Mo Li

After reaching an agreement, Ye Li generously granted Han Mingyue a certain degree of freedom. Similarly, out of respect for Han Mingyue, she no longer had people closely monitoring Su Zuidie or confining her to that small courtyard. Han Mingyue was a smart man and naturally understood what was best for both himself and Su Zuidie. Zhennan Wang indeed valued Han Mingyue highly, but that was only because of the power and wealth Han Mingyue once held. Now, with Han Mingyue stripped of everything, he would likely become nothing more than a target for Zhennan Wang’s wrath. As for Su Zuidie, Han Mingyue was well aware that neither Mo Xiuyao nor Ye Li would extend much patience toward her. Thus, if he wanted Su Zuidie to live safely, the best course of action was to keep a close watch on her himself.

Having once again emerged victorious in the confrontation with Zhennan Wang, Ye Li’s mood did not improve. She knew all too well that the current situation remained highly unfavorable to Ding Royal Palace. Watching the constant stream of generals entering and exiting Mo Xiuyao’s study, she understood that another separation was imminent.

Three days later, news arrived that Jiangxia was under siege once more. Mo Xiuyao gazed quietly at the gentle woman beside him, his eyes filled with deep regret and reluctance. The Mo Family Army’s seven hundred thousand soldiers were ready for battle, yet for the first time in his life, he hesitated before setting out. Never before had he despised Mo Jingqi’s selfish and despicable tactics so intensely. If possible, how he wished he could take his A Li with him wherever he went.

Ye Li watched the rare display of childishness in the man before her with amusement, reaching out to gently pinch his handsome face. “You should set off now,” she said softly. “Don’t worry. Whether it’s Xinyang and Jiangxia or the entire northwest, I will guard them well for you.”

Mo Xiuyao pulled her tightly into his embrace. His eyes, usually dry, grew moist and warm, but he did not want his wife to notice this fleeting moment of vulnerability. Sometimes… love did not need to be spoken aloud. Sometimes, words and actions conveyed its meaning far better than the word itself ever could.

“A Li…”

Ye Li pressed her lips together in a faint smile, raising her arms to return his embrace. “Don’t you trust me?”

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. “In this world, if I cannot even trust A Li, who else can I believe in?”"Since that's the case, go ahead and do what you must." Ye Li steadied his shoulders, looking up at him solemnly. By nature, she wasn't one for lingering sentimentality. Even if parting was hard, she understood better than anyone that some things simply had to be done. Therefore, she would hold the vast northwestern lands for him, ensuring he had no worries behind him. The burdens heaven had placed upon this man were already heavy enough—since she had chosen him, she would share some of that weight.

"A Li, when this war ends, no one will ever take you away from me again," Mo Xiuyao gritted out before fiercely capturing her fragrant lips in a searing kiss. The intensity left them both breathless by the time they parted. Ye Li chuckled softly. "I won't stay sheltered under your wings forever, Mo Xiuyao. If I've chosen someone, I want to stand beside him."

Mo Xiuyao pulled her tighter into his embrace, displeased. "You've never once hidden under my wings. But... this prince looks forward to a life walking side by side with A Li."

After seeing Mo Xiuyao off, Ye Li stood atop Xinyang's city walls, gazing into the distance at his retreating figure. He hadn't taken Xinyang's troops with him, for Xinyang—and the entire northwest—still faced the threat of hundreds of thousands of enemies. Only a few generals, including Lyu Jinxian, followed him to the new battlefield, while Feng San, his most trusted confidant, remained in Xinyang.

Han Mingyue stood at a corner of the ramparts, watching the graceful woman leaning against the battlements as she stared into the distance. A complicated emotion flickered in his eyes—something between admiration, relief, and melancholy.

"Prince Ding is quite trusting," Han Mingyue remarked softly as he approached Ye Li.

She glanced at him, smiling faintly. "I'm his wife. If even I can't put his mind at ease, who can?"

Han Mingyue arched a brow. "This time is different from Yonglin. Zhennan Wang is no Prince Li. Are you truly not afraid at all?"

Ye Li turned to him with an amused look. "If fear could solve problems, then... I'd be terrified." Without waiting for his response, she called to Feng San standing nearby. "Send reinforcements to General Yuan Pei. Also, disperse the main forces throughout the northwest. Xinyang doesn't need so many troops stationed here."

Feng Zhiyao frowned slightly. "Princess, scattering our forces may weaken Xinyang's defenses."

Ye Li's voice was calm. "Who said we're defending Xinyang? Our task is to pin Zhennan Wang and his central army of hundreds of thousands in the northwest, keeping them too occupied to interfere with the prince. As for Xinyang... how many civilians remain in this city now? With chaos spreading, who will still pay attention to this northwestern town? From now on... the central plains will be the main stage of this conflict."

After a brief silence, Feng Zhiyao cupped his hands in acknowledgment. "This general obeys your command."Watching Feng Zhiyao turn and leave, Han Mingyue sighed with a smile, "Feng San has always been proud—he never listens to anyone except Xiu Yao. Who would have thought he'd be so utterly convinced by the princess?" Not just Feng Zhiyao, even he couldn't help but marvel inwardly at the courage and decisiveness of this woman not yet twenty years old. He finally understood why the usually cold and indifferent Mo Xiuyao held this Princess Ding in such high regard. Such a woman was enough to captivate even the most formidable heroes of the world.

As Ye Li descended the city wall, Han Mingyue gazed at a certain spot on the battlements and said calmly, "Do you see now the difference between you and her?"

From the shadows, Su Zuidie stepped forward in silence. Her stunningly beautiful face was etched with gloom and resentment—not just because of Mo Xiuyao's trust in Ye Li, but because she knew all too well that she lacked Ye Li's capability and resolve. Watching Ye Li calmly and composedly command the troops and issue orders with such authority filled her with envy, even a desperate longing for that same power. Yet deep down, she also understood she didn't possess the strength for it. Raised in noble seclusion and skilled only in palace intrigues, she couldn't even begin to comprehend the reasoning behind Ye Li's every command. With a resentful huff, she muttered, "So what?"

Han Mingyue had no reply. After a long silence, he said, "Let's go. Once the war is over, we'll leave this place. Don't do anything unnecessary—if you provoke Princess Ding, even I won't be able to save you."

Su Zuidie clenched her teeth, glaring at Han Mingyue for a long moment before finally saying nothing more.

Mo Xiuyao's departure marked the end of Xinyang City's brief peace. On the city walls, the soldiers of the Mo Family Army stood vigilant, watching the menacing Western Liang forces below with unwavering alertness. Following Ye Li's orders, Feng Zhiyao had secretly withdrawn the majority of the Mo Family Army from Xinyang. Whether Zhennan Wang noticed or not—or perhaps he simply believed a lightly defended Xinyang served his interests better—remained unclear. Nearly every day, skirmishes of varying scales erupted outside the city, yet the previously unstoppable Western Liang army never again managed to breach Xinyang's gates as they had before. Meanwhile, reports from across the northwest and the sudden, widespread presence of the Mo Family Army in the region kept Zhennan Wang's brow furrowed, even after receiving news that Mo Xiuyao was encircled by nearly eight hundred thousand troops. He had come to understand the true intentions of the woman who occasionally appeared on the city walls, calmly observing the bloodshed below. But now... he could no longer retreat. Without fully conquering the northwest, his ambitions to seize the Central Plains would be doomed. What infuriated him even more was that the news of Mo Xiuyao's dire predicament didn't seem to rattle the woman in the city in the slightest. Between occasional mocking remarks about Mo Xiuyao marrying a cold-hearted and ruthless wife, he couldn't help but wonder—just what kind of woman was she?

On the city wall, Ye Li, as usual, finished handling military and administrative affairs before ascending to gaze at the distant Western Liang camp, its banners fluttering in the wind."Princess..." Feng Zhiyao ascended the city tower, gazing at the slender and delicate back of the woman before him, unable to suppress a faint sigh. Only those close to them knew the immense pressure and burdens this young woman bore. Yet, her resilience and decisiveness had earned the unwavering respect of the entire Mo Family Army. Not because she was Princess Ding, but because she was Ye Li.

Ye Li turned her head and smiled faintly, "Feng San, is something the matter?"

Feng Zhiyao frowned at her slightly pale complexion and said with concern, "Your Highness hasn't been well these past few days. Should we call a physician?" Ye Li shook her head, "Just a bit tired. If Prince Zhennan of Xiling were so easy to deal with, he wouldn't deserve his title as the God of War of Western Liang. I'm quite tense as well."

Feng Zhiyao chuckled, "This subordinate can't see any signs of tension in Your Highness. By keeping a portion of Western Liang's forces and Prince Zhennan pinned in the northwest, we've already relieved Prince Ding of at least a third of his burden. Your Highness's contribution is undeniable."

"A third..." Ye Li pondered for a moment before asking, "How is His Highness faring now?"

Feng Zhiyao hesitated but answered truthfully, "Although all forces of the Mo Family Army are now under His Highness's command, Western Liang, Nanzhao, and Prince Li are all causing trouble simultaneously. With only over five hundred thousand troops at his disposal, His Highness is stretched thin on three fronts. Moreover, we must guard against underhanded schemes from that person in the capital."

"How many troops does His Highness currently need to face?"

"At least eight hundred thousand," Feng Zhiyao replied gravely.

Ye Li let out a cold laugh, "It's not about guarding against his schemes—he's already made his move. Nanzhao is a small state; their total forces wouldn't exceed three hundred thousand. In the south, Mo Jingli must guard against Mo Jingqi and can spare at most two hundred thousand. As for Western Liang... Lei Tengfeng's troops won't exceed two hundred thousand either."

Feng Zhiyao's expression darkened slightly, "There's been no news of garrisons from across Great Chu joining the battle. That means... Mo Jingqi has secretly amassed at least several hundred thousand troops!"

Ye Li closed her eyes briefly and sighed softly, "Mo Jingqi is determined to annihilate Prince Ding's Estate and the Mo Family Army."