Upon hearing this, Mo Jingqi's expression shifted several times before he finally composed himself, his gaze complex as he stared at the composed woman standing calmly in the hall. For a moment, he couldn't quite grasp why Ye Li had so readily revealed her hand. If the Ding Royal Palace intended to openly oppose him now, he wouldn't believe it—not only was Mo Xiuyao currently absent, but even if he were in the capital, the Ding Royal Palace wouldn't suddenly act against the interests of Great Chu. Yet, if Ye Li truly only wanted to provide military intelligence, why would she openly disclose Mu Qingcang's involvement? The Ding Royal Palace had countless sources of information—couldn't she have found a suitable excuse to cover it up?
After a long silence, Mo Jingqi finally said indifferently, "This matter the Princess Ding speaks of—We are aware of it."
Ye Li looked up at the man seated high upon the dragon throne and frowned slightly. But Mo Jingqi gave her no further opportunity to speak, rising with a wave of his hand. "We have noted this matter. Princess Ding may withdraw for now."
Ye Li sighed inwardly and gave a slight curtsy. "Ye Li takes her leave."
As she stepped out of the imperial study and prepared to leave the palace, she was intercepted. Two familiar-looking palace maids stood before her and said, "Your Highness, Consort Liu requests your presence." Ye Li only needed a brief moment to recall that these two maids were Consort Liu's personal attendants. Remembering what she had overheard in the peach grove and the strange looks Consort Liu always gave her, Ye Li felt a pang of unease and replied coolly, "This consort has matters to attend to. Please convey my apologies to Her Ladyship." The two maids exchanged glances but did not step aside, insisting, "Your Highness, forgive our presumption, but Her Ladyship has urgent matters she wishes to discuss with you."
Ye Li swept a cold glance over the speaking maid and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what if this consort insists she has no time?"
"Then... we must beg Your Highness's forgiveness for our offense." The two stepped forward, their movements steady, their eyes sharp—clearly, they were trained in martial arts.
Ye Li raised a hand slightly, signaling the shadow guards around her to remain hidden. She narrowed her eyes at the space behind the maids and sneered. "How bold of Consort Liu—daring to lay hands on this consort right outside the imperial study?"
"If you had come willingly to speak with this consort, why would there be any need for force?" Consort Liu stepped out leisurely from behind the palace corner, her voice as cold and clear as ever. Yet Ye Li couldn't help but recall the sorrowful, resentful voice she had heard that night in the peach grove. While Consort Liu's unrequited love for Mo Xiuyao might evoke pity, Ye Li, as Mo Xiuyao's wife, found little sympathy for her. Thus, when Consort Liu appeared, she merely said coolly, "Whatever Her Ladyship wishes to discuss, has she considered the consequences of ordering an attack on this consort within the palace?"A disdainful smile curled at the corners of Consort Liu's exquisite lips. "Consequences? Do you think His Majesty would do anything to me over someone as insignificant as you? In the past, people yielded to you only because of Prince Ding's influence. Now that Prince Ding is not in the capital, what use do you think your mere title of Princess Ding has?" Ye Li silently observed the stunning woman who looked down on her with contempt. From their first meeting, she had sensed Consort Liu's scorn and disdain. In Consort Liu's mind, probably no one but herself was worthy of Mo Xiuyao. Unfortunately for her, Ye Li had also set her sights on Mo Xiuyao...
"Since that's the case, whatever you have to say, Imperial Concubine, you might as well speak plainly here," Ye Li said with a frown.
Consort Liu lifted her delicate chin slightly, staring at Ye Li. "Come with me."
Ye Li smiled faintly and turned to walk toward the palace gates.
"Ye Li!" Consort Liu shouted sharply. Seeing Ye Li turn away without hesitation, she grew flustered and barked, "Stop her!"
Two palace maids immediately stepped forward, blocking Ye Li's path from both sides. A cold glint flashed in Ye Li's eyes as a streak of silver light swept down from her sleeve. The hem of her silver-white robe traced a dazzling arc in the sunlight, accompanied by two bursts of eerie crimson.
"Ah—!"
Two screams rang out as the maids clutched their wrists, their faces pale with terror as they stared at the silver-clad woman before them. Bright red blood quickly stained their pink wide sleeves. Ye Li raised the dagger in her hand, watching as the scarlet blood slid down the gleaming blade before dripping slowly onto the dirt beneath her feet. Consort Liu's usually cold and aloof expression finally cracked, her face paling. Though she was no peerless master, among women, she was considered first-rate. Yet even she hadn't been able to see how Ye Li had struck. She glared at Ye Li in silence, unable to speak for a long moment.
Ye Li met Consort Liu's gaze calmly, showing no intention of apologizing or explaining her actions. The two maids cradled their wrists, their eyes filled with fear and dread as they looked at Ye Li.
"Ye Li! How dare you—" Consort Liu's face turned white with rage as she glared at Ye Li hatefully.
Ye Li gave her a cool glance before turning to leave the palace. The two maids who had blocked her path earlier hastily scrambled aside, afraid to stand in the way of this terrifying woman lest they lose another hand.
Once outside the palace gates, Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and the others were waiting anxiously. Seeing Ye Li's grim expression, Feng Zhiyao asked worriedly, "Princess, what happened? Did the Emperor not believe us?" Ye Li waved her hand dismissively. "It's nothing. Whether the Emperor believes us or not will be clear tomorrow. Order Prince Ding's Estate to remain on high alert. If there's no movement from the palace tomorrow..." Feng Zhiyao's expression darkened slightly as he murmured, "Does the Princess intend to mobilize the Mo Family Army? That would give the Emperor an excuse to act against Prince Ding's Estate." Ye Li turned to look at him. "Does the Emperor need an excuse to act against us now? Besides... if this is true, Western Liang's attack will be fierce. If we delay, the course of the war may slip from our control. Don't worry—the troops near the capital can't be mobilized for now. The Emperor won't find an excuse there. Zhuo Jing, summon Qin Feng to see me later.""Yes," Zhuo Jing replied gravely. "The intelligence hinting at this was just delivered. The troops at Western Liang's border have been restless for over a month now. Mu Qingcang's information is likely true."
Ye Li's eyes turned cold. "The prince was right—those useless border officials should indeed be replaced. Let's return to the estate."
The next morning at court, the emperor made no mention of Western Liang's impending invasion.
On the third day, still no news came from the palace.
On the fourth day, after the morning court session, the emperor summoned several trusted officials to the imperial study, yet there was still no movement regarding troop deployments or provisions.
The atmosphere in the Ding Royal Palace grew increasingly tense as the palace remained silent. Ye Li listened to the latest court reports in the study, exhaustion flickering across her face as she closed her eyes briefly before speaking firmly, "Qin Feng."
"Your subordinate is here," Qin Feng responded promptly.
"Cancel the scheduled assessment. You will personally lead a team tonight and proceed at full speed to the border."
Without hesitation, Qin Feng replied, "Understood."
Ye Li looked up at him. "I'm not sending you to join the battle. Even if your men fought one against a hundred, you couldn't hold back an army of a hundred thousand. Split up and scout the border regions—gather all intelligence on Western Liang and the war situation."
Qin Feng nodded. "I understand."
"Go."
The war erupted faster than Ye Li had anticipated. Western Liang's forces did not attack on the fifteenth of August, but on the ninth. By the fifteenth, news of the invasion had already reached the capital of Chu. Even more shocking was the revelation that Prince Zhennan of Xiling himself was leading an army of five hundred thousand to invade Great Chu, vowing to avenge his past defeat at the hands of Mo Liufang. After years of preparation, the Western Mausoleum Army swept through the land, capturing two cities in a single day. The entire capital was thrown into turmoil, and Ye Li, as the mistress of the Ding Royal Palace, was urgently summoned to the palace for counsel.
Days later, when Ye Li stepped into the imperial study again, the atmosphere was entirely different from before. The tension was palpable the moment she entered. Her gaze swept over those present: Prime Minister Liu, Marquis Muyang, the Guardian General, Marquis Nan, the Heir of Marquis Nan, Leng Qingyu, Old Duke Hua, and a young man she found vaguely familiar but did not recognize. He wore no official robes, only silk garments, standing beside Mo Jingqi's desk. Ye Li frowned—she instinctively disliked him. His shrewd eyes brimmed with calculation, marring what might have been a handsome face. She lowered her gaze slightly. Of the eight men in the study, Prime Minister Liu, Marquis Muyang, and the Guardian General were the emperor's trusted allies. Marquis Nan had long remained aloof from politics, and though Old Duke Hua was close to the Ding household, he was elderly and had long retired from public affairs.
"Ye Li greets Your Majesty," she said with a slight curtsy.
"We greet Princess Ding," the officials chorused in return.
Mo Jingqi waved impatiently. "No need for formalities, Princess Ding. Have you heard of the urgent report from the border today?"
Ye Li nodded. Mo Jingqi frowned. "What do you all propose?"
Old Duke Hua stepped forward first. "We must dispatch reinforcements immediately and strike back at the Western Liang invaders—lest they think Great Chu is weak!"Mo Jingqi frowned and said, "As Old Duke Hua has heard, Western Liang is led personally by Prince Zhennan of Xiling. Although Prince Zhennan was once defeated by the Regent King, it was only by a narrow margin, and he has long held the title of God of War in Western Liang. Who does everyone think would be suitable to lead our troops?"
Marquis Muyang and the Guardian General exchanged glances, both unable to suppress their frowns. Old Duke Hua snorted lightly and stepped forward, saying, "Although this old subject is aged, I am willing to lead the troops into battle and uphold the might of our great Chu."
At these words, Marquis Muyang and the Guardian General couldn't help but change their expressions. Leng Qingyu and the Heir of Marquis Nan stepped forward from the crowd and declared, "We are willing to lead the troops into battle and uphold the might of our great Chu."
Mo Jingqi looked at the two men and smiled with satisfaction. "Old Duke Hua, you speak too seriously. You are already past seventy, an age to enjoy peace and comfort. If we still let you lead the troops, wouldn't it shame the men of our great Chu? What do the rest of you think?"
"Your Majesty is wise."
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