Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

Ji Yuxi gently stroked the blood coral, her eyes filled with greed.

She leaned closer to the coral and smelled it, then laughed, "Prime Minister Ye, this thing cost a lot of money. You can tell from its quality that it comes from the Southern Dragon Sea."

Ye Mo replied, "Your Majesty truly has discerning eyes; this Seven-Colored Cloud Coral does indeed originate from the Southern Dragon Sea."

It is said that fishermen there spent three years collecting this plant from several miles deep in the sea, drowning thousands of people in the process, before finally obtaining just one.

This old minister acquired it by chance and originally intended to place it in the courtyard for leisurely viewing. However, I thought that placing such a precious item in the old minister's courtyard would be a waste of its value.

It just so happens that the Empress Dowager is returning to court today, so this old minister is taking this opportunity to offer my humble opinion. I hope the Empress Dowager will not find it offensive.

As for expenses, as long as the Empress Dowager is happy, why bother asking about these material things and spoiling your enjoyment?

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi burst into laughter.

"Prime Minister Ye, it's been over a year since we last met. You're still as eloquent as ever. No wonder the late Emperor valued you so highly."

"Your Majesty is too kind. This old minister is merely speaking from the heart, saying what he thinks."

"I love your honesty, but is this really how you're going to give me such a valuable gift?"

"If Your Majesty does not accept it, this old minister will not be able to eat dinner tonight. However, it is just a plaything, so Your Majesty should not refuse."

"Since Prime Minister Ye has put it this way, then I shall not refuse."

Besides having strong desires, Ji Yuxi also had a great fondness for these kinds of luxury goods, and not just a normal fondness.

While the late emperor was still alive, he secretly spent a lot of money to purchase rare treasures from all over the continent for his own enjoyment, satisfying his vain heart.

She did all of this very discreetly, without making anything too outrageous, giving people the illusion of being noble and simple.

But after the old emperor fell seriously ill, Ji Yuxi's true nature was gradually revealed.

The annual expenditure on luxury goods is more than ten times the total expenditure of Jiang Mengxuan's palace at present.

However, how could Ye Mo, an old fox, not know what kind of carbon-based life form Ji Yuxi was?

He had already thoroughly investigated Ji Yuxi's preferences through various means.

Winning big with small stakes has always been a fundamental tactic for aristocratic families, especially since the Empress is the apparent winner in this turmoil in Jinling City.

In reality, the real winner is Ye Mo.

With Shen Lang's help, the powerful clans that had broken away from the Ye family's control were directly eliminated, and the arrogance of the Empress Dowager's faction was also suppressed.

"Wangyue, Lianxing, move this coral to the back of the carriage. Be careful not to break it. This is a token of Ye Xiang's goodwill."

"Yes, ma'am."

Two maids, whose cultivation was at the Transcendent Realm, carefully carried the Blood Coral to the accompanying carriage.

After finishing everything, Ji Yuxi patted the chair next to her and said, "Prime Minister Ye, sit closer and have a word with me."

"Yes."

Ye Mo did not refuse. After bowing, he appeared flattered and sat down next to Ji Yuxi to chat.

"Prime Minister Ye, it's been over a year since we last met, and you're still as healthy as ever."

"Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, this old minister's body is still somewhat useful. I practice some health-preserving exercises in my spare time every day, and they have indeed had some effect."

"Look at what you're saying! By the way, how is your son?"

"Sigh, they're all good-for-nothings. It's infuriating to even talk about them. Let's not mention them."

"The children are still young, so Prime Minister Ye shouldn't be too harsh on them. They'll naturally get better as they grow older."

However, sometimes you still need to discipline them, otherwise they might think they've become independent and can disregard their parents.

"I hope so. Sigh, Your Majesty, to be honest, disciplining children is really a bit beyond my capabilities. They just won't listen to me. It's exhausting."

"How can we, as parents, not be tired? But there's no other way; we can only take it one step at a time."

I believe that everything will get better in two or three years, so you don't need to worry too much.

As for children, if things really get bad, a good scolding will do. Take my own rascal, for example. When he was little, he once accidentally knocked over the late emperor's jade cup.

I punished him by not allowing him to eat for three days and making him kneel in the courtyard without getting up. After that, he behaved himself, hehehe.

"Thank you for your comfort, Your Majesty. In fact, it's good for children to have their own ideas. Parents shouldn't just suppress and lecture them."

When it's time to let go, you have to let go. After all, children will grow up eventually, and as parents, we're getting old, so we can't watch over them every day, can we?

Even if someone makes a mistake, they must learn to take responsibility for it. We'll just offer guidance from time to time, based on our own experience. Don't you agree, Your Majesty?

Ye Mo could easily understand the meaning behind Ji Yuxi's words. She was implying that the Empress was about to slip out of his control, and he had to find a way to suppress her arrogance.

Ji Yuxi understood the implication in Ye Mo's words: Help you suppress the Empress? Keep dreaming!

The two old foxes chatted casually like old friends who hadn't seen each other for years, seemingly enjoying each other's company. But in reality, every word they uttered was a veiled attack, testing each other's limits.

Half an hour later, the topic gradually shifted to Jinling City.

Ji Yuxi said directly, "Prime Minister Ye, I have heard some of what has happened in Jinling City recently, and I understand it better through hearsay."

To be honest, while those people were certainly in the wrong, His Majesty's actions were also quite immature.

The powerful families are the foundation of the imperial power of my Chu Kingdom. If she acts so arbitrarily, isn't she afraid that all the powerful families in the world will rise up and attack her?

Alas, if it weren't for this, why would I be in such a hurry to defy the late Emperor's last wishes and rush back to the palace to stabilize the situation?

Ye Mo frowned; the meaning behind Ji Yuxi's words was all too clear.

Her purpose in returning to the palace early was to take this opportunity to sideline Jiang Mengxuan and then rule from behind the curtain to control the entire court.

The reason I said these things to myself was to seek his opinion.

As the head of a prominent family, Ye Mo, in a sense, represents the interests of the aristocratic clan.

If Ye Mo agrees to support Ji Yuxi, then the scene of the maternal relatives taking control of the Great Chu court will inevitably become unstoppable.

Thinking of this, Ye Mo replied, "What the Empress Dowager says is quite right. This old minister also believes that His Majesty's handling of the matter was somewhat excessive."

However, if the situation in Nanjing had not been suppressed with swift and decisive action, it would likely have caused even greater losses. His Majesty's actions were born of necessity.

Ji Yuxi closed her eyes.

It was obvious that Ye Mo understood his meaning, but he did not support his entry into the court to sideline Jiang Mengxuan.

So she continued, "No matter what, we can't act like this. The unrest in Jinling City can be dealt with by just punishing a few troublemakers. Why do something that shakes the foundation of the country?"

Ultimately, it's because His Majesty is too young and lacks foresight in many matters. He still needs the assistance of us old folks to prevent similar situations from recurring.

These words imply that as long as Ye Mo is willing to support the maternal relatives' faction, they can jointly undermine imperial power and thus jointly control the government.

Wouldn't you take such bait?

Ye Mo cupped his hands and replied, "Your Majesty is, after all, the ruler of Chu. This old minister believes that Your Majesty is doing this so that Jinling City can be at peace as soon as possible."

We, being of advanced age, should prioritize His Majesty's will; as for other matters...

There's no need to overthink or ask too many questions. If we cause even bigger trouble, it might shake the very foundation of our Great Chu Kingdom.

Ji Yuxi's expression changed slightly. Ye Mo's implied meaning was a warning to her not to do anything out of line, as the Ye family was on the side of the imperial power.

Unable to win over Ye Mo, Ji Yuxi couldn't control Jiang Mengxuan, and she thought it might be because she hadn't offered enough leverage.

"Prime Minister Ye, I've heard that your son, Ye Fan, is seventeen years old this year?"

"Your Majesty, my son will be eighteen in two months."

Ji Yuxi smiled and said, "An eighteen-year-old young man is in the prime of his life, and it is also the age for marriage. I wonder if your son has someone he is interested in?"

Ye Mo replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. It is a pity that my son has been so engrossed in cultivation that he has not paid attention to his children's feelings and has not found a suitable partner yet."

Ji Yuxi said, "Your son is so handsome, how could he not have someone he likes? How about this, Prime Minister Ye, why don't you do me a favor?"

My niece is sixteen years old and still unmarried. I dare not say she is a beauty of unparalleled grace, but she is gentle, skillful, adept at needlework, and well-educated.

"Is it not an insult to the Ye family that I'm being married to your son, given my humble origins?"

Ye Mo narrowed his eyes: "Empress Dowager, my son is aloof and reclusive. If he offends your niece, this old minister fears..."

“A married daughter is like water spilled from a cup. If Ye Xiangru is willing, let the two of them meet in a few days. Whether it works out or not depends on how they get along. What do you think?”

"This……"

"Prime Minister Ye, it is natural for men to marry and women to be married when they come of age. You would not refuse my kind offer, would you?"

"Alas, I fear my son will disappoint the Empress Dowager."

"Prime Minister Ye is overthinking it. Since you have no objections, let's settle this matter for now. Once your son has completed his studies and returned, we can proceed with the marriage."

"Then this old minister thanks Your Majesty in advance."

Only after the two finalized the marriage arrangements for their younger relative did Ji Yuxi's expression improve slightly.

Ye Mo, however, was pondering whether or not he should give up on his son, Ye Fan.

He didn't want to be associated with the Ji family, because...

The Ji family members were too greedy and insatiable, and were simply not worthy of Ye Mo's attention.

"Your Majesty, it is getting late. This old minister shall return to the capital first, so as not to arouse His Majesty's suspicion. I shall take my leave now."

"Minister Ye, you've had a hard time. I won't see you off."

After Ye Mo left, Ji Yuxi gently smoothed her hair and slowly addressed the carriage, "Let's go."