Hearing this, Mo Jing Qi’s expression changed several times before he finally recovered, staring with complex emotions at the composed woman standing before the throne. For a moment, he couldn’t determine Ye Li’s intention in revealing her hand so frankly. He didn’t believe the Prince’s residence wanted to break with him now—not only was Mo Xiu Yao absent, but even if he were in the capital, the Prince’s residence wouldn’t suddenly do anything to harm Da Chu. However, if Ye Li truly meant to simply provide military intelligence, she did not need to openly mention Mu Qing Cang. The Prince’s residence had many sources of information; couldn’t they have found a suitable excuse elsewhere?
After a long while, Mo Jing Qi finally said calmly, “I understand what the Princess Consort is saying.”
Ye Li raised her head to look at the man seated high on the dragon throne, slightly furrowing her brow. But Mo Jing Qi gave her no chance to speak further, rising and waving his hand, “I know about this matter. Princess Consort, you may return now.”
Ye Li sighed inwardly, curtsying slightly, “Ye Li takes her leave.”
Upon leaving the Imperial Study, as Ye Li prepared to exit the palace and return home, she was stopped by two somewhat familiar palace maids who stood before her saying, “Princess Consort, Noble Consort Liu requests your presence.” Ye Li only needed a moment’s reflection to recall these two were Noble Consort Liu’s attendants. Remembering what she’d overheard in the peach grove and Noble Consort Liu’s strange looks whenever they met, Ye Li felt uneasy. She said flatly, “I have matters to attend to. Please convey my apologies to Noble Consort Liu.” The two maids exchanged glances but didn’t move aside, insisting, “Princess Consort, please forgive us, but Noble Consort Liu has important matters to discuss with you.”
Ye Li gave the speaking maid a cool glance, raising an eyebrow, “Oh? What if I truly have no time?”
“Then… please forgive us for any offense.” The two stepped forward, their movements steady and eyes glinting with martial prowess, clearly trained fighters.
Ye Li raised her hand slightly, signaling the hidden guards not to reveal themselves. Frowning at the space behind the two maids, she gave a cold laugh, “Noble Consort Liu is quite bold, attempting to move against me right outside the Imperial Study?”
“If you would come to speak with me properly, why would I need to force you?” Noble Consort Liu emerged from behind a pillar, her voice as cold as snow as always. Yet Ye Li couldn’t help but recall that grief-stricken, sorrowful voice from the peach grove. While Noble Consort Liu’s unrequited love for Mo Xiu Yao might elicit pity, Ye Li, as Mo Xiu Yao’s wife, felt no particular sympathy. Thus, seeing Noble Consort Liu appear, she merely said flatly, “Whatever Noble Consort wishes to discuss, have you considered the consequences of forcing my hand within the palace?”
A contemptuous smile curved Noble Consort Liu’s beautiful lips, “Consequences? Do you think His Majesty would do anything to me over someone like you? Others may defer to you because of the Prince, but with him away from the capital, do you think the mere title of Princess Consort amounts to anything?” Ye Li silently observed the beautiful woman staring at her with disdain. From their first meeting, she had sensed Noble Consort Liu’s contempt and scorn—probably believing no one but herself worthy of Mo Xiu Yao. Unfortunately for her, Mo Xiu Yao was already taken…
“If so, Noble Consort might as well speak here,” Ye Li frowned.
Noble Consort Liu lifted her delicate chin, staring at Ye Li, “Come with me.”
Ye Li smiled faintly and turned to walk toward the palace gates.
“Ye Li!” Noble Consort Liu called sharply. Seeing Ye Li turn away without hesitation, she ordered frantically, “Stop her!”
The two maids immediately moved to block Ye Li’s path from both sides. A cold light flashed in Ye Li’s eyes as something glinted from her sleeve, her silver robes tracing a dazzling arc in the sunlight as two sprays of blood bloomed.
“Ah!”
Two screams rang out as the maids clutched their wrists, faces pale with terror as they stared at the silver-robed woman. Their pink sleeves quickly stained red. Ye Li raised the dagger in her hand, examining it as bright red blood trickled down the gleaming blade, slowly dripping onto the earth below. Noble Consort Liu’s typically cold, snow-like countenance finally changed. Though not a supreme martial artist, she ranked among the top female practitioners, yet even she hadn’t seen how Ye Li struck. She stared coldly at Ye Li, speechless for a long moment.
Ye Li met Noble Consort Liu’s gaze calmly, showing no intention of apologizing or explaining her actions. The two maids clutched their wrists, their eyes now filled with terror and dread when looking at Ye Li.
“Ye Li! You dare…” Noble Consort Liu’s face had turned white with anger as she glared at Ye Li.
Ye Li gave her a cool glance before turning to leave. The two maids who had blocked her path hurriedly moved aside, afraid of losing another hand if they impeded this deadly woman’s path.
Once outside the palace gates, Feng Zhi Yao, Zhuo Jing, and others were waiting. Seeing Ye Li’s troubled expression, Feng Zhi Yao asked worriedly, “Princess Consort, what happened? Did His Majesty not believe us?” Ye Li waved her hand, “It’s nothing. Whether His Majesty believes us or not will be clear tomorrow. Order the Prince’s forces to remain on alert. If there’s no movement from the palace tomorrow…” Feng Zhi Yao’s expression changed slightly as he said softly, “Princess Consort plans to mobilize the Mo family army? That would give His Majesty an excuse to move against the Prince’s residence.” Ye Li turned to look at him, asking, “Is His Majesty not already moving against us without an excuse? Moreover… if this is true, Western Ling will surely attack with full force. If we delay, we may lose control of future battles. Don’t worry, we can’t mobilize troops near the capital for now. His Majesty won’t find an excuse there. Zhuo Jing, have Qin Feng return to see me.”
“Yes,” Zhuo Jing said gravely, “Our intelligence just arrived. Western Ling’s border forces have been stirring for a month already. Mu Qing Cang’s information is likely true.”
Ye Li’s eyes grew cold, “The Prince was right—those border incompetents indeed need replacing! Return to the residence!”
The next day at the morning court, the Emperor made no mention of Western Ling’s impending attack.
On the third day, still no word came from the palace.
On the fourth day after morning court, the Emperor summoned several trusted advisors to the Imperial Study, yet still no troops or supplies were mobilized.
The atmosphere at the Prince’s residence grew heavier with the palace’s silence. After hearing the latest morning court report in her study, Ye Li closed her eyes tiredly and called out, “Qin Feng.”
“At your service,” Qin Feng responded solemnly.
“Cancel the scheduled assessment. Lead the team yourself and depart for the border at full speed tonight.”
Qin Feng responded without hesitation, “I accept the mission.”
Ye Li looked up at him, “I’m not sending you to fight. Your small force couldn’t stop an army of a hundred thousand even if each of you could match a hundred men. Spread out along the border region and gather all intelligence about Western Ling and the military situation.”
Qin Feng nodded, “I understand.”
“Go.”
War broke out faster than Ye Li had anticipated, as Western Ling’s attack came not on the fifteenth but on the ninth of the eighth month. By the fifteenth, news of Western Ling’s invasion had reached the capital. Even more shocking was that Western Ling’s Southern Marquis personally led an army of five hundred thousand, vowing to avenge his past defeat by Mo Liu Fang. Having spent years building their strength, Western Ling’s forces were unstoppable, taking two cities in a single day. The entire capital was shaken, and Ye Li, as the Prince’s residence’s current authority, was urgently summoned to the palace for council.
After several days, Ye Li’s return to the Imperial Study was entirely different from her last visit. Upon entering, she immediately felt the heavy atmosphere. Ye Li scanned those present: Chancellor Liu, Marquis of Muyang, General of National Defense, Southern Marquis, the Southern Marquis’s heir, Leng Qing Yu, Elder Duke Hua, and a young man who looked familiar but whom Ye Li didn’t know. He wore no official rank or robes, instead standing beside Mo Jing Qi’s desk in silk clothing. Ye Li frowned slightly, instinctively disliking him. The calculation in his shrewd eyes marred what would otherwise have been handsome features. Ye Li lowered her gaze. Of the eight people present, Chancellor Liu, the Marquis of Muyang, and the General of National Defense were the Emperor’s confidants. The Southern Marquis typically stayed out of affairs, and while Elder Duke Hua was close to the Prince’s residence, he was elderly and had been retired at home for many years.
“Ye Li greets Your Majesty,” Ye Li curtsied lightly.
“We greet the Princess Consort of Ding,” everyone said in unison.
Mo Jing Qi waved his hand distractedly, “Princess Consort, rise. Have you heard today’s urgent report from the border?”
Ye Li nodded. Mo Jing Qi frowned, “What are your thoughts, ministers?”
Elder Duke Hua spoke first, “We must immediately send troops to support, strike hard against Western Ling’s bandits, and not let Western Ling think Da Chu is easily bullied!”
Mo Jing Qi frowned, “Elder Duke has heard that Western Ling’s Southern Marquis leads the army personally. Though he was defeated by the Regent Prince in the past, it was a close match, and he’s known as the God of War in Western Ling. Which general do you think should lead our forces?”
The Marquis of Muyang and the General of National Defense looked at each other, both frowning involuntarily. Elder Duke Hua snorted softly, stepping forward, “Though I am old, I am willing to lead troops into battle to uphold Da Chu’s might.”
At these words, the Marquis of Muyang and the General of National Defense’s expressions changed. Leng Qing Yu and the Southern Marquis’s heir stepped forward from the crowd, saying, “We are willing to lead troops into battle to uphold Da Chu’s might.”
Mo Jing Qi looked at the two, smiling with satisfaction, “Elder Duke speaks too heavily. At over seventy, this is the time for you to enjoy your golden years. If we still had you lead troops, wouldn’t that shame Da Chu’s young men? What do you all think?”
“Your Majesty is wise.”