In the Imperial Study, Mo Jingqi sat on his high throne, his expression shifting between dark moods. After a long silence, he finally spoke, “Summon Marquis Muyang to see me immediately!” The palace servants attending the Imperial Study knew the Emperor’s mood was poor and didn’t dare say much, repeatedly acknowledging the order before departing.
Marquis Muyang arrived very quickly. Since his only beloved son had followed the Dingguo Princess to the battlefield, he hadn’t had peace of mind. Even the news of his longtime rival Marquis Nan’s mansion being confiscated and the father and son dying unjustly hadn’t brought him any relief. The Muyang household was loyal to the Emperor, and it was precisely because of this that Muyang following the Princess to war was fraught with danger. Although he had received two letters from Muyang confirming his safety, what use was that? The northwest was ten thousand li from the capital – if something truly happened, by the time the Emperor sent people, his son’s bones would likely have rotted. More importantly, Marquis Muyang thoroughly understood the current young Emperor’s personality, whose paranoia could be said to be rare in the world. These days Muyang hadn’t reported anything disadvantageous about the Dingguo mansion, which didn’t align with the Emperor’s original intentions. The Emperor might even suspect Muyang of colluding with the Dingguo mansion, and then… the Nan household would likely be a preview of the Muyang household’s fate. Therefore, upon receiving the palace servant’s summons, Marquis Muyang only briefly tidied himself before hurrying to the palace without a moment’s delay.
“This subject greets Your Majesty.” Stepping into the Imperial Study and seeing the Emperor’s vicious expression that he hadn’t had time to conceal, Marquis Muyang’s heart trembled as he immediately knelt and announced himself loudly.
Satisfied with Marquis Muyang’s respect, the Emperor’s originally gloomy expression softened somewhat. “You may rise, beloved minister.” Mo Jingqi greatly despised officials having special rights and treatment, such as the Dingguo mansion. He had cursed countless times in his heart the ancestral decree that the Dingguo Prince and Princess need not kneel before the emperor. They were all his subjects – why should the Dingguo household be exempt from kneeling? Similarly, throughout history, emperors would grant the privilege of not kneeling in court to ministers over seventy years old, but including the militarily accomplished Duke Huaguo, none of the elderly ministers had ever received this grace. Mo Jingqi thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of having everyone prostrate before him.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. May this subject know why Your Majesty has summoned me?” Marquis Muyang rose and asked respectfully. Mo Jingqi didn’t speak, instead staring thoughtfully at Marquis Muyang in silence. Though Marquis Muyang was anxious and worried inside, he didn’t dare show the slightest trace, only making his expression increasingly respectful. After a long while, Mo Jingqi finally asked in a deep voice, “Has the Marquis received any letters of safety from your son?”
Marquis Muyang quickly replied, “In response to Your Majesty, I have. The most recent was half a month ago.”
“Oh? What did it say?” Mo Jingqi asked casually.
“My unworthy son only reported his safety, and mentioned in passing that the Prince had arrived at Xinyang to join forces with the Princess. Presumably… recapturing the entire northwest is just around the corner.” Marquis Muyang said. In fact, how could Mo Jingqi not know what that letter had said? Looking at the somewhat trembling Marquis Muyang, Mo Jingqi suddenly smiled and said, “The Marquis need not be nervous. Muyang is also… only writing two letters in such a long time, not worrying about his old father at home. Does the Marquis know where Muyang is now?”
Marquis Muyang cautiously said, “This subject… does not know. Only that my unworthy son accompanied the army on campaign, so he should be with the Prince’s army now.”
Mo Jingqi snorted lightly and said, “Indeed, the Prince now leads 500,000 Mo Family troops in a fierce battle with the combined armies of Nanzhao, Xiling, and King Li inside the passes, and your son is indeed a vanguard officer.” Marquis Muyang’s heart skipped a beat. Looking at the Emperor’s expression, he feigned shock and asked, “Your Majesty… then… the northwest outside the passes…”
Mo Jingqi smiled and said, “The northwest? In the northwest, the Dingguo Princess personally commands 200,000 troops in battle with the Zhennan King. Now… they’ve retreated to Hongzhou. Marquis, look at these…” He pointed to several memorials on the imperial desk. Marquis Muyang thanked him for the grace and accepted the memorials brought by the palace servant. They turned out to be requests for battle from various garrison troops near the northwest. Although fierce battles were ongoing inside the passes now, the garrisons had received orders to stay put and not move rashly. This led to those generals only being able to watch the Prince maneuver against the three allied armies while they couldn’t move. Though they didn’t dare say anything openly, anyone with a bit of spirit would naturally be somewhat dissatisfied with these secret orders. Therefore, these generals requesting to go beyond the passes to reinforce the Princess wasn’t entirely unexpected, but the Emperor was very displeased about it. Marquis Muyang carefully chose his words and said, “Your Majesty, the generals also have patriotic hearts. The northwest is, after all, part of Da Chu, Your Majesty’s territory – this is also their loyalty to Your Majesty.”
Mo Jingqi hadn’t doubted these generals’ loyalty. Looking at Marquis Muyang, he said, “Who does the Marquis think is most suitable to lead troops on this expedition?”
“This…” Marquis Muyang hadn’t expected the Emperor to so easily agree to the plan to reinforce the Princess, and for a moment couldn’t react. He quickly said, “Naturally it is Your Majesty’s wise decision.” Mo Jingqi stared at him and said, “I need someone trustworthy to handle this matter.” Somehow, Marquis Muyang suddenly felt something was amiss. Under Mo Jingqi’s gaze, he struggled to maintain his composure and smiled, “There are many ministers utterly loyal to Your Majesty in court, how could Your Majesty worry about having no one? This subject… is willing to lead troops on campaign.”
Mo Jingqi smiled with satisfaction, looking at Marquis Muyang and saying, “Very good then. Beloved minister can set out early tomorrow morning no, tonight, riding quickly to the northwest. The troops of the two provinces closest to the northwest will be at your disposal.” Marquis Muyang forced a smile and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty. This subject will not fail Your Majesty’s expectations, swearing to drive out the invaders and pacify the northwest even at the cost of death.”
Mo Jingqi’s eyes turned cold as he said flatly, “The Marquis having such aspirations greatly comforts my heart. However… I have one more matter to instruct you on.” Marquis Muyang only felt his heart beating faster. His instincts told him it would be better not to hear what the Emperor would say next, but in reality, he could only stand even more respectfully in the hall and say, “Please instruct me, Your Majesty.”
The voice in the hall lowered. After a long while, an inconspicuous young eunuch emerged from a side hall, carefully looking around to see no one was present before quickly changing direction and hurrying toward the Empress’s palace.
Regardless of what happened elsewhere, the battle for Hongzhou continued. The Zhennan King seemed to have finally lost patience with the current situation, launching uninterrupted strong attacks daily, with night raids becoming increasingly fierce. The Mo Family Army’s small-scale raids couldn’t stop the Xiling army’s determination and advance. The encouraging news was that Mo Hua had finally arrived in Hongzhou with the secret guards, which finally let Feng Zhiyao, who had been terrified about Ye Li’s security, breathe a sigh of relief. Facing the Zhennan King’s increasingly fierce attacks, Hongzhou city’s fall could be foreseen.
“Princess, please leave Hongzhou immediately.” Mo Hua maintained his expressionless appearance as he seriously looked at the woman currently writing rapidly at her desk. Only if one looked carefully could one see the complex emotions of admiration and concern flowing in his eyes. Previously, Mo Hua had been somewhat dissatisfied and dismissive of Ye Li’s intention to change the secret guards. Although he had some understanding of her abilities, it stopped there. But coming to Hongzhou, he learned that this gentle yet composed woman commanding the northwest was even pregnant. Mo Hua finally felt some conviction – this Dingguo Princess was different from any other woman in the world. And precisely because of this, he had to ensure the Princess’s safety. Whether for the Prince’s sake or the future young master’s, or purely not wanting to see this extraordinary woman meet with any misfortune.
Ye Li nodded and said, “I know. I will leave here in three days.” According to her calculations, Hongzhou city could hold out for three more days at most. After three days would be when the Xiling forces entered Hongzhou city, and likewise… would be the day of their destruction. A flash of killing intent passed through Ye Li’s eyes as she calmly put down her brush and ink. Mo Hua was silent for a moment before saying, “Among the secret guards are those skilled in disguise – they can impersonate the Princess and remain in Hongzhou.” Ye Li helplessly shook her head and said, “Do you think that could fool the Xiling Zhennan King’s eyes? Mo Hua, you need not worry, this Princess will leave Hongzhou before then.” Lowering her head to gently stroke her still-flat abdomen, a trace of melancholy rose in Ye Li’s heart. No matter what… for the sake of her unborn child she couldn’t place herself in danger… although she hoped more to stay and defend Hongzhou city together with the Mo Family Army soldiers.
Seeing Ye Li stand and turn toward the bookshelf behind her, clearly unwilling to say more, Mo Hua also understood he couldn’t persuade her and could only withdraw helplessly.
On the road north through the passes toward Hongzhou, several horses quietly grazed beside a grove of trees. By a campfire not far away, Mo Xiuyao’s elegant brows frequently furrowed with worry.
“My Lord, a secret message from the capital!” Ajin walked over, hurriedly delivering a letter sealed with red wax. Mo Xiuyao’s eyes flashed as he took the envelope and opened it to read, but the contents made his expression change dramatically. Standing beside him, Ajin couldn’t help taking a step back. Following the lord for over ten years, in Ajin’s memory, his lord’s expression had never looked so terrible. “My Lord… what’s happened in the capital?”
After a long while, Mo Xiuyao finally said through gritted teeth: “Mo Jingqi!”
Ajin’s heart jumped. He wasn’t a clever person and didn’t understand many of the twists and turns. But this didn’t prevent him from understanding that the relationship between the Emperor and his lord wasn’t as good as common people thought. Had the Emperor done something again to anger his lord?
Mo Xiuyao slowly crumpled the letter in his hand. With a slight force, the paper ball instantly turned to powder falling to the ground, becoming a thin layer of white dust. “Mo Jingqi… you’d better pray A’Li is safe! Ajin, take my command token north and order the Mo Family troops in the north to immediately reinforce Hongzhou!” Ajin was startled, saying somewhat confusedly, “My Lord… the north only has 50,000 troops now, they’re for defending against the Northern Rong…” Mo Xiuyao’s lips curled in an icy smile, “If Mo Jingqi himself doesn’t care, why should I care on his behalf? Transmit the order – immediately reinforce Hongzhou!”
Ajin finally understood his lord was serious and said solemnly, “Ajin accepts the command. Ajin takes his leave.” Taking the command token Mo Xiuyao threw to him, Ajin turned without hesitation to mount his horse and galloped away.
Watching Ajin’s figure disappear in the distance, Mo Xiuyao tightly clenched his fist. The words that slowly emerged from his mouth made one’s heart grow cold: “Mo Jingqi… do you think my patience is unlimited? If anything happens to A’Li and Hongzhou… I’ll make you wish you were dead!”