104 Lantern Festival

Princess Qixia’s room on that day wasn’t someone from either Princess Qixia or Princess Lingyun—instead, it was a small girl brought out of the palace by Concubine Xiao.” Feng Zhiyao said in a seriou...Lantern Festival

104. Lantern Festival

After returning to the capital, Mo Xiuyao was busy dealing with court affairs and Emperor Wen's constant probing, while Ye Li focused on managing the Wangfu and training the elite group under Black Cloud Peak. As a result, other matters were put aside. It wasn't until Mu Tong and Leng Haoyu visited that Ye Li remembered that the war in Yongzhou had not yet ended. Naturally, Mu Tong and Leng Haoyu came to visit as guests of the Wang妃. During their stay in the border city, under Mu Shen's insistence, Mu Tong eventually married Leng Haoyu. Now back in the capital, she has become the second lady of the Leng family from the former Lady of General Mu's household. The quick marriage between Mu Tong and Leng Haoyu had much to do with Mo Xiuyao. Ye Li felt somewhat guilty about it but was relieved when she saw that Mu Tong still looked radiant. It seems that regardless of circumstances, Mu Tong can always find joy in life. With Leng Haoyu's deep infatuation, he surely wouldn't mistreat her.

"Mu, Mr. Leng, I'm truly sorry for missing your wedding," Ye Li smiled apologetically at the still red-robed and radiant Mu Tong. Mu Tong waved it off with a smile: "What's there to be sorry about It's all my father’s fault..." She even glared angrily at Leng Haoyu sitting beside her, but her gaze was filled with tenderness and feminine charm she had never shown before. Leng Haoyu smiled amiably back without arguing. Ye Li merely shook her head slightly in amusement, realizing that Mu Tong's temper is such that Leng Haoyu must indeed be deeply devoted.

Ye Li left Mo Xiuyao and Leng Haoyu to discuss matters while she chatted with Mu Tong aside. Mu Tong looked at the seated Mo Xiuyao and Leng Haoyu, puzzled. She wasn't stupid; although her marriage to Leng Haoyu was less than a month ago, she felt that the private Leng Haoyu differed from who he used to be. Seeing him now with Prince Ding, his expression was one of serious concentration, reinforcing Mu Tong's suspicions even more. If Leng Haoyu were truly an idle and unsuccessful nobleman, Prince Ding would not have been sitting there chatting with him just for Ye Li's sake, "Mu, what’s wrong"

Mu Tong looked at her puzzled: "Li'er… do you think you are hiding something from me"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled: "Who do you think is hiding things from you"

Mu Tong said苦惱ly: "I feel that Leng Haoyu is different from the person I used to know. Sometimes, I doubt if I really know him." Although Leng Haoyu still acted as carefree and indifferent after returning home, she knew he often worked late into the night in his study, though no one knew what exactly.

Ye Li looked at Mu Tong calmly and asked softly: "Do you feel happy since getting married How is your relationship with Second Young Master Leng"

Mu Tong was taken aback, blushing slightly as she avoided Ye Li's gaze. She hesitated to answer: "Well… it’s not so bad… they are right after all; I would have gotten married eventually anyway. He is the person my father chose for me. Although he acts like a troublemaker, my father hasn’t said anything against him, so he can't be that bad. Plus, he treats me well." Ye Li smiled, realizing Leng Haoyu's persistent pursuit wasn't in vain. Looking back at Leng Haoyu chatting with Mo Xiuyao and still paying attention to her here, she teased: "If you're this curious, why don’t you ask him yourself" Mu Tong said angrily: "He’s been acting crazy in front of me for years; do I have to go ask him now I’d rather not."

Not wanting to pry into personal matters between spouses, Ye Li smiled and asked instead: "Are you getting used to life at the Leng residence

Meng Mu Ting's face fell immediately, and she looked at Ye Li with resentment: "There aren’t many people as lucky as Ah Li who have such good fortune. Now I understand why Leng Haoyu dislikes the Leng family so much. That place isn't somewhere a normal person can stay." As soon as Meng Mu Ting mentioned her new husband's home, she was full of grievances. With someone finally around to talk to now, she naturally wouldn’t hide anything from Ye Li. She rattled off everything that happened in recent days since they returned to the capital. The Leng family was a well-known aristocratic family with great reputation in the capital city. This generation had produced Leng Qingyu, who became the commander of the Imperial Guard at the age of twenty-six and was considered the emperor's most trusted advisor. Naturally, the entire Leng family held high expectations for him. In comparison, the second young master Leng Haoyu, a notorious playboy, received little attention. However, it wasn’t until Meng Mu Ting married into the Leng family that she realized just how disregarded Leng Haoyu was. Even servants with some standing in the household dared to gossip about this Leng Haoyu. If not for their superiors’ tolerance of such behavior below them, they wouldn't have had such boldness.

Meng Mu Ting’s personality wasn’t one that could put up with bullying silently; naturally, she despised these people. Over the past few days, who knew how many incidents she’d caused. Yet, the head matriarch of the Leng family, Leng Haoyu's nominal mother, never sided with them regardless of right or wrong. And the eldest young master whom Meng Mu Ting once admired for his charm turned out to be cold and indifferent towards his younger brother, leaving her even more frustrated. Even a careless person like herself could tell that there was no place in the entire Leng Manor where Leng Haoyu belonged; if anyone lived in such an environment, they wouldn’t have good temper.

Listening to Meng Mu Ting’s complaints, Ye Li curiously smiled and said, "I remember you used to think highly of Young Master Leng." From their few encounters, it seemed like every time she couldn't help but compare Leng Qingyu with Leng Haoyu. Although Ye Li hadn’t interacted much with Leng Qingyu herself, she had heard a lot about the famous cold-faced young master in the capital city. However, since the Leng family were staunch supporters of the emperor and clearly not on the same path as Prince Ding's household, there was no need for her to get involved.

Meng Mu Ting leaned weakly against the chair pitifully looking at Ye Li: “Isn’t there a saying that… it’s only suitable to admire from afar and not play with up close Before, when I looked at him from far away, everything seemed great. But if someone despises you every day three times a meal and looks at you as if you were some filthy object, how would you bear that” Ye Li raised her eyebrows in amusement: "Does Leng Qingyu treat the second young master like this" Meng Mu Ting shrugged: “In fact, apart from his father, everyone in the family treats him this way. That place is unbearable for me; unfortunately… I can’t just run back to the Meng Manor now. Otherwise, people would spread all sorts of rumors. However, Leng Haoyu told me that once our honeymoon is over, he will ask his father to buy a courtyard outside and we’ll live separately.”

"Will General Leng agree" Ye Li asked. It was well known that the Leng family attached great importance to their reputation. Although they had an unruly son in Leng Haoyu who often infuriated Old Marshal Leng, the most memorable thing about the Leng family in the capital city was that Old Marshal Leng was the only high-ranking official among many nobles without a concubine. Both of his sons were born to Lady Leng. However, it was also known that the second young master wasn’t actually her biological son. His mother was an attendant maid who accompanied Lady Leng as a dowry and died after giving birth to Leng Haoyu. As a result, he was raised under Lady Leng’s name and considered a legitimate son of the National Guard General Manor. But due to Lady Leng's indulgence, this second young master turned out to be the most notorious playboy in the capital city.

Meng Mu Ting pouted and said: “If Leng Haoyu says it’s fine, then I’m sure there won’t be any problem. I don't want to go every morning for greetings only to have everyone lamenting how useless and despicable Leng Haoyu is.” Did those people think she was a fool Even if Leng Haoyu wasn't as bad as they said, even if he truly was the capital’s most notorious playboy, wouldn’t she be able to distinguish between close and distant relatives after getting married She could always send him off to her father’s army for discipline. She had no interest in discussing how terrible her husband was with a group of idle women.

Ye Li nodded, smiling at Meng Mu Ting: "It's good that you can believe him. Since the second young master told you this, it means he truly can solve things. Trust between spouses is very important."

Meng Mu Ting blinked and looked at Ye Li with a smile: “Just like you and Prince Ding Haha… in Yonglin, when Prince Ding appeared on the battlefield just in time to save the Princess Consort, many people talked about it vividly. I heard that now all of Jiangnan must be talking about how envious the ladies were of the Princess Consort.”

Ye Li helplessly rolled her eyes at her.

Apart from Mo Xiu Yao and Leng Haoyu finishing their discussion, Leng Haoyu was ready to take his leave. Although Meng Mu Ting was reluctant, she understood that they were already married now. Moreover, Ye Li had a busy schedule so she got up to bid farewell with Leng Haoyu as well. Leng Haoyu glanced at Mo Xiu Yao standing by the side and smiled at Ye Li: “Princess Consort, I heard that the new head of the Han family is planning some rather hesitant new businesses. Would it be possible for me to get involved” Ye Li shot a glance at Mo Xiu Yao and said with a smile: "Second Young Master Leng has truly well-informed sources."

Leng Haoyu didn’t mind, smiling back: “Businessmen naturally have their own channels of information; please don't laugh at me for it, Princess Consort.”

Ye Li laughed generously: "Since Young Master Leng is interested, why not talk to Young Master Han I’m just a hands-off manager who knows nothing."

Cold Haoyu smiled and said, "The Duchess’s talent and thoughts often astonish people. How could she not know anything Therefore, I thank the Duchess for your guidance. Farewell."

"No need to see me off."

Meng Ting looked at them in puzzlement and couldn't understand what business Cold Haoyu wanted to do with the Han family. She didn't quite understand why he asked Ye Li about it as well. But at least this proved that Cold Haoyu was also planning on doing something legitimate, right

After sending Meng Ting and Cold Haoyu off, Ye Li turned back to look at the slightly gloomy Mo Xiuyao and raised an eyebrow. "What happened Did Cold Haoyu say anything that displeased you"

Mo Xiuyao reached out his hand to embrace her and sighed lightly. "Besides what's happening in Yongzhou, what else could it be about Liu Jingyun and Guan Ting are both useless fools who were unable to fight back when they held more than 100 thousand troops against Mo Jingli with only ten thousand men."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Ten thousand men Has Mo Jingli split his forces" Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "That's right, I mobilized twenty thousand troops from Lingzhou to occupy southern Yunlan River as soon as possible. Originally there was nothing... but it seems that a very capable person appeared in Mo Jingli’s camp according to the message sent by Yongzhou."

"The Emperor won't allow the Mo family army to march south, no matter how angry you are," Ye Li comforted him with her hand patting his arm.

Mo Xiuyao sighed deeply. "I know." Of course he knew that Mo Jingqi would rather give southern Yunlan River to Mo Jingli than let the forces of Ding Wang's house meddle in it. Therefore, their current actions resulted in a series of defeats in the south and two useless fools holding more than ten thousand troops but not achieving any military victories. As for the people under Ding Wang’s command, no matter how much they wished to march south, all they could do was wait anxiously inside.

"Liu Jingyun has never fought a war let alone lead over ten thousand troops and Guan Ting is also a useless fool. The Commander of the Imperial Guard is home recovering from illness, and Lao Guogong Hua is old and not favored by the Emperor. As for those under Ding Wang’s command, even if Mo Jingli occupies the entire south, the Emperor won't let them fight."

Mo Xiuyao said in a solemn voice, "With General Meng watching over him, Guan Ting will be able to hold on for several months at most. However... once Mo Jingli truly gains control of the south and turns his attention back to Ding Wang’s house, that would be their end."

Ye Li frowned and said, "Given Mo Jingli's speed, by then you should still be in Beirong, right"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head and hummed angrily. "Forget it, let them折騰 if they want to. I have no time for them now, but at least Mo Jingqi will have something to do instead of staring at Ding Wang’s house all day."

Ye Li smiled helplessly and said, "Even if he has a lot on his plate, he won't forget about Ding Wang's house."

"Since he likes to keep an eye on Ding Wang's house, let him see enough. Let's go for a walk, A璃.

Wrapping one arm around Ye Li’s slender waist, Mo Xiuyao smiled softly and turned to lead her outside. Ye Li looked at the darkening sky with confusion in her eyes. "It's getting dark, where do you want to walk"

Mo Xiuyao laughed and said, "You'll know once we get there."

In the bustling crowd of people on the streets of Chu Jing, Ye Li never knew how lively it could be at night. It was not a place favored by the nobility but rather a street market where commoners gathered. At night when lamps were lit, various simple or exquisitely made lanterns hung along both sides of the streets. People strolled about in twos and threes, laughing and chatting merrily. Indeed, it was a scene of peace and prosperity. Ye Li looked down at their intertwined hands; although there were many lanterns everywhere, they were not as bright as daylight. Most people on these streets were commoners, so the two of them walking among them did not attract much attention either. The most frequent occurrence was someone stopping to look in awe at Mo Xiuyao's mask and the couple's demeanor.

"What day is it today" Ye Li leaned against Mo Xiuyao's arms and asked curiously, gazing at the cheerful crowd.

Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to carefully shield her in his embrace and chuckled softly, "It’s not a special day. Every month there's one night market lantern festival in the capital city where the curfew is delayed by two hours that day. So this is a bustling day for the city. This is a tradition in the capital; didn’t you know" Ye Li remained silent, she indeed did not know about such a day in the capital city. Mo Xiuyao turned his head to look at her and smiled, "Playing with these commoners is very different from playing with those high-ranking officials. When I was young, I would come here almost every month, so I’ve always wanted to bring you here too." Ye Li looked up at him and said with a smile, "Then if we have time in the future, let’s come here every month. The capital city is really boring."

Looking at Ye Li's delicate features under the glow of lanterns, Mo Xiuyao held her in his arms and laughed softly into her shoulder, "Alright, if you like it, we’ll come to this lantern festival every month."

The passersby saw a tall, handsome man carefully protecting a frail and elegant woman among the crowd. Judging from their clothes and hairstyle, they were obviously newlyweds, which made everyone smile warmly.

Mo Xiuyao led Ye Li through the crowded streets with ease, although it had been many years since he last came here, there wasn't much change in the lantern festival setup. Mo Xiuyao easily found his target: a simple stall selling paper lanterns. The vendor was an elderly man with white hair carefully hanging up each of his handmade lanterns on a rack beside him. However, the old man, being quite old himself, tried several times but couldn't hang a beautiful lotus lantern to its highest point without trembling. Mo Xiuyao stopped by and took over, hanging it for the old man. The elderly man was initially stunned before turning around to see an extraordinarily refined couple standing in front of him. Looking at Mo Xiuyao, he frowned slightly and said, "Thank you, sir… This gentleman looks familiar; I seem to have seen your face somewhere…" Mo Xiuyao smiled calmly, "I often came here a few years ago and bought many lanterns from you. No wonder you find me familiar."

The old man waved his hand awkwardly, saying, "You can’t call me sir… Are you bringing your wife to the lantern festival Do you want to buy some lanterns"

"Wife" made Mo Xiuyao very happy. He turned his head and looked at Ye Li before pointing at a pair of plain lanterns on one side, "We’ll take these two."

The old man hesitated as he looked at the couple. Although their attire wasn't particularly grandiose, based on the many years selling paper lanterns to people from all walks of life, it was obvious that this couple were nobles and would certainly not be interested in such simple lanterns. Ye Li understood the elderly vendor's thoughts and smiled, "We’ll take these two. They look plain yet elegant."

The old man saw that they seemed genuinely interested in the simple lanterns and finally nodded his head to hand them over. The paper lanterns were indeed very ordinary, though well-crafted; compared with other uniquely shaped flower-and-bird designs, they were simply conventional. Even the outside paper was plain white decorated with some flowers pasted on it. They might have been made from leftover materials after finishing other lanterns. Mo Xiuyao took the lanterns that Ye Li had in her hand and looked at them before smiling at her. He then turned around to pick up a brush and ink left by the elderly man and started drawing, nodding with satisfaction after a moment and handing the newly decorated lantern back to Ye Li. When she looked down, there were two graceful ladies depicted on the originally plain paper with white flowers. One held a scroll, another frowned slightly; one picked a flower while the other grasped a sword. Although it was only a few strokes of brushwork, the elegant beauty of these women seemed to leap off the paper. The lanterns that had initially looked dull and uninteresting were transformed into beautiful ladies' lanterns.

Ye Li glanced at the lantern in her hand, then took a look at another placed nearby and smiled gently as she picked up a brush and started sketching on it as well. She spent more time than Mo Xiuyao had done; he didn't mind waiting patiently for her to finish. When Ye Li handed him her finished artwork, Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows in surprise. On the lantern was a man riding a horse with spear at hand looking exceptionally impressive. Unlike how Mo Xiuyao drew several scenes on one lantern, Ye Li’s painting showed only that scene outside Yonglin City where he was astride his steed like a war god descending from above, imposing and awe-inspiring. "Did I look like this in your eyes back then"

Ye Li blushed slightly and picked up her ladies' lantern herself, saying, "My depiction doesn’t do you justice; if it’s not to your liking, forget about it."

Mos Xiuyao smiled, "How can I dislike it I’ll certainly keep this carefully." Looking at the person in the lantern, Mo Xiuyao's eyes were filled with joy. He had never realized how impressive and awe-inspiring he appeared to Ye Li.someone has already looked into the matter of Miss Yao Ji" Qin Feng nodded and replied, "Yes. I immediately ordered the secret agents to investigate it on that day. There’s nothing suspicious." Ye Li...