In Mu Yang’s tent, Yao Ji was doing embroidery. A figure swiftly entered the tent, startling Yao Ji who looked up alertly. Upon recognizing the visitor, she relaxed but asked worriedly, “Why are you here?”

The visitor was Qin Feng. He wore ordinary Chu army attire with minimal disguise—those familiar with him could still recognize him, but strangers would find it difficult to discern his true identity. Qin Feng glanced at Yao Ji reclining on the couch. Gone were her elaborate, stunning garments, replaced by simple cyan robes and a white fox fur cloak. Compared to her former dazzling beauty, she now possessed more grace and gentleness.

Qin Feng’s stern gaze softened slightly as he said with a faint smile, “Don’t worry, there are no outsiders nearby.” Yao Ji nodded, knowing that the guards around this tent were all Mohist Army’s secret guards and the Qilin arranged by Qin Feng, which was why she could speak freely with Mu Lie without fear of discovery. Knowing Qin Feng wouldn’t appear in her tent without reason, Yao Ji set aside her needlework and stood up to ask, “Has something happened?”

Qin Feng said, “General Lu and the Princess Consort are almost here. However, General Lu’s forces were blocked by the Chu army two hundred li away. Just now, Mo Jingli ordered Mu Yang to lead a hundred thousand troops to reinforce and attempt to annihilate General Lu’s army.” Yao Ji frowned slightly and asked, “Where is the Princess Consort?” Qin Feng replied, “The Princess Consort should have taken another route. I need to leave the camp to assist her. Everything in the Chu army camp will have to be handled by you.”

Yao Ji nodded and said, “You can rest assured.” She then pulled out a hairpin from her hair and placed it in Qin Feng’s hand, saying, “This is the Chu army’s defense map. I saw it in Mu Yang’s possession. Be careful.”

Qin Feng raised an eyebrow and gently twisted the hairpin, which split into two halves, revealing a tiny rolled paper in its hollow center. He extracted and examined the paper, memorizing its contents before casually tossing it into the nearby charcoal brazier. He then restored the hairpin to its original state and gently pinned it back in Yao Ji’s hair, saying softly, “Golden hairpins are too eye-catching in the military camp and easily noticed. However… you can give it to me later.”

Yao Ji’s fair face reddened slightly. Though over thirty, against the white fox fur cloak, her blushing countenance remained enchantingly beautiful. She turned aside, trying to maintain composure as she said, “You should go now, and be careful.”

Qin Feng wasn’t in a hurry, instead thoughtfully looking at Yao Ji as he asked, “Are you worried about me?”

Yao Ji hesitated, then finally sighed and said, “After all this is over, if we’re both still alive… I’ll give you an answer.”

This was the first time Qin Feng had seen Yao Ji so forthright. Though not a definite answer, it was her first direct response regarding her feelings for him. Not wanting to pressure her further, Qin Feng said quietly, “Don’t worry, we’ll both survive. I’m leaving now.” With that, he turned and vanished from the tent.

Yao Ji gazed absently at the empty tent. Though this wasn’t the time to consider such matters, she found herself lost in thought. She had long understood that while Mu Yang might be every woman’s splendid dream, Qin Feng was the one who could provide security and loyalty. Given Qin Feng’s position with the Prince Ding and Princess Consort, he could have any beautiful woman he desired. Why would he wait for her—a woman over thirty, past her prime, who had already borne a child? But compared to the former Mu Yang, Yao Ji was more reluctant to hurt Qin Feng.

“Yao Ji.” Mu Yang entered from outside and, seeing Yao Ji standing lost in thought in the middle of the tent, paused before asking gently, “Yao Ji, what’s wrong?” Yao Ji’s gaze dimmed, a flash of determination crossing her eyes while her lips curved into a faint smile as she shook her head and said, “Nothing, just lost in idle thoughts. Did you need something?”

Mu Yang said apologetically, “I need to lead troops into battle. If you need anything, you can send someone to find Father.” Although the old Marquis of Mu Yang was displeased about his son taking a woman and child on the campaign, since even Emperor Mo Jingli, as both emperor and commander-in-chief, hadn’t said anything, the old Marquis naturally wouldn’t comment either. Besides, Mu Lie was his only grandson—even if displeased, he would still look after them.

Yao Ji nodded, turning to walk inside as she asked, “Do you need me to pack anything for you?”

Mu Yang held her back, saying, “No need, it’s not far. I should be back in a few days. Just take good care of Lie’er. Yao Ji… after this northern campaign ends, the Emperor will surely reward meritorious service. Then I’ll ask the Emperor to grant you the rank and title of an honored lady. After that, I won’t have to worry about you and Lie’er being wronged anymore.”

Yao Ji gently pushed away from Mu Yang’s embrace and said quietly, “As long as Lie’er is safe and sound, I don’t need any rank or title.” Mu Yang smiled faintly, assuming she was just being modest, and thought nothing of it.

“Even if it’s just a few days, still take some clothes. The north is still very cold now.” Yao Ji turned to pack things, and seeing her insistence, Mu Yang didn’t argue further, smiling as he went to look at some official documents.

Soon after, Mu Lie entered. Seeing Mu Yang, he quickly came forward to bow, “Father, they say you’re going to war?” Mu Yang lifted him onto his knee and smiled, “That’s right, Father has to leave tonight. Lie’er must be good and listen to your mother.” Mu Lie nodded, “Son understands.”

Mu Yang was delighted that his usually aloof son was willingly sitting on his knee. He continued holding Mu Lie while reading official documents, not noticing that the eight-year-old child in his arms was scanning the documents line by line. Each time Mu Yang turned a page, Mu Lie’s eyes would flash as he carefully memorized what he saw.

“Old Marquis,” the guards outside saluted in unison.

Mu Yang looked up to see the old Marquis of Mu Yang entering, and quickly stood up saying, “Father.” The old Marquis had naturally observed Mu Yang holding Mu Lie while reading documents, and frowned slightly saying, “You’re about to go to war, how are you not prepared yet?”

Mu Yang smiled, “Yao Ji is packing things, everything is ready, Father need not worry.” The old Marquis nodded, “That’s good then. Lu Jinxian is a famous general of the Mohist Army, you must be very careful.” Mu Yang looked questioningly at his father—this wasn’t his first campaign, and his father had just said the same thing in the main tent, “Father, is there… something wrong?”

The old Marquis shook his head, “Nothing. Just… worried about you.” What the old Marquis didn’t say was that since this campaign began, he had been having an ominous feeling. But with his son about to depart for war, such inauspicious words naturally couldn’t be spoken.

Mu Yang understood and laughed heartily, “Our forces currently have the upper hand. Even if I can’t achieve a great victory while leading troops to intercept Lu Jinxian, there won’t be any danger. Father, please don’t worry.”

The old Marquis didn’t understand what exactly he was uneasy about either, and could only attribute it to becoming more worried with age, so he nodded. Yao Ji came out carrying the packed luggage, and seeing the old Marquis, paused before bowing slightly, “Old Marquis.”

The old Marquis nodded. Though he had reservations about Yao Ji’s status, because of Mu Lie and because Yao Ji had conducted herself more properly than Sun Shi, the legal wife, in recent years, the old Marquis couldn’t show her any displeasure. He only instructed, “After Yang’er departs for war, stay in the tent with Lie’er and don’t wander about randomly.”

Yao Ji obediently nodded and replied, “Yao Ji understands, please rest assured, Old Marquis.”

Mu Lie, standing beside Mu Yang, also said very obediently, “Grandfather, Lie’er will listen well to Mother’s words.”

Only then did the old Marquis nod with satisfaction and turn to leave. At the main tent entrance, he looked back at the desk where Mu Yang had been sitting and said, “In the future, don’t bring official documents and battle reports back here.”

After seeing off the old Marquis, and bidding farewell to Yao Ji and Mu Lie, Mu Yang took the luggage Yao Ji had prepared and left. In the tent, Mu Lie and Yao Ji looked at each other for a long while before Yao Ji frowned and asked, “Did the Marquis of Mu Yang notice?”

Mu Lie’s small face wrinkled in thought before saying, “Probably not. He likely just thought it improper for Mu Yang to bring such things to where family members stay.” No matter how astute the old Marquis was, he wouldn’t suspect an eight or nine-year-old grandson. If the old Marquis had discovered his identity, it wouldn’t have been just these simple few words of warning.

Yao Ji nodded and said, “In any case, we must remain careful.”

“I know, don’t worry. By the way… I just saw several Chu army ambush positions, I’ll draw them out and later you can have someone send it to General Lu.”

“Good.”

The same night Mu Yang left the Chu army camp, a secret letter also flew toward Lu Jinxian’s location.

After bidding farewell to Lu Jinxian, Ye Li led two hundred thousand troops around the narrow shortcut and instead took the main road south. Marching rapidly, in just two or three days they reached a location not far from the Chu army, where they made camp and advanced no further. This disappointed Mo Jingli, who had been waiting there. He had naturally hoped Ye Li would bring her troops directly forward to engage the Chu army. In that case, Mo Jingli would have had at least an eighty percent chance of completely defeating the Mohist Army.

In the Mohist Army camp, Qin Feng, who had left the Chu army camp, appeared. Though months had passed, those around Ye Li were still very familiar with him. Yun Ting especially showed no restraint, stepping forward to pat Qin Feng’s shoulder while laughing, “Commander Qin is truly mysterious, appearing and vanishing at will. We haven’t seen you for several months, and suddenly you emerge on the battlefield. Quick, tell us where you’ve been enjoying yourself all this time?”

Qin Feng had always stayed by Ye Li’s side but had disappeared after Ye Li’s return from Jiangnan last time. The Mohist Army wasn’t entirely uncurious, but they didn’t dare ask, assuming the Princess Consort might have sent him on some important mission. Now that Qin Feng had returned, Yun Ting naturally showed no restraint in wanting to know firsthand information.

Zhuo Jing and Lin Han naturally knew the truth, but they were also curious—curious about Qin Feng’s matters. Among Ye Li’s many subordinates, Qin Feng was the most special. Not only was he personally assigned by Prince Ding to protect the Princess Consort as her guard, but he was also the commander of the Qilin. His time spent on Princess Consort’s side probably exceeded even that of Zhuo Jing and others who were originally her secret guards. His closest relationships were naturally with Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and Wei Lin.

Ye Li smiled faintly, glancing at Yun Ting as she said, “You can ask your questions in private later. Qin Feng, what news from the Chu army camp?”

Qin Feng nodded and reported solemnly, “Your Highness, The Crown Prince of the Southern Marquis, Lei Tengfeng, appeared in the Chu army camp days ago and hasn’t left. Additionally, two days ago, Mo Jingli sent Mu Yang leading a hundred thousand troops to intercept General Lu. As for Mo Jingli himself, he has likely already arranged his formations awaiting Your Highness’s arrival.”

Ye Li raised her delicate eyebrows, “Lei Tengfeng?”

Qin Feng nodded, “Indeed. In the Chu army camp, Mo Jingli shows him no special treatment, and Lei Tengfeng remains very compliant, rarely offering opinions. But his prolonged stay is somewhat strange.” Ye Li thought for a moment and asked, “What did Lei Tengfeng say?” Qin Feng replied, “Lei Tengfeng claims he was ordered by the Southern Marquis to await Mo Jingli’s commands. However, Mo Jingli absolutely won’t let Lei Tengfeng have any contact with the Chu army’s military authority, keeping him isolated there. Not letting him do anything, naturally, he can’t manage anything. However, Lei Tengfeng himself seems unbothered.”

Ye Li pondered, frowning as she said, “Send someone to investigate whether Lei Tengfeng brought any troops with him.”

Qin Feng started slightly, asking, “Does Your Highness mean Lei Tengfeng might have secretly brought troops, waiting for the Mohist and Chu armies to wear each other down before reaping the benefits?” After all, openly Lei Tengfeng hadn’t brought a single soldier to the Chu army camp. But this didn’t mean he couldn’t have positioned troops nearby. Ye Li shook her head, saying lightly, “Perhaps not to reap benefits, but to take advantage of the chaos when the opportunity arises.”

Qin Feng nodded and said seriously, “Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will investigate Lei Tengfeng’s intentions. Your Highness, this is the Chu army’s defense map that Yao Ji obtained.” Qin Feng presented the map with both hands. Ye Li took it and looked it over, asking with furrowed brows, “Is it reliable?”

Qin Feng said, “I’ve already had people verify it—it’s mostly reliable.”

“Mostly?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow with interest. Qin Feng explained, “The defense map is genuine, but… some areas are a mix of truth and falsehood. Mo Jingli doesn’t trust his generals, including the Marquis of Mu Yang’s household.” This Qin Feng could understand—after all, the Mohist Army had once been defeated due to this very issue, nearly causing the extinction of Prince Ding’s household. Although that incident had nothing to do with Mo Jingli, he would still learn from those lessons, and besides, Mo Jingli’s paranoia was no less than Mo Jingqi’s.

However, Mo Jingli probably hadn’t anticipated that Qin Feng wouldn’t use the defense map directly. Instead, he used the time before Ye Li’s arrival to send the Qilin to verify each location one by one.

Ye Li looked at the map in her hand, no larger than a handkerchief, covered in dense symbols. The black markings were from the original map obtained from Yao Ji, while the red characters and symbols were Qin Feng’s additions or deletions after verification. She casually handed the map to Zhuo Jing, and soon, what Zhuo Jing returned to Ye Li’s hand was a completely new defense map.

Ye Li examined it, then set it down asking, “Do you think this is complete?”

Qin Feng thought for a moment, then shook his head, “The Chu army has eight hundred thousand troops, but given Mo Jingli’s obsession with and hatred for the Mohist Army, there might be more than that. However, from the defense map, less than six hundred thousand are accounted for. I believe… Mo Jingli likely has a trump card hidden away.”

“Mo Jingli has indeed grown more capable,” Ye Li said with a slight smile. To deal with the Mohist Army, Mo Jingli had gone to extreme lengths, even managing to create such elaborate deceptions in the defense map—far exceeding the intelligence he usually displayed. Could this be considered exceptional performance?

“If you were Mo Jingli, where would you most likely hide those two hundred thousand troops?” Ye Li asked.

As Qin Feng lowered his head in thought, Yun Ting stretched his neck to look, saying with a twisted smile, “If I were Mo Jingli, I’d use those two hundred thousand troops against the Prince’s household. If we could take the Princess Consort… even if General Lu breaks through the blockade, he’d end up isolated deep in enemy territory, surrounded. Moreover… if Mo Jingli decisively defeated Your Highness, it would be excellent news for the demoralized Chu army while severely damaging the morale of both the Mohist Army and Prince Ding’s household.”

Ye Li smiled gracefully, “Yun Ting has indeed grown more capable.”

Yun Ting was about to retort that even a fool could think of that but then realized that would make him sound foolish too. He could only laugh and say, “It’s thanks to Master’s excellent guidance.”

Ye Li gazed at the map before her, her delicate fingers pointing to three locations, “Here, here, and here. What do you think?” Lin Han said, “If that’s the case, as soon as our army exits Hangu Pass, we’ll immediately be surrounded. Adding Mo Jingli’s visible forces, we’d be surrounded by at least three hundred thousand troops. But… does Mo Jingli have the intelligence for this?” What if they were overthinking it, and Mo Jingli hadn’t planned this at all, resulting in them frightening themselves?

Qin Feng said, “Even if Mo Jingli doesn’t, the old Marquis of Mu Yang would.” Having spent the most time in the Chu army camp, Qin Feng understood well the old Marquis of Mu Yang, who was now most valued by Mo Jingli and considered among the Chu army’s most capable commanders. Character doesn’t determine ability—even though many Great Chu generals and officials despised the old Marquis’s character, none could deny his capabilities.

Yun Ting shrugged, “To join forces with General Lu from both sides, we must pass through Hangu Pass. Even with three hundred thousand troops ahead, we have to go through—we can’t retreat now.” Perhaps his master had already annihilated the ambushing Chu forces and reached their destination. It wouldn’t look good if they, taking the main road, arrived late.

Ye Li rested her head on her hand in thought for a while before laughing lightly, “Yun Ting is right. If we’re late, we’ll endanger General Lu.” Hearing this, Yun Ting grew anxious, “Your Highness, what should we do? How should we get through?”

Ye Li thought for a moment, having already formed a plan, and said solemnly, “Yun Ting, you lead a hundred and fifty thousand troops in a frontal assault on Hangu Pass.”

“What?” Yun Ting was shocked, looking at Ye Li with concern—had the Princess Consort been driven to desperation? Though Hangu Pass wasn’t a border fortress, it was Central Plains’ most famous ancient battlefield, historically contested by all military strategists. It was known as the First Pass of Central Plains. This was why Lu Jinxian wanted to take the shortcut around it. If both sides openly confronted each other at Hangu Pass, forget hundred and fifty thousand men—even five hundred thousand might not break through in just a few days. Now that they knew Mo Jingli had set ambushes here in advance, his small force would barely serve as appetizers for the Chu army.

Ye Li smiled faintly, “I’m not asking you to launch a full assault, just make it look like you are. Don’t let anyone suspect otherwise.”

Yun Ting caught on quickly, asking hurriedly, “Your Highness, where will you go?” Since the Princess Consort was having him lead troops in a feint, it must be to cover her true intentions. Ye Li smiled lightly, “As Buddha says: It cannot be spoken of.”

Yun Ting immediately deflated, looking at Ye Li pleadingly, “Your Highness, I know you must be planning something interesting—couldn’t you take me along? This humble servant would do anything for Your Highness!” Every time the Princess Consort sneaked off to do something, it always turned out earth-shattering. It made Yun Ting both envious and jealous of Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and the others.

Ye Li looked at him with an ambiguous smile, “Besides you and me, who else in the army can lead troops? Which of us should stay behind, General Yun?”

Yun Ting slumped—if the Princess Consort didn’t go, there would be nothing interesting; if she went… he couldn’t go.

Ye Li raised her hand to pat Yun Ting’s shoulder, smiling, “Your role here is also crucial. How much we can accomplish depends on how long we can keep the Chu army distracted without being discovered. If we succeed, I will personally recommend you to General Lu for meritorious service.”

Hearing this, Yun Ting immediately perked up. Having just taken Lu Jinxian as his master, and having spent his spare time during the march reading Lu Jinxian’s letters, he deeply admired his new master and had been worried about not having any impressive achievements to show. Hearing Ye Li’s words, he immediately became energetic and smiled, “Your Highness can rest assured, this humble servant guarantees not to interfere with your grand plans!”

Ye Li nodded with satisfaction, “Very good, you may go.”

“Yes, this humble servant takes his leave!” Yun Ting clasped his hands and withdrew to count his troops.

In the tent, watching Yun Ting rush out like the wind, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Lin Han smiled, “General Yun must be nearly thirty, yet his personality is truly… genuine.”

Ye Li also smiled. Yun Ting wasn’t particularly young, though among today’s famous generals he was among the youngest generation. Over these years in the Mohist Army, although they had fought several bitter battles, there was less of the scheming and plotting found in other armies. With Yun Ting’s bright personality and his position as Princess Consort’s trusted aide, he naturally got along well with everyone in the Mohist Army. As a result, even approaching thirty, his personality remained as straightforward and cheerful as ever.

Qin Feng looked at Ye Li and asked, “Your Highness, while Yun Ting distracts the Chu army and Mo Jingli, what will we do?”

Ye Li smiled charmingly and said, “We… are going hunting.”