"Princess Consort!" Feng Zhiyao swept in like a gust of wind, his usually carefree and unrestrained face now covered in a rare sheen of cold sweat. His typically playful and elegant demeanor had turned pale with tension. Ye Li looked up at him with a smile and asked, "What's the matter?" Feng Zhiyao pointed at her in an uncharacteristically flustered manner before quickly withdrawing his hand, his expression still resembling someone suffering from indigestion. "You... Princess Consort... you, you really..."
"That's right." Unable to bear his stammering, Ye Li nodded generously in acknowledgment. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
"How could this happen?!" Feng Zhiyao looked as if he had been struck by lightning, staring pitifully at Ye Li. Ye Li couldn't help but feel a twinge of awkwardness and helplessly set down her brush. "His Highness and I have been married for over a year now. What's the issue with having a child?" Feng Zhiyao fell silent. What could possibly be wrong with a married couple having a child? Of course, nothing. But now... in the midst of a war, the commander-in-chief being pregnant—wasn't that a problem? With a mournful expression, Feng Zhiyao sighed. "The Little Prince... really couldn't have come at a worse time..." Even a few days earlier would have been better. At least when the King was still here, he would have known how to handle this.
Ye Li unconsciously brushed a hand over her still-flat abdomen and smiled softly. "Whether it's the right time or not, he's already here. What can I do?" Well, the oversight in contraception was indeed her lack of foresight. "Feng San, do you have any suggestions?"
"I must report this to His Highness immediately!" That was Mo Xiuyao's child, the Little Prince of the Ding Royal Palace. How could he dare offer any suggestions?
"No." Ye Li shook her head. "The news of my pregnancy can only be known by Zhuo Jing and a few others at most. Among the military officers, you're the only one who needs to know. It must not spread."
Feng Zhiyao frowned. "Why is that?"
Ye Li sighed helplessly. "His Highness is already overwhelmed. Why distract him further? Besides, spreading the news of my pregnancy won't do us any good." Feng Zhiyao worriedly said, "But the safety of the Princess Consort and the Little Prince... and it probably won't stay hidden for long, will it?"
Ye Li pondered. "I estimate this war will end within three months at most. By then, the child won't even be four months along. As long as we're careful, there shouldn't be any issues." Feng Zhiyao wanted to persuade her further, but Ye Li cut him off. "His Highness is already struggling to deal with the allied forces. If he has to worry about us as well, do you think that would benefit him?"
Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li's resolute expression and finally let out a soft sigh. "As you command, Your Highness. Please take care of yourself."
"I will." Ye Li nodded.By the end of September and early October, the weather in the northwest had already turned chilly. The intermittent drizzles and cold winds gave the people accustomed to the climate of Chu Capital an early taste of winter. With the onset of winter, military provisions such as grain and fodder for horses began to run short. Western Liang had never been abundant in grain production, so its reserves were naturally not plentiful. Moreover, having completely failed to anticipate that this war—initially thought to be a sure victory—would drag into such a stalemate, Western Liang's supplies began to show signs of shortage. By mid-October, apart from leaving some troops to continue besieging Xinyang, Zhennan Wang had redirected most of his forces toward Hongzhou, known as the "granary of the northwest." Western Liang soldiers also resumed their long-absent plundering—raiding government granaries, seizing unharvested crops from fields, and even descending upon ordinary villages.
When the news reached Xinyang, Ye Li was furious. Though she had witnessed countless conflicts in both her past and present lives, she had never experienced true war. Yet... she understood war. The peaceful era of her previous life had not been far removed from war. Compared to Mo Jingli's rebellion, which could hardly be called a real upheaval, this was different. Mo Jingli was a native of Great Chu and no madman; even in battle, he would not harm innocent civilians, for in his heart, they were still his people. But the Western Liang forces were different. They coveted not only Great Chu's vast lands but also its grain, gold, silver, and wealth—they might even seek to eliminate as many of the land's inhabitants as possible. Western Liang was harsh and barren; they needed to clear this fertile territory for themselves. She could imagine the suffering of the northwestern people, yet... she was powerless...
"My Lady..." In the spacious study, the gathered generals wore grim expressions. Feng Zhiyao watched Ye Li's tightly clenched hands and icy demeanor with concern, frowning as he said, "My Lady, please calm your anger. This... is truly not your fault." Ye Li let out a cold hum, sweeping her gaze over the assembled officers before speaking coolly, "Not my fault... then whose is it?" The men lowered their heads in unison. "We are incompetent. We beg for your punishment, My Lady." Ye Li lowered her eyes and sighed softly. "I have no right to punish you. I only hope you will remember one thing: the duty of the Mo Family Army is to protect our home and defend our nation. Yet now, Western Liang runs rampant in the northwest, and the people suffer. Step onto the city walls and look outside—do you know what this is? This... is the shame of the Mo Family Army. To allow those we are sworn to protect to be brutalized by foreign invaders is the disgrace of soldiers. And likewise... the disgrace of Ding Royal Palace!"
The men flushed with shame, and several young officers could no longer contain themselves, stepping forward eagerly. "My Lady, give the order! We volunteer to lead the charge and drive out the Western Liang bandits, to restore the spirit of the Mo Family Army!"
Ye Li shook her head with another sigh, picking up a report from her desk and handing it over. "Read this. Then tell me—how do we fight this battle?"
As they took the report and read it, their expressions darkened. Zhennan Wang had sent more reinforcements to the northwest, clearly intending to annihilate the Mo Family Army there and outflank the King's forces. In recent days, the garrisons across the northwest had suffered heavy losses."Feng San, your opinion," Ye Li inquired.
Feng San looked up at Ye Li, hesitating. Ye Li said, "Speak the truth as it is."
Gritting his teeth, Feng San replied, "This subordinate suggests abandoning the defense of Xinyang!" The room erupted in murmurs. Xinyang had previously been massacred, and the prince himself had retaken it from the Western Liang forces. If it were to fall again, the Mo Family Army would lose face. Ye Li remained calm and said lightly, "Explain your reasoning."
Feng Zhiyao spoke up, "Xinyang is surrounded by flatlands on three sides, making it easy to attack but hard to defend. Moreover, it’s now just an empty city—holding it serves no purpose. Once the Western Mausoleum Army occupies the eleven northwestern cities, Xinyang will inevitably become an isolated stronghold. Even if we could hold it for a few months, what would be the point?"
Ye Li nodded. "Continue."
Feng Zhiyao walked over to a large map hanging nearby, studied it, and pointed to a location. "This subordinate proposes abandoning Xinyang and instead seizing the Li River route to defend Hongzhou. Hongzhou is the granary of the northwest, with rugged and treacherous terrain. Though the Western Mausoleum Army is desperately trying to clear a path to Hongzhou, they’ve faced repeated setbacks. Meanwhile, we are familiar with the northwestern terrain and can reach Hongzhou before their main forces arrive, wiping out any advance troops already stationed there. Additionally, Hongzhou is a strategic stronghold—the gateway to the northwest. If we hold it firmly, even if Zhennan Wang commands thousands of troops, he won’t be able to advance from the northwest into the Central Plains."
Silence filled the study as everyone stared at the map, contemplating Feng Zhiyao’s words.
Ye Li looked around. "What do you all think?"
After a long pause, the young Yun Ting stepped forward. "This general supports General Feng’s proposal. I volunteer to lead the vanguard and clear the path for the princess consort!"
Soon, more voices joined in agreement.
Observing the fervor among the gathered commanders, Ye Li nodded softly. "I understand. All of you, return and prepare. Whatever battles lie ahead, I hope you will be fully ready and energized."
"Yes, Princess Consort."
The officers took their leave one after another, leaving only Feng Zhiyao and Zhuo Jing in the study. Feng Zhiyao looked at Ye Li knowingly. "Does the princess consort also agree with this subordinate’s suggestion?"
Ye Li smiled faintly. "After dragging things out in Xinyang for so long, Feng San must be impatient, no?"
Feng Zhiyao shook his head. "This subordinate understands the princess consort has her own considerations. Besides… given your current condition, long journeys are inadvisable…"
Delaying Zhennan Wang in the northwest required precise timing—retreating to Hongzhou couldn’t be too early or too late. Too early, and Zhennan Wang would see through their plan; too late, and they risked losing the entire three northwestern provinces and eleven cities.
Ye Li said, "My condition is not an issue. Go and prepare. There’s one more thing I need you to handle personally."
Seeing her solemn expression, Feng Zhiyao straightened and replied gravely, "Your orders, Princess Consort?"
Lowering her gaze, Ye Li murmured, "Even if we retreat to Hongzhou, I don’t want the Western Liang forces to obtain a single grain of rice or any food supplies in the northwest."
Feng Zhiyao was taken aback. "The princess consort means…"
"Clear Fields and Walls," Ye Li uttered softly.
Feng Zhiyao fell silent. Though he had never heard this phrase before, he understood its meaning perfectly. Staring at the composed and beautiful woman before him, his expression shifted before he bowed respectfully. "This subordinate obeys."
"Dismissed."
"This subordinate takes his leave."Watching Feng Zhiyao's figure disappear through the doorway, Ye Li closed her eyes wearily, a faint trace of sorrow flickering between her brows. Zhuo Jing glanced at her and said quietly, "Princess, the Western Mausoleum Army is currently pillaging and slaughtering in the northwest. The people were already suffering greatly—this is not your fault." Ye Li shook her head with a bitter smile. "But I fear I've only added to their misery." If the Western Liang troops couldn't plunder food, how could they not vent their fury on the common folk? Zhuo Jing replied, "There aren't many civilians left near Xinyang anymore."
Ye Li raised a hand to rub her temples and murmured, "Enough, let's make preparations. If we must leave, we shouldn't go empty-handed. We ought to leave the Western Liang troops a little parting gift."
Qin Feng's eyes lit up at this, and he stepped forward. "Princess, this subordinate requests to stay behind and cover our retreat."
Ye Li looked at him. "Do you have an idea?"
Qin Feng grinned sheepishly. "I do have a small scheme, but... some secrets are best kept." The corners of Ye Li's lips curled slightly as she smiled. "As it happens, I also have a little idea. Why don't we discuss it together?"
Not just Qin Feng, but Zhuo Jing and the others perked up as well. Qin Feng declared brightly, "This subordinate obeys your command!"
OpenNovel