Upon receiving news of his son, Marquis Nan, despite being gravely ill and bedridden, immediately rushed to request an audience with Ye Li. After learning the full details of the situation, he pushed aside those supporting him and knelt down, bowing respectfully to Ye Li. "The kindness of the Princess Consort is something the House of Marquis Nan will never forget. Please accept this old man’s gratitude," he said.
Ye Li was taken aback and quickly stepped down from her desk to personally help Marquis Nan up. "Marquis, you must not do this. I dare not accept such gratitude. Regardless of the Heir of Marquis Nan’s status, I could not refuse to help, especially for the sake of my elder sister."
Tears streamed down Marquis Nan’s aged face. Though the Heir of Marquis Nan was not the only descendant of his generation, he was the marquis’s only son and the sole heir capable of upholding the family’s legacy. If anything were to happen to him, they would have to adopt a successor from a collateral branch—but none among them were outstanding candidates. The House of Marquis Nan might very well end with the current generation.
"My useless son, defeated and captured, has caused the Princess Consort much trouble," Marquis Nan said bitterly. Being defeated and taken prisoner was no honorable reputation. At this point, the marquis no longer sought glory or power for his son—only his safe return to ensure the continuation of their lineage.
Ye Li reassured him gently, "Victory and defeat are common in war. Prince Zhennan of Xiling is renowned as the God of War of Western Liang. Losing to him is no disgrace. As long as your son lives, there will always be another chance to win."
Marquis Nan bowed solemnly. "This old man thanks the Princess Consort deeply."
Prince Zhennan had been detained in Jiangxia City in exchange for the Heir of Marquis Nan. For Western Liang, this trade was overwhelmingly favorable, so their camp agreed almost without hesitation upon receiving the letter. After all, Prince Zhennan was the supreme commander of the Western Mausoleum Army. If anything happened to him, not only would the army be left leaderless, but Western Liang itself would likely descend into chaos. In contrast, the Heir of Marquis Nan was merely the heir of a noble house. Even if Marquis Nan held considerable influence in the Chu capital, his son, new to the battlefield, likely had less sway over the Mo Family Army than a mere captain. The terms of the exchange were so lenient as to be almost unbelievable.
Preparations for the hostage exchange were swiftly made, with the location set in a small valley five miles outside Jiangxia City three days later. Ye Li brought only Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, a few specially trained soldiers under Qin Feng’s command, and a dozen shadow guards.
Though now a prisoner, Prince Zhennan remained as composed as ever, showing no trace of the humiliation of captivity. When he saw Ye Li, he even smiled at her in good humor. Ignoring him, Ye Li waved her hand and ordered him taken away without another word.Compared to Zhennan Wang, the situation of Nan Hou Shizi (Heir of Marquis Nan) was clearly much worse. Dragged out from behind by the Western Liang soldiers, Nan Hou Shizi was covered in wounds, looking exhausted and dispirited. The leader of the Western Liang delegation turned out to be Zhennan Wang Shizi, Lei Tengfeng, whom Ye Li had met several times in Western Liang before. Evidently, he had rushed overnight from Xinyang upon receiving the news. Spotting Ye Li also on horseback, he paused in surprise before smiling and saying, "Princess Consort, it's been a year since we last met. How have you been?"
Ye Li arched an eyebrow and replied coolly, "Well enough. Though it could have been better, if only you and your country had given me the chance."
Lei Tengfeng chuckled. "Warfare is a man's affair. Someone of your status should be enjoying a life of luxury and comfort. Why involve yourself in such worldly matters?"
Ye Li sighed. "I am but a worldly person—how could I rise above such concerns? Enough pleasantries, Lei Shizi. May I ask what has happened to our Nan Hou Shizi?"
Lei Tengfeng glanced back at the restrained heir and offered an apologetic smile. "The battlefield is merciless. Nan Hou Shizi suffered some unavoidable injuries. I hope the Princess Consort will not take offense."
Ye Li smiled faintly. "None taken. I understand—Lei Shizi is reminding me that I have been too lenient with prisoners. Zhuo Jing."
Her slender hand lifted slightly, making a simple gesture. Zhuo Jing responded instantly, moving like the wind. Two crisp snaps echoed, followed by a pained scream. Mo Fei, standing beside Zhennan Wang, now had his left arm bent unnaturally, hanging limp.
Lei Tengfeng's expression darkened, his sharp gaze fixed on Ye Li. Unfazed, she turned slightly to glance at Zhennan Wang, who looked mildly surprised, before smiling at Lei Tengfeng. "Shizi, I dislike mistreating prisoners. But... I firmly believe in an eye for an eye. This time, Mo Fei will bear the punishment in your stead. Should there be another opportunity, I won't hesitate to return the favor directly to Zhennan Wang—or perhaps... has your own injury healed yet?"
Lei Tengfeng fell silent for a moment before ordering his men, "Send Nan Hou Shizi over."
Two soldiers escorted Nan Hou Shizi toward Ye Li. With a wave of her hand, she said, "For fairness, send Zhennan Wang over as well." Qin Feng nodded, and two men flanked Zhennan Wang, leading him toward the opposite side.
The exchange took place in the middle. Just as the two hostages returned to their respective sides, Lei Tengfeng suddenly barked, "Now!"
In an instant, Zhennan Wang swiftly retreated backward, while the two soldiers lunged forward like arrows—one toward Nan Hou Shizi, the other straight at Ye Li. Simultaneously, over a dozen figures from Lei Tengfeng's side surged forward, accompanied by a volley of arrows. All of this unfolded in the blink of an eye.
Two Chu soldiers standing in the center reacted swiftly. One intercepted the Western Liang soldier charging at Nan Hou Shizi, who collapsed mid-stride, disbelief etched on his face as a cold sensation pierced his chest. The other soldier ignored the assailant heading for Ye Li and instead pursued the retreating Zhennan Wang. The soldier who had just dispatched the Western Liang attacker abandoned Nan Hou Shizi and joined his comrade in chasing Zhennan Wang.After this sudden turn of events, the Heir of Marquis Nan also reacted. Despite his numerous wounds, he gave chase. Zhennan Wang clearly hadn't expected these two seemingly ordinary Eastern Chu soldiers by his side to possess such agile skills, coordinating with near-perfect harmony. However, Zhennan Wang himself was one of the world's top-tier experts—even with one arm missing, he remained a supreme master and naturally feared no ordinary soldiers. Yet these soldiers were completely different from the Eastern Chu troops he knew; they were evidently well-versed in dealing with such supreme experts. Within just a few exchanges, several more surrounded him, encircling him tightly without the slightest disorder despite their numbers, their coordination seamless as if they had rehearsed it countless times.
Meanwhile, Ye Li's personal shadow guards swiftly engaged the Western Liang forces. After just a few glances, Ye Li realized these men, though dressed as Western Liang soldiers, were not true soldiers but rather resembled martial arts experts. Raising her head, she met the gaze of Lei Tengfeng, who was watching her from across the battlefield, and smirked coldly. "Kill them!"
"As you command!"
The shadow guards and accompanying soldiers immediately surged forward eagerly, blades drawn, clashing fiercely with the Western Liang forces.
The old adage that "two fists are no match for four hands" was once again proven true by the specially trained warriors under Qin Feng's command. By the time the surrounding skirmish neared its end, Zhennan Wang had once again become a prisoner of Great Chu. Watching as the captured Zhennan Wang was brought back, Ye Li arched her brow in satisfaction. Zhennan Wang's smile was uncharacteristically bitter. "The Mo Family Army is exceptionally well-trained. I am impressed." Ye Li chuckled. "You flatter us, Your Highness. As one of the world's top experts, it is an honor for them to learn from you." She gestured toward the soldiers who had just successfully defeated yet another supreme master of their time, her eyes gleaming with pride. Though each bore injuries of varying severity, the soldiers' morale was high. At her words, they straightened their backs and cupped their fists in salute. "Thank you for your guidance, Zhennan Wang." Truth be told, even with only one arm, Zhennan Wang was more formidable than Mu Qingcang, hailed as the Number One Expert of Great Chu. The fact that every soldier had sustained injuries spoke volumes—had they not previously worked together to defeat Mu Qingcang, overcoming Zhennan Wang would have been far more difficult. This was also because Zhennan Wang, mindful of his status, refrained from fighting to the death; otherwise, casualties would have been inevitable.
Zhennan Wang's face twitched slightly as he looked at Ye Li. "What does Princess Ding intend to do now?"
Ye Li smiled sweetly. "Your Highness puts me in a difficult position. Wouldn't it have been best if we had peacefully exchanged hostages and gone our separate ways? But now... what am I to do?"Opposite them, Lei Tengfeng smiled bitterly and said, "Princess Consort, this matter was my fault. I beg your forgiveness and ask you to release my father."
Ye Li replied indifferently, "Heir Nan speaks lightly. Had either Marquis Nan's heir or I been injured by your hand just now, I wonder what your attitude would be?"
Lei Tengfeng knew he was in the wrong and sighed. "As long as it is within my power, Princess Consort, you may name your terms." Today, he had indeed acted too rashly. He had assumed Ye Li would be unprepared, only to realize that her arrangements were likely set precisely to anticipate his move.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Li asked, "How about you withdraw your troops from Great Chu?"
Lei Tengfeng's expression darkened. "Princess Consort, you ask too much of me."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow and turned to Zhennan Wang with a helpless look. "Your Highness, so a mere Xinyang City isn’t worth your ransom? The Zhennan Wang of Western Liang is truly cheap, isn’t he?"
Zhennan Wang smiled faintly. "Conquering Xinyang cost Western Liang countless soldiers' lives. This matter is indeed beyond my son’s authority. Princess Consort, you are making things difficult for him."
Ye Li narrowed her eyes slightly before quickly responding, "Very well, I won’t press further. Fifty thousand dan of grain and five million taels of silver."
"Princess Consort, you speak too recklessly!" Lei Tengfeng frowned.
Ye Li snorted coldly and ordered sharply, "Cut off Zhennan Wang’s other hand!"
Zhuo Jing bowed. "As you command."
Seeing Zhuo Jing indeed draw a blade from a soldier behind him and raise it toward Zhennan Wang, Lei Tengfeng hastily intervened. "Princess Consort, wait!"
Ye Li arched an eyebrow and regarded him calmly. After a long pause, Lei Tengfeng finally nodded. "Fine, agreed. But I need time. Also, you must guarantee my father suffers no harm. Otherwise, I will slaughter every Eastern Chu person wherever my army marches!"
Ye Li’s smile turned even colder. "Five days from now, at this same place. And Heir Lei, you’d best mean those words as nothing more than a threat. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to execute every Western Liang general—such as Zheng Bian, for instance. Of course, I also wouldn’t mind slaughtering all of Western Liang!"
Lei Tengfeng shuddered inwardly, giving Ye Li a deep look before nodding. "Agreed."
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