For Stephen Hawking, this chapter is posted earlier.
Chapter 46 part 2: Ye Ying’s Tragic Marital Life
"Greetings Prince Li. Greetings Princess Consort Li." Not far from the two, Qing Luan and Qing Shuang came forth to block the path.
Mo Jing Li sneered, "What is this? This Prince can't walk this road?"
Qing Luan and Qing Shuang looked at each other. This small path only led to the lotus pond and there were no other paths ahead. Prince Li obviously saw that their Young Miss was with Prince Ding and intentionally came this way. Isn't this trying to be a thorn?
Qing Shuang wanted to speak, but Mo Xiu Yao was a step ahead. "Inviting Prince Li and Princess Consort Li over."
It was only at this time that the two servants respectfully bowed and said: "Please. Prince Li. Princess Consort Li."
Mo Jing Li laughed coldly and advanced towards the lotus pond. Ye Ying followed behind; bitter, she bit her lip.
Mo Jing Li stood next to the table. From up high, he looked down at Ye Li. Ye Li frowned and was very uncomfortable; she did not like that unbridled look of Mo Jing Li's.
"Jing Li, sit down." Mo Xiu Yao said lightly, one of his hand reaching for Ye Li. Very cooperative, Ye Li took his hand, got up, and sat down next to Mo Xiu Yao. She left the spot in front of them to Mo Jing Li and Ye Ying. Mo Jing Li didn't say a word and sat. Ye Ying breathed heavily and walked up to the trio. Obviously, the pace that Mo Jing Li set was unrestrained. It was not something that a delicate woman like Ye Ying could follow.
"Third Older Sister. Prince Ding." Ye Ying murmured.
Ye Li nodded, smiled and said: "Fourth Younger Sister, take a seat. Have you been well these past few days?"
Ye Ying heard this and her eyes misted over. She whispered: "Have troubled Third Sister for your care. Everything is good for this younger sister."
Ye Li nodded; seeing Ye Ying respond as such, she asked no more. Although you couldn't really see from Ye Ying's face that everything was well, it wasn't as if she actually cared for the girl. If Ye Ying really did complain to her, she wouldn't know what to do.
Mo Jing Li said bitingly: "Naturally, Ying-er is doing quite well. Don't know how Li-er's days have been?"
Ye Li raised her brows, sending a look to Mo Xiu Yao. She laughed and said: "Thank you for your Highness's thoughts. Though these past few days have been busy, everything is well."
Mo Jing Li's face was cold, with a pair of icy eyes intently staring at Ye Li. It was a long time later before he said to Mo Xiu Yao: "This Prince has some words he wishes to say to Ye family's Third Young Miss."
Ye Li couldn't help but feel that it was a bit funny. In fact, from the first time she saw Mo Xiu Yao, she discovered that Mo Jing Li especially liked to act high and mighty in front of Mo Xiu Yao. For example, with Mo Xiu Yao here, Mo Jing Li would be more inclined to stick out his chin and act a bit more contemptuous and arrogant than usual. In fact, Ye Li was eager to tell him that with Mo Xiu Yao sitting in a wheelchair, Mo Xiu Yao would only see his nose. Therefore, Mo Xiu Yao would not look up at him. Also, as long as he is speaking with Mo Xiu Yao, he would address himself as "this Prince." As if addressing himself in this manner, he would be superior. In reality, everyone knows that although Mo Jing Li was the son of the late Emperor, brother of his Majesty the Emperor, unless he became Emperor himself, his status would always be below Prince Ding's Manor, a Prince of the First Rank.
"Ying-er asks to be excused first. My Prince and Sister can slowly talk." Ye Ying was the first to get up in response to Mo Jing Li's words. Although, she looked at Ye Li with a gloomy and victimized look that could almost poison a person. Seeing Ye Ying leave with such unwillingness and longing, Ye Li sighed in her heart. Just two or three days and Ye Ying had turned from a proud noble lady to a jealous woman? In this case, it would seem like Mo Jing Li didn't like Ye Ying as much as the rumors suggested. But then why did Mo Jing Li want to marry Ye Ying to the point that he was willing to disobey the late Emperor's decree? Really just being arrogant and impulsive?
"Mo Xiu Yao!" Seeing that Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li act indifferently to his words, Mo Jing Li said in a fit of anger.
"Jing Li! You should really go back and learn the rules well!" Mo Xui Yao calmly stared at Mo Jing Li's gloomy face. At that moment, an invisible pressure came down on Mo Jing Li, causing his temper to curb. "Was it the Emperor that gave you permission to speak to this Prince in this way? Well?"
Compared to Mo Jing Li's dark and grim face, Mo Xiu Yao's coldness, though covered with a mask, was a bit more personable. Even so, Mo Jing Li found a fear within himself towards this man in front of him. This made him angry and ashamed, and a bit of disbelief. His final image of Mo Xiu Yao was something from eight to nine years ago. At that time, their identities were quite similar. They were both born into the most prestigious and honorable family of Great Chu. They both had an older brother. His brother was the Emperor; Mo Xiu Yao's brother was Prince Ding of the First Rank. They didn't have responsibilities and titles to inherit, nor any burdens. Even if they were eating for free, they can enjoy a luxurious life until death. The only things were, regardless of what Mo Xiu Yao did, it was better than him! Therefore, since he was young, he couldn't stand seeing Mo Xiu Yao. When he arduously worked hard, wanting the praise of his father, Mo Xiu Yao had already received everyone's admiration and praise, including his Imperial Father. When he was the proudest of his martial arts, Mo Xiu Yao had already taken the battlefield, adding more prestige to the Unbeatable Gods of Prince Ding's Manor. When he was a teen, he hated Mo Xiu Yao but was not afraid of him. Annoying to the eyes; he could just fight it out. Even if he lost, it didn't matter. He would win one of those days. But… he never expected that after eight years, Mo Xiu Yao would be a cripple and he would actually be — afraid of Mo Xiu Yao!
Extremely disgraceful!
"Your Highness Prince Li." Ye Li frowned at Mo Jing Li's ugly face. She had no doubt that if places were switched, people were changed, Mo Jing Li would want to tear apart the person across from him. "If your Highness has anything to say, then just say it. Mo Xiu Yao and I do not have things we cannot discuss clearly."
"Nothing that cannot be discussed clearly?" Mo Jing Li quickly calmed down and put on a mocking look. "Ye Li, are you sure?"
Ye Li looked at him with a bit of confusion. Naturally, Mo Jing Li thought that he had caught Ye Li's weakness. "Then, do you want to talk about what happened the day before this Prince's grand wedding or the actual wedding?"
Ye Li looked at Mo Jing Li with a bit of sympathy. This guy absolutely did not know that he would be so embarrassed on his big wedding day. This also included a bit of effort from Mo Xiu Yao. "On the wedding day? When his Highness fainted on the spot and missed the auspicious hour? This matter? At that time…" Ye Li expressed a deep regret and sympathy.
"Ye Li!" Mo Jing Li gritted his teeth and looked at the innocent girl with a sympathetic look. "This Prince couldn't perform the wedding ceremony, was it not what you wanted?"
Ye Li was really confused and did not understand. "These words, what does your Highness mean? Although Ye Li and Fourth Younger Sister do not have a good relationship, it is not so vicious as to hope that she couldn't finish her wedding ceremonies. Ah, this is the Prince wrongfully blaming Ye Li. Tell me…tell me, how could I still have the face to see Fourth Sister?" Wanting to frame her so that Mo Xiu Yao would misunderstand? The status of Mo Jing Li was not enough. Ye Li brought out a grievous look and stubbornly stared at Mo Jing Li. This was the perfect act of a noble maiden being bullied.
Originally, he had wanted to step in to help Ye Li, but Mo Xiu Yao saw the beautiful girl in front of him. He couldn't help but want to cheer at her wonderful performance. It would seem that Ye Li did not need him to help. Even more spectacularly than he had expected, she could handle everything herself.
After a thought, when Mo Jing Li's anger was going to boil over, Mo Xiu Yao opened his mouth and said: "Ah Li, no need to be this way. Regardless of what others say, this Prince will still believe in Ah Li."
Ye Li lowered her eyes and murmured: "Xiu Yao could trust in me. That's too great. Otherwise…. I really wouldn't know what to do now."
"Ye Li! You're very good!" Mo Jing Li finally said the next words and left like a fierce wind sweeping through.
Ye Li shrugged helplessly and sighed. People like Mo Jing Li: if you slightly offend him even a little, he would remember it until he dies. Unless you will step into the mud and personally deliver yourself to his door to apologize, allowing him to insult you, any other ordinary concessions would not be enough. One thing to another; unfortunately, this person still has a very strong support, the present Emperor and Empress Dowager. "It would seem that I made another enemy for you?"
"No, he and I had never had a good relationship." Mo Xiu Yao said indifferently.
Ye Li blinked. "Could you speak a bit about it?"
"When still young, he hid my homework. It caused me to be beaten by father. I returned to him a beating from the late Emperor. When a teen, he was suspicious that I seduced his sweetheart and had someone do something to my drink during a banquet. In the end, that drugged wine cup was drunk by him. One time, when we were trading pointers in martial arts, I was not careful and kicked him off the stage. The next day, I was bashed by a dozen or so highly trained professionals. Ten days later, Feng Zhi Yao and I hung him from a large willow tree in the capital. And…it was coincidentally seen by his sweetheart."
"Sure enough… hatred as deep as the sea." Ye Li stayed silent. Although she had heard of Mo Xiu Yao's youthful liveliness, seeing the gentle and quiet man of today, Ye Li found it difficult to imagine that Mo Xiu Yao had a time when he was a mischievous prankster.
"Feng Zhi Yao had told me that on the day of the wedding, he picked up an unconscious Prince Li behind the rock garden of Prince Li's Manor." Without someone in the way, Mo Xiu Yao smiled at Ye Li.
Ye Li smiled with an unrestrained look. "It would seem that Mo Jing Li had offended a lot of people." She could absolutely gaurantee that no had seen her make a move on Mo Jing Li. Even if it was Feng Zhi Yao, he could only make an educated guess.
Mo Xiu Yao's eyes flashed with happiness. He nodded and said: "It is true. But… Jing Li is always the same with no brain, but the two people in the Palace and Dowager Imperial Concubine Xian Zhao are not ones without some cleverness. So…"
Ye Li, very seriously, nodded her head. "I understand." Those two people and Dowager Imperial Concubine Xian Zhao had carved a bloody path through dozens of Imperial Concubines and dozens of sons of the Imperial Family. Naturally, it is not something that Prince Li, this Prince that is too well protected, could be compared with. Being too irritable in their eyes would definitely be harmful.
After pondering, Ye Li said: "Just afraid…afraid that someone is already watching."
Mo Xiu Yao also thought about it. He looked at the servant girls standing not too far and nodded his head: "Regardless of who, they will not be convinced. It is not that they are targetting you; it's just you drawing their attention. Before the wedding, the palace will find some excuse to summon you once. At that time… bring your girl Qing Yu." Ye Li looked at him puzzled. Mo Xiu Yao lowered his voice and explained: "Eldest Young Master Xu has spoken to me. That girl's medicinal skills are not bad."
Ye Li understood. Raising a hand to touch her brow, she felt a bit of a headache.
Mo Xiu Yao smiled and poured her a cup of steaming tea. "Have a headache?"
Ye Li nodded honestly. "I still feel like I don't understand these things." These calculations and intrigues were really a headache. Do these people not know what tired was?
"I'm sorry." Mo Xiu Yao lightly looked at her.
Ye Li waved her hand in a careless manner: "I guess that even if the emperor didn't decree my marriage to you; he would still give me to someone he didn't like."
Xu family's background was too special. It didn't matter who her marriage was to, the Emperor would still be suspicious. Look at the sons of the Xu family. Xu Qing Chen was already 22, but he wasn't married and didn't have an engagement. Until now, the Emperor still had not considered decreeing a marriage to Xu Qing Chen. She even felt like the Emperor would prefer it if Xu Qing Chen didn't marry in this life. Even if he was married, it should be like Xu Qing Ze. The girl shouldn't have a good reputation and her family shouldn't bring any benefits. Otherwise, he should marry a princess. Thinking until here, Ye Li looked up and asked: "Right now, in the palace, are there any princesses that have yet to marry?"
Mo Xiu Yao nodded: "There is. The youngest princess of the late Emperor, Princess Lin Lang of the First Rank, and there is also the eldest princess of the current Emperor, Princess Feng Fei of the First Rank. This year they are both 12. How is it?"
Ye Li shook her head and hoped she was thinking too much. Xu Qing Chen is unlikely to marry a little girl of 12. But there is still Xu Qing Bai and Xu Qing Yan…
Just looking at Ye Li's face, Mo Xiu Yao could guess what she was thinking. He nodded: "That year, the Emperor and even the late Emperor had given hints that they wanted to marry a princess to Xu Qing Chen, but was rejected by Mister Qing Yun."
The Xu family did not marry members of the Imperial Family; this was a peculiar phenomenon among the prestigious families in the Great Chu… It should be noted that marrying the daughter meant that the daughter had left imperial power and influence and the groom only had an empty title of "Prince Consort." For the ambitious and wealthy young masters, this would definitely be a nightmare. However, many big noble and wealthy families are still willing to let the sons that are not the heir bring back a princess. After all, this means that royal blood would be added to the family; it could also be considered a grace and glory from the Emperor. However, the Xu family, having survived two dynasties and hundreds of years, have had five sons that have refused to marry a princess. Hundreds of years earlier, the Xu family Patriarch had made a family rule that the Xu family will have a marriage alliance with the royal family. Even if the son was of a concubine. Therefore, the royal family would not embarrass themselves and look for a marriage alliance with the Xu family.
"In the palace, they should already know that Eldest Uncle has arrived in the capital." Ye Li asked.
Mo Xiu Yao nodded in affirmation. "Although it is said as sneaking into the capital, Mister Hong Yu did not deliberately hide his whereabouts. This kind of thing, even if not checked, is not something that can be hidden. Minister Ye is loyal to the Emperor. Secrets and hiding. It would instead make others more suspicious."
Ye Li said: "You are reasonable. Thinking back, I still need to great Eldest Uncle. And there are also many things I need to ask him for advice."
"Greet Mister Hong Yu for me."