Farewell

  Farewell 115.

  On the martial arts arena of the Dingguo King's palace, Yelü Ye concentrated his gaze on the white-clad woman in front of him. Neither of them made a move first, and as he looked at the calm yet sharp woman before him, Yelü Ye's face remained expressionless, but inwardly, he was secretly shocked. Now he might understand why last year's Lingyun Princess, who excelled in archery, lost to the Dingguo King's wife, who wasn't even proficient with a bow. When masters exchange blows, what is being tested is not just physical strength, speed, techniques, and internal energy, but also the determination to win and the momentum to overwhelm one's opponent. Yelü Ye was unclear about how high the woman's martial arts skills were, but based on her calm demeanor and the sharp aura flowing from her quiet eyes, like a sharp blade, she already had the atmosphere of a top-notch master.

  The atmosphere on the martial arts arena gradually became tense. Yelü Ye frowned, drew a soft sword from his waist and said: "Your Highness, please!"

  Ye Li stood with her hands behind her back and said calmly: "The prince first."

  Ye Lü Ye didn't dare to laugh in his heart, it seemed that the Crown Princess had made up her mind to let him make the first move. Previously, when she said she wanted to have a martial arts competition with Ye Li, apart from wanting to come and take a look, it was actually just a joke to strike up a conversation. But now, it had become real and he couldn't even refuse. With a helpless shrug, Ye Lü Ye smiled and said: "In that case, I won't be polite." The soft sword in his hand quivered in the air, drawing out a sword flower as he started with an extremely ordinary opening move, stabbing towards Ye Li. Ye Li slightly furrowed her brow, quickly sidestepping as a cold light flashed from her sleeve, a razor-sharp dagger heading straight for Ye Lü Ye's heart. After just a few moves, Ye Lü Ye finally put away the relaxed and carefree look in his eyes. He finally understood why Ye Li dared to be so generous - it wasn't because of arrogant ignorance, but because she actually had the ability to match him blow for blow. Within several moves, Ye Lü Ye discovered that if he persisted in using this lukewarm sword technique, he would never be able to defeat the white-clad woman in front of him who seemed delicate and weak. Ye Li's movements were swift and deadly, each move hiding a killing intent. Completely different from the usual gentle and beautiful moves of women, she didn't care about how her moves looked, only whether they were useful or not. The initial exchange left Ye Lü Ye somewhat restricted in his movements.

  Understood Ye Li's strength, Yelü Yu also didn't want to hold back. The soft sword in his hand shook and the moves became sharp. Northern nomads are naturally fierce and brave, originally not suitable for learning soft swords like this yin-yang weapon, but Yelü Yu's swordsmanship is extremely good. However, from that night when he and Mu Yang exchanged blows with Ye Li, it was also clear that Yelü Yu was not purely walking the yin-yang path, his yang-style kung fu was also excellent, and could be said to be a rare master of both hard and soft martial arts.

  In the martial arts arena, the two were evenly matched and hard to separate. Outside the arena, Mo General Manager gazed intently at the two people fighting, his deep old eyes filled with both concern and admiration. The current Dingguo Wangfu seemed prosperous but was actually full of hidden dangers, requiring a wise and decisive queen. Now it seemed that the queen was not only wise and determined but also had first-rate martial arts skills, which made Mo General Manager feel surprised and grateful for the blessings of the ancestors of the Dingguo royal family.

  In the blink of an eye, it was already beyond a hundred moves. Ye Luyu looked at the woman in front of him with a calm expression, not even a hint of disorder in her breathing, and couldn't help but secretly sigh. It seemed that this woman always managed to surprise him time and again. Originally, he thought that although Ye Li's moves were fierce, she was after all a woman, and her physical strength was destined to be inferior to that of a man. Moreover, Ye Luyu had initially seen that Ye Li's internal energy was not particularly deep, and as long as the battle dragged on for a while, no matter how exquisite her moves were, it would be useless. But he didn't expect that after such a long time, she didn't even show a hint of fatigue, as if she could continue to entangle in battle forever. Ye Luyu's eyes darkened, and his long sword flew quickly, leaving a long rainbow trail behind him as he retreated backwards. Ye Li's eyes flashed, and she stood firmly in place, not pursuing further. Seeing her withdraw, Ye Luyu secretly let out a sigh of relief in his heart. He couldn't bear to hurt or kill anyone, and if they continued to fight like this, no matter who won or lost, it would be ugly for him.

  "Unexpectedly, Princess Ting Wang is indeed agile and nimble. Xiao Wang admires her." He put the software back into his waist with a reverse hand, and Ye Luoye burst out laughing loudly.

  Ye Li said faintly with a furrowed brow: "Since the prince thinks it's enough, please go to the front hall for tea. We'll discuss the main matter later."

  Yelü Yu's indifferent nod was met with Mu Zongguan stepping forward to invite Yelü Yu to the front hall.

  Ye Li returned to her room and changed into a new set of clothes. Her conversation with Ye Luoye was another round of verbal sparring. This prince from Beijun did not match the image of a Beijun person in the minds of the people of Da Chu, but instead seemed more like someone from Da Chu or Xiling - cunning, sharp-witted, and unwilling to yield an inch when it came to interests. The two of them discussed Ye Li's pre-arranged list of potential brides back and forth for half a day, ultimately narrowing down their choices to Ronghua County Princess, Liu Yu (the niece of Empress Liu), and Qingyi County Princess (the youngest granddaughter of King Jia). However, Qingyi was only thirteen years old this year and was the only surviving granddaughter of the old king. She had been added to the list merely for appearances' sake, as the imperial family of Da Chu had always had more males than females, and there were hardly any eligible princesses or county princesses to choose from. In the end, it seemed that the final choice would still have to be between Ronghua County Princess and Liu Yu.

  In the end, these three people had to be seen by Ye Lü Ye personally before making a decision. Ye Li was also indifferent to this, and it was already good that she could persuade Ye Lü Ye to only choose three people to see. If Ye Lü Ye were to look at all the thousand gold coins in selection, the dignitaries of this capital would not have to live their days. Presumably, after North Rong's welcoming team left, there would be many happy events held in this capital again.

  After sending Ye Luoye away, Ye Li hadn't had time to get up and go back downstairs when someone came to report that Yaoji was seeking an audience. As Yaoji's identity made it impossible for her to be invited into the mansion like Ye Luoye, she could only wait at the side gate outside the mansion to see if the queen would grant her an audience or not. Ye Li was taken aback by this and furrowed her brow, saying: "Please let her in."

  Before long, Yaoji followed the leading maid and walked in. Unlike her usual enchanting attire, this time Yaoji was only wearing a plain autumn-colored dress, looking less beautiful but more elegant, as if she had a few touches of an ordinary good family woman's flavor.

  "I have seen the princess." Yujie bowed her head slightly and curtsied.

  Yelü waved his hand and said: "Never mind, but if there's something on your mind, sit down and talk about it."

  Yaoji looked up at her and thanked her in a low voice: "I really didn't think that Princess Wang would be willing to see me." Ye Li smiled faintly: "If you were really certain that I wouldn't see you, how could you have come?" Although they hadn't interacted much, Ye Li could tell that Yaoji was an extremely proud woman who would never come seeking humiliation. Yaoji hesitated for a moment, then nodded and smiled wryly: "Princess Wang is right." Ye Li looked at her pale and thin face, hesitating before asking: "Are you okay?" Yaoji smiled faintly: "What's there to be okay or not? I came here today with ulterior motives, indeed seeking Princess Wang's help with something."

  Ye Li nodded and said: "You speak, if I can help in any way, I will definitely not decline."

  Yaoji said: "I plan to close the Qingcheng Building, but... I'm not bothered myself, however, there are many girls in the Qingcheng Building... They're all people with miserable lives. If no one takes care of them properly, they might go to other brothels or drift away somewhere else. It's originally my fault for not treating them well... So I'd like to ask the princess, would the Dingwang Mansion be willing to buy the Qingcheng Building? Yaoji is willing to sell at half price as long as you can take care of the elderly people in the Qingcheng Building a bit." Ye Li slightly furrowed her brow and said: "The Qingcheng Building is known as the number one brothel in the capital, if you want to sell it, there will naturally be many people fighting to buy it. Why do you have to..."

  Yao Ji's smile was somewhat bitter as she looked at Ye Li and said, "What kind of people can do the brothel business in this capital city? I don't know what kind of state Xing Cheng Fang will be left in after falling into their hands. Also...I hope that the news of Xing Cheng Fang changing owners won't spread out for at least half a year."

  Ye Li furrowed her brow and immediately understood Yao Ji's intention, "You... have any plans?"

  Yao Ji lowered her head and subconsciously stroked her still flat abdomen, smiling shallowly: "Let's go take a look at the south. The climate in the south is much more comfortable than in the capital, isn't it? I've also saved up quite a bit of money over the years, so even if I want to live a life of luxury and indulgence, there won't be any problems."

  Ye Li furrowed her brow slightly, and what she asked was naturally not about money. Even if it were a dancer like Yao Ji, there would be no need to worry about money at all. But without mentioning that the south is currently unstable, only saying that Yao Ji's current body is not suitable for traveling thousands of miles to Jiangnan. Rubbing her brow, Ye Li changed the subject and asked: "Feng San has already returned to the capital, you haven't seen him yet, have you?" Yao Ji smiled and said: "He came to see me yesterday morning, but he's also very busy. So... Princess, there's no need to tell him about my messy situation." Ye Li said: "I thought your relationship with Feng San was good."

  Yao Ji smiled and said, "Feng San Gongzi is my friend, the only... true friend. Princess, you don't need to probe me, Feng San Gongzi doesn't have that kind of intention towards me, and I really do consider him a friend too. We're just... well, let's just say we sympathize with each other."

  Ye Li said softly, "Sorry," she knew that Feng Zhiyao had someone in his heart, but he had never heard Feng San or anyone else mention this person. Perhaps Mo Xiuyao knew, but after all, it was Feng San's private matter, and Mo Xiuyao wouldn't take the initiative to tell her, nor would she ask. Yao Ji shook her head with a smile: "I know that the princess is concerned about me, but this kind of thing really doesn't need to be told to Feng San. Although Prince Feng seems careless about everything, he is actually the most resentful and vengeful. He was originally going to find Marquis Shu's son, but I've already told him that we had clarified things a long time ago, so the marriage between the Marquis of Shu's household and the Sun family has nothing to do with me."

  "Do you want to keep the child?" Ye Li frowned. If she still didn't understand what Yao Ji meant after saying so much, then her life would have been in vain all these years. It wasn't that she was heartless, but this era... if Yao Ji's identity weren't special and she were just an ordinary woman who gave birth out of wedlock, it wouldn't be easy for her to get by, and it would be even harder for the child in the future.

  She looked at her, a faint tenderness crossing her beautiful face, and nodded: "Yes, this is my child. Your Highness can rest assured, since I've already said that I'm cutting ties with Mu Yang, I absolutely won't use this child as a pawn to entangle him in the future. After leaving the capital this time...I don't plan on coming back again. Finding a place where no one recognizes me and living out my life in hiding is also possible."

  Ye Li shook her head and said, "I didn't mean it that way. Have you thought about what to do after the child is born? What about your future life? Even if you raise the child alone, you have enough money to spend. But when the child grows up, a daughter gets married, and a son's career - which one doesn't require a clean family background? Yao Ji, this world is not tolerant of women." In fact, she was still talking about distant things, but closer to home, someone like Yao Ji with her beauty and talent would be impossible to hide in a remote village, and an extremely beautiful woman living alone in a prosperous city would be even more unable to survive.

  Yao Ji's expression was gloomy, and her eyes were filled with sorrow and helplessness. Her jade-like hands gently stroked her abdomen, gritting her teeth as she said: "I know all of this, but...but this is my child..."

  Ye Li was speechless, the women of this era were not like those in her past life who could have an abortion as easily as eating a meal. As Yao Ji's body was in the midst of the storm, she would still be soft-hearted towards her own child, let alone this was the child of her and the person she loved. With Yao Ji's temperament, she would willingly humble herself for the one she loved, it was just that even such a woman would have moments of irrationality.

  After a moment of silence, Yaoji raised her head and said to Ye Li: "I understand what the princess is saying, thank you for your concern. However... I've already made up my mind about the child's matter. I wonder if Qingcheng Fang..."

  Ye Li let out a soft sigh, nodded and said: "I've bought the Qing Cheng Fang, since you've already made up your mind I won't say anything more. Take care of yourself. I'll have someone send the silver ticket to you later."

  Yao Ji thanked her sincerely: "Thank you, Princess."

  Ye Li lightly shook her head, "Take care."

  "Goodbye."

  After seeing Yaoji off, Ye Lixi sat alone in the flower hall, lost in thought, and didn't even notice when Mo Xiuyao walked in.

  "What's on your mind, Ali?" Mu Xiuyao asked with a smile.

  Ye Li shook her head and told Mo Xiu Yao about buying down the Qing Cheng Fang, but hid the fact that Yao Ji was pregnant. Mo Xiu Yao wouldn't care about a courtesan's situation anyway, nodded and smiled: "Qing Cheng Fang is actually not a bad place. Although Feng San also used to use Qing Cheng Fang to gather information, it's still someone else's after all, and he has to consider his relationship with Yao Ji. We can buy it down, but... we can't put it under the name of Ding Wang Fu." Ye Li nodded, she didn't plan on buying it under the name of Ding Wang Fu anyway, "I'll let Ming Xing handle it later." Putting it under Chu Jun Wei's name would not draw too much attention and wouldn't arouse suspicion. If someone were to investigate, they would naturally find out that Chu Jun Wei had several small shops in various places, with the most profitable one being in Guang Ling City.

  "This little thing is nothing, don't mind it," Mo Xiu said naturally, sitting down beside Ye Li and asking, "Did Yelü Ye take action against you today?"

  Ye Li smiled shallowly: "Just casually exchange a few moves. However, this Prince Yelü doesn't seem like a Northern Barbarian at all."

  Mo Xiu Yao raised an eyebrow and said, "Being in the imperial family, whether it's Bei Rong or Da Chu, one can't avoid intrigue and competition. He was able to stand out among so many sons of the King of Bei Rong, his cunning and strategies are naturally not ordinary. However... daring to be presumptuous in the Ding Wang Fu, I underestimated him. But I wonder if he's prepared to offend me?"

  Ye Li looked at Mo Xiu Yao with a hint of surprise, but after a moment's thought, she immediately understood his mind. She smiled faintly and didn't try to persuade him, "The person chosen for the marriage has probably already been decided, either it's Rong Hua or Liu Miss, but I think Rong Hua is more likely. There will be trouble later." In terms of status, Rong Hua was higher than Liu Miss, and in terms of beauty, Rong Hua was also one of the top beauties in the capital. Moreover, with the current situation of the Liu family being at its peak, they probably wouldn't want to marry off their eldest daughter. After all, even if she became the crown princess, it would be a distant and lofty position that wouldn't bring much practical help to the Liu family. What the Liu family needed now was to form alliances with other powerful families through marriage. As for Rong Hua, she was the beloved daughter of Princess Zhao Ren, but what did that matter? Even Princess Zhao Ren couldn't control her own marriage, let alone that of her daughter.

  Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "Let them make a fuss if they want to, you don't need to pay attention. If it's really unbearable, just push it onto the one in the palace. If you're annoyed, you can go see the Empress Dowager, we can also take a short trip out of the capital."

  Ye Li thought of those elites he had abandoned in the Black Wind Valley and couldn't help but smile: "Well, it just so happens that I have some business to attend to outside in a few days."

  Digression

  Happy Labor Day, everyone!