Mo Li

"Hold on!" Suddenly, Yelv Hong stood up and spoke.

"Crown Prince!" The King of Northern Rong was furious. The more incompetent and self-righteous a person was, the less they could tolerate opposition—especially when the king was already in a towering rage. Seeing Yelv Hong defy him for the sake of a woman from Great Chu, his anger flared uncontrollably. His gaze toward Yelv Hong was filled with murderous intent.

Yelv Hong lowered his eyes and said solemnly, "Father, please hear me out. Ronghua Princess must not be killed."

At the doorway, Ronghua Princess was momentarily stunned upon hearing Yelv Hong's voice. She turned to look at him, her beautiful eyes flickering with emotion. She had nearly given up hope, never expecting Yelv Hong to speak up for her.

The King of Northern Rong laughed coldly in his fury, staring at Yelv Hong. "Must not be killed? Since when is there anyone in Northern Rong that this king cannot kill?"

Yelv Hong replied quietly, "I know Father must be deeply grieved by Seventh Brother's death on the battlefield. But I implore you to consider the future of Northern Rong."

The king narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Are you saying that killing this woman will affect Northern Rong's sovereignty?"

Yelv Hong straightened and said seriously, "Ronghua is the sworn sister of Princess Ding, and they share an extremely close relationship. It is well-known throughout the realm how dearly Prince Ding cherishes his wife. If Father kills the sworn sister of Princess Ding, Prince Ding may retaliate against Northern Rong in his fury."

The claim that Ronghua Princess and Ye Li were sworn sisters was entirely fabricated by Yelv Hong. After all, Great Chu was far from the Northern Rong royal court, and the king had no way to verify it at the moment. Yelv Hong said this because, in Northern Rong, sworn kinship was highly significant—relationships between sworn siblings were considered no less important than blood ties.

The King of Northern Rong snorted. "Retaliate against Northern Rong?! I was just about to raise an army to avenge Ye'er!"

Yelv Hong met his father's gaze steadily. "Father, does Northern Rong still have troops to mobilize? How do you plan to avenge Seventh Brother?"

Northern Rong was vast but sparsely populated. Two million soldiers already represented the kingdom's full military strength. For the next twenty to thirty years, Northern Rong simply could not afford to wage war.

At this moment, Yelv Hong finally understood Mo Xiuyao's intentions. From the very beginning, Mo Xiuyao had planned to deal with Prince Zhennan of Xiling and Mo Jingli of Great Chu—leaving no chance for Northern Rong to recover. By the time Northern Rong regained its strength decades later, Prince Ding's Estate would likely have already unified the realm.

Strangely, despite the uncertain situation in the Central Plains, Yelv Hong had no doubt that Prince Ding's Estate would emerge victorious in the end.

"Father, for the sake of Northern Rong, I beg you to restrain your wrath. Killing Ronghua Princess would only provide momentary satisfaction. But she is a princess of Great Chu, not of Prince Ding's Estate. Even if you vent your anger, the impact would be limited. Why not exchange her for something of greater value?"

In truth, the King of Northern Rong was well aware that Northern Rong no longer had the strength to oppose the Mo Family Army. His threats of raising an army for revenge were merely bluster to soothe his wounded pride. Yelv Hong's words gave him a way to back down, and he seized the opportunity.

"Greater value?" the king asked, eyeing Yelv Hong skeptically. "What value could a woman possibly have?"Yelv Hong pondered for a moment before speaking, “We can exchange Ronghua Princess for the Mo Family Army to retrieve the remains of Seventh Brother and our Northern Rong soldiers. These warriors died on the battlefield for our kingdom. If we can bring their remains back to the grasslands, it might bring some comfort to our people.”

The King of Northern Rong lowered his head in thought. Though he was decadent, he was not a complete fool—there had been times in his youth when he displayed wisdom and valor. He understood the implications of Yelv Hong’s proposal. Moreover, sacrificing a woman who was expendable seemed like a very cost-effective deal. Raising his head, he glanced at Ronghua Princess standing by the door and asked, “Will Prince Ding’s Estate agree to this?”

Yelv Hong nodded. “Setting aside Ronghua Princess’s friendship with Princess Ding, the fact remains that she came to Northern Rong as a peace offering from Great Chu. Even though Prince Ding’s Estate now holds power, the people under their rule were once subjects of Great Chu. If Prince Ding’s Estate disregards Ronghua Princess’s life, it will inevitably stir discontent and criticism among the people of Great Chu.”

The King of Northern Rong nodded irritably and waved his hand. “Handle this matter as you see fit. In any case, I don’t want to see this woman in Northern Rong anymore! All of you, leave!”

Yelv Hong bowed in acknowledgment. After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, “Father, what about Seventh Brother’s funeral arrangements?”

“You deal with it.” Years of indulgence in strong liquor and beauties had taken a toll on the king’s health. After his outburst of anger, he felt exhausted and spoke impatiently. Yelv Hong withdrew respectfully. As he reached the door, he glanced back at the man inside, who was now groping a Northern Rong maiden, and a mocking smile curled at his lips. So, to his father, Seventh Brother’s death was nothing more than a fleeting fit of rage.

Upon returning to the Crown Prince’s residence, Ronghua Princess was escorted back to her room to pack her belongings, not even permitted to see her son one last time. As she gathered the Great Chu-style garments she had worn over the years, she looked around the room she had lived in for more than a decade and burst into tears.

“Princess, the Crown Prince is doing this to save you,” said a woman in the room who appeared to be a maid, her voice calm.

Ronghua Princess lifted her head to look at the speaker. This was the woman sent by Prince Ding’s Estate to protect and assist her. Over the years, Ronghua Princess had come to trust her somewhat. Wiping her tears, she nodded with a bitter smile. “I know. I should be grateful that he spoke up to spare my life.” The woman said nothing more, merely gazing at Ronghua Princess with quiet warmth. One was a princess of Great Chu, the other the Crown Prince of Northern Rong. For a woman caught between two warring nations, Ronghua Princess’s current outcome was already the best she could hope for.

“Princess, set your heart at ease. Once you return to Great Chu, you can start a new life,” the woman said softly after a long pause.

Ronghua Princess smiled faintly and nodded. “Yes, it’s been so long since I last saw Chu Jing. I wonder if it’s still the same as before.” She knew that the only reason she could return to Great Chu with her life intact was because Yelv Hong was not entirely heartless and because of Prince Ding’s Estate’s assistance. Though she could not bear to leave her child behind, neither the King of Northern Rong nor Yelv Hong would ever allow her to take him away. She could only hope that she and her son would meet again in this lifetime.In a tent within the Chu army camp, Yao Ji sat peacefully, idly flipping through a book. Beside her, Mu Lie also held a book but was reading with great concentration.

Yao Ji reclined lazily on the soft couch, her gaze calm and distant. It had taken considerable effort for her to persuade Mu Yang to bring both her and Mu Lie along to the military camp. Fortunately, the rules of the Chu army camp weren’t as strict as those of the Mo Family Army. Moreover, with the precedent of Princess Ding accompanying Prince Ding in and out of the camp, it had become much easier to bend the rules. Though she didn’t possess Princess Ding’s strategic brilliance, convincing Prince Li would suffice—and swaying Mo Jingli didn’t seem difficult. Recalling the stunning beauties in Prince Li’s tent, Yao Ji smiled faintly.

Mu Lie glanced sideways at Yao Ji, whose faint smile hinted at unknown thoughts, and raised an eyebrow. "Mother, what are you smiling about?"

Yao Ji arched her delicate brows and chuckled, "You’re getting more and more used to this."

Mu Lie lifted his chin proudly. "This young master has never been unaccustomed to it. Aren’t you my mother?" Yao Ji embraced him with a smile, ruffling his small head. "Indeed, I am your mother!" Perhaps due to starting martial arts too early, which had stunted his growth, Mu Lie, though actually eleven or twelve years old, still looked like a child of seven or eight. Over the years, the two had developed a bond, and Mu Lie had acknowledged Yao Ji as his adoptive mother.

Yao Ji genuinely cherished Mu Lie. Besides, this child had already rendered great service to Prince Ding's Estate at such a young age, ensuring a boundless future. That he willingly recognized her as his adoptive mother despite knowing her background filled Yao Ji with joy, deepening her affection for him.

Mu Lie grinned at her, sending a chill down Yao Ji’s spine. He drawled, "Forgot to tell you, Mother—a few days ago, I also acknowledged Commander Qin as my adoptive father."

Yao Ji’s smile froze instantly as she stared at Mu Lie’s pleased expression, speechless for a long moment.

As if oblivious to her reaction, Mu Lie leaned back in his chair, grinning. "We’ll be going home soon. Haven’t you thought about what to do with my adoptive father once we return?" There was nothing inherently wrong with Mu Lie having separate adoptive parents, but the implication made Yao Ji blush. She rolled her eyes helplessly. "Such a busybody for a child. Why meddle in these matters?"

Mu Lie continued cheerfully, "Busybody? I only have one adoptive mother and one adoptive father. I don’t want to end up with another set later. Don’t you agree, Mother?"

Yao Ji lightly smacked his face with her book. "Enough nonsense. Be careful not to get carried away. If you capsize at the last hurdle, you’ll be the laughingstock." Mu Lie rubbed his nose, acknowledging the truth in her words—the closer to the end, the more cautious one must be."General Mu." The voice of a guard came from outside the tent. Mu Lie and Yao Ji exchanged glances before rising together as Mu Yang entered from outside. Seeing the book in Mu Lie's hand, Mu Yang couldn't help but smile. He patted Mu Lie's shoulder and said with a laugh, "Lie'er is quite diligent, but don't overwork yourself." Mu Lie nodded silently, rolling his eyes inwardly. To be fair, this nominal father of his treated him quite well—unfortunately... who asked the Mu family to offend Prince Ding? If Mu Yang and Old Marquis Muyang ever found out that the beloved Mu family heir they had doted on for years was actually an impostor—and a spy at that—he couldn't imagine how furious they would be. Thinking of this, Mu Lie cast a somewhat sympathetic glance at Mu Yang.

Naturally, Mu Yang misunderstood the look, assuming his son was merely worried about his studies. He chuckled, "Silly child, you've already learned far more than most eight or nine-year-olds. Don't push yourself too hard."

Mu Lie's small face darkened instantly. Of course, he knew more than a child of that age—because he wasn't one. Though his youthful appearance made missions convenient, his frustratingly stunted growth over the years remained a sore spot he couldn't bear to touch.

As the weather turned cold, he thought it best to let Mu Yang and Marquis Muyang Manor meet their demise.

Mu Yang settled into a chair by the couch. Yao Ji poured him a cup of hot tea from the table and asked with a smile, "How do you have time to visit now?" The army had just arrived at the frontlines, not far from the Mo Family Army. Mu Yang and Old Marquis Muyang had been busy with military affairs alongside Mo Jingli these past days. Though Yao Ji and Mu Lie had accompanied Mu Yang to the camp, they hadn't seen him in several days.

Mu Yang replied, "The Mo Family Army, led by Prince Ding, has already annihilated the Northern Rong forces. Prince Ding has now returned to Flying Goose Pass to confront Lei Zhenting, while General Lü Jinxian's troops are also advancing toward the front. I likely won't have time to look after you in the coming days, so I took this moment to check in." Yao Ji smiled sweetly. "I'll take good care of Lie'er. Don't worry about us."

Mu Yang nodded, taking Yao Ji's hand with a smile. "That's good. It must have been hard on you, marching with us all this way." Yao Ji lowered her eyes, her smile gentle. "It's my duty. There's no need to speak of hardship."

Gazing at Yao Ji's tender and beautiful face, Mu Yang's eyes softened with warmth and affection. He squeezed her hand and nodded. "Alright, I should head back now. Take care of yourselves."

Yao Ji and Mu Lie stood to see Mu Yang out. Once he had left, Mu Lie sat back down with a frown. "If Mu Yang won't be returning, and we can't move around freely outside, how are we supposed to gather intel on Mo Jingli's troop deployments?"

Yao Ji smiled faintly. "No need to rush. The boat will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge. We'll find a way to contact General Lü when the time comes." Mu Lie nodded. Since Wang Fei hadn't demanded they obtain the Chu army's defense plans, she must have more important tasks for them. For now, they only needed to wait quietly and assist the Mo Family Army when necessary.In the central command tent of the Great Chu army, the presence of the emperor leading the expedition personally meant the tent's specifications far exceeded those of an ordinary commander's, appearing more spacious and luxurious. Despite the lingering bitter cold of the northern climate, the thick carpets imported from the Western Regions and the quietly burning high-quality silver charcoal ensured the entire tent was warm and comfortable.

Yet, Mo Jingli's expression did not soften with the tent's warmth and comfort; instead, it grew even more sinister. The generals below bowed their heads in fear, not daring to look up at the lofty emperor above them. The act of ruling the world had not improved Mo Jingli's mood. Ever since that night at Prince Li's Palace before the new year, the chilling aura around him had been enough to make anyone keep their distance. Those unaware of the truth dared not ask, while the few who knew the truth dared not speak. People only knew that the young emperor had suddenly fallen gravely ill and passed away, after which Prince Li ascended the throne. Everything happened so quickly that many barely had time to react before Prince Li had already ascended the throne with absolute dominance. However, after becoming emperor, Mo Jingli's temper became even colder and more erratic than before, his moods unpredictable. As a newly crowned emperor, instead of focusing on appeasing court officials, the imperial clan, and the people, he busied himself with leading the expedition personally—Mo Jingli was truly the first of his kind.

"The Northern Rong has been defeated, so Mo Xiuyao's attention will inevitably shift to the southern front. Now, Mo Xiuyao has sent Lyu Jinxian to lead 400,000 troops to confront our Great Chu forces. What are your thoughts, my esteemed ministers?" Mo Jingli asked in a low voice.

The generals exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak. The Northern Rong had not just been defeated—they had been annihilated. This sent a chill through the hearts of the Mo Family Army's generals. Moreover, Great Chu's alliance with Western Liang to take advantage of the Mo Family Army's battle with the Northern Rong and launch their own attack had always carried a sense of guilt. Western Liang and the Mo Family Army were outright enemies, so they naturally spared no effort. But Great Chu and the Mo Family Army were like bones broken yet still connected by sinew. Mo Jingli's actions were bound to leave the people and soldiers disheartened.

"What? None of you have anything to say?" Mo Jingli narrowed his eyes, his voice icy.

"Your Majesty's wisdom is unparalleled. We await your command," the generals chorused.

Mo Jingli snorted softly. He knew exactly what these men were thinking. His gaze swept over them before settling on Old Marquis Muyang. "Old Marquis Muyang, what do you think?"

Old Marquis Muyang quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, this humble subject believes that if it's only Lyu Jinxian's 400,000 troops, they are not a cause for concern. However..."

"However what?" Mo Jingli pressed.

Old Marquis Muyang continued, "However, there are still Leng Huai's 200,000 troops in Chu Jing. Leng Huai himself is a rare talent among generals. When the northern border was under heavy siege, he single-handedly defended Zijing Pass for months, preventing the northern army of a million from advancing past it. This alone proves he should not be underestimated. Additionally... this subject suspects... one of Prince Ding or Princess Ding may also come. When that happens..."

"Leng Huai... Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li?" Mo Jingli toyed with the jade thumb ring on his hand and sneered. "Leng Huai enjoyed the imperial court's deep favor, yet he betrayed his country and defected to Prince Ding's Estate—his crime warrants execution! As for Prince Ding's Estate... I suspect it will be Ye Li who comes this time. Good... just in time..."Listening to Mo Jingli's words, the generals silently cursed in their hearts: Leng Huai had been struggling alone to defend Zijing Pass, yet Prince Li not only failed to provide aid but also withheld military provisions at every turn. In the end, he even took away the supplies and pay that should have been given to Leng Huai. If not for the Mo Family Army, the grass on Leng Huai’s grave would have grown tall by now. How could anyone claim he was deeply favored by the emperor? Moreover, Leng Huai had lost a son defending Chu Jing. Mo Jingli’s words held little persuasiveness.

However, Mo Jingli was the emperor, so naturally, his word was law. The generals below dared not refute him and could only listen silently to his orders. Displeased, Mo Jingli waved his hand indifferently and said, "Old Marquis Mu, Marquis Muyang, Lyu Jinxian will be left to you. As for Princess Ding... this prince will deal with her personally!" Mu Yang and his son quickly bowed in acknowledgment. "We obey your command."

"Your Majesty, the heir of Prince Zhennan of Xiling requests an audience," a soldier announced clearly outside the tent. Mo Jingli frowned slightly. "Lei Tengfeng? What does he want?" The soldier replied, "The heir of Prince Zhennan only said he comes under his father’s orders and has important matters to discuss with Your Majesty."

"Let him in," Mo Jingli commanded.

Soon, Lei Tengfeng was escorted inside. He glanced at the assembled generals and Mo Jingli seated high on the dragon throne, then smiled faintly and bowed. "Lei Tengfeng greets the Emperor of Chu."

"Rise, heir of Prince Zhennan," Mo Jingli said, narrowing his eyes as he studied the man before him. Compared to when they had met in Nanzhao, Teng Feng now appeared far more composed. Even facing Mo Jingli, who had become the emperor of Great Chu, he remained neither servile nor overbearing, calm and self-possessed. More remarkably, his gaze had grown steady and serene—a quality the Lei Tengfeng of the past had lacked.

Mo Jingli observed him for a long moment before leisurely asking, "What brings the heir of Prince Zhennan of Xiling here?"

Teng Feng replied with a composed smile, "Your Majesty, my father heard that you have led your troops to the frontlines and specifically ordered Teng Feng to come and welcome you."

Hearing this, several veteran generals present couldn’t help but regard Teng Feng with newfound approval. Back when Prince Ding had married, Teng Feng, as the heir of Prince Zhennan, had attended the wedding in Chu Jing with an air of faint arrogance—not overtly haughty, but still carrying an undeniable pride. Yet now, not only was he far steadier than a decade ago, but his demeanor had also mellowed significantly. Prince Zhennan had certainly not ordered him to welcome Mo Jingli, but what was truly commendable was that Teng Feng himself was willing to lower his head.

Clearly, Teng Feng’s words pleased Mo Jingli, whose expression warmed slightly as he nodded with a smile. "Prince Zhennan is too kind. Please take a seat, heir."

"Many thanks, Your Majesty." Teng Feng remained perfectly at ease, showing no trace of resentment or awkwardness toward someone he had once looked down upon but who now stood far above him.

After expressing his gratitude, Teng Feng took the first seat at the head of the assembly. Once the attendants had served tea and withdrawn, and Mo Jingli had dismissed all but Marquis Muyang, his son, and a few trusted generals, the emperor finally asked, "We heard that the heir of Prince Zhennan successfully captured Wei City. We have yet to congratulate you."Lei Tengfeng smiled and said, "I merely had some luck. A few days ago, I was trapped by Marquis Nan and General Murong and nearly lost my life. If not for my father's meticulous arrangements, there would be no Lei Tengfeng left today. I dare not claim any credit."

Mo Jingli gave a faint smile and said no more. "Since the heir has come, does Zhennan Wang have any instructions?"

Lei Tengfeng replied, "My father instructed me to follow Emperor Chu's commands in all matters. However... on my way here, I received news that Princess Ding, Ye Li, has already arrived at Lyu Jinxian's camp. It is likely she and Lyu Jinxian will reach the frontlines together soon."

"Will the Mo Family Army be led by Ye Li this time?" Mo Jingli frowned and asked.

Lei Tengfeng shook his head. "No, as far as I know, Princess Ding has taken the position of military advisor."

Mo Jingli sneered, "She certainly knows when to bend and when to stand firm. Thank you for the information, heir. I am aware now." Lei Tengfeng frowned slightly and asked, "Does Prince Li have any countermeasures?"

Mo Jingli chuckled. "There is no need for the heir to worry. I have my own plans. You need only wait and see." Seeing that Mo Jingli had no intention of elaborating, Lei Tengfeng did not press further and simply smiled. "In that case, I shall await good news."

Mo Jingli smiled arrogantly and said, "Naturally." Watching Mo Jingli's haughty demeanor in his bright yellow dragon robe, Lei Tengfeng lowered his eyes faintly, a barely perceptible cold smile curling at the corners of his lips.