Mo Li

Late at night, Ye Li strolled through the winding corridors of her study, frowning slightly as she looked up at the nearly full silver moon in the sky. The next full moon was approaching soon, yet there was still no news from Mo Xiuyao, who had gone to Northern Rong. This situation filled her with unease. Moreover, with the current circumstances, Marquis Nan had made it clear he had no intention of taking charge, and for the first time in her life, she was commanding an army of hundreds of thousands. Beneath her seemingly confident and composed exterior, she was far from calm. Xiu Yao… where are you now…

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" Under the moonlight, Ye Li suddenly snapped back to reality, raising her hand to point toward the end of the corridor behind her.

After a moment, a tall figure emerged from around the corner. Ye Li was momentarily taken aback, her delicate brows lifting slightly as her cool eyes narrowed. "Heir Mu, what are you doing here so late at night?"

Mu Yang gazed at Ye Li with a complicated expression, his eyes lingering on her outstretched hand—those slender, jade-like fingers concealed a deadly intent. He coughed lightly and said, "I meant no offense. My apologies for disturbing you, Princess Ding."

Ye Li smiled faintly, calmly withdrawing her hand into her sleeve. She lightly brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and asked, "Since it's so late, Heir Mu, do you have something to say?"

A flicker of surprise crossed Mu Yang's face before he replied with a faint smile, "Princess Ding is indeed sharp-minded and extraordinary. I merely wished to ask… Has Marquis Nan truly agreed to entrust the full authority over the army to you?"

Ye Li lowered her gaze slightly, her smile cool. "Though you are the heir of Marquis Muyang, you are not Marquis Muyang himself. Moreover, even Marquis Muyang has no right to interfere in military affairs. Heir Mu, you are merely a captain under the deputy commander of the army—Marquis Nan."

Mu Yang showed no anger at Ye Li's obvious disdain. Leaning against the corridor railing with his hands behind his back, he said calmly, "I assumed the princess understood the true significance and role of my position as captain?"

Ye Li arched a brow, amused. "And so? Marquis Nan is heartbroken over the uncertain fate of his heir and lacks the strength to command the army. Now that the Western Mausoleum Army is at our gates, Captain Mu, what do you propose we do?"

Faced with the composed demeanor of the woman before him, Mu Yang couldn't help but feel a deep sense of helplessness and exhaustion. He understood Princess Ding's meaning perfectly. Even with Marquis Nan's status, attempting to control the Mo Family Army would have been a stretch, let alone now when there was no time for a change in leadership. And though he held the title of heir, his military rank was merely that of a captain. Forget leading the Mo Family Army—even commanding a fraction of it would be impossible without Princess Ding's approval.

Mu Yang had never been one to overestimate his own abilities, so he had no intention of trying to seize control of the Mo Family Army. Yet, standing before him was a woman not yet twenty, whose every gesture exuded a presence and sharpness that made even a man of his stature feel humbled. This woman had completely transcended Mu Yang's understanding of what a woman could be—as if she needed no one's support, as if no challenge could daunt her, as if no one could stand in her way.

Suddenly, Mu Yang thought of that elegant and composed man who had once sat in a wheelchair. It seemed only a man like that could ever be a match for a woman like her."Marquis Muyang's heir?" Ye Li frowned as she looked at the man lost in thought before her.

Mu Yang snapped back to attention and offered an apologetic smile. "The Princess Consort misunderstands my intentions. I have no plans to cause you any trouble."

Ye Li arched an eyebrow, smiling without speaking. Mu Yang continued, "With Prince Li's rebellion still unsettled in the south, Western Liang invading, and Northern Rong watching covetously from the north, only the Ding Royal Palace and the Mo Family Army can quell these threats. Though I may lack talent, I understand the importance of the nation's stability. Why would I trouble the Princess Consort?" Ye Li studied him and replied lightly, "If you don't trouble me, aren't you afraid the one in the palace will trouble you instead?" Mu Yang laughed heartily. "Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort. I have my own considerations. There's just one small matter I'd like to ask of you."

"Speak plainly, heir."

After a moment's hesitation, Mu Yang said, "I don't know if there have been any unpleasant disputes between my father and the Ding Royal Palace, but I hope the Princess Consort might show some leniency in the future, for my sake."

Ye Li looked surprised, then sighed softly after a long pause. "Marquis Muyang has indeed raised a fine son. With such a child, he should be content. Very well, I promise you."

Mu Yang clasped his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Princess Consort."

Ye Li shook her head. "No need for thanks. This arrangement benefits me as well. Compared to the battles ahead, minor grievances are insignificant." Mu Yang chuckled quietly. "Hearing you say that makes me feel utterly ashamed."

Ye Li smiled gently. "My words were careless. Please don't take offense, heir. It's getting late—you should rest."

"Princess Consult, wait!" Mu Yang spoke urgently. "Princess Consort... do you have any news of Yao Ji?" Ye Li turned back in surprise, clearly seeing the undisguised worry and longing on the man's face under the moonlight. She shook her head, watching the disappointment flicker across Mu Yang's expression, and said softly, "Heir, some people and things, once missed, are gone forever."

Mu Yang glared at her stubbornly. "How does the Princess Consort know a broken mirror can't be mended?" Ye Li replied, "I don't know if such things exist in this world, but... even if a bronze mirror is repaired, the cracks remain. And... does the heir truly have a way to satisfy both sides?" A trace of defeat and frustration crossed Mu Yang's face. Without another word, Ye Li turned to leave, murmuring softly, "'I feared passion might damage my ascetic vows, yet feared entering mountains would part me from beauty. How can one find a way to serve both Buddha and beloved?'"

"'How can one find a way...'" Mu Yang whispered the verse, a faint bitter smile touching his lips. He could never persuade Yao Ji to become a concubine in Marquis Muyang Manor, just as he could never convince his proud parents to accept her as their daughter-in-law. To serve both Buddha and beloved—he wondered if the poet who wrote those lines had also endured the same torment and struggle as he.Early the next morning, the Western Mausoleum Army unusually did not launch another attack. Ye Li sat in the study, organizing various reports and analyses of the ongoing battles. Marquis Nan's claim of helplessness had not been an excuse—just as Ye Li had risen that morning, someone came to report that Marquis Nan had fallen seriously ill. Although there were no renowned physicians in Jiangxia City, fortunately, the Mo Family Army's military doctors were highly skilled. They rushed to examine him and reported back to Ye Li that while Marquis Nan was not extremely old, his years of privileged living had left him unprepared for the rigors of military travel. The stress and overexertion had caused his sudden collapse. Left with no choice, Ye Li ordered careful care for him while secretly intensifying the search for the Heir of Marquis Nan. Coincidentally, Qin Feng had completed his mission and returned to Jiangxia City under cover of darkness the previous night. Early that morning, Ye Li summoned him to the study and tasked him with finding the Heir of Marquis Nan.

"Your Highness, Commander Yun is fighting someone on the training grounds!" someone hurriedly reported while Ye Li was speaking with Qin Feng.

Ye Li arched an eyebrow and turned to Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing with a smile. "After days of forced marches and yesterday's fierce battle, he still has the energy to brawl this morning. It seems we've underestimated the endurance of our Mo Family Army soldiers." Zhuo Jing rubbed his nose and chuckled softly, "Your Highness is right." Ye Li stood, stretching her shoulders. "In that case, let's go take a look."

Given the ongoing standoff between the two armies, the Mo Family Army's camp was set up on an open field not far from Jiangxia City, with soldiers guarding all approaches. A temporary training ground had been cleared in the center of the camp. By the time Ye Li and the others arrived, Yun Ting was already locked in a fierce grapple with a young officer of similar age. Several high-ranking Mo Family Army officers and many soldiers stood around, cheering and egging them on. Mu Yang, watching from the sidelines, was the first to notice Ye Li's arrival and greeted her with a smile. Ye Li nodded faintly while Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing cleared a path through the crowd. The onlookers were so engrossed in the intense fight between the two young and capable officers that many didn't even notice Ye Li stepping to the front.

"Your Highness," Mu Yang spoke up, snapping the crowd's attention away from the brawl. Their expressions shifted as they hurriedly bowed to Ye Li, and some even moved to separate the two combatants. Ye Li waved a hand dismissively. "No need. Let them finish their match."

Though Ye Li said this, the boisterous atmosphere of the training ground noticeably cooled in her presence. Many wore expressions of awkward restraint. Unfazed, Ye Li turned to Mu Yang beside her and asked with a smile, "Young Master Mu, who do you think has the upper hand?" Mu Yang grinned knowingly and raised an eyebrow. "I'd say Commander Yun has a slight edge." Immediately, the surrounding officers bristled with disagreement, and one blunt-spoken man burst out, "In my humble opinion, Commander Chen is the stronger fighter!"

His outburst broke the tension, and seeing no displeasure on Ye Li's face, the others relaxed and chimed in, clearly supporting the young officer surnamed Chen.Mu Yang whispered to Ye Li with a smile, "Princess Ding, it seems the Mo Family Army is quite exclusive too." Yun Ting was now part of the Mo Family Army, personally nurtured by Princess Ding herself. However, he was still an outsider who had joined midway, appearing out of nowhere. Soldiers were naturally proud and competitive, so many looked at him with disdain.

Ye Li remained unfazed and replied lightly, "In the military, strength reigns supreme. A little sparring now and then isn’t a bad thing, as long as it doesn’t interfere with important matters." In her past life, the special forces unit she belonged to was filled with elite soldiers at the peak of their abilities. With so many top talents gathered together, competition was inevitable. Yet it was precisely this competition that drove them to push harder and move forward—because the weak would inevitably be left behind. Similarly, many of the Mo Family Army’s generals had risen from ordinary soldiers, while others were descendants of military families who had served the Ding Royal Palace for generations. Though Yun Ting had distinguished himself in the Battle of Yonglin, his achievements meant little to the seasoned warriors of the Mo Family Army. Moreover, he had been promoted by her—a princess whose true capabilities were still unknown.

Mu Yang gave Ye Li a deep look and chuckled softly. "As you say, Princess Ding."