The First Jasmine - Chapter 157
Chapter 157 - Setting Out on the Campaign
Having reached an agreement, Ye Li generously granted Han Mingyue a certain degree of freedom. Similarly, out of consideration for Han Mingyue, she no longer had people shadow Su Zhidie's every step to confine her to that small courtyard. Han Mingyue was a smart man, naturally knowing what actions would be best for himself and Su Zhidie. The Prince of Zhennan indeed valued Han Mingyue, but that was because of the power and wealth he held in his hands. As for the current Han Mingyue, who had nothing left, he would fearfully only become the cannon fodder upon which the Prince of Zhennan vented his rage. As for Su Zhidie, Han Mingyue was equally clear that neither Mo Xiurao nor Ye Li would afford her much patience; thus, if Han Mingyue wanted Su Zhidie to live well, the best way was to keep a close eye on her himself.
Having once again achieved victory in a confrontation against the Prince of Zhennan, Ye Li's mood did not grow any better because of it. This was because she was exceedingly clear that the current situation remained exceptionally disadvantageous for Prince Ding's Manor. Looking at the generals filing in and out of Mo Xiurao's study every day, Ye Li knew in her heart that another parting was right before them.
Three days later, news arrived that Jiangxia was under siege once more. Mo Xiurao quietly gazed at the gentle woman sitting beside him, his eyes filled with deep guilt and reluctance to part. The seven hundred thousand strong troops of the Mo Family Army were already standing ready in armor, yet for the first time in his life, he hesitated before stepping onto the battle path. He had never so thoroughly detested and hated Mo Jingqi's selfish, despicable methods; if possible, how he wished he could have his Ah Li remain by his side no matter where he went! Ye Li looked with amusement at the man before her, who was showing a rare childlike streak. Reaching out, she rubbed his handsome face and said softly, "It's time for you to set out. Rest assured, whether it's Xincheng, Jiangxia, or the entire Northwest, I will guard them all properly for you."
Mo Xiurao reached out to pull her tightly into his arms. The eyes of this man, who had almost never shed a tear, grew somewhat moist and burning hot, yet he did not wish for his wife to discover his momentary weakness. At times... love did not need to be spoken aloud; at times, certain words and actions were far more capable of expressing its meaning than the word "love" itself.
"Ah Li..."
Ye Li pursed her lips into a faint, subtle smile, raising her arms to return his embrace. "Do you not trust me?"
Mo Xiurao shook his head. "In this world, if I cannot even trust Ah Li, who else can I believe in?"
"Since that's the case, rest easy and do what you must." Ye Li held his shoulders, raising her head to speak with solemnity. By nature, she was not one given to lingering coyness; even if she was unwilling to part, she understood even more clearly in her heart that certain things had to be done. Since that was the case, she would guard this vast land of the Northwest for him, leaving him with no further worries behind him. The burden heaven had pressed onto this man's shoulders was already heavy enough; since she had chosen him, then let her share some of it for him. "Ah Li, once this war ends, no one will ever be able to make you leave my side again," Mo Xiurao gritted his teeth and declared, fiercely kissing the fragrant, sweet lips of the person in his arms. The deep kiss lasted until both were somewhat breathless before they separated. Ye Li laughed softly, "I won't forever remain beneath your wings, Mo Xiurao. If I have settled on a person, I will want to stand side by side with him." Mo Xiurao trapped her in his arms, saying with dissatisfaction, "You have never hidden beneath my wings. However... this Prince looks forward to a life spent walking side by side with Ah Li."
Having seen Mo Xiurao off, Ye Li stood atop the city wall of Xincheng, gazing into the distance at that receding figure. Mo Xiurao had not taken away the troops and horses of Xincheng, because Xincheng and the entire Northwest region were likewise facing formidable enemies numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Following him to race toward the new battlefield were only Lu Jinxian and a few other generals, whereas Feng San—who had always been by his side and could be called a confidant among confidants—was left behind in Xincheng.
Han Mingyue stood in a corner of the city tower, looking at the clear and elegant woman standing by the parapet gazing off into the distance, a trace of an extremely complex expression flashing in his eyes. It seemed like envy, like relief, and like disappointment all at once.
"Prince Ding certainly puts his mind at ease," walking over to stand beside Ye Li, Han Mingyue sighed softly.
Ye Li turned her head to glance at him, offering a calm and subtle smile. "I am his wife; if even I cannot put his mind at ease, who else can?" Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow, asking with a smile, "This time is different from the time in Yonglin, and the Prince of Zhennan is no King of Li either. Is Your Grace truly not afraid in the slightest?" Ye Li turned around, looking at him with a half-smile as she said, "If being afraid could solve the problem, then... I would be very afraid." Having said that, she paid no further attention to whatever else Han Mingyue wanted to say, speaking instead to Feng San, who stood not far away, "Dispatch people to reinforce General Yuan Pei. Additionally, scatter the main army into various parts of the Northwest; Xincheng does not need so many people." Feng Zhiyao's sword-like brows knitted slightly, as he said with some disapproval, "Your Grace, if we disperse our forces, I fear it will be disadvantageous for defending Xincheng." Ye Li said calmly, "Who said we were going to defend Xincheng? What we must do is drag the Prince of Zhennan and his center-route army of hundreds of thousands down in the Northwest, leaving him with no time to mess with the Prince. As for Xincheng... besides the Mo Family Army, how many commoners are left in this city right now? As great chaos arises, how many people will continue to pay attention to a mere town in the Northwest? Starting from now... the Central Plains is the important stage of this world."
Feng Zhiyao was silent for a moment before cupping his hands, "Your subordinate obeys the order."
Watching Feng Zhiyao turn and leave, Han Mingyue laughed and sighed, "Feng San has always been arrogant, refusing to listen to anyone except Xiurao's words. I didn't expect him to be thoroughly convinced by Your Grace." Not only Feng Zhiyao—even he marvelled in his heart at the courage and decisiveness of the woman before him, who was not yet twenty years old. He also finally understood why the cold-hearted Mo Xiurao held this Princess Consort Ding in such high regard. Such a woman was enough to cause the formidable figures and heroes of the world to be intoxicated and fall completely.
Watching Ye Li walk down the city tower, Han Mingyue looked toward a certain shadowed spot on the tower and said softly, "Do you understand the difference between you and her now?"
Out from the shadows, Su Zhidie walked out in silence. Her peerlessly beautiful face was filled with gloom and unwillingness—not only because of Mo Xiurao's trust in Ye Li, but even more so because she clearly knew she lacked Ye Li's capability and daring drive. Watching Ye Li calmly and composedly deploy the three armies, the air of authority she displayed when issuing commands made her envious, even longing to possess such power herself. Yet deep in her heart, she likewise understood that she lacked that kind of strength, just as someone born of a prominent family, raised in the inner chambers, and accustomed to palace intrigues could not comprehend a single order issued by Ye Li at all. Letting out an unwilling soft hmph, she said, "So what?"
Han Mingyue was speechless. After a half-moment of silence, he said, "Let's go. Once the war ends, we will leave this place. Do not do anything unnecessary; if you anger Princess Consort Ding, even I won't be able to save you."
Su Zhidie gritted her teeth, glaring at Han Mingyue for a long while, but in the end, she said nothing more.
Mo Xiurao's departure signaled the end of the brief peace that Xincheng had enjoyed. Atop the city wall, the soldiers of the Mo Family Army stood in battle array, guarding against the Xiling army lurking greedily beneath the city with extreme vigilance. In accordance with Ye Li's orders, Feng Zhiyao had secretly dispatched the majority of the Mo Family Army out of Xincheng. The Prince of Zhennan might have noticed, or might not have noticed, or perhaps felt that a Xincheng without many defenders better suited his interests. Almost every day, battles of varying scales took place outside Xincheng, yet the Xiling army, which had previously been advancing with irresistible force, was never able to set foot past the gate of Xincheng like last time. Meanwhile, reports coming from all over the Northwest—along with the Mo Family Army forces that seemed to suddenly cover the entire Northwest region—caused the Prince of Zhennan's deeply furrowed brows to remain tight even upon receiving news that Mo Xiurao was being surrounded by nearly eight hundred thousand troops. He had already come to realize the true intentions of that woman in Xincheng, who occasionally appeared on the city tower to look indifferently upon the bloody storm below. Yet at this point... he was already unable to extricate himself and pull back. Without completely conquering the Northwest, his intention to reach into the Central Plains could only meet with total defeat. What infuriated him even more was that even the news of Mo Xiurao being surrounded by heavy troops failed to cause the woman in the city to display the slightest trace of emotion or panic. While occasionally mocking Mo Xiurao for marrying a heartless, ruthless wife, he couldn't help but secretly guess just what kind of woman she was.
Atop the city wall, Ye Li finished handling the military and political affairs of the city as usual, ascending the tower to overlook the rolling banners of the Xiling army camp in the distance.
"Your Grace..." Feng Zhiyao ascended the city tower. Looking at the slender and soft back of the woman before him, he couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart. Only those close to her knew just what kind of pressure and heavy burden this young woman was bearing. At the same time, the resilience and decisiveness of the woman before them made the soldiers of the entire Mo Family Army all the more genuinely convinced and devoted—simply because she was Ye Li, not merely because she was Princess Consort Ding.
Ye Li turned her head with a faint smile, "Feng San, is something the matter?"
Feng Zhiyao frowned as he looked at her somewhat pale face, saying with concern, "Your Grace's health seems not so good these past few days; should we have a physician take a look?" Ye Li shook her head and said, "It's just some fatigue. If Xiling's Prince of Zhennan were so easy to deal with, he would be unworthy of his reputation as Xiling's God of War. I am quite nervous too."
Feng Zhiyao looked at her and laughed, "Your subordinate certainly cannot tell that Your Grace has any intention of being nervous. That we can drag the Prince of Zhennan and the majority of Xincheng's forces down in the Northwest has reduced the Prince's opposing forces by at least one-third; Your Grace's merit cannot be understated."
"One-third..." Ye Li pondered for a moment, then asked, "How are things on the Prince's end right now?"
Feng Zhiyao hesitated for a moment, but still spoke truthfully, "Although all personnel of the Mo Family Army are already within the Prince's grasp, Xiling, Nanzhao, and the King of Li are currently causing trouble at the same time. The Prince has only a bit over five hundred thousand troops in hand; dealing with enemies on three fronts leaves him entirely unable to attend to everything. Furthermore, he has to guard against that person in the capital making underhanded moves from behind."
"How many people does the Prince currently need to deal with?"
"At least eight hundred thousand," Feng Zhiyao said in a heavy voice.
Ye Li let out a cold laugh and said, "It's not guarding against him making underhanded moves—he has already made his move. Nanzhao is a small nation, its total military force will not exceed three hundred thousand; in the south, Mo Jingli must guard against Mo Jingqi, so he can squeeze out two hundred thousand at most; as for Xiling... Lei Tengfeng's troop unit will not exceed two hundred thousand either."
Feng Zhiyao's expression shifted slightly as he said, "There is currently no news of garrisoned troops from various parts of Great Chu joining the war, which means... Mo Jingqi has secretly hidden at least several hundred thousand troops!"
Ye Li closed her eyes slightly, letting out a soft sigh, "Mo Jingqi is thoroughly set on destroying Prince Ding's Manor and the Mo Family Army."