196 Moonlit Night Jasmine

r of Household Affairs Ye Wenhua of failing to properly educate his daughter. As expected of someone from the First Scholarly Family of Great Chu, Inspector Xu wrote an elaborate and well-cited memori...Moonlit Night Lily

Moonlit Night Lily

Su Zhu stepped into the study, and Mo Xiuyao got up to welcome him out of respect. Su Zhu waved his hand and said, "Prince Regent, Princess Consort, I am disturbing you."

Mo Xiuyao invited Su Zhu to sit down before he himself took a seat with a smile and said, "If Old Man Su is so courteous, it means we have grown distant." Looking at the young couple sitting side by side in front of him, his gaze lingered on Mo Xiuyao's snow-white hair for a moment before he sighed and said, "Prince Regent, if you don't take care of your health like this, how can Prince Regent Consort rest assured And so will your elder brother." Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. He lowered his head to look at the white hair hanging in front of his chest and said with a smile, "Xiuyao knows he was wrong; Old Man Su's concern is much appreciated." Su Zhu shook his head, glanced at Ye Li sitting next to him, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Princess Consort has returned safely, truly blessed by the ancestors of Ding Wang Fu." Ye Li smiled lightly and said softly, "Old Man Su is right. This time I was able to return safe and sound thanks to the ancestors' protection." Ye Li knew that Su Zhu had some dissatisfaction with her, but she did not feel angry about it. She could sense that his dissatisfaction with her was not because of himself but for Mo Xiuyao's sake. He blamed Mo Xiuyao for having turned white-haired overnight due to her. In the end, he cared about Mo Xiuyao, his student, without any selfish motives.

Mo Xiuyao reached out and held Ye Li's hand, smiling at Su Zhu and saying, "Old Man Su is right. In another two months, Ahli will give birth, and then Ding Wang Fu will have a successor. Xiuyao still hopes that Old Man Su will dote on my child."

Hearing Mo Xiuyao's words, Su Zhu looked even softer in his expression. He had lost his son and grandson when he was old, not to mention the only granddaughter he had left. This life was destined for loneliness from the very beginning. At this moment, hearing Mo Xiuyao mentioning children made his affection pour out uncontrollably. It seemed as if he could see a beautiful and intelligent child like young Mo Xiuyao playing around him, no longer bothering with Ye Li's expression. Sighing softly, Su Zhu asked, "Prince Regent has suffered for these years; we old men are not much help either. These past two years have been taken care of by Princess Consort."

The emperor guarded them, the old ministers who had ties to Mo Liufang and Ding Wang Fu, very closely. For all these years, any communication was done secretly, unable to provide much assistance. Looking at the slender white-haired man before him with a sharp demeanor like a knife, Su Zhu's heart was also filled with melancholy. After so many years, Su Zhu still clearly remembered Mo Xiuyao's appearance when he was young. As the second son of Ding Wang Fu, he had his father's love and elder brother's support above and below. Back then, this handsome youth in fine clothes was as bright and noble as a splendid flame soaring over the capital city, carrying an arrogance yet still innocent. After growing up, he led troops into battle with invincibility, earning the title of Young War God before sixteen. Every time he returned victorious from battles, countless beautiful young ladies would fight to catch even a glimpse of him. How many spring dreams had been filled with this youth At that time, Mo Xiuyao was so full of vigor and unmatched in his demeanor, making countless people only dare to look up at him without the courage to be on equal footing. However, today's Mo Xiuyao, though not yet twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, had lost all the fire and flair from back then. Even when there were occasional flashes of fire in those pale eyes, they carried a cold chill; his fair face paired with snow-white hair only made people feel cold to their hearts. If young Mo Xiuyao's unmatched charm made others look up to him in admiration, today's Mo Xiuyao was more like the frost atop a high mountain that one had to stop and admire. That youth of unparalleled talent... Had been destroyed...

"Prince Regent, you have taught me greatly; I will never forget it," Mo Xiuyao said calmly.

Su Zhu shook his head and did not dwell on the past, speaking seriously, "Prince Regent, do you know why Emperor sent Prince De and Prince Yu here"

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment before nodding slightly. "Although Prince Yu didn't finish talking, I understood what he meant. Mo Jingqi wants me to return to the capital"

Su Zhu nodded, looking at Mo Xiuyao seriously and saying, "You can’t go back!"

"Old Man Su..." Mo Xiuyao was somewhat surprised. Su Zhu was upright and loyal to Chu. Although he knew that Su Zhu would not harm him, hearing such words from him still made him feel surprised. Exhausted, Su Zhu closed his eyes briefly after speaking these words, seeming to have aged instantly. Even though he had rarely involved himself in the core of politics recently, Mo Jingqi's intentions were too obvious. He naturally understood what result Mo Jingqi wanted by sending him here. If it was for Chu's stability, he would even agree that forcing Mo Xiuyao back to the capital might be a good method because no one could say for sure if Mo Xiuyao still had his heart with Chu now. However, he also knew that once Mo Xiuyao returned to the capital, what awaited him wouldn't be the previous Ding Wang Fu but rather banishment or even death. Privately speaking, Mo Xiuyao was his student and a younger generation he watched grow up; publically, with powerful enemies surrounding Chu, only Mo Xiuyao and Mo Family Army could stand against them. Therefore, he had to stop Mo Xiuyao from returning to the capital.

Su Zhe opened his eyes and looked at Mo Xiuyao, saying, "Since His Royal Highness already has a clear understanding of the situation, I believe he must have thought it through. What I'm about to say represents my own thoughts as well as those of Duke Huo's. Before leaving, Duke Huo instructed me to convey one message to Your Royal Highness." Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and said, "Please speak, Old Master Su." The study was quiet, with only the sound of Su Zhe's voice echoing in the empty room. "Old Marshal Hua said that the Ding Kingdom has always been loyal to Chu for generations without doing anything to offend the royal family or Grand Founder Emperor. Now that there is only Your Royal Highness left in the Ding lineage, Your Royal Highness should consider what is best for the Ding Kingdom and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers under the command of the Mo Family Army. The Duke Huo's family has received great favors from two consecutive emperors; they must serve Chu with all their heart until death. They only ask that in case of difficulty for Chu in the future, Your Royal Highness might consider your shared origin and protect the people of Chu from foreign oppression." Mo Xiuyao was slightly startled and looked up at Su Zhe. Marshal Hua's words seemed to have already determined that the Mo Family Army would inevitably break away from Chu. As an old general who had fought on battlefields all his life, Marshal Hua, although far from court politics, could see things more clearly.

"What are Duke Huo's intentions" Mo Xiuyao asked solemnly.

Su Zhe said calmly, "With the smoke of war rising across Chu, when he left the capital, Marshal Hua proposed to submit a memorial requesting permission from His Majesty to lead troops into battle. The memorial might already be on the emperor's desk by now." Mo Xiuyao frowned and asked, "Marshal Huo is over seventy… it’s not yet time for an old man like him to take action in the battlefield." Ye Li patted Mo Xiuyao's hand gently and said softly, "The Emperor would not easily agree to let Marshal Hua lead troops into battle." Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly. King Jingqi was wary of these old generals; he would only grant them military command as a last resort. Su Zhe continued, "His Majesty is currently acting against the principles of governance, unwilling to listen to wise counsel and instead focusing on intrigue and deceit. Chu…" Sighing deeply, Su Zhe went on, "It's right for Your Royal Highness to remain in the northwest; once back in the capital, the city might be set up as a trap. If General Mo were to fall, Chu would be doomed..." After finishing his words, Su Zhe stood up and said, "That’s all I have to say. May Your Royal Highness and your consort stay safe. We should also return to the capital in two days; we may not meet again soon."

"Old Master Su, His Majesty surely sent you here to persuade Your Royal Highness to return to the capital; how would you explain this back to the Emperor" Ye Li asked softly.

Su Zhe turned and looked at her with a calm smile on his face. "I am seventy-three years old now—life is short, what more is there for me to account for"

Ye Li frowned; King Jingqi was no soft-hearted ruler. Su Zhe's return could very well result in severe punishment from the king if he didn't comply with his wishes. Ye Li stood up and Mo Xiuyao hurriedly helped her walk over to Su Zhe. She slightly bowed and said, "The northwest is far away from Chu’s capital; it's a long journey. Why not rest here for a while It would be better than returning straight to the capital." Su Zhe smiled at Ye Li and replied, "Thank you for your care, Consort. I was born in Chu and grew up there. Almost my entire life has been spent in the capital. At my age now, there's little left that matters to me; I only hope to die at home and be buried in Chu. The land of the northwest is well governed by Your Royal Highness and your consort; it's just not my home."

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly as he held Ye Li back down, before turning to ask Su Zhe, "Old Master doesn't want to know her news"

Su Zhe was taken aback, his wrinkled face darkening further as his facial muscles uncontrollably trembled. After a moment, Su Zhe asked solemnly, “Is she still alive” Of course he knew that Su Zuodie was still alive; the emperor had informed him of this before leaving the capital and even offered to send people to rescue her back. However, what Su Zhe understood more profoundly was… Why did Mo Xiuyao arrest Zuodie His granddaughter, who was supposed to have died from illness nine years ago, was actually still alive. Just recalling when and how Zuodie fell ill and passed away made it clear to Su Zhe that something else must have happened. Back then, after Mo Xiuyao had just been injured, the Ding Kingdom's palace was in chaos without anyone to take charge; it all relied on Princess Jingzhong’s efforts. He sent Zuodie to the Ding Kingdom palace to care for Mo Xiuyao’s injuries, though they were not yet married, it was natural for her as his fiancée to look after him. However, the next day, his granddaughter fell ill and had to be sent back home. At that time, he thought only that Zuodie must have been frightened by being pampered from a young age; but now… Even so, Mo Xiuyao should not have recaptured her if she was already released. There must have been something that made him take such an unforgiving action.

Mo Xiuyao nodded and said gravely, "She is in the Ding Kingdom palace."

The study fell silent once more; after a long time, Su Zhe asked, "What did she do"

Mo Xiuyao hesitated for a moment before getting up and handing him a dossier. Inside were records of all that Su Zuodie had done over the past decade. Su Zhe took it with trembling fingers, flipping through the thick dossier quickly. The more he read, the worse his expression became. Ye Li leaned against her seat, closely observing Su Zhe's face; she couldn't help but show a look of不忍. After some time, Su Zhe lifted his head from the documents and said shakily, "Good! So good is this Su Zuodie! And so good is Bai Long! The West Ling Bai family… Concubine Qiongrong, Southern Prince's spy… Good, truly my granddaughter!"

"Mr. Su..." Looking at Su Zhe's face turn from pale to green, Ye Li frowned worriedly. She waved her hand to ask Zhuo Jing, who had been observing inside all along, to invite Shen Yang over. Su Zhe waved his hand and slumped back into the chair dejectedly, staring at the trembling file in his hand. Has there been any problem with my teachings His usually obedient granddaughter had done so many things behind her back. At just fifteen years old, she had befriended an orphan of the previous royal family, after which she managed to get Mingyue Young Master to help her fake her death and escape even when her fiancé was seriously injured. In Xi Ling, she used Bai Family's identity to become Empress Zhou of Xi Ling, navigating between Emperor Xiling and Duke Zhen Nan—she even reached a point where she could threaten the Empress of Xi Ling… And there’s also sending someone to assassinate Ding Wangfei who hadn’t married yet. Is this his granddaughter Su Zhe suddenly recalled how Emperor Ren had quietly expressed interest in welcoming Su Zuiedie into the palace as a concubine years ago, but he refused at that time on the grounds of her being already betrothed. Even if Zuiedie wasn't betrothed to Mo Xiuyao back then, he wouldn’t have agreed for his granddaughter to enter the palace anyway. Yet who would’ve thought she didn’t become a concubine of Great Chu but became Empress Zhou of Xi Ling instead

Finally, Su Zhe seemed to calm down. He stood up and said, "This old man is tired, I won't bother Prince Mo and Princess Li anymore. As for that wicked child…" Exhausted, Su Zhe closed his eyes briefly; the corners of his mouth twitched slightly, “I’ll leave it to Prince Mo and Princess Li’s discretion. The Su Family has no such granddaughter!" Finished talking, he didn’t look at Mo Xiuyao or Ye Li anymore but briskly headed for the door. Ye Li quickly signaled Lin Han to follow behind. As soon as they stepped out of the room, she heard Lin Han's urgent calls outside, "Mr. Su! Mr. Su!" Mo Xiuyao darted out of the room and saw Su Zhe lying on the ground being supported by Lin Han, with a dark pool of blood under him looking heart-wrenching under the moonlight. Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and said calmly, “Send Mr. Su back.”

Behind them, Ye Li walked up to him and held his hand. The two watched as Lin Han escorted Su Zhe back to the guest room. Looking at Mo Xiuyao's indifferent expression, Ye Li softly asked, "Why must you be like this Didn't we agree that I would handle Su Zuiedie’s matters" Mo Xiuyao silently looked at her; Ye Li snuggled into his arms and said gently, “I understand you don’t want to make me troubled. But as the Queen of Ding Wang, handling these matters is part of my responsibility, isn't it If anything happens to Mr. Su because of this, can your heart be at peace”

Mo Xiuyao remained silent but held her tightly in his arms. Despite being seven months pregnant, Ye Li still looked slender and delicate. The two clung closely together; the moonlight like a silvery thread quietly fell on them making their hearts exceptionally tranquil.

In Chu Palace

The window was half-opened, silver moonlight silently showering onto the garden outside. A strange fragrant scent filled the air. Outside the window, under the wall corner, a white flower slowly bloomed with exquisite beauty. The snow-white petals unfurled layer by layer like lotus flowers but more sacred and noble as if a fairy in white was dancing alone under the moonlight. By the window, the lady in white leaned lazily against it, letting the moonlight fall on her. Her indifferent eyes were lost in thought gazing at the blooming night-blooming cereus outside.

"Pure and graceful, only blooming in deep nights without competing with other flowers. Isn't this night-blooming cereus truly unparalleled in the world" A man's voice echoed softly inside the room, carrying a hint of teasing.

The lady in white didn't even bother to turn around and said indifferently, "If there is no one who cherishes the flower, what use would its beauty be"

The man chuckled and said, “How can that be So many people have stayed up all night just to catch a glimpse of this momentary bloom. But they end up seeing nothing. The cereus blooms briefly for Vajrapani... This is truly a flower loved and hated.”

Lady Liu, the Consort, sat up, turned around coldly and looked at the man in the hall, "What are you doing here You know everyone's looking for you now; how dare you come into the palace" Inside the chamber was pitch black with no candlelight. A figure stepped out leisurely under the moonlight slanting inside, adding an eerie aura to him. “I came to tell you about my gains from this trip out of the city. I have both good and bad news; which one does Consort Liu want to hear”

Cold eyes twitched slightly as Concubine Liú glared at the man who was playing hard to get. The man said somewhat dejectedly, "Fine, the good news is that your arch-rival Su Zuìdié is now in Prince Dìng’s hands, and has probably been tortured until she only has half a breath left. It seems Prince Dìng really cut ties with her after all. The bad news… is that Princess Consort Yè is alive and back in Ruyang City, pregnant for seven months. In two more months, the young master of Prince Dìng’s manor will be born."

"Yè Lí is still alive!" asked Concubine Liú coldly, "Have you seen Yè Lí"

The man nodded and said, "She fell into my hands, originally I wanted to use her to threaten Mó Xiūyáo, but…"

Whizz! A dart flew through the air at him. The man turned his head aside to avoid it. By now Concubine Liú by the window had already stood up and was staring angrily at him. "Tán Jìzhī! You’ve seen Yè Lí, why didn’t you kill her straight away"

The man was Tán Jìzhī, who disappeared after leaving Northwest Province. Tán Jìzhī helplessly replied, “If I really killed Yè Lí, do you think I would still be alive now” Concubine Liú looked at him with contempt and said coldly, "Don’t forget our deal—I only want Yè Lí dead! It seems you’ve forgotten." Tán Jìzhī gazed at the beautiful woman before him who was as cold as ice and snow. A strange look passed through his eyes as he replied, “How could I dare to forget Concubine’s wish But surely you can’t ask me to risk my own life for Yè Lí’s” He added confidently, "Rest assured that once we’ve accomplished our business, not only will Yè Lí be handed over to you, but also Mó Xiūyáo." Concubine Liú said coolly, “That is your affair. Don’t drag me into it.”

Tán Jìzhī shrugged and said, "Alright, it’s my business. After I left the capital, what did the Emperor do"

Concubine Liú answered coldly, “He was stupid before, now he’s even more so.”

Tán Jìzhī smiled darkly. "I don’t want him to be stupid, but I heard that he sent Prince Dé and Prince Yú to Northwest Province, wanting Mó Xiūyáo to return to the capital Which moron came up with this idea Does he think Mó Xiūyáo is as brainless as himself"

Concubine Liú said calmly, “What difference does it make if Mó Xiūyáo doesn’t come back Prince Dé and Prince Yú probably won’t be coming back either.”

Tán Jìzhī bowed his head in thought for a moment before smiling. "It was Concubine’s idea… inviting Mó Xiūyáo back to the capital is just a ruse, isn’t it The real purpose is to eliminate Prince Dé and Prince Yú But… I fear that your plan will fail, as Mó Xiūyáo might not kill those two princes."

Concubine Liú glared coldly at him. Tán Jìzhī continued, "However, since Concubine is unhappy with them, rest assured that I’ll make sure everything goes according to your wishes."ve anything at this moment, so she chuckled softly and a strange smile appeared on her lips. “My lord, do you think we might see the beauty’s charm this time” Mo Xiuyao smiled helplessly and raised hi...