The First Jasmine - Chapter 152
Chapter 152 - Traces of Bright Moon
Having settled Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li tapped her slender fingers against the desk, lost in thought. "Last time we set a trap for Lei Zhenting, it seems he's determined to get his revenge this time?" Mo Xiurao shook his head. "Regardless of what happened last time, Lei Zhenting would use any means necessary to deal with the Mo Family Army." Ever since his defeat back then, the Mo Family Army had long become a knot in the heart of Xiling's Prince of Zhennan. This year, the Prince of Zhennan was nearly fifty. For a military general, he could barely still be considered in his prime, but if he delayed any longer, he would never have another chance in his lifetime to utterly defeat the Mo Family Army and wash away the humiliation of the past.
Ye Li looked at Mo Xiurao and said, "I'm afraid you will all be extremely busy lately. Leave Xincheng to me."
Mo Xiurao looked at Ye Li with a hint of guilt. They had been married for only a little over a year, and though he had always said he wanted Ah-Li to live the life she desired, the reality was that almost from their wedding day, Ah-Li had not enjoyed a single day of peace. Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Those who fly away in times of disaster are birds, not people. Or does Your Highness doubt my capabilities?" Mo Xiurao smiled gently, admiring the confidence and pride gleaming between the brows of the woman before him. He said softly, "Then... both the defense and civil affairs of Xincheng are entrusted to Ah-Li?"
Ye Li nodded. "As long as you are at ease with it."
The news delivered by Duke Hua was far too sudden, but both Mo Xiurao and Ye Li knew that unless he was absolutely certain, Duke Hua would never make such a joke. Although no overt movements could be seen yet, Mo Xiurao had to act ahead of time to deploy the Mo Family Army's forces across various locations to prepare for the multi-front war that was very likely to occur in the future. As for Xincheng, Mo Xiurao indeed had no spare time to oversee it personally. After ordering someone to hand over a set of maps drawn from the information collected by the Qilin, Ye Li had a study cleared out and swiftly moved her work there.
"Your Grace, Noble Consort Bai has been demanding to see the Prince nonstop." As Ye Li was deep in thought facing the map before her, Qin Feng walked in and reported in a low voice. Currently, all affairs in Xincheng were placed under Ye Li's full charge, which included the tens of thousands of Mo Family Army troops guarding Xincheng. Mo Xiurao was busy from dawn to dusk every day, so Su Zhidie's matter naturally fell onto Ye Li to handle alone. Ye Li knitted her brows slightly and said, "If you hadn't brought her up, I almost would have forgotten about her. Is there any news on Han Mingyue's whereabouts?" Qin Feng replied, "News from Xiling confirms that Han Mingyue has indeed left Xiling and entered Great Chu, but we have yet to locate his whereabouts." Ye Li rubbed her temples and said, "As expected of Master Bright Moon, who specializes in intelligence gathering. I feel he is right near Xincheng." Qin Feng nodded in agreement. "Given how much Han Mingyue cares about Su Zhidie, it is indeed very likely that he is near Xincheng. Unfortunately, Han Mingyue himself is a top-tier master at concealing his tracks. As long as he doesn't show his face, it will be difficult for us to track him down in a short time."
Ye Li's smile turned cold. "As long as he has a weakness, there's no worry about not catching him. However... this Princess is in no hurry to capture Han Mingyue himself. Rather... it's the Bright Moon Pavilion behind him. Although the Bright Moon Pavilion's strongholds within Great Chu's borders have been heavily purged by the Prince, and many have followed Han Mingxi to come over to our side, there will inevitably be those who slipped through the net. Such an existence is truly a fatal threat to the current Mo Family Army." Qin Feng looked up, asking in curiosity, "What are Your Grace's plans?" Ye Li said indifferently, "It all depends on how much feeling Han Mingyue actually has for Su Zhidie. Secretly leak out word that this Princess resents the past affection between Su Zhidie and the Prince, making life difficult for her every day, and even... intending to kill her behind the Prince's back!" Qin Feng froze, asking with some hesitation, "Will Han Mingyue fall for it?" Ye Li raised her eyes, letting out a faint smile. "Do you think I'm joking?"
Qin Feng was puzzled. "Your Grace means...?"
Ye Li smiled and said, "If Han Mingyue doesn't come... this Princess will dismantle Su Zhidie piece by piece and send her to him. Those who commit treason for personal gain deserve death!"
"Your subordinate obeys."
In a small town near Xincheng, inside an utterly inconspicuous residential house, Han Mingyue—who had been out of sight for a long time—sat by the window. His refined and elegant face bore a great deal of hardship and fatigue, along with deep anxiety.
"Master." A man in gray clothes pushed the door open, entering and speaking respectfully. Han Mingyue turned back and asked, "Is there news?" The man nodded and said, "Miss Su is indeed inside the Prefect's Estate in Xincheng right now, but... our people are completely unable to get close to her." Han Mingyue was not surprised and said in a heavy voice, "She has been placed under house arrest by Prince Ding." The gray-clothed man shook his head. "Prince Ding seems to have no interest in Miss Su whatsoever. Ever since Miss Su entered the Prefect's Estate, Prince Ding has basically ignored her. Right now, all affairs in Xincheng have been handed over to Princess Consort Ding to handle." Han Mingyue was startled, turning sideways to face him. "All affairs in Xincheng have been handed to Princess Consort Ding? Then what is Prince Ding doing?" The gray-clothed man frowned slightly and said, "Your subordinate suspects that Prince Ding has already learned of the Prince of Zhennan's plan and is very likely making secret arrangements. Otherwise... with over a hundred thousand troops still stationed outside Xincheng, it would be impossible for Prince Ding not to personally direct military affairs. Master, should this matter... be reported to the Prince of Zhennan?"
Han Mingyue gave him a cool look and asked, "We came here for Zhidie's safety. What happens to the Mo Family Army is none of our business. Do you understand?"
The gray-clothed man froze briefly before immediately nodding. "Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate knows nothing. Since we already know Miss Su's whereabouts, should we send people to rescue her?"
A trace of hesitation flashed across Han Mingyue's face as he frowned. "Rescuing her... Considering their past relationship, Prince Ding shouldn't harm her. In that case... her staying in Xincheng is actually safer." The gray-clothed man said in a low voice, "However... according to news passed back from the Prefect's Estate, Miss Su is not living very well there. A few days ago, she even bumped and injured her forehead. Furthermore, Princess Consort Ding seems extremely displeased with Miss Su's past identity as Prince Ding's former fiancée. Now that Prince Ding is completely ignoring the affairs of the Prefect's Estate and Xincheng, Miss Su might... might not fare very well..."
"Princess Consort Ding, Ye Li..." Han Mingyue frowned. Regarding that Princess Consort Ding from a prestigious family, he had actually only met her a few times. Yet, it seemed every encounter had been less than pleasant. Even so, he couldn't help but envy his former good friend's good fortune. Princess Consort Ding was an exceptionally outstanding wife, far more suitable for Mo Xiurao and Prince Ding's Manor than Su Zhidie, who held the title of Great Chu's Number One Beauty. Smart, sharp, strong, decisive, and at the same time... possessing enough perseverance and courage. If she wanted to make things difficult for Su Zhidie while Prince Ding remained completely uninvolved... Su Zhidie would be no match for Ye Li under any circumstances. Han Mingyue understood the woman he adored far better than others imagined; in the middle of the night, he would even quietly ask himself if everything he did was worth it, but... "Have people keep an eye on the Prefect's Estate and report any movement at any time."
"Your subordinate understands." The gray-clothed man respectfully lowered his head. Han Mingyue thought for a moment and let out a sigh. "Make preparations; I will go to Xincheng in person." The gray-clothed man was stunned, saying disapprovingly, "Please think twice, Master. Right now, Xincheng's gates are tightly shut; entering and leaving is no easy matter." Han Mingyue said with determination, "Go and prepare."
"...Yes, your subordinate obeys."
"Your Grace, over these past few days, the Xiling army remains stationed twenty miles outside Xincheng. However, the Heir of Zhennan has secretly led nearly two hundred thousand troops to bypass us and head south, seemingly intending to join forces with the southern army. Your subordinate speculates that Xiling may want to circle around to our army's rear to launch a pincer attack on Xincheng from both front and back." Along the winding corridor of the Prefect's Estate, Ye Li walked forward while listening to Zhuo Jing's report behind her. Hearing Zhuo Jing's words, Ye Li's delicate brows knit slightly, but her steps did not pause at all as she strolled along, saying, "Send a copy of the news over to the Prince. Has there been any movement from the Xiling troops outside the city?" Zhuo Jing replied, "Outside the city, they have been holding their ground without moving these past few days."
"What is the Prince of Zhennan doing?" Ye Li asked.
Zhuo Jing locked his sword-like brows, pondering, "The Xiling army hasn't moved these past few days, and there has been no news regarding the Prince of Zhennan either."
Ye Li's feet paused briefly. After a moment's thought, she said, "Have people investigate whether the Prince of Zhennan is actually in the army. In addition, tell the Prince that it is best to be careful on the Jiangxia front. Lei Tengfeng leading troops south might not necessarily be to pincer-attack Xincheng."
"Understood." Zhuo Jing nodded in response and added, "The one in the side courtyard has been making a huge scene these past few days. How does Your Grace think we should handle her?"
Ye Li glanced toward a small courtyard in the northwest corner, though nothing could be seen from the corridor. Still, she knew that Su Zhidie had been making a racket in the courtyard these past few days demanding to leave and demanding various items. Smiling calmly, she said, "If she likes making a scene, let her be. Is there any news on Han Mingyue?" Zhuo Jing nodded. "News came yesterday that traces of Han Mingyue's Bright Moon Pavilion were discovered in a small town near Xincheng, but by the time our people arrived, the place was already deserted. Your Grace's deduction was correct; Han Mingyue is indeed near Xincheng."
Ye Li thought for a moment and smiled. "Perhaps he has already entered the city by now. As long as he comes in, there's no fear of not finding him. The current Xincheng is not what it used to be." Originally, Xincheng had a large population with a mix of all kinds of people, but now, apart from soldiers, there were hardly any ordinary citizens in Xincheng, let alone traveling merchants. It wouldn't be easy for Han Mingyue and his group to hide their tracks. "Be careful with everything inside the Prefect's Estate; don't let anyone barge in and rescue her. Once Han Mingyue's tracks are discovered, seal Xincheng immediately—entry allowed, no exit. Han Mingyue couldn't possibly think that the current Xincheng is truly so easy to enter, right?" If not for intentionally keeping her to lure someone into the trap, not even a fly would be able to fly into Xincheng.
Zhuo Jing smiled and said, "Your Grace may rest assured. When it comes to hiding one's head and showing one's tail, we might not match Han Mingyue, but if Han Mingyue wants to snatch a person from our hands, I'm afraid it won't be that easy either."
Ye Li nodded, stopping in front of the door of her newly opened study, and said to Zhuo Jing, "Go handle your duties."
Zhuo Jing bowed and took his leave. Stepping into the room, Ye Li saw Mo Xiurao sitting behind the desk reading a book. Puzzled, she asked, "Why are you here?" Mo Xiurao had been ridiculously busy these past few days, and the two of them hadn't even seen each other for two days. Mo Xiurao put down his book and chuckled, "Why? Does Ah-Li not want to see me?" Ye Li glanced at him and said, "I had Zhuo Jing send some things over to you. Aren't you making him run a errand in vain by being here?" Mo Xiurao stood up with a smile, taking her hand to sit down together. "Then it is this Prince's fault. If there's anything important, Ah-Li can just tell me directly. It's rare for me to steal a moment of leisure to come see Ah-Li." Ye Li rubbed her temples and looked at the stack of dossiers and official documents on the desk with some helplessness. "Your Highness still has time to steal leisure, but unfortunately I am busy beyond measure." Looking at the items on the desk, Mo Xiurao also frowned, asking with some concern, "How are there so many matters? The people around Ah-Li are still not enough. How about I dispatch a few more people to you?"
Ye Li waved her hand. "Forget it. You're extremely busy yourself. Right now, Xincheng is waiting to be rebuilt from scratch, so it's bound to be a bit hectic. Things will improve after a while. I estimate that in a few days, there should be results on Han Mingyue's side as well. By then, An Si should also be back, so the people by my side will be more than enough."
Mo Xiurao wrapped his arms around her waist, muttering in her ear with some dissatisfaction, "If I had known Ah-Li was so good at training people, I should have remembered to dispatch a few female guards to Ah-Li back then."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "Is Your Highness feeling jealous?"
"My wife is wise and brilliant," Mo Xiurao chuckled in a low voice. Ye Li let out a soft hmph and said, "Your Highness is becoming more capable by the day. Now you're even getting jealous of the people around me?" Mo Xiurao sighed with a touch of grievance. He didn't want to make himself look like a resentful husband either, but Ah-Li was becoming more and more dazzling, and the time he spent with her was noticeably less than what Zhuo Jing and Qin Feng had with her. Most importantly, even up until now, Ah-Li had never said she loved him... Looking back, Zhuo Jing and the others should get married soon too...
"If you can't manage all the work, let Second Brother come over to help you."
Ye Li rolled her eyes. "Second Brother came under the title of Army Monitor. What would it look like for him to stay by my side?"
"With Second Brother, I feel at ease," Mo Xiurao muttered quietly.
"..."