Upon returning to Jiangxia City, Ye Li waved her hand, instructing her subordinates to escort Zhennan Wang and the others away, while she took Nan Hou Shizi (Heir of Marquis Nan) to meet the anxiously waiting Nan Hou (Marquis Nan). Seeing his son return covered in injuries, Nan Hou was both overjoyed and heartbroken. He pulled his son close, examining him while asking if he was hurt anywhere. Nan Hou Shizi likely never imagined he would have the chance to see his parents and family again in this lifetime, and his eyes reddened as well. Breaking free from Nan Hou’s grip, he knelt on the ground and said in a low voice, “I have shamed you, Father.”
Nan Hou pulled him up, tears streaming down his aged face. “Foolish child, what does it matter as long as you’re back? Just come back safely…” Only after the initial joy did Nan Hou remember that Ye Li and the others were still present. He hastily wiped his tears and said to his son, “You owe your safe return to Her Highness. Hurry and thank Her Highness for saving your life.”
Nan Hou Shizi stepped forward and bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness, for saving my life.”
Ye Li smiled faintly and said, “Brother-in-law, there’s no need for formalities. We’re family—no need for such words. Were you injured by the Western Liang people?”
Father and son exchanged a glance before Nan Hou Shizi shook his head with a smile. “Just minor wounds. Thank you… Third Sister, for your concern. In the future, if there’s anything you need, just say the word. The Nan Hou residence will spare no effort to assist.”
Ye Li thanked him with a smile, knowing that from now on, even if the Nan Hou residence couldn’t become an ally of the Ding Royal Palace, it would certainly never become an enemy of Prince Ding’s Estate.
This time, Lei Tengfeng evidently refrained from any underhanded schemes. Five days later, at the same time and place, he delivered fifty thousand dan of provisions and five million taels of silver into Ye Li’s hands. True to her word, Ye Li released Zhennan Wang.
Only after returning to the Western Liang camp did Zhennan Wang turn back and give Ye Li a deep look. “This prince was too arrogant. This round goes to you, Princess Ding. We’ll meet again.”
Ye Li smiled brightly. “Your Highness flatters me. How could I dare claim victory over you? It was merely luck.”
Zhennan Wang’s expression darkened before he turned and left.
Victory without arrogance, defeat without despair—Princess of the State, a mere woman, had effortlessly won a large amount of provisions and silver from Western Liang, yet her demeanor showed not a trace of pride. Truly, she was no ordinary woman.
Ye Li watched as Zhennan Wang disappeared into the Western Liang army before turning to Feng Zhiyao beside her. “Pass the order—full alert for the entire army.”
“?” Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Ye Li said calmly, “After suffering such a loss, do you think Zhennan Wang won’t seek revenge?”
“Your Highness, Xinyang has been retaken by our forces!” A soldier rushed over, his face alight with joy.
Ye Li froze. “What did you say?”
The soldier raised his head and announced loudly, “Word just came from the front—His Highness led a hundred thousand troops south from the north and defeated the Western Liang northern army. Last night, Xinyang was recaptured!”
“Xiu Yao is back?!”
“His Highness has returned!”
Ye Li and Feng Zhiyao exchanged a glance, seeing wild joy reflected in each other’s eyes.
Ye Li composed herself and declared, “Return to the city!”Returning to the city, it was only moments before news arrived that the Western Mausoleum Army had retreated. Everyone ascended the city walls and indeed saw the various divisions of the Western Mausoleum Army withdrawing into the distance. Yun Ting, filled with boldness, quickly requested orders from Ye Li, "Princess, this general requests permission to lead troops in pursuit of the Western Mausoleum Army." General Yuan Pei stepped forward and said, "That would be unwise. Princess, although the Western Mausoleum Army has retreated, their forces show no signs of defeat or disorder. They are likely only withdrawing out of concern for Xinyang, fearing we might trap them between our forces. If we rashly pursue now, we may well fall into a trap set by the Western Liang forces." Ye Li nodded, "General Yuan Pei speaks wisely. Let them go. Pass the order: all troops are to remain on high alert and await the prince's return."
"Yes!" It seemed Mo Xiuyao had become the very faith of the entire Mo Family Army—or perhaps, every generation's Prince Ding was the faith of the Mo Family Army. Upon hearing he was about to return, everyone's faces lit up with joyful and confident smiles. Ye Li hadn't expected Mo Xiuyao to return to Great Chu so quietly and, with lightning speed, break through the blockade of the Western Liang's northern route army to recapture Xinyang. Yet with this move, the disadvantage Great Chu had faced due to time was greatly alleviated. The tension Ye Li had held in her heart these past days finally eased slightly.
Though she knew Mo Xiuyao had already arrived in Xinyang, it was several days before she actually saw him. Xinyang had been nearly emptied by the Western Liang's massacre, and even with Zhennan Wang restraining the surrounding populace, they couldn't entirely escape the ravages of the Western Liang army. The moment Mo Xiuyao arrived in Xinyang, he was swamped with work, only managing to send Ye Li a letter asking her to temporarily hand over military affairs to Lyu Jinxian and Yuan Pei and come to Xinyang to meet him. Ye Li's own duties were piled high as well, and by the time she completed the handover with Lyu Jinxian and Yuan Pei and made her way to Xinyang, several more days had passed.
"A Li..."
Hearing that deep call, Ye Li's eyes involuntarily reddened. Months apart hadn't seemed so long until this moment, when the sound of that low, pleasant voice made her realize just how much she had missed him. Without another thought, she flew into the arms that had already opened to welcome her. Fortunately, those around them had tactfully withdrawn, unwilling to disturb the long-awaited reunion between the princess and prince—otherwise, Ye Li might have realized later that her usual composed and elegant image had utterly vanished.
"A Li... A Li..." Mo Xiuyao held her tightly in his arms, softly calling her name over and over as if trying to meld her into his very bones. Ye Li lifted her head to gaze at the handsome yet slightly weathered and thinner face above her, murmuring softly, "Xiu Yao..." Mo Xiuyao's eyes darkened as he cupped the delicate face of the woman in his arms, lowering his head to fiercely capture those tender lips. "A Li..." Ye Li instinctively raised her hands, lightly wrapping them around his shoulders as her lips parted to entwine with his. Sensing her initiative, the darkness in Mo Xiuyao's eyes deepened. After a deep kiss, he tightened his embrace, then swept her up into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.
Inside the room, clothes scattered across the floor. Behind the layered curtains, upon the wide bed, two entwined figures clung to each other in desperate passion..."A Li..." Ye Li opened her eyes to the sight of Mo Xiuyao's handsome smile and the tender warmth in his gaze. The events from earlier flashed through her mind like scenes from a film, causing a blush to spread across her freshly awakened face. Glancing down, she noticed the faint red marks scattered across her bare shoulders and bit her lip lightly, shooting Mo Xiuyao a glare. He chuckled softly, leaning in to inhale the fragrance of her hair as he murmured, "After months apart, Xiu Yao has missed A Li dearly."
Seeing the tenderness in his eyes, Ye Li's heart softened. "Was your journey to Northern Rong smooth?" she asked quietly.
Mo Xiuyao gazed at her for a moment before pressing a kiss to her lips. "Nothing major. Just some minor delays that prolonged the trip. You've had a hard time these past days."
Ye Li was about to sit up and discuss recent events, but Mo Xiuyao seemed to anticipate her intention, gently pressing her back down. "No need to rush into that. A Li should rest a little longer."
She gave him a puzzled look. "I'm not tired." She rarely napped during the day, and with the Western Liang Army lying low recently, most of her work had been light paperwork.
Mo Xiuyao arched a brow, a strange smile playing on his lips. "Not tired? Then... let's go again." Before she could react, he leaned over her once more, his cool lips trailing along her jade-like skin while his hands roamed freely over her delicate curves.
"Mo Xiuyao! You—" Ye Li froze momentarily before snapping back to her senses with a low growl. But her scolding was cut short as his mouth sealed over hers. "Mmm... you scoundrel..."
"A Li... A Li... I missed you so much..."
With a quiet sigh, she soon found herself swept away by his fervor once more.
——
In the study, Mo Xiuyao strode in dressed in white. The assembled men quickly rose to greet him. Feng Zhiyao smirked meaningfully at him, but a single glance from Mo Xiuyao had him wisely covering his mouth with a fan, signaling he wouldn’t speak out of turn.
Mo Xiuyao took a seat on the nearby couch. "Marquis Nan and all of you have worked hard these past days."
Marquis Nan stood hastily. "Your Highness flatters us. The fall of Xinyang was our shame. Had you not recaptured it, we would have had no face left before the people of Chu." He retrieved the army's seal from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. "The commander’s seal is here for your inspection."
With his son safely returned, Marquis Nan had regained his vigor, his health much improved.
Mo Xiuyao accepted the seal without ceremony, setting it aside. In truth, this imperial seal held no real authority over the Mo Family Army, but Marquis Nan’s gesture was a clear declaration that Prince Ding now held full command. Mo Xiuyao had no intention of rejecting the goodwill.
Though he had been occupied first in Northern Rong and then on the march back, he was well aware of everything that had transpired in the Chu capital, Xinyang, and Jiangxia. He understood perfectly why Marquis Nan, long neutral, had now taken this stance."I am incompetent, leading to the fall of Xinyang and the slaughter of its people. I beg Your Highness to punish me." Leng Qingyu stepped forward and knelt on the ground to plead guilty. He still appeared thin and pale, but his spirits were much better than the listlessness of previous days.
Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly as he looked at him, then after a long pause said, "General Leng was appointed by His Majesty as the commander of an army. This prince has no authority to punish you. Later, I will send someone to escort you back to the capital, where you may plead your guilt before the Emperor yourself." Leng Qingyu lowered his gaze and remained silent, as did everyone else in the study. Prince Ding had the authority to command all military officers in the realm. Not to mention a mere young general like Leng Qingyu—even seasoned veterans would not dare to refuse if he chose to punish them. For Prince Ding to speak this way was simply treating Leng Qingyu as an outsider. Given the Emperor's temperament, Leng Qingyu would certainly face dire consequences upon returning to the capital.
Leng Qingyu gritted his teeth and finally said with determination, "I beg Your Highness to take me in. Leng Qingyu would rather serve as a lowly foot soldier, so long as I can drive back the Western Liang invaders and wash away this humiliation. Once the Western Liang are repelled, I will return to the capital and atone for my crimes with my death!"
Mo Xiuyao regarded him with a calm gaze, then after a long silence said indifferently, "Since that is your wish, this prince shall grant it."
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