Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 370 - 369. The son’s trace, the mother’s heart

369. The Young Master’s Whereabouts, A Mother’s Heart

Looking at Yaoji’s deathly pale face, Qin Feng slightly narrowed his eyes. He calmly looked at her and asked, "Do you have any questions?"

Yaoji was startled. Forcing a smile, she said, "I...what questions could I possibly have?"

Qin Feng replied indifferently, "I heard what you and Mu Lie were discussing earlier. Mu Lie was correct. If you feel uncomfortable, I will inform Princess Consort Ding and let you leave first."

Yaoji hurriedly shook her head. "No need, I’m fine."

Qin Feng looked at her seriously. "You’d better think it through. If things are ruined between Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding because of your momentary soft-heartedness..."

Meeting Qin Feng’s calm gaze, Yaoji’s heart trembled. She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they were filled with tranquility. She nodded. "I understand. My son is still in Licheng. I won’t do anything to harm him."

"That would be best." Qin Feng gave Yaoji a deep look, then turned, walked out the door, and quickly disappeared from Marquis Muyang’s Mansion.

Not far from Marquis Muyang’s Mansion, Lin Han was hanging from the eaves like a bat, swaying as he watched Qin Feng. Seeing Qin Feng approach, Lin Han slid down from the eaves. Shaking his head, he said, "What was the point of that? You’ll only make her hate you."

He made a special trip to Marquis Muyang’s Mansion. I thought Qin Feng was going to confess his feelings to Yaoji or something. Who knew it would be a mix of carrot-and-stick threats and warnings? Does Qin Feng really like Yaoji? Lin Han was somewhat puzzled.

Qin Feng said flatly, "Princess Consort Ding is right. Clearing things up now is better than losing one’s life later."

"So, in the end, you still don’t trust her?" Lin Han asked, raising an eyebrow.

Qin Feng tilted his head in thought. "What should I trust? That Yaoji has no intention of betraying Prince Ding’s Mansion? I believe right now that Yaoji won’t betray Prince Ding’s Mansion, but... I don’t know if Yaoji still loves Mu Yang. As long as Yaoji harbors even the slightest affection for Mu Yang, no one can guarantee what she might do when the time comes. For now, we just need to ensure that Princess Consort Ding’s plan and safety aren’t compromised."

Watching Qin Feng walk away without a backward glance, Lin Han shrugged and followed, asking, "Should we send someone to watch her?"

"Mu Lie will keep an eye on her," Qin Feng’s voice drifted back faintly.

Trailing behind, Lin Han sighed. Relationships are such a hassle. Fortunately, I don’t have such worries at the moment. Otherwise, wouldn’t I end up suffering like Qin Feng and Yaoji, or like Third Young Master Feng? It’s better to wait a few years until things are peaceful, then find a good, suitable girl to marry.

「Inside Marquis Muyang’s Mansion」

Yaoji sat alone in her room, lost in thought. Today’s events truly shocked me. After the initial panic, I gradually understood Princess Consort Ding’s intentions. I can’t help but admire that Princess Consort Ding considered even such minor details. I never thought of betraying Prince Ding’s Mansion, just as I never thought of getting back together with Mu Yang. But similarly, I never imagined that one day I would want Mu Yang dead. Perhaps Princess Consort Ding doesn’t want Mu Yang’s life. But for a man like Mu Yang, destroying Marquis Muyang’s Mansion would likely be no different from taking his life. Princess Consort Ding thought things through very carefully, so I don’t blame her for testing me. In fact, I should be grateful. If I had only learned about all this when it was about to happen, I’m really not sure if I could have gone through with it. Although it’s difficult and painful now, it has also given me enough time to think and decide. While painful, it also reduces the chance of unforeseen problems.

"Yaoji, I heard you’re not feeling well?" Mu Yang’s voice came from outside the door.

Yaoji quickly composed herself, turning calmly to look at the man at the door. Now in his thirties, he possessed a mature man’s steady presence, more so than in his youth. He was no longer the charming, gentle nobleman of Capital City, nor the helpless heir of the Marquis’s Mansion torn between his lover and parents, forced to compromise. Now, he carried an air of greater authority and dominance.

Yaoji stood up and smiled faintly. "It’s nothing. I’m just in a bad mood."

Mu Yang looked at her with a pained expression, full of apology. "Has the madam been causing you trouble again? I’ll speak to her later. I’ll tell her to behave and stop bothering you."

Yaoji smiled faintly, a trace of mockery at the corner of her lips. She said dismissively, "It’s been so many years. Would talking to her make any difference?"

"Yaoji..." Mu Yang sighed helplessly. "Are you still angry with me? Lie’er is so grown up now. Can’t we just live our lives peacefully? I’ll give you anything you want, and no one will bully you and our son anymore."

A bitter smile touched Yaoji’s lips. After so many years, I’ve grown somewhat numb to such words. Although I returned to Marquis Muyang’s Mansion with ulterior motives, I’ve gradually come to be thankful for those motives. If Qin Feng hadn’t saved me back then and I’d been directly captured and brought back to Marquis Muyang’s Mansion... if the son living in the mansion wasn’t Mu Lie, trained by Prince Ding’s Mansion from a young age, but my own biological son... with Mu Yang’s attitude, would my son and I even be alive today? Mu Yang loves me, but he also loves other things. Even for my sake and our child’s, he wouldn’t be willing to give up anything, not even the slightest bit. Even though I no longer have any right to blame him, I can’t help but feel heartbroken by his attitude—for my child’s sake.

"Do you remember the serious illness Lie’er had in the autumn two years ago?" Yaoji asked coolly.

Mu Yang frowned slightly. "Yaoji, what’s wrong with you?"

Yaoji ignored him and continued, "And last year, when he fell from his horse. And this spring, when he fell into the lake..." She recounted, one by one, the various dangers Mu Lie had faced in recent years, as well as some of the overt and covert incidents she herself had endured. Although Mu Lie isn’t really my son, all the suffering he endured was truly for the sake of my child. What made Yaoji even more disheartened was that, apart from punishing some servants and maids, Mu Yang had never dealt with any of the masterminds behind these incidents.

Before he could finish speaking, Yaoji looked at him coldly and interrupted, "Not ’we,’ but you. Mu Yang, it’s you who owe those women an apology. If I had left Marquis Muyang’s Mansion and never returned, you wouldn’t have had to apologize to anyone. It was you who insisted on quarreling with your parents, on neglecting and venting your anger on your wife. As time went by, you felt you owed them an apology. But... even if I owe them, my son owes them nothing."

"Yaoji..." Mu Yang looked in surprise at the woman before him, her face cold and unyielding. Ever since he brought Yaoji and Mu Lie back to the Marquis’s Mansion a few years ago, Yaoji’s temperament had changed. He had always assumed she was still angry with him for letting her and their child suffer so much, so he had always cherished and indulged her. But only now did he realize that Yaoji was no longer the bright-eyed, sweet-smiling, charming, and alluring Yaoji from the Qingcheng Workshop. Her once beautiful face now held a cold severity and resolve that were completely unfamiliar to him. A sudden pang of fear struck Mu Yang. Could it be that in all these years, he had never truly known Yaoji?

Yaoji looked at him calmly. After a long moment, she sighed softly and said, "Just now, Concubine Liu sent word that she seems to be pregnant. You should go see her."

Mu Yang’s expression softened, as if he understood something. He smiled, embracing Yaoji’s slender shoulders, feeling somewhat awkward yet a little proud. "It was my fault for not telling you... But you know, Concubine Liu’s father..."

Yaoji lowered her eyes and said coolly, "I know. Besides Lie’er, there are only two girls in the mansion now. It’s a good thing if Concubine Liu is with child. You should go."

Mu Yang looked at Yaoji, repeatedly checking her expression to make sure she wasn’t angry, before releasing her. "Alright, I’ll go see her now. I’ll come have dinner with you tonight."

Yaoji nodded listlessly, watching Mu Yang leave.

As soon as Mu Yang left, the nearby window moved, and Mu Lie climbed in from outside. Looking at Yaoji and shaking his head, he said, "I just don’t understand why you still bother with him. It just gives you the empty title of his ’sole favorite.’ Are there really fewer women in this mansion than in others? If we weren’t protecting you, you wouldn’t even know how you died."

Yaoji looked at him helplessly. "Why don’t you use the door? Are you addicted to climbing through windows? You’re just a child, what do you understand... There’s nothing between him and me anymore. It’s just that he..."

Mu Lie rolled his eyes and climbed into a chair. "This Young Master just doesn’t like taking the common path. I know what you’re thinking. Even if you have no feelings for him anymore, he’s still the biological father of my yet-to-be-met younger brother. If the child grows up and finds out it was you, his mother, who caused his biological father’s death, it would be hard for you to explain, right? Why don’t you just not tell him?"

"There’s no wall in the world that doesn’t leak air, unless he never learns of his parentage his entire life," Yaoji said with a touch of melancholy.

Mu Lie said, "I’ve never met my parents, and I’ve lived happily, haven’t I? Besides, didn’t you say his adoptive parents treat him very well?"

Yaoji looked at Mu Lie in silence. How could a child who has never been a parent, no matter how smart, understand a mother’s feelings?

Mu Lie waved his hand. "Alright, alright. Worst case, you and Commander Qin can have another one later. As for my little brother, isn’t it enough to know he’s doing well? It’s much better than him knowing his current identity, right? Didn’t you say he’s now a young master from an official’s family?"

Over the years, Mu Lie was acutely aware of how awkward his identity was. On one hand, he was the eldest son of Marquis Muyang’s Mansion, and currently the only son. If things went smoothly, he might even inherit the title of Marquis Muyang’s Mansion in the future. But on the other hand, he was a concubine’s son; his birth mother was once a dancer and had given birth to him out of wedlock. If Marquis Muyang’s Mansion hadn’t been without male heirs for so long, he wouldn’t even have been entered into the family-tree registration. This led to his ostracization by the legitimate sons of other families his age. Fortunately, he didn’t have to stay here and pretend to be the young master of Marquis Muyang’s Mansion all the time. Otherwise, in a few more years, even his marriage would become awkward. Truly prominent families wouldn’t want to marry their legitimate daughters to a dancer’s son, while daughters from lesser families or illegitimate daughters wouldn’t be a match for the heir of Marquis Muyang’s Mansion. Mu Lie was sure that if Yaoji’s younger son were to truly grow up in Marquis Muyang’s Mansion, then if he wasn’t killed by others or utterly spoiled by Mu Yang, he would likely develop a twisted personality himself.

"What nonsense are you spouting?!" Yaoji glared at him irritably. This child was becoming more and more tactless as he grew older.

Mu Lie smiled brightly. "No need to be embarrassed. Commander Qin came to see you just now, didn’t he?"

Yaoji glanced at him coolly. The mention of Qin Feng made her expression even more somber.

Mu Lie reached out and patted her sympathetically. "Actually, you were just asking for trouble when you came to Marquis Muyang’s Mansion back then. If you had married Commander Qin directly, even if our Prince detested the Mu Family, out of consideration for Princess Consort Ding and Commander Qin, he wouldn’t have dared to trouble my little brother."

Yaoji gave a bitter smile. How could things be as simple as he thought? Perhaps Princess Consort Ding genuinely wouldn’t pursue matters, but Prince Ding would absolutely not let the Mu Family off so easily. Prince Ding could have killed Marquis Muyang long ago if he had wanted to. The reason he hadn’t acted was merely to torment Marquis Muyang and destroy the Mu Family. How could Prince Ding let go of a pawn like her? In recent years, although Marquis Muyang’s Mansion hadn’t been destroyed, it had been plagued by constant turmoil.

"Lie’er, don’t worry about me. I know what to do," Yaoji said with a faint smile. In this world, nothing was more important than her son. Even if she couldn’t be by his side as he grew up, she had to do her utmost to ensure he lived a life free of worries.

「In Prince Li’s Mansion」

Ye Ying, accompanied by two attendants, was walking towards the exit of the mansion. However, just as she reached the main hall, she was intercepted. Ye Ying frowned at Dongfang You, who stood before her, and asked irritably, "What are you doing?"

Dongfang You stared at Ye Ying, looking her up and down before asking, "Where are you going?"

Ye Ying’s pretty face darkened. "Where I’m going is none of your business!"

Dongfang You replied indifferently, "I am in charge of Prince Li’s Mansion now. No one leaves without my permission."

Ye Ying scoffed coldly. "Who do you think you are? You’re a Princess Consort, and so am I. If I, this Princess Consort, want to go out, can you stop me? Besides... I have asked the Grand Consort for permission, and the Grand Consort has agreed. On what grounds do you disagree?"

These days, there had been a noticeable shift in Prince Li’s Mansion. Dongfang You, who previously never involved herself in anything, had suddenly taken over many of the mansion’s affairs, even showing signs of wanting to sideline Grand Consort Wise Zhao. Grand Consort Wise Zhao indeed disliked Ye Ying, but compared to the currently overbearing Dongfang You, the docile and harmless Ye Ying seemed particularly endearing. Thus, when Ye Ying occasionally asked for favors, Grand Consort Wise Zhao would usually grant them.

Hearing her words, Dongfang You sneered disdainfully. "As I said, I am in charge of Prince Li’s Mansion now. Let alone Grand Consort Wise Zhao, even if the Empress Dowager herself came, it would be useless."

It was no wonder Grand Consort Wise Zhao disliked Dongfang You. Compared to Ye Ying, Dongfang You was superior in almost every way, except for her slightly tarnished reputation. However, Dongfang You’s temper was also something Ye Ying couldn’t compare to. Perhaps it was due to indifference towards Mo Jingli, or perhaps she simply didn’t regard Mo Jingli at all. When Dongfang You spoke of Grand Consort Wise Zhao and the Empress Dowager, she naturally showed no respect. Grand Consort Wise Zhao had been revered and pampered her whole life; how could she tolerate such disrespect from a junior?

"I insist on going out. What can you do?" Ye Ying said defiantly.

Dongfang You raised a delicate eyebrow, surprised that Ye Ying, who had seemed so mild-tempered recently, could be so assertive. This Ye Ying was completely unlike her third sister, Princess Consort Ding. Dongfang You had never taken her seriously. Now, being contradicted by Ye Ying, she grew even more displeased. "Ye Ying, out of respect for Princess Consort Ding, I, this Princess Consort, will give you some face. But you’d better not push your luck when offered respect!"

Ye Ying was furious. Ignoring Dongfang You, she turned and walked towards the door. She didn’t believe Dongfang You would dare kill her in the Prince’s Mansion!

"Seize her!" Dongfang You commanded coldly from behind.

A figure in green flashed before them, and two men appeared, one to Ye Ying’s left and one to her right, blocking her path. Dongfang You stated arrogantly, "Take this woman back to her courtyard. If she dares to cause more trouble, throw her into the dungeon!"

"Yes," the two men responded respectfully.

"You dare!" Ye Ying exclaimed, shocked. These two were clearly not guards from Prince Li’s Mansion. Seeing them approach to grab her, Ye Ying couldn’t help but scream, "Dongfang You! You’ve gone too far! The Prince won’t let you get away with this!"

Dongfang You snorted disdainfully. "You just stay obediently at home. If you dare to step out, believe me, I’ll break your legs. Do you think this is Licheng, where your sister, Princess Consort Ding, can back you up?"

"You wouldn’t dare! Prince... Prince, save me!" Ye Ying struggled and shrieked.

"What is all this commotion?" Mo Jingli entered from outside, his face dark as he surveyed the scene.

Seeing Mo Jingli, Ye Ying quickly broke free from her captors and hid behind him. "Prince... Prince, save me! Dongfang You wants to break my legs!"

Mo Jingli looked at Dongfang You with displeasure, frowning. "What are you stirring up now? Don’t go too far."

Dongfang You frowned with equal displeasure. "How have I gone too far? I merely had her escorted back to her room."

Naturally, Mo Jingli was aware of the recent happenings in Prince Li’s Mansion. He looked at Ye Ying and asked, "What happened?"

Ye Ying hadn’t expected Mo Jingli to actually ask her. She quickly seized the opportunity. "I reported to the Grand Consort that I wanted to go out for a walk. Who knew she would go mad and stop me in the main hall, refusing to let me leave? She even threatened to throw me in the dungeon and break my legs if I dared to go out again. Prince, when did it become so that I, Princess Consort Li, cannot even leave the mansion? Prince, if you are truly tired of Ying’er, then just divorce me. Why should I suffer today’s humiliation?"

After all this time, Ye Ying had finally learned a thing or two. She used the tactic of feigning retreat to advance with considerable skill.

Although Mo Jingli no longer held the same affection for Ye Ying as before, she was, after all, a woman who had been with him for over a decade. Moreover, he had made a promise to Ye Li, so he naturally wouldn’t treat her too poorly. He shot Dongfang You a displeased glance. "What concern is it of yours if Ying’er wants to go for a walk? Even Mother Consort agreed, so what are you making a fuss about?"

Dongfang You’s face darkened. "I don’t care. In short, no one from Prince Li’s Mansion is allowed to leave these days without my command."

Hearing this, Mo Jingli’s face also turned black. He said coldly, "Dongfang You, don’t push it! Does this Prince also need your permission to go anywhere? I haven’t even settled the score with you for disrespecting Mother Consort these past few days. Don’t be ungrateful!"

Dongfang You sneered. "She’s your mother consort. What does that have to do with me? This young lady doesn’t need to indulge that old hag."

Mo Jingli was about to erupt in anger, but for some reason, he restrained himself. Glaring at Dongfang You, he said, "If you forbid Ying’er from going out, you must have a reason, right?"

Dongfang You faltered, then said stubbornly, "Because I want to! If I say she can’t go out, she can’t go out!"

"Crazy woman!" Mo Jingli couldn’t be bothered with her. He pulled Ye Ying and walked towards the door, calling his guards, "Escort the Princess Consort out. I’d like to see who dares to stop her!"

No matter how formidable Dongfang You was, Mo Jingli was ultimately the true master of the Regent Prince’s Mansion. In the end, Ye Ying was personally escorted out of Prince Li’s Mansion by Mo Jingli’s guards.

In the main hall, Mo Jingli unhappily told Dongfang You to "fend for herself" and returned to his study without a backward glance.

Dongfang You stared gloomily at the empty doorway, silent for a long time, causing those around her to feel a secret dread. The people now following Dongfang You were all former subordinates from Cangmang Mountain. After Cangmang Mountain’s fall, they naturally followed Dongfang You, their Young Mistress. Many of them had grown up with Dongfang You on Cangmang Mountain. But seeing Dongfang You’s current state, they could hardly believe this was the once intelligent yet somewhat naive and worldly-ignorant Young Mistress of Cangmang Mountain. In the end, they could only attribute her drastic change in temperament to the immense blow of Cangmang Mountain’s sudden calamity and the sudden death of the Mistress, sighing secretly in their hearts.

"Princess Consort, Consort Rong has left. Should we..." the man in green, who had earlier tried to seize Ye Ying, asked in a low voice.

Dongfang You huffed. "Forget it. Doing too much might arouse Mo Jingli’s suspicion. Have your people keep an eye on Ye Ying. If she dares to contact anyone from Prince Ding’s Mansion, kill her!"

The man in green voiced his doubt. "It’s well known that Princess Consort Ding and Consort Rong are not on good terms. Even if people from Prince Ding’s Mansion were to come looking for Young Master Qingchen, they probably wouldn’t seek out Consort Rong. Besides, even Prince Li doesn’t know anything; what could she possibly know?"

Dongfang You was silent for a moment. "That’s true, but it’s always better to be cautious. The people from Prince Ding’s Mansion are consistently cunning. That foolish woman Ye Ying might get sold and still be counting the money for her sellers."

The man in green nodded. "Understood. I will have people follow Consort Rong."

After leaving Prince Li’s Mansion, Ye Ying dismissed Mo Jingli’s guards. These guards were only there to escort her out of the mansion and prevent Dongfang You from causing trouble, so they naturally wouldn’t follow her everywhere. Ye Ying wandered aimlessly in Nanjing City for a while, then headed to a popular temple in the city. Ye Ying came to this temple every month to pray for her long-lost child. Seeing her arrival, the temple’s Head Monk personally came out to greet her and invited her inside. As usual, Ye Ying offered incense, then dismissed the young acolytes in the prayer hall and knelt alone, praying for her child.

For the past two years, Ye Ying had frequented this place, and the young acolytes all knew that Princess Consort Li was praying for her son. Although they were somewhat puzzled as to why Princess Consort Li always prayed for a living person when her son was clearly dead, they knew what to say and what not to say. Thus, they paid no mind to Ye Ying’s actions.

In the tranquil prayer hall, Ye Ying knelt on a cushion, piously praying in her heart to the Buddha statue above. A soft footstep from behind startled her. Turning, she saw a young man dressed in white emerge gracefully from the rear hall. The young man was incomparably handsome, his white attire and smiling eyes exuding a warmth that made it impossible to feel any dislike, only a sense of being bathed in a spring breeze, utterly comforting. Ye Ying had seen many handsome men, but none who inspired such immediate goodwill as the one before her. Even Young Master Qingchen, who was like a celestial being, seemed more distant and unapproachable in comparison.

"Fourth Sister, are you well?" the man in white asked with a smile.

Ye Ying was stunned. "Thi... Third Sister? How can it be you?" Looking closely at the handsome face, wasn’t there a four or five-tenths resemblance to Ye Li’s features? Only, compared to the gentle and graceful Ye Li she remembered, this persona had an added scholarly refinement and dashing charm.

Ye Li, in her male disguise, twirled the folding fan in her hand and smiled. "Isn’t it me? Can’t Fourth Sister recognize me?"

Ye Ying gave a somewhat sheepish smile. Ye Li’s current appearance was so vastly different from her memory that if they had passed on the street, she might not have recognized her at all. After recovering from her shock, Ye Ying asked with some puzzlement, "Third Sister, why did you come to Nanjing personally?" She had initially thought Yaoji wanted to see her, but she hadn’t expected Ye Li herself to come.

Hearing Ye Ying’s words, the smile on Ye Li’s face faded slightly. She sighed softly. "Something has happened, naturally. A while ago, you had Yaoji deliver a secret letter back to Licheng. What did it say?"

Ye Ying was taken aback. "Is something wrong?"

Ye Li shook her head. "It’s not your fault. The letter reached Elder Brother, but now... Elder Brother is missing. So I want to know what was written in that letter."

Only then did Ye Ying breathe a sigh of relief. She quickly said, "After Dongfang Hui died, Mo Jingli went to find Dongfang You. Now, all the remaining forces of Cangmang Mountain are in Dongfang You’s hands. Mo Jingli made a deal with Dongfang You: Dongfang You will do her utmost to help Mo Jingli, and Mo Jingli will help Dongfang You get Young Master Qingchen."

"Get?" Ye Li frowned. The word, when used in relation to Xu Qingchen, always felt somewhat jarring. After a moment’s thought, she asked, "Then... is it possible that Mo Jingli kidnapped Elder Brother?"

Ye Ying thought for a moment, then finally shook her head. "It shouldn’t be... Mo Jingli did send men across the river, but they returned empty-handed. Mo Jingli was furious and had a big argument with Dongfang You. These days, although Dongfang You has been helping Mo Jingli suppress the Empress Dowager, she has been very arrogant in the mansion, not even showing respect for Grand Consort Wise Zhao. Mo Jingli has argued with her several times over this. Today, she even forbade me from leaving."

Ye Li frowned in thought for a long time, then asked, "What about Dongfang You? Has she left the mansion recently?"

Ye Ying shook her head. After a moment, the realization dawned on her. She looked at Ye Li in surprise. "You think Dongfang You kidnapped Young Master Qingchen?"

Ye Li sighed. "It’s just a guess."

Ye Ying said, "Dongfang You hasn’t left the mansion these days. However, she has many subordinates, and there have been quite a few people from Cangmang Mountain in Prince Li’s Mansion recently. Mo Jingli hasn’t said anything, and others can’t interfere." Hearing Ye Li’s words, Ye Ying couldn’t help but be shocked by Dongfang You’s audacity. Kidnapping a man she liked but who didn’t like her back—Ye Ying admitted to herself that she could never do such a thing.

Ye Li played with the folding fan in her hand as she pondered. After a good while, she said, "When you go back, find a way to let Mo Jingli know that Dongfang You kidnapped Young Master Qingchen."

Ye Ying was taken aback and asked somewhat blankly, "How should I tell Mo Jingli? And why would he believe me?" It had to be said, after these recent events, Ye Ying was actually somewhat afraid of Dongfang You. Especially after Dongfang Hui’s death, every time she saw Dongfang You, she felt a chilling, heart-stopping fear. But she also understood that she had to do as Ye Li said. Not to mention that her child still needed Ye Li’s help to be found, even if just for her own safety—if Ye Li hadn’t arranged for people to protect her secretly, she shuddered to think what kind of life she’d be living, if Dongfang You hadn’t already gotten her killed. One only had to look at how the once proud and disdainful Princess Qixia was being suppressed by Dongfang You these days to understand.

Ye Li considered this. It was indeed inappropriate for Ye Ying to be the one to say it. Leaving aside how Ye Ying would know about Young Master Qingchen’s disappearance, Ye Ying’s mind wasn’t capable of concocting such a complex story. If she spoke up, Mo Jingli would likely suspect Ye Ying first. After thinking for a moment, Ye Li asked, "How is Princess Qixia doing now?"

Ye Ying gave a snort, tinged with schadenfreude. "Her days are certainly more difficult than mine." Remembering how Princess Qixia, without any official title, had lorded over her for so many years, and then seeing how Princess Qixia was being tormented by Dongfang You, Ye Ying couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction from the bottom of her heart.

Ye Li’s expression was calm. "But Mo Jingli still favors her more, doesn’t he?" Regardless of one’s feelings about Princess Qixia, she was, at least compared to Ye Ying, much better at pleasing men. Just looking at Ye Ying’s mix of schadenfreude and jealousy, it was clear Princess Qixia hadn’t completely fallen out of favor. Moreover, with Dongfang You around, Princess Qixia wouldn’t easily fall completely out of favor. Dongfang You might be formidable, but she was far too adept at making men like Mo Jingli dislike her. Ye Li was certain that the more Dongfang You tormented Princess Qixia, the more Mo Jingli would dote on her.

"You can try to let Princess Qixia know about this. She will definitely be very willing to analyze it for Mo Jingli. But be careful not to let her suspect you," Ye Li instructed.

Ye Ying thought for a moment. Although Dongfang You now controlled Prince Li’s Mansion, and many of Prince Ding’s Mansion’s people could no longer be used, Ye Li’s request wasn’t too difficult. So, she nodded in agreement.

Ye Li looked at her, seeing her hesitant expression as if wanting to speak yet holding back, thought for a moment and said, "By the way, there’s news about your child."

"Wha... What?" Ye Ying’s heart trembled. She stared at Ye Li in shock, tears of excitement welling in her eyes. Forgetting their current attire and situation, she grabbed Ye Li’s hand. "There’s news? Really... Is he really alive?"

Ye Li nodded calmly. Looking at Ye Ying, who was overcome with emotion, a flicker of pity crossed her heart. She said softly, "Yes, there’s news. Mo Jingqi didn’t kill the child back then. There will be more definite news in a few more days."

Ye Ying could hardly care about anything else. She nodded repeatedly. "I know, I’ll wait. Third Sister, thank you... I’ll do anything you ask, as long as I can see my child."

Ye Li sighed softly. "I won’t ask you to do anything dangerous. Rest assured, after we find Elder Brother, I will take you to see the child."

The tears in Ye Ying’s eyes finally couldn’t be held back and streamed down her face. She collapsed onto the prayer cushion, sobbing. When that child was still with her, although she had treated him well, she hadn’t felt any deep attachment or anxiety. She had even used the child to vie for favor. But when she learned that the child wasn’t her own, and that her biological son was missing—a son she had never even seen—only then did Ye Ying truly feel an agonizing, heart-wrenching pain. She felt that as long as she could find her child, she would willingly give her life.

Ye Li gently patted her back. "Alright, dry your tears and go back. There are people watching outside; it’s not good to stay too long."

Ye Ying finally stopped her tears. She wiped her face, then stood up and left.

Ye Li sat alone in the empty prayer hall. She looked up at the Buddha statue, which gazed upon all living beings with a compassionate face, and gave a helpless, bitter smile.

"Princess Consort." Zhuo Jing appeared silently in the prayer hall and reported in a low voice, "There are people following Princess Consort Li. They are from Cangmang Mountain."

Ye Li nodded. "We’ll leave in a bit. Don’t mind them."

Zhuo Jing nodded silently. After a long pause, he asked, "Princess Consort, your plan to incite conflict between Mo Jingli and Dongfang You... will it work?"

Ye Li sighed. "We have to try, whether it works or not. We all suspect Dongfang You captured Elder Brother. But since she hasn’t made a move, we can’t find him. In that case... we might as well stir the pot to flush her out. Mo Jingli is much more familiar with Nanjing than we are. If Dongfang You really did capture Elder Brother, I don’t believe she could hide him too far from herself. Even if not in Nanjing City, it should be nearby."

Zhuo Jing nodded in agreement. This was the only way now. Jiangnan wasn’t vast, but it wasn’t small either. And Cangmang Mountain had operated there for hundreds of years; who knew into what obscure corner Dongfang You might have hidden Young Master Qingchen.

"Have people watch Prince Li’s Mansion. Dongfang You can’t possibly plan to avoid seeing Elder Brother forever," Ye Li instructed in a low voice.

"As you command," Zhuo Jing replied softly.

「Regent’s Mansion」

Dongfang You sat alone in the study, staring blankly at a portrait spread open on the desk. Her gentle eyes were filled with infatuation and resentment. It had to be said, Dongfang You’s painting skills were excellent. The man in the portrait, with white clothes and black hair, had an indifferent expression, like an immortal from the ninth heaven.

Lifting a hand to gently touch the incomparably handsome face of the man in the portrait, a joyful smile flickered in Dongfang You’s eyes.

BANG! The study door was kicked open from the outside. Dongfang You’s eyes turned cold. She looked up unhappily at the furiously angry man standing in the doorway. "What are you doing?"

Mo Jingli strode into the study. Seeing the portrait on the desk, he snorted contemptuously. He stepped forward, grabbed Dongfang You by the collar, and roared, "Bitch! You have some nerve, daring to play this Prince for a fool!"

Dongfang You was taken aback. Annoyed, she swatted away the hand gripping her collar. "I don’t know what madness has possessed you! Mo Jingli, don’t think I’m afraid of you. Believe it or not, this young lady could kill you right now!"

Mo Jingli scoffed. "Kill me? In this vast world, outside of my, this Prince’s, Jiangnan, where else could your Cangmang Mountain find refuge? If you kill this Prince, do you think you could walk out of Prince Li’s Mansion alive? Besides... with a handsome man in your grasp, would you bear to die?"

Dongfang You’s expression changed slightly. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Mo Jingli sneered. "You don’t know? This Prince sent men to help you capture Xu Qingchen, but you turned around and had them intercepted halfway? This Prince took the blame for you, while all the benefits fell to you alone? Then, you planned to just leave, live freely and happily, and leave this Prince to fight to the death with Prince Ding’s Mansion? That’s quite a scheme you’ve hatched. Dongfang You, if you had been this clever back in Licheng, you wouldn’t have ended up in this state."

Dongfang You’s heart skipped a beat, but her expression remained unchanged. "I don’t know where you heard such crazy talk. What interception? You weren’t capable of capturing Young Master Qingchen yourself. The fact that this young lady didn’t break our agreement is already doing you a favor. Don’t push your luck!"

Mo Jingli’s face twisted into a grimace. "Do you think this Prince will still believe you? From today on, you will stay obediently in the mansion and go nowhere."

"You want to put me under house arrest?" Dongfang You glared at him, her face dark.

Mo Jingli raised an eyebrow. "Tell me, where is Xu Qingchen now?" He hadn’t dared to capture Xu Qingchen just so this woman could swoon over him.

Dongfang You remained unmoved. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Mo Jingli paid her no mind. He pushed Dongfang You aside, picked up the portrait from the desk, and laughed mockingly. "You haven’t left the mansion these days, have you? What’s wrong, don’t you dare go see Young Master Qingchen? Well... Young Master Qingchen, with his noble and pure character, hailed as the Immortal Young Master, how could he possibly fancy a ruined woman like you? You only dare to clutch this portrait and fantasize."

Dongfang You’s face changed. She reached out to grab the portrait from Mo Jingli’s hand. "Mo Jingli, give it back to me!"

Mo Jingli sidestepped her. Knowing he was no match for Dongfang You, he didn’t entangle with her further. Turning to walk out, he warned, "I advise you to stay obediently in Prince Li’s Mansion and not act rashly. Do you think Young Master Qingchen doesn’t know it was you who captured him? You don’t dare go see him, do you? Haha... Young Master Qingchen’s intelligence is unparalleled; how could he not guess? Do you think Xu Qingchen would rather die than be with a woman like you? If I were Young Master Qingchen, I would definitely rather die than have a woman like you, needlessly staining the Xu Family’s reputation of several hundred years. Haha..."

"Mo Jingli!" Dongfang You roared in fury. She grabbed the inkstone from the table and hurled it at Mo Jingli’s back. Mo Jingli, having anticipated this, dodged and was already out the door. The inkstone slammed against the study door with a loud CLANG.

Staring at the door, now shaking from her own impact, Dongfang You’s expression was so dark and twisted it sent a chill down one’s spine. After a long moment, she bit out two words through gritted teeth, "Qixia..."