“Princess!” Feng Zhiyao burst in like a gust of wind, his usually carefree and elegant face unusually covered in fine sweat, his typically rakish demeanor pale with tension. Ye Li raised her head to look at him, asking with a smile, “What’s wrong?” Feng Zhiyao lost his composure and pointed at her, quickly withdrawing his hand but still wearing an expression of someone who couldn’t digest what he’d heard, “You… Princess… you, you…”
“That’s right.” Unable to bear his stammering, Ye Li frankly nodded in acknowledgment, “Yes, I am.”
“How could this happen!” Feng Zhiyao wore the expression of someone struck by lightning, looking pitifully at Ye Li. Ye Li felt somewhat embarrassed, putting down her brush with resignation and saying, “The Prince and I have been married for over a year, what’s wrong with having a child?” Feng Zhiyao fell silent—what could be wrong with a married couple having a child? Of course, nothing was wrong. But now… during a war between armies, was it not a problem for an army commander to be with a child? With a mournful face, Feng Zhiyao sighed and said, “The young heir… comes at such an inopportune time…” If only it had been a few days earlier, when His Highness was still here, at least His Highness would have known how to handle this situation.
Ye Li unconsciously touched her still-flat abdomen, laughing softly, “Even if it’s not the right time, the child is already here. What can I do about it?” Well, not taking precautions was indeed her oversight. “Does Feng San have any suggestions?”
“I must immediately report this to His Highness!” It was Mo Xiuyao’s child, the young heir of the Prince of Dinguo’s manor—how could he dare to make any suggestions?
“No.” Ye Li shook her head and said, “News of my pregnancy can only be known to Zhuo Jing and a few others. Among the military commanders, only you need to know, and it must not spread further.”
Feng Zhiyao frowned, “Why is that?”
Ye Li said somewhat helplessly, “His Highness can’t get away now, so why make him worry? Besides, news of my pregnancy won’t do us any good if it spreads.” Feng Zhiyao said worriedly, “But the safety of the Princess and the young heir… and I’m afraid we can’t keep it secret for long.” Ye Li pondered, “I estimate this war will end within three months at most. By then, the child won’t even be four months along. As long as we’re careful, there shouldn’t be any problems.” Feng Zhiyao wanted to persuade her further but was cut off by Ye Li, “His Highness already has his hands full dealing with the allied armies. If he has to worry about us here too, do you think that would help him?” Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li’s determined face and finally let out a light sigh, saying softly, “This subordinate obeys, but please take care of yourself, Princess.”
“I understand,” Ye Li nodded.
Between late September and early October, the weather in the Northwest had already turned cold and gloomy. The occasional rain and cold winds made people from the capital experience winter’s arrival early. And with winter’s approach, military supplies like grain and horse feed began to grow scarce. Western Ling had never been known for abundant grain production, so their food reserves couldn’t be called plentiful. Moreover, they hadn’t expected what they thought would be an easy victory to turn into such a stalemate, and Western Ling’s supplies began showing signs of shortage. By mid-October, except for keeping some forces besieging Xinyang, the Prince of Zhennan had redirected most of his troops toward Hongzhou, known as the Northwest’s granary, and Western Ling soldiers had resumed their long-abandoned practice of plundering. They raided government granaries and treasuries wherever they went, stole unharvested grain from fields, and even started raiding ordinary villages.
When news reached Xinyang, Ye Li was naturally furious. Though she had experienced countless battles in both lives, she had never experienced true war. But… she knew war. Because in her previous life, the peaceful era hadn’t been far removed from times of war. Compared to Mo Jingli’s rebellion earlier, that could hardly be called true warfare. Mo Jingli was from Da Chu, and not a madman; even during military confrontations, he wouldn’t randomly harm ordinary civilians. Because in Mo Jingli’s heart, those were still his people. But the Western Ling people were different—they wanted not just Da Chu’s vast territories, but also its grain, gold, silver, and wealth. They would even want to eliminate as many people living on this land as possible. Western Ling was harsh and cold; they needed people to vacate these vast, fertile lands for them. She could imagine what suffering the Northwest’s people were enduring, yet… she was powerless to help…
“Princess…” In the spacious study, all the assembled commanders wore grim expressions. Feng Zhiyao worriedly looked at Ye Li’s tightly clenched hands and cold expression, frowning as he said, “Princess, please calm your anger. This matter… is not the Princess’s fault.” Ye Li snorted lightly, sweeping her gaze over the commanders below and saying coolly, “Not my fault… then whose fault is it?” Everyone lowered their heads and said in unison, “We subordinates are incompetent, please punish us, Princess.” Ye Li lowered her gaze, sighing softly, “This Princess has no standing to punish you. I only hope everyone remembers one thing. The Mo family army must protect the country and its people. And now, Western Ling rampages through the Northwest, making life unbearable for the common people. Everyone, look out from the city walls—do you know what this is? This is… the Mo family army’s shame. Letting the people who need our protection suffer at the hands of foreigners is a soldier’s shame. Likewise… it is also the shame of the Prince of Dinguo’s manor!”
Everyone’s faces turned red involuntarily, and several young commanders could no longer contain themselves and stepped forward, “Please give the order, Princess. We subordinates are willing to lead the vanguard to drive out the Western Ling bandits and uphold the Mo family army’s spirit!”
Ye Li shook her head and sighed, taking up a report from her desk and handing it out, “Take a look, how do you propose we handle this situation?”
After taking and reading the report Ye Li passed down, everyone’s expressions changed. The Prince of Zhennan had sent more troops to the Northwest, clearly intending to eliminate the Mo family forces in the Northwest and then outflank His Highness. These past few days, garrison forces throughout the Northwest had suffered significant losses.
“Feng San, your opinion?” Ye Li asked.
Feng San raised his head to look at Ye Li, somewhat hesitant to speak. Ye Li said, “Just speak frankly.”
Feng San gritted his teeth and said, “This subordinate’s opinion is to abandon Xinyang!” There was an uproar among the crowd—Xinyang had been massacred before, and His Highness had personally recaptured it from Western Ling; if it fell again, it would be a great loss of face for the Mo family army. Ye Li remained calm, saying quietly, “Explain your reasoning.” Feng Zhiyao said, “Xinyang city has plains on three sides, making it easy to attack but difficult to defend. Moreover, it’s now just an empty city, and there’s no meaning in defending it stubbornly. Once Western Ling’s forces occupy the Northwest’s eleven cities, Xinyang will inevitably become isolated. What’s the point of holding out for a few months then?” Ye Li nodded and said, “Continue.” Feng Zhiyao walked to a large map hanging nearby, looked up at it, and pointed to a location, saying, “This subordinate suggests abandoning Xinyang, taking the Liwater route to withdraw and defend Hongzhou. Hongzhou is the Northwest’s granary, with complex and steep terrain. Although Western Ling’s forces are trying their best to open a route to Hongzhou, they keep encountering setbacks. We’re familiar with the Northwest’s terrain and can reach Hongzhou before their main force arrives while clearing out the advance units already there. Moreover, Hongzhou is strategically located as the Northwest’s gateway—as long as we hold Hongzhou firmly, even if the Prince of Zhennan has tens of thousands of troops, he won’t be able to enter the Central Plains through the Northwest.”
The study fell silent, with everyone staring at the map, seemingly considering Feng Zhiyao’s words.
Ye Li raised her head to look at everyone, “What do you all think?”
After a while, the young Yun Ting stepped forward and said, “This subordinate agrees with General Feng’s proposal, and is willing to lead the vanguard to clear the way for the Princess!”
Soon, more people voiced their agreement.
Looking at the commanders’ passionate responses below, Ye Li nodded and said softly, “This Princess understands. Everyone, go make preparations. Whatever battles lie ahead, this Princess hopes you all will be sufficiently prepared and energetic.”
“Yes, Princess.”
The commanders took their leave one after another, leaving only Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and a few others in the study. Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li and said knowingly, “Does the Princess also agree with this subordinate’s opinion?” Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “We’ve held Xinyang for so long, is Feng San getting anxious?” Feng Zhiyao shook his head and said, “This subordinate understands the Princess has her considerations. Moreover… the Princess’s current condition isn’t suitable for long-distance travel…” To keep the Prince of Zhennan tied down in the Northwest, the withdrawal to Hongzhou couldn’t be too early or too late. Too early would let the Prince of Zhennan see through their intentions; too late might truly sacrifice the entire Northwest’s three provinces and eleven cities.
Ye Li said, “My condition won’t be a problem. Go make preparations. There’s one more thing I want you to handle personally.” Seeing Ye Li’s serious tone, Feng Zhiyao also straightened his expression and said solemnly, “Please instruct me, Princess.”
Ye Li lowered her gaze and said, “Even if we withdraw to Hongzhou, I don’t want Western Ling to get even a single grain of rice or food in the Northwest.”
Feng Zhiyao started, “Princess’s meaning…”
“Scorched earth,” Ye Li quietly uttered these words.
Feng Zhiyao fell silent. Although he had never heard this term before, it didn’t prevent him from understanding what it meant. Looking somewhat enlightened at the cold-expression beautiful woman before him, Feng Zhiyao’s expression changed slightly as he said respectfully, “This subordinate accepts the command.”
“You may withdraw.”
“This subordinate takes his leave.”
Watching Feng Zhiyao’s figure disappear at the doorway, Ye Li closed her eyes somewhat tiredly, her brow revealing a hint of faint sorrow. Zhuo Jing looked at her and said softly, “Princess, Western Ling’s armies are now burning, killing, and plundering in the Northwest, making life unbearable for the people—this is not the Princess’s fault.” Ye Li shook her head and smiled bitterly, “But this Princess fears I’m only adding to their suffering.” Once Western Ling couldn’t get food, how could they not vent their anger on ordinary civilians? Zhuo Jing said, “There aren’t many civilians left around Xinyang.”
Ye Li raised her hand to massage her temples, saying softly, “Enough, go prepare. If we must leave, we can’t leave empty-handed—we should leave some gifts for Western Ling before departing.”
From the side, Qin Feng’s eyes brightened as he stepped forward and said, “Princess, this subordinate requests to stay behind as rear guard.”
Ye Li looked at him, “What do you have in mind?”
Qin Feng smiled somewhat embarrassedly and said, “I do have some small ideas, but… heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed.” Ye Li’s lips curved slightly as she smiled and said, “As it happens, I also have some small ideas. Why don’t we discuss them together?”
Not just Qin Feng, but Zhuo Jing and the others also became energized. Qin Feng said loudly, “This subordinate obeys!”