gly good mood. When he had taken the risky step of rebelling and raising arms against his brother, although he had only occupied half of Jiangnan temporarily, it was still much better than before. Peo...409. Armed Confrontation

409. Armed Confrontation

"I pay my respects to the Duchess," a black-clad figure knelt before Ye Li’s desk inside Phoenix Pass fortress, speaking in a low and solemn voice.

Ye Li looked at him calmly and asked, "Where is His Highness"

The black-clad man reported respectfully, "His Highness has led one million troops to approach Phoenix Pass. He will arrive within two days." Ye Li nodded. "Does His Highness have any other instructions" The black-clad man took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it to her, saying, "This is what His Highness instructed me to give to the Duchess." Ye Li received the letter and scanned through it quickly before nodding calmly, "I understand. You may leave now."

The black-clad man looked at Ye Li's calm demeanor and hesitated for a moment. As one of Mo Xiuyao’s trusted guards, he instinctively felt that something was amiss with the Duchess but couldn’t pinpoint what it was. He respectfully bowed out, "Your Highness take care. I withdraw." The study soon returned to its usual tranquility. Ye Li looked down at the letter in her hand, a faint smile playing on her lips, "Xiuyao... Have you thought about what we should do if Phoenix Pass falls"

"Duchess," Feng Zhirao said solemnly from outside.

"Come in."

Feng Zhirao entered and after glancing at Ye Li, hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Highness, is His Highness returning"

Ye Li nodded with a gentle smile, "Indeed. He will be back within two to three days."

Feng Zhirao’s face lit up with joy but saw Ye Li's expression remained calm and somewhat puzzled, "Duchess, Xiuyao is returning, you’re not happy"

Ye Li looked at him and asked languidly, "Fengsan, do you think we can hold out until Xiuyao returns" Feng Zhirao was taken aback, "Does the Duchess mean" Ye Li sighed softly, "A whole million troops... How could Lei Zhenting not know Tomorrow, the Western Capital’s army will likely intensify their attacks." Feng Zhirao frowned, "Tomorrow, Lei Zhenting will still attack the city" Ye Li smiled faintly, "If he cannot capture Phoenix Pass before His Highness arrives, his only option is death. If it were you, would you fight or not"

Feng Zhirao’s expression gradually became serious as he asked, "What does His Highness plan to do"

Ye Li reached out to hand the letter over. Feng Zhirao took it and frowned as he looked at Ye Li, "His Highness requested that Lady Wang leave Feihong Pass first, but it seems like…" It appeared that Lady Wang had no intention of leaving at all. Feng Zhirao tried to persuade her, “Since His Highness has already made arrangements, shouldn’t Lady Wang leave for the time being” Feng Zhirao knew about Mo Xiuyao's temper well. If anything happened to Lady Wang, everyone would be held responsible.

Ye Li gave him a cold look and asked, "Leave Where am I supposed to go"

"Of course back to Licheng City," Feng Zhirao said. "His Highness will arrive soon and as long as Lady Wang leaves Feihong Pass she should be safe. Even if Lei Zhenting is fast, he won’t possibly make it all the way to Licheng City"

"Third Brother Feng, Lei Zhenting is now like a caged beast," Ye Li asked softly. "Do you know what will happen if he enters Feihong Pass" Feng Zhirao fell silent as Ye Li continued, “He’ll drag all the people of Northwest into disaster, not because Lei Zhenting is cruel by nature but because he has no other choice. At this point, Lei Zhenting won’t think about turning things around anymore. Instead, he will try to bring Mo Family Army down with him and at the same time buy time for Western Liang.”

"If that’s true then Lady Wang must leave immediately," Feng Zhirao said solemnly. "Lady Wang can rest assured, as long as I still have breath in me, no army from Western Liang will set foot on Feihong Pass. But please, Lady Wang, leave Feihong Pass immediately." Ye Li looked at Feng Zhirao and shook her head. Feng Zhirao frowned worriedly, “Lady Wang! Please reconsider, if anything happens to you…”

"Third Brother Feng," Ye Li said solemnly as she stared into Feng Zhirao’s eyes. "I won’t leave. As long as there is a soldier left in Feihong Pass I will not leave them alone. Today, when I abandoned the Qilin (a mythical creature), I can tell myself that it was for Feihong Pass. Now… what am I giving up and abandoning these soldiers for My life Third Brother Feng, there are some things in this world that are more important than one’s life." Feng Zhirao fell silent as Ye Li’s thoughts were not lost on him. In fact, if it had been any other general who planned to abandon his subordinates and base before a major battle, he would have hated and looked down upon them. But Ye Li was different, not only because she was a woman but also because she was the main wife of Ding Wang (Duke) Mo Xiuyao’s most important person. Perhaps in the eyes of the soldiers including Feng Zhirao, Lady Duchess herself was someone worth protecting at all costs with their lives and blood. But they didn’t understand that Ye Li was not only Lady Duchess but also Mo Xiuyao’s wife and lover. She was a soldier who fought on the battlefield to die wrapped in horsehide skin, which was the fate of soldiers. Abandoning the city and fleeing was something a true soldier would never do.

Feng Zhirao hesitated for a moment before asking, "Lady Wang, aren’t you… angry at His Highness…" In the beginning when he didn't know what was going on, Feng Zhirao had no feelings. But once he fully understood Mo Xiuyao’s plan, there was a faint feeling that this time His Highness’ actions would not be accepted by Lady Wang.

As an officer of Ding王府 and a good friend of Mo Xiuyao, Feng Zhirao did not think that Mo Xiuyao's decision was wrong in any way. But at the same time, as one of those who were now guarding Feihong Pass, Feng Zhirao clearly understood from the beginning that these soldiers left behind by Mo Xiuyao would be destined to sacrifice themselves. It wasn’t Mo Xiuyao’s fault; as the highest commander of Ding王府 and Mo Family Army, his decisions were undoubtedly correct and in the interest of the entire Ding王府 and Mo Family Army. However, was it fair to those who died defending Feihong Pass A military leader's decision could determine the life or death of countless people. So Feng Zhirao knew that he would never truly become a great general.

Ye Li was stunned for a while and when Feng Zhirao thought she wouldn’t answer, she smiled faintly and shook her head, "No, I understand his meaning."

Ye Li hadn’t read all those military strategy books from her previous life in vain. At critical moments, she could even expound on the theories better than Mo Xiuyao without being rebutted by anyone. But compared to Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao was truly a talented commander. His decisions were never wrong; battles that were originally expected to last several years ended swiftly under his command, and then all the people in Central Plains could once again enjoy peace. Even if one calculated the number of sacrifices, leaving Feihong Pass guarded by soldiers would result in far fewer casualties than continuing with a prolonged war.

However, some things that can be understood are hard to accept. Even if they were acceptable, it was difficult to do them when they came down to oneself. At the very least, Ye Li couldn’t do it. When hundreds of thousands of soldiers fought for Feihong Pass with blood and sweat, Ye Li could not escape alone and then enjoy the glory and brilliance after the war ended. In essence, in her bones, she remained a soldier rather than a politician.

Seeing that Feng Zhirao wanted to say something else, Ye Li waved her hand, "No more needs to be said. Unless you plan on attacking me from below to knock me out. But if you do this, I will come back myself too. Third Brother Feng, if I escape from this battle, I won’t feel at ease for the rest of my life." Feng Zhirao was silent for a while before sighing, "I understand. But… Lady Wang, please take care."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Of course, there are still people waiting for me to return."

Unable to persuade Ye Li, Feng Zhiyao could only reluctantly retreat. He was very clear that what Ye Li said might well become reality; at this moment, Lei Zhenting had no hope of reversing the situation. Even if he managed to enter Feihong Pass, once Mo Xiuyao's army arrived, they would quickly be annihilated. Therefore, it was indeed highly likely that Lei Zhenting would take a desperate gamble and wreak havoc within Feihong Pass. As soldiers of the Mo family's army, they could not stand idly by while their homeland bled and suffered. Thus, they had no choice but to fight until the last soldier, delaying time as much as possible so that Mo Xiuyao could arrive on schedule with his troops.

"The Princess Consort of Ding王府 doesn't want to leave" Under the moonlight, Han Mingyue looked exceptionally handsome, and the faint moonlight cast an unusual tranquility upon him. Feng Zhiyao sighed and shrugged, saying, "Didn’t you guess this long ago"

Han Mingyue nodded, saying, "If Princess Consort of Ding王府 were to leave now, she wouldn't be Princess Consort of Ding王府 anymore. As for Mo Xiuyao, he's truly willing to let go." Hadn't Feng Zhiyao been certain that Ye Li would follow his wishes just because Mo Xiuyao had sent a letter back Feng Zhiyao smiled bitterly and said, "Didn’t His Excellency think the young prince was still in Feihong Pass Even if she doesn’t consider herself, shouldn’t she leave for the sake of the young prince"

Han Mingyue smiled, saying, "Unfortunately, he doesn't know that Princess Consort of Ding王府 had already sent the young prince away earlier."

"That’s true." Feng Zhiyao frowned with worry and asked Han Mingyue, “Why don’t you leave” Han Mingyue calmly replied, “I’m alone; it's all the same wherever I go.”

“Tomorrow… The safety of the Princess Consort is entrusted to you,” said Feng Zhiyao solemnly. Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow and asked, "Do you trust me" Feng Zhiyao lifted his head and gave him a cold look, saying, "If I don’t trust you, why am I wasting words with you" Han Mingyue nodded seriously, saying, “I trust you.”

“Thank you,” said Feng Zhiyao.

In the study, Qin Feng and Lin Han stood before the desk and spoke gravely. Both were injured; Qin Feng's left shoulder was wrapped in white cloth while Lin Han looked pale despite no visible injuries. Ye Li put down her pen and frowned at them, asking, "Why aren’t you resting"

Qin Feng replied solemnly, "Subordinate requests to accompany the Princess Consort into battle tomorrow."

Lin Han followed up, saying, “I do as well.”

"Nonsense!" Ye Li coldly rebuked them. "With injuries, you should be resting and recuperating instead of thinking you have more lives than others or that the world would stop spinning without you."

Qin Feng and Lin Han exchanged a glance before Qin Feng stepped forward and said, “Subordinate earnestly requests Princess Consort’s permission; this is not only our request but also the plea of over a hundred brothers who returned just now.”

Ye Li sneered and asked, "And then what You drag your injuries into battle and let the Qilin clan perish because of it The order came from me! Even if there’s to be a sacrifice, it doesn’t start with you!

"Subordinates dare not!" Qin Feng and the other person quickly knelt down.

Ye Li quietly looked at the two of them for a while before sighing softly, "Get up. I understand your feelings... but I hope you also understand that the sacrificed Qilins would never want to see you join them in death. Instead, they wish for all survivors to live well and carry on their legacy."

Ye Li truly understood their feelings. The bond between the Qilin soldiers was even deeper than those of the Mo Family Army or Black Cloud Cavalry. They were chosen as elites from various forces, and most had gone through a period where they initially disliked each other but gradually became close. They endured harsh training together, completing numerous difficult missions side by side. That was true camaraderie. After this loss of nearly ninety percent of their force, the survivors wouldn’t feel like they were living on borrowed time or that they narrowly escaped death; instead, many would blame themselves for surviving and feel guilty.

Ye Li had seen such cases before—soldiers who survived brutal battles but ended up taking their own lives rather than dying by enemy blades.

"Lady Wang..." Qin Feng’s eyes were red. These Qilin soldiers were personally selected and trained by them, more like brothers, students, and nephews to them. Seeing so many die in front of them without being able to help was a pain that made them question the meaning of their existence.

Ye Li stood up straight and said seriously, "Go back and tell them that as long as this concubine still has life, I will personally bring General Lei Zhen Ting’s head back to honor our fallen soldiers. But... I hope they all live well and carry on the legacy of Qilin."

"Subordinates obey," Qin Feng and Lin Han said as they stood up.

Qin Feng then added hesitantly, "However, subordinate still wishes to accompany Lady Wang into battle. Subordinate is not only a commander of Qilin but also a bodyguard for Lady Wang. As long as I have not fallen in battle, I must be by her side and protect her safety."

"Subordinate has the same intention. Subordinate is an undercover guard from Ding Prince's Manor, whose purpose is to ensure Lady Wang’s safety. Please allow it," Lin Han said.

Ye Li looked at them with a difficult expression; Lin Han then said, "Lady Wang need not worry, subordinate’s injuries do not hinder anything." Qin Feng nodded and added, "Subordinate isn’t hindered either, just minor skin wounds."

The study was silent for a long time until Ye Li lifted her head after a while, looking at the two of them sternly, "Since you know there's going to be a tough battle tomorrow, why aren't you resting"

"Yes, subordinate takes leave," they both happily said as they hurriedly bowed and took their leave.

Indeed, just before dawn the next day, news of the Western Capital’s troops advancing arrived from outside the city gate. Ye Li appeared on the city wall with Yuan Pei and others; in the dim light between night and morning, she saw the Western Capital’s army arrayed below, a dark mass that sent chills down one's spine even before combat began. It was unclear what Lei Zhen Ting had done to make his troops look so formidable after yesterday's battle.

"Western Capital’s Southern King Lei Zhen Ting requests an audience with Lady of Ding," under the city gate, Lei Zhen Ting was not hiding behind his army this time but instead rode up front and looked up at those on the wall. Even his usual bodyguards were nowhere to be seen; it seemed that Lei Zhen Ting no longer cared about life or death, as though an arrow from the soldiers atop the city walls wouldn’t matter.

Ye Li was slightly surprised and took a step forward, revealing herself between two battlements on the city wall. She said coolly, "I am Ye Li here. I wonder what Lord Zhen Nan wants to instruct me"

Thunder Le霆 laughed indifferently, saying, "There’s nothing much. It's just that there are some questions this lord wants to talk about with Madam Ding Wang privately. Originally, it was intended to talk with King Ding, but... Now it seems as if I may not have the opportunity."

"Since things have come to this point, does Lord Zhen Nan still think there’s anything worth talking about" Thunder Le霆 waved his hand indifferently and said, "This lord doesn’t really care either. It's just that some matters are only resolved when they’re spoken out."

Ye Li frowned, and Feng Zhiyao and the others hurriedly tried to persuade her, saying, "Madam, there’s no need to waste words with him."

However, Ye Li knew that talking privately with Thunder Le霆 would not be detrimental to the Black Cloud Cavalry. At least, it could buy them some time. Whether long or short, for the current garrison commander of Feihong Pass, the longer they managed to delay matters, the more advantageous it was for them.

Below the city wall, Thunder Le霆 looked up at Ye Li and smiled saying, "If Madam feels uneasy, this lord can enter the city alone and talk with Madam."

"No need," Ye Li said calmly as she leaped off the battlement to land gracefully beside the city gate below. Looking at Thunder Le霆, she said, "Lord Zhen Nan, if you have anything to say, come over here."

The moment Ye Li landed, Zhuo Jing, Qin Feng and Lin Han, who had been following her, also jumped down and positioned themselves in a triangular formation behind her. Up on the city wall, Black Cloud Cavalry archers aimed their bows at Thunder Le霆 below. As soon as he made any suspicious move, whether successful or not, the Black Cloud Cavalry’s arrows would pierce him like porcupine quills. With Qin Feng and others blocking in front of Ye Li, the chance for Thunder Le霆 to strike a fatal blow was virtually zero.

Thunder Le霆 smiled calmly as he urged his horse forward.

"Your Excellency, don’t!" The officers behind him also tried to stop him. They were not the only ones who felt uneasy about this situation. Thunder Le霆 waved his sleeve, indicating that everyone should cease their objections and proceeded alone towards Ye Li below the city wall.

When he stopped a few steps away from Ye Li, he did not mind Qin Feng's vigilant gaze. After staring at Ye Li for some time, he sighed with regret, saying, "Throughout my life, I have been free-spirited and rarely met an equal opponent. However, I always lost to the people of Ding Wang’s household. These years, I have been pondering why this is so and how to defeat Mo Xiuyao. But now... It seems that it has also failed."

Ye Li remained silent. She knew that Thunder Le霆 only wanted to say something rather than seeking an answer from her. As expected, Thunder Le霆 did not mind her silence but continued saying, "Now that I’ve reached this point… From the moment Western Ling and Great Chu allied with Northern Rong, they fell into Mo Xiuyao’s scheme. Esteeming myself as a man of great talent and wisdom, I admit that my capabilities still fall short in calculating to this extent. I reckon... Even Qingchen, the peerless genius, wouldn’t have such scheming plans either. King Ding Wang, Mo Xiuyao… indeed has extraordinary cunning. Madam, don't you think so"

Ye Li smiled coolly and said, "If Lord Zhen Nan were to fall from a high place to the dust one day, just like him, forcing himself to suppress all emotions and endure pain in front of enemies with whom he has deep-seated grudges, perhaps then Lord Zhen Nan would understand why he can do this."

Not only Thunder Le霆 but even Ye Li often felt alarmed by Mo Xiuyao's planning. If Mo Xiuyao didn't want to talk about it, Ye Li believed that he could certainly keep the entire world in ignorance after ascending to the throne.

"Madam is right," Thunder Le霆 had no choice but to admit that she was correct. He was truly a favored son of heaven; besides facing Mo Liufang’s severed arm grudge, he rarely encountered setbacks throughout his life. Whatever he wanted to do, he always managed to accomplish it—except for matters concerning Ding Wang’s household.

Lai Zhen霆 looked at Ye Li, who was calm and composed. There were traces of admiration and amazement in his weathered eyes. Given the current situation, even if he did not mention what would become of Xi Ling’s army, Flying Plover Pass could definitely be breached within two hours. The garrison of Mo Family Army guarding Flying Plover Pass, as well as Ye Li’s fate, was almost predictable. Even under such circumstances, she could still remain so composed; this feat was beyond the capabilities of any man. The woman before him truly deserved respect and admiration from every man in the world.

"I originally thought that Your Excellency the Empress would leave Flying Plover Pass last night," Lai Zhen霆 said.

Ye Li spoke solemnly, "This concubine is not only the empress of Ding Wang’s household but also a member of the Mo Family Army. There are no soldiers in our army who run away without fighting."

Lai Zhen霆 nodded and praised her, "Excellent courage. Although I have said this before, I will say it again. The luckiest thing Ding Wang has done in his lifetime is marrying such a remarkable empress." Speaking of which, Lai Zhen霆 felt somewhat regretful for not having resorted to any means to bring the woman back to Xi Ling at that time. What made him even more regretful was why this woman became Empress Consort of Ding Wang Could it really be that heaven did not want the destruction of Ding Wang’s Household

Ye Li smiled slightly and said, "The luckiest thing in Ye Li's life is marrying Ding Wang."

"Does Your Excellency know what this王爺will do once Xi Ling’s troops enter the pass" Lai Zhen霆 asked solemnly. Ye Li replied calmly, "No matter what Prince of Southern Peace wants to do, he has to get past this concubine first."

Lai Zhen霆 could not help but smile and said, "It seems that Your Excellency already guessed it. There doesn’t seem to be any intention on Your Excellency’s part to compromise."

Ye Li lowered her gaze and said, "At this point… is there still room for compromise between us" At this juncture, they were destined to fight until the death.

Lai Zhen霆 praised her, "Right. In that case, let this王爺see how tenacious the Mo Family Army really is. And also... this王爺also wants to see whether Ding Wang will still have the heart to scheme when he loses what he cherishes most." Finished speaking, Lai Zhen霆 nodded at Ye Li and turned his horse back towards his army.

Ye Li nodded and said, "Reciprocal."

Tears in my eyes... I got car sick again today; my stomach is cramping up~a share of responsibility from the old curmudgeon Mu Yang Marquisate. His letting go of Mu Yang back then wasn’t for him to return and enjoy family bliss with the Mu Yang Marquisate. Although the main...