This sudden change startled everyone. In the moment when Mu Yang was lost in thought, Mu Lie, who had been sitting in his lap, suddenly leaped up and lunged toward Qin Feng. The guards around Mu Yang were so shocked by this sudden turn of events that none of them managed to stop him before he landed beside Qin Feng. Only now, after years of being father and son, did Mu Yang realize he knew nothing about this son – he hadn’t even known the boy possessed such excellent lightness skills.

Mu Lie stood beside Qin Feng, smiling as he raised the dagger in his hand. “Foster father, how was that?” Qin Feng approvingly patted Mu Lie’s head, causing the young child to beam with joy. Qin Feng’s approval meant more than just a father’s praise – it was the approval of a Qilin Commander to a future member. Mu Lie, who had made it his life’s ambition to become Qilin’s youngest official member, was naturally overjoyed.

Mu Yang clutched his abdomen where blood gushed forth, doubling over on his horse. He stared in disbelief at his son who seemed both familiar and utterly strange. “Lie’er… you…”

Mu Lie looked at Mu Yang and sighed helplessly, saying softly, “Don’t you understand yet? I’m not your son.”

“What?!” Mu Yang shook his head in confusion, feeling everything before him was absurd, wondering if he was hallucinating from exhaustion. After a while, he looked up at Mu Lie and asked, “If you’re not Lie’er… then who are you? What have you done with Lie’er?”

Mu Lie replied, “I am indeed Mu Lie, but… your son wasn’t called Mu Lie. Back then, you didn’t even ask what name Yao Ji gave that child?”

Mu Yang could no longer stay on his horse and fell. The guards quickly supported him, glaring at Mu Lie beside Qin Feng. Mu Lie shrugged innocently. Seeing Mu Yang’s face pale with pain and shock, Mu Lie felt some remorse. Truth be told, Mu Yang hadn’t treated him badly these years. Though his wife had tried to harm him several times, which noble family didn’t have its dark secrets? Unfortunately, the Mu Yang Marquis Manor had offended those they shouldn’t have. Prince Ding had already determined their fate when they arrived in Chu Capital. These peaceful years had been borrowed time.

“You… you’re Prince Ding’s people?” Mu Yang asked through gritted teeth, “Where is my son?”

Mu Lie nodded, “Correct. As for your son’s whereabouts… I don’t know, and even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

Mu Yang stared at him, “He belongs to the Mu Yang Marquis Manor! Would Prince Ding’s manor not even spare a newborn infant?” The thought made Mu Yang tremble. Perhaps his son was already dead, and all these years he had been doting on a spy planted by Prince Ding’s wife in their manor.

“If it hadn’t been me staying at the Mu Yang Marquis Manor these years, your son would have been killed by your wife long ago,” Mu Lie said with a pout, clearly dissatisfied. If the ones who had returned to the manor had been the original Yao Ji and an innocent child, that child would have died countless times by now. Mu Lie felt slightly resentful at Mu Yang’s accusations.

Mu Yang was stunned for a moment before breaking into bitter laughter. Looking at Mu Lie, he said, “The battle formations and secrets leaked to Lu Jinxian earlier – that was all you? Prince Ding’s manor is truly remarkable… even using a child…”

Mu Lie smiled tightly but didn’t respond.

The excessive blood loss made Mu Yang dizzy. Perhaps realizing he couldn’t escape his fate today, he stopped trying to stay strong. He waved off his subordinates’ support and allowed himself to collapse to the ground. After resting briefly, Mu Yang opened his eyes and asked, “What about Yao Ji? Even if you’re not her son, she treated you well these years. Surely you wouldn’t…”

Mu Lie looked troubled and didn’t speak. He had hoped Mu Yang wouldn’t ask this question – not knowing would mean less pain. It would also spare Yao Ji from facing this situation, but Mu Yang still asked. Mu Lie looked up at Qin Feng, who gazed calmly at Mu Yang.

A clear female voice came from behind everyone, “I’ll explain.”

The Mohist army troops parted to make way as Yao Ji walked forward slowly, looking coolly at Mu Yang. He stared at her – dressed in white, with a white fox cloak making her appear even more fair and elegant, so different from her usual radiant self. Though she had shed the luxurious attire of the Mu Yang Marquis Manor, she appeared more serene and beautiful, clearly having suffered no hardship these past days. Gazing at the woman before him, Mu Yang finally managed a bitter smile. Seeing the situation before him, what was there left to misunderstand?

“Why? Yao Ji… *cough cough*… why did you do this?” Mu Yang looked at her painfully, as if her appearance hurt him more than Mu Lie’s dagger. Yao Ji gazed at him calmly and said, “Do you remember the letter I left when I fled with the child years ago?”

Mu Yang seemed to recall something after a while and nodded, “I remember… you said you never wanted to see me or anyone from the Mu Yang Marquis Manor again. But later, you returned with Lie’er, I thought…”

Yao Ji’s smile was bitter, “You never took my words seriously. I understood that when I returned with Lie’er. Don’t you understand even now… I didn’t return with Lie’er because I had changed my mind, but because I was already Prince Ding’s spy. From the day I returned, you should have been wary of me.”

Yao Ji had always believed Mu Yang loved her deeply. But he had never truly listened to her words, so he never questioned her motives when she suddenly appeared at the manor with a child. He simply assumed she had suffered enough hardship outside and naturally returned.

“You… you hate me this much?” Mu Yang asked miserably.

Yao Ji shook her head, “No, I don’t hate you.” I just don’t love you anymore, she thought. “Prince Ding and his wife saved my life and my child’s. Mu Yang, I only wanted my child to live safely and happily in this world. Even if…” Even if it meant sacrificing you.

Blood spurted from Mu Yang’s mouth. He waved away the guards trying to support him and shook his head with a bitter laugh, “Yao Ji… I never thought…” I never thought the Mu Yang Marquis Manor would be destroyed by your hands. Looking at the sky where dark clouds gathered, Mu Yang’s gaze grew distant and vacant. He remembered his proud youth, riding past bridges while red sleeves waved from buildings above. He had passed by Qingcheng House on horseback and seen a stunning woman sitting by the window, wearing light makeup and looking languid. From then on, he had fallen into a world of tender passion, unable to escape.

Now this woman stood before him in white, her expression cool and distant. She was no longer the bewitching dancer from Qingcheng House whose single dance could move the capital. And he was no longer that gallant young man.

Mu Yang suddenly threw back his head and laughed loudly, as if he had never laughed so freely in his life. Yet those who heard his laughter showed no joy, their expressions solemn with hints of gloom and sorrow.

“Yao Ji, come here… I have something to ask you,” Mu Yang said, staring at her steadily.

Yao Ji nodded and walked forward.

“Mother, don’t!” Mu Lie called out anxiously.

“Yao Ji!” Qin Feng frowned. Mu Yang was at the end of his rope – who knew if he might try to take Yao Ji down with him? Yao Ji turned and smiled faintly, “It’s fine.” Seeing her calm smile, Qin Feng’s heart sank, but though he frowned, he didn’t try to stop her again.

Yao Ji crouched before Mu Yang, “What do you want to ask?”

Mu Yang looked at her, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?” Though he was seriously wounded, at such close range, it wouldn’t be difficult to kill the defenseless Yao Ji. Yao Ji’s expression remained calm, saying nothing. Mu Yang smiled bitterly and asked softly, “That child…”

“That child is in Li City, he’s doing well,” Yao Ji said.

“Did Prince Ding’s manor take the child?” Mu Yang asked with slight hope. Perhaps in his heart he still couldn’t believe the woman before him would betray him, perhaps she had no choice but to do this for their child. Unfortunately, cruel reality forced him to face the truth as Yao Ji shook her head slightly, “No, I requested it myself. I don’t hate you, but the Mu Yang Marquis Manor left nowhere in the world for us mother and child to live. The only place I could go – the Northwest… had a grudge against the Mu Yang Marquis Manor. Prince Ding wanted to destroy the Mu Yang Marquis Manor and wanted the old Marquis to suffer unbearably. And I… I wanted my child to live safely under Prince Ding’s protection. It’s that simple.”

“Prince Ding…” Mu Yang closed his eyes in pain. The Mu Yang Marquis Manor originally had no quarrel with Prince Ding’s manor, but that year when his father followed the former emperor’s orders to move against Prince Ding’s wife, it brought great disaster to their manor. Over these years, all those who had moved against Prince Ding’s wife – Mo Jingqi died, half the Western Ling nobles died or were injured, the Zhen Nan Prince’s manor nearly lost all heirs, Northern Border King Ren Qining’s country was destroyed and family ruined – why should only the Mu Yang Marquis Manor be spared? So… Prince Ding had already begun moving against them long ago, they just hadn’t known.

The honor of the Mu Yang Marquis Manor that his father had valued all his life would bear the name of traitors after their deaths, the manor would end without heirs, and his child… was lost somewhere, they hadn’t even met. Yet they had cherished an unknown spy as their only heir for years. Prince Ding’s revenge… was truly cruel!

“Father… Father isn’t dead yet, is he?!” Mu Yang snapped out of his chaotic thoughts and grabbed Yao Ji. If Prince Ding arranged all this to take revenge on the Mu Yang Marquis Manor, then he definitely wouldn’t let his father die so early.

Yao Ji sighed softly, and looking at Mu Yang’s anxious eyes, nodded slightly. The Marquis of Mu Yang wasn’t dead yet, but Yao Ji knew no one could save him. His fate was already sealed, and it would be no more comfortable than Mu Yang’s current situation.

What Yao Ji understood, how could Mu Yang not understand? He was an extremely intelligent person, and knowing so much now, he quickly connected all the pieces. From the moment Yao Ji and Mu Lie were kidnapped, it was all a trap perfectly set for the Mu Yang Marquis Manor and perhaps Mo Jingli as well.

“Prince Ding… such skill…” In the end, Mu Yang could only laugh bitterly.

“Yao Ji.” Qin Feng said gravely. Their commotion here wasn’t small – if they delayed too long and Zhao Lian’s army discovered them, it would cause trouble. Yao Ji nodded, stood up, and silently walked behind Qin Feng. Mu Yang’s complex gaze moved from Yao Ji to Mu Lie standing beside Qin Feng. Finally, he shook his head, “The sins of the Mu Yang Marquis Manor, let Mu Yang bear them alone. I beg Prince Ding and his wife to spare my father’s life.”

No one present responded – how could Prince Ding’s decisions be so easily overturned? The fact that Prince Ding could endure for so many years to torment the Mu Yang Marquis Manor, instead of killing the old Marquis with one stroke back then, already said enough. Even if the Princess herself pleaded, it might not work. Qin Feng said solemnly, “I will relay your words to His Highness. No one can influence His Highness’s decision. However… the Marquis won’t die yet.” His Highness still wanted to see the old Marquis, so naturally wouldn’t let him die. Of course, if he committed suicide, that would be different.

Mu Yang finally sighed silently, “I thought too much. Yao Ji… take care…” Before he finished speaking, his eyes, which had been unfocused from blood loss, suddenly shot wide open. He grabbed a sword from a guard beside him. A flash of blood and Mu Yang stared fixedly into the distance, his eyes gradually losing their light.

Yao Ji closed her eyes, not looking back at the man lying in the pool of blood. She turned and walked away, with Mu Lie glancing at Qin Feng before following her. Qin Feng surveyed the scene and commanded solemnly, “Go bring out the Marquis… send Mu Yang’s body to him.”

Even the iron-blooded Black Cloud Cavalry soldiers couldn’t help but show traces of sympathy at this sight. They could only sigh in their hearts that the old Marquis was unfortunate to have provoked someone he shouldn’t have.

On a quiet, deserted hillside, Yao Ji sat alone, staring absently at the still desolate scenery in the distance. Mu Lie came and sat beside her, silent.

After a long while, Yao Ji smiled faintly, “Why didn’t you go with them?” The war was fierce now, and Qin Feng’s group couldn’t stay here long. Mu Lie shook his head, “Foster’s father said there’s nothing more for me to do, so I’m staying to protect you.”

Yao Ji didn’t want to leave with the army, and Qin Feng didn’t force her. He only left people to protect her secretly, and Mu Lie stayed behind. The remaining matters would be straightforward battles on the battlefield – even if the Mohist Army was short on people, they wouldn’t send a child to war. Looking at Yao Ji’s gloomy expression, Mu Lie sighed, “If you want to cry, just cry. I won’t tell anyone.”

He felt like crying too. He had been an orphan since childhood. Though Prince Ding’s manor took care of him and he never suffered, he was never as happy as children with loving parents. Mu Yang had been his adoptive father for several years and had truly treated him well. No wonder his training master said the most important thing about being a spy wasn’t martial arts or ability, but having a heart as hard as iron. If he felt this way, Yao Ji must feel even worse.

Yao Ji smiled faintly, “I foresaw this ending years ago. What’s there to cry about?”

Mu Lie looked at her and asked softly, “Did you just now hope that Mu Yang would kill you?” Yao Ji remained silent, but Mu Lie knew he had guessed correctly. He quickly grabbed Yao Ji’s hand, “Don’t think like that, don’t forget… you still have a son. You still have me, don’t I call you mother too? Are you… are you blaming me for stabbing Mu Yang?”

Yao Ji shook her head and patted his head, “Silly child, no matter what you did… the end would have been the same. Don’t worry about me, I still need to return to Li City to watch you and your brother grow up safely.” Only then did Mu Lie relax and ask, “Will you bring brother back?”

Yao Ji shook her head, “As long as he grows up safe and sound, that’s enough. Besides… his adoptive parents have cared for him all these years, so why should I disturb him? What… don’t you want to take care of me in the future?”

Mu Lie quickly shook his head, “How could that be? Rest assured, I’ll take care of you and your foster father until you’re old! Uh… if you want to see brother, I can help bring him back.”

Looking at the child carefully watching her, warmth spread through Yao Ji’s cold heart. She smiled faintly and leaned against Mu Lie, humming a tune. The gentle, moving melody carried an extra touch of lingering sorrow in the desolate early spring. Yao Ji watched the setting sun in the distance as tears silently rolled down her cheeks…

In the Mohist Army’s Lu Jinxian’s main camp, Lu Jinxian looked delightedly at the white-clad woman sitting below him and laughed heartily, “People say Qilin appears and vanishes like a ghost – today I’ve truly witnessed the Mohist Army’s capabilities. I am in awe.”

This time, Lu Jinxian had broken through the blockade of over a hundred thousand troops with minimal losses – Qilin’s contribution couldn’t be denied. If Prince Ding’s secret guards hadn’t delivered timely information about the Chu army, although Lu Jinxian was confident he could break through, he would inevitably have lost many troops. Not to mention, today he suddenly received a message from the Princess telling him to immediately attack the Chu army’s western route army camp. Originally he had some concerns, given the huge difference in troop numbers – a head-on attack wouldn’t be wise. But unexpectedly, halfway through the battle, not only did Princess Ding bring reinforcements, but the Chu army inexplicably retreated on their own.

After returning to camp and hearing the Princess’s explanation, he finally understood that in just these few short days, the Princess had set up such an interesting plan to cause chaos within the Chu army.

Hearing Lu Jinxian’s words, Ye Li smiled helplessly, “This wasn’t my idea.” Mo Xiuyao’s strategy appeared to be about sowing discord in the Chu army, but it was more about dealing with the Mu Yang Marquis Manor. Therefore, this was prepared for the Mu Yang Marquis Manor from the start – Mo Jingli was just collateral damage. Of course, such things couldn’t be told to subordinates. The fewer people who knew about Prince Ding’s revenge, the better.

Lu Jinxian said, “Now that Yun Ting is containing Mo Jingli’s army at Han Gu Pass, we need to move quickly.” Yun Ting only had around a hundred thousand troops, and the terrain outside Han Gu Pass wasn’t particularly advantageous for the Mohist Army. If Mo Jingli was determined enough to sacrifice over a hundred thousand troops, Yun Ting would be in a precarious position.

Ye Li nodded, “The General speaks wisely. While the western route army has just had this incident and morale is low, hearts are unstable. We must move quickly to resolve this situation.”

“However, Lei Tengfeng is also here – it won’t be easy to resolve,” Lu Jinxian frowned. If it were just Zhao Lian’s two hundred thousand troops, the Mohist Army would certainly win. But Lei Tengfeng’s hundred thousand Xi Ling troops were also here. Fighting slowly wouldn’t be a problem, but they didn’t have time.

Ye Li shook her head, “Lei Tengfeng won’t fight to the death with us here.” Lei Zhenting sent Lei Tengfeng here not to help Mo Jingli fight to the death with the Mohist Army.

“Reporting to General, Princess, Commander Qin has returned,” a guard announced outside the tent.

Lu Jinxian nodded, “Please invite Commander Qin in.”

Qin Feng lifted the tent flap and entered, saying solemnly, “Greetings, Princess, General.”

Ye Li glanced at Qin Feng and asked, “Mu Yang…” Qin Feng respectfully replied, “Mu Yang has committed suicide. The Chu army commander Gao Ming has surrendered – I brought him back.”

“Gao Ming?” Ye Li frowned slightly, having no impression of this person.

Behind her, Zhuo Jing reported, “He’s one of Mo Jingli’s old subordinates, following him since Mo Jingli was Prince Li. However, after Mo Jingli ascended the throne, he was constantly suppressed by Mu Yang and was at odds with the Mu Yang Marquis Manor. In this matter of the Mu Yang Marquis Manor, he likely took the opportunity to kick them while they were down.”

Ye Li frowned slightly, “Keep him confined for now, and take him back for His Highness to deal with later.”

Lu Jinxian had a thought and said, “Princess, since this person was Mo Jingli’s confidant, he should know much about the Chu army’s secrets.”

Qin Feng said, “Gao Ming has already indicated that if the Princess spares his life, he’s willing to tell us everything he knows.”

“Sparing his life isn’t difficult,” Lu Jinxian nodded, “However, Princess, this person cannot be used.” Traitors were never well-liked, especially ones like Gao Ming who kicked others when they were down and used crude methods.

Ye Li nodded, “The General speaks truly. Zhuo Jing, go handle it.”

“Yes, I take my leave,” Zhuo Jing said respectfully.

“Yao Ji… didn’t return?” Looking at the space behind Qin Feng, Ye Li asked softly. Qin Feng nodded, “She wanted to clear her mind. I left some people to protect her. Mu Lie is with her too.”

Ye Li nodded, “Let her be. This matter has already been difficult enough for her.” From a woman’s perspective, she would never want Yao Ji to face such a situation. But as a wife, she couldn’t stop Mo Xiuyao from setting up such a scheme. Because in her heart, no matter how much she sympathized with Yao Ji, it would never exceed her feelings for Mo Xiuyao. Not to mention, Mo Xiuyao’s hatred for the Mu Yang Marquis Manor was because of her. Even if she could forgive them, she would never forcibly erase Mo Xiuyao’s hatred for their sake. She was no longer the soldier from her previous life who always viewed things from a stance of justice and righteousness. She was the Princess of the Ding Kingdom Manor, Mo Xiuyao’s wife.

“Thank you, Princess,” Qin Feng said solemnly.