After calming Feng Zhi Yao, Ye Li tapped her slender fingers thoughtfully and said, “Last time we outmaneuvered Lei Zhen Ting. It seems he’s determined to get even this time?” Mo Xiu Yao shook his head, “With or without last time’s events, Lei Zhen Ting would use any means to deal with the Mo family army.” That defeat years ago had become a constant thorn in the side of West Ling’s Prince of Zhen Nan. This year, the Prince of Zhen Nan was approaching fifty – for a military commander, this could barely be considered his prime. If he delayed any longer, he might never have had the chance to decisively defeat the Mo family army and wash away the shame of those years ago.
Ye Li looked at Mo Xiu Yao and said, “You’ll likely be very busy soon. Leave Xinyang to me.”
Mo Xiu Yao looked at Ye Li with some guilt. They had only been married for just over a year, and although he had always said he wanted Alira to live the life she wanted, in reality, she hadn’t had a single peaceful day since their wedding. Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Those who abandon each other in times of trouble are birds, not people. Or does Your Highness not trust my abilities?” Mo Xiu Yao smiled gently, admiring the confidence and pride in her expression. He said softly, “Then, I’ll leave Xinyang’s defense and administration to Alira?”
Ye Li nodded, “Just trust in me.”
The news from the Duke of Hua had come too suddenly, but both Mo Xiu Yao and Ye Li knew that the Duke wouldn’t joke about such matters without absolute certainty. Although no movements could be detected yet, Mo Xiu Yao had to move first to position the Mo family army’s troops to prepare for potential battles on multiple fronts. As for Xinyang, Mo Xiu Yao truly didn’t have much time to attend to its affairs. After having the maps collected and drawn by Qilin sent to Mo Xiu Yao, Ye Li had a new study prepared and quickly moved in.
“Your Grace, Noble Consort Bai keeps demanding to see His Highness,” Qin Feng entered and reported quietly. Now that all Xinyang’s affairs were under Ye Li’s full authority, including the tens of thousands of Mo family troops guarding the city. With Mo Xiu Yao busy day and night, Su Zui Die’s matters naturally fell to Ye Li to handle alone. Ye Li frowned slightly and said, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I might have forgotten about her. Any news of Han Ming Yue?” Qin Feng replied, “News from West Ling confirms that Han Ming Yue has indeed left West Ling and entered Da Chu, but we haven’t found his whereabouts yet.” Ye Li rubbed her temples and said, “As expected of the intelligence specialist Young Master Ming Yue. I suspect he’s somewhere near Xinyang.” Qin Feng nodded in agreement, “Given Han Ming Yue’s concern for Su Zui Die, he’s very likely nearby. Unfortunately, Han Ming Yue himself is a master at concealment. Unless he reveals himself, it will be difficult to find him quickly.”
Ye Li’s smile was ice-cold, “With a weakness, we won’t worry about catching him. However… I’m not in a hurry to catch Han Ming Yue himself. Rather… it’s the Tian Yi Pavilion behind him. Although many of their bases in Da Chu have been eliminated by His Highness, and many have followed Han Ming Shi in coming into the light, there must be some who slipped through the net. Such existence is a fatal threat to the current Mo family army.” Qin Feng looked up curiously, “What does Your Grace plan to do?” Ye Li said calmly, “It depends on how deep Han Ming Yue’s feelings for Su Zui Die are. Secretly spread the news that I’m jealous of Su Zui Die’s past relationship with His Highness, that I make things difficult for her daily, and even… plan to kill her behind His Highness’s back!” Qin Feng started and asked hesitantly, “Will Han Ming Yue fall for it?” Ye Li looked up with a faint smile, “You think I’m joking?”
Qin Feng asked, puzzled, “Your Grace’s meaning?”
Ye Li smiled, “If Han Ming Yue doesn’t come… I’ll send Su Zui Die to him piece by piece. Those who betray their country for glory deserve death!”
“Your servant obeys.”
In a nondescript house in a small town near Xinyang, the long-unseen Han Ming Yue sat by the window, his handsome features showing added weariness and deep worry.
“Young Master,” a man in gray clothes entered and said respectfully. Han Ming Yue turned and asked, “Any news?” The man nodded, “Miss Su is indeed in the Governor’s mansion in Xinyang city, but… our people cannot get anywhere near her.” Han Ming Yue wasn’t surprised and said gravely, “She’s under house arrest by the Prince of Ding.” The gray-clothed man shook his head, “The Prince seems to have no interest in Miss Su. Since she entered the Governor’s mansion, the Prince barely inquires about her. Now all of Xinyang’s affairs are handled by the Princess.” Han Ming Yue started and turned to look at him, “All of Xinyang’s affairs are left to the Princess? Then what is the Prince doing?” The gray-clothed man frowned slightly, “This servant suspects the Prince has learned of the Prince of Zhen Nan’s plan and is likely making secret preparations. Otherwise… with over a hundred thousand troops still stationed outside Xinyang, the Prince wouldn’t possibly personally oversee military affairs. Young Master, should we report this to the Prince of Zhen Nan?”
Han Ming Yue looked at him calmly and asked, “We came for Zui Die’s safety. The Mo family army’s affairs are not our concern. Understand?”
The gray-clothed man started slightly, then immediately nodded, “This servant understands. This servant knows nothing. Now that we know Miss Su’s whereabouts, should we send people to rescue her?”
Han Ming Yue’s face showed a flash of hesitation as he frowned, “Rescue her… given their past relationship, the Prince probably won’t harm her. So… she might be safer staying in Xinyang city.” The gray-clothed man said softly, “But… according to news from the Governor’s mansion, Miss Su isn’t being treated well. She injured her forehead a few days ago. Moreover, the Princess seems very displeased with Miss Su’s former status as the Prince’s fiancée. Now that the Prince isn’t involved in the mansion’s or city’s affairs at all, Miss Su might… might not fare well…”
“Princess Ye Li…” Han Ming Yue frowned. He had only met the noble-born Princess a few times, and none of those encounters had been particularly pleasant. Yet even so, he couldn’t help but envy his former friend’s good fortune. The Princess was an excellent wife, even more suitable for Mo Xiu Yao and the Prince of Ding Guo’s manor than Su Zui Die, who was known as Da Chu’s greatest beauty. Intelligent, sharp, strong, decisive, and at the same time… possessing sufficient determination and courage. If she wanted to make things difficult for Su Zui Die while the Prince completely ignored the situation… Su Zui Die could never match Ye Li. Han Ming Yue understood the woman he loved far better than others imagined, and in the depths of night, he would silently ask himself if everything he had done was worth it, but… “Keep watching the Governor’s mansion, report any movements immediately.”
“This servant understands.” The gray-clothed man bowed his head respectfully. Han Ming Yue thought for a moment, sighed, and said, “Prepare. I’ll go to Xinyang myself.” The gray-clothed man started, somewhat disapprovingly saying, “Young Master, please reconsider. The city gates are tightly controlled now, entering and leaving isn’t easy.” Han Ming Yue said firmly, “Go make preparations.”
“…Yes, this servant obeys.”
“Your Grace, these past days the West Ling army remains camped twenty li outside Xinyang city, but the Prince of Zhen Nan’s heir has secretly led nearly two hundred thousand troops south, seemingly planning to join with the southern forces. This servant suspects West Ling might be trying to circle behind our army to attack Xinyang from both sides,” Zhuo Jing reported as he followed Ye Li along the winding corridor of the Governor’s mansion. Hearing his words, Ye Li’s delicate brows furrowed slightly though her steps didn’t pause as she continued walking, saying, “Send a copy of this information to His Highness. Any movement from the West Ling forces outside the city?” Zhuo Jing replied, “They’ve remained stationary these past days.”
“What is the Prince of Zhen Nan doing?” Ye Li asked.
Zhuo Jing’s sword-like eyebrows drew together as he considered, “The West Ling army has remained inactive these days, and there’s been no news of the Prince of Zhen Nan.”
Ye Li’s steps paused briefly as she thought for a moment before saying, “Have someone investigate whether the Prince of Zhen Nan is actually with his army. Also, tell His Highness to be especially careful around Jiangxia – Lei Teng Feng’s southward march might not be aimed at sandwiching Xinyang.”
“Yes.” Zhuo Jing acknowledged, then added, “The lady in the side courtyard has been causing quite a disturbance these days. How does Your Grace wish to handle it?”
Ye Li glanced toward a small courtyard in the northwest corner, though nothing could be seen from the corridor. However, she was aware that Su Zui Die had been making a fuss in the courtyard these past few days, demanding to go out and making various requests. She smiled faintly and said, “If she wants to make trouble, let her. Any news of Han Ming Yue?” Zhuo Jing nodded, “Yesterday we received word that traces of Han Ming Yue’s Tian Yi Pavilion were found in a small town near Xinyang, but when we arrived, the place was empty. Your Grace’s prediction was correct – Han Ming Yue is nearby.”
Ye Li thought for a moment and smiled, “Perhaps he’s already entered the city. Once he’s in, we won’t worry about finding him. Today’s Xinyang is different from before.” Originally, Xinyang had a large, mixed population, but now, besides soldiers, there were hardly any ordinary citizens, let alone traveling merchants. It wouldn’t be easy for Han Ming Yue’s group to conceal themselves. “Be careful within the Governor’s mansion, don’t let anyone sneak in and rescue her. Once Han Ming Yue’s group is discovered, immediately seal Xinyang city – allow entry but no exit. Han Ming Yue doesn’t think Xinyang City is so easy to enter now, does he?” If they weren’t leaving the trap open for someone to walk into, not even a fly could enter Xinyang City.
Zhuo Jing smiled, “Your Grace can rest assured. While we might not match Han Ming Yue in stealth, it won’t be easy for him to rescue someone from our hands either.”
Ye Li nodded and, standing before her newly established study, said to Zhuo Jing, “Go attend to your duties.”
As Zhuo Jing bowed and withdrew, Ye Li entered the room to find Mo Xiu Yao sitting behind the desk reading. She asked with some surprise, “Why are you here?” They had been so busy these past few days that they hadn’t seen each other for two days. Mo Xiu Yao put down his book and smiled lightly, “What? Alira doesn’t want to see me?” Ye Li glanced at him and said, “I had Zhuo Jing send some things to you, yet you’re here – wasn’t that a wasted trip for him?” Mo Xiu Yao smiled, stood up, and pulled her to sit down together, saying, “Then it’s my fault. If there’s anything important, Alira can just tell me. I rarely get a chance to steal some free time to see Alira.” Ye Li rubbed her temples and looked helplessly at the documents on the table, saying, “Your Highness has time to steal leisure, but unfortunately I’m too busy.” Mo Xiu Yao looked at the items on the table and frowned, asking with concern, “Why are there so many matters? If Alira doesn’t have enough people, why don’t I assign a few more to you?”
Ye Li waved her hand, “Never mind, you’re very busy yourself. Xinyang City needs rebuilding, so it’s naturally busier now, but it will get better after a while. I expect we’ll have results from Han Ming Yue’s side in a few days, and by then Dark Four will return too. I have enough people around me.”
Mo Xiu Yao held her in his arms and muttered somewhat dissatisfiedly, “If I had known earlier that Alira was so good at using men, I should have assigned some female guards to Alira back then.”
Ye Li raised an eyebrow, “Is Your Highness jealous?”
“My wife is perceptive,” Mo Xiu Yao laughed softly. Ye Li snorted lightly and said, “Your Highness is improving – now you’re even jealous of the people around me?” Mo Xiu Yao sighed somewhat pitifully. He didn’t want to make himself seem like a complaining husband, but Alira was becoming increasingly radiant, and his time with her was less than that of Zhuo Jing and Qin Feng. Most importantly, until now, Alira had never said she loved him… Perhaps Zhuo Jing and the others should get married soon…
“If it’s too much to handle, let Second Brother come help you.”
Ye Li rolled her eyes, “Second Brother came as the army’s supervisor, how would it look for him to follow me around?”
“I can only trust Second Brother,” Mo Xiu Yao said quietly.
“…”