129 Xiling Dispatches Troops

in the future, just avoid him for now. Who knows who will be next" Mu Ting sized up Princess Qixia as if seriously considering her words before nodding. "Tianxiang, you're right. Everyone should acce...129. Deployment from Xi Ling (Part 1)

129. Deployment from Xi Ling (Part 1)

In the study, it was so quiet that one could hear a needle drop. Ye Li silently looked at the middle-aged man sitting across from her. Her fair and elegant face remained calm without any expression, but she couldn't stop the shock and turmoil in her heart caused by what she had just heard. Mo Xiwen died young due to illness; many people could guess that there must be some unknown secrets behind his death. However, even Ye Li did not think that Mo Xiwen's death would have anything to do with someone inside the palace. When Mo Xiwen passed away and the Black Family Army suffered setbacks, Emperor Sheng had been on the throne for only three years. To act so hastily against Prince Ding王府 at such a time...

"What else does the princess want to know" Mu Qingcang looked at Ye Li with a smirk that bordered on mocking.

Ye Li said indifferently, "Everything."

Mu Qingcang was taken aback and stared at Ye Li. "Everything Has the princess thought this through Remember, uncovering these secrets could affect the entire Chu Kingdom, or even the whole world."

Ye Li gave a cold laugh. "Although I have never met the previous Prince Ding, he is still my husband's brother and my elder brother as well. Besides... You're in my hands now. Do you think that if someone else tells me about this secret, I would believe them just because they say so"

Mu Qingcang was silent for a moment before sighing lightly. "Prince Ding is indeed fortunate. Since the princess insists, I will tell her everything as repayment for fulfilling one of my wishes."

Ye Li and Mu Qingcang sat in the study all morning, but no one knew what they talked about. When they came out, both their faces were serious. Mu Qingcang was escorted away by two dark guards; before leaving, he turned to Ye Li with a smile and said, "I've seen that you're a decisive person, Princess. How about I give you an extra piece of information for free" Ye Li responded calmly, "I'm all ears."

"Xi Ling has decided to launch an attack on Chu Kingdom on the 15th day of August; what will the princess do now" After saying this, Mu Qingcang no longer looked at Ye Li's face. He changed from his previous dejected state and left with a wild laugh.

Ye Li's smile gradually faded as she gazed at the sky above for a long time. She then turned around and swept her sleeves away, "Notify Feng San and Sun Yan to come see me in my study immediately!"

Feng Zhiyao and Sun Yan arrived very quickly. The two of them seemed to have come at almost the same time. As soon as they entered the study, they saw Ye Li and Zhuo Jing sitting behind a desk flipping through thick files. Feng Zhiyao casually glanced at one of the files, which contained confessions from recently captured assassins and information gathered by Shadow Guards. Raising an eyebrow, Feng Zhiyao said with a smile, "Lady Wang, what’s happening" Ye Li looked up and said, "Something has indeed happened."

Feng Zhiyao was taken aback. He slowly sat upright, his expression serious as he looked at Ye Li. Sun Yan also had an earnest look on his face as he listened attentively. Ye Li picked up a file and said, "Just now, Mu Qingcang told me that Xi Ling is preparing to attack the Great Chu in August." Feng Zhiyao’s face showed confusion and surprise. His sword-like eyebrows knitted together slightly. "Is this information reliable We haven’t received any news of this kind."

Ye Li shook her head and said, "I don’t know. Mu Qingcang should not be lying, but the authenticity of this piece of information needs to be verified. But…" Ye Li paused and looked at the two people in front of her as she asked, "What day is it today" Sun Yan replied, "The 7th day of the 8th month."

Feng Zhiyao’s expression also changed. He stood up and said, "If this information turns out to be false, then there won’t be any problem. But if it’s true…" If it is indeed true, even though the northwestern army was not completely empty, many important positions had been held by people close to Mo Jingqi in recent years. The Black Ink Army would be restricted everywhere. If Xi Ling suddenly launched an attack, they would definitely be caught off guard. And now, with them currently in the capital, it was impossible for them to reach the border and provide support within seven or eight days. Feng Zhiyao thoughtfully said, "The Prince has been away from the capital for over twenty days. Assuming that he is traveling at the pace of a wedding entourage, he should now be entering North Rong territory. To say nothing of his responsibility to escort Princess Yunying, even if there was no emergency and he returned as fast as possible, it would still take him at least half a month to reach Xi Ling’s border and take charge of the situation. Moreover, now that the Prince is far away from home, it’s impossible for him to receive any news immediately. Feng Zhiyao suddenly felt an ominous premonition; it seemed like this entire matter was a trap specifically set against the Great Chu.

"Lady Wang…"

Ye Li frowned and said, "What are your opinions Speak freely."

Sun Yan said seriously, "Whether true or false, we need to prepare early. If it’s not true, there won’t be any problem, but if it is…"

Feng Zhiyao’s expression was solemn as he frowned and said, "I believe this piece of information might indeed be true, but our Shadow Guards didn’t receive any news."

Ye Li said calmly, "You’ve forgotten that there is someone who can be considered an absolute expert in intelligence. And now, he’s in Xi Ling."

"Han Mingyue!" Feng Zhiyao exclaimed.

Ye Li nodded slightly and said, "Although Tianyi Pavilion’s power within the Great Chu has been reorganized by Han Mingxiu, don’t forget that Han Mingyue is truly the master of Tianyi Pavilion. Moreover, Tianyi Pavilion has a presence in every country. The only one affected is the Great Chu. And Han Mingyue was once a good friend of the Prince; he’s certainly among the top three people who understand Ding Wangfu best in this world." Feng Zhiyao nodded and said, "I’ll send someone to investigate immediately!" Sun Yan asked, "Lady Wang, what should we do now" Ye Li thought for a moment before saying, "We need to notify the Prince immediately. In addition… inform the Black Ink Army stationed near Xi Ling’s border, and prepare to provide support at any time." Sun Yan said somewhat reluctantly, "In recent years, the Black Ink Army’s bases have been shrinking continuously. Now, even if the Black Ink Army were to move as fast as possible from where they are currently stationed, it would take them five or six days to reach Xi Ling’s border. Not to mention the time it takes for us to send messages…." Ye Li raised her hand and said, "Whether in time or not, block the path of the Xi Ling army if necessary." Sun Yan nodded and said, "I understand, I’ll immediately send a message to the Black Ink Army. Lady Wang, please rest assured; as long as there’s one soldier left in the Black Ink Army, no one from Xi Ling will be able to cross their lines." Ye Li nodded and said softly, "General Sun, thank you for your hard work. I’m going to the palace to see His Majesty."

"Lady Wang, this might not be appropriate," Feng Zhiyao frowned and said. Although they hadn’t explicitly mentioned it after capturing Mu Qingcang, everyone had an idea in their hearts about who was behind the attempt to wipe out Ding Wangfu.

Ye Leye smiled and said, "There's nothing inappropriate about it. Even if the person in the palace dares to defy the world and act against me, he might not be capable of detaining me." Feng Zhirao thought of that mysterious group of people and felt slightly reassured as he replied, "As long as the Duchess is aware of the situation." Ye Leye stood up, put down the documents in her hand, and said, "You may go about your business. Also, maintain full alertness at the Wangfu."

"Yes."

Palace

In the imperial study, Emperor Mo Jingqi dismissed Mu Yang Hou who had hurriedly come to see him and stared fixedly at a report in front of him with an unpredictable expression.

"Your Majesty, Princess Consort Ding requests an audience," announced a eunuch from outside. Mo Jingqi frowned, "Princess Consort Ding Why has she returned" He recalled the early morning several days ago when a white-clad woman stood gracefully in front of the bloody steps of Princess Consort Ding’s Wangfu. Mo Jingqi felt a mix of loss and regret every time he thought about it. This woman was personally chosen by him to marry Mo Xiuyao in order to humiliate him, but now she had become another pillar for Princess Consort Ding’s Wangfu and a significant support for Mo Xiuyao, making her an unavoidable target for elimination. Given Ye Leye's intelligence, Mo Jingqi didn’t believe that she wouldn't uncover the truth by seeking out Mu Yang Hou. Yet why did she still dare to come into the palace

"Admit her."

Soon after, the main door was reopened and Ye Leye entered wearing a formal gown with silver threads embroidered with phoenix patterns as the Princess Consort of Ding Wang. It was almost the first time that Ye Leye wore this attire for the role of Princess Consort of Ding Wang; unlike her usual graceful demeanor, she appeared cold and unapproachable in its silvery hue. She walked to the center of the hall and gracefully bowed, saying, "Ye Leye greets Your Majesty."

Mo Jingqi sized up Ye Leye before finally speaking, "To be honest, I've never heard Princess Consort Ding refer to herself as such."

Ye Leye pursed her lips with a faint smile and said, "I am Ye Leye." She knew that in front of the emperor, empress dowager, and empress, all concubines should address themselves as servants or wives subordinate to their lords. However, she disliked using such terms. Since neither the emperor nor the empress dowager had mentioned it before, others dared not question her on this minor detail either, so they ignored it; Mo Jingqi unexpectedly brought up the issue today.

Mo Jingqi's eyes flickered slightly before he smiled and said, "Very well, Ye Leye is Ye Leye. Does that mean Princess Consort Ding does not consider herself a subject of the Great Chu"

Ye Leye raised her head, looking straight at Mo Jingqi without hesitation as she calmly replied, "The Wangfu of Princess Consort Ding has served and protected the Great Chu generation after generation with all their might. As Princess Consort Ding, how could I harbor such a rebellious heart"

Mojingqi looked at her playfully and smiled, saying: "Oh What the Queen Consort means is that the Prince Ding王府 would never have any disloyal intentions"

Seeing Mo Jingqi's inquisitive gaze, Ye Li sneered inwardly but firmly replied aloud: "The Prince Ding王府 would absolutely not do anything to betray the Great Chu Empire."

Hearing this, Mo Jingqi remained silent for a long time before finally saying: "Alright, I trust what the Queen Consort of Prince Ding said. But does the Queen Consort have something important to discuss today"

Ye Li nodded and replied: "Indeed, there is something very important that needs to be reported to Your Majesty."

Mojingqi nodded again, saying: "Then please speak freely, Your Majesty will listen."

Ye Li softly said: "I just received news that Western Ling plans to launch an attack on the Great Chu Empire on August 15th. Please have Your Majesty make early preparations."

Mojingqi was taken aback for a moment before laughing after a long while, looking at Ye Li and saying: "Isn't this piece of news rather sudden As far as I know, Western Ling's main focus now is on dealing with the Northern Rong tribes instead of the Great Chu Empire. Who informed the Queen Consort about this"

Ye Li pursed her lips and frowned slightly while replying: "I hope Your Majesty can quickly dispatch troops to support us just in case."

"It's impossible for me to mobilize troops based solely on your words, unless you can prove the veracity of this information," Mo Jingqi said.

Ye Li frowned and replied coolly: "Mu Qingcang."such an uncompromising attitude from Mo Xiuyao made him even more apprehensive of Dingguo Mansion’s capabilities. West Leye did not need war right now."Lingyun! Apologize to the Queen Consort!" Lei Te...