Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 73. A Leisurely House Arrest Life

73. The Leisurely Life in Soft Detention

Ye Li woke up from the darkness, feeling a pulsing throbbing in her forehead. She couldn’t help but sigh ruefully, realizing her oversight. Despite being aware of Mo Jingqi’s wariness of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, she had still firmly believed that he wouldn’t dare to touch the Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom in the palace. However, she had not expected Ye Yue to make a move against her.

Ye Li didn’t immediately open her eyes and get up. She lay quietly in bed for quite a while, confirming that there was nobody else nearby before slowly opening her eyes.

The situation seemed much better than Ye Li had originally anticipated. At least, she was not locked in a pitch-dark cell somewhere. Instead, she was in a reasonably decorated room. The room was arranged to the liking of the young ladies in the Capital City with exquisite and magnificent furnishings. Even the tulle plastered on the windows was the favorite of Capital City’s ladies. Ye Li sat up, resting against the bedpost with a helpless smile. Her body felt weak. It seemed that Ye Yue must have used some potent poison. No wonder her captors dared to confine her in such an unguarded room without any watchman. They must have been firmly convinced that she would have trouble reaching the door in her current, feeble state.

CREAK. The door beyond the screen was pushed open, and a girl in green entered carrying something. Seeing Ye Li sitting on the bed, she exclaimed in surprise, "Miss, you’re finally awake!"

Ye Li looked at her, her brow furrowing slightly. "Where is this place? How long have I been asleep?"

The girl in green put the items on the table and laughed. "Miss, you have been asleep here for more than two days. You haven’t eaten anything for two days; you must be hungry. Xiaoyun has prepared some porridge. Would you like to have some?" Ye Li calmly watched the clever girl offer up a bowl of fragrant rice porridge. Ye Li raised her hand and said faintly, "How am I supposed to eat?" She could only sit upright because she was leaning against the bedpost. Even raising her hand felt like hard work. How can I eat holding my bowl and chopsticks with such weak hands? The girl in green apologized to Ye Li with a smile, "Oh, I forgot. Let me feed you, Miss."

Ye Li lowered her eyes and replied softly, "Then I’ll trouble you, Miss."

"Xiaoyun is just a call-on maid. It’s no big deal, Miss," the maid named Xiaoyun said cheerily, before sitting next to Ye Li’s bed and carefully feeding her the porridge. Ye Li was irritated at being treated like a helpless patient, but she wasn’t one to mistreat herself. Starving for two days out of some so-called pride would be self-inflicted torture. As for this girl calling herself a call-on maid, if Xiaoyun were truly just an ordinary call-on maid, she’d be an idiot.

After eating, Ye Li’s energy still hadn’t returned. Xiaoyun asked another maid to clear the dishes and stayed behind, moving around the room as if she were occupied with something. Ye Li watched her seemingly busy but actually unproductive behavior and spoke calmly, "If there’s nothing for you to do, feel free to sit down somewhere. Constantly moving about is making me dizzy." Showing no embarrassment at being found out, Xiaoyun giggled. "Our young master was afraid Miss would get bored being alone, so he asked me to accompany you." Ye Li smiled. "Your young master is very thoughtful. Please thank him for me." Xiaoyun nodded, her eyes sparkling playfully. "When our young master hears you say this, he will certainly be quite pleased."

Ye Li remained silent, leaning against the bedpost and allowing Xiaoyun to babble on about various trivial matters while she refrained from interrupting or asking questions. This Xiaoyun is obviously well-trained, Ye Li thought. Trying to get information out of her won’t be easy and would only make her more cautious. Since I’m currently too weak to act, I might as well save my energy.

After obediently staying in her room for two days, the cautious and defensive look in Xiaoyun’s eyes when she looked at Ye Li seemed to soften somewhat. One morning, after breakfast, Ye Li casually asked, "Can I go for a walk? I feel stiff after lying down for two days."

Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment before agreeing and called two maids to accompany Ye Li on a stroll in the garden.

After two days, Ye Li finally stepped outside her room. She took a deep breath of fresh air, and her slightly gloomy mood instantly brightened. With the two maids supporting her, she strolled around the small garden, seemingly absentmindedly but in actuality subtly examining the surrounding yard. This yard was not large. Looking at the budding leaves appearing above the garden wall, she smiled slightly and requested, "Help me to the garden to sit for a while. Your young master isn’t around, is he?" Ye Li pointed to the stone table and chairs in front. The maids, who seemed to have been instructed beforehand, obediently obliged and helped her to the stone table, but remained silent when asked about their young master. Ye Li didn’t mind and, in high spirits, leaned against the table and started to observe the plants in the garden.

Since it was early spring, the scene of flowers competing in full bloom was not yet visible. The north was colder than the south, and many plants were just sprouting new buds. Ye Li seemed to be intrigued by a small yellow flower, quite inconspicuous, blooming in the plot nearest to her. When she bent down to pick it, a cool, slender hand grabbed hers. Ye Li looked up, puzzled, only to see Xiaoyun appearing suddenly before her.

Xiaoyun smiled and said, "Miss, this tiny flower looks pretty, but it’s poisonous. So, it’s better that you don’t touch it."

Ye Li frowned and looked at the cluster of small buds. "I see that this is the only flower blooming in the garden. It’s not eye-catching but looks fresh and delicate. I didn’t expect it to be poisonous."

Xiaoyun smiled proudly. "Sometimes the most unassuming flowers are the most toxic. Compared to those that catch the eye and make people wary, these inconspicuous flowers are the real treasures." Ye Li shook her head and smiled. "A poisonous flower is not a treasure. If Miss Xiaoyun likes flowers, my residence has a few pots of top-grade orchids. They’re just in bloom. I can give you one." A strange light flickered in Xiaoyun’s eyes as she answered Ye Li with a smile, "I had almost forgotten about your status, Miss. Someone of your noble status naturally wouldn’t care for such ordinary things. However, the plants in this courtyard are somewhat hazardous. Miss, if you prefer, by tomorrow I can have them all replaced with ones you like."

Ye Li shook her head gently, grinning as she said, "There’s no need for that. Exotic flowers and herbs have their unique beauty, and ordinary plants have their own charm as well." Besides, I don’t intend to stay here long, so there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with sprucing up the garden on my account.

Xiaoyun responded with a smile, "The young master ordered us to take good care of you, Miss. Please don’t hesitate to tell Xiaoyun if there’s anything you like. If the young master should learn that you are not comfortable here, well, we would be unable to bear the consequences."

Turning her fascinating eyes, Ye Li responded with a light laugh, "Although I haven’t seen your young master yet, I’d still like to express my gratitude to him. Since that’s the case... I was originally planning to view the peach blossoms with my... husband this year, but under the current circumstances, I’m afraid we won’t be able to. Could I trouble you to pick a few branches for me when the peach blossoms are in full bloom?"

Xiaoyun evidently did not expect Ye Li’s request to be so simple, and laughed heartily. "Of course. Xiaoyun guarantees that Miss will see the earliest blooming peach blossoms of this year. Would Miss like anything else brought back?" Seeing Xiaoyun consent to her request, Ye Li’s smile seemed to become much more sincere as she responded with a light smile, "If it’s not too much trouble, can you bring some cosmetics back for me as well? I want cosmetics from the best makeup store in Capital City, specifically jasmine scented ones."

"Jasmine?" Xiaoyun looked puzzled. Ye Li responded with an apologetic smile, "Although it is somewhat common, I really like that scent. I’m troubling you, Miss Xiaoyun."

Xiaoyun shook her head. "No, whatever Miss wishes, Xiaoyun will surely obtain it for you."

Ye Li smiled. "Then I’ll trouble you, Miss."

Watching Xiaoyun leave, Ye Li comfortably leaned against the stone table, breathing in the fresh air. Her smiling eyes lightly fell onto the somewhat desolate plants in the flowerbeds, her eyes gleaming with increased delight.

「Meanwhile, in the study of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion」

Mo Xiuyao looked indifferently at the dossier spread out before him. He raised his eyes to ask Feng Zhiyao, who was standing to the side, "What news has come from the palace?"

Feng Zhiyao replied solemnly, "The palace’s people have already searched Yaohua Palace. It was a palace newly built during the reign of the previous emperor and didn’t have any secret passages. However, the lotus pool inside Yaohua Palace was not artificially dug; it connects to the palace’s river system. Our covert guards suspect the Princess Consort was taken away through this waterway. They believe this happened before the fire broke out in Yaohua Palace."

"Is there anything else?"

"Also, regarding the bodies of Ye Zhaoyi and the Sixth Prince, although they were burned beyond recognition, the covert guards who secretly investigated confirmed that the female corpse is not Ye Zhaoyi’s. As for the Sixth Prince... if the body thought to be Ye Zhaoyi is fake, then it’s highly likely the Sixth Prince is also still alive."

Mo Xiuyao sneered coldly. "Well done. Two people in the palace are dead, and five people, including Ye Zhaoyi and the Sixth Prince, have disappeared. Yet my covert guards from the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion know nothing."

Feng Zhiyao sighed helplessly in his heart. Ever since the Princess Consort went missing, the Prince’s aura has become increasingly intimidating. He speaks only a few casual words, devoid of any overt anger, yet those who hear him can’t help but feel a chill down their spine. No wonder no one else dared to come in; they pushed me in instead to face this peril. "Any movement from those people in Capital City?"

"Mo Jingqi is secretly searching everywhere. Presumably, he too doesn’t know the whereabouts of the Princess Consort. Mo Jingli has done nothing. He returned to his mansion directly after leaving the palace that day and has maintained his usual routine for the past few days. There’s been no movement from the others, and lately, no suspicious people have been seen entering or leaving Capital City." Ye Li seemed to have vanished into thin air. Feng Zhiyao was also helpless. No one had expected someone to dare set fire to a palace hall and kidnap the Princess Consort from within the imperial palace. The incident happened so suddenly that all useful clues had disappeared by the time they could start looking for them.

"If Ye Yue is still alive, she must still be in the palace. I want to see her within three days. It may not be hard to hide an adult in the palace, but it is not so easy to hide a baby who knows nothing," Mo Xiuyao commanded with a deep voice.

"Yes, my lord." Feng Zhiyao accepted the order respectfully, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "There is one more thing... the covert guards assigned to the Princess Consort—Darky One, Darky Two, Darky Three, and Darky Four—have all disappeared."

Mo Xiuyao was taken aback. "Disappeared?"

Feng Zhiyao nodded. "Yes. After the Princess Consort disappeared, they reported to the Commander of the Covert Guards to receive punishment. Since the Princess Consort had not yet been found, the matter was temporarily set aside. However, it was discovered this morning that all four of them have vanished." Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment, then said, "Ignore them for now."

"Yes."

「A secluded courtyard on the outskirts of the Capital of Great Chu」

Ye Li sat by the flowerbed, aimlessly gazing at the newly planted peach tree, bored. The two maids, who seemed mute and accompanied her daily, just stood nearby awaiting her orders. She stretched out her hand, poked a flower bud on the peach tree, and idly fiddled with the plants beside her, pouting. She had been living in this place for five days. As Xiaoyun had said, everything was well taken care of, except that the maid persistently added drugs to her meals. However, the need to add the drug to every meal indicates its effects don’t last long, Ye Li mused. Xiaoyun, proficient in pharmacology, apparently doesn’t know that some people have remarkable drug resistance. Or perhaps she knows, but doesn’t think I’m one of them. Although my current body isn’t as resistant to poison as it was after specialized anti-toxin training, I did undergo some targeted conditioning from a young age, knowing I would one day join a princely household.

Clearly, Xiaoyun and her master behind the scenes have no intention of truly harming me, so the drug they’re using is likely harmless to the body, Ye Li considered. This also means its potency and duration are probably compromised, though still enough to handle ordinary people. Between Xiaoyun’s doses, I now have at least one hour where I can move freely. Nevertheless, I’m not in a hurry to escape. Even though I usually only see Xiaoyun and a few maids who refuse to speak, I can keenly sense many others secretly watching me. With my body just recovering from the drug’s effects, escaping now would be rather difficult.

"Miss, I heard that you didn’t eat much today. Do the servants lack culinary skills or does the food not suit your palate?" Xiaoyun showed up in the garden, and her eye twitched looking at Ye Li casually plucking weeds. "Miss, that..." Ye Li looked up and motioned towards the weeds in her hand. "You mean this? It’ll affect the growth of the peach tree if they grow here, so I’m pulling it out. I’ve nothing better to do. Do you need me for something, Miss Xiaoyun?"

Xiaoyun looked in distress at the weeds thrown carelessly onto the ground by Ye Li, and forced a smile. "Miss, if you don’t like them, I could ask someone to clean up. You shouldn’t have to do it yourself. I’ve asked for some snacks to be prepared. Would you like to have some?"

Ye Li shook her head and sighed softly. "It’s really boring here. I have nothing to do all day, so I don’t have an appetite. Could you pass a message to your young master for me? I have been imposing for too long and should take my leave."

Without missing a beat, Xiaoyun said with a composed smile, "The young master is not in the residence right now. Even if I had all the courage in the world, I wouldn’t dare to presume to neglect the young master’s guest. So, if Miss wishes to take your leave, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait until the young master returns."

"I understand," Ye Li said nonchalantly. "I’ve been lacking an appetite these past few days; I don’t need any snacks. Miss Xiaoyun, please go busy yourself."

Xiaoyun looked at Ye Li for a while, seemingly assessing the truthfulness of her words. Eventually, she nodded. "If that’s the case, we will bring you food when you get hungry. I will immediately inform the young master when he returns to see you." She curtsied and turned to leave. Ye Li watched her retreating figure, a flicker of coldness in her eyes, as she quickened her pace pulling up the weeds.

When Ye Li had almost cleared half the weeds in the flowerbed, Xiaoyun finally returned, her face fixed in a begrudging smile, to take Ye Li to meet her young master. Ye Li swiftly tossed aside the handful of weeds, dusted off her hands, and allowed the two maids to help her follow Xiaoyun. Ye Li was assisted into an unoccupied room not far from hers. As soon as she entered, she saw a tall figure sitting behind a semi-translucent screen. The two maids seated her and then respectfully excused themselves. Xiaoyun shot Ye Li a resentful look before also leaving, not forgetting to close the door behind her. Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh. I figured Xiaoyun wouldn’t be able to tolerate me for much longer, she thought. After all, give me another two days, and I would have plucked all those ’precious weeds’ from this courtyard.

"What’s so funny?" A deep male voice echoed from behind the screen.

Leaning back in her chair, Ye Li stared at the faint figure behind the screen with a beaming smile. "One naturally laughs when in a good mood."

"In a good mood? Aren’t you worried at all? Don’t you want to know why you’re here? Aren’t you afraid I might kill you?"

Ye Li casually replied, "If you wanted to kill me, you would have done so by now instead of wasting both our time. As for why I’m here... To be able to spirit me away from the imperial palace so covertly, Your Excellency must possess considerable skill."

The man laughed lightly. "Taking you out of the imperial palace is nothing. You’ve been right under the nose of Capital City for seven days, yet neither your useless husband nor those high and mighty in the imperial palace have found so much as a thread of your clothing." Ye Li shrugged. "Well, that does prove your skills. And you were able to make Ye Yue plot against me. I suppose my capture this time wasn’t entirely without reason."

There was a scornful hum from the man. "The women from the Ye Family, whether they seem smart or foolish, all love to be overconfident. It doesn’t take much to make them do your bidding. Ye Li, when do you think the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion will announce your death?"

"Unless they see my dead body, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion will not announce my death," Ye Li stated.

"Overconfident woman! Do you think Mo Xiuyao values you so much?" The man’s voice was charged with rage.

Unfazed, Ye Li’s laughter held a hint of mockery. "How much Mo Xiuyao values me doesn’t seem to have anything to do with you. Isn’t it time you showed your face, or... are you disfigured, Mo Jingli?"

The person behind the screen seemed to pause for a moment, then the room filled with unrestrained laughter. The man rose from behind the screen, bursting out laughing. "Ye Li, it seems I have indeed always underestimated you." The man who emerged was tall and upright, with a handsome face that, even when laughing, exuded a sense of aloofness. Who else could it be but Mo Jingli?

Ye Li sat up straight, looking indifferently at Mo Jingli. "Most people in Capital City have always underestimated Your Highness, haven’t they?"

Mo Jingli scoffed. "You don’t seem surprised at all, proving you’re not one of ’most people’." Ye Li frowned slightly, looking at Mo Jingli. "Clearly, I was one of them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have provoked Your Highness in the first place. And probably... I wouldn’t be in this predicament now." Mo Jingli snorted, leaned closer, and stared down at her. "Do you regret it? I told you before, opposing me never ends well. Mo Xiuyao can’t save you."

"Did Your Highness ever give me a choice?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "In Your Highness’s mind, canceling our marriage and ruining my reputation was perfectly justifiable, but me seeking a better future for myself was a slap in Your Highness’s face? His Highness Prince Li... who do you think you are?"

"HMPH!" Mo Jingli brushed his sleeves and backed away, his gaze on Ye Li harsh and dominant. "Ye Li, you’ve always had a knack for enraging me!"

Ye Li sighed and raised her limp hand. "Prince, you’ve been playing this mysterious act for a while now. Isn’t it about time you told me why you brought me here?"

"When did you find out my identity?" Mo Jingli countered without answering her.

Ye Li smiled. "Well... there aren’t many in Capital City who hold a grudge against me, and even fewer who would dare to kidnap someone from within the imperial palace. As for anyone willing to take such risks and actually succeed... I thought it over, and it seems there’s only Your Highness." Mo Jingli was evidently not as irritable as he usually appeared. Instead of reacting angrily to Ye Li’s words, he sat down to one side, leisurely watching her. "What makes you think I would take such a risk?" he queried. Ye Li replied calmly, "The Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom had an ’accident’ in the palace. Regardless of whether it was the Emperor’s doing, it’s his responsibility. Even if the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion refrains from causing trouble for the Emperor, the opinions of court officials and the common people regarding him will undoubtedly change drastically. Isn’t that so?"

Mo Jingli was in high spirits and raised his eyebrows. "Indeed, my Brother Emperor has completely lost face this time. Did you think I didn’t know Mo Xiuyao wanted to pit me against my Brother Emperor so he could profit from our strife? I insist he make the first move. The Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom disappeared in the imperial palace; I refuse to believe he can maintain his composure! Look... he’s certainly been causing trouble for my Brother Emperor these past few days."

"Prince, are you pleased?"

"Shouldn’t I be pleased?" Mo Jingli beamed at Ye Li. "Does Mo Xiuyao think I’ll forever be the fool he played around with when we were children? What difference does it make now if he knows it wasn’t the Emperor’s doing? Even for the sake of his reputation and pride as Prince Ding, he still has to confront the Emperor on my behalf." Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "And if he realizes it was Your Highness who did it?"

"Do you honestly think I will give him a chance to find out?"

I think he’s already suspicious of you, Ye Li thought silently.

"You don’t seem curious about what I plan to do with you?" Mo Jingli looked at Ye Li, his brows furrowed. She looked up at him. "Use me to threaten Mo Xiuyao? I don’t think... I’m that important." Mo Jingli examined her, nodding. "To be honest, I also have some doubts about your value to Mo Xiuyao. So, for now, I’m not planning to use you to bargain with him. Besides... I’ve suddenly thought of a much more interesting method."

"Do tell," Ye Li replied, her interest only lukewarm.

Ye Li’s indifferent response didn’t dampen Mo Jingli’s high spirits. Instead, he gleamed with satisfaction. His gaze swept over Ye Li, and he said with narrowed eyes, "I remember with crystal clarity what happened last time at Jiaren Lake. At the time, it was merely a joke, but now... I suddenly think it’s an excellent plan. What if, one day, the whole world knows that Mo Xiuyao’s Princess Consort has become my woman... what do you think would happen?" As if envisioning a delightful prospect, Mo Jingli started laughing triumphantly.

By then, you idiot, Mo Xiuyao will have you killed...

I have no doubt, Ye Li thought, that Mo Xiuyao is perfectly capable of washing away any humiliation inflicted upon him with his enemies’ blood. If a man in his physical condition, after experiencing such a desperate plight, can still persevere without being defeated and continue to strategize from the shadows, then he can absolutely achieve anything he sets his mind to. Such a person is also the most terrifying kind of enemy.

"Ye Li, don’t you think this is a good idea?" A hint of a smile played in Mo Jingli’s eyes as he looked at Ye Li, as if observing a kitten trapped in a cage. "Thinking about it, I truly regretted giving you to Mo Xiuyao. However, this is all your fault. If you hadn’t deliberately pretended to be mediocre to fool me, why would I have discarded you to marry that foolish Ye Ying, who knows nothing? Isn’t this better now? Everything is just as it was meant to be. You will still belong to me." As he whispered, Mo Jingli’s body slowly leaned towards Ye Li, his towering figure making her appear even more frail and helpless.

"Prince, I would advise against this," Ye Li said softly, her voice crisp and pleasant. Mo Jingli chuckled. "I don’t need your advice. You just need to be obedient. Ye Li, even though you’ve consistently displeased me, I am magnanimous and won’t hold it against you." Ye Li responded with a chilly smile, raising her hand and slowly placing it on Mo Jingli’s shoulder. With a faint smile on her lips, she whispered, "Is that so? Then... I presume Your Highness wouldn’t blame me for this either?"

Her cool hand rested on Mo Jingli’s neck; it looked as if Ye Li, sitting in her chair, had reached out to embrace his neck. But this seemingly tender moment exuded an unmistakable killing intent. Mo Jingli clearly felt something sharp pressed dangerously against his throat, capable of drawing blood with the slightest pressure. Ye Li chuckled. "Prince, I advise you not to make any rash moves. I was just handling various plants in the garden for quite some time. If your noble neck were accidentally cut, I wonder if Miss Xiaoyun would be able to provide the antidote in time?"

"Ye Li!" Mo Jingli growled.

Ye Li quirked an eyebrow at him, waving her free hand in front of his face. Her well-maintained, slender nails were beautifully painted with a light touch of balsam. Yet, a sinister blue tinge at their edges hinted at something ominous. "Ye Li, if you hurt me, you won’t escape either," Mo Jingli suppressed his anger and calmly warned. Ye Li sighed, feigning helplessness. "You say that as if Your Highness would let me go if I *did* hurt you."

"Ye Li, let me go now, and I shall not hold you accountable!" Mo Jingli warned in a deep voice.

Applying slight pressure with the finger against his neck, Ye Li effectively silenced Mo Jingli. Frowning, she said, "Your Highness, I truly detest this constant arrogance of yours. I hope this is the last time we have dealings with each other."

"Not a chance!" Mo Jingli snorted.

"Don’t be foolish. Perhaps someone else might gamble with me on whose hand is quicker. But I believe Your Highness wouldn’t, because... you’ve never wanted to die. You still want to live to achieve your grand ambitions, don’t you?" Ye Li smirked.

Mo Jingli took a deep breath, suppressing his rage. "What do you want?"

"Nothing in particular," Ye Li murmured with a faint smile. She then snapped her fingers. "Darky One, Darky Two, Darky Three, Darky Four."

"At your service, Princess Consort."

The door was thrust open. A figure swiftly slipped into the room and then closed the door again. Another figure silently dropped from the ceiling, landing behind Mo Jingli. They flanked him. "Darky One and Darky Three pay our respects to the Princess Consort."

Ye Li nodded in approval. "Where are the other two?"

Darky Three answered, "Darky Two and Darky Four are outside."

"When did you find me?" Ye Li asked.

"Yesterday afternoon."

Darky One cleared his throat and asked, "Princess Consort, should we... let Prince Li go first?" Darky Three studiously gazed at the ceiling, pointedly ignoring the sight of the Princess Consort and Prince Li leaning so closely together, appearing intimate.

Ye Li raised her eyebrows. "Your Highness?"

Mo Jingli snorted. "Let go."

Ye Li casually released her grip. With two swords pointed at his back, she believed Mo Jingli, if he wasn’t completely mad, knew what choice to make. As soon as Ye Li’s fingers left his neck, Mo Jingli immediately rose and backed away to face Darky One and Darky Three. "How did you get in?"

"We walked right in," Darky Three replied. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Mo Jingli squinted, reassessing the strength of these two covert guards in his mind. He knew something of the covert guards from the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion; they were indeed extremely formidable individuals. However, for just four of them to infiltrate this heavily guarded courtyard so silently...

"Princess Consort, what are... our next steps?" Darky One glanced at his unpredictable brother then stepped forward to ask for instructions.

Ye Li rose to her feet, stretching her limbs a little. "Tell Darky Two and Darky Four we’re leaving. By the way, Prince, perhaps you’d be so kind as to escort us out?"

"Xiaoyun’s drug had no effect on you?" Mo Jingli stared at her. Ye Li shook her head. "It did, but the effects have worn off." She wouldn’t tell him that she had also conveniently used some of the weeds she’d pulled in the garden to concoct a partial antidote. While not perfectly tailored, so-called ’Tendon Softening Poisons’ were generally quite similar in nature.

"Just now..."

Ye Li beamed, her joyful expression directed at Mo Jingli. "If you had made any reckless moves just now, I planned to disable both your hands. As for this..." she gestured to her nails, "...don’t worry, there was no poison on them. Do you think I wouldn’t be worried about accidentally scratching my own skin?"

Mo Jingli was silent for a considerable time before finally gritting his teeth. "You win this time!"

"Actually, Prince, there’s no need for you to worry about winning or losing, because I didn’t win either. Now, would you guide us, Prince?"

"Hmph!"