The uproar over the arranged marriage faded into oblivion as the imperial palace, the Ding Royal Palace, and the Northern Rong embassy tacitly chose to forget the matter. The capital remained as bustling and lively as ever, though now with the added reputation of the Princess of the State being a fierce and formidable woman. While noblewomen whispered about it with a mix of scorn and mockery, none could deny the envy and jealousy lurking beneath their words. Ye Li paid no heed to the gossip outside her doors, continuing her daily routine of managing affairs in the Ding Royal Palace and occasionally slipping out of the city to observe the training of her people. In the blink of an eye, the day of the princess's departure for the marriage alliance arrived.
On the eve of the journey, the couple, soon to be separated, found no time for a private farewell. The hidden study of the Ding Royal Palace was unusually crowded. When Mo Xiuyao entered with Ye Li, the gathered men paused briefly before rising to greet them. Mo Xiuyao waved a hand dismissively. "No need for formalities. A Li, you know most of these men. As for the rest, let me introduce them."
Ye Li sat composedly beside Mo Xiuyao, nodding with a faint smile. Scanning the room, she recognized familiar faces like Head Steward Mo, Feng San, and Leng Haoyu, but a few others were unfamiliar. She turned questioningly to Mo Xiuyao, who smiled faintly. "This is General Zhang Qilan, who commands the Mo Family Army stationed near the capital. And this is Sun Yan, the supreme commander of the Black Cloud Cavalry. Mo Hua."
Mo Xiuyao introduced the two imposing middle-aged men before softly calling another name. A gray-clad figure dropped silently from the rafters, bowing respectfully. "Your Highness, Princess."
Mo Xiuyao smiled at Ye Li. "This is Mo Hua, the leader of the shadow guards."
Ye Li acknowledged the three with a nod and a smile. These men held the reins of the Ding Royal Palace's true power—its most trusted confidants. Especially Mo Hua. Having lived in the Prince Ding's Estate for over a year, Ye Li knew that those bearing the Mo surname were Mo Xiuyao's most loyal followers, their families having served the Ding Royal Palace for generations, dating back to Mo Lanyun's time.
Zhang Qilan and Sun Yan quickly rose again. "We pay our respects to the Princess."
Ye Li smiled. "We are all family here, Generals. No need for such courtesy."
Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu, seated nearby, exchanged glances, each seeing a flicker of surprise and affirmation in the other's eyes.
Once everyone had settled back into their seats, Mo Hua vanished once more into the shadows. Ye Li glanced at the darkened corner of the study, her lips curving slightly. She could sense Mo Hua's faint dissatisfaction—or perhaps defiance—toward her, but that was an issue for another time.
"Your Highness," Zhang Qilan spoke up, his tone blunt and straightforward, as befitted a soldier. "The journey to Northern Rong is long and arduous, spanning several months. Would it not be unwise for you to go alone?"The others nodded in agreement, though they knew full well that the decision was already made and could not be changed. Sun Yan suggested, "Your Highness, perhaps we could request the Emperor's permission for the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry to escort the princess and Your Highness to Northern Rong?" Everyone present voiced their approval. Given the deep-seated enmity between Northern Rong and the Ding Royal Palace, they could not rest easy with the prince traveling to Northern Rong alone. Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and said, "The Emperor will not agree. Not only the Emperor, but Northern Rong would also refuse." Sending the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry to escort the marriage delegation would likely prevent them from even crossing Northern Rong's borders. The hostility Northern Rong harbored toward the Mo Family Army was no less than the Mo Family Army's toward Northern Rong.
Leng Haoyu chuckled, "Everyone, there's no need to worry too much. I doubt the Northern Rong people would dare to act directly against His Highness. While the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry cannot go, no one can object to bringing a few shadow guards." As for how many, that would be up to them to decide.
The discussion in the study room paused abruptly as everyone turned their gaze toward Mo Xiuyao. Although the Ding Royal Palace had maintained a low profile over the years, it was indeed the prince who, despite his frail health, had single-handedly restored the nearly crumbling Ding Royal Palace. They should trust that since the prince had agreed to the Emperor's request to go to Northern Rong, he must have already devised a plan. Holding Ye Li's hand, Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "Since I am going to Northern Rong, I naturally have a foolproof strategy. What we should be concerned about now is what will happen in the capital after I leave." The group was taken aback. Feng Zhiyao frowned and asked, "Your Highness suspects someone might target Prince Ding's Estate after your departure?"
Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, "Having finally seized this opportunity with me away from the capital, it's unlikely they won't act. After I leave, everyone is to follow the princess's orders."
The assembled group was stunned, their eyes involuntarily shifting to the composed woman seated beside Mo Xiuyao. Although they had been deeply impressed by the princess's performance over the past year, entrusting the entire Ding Royal Palace to a sixteen-year-old woman still raised doubts about her capabilities. Sun Yan frowned and asked, "Your Highness, what do you mean...?" Instead of answering immediately, Mo Xiuyao turned to Ye Li with a smile and asked, "A Li, do you still have the jade pendant I gave you the other day?" Ye Li was momentarily startled before recalling what he meant. She reached into her sleeve and produced a jade pendant, laying it out in her palm. The onlookers gasped in astonishment. In Ye Li's hand lay an exquisite piece of mutton-fat white jade, unsuitable for a woman's adornment, which was why she had kept it hidden on her person rather than wearing it. Carved upon it was a lifelike depiction of a Yazi.
Yazi, the second son of the dragon, with the head of a dragon and the body of a wolf, was known for his fierce and combative nature, fond of battle and slaughter. Yet, this was the true military tally of the Ding Royal Palace. Like the Black Cloud Cavalry, the Mo Family Army had no standard military tally. All troops could be mobilized at will by Prince Ding alone, with one exception: the Princess of the State holding the Yazi Jade Pendant, whose authority was equal to Prince Ding himself. This was why many believed the Princess of the State could also command the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry. In truth, however, only one or two princesses in history had ever wielded such power, simply because the others had never possessed this jade pendant."Your Highness... the princess consort is still too young, perhaps..." Zhang Qilan voiced his concern. Though the others remained silent, their expressions mirrored the same sentiment. The princess consort was indeed exceptionally capable, and with a few more years of experience, she might be able to handle responsibilities independently. But at present, she was merely sixteen, having entered the palace for just a year—it was hard not to feel uneasy.
Feng Zhiyao rose with a smile, bowing respectfully to Ye Li. "Feng Zhiyao obeys His Highness's command and will follow the princess consort's orders."
Leng Haoyu raised an eyebrow slightly and stood as well. "We shall follow the princess consort's orders."
"Feng San, Leng Er, you..." Zhang Qilan glared anxiously at the two seemingly reckless young men. Feng Zhiyao leisurely fanned himself with a folding fan, chuckling. "General Zhang worries too much. The princess consort's literary and military strategies are extraordinary. This year in Yonglin City, with only twenty to thirty thousand troops, she held off Prince Li's army of over a hundred thousand, annihilating tens of thousands and even wiping out two of his flanking divisions. Who dares say she lacks military acumen?" Zhang Qilan froze. He had heard of the princess consort's defense in Yongzhou but dismissed it—after all, Murong Shen was still there, and the princess consort was merely a woman. History had no precedent of women on the battlefield. He assumed the Black Cloud Cavalry had assisted in the defense under her orders. But hearing it directly from Feng Zhiyao changed everything. Feng Zhiyao had overseen the palace's shadow guards and spies for years—he wouldn't speak carelessly. The generals' gazes toward Ye Li grew more probing. Stationed in military camps, they had little interaction with her and knew far less than Feng Zhiyao or Leng Haoyu. Now, hearing Feng Zhiyao's words, they wondered if doubting His Highness's decision had been too rash.
Ye Li tucked away the jade pendant and smiled at the generals. "I am young and inexperienced. I hope for your guidance in the future." Her tone was calm and composed, yet the generals sensed an undercurrent of sharpness and battlefield ferocity. Only those who had truly fought could exude such presence—yet this young princess consort could conceal it entirely, appearing harmless unless she chose otherwise. The generals shuddered inwardly, lowering their heads. "We shall follow the princess consort's orders."
Mo Xiuyao glanced at them approvingly and nodded. "Good. After I leave the capital, all affairs of the Ding Royal Palace will be decided by the princess consort. Her words carry my authority. Understood?"
"Yes, Your Highness!" they chorused.
The secret discussion in the study lasted until late at night. When the others had left, the couple stepped out under a crescent moon. Ye Li looked up at the elegant man beside her, her heart stirring with an unspoken reluctance.
"A Li, what's wrong?" Mo Xiuyao asked softly.
Ye Li shook her head, dispelling her gloom with a smile. "I can't help worrying about you going to Northern Rong. I've selected a few people to accompany you."
Mo Xiuyao chuckled, curious. "Who could put your mind at ease? Are there talents even I don't know about?"Ye Li sighed softly and said, "If possible, I wouldn't want to give them to you yet because their training and assessments aren't complete. But this time, the Emperor definitely won't allow you to bring too many people from Prince Ding's Estate. The number of personal guards is limited after all. You should take them with you."
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "Since A Li is so confident, then this prince would like to see the results of your efforts over the past month."
Ye Li gave a faint smile and lightly clapped her hands twice. Mo Xiuyao focused intently on their surroundings, his eyes flashing as he called out clearly, "Shadow guards, alert!"
In the night, after a few extremely faint sounds, silence returned. Soon, several figures descended from the trees, walls, and eaves, quickly forming a line before speaking solemnly, "Awaiting the young master's instructions."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow in surprise and smiled. "You recognized me—seems Lin Han and the others taught you well. What do you think, Your Highness?"
Mo Xiuyao shook his head helplessly. "It appears the shadow guards could use some retraining." These people didn't seem exceptionally skilled in martial arts, yet they had infiltrated the heavily guarded Prince Ding's Estate without a sound and subdued opponents twice their number. Their abilities were undeniably astonishing. Perhaps the shadow guards of the estate had grown too complacent over the years.
Ye Li chuckled. "Your Highness needn't feel disheartened. They were only able to slip in unnoticed because they already knew the estate's defenses. There aren't any major flaws in the security here."
Mo Xiuyao replied, "A Li, there's no need to console me. I won't blame them. Where are the guards from the courtyard?"
Moments later, over a dozen shadow guards and regular guards entered, covered in dust, their heads bowed in shame. The shadow guards, in particular, couldn't bring themselves to look up. They had prided themselves as the most elite guards of the Ding Royal Palace, yet they had been caught off guard right under their noses. Had this been a real enemy ambush, and had anything happened to the prince or princess, no punishment would suffice to atone for their failure.
Mo Xiuyao studied the eight standing straight before him with curiosity. They seemed entirely different from the Mo Family Army, the Black Cloud Cavalry, or the shadow guards. Yet he knew these men had indeed been selected from those very forces. That they could undergo such a near-complete transformation in less than two months was a testament to his beloved consort's training prowess.
"A Li, surely they aren't just skilled at ambushes?"
Ye Li lifted her chin slightly with pride. "Of course not. Without relying on inner energy, in pure hand-to-hand combat, each of them can easily take on at least fifteen elite soldiers alone. They are proficient with all kinds of combat weapons, whether it's single combat, group battles, night warfare, aquatic combat, assassinations, infiltration, or night raids. As for what else they can do—tell His Highness yourselves."
The soldiers in line began speaking one by one.
"Reporting to Your Highness, this subordinate was originally from the Mo Family Army. Skilled in assassination and infiltration. I also speak Northern Rong and Nanzhao languages."
"This subordinate was from the Black Cloud Cavalry, skilled in archery and close combat."
"This subordinate was a shadow guard, skilled in disguise, Light Body Skill, and poison techniques..."
"..."
After hearing their reports, even Mo Xiuyao couldn't help but praise, "A Li is truly remarkable. Are these men really being given to me?"Ye Li glanced at him and said irritably, "Otherwise, did you think I brought it out to make you jealous?" Without waiting for Mo Xiuyao's reaction, she turned to the soldiers in the courtyard and continued, "You are the best of the first batch of trainees, having almost all completed the preliminary training ahead of schedule. Originally, you had another month to learn more skills before taking the final assessment. But now, you are needed for a mission ahead of time. I apologize for this."
The leading soldier replied, "It is our honor to serve His Highness and Her Highness. Please give us your orders." Ye Li nodded and said, "Good. Starting today, you will be His Highness's personal guards until he returns from Northern Rong. So, your first mission is protection. The objective—I want to see His Highness return to the capital unharmed. Can you do this?"
"We obey your orders and vow to complete the mission at all costs," the soldiers responded in unison.
Ye Li smiled. "Good. This is not just a mission but also your assessment. Since it's your first assignment, I will send Lin Han with you. He is not only your leader but also the one assessing your performance. Everyone, have a safe journey."
"Thank you, Young Master."
—————Author's Note—————
Well, well... time to part ways. But for those worried about the long separation, don't fret—this part doesn't have much content, which means... they'll reunite soon, and then... it's time to prepare for war, ohoho... Seems like I spoiled something~ Tomorrow, we set off northward~ Changing places and jobs is the worst. So uncomfortable, so uncomfortable~
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