Mo Li

Deep Night

Yao Ji sat in the tent reading a book, while Mu Lie in the inner chamber had already fallen asleep. Mu Yang had led troops to intercept Lyu Jinxian. Due to the recent spy incidents, the entire military camp had become strictly controlled. Even the shadow guards from Prince Ding's Estate found it difficult to pass on any messages. Yao Ji understood that if this continued, it would only be a matter of time before the Old Marquis Muyang uncovered her and Mu Lie's true identities. After all, they were the ones who should never have appeared in the camp in the first place. Anything out of place naturally drew suspicion.

A cold wind swept through the entrance of the tent, and Yao Ji looked up to see Qin Feng standing at the door, dressed in black. Startled, she wasted no time in pulling him inside. The moment Qin Feng entered, Mu Lie, who had been sleeping, opened his eyes and rolled out of bed, saying, "Godfather, why are you here?" Qin Feng reached out and patted Mu Lie's little head. "You're in danger now. I'm taking you away from here."

Yao Ji frowned. "But..." She knew Qin Feng's arrival was likely on the orders of Wang Fei. However, if they failed to complete the task assigned by Prince Ding, not only she but also Mu Lie and Qin Feng would face dire consequences. Qin Feng gave her a knowing look. "We'll deal with Mu Yang now. The Marquis Muyang will soon suspect you. If you stay here, not only will you be in danger, but the shadow guards hidden in the army will also be at risk."

Mu Lie nodded and began packing his things swiftly. There wasn’t much to pack—though they had brought many belongings when following Mu Yang on the campaign, almost nothing needed to be taken now. Yao Ji nodded as well but furrowed her brows in worry. "The entire camp is under strict lockdown. How do we leave? Besides..." If she and Mu Lie suddenly disappeared from the camp, the Marquis Muyang would surely suspect them immediately.

Qin Feng smiled faintly. "If I could get in, I can get out. There’s no choice now—the Marquis Muyang will suspect you regardless." Mu Lie took Yao Ji's hand and said firmly, "Mother, let's go. Once this is over, we can return to Li Cheng." Yao Ji froze, her expression softening. Yes, once this matter was resolved, they could go back to Li Cheng. Mu Lie wouldn’t have to live in fear as a child by her side anymore, and she could see her son again.

"Let's go!"

Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction. Soon, shouts of "Catch the assassin!" erupted outside, growing louder as they approached. Qin Feng grabbed Yao Ji, making it seem as though he was taking her hostage, while tossing Mu Lie to the Mo Family Army shadow guard waiting outside the tent. To those outside, it appeared as though a spy from Prince Ding's Estate had been discovered and, while fleeing from the Chu army, had taken Yao Ji and her son hostage.Mu Lie was, after all, the only grandson of Marquis Muyang Manor, so the Chu army soldiers dared not strike too hard. This inevitably made them hesitant, and by the time the Old Marquis Muyang arrived, Qin Feng and the others had already taken Yao Ji hostage and broken through to the outskirts of the Chu army camp. The Old Marquis deeply understood that since the campaign began, nothing had gone smoothly. Mu Yang’s crushing defeat at the hands of Lyu Jinxian had left Mo Jingli utterly disappointed with Marquis Muyang Manor. If they were to let Prince Ding’s spies escape again because of Yao Ji and Mu Lie, Marquis Muyang Manor would truly be doomed. Moreover, the Old Marquis harbored a small suspicion—how could it be such a coincidence that Prince Ding’s spies had taken Yao Ji hostage?

Seeing the situation, the Old Marquis decisively roared, "Spare no cost—capture the assassins!"

"Grandfather..." Mu Lie, held in the shadow guard’s arms, cried out tearfully. The Old Marquis’s heart trembled, but he steeled himself and ordered, "Fire the arrows!" It was true that Mu Lie was his only grandson, but when it came to the survival of Marquis Muyang Manor as a whole, the Old Marquis did not hesitate to sacrifice him. As long as the manor stood and Mu Yang lived, there would be more grandsons in the future.

Arrows rained down on Qin Feng and his group, but by then, they had already reached the outskirts of the Chu army camp, and those accompanying Qin Feng were elites from the Qilin. In no time, they vanished into the night.

The Old Marquis stared blankly for a long time in the direction where the black-clad figures had disappeared. After so many years together, he had cherished Mu Lie deeply. Though he had sacrificed him for the sake of the manor, it didn’t mean his heart wasn’t aching. Now, he could only hope that Prince Ding’s spies wouldn’t kill indiscriminately and would leave the boy a way out.

"Old Marquis, His Majesty summons you," an Imperial Bodyguard who had hurried over announced solemnly from behind.

The Old Marquis sighed, nodded, and turned toward Mo Jingli’s grand tent.

Inside the tent, Mo Jingli fixed his gaze on the Old Marquis and asked, "Were the spies captured?" The Old Marquis bowed his head. "The spies escaped. I beg Your Majesty’s punishment." Mo Jingli’s expression darkened, but he did not lash out, merely stating coolly, "I heard the assassins took Marquis Muyang’s wife and child?"

The Old Marquis nodded. "Your Majesty speaks truly."

Mo Jingli stared coldly at the Old Marquis and asked, "What does the Old Marquis think of Prince Ding’s spies?" The Old Marquis was taken aback, unsure of the implication behind Mo Jingli’s words. Mo Jingli continued, "What a coincidence... Marquis Muyang’s military secrets were leaked during the campaign, and tonight... Prince Ding’s spies just happened to abduct his wife and child. Moreover, if they wanted hostages, wouldn’t taking only the Little Prince be far more convenient? I truly cannot fathom what value there is in taking a Concubine of dancer origins. What do you think, Old Marquis?"

Hearing Mo Jingli’s words, the Old Marquis felt his heart race, and beads of cold sweat instantly dotted his forehead. The Emperor’s meaning was clear—he suspected Yao Ji was Prince Ding’s spy. If the Emperor truly believed this, Marquis Muyang Manor would be finished."Your Majesty, Your Majesty please be discerning! The Marquis Muyang Manor has always been utterly loyal to Great Chu!" With a thud, the old Marquis Muyang knelt on the ground and spoke urgently. Mo Jingli snorted lightly, "Rise. This emperor was merely somewhat puzzled. The investigation into Prince Ding's Estate's spies must continue. If there's another leak of information, I will show no mercy!"

"Yes, this humble official obeys the command!" The old Marquis Muyang felt relieved inwardly and quickly responded. Yet his heart was startled, and he resolved to thoroughly investigate this matter. If that Yao Ji truly had issues, at least there would be a countermeasure prepared.

Just as Mo Jingli was in an extremely foul mood, even worse news kept pouring in. Early in the morning, when Mo Jingli had just risen and hadn't even had time for breakfast, urgent reports arrived from outside: "Reporting to Your Majesty, our four secretly deployed army divisions have been successively ambushed by the Mo Family Army, suffering heavy losses!"

"What?!" Mo Jingli, who had just been about to eat, overturned the soup bowl on the table in shock. He stood up abruptly and commanded, "Summon all generals for an audience!" Upon receiving the order, the generals from the Chu army camp hurried over in no time. Seeing Mo Jingli's expression, they inwardly groaned—something major must have happened.

Mo Jingli had no mood to care about their thoughts. He threw the newly arrived urgent report on the ground and said, "Take a look!"

The old Marquis Muyang, standing at the front, bent down to pick it up. His face immediately changed color, and he said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, I fear we've truly fallen for Yun Ting's scheme. Princess Ding was never in the Mo Family Army." Two days prior, they had sent people to investigate, and the report had claimed Princess Ding was in the army. Now it seemed this was merely Yun Ting's smokescreen—Princess Ding had never been at Hangu Pass from the very beginning.

"Ye Li! Damn you, Ye Li!" Mo Jingli gnashed his teeth in hatred. "Since it's come to this, don't blame this prince for being ruthless!" In his fury, Mo Jingli even forgot the imperial "We" used exclusively by emperors.

"By Our decree, immediately march out to annihilate Yun Ting's army!" Mo Jingli barked.

"Your general obeys the decree!" Seeing Mo Jingli's ferocious expression, the generals dared not say more and solemnly accepted the order.

A guard hurried in with a letter and presented it to Mo Jingli with both hands. Mo Jingli opened it, glanced at it, then swept a cold gaze over the assembled officials before finally settling on the old Marquis Muyang. He said indifferently, "Marquis Muyang, stay. The rest of you may withdraw." The others cast sympathetic glances at the old Marquis before filing out.

Holding the letter, Mo Jingli looked coldly at the old Marquis and said, "Old Marquis Muyang, do you know what this letter you wrote is about?" The old Marquis's heart tightened, realizing it must concern him. After a moment's thought, he cautiously asked, "Your Majesty... could it be about Yao Ji and Mu Lie last night...?" For a moment, the old Marquis felt extremely conflicted. He didn't know whether to worry that Yao Ji truly had connections to Prince Ding's Estate or to fear for Mu Lie's life.

Mo Jingli gave a cold laugh. "Old Marquis Muyang, I recall Yao Ji disappeared for several years back then?"

The old Marquis nodded. "Replying to Your Majesty, that is correct.""Do you know where Yao Ji was and what she was doing during those years?" Mo Jingli asked. The old Marquis Muyang's back was drenched in cold sweat, too afraid to answer. Mo Jingli slammed the letter onto the desk and said sharply, "During those years, Yao Ji was in Li Cheng! And she even opened a teahouse there—how impressive... I trusted Marquis Muyang Manor wholeheartedly, only to find the traitor right under my nose!"

The old Marquis Muyang's legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, pleading, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please see the truth! It was all that wretched Yao Ji's doing. Marquis Muyang Manor has no connection whatsoever with Prince Ding's Estate! This old subject... this old subject bears a grudge against Prince Ding—how could I ever side with him? I beg Your Majesty to see reason!" Mo Jingli narrowed his eyes. "You wouldn't? Then what about Mu Yang? Since ancient times, the gentlest embrace has been the hero's grave. Could Mu Yang have defected to Prince Ding's Estate for Yao Ji's sake? A hundred thousand men couldn't defeat Lyu Jinxian's five thousand, and they even let him return alive. Old Marquis Muyang, how do you expect me to trust you?"

Many things were fine if left unexamined. But once suspicion took root, countless questions surged forth uncontrollably.

Mo Jingli was a suspicious man by nature, and Marquis Muyang Manor had never been loyal to him from the start. If the Marquis could betray Mo Jingqi to serve him, he could just as easily betray him to serve Mo Xiuyao. At this thought, his gaze toward the old Marquis grew increasingly hostile. The old Marquis inwardly cursed his misfortune but knew any further excuses would only be seen as evasion. He wished he could skin Yao Ji alive—never had he imagined that after a lifetime of scheming and maneuvering, he would be outwitted by his own son's woman.

"Your Majesty..." the old Marquis began, still hoping to speak. But Mo Jingli had no patience left. With a cold snort, he said, "Enough! I don't want to hear another word from you." The old Marquis hastily shook his head. "No! Your Majesty, please listen to this old subject. Yao Ji... that wretched Yao Ji, after leaving the camp, will surely seek out Yang'er... I beg Your Majesty—" Mo Jingli sneered. "If you hadn't mentioned it, I might have forgotten. Don't worry—you'll be reunited with Mu Yang soon enough! Guards, take him away!"

Seized by the guards and dragged unceremoniously from the tent, the old Marquis knew the game was up. No words would help now, and he fell silent in defeat.

In the Western Army camp of the Chu forces, Mu Yang was discussing military affairs with the Western Route general and Lei Tengfeng when a guard entered to report, "General Mu, there is a child outside requesting an audience. He claims to be the heir of Marquis Muyang Manor."

Mu Yang was momentarily stunned, puzzled as to why Mu Lie would come alone to find him. Lei Tengfeng's eyes flickered, and he smiled. "Brother Mu, perhaps you should see what the Little Prince needs first."

Mu Yang nodded. Mu Lie's sudden arrival worried him—something must have happened. Lei Tengfeng's suggestion suited him perfectly, and he rose, cupping his hands in gratitude. "Thank you, Prince Tengfeng."

Outside the camp, he found Mu Lie standing in tattered clothes, shivering violently. It was only early February, and the northern spring chill was still biting. Mu Lie's lips were nearly blue from the cold. Mu Yang quickly removed his own cloak to wrap around the boy, asking urgently, "Lie'er, why are you here alone?"Mu Lie's lips trembled as he murmured, "Mother... Mother..." Before he could finish speaking, tears began to stream down his face. Mu Yang was startled and quickly asked, "What happened to your mother?" Mu Lie stared blankly at Mu Yang and finally burst into loud sobs.

Seeing him in such a state, it was clear he was terrified. Mu Yang's heart ached as he pulled the boy into his arms, soothing him gently, "Good child, don't be afraid. Tell Father... what happened?" Nestled in Mu Yang's embrace, Mu Lie sniffled and stammered, "There were bad people... bad people took Mother and Lie'er away. Later, Lie'er escaped... wanted to go back and ask Grandfather to save Mother, but... but they said Grandfather was arrested by the Emperor. Wah... Father, save Mother... save Grandfather..."

"What?" Such shocking news left Mu Yang momentarily stunned. Holding Mu Lie steady, he asked, "You said your grandfather was arrested by the Emperor? Why?" Mu Lie blinked in confusion, shaking his head dazedly, "Don't... don't know... Lie'er heard others say it. Lie'er didn't dare go back, so I begged a kind uncle to bring me to find Father."

Mu Lie was young, and his words came out fragmented and disjointed. Mu Yang's mind was thrown into turmoil. Lei Tengfeng, who had followed them out, overheard their conversation and cast a thoughtful glance at the sobbing child in Mu Yang's arms. He said solemnly, "Brother Mu, don't panic yet. Let's get the full story first. Besides... Hangu Pass isn't far from here. If something really happened, news should reach us soon. Little Prince... how did you get here?" Hangu Pass wasn't exactly close—about two hundred li away. How could a child make such a journey alone?

Mu Lie buried his face in Mu Yang's chest, shaking his head between sobs, "Wah... I don't know... rode a horse..."

"You rode a horse?" Lei Tengfeng raised an eyebrow. "Whose horse? Who brought you here?"

"Wah... I don't know. Father, save Mother, Mother was bleeding so much... Lie'er was scared..." Mu Yang quickly hugged him tighter, patting his back gently, "There, there, don't be afraid. It's alright now... good boy..."

After taking Mu Lie into his tent, Mu Yang carefully pressed for details, piecing together the events from the child's broken account. It turned out that not long after Mu Yang had left, the Mo Family Army spies hidden within the troops grew restless. When discovered by the Chu army, they fled, taking Mu Lie and Yao Ji hostage. Yao Ji later helped Mu Lie escape. The boy had initially tried to return to seek his grandfather's help in rescuing his mother, only to hear that the Old Marquis Muyang had also been captured. Desperate, he pleaded with a kind passerby to bring him here.

Mu Yang was already beside himself with worry after hearing Mu Lie's story, but Lei Tengfeng, who was also present, remained far calmer and noticed details Mu Yang had overlooked. Smiling faintly, Lei Tengfeng asked Mu Lie, "Little Prince, where is the person who brought you here?"Mu Yang frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "Brother Lei, what do you mean by that?" These days, Mu Yang had gotten along quite well with Lei Tengfeng, so he didn’t want to embarrass him. However, Lei Tengfeng’s questioning gave him an uneasy feeling.

Lei Tengfeng smiled faintly. "Brother Mu, given that we’re in the midst of war, isn’t it strange that the Little Prince just happened to encounter a passerby on horseback? In a war zone, most people would avoid the area. Who would have the leisure to ride a horse just to deliver a child to the military camp?"

Mu Yang glared at Lei Tengfeng with restrained anger. "Brother Lei, are you implying that Lie’er is lying?"

Lei Tengfeng frowned slightly. "Brother Mu, you misunderstand. That’s not what I meant. It’s just a bit odd. The Little Prince is still young and could easily be taken advantage of."

Mu Yang took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Regardless, we should first investigate what really happened. Brother Lei, I’ll trouble you to oversee the military affairs for a few days. I need to return home."

"No!" Mu Lie clung tightly to Mu Yang’s hand, refusing to let go. "Father, don’t go back! The Emperor will kill you! They said… the Emperor wants to capture Father and execute you along with Grandfather. Lie’er doesn’t want… doesn’t want Father to die. Wuwu…"

Mu Yang’s expression darkened further. He already believed about seventy to eighty percent of Mu Lie’s words, though he couldn’t understand why the Emperor would suddenly want to arrest his father. As he pondered, a sharp voice rang out from outside the tent—

"Imperial Decree arrives! Muyanghou Mu Yang, receive the decree!"

Mu Yang quickly settled Mu Lie and hurried out of the tent. Seeing the expression of the eunuch standing beside Mo Jingli in the camp, his heart sank.

"Your subject, Mu Yang, receives the decree." Mu Yang knelt respectfully.

The eunuch glanced at him and unfurled the bright yellow imperial decree, announcing sternly, "Marquis Muyang Manor has colluded with Prince Ding’s Estate in treason and rebellion, a crime punishable by death! By order, Mu Yang is to be stripped of military authority and escorted under arrest to the capital for judgment at a later date! So decreed!" The eunuch rolled up the decree and shrilled, "Seize Mu Yang at once!"

"Wait!" Mu Yang declared loudly. "May I ask, Your Excellency, when did I collude with Prince Ding’s Estate? When did I commit treason?"

The eunuch sneered. "That’s something you should ask yourself, Marquis Muyang. I am merely carrying out His Majesty’s orders to apprehend you. Or do you dare to defy the imperial decree?"

Mu Yang gritted his teeth. "A false charge is easily fabricated! I refuse to accept this!"

The eunuch scoffed. "Refuse? You can plead your case before His Majesty. I am merely following orders, so I ask Marquis Muyang not to make things difficult. However… I fear you won’t have much to say. This morning, the Old Marquis Muyang was already executed."

"What?! Father—" Mu Yang’s face paled in shock. He hadn’t expected that Mo Jingli had already executed his father so quickly after Mu Lie’s warning.

The eunuch, seemingly oblivious to Mu Yang’s distress, gloated, "Marquis Muyang, you’d better surrender quietly. Before his death, your father confessed to the collusion between Marquis Muyang Manor and Prince Ding’s Estate."Mu Yang's face turned pale and then flushed with anger. He understood his family's situation better than anyone else. If possible, his father would naturally not refuse to seek refuge with Prince Ding's Estate. However, the problem was that his father had once acted against Princess Ding under Mo Jingqi's orders, creating an irreconcilable enmity with Prince Ding's Estate. Even if they sought refuge elsewhere, they could never turn to Prince Ding's Estate. How could his father admit to such an absurd accusation unless... he was forced to confess under torture!

At this thought, Mu Yang was overwhelmed with grief and indignation. "The Mu family has been utterly loyal to the Emperor, yet His Majesty treats lives so carelessly! How can he not chill the hearts of loyal subjects?" The eunuch frowned, waving impatiently. "Seize Marquis Muyang. I must return to report my task."

The guards on either side immediately stepped forward to apprehend Mu Yang. Though young, Mu Yang was the son of a man who had spent half his life in military glory and was adept at handling people. Marquis Muyang Manor also had many loyal retainers. With Old Marquis Muyang inexplicably executed by the Emperor, how could they allow Mu Yang to be captured as well? Tensions flared instantly between the two sides.

By the time the Western Route General arrived, most of the men brought by the eunuch had been killed, leaving only two remaining guards who fled the camp with him.

A few miles outside the camp, the decree-bearing eunuch stood trembling, his face ashen as he stared at the figure ahead. His last two guards had already fallen before him. Quick to read the situation, the eunuch hurried forward with an ingratiating smile. "Commander Qin, I said everything exactly as you instructed. That Mu Yang... that Mu Yang acted with reckless audacity, even killing the Emperor's guards. Please, Commander Qin, spare this lowly one's life."

Qin Feng turned to look at the fawning eunuch and smiled. "Don’t worry. I won’t kill you."

The eunuch was taken aback but inwardly overjoyed. He had originally thought delivering the imperial edict would be a simple task, never expecting to be seized by Prince Ding's Estate before even setting out. In the end, he had no choice but to follow Qin Feng's instructions and deceive Mu Yang into believing Old Marquis Muyang had been killed. He had narrowly escaped death at Mu Yang's blade, and now that he had miraculously regained his life, he was naturally ecstatic.

"Not only will I spare your life, but I'll also have you escorted back safely. Do you know what to say when you return?"

"This lowly one understands, this lowly one understands. Mu Yang dared to defy the imperial decree, killed the emperor's envoy, and plotted rebellion," the eunuch hastily replied.

Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction. "Good, I do enjoy dealing with clever people."

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Update is late, my apologies...

Recommending my good friend Qin Momo's excellent work "No Consorts in the Six Palaces, the Phoenix Queen of a Thousand Gold"