Mo Li

After the announcement of the marriage between Prince Li's Palace and the Boundless Mountains, the event did not cause much of a stir, as the foreign dignitaries who had come for the birthday celebrations had already departed. Among the key figures in this marriage, perhaps only Mo Jingli was genuinely pleased. His decision to hold the wedding in Li Cheng carried a hint of provocation toward Prince Ding's Estate. However, the thought that he had only gotten this opportunity because Prince Ding's Estate had rejected the Boundless Mountains first made his attempt at provocation feel somewhat awkward and hollow. Consequently, his initial reverence and caution toward the Boundless Mountains diminished from ten parts to seven.

Compared to Dongfang You's resentment and resistance toward the marriage, Dongfang Hui's mood was equally sour. In truth, after Prince Ding's Estate rejected her proposal and she herself dismissed Ren Qining, the Boundless Mountains had no choice but to settle on Mo Jingli. However, there was a world of difference between willingly choosing Mo Jingli and marrying off their successor under these circumstances.

Originally, if Dongfang You had married into Prince Li's Palace, the Boundless Mountains would still have maintained their lofty status. But after this incident, the perception among the court officials of the Great Chu had completely changed. Worse still, the Boundless Mountains could not even refuse the marriage. Though the affair between Mo Jingli and Dongfang You had not become widely known, those who needed to know were already aware. Faced with this bitter pill, the Boundless Mountains had no choice but to swallow it silently.

These messy affairs left Dongfang Hui in a foul mood, and she even directed her resentment toward Prince Ding's Estate and the Xu Family. In reality, ever since Prince Ding's Estate rejected the Boundless Mountains, their position had become precarious. If they did not immediately withdraw from these matters and retreat into seclusion, their only option was to choose another candidate to support. However, doing so would severely damage the Boundless Mountains' reputation as the ones "Appointed by Heaven to Choose a Lord."

First, they chose Prince Ding's Estate, but when ignored, they switched to someone else. This would imply that the so-called "Lord of the Realm" was never truly predestined. If that were the case, why should the Boundless Mountains act as Heaven's proxy in selecting a ruler when the contenders could simply fight it out themselves?

For this reason, Mo Jingli's marriage to Dongfang Hui did not cause much of a stir. While the Boundless Mountains' influence was indeed enviable, many also clearly saw the drawbacks of their involvement. The only allure had been the prestige of being chosen as the "True Son of Heaven." Now that the Boundless Mountains' so-called prestige had become little more than an empty claim, a group of seemingly insignificant women no longer held much importance.

While Mo Jingli and the Dongfang Family busied themselves with wedding preparations, Prince Ding's Estate was far from idle. From Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li down to the ordinary soldiers of the Mo Family Army, everyone was sharpening their weapons and preparing for imminent battle. The high-ranking generals of Prince Ding's Estate understood well that this campaign would be a decisive life-and-death struggle against the Northern Rong army—to avenge the near-destruction of the Mo Family Army and the death of the previous Prince Ding, Mo Xiuwen. Not a single Northern Rong soldier who had crossed the border would be allowed to return alive.

At the Nanzhao Embassy...Ye Li and Princess Anxi sat facing each other, leisurely sipping tea. Princess Anxi's belly was already quite large, clearly indicating a healthy and robust little prince or young master on the way. Her usually bright and lively demeanor had softened, gaining a touch of gentleness and grace. No matter how high-ranking or powerful a woman might be, the prospect of motherhood always adds a layer of tenderness and affection.

"I've been swamped these past few days, and now that I finally have some free time, I'm about to embark on a long journey. I regret not being able to properly entertain you," Ye Li said with an apologetic smile. As the queen of a nation, Princess Anxi naturally had little in common with ordinary noblewomen. Yet, with so many pressing matters at hand, Ye Li had been too busy to fulfill her duties as a hostess.

Princess Anxi smiled warmly. "Both of us are bound by our duties—no need for apologies. Are you planning to accompany Prince Ding on this campaign?" Ye Li nodded. "Of course." Though she was uneasy about leaving her two newborn children behind, she was even more worried about Mo Xiuyao heading to the battlefield. Last time in Western Liang, he had nearly lost control. Now, they were facing Northern Rong and Helian Zhen, who had ravaged much of the northern Chu territories and bore deep grudges against the Mo Family Army. How could Ye Li stay behind without worrying? She did feel guilty toward her three children, though. Over the years, Mo Xiaobao had spent half his childhood being raised by the Xu Family. Now, with the twins barely two months old, she and Mo Xiuyao were off to war again, leaving the children in the care of her eldest and Second Aunt.

"You know, back in the day, I also dreamed of galloping across battlefields. I never imagined you'd beat me to it," Princess Anxi said with a wistful chuckle. "Princess Ding is undoubtedly the foremost female general of our time."

Ye Li shook her head helplessly. "A female general? I’ve never truly led troops into battle. I’ve only ever followed along."

Princess Anxi laughed. "Of course—Prince Ding would never allow you to charge into the fray. You’re more suited to being the strategist who plans victories from the command tent. Isn’t there a saying in your Central Plains: 'Brave generals are easy to find, but wise strategists are rare'?"

Ye Li fell silent. Did the Central Plains really have such a saying?

After a brief pause, Ye Li smiled. "With the chaos engulfing the Central Plains, it’s enviable how you, as queen, remain untouched by it all."

The Southern Border was remote, a wild and untamed land since ancient times. Though successive emperors of the Central Plains had always fancied launching a few campaigns against it, none had ever truly conquered it. Not that Nanzhao was particularly powerful—its people were fierce, but the kingdom was small and impoverished, with limited military strength. Emperors attacked Nanzhao either in retaliation for border incursions or to expand their territories during peaceful times, seeking to embellish their historical records. No one would ever commit the full might of their nation to conquer Nanzhao, as the gains would never outweigh the costs. And during times of upheaval, warlords had no time to spare for Nanzhao—why bother with a minor border state when the fertile lands of the Central Plains were ripe for the taking?"It seems the Queen truly has no intention of participating in this chaotic era?" Ye Li asked with a smile. In truth, she understood Princess Anxi's sentiments. Though the princess possessed the talent to govern, women inherently lacked the domineering ambition to expand territories and achieve grand conquests. This, perhaps, was not a bad thing for the people of Nanzhao. Despite their strong military, the entire kingdom numbered only a few hundred thousand. Many tribal regions paid nominal allegiance but governed independently. In the impending conflicts involving millions, Nanzhao's involvement would merely render them cannon fodder.

Princess Anxi shook her head, gently caressing her abdomen as she smiled. "I only wish for the people of Nanzhao to live in peace and prosperity, and for this child of mine to be born safely and grow up well. Passing the throne to them in the future would make my life complete."

Ye Li sighed softly. "What ordinary people seek in life is nothing more than peace and stability. If the Queen can protect her subjects, that alone is immeasurable virtue." Princess Anxi replied with a smile, "Amidst the chaos in the Central Plains now, only the people under Prince Ding and Wang Fei's rule enjoy undisturbed peace, free from the ravages of war. No wonder so many commoners we encountered on our journey north speak of Prince Ding and Wang Fei with gratitude."

Ye Li responded to the praise with a faint smile. In this life, safeguarding the peace of one's people was satisfaction enough; accolades or criticisms mattered little.

"Your Majesties, a woman claiming to be Qixia Princess requests an audience," a servant announced respectfully at the door.

Hearing this, Princess Anxi frowned slightly in displeasure. "What does she want?" She had grown cold toward this sister of hers. Qixia Princess was her only blood sister, yet during her youth, when she struggled against Shu Manlin, Qixia not only failed to support her but even sided with Shu Manlin against her because of Mo Jingli. Eventually, Qixia fled to Great Chu, refusing to return, bringing shame upon the Nanzhao royal family. Even now, during their reunion in Li Cheng, Qixia's words were laced with resentment and envy toward her elder sister. Qixia only remembered her being named Crown Princess and inheriting the Nanzhao throne, never considering the hardships and dangers she endured under their father's oppression and Shu Manlin's schemes. Such a sister was better off nonexistent.

"Never mind. In a few days, she’ll be returning to Jiangnan with Prince Li. Let her in," Princess Anxi said indifferently.

As the servant departed to carry out the order, Ye Li stood up. "Since you sisters have matters to discuss, I shall take my leave." Princess Anxi quickly pressed her hand down. "There’s little between us to talk about. You’re about to depart for the campaign, and who knows when we’ll meet again? Please stay." Originally intending to give them privacy, Ye Li, seeing Princess Anxi's insistence and having more to discuss with her, acquiesced and sat back down.

Moments later, Qixia Princess entered. Spotting Ye Li, she paused briefly before timidly approaching Princess Anxi and murmuring, "Elder Sister."The Qixia Princess was already in her twenties this year. Though still stunningly beautiful, she was no longer the delicate young maiden of yesteryears. Her current demeanor lacked the pitiable charm of youth, instead coming across as somewhat affected. Princess Anxi frowned slightly and gestured to a nearby chair, saying, "What brings you here? Have a seat."

Failing to achieve the desired effect with her act, the Qixia Princess lowered her head in disappointment and sat down where indicated. Princess Anxi asked, "What's the matter?"

Biting her lip, the Qixia Princess said with reddened eyes, "Prince Li is going to marry Dongfang You. I beg my royal sister to stand up for me." A shadow of displeasure crossed Princess Anxi's brow. The Qixia Princess had visited the embassy several times recently, hinting that Nanzhao should pressure Prince Li's Palace into making him formally marry her. Naturally, Princess Anxi had refused. Even as Queen of Nanzhao, she had no authority over whom the Regent of Great Chu married. Moreover, the Nanzhao royal family had long since disowned the Qixia Princess, making any intervention unjustified.

"How could I possibly decide whom Prince Li marries? Qixia, you're no longer young. Can't you see things clearly yet?" Princess Anxi said with a frown.

The Qixia Princess said aggrievedly, "But the Boundless Mountains are utterly overbearing. Dongfang You forced Prince Li to promise that there would only be two principal consorts in Prince Li's Palace, with no status given to anyone else, and no one would be allowed to bear children before her. Even if Prince Li ascends the throne in the future, I wouldn't be allowed to become a consort." Remembering Dongfang You's haughty demeanor in front of her, the Qixia Princess wished she could stab her to death. She was a princess of a nation, yet was being bullied by some country bumpkin. Unfortunately, she knew that regardless of whether Mo Jingli liked Dongfang You or not, she and the Boundless Mountains were undoubtedly his top priorities now. If she truly harmed Dongfang You, Mo Jingli would probably kill her first.

"Wang Fei, this Dongfang You..." Though Princess Anxi knew a little about Dongfang You and the Boundless Mountains, she wasn't very familiar with them.

Ye Li shook her head and said, "Regardless of what Dongfang Hui is like, Dongfang You spends all her time reciting the principles of being a wife, a consort, and a queen by the book, practically acting as if she's a living saint. She wouldn't make such unreasonable demands, would she? Qixia Princess, is there something you're not telling us?"

Princess Anxi looked at the Qixia Princess, whose expression changed slightly. Biting her lip resentfully, she said, "It was that Dongfang Hui... She said I was too lowly to be Princess Li." Was the Qixia Princess lowly? Naturally not. Though the self-proclaimed orthodox nobility of the Central Plains somewhat looked down on small border nations, they still accorded a certain respect to the status of a princess. But the Qixia Princess was different—the world knew that the title of Nanzhao's Qixia Princess no longer existed.

The Qixia Princess had been posthumously named Consort Xia by the late Emperor Mo Jingqi. Though she had fallen ill and passed away before the formal investiture ceremony, preventing her name from being entered into the imperial genealogy, there was no doubt that, in name, she had been Mo Jingqi's woman. The current Qixia was merely an unidentified concubine in Prince Li's Palace, nearly thirty years old and without any official status. Dongfang Hui's remark about her being lowly wasn't entirely wrong.In truth, Qixia Princess's devotion to Mo Jingli could be considered truly profound—something even Ye Ying might not match. But how much space Qixia Princess truly occupied in Mo Jingli's heart was hard to say. After all these years, if Mo Jingli had truly cared, he could have at least granted her the title of Side Consort rather than leaving her in Prince Li's Palace in such an awkward and nameless state. Now that the successor of the Boundless Mountains was marrying into Prince Li's Palace, Dongfang You was no helpless and powerless Ye Ying. No wonder Qixia Princess was growing anxious.

Princess Anxi looked at Qixia Princess and asked, "How do you want me to help you?"

Qixia Princess's eyes brightened, and she quickly replied, "If you, elder sister, agree to form an alliance with Great Chu… Nanzhao's strength is no weaker than the Boundless Mountains. That way… Prince Li would surely have to formally marry me as his consort—"

"Outrageous!" Princess Anxi was instantly furious, her gaze icy as she glared at Qixia Princess. "I thought you had matured over the years, but it seems you're still as reckless as ever! You want me to drag all of Nanzhao and its warriors into the flames of war in the Central Plains for your personal affairs? As a princess of Nanzhao, have you ever done the slightest thing for its people? What do they owe you? Should they risk their lives just for your status?"

"I…" Stunned by Princess Anxi's merciless scolding, Qixia Princess could only stare blankly. "Elder sister, I…" Princess Anxi raised a hand to silence her and said coolly, "There's no need to say more. If this Prince Li of yours were truly worthy, I wouldn't mind gambling for your sake. But I'll be honest—I don't think highly of him. If you're willing, come back to Nanzhao with me this time and marry a good man. Even without the title of princess, no one in Nanzhao would dare mistreat you. As for anything else, don't even think about it."

"I…"

Princess Anxi knew all too well that staying in Great Chu would only bring hardship. But giving up and returning to Nanzhao was something she simply couldn't bring herself to do. She had sacrificed too much for Mo Jingli—if nothing else, the years of her youth could never be recovered. If she left now, what would those years even mean?

She glanced at Princess Anxi, who had lowered her head to gently stroke her swollen belly, no longer paying her any attention. Realizing she couldn't persuade her, Qixia Princess burst into tears. "Elder sister, you're so cruel!" With that, she turned and ran out.

Princess Anxi watched her retreating figure in silence, then sighed softly. "Am I truly so cruel?" she murmured, as if speaking to herself.

Ye Li said gently, "You only did what you had to. You're not just Qixia Princess's sister—you're also the Queen of Nanzhao."

"True." Princess Anxi smiled bitterly. "If I were soft-hearted, the grass on my grave would have grown tall long ago. Very well, let her go. I just wonder if we'll ever meet again in this lifetime."Seeing her so sorrowful, Ye Li could only offer gentle words of comfort. Her relationship with Ye Zhen, Ye Ying, and others was distant, and they weren't even born from the same mother, so she naturally couldn't fully understand Princess Anxi's feelings. But if it had been her cousins from her previous life, she would likely have been deeply saddened as well.

Despite Dongfang You's extreme reluctance, the wedding between Mo Jingli and her proceeded as scheduled. However, the grandeur of the ceremony didn't even reach a third of that of Mr. Qingyun's birthday banquet. This was hardly surprising—the envoys from various countries had just departed and naturally wouldn't make a special trip back just for Prince Li's marriage to a descendant of the Boundless Mountains. Moreover, with Prince Li gaining the support of the Boundless Mountains, he became their formidable enemy. The fact that they didn't secretly sabotage the event was already a gesture of respect for Prince Ding and Princess Ding, given that Li Cheng was under the jurisdiction of Prince Ding's Estate. Who would bother to come and offer congratulations?

After attending Mo Jingli's wedding, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao left Li Cheng that very night and headed for Flying Goose Pass.

Beyond Flying Goose Pass, the once formidable northern enemy of Great Chu was now divided into two forces: the Northern Rong and the Mo Family Army, locked in a standoff. As soon as Yelv Ye returned to the Northern Rong Camp, he immediately mobilized troops, pushing the Northern Rong's frontlines southward. At the same time, he sent a swift messenger to the King of Northern Rong, requesting reinforcements to crush the Mo Family Army in one decisive strike.

True to his word, Yelv Hong also jointly wrote to the King of Northern Rong with Yelv Ye, requesting that Helian Zhen be sent to assist Yelv Ye in attacking Great Chu. Ever since his defeat at the hands of the then-eighteen-year-old Mo Xiuyao, Helian Zhen had been cast aside by the King of Northern Rong. Although his situation had improved slightly in recent years, the defeat had left Northern Rong reeling for years, and the king held his abilities in contempt, never trusting him with significant responsibilities again.

Though Yelv Ye harbored some suspicion about Yelv Hong's motives for helping him, he dismissed it, thinking that once Yelv Hong returned to Northern Rong, he had other traps waiting for him. Regardless, he genuinely needed Helian Zhen's assistance at the moment.

The Northern Rong reinforcements wouldn't arrive anytime soon, but Yelv Ye wasn't concerned. He repeatedly mobilized troops from various regions, intending to catch the Mo Family Army off guard and strike first. However, Lyu Jinxian, stationed at the border, was far from unprepared, as Yelv Ye had assumed. Observing the unusual movements of the Northern Rong army, he also deployed his forces, and within just five days, the two armies clashed more than three times. The northern region of Great Chu was once again engulfed in the flames of war.

Meanwhile, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were nowhere near the battlefield. Instead, they leisurely traveled through the northern territories beyond Zijing Pass. After dyeing his iconic silver hair black and making slight alterations to their appearances, the two became an unremarkable young couple—a far cry from the awe-inspiring Prince Ding and Princess Ding who commanded respect in Li Cheng.

Accompanying Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li was Tan Jizhi, who had only recently been released from Prince Ding's Estate. Few in the world had ever seen Tan Jizhi's true face, and most of those who had were already dead. After two years of obscurity, even fewer could recognize him now. Thus, he walked through the northern territories without fear of being identified, even in his original appearance.It was unclear whether Ren Qining was overly eager for success or truly brimming with confidence. After the Northern Border army captured Zijing Pass, Ren Qining relocated the original capital of the Northern Border to Changqing City—once the most prosperous city in the northeast of Great Chu—just over three hundred miles from Zijing Pass. Here, he established his new capital and began constructing grand palaces. Though the royal palace was not yet fully completed, its framework was already visible. Changqing City also boasted many magnificent and spacious mansions and official residences, their splendor rivaling even that of Li Cheng and Chu Jing.

Yet, Changqing City also exhibited a peculiar phenomenon. Apart from a few clusters of grand, high-walled estates, the rest of the city was dilapidated, with shabby huts and crude dwellings being commonplace. There was no trace of the former grandeur of Great Chu’s northeastern metropolis. It seemed as though the city was divided solely between a handful of exceedingly wealthy officials and nobles on one side, and impoverished masses dressed in rags and struggling to feed themselves on the other. The middle class—those who, though not wealthy, should have at least been able to live comfortably—appeared to be entirely absent. Such an extreme disparity would be shocking even in a remote small town, let alone in a capital city like Changqing.

Tan Jizhi followed Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao into an inconspicuous inn in the city. The innkeeper led the three of them to a secluded room on the second floor before bowing respectfully. "This subordinate greets Wang Ye and Wang Fei."

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "No need for formalities. You've worked hard these past two years."

The innkeeper replied respectfully, "It is my duty. I dare not complain of hardship. I have already arranged accommodations for Wang Ye and Wang Fei. Please rest assured and stay here as long as needed. If there is anything this subordinate can do, Wang Fei need only give the order."

Ye Li nodded with a smile. "Very well. You may leave for now. If there's anything, Wang Ye and I will call for you."

"This subordinate takes his leave." Without further questions, the innkeeper bowed and withdrew.

"To think even Changqing City has Prince Ding's Estate's informants. Truly, Prince Ding's Estate leaves no stone unturned. Ren Qining has truly provoked Wang Ye—it seems heaven itself wishes his downfall." Changqing had only become the northern capital for a little over a year. Judging by the city's current state, Ren Qining must have initially employed ruthless measures to eliminate dissenters. Yet this innkeeper remained safely in the city, speaking without the slightest hint of concern or difficulty. It was clear his operations here were formidable. Not just Ren Qining—even Tan Jizhi couldn't help feeling a twinge of frustration. Could he really compete with such people?

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Wahhh~ I finished a chapter but the power went out before I could save it. So painful~