“You are the Ding Wang Fei?!” A sharp voice rang out from behind Cloud Consort.

Everyone was startled. Though they were all sheltered ladies, they had all heard of the Ding Wang Fei. How many times had their fathers and brothers sighed that daughters should aspire to be like Ding Wang Fei, and wives should emulate her? Even their husband, the Northern ruler Ren Qining, would overflow with praise whenever mentioning the Ding Wang Fei. This made these sheltered ladies both envious and jealous.

Being addressed by her title didn’t surprise Ye Li. She merely raised her head to look at the lady behind Cloud Consort – it turned out to be another familiar face. Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “So it’s Miss Murong. Why is Miss Murong here?” With this, she effectively confirmed her identity.

“You are the Ding Wang Fei?” Cloud Consort was stunned. She had met the Ding Wang Fei several times before. Though the appearance wasn’t quite the same as what she saw now, that graceful and noble bearing that commanded respect – who else could it be but the Ding Wang Fei?

“Ding Wang Fei, why are you here?” After her initial shock, Cloud Consort quickly regained her senses and glared at Helan Queen in astonishment: “It’s you… you’re colluding with the Ding Kingdom’s royal house…” Helan Queen responded irritably: “Don’t make it sound so unsavory. We in the Northern Territories are merely cooperating with the Ding Prince’s mansion to take back what’s rightfully ours. What’s wrong with that? You claim to be the legitimate rulers of the Central Plains, yet aren’t you the ones colluding with the Northern Rong to attack the Central Plains? Don’t try to put on such a righteous face.”

Though Cloud Consort didn’t understand politics well, she wasn’t completely ignorant. She naturally realized that if Helan Queen was cooperating with the Ding Prince’s mansion, their fate would be worrisome. “Helan, His Majesty has treated you well. Why would you conspire with outsiders to rebel… Don’t forget, the previous queen also died at the hands of the Ding Prince’s mansion.”

Helan Queen gave a contemptuous cold laugh, “Treated me well? Ren Qining can’t wait to kill all of us Northerners so he can change the country’s name and restore his kingdom, can he? As for my cousin, if Ren Qining hadn’t provoked the Ding Prince’s mansion, how would my cousin have met such a tragic fate? Who else should I hold accountable for this if not Ren Qining?”

“You… you’re twisting the truth!” Cloud Consort’s face flushed red with anger, but she had nothing to say in response.

Helan Queen waved her hand and said: “I don’t bully helpless women. Go back and stay put quietly. I won’t trouble you before Ren Qining returns. But if you don’t behave…” She gave a cold laugh, her lips curling into a cruel smile, “You’re welcome to test whether I dare to kill people or not.”

The ladies present were all delicate women raised in seclusion who had never seen much of the world. How could they withstand Helan Queen’s intimidation? They all began to harbor thoughts of retreat. Cloud Consort was no better off – she bit her lip and glared fiercely at Helan Queen before turning to leave.

“Ye Li, give me your life!” Beside Cloud Consort, Murong Mingyan let out an angry roar. A cold glint flashed from her hand as she lunged at Ye Li. However, a black shadow flashed past – before Murong Mingyan could touch Ye Li, someone struck her with a palm strike, sending her crashing into a nearby pillar and causing her to cough up blood.

Zhuo Jing stood in front of Ye Li and asked in a deep voice: “Wang Fei?” Zhuo Jing didn’t know Murong Mingyan, but just seeing the hatred in her eyes made it clear this woman must have a deep grudge against Wang Fei. He had followed Ye Li for ten years but had never seen her make an enemy of this woman. However, after brief contemplation, Zhuo Jing understood this woman’s identity. “Is she a remnant of the Murong family? Wang Fei, shall your servant…”? For such people, the dark guards’ usual practice was to eliminate them.

Ye Li stared thoughtfully at Murong Mingyan, who looked as if she wanted to devour her. Murong Mingyan struggled to her feet, wiping away the blood from her lips. “Ye Li, you’re not dead!”

Ye Li calmly replied: “Didn’t you already know I wasn’t dead? Miss Murong, I don’t recall doing anything unforgivable to you. Why do you hate me so much?” Hatred blazed in Murong Mingyan’s eyes, “If it weren’t for you… if it weren’t for you all, how would my Murong family…? How would my grandfather have died? It’s all your fault!”

“Having unlimited greed yet daring to strike back – how shameless. If Murong Xiong hadn’t relied on his martial prowess to try manipulating all the heroes under heaven, would the Murong family have come to this? It’s just a pity… the Murong family’s beauty strategy wasn’t attractive enough. They tried to steal the chicken but lost the rice instead.” Zhuo Jing mocked without mercy. Though he hadn’t gone to Xiling back then, he still knew what had happened there. When ridiculing Murong Mingyan, he naturally struck at her most painful point.

Murong Mingyan gritted her teeth until her eyes were almost red with anger, glaring at Zhuo Jing as if she wanted to tear him apart.

Ye Li turned to Helan Queen and said: “Queen, please have the others return first. I have some matters to discuss with Miss Murong.” Helan Queen nodded and said to Cloud Consort and the others: “You may all return. Ming Zhao Rong, stay behind.”

Cloud Consort and the others knew they couldn’t afford to offend Helan Queen now, so they all turned and left.

Though Murong Mingyan was kept behind, she showed no fear. When she had followed Ren Qining back to the Northern Territories years ago, he had promised to help her seek revenge. But as the years passed, she gradually felt her hopes for revenge growing dimmer. If she hadn’t still been uncrowned when Mo Xiuyao had bloodied Ren Qining’s harem, she probably wouldn’t have survived. She had given everything she and the Murong family had, only to receive the unremarkable position of Zhao Rong. How could Murong Mingyan not hate this?

“What do you want to say? If you want to kill me or torture me, do as you please.” Murong Mingyan watched Ye Li warily and said proudly.

Ye Li smiled: “Miss Murong need not be so tense. I won’t do anything to you.” It must be said that although Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao’s fame could be considered equal, their reputations were vastly different. Though Mo Xiuyao had generations of the Ding Prince’s mansion’s reputation behind him, his killing intent was too strong. Whenever people mentioned the Ding Prince, they inevitably thought of battlefields filled with killing intent and countless bloodshed. But regarding Ye Li, this Ding Wang Fei, even those who were hostile to her easily overlooked her dangerous nature. Especially when face to face, Ye Li’s refined and graceful appearance like that of a noble lady easily made people lower their guard.

Murong Mingyan gave a light snort. Though she hadn’t lowered her guard, her expression inevitably softened slightly. Ye Li smiled and said: “Miss Murong should understand herself that the Murong family’s defeat back then was not the fault of my Ding Prince’s mansion. It was just an unfortunate coincidence that we had no choice but to act. Moreover, compared to my Ding Prince’s mansion, Miss Murong should know well who schemed against the Murong family more.”

Murong Mingyan fell silent. She naturally understood what had happened back then. If she hadn’t insisted on provoking them… perhaps they wouldn’t have provoked the Ding Prince’s mansion at all. But Murong Mingyan had always stubbornly believed that it was Mo Xiuyao’s appearance that had determined the Murong family’s defeat. So her hatred for the Ding Prince’s mansion was only natural.

“What do you want?” Murong Mingyan stared at Ye Li and asked.

Ye Li smiled faintly: “I want the remaining assets of the Murong family.”

Murong Mingyan was startled, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Everything in the Murong family is in Ren Qining’s hands now. Otherwise, where do you think he got so much money to extensively build up his army these past two years?”

Ye Li slowly shook her head: “Miss Murong need not deceive me. Though I may not know exactly how deep the Murong family’s foundation runs, I still know something about it. Moreover, given Ren Qining’s character, if Miss Murong had no cards left to play…” She didn’t finish her sentence, but everyone present understood her meaning. Given Ren Qining’s character, if Murong Mingyan had no more value to him, how could she still be staying in this palace now? She would probably have been discarded somewhere long ago.

Murong Mingyan remained silent for a long while before finally saying: “The Murong family has nothing left, only money. It doesn’t matter if I give it to you, but what can I get in return?” Murong Mingyan understood very clearly that since Ye Li had stopped her, even if she denied everything, Ye Li probably had no intention of letting her leave.

“What does Miss Murong want?” Ye Li asked. Originally, she hadn’t thought of Murong Mingyan, but now that they had met, she naturally didn’t intend to let this opportunity pass. These years, it wasn’t only the Northern Territories that had been extensively building up their military – the Ding Prince’s mansion had done the same. Though the Ding Prince’s mansion was wealthy, compared to a vast country, they were still somewhat lacking. More money was always better.

Murong Mingyan’s eyes changed slightly. After pondering for a while, she suddenly said: “I want to marry Young Master Qingchen.”

Ye Li’s eyes turned cold, and she calmly refused: “No.”

“Why?” Murong Mingyan asked in bewilderment. She knew the Ding Prince’s mansion had also been fighting year after year, making money and provisions even more important. Yet she hadn’t expected Ye Li to refuse without even considering it.

Ye Li said: “Big Brother already refused Miss Murong years ago. Even for the Ding Prince’s mansion, I cannot interfere in his marriage.”

Murong Mingyan gritted her teeth as she looked at her: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll bury those treasures forever? If I don’t tell, no one in this world will ever find them. These years, the Zhen Nan Wang of Xiling must have searched the Murong family thoroughly, right? But he got nothing!”

Ye Li shook her head and sighed softly: “I’ve said, no matter for whom, I won’t interfere in Big Brother’s marriage. If the Murong family’s wealth is indeed not destined for the Ding Prince’s mansion, then so be it. Besides, if we can’t get it, others won’t be able to either, right?” The implication was that since Murong Mingyan wouldn’t reveal the whereabouts of the Murong family’s remaining wealth, there was no need for her to continue living. Don’t blame Ye Li for being heartless – if they had killed Murong Mingyan back then, Ren Qining probably wouldn’t have had so much money to frantically expand his army and attack Da Chu. Letting a resentful Murong Mingyan fall into others’ hands would also be troublesome for the Ding Prince’s mansion.

“Take her away,” Ye Li said to Zhuo Jing.

Zhuo Jing nodded, grabbed Murong Mingyan, and turned to leave.

Beside them, Helan Queen rested her chin in her hand and looked at Ye Li: “This Murong Mingyan has such a background that even you want to make use of her?” Ye Li gave a helpless bitter smile: “The Northern King’s methods are indeed remarkable. There probably aren’t many people in his harem without some background.”

“Then why didn’t you agree to her request?” Helan Queen asked puzzledly. Having lowered herself to marry Ren Qining for the Northern Territories’ sake, she naturally couldn’t understand why Ye Li would refuse Murong Mingyan’s request. Especially since Central Plains people had the custom of multiple wives and concubines – even if one didn’t like it, one could still marry again. Young Master Qingchen wouldn’t lose out.

Ye Li said calmly: “There are things one should and shouldn’t do. Big Brother has worked so hard for the Ding Prince’s mansion and me – if I were to scheme about his marriage for some silver and gold, would I still be human?” Helan Queen shook her head, seeming to both understand and not understand: “Anyway, I don’t understand you Central Plains people’s thinking. That Murong Mingyan is yours to deal with. I have no use for her anyway. She has no family left, so probably no one will try to save her.”

“Thank you.”

Ren Qining had been very irritable these days. The news from the reinforcements he had sent back was not at all optimistic. And as he had predicted, those Northern Territory nobles and troops stationed in Changqing City were standing idly by. The only somewhat comforting thing was that Helan’s reply indicated that at least the situation hadn’t reached its worst. Though the rebel army’s leader was skilled in military strategy, their foundation wasn’t deep. If the Northerners were willing to help, even the Ding Prince’s mansion would find it difficult to gain an advantage in the Northern Territories. However, this meant their plan to ally with the Northern Rong to attack Mo’s army would come to nothing.

Ren Qining felt a little guilty about this. A man who doesn’t look out for himself invites destruction – he couldn’t possibly ignore the danger to his rear just for Yelü Ye’s plans. If he did that, even if they caused some losses and trouble for Mo’s army, Yelü Ye would be the one to benefit while he would be the one to suffer. He and Yelü Ye were merely allies, not truly one family.

Thinking of this, determination flashed in Ren Qining’s eyes. He stood up and ordered: “Leave one army division to cover our retreat. The rest will return with me to Changqing to suppress the rebellion.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” When Ren Qining gave this order, many generals let out sighs of relief. If the king had insisted on not retreating while letting others occupy their homeland, that would have been too great a loss. Several Northern Territory generals’ eyes also flashed with joy, though since they were seated in the back, no one noticed. Even if someone had noticed, they would have assumed it was just because they didn’t want to fight anymore. In this campaign, the previously fierce and mighty Northern Jin troops had shown signs of being passive and slack in their duties. But even so, they were still much stronger than the Central Plains troops who had only recently enlisted and fought few battles. Even though Ren Qining was angry, he had to tolerate it since he couldn’t do without them for now.

While preparing to return to the capital, Ren Qining wrote another letter to Helan Queen, listing numerous benefits for the Northern Territory nobles. Helan Queen was straightforward and quickly replied agreeing to his request. After all, as the Ding Wang Fei had said, deceiving people didn’t cost anything!

On the walls of Zijing Pass, Leng Huai and Leng Haoyu stood side by side, watching the Northern army gradually withdraw. Leng Haoyu smiled and said: “It seems the Wang Fei’s plan has succeeded.”

A hint of a smile also appeared on Leng Huai’s somewhat haggard but dignified face as he nodded: “Indeed. We should prepare to support the Ding Wang Fei now. People say Wang Fei’s wisdom, strategy, and courage are no less than a man’s. I didn’t believe it before, but now I see… she’s not just equal to men.” There were probably few men in the world more formidable than the Ding Wang Fei.

Leng Haoyu nodded and smiled: “Indeed. The Wang Fei always surprises people, yet makes everything seem perfectly reasonable. Father, we should prepare to leave the past now. Before, it was always Ren Qining coming to attack Zijing Pass. This time, we’ll be the ones leaving the pass to chase after him.”

“Indeed. It’s time to avenge Qingyu.” Although his younger son was more talented than his elder son, Leng Qingyu was still the beloved child he had cherished and valued for decades, and who had died honorably for his country without bringing shame to the Leng family. Being able to personally avenge his beloved son would resolve one of Leng Huai’s lifelong concerns.

Leng Haoyu nodded: “Father is right. Father will certainly be able to personally avenge Big Brother.” Although he and Leng Qingyu hadn’t gotten along when he was alive, Leng Haoyu didn’t harbor resentment toward his brother who had died in battle. It was a good thing for his father to be able to personally avenge his brother and resolve this matter. This was precisely why he had personally requested from the Prince and Princess that Leng Huai continue to guard Zijing Pass – for this day.

In the “rebel” army camp outside Changqing City, He Su sat leisurely in the main seat of the commander’s tent, watching the generals below arguing endlessly. All their talk centered around their fear after hearing news of Ren Qining’s return to the capital. They now had only about three hundred thousand men, somewhat fewer than the enemy forces. Although under He Su’s command they had won several consecutive victories, once Ren Qining’s million-strong army returned to the capital, they could be crushed by sheer numbers without any need for military strategy.

After they had argued enough, He Su tapped the table and said with a faint smile: “Everyone, is there any use in arguing about this now? We’ve fought so many battles – do you think the court will spare us if we give up now? Fighting to the end still gives us a chance for glory and wealth, but if we surrender now, that’s a crime punishable by the execution of the entire family.”

The generals looked at He Su and said with bitter faces: “Brother He, tell us honestly – does the Ding Prince’s mansion have reinforcements coming? We’re risking our lives following you; you can’t harm your brothers!”

“That’s right, that’s right…” everyone nodded repeatedly.

He Su smiled: “Of course there are reinforcements, but… they’ll need some time to arrive. But don’t worry – although the reinforcements haven’t arrived, the Ding Prince’s mansion has already sent powerful support.”

Everyone was startled and confused. After looking at each other, someone asked: “Could it be Young Master Qingchen? I’ve heard Young Master Qingchen’s wisdom is unmatched in the world, that one man equals thousands of soldiers?”

“It must be the Ding Prince. The Ding Prince has been undefeated on the battlefield since he was fourteen. If it’s the Ding Prince, why fear the court’s million-strong army?”

He Su smiled and looked toward the tent entrance. The curtain at the entrance was pulled open from outside, and a woman in green clothes with black hair, possessing graceful and delicate features, walked in. Several black-clad guards followed behind her, clearly serving as her protection. Seeing the qilin pattern on the black-clad guards’ clothes, everyone was shocked. “Qilin?!”

The black-clad guards paid no attention to these people’s shock and spread out to various corners of the tent, with only two remaining behind the green-clad woman. Under everyone’s surprised gazes, the green-clad woman walked to the main seat that He Su had vacated and sat down. She smiled faintly at everyone and said, “Everyone, thank you for your hard work.”

Seeing He Su’s respectful manner toward the green-clad woman, several quick-witted people’s hearts stirred. However, someone more impulsive couldn’t help but speak up: “Who are you? How dare you sit there?”

The green-clad woman smiled lightly and said: “I am Ye Li.”

The Ding Wang Fei?! Everyone was stunned.

“This servant greets the Wang Fei,” He Su said respectfully with a bow. With someone taking the lead, others naturally followed suit. Everyone in the tent bowed and said in unison: “We greet the Ding Wang Fei.” At least, they had heard that the Ding Prince held a deep affection for the Ding Wang Fei. With the Ding Wang Fei here, surely the Ding Prince’s mansion wouldn’t watch them be slaughtered by the court?

Ye Li nodded and said: “Everyone may rise. Please be seated.” Only then did everyone rise and take their seats in order.

After everyone was seated, Ye Li said: “Thank you all for being willing to help the Ding Prince’s mansion reclaim this land. The Prince cannot come due to the war with the Northern Rong, but my words carry the same weight as the Prince’s promises. Everyone here will be richly rewarded once everything is settled. The Ding Prince’s mansion will not neglect those who have rendered meritorious service.”

From below, a middle-aged general with a somewhat simple appearance stood up and said: “Wang Fei, I don’t care about rich rewards. We were originally Da Chu generals, forced to serve evil and attack the Chu capital. This matter…” Most of those present were former Da Chu generals who had surrendered, and they weren’t well-regarded or valued by Ren Qining in the Northern Territory. Having originally surrendered from Da Chu to the Northern Territory, and now betraying the Northern Territory to return to the Ding Prince’s mansion, they naturally had some concerns. That this middle-aged general could ask such a question showed he wasn’t as simple as his appearance suggested.

Ye Li said in a serious tone: “Where the Northern army went, they didn’t harm ordinary citizens. I can promise you all here that as long as you sincerely submit to the Ding Prince’s mansion, past matters will be forgotten. Those who render service will still be rewarded. However… if anyone harbors second thoughts, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“Thank you, Wang Fei,” everyone stood and said. These surrendered generals were most worried about being held accountable after everything was over. Now that they had the Ding Wang Fei’s promise, they naturally felt relieved. The atmosphere in the tent immediately became much warmer.

Below, He Su cupped his hands and said: “Reporting to Wang Fei, Ren Qining is already leading a million-strong army toward Changqing. Should we enter Changqing City and defend it while waiting for reinforcements from Zijing Pass?”

Ye Li shook her head and smiled: “No need. He Su, hear my orders. Immediately lead people out of camp to challenge them to battle. You must win three more victories before Ren Qining’s army arrives and drives the enemy forces thirty li away.”

Although He Su didn’t understand Ye Li’s purpose in this, he knew that Wang Fei had her plans and would not act without reason. He stood up promptly and said: “This servant obeys.”

After receiving Helan Queen’s reply, Ren Qining rushed back to Changqing City at full speed. Just as he approached Changqing, he received frontline reports that his forces had suffered three consecutive defeats despite outnumbering the enemy and had been driven dozens of li away. Only the fifty thousand Northern Territory troops garrisoning the capital had barely managed to hold off the enemy and prevent heavier losses.

Ren Qining knew the caliber of his troops, so he had to use over two hundred thousand Northern Territory troops as the vanguard to join with the several tens of thousands of Northern Territory troops stationed there to launch a combined attack on the rebel army, determined to retake Changqing royal city. However, he didn’t expect this was exactly what Ye Li and Helan Queen had planned for. After nearly three hundred thousand troops joined forces, not only did they fail to annihilate the rebel army, but when these Northern Territory troops saw a flag signal that the Central Plains troops couldn’t understand at all, they turned around and attacked, leaving him in complete disarray.

In an instant, what was there for Ren Qining not to understand? He was so angry his eyes nearly burst from their sockets, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Originally sitting on horseback, Ren Qining’s body tilted and fell from his horse. If not for his guards quickly rescuing him, he might have been trampled to death by the chaos of battle even if he wasn’t killed by enemy forces.

“Why?!” Seeing Helan Queen appear at the front of the army in brilliant clothing, radiant with energy, Ren Qining asked harshly. He couldn’t believe he had been played by a woman he had never taken seriously.

Helan Queen rode her horse with whip raised, her beautiful face full of contempt. “Why? Of course, it’s for the lives of my Northern Territory sons, and also to avenge my cousin and uncle. Ren Qining, who do you think you are? Do you want to live freely after using my Northern people? Since you appeared in the Northern Territory, how many of my Northern sons have died needlessly on the battlefield? Now there are less than three hundred thousand left, and you want to waste them all – do you want to exterminate my Northern people?”

The Northern army that entered the passes had numbered over seven hundred thousand. The Northern Territory itself didn’t have a large population – these seven hundred thousand troops represented ninety percent of all young men in the entire Northern Territory. And now more than half were dead. If they let Ren Qining waste these remaining three hundred thousand troops as well, what good would unify the realm do for the Northern Territory? Only extinction awaited the Northern Territory. Even now, it would probably take several decades to restore their former population and military strength.

“Helan!” Ren Qining ground his teeth.

Helan Queen giggled, waving her whip at Ren Qining and saying with a laugh: “This young lady is taking my Northern sons home. If you want to hate someone, hate the Ding Wang Fei. This was all her idea! Sound the horn, withdraw the troops!”

The ancient beast horns of the Northern Territory echoed across the battlefield as the Northern army gradually withdrew from the battlefield, retreating northeast. From afar, Helan looked at Ren Qining with satisfaction, her expression somewhat provocative: “Do you dare to chase us?”

Ren Qining gritted his teeth, more blood seeping from his tightly closed lips. He could only watch helplessly as Helan Queen departed with laughter.

“Withdraw the troops, return to camp!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Puh—!” Another mouthful of blood spurted out, and Ren Qining finally collapsed to the ground, falling into unconsciousness.

Ren Qining was rushed back to the main camp by his men and only regained consciousness after more than half a shichen. The generals waiting in the tent came forward to check on him: “Your Majesty! Your Majesty, how are you?”

“Helan, you worthless woman! I swear I’ll tear you to pieces!” Ren Qining said hatefully.

The generals all looked at each other in confusion. Earlier in the chaos, the Northern tribal troops had suddenly turned against them in unison, and many hadn’t even had time to understand what was happening. Ren Qining said through gritted teeth: “That worthless Helan has been colluding with the Ding Prince’s mansion all along. She was just waiting for me to return to the capital so she could gather all the Northern troops together.”

“This… Your Majesty, if the Northern troops truly turn against us, what should we do?” Having the Ding Prince’s mansion watching like a tiger eyeing its prey was already causing immense pressure; if the Northern army also turned against them… They knew better than anyone how formidable the Northern people were. These past two years, if they hadn’t been using Northern troops as their vanguard, how could their hastily assembled million-strong army have pushed Da Chu to such straits?

Ren Qining sat up. These days his heart had been weighed down by many matters. After coughing up blood on the battlefield earlier, his mind had become somewhat clearer. He gave a cold laugh and said: “Helan dares to secretly scheme against me, but she’s certainly not a fool. If she involves those less than three hundred thousand troops in the war between our forces and the Ding Prince’s mansion, not a single one of her several hundred thousand Northern troops will make it back. In a few days, she’ll leave on her own.” At the mention of Helan, hatred couldn’t help but appear in Ren Qining’s eyes. He had established his nation through Helan’s cousin, his former wife, yet he never expected to fall at the hands of his former wife’s cousin, his current wife.

“Send people to carefully investigate who from the Ding Prince’s mansion is really in charge this time. Someone who could execute such tactics and cooperate with the Northern Territory couldn’t be just any minor officer,” Ren Qining ordered. “The original spies can’t be used anymore; they’ve probably already been compromised. Go and arrange new personnel.”

“Yes.” The subordinate bowed and accepted the order, then turned to leave.

“Who does Your Majesty think has come this time?” A trusted aide by the bedside carefully asked.

Ren Qining said coldly: “Few in the Ding Prince’s mansion have such capability and methods. Xu Hongyu and Xu Hongyan generally don’t leave the northwest, and Mo Xiuyao is currently fighting the Northern Rong. This time, it must be either Xu Qingchen or Ye Li!” After lowering his head in thought for a moment, Ren Qining said decisively: “It must be Ye Li! In Li City, she and that worthless Helan interacted quite frequently.” Ren Qining was now utterly regretful – at the time, he hadn’t been wary of that worthless Helan at all and had taken her to Li City. He had even let her reach an agreement with the Ding Prince’s mansion right under his nose. But now it was too late for regrets.

“Your Majesty, that Helan Queen…”

“Kill her! Whatever the cost, we absolutely cannot let that worthless woman return alive to the Northern Territory!” Ren Qining’s expression was fierce, his voice so cold it made everyone in the tent shudder.

After dismissing everyone, the main tent returned to calm. Ren Qining leaned somewhat wearily against his bed, closing his eyes to rest. However, from time to time his facial muscles would twitch and his expression would twist with murderous intent as he thought of something: “Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li! How dare you scheme against me like this. I’ll make you wish you were dead!”

While thunder and lightning crossed in Ren Qining’s tent, on the other side, the Ding Prince’s mansion’s camp was filled with songs and laughter. Although the Northern tribal leaders and former dynasty officials had previously wanted each other dead, there wasn’t such deep hatred between ordinary soldiers. When Ren Qining had entered the passes, he hadn’t allowed his soldiers to kill innocents indiscriminately like the Northern Rong had, to secure his future rule. Thus, there was no deep hatred among ordinary citizens. These past two years, the Central Plains soldiers had seen the Northern soldiers charge at the front of every battle with exceptional bravery and greatly admired them. Now that these Northern warriors had also turned against Ren Qining like themselves, they were all on the same side. Naturally, there was nothing more to be said.

Throughout the entire camp, except for the soldiers on routine patrol and guard duty, everyone, whether from the Central Plains or the Northern Territory, sat together drinking wine and eating meat, singing and dancing – even more lively than after winning a battle. The Northern people had no intention of participating further in Central Plains warfare and had long been eager to return home. Tonight was essentially a farewell feast that Ye Li and the Ding Prince’s mansion were holding for the Northern tribal people.

In the open-air camp, Ye Li sat with the Ding Prince’s mansion’s people and the recently recovered Central Plains generals from the Northern Territory, alongside Helan Queen’s father, the current Northern leader, drinking fine wine together. The Northern people say that although this seemingly delicate Ding Wang Fei wasn’t much of a drinker, she acted very clean and decisive, unlike Ren Qining’s previous subordinates who hid daggers behind their smiles and were full of schemes. They had also heard that so many Northern sons being able to withdraw safely from the battlefield was all thanks to Ding Wang Fei. They couldn’t help but develop quite a good impression of this Central Plains wang fei.

Among those present, only Helan Queen and Ye Li were women. Helan Queen didn’t sit on her side but came over to join the fun by Ye Li’s side. Now, seeing that the Northern people were about to return home, Helan Queen’s beautiful face showed some playfulness and ease. She was even more relaxed than before, truly like a carefree sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl, rather than a Northern Queen who had to bear the rise and fall of her entire people while pretending to be proud.

“Ding Wang Fei, we truly thank you for helping our people safely withdraw beyond the passes to return home. Come… Helan toasts you,” Helan Queen said with a smile, raising a wine bowl to Ye Li.

Ye Li smiled and raised her wine cup, saying: “My capacity for wine is shallow, so I’ll just drink this cup. Let me drink it all first in respect.” She tilted her head back and drained the cup in one go. The most ordinary strong wine, once it entered her belly, produced a feeling of warmth, and Ye Li’s jade-like beautiful face took on a slight rosy hue.

Helan Queen shrugged and also drained her cup in one go, laughing: “You’re very straightforward, quite to our Northern people’s taste, it’s just your drinking capacity is a bit too small.”

“Queen Helan…” Ye Li smiled helplessly. Her drinking capacity was considered quite good among women, but compared to Northern women like Helan Queen who had grown up drinking strong wine, it indeed fell somewhat short.

Helan Queen glared at her unhappily, “I’m not any queen anymore. Who wants to be some damn queen! This young lady will become the Northern Territory’s greatest female tribal leader in the future!” Though the Northern Territory was considered barbarian land, they didn’t place much importance on distinctions between men and women, nor did they value men over women. Throughout history, the tribes had produced several female tribal leaders who were no worse than men. Helan Queen’s father, the current Northern leader, only had Helan as his daughter, and now that she had rendered such great service for her people, she was naturally the legitimate next tribal leader.

Ye Li smiled and said: “Alright, alright, I was wrong. Princess Helan?”

Helan pouted and glared at Ye Li for a while before finally nodding with satisfaction: “That’s more like it.” After speaking, she turned to pull He Su, Qin Feng, and others sitting below Ye Li to go drink, clearly already somewhat drunk.

Not far from Ye Li on the other side, Helan’s father had heard his daughter’s words. He raised his wine bowl to Ye Li with some helplessness and smiled: “I’ve spoiled Helan, please forgive her, Wang Fei.”

“It’s fine. Princess Helan is clever and astute; the Tribal Leader is fortunate,” Although Ye Li hadn’t met this temporary Northern tribal leader many times, being able to raise a daughter like Helan, he surely wasn’t just an ordinary rough barbarian. Ren Qining’s greatest mistake was probably that he looked down too much on these Northern barbarians. The Northern people could help him establish his nation, and naturally could also make him suffer complete defeat.

The Tribal Leader was extremely fond of his daughter Helan, so hearing Ye Li praise her naturally made him very happy. After laughing heartily to the sky, he drank several more bowls of wine in succession.

All the men in the army loved wine, and seeing the Northern Tribal Leader so generous, everyone present began to make noise, making the atmosphere in the military camp even more lively.

“Ding Wang Fei, we’ve long heard that the Mo family army is brave in battle and each person is exceptionally skilled. We’d like to spar with the Mo family army brothers. Please allow us, Wang Fei.” Among the Northern generals present, a young man stood up and said loudly.

Hearing this, others’ eyes also lit up. The Mo family army’s reputation for being brave in battle had lasted for two hundred years, with few defeats. Perhaps the Mo family army wasn’t the most fierce in the world, but it was certainly the army that had maintained its prowess for the longest time. In history, many famous undefeated armies were exceptionally fierce in their early period, but after their peak period, many gradually became second-rate due to their rulers becoming content with pleasure or other reasons. But like the Mo family army, still dominating various countries after more than two hundred years, still able to sweep across the world even after generations of Da Chu emperors trying to suppress them – this was unheard of.

Northern men valued martial prowess and loved fighting. Now with Mo’s family army officers present, they naturally didn’t want to miss this opportunity to spar.

Ye Li was somewhat troubled. Among the Ding Prince’s mansion people present, only Qin Feng and He Su had led troops. But it would be unfair for either of them to fight these Northern people. They were either born as dark guards or from the Black Cloud Cavalry, and both had undergone the qilin’s nearly demonic training. In terms of individual combat strength, they could defeat any Northern general present in seconds.

Hearing about fighting, Princess Helan’s eyes immediately lit up. She ran to Ye Li’s front and smiled: “Ding Wang Fei, agree to them. I also want to see just how formidable your Ding Prince’s mansion generals are.”

Ye Li smiled helplessly at her, but Helan Princess didn’t care. She pulled off the soft whip at her waist and pointed at He Su: “You’re a Mo family army general, aren’t you? This princess would like to experience your skills!”

He Su was startled. The Ding Prince’s mansion’s people had a rather strange problem. Because of Ye Li, they never looked down on women, but they also felt that besides Ye Li, there wasn’t another woman in the world who could be mentioned in the same breath as her. If he fought this Princess Helan, regardless of winning or losing, those unscrupulous fellows would probably laugh him to death when he returned.

“Princess Helan, this…”

Princess Helan raised her chin and said: “This what? I’m challenging you fair and square. Are you looking down on me?”

He Su glanced at Ye Li sitting in the high seat but saw her calmly lowering her brows in thought as if she hadn’t seen his pleading look at all. He couldn’t help but smile bitterly – it seemed Wang Fei had no intention of helping him out of this situation.

Beside him, Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, Qin Feng, and others all turned their heads with “you’re on your own” looks – this Northern Territory princess was not easy to deal with. Winning would mean bullying a woman, losing would mean being worse than a woman.

“Since that’s the case, Princess, please,” He Su stood up and cupped his hands.