Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 96. Treason

96. Treachery

By the banks of the Yunlan River, Ye Li and her entourage seemed unusually relaxed compared to the still-tense standoff between the two armies at Yonglin City. As soon as they left Yonglin City, Feng Zhiyao had taken the Black Cloud Cavalry somewhere unknown. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, along with their guards and the newly arrived Shen Yang, were preparing to return to the capital. The pitiful Divine Doctor Shen Yang, a man with no martial abilities whatsoever, had ridden posthaste from the Capital of Great Chu to Yongzhou in less than ten days, only to be informed they were returning to the capital before he even had a chance to catch his breath. Panting, his fingers trembling, he pointed at Mo Xiuyao and lamented, "I must have owed your Mo family in my previous life!" Ever since the Prince had taken the spider brake against his advice, the Divine Doctor’s temper had grown shorter by the day.

"Mr. Shen." With everyone encamped by the Yunlan River and Mo Xiuyao having taken Yun Ting and others hunting, Ye Li finally had a chance to speak with Shen Yang. He was sitting by the river, engrossed in a medical tome thick enough to kill a man, his brow furrowed in concentration as he read and pondered. Hearing Ye Li approach, he turned and started to rise to greet her, but she waved him off. "There’s no need for formalities, Mr. Shen; no outsiders are present." Shen Yang promptly sat back down, pushed his medical book aside, and chuckled. "Princess Consort, your decisive command of Yonglin has won the profound admiration of the entire Black Cloud Cavalry. I myself am deeply impressed. Truly, you have the valor of a heroine of our time."

Ye Li shook her head with a wry smile. "Mr. Shen, there’s no need for such courtesies. I’m far from the heroine you speak of; I was simply responding to the situation. Surely you know why I’m here?"

Shen Yang looked at Ye Li for a long moment, finally sighing deeply. "Bringing back that pernicious spider brake... I truly don’t know if it was the right decision."

Ye Li shook her head and said softly, "It was Prince Ding’s decision to take the spider brake, Mr. Shen. You informed him of the consequences; it was his choice. Besides, what’s done is done. Assigning blame now is pointless. All I want to know is, how is the Prince’s condition now? And are there any ways to help him?"

Looking at Ye Li with admiration in his eyes, Shen Yang replied soberly, "For the past six months, I have been carefully studying the spider brake and have also examined many ancient medical texts. The spider brake is not unique to the Eastern Sea; it was also known by an ancient name meaning ’Phoenix Tail’ and was once grown in the heartland too. Ancient records note that its properties are extremely potent and highly toxic. However, it also counters most other poisons and has the effect of cleansing the marrow, hence it was regarded as a wonder drug. The Prince was infected with an exceptionally chilling poison. While the spider brake could counteract it, it was insufficient to clear the toxins from his system. This resulted in both the fire and cold toxins existing simultaneously in the Prince’s body. For now, they have reached a temporary balance. However, this balance is very precarious and could collapse at any moment. When that happens, even the fire lotus seed would be of no use."

Ye Li nodded. "Mr. Shen, you once mentioned that the two toxins in the Prince’s body would cause changes."

Shen Yang said, "That is indeed true. If the cold toxin and the spider brake could neutralize each other, then perhaps other solutions could be found. But as it is now, the two toxins in the Prince are exerting their own distinct effects: the cold becomes colder, while the fire intensifies. The fire lotus seed, if ingested by an ordinary person, could reduce their internal organs to ashes in an instant. If fire lotus seeds were combined with the spider brake, I fear that... before the cold toxin is resolved, the Prince might die from the fire toxin first."

Ye Li frowned deeply. "Mr. Shen, will the Bilo grass be useful for the Prince?"

Shen Yang was startled for a moment, then fell into deep thought. After a while, he said, "Bilo grass and spider brake are both unique medicinals that have long been lost to history. Legend says they can rejuvenate flesh and bone, extending life by hundreds of years. But whether or not it can cleanse the Prince of his poisons, I’m honestly not sure. After all, Bilo grass disappeared even longer ago than the spider brake, and I have only heard of it mentioned in passing by my ancestors."

Ye Li nodded. "I understand, but it’s always better to have a glimmer of hope."

Shen Yang asked curiously, "Is the Princess Consort suggesting she knows where to find Bilo grass?"

Ye Li nodded slightly. "I will retrieve it as soon as possible. This matter... Mr. Shen, please don’t mention it to the Prince yet." To get the Bilo grass from the ’sickly scholar,’ I definitely can’t use anyone from Prince Ding’s Mansion. Given his hatred for Mo Xiuyao, he would probably rather destroy the Bilo grass himself than let Prince Ding’s Mansion obtain it. "How long can the Prince’s body hold on?"

Shen Yang looked down and said solemnly, "As long as nothing unexpected happens, there shouldn’t be any problems for another year or eighteen months. Furthermore, the spider brake’s marrow-cleansing effect is not just a legend; the Prince’s health is indeed much better than before. However... every full moon, the cold and fire toxins will clash, causing intense agony. In summer and autumn, the fire toxin will ravage his body; in spring and winter, the cold toxin will assault his heart. Whether it’s the cold or fire toxin, the pain will inevitably be at least ten times worse than when the cold toxin originally flared up."

Ye Li recalled the scene she had witnessed upon entering the room that day; it was unbearable to imagine the level of pain that could reduce a man like Mo Xiuyao to such a distraught state.

"Pain-relieving medicine...?"

Shen Yang shook his head sorrowfully. "Painkillers are completely ineffective. Not only that... I’m afraid any analgesic, or even sedatives, will be ineffective on the Prince in the future."

A chill ran through Ye Li’s heart. This meant that even if Mo Xiuyao were to get injured in the future, they wouldn’t be able to use any painkillers or anesthetics on him.

"Ah-Li..." Ye Li turned to see the man in white smiling as he approached her. She lowered her gaze to hide the worry in her eyes and went to meet him.

Mo Xiuyao glanced at Shen Yang, who had already picked up his medical tome and was preparing to resume reading, then lowered his head and smiled at Ye Li. "What was Ah-Li discussing with Mr. Shen?"

Ye Li smiled. "I was asking Mr. Shen about some matters related to medicinal herbs. We encountered several strange herbs on our trip to Nanzhao, didn’t we? I was asking Mr. Shen about their uses."

Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Ah-Li has such broad interests, even in medicine?"

Ye Li shook her head. "I don’t have much talent for medicine, but some knowledge of herbs is indeed essential."

Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li’s hand, and they walked towards the camp. He chuckled, "I know. I heard you even require your attendants to memorize herbology manuals and learn to identify herbs from a physician?"

Ye Li smiled. "Just some common herbs. One can’t always carry medicines around, can they?"

"Ah-Li is right. Perhaps we should have the Black Cloud Cavalry learn from them too," Mo Xiuyao pondered.

Ye Li chuckled lightly. "The Black Cloud Cavalry is different; they only need a certain number of physicians accompanying them, or for some among them to be physicians themselves."

Mo Xiuyao looked down at Ye Li. "Does Ah-Li have some special idea she doesn’t want to tell me?"

Ye Li shook her head. "No, it’s just a nascent idea at the moment. Wait until I’ve worked it out. Perhaps I can give you a surprise."

Mo Xiuyao offered a soft smile. "Then I shall await Ah-Li’s surprise. Let’s go eat. Afterward, we can watch a play together."

The "play" Mo Xiuyao mentioned was indeed a grand spectacle: a hidden force of over thirty thousand soldiers had been lurking within the borders of Yongzhou and Yong Prefecture. Ye Li finally understood what Feng Zhiyao had been doing with the twenty thousand Black Cloud Cavalry. Overnight, numerous mountain strongholds within Yongzhou and Yong Prefecture were destroyed. Countless men, disguised as bandits and robbers but clearly well-trained, were slain by the Black Cloud Cavalry. The survivors fled in panic towards the border between Yong Prefecture and Xiling. Meanwhile, Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li, and their retinue waited at the border. When a group of fleeing remnants, initially relieved at their escape, caught sight of the menacing iron cavalry, despair instantly filled their eyes.

Officials of various ranks from Yong Prefecture, their faces ashen, knelt on the ground, trembling as they looked at the striking pair seated side-by-side before them. The man was gentle and refined, the woman clear and graceful, yet the look in their eyes was more terrifying than any soul-devouring demon. Two days prior, they had been summoned before Prince Ding by a token. Prince Ding had said nothing, merely taking them along wherever he went. They had watched, helpless, as one mountain stronghold after another, whether hidden or overt, was annihilated by the Black Cloud Cavalry. More than twenty thousand men, in the eyes of the Black Cloud Cavalry, were as insignificant as ants. These defeated remnants before them were the last of the fish that had slipped through the net, yet they were still cornered by Prince Ding on this small hill, less than five li from the border.

Mo Xiuyao calmly looked at the Governor of Yong Prefecture, who knelt closest to him, and asked mildly, "Your Excellency, do you know why the Governor of Yongzhou died?"

The Governor of Yong Prefecture’s face went white. He trembled and stammered, "Rebellion... treasonous rebellion!"

The news that the Governor of Yongzhou had been assassinated by the hidden guards of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, despite the protection of Prince Li’s vast army, had already spread throughout the land before today. It had made many officials extremely wary.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "Treasonous rebellion? Correct, that is indeed a capital offense. Then... Your Excellency, do you know what the crime for colluding with the enemy and betraying the country is?"

"This... Your Highness! Your Highness... This humble servant would never dare! This humble servant is completely loyal to Great Chu..."

"Such loyalty!" Mo Xiuyao sneered. "If you’re so loyal, where did these tens of thousands of men in your Yong Prefecture territory come from? And why did General Wu Chengliang and the twenty thousand soldiers of the Yong Prefecture garrison die?"

"This humble servant... this humble servant truly does not know..." the Governor of Yong Prefecture wailed. "I am innocent, Your Highness, I beg for your clear judgment!"

"Whether you are innocent or not is not for this prince to decide," Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently. "Go tell His Majesty yourselves. I invited you here today so you could watch the Black Cloud Cavalry pay tribute to the heroic spirits of the Yong Prefecture garrison and General Wu. Although civil and military officials have their separate domains, you were colleagues, after all. All of you present, see them off on their journey."

Standing behind Mo Xiuyao, Feng Zhiyao raised his hand. "Kill!"

Ten thousand arrows flew in unison. The Xiling remnants trapped in the center fell, dead in an instant. The kneeling officials, overwhelmed by the pungent smell of blood in the air, began to vomit one after another. Mo Xiuyao, as if he hadn’t seen a thing, took Ye Li’s hand and rose. He turned and ordered, "Escort these officials back to their residences. As for these Xiling men, throw them beyond the border. Don’t let them defile the lands of our Great Chu."

"As you command."

Mo Xiuyao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Ye Li with a smile. "Ah-Li, it’s time for us to return to the capital."

Ye Li nodded slightly and left with Mo Xiuyao. As for not killing captives... that seemed to go without saying...

Although he had received an urgent imperial decree summoning him back to the capital, Mo Xiuyao clearly paid it no mind. Instead, he had Feng Zhiyao depart with the Black Cloud Cavalry while he himself led Ye Li and their group leisurely northward. It took them nearly ten days to reach Guangling City. Since she had no particular objective this second time in Guangling City, Ye Li felt much more relaxed. It was only when Mo Xiuyao led her to the entrance of the Qingfeng Mingyue Building that she looked at the man beside her with some surprise.

Mo Xiuyao merely smiled without speaking.

In broad daylight, the Qingfeng Mingyue Building had not yet opened for business. However, there were still people at the entrance to greet them. Seeing a young man standing solemnly at the door, Mo Xiuyao commented casually, "The Tianyi Pavilion is indeed well-informed. It seems Han Mingyue hasn’t wasted these years."

The young man’s smile was somewhat stiff. "Thank you for your praise, Prince. My master ordered me to be here to respectfully welcome Your Highness and the Princess Consort. Please, come inside."

After entering the Qingfeng Mingyue Building, the young man led the pair straight into the harem. It was the same pavilion where Ye Li had last seen Han Mingxi; Han Mingxi and Han Mingyue were seated opposite each other. Seeing Ye Li, a flicker of a daze crossed Han Mingxi’s eyes before he recovered and shot her a mocking smile. Han Mingyue put down his teacup, stood up, and came forward to greet them, his smile gentle and refined. "Xiuyao, long time no see. You are indeed well..."

Before he could finish, Mo Xiuyao unleashed a fierce palm strike, an overwhelming force like a tidal wave rushing towards the elegant man. Han Mingyue’s voice cut off abruptly, and he rather awkwardly somersaulted to evade Mo Xiuyao’s palm. But the fierce palm wind still made him catch his breath. He coughed a few times, then smiled bitterly. "Xiuyao, is this how you greet me after such a long absence?"

Mo Xiuyao snorted, lunging forward, his palm strikes flowing one after another. Each blow was solid, with absolutely no hint of playfulness. Han Mingyue had no choice but to drop his smile and defend himself carefully. The two began to fight in the garden, their figures weaving back and forth.

While the fight raged fiercely on one side, Han Mingxi stood up, walked over to Ye Li, and said with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, "Junwei, long time no see. Did you come to see me? If so, you should have come alone. Why bring him?"

Ye Li pointed a finger at the man in white in the garden, indicating it was his idea to come.

Han Mingxi glanced sideways, his smile finally looking somewhat strained. "Junwei..."

Ye Li said calmly, "Don’t worry, the Prince won’t kill him." If Mo Xiuyao truly wanted Han Mingyue dead, he wouldn’t need to act personally. No matter how formidable the Tianyi Pavilion is, could it withstand the iron hooves of the Black Cloud Cavalry or the hidden guards of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?

Han Mingxi smiled bitterly. "But Prince Ding doesn’t seem to be holding back." Mo Xiuyao was only in his twenties, yet in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes, no expert comparable to him was of his own generation. The gap between him and Han Mingyue was obvious.

As they spoke, Han Mingyue was struck by a palm and sent crashing to the ground, landing not far from them. He spat out a mouthful of blood. With Ye Li’s discerning eye, she could tell at a glance that two of his ribs were broken. Han Mingxi hurried forward to help him up, but Han Mingyue waved him off. Looking up at Mo Xiuyao, who was strolling over, he asked, "Xiuyao, have you cooled down now?"

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Do you know why this prince isn’t killing you this time?"

Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow, looking at Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao said coolly, "Since Ah-Li promised Han Mingxi to let you off, this prince will spare you this time. However, you had best remember that this prince’s patience has its limits. If you dare lay a hand on Ah-Li again... you might as well test the extent of what this prince can do!"

Han Mingyue clutched his chest, coughing violently. He looked at Mo Xiuyao with a helpless expression. "Xiuyao, in your eyes... is Ye Li more important than our friendship since childhood?"

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow, a sarcastic smile playing on his lips. "In your eyes, when did you ever consider our childhood friendship important?"

Han Mingyue was speechless. Indeed, he had been the first to betray their bond. But... "In my eyes, you will always be my best friend," Han Mingyue said in a low voice.

Mo Xiuyao snorted softly and said coolly, "Since you’ve uttered the word ’friend,’ this prince promises you... the next time you fall into this prince’s hands, this prince will not kill you."

Han Mingyue started, then his expression changed under the curious and confused gazes of Han Mingxi and Ye Li. "Xiuyao! Don’t! It has nothing to do with her! These were all my ideas!"

Upon hearing his words, Han Mingxi’s face instantly darkened. He snorted in displeasure and swallowed the plea he was about to make. Anyway, Prince Ding didn’t intend to kill him. Let him suffer! Let him be tormented until he has no energy left to run around causing trouble!

Mo Xiuyao wasn’t interested in whose idea it was. He turned to Han Mingxi. "If you want him to live, keep a close watch on him."

Han Mingxi, his handsome face dark, said coldly, "That won’t be necessary, Your Highness!"

Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li’s hand and turned to leave, but Han Mingyue, still on the ground, spoke up. "Xiuyao, you didn’t make a detour to Guangling just to beat me up, did you?"

Mo Xiuyao stopped, glanced back at him, and said, "Let me also tell you something. If you’re no good at power plays, stick to making your money. Don’t lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot and then complain about the pain."

Looking at the two leaving without a backward glance, Han Mingyue frowned, pondering Mo Xiuyao’s words. Not good at power plays... He truly had no interest in them and had never gotten involved, except... His expression suddenly changed. He turned to Han Mingxi and urged, "Quick! Have someone find out what’s happening in Xiling!"

Han Mingxi felt a vein throb violently in his forehead. Who on earth said Young Master Mingyue was exceptionally intelligent? This is dumber than a donkey! Others don’t turn back until they hit a wall; he hits the wall until he’s bruised and bleeding, and still refuses to turn back! "Investigate, my ass! Why should I, a dignified citizen of Great Chu, care about the life or death of Xiling? Men, bring me the best Soft Tendon Powder! If anyone dares give him an antidote, this young master will skin them alive! So this is what they call a ’beauty that spells disaster’! I refuse to believe there are no other women in this world besides that bitch! Tomorrow, this young master will go disfigure her, and when no one wants her, I’ll buy her back to be your call-on maid!"

Having said his piece, Han Mingxi didn’t bother with his elder brother, who was still immobilized on the ground, and stormed off with a flick of his sleeves.

"Han Mingxi, you stop right there!" Han Mingyue shouted sternly.

Han Mingxi, who was storming out, froze. He turned back, teeth gritted, glaring at the brother who resembled him seven parts out of ten. In his heart, he wished he could flay that disastrous woman alive. He had idolized this elder brother since childhood, but he truly couldn’t compliment his brother’s taste in women.

Seeing Han Mingxi glaring at him coldly, a trace of guilt flashed in Han Mingyue’s eyes. His voice softened. "Mingxi, stop fooling around. Big brother promises not to do anything else. Mo Xiuyao broke two of my ribs. Come and help me up."

Han Mingxi hesitated, then, seeing Han Mingyue’s pale face, he finally relented and went to help his brother up.

"You! Han Mingyue!" A moment later, Han Mingxi’s voice was filled with fury and resentment. Unfortunately, his entire body was frozen as if bound, his handsome face contorted as he glared at the pale-faced man before him, who was clutching his chest.

Han Mingyue looked at his younger brother, his eyes full of guilt. "Sorry, Mingxi."

Seeing him turn to leave, Han Mingxi cried out in despair, "Han Mingyue, you idiot! I’ve been poisoned! Do you really want Ye Li to kill me?!"

Han Mingyue turned back, smiling at him, and shook his head. "What a silly boy. Mingxi, since you pride yourself on judging people better than I do, how could you not see that Ye Li would never kill you? Nor did she poison you."

Han Mingxi said coldly, "So, you’ve been around these past few days just to confirm whether I was poisoned or not? Now that you’re sure, you’re leaving again?"

"Rest assured, I won’t make a move against your friends again. As for Mo Xiuyao... I can’t afford to provoke him either." Han Mingyue looked at his brother gently. After a moment’s thought, he added a warning, "Mingxi, stay away from Ye Li. She’s not someone you can afford to offend."

Han Mingxi’s face stiffened. He retorted disdainfully, "Do you have any right to say that to me?"

Han Mingyue shook his head helplessly. "Do you think you’re smarter than me? Mingxi, I can contend with anyone in the world, but I never once thought of contending with Xiuyao for anything. Did you know that?"

Han Mingxi scoffed, "Yes, you’re good at choosing your rivals, but unfortunately, not at choosing women. Has that woman ever truly looked at you, aside from when she was using you? Even if Junwei doesn’t like me, she would at least try to save me, feel guilty towards me, and show you mercy because of me. After all these years, what have you gained?"

The smile on Han Mingyue’s face gradually turned to bitterness and helplessness. In the end, he had to admit that his brother was not wrong. Wordlessly, he turned and departed.

After a long while, the young man who had led them earlier reappeared in the garden. "Second Young Master, the Young Master has left."

Han Mingxi, whose pressure points had just been released, said irritably, "Gone is gone. When has he ever taken us seriously?"

The young man lowered his head. "The Young Master said he will not be returning. All the bank notes in the Qingfeng Mingyue Building and the bank have been left to you, Second Young Master. Tianyi Pavilion... will no longer obey the Second Young Master’s orders."

"He had it all planned long ago! If Prince Ding hadn’t come today, was he planning to just leave without a sound? Han Mingyue, you’re ruthless!" Han Mingxi gritted his teeth.

The young man lowered his head, saying nothing. Han Mingxi sneered, "That bitch! You just wait for this young master!"

At the finest inn in Guangling City, Ye Li and her party had booked the best courtyard for their temporary stay.

"Xiuyao, today you..." Looking at the man beside her who was reading a book, Ye Li frowned slightly and asked hesitantly.

Mo Xiuyao put down his book and smiled slightly. "Ah-Li, are you wondering why I specifically went to find Han Mingyue?"

Ye Li nodded. If it was just to beat him up to vent some anger, it seemed overly elaborate.

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "If my predictions are correct, Han Mingyue will soon head to Xiling."

"Go to Xiling?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Yes. Rather than letting him leave quietly, it’s better for this prince to give him a send-off. Although the Han Family isn’t among the very top in Great Chu, they are at least within the top ten. If he were to take all their influence and assets to Xiling, it wouldn’t be a good thing."

Ye Li’s eyes flashed. "You mean Han Mingyue wants to..." She didn’t voice the word ’treason.’

Mo Xiuyao, however, nodded calmly. "I understand Han Mingyue. Concepts like home, country, and the world mean nothing to him. Whether he becomes a citizen of Great Chu, Xiling, or Beirong makes no difference in his eyes."

"In that case, why not cut down the weed and eliminate the roots?" Ye Li asked, puzzled. Even if Mo Xiuyao truly valued his friendship with Han Mingyue, he would never prioritize it over the land of Great Chu.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "Tianyi Pavilion is spread across four kingdoms. Killing Han Mingyue would cause a great deal of trouble. Let him go. I’ve said before, he’s not suited for the games of power. And since he’s so blatantly committing treason, there’s no longer any need for Tianyi Pavilion to exist within the borders of Great Chu." The most important reason for this special trip to Guangling was precisely to eradicate Tianyi Pavilion. Southern Great Chu, especially Guangling City, is Tianyi Pavilion’s main base. Did Han Mingyue think it would be so easy to withdraw his men and resources from right under my nose?

"Han Mingxi..." Ye Li asked, frowning.

Mo Xiuyao said, "If things had been handled differently, Han Mingxi might indeed have followed Han Mingyue. But as of today, he can’t leave. If Han Mingxi is truly smart, he will come to find me."

Ye Li looked at him. "You intentionally provoked Han Mingyue to make him act prematurely and to sow discord between the brothers?"

Mo Xiuyao didn’t deny it. He rubbed his temples, a hint of fatigue on his face. "It’s good that Han Mingxi stayed. If they had both left... the entire Han Family would have faced extermination." The Han Family doesn’t consist of just the two Han brothers. Any large clan—with its main family, branch families, collateral relatives, and wider kin—couldn’t possibly move everyone. Once implicated by association, the extent of the involvement would be horrifyingly vast.

"Will Han Mingyue defect to the Xiling court?"

"He’s not an ordinary commoner. The Han Family has vast enterprises, and Tianyi Pavilion’s connections are even more extensive. As long as he goes to Xiling, both the Xiling Emperor and the Southern Garrison Prince will undoubtedly try to win him over. And regardless of whether he serves them or not, in the eyes of the imperial family, he has already committed treason." Royalty can’t tolerate the slightest disloyalty. Once Han Mingyue goes to Xiling, it’s betrayal. Even if he hadn’t actually committed treason, the imperial family would rather kill mistakenly than let him go.

Ye Li sighed silently. She had never been able to understand Han Mingyue. "Han Mingyue... is he doing all this for a woman?"

Mo Xiuyao paused, looked at Ye Li for a long moment, and finally nodded. "Indeed, it is for a woman."

Ye Li frowned, sensing that this woman’s identity was extraordinary, and hesitated whether to pursue the topic.

Mo Xiuyao looked at her quietly, his smile calm and warm. "Ah-Li, you can ask anything you want to know."

"This woman... is she someone you know?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded and was just about to speak when Darky Three announced from outside, "Prince, Princess Consort. Young Master Han requests an audience."

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced apologetically at Ye Li, and said, "Let him in."