255 Internal Strife: Ren Qining's Dilemma

Li smiled faintly. Could it be that because of her usual gentle behavior, this Miss Helian thought she wouldn’t dare to reject the marriage publicly"Princess Consort Ding," the Empress Dowager frowne...355. Internal Strife and Ren Qining's Dilemma

The innkeeper had indeed arranged everything very well; the trio were staying in a quiet courtyard at the back of the inn. Love Xuanchun Qu opened another entrance from an adjacent street, allowing them to come and go without arousing suspicion from outsiders. The next morning after Mo Xiuyao’s group rested overnight, the innkeeper came again to pay their respects.

Ye Li’s three companions had just finished breakfast when the innkeeper entered to ask, "Is there anything inappropriate in what I’ve prepared" Ye Li smiled and waved him off. "We don’t need many rules while traveling; my husband and I are used to it. Tan Ji-zhi" Seeing that Ye Li was leaving it up to him, Tan Ji-zhi could only苦笑and replied coolly, "Thank you for the Empress Dowager’s concern. Everything is fine." Even Prince Ding and his consort didn’t have any objections; how could someone who had just been freed from captivity

Mo Xiuyao asked indifferently, "After Ren Qining returned to the Northern Frontier, what has happened in the palace"

The innkeeper’s expression grew serious as he replied respectfully, "My lord, since Prince Ding returned to Changqing City, his temper seems very bad. As soon as he returned to the palace, he harshly criticized several nobles from the Northern Frontier who opposed him. In recent days, conflicts between the original tribal aristocrats of the Northern Frontier and former officials from the previous dynasty loyal to Prince Ding have become increasingly intense. The prince even repeatedly humiliated Princess Consort Yun for Princess Consort Helan’s sake, creating a tense situation in the palace. Tensions between the Northern Frontier people and former officials are likely to escalate into conflict at any moment."

“With things this serious, how can Ren Qining still have the mind to attack Zijing Pass” Ye Li asked curiously. They had just left the pass when they noticed that Ren Qining was also mobilizing his troops for another attack on Zijing Pass. Clearly, he and Yelü Ye’s alliance still existed. The innkeeper shook his head. "When Prince Ding returned to Changqing City, he immediately ordered the mobilization of troops to attack Zijing Pass. However, the tribal aristocrats of the Northern Frontier did not agree with the move, so the expedition has yet to commence. Over these two days, Prince Ding has again punished leaders from two tribes in the palace; it is only now that they have managed to assemble their forces." Although there were a million troops under the banner of the Northern Frontier, most of them came from Central Plains. But the main combat strength was still made up of people from the Northern Frontier. The million Central Plains soldiers had been forcibly conscripted over the past two years after occupying areas outside Zijing Pass. These men did not feel any sense of belonging to the Northern Frontier and were also poor soldiers. Ren Qining needed troops from the Northern Frontier if he wanted to attack Zijing Pass.

Ye Li said with a smile, "Ren Qining is indeed… No wonder Dongfang Hui would rather choose Mo Jingli than him." Entering the Northern Frontier as a prince-in-law and building his own kingdom with the strength of Northern Frontier people. Yet now that he had not yet stabilized his position, he was already eager to push out those from the Northern Frontier while still needing them for war. Even if the Northern Frontier people were not adept at scheming, they certainly weren’t fools; how could there be such a good thing as wanting horses to run but refusing to feed them

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "Ren Qining likely has no choice in this matter. The so-called former officials around him may have not met my face-to-face, but I can imagine their nature. After suffering through hardships for years alongside the last remnants of the previous dynasty, how could they allow people from the Northern Frontier tribes who they consider as barbarians to hold power over them Of course, they want to seize all power as soon as possible."

"Successfully reclaiming the kingdom" Tan Ji-zhi looked at Mo Xiuyao strangely. Ren Qining was still too timid even to display Lin Yuan’s name openly; how could this be considered a successful restoration of their dynasty Smirking, Mo Xiuyao said, "That's why I say… Tan Ji-zhi is actually much luckier than Ren Qining."

Tan Ji-zhi stared at him with an unpleasant expression. Unfazed, Mo Xiuyao said calmly, “You might think that standing in Ren Qining’s position you could do better; but it’s because you’ve never been there. So, Tan Ji-zhi can’t understand how painful it is to shoulder the expectations of your entire family and everyone around you for two hundred years from birth. At least, Doctor Lin never told you that you must restore the kingdom. Therefore, Tan Ji-zhi can choose to retreat; but Ren Qining has no way out."

"You are not Ren Qining; how do you know what he is going through" Tan Ji-zhi asked bluntly.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly and shook his head without saying anything. Although he had never been burdened with the mission to restore the kingdom for two hundred years like Tan Ji-zhi, the descendants of the Mo family were from birth destined to safeguard Chu; hence, Mo Xiuyao could understand Ren Qining’s feelings and predicament somewhat.

Ye Li sighed softly. "Ren Qining is indeed a talent; only too bad…" Someone with such strategic acumen and ambition as Ren Qining, without the influence of former officials from the previous dynasty or the weight of restoring his kingdom, might have been able to establish his own empire if he had remained simply as prince-in-law of the Northern Frontier. However, without those who had long served the Lin family, Ren Qining might not possess such skills and ambition. Victory and defeat are not something that can be explained in a few words.

Tan Ji-zhi was silent. Although he never acknowledged it, deep down he knew he could not match Ren Qining. No matter how you looked at it, Ren Qining had unified the Northern Frontier tribes and forced Chu’s imperial court to relocate southward; while Tan Ji-zhi had been busy for so many years without any achievement, ending up imprisoned by Mo Xiuyao.

“Since Ren Qining is preparing to mobilize troops, we should also expedite our plans. Shall I visit Princess Consort Helan” Ye Li asked.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Princess Consort Helan is intelligent; she will come to see me when she knows we are here. There’s no need to rush."

Tan Ji-zhi was taken aback, shaking his head and smiling bitterly. “Even Princess Consort Helan stands with you I can’t imagine it. What reasons does Ren Qining still have to not lose”

Ye Leye smiled and said, "Although Queen Helan is a northerner, she is an exceptionally smart woman. She has the wit and ability of a female hero." There was no doubt that Ye Leye admired Queen Helan very much; compared to Princess Anxi, Queen Helan had more ruthlessness and decisiveness. Just from her daring to bet everything on marrying Ren Qining as his queen, and her unhesitant decision to ally with the Ding王府 she hardly knew at all, it was clear that the saying about former spouses being bound by a hundred days of affection in Central China meant nothing to her. Therefore, she would not spare any mercy when scheming against her husband. In comparison, Princess Anxi tended to be more lenient towards her own family members.

Tan Jizhi sighed and said, "Indeed, there are many female heroes in today's world. The Ding王府 Consort, Princess Anxi, and Queen Helan all make us men feel ashamed."

Ye Leye smiled gently and replied, "Tan Junzi is being too flattering; how can I be compared to the Queen of Nanzhao or Queen Helan"

Tan Jizhi shook his head and said, "I actually think that the Ding王府 Consort is truly the smartest woman in this world."

Whether it was Princess Anxi or Queen Helan, they might eventually gain power over all of Central China, making even all men bow to them. But what they could get was only power. Ye Leye, although she was merely named the Ding王府 Consort, would never be seen as a mere appendage to the prince by anyone but rather someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him in everyone's eyes. Moreover, not only did she have an adored husband and supportive family members, but she also had two children. She already possessed everything that women desired in this world, and the best of all was her genuine love from her husband. Such a remarkable woman could not help but inspire admiration.

Moshouyao felt slightly sour hearing others praise Ye Leye, yet he still felt pleased. Though he wished only himself could see Agui's worth, he hoped even more that everyone would recognize her value and wouldn't dare slight her in any way. Besides, Moshouyao was no longer the severely injured and disfigured prince with a life hanging by a thread from years past; after ten years of marriage to Ye Leye, there was no need for him to doubt their relationship anymore. He felt confident that no one would be as worthy of Agui as he was, and his usual jealousy was merely an amusement.

"My Agui is naturally the smartest woman in this world; why do you mention it" Moshouyao said with a raised eyebrow.

Ye Leye glanced at him helplessly, speechless. She knew herself well enough to know that when it came to intelligence, she wouldn't be considered the most intelligent person either. What made her different was merely the unique experiences of a second life.

Tan Jizhi couldn't help but苦笑seeing the latent threat in Moshouyao's eyes. Even if he had the nerve, how could he even think about coveting the Ding王府 Consort If it were years ago, perhaps he might have had some thoughts, but after being tormented by Moshouyao for two years, not a single thought remained. No one didn't know that the Ding王 valued his consort more than his life; who would dare provoke the vengeful ghosts of Xi Ling Imperial City and Ren Qining's fate served as a warning. Moreover, the Ding王府 Consort wasn't someone to be trifled with either; anyone without any skill daring to provoke her would only bring shame upon themselves.

Moshouyao and Ye Leye temporarily stayed in Changqing city but were not in a hurry to deal with Ren Qining. Instead, they entrusted Tan Jizhi to handle these matters himself while the two of them leisurely wandered around Changqing City.

On this day, as they were having their meal, the innkeeper came to report that the vanguard of the Northern Frontier army had already set out for Purple Pea Pass and soon Ren Qining would personally lead his troops. Moshouyao smiled and said, "He’s quite confident; he doesn’t seem afraid at all of a fire in the rear." Ye Leye laughed, “It seems that despite their fierce temperaments, northerners are not unskilled at acting. Ren Qining probably only thinks that there is discord between the Northern Frontier people and former court officials from the previous dynasty, without realizing that they have plans to rebel against him.” Moshouyao said, "In Ren Qining’s view, the various parts of the Northern Frontier already lack leadership. He surely would not imagine that Queen Helan could be so capable. To put it bluntly, the Northern Frontier people are accustomed to self-governance among their tribes; without Queen Helan secretly coordinating behind the scenes, they will eventually rebel sooner or later."

"Go ahead and inform Commander Leng Huai at Purple Pea Pass," Moshouyao instructed.

The innkeeper was about to leave when a commotion erupted downstairs. Seeing them frown, he quickly left to investigate the situation. Moshouyao smiled suddenly and said to Ye Leye, "Agui, let’s go see what’s going on." They stepped out of their room from the second floor, overlooking several well-dressed men from Central China confronting some obviously Northern Frontier men in the main hall below. The northern men were robust and fierce-looking; it was clear they weren’t to be trifled with. However, although the Central Chinese looked weak and delicate like scholars, their aura was絲毫不遜, challenging each other fiercely.

The northerners aren't adept at verbal confrontations, so when they couldn't outwit the Central Chinese men, they turned red-faced and raged in fury. Soon enough, they were ready to fight hand-to-hand; although these central men themselves seemed unarmed, their bodyguards were highly skilled martial artists who wouldn’t be afraid of a fight.

As expected, before long, both sides started fighting. The innkeeper, accustomed to such scenes, hurriedly tried to mediate but was pushed back and hid behind the counter. In no time at all, the main hall of the inn was in shambles.

The combatants were so focused that they didn't even notice Ye Leye and Moshouyao descending from upstairs. The innkeeper quickly ushered them to a corner where they wouldn’t be hit. Curious about what was still happening downstairs, Moshouyao asked, "It seems you’re not worried at all"

The innkeeper rubbed his forehead with a bitter smile and said, “These days in Changqing City there’s no day without fighting. This little shop of mine has already seen this happen twice this month alone; if it were a place of entertainment, it would be even more so… wherever two groups meet, they fight.” As this inn was set up by the Ding王府 as a secret base, whether making money or losing it didn’t matter much to them. But if this were an ordinary civilian-run inn, it probably wouldn't have lasted long in such chaotic conditions. Changqing City itself was already rather desolate; besides former court officials and tribal nobles from the Northern Frontier, commoners here lived very poorly. There weren't many shops in the entire city either, so Ye Leye’s relatively simple inn often suffered.

Ye Leye frowned and asked, "Isn’t anyone managing this"

The shopkeeper shook his head and sighed, saying, "Who can control them Anyone who dares to fight in the city is a powerful figure from the royal court. The leader of the northerners is the youngest son of the second largest tribe's chief in the north, also known as the queen’s cousin. Those few Central Plains people are the illegitimate sons of the Prime Minister appointed by the King of the North, and one of them is the younger brother of Concubine Yun."

Moxiu Yao stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "They really are important figures after all."

Just as they were speaking, those who had been fighting gradually moved towards them. One of the Central Plains men was punched by a northerner and fell right in front of Ye Li. Moxiu Yao hummed lightly, flicking his sleeves to block the punch which caused the man to stumble and fall beside him. Unexpectedly, after getting back up, the man did not immediately seek out the man who had beaten him but instead fixed his gaze on Ye Li, a lecherous look in his eyes.

Although Ye Li had disguised her appearance, she still retained her graceful and elegant looks. This young man, though a high official's son under Ren Qining’s rule, had only seen tall and fit northern women during his time there, and hadn’t come across someone with such an outstanding presence since returning to the Great Chu Empire. Even Yun Concubine, the most favored consort in the palace, couldn't compare to Ye Li in terms of temperament. He ignored that he was still fighting with northerners and gazed lustfully at her beautiful face, smiling lecherously as he asked, "May I ask what your name is"

Ye Li was slightly taken aback but found it amusing. She had encountered many things over the years, but being flirted with in public like this was a first. Smiling, she replied, "How about you tell me yours" Seeing that Ye Li didn’t act shy at all, the man couldn’t help but be delighted and said, "I am the son of the current Prime Minister. Miss, why don't you accompany my lord to stay for a while in the Prime Minister’s mansion It would be too much trouble for you here in this dilapidated inn." He glanced at Moxiu Yao standing beside Ye Li with a look of disdain.

The shopkeeper subtly moved back. This son of the Prime Minister had been bullying people in Changqing city for over a year, but running into a prince was truly like lighting a candle in the toilet—it was courting death.

On the other hand, one of the northerners who were still fighting became furious when he saw his opponent fleeing to flirt with the woman instead of facing him. "Coward! If you have any guts, fight me for three hundred rounds!"

"Today I won’t bother with these barbarians from the north!" The son of the Prime Minister arrogantly said. Fighting northerners was a daily occurrence, but encountering such a beautiful woman wasn't something that happened every day. These northerners might not be very cunning or indirect, but their martial arts skills were much better than those sickly scholar-officials and noble sons. Therefore, they could tell these men weren’t easy to provoke and decided not to fight anymore. Instead, they stood by watching the spectacle with great interest.

Seeing that the northerners had stopped fighting, the son of the Prime Minister became even more pleased. Looking at the beautiful lady before him with her delicate smile and otherworldly demeanor, he felt an urge to act.

He reached out to grab Ye Li’s hand but was interrupted by a hand grabbing his wrist from beside him. The son of the Prime Minister was startled and turned to look at Moxiu Yao who had been standing silently beside him. "Who are you Let go of my lord immediately!"

Moxiu Yao’s lips curled into an extremely cold smile, and he squeezed slightly harder which caused the son of the Prime Minister to let out a blood-curdling scream. This also startled those who were watching.

"Rubbish! Do you know who I am" The son of the Prime Minister's face turned pale with beads of sweat pouring down his forehead. With just a light grip, this dark-robed man had caused his hand to break—he could clearly feel it. Even if there was a living god like Hua Tuo here, he would be powerless.

"I know, the son of the Prime Minister." Moxiu Yao said calmly with a glance at the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper immediately understood and waved his hand; the trembling waiters who had been hiding in the corner quickly closed the inn’s door agilely.

It was strange how deserted Changqing city was. In other cities, such an incident would surely attract onlookers. But here, most people couldn’t even afford food and clothing, let alone have time to waste in taverns or restaurants. The inn was located near where the nobles lived; it rarely saw many customers and those who did come were long gone by now when they saw the noble sons fighting. Now that these people were locked outside the inn, no one noticed. Those who passed by just thought the shopkeeper had closed up.

"What do you want" Once the door was shut, everyone sensed something was wrong. A few of the northerners tried to break through with their agility but the waiters, though seemingly unremarkable, were all trained and wouldn’t let them escape so easily.

"You… who exactly are you people" The son of the Prime Minister asked in a quavering voice.

Moxiu Yao casually threw him away and said coldly, "The descendants of former officials from the previous regime under Ren Qining Just a bunch of empty-headed fools!"

"You… You are incredibly bold! To even dare to call His Majesty's name so casually!"

Moxiu Yao scoffed disdainfully. "So what if I do I’ve already killed his entire family.

"You!" At this, everyone's expression changed. Since Mo Xiuyao had already said it, how could the others not know his identity "Y-you... You're the Prince of Ding" In recent years, Mo Xiuyao’s reputation hasn’t been good to hear. No wonder they were so frightened.

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "You don't need to be afraid. We won't kill people casually."

"Y-you... You're the Princess Consort of Ding" The son of the chancellor trembled as he spoke.

Ye Li smiled charmingly and replied, "I am indeed Ye Li."

The Prince of Ding and his princess consort. We haven’t offended you two," said a few people from the Northern Border after exchanging glances with each other. Even if they were barbarians, they also feared death. Mo Xiuyao’s reputation as someone comparable to a god of war was well-known even among them.

Ye Li smiled and said, "This young man is the cousin of Empress Helan, isn’t he Could you please inform Empress Helan that an old acquaintance wishes to meet her" This youth was also the son of a leader from one of the Northern Border tribes. He naturally had some schemes and knew many things as well. After hearing Ye Li’s words, his expression changed slightly as he nodded and said, "I will surely bring it over. May I ask if we can leave now"

Ye Li nodded her head and said, “Feel free to go.”

The few people from the Northern Border left safely. After seeing this, a group of young nobles from Central Plains hesitated for a moment before stepping forward to try to negotiate with Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li. "Prince, Princess Consort, we..." Said Ye Li, “You all may have to wait here for some time.”

The expressions of the others changed. "Princess Consort Ding, no matter how powerful you are, this is still the territory of the Northern Border!"

Mo Xiuyao sneered and said coldly, "If I want to detain you all, what can you do about it" The one who spoke was immediately left speechless. If Prince Ding wanted to detain them, what could they do

"Don’t you fear that officials from the imperial court might come looking for you"

"Isn't Ren Qining busy preparing for an expedition right now Would he have time to search for a few idle rich who are missing" Ren Qining's alliance with Yelü Ye was crucial for the Northern Border. Even if there were urgent matters, they wouldn’t affect Ren Qining’s deployment of troops. Moreover, it was just a few unlearned individuals going missing.

The son of the chancellor trembled and said, "My father will definitely send people to rescue me." The intense pain in his wrists caused his face to twist.

Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "You don’t need your father to rescue you. I’ll have someone take you back. Bring him away for Tan Jizhi; he knows what to do with him. As for the others, let’s lock them up first."

"This subordinate obeys," a shopkeeper stepped forward and carried the son of the chancellor into the backyard. The rest were also taken down one by one. In the mess left behind in the inn, it instantly became quiet. Smiling at Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li asked, "Do you plan to use these few people to incite conflict between the Northern Border and the former officials Will that work"

Mo Xiuyao’s smile turned cold as he replied, "Whether or not it works will be evident when we try it."t be able to deal with Prince Southern Command of West Qi. Ye Li thoughtfully rubbed her fingers and said with a slight smile, "Since... technology and intelligence can't solve this problem, we'll hav...