Mo Li

"Because I am, in fact, a member of Prince Ding's Estate!"

This sudden and dramatic turn of events left everyone stunned. In the moment Mu Yang was lost in thought, Mu Lie—who had been sitting in his arms—suddenly leaped up and lunged toward Qin Feng. The guards around Mu Yang were so shocked by the abrupt betrayal that none managed to stop him, allowing Mu Lie to land safely beside Qin Feng. After years of being father and son, Mu Yang realized he knew nothing about this boy—at the very least, he had no idea Mu Lie possessed such mastery of the Light Body Skill.

Standing beside Qin Feng, Mu Lie grinned and waved the dagger in his hand. "How was that, Father?" Qin Feng patted his head approvingly, making the boy beam with delight. To Mu Lie, this praise wasn’t just from a father to a son—it was the recognition of a Qilin commander toward a future member. Becoming the youngest official member of the Qilin had always been his lifelong ambition, so he was naturally overjoyed.

Mu Yang clutched his abdomen, blood gushing from the wound, and doubled over on his horse. Staring in disbelief at the son who now seemed both familiar and utterly foreign, he gasped, "Lie'er… you…"

Mu Lie sighed helplessly and said softly, "Don’t you understand yet? I’m not your son."

"What?!" Mu Yang shook his head dizzily, the entire situation feeling absurd—perhaps even a hallucination from exhaustion. After a long pause, he finally looked up at Mu Lie and asked, "If you’re not Lie'er… then who are you? What have you done with my son?"

Mu Lie replied, "I am Mu Lie. But… your son was never named Mu Lie. Back then, did you never even ask Yao Ji what name she gave the child?"

Mu Yang could no longer hold on and collapsed from his horse. His guards quickly caught him, glaring furiously at Mu Lie beside Qin Feng. Mu Lie shrugged innocently, feeling a pang of guilt as he watched Mu Yang’s face pale from pain and shock. Truthfully, Mu Yang had treated him well over the years. Though his wife had schemed against him a few times, which noble household didn’t have its share of dark secrets? Unfortunately, Marquis Muyang Manor had offended someone they shouldn’t have. The moment they arrived in Chu Jing years ago, Prince Ding had already sealed their fate. The peaceful years since then had been nothing more than borrowed time.

"You… you’re from Prince Ding's Estate?" Mu Yang gritted his teeth. "Where is my son?"

Mu Lie nodded. "That’s right. As for where your son is… I don’t know. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you."

Mu Yang stared at him. "He is a member of Marquis Muyang Manor! Does Prince Ding’s Estate refuse to spare even an infant?" The thought sent a shudder through him. Had his son died long ago? Had all these years of doting and affection been wasted on a spy planted in his household by Princess Ding?"If it hadn't been me staying at Marquis Muyang Manor all these years, your son would have long been killed by your wife," Mu Lie pouted, his small face showing dissatisfaction. Had it truly been the former Yao Ji and an ignorant child who returned to the manor back then, that child would likely have died countless times already. Mu Lie harbored a slight resentment toward Mu Yang's accusations.

Mu Yang was stunned for a long moment before suddenly letting out a low chuckle. He gazed at Mu Lie and said, "So it was you who leaked the defensive arrangements and secrets during the battle with Lyu Jinxian? Prince Ding's Estate is truly formidable... even a child can..."

Mu Li pressed his lips together in a faint smile but didn't respond.

Excessive blood loss made Mu Yang's vision swim, and perhaps realizing he couldn't escape his fate today, he stopped struggling. Waving off his subordinates' support, he let himself collapse onto the ground. After resting briefly, he opened his eyes and asked, "How is Yao Ji? Even if you're not her son, she treated you well these years. Surely you wouldn't..."

Mu Lie hesitated, remaining silent. He had hoped Mu Yang wouldn't ask this question—ignorance would spare him some pain and spare Yao Ji from facing this situation. Yet Mu Yang had asked anyway. Mu Lie glanced up at Qin Feng, who was calmly observing Mu Yang.

A clear, melodious woman's voice came from behind the crowd. "Let me answer."

The Mo Family Army parted, allowing Yao Ji to step forward slowly. She regarded Mu Yang with detached calm. Dressed in white robes and a white fox fur cloak that accentuated her fair, delicate features, she looked strikingly different from her former dazzling self. Stripped of Marquis Muyang Manor's opulent attire, she now exuded a serene, understated beauty, clearly unharmed in recent days. Staring dazedly at her, Mu Yang managed a bitter smile. The scene before him left no room for misunderstanding.

"Why? Yao Ji... cough ... why would you..." Mu Yang gazed at her in agony, as though her appearance hurt him more than Mu Lie's blade. Yao Ji met his gaze impassively. "Do you remember the letter I left when I fled with the child years ago?"

Mu Yang seemed lost in thought before nodding slowly. "I remember... You wrote that you never wanted to see me or anyone from Marquis Muyang Manor again. But then you returned with Lie'er, so I thought..."

Yao Ji's smile turned sorrowful. "You never took my words seriously. I realized that the moment I came back with Lie'er. Don't you understand even now? I didn't return because I changed my mind—I was always Prince Ding's spy. You should have been wary of me from the day I came back."

Mu Yang had loved her deeply—Yao Ji never doubted that. Yet he had never truly listened to her, so he never questioned why she suddenly reappeared at the manor with a child. He simply assumed life outside had been too harsh, forcing her return.

"You... you hated me this much?" Mu Yang whispered hoarsely.Yao Ji shook her head, "No, I don't hate you." I just don't love you anymore, "Prince Ding's Estate and Wang Fei saved me and my child's lives. Mu Yang, I only want my child to live safely and happily in this world. Even if..." Even if it means sacrificing you without hesitation.

A mouthful of blood sprayed from Mu Yang's lips. He raised his hand to stop the guards who rushed to support him, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "Yao Ji... I never imagined..." I never imagined that Marquis Muyang Manor would be destroyed by your hand. Gazing at the clear, cloudless sky, Mu Yang's eyes grew distant and empty. He still remembered those youthful days when he was full of vigor—leaning against a bridge on horseback, with countless silk sleeves waving from towers to greet him. Riding past Alluring City Quarter, he'd chanced upon a breathtaking woman in light makeup sitting lazily by the window, her expression weary. From that moment, he'd fallen into the depths of worldly pleasures, unable to extricate himself.

Now this woman stood before him in white robes, her features cold and detached. She was no longer the peerless dancer whose performances once captivated the capital. And he was no longer that dashing, carefree young noble either.

Mu Yang suddenly threw back his head and laughed wildly, as if he'd never laughed so freely in his entire life. Yet those who heard his laughter wore no joy—only solemn expressions tinged with sorrow and despair.

"Yao Ji, come here... I have some questions for you," Mu Yang said steadily, his gaze fixed on her.

Yao Ji nodded and walked forward.

"Mother, don't!" Mu Lie cried out urgently.

"Yao Ji!" Qin Feng frowned. Mu Yang was already at his wit's end—who knew if he might try to take Yao Ji down with him? Yao Ji turned back with a faint smile. "It's alright." Seeing her calm expression, Qin Feng's heart sank slightly. He frowned but didn't try to stop her again.

Yao Ji crouched before Mu Yang. "What do you want to ask?"

Mu Yang studied her. "Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Though severely injured, at this distance, killing the defenseless Yao Ji would still be easy. Yao Ji remained expressionless, silent. Mu Yang gave a bitter chuckle and asked quietly, "That child..."

"The child is in Li Cheng. He's doing well," Yao Ji replied.

"Did Prince Ding's Estate take the child?" Mu Yang asked with a trace of hope. Perhaps some part of him still refused to believe this woman would betray him—maybe she'd been forced for the child's sake? But cruel reality forced him to face the truth as Yao Ji shook her head slightly. "No, I came willingly. I don't hate you, but Marquis Muyang Manor left us mother and child no place in this world to live. The only place I could go was the northwest... yet it holds grudges against Marquis Muyang Manor. Prince Ding wants to destroy Marquis Muyang Manor, wants the old marquis to suffer unbearably. And I—I want my child to live safely under Prince Ding's protection. It's that simple.""Prince Ding..." Mu Yang closed his eyes in anguish. The Marquis Muyang Manor originally had no enmity with Prince Ding's Estate, but that year when his father acted against Princess Ding under the late emperor's orders, it brought immense disaster upon their household. Over these years, those who had moved against Princess Ding—Mo Jingqi had died, Western Liang's nobility had been mostly wiped out, Zhennan Wang's lineage was nearly extinguished, and Ren Qining, King of the Northern Border, had lost both his kingdom and family. Why should Marquis Muyang Manor alone be spared? So... Prince Ding had long begun targeting Marquis Muyang Manor—they simply hadn't realized it.

His father had valued the honor of Marquis Muyang Manor above all else, yet after their deaths, it would bear the infamy of traitors. The Muyang lineage would end with them, and their descendants... scattered abroad, never even seen by their own family. Instead, they had cherished an unknown spy as their sole heir for years. Prince Ding's vengeance... was indeed ruthless!

"Father... Father isn't dead yet, is he?!" Mu Yang snapped out of his chaotic thoughts and grabbed Yao Ji's arm desperately. If Prince Ding had orchestrated all this to exact revenge on Marquis Muyang Manor, he wouldn't let his father die so easily.

Yao Ji sighed softly and nodded at Mu Yang's frantic gaze. The current Marquis Muyang was indeed still alive, but she knew no one could save him. His fate had long been sealed—it certainly wouldn't be more comfortable than Mu Yang's present state.

What Yao Ji understood, how could Mu Yang not? He was exceptionally intelligent himself, and within moments of learning these truths, he pieced everything together. From the moment Yao Ji and Mu Lie were abducted, it had all been an elaborate trap targeting Marquis Muyang Manor—and perhaps Mo Jingli as well.

"Prince Ding... what skillful maneuvering..." In the end, Mu Yang could only laugh bitterly.

"Yao Ji," Qin Feng said gravely. Their commotion here was considerable; if they delayed and Zhao Lian's army discovered them, trouble would follow. Yao Ji nodded and wordlessly moved behind Qin Feng. Mu Yang's gaze shifted complexly from her to Mu Lie standing beside Qin Feng, but ultimately he shook his head. "The sins of Marquis Muyang Manor—I alone will bear them. I beg Prince Ding and Princess Ding to spare my father's life."

No one present responded. Once Prince Ding resolved something, overturning it was no simple matter. That he had endured all these years to torment Marquis Muyang Manor rather than simply executing the old marquis long ago spoke volumes. Even Princess Ding's personal plea might prove futile. Qin Feng stated solemnly, "I will convey your words to His Highness, but no one can sway his decisions. However... the Marquis Muyang won't die yet." The prince still needed to meet the old marquis, so naturally, he wouldn't let him perish—unless the man took his own life, of course.

Mu Yang finally sighed in resigned silence. "I was overthinking things. Yao Ji... take care..." Before his words fully faded, Mu Yang—his vision blurred from blood loss—suddenly widened his eyes and wrenched a sword from a nearby guard. A flash of crimson arced through the air as Mu Yang stared fixedly into the distance, his gaze gradually dimming into nothingness.Yao Ji closed her eyes, no longer looking at the man lying in a pool of blood behind her. She turned and walked away. Mu Lie glanced at Qin Feng before following her. Qin Feng surveyed the scene before him and ordered in a low voice, "Bring Muyanghou out... and send Mu Yang's body to him."

Even the hardened soldiers of the Black Cloud Cavalry couldn't help but show a trace of pity at the sight. They could only sigh inwardly—Old Marquis Muyang had been unlucky enough to provoke someone he shouldn't have.

On a quiet, deserted hillside, Yao Ji sat alone, gazing at the still bleak scenery in the distance, lost in thought. Mu Lie came over and sat beside her in silence.

After a long while, Yao Ji smiled faintly and asked, "Why didn't you leave with them?" The war was raging, and Qin Feng and the others couldn't stay for long. Mu Lie shook his head. "Foster Father said there's nothing more for me to do. I'm staying to protect you."

Yao Ji had refused to leave with the army, and Qin Feng hadn't forced her. He simply left people to guard her discreetly, and Mu Lie stayed as well. What lay ahead was open warfare on the battlefield, and the Mo Family Army, no matter how short-handed, would never send a child to fight. Watching Yao Ji's despondent expression over Mu Yang, Mu Lie sighed. "If you want to cry, go ahead. I won't tell anyone."

Truth be told, he felt like crying too. He had been an orphan since childhood, with no parents. Though Prince Ding's Estate had taken care of him and he'd never suffered any hardships, he had never known the happiness of a child loved by their own parents. Mu Yang had been his makeshift father for several years and had genuinely cared for him. No wonder his instructor during training had said that the most important trait for a spy wasn't martial prowess or skill, but a heart as hard as iron. If even he felt this way, Yao Ji's grief must be immeasurable.

Yao Ji gave a faint smile. "I foresaw this outcome years ago. What is there left to cry about?"

Mu Lie looked at her and asked softly, "Were you hoping Mu Yang would kill you just now?" Yao Ji remained silent, but Mu Lie knew he had guessed right. He quickly grabbed her arm. "Don't think like that. Don't forget... you still have a son. You still have me—don't I call you 'Mother' too? You... you're not blaming me for stabbing Mu Yang, are you?"

Yao Ji shook her head and patted his small head. "Silly child, no matter what you did... the end would have been the same. Don't worry about me. I still have to return to Li Cheng and watch you and your little brother grow up safely." Only then did Mu Lie relax. "Will you bring him back?"

Yao Ji shook her head again. "As long as he grows up safe and sound, that's enough. Besides... his adoptive parents have raised him all these years. Why should I disturb him now? What... don't you want to take care of me in the future?" Mu Lie hastily shook his head. "Of course not! I promise I'll take care of you and Foster Father in your old age! Um... if you ever want to see your brother, I'll bring him to you."

Looking at the child watching her so carefully, a warmth seeped into Yao Ji's cold heart. Leaning against Mu Lie, she began humming a soft tune. The melancholy melody carried an added layer of sorrow in the bleak early spring. As Yao Ji gazed at the setting sun in the distance, tears silently traced down her cheeks...In the camp of the Mo Family Army under Lyu Jinxian's command, Lyu Jinxian looked joyfully at the white-clad woman seated below him and laughed heartily, "The world says the Qilin is elusive and mysterious. Today, this humble general has witnessed the prowess of the Mo Family Army. I am truly impressed."

This time, Lyu Jinxian had managed to break through the blockade of over a hundred thousand troops with minimal losses, and the Qilin's contribution was undeniable. Had it not been for the shadow guards of Prince Ding's Estate delivering the Chu army's intelligence in time, Lyu Jinxian, though confident in breaking through, would have inevitably suffered significant casualties. Moreover, today he had suddenly received orders from Wang Fei to immediately attack the western camp of the Chu army. Initially, he had been somewhat apprehensive, given the vast numerical disparity between the two forces—direct confrontation was hardly a sound strategy. Yet, to his surprise, halfway through the battle, not only did Princess Ding arrive with reinforcements, but the Chu army inexplicably retreated on their own.

After withdrawing his troops and returning to camp, he finally understood from Wang Fei's explanation that within just a few short days, she had devised such an ingenious plan to sow discord within the Chu army.

Hearing Lyu Jinxian's words, Ye Li smiled wryly in resignation. "This wasn't my idea at all." Mo Xiuyao's strategy, ostensibly aimed at inciting internal strife within the Chu army, was actually more about targeting Marquis Muyang Manor. From the very beginning, it had been designed for Marquis Muyang, and Mo Jingli had merely been caught in the crossfire. Of course, such matters couldn't be shared with subordinates. The fewer people who knew about Prince Ding settling personal grudges under the guise of official business, the better.

Lyu Jinxian said, "Yun Ting is currently holding off Mo Jingli's forces at Hangu Pass. We must act swiftly as well." Yun Ting commanded only a little over a hundred thousand troops, and the terrain outside Hangu Pass wasn't particularly favorable for the Mo Family Army. If Mo Jingli were determined to sacrifice over a hundred thousand soldiers, Yun Ting would indeed be in a precarious position.

Ye Li nodded. "The general speaks wisely. Taking advantage of the western army's recent turmoil—their low morale and instability—we must strike quickly to resolve matters here."

"However, Lei Tengfeng is also here, which complicates things," Lyu Jinxian frowned. If it were only Zhao Lian's two hundred thousand troops, the Mo Family Army would undoubtedly prevail. But Lei Tengfeng's hundred thousand Western Liang troops were also stationed here. A prolonged battle wasn't an issue, but time was not on their side.

Ye Li shook her head. "Lei Tengfeng won't fight us to the death here." Lei Zhenting had sent Lei Tengfeng not to help Mo Jingli wage a desperate battle against the Mo Family Army.

"Reporting to the general and Wang Fei, Commander Qin has returned," a guard announced outside the tent.

Lyu Jinxian nodded. "Invite Commander Qin in."

Qin Feng entered, lifting the tent flap, and said solemnly, "Greetings to Wang Fei and the general."

Ye Li glanced at him and asked, "Mu Yang…?" Qin Feng replied respectfully, "Mu Yang has committed suicide by slitting his throat. The Chu army's general, Gao Ming, surrendered. I have brought him back."

"Gao Ming?" Ye Li frowned slightly; she had no recollection of this person.

Behind her, Zhuo Jing reported, "He is an old retainer of Mo Jingli, having served him since his days as Prince Li. However, after Mo Jingli ascended the throne, he was consistently suppressed by Mu Yang and held a grudge against Marquis Muyang Manor. During this incident involving the Marquis's household, he likely took every opportunity to add insult to injury."

Ye Li frowned slightly and said, "Lock him up for now. We'll take him back later for Wang Ye to deal with."Lyu Jinxian's heart stirred as he said, "Wang Fei, since this person is Mo Jingli's confidant, he should know some of the Chu army's secrets."

Qin Feng replied, "Gao Ming has already stated that as long as Wang Fei spares his life, he is willing to tell us everything he knows."

"Sparing his life isn't difficult," Lyu Jinxian nodded. "However, Wang Fei, this man cannot be trusted." Traitors were never well-liked, especially ones like Gao Ming, who took pleasure in kicking others when they were down and whose methods were crude and clumsy.

Ye Li nodded in agreement. "The General speaks wisely. Zhuo Jing, you handle this matter."

"Yes, this subordinate takes his leave," Zhuo Jing responded respectfully.

"Yao Ji hasn't returned?" Ye Li asked softly, glancing at the empty space behind Qin Feng. Qin Feng nodded and said, "She wanted to clear her mind. I left a few men to protect her. Mu Lie is also with her."

Ye Li nodded and said, "Let her be. This matter was already difficult for her." From a woman's perspective, she absolutely did not want Yao Ji to face such a situation. But from a wife's standpoint, she could not stop Mo Xiuyao from setting up this scheme. Because in her heart, no matter how much sympathy she felt for Yao Ji, it would never surpass her feelings for Mo Xiuyao. Moreover, Mo Xiuyao's hatred for Marquis Muyang Manor stemmed from her. Even if she could forgive, she would never forcibly erase Mo Xiuyao's hatred for their sake. She was no longer the soldier from her past life who always viewed things from a standpoint of fairness and justice. She was the Wang Fei of Ding Royal Palace, Mo Xiuyao's wife.

"Thank you, Wang Fei," Qin Feng said solemnly.

－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－

Would Mu Yang kill Yao Ji? Of course not. Would Yao Ji die for love? Of course not. So, the love between Yao Ji and Mu Yang was inherently a tragedy. Actually, Feng doesn't dislike Mu Yang or Yao Ji. Mu Yang was the most normal man of that era, which is why he could only end in tragedy in the novel. Yao Ji wasn't wrong either—she didn't hate Mu Yang or Marquis Muyang Manor. For her, her son was simply more important than love that had already faded. That's all~ Love you all, mwah~