162 Regret Beyond Redemption

the tree, who nodded slightly.The air suddenly carried a faint smell of blood and an unusual rustling sound, along with indistinct musical notes in the background. It seemed like something was crawlin...162. No Regrets to Be Had

162. No Regrets to Be Had

The entire northwest, especially within Hongzhou Prefecture, was witnessing battles of various scales almost every day. However, this time, Ye Li did not take the lead personally but instead stayed in the city of Hongzhou, directing from afar. This is because she was no longer alone; there was a tiny life growing inside her that was barely noticeable. This was their first child with Mo Xiuyao, even though she hadn’t been a mother before, she knew as a mother, it was her duty to protect him.

"Doctor Yang, how is everything" After completing the pulse diagnosis, Ye Li withdrew her wrist and asked the young doctor standing in front of her.

Doctor Yang respectfully replied, "There's nothing serious. However, I must stress again that Your Excellency should avoid excessive fatigue. This isn’t just for your own safety but also to ensure the well-being of the little prince inside you." Ye Li nodded and said, "I will keep in mind what the doctor has said. Thank you."

"In that case, I shall adjust Your Excellency’s diet accordingly," Doctor Yang replied before bowing his head and leaving.

Only after the doctor had left did Zhuo Jing and others lift their heads to look worriedly at Ye Li. Zhuo Jing frowned and said, "For the sake of the little prince, Your Excellency should rest more." The others also nodded in agreement. Ye Li smiled bitterly, feeling helpless, “How can we afford any negligence now But if you all put in a bit more effort, I’ll be able to take it easy once you’re capable enough.” Zhuo Jing bowed his head apologetically and said, "It’s because of my incompetence." Ye Li waved her hand and smiled, "This is not your fault. Anyone would find it challenging to become independent within just a few months. You have done well already." Zhuo Jing was speechless for a moment and looked at Ye Li.

They had been following the duchess since the beginning, and she never seemed to be daunted by anything from day one. Compared to her, how could they still claim not to be incompetent He often wondered in his heart whether it was because the Duchess was exceptionally gifted or if the Xu family truly had a way of teaching.

"My Lady Consort, there's a Mr. Han requesting an audience outside," the guard reported upon entering.

"Mr. Han" Ye Li was taken aback for a moment before she quickly understood, "Han Mingxi Quickly bring him in."

Soon enough, Han Mingxi stepped into the study. He still wore his elegant dark red robe, and after several months, although his originally sinister face had changed slightly, it also carried more of an upper-class person's sharpness and determination. However, upon seeing Ye Li, he immediately revealed a familiar mischievous smile, his voice low yet lingering as he said, "Jun Wei... I've missed you terribly..." Looking at the handsome man before her, Ye Li softly sighed, "Mingxi, why did you come here"

Han Mingxi entered the study and seemed somewhat無奈地笑道："I heard that Jun Wei led troops into battle as the Queen Consort of Ding Kingdom and defeated Xiling's Southern King with great glory. Isn't it impressive How could I miss the chance to see such a magnificent display by the Queen Consort of Ding" His slightly upturned eyes fixated on Ye Li, his anger barely concealed in his gaze. Knowing he was concerned for her, Ye Li smiled gently and said, "There's no question about glory; I had no choice but to do it. Besides... It wasn't me who defeated Xiling's Southern King, the recent situation in the northwest hasn't been easy. If you'd come a bit later, it might have been my head that was hanging low." Han Mingxi snorted lightly and glanced at Zhuo Jing and others in the study, apparently busy but actually eavesdropping, saying, "Where's your Ding King He’s called the God of War, right Leaving his wife to fight on the battlefield doesn't count as a skill."

"Mingxi..." Ye Li looked at him with a smile, "I know you care about our friendship. Right now even Xiao Yao would be stretched thin.

Han Mingxi snorted and turned away from her. However, when he heard Ye Li defending Mo Xiuyao, his clear eyes dimmed slightly.

Ye Li did notice Han Mingxi's gloominess, but some things were destined to happen, so one shouldn't糾纏太多。猶豫不決反而會傷人害己。站起身，笑盈盈地說：“你來得正好，洪州目前還算不錯。不如先休息一下，有什麼事情咱們明天再說。對了，明月公子此時也在府中，你可以去見見他。”提起韓明月，韓明晰又是一怔，神色複雜難辨。每次想起從小養大的哥哥韓明晰心中既生氣又無奈。養育之恩教導之情並不是說一句恩斷義絕就能夠解決的。韓明晰對兄長的尊敬絕對比對早逝的父母更甚。當初之所以那麼竭力反對韓明月對付葉璃，固然有與葉璃交情在裡麵，但更多的是因為他看得明白，哥哥為了那樣的女人背叛兄弟甚至和定國王府作對根本不值當，更是死路一條。而如今…同樣的韓明晰千裡迢迢趕來洪州除了因為葉璃在這裡外，也是因為他已經得到韓明月被抓的訊息了。此時聽葉璃這麼說，便知道韓明月過得還不算差，同時也明白葉璃能如此輕易放過韓明月也有幾分自己的原因在裡麵，心中不由得一暖，“Jun Wei, thank you."

Ye Lige smiled lightly and said, "What are you thanking me for Han Mingyue made his own deal with Xi You. Since Xi You spared his life, it doesn't matter if he lives better or worse. Your brother has been away from you for a long time, so go see him."

Han Mingyi nodded and turned to leave the study.

In the small courtyard, Han Mingyue was leisurely sitting under the corridor, lost in thought as he gazed at the almost wilted peach blossom tree with only a few petals left. However, his expression did not match the ease of his posture; his handsome sword-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and from time to time, he would glance towards a closed window nearby, his refined face filled with worry.

"Big brother." Han Mingyi's voice came from around the corner. Han Mingyue was startled for a moment, turning back to look at his long-lost little brother, unable but to苦笑, "Mingyi's lightness skills have really improved; I didn't even notice."

Han Mingyue looked at him and after a while said slowly, "Big brother didn’t use any lightness skill. You just didn’t hear my footsteps." Following his gaze, though they had only just entered Hongzhou City, Han Mingyi had already figured out how Han Mingyue ended up captured by Ye Lige. He naturally knew who was making his big brother so worried. Disgusted, he frowned and asked, "Big brother still can’t see clearly"

Han Mingyue quietly looked at him; after a long moment, he softly laughed out, "If I could see clearly, then how would it be called being lost It’s you who has grown up, Mingyi."

Han Mingyi's face flushed slightly; he turned his head uncomfortably, but in his heart, there were mixed feelings. From a young age, he was mischievous and spoiled, always seeing his brother shaking his head helplessly at him. Now, hearing such praise made him momentarily stunned with joy. But remembering the cost of his growth... Han Mingyi had not been as comfortable or glamorous as outsiders imagined these days. Just after taking over the Han family in a time when everyone knew that Han Mingyue had defected to Western Xiling, even under the protection of the Prince Ding’s Estate, stabilizing the foundation of the Han family still took considerable effort and thought. And with the Prince Ding’s Estate being full of talented people, they certainly would not easily bow down to a newly-subjugated young boy like him. These days could be said to be the most fulfilling period in his twenty-something years.

Han Mingyi's suffering was naturally not unknown to Han Mingyue. Though he felt guilty, he was also relieved that his brother had managed to get through it and shouldered the entire responsibility of the Han family without being dragged down by him. Reaching out a hand, he gently patted Han Mingyi’s shoulder and said softly, "You've worked hard. Are you still angry at big brother"

Han Mingyi's eyes turned hot but stubbornly turned his face away. Only when his emotions calmed did he turn back to凝視著Han Mingyue and asked, "Junwei has already told me about your deal with Prince Ding. What are you planning to do in the future"

Han Mingyue smiled faintly and said, "Both Great Chu and Western Xiling may no longer have a place for us. After everything is over, I will take Drunken Butterfly to live secluded in Nanzhao."

Han Mingyue stared at him firmly and asked, "Are you sure that Su Zuodie would follow you Big brother, honestly speaking, your taste in women is far different from Prince Ding’s."

Han Mingyue smiled, "If my taste were the same as Prince Ding's, I wouldn't be having such a hard time now. So... if possible, keep some distance from Princess Ding. Men can be unreasonable when they're jealous."

Having his thoughts exposed by Big Brother, Han Mingyi felt somewhat embarrassed. Thinking it over, he found that there was indeed some truth to what his brother said. If Big Brother wanted Su Zuodie and truly intended to get her, there might actually be ways to do so. But as for a woman like Ye Lige... angrily glancing at Han Mingyue who had changed the subject, he said, "I have my own plans in mind. I would rather give you some advice. You know very well what kind of person Su Zuodie is; if you really want her to follow you quietly and obediently, you might as well try my method."

Han Mingyue raised his eyebrows in curiosity and looked at him. Han Mingli sneered maliciously, "If you disfigure her face, she will naturally obediently follow you! But大哥, do you really love Su Zuodie or just her looks"

Han Mingyue remained silent. Does he love Su Zuodie as a person or does he love her appearance He himself wasn't sure either. To love that person… all these years, he still hasn’t realized that her nature and heart are not what he likes at all. To love her face… indeed, Su Zuodie is very beautiful. But in this vast world, it's not impossible to find one or two women who can match her beauty. He only knew that that year... when he first saw the incomparably beautiful woman amidst the falling peach blossoms in the peach forest, he fell into a deep and profound dream from which he had never awakened...

Seeing Han Mingyue lost in thought, Han Mingli secretly sighed. The brother he once boasted about had fallen for a woman like Su Zuodie who was nothing more than beautiful. Recalling how大哥decisively left Guangling back then and how he returned after being abandoned by Su Zuodie looking disoriented and dejected, the slight killing intent emerged in Han Mingli's eyes as he thought of his current state—being penniless and trapped. Han Mingyue frowned slightly and looked at Han Mingli, saying, "Mingli, don't hurt her. This is your brother begging you..."

Han Mingli gazed at his brother’s pleading face and felt a wave of sorrow in his heart. The gentlemanly, elegant Moon Prince was now beseeching him—a notorious playboy—on behalf of a woman.

At this moment, Han Mingli finally realized something that had long been determined: the world would no longer see the refined and graceful Moon Prince they once knew.

"Brother, do you really have no regrets" asked Han Mingli.

Han Mingyue smiled faintly and remained silent. At this point… he was already unable to regret anything.

After a long time, Han Mingli finally gave up. He nodded his head and turned around, saying, "Alright, I understand. Brother, take care of yourself. If the day comes when you are killed by that woman, your younger brother will kill her for your sake."erful mansions and the palace. How many people felt conflicted with joy and sorrow, or were so scared they dropped their possessions, was beyond outsiders' understanding.Just as everyone was on edge a...