Mo Li

The atmosphere instantly became unbearably tense. After a long silence, Mo Hua let out a low, grim snort and said to Zhuo Jing and the others, "Protect the princess." With that, he turned to leave. Ye Li frowned and asked, "Where are you going?" Mo Hua gritted his teeth and grinned savagely. "I’ll take some men and kill those leading generals first. Let’s see how they dare take advantage of the chaos!"

Ye Li shook her head. "No. With so many troops stationed near Hongzhou, the situation will only spiral further out of control without leadership. Besides… those currently leading the troops may not be the ones calling the shots. Mo Jingqi wouldn’t fail to send someone here." Mo Jingqi was not one to trust his ministers lightly. If he had issued such a secret decree, he would undoubtedly have dispatched someone of considerable influence to oversee it personally.

Mo Hua turned back to look at Ye Li. "What does the princess suggest?"

Ye Li pondered briefly before replying softly, "At the very least, we can’t let them approach Hongzhou today. Zhuo Jing, find a way to let them know that I’ve already left Hongzhou."

Everyone turned to stare at her, their expressions filled with disapproval. Zhuo Jing said, "Princess, that’s far too dangerous." Ye Li sighed quietly. "It’s the only way now. I can only hope… that His Highness will send reinforcements to secure Hongzhou in time. Go."

Zhuo Jing remained rooted in place, refusing to move. Ye Li’s expression darkened. "That’s an order!" Reluctantly, Zhuo Jing turned and left.

After a moment of silence, Mo Hua said, "His Highness should already be on his way to Hongzhou. Princess, if we take the backroads south, we might meet him along the way." Ye Li glanced back at Hongzhou and murmured, "That’s our only option. Let’s go."

As Mo Hua had suggested, the group took the backroads south. Soon, the Chu army stationed nearby began to move—but instead of advancing toward Hongzhou, they scattered in all directions, as if searching for someone. At the same time, another elite unit swiftly bypassed Hongzhou and headed inland.

Under the cover of night, the clashing of weapons echoed endlessly through a dense forest. A dozen shadow guards formed a protective circle around Ye Li, calmly fending off the relentless waves of enemies. The ground around them was littered with corpses, the thick stench of blood saturating the air.

"Princess, we’re surrounded," Mo Hua said grimly, standing beside her.

Ye Li nodded. "Obviously." Their group numbered fewer than fifty, while the enemy had at least seven or eight hundred. And judging by the earlier signals, she had no doubt more were on the way. "Should I take it as a compliment that Mo Jingqi considers me such a priority?"

Lin Han replied, "In their eyes, Hongzhou is already a lost cause—both sides will suffer heavy losses. Naturally, capturing you is far more important." More importantly, they had learned from a captured officer that Mo Jingqi’s secret decree promised ten thousand taels of gold and a triple promotion to anyone who captured the Princess of Ding. Even killing her would earn the same reward. Compared to that, the spoils of joining the battle for Hongzhou paled in comparison.

Mo Hua surveyed the four of them. "You escort the princess out. We’ll hold them off."Ye Li gave a helpless, bitter smile. "It's extremely difficult for a few of us to break through now. Let's move together." Mo Hua paused, knowing the princess spoke the truth. Surrounded in these mountains and forests, attempting to break out with just a few people would be suicidal. Moreover, Princess Ding was the primary target of their enemies.

Dodging a soldier's thrusting spear, Ye Li twisted around and effortlessly snapped the man's neck. The scent of blood in the air made her frown as she suppressed the urge to vomit.

"Princess Ding, please come out and speak!" A loud voice suddenly called from beyond the woods. The attacking soldiers seemed to have received orders and halted, merely watching their group warily. Standing behind the shadow guards, Ye Li replied calmly, "And which general might you be?"

The man chuckled. "That's unnecessary for Your Highness to know. We have no intention of harming you. If you would just step out of the forest, we will escort you back to the capital for recuperation."

Ye Li sneered. Such pretty words. Returning to the capital would only mean endless house arrest and exploitation—being used as leverage against Mo Xiuyao. Now that she was pregnant, falling into Mo Jingqi's hands was absolutely unthinkable. Given Mo Jingqi's hatred for Prince Ding's Estate and his jealousy toward Mo Xiuyao, she could scarcely imagine what he might do.

When Ye Li remained silent, the man grew impatient. "Princess, we're aware Prince Ding is leading troops here as we speak. So we can't give you much time. If you don't emerge within an hour, forgive us for our discourtesy."

Wei Lin scoffed. "If you know Prince Ding is coming, how dare you treat the princess with such disrespect? Do you value your lives so little?"

After a pause, the man replied, "We serve at the emperor's pleasure and share his burdens. This is beyond our control—we beg Princess Ding's understanding."

A tense silence followed. Ye Li gazed at the countless watchful eyes fixed on them and gently touched her still-flat stomach, her smile weary and resigned. "Zhuo Jing, I wonder... how is Hongzhou City faring now?"

Zhuo Jing answered, "The vanguard forces weren't large—they likely diverted all their efforts to pursuing us. As long as no mishaps occur, Hongzhou's situation should align with Your Highness's earlier predictions."

Ye Li nodded in relief. "Good. At least... we've won on one front."

Lin Han asked quietly, "Your Highness, what should we do now?"

Ye Li lifted her eyes calmly. "Southeast corner. We break through."

Mo Hua's brows furrowed with concern. "But Your Highness's condition..."

Ye Li smiled coldly. "And if we fall into their hands—what then?"

Mo Hua fell silent. A captured Princess Ding might not be killed but used to coerce the prince. But a pregnant Princess Ding, carrying the future heir of Prince Ding's Estate, in Mo Jingqi's grasp? That would be an unmitigated disaster—not just for the prince and princess, but for the entire Mo Family Army.

After a long look at Ye Li, Mo Hua bowed with unprecedented reverence. "As Your Highness commands."The southeastern corner led into the deep mountains, with terrain far more rugged and treacherous than elsewhere. Perhaps because of this, the guards stationed here were noticeably fewer than on the other sides, making it their only hope of breaking through. At Ye Li's command, all the shadow guards charged toward that direction, cutting down anyone in their path with ruthless efficiency—gods be damned if they stood in the way. Behind them, furious shouts echoed from the forest's edge: "Kill them all! Dead or alive, not a single one escapes!"

It was precisely this unstoppable momentum that allowed them to fight their way out of the encirclement and plunge deeper into the mountains. However, only seven or eight shadow guards remained by their side, including Mo Hua and Zhuo Jing, all bearing grievous wounds. Only Ye Li, shielded in their midst, showed no external injuries apart from exhaustion.

The remote wilderness was devoid of human traces, and even with thousands of pursuers, finding a few hidden figures in such vast terrain was no easy task. By the next morning, they had mostly shaken off their pursuers, but they were now lost in the boundless depths of the mountains, with no clear path forward. They could only advance based on a rough sense of direction.

In both her past and present life, Ye Li had never been in such a wretched state. Though she had endured far worse environments in her previous life, her body had been strong and healthy then. Now, due to her pregnancy, even if it didn’t hinder her movements, her stamina and mental resilience were clearly faltering. The first trimester was already a precarious period, unsuitable for intense activity. Though only a day had passed, Ye Li already felt subtle discomfort. She knew all too well that if she wasn’t careful, she might lose her first child.

They stopped at a concealed, relatively flat area to rest and ate some dry rations with water. Lin Han said, "As long as we don’t run into pursuers again, we’ll be fine getting out of here." Wei Lin shook his head. "Though I don’t know the exact location, judging by this mountain range’s position, no matter which direction we take, we’ll be far from His Highness and the Mo Family Army. And if we backtrack… we’ll likely run into the enemy."

After a moment’s thought, Ye Li said, "Lin Han, you go back alone—find His Highness." Lin Han disagreed. "If it’s about sending for help, any shadow guard can do it. I’d be more useful staying here." Ye Li shook her head. "No, the return journey will be extremely dangerous. Only you, Zhuo Jing, or Wei Lin can make it back safely. Besides, now that we’re deep in the mountains, as long as we stay hidden, the chances of encountering large groups of pursuers are slim. Go quickly and return swiftly… If something happens to the messenger, no one will know where we are. Then—"

Wei Lin patted Lin Han’s shoulder in agreement. Lin Han glanced at the others and finally nodded. "Understood. I’ll find His Highness as fast as I can!"

Ye Li nodded. "Be careful on the road."

After seeing Lin Han off, the rest settled in the relatively flat area to rest. Ye Li sat beneath a large tree, leaning against the trunk as she gazed at the sky through the dense canopy. A bitter, self-mocking smile touched her lips.

How utterly pathetic…

In this world—She knew she wasn’t truly strong enough. This was an era of cold weapons—compared to those top-tier masters, her inner energy was insufficient, and her Light Body Skill was lacking. On the battlefield, the military strategies she had learned were utterly useless against genuine legendary commanders. All she could rely on was her completely unconventional way of thinking. This confrontation with Zhennan Wang might seem like she held the upper hand, but in her heart, she understood that with equal military resources, she would most likely face crushing defeat within three months. She also knew… she could have chosen an easier, more comfortable life. As a woman, no one would fault her for it. But… she simply couldn’t bring herself to fully embrace the role of a delicate woman of this era, content to stay at home enjoying luxuries provided by men fighting outside. Even in this wretched state, she had no regrets. At the very least… she had done what she could, rather than remaining in the capital to be captured by Mo Jingqi and used as a pawn to threaten her child’s father.

Leaning against a tree, Ye Li stood up and walked toward the campfire. The early winter night was already quite chilly. The three shadow guards busy roasting meat and cooking soup quickly rose when they saw her approach. Ye Li waved her hand. “Everyone’s tired. No need for formalities. Sit.” The shadow guards, clearly unaccustomed to such a master, hesitated and glanced at Zhuo Jing, who was resting with his eyes closed on a nearby tree. Since Mo Hua had taken the others hunting, they could only seek advice from Zhuo Jing, who had once been a shadow guard himself. Sensing their gaze, Zhuo Jing opened his eyes and said, “Follow the princess consort’s orders.” Only then did the three sit back down, resuming their tasks in silence, though their expressions were noticeably more reserved than before.

Ye Li smiled faintly, picking up a branch to poke at the fire. She grabbed a skewer of roasted sparrow meat from the flames and tossed it toward a tree branch where Wei Lin was hanging upside down. He caught it without a word and took a bite. Watching from another tree, Zhuo Jing couldn’t help but drool. “Princess Consort…” Ye Li arched a delicate brow and threw another skewer his way. Zhuo Jing cheered before happily devouring it. Turning back to the shadow guards, who looked astonished by the interaction, Ye Li chuckled. “Eat first if you’re hungry. We’ll roast more when Mo Hua and the others return.” Between bites, Zhuo Jing mumbled, “Told you… I’d find food faster than… the commander… cough … Mo Hua…”

Perhaps because of the casual exchange between Ye Li, Zhuo Jing, and Wei Lin, the atmosphere gradually eased. Ye Li forced herself to eat the greasy roasted meat, her appetite nonexistent amid the smoky fumes. One of the shadow guards glanced at her, then pulled out two fist-sized red wild fruits and offered them to her, somewhat shyly. “We picked these along the way. If the princess consort doesn’t mind…” Ye Li smiled, took them, wiped one casually, and took a bite. The sweet yet slightly tart fruit immediately refreshed her. She nodded gratefully at the shadow guard. “Thank you.”

The shadow guard flushed and quickly murmured that it was nothing.As she nibbled on wild fruits, Ye Li noticed the subtle yet curious glances from the shadow guards. With a faint smile, she asked softly, "I've dragged you into this. Are you afraid?"

These shadow guards were all exceptionally talented young men. Had they been reassigned in the future, whether to the Black Cloud Cavalry, the Mo Family Army, or even the Qilin, their prospects would have been boundless. Yet now, they had nearly all perished following her.

"Not afraid!" declared the shadow guard who had handed her the fruit. "To die in loyal service to His Highness and Her Highness is the greatest honor for a shadow guard."

"Nonsense," Ye Li chided gently. "If you don’t prioritize survival, how can you think only of dying in loyalty? If everyone dies, who will remain to serve the Ding Royal Palace?"

The three young men looked at her in confusion. Her words clearly contradicted the teachings they had grown up with, leaving them bewildered. "Does Her Highness mean we should flee in cowardice to save our own lives? Though we may not be the renowned Black Cloud Cavalry or Mo Family Army, we would never stoop to such disgrace," they protested, clearly disagreeing with her.

Ye Li smiled. "Death can weigh as heavily as Mount Tai or as lightly as a feather. To abandon life over trivial matters or to seek death at the slightest setback—even if done in loyalty—is blind devotion. But if, for the greater cause, for ideals and convictions, one has fought with all their might and can only then sacrifice themselves, then even in defeat, they are true warriors."

The three young men fell into thought. In their line of work, there was an unspoken rule: many would take their own lives to atone for failing a critical mission. As shadow guards, they had witnessed such examples and even shared the same mindset. The loss of their brothers protecting Her Highness saddened them, but they too had prepared themselves—had anything happened to her, they would have all died in atonement. Yet now, Her Highness seemed to disapprove of such actions.

"Your Highness… shouldn’t those who fail atone with their lives?"

Ye Li rolled her eyes skyward. "If those who err die to atone, does that erase the mistake?"

"Then… what should we do?"

"Strive to live and make amends. To choose death is the act of a coward," she stated firmly.

The three youths pondered this for a long while. Finally, one ventured cautiously, "Your Highness… does the Qilin still recruit?"

Ye Li chuckled. "You know of the Qilin?"

They nodded eagerly. The Qilin was not entirely a secret within the Mo Family Army and the Ding Royal Palace, and compared to the scattered tens of thousands of the Mo Family Army, the shadow guards knew more. Their gazes drifted to Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin—one reclining against a tree, the other hanging upside-down from a branch—their eyes filled with admiration and longing. They shared the same origins, some even having trained alongside them. Yet now, the two seemed worlds apart.

Tilting her head, Ye Li smiled. "Of course. If you make it back alive, I might put in a word with Qin Feng to give you a chance. But… you’ll have to convince Mo Hua yourselves."

The young men brightened instantly, their faces alight with vigor, the exhaustion and gloom from earlier swept away."Someone's coming!" Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin leaped down from the tree simultaneously, landing beside Ye Li with alert expressions. The others quickly stood up, preparing for battle.

Ye Li listened intently and said gravely, "Two groups—one coming up from below, still far from here. The other is descending from above—it's Mo Hua and his team." The shadow guards behind her swiftly extinguished the campfire. In moments, Mo Hua arrived with several shadow guards in tow, his expression grim. "We spotted people heading up the mountain just now," he reported.

Ye Li frowned. "Going down isn't an option—the base is completely surrounded. Is there a path up the mountain?"

Mo Hua replied, "There's a cliff at the summit, completely separated from the opposite peak. If we can cross it..."

"Can we make it?" Ye Li asked.

Mo Hua gave a slight nod. "It's worth a try."

Ye Li exhaled softly before declaring firmly, "Then we go up."

–––––– Author's Note ––––––

Ugh... Why am I sneezing and sniffling in 37–38°C heat? I'm running out of tissues. Thank you all for your support—I know updates have been sparse since I changed jobs, so I appreciate your patience. Stay cool and happy in this sweltering weather!