330. Sisterhood?

Less than two days after Ren Qining arrived in Licheng, Mo Jingli and Lei Zhenting also arrived. Moreover, the time of arrival of the two parties was not far apart. When Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were welcoming Lei Zhenting at the door, the people below came to report that the King of Li, Mo Jingli, had arrived. Although there had been no conflict between Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingli, they were just across the river, and Lei Zhenting's people also occupied a small corner of the river. As the saying goes, you can't let others snore beside you, and the atmosphere when these two met was naturally not much better.

However, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao didn't mind. Because the atmosphere when Mo Xiuyao met Lei Zhenting was not very good. Mo Xiuyao had previously plotted against Lei Zhenting, and took over the Xiling Imperial City while Lei Zhenting was sending out troops, and even killed Lei Zhenting's confidants. It would be strange if Lei Zhenting didn't have anger towards Mo Xiuyao. But now, Lei Zhenting wanted to whip Mo Xiuyao's corpse, but he still had to attend Mr. Qingyun's birthday banquet with a calm face. Because if he didn't come, the Xiling Emperor would also come back. Now Lei Zhenting has lost the advantage of suppressing the Xiling Emperor, so naturally he can't let him get together with the Dingwang Mansion to plot against him.

Mo Jingli is now in power, and his ceremony is even more grand than a few years ago. Behind him are a large number of guards and eunuchs, and the number of people and ceremony is not much different from that of a king. However, the people following him are still Ye Ying and Princess Qixia. Now that Mo Jingli has mastered the whole Chu, Ye Ying has not become elegant and noble, but has become thinner and haggard. Princess Qixia, who stands on Mo Jingli's right hand, is still as beautiful as ever with bright eyes and white teeth. Seeing this, Ye Li understands why the Ye family did not go to Jiangnan but came to the northwest instead. I'm afraid Ye Ying's life in Jiangnan was not satisfactory.

Mo Jingli's expression was still cold and arrogant, and he looked innocent. But when he saw Mo Xiuyao standing side by side with Ye Li, he looked even more sinister. Mo Xiuyao was obviously not in the mood to greet him, and just raised his eyebrows lightly. Mo Jingli looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, and then looked at Lei Zhenting who had obviously just arrived, and snorted and said, "It turns out that the King of Zhennan arrived earlier. Why didn't he go in and stand at the door?"

Lei Zhenting would never take his little provocation seriously. He laughed out loud and said, "Isn't this the prince just chatting with Prince Ding and the princess again? I didn't expect Prince Li to be here. It's a good opportunity for us to go in together."

"Oh? I wonder what you guys are talking about? May I have the honor to hear it?" Mo Jingli stared at Lei Zhenting and said lightly.

Lei Zhenting smiled and said, "I am congratulating Prince Ding on his recent acceptance of Changxing City and the birth of his son. It can be said that this is a double blessing."

Hearing this, Mo Jingli's face suddenly darkened. Lei Zhenting's mention of Changxing City at this time was like slapping him in the face. Wasn't Chu Jing abandoned by him? Looking up at Lei Zhenting, Mo Jingli squeezed out a sneer, "Not only the knees, didn't you just take over Xiling Imperial City last year? Are the Prince of Zhennan and his family safe?" Chu Jing fell into Mo Xiuyao's hands, and Xiling Imperial City also fell into Mo Xiuyao's hands. Not only that, Lei Zhenting's trusted subordinates, grandchildren were killed by Mo Xiuyao, and it is still unknown who is more ugly.

After hearing this, Lei Zhenting couldn't laugh. Although Xiling Imperial City was not lost in his hands, it was at least because he didn't have time to return troops to rescue it.

Ye Li sighed helplessly on the steps. It was really asking for trouble to invite guests at this time. Now, all the countries around seemed to be not friends of Prince Ding's Mansion, especially the two in front of him. Is it really okay for them to discuss their lost imperial city at the gate? Or are they expecting Mo Xiuyao to spit out what he had eaten?

With a faint smile, Ye Li said softly: "You two princes have come from a long way and must have had a hard journey. Why don't you come into the mansion and have a cup of tea and reminisce about the past?"

After hearing this, the two of them looked at each other with disgust. Who wanted to reminisce about the past? Besides, they had nothing to reminisce about.

He led the group into the mansion and sat them down in the hall. After the maid served them tea, Ye Li smiled and said, "Grandfather is old and has been a little tired these days. I'm afraid I can't meet you two. Please forgive me."

They both knew that Mr. Qingyun was already eighty years old, so Ye Li's reason was naturally impeccable. Lei Zhenting nodded and said, "We are here to celebrate Mr. Qingyun's birthday, so why bother an old man? Let's celebrate Mr. Qingyun's birthday on the day of the banquet."

Ye Li thanked him with a smile, and the atmosphere in the hall became a little strange. The three men present were obviously not friends with each other, so naturally they had nothing to say. Ye Li didn't like Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingli, so she didn't feel like trying to adjust the atmosphere. She smiled at Mo Xiuyao and said, "I have something to say to my fourth sister. King Zhennan and King Li should be entertained by Lord Lao, right?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded nonchalantly, and Ye Li stood up and smiled faintly at Ye Ying who was sitting next to Mo Jingli, saying, "Fourth sister, let's go out for a walk."

Ye Ying obviously wanted to say something to Ye Li, so she stood up without saying anything and followed Ye Li. After the two of them left, Princess Qixia was the only female member of the family left in the hall. Princess Qixia looked at the door and stood up and said, "I'll go out for a walk too."

Soon, there were only three men left in the huge hall, and the atmosphere became more solemn.

After a while, Mo Jingli sneered and said, "Mo Xiuyao, you are so cunning. You fooled everyone in the world last year, right?" Lei Zhenting looked at Mo Xiuyao with a gloomy face. It can be said that in the past year or so, no one has really gained any advantage among the countries. The real beneficiary is the lazy white-haired man leaning on the chair. What Ding Wangfu got was not only the large tracts of land and two capitals of Xiling and Da Chu, but more importantly, it was the only time that the Mo family army was truly and completely freed from the burden and constraints of Da Chu. Now the Mo family army is justified in attacking wherever they want, and no one can say anything. Therefore, from the beginning, Mo Xiuyao was waiting, staring at Beirong and Xiling to attack Da Chu. Because as former ministers of the Great Chu, even if they had broken with the Great Chu, they would never be the first to attack the Great Chu. And now, this constraint has been completely broken by them.

Although after a long time, anyone can figure out the mystery. But it is too late to figure it out now. Mo Xiuyao has already gained the upper hand in a year. Even Lei Zhenting, who is so arrogant, has to admire Mo Xiuyao's patience and scheming.

Mo Xiuyao looked at Mo Jingli lazily, with a hint of mockery on his lips, "I am magnanimous and don't mind the loser yelling a few words."

"Mo Xiuyao!" Mo Jingli roared. Facing Mo Xiuyao, he seemed to always be the loser. But Mo Jingli had never hoped so strongly as he did now that there had never been such a person as Mo Xiuyao in this world. Because of his calculations, he lost half of the country of Da Chu, lost the capital of Da Chu, and could only live in a corner. Even though he held great power in Jiangnan, he had the final say. But every time he heard someone talking about Mo Xiuyao, he seemed to hear people's ridicule and dissatisfaction with him in their hearts. Because the capital he lost was saved by Prince Ding. And the saved Chujing no longer belonged to Da Chu. All this was because of Mo Xiuyao...

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyes lazily, "I am not here to listen to your roar. If you have nothing else to say, go back to the inn and take it with you. King Zhennan, do you have anything else to say? If not, I will excuse myself."

Mo Jingli's face turned livid, and his tightly clenched fists made a crackling sound. Lei Zhenting, on the other hand, was more calm, and smiled calmly, "Prince Ding, what is it that makes you so anxious?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled complacently and said, "I want to go back and see my little princess."

Everyone knew that Princess Ding had given birth to a pair of twins, and from Mo Xiuyao's expression, it was clear that he loved his daughter more. Lei Zhenting was a little curious, after all, for most people, sons were more important. And Mo Xiuyao only had two sons at the moment, which was not a lot. Compared to Lei Zhenting's calmness, Mo Jingli's face was filled with jealousy. For Mo Jingli, Mo Xiuyao's high-profile show-off was like rubbing salt into his wounds.

"I wonder if I'll have the honor to meet the little princess of Prince Ding's Mansion?" Lei Zhenting asked.

Mo Xiuyao would naturally disagree, "My little girl has just turned one month old and cannot stand the wind. I'm afraid that the King of Zhennan will be disappointed."

Lei Zhenting was not surprised by this. His relationship with Mo Xiuyao was not good enough for him to approach the child who was just born in Prince Ding's mansion. He did not care about Mo Xiuyao's refusal and just smiled and said, "That's really a pity." Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and said lightly, "Prince Zhennan, you can say whatever you want to say."

Lei Zhenting lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, "Prince Ding is quite straightforward. Well, Prince Ding invited dignitaries from various countries at this time, so he must have a plan in mind. But I wonder if Prince Ding is free to be alone with me?"

Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and said with a smile: "Of course, no problem. I've been busy these days. How about we wait until after grandpa's birthday?" Lei Zhenting nodded with satisfaction and said: "In that case, I will wait for Prince Ding to come and take the carriage."

Ye Li took Ye Ying for a stroll in the garden at the backyard of the palace. He glanced at Ye Ying, who was a step behind him, and couldn't help but recall the time when Ye Ying was not yet married. At that time, Ye Ying was still a 14-year-old girl, with a beautiful appearance and talent that was unrivaled in the capital. It was the time when countless girls envied and men loved her. Now, ten years have passed in a flash, and Ye Ying in front of him has only a thin and pale figure. Even though her face is still beautiful, she has lost her former brilliance and grace, like a wooden beauty without a soul.

Pulling Ye Ying to sit down in the pavilion, Ye Li asked softly, "Is Fourth Sister okay now?"

Ye Ying looked up at her, with a myriad of complicated and inexplicable expressions flashing across her eyes. She finally calmed down and said with a wry smile, "How could Third Sister not know about the affairs of Prince Li's Mansion? It's just a matter of life, but Third Sister... must have lived a very good life these years." Ye Ying looked at Ye Li in front of her, and her heart was even more bitter. Ye Li, whom she had looked down upon, had already become someone she could never reach. In the Shangshu Mansion back then, her glory was covered up, leaving only an ordinary impression to the world. However, even if the pearl is covered in dust, it will eventually shine with dazzling brilliance one day. From the beginning, Ye Li was different from them.

Ye Li smiled faintly, "I am indeed doing well. My father and grandmother are also in Li City now. If you have time, you might as well go and see them."

Ye Ying was slightly stunned, shook her head and said, "Forget it. I don't have the ability to bring wealth and glory to the Ye family now. I guess my grandmother and father don't want to see me." Ye Ying knew that the Ye family chose to go to Ye Li, who had a cold relationship with them, instead of going to Jiangnan to find her. Her father and grandmother didn't think highly of her. But this decision was right. If the Ye family really went to Jiangnan, she would have no power and might even be banished to the cold palace. How could she rule the Ye family? I'm afraid that Mo Jingli would vent his anger on them. On the contrary, Ye Li, no matter how cold her relationship with the Ye family was, could at least give them a stable place to stay.

Ye Li looked at the thin woman in front of him, thinking, "Fourth sister has really changed a lot."

"How can it not change?" Ye Ying sighed softly. Ever since she knew that the son she had loved and nurtured for several years was not her own son, Ye Ying truly understood what kind of person Mo Jingli was. The love and affection in the past and the vows of eternal love were already a thing of the past. Ye Ying always faced Mo Jingli's cold and bored eyes and Princess Qixia's smug smile. Although Ye Ying was both talented and beautiful, she was not a person with much political vision. Even because of Wang's short-sightedness, she was not as good as some of the ladies from famous families in dealing with things. But even so, after so many years, Ye Ying was almost unwilling to admit it. When Mo Jingli gave up Ye Li and married her, it was not because he had a special liking for her as she thought. Back then, she thought she could defeat Ye Li and put her under her feet. But in fact, it was just a lie to let Mo Jingli get rid of Ye Li. And now when Mo Jingli regretted his decision, Ye Ying was inevitably angered.

"I still remember that I told Fourth Sister that if she had any grievances, she could tell me and maybe I could help. But it seems that Fourth Sister doesn't trust me, and we haven't had much contact in these years..." Ye Li looked at Ye Ying, whose eyes were red, with a gentle expression and sighed softly.

"Third sister... I..." Ye Ying was stunned, and she also remembered what Ye Li said to her in Prince Li's mansion. However, her fate in recent years was very different from Ye Li's, and she was holding back a grudge that made her unable to bring herself to ask Ye Li for help. When Ye Li mentioned it again, all the grievances in Ye Ying's heart came out. She felt that she was too much to target Ye Li in the past. At this time, who else in the Ye family would remember her except Ye Li?

Ye Ying bit her lip and whispered, "Third sister, Ying'er begs you... please help me find my child, okay?"

"Your child?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows. Although most people with access to information knew the truth about Mo Jingli's kick to death of the young master of Prince Li's mansion, the reason given to the outside world was still that the young master of Prince Li's mansion died of an illness. Ye Ying nodded and said with a wry smile, "Third sister must know about what happened in Chujing two years ago. My child..." Thinking of her child whom she had never seen since birth, Ye Ying couldn't help but shed tears. In the past, she also relied on her child to compete with Princess Qixia for favor, but she was really heartbroken when she found out that her own child was missing. If she could find her child, it would be good to know that she was still alive and well.

With tears in her eyes, she told Ye Li that the child was swapped by Mo Jingqi, and even that Mo Jingli might never have children again. Although Ye Li already knew many of the circumstances, she couldn't help but sigh at the two brothers Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli's extreme efforts. After thinking for a moment, Ye Li nodded and said, "Don't worry, as long as the child is still alive, I will definitely help you find it."

Ye Ying was overjoyed and kept saying, "Thank you, Third Sister, Third Sister, I..." Seeing Ye Ying's guilty look, Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "We were all young and ignorant before, so let's just let the past be. Don't worry, you are my fourth sister, I won't let that Nanzhao princess bully you." Ye Ying nodded repeatedly, feeling even more grateful to Ye Li in her heart, "Thank you, Third Sister."

"What are you thanking me for? It's just a small favor. When you are free in a couple of days, go back to see your father and grandmother. Your father and grandmother loved you the most at home. And, I'm not saying this, you really need to consult your grandmother about many things. Although Mo Jingli may not tolerate Princess Qixia's reckless behavior for my sake, there are many things I can't teach you." Ye Li reminded gently.

Ye Ying nodded. She understood what Ye Li was talking about. Her grandmother and mother had tried to teach her the methods of those noble ladies, but she just ignored them. When she regretted it later, she was either imprisoned by Mo Jingqi or in Prince Li's mansion, where no one was willing to teach her. Until now, the power of the Regent Palace is still in the hands of Concubine Xianzhao, and Princess Qixia can also use some of it. But she, who was hated and ignored by Mo Jingli, could not even touch it.

In fact, when it comes to the ways of dealing with things by noble ladies, Old Lady Ye and Lady Wang can't teach Ye Ying much useful things. Old Lady Ye and Lady Wang, who are both from humble families, know and can do very little. If Ye Li really wanted to train Ye Ying, he would ask Lady Xu, Lady Xu II, or Empress Hua to teach her. But firstly, there is no such condition, and secondly, Ye Li doesn't need Ye Ying to become too smart.

Seeing Ye Ying crying so hard that her makeup was messed up, Ye Li called someone to take her downstairs to wash up again. Watching her figure gradually disappearing, the gentle smile on Ye Li's face gradually faded, "Qin Feng, am I too cruel to do this?"

Outside the pavilion, Qin Feng's face was calm, and he said in a deep voice: "Everything the princess did was for the sake of Prince Ding's Mansion and the Mohist Army. Besides, Princess Li is not an innocent person."

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "You are right. Ye Ying was taught by Wang to be selfish since she was young. She is grateful to me now, but if I harm her interests one day, she will bite me back without hesitation. It's a pity... she doesn't have this opportunity anymore." Ye Li was not being hypocritical when asking this. It's just that Ye Ying is indeed very innocent in the current situation of the world. It's a pity that since she has already gone deep into it, if she doesn't have the power to control her own destiny, she can only become a pawn in the hands of others. This is Ye Ying's fate, or it can be said that her tragedy was doomed when she chose to marry Mo Jingli. Mo Jingli has never been a good man.

Ye Li stood up and walked out of the pavilion, just in time to see Princess Qixia coming towards her. Over the years, Princess Qixia's temperament has become much more stable, no longer the spoiled princess who would whip anyone if she disagreed with him. Seeing Ye Li, she just raised her eyelids and said indifferently, "Ding Wangfu, isn't Ye Ying with you?"

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "Princess Qixia, Fourth Sister is the legitimate wife of the prince. Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to call her by her name like this?"

Princess Qixia raised her eyebrows disdainfully and said, "So what? She's just a woman that the prince hates. Or does Princess Ding want to use her status to support her?" Ye Li smiled with her lips covered. Her beautiful eyes moved around Princess Qixia and said, "How could that be? I'm just a little curious. Speaking of which, Prince Li is deeply in love with the princess. Why hasn't the prince given the princess a legitimate status in all these years? If it were in the past, it would be fine. Now that Prince Li is in power, why hasn't he thought of this? I remember that the princess was deprived of her title by Nanzhao a long time ago, right? You should call her Miss Qixia."

Ye Li's words immediately made Princess Qixia look extremely unhappy. She had been with Mo Jingli for these years. Although Mo Jingli had not treated her badly, he had not married her in a formal way. Although Nanzhao did not care about these false formalities as much as the Central Plains, it was precisely because she did not have this status that she could not hold her head up among the noble ladies of Dachu even though Mo Jingli was in power.

"In two days, the Queen of Nanzhao should be here. If the Queen knew that her sister was like this... I wonder how she would feel." Ye Li said with a faint regret, seemingly unintentionally. Princess Qixia is the biological sister of Princess Anxi, but she has been at odds with her sister since she was a child. Instead, she was very close to the then Southern Xinjiang Saint Shu Manlin. In the end, she followed Mo Jingli regardless of her status, and it can be said that she completely severed her relationship with Princess Anxi. Now her biological sister has become the queen of a country, but she has not even got the title of a princess. When she meets Princess Anxi, she doesn't know how Princess Qixia will feel.

"You don't have to be so proud! The prince will definitely marry me as his principal wife!" Princess Qixia said proudly.

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled, "Miss Qixia, you misunderstood. I am the Princess of Ding, and it has nothing to do with me who the Prince of Li chooses as his first wife. But I still want to remind Miss Qixia that the Prince of Li already has someone as his first wife. Even if the Prince of Li wants to marry, she will be a concubine at most. In the Central Plains, there is no rule of who is superior to whom. Even if she is a concubine, she will still be inferior to the first wife."

Princess Qixia glared at Ye Li with hatred, snorted, and turned away.

－－－－－－－A side note－－－－－－－

Ye Ying's ending is a bit cruel~ Although it's still early, I still want to give you a preview in advance. I hope you don't think I'm too cruel~