Shanhe Festival 228. Yaoji's Request

Madam Xu was indeed very eager to marry her daughter-in-law. Two days later, she brought a letter to Ye Li from the Xu Mansion, saying that everything was ready and she was waiting for Xu Qingchen to come back to see his daughter-in-law. After receiving Madam Xu's letter with such harsh words, Ye Li smiled helplessly and had to get up to go to the study to find Xu Qingchen.

Ye Li divided the front yard of Prince Ding's Mansion into an office area. In addition to the lobby for receiving guests and the meeting room for meetings and gatherings, there were also several study rooms of different sizes for the civil officials of Prince Ding's Mansion to work. As soon as Ye Li stepped into the study room, he saw Xu Qingchen sitting behind the desk, drinking tea and reading the memorials in his hand. He couldn't help but admire the demeanor of his elder brother. The title of the world's number one son was not for nothing. Although he was busy dealing with the tedious government documents in the study room, Xu Qingchen looked elegant and refined, as if he was a gentleman reciting poems and composing poems.

"Brother." Ye Li stepped into the study and called softly.

Xu Qingchen put down the letter, stood up and said with a smile: "Li'er, why are you here at this time?" Ye Li waved her hand and said with a smile: "Brother, don't be polite to Li'er, sit down and talk." Xu Qingchen raised his eyebrows, and sat back in the chair without being polite, looking at Ye Li with a smile and waiting for her to speak. Ye Li thought for a while and asked: "Brother, how many days have you not returned to the Xu Mansion?" Xu Qingchen was a quick-witted person. As soon as Ye Li opened her mouth, he understood Ye Li's intention and asked with a smile: "Did mother ask you to persuade me to go back to see the girl?"

Ye Li felt embarrassed. There was nothing wrong with this statement, but for some reason it was so awkward when it came out of Xu Qingchen's mouth. Ye Li thought about it and handed the letter sent by Madam Xu to Xu Qingchen. She smiled and said, "Although Li'er shouldn't ask about big brother's affairs, but...big brother should at least give an explanation to big aunt, even if it's just to make her feel at ease. Big brother, it's not your habit to keep dragging it out like this? It also makes big aunt sad for no reason."

Xu Qingchen read the letter from Madam Xu, and his handsome face was stained with a bit of helplessness and guilt. Ye Li looked at him and said softly: "No matter what reason or idea you have, it is better to tell my aunt. Li'er thinks my aunt, uncle and grandfather are not unreasonable people. If my brother really has any idea, the elders will not really force him to get married, and he will not have to hide from my aunt every day like now, right?"

Xu Qingchen was startled, and smiled helplessly, "Li'er saw it all?"

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled, "It's obvious, isn't it? No matter how lazy Xiu Yao is, he won't push all the things onto Big Brother. He still knows clearly what is important and what is not. But Big Brother has seldom returned to the Xu Mansion recently, hasn't he?"

Xu Qingchen put away the letter, sighed lightly, looked at Ye Li and said, "Brother, I know. I'll be back soon." Ye Li blinked, looked at Xu Qingchen with a smile and asked, "Do you need Li'er to go back with you to boost your courage?" Xu Qingchen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

After seeing Xu Qingchen off, Ye Li turned back to her study room and walked in to see Mo Xiuyao leaning on a chair, reading a file with great interest. Hearing Ye Li's footsteps, Mo Xiuyao waved to her and said with a smile, "Ah Li, come and take a look..." Ye Li walked forward curiously, "What are you looking at?" She looked down and saw a biography of Xu Qingchen presented by the secret guard. She glanced at Mo Xiuyao and raised her eyebrows and said, "You asked someone to investigate my brother?"

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand and said, "I am doing this to help Ah Li. Aren't the people in the Xu family worried about Xu Qingchen's marriage? Ah Li has been thinking about him these past two days, right?" Ye Li nodded, reluctantly accepting this explanation, and asked, "What are you reading?" Mo Xiuyao raised his head and looked at Ye Li with some sadness. Ye Li was startled. Could it be that something really happened to her elder brother?

"Ah Li, you have to hold on." Mo Xiuyao patted Ye Li's hand and said comfortingly: "I think we really have to consider marrying your eldest brother off."

"What do you mean?" Mo Xiuyao waved the memorial in his hand and said, "It records everything that Master Qingchen has done in the past twenty years, but... there is never any mention of him having any affair with that girl, not even that he is particularly fond of her." Ye Li narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth and said, "So you think that big brother is a traitor?" Mo Xiuyao threw the memorial on the table and stretched his waist casually. "What else can it be? Master Qingchen will be thirty in two years. Do you believe that Master Qingchen has not even held a girl's hand in the past thirty years?"

Ye Li tried to calm him down, "You can say that Big Brother has high standards and doesn't like ordinary, vulgar women."

Mo Xiuyao looked up at the sky and rolled his eyes, clearly saying that he didn't believe Ye Li's self-consolation. Ye Li pinched Mo Xiuyao's perfectly restored face and pulled it left and right, "Don't always try to make big brother uncomfortable. If this matter gets out, it will have a bad impact on big brother." Mo Xiuyao pulled down Ye Li's hands painfully and locked them in his palms. He rubbed the skin on his face that Ye Li had pulled and asked, "Ali, do you hate short sleeves?" Ye Li glared at him fiercely, "No, but... don't talk nonsense! Even if big brother really cuts off his sleeves, he has to say it himself!"

Mo Xiuyao nodded obediently: So Ah Li, do you also agree that Xu Qingchen is a renegade? Ye Li, who was entangled in the story, forgot that although the secret guard's report did not mention that Xu Qingchen had any special feelings for any woman, it also did not mention that he had any special feelings for any man. I don't know how Xu Qingchen convinced Madam Xu, and it seems that there was no rumor in Licheng that the eldest son of the Xu family was dating. But Xu Qingchen suddenly felt that every time his cousin looked at him, there was always a bit of indescribable weirdness and worry in her expression.

If we were to ask what the most important event in the Northwest was this year, it would undoubtedly be the imperial examination held in June. This was the first time in the five years since the Northwest became independent that an imperial examination was held to select talents, which naturally attracted attention from all sides. At the same time, it once again showed that the Northwest and Da Chu were no longer related. What was even more concerning was that this imperial examination in the Northwest was not limited to students within the Northwest, and students from Da Chu and Xiling were not rejected as long as they had real talents. Although the hot June was not a good time for imperial examinations, students from all over the Northwest and some talented people from Da Chu and Xiling who had not been recognized came to Licheng from thousands of miles away. Also, because the annual Licheng Chamber of Commerce will be held half a month after the imperial examination, merchants from all over the world come here from far and wide to bring their goods here in the hope of selling them at a better price, so people's enthusiasm for this city is as intense as a hot summer day.

After five years, the current Licheng is no longer the same as it was back then. The area of ​​the city alone has expanded by at least a generation compared to five years ago, and the shops and the dazzling array of goods passing by on the streets are no less than those of Chujing in Dachu. From time to time, people from the Western Regions pass by on the streets, wearing strange clothes, with hair color, skin color and eyes that are very different from those of the people in the northwest.

In Ningxiang Pavilion, in the window room, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li sat opposite each other, drinking tea and talking leisurely. From time to time, they looked down from the window and saw the crowds of people on the street. Ye Li felt extremely relieved and satisfied. They had worked hard for five years to make this city so prosperous and peaceful. Just like the land in the northwest, they all guarded this land together and the people on this land. Looking at the man sitting opposite her, Ye Li felt soft and sweet in her heart. They were not only husband and wife, but also left and right who walked side by side and relied on each other. They had common ideals and responsibilities.

"Ah Li, what are you thinking about that makes you so happy?" Mo Xiuyao put down his teacup and looked at his wife, who was smiling gently and contentedly. Ye Li smiled and said, "Nothing, I just feel very happy about the scene in front of me."

Following Ye Li's gaze, looking down, on the busy streets, a young couple set up stalls to sell cosmetics. Although they were dressed simply, their faces were filled with happy smiles. A family of three, a couple, walked on the street with their child, who was only a few years old. The child pointed to the street vendor selling candied haws and asked to buy some. An old man in his sixties walked slowly forward in the crowd with steady steps. There were also many young scholars passing by, and everyone seemed to have a strange glow and smile on their face. Mo Xiuyao turned around and said in a soft but firm voice: "As long as we are here, they will always live happily like this."

Ye Li nodded and said softly, "In fact, the common people don't want much. As long as they can live a peaceful life, have enough food and warm clothes, they will be grateful to you." Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "Isn't it true? Isn't it my A'li that the people in the northwest respect the most? If there was no A'li, how could they have the good life they have now?"

It was Ah Li who proposed the plan for Northwest foreign trade, and it was Ah Li who proposed to open up land in the northern plains to grow food. His words were definitely not false flattery. Ah Li did so much for the Northwest, the Mohist Army, and him. Mo Xiuyao has always been extremely lucky to have married such an amazing wife. Ye Li smiled and said, "Your Highness, you are complimenting me. I just moved my mouth and pen. It was others who really did it." Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "Although many people can do many things, no one has ever thought of them. So Ah Li should still take the credit."

"My Lord, Princess, Yao Ji requests to see you."

"Come in." Mo Xiuyao frowned and said calmly. Yao Ji pushed the door open and walked in. Five years had passed, and the once stunningly beautiful No. 1 dancer in Chujing had become more mature and charming. But after washing away all the glamour, Yao Ji was now wearing only a plain dress and jade hairpin, less arrogant than the No. 1 dancer back then and more peaceful and tranquil.

Ye Li glanced at the jade lotus pinned on Yao Ji's hair, raised her eyebrows and smiled: "I haven't seen you for a long time, Yao Ji seems to be more beautiful." Yao Ji smiled brightly and said: "Are you teasing me, Princess? How can I compare to you, Princess, who is more and more beautiful."

Ye Li looked at her with a smile, and Yudai said teasingly: "This jade hairpin is very good. It looks familiar to me."

Yao Ji couldn't help but touch the hairpin on her head uncomfortably and said, "This hairpin is very ordinary, and the style is similar." Ye Li shook his head and smiled, "That's not right. Don't look at the jade quality and carving style of this hairpin. It's not the best, but this kind of jasper was brought over by merchants from the Western Regions. There are only about three in the whole Li City. I kept a hibiscus one, and gave an orchid one to the wife of the second young master of the Xu family. The other one was asked for by someone, it turns out..."

Facing Ye Li's teasing eyes, Yao Ji, who had seen countless people, couldn't help but blush, and hated the person who gave her the gift. She naturally refused to accept the hairpin when the person gave it to her, but the person just threw it away and said that it was a wrong gift and he had no use for it, so he just threw it away. She didn't expect that this seemingly insignificant hairpin had such a history.

Ye Li saw her pretty face getting redder and redder, and knew she shouldn't tease her anymore. If she ruined her subordinate's marriage, she would be hated for the rest of her life. In her previous life, she said that if you ruin someone's marriage, you will be kicked by a horse.

"Okay, I won't bother you. But what's the matter?" Ye Li asked seriously. Seeing Ye Li let her down the stairs, Yao Ji was naturally happy to change the subject and said quickly: "The list of students who came to take the exam with problems is all here. Should we arrest them now?" Yao Ji respectfully presented a list, took it and looked at it before handing it to Ye Li and said: "It seems that Lei Zhenting and Mo Jingqi really think highly of us and want to take advantage of every opportunity to squeeze people into Licheng. This time, at least half of the people from Dachu and Xiling who are taking the exam are They are their people." Ye Li thought for a moment, and said to Yao Ji: "Don't worry about them for now, let's talk about it after the exam. I also want to see what kind of outstanding talents King Zhennan and Mo Jingqi have sent." Before the exam, if a large number of princes disappeared, it would be easy to be discovered and cause a sensation, but it was different after the exam. Even if someone disappeared, most of them would just regard it as a failure and leave sadly.

Yao Ji agreed, and after thinking for a while, she said, "There is one more thing. Yao Ji had already sent someone to report to Lord Mo Hua. Since the prince and princess are here, I will report to them first. I heard that there seems to be some unrest in Chujing recently. The people in the restaurant downstairs heard it from the people who came from Chujing." Mo Xiu Yao frowned, "Did he say what it was?" Yao Ji shook her head and said, "The other party is not a high-ranking official, and I guess he doesn't know much." Ye Li smiled "It seems that our manpower in Chujing is a little redundant." Mo Xiuyao was not surprised at all, and said lightly: "Mo Jingqi is so suspicious that it's outrageous. In addition, he was fooled by Tan Jizhi for nearly ten years. Now I'm afraid he wants to betray everyone he sees. Even if it means hurting himself by eight thousand, he will get rid of all the capable people around him." Although Dingwang Mansion still has some hidden chess pieces in the palace, they are hidden very deeply. Unless it is related to the life and death of Dingwang Mansion, they cannot be easily mobilized.

"It seems that everyone is tired of the peaceful life. A'li, go back and choose a suitable person to return to the capital to assist Leng Haoyu." Mo Xiuyao sneered.

Ye Li nodded. Yao Ji, who was standing at the door, gritted her teeth and suddenly said, "My Lord, Princess, if you can trust me, Yao Ji is willing to go to the capital."

"You?" Ye Li frowned, "But have you really considered your identity and the dangers of going to Beijing?" Yao Ji nodded firmly and said, "Yao Ji has figured it out. Although I have been in Licheng for the past few years, I have rarely appeared in public, and there are not many people in Licheng who can recognize me. In addition, Yao Ji is no longer the Yao Ji of the past. Apart from other things, Yao Ji still has the ability to protect herself." Ye Li looked at her firm and resolute look, sighed helplessly, "You still can't let it go?" Yao Ji forced a smile and said, "Maybe I can let it go when I go back this time. Yao Ji will never make mistakes about the prince and the princess, please agree."

Ye Li thought for a moment and said, "You go back first, I'll think about it and get back to you." Yao Ji thanked him and then turned around and walked out, closing the door behind her.

"Actually, Yao Ji is a good candidate." Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li and said, "I'm just afraid that she still has feelings for Mu Yang."

Ye Li frowned and said, "I don't believe that she has completely let go of Mu Yang, but I also don't believe that she would betray Prince Ding's Mansion for Mu Yang. Her child is still in the northwest, and she would never betray Prince Ding's Mansion even for the sake of her child. And...even if she has feelings for Mu Yang, I'm afraid she hates the people in Mu Yang's Mansion. Yao Ji is a person who has a clear distinction between love and hate..." Mo Xiu Yao was a little surprised, "Since Ah Li knew that she still had feelings for Mu Yang, why did she agree to her relationship with Qin Feng?"

"What do you mean I agree with her and Qin Feng?" Ye Li squinted her eyes and said, "I just don't like to interfere in the private lives of my subordinates. As long as it doesn't affect the official business, it's Qin Feng's business who he likes. Do I, as a princess, have to serve as a matchmaker?"

Mo Xiuyao was also not interested in his subordinates' private affairs. "In that case, why don't you agree to Yao Ji's going to Chujing?"

Ye Li sighed, shook her head and asked, "Am I too soft-hearted?" Ye Li was no stranger to being an undercover agent, and naturally understood what an undercover agent had to endure. After returning to Beijing as Yao Ji, the best way was to try to return to Mu Yang's side. In this way, whether Yao Ji was killed by Mu Yang in the future, or the two sides finally revealed their true intentions, Yao Ji and Mu Yang would inevitably stand on opposite sides of each other. For a man and a woman who had a child and had once loved each other, this was too cruel, and it was also too cruel to Yao Ji.

"My Ah Li is a kind-hearted woman." Mo Xiuyao said softly, and raised the corner of his lips quietly when Ye Li was not paying attention. Was he cruel to Mu Yang? He didn't think so at all. He only remembered that the old man Mu Yanghou had contributed to Ah Li's falling off the cliff and her life and death were unknown. He didn't let Mu Yang go back to enjoy family happiness with Mu Yanghou. Although the main course cannot be served yet, let's have some appetizers. As for Yao Ji? That was her own request. Besides, Ding Wangfu saved her life, shouldn't she repay him a little?