130 Western陵Deployment of Forces 2
Wang Shi might already have taken action against her. "Third Young Miss, servant doesn’t ask for anything else. Servant only begs Third Young Miss to help safeguard servant’s child," Zhao Aya said de...130. Western Ling Expedition (2)
Hearing this, Mo Jingqi's expression changed several times before he calmed down after a while, staring at the composed woman standing in front of the palace hall with a complex look. He couldn't quite figure out what Ye Li meant by so readily revealing her cards. If King Ding was going to turn against him right now, he didn't believe it. Even if Mo Xiuyao wasn't around, even then, King Ding's mansion wouldn’t suddenly do anything that would be detrimental to the Great Chu Empire. But if Ye Li really wanted to provide some military intelligence, there was no need for her to openly mention Mu Qingcang’s matter. The sources of information at King Ding’s mansion were numerous; where couldn't they find a suitable excuse
After a long time, Mo Jingqi said calmly, "The Queen Consort's words are clear in my mind."
Ye Li looked up at the man seated high on the dragon throne and frowned slightly. However, Mo Jingqi did not give her an opportunity to speak further. He stood up and waved his hand, saying, "This matter is known to me. Queen Consort, you may return first."
Ye Li sighed inwardly and bowed lightly before saying, “I take my leave.”
Leaving the Imperial Study, Ye Li was about to head back to the palace when she was stopped by someone. Two familiar-looking maids stood in front of her and said, "My Lady, Empress Consort wishes to see you." Ye Li recalled that these two maids were indeed the chief maidservants who attended Lady Empress Liu. Recalling what she had heard in the peach grove last time as well as the strange glances Lady Empress Liu gave her each time they met made Ye Li's heart ache involuntarily, and she said coolly, "This Consort has matters to attend to; please convey my apologies to Lady Empress." The two maids looked at each other upon hearing this but did not move aside, insisting, “My Lady, forgive us. Lady Empress wishes to discuss something important with My Lady.”
Ye Li glanced coolly at the speaking maid and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Oh What if I really have no time"
"Well… Then we must beg for your forgiveness." The two stepped forward steadily, their eyes flashing with sharpness; evidently they were trained.
Ye Li slightly waved her hand to signal the shadow guards not to make a move. She narrowed her brows and looked at the two maids behind them, scoffing, "Lady Empress has great audacity to dare to take action against this Consort right outside the Imperial Study"
"If you come to chat with me properly, why would I need to resort to force" Lady Empress Liu stepped out gracefully from a corner of the hall, her voice as icy cold as ever. However, Ye Li couldn't help but recall that sorrowful and mournful sound in the peach grove. Although it was pitiful for Lady Empress Liu to be hopelessly devoted to Mo Xiuyao, as his wife, Ye Li didn’t feel much sympathy towards her. Therefore, she merely said coolly when seeing Lady Empress emerge, "No matter what Lady Empress wishes to discuss, attempting to act against this Consort within the palace has consequences; have you considered them"
A disdainful smile curled at the corner of Lady Empress Liu's perfect lips. "Consequences Do you think His Majesty would treat me badly over a mere you People used to give way to you out of respect for King Ding, but now that he’s not in the capital, do you really believe being a Queen Consort could amount to anything" Ye Li silently watched the stunning woman looking down on her. Since their first meeting, she had sensed Lady Empress Liu's disdain and disregard towards her. Perhaps in Lady Empress Liu's heart, only herself was worthy of Mo Xiuyao But unfortunately, she also fancied...
"Since that is the case, Your Majesty, feel free to speak your mind," Ye Li frowned and said.
Liu Guifei lifted her delicate chin and stared at Ye Li: "Come with me."
Ye Li smiled faintly and turned to walk toward the palace gate.
"Ye Li!" Liu Guifei called out sharply. Seeing that Ye Li turned around without hesitation, she became rather exasperated and said, "Stop her for me!"
The two maids immediately stepped forward from both sides to block Ye Li's path. A cold light flashed in Ye Li’s eyes as a glint of coldness appeared under her sleeve; the silver-white edge of her robe drew a dazzling arc in the sunlight, simultaneously dragging out two brilliant splashes of blood.
"Ouch...!"
Two screams echoed. The two maids cupped their wrists, pale-faced and full of fear as they stared at the silver-robed woman before them; fresh crimson stains instantly dyed their pink sleeves a deep red. Ye Li raised her dagger to examine it: the bright red blood trickled down its icy surface and slowly dripped onto the dirt below. Liu Guifei’s usually cold, ice-like appearance finally changed in anger. Although she couldn’t be considered an extraordinary expert, among women, she was top-notch; even so, she still hadn't seen how Ye Li had managed to act so swiftly. Coldly staring at the woman before her, Liu Guifei remained silent for a long time without speaking.
Ye Li calmly met Liu Guifei's gaze, showing no intention of apologizing or explaining her actions that caused injury. The two maids cupped their wrists and looked at Ye Li with fear and dread in their eyes.
"Ye Li! You…" Liu Guifei’s face turned white with anger as she glared hatefully at Ye Li.
Ye Li glanced at her coldly, then turned to walk toward the palace gate. The two maids who had been standing in front of her hurriedly moved out of the way on either side, afraid that they would be blocking her path and lose another hand if she were angered again.
The moment Ye Li stepped outside the palace gate, Feng Zhiyao and Zhuo Jing were waiting for her with stern looks. Seeing that Ye Li’s expression was a bit grim, Feng Zhiyao asked worriedly, "My Lady, what happened Does His Majesty not believe us" Ye Li waved her hand dismissively and said, "No problem, we’ll know if His Majesty believes us tomorrow. Order the army under Ding王府 to remain vigilant at all times; if there is no action in the palace tomorrow…" Feng Zhiyao’s expression changed slightly as he whispered, "My Lady plans on mobilizing the Mo Family Army This would give His Majesty an excuse to deal with the Ding王府." Ye Li turned back and asked him, "Without this excuse, will His Majesty not take action against the Ding王府 Moreover… if what happened is true, the Western Ridge must be coming in force. If we wait too long, future battles might be out of our control. Rest assured, troops near the capital can't be moved for now; His Majesty won't find an excuse here. Zhuo Jing, send Qin Feng back to see me."
"Yes." Zhuo Jing said solemnly. "The intelligence just arrived. A month ago, Western Ridge’s border forces began stirring restlessly. The news about Mu Qingcang might be true."
Ye Li's eyes turned cold. "What the Prince Regent said is right, those incompetent people on the border indeed should be replaced! Let’s go back."
The next day at court, the emperor did not mention anything about Western Ling sending troops.
The third day, no news came from the palace.
On the fourth day after morning court, the emperor summoned a few trusted subordinates to the Imperial Study but still there was no news of troop or supply movements.
The atmosphere at Duke Ding’s residence grew increasingly solemn along with the silence in the palace. After listening to the latest report about morning court, Ye Li closed her eyes wearily and said in a low voice, "Qin Feng."
"I’m here," Qin Feng replied gravely.
The scheduled inspection was cancelled. You will personally lead the team tonight and head for the border at full speed."
Qin Feng responded without hesitation, "I accept your command."
Ye Li looked up at him and said, "I don’t want you to bring people to fight on the border. With this few of us, even if we were ten times as strong, we still couldn’t stop an army of a hundred thousand. Go to the border regions and investigate all news about Western Ling and the war situation."
Qin Feng nodded. "Understood."
"Go then," Ye Li said.
The outbreak of the war was faster than Ye Li had imagined, as Western Ling’s troops did not march on August 15th but rather on August 9th. By the time August 15th came around, news about Western Ling invading Great Chu had reached the capital. Even more shocking news was that this time Prince Regent of Southern Command personally led an army of fifty thousand to attack Great Chu and vowed to avenge their defeat at the hands of Mo Liufang years ago. The Western Ling troops, after years of preparation and recuperation, swept across two cities in one day, causing great shock throughout the capital. As the head of Duke Ding’s household, Ye Li was also urgently summoned by the emperor for a meeting.
After several days, Ye Li once again entered the Imperial Study. The scene was completely different from her previous visit. As soon as she stepped into the study, she could sense a heavy atmosphere in the room. Ye Li glanced at everyone present in the Imperial Study: Chancellor Liu, Duke Yang of Mu, General of the National Guard, Duke Nan, Prince Consort of Duke Nan, Leng Qingyu, and the elderly Duke Guo Gong of Hua—all familiar faces, but there was also an unfamiliar young man dressed in silk clothes standing beside Emperor Mojingqi’s desk. Ye Li frowned slightly; she instinctively disliked this person. His shrewd eyes carried a calculating expression that ruined his otherwise handsome face. Ye Li lowered her gaze indifferently. In the study were eight people—Chancellor Liu, Duke Yang of Mu, and General of the National Guard were all close to the emperor, while Duke Nan usually stayed out of political affairs. Elderly Duke Guo Gong of Hua was also close to the Prince Regent but had retired due to his age.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Ye Li bowed lightly.
The others responded in unison: “We pay our respects to Queen Consort of Ding Wang.”
Mojingqi waved his hand somewhat distractedly. "Queen Consort of Ding Wang, you need not bow. Have you heard about the urgent military dispatch from the border"
Ye Li nodded. Mojingqi frowned and asked, “What are your thoughts on this matter”
The elderly Duke Guo Gong spoke up first: "Of course we should immediately send troops to support our forces at the border and give Xiling a taste of what it's like to deal with the mighty Chu Empire!"
Mojingqi frowned. "Has everyone heard that the Southern Commander of Xiling, Duke Nan of Xiling himself, is leading the army Although Duke Nan lost to the Regent Prince in the past, he was only narrowly defeated and has earned a reputation as a war god in Xiling. Who among you thinks it's appropriate for this general to lead our forces"
Duke Yang of Mu and General of the National Guard glanced at each other and could not help but frown. The elderly Duke Guo Gong scoffed and stepped forward: "Although I am old, I am willing to lead troops into battle and enhance the reputation of the Chu Empire."
Upon hearing this, both Duke Yang of Mu and General of the National Guard changed expressions. Behind them, Leng Qingyu and Prince Consort of Duke Nan stepped forward together and said, "I volunteer to lead the troops into battle and enhance the reputation of our great Chu Empire."
Mojingqi looked at both men with satisfaction and smiled. “Elderly Duke Guo Gong is too modest. You are well past seventy years old; it would be disgraceful for you to still take up arms. What do my ministers think”
“Your Majesty’s wisdom is unmatched,” the ministers responded in unison.y Xu One as she said, "This kid is so well behaved, back in the day even Qingze who was our least noisy child wasn’t this obedient."Mo Xiuyao’s lips twitched slightly on one side of his mouth while st...