The World is Shocked 99. Negotiations at Xu Mansion

Ye Li told Mo Xiuyao about Qingyu and Qingluan, and Mo Xiuyao turned around and ordered someone to investigate. No matter who the person pretending to be Mo Xiuyao was, that woman was definitely not Su Zuidi. Someone wanted to use this incident to sow discord between the two of them, or even between Dingguo Palace and the Xu family. This person must know enough about Dingguo Palace and Mo Xiuyao himself. As for being impersonated, Mo Xiuyao was not worried. Because the subordinates of Dingguo Palace always obey orders and not people. Although the prince and the princess are not an exception, everyone knows that the prince of Ding will never give orders to the people below at will. Moreover, if those secret guards can't even recognize the authenticity of their own prince, they don't have to work anymore.

The next day after returning to the capital, Ye Li went to the Xu family to visit her uncle and aunt. Although most people didn't know what happened in Yonglin City, the nobles in the palace who had their own information channels could not hide it. Moreover, Mo Xiuyao had recovered and naturally needed to take on the responsibility of being the Prince of Dingguo, so Ye Li, the Princess of Dingguo, naturally didn't need to keep a low profile anymore.

As soon as he stepped into the Xu residence, Xu Qingyan rushed out like the wind, pulling Ye Li and talking non-stop. Seeing this, Xu Hongyan, who followed him out, had veins throbbing on his forehead, "Qingyan!"

Xu Qingyan's face froze. He squeezed his eyes towards Ye Li for help before turning back to give Xu Hongyan a flattering smile, "Second Uncle, aren't you happy to see Sister Li back..." Xu Qingze looked at him indifferently without saying a word. Xu Qingbai glanced at him unhappily and said, "We are all very happy that Li'er is back. Look at you. It's a good thing we're not in Yunzhou. If grandpa and father saw you, they would have to punish you." Xu Qingyan shrank his neck and made a face at his fourth brother.

Seeing her relatives, Ye Li felt warm in her heart and said with a smile, "Second uncle, second brother and fourth brother, please don't blame fifth brother. Li Er is also very happy after not seeing him for a long time."

Xu Hongyan looked at Ye Li for a while before nodding his head in satisfaction and said, "It seems that you haven't suffered much outside these days. Your complexion is much better than when you were in the capital." Madam Xu had already come forward to take Ye Li's hand and asked about her well-being. She felt sorry for her hardship outside alone and also noticed that she had lost a lot of weight.

Knowing that they had something important to discuss, Mrs. Xu took Ye Li aside and talked for a few words before turning around and instructing the kitchen to prepare lunch, leaving the room for her husband and sons.

After entering the study and sitting down, Xu Qingyan twisted and turned restlessly before he could say anything. He looked at Ye Li eagerly and said, "Sister Li, are you really going to guard Yonglin?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise and said, "Even you know about it? It seems that news from the border town spreads very quickly." Xu Qingyan waved his hand.

He waved his hand and said, "Sister Li, you don't know that some news is indeed a secret outside, but once it is passed back to the capital, it is no longer a secret. There are quite a few people who know about this matter. A few days ago, someone asked me about your news in a roundabout way. Humph! Do you want to take advantage of my young age to deceive me?" Xu

Qingze nodded, looked at Ye Li and said, "Xiaowu is right. There are not many information channels that can reach Broken Snow Pass. But in this capital city, no secrets can be hidden."

Ye Li waved her hand and said, "Forget it. I have discussed this matter with the prince. It is no secret that Princess Ding can mobilize the Black Cloud Cavalry. After all, I went to Yonglin on the battlefield. There are many things that cannot be concealed even if I want to. It doesn't matter if people know about it." Xu Hongyan frowned and said, "What does the prince mean?

"Yes..." Looking at his niece who looked a bit like his younger sister, Xu Hongyan was a little unsure whether this was what he had in mind. After all, although it was said that all the princes of Dingguo in the past did not like women and respected the princesses regardless of their backgrounds, there were only a hundred princesses who had truly controlled the military power of the Dingwang Mansion.

The Qingyun Princess of the year before was the only one. If Prince Ding is to Li'er... Although Xu Hongyan is happy that Prince Ding values ​​and trusts his niece, he is a little worried about this. Once Li'er gains control of the military power of Prince Ding's Palace, she will no longer be just a princess.

The right and wrong he has to face is probably something that his uncle cannot help him with.

Ye Li looked at Xu Hongyan and said seriously, "Li'er understands your uncle's concerns, but... Li'er has been tied to Prince Ding's Mansion since the day of the wedding. If some things are unavoidable, then you might as well face them head-on. Two people are always better than one."

Xu Hongyan couldn't help but sigh. Although he had been indifferent to the emperor's actions in the court these days, he did not really not understand. Since the Li prince started the rebellion, the emperor has been leaning on and promoting the Liu, Wang, and Yun families. It can even be said that he was openly using the excuse of eliminating the Li prince's party to suppress the court officials who had previously appointed the prince's palace.

In recent years, the court has placed many people for the emperor, either openly or secretly. Now, the Wang and Yun families have suddenly risen to replace the original Ye family, and even have a tendency to surpass the Hua family. What's worse is that for some reason, the three families of Liu, Wang and Yun have secretly formed a group. Originally, the three forces separated without blinking an eye, but

Now, in the blink of an eye, the emperor's people have taken the lead. If Xu Qingyan were to say that the emperor's actions were really to deal with Prince Li, I'm afraid he wouldn't believe it. Xu Hongyan naturally saw clearly that the emperor didn't take his brother seriously at all, and his real goal was always Prince Ding's Mansion.

Xu Qingze's voice was always cold, but there was a hint of warmth in his eyes as he looked at Ye Li. "If Li'er has this ability, it's fine to take it on."

Xu Hongyan nodded helplessly, looked at Ye Li with pity and said, "Your uncle also mentioned it in the letter he sent a few days ago. Since you can bring people to Yongzhou, he probably guessed what Prince Ding meant. But you have to be very careful in the future. Except for your third brother, everyone in our family is a scholar. I'm afraid

I can't help you much either." Xu Hongyan is not a military officer, but that doesn't mean he doesn't understand military commanders. Military commanders are different from civil officials, especially famous commanders who have fought on the battlefield. They don't care about your identity or status. If you can't obey the people, they won't buy your account even if you are the emperor's daughter. Ye Li nodded and smiled.

He said, "Don't worry, second uncle. This time in Yongzhou, the prince gave me a pretty good lieutenant under General Murong's command, as well as the commander of the Black Cloud Cavalry who guarded Yonglin together. They are all acquaintances, so there is no need to worry too much. As for the others, we can talk about them later. There is no need to rush." ​​Xu Hongyan's brows slightly relaxed.

Nodding, he said, "Your Highness is very thoughtful."

Xu Qingyan smiled and said, "If I had known that Sister Li could lead the Mohist Army, why would Third Brother go to the military camp by himself? Wouldn't it be better if he just followed Sister Li?"

Xu Hongyan glared at him and said, "Nonsense, if Qingfeng is a loser in the army, won't he just be a drag on Li'er? What difference does it make if he is a winner?" Xu Qingyan blinked and said, "I just think that since Third Brother is here, Sister Li will feel more at ease." Ye Li smiled.

"It's too early to talk about this now. I can't take care of the affairs of the Mohist Army now. Besides, if Third Brother knew that he joined the Mohist Army because of me, he would have run away long ago. He would not count until he made a name for himself." Thinking of his son's temper, Xu Hongyan couldn't help but smile.

But he seemed very satisfied, and said to Ye Li earnestly: "Although the prince trusts you, you should also remember that many things should be separated between public and private. Whether it is the royal family or something else, the most taboo is to have too many relatives by marriage. Li'er, do you understand?"

Ye Li felt warm in her heart and nodded, "Li'er understands. Thank you for your guidance, uncle."

Seeing Ye Li listening to him, Xu Hongyan nodded with satisfaction and sighed softly. Li'er is really different from his smart but weak little sister. Although Li'er's last name is not Xu, he still feels proud and relieved that his family has a daughter. I believe that his father will be very happy to see Li'er like this.

yeah.

Ye Li told Xu Hongyan about her trip to Nanzhao and what happened to Xu Qingchen. Xu Hongyan frowned in disapproval and said, "Qingchen is too risky to put himself in danger." Xu Qingbai was not worried about his elder brother's safety at all. He smiled and said, "Don't worry, uncle. What's wrong with you, elder brother?"

Did you do something you were not sure of when you were there? Didn't Li'er also say that even if she didn't go to Southern Xinjiang, Big Brother would still be sure to get away. "Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly and said, "Fourth Brother is right, Sister Li, is that Southern Xinjiang Saint very beautiful? Why did she capture Big Brother but didn't hurt him? She even forced him to confess.

No, could it be that she is attracted to my elder brother?" It must be said that Xu Qingyan was right to some extent. Ye Li blinked and shook her head with some regret: "I have never seen the Saint of Southern Xinjiang, but it should be not bad."

Xu Qingbai raised his eyebrows and said, "I think that Princess Anxi is interested in my eldest brother. Second brother, you tell me."

Xu Qingze put down his teacup and said calmly, "That's impossible. Big brother only treats Princess Anxi as a friend."

Xu Qingyan hid behind Xu Qingbai and bared his teeth at his second brother, muttering softly, "You are so unromantic. I don't know how Sister Qin can stand you." But Xu Qingbai looked at Ye Li curiously and asked, "Li'er lied to Princess Anxi that you are my brother's fiancée. What do you think, brother?" Hearing this, Xu Qingyan was immediately shocked.

His eyes sparkled as he stared at Ye Li. Ye Li gritted her teeth in frustration. She should have known that she was deceived by her elder brother. He did not write to tell her uncles about this, but she was the one who leaked the secret. She glanced at her second uncle carefully and whispered, "Eldest brother didn't say anything. And...Eldest brother also took advantage of her.

Use me to ward off evil spirits."

Xu Hongyan shook his head helplessly and said, "Your status is different. While it is important to investigate your elder brother's whereabouts, you also have to be a little more careful about your reputation."

"Li'er got it." Xu Hongyan didn't scold her. Ye Li breathed a sigh of relief and laughed crisply, "By the way, I haven't congratulated my second, fourth, and fifth brothers on their success in the imperial examinations yet."

Xu Hongyan shook his head and glared at Xu Qingyan unhappily. Although things didn't go well at the beginning of this spring, the imperial examinations held every three years were still held as usual. Originally, it was nothing, after all, no one would think that the son raised by the Xu family would fail, but it was inevitable that the three sons of the Xu family passed the imperial examinations at the same time. Xu Qingyan pouted aggrievedly and said, "I just wrote it casually. Who knew that this year's exam questions were so simple..." Under the attention of everyone in the room, Xu Qingyan finally couldn't argue anymore and had to lower his head with a guilty conscience. How could he say that he was squeezed out by a powerful young man and gave it his all because he was unhappy for a while.

Ye Li smiled and said, "So this time... my second brother got the third place in the top three, my fifth brother got the fourth place, and my fourth brother got the nineteenth place?"

Xu Qingyan stole a glance at Xu Qingbai, and his head drooped even more guiltily. He knew that his fourth brother was definitely more talented than himself, and his second brother was definitely far better than the top two. But they just deliberately suppressed their true level, and he really tried his best but only got fourth place. Seeing Xu Qingyan's guilty look, Ye Li advised: "Uncle, it's nothing. If the fifth brother really failed in Sunshan, it would arouse suspicion." Xu Hongyan frowned and said: "He shouldn't have taken the imperial examination this year." Xu Hongyan felt helpless when he said this, Qingyan was only fourteen years old and Qingbai was only sixteen or seventeen years old. As a man, even a man from the Xu family, who doesn't want to be famous and make achievements? The children of the Xu family, whether it is the calm Xu Qingze or the lively Xu Qingyan, if they were not in the Xu family, they would definitely be the top scorers in the imperial examinations, and their future prospects would naturally be limitless. However, in the Xu family, they can only have empty ambitions, enjoying the false reputation of the Xu family but can't do anything. These... are all caused by the fame of the Xu family. Xu Hongyan will always remember the heavy and apologetic look in his father's eyes when he resigned from his official position and left Beijing with his eldest brother. He once had a heart full of ambitions to save the world, but unfortunately the royal family did not need his ambitions. The royal family only needed him to stay in the position of Yushi, which seemed noble but actually had no real power, to show the world the royal family's kindness.

"Since the second, fourth, and fifth brothers have all passed the imperial examinations, do they want to stay in Beijing?" Ye Li asked. Xu Qingze and Xu Qingbai are easy to deal with. Xu Qingze is already twenty years old and has a calm temperament. Although Xu Qingbai is still a little younger, he is indeed the most capable of maneuvering in the Xu family. As for Xu Qingyan, not only is he young, but his temper is also flamboyant and he looks like a child who has not grown up. Xu Hongyan shook his head and said, "Your second and fourth brothers will stay. I have already submitted a memorial to the emperor. Qingyan is still young, and his father is old, so he needs to go back to Yunzhou to serve him."

"Will the emperor agree?" I'm afraid that in Mo Jingqi's opinion, keeping Xu Qingyan is far more useful than keeping Xu Qingbai.

Xu Hongyan smiled calmly and said, "Xiaowu is the youngest in the Xu family, and filial piety is the most important virtue. The emperor cannot but agree."

Since the second uncle was sure, Ye Li did not ask any more questions. He then began to care about the positions of Xu Qingze and Xu Qingbai. Xu Qingze, as a third place winner, was sent to the Hanlin Academy to be an editor. Xu Qingbai was a Jinshi, and was promoted to the Ministry of Rites. Both were positions of leisure without real power. Compared with the first and second place Jinshi of the same subject, their ranks were the highest, but at the same time, they had the least rights. Especially Xu Qingbai, who received the salary of a Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Rites, but it was actually a virtual title of a replacement. Who knows when he will be able to get it? The most important thing is that the personalities of Xu Qingze and Xu Qingbai are not suitable for their positions at all. It would be better if they were swapped. "Second brother must stay in the capital. If possible, fourth brother should be sent out."

Xu Qingbai looks young and gentle, but he is actually a man of deep thoughts and good at maneuvering. He is a typical example of playing the pig to eat the tiger. If it weren't for the relationship with the Xu family, even if he was born in an ordinary family, he would have been a high-ranking official before he was thirty-five or thirty-six years old. In fact, Xu Qingbai is the most suitable person to be an official in the Xu family.

Xu Hongyan shook his head and said, "How can the emperor be at ease letting him be sent out?"

Ye Li frowned and said, "Not necessarily. Fourth brother is still young, so the emperor might feel more at ease. But... I'm afraid it will be more difficult for Fourth brother."

Xu Qingbai smiled faintly and said, "The places that the emperor is willing to let me go to are probably those poor and remote places. But it's better than staying in the capital with nothing to do and being controlled by others." Xu Hongyan looked at Xu Qingbai and realized that he was really moved by Ye Li's suggestion. Yes, if he had the choice, he would rather be sent out, even if he was a county official, it would be much better than doing nothing in the capital and listening to those civil officials chatting. After thinking for a moment, Xu Hongyan nodded and said, "Well, the emperor is busy now, he should agree to this concession." Xu Qingbai nodded and smiled faintly, "Thank you, second uncle." Xu Hongyan waved his hand to indicate that he didn't need to say more.

Ye Li accompanied her uncle and aunt for lunch and prepared to return home. Before leaving, Xu Hongyan solemnly warned her, "Li'er, be careful of the people in the palace in the future."

Ye Li was startled and looked at her uncle in surprise. Xu Hongyan just waved his hand and said nothing more. Ye Li had no choice but to say goodbye to her uncle and aunt and return home.

When she returned to the mansion, she found two thick piles of visiting cards and invitations to banquets from various families and mansions in the capital. Ye Li looked through them and picked out a few important ones. She realized with some headache that she might need one or more all-round assistants. The maids around her were not good enough. Qingxia and Qingshuang didn't know much. Although Qingluan and Qingyu had their own strengths, they had nothing to do with these. Han Mingxi was a good candidate, but he was too ostentatious. She checked the people around her who could be used, and finally called An Er and An San, throwing them a pile of memorials and files to be processed. An San found himself with a bitter face as he realized that they had gone from being secret guards who did nothing but secretly follow their masters to being bodyguards for young masters, all-around bodyguards for young ladies, and all-around bodyguards for Princess Ding, and then became accountants and various managers for the Dingguo Palace. The power was so great that An San could not help but tremble in his heart, and he wanted to cry but could not. "Princess... I don't understand this..."

"Go study." Ye Li wrote quickly on the file in his hand without raising his head.

An San made a bitter face, "Princess, we are the secret guards."

Ye Li raised her head and glanced at him calmly, saying, "I don't need a secret guard. Qin Feng will follow me in the future."

"He is the leader of the Black Cloud Cavalry." An San muttered unwillingly. Even if the princess needed help to settle the account, she should ask the chief steward Mo Sun Mama or let Qin Feng settle the account. Why let him do such a womanly thing and then let Qin Feng take his place? Ye Li nodded with satisfaction and said, "It's really because he is the leader of the Black Cloud Cavalry. When he helps me do things, he can also work as a guard. You... can also work as my assistants."

"Assistant?" An San looked confused, and An Er looked dumbfounded. What is an assistant? It doesn't sound as impressive as a dark guard.

Ye Li smiled as she looked at the two subordinates who worked very well for me. "They are the ones who help me deal with everything."

"all?"

"Yes, everything I need you to help me with." An Er and An San are smart, loyal, and skilled enough. An Er is steady and An San is flexible. They have been following her for so long without the restraint of others. They are simply born to be assistants. Thinking that she can be freed from the heavy chores to do other things that she originally had no time for, Ye Li is in a good mood. "Go to Uncle Mo first and learn what you should learn within half a month. Otherwise... the foot of Black Cloud Peak will be your home for the next three months. I just happened to think of a lot of new things recently." Looking at the master's gentle smile, and thinking about the month of crawling and rolling in the forest last year, the two of them shook at the same time. Turned away neatly. Hearing the two subordinates running away, Ye Li couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head.

"Princess, Young Master Yun Ting and Young Master Qin Feng want to see you." Qingluan came in and reported.

"Please let them in." Yun Ting's home was also near the capital, and he parted ways with them after leaving Yongzhou. They went east to Guangling, and Yun Ting went directly north to return home. Ye Li was a little surprised to be at Prince Ding's Mansion with Qin Feng at this time. After a while, the two walked into the study side by side. "I am Yun Ting, Qin Feng, and I have met the princess." Ye Li smiled and said, "No need to ask. Is Yun Ting settled at home?" Yun Ting smiled heartily and said, "Thank you for your concern, princess. Everything is fine at home." Ye Li nodded with satisfaction and looked at Qin Feng. Qin Feng reported respectfully, "I have prepared everything the princess ordered, and I am just waiting for the princess to check it in person." Ye Li glanced at the account book that was left on the table and nodded, "It's still early, let's go now. Yun Ting, someone will take you to the barracks later. In addition, the prince recommended several military books. Read them all within three months. After three months, as long as you pass the assessment, you can officially become a member of the Mohist Army. Understand?"

Yun Ting's eyes lit up, and he said loudly: "Yun Ting understands, I promise to finish reading it within three months."

Ye Li smiled faintly and nodded with satisfaction. Yun Ting was filled with joy, because the ecstasy of joining the Mohist Army made him forget to ask how many books there were and what he would do in the barracks in the next three months. As a result, his life in the next three months was not like this.

After changing into men's clothes, Ye Li led Qin Feng out of the house with a little expectation in her heart. During the period, she met An San, who had just received a bunch of expired account books from Chief Steward Mo, and was looking at Qin Feng with extremely resentful eyes. The dark guard leader, who was a little uncomfortable with following Ye Li just now, felt inexplicably confused and his back was chilled.

The two of them left the capital. Qin Feng couldn't help but admire the young man in front of him, who was still handsome and elegant except for his height. He finally understood why the various forces couldn't find the princess after she left the capital, and even the secret guards of the Dingguo Palace couldn't find her. This kind of disguise is much more advanced than the so-called disguise in the martial arts world. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, even if the princess stood in front of him, he would probably just treat her as someone who looked familiar.

Looking up and seeing Qin Feng's strange look, Ye Li smiled and said, "Don't be so surprised, just pretend a little."

Qin Feng shook his head and said, "Not everyone can disguise like the princess." The so-called disguise does not mean changing one's appearance. A true tracking expert may not look at a person's face or clothes when looking at him. Instead, it is easy to find clues from a person's habitual movements, body shape, back, and other aspects. But just now, he followed the princess all the way and did not find any similarities between the princess' movements when she was wearing men's clothes and when she was wearing women's clothes. Even the princess's walking posture, facial expression, and eyes when she was wearing men's clothes did not look like a woman at all. She looked like a handsome young man who was just fourteen or fifteen years old. Qin Feng didn't know why the princess, a lady from a prominent family, knew all this, but since the prince trusted the princess and they had seen her abilities with their own eyes in Yonglin City, he would naturally obey the princess' orders.

Qin Feng followed Ye Li on horseback to the foot of Black Cloud Peak. He had been here with the prince last time, but the place had changed a lot in a year. Two villages stood not far from the foot of the mountain, and a small village was built on the mountainside based on the original mountain stronghold. The people at the foot of the mountain were busy working in the fields, and it looked like an ordinary village outside the capital.

The two of them abandoned their horses and went up the mountain, passing the village on the mountainside and coming to the edge of the cliff at the back of the mountain. Qin Feng looked down and found that it was not very deep. "Princess, shall we go down?"

Ye Li looked at him with a smile and said, "I heard that you are all good at riding the Black Cloud. If you are not afraid of death, jump down and give it a try."

Qin Feng stared at the cliff with some suspicion and frowned. With his martial arts skills, it would not be easy to get down from here, but it would not be life-threatening, unless there were some traps below. With Ye Li's warning, Qin Feng did not rashly use his Qinggong to jump down, but used the wall-climbing skills to slowly slide down the cliff. However, the places on the cliff where you can land have been worn flat. Fortunately, he carried a dagger with him so that he would not slide down accidentally even if it was inserted into the cracks in the rocks. He finally saw a protruding place, but before he could step on it, he found that the arrow tip pointing outward from the place that seemed to be a protruding stone was shining coldly. Qin Feng had no doubt that if he touched it lightly, he might be set up as a wasp's nest.

He held the dagger helplessly, carefully avoiding dangers one by one, and went down the cliff. Under his feet was a clear lake. There were even green lotus leaves and a few newly grown flower buds floating on the water. But the various cold lights exposed on the water were definitely there to mock him. Qin Feng took a breath, performed light skills and crossed the lake without daring to let his feet touch even a little water surface.

"Three steps back and left."

Ye Li's voice with a hint of smile rang out not far away. Qin Feng, who was about to land, quickly took three steps to the left before landing on the ground. He turned his head to look at the princess who was standing by and had been waiting for a long time. Ye Li looked at him with a smile, picked up a stone from the ground and threw it at the ground where he had just landed. Whoosh! After a fierce rain of arrows from all directions, Qin Feng looked at the place where he had just landed speechlessly, which was full of arrows and he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.