to decline. Although Minister Ye was somewhat dissatisfied with this daughter whom he had clearly never been able to control well, Ye Li’s status as the Princess Consort of Ding stood right there; no matter how dissatisfied he was, he could not say or do much. In truth, under normal circumstances, if the Empress Dowager and Mo Jing Li were competing for the imperial throne, either side ought to come to win over Mo Xiu Yao. But for one, Mo Xiu Yao was a cripple in the eyes of outsiders, and for another, Mo Jing Qi likely wished nothing more than to eradicate the Prince of Ding’s Manor as soon as possible to give himself peace of mind. Consequently, the days in the Prince of Ding’s Manor remained peaceful and quiet. Neither side would extravagantly hope that Mo Xiu Yao would stand on their side, and of course, they equally believed that Mo Xiu Yao would not stand on the opposing side.

"Your Highness, Princess Consort, the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family requests an audience." Ye Li put down the needlework in her hands, raising her head with some confusion as she inquired, "The young lady of the maternal aunt’s family? Yang... Qian Ru? Why would she come to the main courtyard?" The Prince of Ding’s Manor was large, truly large. Furthermore, many places were not somewhere one could definitely go merely because one wished to. Therefore, even though there were two people residing in the manor who did not make people feel very comfortable, under normal circumstances, Ye Li basically could not feel the existence of Grand Imperial Concubine Yang and the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family. Because ever since Mo Xiu Yao moved to live in the main courtyard, the defense of this courtyard had clearly upgraded yet again; let alone entering the gate of the main courtyard, without permission, they could not even approach the outer perimeter. After suffering two rebuffs and being strictly reprimanded by Director Mo, whom Mo Xiu Yao had dispatched, Grand Imperial Concubine Yang never again attempted to challenge the authority of the newly appointed Princess Consort of Ding. Mo Xiu Yao had consistently been very good to her; Ye Li could naturally feel it. Not only had Mo Xiu Yao very generously relinquished power to her the moment she married in, but he had also very clearly demonstrated his attitude toward her as his Princess Consort in front of the manor’s servants. Otherwise, let alone the Prince of Ding’s Manor, even the servants of an ordinary family would not be so easily tamed by a newly wedded daughter-in-law. Therefore... having someone back you up was very important. Especially when this person was the individual holding the highest power in this residence.

"This servant does not know, but the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family has already stood at the entrance of the outer courtyard for quite some time. Therefore, the guard brothers outside the gate requested someone to report to the Prince and Princess Consort." Jing'er, who had entered to report, spoke. Because the Prince had commanded that outsiders were not permitted to enter the inner courtyard without reason to disturb the Princess Consort, under normal circumstances, they directly requested people to depart. But the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family, who had been fairly easy to dismiss the previous few times, refused to leave so easily today. The guards could not lay hands on the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family either; after all, she was a guest. They could only request the passing Jing'er to come in and deliver a report.

"Your Highness, what do you think?" Ye Li turned her head to ask Mo Xiu Yao, who was leaning beside the half-open window reading a book.

Mo Xiu Yao did not even spare her a glance, turning a page of his book as he spoke detachedly: "If Ah Li wishes to see her, let her enter; if you do not wish to see her, have someone send her back. Or... the Prince’s Manor possesses another side villa outside the city, you can let her accompany Grand Imperial Concubine Yang to reside there for a few years."

"Tsk..." Ye Li clicked her tongue; this man was truly heartless and unfeeling to a certain extent. Although the time spent seeing Yang Qian Ru wasn't much, during those occasional few meetings, the way she looked at him was so gentle and sorrowful, filled with countless strands of affection. He could actually still utter such cold and ruthless words. However... she liked it!

"Please invite her in." Placing the clothing that was already close to completion to one side, Ye Li spoke with some vexation: "Grand Imperial Concubine Yang previously mentioned to me about finding a good marriage alliance for the young lady of the maternal aunt’s family, but I... have never acted as a matchmaker before." Mo Xiu Yao spoke detachedly: "No need to trouble yourself, you will not find one."

"What do you mean?" What did he mean by she wouldn't find one?

Mo Xiu Yao said, "Director Mo already raised this matter three years ago, but the candidates proposed were unsatisfactory to both Grand Imperial Concubine Yang and herself. You are unfamiliar with the capital; I do not believe you can find a better candidate than those listed by Director Mo." Ye Li could not resist wiping her sweat; so Mo Xiu Yao had also acted as a matchmaker before. But he had directly let Director Mo handle it; she was truly foolish to have been worrying about whether she really needed to attend a few more banquets. Were the people Director Mo found too poor? Mo Xiu Yao lifted his head to look at her, saying, "Those listed by Director Mo were all the best candidates that could be found given her conditions. Furthermore, she is already seventeen now; those of similar age to her who remain unmarried are even fewer." Not everyone was like Mo Xiu Yao, Mo Jing Li, and Xu Qing Chen, remaining unmarried past the age of twenty; even if they hadn't wed, ordinary families would have already become engaged.

"Then what should be done? Surely she cannot truly delay like this for a lifetime? And it isn't that Ye Li is judging the heart of a gentleman with the core of a petty person, but she truly suspected that if this continued to be delayed, it would ultimately become Mo Xiu Yao's responsibility."

"She to marry, let Director Mo send the list over. If she does not want to, there is no need to care. If she reaches the age of eighteen and has still not married out, send her to the Wuyue Convent to accompany Elder Sister-in-law."

Even Ye Li could not resist wanting to shed a tear of sympathy for the affectionate Miss Yang; what on earth did it mean for a relationship to span one and a half thousand kilometers? One only needed to look at Mo Xiu Yao's performance to know.

Not long after, Yang Qian Ru was led inside, walking with a graceful and delicate gait. Two little maids also followed by her side, one of whom held a box in her hands that didn't reveal what it contained. Watching Yang Qian Ru's eyes suddenly grow fervent as she gazed toward a certain spot behind her, Ye Li looked at the uncompleted clothing placed to one side and suddenly developed a somewhat unbeautiful premonition.

"Cousin, please take a seat." Ye Li nodded with a smile toward Yang Qian Ru.

Yang Qian Ru cast a swift glance behind Ye Li, hurriedly shaking her head as she spoke in a low voice: "Many thanks, Princess Consort, n-no need. I had better remain standing."

Ye Li was speechless; what did it mean for you to remain standing? Do you, a young lady of the maternal aunt’s family staying as a guest in the Prince’s Manor, need to behave like an abused concubine? Sizing up Yang Qian Ru's attire of moon-white, elegant orchid-bordered robes, her fresh and exquisite hairstyle was pinned with a pearl tassel hairpin. Ever since Ye Li had finished tidying up Mo Xiu Yao's plain-colored clothing, this young lady had also finally bid farewell to her image of forever fluttering in white robes, though she clearly still trod an elegant and noble route. "Cousin, please sit." Ye Li's voice sank slightly as she spoke detachedly.

Yang Qian Ru was startled, her expression clearly turning terrified. Under Ye Li's gaze, she sat down with a face full of grievance and extreme caution; that aggrieved appearance made Ye Li feel only as though a mouthful of blood was blocked in her chest, neither rising nor falling. Spitting it out was sickening, and swallowing it was even more disgusting. She hadn't bullied her.

"For Cousin to come to the main courtyard at this time, is there some matter?" Ye Li suppressed the displeasure in her heart, greeting her with a genial countenance.

Yang Qian Ru lifted her head, nervously twisting the handkerchief in her hands as her beautiful face turned crimson. "I... I..."

Ye Li smiled patiently. Yang Qian Ru cast a glance at Mo Xiu Yao, appearing to have finally mustered her courage as she said, "I... tomorrow is Cousin's birthday, I came to... present a birthday gift to him."

Ye Li glanced at the box in the hands of the little maid behind her, then turned her gaze to glance at Mo Xiu Yao, who appeared to be focusing intently on his book, smiling as she said, "So that is how it is, Cousin has troubled herself. May I take a look?"

"This..."

"Is it inconvenient? Then please let His Highness inspect it." Waving her hand, she signaled the little maid to deliver the box to Mo Xiu Yao. Hearing Ye Li's words, Yang Qian Ru's eyes lit up, looking with full anticipation toward the person sitting by the window reading a book. The moment that little maid arrived before Mo Xiu Yao, the box in her hands was snatched away by a hand that suddenly extended from outside the window. A-Jin, who had appeared at the window at an unknown moment, held the box with a face full of concentration and opened it directly, reaching out to lift the item inside to inspect it. From Ye Li's direction, she saw that it was a magnificent robe of an aubergine color; although she only saw a corner, that embroidery was indeed exceptionally exquisite and meticulous. "No poison."

"A-Jin, move aside. You are blocking the light." Mo Xiu Yao spoke detachedly.

"Oh." A-Jin responded, disappearing from the window while cradling the box. From beginning to end, Mo Xiu Yao had not even seen a sliver of the clothing's edge. Yang Qian Ru was stunned, hurriedly asking: "Where did he take it?"

"This..." Ye Li pondered whether she should inform her that items Mo Xiu Yao did not want were all taken by A-Jin to play with, and thrown away once played with.

 

Mo Xiu Yao put down the book in his hands and lifted his head, speaking with calm self-possession amidst Yang Qian Ru's pleasantly surprised and expectant expression: "If there is nothing else, return to your own courtyard. Tomorrow, this Prince will have Director Mo send over a list of suitable men for marriage; you may look through it and select one." Yang Qian Ru's delicate countenance instantly turned stark white, translucent teardrops sliding down unceasingly. "No... Cousin, I do not want... I do not want to leave the Prince’s Manor, I do not want to marry... do not drive me away..." Mo Xiu Yao frowned, quickly nodding again as he said, "That is also acceptable. Tomorrow, pack your things and go to the Wuyue Convent to accompany Elder Sister-in-law. Let it be so, send Miss Yang back." The maids by Yang Qian Ru's side were all maids of the Prince’s Manor; they naturally dared not disobey Mo Xiu Yao's meaning. Even though they knew their own young lady was unwilling, they still stepped forward to support her departure.

"Cousin... sob sob... do not drive Qian Ru away... I will be obedient and will not cause trouble to make Cousin angry..." Yang Qian Ru sobbed and wept, struggling under the support of the two maids as she refused to depart.

"Take her down." Mo Xiu Yao stated detachedly with furrowed brows.

No matter how Yang Qian Ru struggled, she would never be the match of two maids taller than her; in the end, she was practically dragged out. Ye Li sat to one side, silently watching Mo Xiu Yao's unruffled face, listening to the faintly floating sound of Yang Qian Ru appearing as though she would weep until her heart and liver broke. Within her heart, she could not resist lamenting that this man was truly ruthless enough. When an ordinary man witnessed a beautiful and weak young maiden weeping in that manner, even if there was no affection or love, he would more or less possess a few points of pity. Yet within Mo Xiu Yao's eyes, there was not the slightest trace of emotion, as though the person dragged out just now was not a weak woman but an item that was no longer required.

"Ah Li, what are you sighing for?" Mo Xiu Yao inquired.

Ye Li could not resist sighing once more, saying, "Whoever falls in love with you must have committed some sin in their past life. Otherwise, they must have owed you some debt in their past life that remains unpaid." Mo Xiu Yao's eyes shifted slightly, staring at Ye Li's back as he asked, "Why do you say so?" Ye Li said, "Does that even need to be said? One only needs to look at Yang Qian Ru to know. To fall in love with a person who does not love you, or rather a person who fundamentally possesses no love—if that isn't owing a debt from a past life, what is it? Is one born to be a tragedy?"

"Then... what manner of person would Ah Li fall in love with?" Mo Xiu Yao inquired.

While performing the needlework in her hands, Ye Li answered carelessly: "Love? I do not know, I likely won't fall in love with anyone. No matter how earth-shattering a love is, as time passes, it will turn into familial affection. Since that is the case, why not live life well from the very beginning? Who can manage sweet words and romance for a lifetime? As time passes, only firewood, rice, oil, and salt remain."

"Is that because Ah Li has not yet loved anyone?" Mo Xiu Yao inquired in a low voice.

The needle beneath Ye Li's hand paused for a brief moment before moving rapidly once more as she said, "Perhaps." She had naturally dated before, but to truly speak of some love engraved into her bones and heart, there really was none.

"If Ah Li falls in love with someone, would you live and die together with him?"

With some confusion, Ye Li turned her head to cast a glance at the man who was rarely relaxed as he leaned sideways against the wheelchair, smiling as she said, "Surely Your Highness doesn't mean to say that if you fall in love with someone, you must live and die together with her?"

"Perhaps."

"I likely would not. If I am to die, must I drag another person along to be buried with me?" Ye Li pondered very realistically: "Even if it is just an ordinary liking, one cannot do this; is that a lover or an enemy?"

Beneath the sunlight, Mo Xiu Yao appeared to be seriously contemplating. Only after a long while did he speak in a low voice: "You are right. If I die, I still hope she lives well." Having finished speaking, he no longer paid attention to Ye Li, picking up the uncompleted book to continue reading. Ye Li was somewhat surprised that Mo Xiu Yao—whom she had consistently felt was gentle, detached, and somewhat unfeeling—actually possessed such tenderness. Shrugging in incomprehension, she turned back to continue her embroidery. After quite a long while, Mo Xiu Yao's words somehow surfaced in her mind again—If I die, I still hope she lives well.

"She?!" Ye Li was startled, the embroidery needle nearly piercing her finger. Mo Xiu Yao had someone he liked?!

Ye Li's mood was not good, exceptionally not good, even though she herself didn't quite comprehend exactly why it was bad. In short, it was an inexplicably vexed mood; such a situation was highly rare across the decades of her life. Even when she broke up with her first love boyfriend back then, or before executing her first actual combat mission, she didn't seem to have possessed such a terrible mood. Therefore, after venting for a bit upon the martial arts training field and discovering no improvement, Ye Li decisively resolved to head out to clear her mind.

It just so happened that she encountered Hua Tian Xiang sending an invitation to invite her to view the early summer lotus flowers together, so Ye Li agreed without any hesitation.

The capital of Chu was after all in the north; places capable of viewing lotus flowers were not numerous. Therefore, it also predestined that the places to view lotus flowers during July and August every year would definitely be teeming with tourists. The early summer lotus flowers were not yet fully open, but they had already attracted the young ladies and beauties of the capital to arrive in groups. Upon hearing that Ye Li was heading out to view lotuses and possessed no intention of inviting him to travel along, Mo Xiu Yao didn't say much either, merely informing Ye Li that the Prince of Ding’s Manor possessed its own painted pleasure boat, and Ye Li could invite friends to go together. Ye Li had found Mo Xiu Yao unpleasing to the eye these past two days, so she also happened to forget to ask him if he wanted to go along, heading out exceptionally briskly with a few maids. Ar-Jin silently watched his own Prince: The Prince clearly wished to go together with the Princess Consort, why didn't he directly inform the Princess Consort?

Upon the painted pleasure boat of the Prince of Ding’s Manor, Ye Li leaned leisurely against the window in a daze. Hua Tian Xiang sized up the furnishings within the boat with a face full of appreciation, her face filled with envy as she said, "As expected of the Prince of Ding’s Manor's boat, this arrangement... is indeed extraordinary. But speaking of which, Li'er, was this boat specially arranged for you by the Prince of Ding? It has been how many years since anyone from the Prince of Ding’s Manor has headed out; this boat doesn't look like something from before."

Ye Li looked at her lazily, smiling as she said, "Your family's boat isn't necessarily any worse than this one, is there a need?"

Hua Tian Xiang delivered a disgruntled roll of her eyes at her. "What do you know? How many people are in my family? It is crowded and noisy to death. You are comfortable; how quiet it is for one person to have one boat. Ah... if the Prince of Ding were also on the boat, that would be too... wrong, wrong, it is better that he isn't here. If the Prince of Ding were here, I would certainly be too embarrassed to shamelessly stay here to scrounge a ride on your boat." Looking at the various painted pleasure boats not far away upon the lake's surface, Ye Li spoke in incomprehension: "With so many boats floating upon this lake, is one looking at the lotus flowers or looking at the painted pleasure boats?"

Hua Tian Xiang giggled and said, "One looks at both the flowers and the people. Who told the lotus flowers to have just opened these past few days and the weather to happen to be excellent? Of course the people coming out are numerous. You must know how many talented scholars and beautiful ladies form couples upon this very Beauties Lake every year."

"Beauties Lake?" Ye Li cast a glance at the vast lake. After having seen the West Lake, Tai Lake, Qiandao Lake, and so forth, this tiny Beauties Lake looked like it had nothing to do with beautiful ladies.

Hua Tian Xiang shook her head helplessly, saying, "Are you not a bit too unromantic? Do you not know why Zheng'er didn't come to play with us today?"

"Pray tell."

"Because today she is together with the Second Young Master Xu!" Hua Tian Xiang gritted her teeth, casting a glance at Ye Li as she said, "Speaking of which, for you to come alone today, I truly find it somewhat strange. I believed you ought to have come out together with the Prince of Ding. Originally, I had even planned to go find Murong to play." Ye Li delivered a disgruntled glare to her. "Then who was it that invited me to come out together?"

"Was I not afraid you didn't know, so I gave you a reminder? Who told you to hide at home all year round, refusing to head out?" Hua Tian Xiang muttered in dissatisfaction. Having finished speaking, she looked at the clearly newly decorated furnishings upon the boat, speaking with a somewhat guilty conscience: "You must remember, in a few days it seems to be the Prince's birthday. You must definitely invite him out to view the lotuses when the time comes. I wager this boat was certainly prepared by him to view flowers together with you. Perhaps the Prince of Ding is currently thinking of how to trace-lessly kill me."

Ye Li blanked. Looking at Hua Tian Xiang's face full of sorrow, she could not resist a smile. "You are thinking too much."

"Tian Xiang, Ah Li!"

Today's weather was excellent; whether upon the lake or beside the lake, it was a scene of joyful songs and laughter. But to shout with such a massive fanfare, other than Murong Ting, there was no second person. Stepping out of the boat cabin, Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang saw Murong Ting standing outside another painted pleasure boat, shouting and jumping toward this side while waving her hand fiercely. A handsome young man also followed by her side, appearing to be saying something to Murong Ting. However, Murong Ting clearly possessed a face full of impatience, not wishing to pay attention to him. Following behind Ye Li, Hua Tian Xiang spoke in a low voice with a smile: "That is the Second Young Master of the Leng family, Leng Hao Yu."

"Murong's fiancé?" Ye Li said.

"Correct. Ting'er has looked down on him since childhood, but he has liked to cling to Ting'er since childhood. Later, Ting'er followed her father to run off to the border pass; who would have thought that after returning, he still likes to intentionally make her angry." Hua Tian Xiang spoke with a smile in her words, clearly possessing an impression of Leng Hao Yu that wasn't too bad. Upon the painted pleasure boat over there, the two had already exchanged fists and kicks, starting to fight. Because Murong Ting wished to use lightness skills to come over to their side, while Leng Hao Yu clearly refused. As the two pulled and tugged on the deck, Murong Ting'er's temper was provoked, and she started to fight.

Other than them, there were also many painted pleasure boats of other families around. Seeing the excitement here, they also leaned over. Those who recognized Murong Ting and Leng Hao Yu were clearly not few either, all joining in to jeer and cheer.

Hua Tian Xiang smiled and said, "Can you guess how long Leng Hao Yu can persist this time?"

Only after watching for a brief while did Ye Li say, "Murong fundamentally cannot beat Leng Hao Yu. Leng Hao Yu appears to fight in a staggered and clumsy manner, but his footing is far steadier than Murong Ting'er's. His clear and handsome face carries the grinning appearance of a playboy, but the gaze looking at Murong Ting is absolutely serious."

"You are saying he is yielding to Ting'er?"

Ye Li smiled and said, "General Murong loves his daughter like his life; do you think he would truly marry Ting'er to an incompetent playboy?"

"This..." Hua Tian Xiang pondered; she truly hadn't seriously thought about this question.

Having seen enough of the excitement, Ye Li smiled and said, "Let them row the boat away. Today we won't play with Murong."

Hua Tian Xiang pulled her back. "By no means. Do you believe that if we provoke Ting'er into a frenzy, even if we row the boat away, she would still dare to leap into the water?"

 

The moment Ye Li thought of Murong Ting'er's disposition, there truly was this possibility. She could only say with a smile toward the boat over there: "Second Young Master Leng, Murong, is it possible to come over for a chat?"

Murong Ting halted her hands, turning her head to shout: "Ah Li, I am your friend, why must you invite him along?"

Hua Tian Xiang smiled and said, "Then are you coming over or not? If you are not coming over, we will row the boat away."

Murong Ting delivered a fierce glare at Leng Hao Yu, breaking free from his hand before stepping heavily upon his foot. Flying off, she tapped lightly upon the water's surface a few times before landing upon Ye Li's painted pleasure boat. Leng Hao Yu let out a bitter smile, arching his hands toward Ye Li with a smile as he said, "Many thanks, Princess Consort." He also followed suit, rising to leave his own boat and landing upon Ye Li's boat. Ye Li commanded the boatman to row the painted pleasure boat away before turning back to invite the two inside together.

The four sat down. Only after Qing Luan and the others delivered fresh tea and pastries did they retreat. Murong Ting sat beside Ye Li, eating pastries while still not forgetting to glare a few times at Leng Hao Yu, who followed her. Leng Hao Yu simply behaved as though he didn't see the eye-daggers flying onto his body, smiling toward Ye Li as he said, "Today's weather is quite good, why is the Prince not seen accompanying the Princess Consort out on a boat ride?"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, looking at Leng Hao Yu with a smile as she inquired, "Is Second Young Master Leng well-acquainted with our Prince?"

The teacup in Leng Hao Yu's hand paused slightly before he smiled and said, "This humble one is merely a playboy; where would I have the opportunity to be well-acquainted with the Prince?"

Murong Ting snorted, ridiculing: "You still know you are a playboy."

"Ting'er..." Leng Hao Yu looked at her with grievance. "What is bad about being a playboy? There is food to eat and things to play with, and I can accompany you every day. The affairs at home have Eldest Brother to worry about, how wonderful."

"Phooey!" Murong Ting practically wished to leap up. "This young lady loathes worthless young masters the most. You... stay far away from this young lady in the future. Otherwise, this young lady will thrash you every time I see you."

"You also thrash me every time you see me now..." Leng Hao Yu murmured in a low voice, though the voice happened to allow the people within the boat cabin to hear. Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang could not resist covering their lips to steal a laugh. Murong Ting was so angry her small face turned crimson, wishing nothing more than to pierce a knife through to stab to death this bastard who caused her to lose face. Leng Hao Yu appeared to dread Murong Ting immensely, merely pleading for mercy unceasingly. However, looking at the way his eyes were filled with a faint smile carrying indulgence, one knew he was actually teasing Murong Ting to play. Ye Li and Hua Tian Xiang looked at the still-furious Murong Ting, exchanging a smile. In matters of affection, it was indeed a case of the authorities being mystified while the bystanders saw clearly. As Murong Ting'er's friends, they naturally all hoped Murong Ting could be happy and beautiful in the future, but how to choose remained Murong Ting'er's own business.

"Princess Consort, the boat of the Prince of Li’s Manor is ahead." While the four were conversing, Qing Xia entered to deliver a report.

Hua Tian Xiang received the news and frowned: "Li'er, how is it that we have encountered the Prince of Li again?"

Ye Li smiled and said, "Who told you not to pick a good day? Or it can be said that the capital is truly not large."

Murong Ting puckered her lips and said, "I instead feel it is a case of enemies traveling a narrow road."

Before Ye Li could open her mouth, Qing Luan also entered, her face full of displeasure as she said, "Princess Consort, the Prince of Li and the Princess Consort of Li request an audience."

"Please invite them in." Ye Li sighed.

Not long after, Mo Jing Li led Ye Ying inside, but the person following by Mo Jing Li's side caused Ye Li to furrow her brows. Although the woman beside the Prince of Li wore a goose-yellow dress different from usual, her countenance had undergone some minor modifications, and she utilized a veil to conceal her face. But in Ye Li's eyes, that manner of modification fundamentally possessed no meaning at all. No matter who it was, as long as they saw her face-to-face, they could recognize that this was Nanzhao's Princess Qixia. It had only been a few days; was Mo Jing Li intending to provoke his imperial brother? The palace hadn't yet announced the news of Princess Qixia's death.

"Greetings, Prince of Li, Princess Consort of Li." Hua Tian Xiang and the others rose to pay respects.

Mo Jing Li swept a glance over the crowd within the boat cabin, before his gaze finally shifted from Ye Li's body onto Leng Hao Yu, speaking in a deep voice: "Leng Hao Yu?" Leng Hao Yu smiled and said, "The Prince actually recognizes this humble one? It is truly an extreme honor." Mo Jing Li naturally knew of Leng Hao Yu's reputation; looking at Murong Ting beside him, his expression softened slightly as he let out a light snort, saying to Ye Li, "Why did Mo Xiu Yao not accompany you out?"

"What does it have to do with the Prince of Li?" Ye Li's heart happened to be blocked; hearing Mo Jing Li's impolite tone, she immediately fired right back without any hesitation.

As expected, Mo Jing Li's face immediately darkened, and he said in fury: "A woman who does not know what is good for her!" Ye Li rolled her eyes internally, too lazy to pay attention to him. Leng Hao Yu sized up Princess Qixia behind Mo Jing Li with great interest, smiling as he said, "Prince, this beautiful lady is..." His back was pinched by Murong Ting, and his originally intentionally elegant smile immediately transformed into a grimacing, comical appearance. Mo Jing Li stared at him coldly, saying, "Has your eldest brother not taught you that you shouldn't ask what shouldn't be asked?" Leng Hao Yu spread his hands indifferently, saying, "My eldest brother is extremely busy; where would he have the leisure to teach me these things?"

Ye Li rubbed the space between her eyebrows, speaking detachedly: "Prince of Li, Fourth Sister, sit down and speak."

Murong Ting let out a light snort, saying, "I do not wish to sit together with certain people. Ah Li, Tian Xiang and I will head out first to take a look." Having finished speaking, she delivered a slanted glance at Mo Jing Li, pulling Hua Tian Xiang as she rose to walk outward. That appearance lacked only directly saying this young lady is simply unwilling to sit together with you. Hua Tian Xiang cast an apologetic glance to Ye Li, allowing herself to be pulled out by Murong Ting; she didn't wish to associate with the Prince of Li either. Seeing Murong Ting run out, and looking back at Ye Li and Mo Jing Li, Leng Hao Yu's gaze appeared somewhat hesitant. Ye Li said with a smile: "Young Master Leng had better go watch Murong, lest she lead Tian Xiang to run around wildly." Leng Hao Yu nodded, only then walking outward. After a short while, Qing Luan and the others all entered bearing tea and pastries; after placing them down, they did not head out again. Each occupying a corner, they stood respectfully within the boat cabin with an appearance of awaiting the Princess Consort's commands. Understanding their thoughts, Ye Li chuckled secretly in her heart but did not say much.

"You all head out first, this Prince has words to say to her." Mo Jing Li commanded.

Biting her lip, Ye Ying rose silently and departed; Princess Qixia cast a glance full of hostility at Ye Li, saying nothing as she followed Ye Ying out. But Qing Luan and the others were not that obedient, still each occupying a corner with eyes viewing their noses and noses viewing their hearts, as though they hadn't heard Mo Jing Li's words. Mo Jing Li spoke in a deep voice: "This Prince told you to head out, did you not hear?" Qing Shuang's voice replied crisply and resoundingly: "In response to the Prince of Li, we heard. However, our Prince said that we maids must protect the safety of the Princess Consort; we maids must naturally obey the Prince's orders." A cold light suddenly flashed within Mo Jing Li's eyes, staring coldly at Qing Shuang as he said, "Are you saying this Prince will be disadvantageous to her?"

Qing Shuang said, "This servant does not know, we maids are merely preparing for contingencies. We request the Prince's forbearance."

Ye Li smiled detachedly, saying, "Prince of Li, there appears to be no matter between us that requires a secret discussion, and these few are also people I trust. If there are any words, you might as well speak directly." Mo Jing Li fell silent, his eyes staring at Ye Li without turning for an instant; Ye Li did not speak either, allowing him to stare. Only after a long while did Mo Jing Li say coldly: "Ye Li, you deceived this Prince!"

Ye Li blanked; deceived him? Where did this come from? Or could it be that Mo Jing Li had discovered she had deceived him about something again?

"Prince, where does this statement come from? Innocently defaming this Princess Consort is not a good habit." Ye Li spoke detachedly.

Mo Jing Li let out a cold snort, saying, "You intentionally pretended to be so useless precisely to have this Prince break the marriage agreement first, is it not? You had already hooked up with Mo Xiu Yao long ago, correct?"

Ye Li calmly held the teacup in her hand, restraining herself from directly splashing the water onto the face of the man opposite her. "Prince, I have already told you long ago. Excessive fantasy is a disease; cure it early. Just because your character is base, Prince, does not mean the conduct of others is also bad." She was indeed somewhat dissatisfied with the marriage alliance, but to say she had already hooked up with Mo Xiu Yao long ago? They were currently still as pure as green onions mixed with tofu. Mo Jing Li's face instantly turned pitch-black, but this time he did not fly into a massive rage as usual; instead, he stared at Ye Li for a long while before laughing with full malice. Ye Li stared at him expressionlessly, secretly alert within her heart.

She only heard Mo Jing Li lower his voice, smiling toward Ye Li as he said, "Ye Li, you and Mo Xiu Yao haven't consummated the marriage yet, have you? Could it be... Mo Xiu Yao truly became a cripple and cannot perform? If it is like this, this Prince can reluctantly..."

Thud!

Before Mo Jing Li's words could finish, a fist from opposite struck his nasal bridge with extreme viciousness and precision. Two streams of fresh blood immediately dropped down. Mo Jing Li's eyes widened in shock; before he could recover his bearings, Ye Li had already risen, pressing his head to smash it toward the table.

"Damnable Ye Li!" The pain upon his forehead finally caused Mo Jing Li to recover his bearings from the shock of being attacked by Ye Li again. "This Prince will not let you off!" Ye Li utilized an eye-signal to halt Qing Luan, who wished to take action, a sliver of a cold smile lifting at the corner of her lips. Seeing Mo Jing Li pounce toward her, she rose and flipped backward, evading it. By the time Mo Jing Li pounced over again, she had already arrived beside another window.

Failing to catch the person twice, coupled with the recollection of being attacked twice himself, Mo Jing Li also guessed that Ye Li was not some weak woman. This time, he applied his martial arts, pouncing fiercely with a vow to capture this woman who trifled with him. Yet he witnessed Ye Li ducking her body; an intense pain erupted beneath Mo Jing Li's armpit, and his hands completely failed to stop his momentum in time as his head crashed straight into the window of the boat cabin—

"Come quickly, someone! The Prince of Li has fallen into the water!”