The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ye Li silently observed the middle-aged man sitting before her. Her beautiful face remained expressionless, yet it couldn’t stop the turbulent waves surging in her heart from what she’d just heard. While many had suspected there were hidden secrets behind Mo Xiu Wen’s untimely death from illness, even Ye Li hadn’t imagined his death would be connected to that person in the palace. When Mo Xiu Wen died and the Mo family army was weakened, the current Emperor had only been on the throne for three years. To move against the Prince of Ding’s residence so hastily…
“What else does the Princess Consort wish to know?” Mu Qing Cang looked at Ye Li with an ambiguous smile, his expression carrying a hint of schadenfreude.
Ye Li said flatly, “Everything.”
Mu Qing Cang started, staring at Ye Li. “Everything? Has the Princess Consort thought this through? These secrets could affect all of Da Chu, even the entire world.”
Ye Li gave a cold laugh, “Though I never met the former Prince of Ding, he was my husband’s brother, which makes him my brother as well. Moreover… now that you’re in my custody, do you think people won’t assume I know these secrets even if I don’t hear them from others?”
After a moment of silence, Mu Qing Cang sighed softly, “The Prince is truly blessed. Since the Princess Consort insists, I shall tell you everything. Consider it my repayment for fulfilling my one wish.”
Ye Li and Mu Qing Cang sat in the study all morning, with no one knowing what they discussed. When they emerged from the study, both wore grave expressions. As Mu Qing Cang was being led away by two guards, he suddenly turned back to Ye Li with a smile, “I can see the Princess Consort is decisive. How about I offer you one more piece of information for free?” Ye Li responded calmly, “I’m all ears.”
“Western Ling has decided to attack Da Chu on the fifteenth of the eighth month. What does the Princess Consort plan to do?” Having said his piece, without waiting for Ye Li’s reaction, Mu Qing Cang’s previous dejection vanished as he left with a wild laugh.
The smile gradually faded from Ye Li’s lips. After staring at the sky above the courtyard for a long while, she turned and swept away, ordering, “Summon Feng San and Sun Yan to meet me in the study immediately!”
Feng Zhi Yao and Sun Yan arrived quickly, reaching the study almost simultaneously. Upon entering, they found Ye Li and Zhuo Jing sitting behind the desk, reviewing thick dossiers. Feng Zhi Yao glanced casually—they were confessions from recently captured assassins and various intelligence gathered by the secret guards. Raising an eyebrow, Feng Zhi Yao smiled, “Princess Consort, what’s happened?” Ye Li looked up at him and said, “Indeed, something has happened.”
Feng Zhi Yao started, his previously relaxed posture gradually straightening as he looked at Ye Li with a serious expression. Sun Yan likewise grew solemn, listening attentively. Ye Li picked up a dossier and said, “Mu Qing Cang just told me Western Ling plans to attack Da Chu on the fifteenth of the eighth month.” Surprise flashed across Feng Zhi Yao’s face as his sword-like eyebrows furrowed slightly, “Is this information reliable? We haven’t received any intelligence about this.” Ye Li shook her head, “I don’t know. Mu Qing Cang likely wouldn’t lie, but the truth of this information needs to be verified. However…” Ye Li paused, looking up at the two men before her, and asked, “What day is it today?” Sun Yan replied, “The seventh of the eighth month.”
Feng Zhi Yao’s expression changed as he stood up, “If this information is false, that’s one thing, but if it’s true…” If true, while the northwest wasn’t entirely devoid of troops, many key positions had been taken over by Mo Jing Qi’s confidants in recent years, leaving the Mo family army restricted at every turn. If Western Ling launched a sudden attack, they would certainly be caught off guard. And now, being in the capital, there was no way they could reach the border to provide support within seven or eight days. Lost in thought, Feng Zhi Yao said, “The Prince has been away from the capital for over twenty days. Given the diplomatic mission’s pace, they should have entered Northern Rong territory by now. Even if the Prince wasn’t burdened with the marriage escort mission and rushed back at full speed, it would take at least half a month to reach the Western Ling border to take command. Moreover, there’s no way for the Prince to receive this news immediately.” Feng Zhi Yao suddenly felt an ominous sensation, as if this entire affair was a trap specifically set for Da Chu.
“Princess Consort…”
Ye Li furrowed her brow, “What are your thoughts? Speak freely.”
Sun Yan said seriously, “Whether true or false, we must prepare early. If false, no harm done, but if true…”
Feng Zhi Yao’s expression was grave as he frowned, “I believe this information is likely true, yet our secret guards received no intelligence whatsoever.”
Ye Li said flatly, “You’ve forgotten, there’s someone who could be called a supreme master of intelligence. And now, he’s in Western Ling.”
“Han Ming Yue!” Feng Zhi Yao exclaimed.
Ye Li nodded slightly, “Though Heaven’s First Pavilion’s influence in Da Chu has been reorganized by Han Ming Xi, don’t forget that Han Ming Yue is the true master of Heaven’s First Pavilion. Moreover, Heaven’s First Pavilion spans all countries, with only the Da Chu branch being compromised. And Han Ming Yue was once the Prince’s good friend—if he’s not the person who knows the Prince’s residence best in this world, he’s certainly among the top three.” Feng Zhi Yao nodded, “I’ll send people to investigate immediately!” Sun Yan asked, “Princess Consort, what should we do now?” After contemplating briefly with lowered eyes, Ye Li said, “Send word to the Prince immediately, and also… notify the Mo family troops stationed near the Western Ling border to prepare to support the frontier at any moment.”
Sun Yan said with some difficulty, “In recent years, the Mo family army’s stations have been repeatedly reduced. Now the nearest Mo family troops are at least five or six days’ journey from the Western Ling border, and considering the time needed to deliver the message…” Ye Li raised her hand, “Whether we make it in time or not, if we can’t make it, then block Western Ling’s army’s advance.” Sun Yan nodded, “I understand, I’ll send word to the Mo family army immediately. Please rest assured, Princess Consort, as long as the Mo family army has even one soldier remaining, Western Ling’s forces won’t cross our defensive line.” Ye Li nodded, saying softly, “Thank you for your efforts, General Sun. I will go to the palace to see the Emperor.”
“Princess Consort, that might not be wise,” Feng Zhi Yao frowned. Though they hadn’t spoken openly about it since capturing Mu Qing Cang, everyone had a good idea who was behind the attempted bloodbath at the Prince’s residence.
Ye Li smiled faintly, “There’s nothing unwise about it. Even if the one in the palace dares to defy the world’s judgment and move against me, he may not have the ability to keep me there.” Feng Zhi Yao, thinking of that mysterious force, felt somewhat reassured and said, “As long as the Princess Consort knows what she’s doing.” Ye Li stood up, putting down the dossier in her hand, “Go attend to your duties. Also, maintain full alert at the Prince’s residence.”
“Yes.”
Imperial Palace
In the Imperial Study, Mo Jing Qi dismissed the Marquis of Muyang who had hurriedly sought an audience, his expression dark and unpredictable as he stared at the memorial before him.
“Your Majesty, the Princess Consort of Ding requests an audience,” announced the eunuch outside. Mo Jing Qi frowned, “The Princess Consort? Why has she come?” Remembering that figure in white standing gracefully on the blood-stained steps outside the Prince’s residence at dawn a few days ago, Mo Jing Qi felt a mix of loss and regret. He had personally chosen this woman for Mo Xiu Yao to humiliate him. But now she had become another pillar of the Prince’s residence and Mo Xiu Yao’s greatest support, as well as someone he had to eliminate. Given Ye Li’s intelligence, since she had already approached the Marquis of Muyang’s residence, Mo Jing Qi didn’t believe she could guess the truth. But why did she still dare to enter the palace now?
“Summon her.”
Soon after, the doors were reopened, and Ye Li entered wearing the formal silver-white ceremonial robes of the Princess Consort of Ding, embroidered with dark silver phoenix patterns. This was almost the first time Ye Li had worn the Princess Consort’s formal attire. Unlike her usual graceful and delicate appearance, the silver-white color gave her an icy, unapproachable aura. Ye Li walked to the center of the hall and gracefully bowed, “Ye Li greets Your Majesty.”
Mo Jing Qi studied Ye Li for a long while before speaking, “Come to think of it, I’ve never heard how the Princess Consort refers to herself.”
Ye Li’s lips curved in a faint smile as she said, “Ye Li is simply Ye Li.” She naturally knew that all noble ladies referred to themselves as ‘chen qie’ before the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager, but she particularly disliked this form of address. Previously, neither the Emperor, Empress, nor Empress Dowager had mentioned it, and others naturally dared not nitpick such small matters, so it had been overlooked. She hadn’t expected Mo Jing Qi to bring up such a trivial matter today.
Mo Jing Qi’s eyes flickered briefly before he smiled, “Well said, ‘Ye Li is simply Ye Li.’ Does this mean the Princess Consort no longer considers herself a subject of Da Chu?”
Ye Li raised her head, meeting Mo Jing Qi’s gaze without hesitation, and said slowly, “The Prince of Ding’s residence has guarded Da Chu for generations, serving with utmost loyalty. As the Princess Consort of Ding, how dare I harbor such treasonous thoughts?”
Mo Jing Qi looked at her with amusement, “Oh? Is the Princess Consort saying the Prince’s residence would never harbor thoughts of disloyalty?”
Seeing Mo Jing Qi’s probing gaze, Ye Li laughed coldly inside while firmly stating, “The Prince’s residence would never do anything to betray Da Chu.”
Hearing this, Mo Jing Qi remained silent for a long while before finally saying, “Very well, I believe the Princess Consort’s words. Does the Princess Consort have some matter that brought her to the palace today?”
Ye Li nodded, “Indeed, I have extremely important news to report to Your Majesty.”
Mo Jing Qi nodded, “Please speak freely.”
Ye Li said softly, “I just received news that Western Ling will attack Da Chu on the fifteenth of the eighth month. I request Your Majesty to prepare early.”
Mo Jing Qi was stunned, and after a long moment, he laughed, looking at Ye Li, “Isn’t this news rather abrupt, Princess Consort? As far as I know, Western Ling’s main target currently is Northern Rong, not Da Chu. Who told the Princess Consort this news?”
Ye Li pressed her lips together, frowning slightly, “I hope Your Majesty can dispatch troops to support quickly, just in case.”
“I cannot possibly deploy troops based on the Princess Consort’s few words unless you can prove the authenticity of this information.”
Ye Li frowned, saying flatly, “Mu Qing Cang.”