Mo Li

Under the large tree in the small courtyard, Mo Xiuyao leaned leisurely against the trunk, his gentle gaze resting on the graceful yet fierce figure of the woman in the garden. A gleaming dagger flickered in and out of Ye Li’s hands as her agile body darted between several wooden dummies arranged in various poses. In mere moments, every dummy bore clear marks on their fatal spots—either the neck or the heart. Ye Li’s performance lacked much in the way of spectacle, instead brimming with chilling lethality. Yet to those watching in the courtyard, it was more captivating than any dance in the world. The shadow guards hidden in the darkness couldn’t help but subtly touch their own necks, wondering if they could evade the dagger in the princess consort’s hand.

Feng Zhiyao, who happened to be idle for once, was equally stiff, his eyes repeatedly darting toward Mo Xiuyao, who sat calmly—even tenderly—under the tree. He couldn’t help but grumble inwardly: Among so many refined noble ladies, Your Majesty must have had truly terrible taste to pick such a ruthless princess consort for the prince. Prince Li was right to annul the marriage—otherwise, he’d have been beaten to death by her sooner or later.

Ye Li sheathed her dagger, frowning slightly in dissatisfaction, before turning and walking back toward Mo Xiuyao beneath the tree.

“A Li’s inner energy may be lacking, but her close-combat skills are truly exceptional,” Mo Xiuyao remarked with a faint smile. However, inner energy wasn’t something that could be improved overnight. Given A Li’s status, there were very few supreme masters who would ever require her to fight personally. At the very least, her current abilities far exceeded Mo Xiuyao’s initial expectations.

Ye Li nodded slightly, her brow furrowed. “The lack of inner energy is indeed a weakness. I’ll think of another way to compensate. As for facing supreme masters… I’ll consider that later.”

Feng Zhiyao looked at her in horror. “Princess Consort, you’re not telling me that with your current level, you can still find a way to deal with supreme internal energy masters, are you?”

Ye Li propped her chin on her hand. “That depends on how supreme they are. If they can demolish a house ten zhang away with a single palm strike, then it might be a bit difficult.”

Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes skyward. “Who has ever seen such an overpowered master? That level of ability is downright impossible!” What did she think inner energy was? Being able to shatter a tree as thick as a bowl with a single strike was already considered profound—but demolishing a house ten zhang away?

Ye Li nodded seriously. “I also think such an ability shouldn’t exist.”

Feng Zhiyao couldn’t resist asking, “Then how does the princess consort plan to deal with supreme masters?”

Ye Li blinked and replied calmly, “With my current abilities… facing someone like His Highness might be a bit challenging. But escaping unscathed shouldn’t be a problem.” As she spoke, she couldn’t help but glance at Mo Xiuyao.

For someone who had been disabled for nearly a decade, even if Mo Xiuyao’s martial skills hadn’t regressed, they should at least have remained at the level of his late teens. Yet over the past few days, she had realized that his martial prowess remained unfathomable. At the very least, she stood no chance against him. This left Ye Li—who had always been confident in her own abilities—somewhat disheartened.

Feng Zhiyao no longer knew what expression to make. What’s with that look of frustration and regret? Do you think there are many people who can escape unscathed from His Highness? "If that's the case, Princess Ding's martial skills are indeed sufficient. After all... there are no more than three people in the world today whose martial prowess can compare with His Highness's," Feng Zhiyao remarked.

"Which three?" Ye Li asked curiously. Feng Zhiyao rubbed his nose and said, "The Grand Master of the King of Hell Pavilion, Ling Tiehan; Prince Zhennan of Western Liang; and our Great Chu's Number One Expert, Mu Qingcang. However, Prince Zhennan lost an arm on the battlefield years ago, so his skills might have declined. But none of these people would likely attack Princess Ding, so there's no need to worry." Ye Li rolled her eyes at him. "I don't have persecution delusions. Improving my skills has nothing to do with whether someone wants to attack me or not." Feng Zhiyao couldn't help but wipe sweat from his brow—you still want to improve your skills?

"Just have someone arrange whatever you need. If you need people, you can directly transfer them from the shadow guards or the Black Cloud Cavalry," Mo Xiuyao said softly. Since the future was destined to be turbulent, he didn’t oppose A Li using any means to strengthen herself. Even if it was just for self-preservation, more strength meant more security. Feng Zhiyao glanced at Mo Xiuyao in surprise, raising an eyebrow subtly. It seemed the prince truly valued this princess greatly—the authority he granted her was likely the highest among all past Princesses of the State, perhaps even comparable to the first generation’s Princess of the State. No, it might not be inferior at all, as the prince had almost tacitly allowed her full authority over the Black Cloud Cavalry.

"Your Highness, Princess Ding, General Murong requests an audience. Also... the imperial reinforcements have arrived," a guard stationed at the courtyard gate reported.

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. "They arrived quickly. Which general is leading them?"

The guard replied, "It’s General Liu Jingyun, the newly appointed Pacification General by His Majesty."

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Let them in." The guard hesitated. "General Liu hasn’t entered the city yet."

"Does he expect this prince to go out of the city to welcome him?" Mo Xiuyao’s voice was light, yet an overwhelming pressure seemed to radiate from him. The guard immediately bowed decisively. "This subordinate obeys!" He turned and hurried off to relay the message. Asking the prince to go out and welcome him? What a joke!

"Who is this Liu Jingyun?" Feng Zhiyao muttered, rubbing his forehead in frustration. Had his leadership of the shadow guards been so lacking that he didn’t even know the emperor had such a trusted general? Mo Xiuyao replied calmly, "The posthumous illegitimate son of Prime Minister Liu’s late fourth son, eleventh in the Liu family line. He should be twenty-seven this year." Feng Zhiyao frowned. "Consort Liu’s nephew? Has the emperor really been driven mad by Mo Jingli? There are plenty of capable people in the court—why send someone who’s never been on a battlefield to suppress a rebellion? Even asking Old Duke Hua to come out of retirement would be better than sending some incompetent." Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "The emperor would never heavily employ the Hua family." Feng Zhiyao sneered disdainfully. "So he favors the Lius instead?" Of course, he knew the emperor was wary of the Hua family—why else would the empress, the Hua family’s eldest daughter, have only one princess under her care? The Hua family had already reached the peak of their influence. In the past, Old Duke Hua had been on excellent terms with Mo Liufang—how could the emperor not be wary?

"In the emperor’s eyes, the Liu family is clearly more loyal and easier to control than the Hua family," Mo Xiuyao stated matter-of-factly.Feng Zhiyao nodded with a mocking smile, "Isn't it obvious? If the Liu family hadn't been so loyal to the emperor, how could they have remained favored all these years?" Selling daughters for glory... in that regard, the Hua family truly couldn't compare to the Lius.

"The emperor would never truly entrust hundreds of thousands of elite troops to someone who knows nothing. Liu Jingyun is merely a pawn on the surface. Now that Mo Jingli has rebelled, the emperor will no longer trust the Ye family, and supporting the Liu family has become inevitable. However... the emperor will likely use this time to cultivate new forces to counterbalance the Lius." Mo Xiuyao spoke nonchalantly, as if he had already dismissed the war in Yonglin from his mind. "Once reinforcements arrive, we'll leave Yonglin. Since the emperor loves to drag things out, let him. This battle won't end in less than three to five months."

"Murong Shen pays his respects to Your Highness and Her Highness," Murong Shen said as he hurried in and bowed.

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "General, please take a seat. What brings you here at this hour?"

Murong Shen hesitated before nodding slightly, looking at Mo Xiuyao. "I heard Your Highness plans to leave Yonglin today. May I ask... what are your thoughts on the current war in Yongzhou?" Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow and smiled. "What do you mean, General? Once the imperial reinforcements arrive, Snowbreak Pass will naturally be secure." Murong Shen sighed helplessly and said solemnly, "I've always been straightforward, so please forgive my bluntness, Your Highness. With your assistance, I believe we could quell Prince Li's rebellion within a month. But why..." Mo Xiuyao shook his head with a faint smile. "General, we both understand the saying, 'Generals in the field need not obey all orders.' But rulers who truly accept this are rare in history. You surely know the fates of those famous generals who defied their sovereigns."

"Prince Li's forces have remained inactive these past few days. I fear he may turn his army eastward, plunging the southeastern regions into war again," Murong Shen said gravely. As a military man, he only had a vague understanding of court politics, which was why he couldn't comprehend why a better solution wasn't pursued, instead prolonging the suffering of the people. Mo Xiuyao sighed and shook his head. "It's too late... Mo Jingli has already split his forces and marched east. In fact, his recent inactivity is likely because he's no longer with his army." Murong Shen was shocked. "If that's the case, why hasn't Your Highness intervened?"

"General..." Mo Xiuyao's smile turned bitter. Murong Shen immediately regretted his words. In the emperor's eyes, the Ding Royal Palace was far more threatening than Prince Li's rebellion. The emperor would never allow King Ding to interfere in Prince Li's affairs. The moment the Mo Family Army moved, the emperor would likely charge King Ding with defying imperial decree. And then... hundreds of thousands of Mo Family troops... Murong Shen shuddered, not daring to dwell on the thought. "The war in the southeast is inevitable, General. Your duty is to hold Snowbreak Pass and prevent Nanzhao's forces from joining Prince Li. As for Prince Li's army in Yongzhou, they will withdraw within a month."Would the Great Chu be split into north and south just like that? Murong Shen silently questioned in his heart. Was dealing with Prince Ding, who had contributed to the nation's defense, truly more important than suppressing the rebellion led by Prince Li? The straightforward General Murong certainly didn’t understand that in the eyes of Emperor Mo Jingqi, Mo Xiuyao and Mo Jingli had never been opponents of the same caliber. As long as he could deal with Mo Xiuyao, even if it meant losing one Mo Jingli—or even another—it was nothing to worry about. The Jiangnan region might have been seized by Mo Jingli now, but he could always reclaim it later. However, if Mo Xiuyao were allowed to entrench himself in Jiangnan, not only would it be impossible to take back, but he would also have to guard against Mo Xiuyao extending his reach northward, perhaps even attempting to seize the entire Great Chu empire. Thus, after the initial fury subsided, Mo Jingqi was almost pleased by Mo Jingli’s sudden rebellion. Only this way did he have a perfect justification to execute his own full-blooded younger brother.

“The General of Pacification has arrived!” A loud voice rang out from outside the courtyard, causing everyone inside, including Murong Shen, to change expressions. In front of Prince Ding, not even Old Duke Hua—a decorated veteran of countless battles—would dare to be so disrespectful, let alone some newly appointed general who had never set foot on a battlefield. Was this new general utterly brainless, or did he simply not regard Prince Ding at all?

A clamor of footsteps grew louder as they approached, clearly indicating that more than just one or two people were entering. Ye Li listened carefully—there had to be at least twenty or thirty people—and couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile in her eyes. Had this General of Pacification come specifically to flaunt his power? Feng Zhiyao caught her glance and curled his lip in disdain. Flaunting power in front of the prince? Had his brain been crushed by a door? The last person who tried to show off in front of the prince—that Northern Rong prince—was said to still be out of his wits to this day.

Just as they reached the courtyard entrance, the group was clearly stopped. A sharp voice rang out, “How dare you! The General of Pacification is here—let us through!”

The guards at the gate showed no fear, replying calmly, “The general must remove his weapons. Personal attendants are not permitted inside.”

“This general is the commander of the army—how can I remove my weapons? What is the meaning of this, Prince Ding?” Another, younger voice carried arrogance and displeasure. The guard responded firmly, “Entering without the prince’s permission while armed will be treated as an assassination attempt. As the army’s commander, the General of Pacification should understand this. Do not make things difficult for us.”

Hearing the commotion at the gate, Mo Xiuyao rubbed his temples impatiently and said, “Let the two of them in.”The courtyard gate fell silent for a moment before two men walked in. The first was dressed entirely in white, draped in a white war cloak with a silver-sheathed sword hanging at his waist—the man practically shimmered with silver light. Ye Li blinked, suddenly recalling how Mo Xiuyao had also been clad in white a few days prior. Glancing at the approaching figure, she couldn’t help but stifle a laugh. Mo Xiuyao in white, riding a white horse with a silver spear, had indeed looked peerlessly dashing and imposing. But this man before her... Ye Li was struck by an odd thought: Those who love dressing head-to-toe in white are secretly narcissistic peacocks.

As she silently lowered her head, lost in thought, a cool hand grasped hers. She looked up to meet Mo Xiuyao’s questioning gaze, his eyes tinged with amusement. Ye Li shook her head slightly to indicate it was nothing, then turned her attention to the second man she had initially overlooked. There was nothing particularly striking about him—except, perhaps, the pronounced limp in his walk. It reminded her of a certain former commander of Snowbreak Pass whom Mo Xiuyao had once dismissed as utterly incompetent .

The two men stopped before the assembled group, making no move to bow. Not that anyone here was inclined to bow to them either—aside from Feng Zhiyao, no one present held a rank lower than theirs. And Feng Zhiyao, being an unsanctioned commander, had no intention of paying them any courtesy.

The courtyard remained silent until Guan Ting, standing behind Liu Jingyun, seemed to realize the stalemate couldn’t continue. He stepped forward and announced, "Prince Ding, General Liu and I have been dispatched by His Majesty to take command of Yonglin City."

Mo Xiuyao didn’t press the issue, nodding slightly before turning to Feng Zhiyao. "Feng San, order the Black Cloud Cavalry to withdraw from Yonglin immediately."

"Understood, Your Highness."

"Wait!" Guan Ting cut in sharply, his tone haughty as he stared at Mo Xiuyao. "Your Highness may have misheard. General Liu and I are here by imperial decree to assume control of Yonglin— including* its defending forces."*

In other words, he wasn’t just claiming the city—he wanted the twenty thousand Black Cloud Cavalry stationed there as well. The onlookers collectively held their breaths, their expressions shifting to something akin to looking at a dead man walking .

Mo Xiuyao, however, remained unruffled. A faint smile played on his lips as he asked, "General Guan... did His Majesty send you here to provoke me?"

Guan Ting stiffened, his face hardening. "What do you mean by that? His Majesty ordered Your Highness to lead troops here as reinforcements, not to act as the supreme commander of this campaign. Now that the appointed commander has arrived, shouldn’t Your Highness relinquish military authority over Yonglin?"

He had been warned by the emperor not to provoke Mo Xiuyao needlessly. But the memory of past humiliations at Mo Xiuyao’s hands flared in his mind, igniting a spark of hatred. Lifting his chin, he forced himself to appear righteous.

Murong Shen frowned. "General Guan, His Highness merely ordered the Black Cloud Cavalry to withdraw. You know full well that the Black Cloud Cavalry—"

"Are they not soldiers of Great Chu?!" Guan Ting snapped, cutting him off. "Or does Prince Ding intend to hoard military power for himself?!" His gaze as he glared at Mo Xiuyao was nothing short of venomous.Mo Xiuyao steadied himself on the armrest and slowly rose to his feet. Guan Ting was taken aback and instinctively took a step back. He watched as Mo Xiuyao took two steady steps forward, his expression calm as he asked softly, "General Guan, did you think that after recuperating in the manor for a few years, this prince's temper would have improved?" Guan Ting paled, staring fearfully at the seemingly frail man in white before him. Was Mo Xiuyao known for his good temper? At present, nine out of ten people who knew him would say so. But those who had known Mo Xiuyao for a long time were well aware that this man... had never been one for patience. He could beat Mo Jingli for secretly undermining him, or team up with Feng Zhiyao to thrash Mo Jingli and hang him from a tree. He could even whip Guan Ting in front of thousands of soldiers without a word for his poor command. Such a temperament could hardly be called good.

"W-what do you intend to do?" Guan Ting stammered in terror.

"If those words just now were not the Emperor's intention... General Guan, do you know what punishment you deserve?" Mo Xiuyao asked quietly.

Guan Ting trembled under Mo Xiuyao's gaze but dared not claim it was Mo Jingqi's order. Even if Mo Jingqi were mad, he would never demand the command of the Black Cloud Cavalry from Mo Xiuyao. Not only would Mo Xiuyao refuse, but even if he handed it over, Mo Jingqi wouldn't be able to control or utilize it—it would only bring him trouble. Desperate, Guan Ting looked to Liu Jingyun, who had been ignored. Though displeased by Prince Ding's disregard, Liu Jingyun realized upon seeing him in person that he lacked the presence to oppose the prince. His earlier arrogance had faded into resentment and fear.

"Y-your Highness..." Under Mo Xiuyao's gaze, Guan Ting's expression grew increasingly fearful until, as if all strength had left him, he collapsed to his knees. Mo Xiuyao walked past him at a measured pace. "Feng San, prepare to depart."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ye Li smiled and nodded at Murong Shen before following. Murong Shen sighed helplessly at the two newly arrived generals and turned to leave as well. Fortunately, this so-called "Pacification General" had no authority over him. Let him deal with the rebels while he guarded his own post.

Left behind, Liu Jingyun stared blankly as the others disappeared beyond the door. Did anyone even remember he was the newly appointed general?

The Black Cloud Cavalry lived up to its reputation for absolute discipline. Within a quarter-hour of Mo Xiuyao's order, all twenty thousand soldiers had withdrawn from Yonglin City. Their sudden movement alarmed the rebel forces across the battlefield, who only relaxed—though remained on high alert—once they confirmed the cavalry had no intention of attacking. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao returned to their quarters to pack before heading out to rendezvous with the Black Cloud Cavalry.

"Your Highness, Lieutenant Yun requests an audience," An Er announced from outside the door.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, curious about Yun Ting's purpose. "Let him in."A moment later, Yun Ting entered with a slightly nervous expression. Ye Li had taken quite a liking to this young officer and smiled faintly, asking, "Lieutenant Yun, is there something you need?"

Yun Ting glanced at Ye Li's light attire and inquired, "Are you and His Highness leaving soon?"

Ye Li nodded. "His Highness is currently arranging the handover with General Liu. We'll depart shortly. Are you and Lieutenant Xia also returning to Snowbreak Pass?"

"I..." Yun Ting hesitated awkwardly before finally gritting his teeth and dropping to one knee. "This humble officer wishes to join the Black Cloud Cavalry. I beg Your Highness to take me in."

Ye Li looked at Yun Ting's resolute expression in surprise and frowned. "If you wish to join the Black Cloud Cavalry, you should ask His Highness. Why come to me?"

Yun Ting froze, suddenly flustered. He had only thought to seize the opportunity while the princess was present but had forgotten that now that Prince Ding had arrived, such matters likely required his approval.

Seeing Yun Ting's stunned expression, Ye Li chuckled softly. "Why do you wish to join the Black Cloud Cavalry?"

The Black Cloud Cavalry was selected from the elite of the Mo Family Army—not just anyone could join.

Yun Ting clenched his jaw. "Only the Black Cloud Cavalry is the finest army in Great Chu. Yun Ting wishes to join them, to follow Your Highnesses onto the battlefield and achieve glory."

Watching his earnest demeanor, Ye Li couldn't help but laugh.

"Captain Yun, you are already the most outstanding captain under General Murong's command. With your recent great achievements in defending Yonglin, it's only a matter of years before you become one of the youngest generals of Great Chu. If you were to join the Black Cloud Cavalry..." Ye Li shook her head with a smile. Yun Ting quickly responded, "I would willingly serve as an ordinary soldier if it means joining the Black Cloud Cavalry." Ye Li looked at him and asked, "Captain Yun, do you know why the Black Cloud Cavalry numbers only a few thousand?" Yun Ting answered matter-of-factly, "The Black Cloud Cavalry is the elite among elites. Being the elite, it's natural they are few in number." Ye Li nodded, "Indeed, the Black Cloud Cavalry is the elite among elites. But... precisely because they are the elite, the few. In real wars, the ones who play the most crucial roles are never the Black Cloud Cavalry."

"Huh?" Yun Ting was puzzled. Since childhood, all the stories he had heard were about how the Black Cloud Cavalry achieved miraculous feats and turned the tide of battles. Why did the Princess Consort's view differ?

Ye Li smiled and asked, "What is the purpose of two armies clashing?"

"To conquer cities and seize territories."

"Exactly. The Black Cloud Cavalry can launch long-distance raids, ambush enemy leaders—tasks ordinary soldiers cannot accomplish. But... they cannot single-handedly attack or defend a city. Thus, they essentially serve as auxiliary forces," Ye Li explained softly.

"Auxiliary?"

"An extremely important auxiliary. In critical moments, they can be the best trump card, appearing where least expected. But in ordinary times, they must remain hidden, unknown to the world. Captain Yun, have you ever heard of any famous generals emerging from the Black Cloud Cavalry?"

Yun Ting shook his head. Everyone knew the Black Cloud Cavalry was formidable, yet its commanders had always remained obscure. Though the Black Cloud Cavalry numbered in the thousands, and while Prince Ding personally commanded them, he couldn't oversee every detail. However, since its inception, the Black Cloud Cavalry seemed to have only one name—the collective identity overshadowing all individuals. In the history of Great Chu, not a single Black Cloud Cavalry commander's real name had ever been recorded.

Ye Li sighed softly, "I see Captain Yun as a bold and ambitious man. With such achievements at just over twenty, your future is boundless. If you truly became an ordinary member of the Black Cloud Cavalry, it might hinder your aspirations." The Black Cloud Cavalry was the true blade of the Ding Royal Palace. A blade needs no independent thought; where Prince Ding points is their will. In a way, it resembled the special forces of her past life. Given Yun Ting's temperament, if he joined without proper tempering, he would surely regret it later. Yun Ting's face flushed red, and he said anxiously, "Princess Consort, I..." Ye Li raised her hand to stop him, smiling gently, "Don't rush. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with you. I just hope you consider carefully: Do you aspire to be a general who gallops across battlefields with pride, or a hidden arrow lying in wait, striking at the opportune moment?"Yun Ting fell silent. The matters Princess Ding mentioned were indeed things he had never considered before. No wonder Xia Shu hadn’t supported or encouraged him as usual when he said he wanted to seek out the princess—had he already seen that Yun Ting wasn’t suited for the Black Cloud Cavalry? But… Yun Ting gazed somewhat bewildered at the gentle and elegant woman before him. He still admired strength, and Prince Ding and Princess Ding were undoubtedly both strong. He knew in his heart that he truly wished to follow them.

“What’s going on here, A Li?” Mo Xiuyao walked in leisurely, glancing at the conflicted Yun Ting as he asked.

Ye Li smiled faintly and recounted the earlier conversation to him. Mo Xiuyao turned to study Yun Ting for a moment. Under his gaze, Yun Ting grew uneasy but still struggled to maintain his composure.

“What did General Murong say?” Mo Xiuyao asked. After all, transferring someone from Murong Shen’s command couldn’t be done without notifying him.

Yun Ting’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, “General Murong said it would be fine as long as Your Highness and the princess agreed.”

Mo Xiuyao pondered for a moment before saying, “You’re not suited for the Black Cloud Cavalry.” Yun Ting’s heart sank with disappointment, a mix of emotions swirling within him. Then Mo Xiuyao continued, “However, if you’re willing, you can start by following A Li.”

Both Yun Ting and Ye Li turned to look at Mo Xiuyao, the latter raising a puzzled brow. Follow her? Taking on a lieutenant as a guard—Yun Ting might not even be a match for her in combat.

Mo Xiuyao explained, “You don’t have many capable people around you. Those four are still far from being able to command troops. I’ll have Qin Feng accompany you, along with Yun Ting. Though he’s still a bit impulsive, General Murong seems to think he has potential. With some training, if he proves useful, we can transfer him into the Mo Family Army later.”

Ye Li didn’t mind either way, but Yun Ting couldn’t hide his astonishment. From Prince Ding’s words, it sounded like he was cultivating trusted aides for the princess—Princess Ding would not only be able to command the Black Cloud Cavalry in the future but might even wield authority over the hundreds of thousands of the Mo Family Army. “Thank you, Your Highness! This general is willing to serve the princess!” Yun Ting immediately responded.

Mo Xiuyao nodded. “In that case, go bid farewell to General Murong. You’ll depart with the army in half an hour.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”