Mo Jingqi watched his flattering ministers with satisfaction, nodding slightly. Then, looking at Ye Li who stood to one side, he frowned after a moment’s hesitation and said, “While Commander Cold and the Marquis of Nan’s heir show admirable courage in volunteering to lead from the front, it brings Us great comfort. However, with Prince Ding not in the capital, he cannot take command of the expedition, and the tens of thousands of troops under the Prince’s household cannot be mobilized. What are the Princess Consort’s thoughts on this matter?”

Ye Li’s delicate eyebrows lifted slightly as she raised her head to look at Mo Jingqi, saying coolly, “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but how could I, a mere woman, have any thoughts on such matters?”

“The Princess Consort is being far too modest. Who doesn’t know that the mistress of Prince Ding’s household also holds command authority over the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry? With Western Ling’s armies violating our borders, could it be that the Princess Consort and Prince Ding’s household intend to stand idly by?” The young man standing behind Mo Jingqi fixed Ye Li with a sinister gaze as he spoke.

Ye Li laughed coldly in her heart – what a massive trap they were laying! Glancing at the young man, she was about to speak when suddenly the Duke of Hua stepped forward and glared at the youth, saying harshly, “How dare you! Who are you to brazenly sow discord between His Majesty and Prince Ding’s household?!” The Duke of Hua had commanded armies for decades and though advanced in years, was still formidable. The imposing aura he deliberately projected was not something a young man could withstand. The youth started, his expression stiffening before he cupped his hands toward the Duke and said, “This student, Tan Jizhi, greets the Duke of Hua.”

The Duke of Hua gave a dissatisfied snort and looked toward Mo Jingqi. Mo Jingqi smiled and said, “The venerable Duke need not be angry. Jizhi is a talented young scholar, and I plan to grant him a position as an Imperial Study attendant so he may serve the country.” The Duke of Hua bowed to Mo Jingqi and stroked his snow-white beard, saying in a resonant voice, “Your Majesty’s words leave this old minister quite confused. If this Master Tan is truly talented, why does he not participate in the imperial examinations? If he were to achieve the rank of Zhuangyuan or Tanhua, Your Majesty could then elevate him and none would object. The position of Imperial Study attendant is an important court position – giving it to someone completely unknown would surely fail to convince others.”

Mo Jingqi and the young man both looked somewhat embarrassed. It wasn’t that they didn’t want to follow the normal channels, but the examination route wasn’t so easily navigated. Especially this year’s examinations – not only was the chief examiner the most upright and incorruptible scholar in all of Da Chu, Master Su, but three of the five Xu brothers were also taking the tests. While Tan Jizhi was skilled at political maneuvering, he truly lacked confidence in the examinations. Even if he passed, unless he achieved one of the top three ranks, he would likely be posted to the provinces. Even if he avoided provincial posting, he would at most receive a minor sixth or seventh rank position, with no possibility of attaining an important role like Imperial Study attendant. Originally, no one would interfere with the emperor promoting his trusted aide, but Tan Jizhi’s mistake was choosing this moment to provoke conflict between the emperor and Prince Ding’s household in front of the ministers. This naturally made the patriotic old Duke take an instant dislike to him, and he had no intention of saving face for the young man.

Mo Jingqi coughed lightly and said, “Venerable Duke, let us discuss this matter another time. Right now, the most pressing issue is deploying troops. With Prince Ding absent and the tens of thousands of Mo Family Army troops unable to mobilize, what should be done?”

The Duke of Hua had not truly intended to make the emperor lose face, so he played along: “Prince Ding will surely rush back once he receives news. Before then, why doesn’t Your Majesty first dispatch troops from elsewhere to provide support?”

Mo Jingqi shook his head and sighed, “The Duke knows that the South is currently in a standoff with Prince Li, while the Southern Zhao eye our territory greedily beyond Broken Snow Pass. Where else can we withdraw troops from at this time?”

The Duke’s expression changed slightly, his snow-white eyebrows twitching as he fell silent. He understood the emperor’s intentions perfectly well – taking advantage of Prince Ding’s absence to pressure his Princess Consort, even disregarding border security. This was not how a qualified emperor should behave. The Marquis of Muyang stepped forward and said, “Since the Princess Consort can command the Mo Family Army and Black Cloud Cavalry, I implore the Princess Consort to consider the bigger picture and order the Mo Family Army to immediately provide support at the border.”

Ye Li raised her head, her gaze sweeping indifferently over the Marquis of Muyang as she said softly, “Is the Marquis suggesting that I should take command of the army in my husband’s place?”

The Marquis choked. Though there had been one or two female generals throughout history, there had never been a case of a woman serving as supreme commander. Moreover, the Princess Consort of Prince Ding was barely past her teens – even if she did nothing now, no one could fault her. On the contrary, if they truly let the Princess Consort take command, it would disgrace Da Chu and all its military commanders. With a dry laugh, the Marquis avoided Ye Li’s eyes and said, “That was not my meaning. I simply ask the Princess Consort to prioritize matters of state.”

The Grand Chancellor Liu, stroking his graying beard, smiled and said, “The Marquis speaks truly. I implore the Princess Consort to consider the border civilians and soldiers, and temporarily transfer command of the Mo Family Army to the commanding general. When Prince Ding returns, it shall naturally be returned intact.”

The mockery in Ye Li’s eyes went unconcealed. Return it intact when Prince Ding returns? Did they take her for a fool?

Her clear eyes flickered before she raised her head with a smile and said, “The Chancellor’s words put me in quite an awkward position. Setting aside whether I can command the Mo Family Army, do you truly believe that simply by my word, command authority over the Mo Family Army can be transferred to anyone? Even if my husband were here in person, I fear that would be impossible.”

Mo Jingqi’s expression darkened as he frowned and said, “Then does the Princess Consort have any better ideas? Should we simply allow Western Ling’s armies to rampage along our borders and even violate Da Chu territory?”

In her heart, Ye Li wanted nothing more than to slap the man sitting on the dragon throne who stared at her while speaking such pompous words. Her refusal meant allowing Western Ling’s armies to ravage Da Chu. She finally understood why Mo Jingqi had seemed so unconcerned these past days – he had been waiting to make a play for control of the Mo Family Army while Mo Xiuyao was away. It wasn’t that he wasn’t anxious, but rather that in his view, the Western Ling forces still at the border were less urgent than the Prince’s household troops that seemed within his grasp. Yet Ye Li couldn’t understand where Mo Jingqi got the confidence to believe that once he obtained command of Prince Ding’s forces, he could immediately control them effectively and even use them to repel Western Ling. Had he not considered that one wrong move could even trigger a military rebellion?

Ye Li lowered her head and said, “As a mere woman, I truly have no worthy suggestions to offer Your Majesty. Please forgive me.”

The Duke of Hua’s brows furrowed deeply as he said anxiously, “Your Majesty, since Prince Ding’s military authority is currently uncertain, please quickly summon Prince Ding back to the capital… no, directly to the border to take command. Additionally, this old minister recalls that our Da Chu has over a million troops. Besides the Mo Family Army and the southern forces facing off against Prince Li, we should still be able to dispatch at least 100,000 troops to support the border. I implore Your Majesty to first dispatch some troops as an advance force.”

Though Mo Jingqi felt some reluctance, the Duke’s words were difficult to refute. As he hesitated, the previously silent Marquis of Nan spoke up: “Your Majesty, the old Duke speaks sensibly. Please dispatch troops to support the border first. Western Ling’s forces have taken two cities in a single day – within ten days at most they could reach the important northwestern city of Xinyang. Xinyang is Da Chu’s northwestern granary. If Xinyang falls…”

Mo Jingqi’s expression changed. He glanced at Ye Li and gritted his teeth, saying, “Transmit Our imperial decree: Leng Qingyu shall serve as commander-in-chief, with the Marquis of Nan’s heir as second-in-command. Lead 150,000 troops and depart immediately!”

“We accept the command!” Leng Qingyu and the Marquis’s heir proclaimed in unison.

Mo Jingqi was clearly in a foul mood, waving his hand with a dark expression to dismiss everyone.

Leaving the Imperial Study, Ye Li accompanied the elderly Duke of Hua as they walked out of the palace. The Duke had nothing to say along the way, only sighing repeatedly. It wasn’t until they reached the palace gates that he stopped and looked at Ye Li, saying, “How unfortunate that Prince Ding is away from the capital at this time. The Princess Consort has been put in a difficult position.”

Ye Li pressed her lips together in a faint smile and said, “Thank you for your concern, Duke. This is simply my duty.”

The Duke shook his head and said, “The emperor has truly been too childish this time. Raised by women’s hands, he falls far short of the late emperor.” Ye Li understood the Duke’s meaning. When the late emperor had taken the throne, Western Ling and Da Chu had been at war for years. At that time, Prince Ding Mo Liufang had not only excelled in civil governance but also had illustrious military achievements. He could be called the greatest figure in the Prince Ding household since Mo Lanyun. Yet despite such fame, the late emperor had consistently shown respect and courtesy to Mo Lanyun until his power was consolidated and Mo Liufang voluntarily returned authority. Only then did the late emperor begin implementing his policies. Though not counted among the wise rulers, he had been a capable ruler who maintained the dynasty. His relationship with the Regent Prince had become a celebrated example of ruler and minister harmony. But now Mo Jingqi had revealed his hostility toward the Prince Ding household too early, even continuing to suppress and pressure the Mo Family Army while Prince Ding had become an invalid living in seclusion. If he truly possessed extraordinary talent and ability to govern, that would be one thing, but his strength was completely insufficient to suppress the Mo Family Army. Even if Mo Xiuyao willingly handed over the Mo Family Army, could Mo Jingqi command it? With his temperament, could he treat the Mo Family Army well?

“Duke, please be careful with your words,” Ye Li said softly with a smile.

The Duke waved his hand indicating Ye Li need not see him off further and turned toward his carriage. As Ye Li watched the Duke board his carriage, she turned to find the Marquis of Nan’s heir standing not far away, smiling at her. Ye Li sighed helplessly in her heart. She had only met this brother-in-law a few times and shared one meal at the Ye household – they were practically strangers. Now that the Ye family had fallen from grace, Ye Zhen still lived reasonably well in the Marquis of Nan’s household, it showed that the people of the Marquis’s household were quite skilled at managing relationships. For this reason alone, Ye Li maintained a measure of courtesy toward him.

“Greetings, Princess Consort.”

Ye Li nodded with a slight smile and said, “The young lord is too courteous. Did you have some matter to discuss?”

The Marquis’s heir smiled and said, “Nothing in particular. Zhen misses the Princess Consort very much. If the Princess Consort has time, perhaps you could visit our household for a brief stay.”

Hearing this, Ye Li raised her eyebrows in slight surprise. The emperor’s attitude toward Prince Ding’s household was obvious to anyone with eyes, yet at this time, he as the heir still invited her to visit… Ye Li’s eyes flickered slightly as she smiled and said, “It is my elder sister’s good fortune to have met you, young lord. I hope you will continue to take good care of her.”

The Marquis’s heir smiled generously and said, “Now that Zhen has entered our household, I naturally treat her as family. The Princess Consort need not worry.”

Ye Li nodded and said, “Tomorrow the young lord departs for the border. I wish you a smooth journey.”

“Thank you, Princess Consort,” the Marquis’s heir said. “I take my leave.”

“No need to see me off,” said Ye Li.

Watching him walk away, Ye Li looked back at the towering palace gates behind her, frowning as she turned to leave.

The next day, Leng Qingyu and the Marquis’s heir hurriedly led their troops away. Standing at the city gate to see them off, Ye Li’s delicate furrowed brows showed no sign of relaxing as she watched the departing army. The King of Zhengnan of Western Ling was known as the War God of Western Ling. Having controlled Western Ling for decades, even Mo Xiuyao might not dare claim certain victory against him. Could Leng Qingyu and the Marquis’s heir succeed with merely 100,000 troops?

“What troubles the Princess Consort?” Zhuo Jing asked, observing her expression as he stood beside her.

Ye Li shook her head. Da Chu didn’t have only Mo Xiuyao as a general – if they relied on Mo Xiuyao for everything, nothing would ever get done.

“Third sister… Princess Consort…” Ye Zhen’s voice came from behind. Ye Li turned to see Ye Zhen standing beside the heir’s wife, looking at her with delight. After not seeing each other for so long, compared to her previous radiance, Ye Zhen appeared pale and haggard. Even her eye sockets were reddened, likely from worry over her husband going to war.

The Marquis’s heir’s wife also came from a scholarly family and appeared very graceful and virtuous. Upon seeing Ye Li, she also courteously came forward to bow and very politely left Ye Zhen to speak with Ye Li privately.

The two sisters were not particularly close, meeting only a few times a year, and found themselves momentarily at a loss for words.

After a long silence, Ye Zhen finally said softly, “Has the Princess Consort been home to visit?”

Ye Li shook her head. With the Ye family’s declining fortunes, Old Madame Ye had blamed everything on Ye Li. Every time they met, she would go to great lengths to make cutting remarks – in all these years, this was the first time Ye Li discovered that Old Madame Ye could be so unafraid of power and status. Although Minister Ye hadn’t said anything, his expression also showed subtle dissatisfaction with his daughter who had become a Princess Consort. Ye Li was not one to deliberately make herself uncomfortable, so apart from necessary occasions, she couldn’t be bothered to return home.

Ye Zhen said quietly, “Father plans to return to our hometown in some time.”

Ye Li nodded and said, “That would be good. If they focus on teaching Rong’er well, with the family’s remaining assets, Father and Grandmother can still enjoy their twilight years.” In the current situation, the Ye family had already withdrawn from officialdom – leaving the capital was the most correct choice. Otherwise, if they became entangled in those political schemes again, it likely wouldn’t be resolved as simply as resigning from office.

Ye Zhen’s carefully groomed willow brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Ye Li and said, “Third sister, do you truly hate Father so much that you can’t help him at all?”

Ye Li shook her head and said softly, “Elder sister, it’s precisely because I don’t hate Father that I say his returning now is right. Nothing is more important than one’s life.”

Confusion and disbelief showed in Ye Zhen’s eyes, with even more skepticism. Looking at Ye Li resentfully, she sighed and said, “The second sister is dead, and the fourth sister’s fate is unknown. Fifth and sixth sisters… better not speak of them. How did we sisters end up…”

“Elder sister, the Marquis of Nan’s household is still decent, and the heir’s wife is clever – she won’t make things too difficult for you. Just focus on living your own life well,” Ye Li said gravely.

Ye Zhen started, but by the time she came to her senses, Ye Li had already gone far away. Her eyes revealed a trace of sorrow and unwillingness as she murmured, “Without children, without family status, how am I supposed to live well? The third sister, not everyone is blessed with such good fortune as you.”