Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 74. Out of danger, Prince Junwei

Chapter 74: Escape, Young Master Chu Junwei

As Darky One and Darky Three escorted Mo Jingli out of the room, Miss Xiaoyun simultaneously arrived at the door. Her pretty, delicate eyes, fixed on Ye Li who followed, were practically shooting fire. "Let go of the Prince!" Behind her, Darky Two and Darky Four silently landed from the top of the wall. "Greetings, Princess Consort," they said.

Ye Li waved her hand, indicating no need for formalities, and smiled at Xiaoyun. "Miss Xiaoyun, I must thank you for your ’care’ these past few days." Xiaoyun glared at her, grinding her teeth. "What are you trying to do? Let His Highness go, and I will spare your lives!" Ye Li hid behind Mo Jingli, feigning fear. "Oh my, Miss Xiaoyun, don’t scare me. This Princess Consort is quite faint-hearted. So... it would be best if you put away those dangerous little things of yours. What if this Princess Consort were to make a careless mistake..." Ye Li raised her hand, her sharp nail drawing a bloody line on Mo Jingli’s neck. She blinked innocently at Xiaoyun. "There, like this. What if I accidentally poked a hole in His Highness’s neck, Miss Xiaoyun? Could you mend it?"

"You—!" Xiaoyun’s pretty face turned bright red with anger as she watched Ye Li, smiling sweetly, wipe the blood from her fingers onto Mo Jingli’s clothes. However, she quickly calmed down. With an innocent and endearing smile, she said to Ye Li, "Miss, His Highness kindly invited you as a guest. If you wish to leave, you may, but is holding His Highness hostage the proper etiquette for a guest?" Ye Li smiled. "I never realized Miss Xiaoyun was not only cute but also so well-versed in Central Plains etiquette. However, routinely putting muscle-relaxing powder in a guest’s food isn’t exactly the way to treat guests, is it?" The deliberately emphasized words "Central Plains etiquette" made Xiaoyun’s expression falter, and she instinctively glanced at Mo Jingli.

Ye Li had no intention of letting her stall. With a cold smile, she said to Xiaoyun, "Miss Xiaoyun, please prepare some fast horses. Also, I hear two of my maids are missing. Please have them returned. Otherwise... I cannot guarantee His Highness will be returned intact." Xiaoyun finally dropped her smile, her charming face filled with malice. "His Highness is Prince Li of Great Chu! If you harm him, you won’t escape the consequences!" Ye Li arched an eyebrow and chuckled. "You say that as if you don’t know I am Princess Consort Ding of Great Chu. For kidnapping me, even your His Highness Prince Li cannot escape responsibility. If you’re smart, do as I say immediately. Otherwise... even if I can’t escape, I can guarantee your His Highness Prince Li will die a very ugly death. Darky Three, if anyone dares to make a rash move, strike Prince Li without hesitation. I will take responsibility for whatever happens."

Darky Three responded enthusiastically in a clear voice, "As you command!"

Mo Jingli snorted coldly. "You don’t need to threaten this Prince. Xiaoyun, tell everyone to stand down and do as she instructs. This Prince will personally see them out."

Xiaoyun hesitated, wanting to object, but upon seeing the cold, gleaming dagger Darky Three pressed against Mo Jingli’s waist, she ultimately swallowed her words. Staring at Ye Li, she warned, "If anything happens to His Highness, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth and never let you go!" Ye Li chuckled. "Rest assured, I have no interest in your Prince. As for you... be careful I don’t see you again!"

Darky Three led Mo Jingli, whose acupoints had been sealed, while the other three flanked Ye Li, guarding her as they exited the courtyard. Having silently taken down numerous guards earlier, they now swaggered out openly, and no one dared to obstruct them. Outside the main gate, several horses were indeed waiting. Darky One and Darky Two went forward, inspected them thoroughly, and then nodded to Ye Li. Ye Li ordered, "Darky Three, take Prince Li. Let’s go."

Xiaoyun, who had followed them out, hurried forward. "The horses have been provided. Why haven’t you released His Highness yet?"

Darky Three scoffed. "Do you take us for fools? If we release Prince Li now, wouldn’t that just give you the perfect opportunity to recapture us?" He casually threw the immobilized Mo Jingli onto a horse’s back and mounted his own. Seated on her horse, Ye Li smiled at Xiaoyun. "Don’t worry, I guarantee your Prince will return safely. However... if I discover anyone following us who shouldn’t be, for each one I find, I’ll have someone stab Prince Li once in the back."

Xiaoyun gritted her teeth, but with Mo Jingli in Ye Li’s hands, she was helpless. She could only say resentfully, "Rest assured, I won’t have anyone follow you. I hope Princess Consort Ding keeps her word."

"Likewise."

The five horses galloped wildly, only slowing down after covering more than twenty li. Darky One glanced back at the road behind them and remarked, "It seems they’re keeping their word; no one is chasing us." Darky Three snorted. "If they want Prince Li riddled with holes, they’re welcome to follow." Forced to lie draped over his horse, Mo Jingli was already ashen-faced from the rough ride. He glared at Ye Li as if he wanted to devour her alive. However, his fierce glares had no tangible effect and were selectively ignored by Ye Li.

"Princess Consort, shall we return to Prince Ding’s Mansion now? His Highness is very worried about your safety," Darky One asked in a low voice.

Ye Li shook her head and said with a smile, "No."

The gazes of Darky Two, Darky Three, and Darky Four all focused on Ye Li. She glanced at the deathly pale Mo Jingli and chuckled. "It was rare for Prince Li to go to such trouble to kidnap me. We can’t just let it go at that, can we?"

Mo Jingli stared at Ye Li warily. "What are you planning to do?"

Ye Li smiled, her expression gentle and harmless. "Oh, I’m not planning to do anything. And even if... I were planning something, I wouldn’t tell Your Highness!" Leaning down, she delivered a sharp chop to Mo Jingli’s neck. Mo Jingli, who was already dizzy and muddle-headed, promptly fainted.

The four secret guards, unsure what Ye Li intended, all looked to her for instructions. She laughed. "Find a suitable place to dump Prince Li. Then we’ll change horses and go have some fun somewhere else."

"Princess Consort, His Highness..." Although they now only followed the Princess Consort’s orders, they still felt the need to remind her that His Highness (Prince Ding) was worried about her safety.

Ye Li tilted her head in thought for a moment. "It’s already spring, and his [Prince Ding’s] health is stable for now. Darky Three, when you’re dealing with Mo Jingli, send a message to His Highness. We’ll return later."

"Yes, Princess Consort," Darky Three said with a smile. He felt that following the Princess Consort was full of pleasant surprises, far more interesting than the boring, step-by-step routine of other secret guards.

"Don’t call me Princess Consort anymore. It’s Young Master Chu."

"Yes, Young Master."

Darky Three went to deal with Mo Jingli and deliver the letter, while Darky Two and Darky Four went to handle the horses and erase their tracks. Darky One silently followed Ye Li, who walked on foot, looking relaxed. As they walked, Ye Li didn’t forget to ask about the events of the past few days. The disappearance of Qingluan and Qingyu worried her somewhat. Qingyu and Qingluan were outside Yaohua Palace. They were likely taken away when they tried to rush in during the fire. What would Mo Jingli want with two maids? No, that’s wrong... It’s impossible for Mo Jingli to take so many people out of the palace unnoticed. Therefore, Qingyu and Qingluan must still be in the palace.

"Princess Consort?" Darky One greatly admired this master, whom he had not served for long. If the Princess Consort hadn’t secretly taught and guided the four of them in many skills over the past six months, they wouldn’t have found the clues she left and located that hidden estate on the outskirts of the Capital City so quickly. "Princess Consort, are you worried about Miss Qingluan and Miss Qingyu? If those two young ladies are still in the palace, His Highness [Prince Ding] will surely find a way to locate them. You don’t need to worry."

Ye Li frowned slightly, sighed softly in her heart, and said, "If they were merely imprisoned, that would be one thing. But I fear..."

"If even Prince Ding’s Mansion’s secret guards in the palace cannot find them, then worrying here is useless. Believe that the two young ladies are fortunate and will be safe. If they are indeed in Prince Li’s hands, then even for Prince Li’s own safety, they would be handed over." Ye Li nodded. "I hope so. Let’s go. We still need to stay in the Capital City for half a month. During this time, have Darky Three and Darky Four try to get into the palace and see if there are any clues."

Darky One was taken aback and quickly caught up. "Yes, Princess Consort... Are we leaving the Capital City?"

"That’s right."

「In an unnamed small courtyard on the outskirts of the Capital City, it was clear the occupants had already left; the building was empty. The owner had evidently departed in a hurry, not even having time to take many valuable antiques and paintings from the rooms. Mo Xiuyao sat in the small garden, observing a newly planted peach tree and a flowerbed full of poisonous flowers and herbs. Shen Yang, following beside Mo Xiuyao, clicked his tongue in amazement. To plant all these poisonous flowers and herbs together was not something an ordinary physician could do; the person responsible must be a grandmaster of poisons. Shen Yang was even pleasantly surprised to find several rare poisonous plants in the flowerbed that he had long sought but failed to find. Ignoring everyone else, he carefully dug up all the useful herbs, roots and soil intact, preparing to take them back to plant in his own medicinal field.」

"Your Highness, we’re a step too late. They’ve already gone," Feng Zhiyao said, emerging from a room. He held a book, which he presented to Mo Xiuyao. "The Princess Consort definitely stayed here. This was likely left by her."

Mo Xiuyao took the book and opened it. It was an ordinary collection of poetry, with a slip of paper tucked inside. On it, a few faint reddish characters, written with an unknown substance, read: "Safe. Don’t worry."

Feng Zhiyao glanced at Mo Xiuyao’s expression and continued, "Several hidden spots in the courtyard show traces of a fight, and there’s the smell of blood. Also, the charcoal ash in the kitchen is still warm; they can’t have been gone long. In this subordinate’s opinion, it must have been the Princess Consort’s personal secret guards who found her first." Feng Zhiyao felt a little resentful. Why didn’t those secret guards notify them after finding the Princess Consort? If they had rescued her together, everything would have been settled. Now the place was empty, and all they knew was that there had been a fight. They had no idea if the Princess Consort had actually been rescued. Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s increasingly gloomy face, Feng Zhiyao began to envy Leng Haoyu, who was far away in the Southern Border.

"And Mo Jingli?"

Feng Zhiyao hesitated for a moment. "No one has seen Mo Jingli yet. But... he’s Prince Li; he can’t remain unseen for long. It’s just that we didn’t catch him on the spot, nor did we find the Princess Consort, so we have no evidence to accuse him." Feng Zhiyao had to admit he had always underestimated Mo Jingli. There wasn’t the slightest trace related to Mo Jingli in this courtyard. Even the owner of this courtyard was an unrelated and unwitting ordinary merchant. All they could ascertain now was that a woman had likely lived here for an extended period, but her identity, age, and appearance remained unknown.

Shen Yang, who was squatting by the flowerbed processing medicinal herbs, said, "The person who originally lived here was likely a woman from the Southern Border."

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. "How do you know, Mr. Shen?"

Shen Yang pointed to the flowerbed. "Apart from that peach tree, this garden is full of poisons. Several of them are poisonous herbs unique to the Southern Border. Never mind people from Great Chu; even those from the Southern Border, unless they are experts in poison arts, might not recognize them. And... this..." Shen Yang dug a small, sparkling object out from the soft soil beneath the peach tree and tossed it to Feng Zhiyao. Feng Zhiyao caught it and weighed it in his hand. "What is this? It looks like a piece of jewelry a girl would use."

Mo Xiuyao glanced at it and said nonchalantly, "That’s a decoration from the headdress of an unmarried noblewoman from the Southern Border. Moreover... it should be something only unmarried women from noble Southern Border families can use. There should be a mark on the back of the sapphire; it’s the clan emblem of a major Southern Border clan. Send someone to investigate it later." Feng Zhiyao turned over the sapphire ornament. After examining it for a long time, he finally found a small, somewhat blurry mark in a hidden corner. If Mo Xiuyao hadn’t mentioned it, he would likely have dismissed it as a flaw on the ornament or overlooked it entirely. "A clan emblem? Do people from the Southern Border like to engrave clan emblems on their jewelry?"

Shen Yang shook his head. "In the Southern Border, clan emblems represent their identity and honor. They like to imprint their clan emblems not only on jewelry but also on their clothes. In the Southern Border, most ordinary people recognize the emblems of these major clans, and commoners will automatically make way when they see them."

"Ah-Li wouldn’t bury something useless here," Mo Xiuyao said lightly. "It seems Ah-Li has already left."

Feng Zhiyao nodded and put away the sapphire ornament. "Alright, I’ll send someone to investigate."

"Your Highness," a guard entered, presenting a letter. "This was just found outside the gate."

Mo Xiuyao took it, unfolded the letter, and read it. His sharp eyebrows gradually furrowed. "Your Highness?" Feng Zhiyao prompted.

Mo Xiuyao refolded the letter, tucked it back into his sleeve, and looked up at Feng Zhiyao. "Return to the Capital City."

"And the Princess Consort...?"

"It was sent by one of Ah-Li’s personal secret guards. Ah-Li is already safe. As for Mo Jingli... send someone to the edge of the woods five li to the west. Find Mo Jingli and bring him back to the Capital City. Remember, this Prince wants him returned to Prince Li’s Mansion safe and sound. Don’t alert anyone." Feng Zhiyao nodded. "Has the Princess Consort returned then?"

Mo Xiuyao glanced at him. "Princess Consort Ding has disappeared. All operations under Prince Ding’s Mansion are to be halted. Focus all efforts on finding the Princess Consort’s whereabouts."

Feng Zhiyao was stunned. He could clearly see that Mo Xiuyao’s mood was still foul, so he wisely swallowed his questions. "Yes, I’ll go at once. Speaking of which, Darky Three and the others have improved considerably in the six months they’ve been with the Princess Consort. They’re practically traceless now." Muttering this, Feng Zhiyao quickly departed to give instructions. His Highness is in a bad mood; it’s best not to provoke him. However... does this mean the oppressive atmosphere of these past few days is finally about to lift?

「On a main street in the Capital City, a youth in white strolled leisurely, a folding fan in hand. His face was as handsome as jade, his eyes like shooting stars. Though he appeared slightly immature, it was certain that given time, he would undoubtedly mature into an elegant young gentleman whose grace would rival any handsome man in the Capital City. Two tall, upright guards followed him. Passersby couldn’t help but steal a few extra glances, wondering to themselves which noble family’s young master this was, out for amusement with his attendants.」

Darky Three stood somewhat uncomfortably on the street. Watching the young master ahead leisurely browsing the miscellaneous goods at the roadside stalls, he subtly nudged Darky Four beside him with his elbow. "What do you think the... Young Master is really up to?" Darky Four glanced at him and said calmly, "Didn’t the Young Master say? We’re waiting for news from Darky One."

"Even if we’re waiting for news, do we need to swagger around so openly on the street? What if someone from Prince Ding’s Mansion spots us..." Thinking about how their master, though safe, refused to return to the mansion, Darky Three could already imagine the look on Prince Ding’s face. The Princess Consort would be fine, but they, as her secret guards, would definitely be in for a world of trouble.

Darky Four’s mouth twitched. He glanced at the young master in white ahead of them. "That appearance... if you didn’t know beforehand, would you recognize the Princess Consort if she stood right in front of you?" Their master’s skill at disguising herself as a man was far beyond that of those sheltered young ladies who sneak out of their homes for fun, whose disguises are obvious at a glance. From her height and build to her eyebrows and eyes, even her tone of voice and gait had been completely altered. Most importantly, even a master of disguise wouldn’t be able to see through it, because she wasn’t using any disguise tools or human-skin masks. Right now, if anyone dared to point at the young master ahead and claim she was a woman, they’d be scorned by everyone on the street. That was why the Princess Consort dared to walk so openly on the streets of the Capital City.

Darky Three nodded in agreement. Few people in the Capital City recognized the Princess Consort. If she could still be recognized in this disguise, it would defy all reason. It was just that... for him, a secret guard, standing so openly in broad daylight always felt a bit unnatural. Darky Four tugged at Darky Three, who was still in a daze. "Aren’t you coming? As long as you don’t look like a thief with a guilty conscience, the secret guards from Prince Ding’s Mansion won’t recognize us. Don’t forget what the Young Master said." Darky Three nodded and, together with Darky Four, hurried after the young master in white who had already moved some distance away. The Princess Consort had said she didn’t need secret guards who could only protect from the shadows; she needed people who could stand by her side when required, to assist, even fight alongside her, and accomplish various tasks.

After finishing her stroll through the market, Ye Li returned in high spirits to the Sky-class room at the inn in the Capital City where she was temporarily staying. Darky One and Darky Two were already waiting for her inside.

Darky One took out a letter. "Young Master, this is a letter from Lord Xu. He requests that you be sure to meet him at Jingling Temple outside the city tomorrow. Lord Xu, Madam Xu, and several young masters of the Xu Family will be going to Jingling Temple tomorrow to pray for the Princess Consort." Ye Li nodded. She felt a bit troubled, wondering how she would explain to her second maternal uncle tomorrow her long absence from the mansion, which had caused them to worry, and also her upcoming plans. She rubbed her temples and looked at Darky Two. "Is there any news about Qingluan and Qingyu?" Darky Two nodded. "Last night, His Highness [Prince Ding] had people bring Qingluan and Qingyu back to Prince Ding’s Mansion. But..." Darky Two looked at Ye Li and frowned. "They seem to have amnesia and can’t remember what happened at all. The secret guards apparently found them in the Cold Palace."

"Amnesia?" Ye Li frowned. "What did His Highness [Prince Ding] say?"

"His Highness [Prince Ding] has them recuperating in the mansion, and no one is allowed to approach them without permission. He also sent Mr. Shen to treat them. Prince Ding’s Mansion is heavily guarded. Although this subordinate is familiar with the layout, I didn’t dare get too close. So, I couldn’t find out the detailed situation," Darky Two said, a little ashamed.

"You’ve done very well." Ye Li knew perfectly well how heavily King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was guarded. For Darky Two to have infiltrated it and returned safely without alerting anyone was already quite an achievement. Ye Li frowned slightly. Mo Xiuyao had isolated Qingyu and Qingluan. Ostensibly, it was to allow them to recuperate peacefully, but it wasn’t without a hint of suspicion towards them. Over the past year they had spent together, she had come to rely more on Qingluan and Qingyu compared to Qingxia, who had originally served Old Madam Ye, or the younger and more vivacious Qingshuang. Because of her trust in her maternal uncles and grandfather, Ye Li had never considered the possibility that Qingluan and Qingyu might betray her. After a moment of silence, Ye Li decided not to intervene in this matter for the time being. She was about to leave the Capital City soon and hadn’t planned on taking those maids with her anyway. Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t casually harm those who served her. In that case... let Mo Xiuyao find out for himself whether they could be trusted.

「The next day, after the morning court session, Imperial Censor Xu indeed took his wife and several of his sons and nephews out of the city to Jingling Temple to offer incense. This didn’t attract much attention, as it was common knowledge throughout the Capital City that the Xu Family doted on their nieces. Previously, Imperial Censor Xu had unhesitatingly confronted the Minister’s Mansion and Prince Li to stand up for his maternal niece. Later, when Princess Consort Ding married, all the young masters of the Xu Family turned out to escort their cousin to her wedding. Now that Princess Consort Ding had mysteriously disappeared in a fire, her fate unknown, it was perfectly normal for the Xu Family to go to a temple to offer incense and pray for her. As for those who might otherwise have paid attention, such as the Emperor or Prince Li, they were already overwhelmed by the turmoil caused by Princess Consort Ding’s disappearance in recent days and naturally didn’t have the energy to monitor whether their officials were resting at home or burning incense at a temple after court.」

As Ye Li’s close friend and the future Second Young Madam of the Xu Family, Qin Zheng also accompanied Madam Xu. Truly worried about her missing friend, upon entering Jingling Temple, she accompanied Madam Xu in praying to every Buddha and Bodhisattva statue, large and small, within the temple. Madam Xu, observing this gentle and endearing future daughter-in-law, grew even more satisfied. After they finished praying, Madam Xu went to a side room to rest. Qin Zheng dismissed her maid and was chanting scriptures and praying alone in the quiet Buddha hall when a clear voice beside her suddenly startled her, "Miss Qin."

Startled, Qin Zheng turned to see a handsome youth in moon-white cloth robes standing beside her, though she didn’t know when he had appeared. Qin Zheng frowned. The youth smiling gently at her looked strangely familiar, yet she was quite certain she didn’t know him. "Sir, who are you, and why are you here?" Qin Zheng stood up, warily eyeing the youth while subtly taking a few steps to the side. Ye Li observed this and, with a faint inner smile, pretended not to notice. Lifting the hem of her robes, she knelt on a prayer cushion before the Buddha statue and began to pray, mimicking Qin Zheng’s earlier actions. Then, looking back at Qin Zheng who was watching her, she smiled. "I’m naturally here to pray. Miss Qin, there’s no need to be nervous. I am an old acquaintance of Second Young Master Xu. Could I trouble you to inform him that someone surnamed Chu, Chu Junwei, is here?" Qin Zheng paused for a moment, then seemed to understand. She nodded composedly at Ye Li. "I understand. I will pass on the message for you, sir."

"Then, thank you very much, Miss Qin," Ye Li responded with a smile.

Ye Li sat resting in the rear hall of a Buddhist shrine. This was a rarely visited shrine in Jingling Temple, remotely located and enshrining less prominent deities. Consequently, apart from the young novice monks responsible for sweeping, very few people ever came here.

"Li’er?"

Ye Li opened her eyes and stood up to see Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingze standing at the entrance, frowning at her. She flashed a brilliant smile. "Second Uncle, Second Brother, don’t you recognize me?" Xu Hongyan studied her for a long moment before shaking his head. "You girl, I truly didn’t recognize you when I saw you outside earlier." Even Xu Qingze’s usually cold expression held a touch more warmth than usual as he nodded silently, indicating he hadn’t recognized her either. Ye Li smiled apologetically. "I saw Second Uncle seemed to be speaking with the Abbot, so it wasn’t convenient for Li’er to approach. That’s why I had to ask Second Uncle and Second Brother to come here."

The three of them sat down. Xu Hongyan frowned at her male attire and scolded, "You girl! Since you’re safe, why haven’t you returned to Prince Ding’s Mansion? If His Highness [Prince Ding] hadn’t sent word that you were alright, the letter to Yunzhou would have already been dispatched. Are you trying to worry your maternal grandfather to death?"

Seeing her second maternal uncle’s anxious and agitated state, Ye Li felt deeply apologetic. Blinking her eyes, she looked at him pitifully. "Second Uncle, Li’er knows she was wrong. But... there’s no benefit for Li’er to return right now. If they fail once, they will naturally plot again. It’s better this way. I’m in the shadows while they’re in the open. Let’s see who outmaneuvers whom."

Xu Hongyan glared at her. "You’ve got it all figured out, haven’t you? Now, rumors are circulating in the streets that Prince Ding is a jinx to his wives!"

Ye Li laughed. "Well, that’s not entirely bad, is it? Even if I’m gone, Mo Xiuyao won’t be able to marry anyone else."

Xu Qingze sat quietly to one side, listening to their conversation. He frowned at Ye Li and asked, "Li’er, do you have other plans?" Princess Consort Ding couldn’t possibly remain in the Capital City disguised as a man for an extended period. Too much contact with them would eventually lead to her identity being discovered. Ye Li’s smile vanished. She looked seriously at her maternal uncle and cousin. "I plan to go to the Southern Border."

"Nonsense!" Xu Hongyan rebuked angrily.

"Second Uncle..." Ye Li looked helplessly at Xu Hongyan, simultaneously signaling Xu Qingze with her eyes to speak up for her. Unfortunately, Xu Qingze was also frowning, his gaze disapproving. Xu Hongyan waved his hand dismissively. "Say no more. If you’re tired of staying in the Capital City, then go to Yunzhou. It just so happens you haven’t seen your maternal grandfather in many years."

"Uncle... I am Princess Consort Ding. How could I run away simply because I’m tired of dealing with the people and affairs in the Capital City? Mo Xiuyao would have made a very bad bargain in marrying me if that were the case," Ye Li said with a laugh. Xu Hongyan gave her a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Oh, really? Are you planning to achieve something in the Southern Border? Are the people of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion all useless freeloaders, requiring you, a Princess Consort, to personally travel to such a distant place? Don’t explain it to me; go explain it to your maternal grandfather and eldest maternal uncle."

"Second Uncle..." Ye Li glanced down at her attire. It was hardly suitable for acting coquettishly like a young lady. So, she could only look at her second maternal uncle with an innocent expression. "Eldest Brother is there too. Second Uncle, you don’t need to worry about my safety."

"Does Prince Ding know your intentions?" Xu Hongyan asked.

Ye Li felt a twinge of guilt; she hadn’t even met Mo Xiuyao yet to discuss it.

"Li’er, what exactly do you intend to do in the Southern Border?" Xu Qingze looked at Ye Li and asked, getting straight to the point.

Ye Li shot him a reproachful glance but still answered honestly, "The current situation in the Southern Border is even worse than in the Capital City. With Eldest Brother there alone, I’m worried. Besides, there’s no need for me to make an appearance in the Capital City for the time being, so I want to go to the Southern Border and see things for myself." Xu Hongyan frowned. "Your eldest brother is sensible and knows his limits. What help can a young woman like you offer by going there? As for the Capital City... is Prince Ding planning to use your ’disappearance’ to incite conflict between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager?"

"They were already fighting fiercely amongst themselves. But they shouldn’t have dragged King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion into it." Ye Li frowned. "King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion cannot wait indefinitely to be plotted against. Uncle, you must also know why Eldest Brother went to the Southern Border. If the Southern Border becomes unstable, the entire Great Chu could be plunged into war. Since Li’er has married into King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, its stance is Li’er’s stance. I can’t just sit in my boudoir like other noblewomen, ignoring everything. Besides, others wouldn’t give me that opportunity, would they?" Xu Hongyan frowned. "You... simply managing the affairs of Prince Ding’s Mansion well, ensuring Prince Ding has no rear-guard worries, is fulfilling your responsibility as Princess Consort."

"As husband and wife, we should share hardships together. His Highness’s health prevents him from traveling far. What’s wrong with me doing for him what he cannot?" Ye Li stated firmly. Occasionally, when Ye Li recalled Mo Xiuyao’s words, a sense of unease would stir in her heart. If the situation in the Southern Border spiraled out of control, or even developed into the scenario they had anticipated, Mo Xiuyao would inevitably have to disregard his health and personally lead the troops into battle. Ye Li dared not imagine if Mo Xiuyao, with his physical condition, actually went on such an expedition, whether he would even return alive. Then there was Xu Qingchen. True, Young Master Qingchen was incomparably intelligent. But the Xu Family, despite being a centuries-old clan, absolutely could not compare to the imperial family or princely mansions, which teemed with elite guards, in terms of protection. And Ye Li knew for certain that Xu Qingchen was, without a doubt, a frail scholar with no knowledge of martial arts.

Ye Li looked earnestly at Xu Hongyan. "Second Uncle, Li’er knows her limits and will absolutely not put herself in unnecessary danger."

Seeing his maternal niece’s determined expression, Xu Hongyan sighed helplessly. "Li’er, you’re a young woman. You don’t need to shoulder every responsibility. Neither your eldest brother’s affairs nor Prince Ding’s concerns are your burden." Ye Li smiled gently. "I know. If Li’er were ignorant and incapable, she would naturally stay contentedly in a safe place under protection. But since I can offer some help, why should Eldest Brother venture out alone? Don’t think I’m unaware that Second Brother, Third Brother, as well as Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother, also want to go to the Southern Border to help Eldest Brother; they just can’t get away. Now, it’s a good opportunity for me to use my ’disappearance’ as a chance to leave and help Eldest Brother, which might also set Grandfather’s and your minds at ease."

Xu Hongyan glared at her, annoyed. "Set our minds at ease? How could we possibly be at ease?"

Ye Li blinked. "Second Uncle, you must admit I’m a bit more capable than Third Brother, right? You were at ease letting Third Brother go to the military camp, so why can’t you be at ease about Li’er?"

"He’s a man. It’s no big deal if he gets a few bumps or injuries. Can you compare?" Xu Hongyan said. But Ye Li detected a hint of wavering in him. She quickly pressed on, "Besides, I’m not going alone. My personal secret guards will be with me. Second Uncle..."

Helpless, Xu Hongyan conceded, "In any case, you’re already married. Go ask Prince Ding. If Prince Ding doesn’t agree, it’s useless saying anything to me."

"Thank you, Uncle!" Ye Li was overjoyed. In her view, persuading her uncle was far more difficult than convincing Mo Xiuyao.

Xu Hongyan looked at her joyful face and sighed helplessly. A young woman being too fragile wasn’t good, like his younger sister, Li’er’s mother. But being too strong and intelligent was even worse, like this maternal niece of his. He could only hope Prince Ding would be able to manage her and make her stay quietly in the Capital City or return to Yunzhou.