After Qin Zheng and Xu Qingze’s wedding, Lichen City seemed to settle into complete tranquility. Neither the overt and covert struggles between Yelü Hong and Yelü Ye of the Northern Rong, nor the facade of harmony masking discord between Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli, nor even the stirrings of the Western Ling imperial clan beneath the seemingly stable rule of the Garrison South King could disturb the peace of this northwestern corner.
Protected by hundreds of thousands of Mo family troops and with Prince Ding employing talented young officials like Xu Qingchen to implement bold reforms, the common people of the northwest felt unprecedented peace and contentment under the protection of Prince Ding’s manor. If they had once worried about their fate after breaking away from Great Chu, now most would be unwilling to return even if given the chance. In the hearts of the common people, the Prince and Princess Ding who enabled them to live such peaceful lives were the ones they truly supported.
Time flows like water, years pass like a shuttle, and five years slip through their fingers in the blink of an eye.
In Prince Ding’s Manor
A small child wearing an ink-black brocade robe embroidered with silver dragon patterns strolled along the corridor. Though his fair young face tried hard to maintain a solemn expression, it remained adorably pinchable. The child had a pair of beautiful jet-black eyes like black pearls, and combined with that dignified expression like a miniature adult, he appeared exquisitely carved from snow and jade. Even at his young age, he already displayed stunning grace and handsomeness. The people following behind him all wore worried expressions, wanting to speak but hesitating as they watched their young master, presenting a pitiful appearance of wanting to dissuade but not daring to open their mouths. As if sensing the resentment behind him, the child turned his head to glance at his followers, letting out a disdainful snort: “This Young Master said you don’t need to follow anymore. What? Are This Young Master’s words ineffective?”
Everyone felt a chill down their spines, inwardly crying tears: Young Master, just who did you learn to speak like this from? It’s quite frightening, you know?
“Um… Young Master, the Prince instructed that you must copy the Prince Ding Chronicles from the Chu History ten times. The Prince will check when he returns,” an attendant hurriedly reminded him.
The round eyes narrowed slightly, and the child calmly said: “This Young Master knows. You may withdraw. This Young Master is going to pay respects to Mother Princess.” The followers looked at each other, unsure how to handle this. Not letting the Young Master pay respects to the Princess would certainly be wrong. No one could say a word against the Young Master being filial to his mother. But if they let him go, the homework assigned by the Prince would likely be shirked. When the Prince returned, they would be the ones in trouble.
“Hmph!” The Young Master snorted heavily. He knew his father had arranged so many people around him with ill intent. Mother Princess was his, how dare that old man think he could just snatch her away? Casting a disdainful glance at his followers, the Young Master flicked his sleeves and walked briskly toward his mother’s location.
In the study, Ye Li sat behind the desk seriously reviewing newly submitted memorials. The five years had barely left any traces on her; compared to five years ago, having just passed her twentieth year with years of experience as a ruler had given her an even more striking air of dignified grace. Ye Li closed the memorial in her hand and looked up at Qin Feng standing before her, asking: “The changes and reorganization of the Mo family army are almost complete. How is Qilin?”
Qin Feng smiled and replied: “Please rest assured, Princess. Currently, Qilin commands two thousand warriors. Each one is an elite among elites, carefully selected and trained.” Ye Li smiled and said: “Elite status isn’t proven by words. The northwest has been too peaceful these past few years. The Mo family army just completed reorganization and has gained many new soldiers who have never seen battle. I fear the army’s fighting strength may decrease rather than increase.”
Qin Feng smiled: “Princess worries too much. Although the new soldiers haven’t been to battle, the Prince and the generals have maintained strict training without any relaxation. As for experience, they’ll naturally adapt after one or two battles.” Ye Li nodded and raised her eyes to look at Qin Feng. Having followed Ye Li for several years, Qin Feng had gained some understanding of her expressions and asked curiously: “Does the Princess have some ideas?” Ye Li tapped her index finger, nodding thoughtfully: “Indeed I have some ideas, though whether they can be implemented remains to be discussed.” Qin Feng respectfully said: “This subordinate would like to hear the details.”
Ye Li smiled and said: “To prevent the soldiers from becoming rusty from lack of combat… how about conducting military exercises?”
“Military exercises?” Qin Feng said with some novelty. Though it sounded unfamiliar, he could grasp some of the Princess’s meaning from these words. All countries had some exercises when training troops, such as naval exercises, tactical formations, and various drills, but Qin Feng felt the Princess surely had more interesting methods in mind. Ye Li nodded, thinking and smiling as she spoke: “Indeed… Qin Feng, look into which area in the northwest would be suitable for such large-scale exercises.” Qin Feng raised an eyebrow, “Does it need to be very large? The newly built Mo family military training ground fifty li outside Lichen City should be big enough.” Ye Li shook her head and smiled: “That’s not the kind of place I want – I want a battlefield!”
“Battlefield!” Qin Feng was startled, “Princess means?”
Ye Li nodded and smiled: “Yes, complex terrain, vast territory. A place large enough to support a real battle. I want joint exercises involving multiple arms and branches of service. Not just the Mo family army, but also the Black Cloud Cavalry, including Qilin – all must participate.”
Qin Feng pictured the scene Ye Li described in his mind and suddenly felt his blood boiling. He immediately responded loudly: “Please rest assured, Princess. This subordinate will find a suitable location!” Ye Li nodded with satisfaction: “Very good, you may go handle it. I’ll discuss this matter with the Prince later. Before then… keep it confidential.”
“This subordinate obeys!” Qin Feng’s handsome face was full of excited smiles. These years had indeed been too quiet. Though the exercises weren’t real battles, from the Princess’s few words, Qin Feng found it very interesting.
“Mother Princess…” A child’s light footsteps and soft, coquettish call came from outside the door.
Ye Li’s smile gained several degrees more warmth. She had just raised her head when she saw her precious one enter with a wronged expression, looking pitifully at her. Qin Feng standing to the side had his mouth twitch imperceptibly as he retreated to the side, “This subordinate greets the Young Master.” Mo Xiaobao noticed there were others in the study, and the wronged expression on his face stiffened slightly. Ye Li smiled gently: “Baobao, what’s wrong?” Mo Xiaobao directly ignored Qin Feng and went around the large desk to throw himself into Ye Li’s arms, rubbing his little face against her, “Mother Princess… I’m not Baobao. Chen’er has grown up…”
Ye Li reached out to hold Mo Xiaobao and let him sit in her lap, raising her hand to tap his little forehead as she smiled: “Alright, sorry Mother Princess forgot again. Why has Chen’er come to find Mother Princess?” The power of subtle influence is truly terrifying. When Mo Xiaobao was first born, Ye Li still remembered to use his formal name more often, to avoid his nickname spreading too widely and making her son feel embarrassed later. Unfortunately, before Mo Xiaobao was old enough to protest, Mo Xiuyao had spread his son’s nickname until the entire Mo family army knew it. If Mo Xiaobao’s formal name hadn’t caused quite a stir back then, everyone would probably think Prince Ding Manor’s young master’s surname was Mo, given the name Xiaobao.
Only then was Mo Xiaobao satisfied to snuggle in his mother’s arms, contentedly breathing in the faint fragrance from her body as he blinked his big eyes: “Child has come to accompany Mother Princess for lunch.” Ye Li looked out at the sun’s position, then turned to glance at Qin Feng. Qin Feng lowered his head and coughed lightly, barely containing his smile as he said: “Reporting to Princess, it has just passed the hour of Si.” Ye Li looked down at Mo Xiaobao with raised eyebrows, “What mischief have you done?” Mo Xiaobao pursed his little mouth and raised his small hand pitifully toward Ye Li, “Mother Princess, child’s hand hurts…”
Ye Li sighed helplessly, “What did your Royal Father have you do?”
“Royal Father wants child to copy the Prince Ding Chronicles ten times, and won’t let child eat lunch until it’s done. Wuwu… Chen’er’s hand will be ruined…” The Prince Ding Chronicles in the Chu History had eight chapters, each with at least two to three thousand characters, totaling nearly twenty thousand characters. Copying it ten times would mean over two hundred thousand characters. Mo Xiaobao trembled and held tightly to his mother. He absolutely couldn’t write it – his hand would be crippled! That’s why he took advantage of his father’s absence to run to his mother for help.
Ye Li smiled helplessly, knowing her son’s nature and that the part about not being allowed to eat until finishing was his addition. However, she still had some objections to Mo Xiuyao punishing their son by making him copy so much text. Mo Xiaobao wasn’t even five years old yet and could barely hold a brush steady. Even for an ordinary person, writing over two hundred thousand characters would take considerable time, let alone a child who hadn’t even learned all his characters yet. After thinking for a moment, Ye Li said: “Then let’s change it to copying the Chronicle of Prince Ding Ming once.” Prince Ding Ming referred to the first Prince Ding, Mo Lanyun, whose posthumous title was Ming. Seeing the joy light up in Mo Xiaobao’s eyes, Ye Li added slowly: “After writing it, you must know how to read all the characters and recite it to your father when he returns. Understand?”
Mo Xiaobao blinked his eyes, but seeing the unyielding look in his mother’s eyes, he could only agree dejectedly. Going from eight chapters ten times to one chapter once was already quite good. He snuggled closer to Ye Li’s embrace, “Child understands.”
“Good boy,” Ye Li smiled, rubbing her son’s little head.
Mo Xiaobao immediately nodded with a grin: “Child is the most well-behaved, and child loves Mother Princess the most.” Ye Li kissed his forehead and smiled: “Mother Princess loves Chen’er the most too.”
Qin Feng, standing to the side watching the mother and son interact, silently shook his head. Young Master, every time you take advantage of the Prince’s absence to act pitiful and curry favor with the Princess, only to be pushed away and punished when the Prince returns – is there any meaning to it?
“The Prince has returned.” The sound of maids paying respects came from outside. Qin Feng glanced at the Young Master still nestled in the Princess’s arms and swiftly made his exit: “Princess, this subordinate will take his leave first.” Ye Li nodded: “Go ahead.”
Mo Xiuyao stepped into the room and frowned unconsciously upon seeing his son sitting in Ye Li’s arms acting like an obedient baby. His white clothes paired with that snow-white silver hair made him appear cold and aloof. Only when he saw his wife sitting behind the desk did those somewhat cold eyes gain some warmth, “Ali, what are you talking about?” Ye Li patted Mo Xiaobao and looked up with a smile: “Nothing much, Chen’er just came to pay his respects.” Mo Xiaobao reluctantly climbed down from his mother’s embrace, and walked forward to bow to his father, “Son pays respects to Royal Father.” Mo Xiuyao looked down at him for a moment, then bent to pick him up to eye level, “Came to pay respects to your mother? Xiaobao is truly filial, Father is deeply gratified.” Being held in his father’s arms, Mo Xiaobao immediately tried to struggle, but his little strength was no match for Mo Xiuyao’s hands. Mo Xiuyao held him in his arms, and even using all his might until his little face turned red, Mo Xiaobao couldn’t budge those arms that were like iron bars.
“What’s wrong with Chen’er?” With Mo Xiuyao’s body blocking her view, Ye Li hadn’t seen her son’s struggle and only wondered why her son who usually loved to throw himself into her arms would have such a red face in Mo Xiuyao’s embrace. Mo Xiuyao looked at his son lovingly and smiled: “It seems Xiaobao has learned to be shy, he’s truly growing up.”
Ye Li raised a delicate eyebrow – was that so?
Mo Xiaobao, knowing he couldn’t overcome his father’s strength, could only pretend to be shy and lie in his father’s arms, inadvertently confirming Mo Xiuyao’s words. Mo Xiuyao sat down beside Ye Li with Mo Xiaobao in his arms. Ye Li stood to pour him a cup of tea, placing it before him and asking: “How are things at the military camp outside the city?” Mo Xiuyao picked up the teacup and took a sip, saying: “No problems. The hard work of these past few years hasn’t been wasted. I saw Qin Feng hurrying away just now, did Ali give him some task?”
Ye Li nodded and repeated to Mo Xiuyao what she had discussed with Qin Feng earlier. Mo Xiuyao was very interested in this, “Military exercises? Ali’s ideas are always wonderfully unique. Compared to those perfunctory drills and training, this idea is indeed much more interesting.” Ye Li nodded and smiled: “This method tests not just the ordinary soldiers, but also the commanding officers. Didn’t we specifically select and focus on training a batch of young officers these past few years? We need to see what the results are like. If we’ve trained a group of armchair strategists, we might as well throw them directly onto the battlefield to fight.”
Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement: “This is excellent. Ali, write out the plan for me to review later, and then we’ll have people prepare. However… since it’s two armies in combat, there must be supreme commanders. Does Ali have any thoughts on who should lead the troops?” Ye Li smiled and nodded: “I’ve indeed thought about it. How about you command one army?” Mo Xiuyao started, put down his teacup, and looked at Ye Li: “Then what about the other side?” Ye Li smiled and said: “I’ll take command of the other side. General Zhang and General Lü are veteran commanders, they can act as outside observers and referees. They can also serve as backup if needed.”
Mo Xiuyao pondered briefly before nodding to agree with Ye Li’s plan, smiling: “Good, they say Ali is naturally gifted. I’d like to see how Ali commands troops.” Hearing this, Ye Li could only smile wryly – when it came to natural talent, who in this world could compare to Mo Xiuyao? She was even less qualified to mention. However, she wouldn’t arrange a one-sided exercise; at least, both sides should be balanced to make it interesting, right?
Mo Xiaobao sat in his father’s arms, tilting his little head to listen to his parents talk. Though he might not understand everything, he listened quietly, occasionally blinking his big eyes, which Ye Li found utterly adorable. She reached out toward Mo Xiuyao: “Let me hold Chen’er.” Mo Xiaobao was overjoyed and quickly stretched out his little hands toward his mother, but Mo Xiuyao turned slightly, moving Mo Xiaobao further from his mother. He said to Ye Li: “He’s already five years old and not light anymore, be careful not to tire yourself. Besides, it’s not good for children to always be carried. When I was young, I stopped letting people carry me after I turned two.”
Ye Li could only look helplessly at her son. Mo Xiaobao was grinding his teeth inwardly. Then they heard Mo Xiuyao say casually: “On the way back to the city, I stopped by to pay respects to Master Qingyun. Master Qingyun said Mo Xiaobao is already five years old and can begin formal education.” Ye Li blinked, somewhat confused: “Haven’t we already started Chen’er’s education?” Although their child wasn’t yet five, he had already learned most of the basic primers like the Hundred Family Surnames and Thousand Character Classic. In her previous life, Ye Li herself was still playing games and learning ABC with teachers in kindergarten at five years old. Mo Xiuyao looked down at his son with a meaningful smile, while Mo Xiaobao felt chills run down his spine. “Ali, because you’re a daughter, the Xu family wasn’t very strict with your education. But ask the young masters of the Xu family – which of them didn’t recognize characters by age two or three and start formal education by four or five? If not for this, how could the Xu family members all achieve scholarly honors before twenty? You should know that for ordinary people, achieving honors at twenty-four or twenty-five is already extremely rare. Since Xiaobao is the Young Master of Prince Ding’s manor, the responsibilities he’ll bear in the future are naturally greater than others. Being lenient with him would harm him.”
Ye Li was speechless – was this also about not letting children fall behind at the starting line? Who said children in her previous modern life had it hard? The Xu family’s children truly had it difficult. With Mo Xiuyao’s mention, Ye Li also realized that the Xu family’s descendants had almost all achieved scholarly honors before twenty; like eldest brother Xu Qingchen who made the Golden List at fourteen – didn’t that mean starting education at two or three? Looking at her son somewhat reluctantly, Ye Li sighed softly: “I just hoped Chen’er could have a happy and carefree childhood.”
Childhood? What was that? Something he never had, so why should his son have it? As poisonous jealousy welled up in Mo Xiuyao’s heart, his face remained gentle as he smiled, “In today’s world, isn’t it better for Xiaobao to mature earlier rather than still knowing nothing if we can’t protect him in the future? Besides, with Master Qingyun personally teaching him, aren’t you reassured? Though Master Qingyun is strict with his children and grandchildren, he loves Xiaobao the most. Are you still worried he’ll tire him out?”
Ye Li thought this was true – if you asked who in the entire northwest loved Mo Xiaobao the most, no one would dare claim first place if Master Qingyun took second. Even Master Qingyun’s great-grandson, the four-year-old Xu Zhirui, son of Xu Qingze and Qin Zheng, had to step aside. “Very well then. Chen’er, you must be obedient at Great-grandfather’s, alright? Mother will visit you every other day, okay?”
Mo Xiaobao lay listlessly in Mo Xiuyao’s arms, inwardly scorning his despicable old father: You just want to drive me away, hmph! Wait until this Young Master grows up and see what you old man can use to compete with me for Mother Princess! Mother Princess… wuwu, you must wait for Chen’er to grow up, Chen’er will win you back!