New Master of Han Family

  New Master of Han Family

  When Han Mingxi came in, he looked like a completely different person from his usual self, who was always smiling and joking. The evil smile that used to be on his face had disappeared, replaced by a tired and gloomy expression, with a hint of sadness and disappointment. Ye Li could only silently sigh in her heart, Mo Xiuyao made the decision he thought was best, Han Mingyue chose the person he thought was most important. And Han Mingxi... actually, from start to finish, he was the most innocent one.

  "Your Highness, Your Highness." Han Mingxi said in a somewhat stiff tone.

  Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly and said calmly, "Lord Han, please sit down." Han Mingxiao sat down silently, his gaze passing over Ye Li's body before stopping on Mo Xiuyao. "Did the prince know about my brother's plans all along?" he asked bluntly, staring at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "Han Mingyue understands me, and I understand him. So...I can probably guess what kind of decision he would make for whom or what." Han Mingxiao fell silent, thinking that if Mo Xiuyao hadn't arrived in Guangling so suddenly, perhaps Han Mingyue would have arranged everything and disappeared into the night or day without a trace. But now, with his plans foiled, Han Mingyue could only launch a surprise attack on Han Mingxiao before fleeing in disarray, leaving behind a huge mess for his younger brother to clean up.

  "So, what does Lord Han have in mind by coming to see me now?" Mo Xiu Yao asked in a low voice.

  Han Mingxi stared at him and asked, "If I don't have any plans, what does the king plan to do?"

  Mo Xuyao lowered his eyes and said, "The hidden pawns of the Tianyi Pavilion in Guangling City and within the borders of Great Chu will all be eliminated within three days. As for the Han family, this king has no right to dispose of them, but if the imperial edict from the capital really comes down, what it contains should be clear to Young Master Han."

  “Nine clans are all exterminated……” Han Mingxi said with a bitter low voice, Big Brother, for that woman you don't care about me at all and don't care about the Han family at all? The hall fell silent for a while, and Han Mingxi finally raised his head to say to Mo Xiuyao: “The Han family has already expelled Han Mingyue from the family, from now on Han Mingyue is no longer a member of the Guangling Han family!” Mo Xiuyao slightly raised an eyebrow, who says Han Mingxi is useless? Just this decisive mind makes Han Mingxi more suitable to take charge of the Han family than Han Mingyue. Mo Xiuyao nodded, “In that case, I will also petition the Emperor to speak of the Han family's innocence.” Han Mingyue lowered her eyes and said lightly: “Thank you, Your Highness.” Although she had never had a good impression of Mo Xiuyao, Han Mingxi couldn't help but thank him. Even if the Han family cut off their relationship with Han Mingyue, once Han Mingyue really served Xiling in the future, the Han family would still be unable to escape being punished. Even if they were lucky enough to escape, the cost of bribing and maintaining relationships would be enough to destroy the Han family. But with a word from Prince Dingguo, even the Emperor wouldn't question the Han family's innocence. The relationship between the Prince Dingguo's mansion and the surrounding three countries can be said to be as deep as the sea, even if the Emperor himself betrayed Prince Dingguo, he would never betray him.

  "There is one more thing below, I request Your Highness and the Princess to grant it."

  "It doesn't matter what you say, young master." said Mo Xiuyao.

  Han Mingxi's eyes flashed with determination as he looked at Ye Li and said, "As the head of the Han family, I am willing to follow His Highness the Prince and the Princess." By following as the head of the Han family, it means that the entire Han family will support the Dingguo Palace.

  "What are the conditions?" Mo Xiuyao asked, and Han Mingxi naturally wouldn't make such a big bet without any conditions.

  Han Mingxiao said in a low voice: "Only ask... if in the future, my brother falls into your hands, please spare his life." Han Mingxiao was very clear that with Han Mingyue's identity and position after this, it would be impossible not to confront the Dingguo King's mansion. Similarly, he was even more aware that his brother was still far from being a match for the Ding Wang. It wasn't just because of his slightly inferior martial arts skills and intelligence compared to the Ding Wang, but also because... he didn't have the support of someone like the Ding Wang Fei, who would only bring trouble to his brother.

  Mo Xiuyao smiled softly: "Han Gongzi is indeed a man of great loyalty and righteousness. Since you have such faith in me... as you wish. From now on, whatever happens, just follow Ah Rui's instructions." Han Mingxiao looked at Mo Xiuyao with some surprise, then glanced at Ye Liri sitting beside him, bowing his head: "Your subordinate obeys your orders, disturbing the king and queen, I bid farewell."

  Seeing Han Mingxiao leave, Mo Xiuyao thought for a moment and suddenly said: "Han Mingyue dares to let go so readily because he is also clear about the king's actions. He knows that the king will not hurt the foundation of the Han family."

  Han Mingxi's feet paused for a moment, and he stepped out of the hall without looking back.

  "Why tell him this? And let him hear my words?" Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao with a puzzled expression and asked. Mo Xiuyao smiled: "Han Mingyue values relationships, Han Mingshu also values relationships. However, Han Mingyue attaches more importance to personal relationships while Han Mingshu attaches more importance to brotherly love. If he finds out one day that I have calculated the power of his family and bears a grudge in his heart, it's better to tell him directly now. He is an intelligent person who knows how to make choices. As for... Ah Li, since you are already involved in this dispute, no one can withdraw from it. You need to have enough strength to protect yourself. Even if I'm not here, I will let people know that they dare not easily move against your strength. Moreover, Han Mingshu is a proud and somewhat calculating person. If he doesn't obey me, even if he pretends to be loyal to me, he will inevitably be insincere in his heart. I think he won't harm you. However, Ah Li... " Mo Xiuyao seemed to have thought of something and looked at Ye Li with a serious expression. Ye Li raised an eyebrow, and Mo Xiuyao's voice was soft and gentle: "You can't be too good to him. Otherwise..."

  "What's wrong?" Ye Li asked, feeling unnatural under his somewhat strange gaze.

  "Otherwise I'll kill him!" Mu Xiuyao said in a low voice, but Ye Li heard the seriousness in his words, "At least not while I'm still alive."

  Ye Li's heart skipped a beat, and she reached out to grab his hand, saying seriously: "You won't be in trouble." Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and stopped discussing the topic. "Alright, Ye Li, let's continue with what we were talking about earlier." Ye Li's memory was not bad either, and she raised an eyebrow at Mo Xiuyao, asking: "What kind of woman could make someone like Han Mingyue so infatuated?" Not to mention how many women Han Mingyue had seen before, but as the master of Qingfeng Mingyuelou, which woman in the tower wasn't talented and beautiful? What kind of extraordinary woman could captivate a man like Han Mingyue? Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li and uttered three words: "Su Zui Die."

  "Su Zui... Su Zui Die?!" Ye Li was shocked, "Su Zui Die isn't dead?"

  Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly, seemingly not very concerned about his ex-fiancée's survival. He also didn't seem to care that Han Mingyue, his former good friend, was infatuated with his ex-fiancée. Only after a moment, Ye Li's mind had turned over countless thoughts and ideas before she asked: "Was the person who kidnapped me last year Su Zuijie? Is she in Xiling now...and related to the Xiling royal family?" Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li with a guilty expression and nodded.

  Ye Li couldn't help but rub her brow, analyzing the information she knew in her mind. Su Zui Die was supposed to have passed away three months after Mo Xiu Yao's serious injury, but now it seemed that someone who might be from the Western Palace and possibly even a member of the royal family was present. Han Ming Yue and Mo Xiu Yao were good friends, but both had feelings for Su Zui Die. After Su Zui Die's passing, Han Ming Yue and Mo Xiu Yao drifted apart, with Han Ming Yue seemingly having wronged Mo Xiu Yao in some way. However, it didn't seem like there was anything romantic between the two of them... Han Ming Yue and Su Zui Die must have done something to betray Mo Xiu Yao's trust together. But it seemed that Su Zui Die had been using Han Ming Yue all along, judging from Han Ming Liang's attitude towards Su Zui Die. "Su... Miss Su passed away, was it with Han Ming Yue's help?"

  Mo Xiuyao slightly raised an eyebrow and smiled calmly: "Ah Li indeed has quick thinking."

  Ye Li smiled shallowly, "This isn't hard to guess, the fact that Miss Su is still alive and able to deceive so many people must require a huge amount of power. However, although Old Man Su is highly respected, the Su family doesn't have much power in the capital. If it wasn't you who helped Miss Su fake her own death, then it would only be possible for someone with a very good relationship with Miss Su and has romantic feelings for her, like the master of Tianyi Pavilion, to do so. You... wouldn't do something as boring as that, right?" Looking at his current attitude towards Su Zuiyan, he didn't seem like the kind of person who would easily let his fiancée fake her own death to escape marriage. Mo Xiuyao's face wasn't looking too good, but he didn't show any anger or resentment, just a simple unwillingness to bring it up. Ye Li tilted her head in thought, "Actually, compared to why Miss Su faked her own death, I'm more curious about why she went to Xiling after faking her own death." If it was just because she didn't want to marry Mo Xiuyao, a disabled person with severe injuries, then with her beauty and talent, she could easily find a perfect husband in the Great Chu, or even be with Han Mingyue. Putting aside certain aspects, Han Mingyue was absolutely one of the most ideal husbands for women. From Mo Xiuyao's attitude towards Su Zuiyan and Han Mingyue all these years, even if they really were together, Mo Xiuyao shouldn't have gone as far as to strike back in revenge. A young lady from a wealthy family who grew up in the capital, faking her own death and then running thousands of miles to Xiling...

  "Is it convenient to talk about Miss Su's current identity?" Ye Li asked curiously.

  "Xiling Guo Qianrong Gui Fei, Bai Jing."

  "Qingrong Guifei?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, and even if she didn't have any common sense, she still remembered that the title of Guifei seemed to only have one character. It seemed that Su Zui Die's status in Xiling Country wasn't low after all. She took a look at Mo Xiuyao and decided not to ask anymore. As long as she knew that Mo Xiuyao was absolutely on her side between herself and Su Zui Die, that was enough. As for the Xiling Guifei who obviously still had lingering feelings for Mo Xiuyao or was somewhat unwilling to let go... it was better for her to figure it out herself. Discussing his ex-fiancée with her husband wasn't a good topic of conversation.

  Ye Li decided not to say anything, but Mo Xiu Yao didn't think so. With a calm expression, he said: "The White family is one of the four major surnames in West Hill, and many empresses and imperial consorts throughout West Hill's history have come from the White family. This includes the current Empress of West Hill. Bai Jing entered the palace seven years ago and was granted the title of Consort Rong, enjoying the favor of the Emperor of West Hill. After the death of the previous Empress, she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Rong. If it weren't for the fact that the late Empress had personally requested the Emperor to make Hui Imperial Noble Consort, who shares the same surname as her, the new Empress, then Bai Jing would already be the Empress."

  Ye Li was silent, in less than ten years' time, from the second son of Da Chu Ding Wang Fu to almost becoming the Western Hill Empress. It has to be said that this Miss Su's life path is extremely legendary. Looking at Mo Xiu Yao's expression of knowing everything, Ye Li hesitated for a moment and asked: "Did you find out later that she didn't die, or did you always know?" Mo Xiu Yao's lips slightly sank, saying: "At the time my injury had not yet healed, when I found out Han Ming Yue was about to take her out of the capital."

  "Didn't you do anything?" Ye Li was curious, as Mo Xiuyao's original personality would not have let Han Mingyue and Su Zuijuan leave the capital unscathed. Or if Mo Xiuyao really loved Su Zuijuan, he wouldn't have let her leave the capital either. Mo Xiuyao glanced at her, "At that time, I was in a bad mood and indeed intended to kill them. However...Su Lao arrived later and personally knelt down to beg me. Su Lao is my mentor, Su Zuijuan's father has saved my brother's life, and his son also died in that battle to save me. After calming down, I let them go."

  Ye Li nodded silently, and whoever told her that Mo Xiuyao loved Su Zuijiao to the bone would be thrown into the water to wash his eyes. This man's voice was as calm as a stranger's. However, couldn't a beauty like Su Zuijiao move Mo Xiuyao? "Did... you ever like Su Zuijiao?" Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li with some surprise and nodded slightly: "Of course I liked her." Ye Li frowned slightly, ignoring the slight discomfort in her heart, "Then why now..."

  Mo Xi Yao interrupted her, "She is my fiancée, we grew up together since childhood, and in the future she may become my wife. Moreover, she is very beautiful, talented, and has a good temperament. Why wouldn't I like her? However... it seems that she always thinks I'm not good enough for her. After I got hurt, she wanted to fake her own death and leave because of her father's and brother's relationship, so I let her go free. And then we didn't have any relation with each other anymore, did we?"

  Ye Li nodded. To sum up what Mo Xiuyao said, he used to think that Su Zuiyan was a perfect fiancée. The men of the Dingguo Wangfu were always faithful, not just in terms of love or not. As long as they recognized their wife, they would treat her well. This is the so-called true meaning of mutual affection circulating in the capital. Since Su Zuiyan chose to leave in the end, she naturally had nothing to do with Mo Xiuyao. So in Mo Xiuyao's eyes now, Su Zuiyan was just a stranger, and even...now possibly an enemy.

  The city of Guangling itself didn't have much to deal with, but Han Mingxu's actions were very swift. On the same day, news spread throughout Guangling that Han Mingyue had been expelled from the Han family and that the second young master had taken over as the head of the household. As for Han Mingxu himself, even the people of Guangling didn't know much about him, only knowing that there was a second young master in the Han family, but nothing else. Now that the Han family had changed its head, the wealthy merchants and officials of Guangling naturally all paid attention to this matter. Amidst this somewhat unexpected commotion, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li quietly left Guangling for Chu Jing.

  As soon as they returned to the capital, Mo Xiuyao was summoned by the Emperor to discuss matters in the palace. Ye Li didn't even have time to explain her disappearance and reappearance in Yonglin City before she was surrounded by a crowd of people from the Wang Fu who were eager to show their concern for her. After finally calming down the wet nurse and Lin Mama, she listened to Mo Zongguan and Sun Mama's report on the recent major and minor events in the Ding Guo Wang Fu. Just as Ye Li was thinking about going to see Qing Luan and Qing Yu who were still recovering, a servant came to inform her that Ye Daren and Ye Lao Furen had requested an audience with her.

  Compared to the triumphant spring of last year, this year Ye Shangshu can be said to have hit rock bottom. At the beginning of the year, his third daughter, who was the princess of Ding Wang, went missing in the palace, and his second daughter, who was a concubine, and her young grandson were burned to death by fire. This hadn't even been two months, and the Ye family still hadn't recovered when the fourth son-in-law suddenly rose up in rebellion. Although the Emperor hadn't yet shifted his anger onto the Ye family, Ye Shangshu's days weren't easy either. Occasionally, he couldn't help but wonder if Heaven was intentionally making things difficult for him. So, upon hearing that Ding Wang and his wife were returning to the capital together, Ye Shangshu didn't bother with any fatherly airs and waited for Ye Li to return home and pay her respects. He directly brought Ye Lao Furen along and came knocking on their door.

  Ye Li stepped into the flower hall and looked at Ye Shangshu and Ye Lao Furen, whose obviously aged and haggard appearance made her raise an eyebrow in surprise. "Father, Grandmother."

  "Lier, you've finally returned safely, I was worried to death for my grandmother." Ye Lao Fu Ren pulled Ye Li, tears streaming down her face. Ye Li smiled faintly and said: "It's Lier's fault for making Grandmother worry."

  Ye Shangshu looked at his daughter with a strange gaze, feeling that something was not quite right. Although he had not been willing to interact with her since his wife's passing, this did not prevent him from knowing some things about Ye Li. This third daughter had always been quiet and reserved, disliking speech, but like his late wife, she seemed to be born with the grandeur and elegance of a noble family. However, this time when he saw her, Ye Shangshu's keen senses detected that there was something more in her eyebrows. Even though she was just sitting quietly, allowing Old Lady Ye to hold her hand and smiling serenely, Ye Shangshu clearly felt a sharpness and pressure that had not been there before. He couldn't help but think of the rumors he had heard earlier about the sudden appearance of the Empress Dowager in Yongzhou and her assistance to General Murong's subordinate generals in defending Yonglin. Although this news was known to only a few people, as the Emperor, King of Li, and father-in-law of the King of Ding, Ye Shangshu naturally had some secret channels for obtaining information that were more reliable than external rumors. Looking at the gentle woman with a smile on her lips in front of him, Ye Shangshu's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He had a daughter who was hiding secrets from him, and he had treated her as an abandoned child.