Shanhe Festival 339. Meeting but not recognizing each other

Seeing Ye Ying leave without mercy, Ye Yue wanted to chase after her, but the wounds on her body made her unable to move. She could only hold the unconscious child and sob. If she hadn't been unwilling to rely on Mo Jingli to regain a more noble status than before, how could she have fallen to such a point. However, no matter how much regret she had, she couldn't save her from leaving the country at this moment.

Soon, a raging fire broke out in a yard in the most remote corner of the Ye Mansion.

In the front yard, Ye Wenhua and Mrs. Ye Wang were politely seeing Mo Jingli out. Although Ye Wenhua was polite, she had long wished that Mo Jingli would never come to her house again. Originally, she was unwilling to agree when Mo Jingli came back and asked to see Ye Yue, but Mrs. Ye was unwilling to agree and insisted on allowing Prince Li to see Ye Yue again. Looking at Mo Jingli's sinister face and Mrs. Ye Wang's disappointed look, Ye Wenhua didn't know what to say.

"Master, it's bad! There's a fire in the backyard!" The servant behind him hurriedly chased after him and shouted anxiously. Ye Wenhua was startled and asked, "Where is the fire?"

The servant said, "Yes... it was the courtyard that Prince Li and Princess Li went to just now." This answer was very strange. If it was the courtyard where the second young lady was imprisoned, people might have to come back to their senses before they thought of Mo Jingli. But the answer was that Prince Li and Princess Li went to the courtyard, and the courtyard caught fire just after Prince Li came out. Even a fool would think that this incident was related to Prince Li.

Everyone looked back and saw thick smoke rising from the backyard.

Wang screamed, "Yuer!"

Ye Wenhua said in a deep voice, "Why don't you send someone to put out the fire!" He then ignored Mo Jingli, bowed to him hastily, and turned away to the backyard. Wang came to her senses and followed Ye Wenhua to the backyard. Standing at the gate, Mo Jingli's eyes darkened, glanced at Ye Ying who was following him, and said in a deep voice, "Go back to the inn." Ye Ying nodded obediently, "Yes, Lord Wang."

In a blink of an eye, the doorway that had been a bit annoying suddenly became silent. Old Madam Ye was still a little confused for a moment. How could... this happen?

When the news of the fire in the Ye Mansion reached Prince Ding's Mansion, Mo Xiuyao just smiled calmly, "Is it confirmed this time? That woman won't steal corpses again, right?"

A-Jian standing at the door nodded earnestly and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, A-Jian has checked it myself. It is definitely Ye Yue herself." Mo Xiuyao smiled with satisfaction, "Very good. I asked you to do this right after you came back. You have worked hard. Go back to see Uncle Mo." A-Jian nodded, turned around and left without asking any more questions. Mo Xiuyao's faint voice came from behind, "You don't need to tell the princess about this."

Ah Min paused for a moment and continued to walk out. The prince probably thought that such a small matter did not need to be told to the princess, right?

The study was quiet. Mo Xiuyao looked at the letter on the table with a happy smile on his face.

At this time, Ye Li's courtyard was indeed very lively. Not only Mrs. Xu Er, Qin Zheng and others, but also Mrs. Xu Da, Empress Hua, Murong Ting and other female relatives who had a deep friendship with Ye Li had arrived. Also joining in the fun were Mo Xiaobao, Leng Junhan, Xu Zhirui, and the two twins Baozi who had just turned one month old.

Mr. Qingyun's birthday is in two days, and everything that needs to be prepared in Licheng has been prepared. For this matter, everyone in Dingwang Mansion has been busy for a long time, and it is rare to have some free time at this time. A group of female relatives gathered at Ye Li to visit the two little buns. The two Xu ladies held one in each hand, and they couldn't let go of the pink and tender little baby. The Xu family has only one child, Xu Zhirui, so the two ladies naturally love the little buns. What's more, the two little things have been particularly well-behaved and smart since they opened their eyes. One is happy to see people, and the other is quieter, but also very well-behaved. It's even easier to take care of than Mo Xiaobao when he was a child. Even Mo Xiuyao had to admit that these two little guys together could not be as troublesome as Mo Xiaobao alone when he was a child.

"Good boy... my little Lin'er. This little boy looks so..." Madam Xu loved little Lin'er very much and refused to let go once she held him. Although he was still a small child, it was clear that little Lin'er looked more like a member of the Xu family. Madam Xu, who never had a grandson, naturally liked this Xiao family guy very much. Madam Xu II also loved her little girl. Although she had a grandson, she had no granddaughter. Not to mention a granddaughter, the Xu family didn't even have a daughter. Seeing this well-behaved and beautiful little girl, Madam Xu II loved her to her heart's content.

Ye Li looked at the baby lying in the arms of the two Madam Xu, smiling and saying, "The two aunts like children, why don't you urge the third and fourth brothers to get married sooner or later?"

As soon as these words came out, Hua Tianxiang and Mo Wuyou, who were sitting next to him, blushed. Mo Wuyou hid behind Emperor Hua with a blushing face, but Hua Tianxiang had nowhere to hide, so she could only glare at Ye Li with a blushing face, "Li'er, you..." Qin Zheng smiled softly and said, "Li'er is right, Tianxiang, I'm waiting for you to come to the Xu family to accompany me."

Murong Ting held her precious son in her arms and said with a smile, "That's right, my Junhan is almost five years old."

"You...you are so shameless!" Hua Tianxiang stamped her feet in shame. Madam Xu was also very satisfied with Hua Tianxiang, the future daughter-in-law. Seeing her embarrassed, she quickly said, "Well, why are you guys saying these things in front of their daughters? I have discussed with your uncle, grandfather, and Madam Yang. The old Duke died for his country, and there is no time to get married during the mourning period. We can only move the wedding to next year. By then, Tianxiang and Wuyou will marry into our Xu family together, which will also be a good story." Wuyou is still young, but Hua Tianxiang is not young. Originally, it would be good to get married late during the mourning period, but at that time Xu Qingfeng was far away in Chujing fighting, so they had no choice but to wait until the one-year mourning period was over. Mrs. Xu was originally just worried about not being able to find a suitable daughter-in-law, but now that the candidate has been decided, she is not so worried anymore. Moreover, after Mr. Qingyun's birthday banquet is over, they can start preparing for the wedding, which will be almost done by next year.

Queen Hua looked at her blushing niece and daughter with pity. Being able to join a family like the Xu family was definitely a rare good marriage for them, and she could rest assured. Although the Hua family was well-known and had a noble family background, everyone knew that after the death of Duke Hua, the Hua family had fallen into decline. Even if the descendants were motivated, they would not be able to rise again in ten or twenty years. The Xu family had few members and did not attach much importance to family background. Hua Tianxiang and Mo Wuyou would naturally not suffer any grievances if they married into the family.

Hua Tianxiang was fine, she and Xu Qingfeng both liked each other and were in love. The relationship between Mo Wuyou and Xu Qingbai was more about Madam Xu, and Xu Qingbai was not a person who showed his emotions like Xu Qingfeng, so it was difficult to see his feelings. Mo Wuyou was not very old, and even if he had some feelings for Xu Qingbai at the beginning of his love, he was just confused and betrothed by the two families. It was not that he was unwilling, but it was inevitable that he was a little confused and bewildered.

Ye Li saw Mo Wuyou's expression but didn't say anything. Xu Qingbai must have some feelings for Wuyou, otherwise he wouldn't obey Madam Xu's wishes with his gentle but opinionated personality. Mo Wuyou didn't look like he didn't like Xu Qingbai when he mentioned him. After all, they were both still young, so there was still time for improvement.

"Princess, Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning request an audience." Qingshuang came in and reported while everyone was chatting and laughing.

Everyone was stunned, and Empress Hua and Mo Wuyou had complicated expressions. Others just thought it was strange, but they had a close relationship with Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning. Murong Ting asked curiously, "Why are they coming to Prince Ding's Mansion at this time?" Since moving to Li City, Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning have been living in seclusion. Except for visiting Ye Li when they first arrived here, they have never set foot in Prince Ding's Mansion. No wonder Murong Ting was curious.

Ye Li thought for a moment and said, "Please invite them in."

Qing Shuang took the order and left. Madam Xu asked, "Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning want to see you for something. Should we avoid them first?" Ye Li shook her head and said, "They will live in Licheng for a long time in the future. Could it be that we won't see each other anymore? They should be here for Concubine Liu's matter."

"Concubine Liu?!" All the female relatives were shocked. In their opinion, Concubine Liu must have been dead for a long time.

Ye Li nodded, and after a moment's silence, he said, "Concubine Liu is not dead, she is in Licheng now. Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning must have received the news and came to me for confirmation." Soon, Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning were brought in. Both of them looked good, and it seemed that they were living comfortably in Licheng. However, looking at the scars on the upper half of Princess Zhenning's half-closed face, one could not help but sigh in the heart.

"I've met Princess Ding." The two of them didn't have the arrogance of the princes and princesses of the Great Chu, and they bowed respectfully to Ye Li when they saw her. Ye Li smiled and said, "Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning, there's no need to be polite. Come and sit down. Have you gotten used to living in Licheng these days?" Mo Xiaoyun nodded calmly and said, "Thank you for your concern, Princess. I'm fine with my sister." Although the words were polite, they were sincere. Although they were just powerless princes and princesses in Licheng, after experiencing all kinds of hardships and pains in the past two years, such a life was not that difficult. Moreover, the Ding Palace did not treat them badly. Although Mo Xiaoyun was young, he could see clearly. In this world, except for Licheng and the Ding Palace, there was no place for them to stand. His age and ability are far from enough to build up the strength to protect himself and contend with various forces in the world.

Ye Li nodded, and was very satisfied with Mo Xiaoyun's sobriety and awareness of the current situation.

The two thanked Ye Li and sat down on the empty stool beside them, only then did they see the familiar person sitting next to them. They couldn't help but be surprised, "Mother...Imperial sister..." Although Concubine Liu Gui and Empress Hua have always been at odds, Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning don't have any ill feelings towards Empress Hua. At most, Princess Zhenning was very jealous of Mo Wuyou, but those jealousies now seem to be even more meaningless. Mo Wuyou originally disliked these two siblings because of Concubine Liu Gui. But he also knew that the days they had spent in Licheng in the past two years were not much better than what he had experienced back then. Looking at the expression on Princess Zhenning's face, he still remembered the expression of them as siblings when Chu Jing was surrounded. After all, they are brothers and sisters, and Mo Wuyou couldn't help but soften his heart and nodded, "Are you all right?"

Princess Zhenning's eyes were slightly red, she bit her lip and nodded, then lowered her head even more shamefully. When she first knew that Mo Wuyou was sent to the King of Nanzhao, she had felt happy in her heart. Now, seeing that Mo Wuyou did not show a look of disgust or ridicule because of her disfigurement, and even did not show the sympathy that she hated the most, she felt a little more ashamed.

"Royal sister..."

Mo Wuyou smiled and said, "Just call me Wuyou. I'm not a princess anymore."

Mo Xiaoyun nodded in understanding, and said to Queen Hua and Mo Wuyou: "Mother, Sister Wuyou." It was a little strange that Queen Hua was called a mother, but it was not an exaggeration. Queen Hua was Mo Jingqi's legitimate wife after all, and all the princes and princesses had to call her mother. She was the legitimate mother of Mo Xiaoyun and other princes and princesses. Queen Hua nodded slightly, looked at Mo Xiaoyun and said lightly: "You have suffered a lot in the past two years. Now that you have survived, forget about the past and live a good life with your sister."

Mo Xiaoyun nodded and said, "Thank you, Madam, for your guidance."

"Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning have come to Dingwang Mansion, what's the matter?" Ye Li asked. Mo Xiaoyun looked at the many female relatives in front of him, and did not hide it. He nodded and said, "My princess, my sister and I heard that there is another woman beside the seventh prince of Beirong, who looks very similar to... mother. I wonder if it is true?" Ye Li looked at the two people staring at her and sighed softly. Nodding, she said, "Yes, the woman beside Yeluye is named Qing Yina, and she is said to be the fiancee of the seventh prince. Although I have never seen her true face, according to Princess Ronghua, she is exactly the same as Concubine Liu. If you have any questions, you can go to the inn and ask her."

Mo Xiaoyun looked humbled and said in a deep voice, "My sister and I went to the post house to ask for an audience twice, but were rejected both times. That's why... we came to ask for an audience with the princess, and wanted to ask the princess to verify..." Ye Li thought for a moment and said, "Qing Yina was brought by Prince Yelu, so she is also a guest. It is not convenient for me to send someone to question her directly. However, you can ask Princess Ronghua for a few questions. Princess Ronghua often went in and out of the palace when she was young, so she should be more familiar with that person than I am."

In fact, after hearing what Ye Li said, both of them had basically confirmed the identity of Consort Liu. Not only did Mo Xiaoyun look gloomy, but Princess Zhenning's hands were clenched so tightly that they turned pale and she was trembling slightly.

Ye Li looked at the two of them and said earnestly, "No matter whether that person is true or not, you must think twice before you act, and never act rashly. If you have any difficulties, come to the palace and talk to me and the prince. Although this is Licheng, Yelu Yebi is a prince of the Northern Rong who holds a large number of troops. His power is not insignificant, so you must not act rashly."

Mo Xiaoyun was silent for a moment, then nodded and said, "Thank you for your reminder, Princess. We understand. We won't bother you anymore. My sister and I will take our leave first." Ye Li nodded gently, looked at Princess Zhenning and said softly, "Don't stay in the house all day. It's not that bad to go out for a walk more often." Princess Zhenning bit her lip, nodded, and hurriedly followed Mo Xiaoyun away.

Seeing so many brothers and sisters leave, everyone's mood became a little depressed. Hua Tianxiang frowned and said, "Did Princess Zhenning's face really get damaged by Concubine Liu?" She used to walk around the palace frequently, but she didn't have much impression of Princess Zhenning. In fact, none of Concubine Liu's three children looked like her. Princess Zhenning was not valued by her mother as a daughter, and Mo Jingqi also favored Mo Wuyou more, so she had no sense of existence in the palace. She didn't look like the daughter of a concubine who was striving to be the most powerful in the harem. Seeing the scary scar on the originally beautiful face, Hua Tianxiang couldn't help but feel a little more sympathy for her.

Ye Li shook her head and said, "We don't know how or who it was. When we rescued her, Concubine Liu had already disappeared, and she was the only one in the cold palace. If we hadn't rescued her in time, I'm afraid everyone would have thought that it was Concubine Liu who died in there." In this way, no matter what the truth is, in the eyes of the surviving Princess Zhenning, it was her biological mother who threw her into the sea of ​​fire and died in her place.

Empress Hua frowned slightly and said, "I think Zhen Ning hates Concubine Liu very much. Will something bad happen if they go after her?"

"With Prince Changxing here, nothing should happen." Ye Li frowned.

When it comes to Concubine Liu, everyone can't help but feel disgusted. They all know how Concubine Liu feels about Mo Xiuyao and how she forced him to marry her. Add to that Princess Zhenning's incident, and their disgust for Concubine Liu has gone up a level. Murong Ting hugged Leng Junhan and said bitterly, "If I meet a woman like that, I'll whip her."

Mo Xiaobao, who was sitting next to Ye Li and eating snacks obediently, blinked and asked, "Mother, are you talking about the lady in white from Chu Jing?" Hearing this, Ye Li looked at Mo Xiaobao in surprise, "Do you still remember Concubine Liu?"

Mo Xiaobao pouted his lips in displeasure, "That aunt is the most annoying. She always looks at me and my mother with strange eyes. I wanted to tell my father that if she looks at me again, I would dig out her eyes, but she died. She is not dead yet?" Ye Li's head ached. How could she say this with such excitement? When did she teach him such a cruel idea? Mo Xiaobao was less than seven years old at that time.

In Beirong Posthouse, Princess Ronghua received the news that Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning wanted to see her, and a strange smile appeared on her lips. She ordered the servants beside her to invite the two people in immediately. Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning had come twice before, but they were sent away by the staff of the posthouse and could not even enter the door. This time, they changed their request to see Princess Ronghua, and they were taken in soon.

Princess Ronghua specially received the two in the main hall of the inn. Seeing Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning, she smiled and pulled them to sit down. "When I was still in Chujing, you were all children. I didn't expect that after not seeing you for so many years, you have grown up." Looking at the young boy and girl in front of her, Princess Ronghua also sighed. Although she is not old yet, seeing the children who used to be children grow up, she can't help but sigh that youth is fleeting.

"Is Aunt Ronghua doing well in Beirong?" Mo Xiaoyun asked.

Princess Ronghua smiled and said, "The prince treats me very well, and everything is fine. I have heard about what happened in the past few years, but you two have suffered."

Mo Xiaoyun was no longer a child who knew nothing. He smiled and said, "My sister and I are doing well. Prince Ding's Mansion treats us very well."

"That's good. Prince Ding is kindhearted. Although he is not as rich and noble as the royal prince, his life is more comfortable than those intrigues. Now that you have finally got out, don't think about those things. Not everyone is lucky enough to get out of this circle." Princess Ronghua felt that and was also advising the two. Mo Xiaoyun nodded and said, "Nephew, don't worry. Thank you for your advice, aunt."

"Aunt Ronghua..." Princess Zhenning looked at Princess Ronghua and hesitated to speak. Princess Ronghua naturally understood why they were here. She raised her hand and gently patted the back of her hand and said softly: "I have heard about your story. My good child, you have suffered a lot. You want to see Qing Yina, right?" Mo Xiaoyun hesitated for a moment, but still nodded. They had heard before that Princess Ronghua had a flamboyant and domineering personality, and they were a little displeased to see her so amiable at this moment. After all, they were children born in the royal family, and no one was innocent, so they naturally had some doubts about such a kind Princess Ronghua.

Princess Ronghua saw through his doubts at a glance and smiled, "Silly boy, who can still be the same as when they were young? In fact, I'm not sure whether she is... I'll ask someone to invite her over so you can meet her. Don't be impulsive." The two nodded silently.

After a while, Concubine Liu, dressed in white, walked in. Without even looking at the hall, she said coldly to Princess Ronghua, "What do you want to say by calling me here?" Concubine Liu was in a very bad mood these past two days. Not only because she was severely reprimanded by Yeluye when she returned to the inn after meeting Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li on the street two days ago, but also because Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning came to her house yesterday. Before coming, she really didn't think that these two children would be in Licheng. More importantly, she didn't know how to face them and didn't want to see them.

Princess Ronghua raised her eyebrows and said, "I am talking to you. Someone wants to see you."

"Who are you..." Concubine Liu's voice was hoarse, and she looked at the two boys who looked at her coldly in front of her with some surprise. Two years passed in a blink of an eye. Mo Xiaoyun was much taller than two years ago, and he looked much more stable. Princess Zhenning sat next to Mo Xiaoyun, with a veil covering her face, but her eyes were as cold as ice. Concubine Liu shuddered in her heart, "You... Who are you?!" After a while, Concubine Liu calmed down and spoke reluctantly.

But how could she hide her shocked look and familiar appearance from her own children? Seeing that Concubine Liu Gui did not intend to recognize them, both of them flashed a trace of pain and resentment in their eyes. When she met Princess Zhenning's cold eyes, Concubine Liu Gui immediately avoided her guiltily, turned around and glared at Princess Ronghua and said, "Crown Princess, what do you mean?"

Princess Ronghua drank tea leisurely and smiled faintly: "What do you mean? This is the orphan of my cousin, the emperor. Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning, they are here to see you. Qing Yina, don't you know them?"

"Of course I don't know them." Concubine Liu Gui said, "Since there's nothing else to do, I'll go back to my room first." After saying that, she turned around and walked inside without even looking at Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning. Princess Ronghua put down her teacup and smiled, "Don't go, Qing Yina. These two children have worked hard to find their mother, which is commendable for their filial piety. Even if you really don't know them, you should explain it to them."

Concubine Liu Gui was startled, turned around and glanced at them quickly and said, "You have the wrong person."

Mo Xiaoyun and Princess Zhenning were silent, watching Concubine Liu Gui turn around and leave. Princess Zhenning gritted her teeth and said, "Mother, do you really not know us?"