By the time Ye Li’s group arrived at Feihong Pass, travel-worn and dusty, it was already the second evening. Feng Zhiyao had been waiting outside the pass early to receive them. Seeing Ye Li return, Feng Zhiyao visibly relaxed. “Princess Consort, you’ve finally returned.” Noting Feng Zhiyao’s expression, Ye Li’s heart sank slightly as she asked, “What happened?” Feng Zhiyao sighed, “His Highness was ambushed by people from Cangmang Mountain.”

“How could he be so easily ambushed?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Setting aside Mo Xiuyao’s martial prowess, hadn’t he obtained the list of Cangmang Mountain’s spies in Prince Ding’s manor long ago? Why would he still fall victim to an ambush? Feng Zhiyao smiled bitterly, helpless, “We were careless. That person struck suddenly… nearly injured the young heir. His Highness was only trying to…”

Seeing Ye Li’s expression change, Feng Zhiyao quickly added, “Princess Consort, please don’t worry. The young heir wasn’t hurt.” Looking at the barely concealed exhaustion in Feng Zhiyao’s handsome features, Ye Li nodded, “You’ve had it hard these past days. How is Xiuyao?”

Feng Zhiyao frowned, “His Highness… Princess Consort, let’s discuss this after we return.”

Back at Feihong Pass, since most of the soldiers didn’t know about Prince Ding’s situation, they naturally didn’t know about Princess Consort’s sudden return. Only Yuan Pei, Marquis Nan, and Murong Shen came to receive Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao was temporarily staying in the general’s manor within Feihong Pass, and the group headed straight for his courtyard. Entering the room, Ye Li was startled by what she saw, turning back to look at Feng Zhiyao, “What’s going on?”

There was indeed someone lying there, covered by thick brocade blankets hiding half their face. Only snow-white hair was visible outside the covers. Though Ye Li hadn’t approached closely, one glance told her the person wasn’t Mo Xiuyao.

Feng Zhiyao smiled bitterly. Hearing Ye Li’s voice, the person suddenly sat up and got out of bed. A handsome face frowned deeply as he said to Ye Li, “You’ve finally returned. I’m exhausted from lying here playing dead every day.”

“Han Mingxi?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow, her cool gaze sweeping over Feng Zhiyao and the others. Feng Zhiyao said heavily, “His Highness is missing.”

“Missing?” Ye Li stared at Feng Zhiyao with furrowed brows. Though she hadn’t shown anger, Feng Zhiyao felt his scalp tingle. The Princess Consort’s fury when truly aroused was no less fearsome than His Highness’s. Steeling himself, he nodded and quickly explained what had happened.

It turned out that day, the usually playful and mischievous Mo Xiaobao had suddenly been kidnapped. The perpetrator left a message demanding Mo Xiuyao come alone, or they couldn’t guarantee Mo Xiaobao’s safety. Mo Xiuyao naturally couldn’t let Mo Xiaobao be harmed, so he went alone to the designated location as agreed. When Feng Zhiyao and the others found the place, they only saw Mo Xiaobao unconscious with his pressure points sealed, and corpses and bloodstains everywhere, but no trace of Mo Xiuyao. Afterward, Feng Zhiyao’s people secretly searched the surrounding hundred li thoroughly but couldn’t find even Mo Xiuyao’s shadow. With no choice, they had to maintain the appearance that Prince Ding was merely injured. At least they had to make people believe the Prince was still in camp.

Ye Li’s fine brows knitted together. Feng Zhiyao’s narrative sounded ordinary enough, but something felt off to her – too perfectly logical. “The list I had people send back, how did Xiuyao handle it?”

“List?” Feng Zhiyao frowned, then recalled, “The list Princess Consort had sent back from Jiangnan last time, His Highness looked at it and put it away. After that, he was busy with the Northern Rong campaign, His Highness seemed…” Seemed not to have dealt with it at all. If Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing were the people Ye Li trusted most, then Feng Zhiyao was Mo Xiuyao’s most trusted confidant. If even Feng Zhiyao didn’t know about it, then Mo Xiuyao truly hadn’t handled this matter. But this was unreasonable – leaving Cangmang Mountain’s spies embedded in the Mo Family Army untouched wasn’t Mo Xiuyao’s style, unless… he was keeping them for another purpose.

Han Mingxi gave a mocking laugh, “Some people like to think they’re clever, only to outsmart themselves?”

“Mingxi…” Han Mingyue, who had just entered, caught Han Mingxi’s words and said somewhat helplessly. Han Mingyue glanced at Ye Li’s tightly knitted brows, knowing this wasn’t the time for jokes. Somewhat apologetically, he said, “Jun… Princess Consort, I didn’t…”

Ye Li’s lips curved slightly in a faint smile, “I understand. Lord Mingyue, do you have any news?” Han Mingyue shook his head, frowning, “According to various sources, currently besides ourselves, neither Mo Jingli nor Lei Zhenting knows about Xiuyao’s disappearance. Which means… Mo Jingli’s spy hasn’t returned. He might be… dead, or escaped.”

The former seemed more likely. If still alive, he wouldn’t possibly return to Mo Jingli to report news of Mo Xiuyao. If he had succeeded, there would be even less reason to flee. Killing Prince Ding Mo Xiuyao would earn him enough of Mo Jingli’s rewards to live in luxury for several lifetimes. Moreover, fleeing alone meant facing Prince Ding’s manor’s pursuit – where could he escape to? Now they had no news of either Mo Xiuyao or this spy.

Ye Li pondered for a moment before asking, “Who was this person?”

Feng Zhiyao’s expression darkened as he said, “One of His Highness’s guards, from the hidden guards.” Prince Ding’s martial arts were supreme, making his need for personal guards negligible. With Mo Xiuyao surrounded by experts and talents, he didn’t need to personally train confidants like Ye Li had. So compared to the current status and position of people like Zhuo Jing, Mo Xiuyao’s hidden guards were practically invisible. After the Qilin gradually took over some of the hidden guards’ functions, these guards received even less attention. But even so, the hidden guards were still an extremely important force for Prince Ding’s manor. More important than the Mo Family Army and Black Cloud Cavalry, because, unlike the army, they operated in the shadows closer to the Prince himself. Yet unexpectedly, Cangmang Mountain had managed to plant someone among the hidden guards. Fortunately, Cangmang Mountain was now destroyed, or it would have been even more disadvantageous for Prince Ding’s manor.

“Call Mo Hua to see me,” Ye Li said softly. “The rest of you go rest. You’re all tired from these past days. We can discuss anything else tomorrow.”

Everyone looked worriedly at Ye Li. Though they hadn’t had it easy these past days, the Princess Consort who had traveled continuously for two days and nights looked even worse. Han Mingyue and Feng Zhiyao exchanged glances, and Feng Zhiyao nodded, “Yes, we’ll take our leave. Please rest well, Princess Consort.”

Ye Li nodded without speaking further. Everyone quietly withdrew, leaving her sitting alone lost in thought under the lamp.

“Mother…” It was already a deep night, and the study remained silent except for occasional pops from the candle wick. Ye Li sat alone behind the desk, head lowered in thought. A small, hesitant voice came from the doorway. Ye Li looked up to see Mo Xiaobao standing there in just his moon-white inner clothes, without even an outer robe, looking at her expectantly.

Though it was early spring, the northwest still had no hint of warmth day or night. Ye Li’s eyes darkened slightly as she quickly rose, taking a cloak from nearby and walking forward to wrap him in it. The adult’s cape enveloped Mo Xiaobao’s entire small form. Ye Li somewhat laboriously picked him up and sat down with him, “Why did you come out without proper clothes?”

“Mother…” Mo Xiaobao looked at Ye Li, tears glinting in his round eyes as he choked slightly, “Mother… Xiaobao didn’t mean to. Wuu… Xiaobao didn’t mean to make Father disappear. Xiaobao knows he was wrong, Mother…”

“Why are you crying?” Ye Li raised her hand to gently wipe away the tears on his cheeks, then rubbed his pink face, “Mother knows this isn’t your fault. Don’t be afraid… your father will be fine, he’ll be back soon.”

“Mm.” Mo Xiaobao sniffled, saying seriously, “When Father returns, Xiaobao won’t make Father angry anymore. Mother, Xiaobao will be good from now on.” Ye Li lowered her head to kiss her son’s forehead tenderly, “Mother knows Xiaobao is a good child. Don’t be afraid, everything will be fine…” Mo Xiaobao was more intelligent than most children, which meant he understood many things better than children his age. Though Feng Zhiyao and the others hadn’t said anything in front of him, hadn’t even told him about Mo Xiuyao’s disappearance, he had already figured it out himself. It was just that these past days, everyone in Prince Ding’s manor who knew had been anxiously busy, and no one had paid attention to his behavior, nor had he told anyone anything.

But no matter how clever, he was still a child, and now seeing his mother return, he could no longer hold back. Without even putting on outer clothes, he had secretly evaded the hidden guards to run to the study to find Ye Li.

Mo Xiaobao sat in Ye Li’s embrace, his wet eyes still full of worry, “Mother, Father really… won’t be in danger?” Ye Li smiled faintly, “Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. It’s very late now, will Xiaobao go back to sleep?”

Mo Xiaobao rubbed his eyes, “Xiaobao will keep Mother company.”

“Alright then, Mother still has some work to do. You can sleep if you’re tired?” Ye Li carefully adjusted the cloak around him, speaking softly. After Mo Xiaobao nodded in agreement, he sat in Ye Li’s embrace with wide eyes watching the documents in her hands. These past days since Mo Xiuyao’s sudden disappearance, matters requiring either Mo Xiuyao’s or Ye Li’s personal attention had piled up throughout the Mo Family Army.

Ye Li read through two documents, and when she looked down again, Mo Xiaobao had closed his eyes and fallen asleep. It wasn’t just the adults who had been shocked and exhausted these past days – children’s hearts were even more sensitive, and Mo Xiaobao was quite worn out. Now sitting in his mother’s embrace, he quickly fell asleep.

“This servant Mo Hua requests to see the Princess Consort,” Mo Hua’s calm voice came from the doorway. Ye Li’s brush paused, and she set it down, saying softly, “Come in.” Mo Hua entered and was startled to see Mo Xiaobao in Ye Li’s arms. “Princess Consort, the young heir…”

Ye Li waved her hand, “Wait.” She carried Mo Xiaobao to the inner chamber sectioned off for rest, laid him down, and covered him with blankets before returning to face Mo Hua, asking, “Was it you who brought Mu Qingcang?”

A flash of surprise crossed Mo Hua’s eyes as he said gravely, “This servant was too late, causing the Princess Consort alarm. Please punish me.”

Ye Li shook her head, looking at him, “Where did His Highness go?”

“This servant… doesn’t know,” Mo Hua said, lowering his gaze.

“Don’t know?” Ye Li raised an eyebrow, looking at Mo Hua with an almost smile, “If you didn’t know, how did you know to bring Mu Qingcang to save me? As far as I know, there aren’t many who know Mu Qingcang’s whereabouts and can request his help in advance. Commander Mo shouldn’t be among them. Moreover, it was a three-day journey from where Mu Qingcang was in seclusion to where Ling Tiehan ambushed me. Even riding hard from Feihong Pass takes over two days. Which means… you had already set out before His Highness was injured. Commander Mo knew beforehand that His Highness would disappear and that I would be ambushed by Ling Tiehan?”

Few in the world could deal with Ye Li and the Qilin. Without Ling Tiehan or Lei Zhenting personally taking action, there would be no need to trouble Mu Qingcang. Even Lei Zhenting might not be capable of it now. So without extremely precise intelligence or… premeditation, Mo Hua wouldn’t have had time to find Mu Qingcang to save people.

Mo Hua remained silent. Ye Li looked at him calmly and nodded, “I understand. You only need to tell me – is Xiuyao still alive? Nod or shake your head.” Though Mo Hua was somewhat proud, he was an extremely disciplined person. If he truly couldn’t speak, he wouldn’t refuse Ye Li with such silence.

After a long moment, Mo Hua finally gave a slight nod.

Ye Li let out a soft breath, visibly relieved. No one knew that even though Ye Li had already made some guesses, in that instant waiting for Mo Hua’s nod, her heart still felt as if it was being violently squeezed. She didn’t dare imagine what she would have done if Mo Hua’s answer hadn’t been what she expected.

Ye Li nodded slightly. Mo Hua’s reluctance to say more was naturally due to Mo Xiuyao’s orders. Though somewhat displeased that Mo Xiuyao had kept even her in the dark, Ye Li knew secrecy was crucial in many matters. After all, even though she had obtained Dongfang You’s list for Mo Jingli early on… who could guarantee that what Dongfang You provided was everything?

“Where did Mu Qingcang go?” Having confirmed Mo Xiuyao was safe, Ye Li finally had the peace of mind to consider other matters. When they had spared Mu Qingcang’s life back then, she truly hadn’t imagined being saved by him one day.

Mo Hua respectfully replied, “Master Mu left with the Marquis of Mu Yang.” What Mo Hua didn’t say was that Mu Qingcang was severely injured. He likely wouldn’t be able to recover to his current level for at least ten years. However, in Mo Hua’s view, Mu Qingcang’s injuries were worth it to ensure the Princess Consort’s safe escape from the King of Hell’s Pavilion’s master.

“Ling Tiehan…” Ye Li frowned. With Mo Xiuyao absent, if Ling Tiehan continued to oppose them, he would be a major problem. Then Ye Li would have no choice but to find a way to eliminate him first. Even after experiencing a life-and-death crisis, Ye Li still didn’t harbor much ill will toward Ling Tiehan, nor did she want to become his enemy. This wasn’t just because of Big Brother’s friendship with him – Ye Li knew clearly that Ling Tiehan hadn’t truly intended to kill her. That day, even if Mu Qingcang hadn’t arrived, she would likely have only been seriously wounded and taken by Ling Tiehan at worst. With Ling Tiehan’s abilities, if he had truly wanted to strike a killing blow, there had been plenty of opportunities.

Mo Hua said, “Ling Tiehan only agreed to Lei Zhenting’s request to intercept the Princess Consort on your way back to Feihong Pass. Now that you’ve returned, Ling Tiehan won’t act again. Moreover, according to reports from below, Ling Tiehan has already returned to the King of Hell’s Pavilion with his people.” The King of Hell’s Pavilion hadn’t emerged unscathed this time – even temporarily blocking the Mo Family Army’s most powerful fighters, the Qilin, had cost them dearly. The pavilion likely wouldn’t be able to take on assassination contracts for several years unless Ling Tiehan, Cold Liu Yue, and the Sick Scholar personally acted.

Ye Li nodded with satisfaction, “Very well, you may go rest.”

Mo Hua bowed respectfully, “This servant takes his leave.”

Watching Mo Hua close the door and leave, Ye Li gazed at the flickering candlelight before her, a cold smile appearing on her beautiful face. “Mo Xiuyao… have you become addicted to playing games?”

At a secret base of Prince Ding’s manor, the Prince in white robes and white hair lounged lazily, playing with an elegant jade hairpin in his hand. His chest, casually covered by outer robes, was wrapped in thick white gauze, and his handsome face was somewhat pale, though his spirits seemed quite good. Looking at the jade hairpin in his hand, Mo Xiuyao sighed somewhat regretfully. A’Li had returned, yet he couldn’t go see her – how annoying.

“Achoo!” His Highness Prince Ding sneezed rather inelegantly, puzzled as he tugged at the outer robe draped over him. With his martial arts, he shouldn’t feel cold even without clothes, so how could he have caught a cold?

Early the next morning, everyone came to the study early to seek an audience with Ye Li. Though the Princess Consort had returned, there was still no news of His Highness. The battlefield situation had also begun developing unfavorably for them, leaving the generals unable to sleep through the night, all converging on Ye Li’s courtyard early in the morning.

Soon, Ye Li emerged from inside, holding Mo Xiaobao’s hand. Mo Xiaobao wore black brocade robes embroidered with coiling dragons. Though still clearly young, his uncommonly handsome little face was set seriously, every bit the little adult.

“Everyone, please sit,” Ye Li said calmly, leading Mo Xiaobao to the main seat. Looking at Mo Xiaobao sitting beside Ye Li, Feng Zhiyao suddenly had a bad feeling. After hesitating, he asked, “Princess Consort… about the young heir…” Feng Zhiyao wanted to say that they were about to discuss important matters, and it might not be appropriate for the young heir to be present. What if the mention of His Highness frightened him?

Ye Li said, “No need, I’ve told Yu Chen everything. He knows what to do.”

Everyone exchanged glances. It was well known that His Highness never used the young heir’s formal name, and though the Princess Consort had initially insisted, she had eventually been influenced by His Highness and also used the young heir’s childhood name. When the Princess Consort spoke the name Mo Yu Chen, it indicated she had made a serious decision.

Mo Xiaobao sat with his handsome little face composed, nodding seriously.

Feng Zhiyao’s mouth twitched as he asked, “What is the Princess Consort’s meaning?”

Ye Li said calmly, “Release the news that Prince Ding’s condition has worsened. Send word to Li City requesting Master Shen come quickly. In half a month… hold His Highness’s funeral.”

What?!

Everyone stared in shock at the Princess Consort in her cyan robes maintaining such a calm expression. Feng Zhiyao, rarely stammering, said, “Princess Consort, this servant feels… His Highness…” Mo Xiuyao was like that saying about being impossible to kill – even with no news now, Feng Zhiyao at most guessed he’d been unlucky enough to break his legs again and couldn’t return. He had never thought the man would just die like this. Moreover, for Princess Consort, who had always shared such deep affection with Mo Xiuyao, to say such things was too difficult to accept.

“He’s now gravely injured and unconscious – what difference is there from death? Just do it this way,” Ye Li said.

Beside her, Han Mingyue glanced at Ye Li, raising an eyebrow slightly as he stopped Han Mingxi from speaking, “Holding a funeral is indeed not a bad choice. Urgently summoning Master Shen makes it even more believable. Neither Mo Jingli nor the Marquis of Zhen Nan should have doubts.”

At his words, everyone suddenly realized what they had missed. The Princess Consort’s arrangement wasn’t because she believed His Highness was dead, but because she wanted others to believe His Highness was dead. Feng Zhiyao’s heart stirred as he looked at Ye Li, “Princess Consort has news of His Highness’s whereabouts?”

Ye Li shook her head regretfully, saying, “Don’t worry about His Highness for now. Recall all those sent to search. What we need to do now is stabilize the current situation. Marquis Nan?”

Marquis Nan stood, saying respectfully, “Previously in our several engagements with the Xi Ling army, thanks to His Highness’s divine military strategy, we had far more victories than defeats. However, since His Highness… Lei Zhenting’s attacks have suddenly intensified, and we’re finding them somewhat difficult to handle.” Though the Mo Family Army was fierce, the Xi Ling army was no less so. Not to mention the Xi Ling forces far outnumbered the Mo Family Army. With Mo Xiuyao present it hadn’t been noticeable, but once he was gone, the Mo Family Army’s disadvantages were immediately exposed.

Ye Li nodded, “None of you need to blame yourselves – you’ve all worked hard these days. Now that the Xi Ling army is strong, we don’t need to meet them head-on. Let’s try to avoid confrontation.”

“What does the Princess Consort mean?” Murong Shen asked.

Ye Li said, “Avoid their sharp edge, attack what they must defend. Let our generals divide into several routes and fight independently. Feihong Pass will still be defended by myself and General Yuan.” After over ten years of continuous reinforcement by the Mo Family Army, Feihong Pass’s defensibility now matched that of Han Valley Pass, known as the strongest pass in the Central Plains. The Mo Family Army currently had no means to meet the Xi Ling Army head-on.

“But Princess Consort, if Lei Zhenting commits his full force against Feihong Pass, I fear you and General Yuan…”

Ye Li smiled, “Therefore, you must ensure he cannot commit his full force. I believe this is what the Mo Family Army and Black Cloud Cavalry excel at. Additionally, don’t worry about Feihong Pass – we have some interesting items that will soon arrive. If Lei Zhenting still wants to break through Feihong Pass, he can only do so by sacrificing lives. I also want to know how many Xi Ling troops he’s willing to sacrifice to attack Feihong Pass.”

Though curious about the interesting items the Princess Consort mentioned, seeing Ye Li’s composed demeanor, everyone felt somewhat relieved. They clasped their hands and said in unison, “We obey your command.”