The study was so silent one could hear a pin drop. Ye Li gazed quietly at the middle-aged man seated before her, her delicate features maintaining an expressionless calm despite the tempest of shock raging within her from what she had just heard. Mo Xiuwen's premature death from illness had led many to suspect undisclosed secrets, yet even Ye Li had never imagined his demise might be connected to that person in the palace. When Mo Xiuwen passed away and the Mo Family Army suffered setbacks, the current emperor had only been on the throne for three years. To move so hastily against Prince Ding's Estate...
"Is there anything else the Princess wishes to know?" Mu Qingcang looked at Ye Li with a faint smirk, his expression tinged with schadenfreude.
Ye Li replied impassively, "Everything."
Mu Qingcang paused, staring intently at her. "Everything? Has the Princess truly considered this? These secrets could shake the entire Chu Kingdom—perhaps even the world."
Ye Li gave a cold smile. "Though I never met the previous Prince Ding, he was my husband's elder brother—and thus mine as well. Besides... now that you're in my hands, do you think others will believe I remain ignorant of this secret simply because I choose not to hear it?"
After a moment of silence, Mu Qingcang sighed softly. "Prince Ding is truly fortunate. Since the Princess insists, I shall disclose everything—consider it repayment for granting my final wish."
Ye Li and Mu Qingcang remained in the study all morning. None knew what was discussed, but when they emerged, both wore grave expressions. As two shadow guards escorted Mu Qingcang away, he suddenly turned back with a grin. "I can see the Princess is decisive. Allow me to offer one last piece of information—free of charge." Ye Li responded coolly, "I'm listening."
"Western Liang has decided to invade Chu on the fifteenth of August. What will the Princess do?" Without waiting for her reaction, Mu Qingcang—now shedding his earlier despondency—departed with wild laughter.
The smile faded from Ye Li's lips. After gazing at the sky above the courtyard for a long moment, she turned sharply and swept away. "Summon Feng San and Sun Yan to the study immediately!"
Feng Zhiyao and Sun Yan arrived with remarkable speed, nearly crossing paths at the entrance. Upon entering, they found Ye Li and Zhuo Jing reviewing thick dossiers behind the desk—interrogation records of captured assassins and intelligence gathered by shadow guards. Feng Zhiyao arched a brow. "Princess, what's happened?" Ye Li met his gaze. "Something indeed has happened."Feng Zhiyao was taken aback, his previously relaxed posture slowly straightening as he fixed Ye Li with a solemn gaze. Sun Yan also adopted a serious expression, listening attentively. Ye Li picked up a dossier and said, "Mu Qingcang just informed me that Western Liang is preparing to launch an attack on Great Chu on the fifteenth of August." A look of astonishment flashed across Feng Zhiyao's face, his sword-like brows furrowing slightly. "Is this information reliable? We haven't received any such reports." Ye Li shook her head. "I don't know. Mu Qingcang wouldn't lie, but the authenticity of this news needs verification. However..." She paused, raising her eyes to look at the two men before her. "What's today's date?" Sun Yan replied, "The seventh of August."
Feng Zhiyao's expression changed as well. He stood up and said, "If this news is false, then it's nothing. But if it's true..." If it were true, although the northwest wasn't entirely defenseless, many key positions had been controlled by Mo Jingqi's trusted subordinates over the years, leaving the Mo Family Army constrained at every turn. If Western Liang suddenly launched an attack, they would undoubtedly be caught off guard. And now, being in the capital, it was impossible for them to reach the border to provide support within seven or eight days. Feng Zhiyao mused, "His Highness left the capital over twenty days ago. Judging by the pace of the wedding procession, they should have already entered Northern Rong territory. Even if His Highness weren't burdened with escorting the bride and could rush back at full speed, it would still take at least half a month to reach the Western Liang border and take command. Moreover, there's no way he could receive this news immediately." A sudden sense of foreboding rose in Feng Zhiyao's heart—it seemed this entire matter was a trap specifically targeting Great Chu.
"Your Highness..."
Ye Li frowned. "What are your thoughts? Speak freely."
Sun Yan said gravely, "Whether it's true or not, we must prepare early. If it's false, then no harm done. But if it's true..."
Feng Zhiyao's expression was grave as he frowned. "I believe this news is very likely true, but the shadow guards didn't receive any intelligence at all."
Ye Li said calmly, "You've forgotten—there's one person who could be considered a master of intelligence. And right now, he's in Western Liang."
"Han Mingyue!" Feng Zhiyao exclaimed in shock.Ye Li nodded slightly, "Although the Pavilion of Heavenly Unity's forces in Great Chu have been reorganized by Han Mingxi, we must not forget that Han Mingyue is the true master of the Pavilion. Moreover, the Pavilion spans across various nations—only its Great Chu branch suffered damage. And Han Mingyue was once His Highness's close friend. Even if he isn't the foremost expert on the Ding Royal Palace, he undoubtedly ranks among the top three."
Feng Zhiyao nodded, "This subordinate will immediately dispatch people to investigate!"
Sun Yan asked, "Your Highness, what should we do now?"
Ye Li lowered her gaze in contemplation before replying, "Send word to His Highness at once. Additionally... relay orders to the Mo Family Army stationed near the Western Liang border to prepare for reinforcements at any moment."
Sun Yan hesitated, "Over these years, the Mo Family Army's stationed territory has been repeatedly reduced. Currently, their position is at least five or six days' journey from the Western Liang border—not accounting for the time needed to deliver the message. I fear..."
Ye Li raised her hand, "Whether it's in time or not, if it’s too late, intercept the Western Mausoleum Army’s advance."
Sun Yan nodded firmly, "This subordinate understands. I will immediately send word to the Mo Family Army. Rest assured, Your Highness—as long as a single soldier of the Mo Family Army remains, the Western Liang forces will never breach our defense line."
Ye Li acknowledged softly, "General Sun, your efforts are appreciated. I will now enter the palace to see His Majesty."
"Your Highness, this may not be advisable," Feng Zhiyao frowned. Although they had captured Mu Qingcang without explicit confirmation, everyone had a rough idea of who had attempted to massacre the Ding Royal Palace.
Ye Li smiled faintly, "There’s no issue. Even if the one in the palace dares to defy all decency by acting against me, he may not have the capability to keep me there."
Feng Zhiyao recalled that mysterious, unfathomable force and felt slightly reassured. "As long as Your Highness is certain."
Ye Li stood, setting down the dossier in her hands. "Proceed with your tasks. Additionally, maintain full vigilance in the estate."
"Yes."
Imperial Palace
In the imperial study, Mo Jingqi dismissed the hastily summoned Marquis Muyang, his expression dark and unreadable as he stared at the memorial before him, emotions shifting unpredictably in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, Princess Ding requests an audience," a eunuch announced from outside.
Mo Jingqi frowned. "Princess Ding? Why would she come?"
He recalled the white-robed woman standing gracefully on the bloodstained steps of the Ding Royal Palace at dawn a few days prior. A strange mix of regret and melancholy always stirred in his heart. This woman had been personally betrothed to Mo Xiuyao by him—intended as an insult. Yet now, she had become another pillar of the Ding Royal Palace and Mo Xiuyao’s greatest support, while also transforming into a target he had no choice but to eliminate.
Given Ye Li’s intelligence, since she had already confronted Marquis Muyang Manor, Mo Jingqi refused to believe she hadn’t deduced the truth. So why would she still dare to enter the palace now?
"Summon her."
Before long, the doors reopened, and Ye Li entered, clad in the formal silver-white phoenix-patterned robes of Princess Ding. This was nearly the first time she had worn the official attire of Princess Ding. Unlike her usual gentle and refined demeanor, the silver-white hue lent her an icy, untouchable elegance.
She stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "Ye Li greets Your Majesty."
Mo Jingqi studied her for a long moment before finally speaking. "Now that I think of it, I’ve never heard Princess Ding refer to herself before."Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled faintly, "Ye Li is simply Ye Li." Of course, she knew that all titled women referred to themselves as "your servant" before the emperor, empress, and Empress Dowager, but she particularly disliked this form of address. Previously, none of the imperial family had raised the issue, and naturally, no one else dared to nitpick over such a trivial matter, so it had been overlooked. Unexpectedly, Mo Jingqi had brought it up today when searching for conversation.
Mo Jingqi's eyes flickered briefly before he laughed, "What a bold statement—'Ye Li is simply Ye Li.' Does the Princess Ding not consider herself a subject of Great Chu?"
Ye Li raised her head, meeting Mo Jingqi's gaze without hesitation, and replied calmly, "The Ding Royal Palace has guarded Great Chu for generations, devoting itself entirely to the task. As the Princess of the State, how could I dare harbor such treasonous thoughts?"
Mo Jingqi studied her with amusement and asked, "Oh? Then the princess means the Ding Royal Palace would never entertain disloyal intentions?"
Faced with Mo Jingqi's probing gaze, Ye Li inwardly sneered but answered firmly, "The Ding Royal Palace would never betray Great Chu."
Hearing this, Mo Jingqi fell silent for a long moment before finally saying, "Very well. I trust the princess's word. Did you come to the palace today for a specific matter?"
Ye Li nodded. "Indeed, I have urgent news to report to Your Majesty."
Mo Jingqi gestured for her to continue. "Speak freely, Princess Ding."
Ye Li lowered her voice. "I have just received word that Western Liang will launch an attack on Great Chu on the fifteenth of August. I urge Your Majesty to prepare swiftly."
Mo Jingqi was taken aback, then burst into laughter after a pause. "Princess Ding, this news is rather abrupt, isn't it? As far as I know, Western Liang's primary target is Northern Rong, not Great Chu. Who provided you with this information?"
Ye Li pressed her lips together, frowning slightly. "I hope Your Majesty will dispatch reinforcements as soon as possible, just in case."
"I cannot mobilize troops based solely on the princess's words unless you can prove the authenticity of this news."
Ye Li frowned and replied coolly, "Mu Qingcang."
OpenNovel