Mo Li

In the following days, Ye Li personally visited the valley beneath Black Cloud Mountain Cliff every day to instruct the few individuals she had selected. Qin Feng, who had been following her and learning alongside them, benefited immensely and grew increasingly impressed by Ye Li's abilities. Qin Feng couldn’t fathom how the princess consort, a young woman barely in her teens, could know so many things that even they had never heard of. Though he prided himself on being intelligent, he had to admit that mastering everything Ye Li taught would likely take him at least ten to twenty years.

For these soldiers specifically chosen to be trained as spies, Ye Li also paid close attention to their psychology and mindset. During her teachings, she deliberately incorporated adapted stories of legendary agents from her past life. Though she didn’t mention specific names, these clever soldiers came to understand the importance of the missions they would undertake in the future. They also realized that being a spy wasn’t as disgraceful as they had once thought—sometimes, it could even determine the outcome of a war. Any lingering regrets or dissatisfaction they might have harbored were soon overshadowed by the novel knowledge and skills Ye Li introduced.

"Princess Consort, do you already have plans for this group?" Qin Feng asked curiously as he stood beside Ye Li, watching her swiftly jot down notes.

Ye Li glanced up at him and replied, "They’re more of an experiment. I can’t be certain how effective they’ll actually be. Training a competent spy is far more difficult than training a hundred elite soldiers—it takes much more time. Besides, I’m not particularly familiar with this field."

Qin Feng chuckled. "I can’t tell that you’re unfamiliar at all. Listening to your teachings these past few days has been eye-opening for me. Many of these concepts are things I’d never even considered before. I truly don’t understand how you came up with them."

Ye Li gave him a faintly amused look. "Do you really want to know?"

Qin Feng froze, then instinctively shrank back and shook his head repeatedly. "I was just joking."

The Xu family had produced generations of scholars and renowned Confucian masters—was it really so strange for another genius like the princess consort to emerge? Glancing at the thick stack of documents piling up on the nearby table, Qin Feng frowned. "Princess Consort, if you want to train spies, why only select men and not women? After all, women are less likely to arouse suspicion."

Ye Li shot him an exasperated look. "Do you think I haven’t considered that? Finding suitable women isn’t that easy. Unlike men, who can afford to be average in appearance and talent—making them even less conspicuous—women must possess exceptional beauty, intellect, and skill. Otherwise, they won’t even get close to the enemy, let alone accomplish anything else."

Qin Feng nodded. "You’re right, Princess Consort."Ye Li said, "You'll likely be in charge of this area in the future, so keep an eye out for suitable candidates. Also, regarding those few individuals—I'll be returning to the capital in a couple of days, and these are the things they still need to learn. Review them yourself as well. Once this phase is over, I’ll arrange for someone to personally instruct them in other matters. I have two enrollment slots for Mount Li Academy. After their training is complete, select two and send them there."

Qin Feng was taken aback. Mount Li Academy was a prestigious institution many scions of noble families in Great Chu couldn’t even dream of entering. Most of the lower-ranking soldiers in the army came from humble backgrounds. Whatever the princess consort intended, the opportunity to study at Mount Li Academy was an immense boon for them. "Thank you, Princess Consort," he said.

Ye Li waved her hand dismissively. "No need for thanks. Try to pick the younger ones. Besides, if they can’t pass the academy’s entrance exam, it’ll all be for nothing."

Qin Feng smiled. "These few have some education in their families—they’re different from the rough men in the army. Knowing about such a generous favor from you, they’ll do everything in their power to pass."

Ye Li nodded in satisfaction and was about to give further instructions when a shrill voice suddenly rang out from outside. "Ye Li! Get out here, you wretch!"

Qin Feng frowned in displeasure. "Who dares to cause trouble at the Grand Princess’s estate?"

Recognizing the voice immediately, Ye Li chuckled. "It took her this long to come storming in—quite the effort. But I suppose everyone’s indulging her now. Let her make a scene if she wants. Have her directed here so she doesn’t disturb Her Highness’s rest."

"Is it Ronghua Princess?"

"Princess Ronghua," Ye Li corrected. Though she didn’t reside in the capital, reports of events there were delivered to her daily. The emperor had recently elevated Ronghua Princess to royal status for a marriage alliance with Northern Rong. These past days, Princess Zhaoren’s manor had been in chaos. At first, Ronghua Princess had believed her mother and aunt could shield her, but once she realized her mother was powerless, she resorted to tantrums, even starving herself in protest, driving Princess Zhaoren to near despair. Yet no matter how much she raged, how could she defy the emperor’s decree? In the end, palace matrons were sent to oversee her daily lessons in court etiquette. As a member of the imperial family, her training wasn’t as rigorous as that of a palace-born princess, but she still suffered little hardship.

Now, however, Ye Li wondered why Ronghua Princess had chosen to make a scene here.

As the commotion outside grew louder, Ye Li set down her brush and stepped out. The moment she emerged, she saw Ronghua Princess storming toward her with an entourage in tow. The princess’s eyes burned with hatred and fury at the sight of Ye Li. "Ye Li, you vile woman—I’ll kill you!"

As if facing a mortal enemy, Ronghua Princess lunged recklessly at her. Ye Li frowned slightly, and Qin Feng swiftly stepped forward, blocking the princess two paces away. Calmly, he said, "Your Highness, please restrain yourself."

The title twisted Ronghua Princess’s delicate face into a snarl. "Shut up! Who are you, a lowly servant, to lecture me?"

Qin Feng arched a brow. "Apologies, Your Highness, but I serve the Ding Royal Palace—not you.""You... you..." Princess Ronghua, accustomed to being domineering, was already furious to the point of speechlessness, never expecting that even a mere servant from the Ding Royal Palace would dare to treat her with such disrespect. The attendants following her finally snapped out of their daze and rushed forward to placate her. The noisy clamor around her only added to Princess Ronghua's irritation, and she turned sharply to deliver a resounding slap to the nearest servant. "Shut up, all of you!" she snapped. The courtyard fell into immediate silence, her attendants quickly stifling themselves to avoid further provoking their mistress.

Ye Li waved a hand dismissively at Qin Feng. "Qin Feng, you may attend to your duties."

Qin Feng frowned disapprovingly. "Your Highness, that might not be wise..."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "No need to worry. Princess Ronghua won’t do anything to me." Though uneasy about the princess's erratic behavior, Qin Feng chose to trust his mistress. After all, they were currently in the Grand Princess's estate—even if Princess Ronghua wished to cause trouble, it wouldn’t be easy. And if it came to a fight, Qin Feng wasn’t even confident he could best Ye Li himself—let alone this princess, who wouldn’t stand a chance against her.

Once Qin Feng withdrew, Ye Li turned back to Princess Ronghua with a polite smile. "Princess, please come inside."

The unexpected courtesy left Princess Ronghua momentarily flustered. She eyed Ye Li warily. "What scheme are you plotting?"

Ye Li chuckled lightly. "No need for concern. I have no schemes against you. Why would I bother scheming against a princess sent for a political marriage?"

"You—!" Princess Ronghua’s face flushed with anger.

Ye Li maintained her smile. "Princess, let’s sit and talk inside."

In the end, Princess Ronghua reluctantly followed her into the parlor and took a seat, though her sharp almond eyes continued to glare daggers at Ye Li. After taking a sip of tea, Ye Li asked, "What was the purpose of your outburst today? Just to vent your anger? If so, feel free—hit me, curse me, smash whatever you like. But tell me, does any of that change your situation? Besides, do you truly believe your marriage to Northern Rong is my doing?"

Princess Ronghua stiffened, then jutted her chin defiantly. "Of course it’s because of you! Who else would add my name to the list? Don’t deny you did it out of spite!"

Ye Li arched a brow. "Spite? If that’s how you see it, fine. But the order came from His Majesty. I merely selected the most suitable candidates. The final choice wasn’t mine."

Princess Ronghua snapped, "Then why didn’t you remove my name?"

Ye Li almost laughed. "And why should I have?" Were they close? Had they ever been on good terms?

"I don’t want to marry into Northern Rong! Those barbarians are vulgar, hideous..."

For the first time, a flicker of fear and vulnerability surfaced beneath Princess Ronghua’s haughty demeanor. Ye Li sighed inwardly.

"Who does?" she murmured.Princess Ronghua froze, unable to speak for a long moment. Indeed, Northern Rong was no pleasant place—what daughter of noble lineage would willingly go there for a political marriage? Ye Li had no friendship with her, even harboring some past grievances, so why would she help remove her name from the list? Watching Princess Ronghua stubbornly bite her lip to hold back tears, Ye Li inwardly shook her head. Though she didn’t particularly like the princess, she didn’t dislike her either. True, Princess Ronghua was spoiled, domineering, and arrogant, but she was also straightforward—far easier to deal with than those scheming women filled with endless plots. "Why did Your Highness come out of the city today? Surely not just to vent your anger by beating me up?"

"Would you let me hit you?" Princess Ronghua retorted.

Ye Li smiled faintly and shook her head. The porcelain cup in her hand shattered with a crisp sound as she said calmly, "You can't beat me."

"You—!" Princess Ronghua glared at her indignantly, feeling as if this woman was toying with her. Ye Li met her gaze evenly. "The matter of the political marriage cannot be changed. Rather than wasting time quarreling with me, Your Highness should think about what to do next."

A flicker of sorrow and helplessness passed through Princess Ronghua’s eyes. She scoffed softly. "What can I do? Wait to be escorted to Northern Rong in a bridal carriage. And when Northern Rong and Great Chu eventually turn against each other, I’ll either be thrown into the cold palace or sacrificed as a war offering." Despite her spoiled nature, she was still a member of the royal family—she understood these political realities, even if she hadn’t needed to before. Ye Li’s gaze shifted slightly. She set the broken cup fragments on the table and said, "Once in Northern Rong, Your Highness will be the crown princess. As long as open hostilities haven’t broken out, no one will dare mistreat you openly. If you are clever enough to survive there, you might even have a chance to return to Great Chu someday."

Princess Ronghua naturally didn’t believe her. "Return to Great Chu? Easier said than done. By then, who would remember a mere political marriage princess?" Ye Li frowned thoughtfully, then took out an exquisite jade pendant, splitting it in half and handing one piece to the princess. "Keep this. If Your Highness ever faces mortal danger, the Ding Royal Palace can save your life once. Consider it a token."

"What do you want from me?" Princess Ronghua wasn’t a fool. As Ye Li had said, their relationship wasn’t close enough for such help.

Ye Li replied, "Fulfill your duties as a political marriage princess and the crown princess of Northern Rong. Do your utmost to assist the Northern Rong crown prince."

"Me... assist the Northern Rong crown prince? Are you joking?" Princess Ronghua had some self-awareness—she could manage as an ordinary consort, but aiding a crown prince? Was Ye Li overestimating her?Ye Li said calmly, "You don't need to worry. Since I've said this, I'll naturally help you. If you trust me, when someone comes to you with the other half of the jade pendant in the future, you can trust them. Also, once you arrive in Northern Rong, you can appropriately reveal some information to the Northern Rong Crown Prince to make him believe you can assist him. This way... you won't be killed immediately upon arrival. The Northern Rong Crown Prince certainly won't be pleased to marry the Crown Princess of Great Chu." Princess Ronghua looked at Ye Li with a complicated expression. Compared to her, who had grown up in the imperial family and was even two or three years older than Ye Li, she had never considered so many things. Was this the difference between the Princess of the State and an ordinary princess?

"If the Northern Rong Crown Prince knows I have ties to Prince Ding's Estate, how could he trust me?" Princess Ronghua asked.

Ye Li smiled. "Find a way to let him know you can help him deal with Yelv Ye. When Xiu Yao escorts you to Northern Rong, I'll ask him to communicate with the Northern Rong Crown Prince. Besides... what do you need the Northern Rong Crown Prince's trust for? Do you really think Northern Rong would accept a future queen mother from Great Chu? Although Northern Rong is a barbaric land, they place more emphasis on bloodline than anywhere else. For centuries, Northern Rong has never had a foreign queen, nor has any Northern Rong king had blood other than that of Northern Rong nobility. Of course, if you can truly captivate Yelv Hong and make him change everything for you, I can also adjust my plans to support you."

Recalling the rumors about the repulsive appearances of Northern Rong people, Princess Ronghua wrinkled her nose in disgust. Although that Yelv Ye was decent-looking, he was just decent. Great Chu had no shortage of men more handsome than him—perhaps thousands, if not tens of thousands. Who knew what Yelv Hong looked like? That Yelü Ping from before resembled a pig in ugliness. Princess Ronghua snatched the jade pendant from Ye Li's hand and said irritably, "This is just a fair trade. Don't expect any gratitude from me." Ye Li smiled faintly. "No need for thanks. But Your Highness should know some things mustn't be shared with too many people, right?"

"I'm not stupid," Princess Ronghua retorted coldly. Of course she wasn't stupid. She knew Ye Li was using her, but historically, how many princesses sent for political marriages had good fates? Especially to a place like Northern Rong. Even if Ye Li was using her, at least she was offering a means to survive. What had her lofty cousin in the palace done? Aside from sending people to teach her etiquette she had already learned, he hadn't even given her a single word of advice—treating her as nothing more than a disposable pawn. If that was the case, she couldn't be blamed for siding with the Ding Royal Palace. She wanted to live, too.

Ye Li nodded. "There's still time before your departure. These days, it would be best for Your Highness to visit Princess Zhaoyang and Her Majesty the Empress more often."Princess Ronghua gave her a puzzled look. Ye Li smiled and said, "Those two are both clever people. If the princess sincerely seeks their guidance, they will teach you many things. I don't know what Princess Zhaoren has taught you, but after all these years, perhaps there's no need to learn more?"

Ye Li's blatant mockery of her mother didn't anger Princess Ronghua. Instead, she pondered seriously for a moment before replying, "This princess understands. I’ll take my leave now. Oh, by the way... if you have nothing else to do, you should return to the capital sooner rather than later. Be careful, or your Prince Ding might be snatched away by someone else."

With that, Princess Ronghua strode out with her usual air of pride, leaving Ye Li alone in the parlor, momentarily stunned as she wondered whether the princess's words were merely a jest or held some truth.