138 Transaction

for it!" Lady Wang cried out. Over 100,000 taels of silver was no small amount. How could she possibly make up for it"Hush! As a concubine who embezzled the dowry of her predecessor, do you think tha...138. Transaction

138. Dealings

In the dead of night, Ye Li walked through her study and along the winding corridors, frowning slightly when she looked up at the nearly full silver moon in the sky. Another month was approaching with its full moon night, yet Mo Xiuyao had still not returned from his mission to the Northern Rong. This situation could not help but worry her. Moreover, at present, Marquis Nan had clearly expressed his unwillingness to take charge of affairs, and she was commanding an army for the first time in her life with several tens of thousands of troops.

She did not feel as confident or calm as it appeared on the surface...

Xiuyao... Where are you now...

"Who! Come out!" Under the moonlight, Ye Li suddenly came to her senses and pointed towards the end of the corridor behind her.

After a moment, a tall figure emerged from around the corner. Ye Li was slightly taken aback, raised her eyebrows, and narrowed her cold eyes, "Young Master Mu, why are you here so late at night" Mu Yang looked somewhat complicated as he stared at his own hand that had just held Ye Li's delicate, slender, jade-like white hands harboring a hidden murderous intent.

Mu Yang lightly coughed and said, "I did not mean to offend. Please forgive me for disturbing the Queen Consort."

Ye Li smiled coolly and calmly withdrew her hand into her sleeve. She gently touched her hair beside her ear and asked, "So late at night, is there something you wish to say"

A look of surprise flashed across Mu Yang's face for a moment before he smiled lightly and said, "The Queen Consort truly has sharp wits beyond the ordinary. I just... May I ask if Marquis Nan has agreed to give all command authority over the army to you"

Ye Li narrowed her eyes and smiled coolly, "Although Your Highness is the heir of Mu Yang's Marquessate, you are not the Marquess himself. Moreover, even the Marquess does not have the right to interfere in military affairs. Young Master, you are merely a lieutenant under the deputy commander of the Southern Army."

Mu Yang did not get angry at Ye Li's obvious disdain for him. He crossed his arms and leaned against the railing of the corridor and said coolly, "I thought that the Queen Consort knew that..."

What is the true significance and role of your status as a captain" Ye Li smiled, raising an eyebrow. "So what Marquis Nan's heart breaks over Marquis Nan's heir whose whereabouts are unknown, unable to lead the army. Now that Xi Ling's troops have reached the city gates, Captain Mu, how do you think this should be handled"

In the face of the opposite woman's calm and composure, Mu Yang couldn't help but feel a sense of無奈和疲憊從心底深處升起。 He naturally understood what Princess Consort Ding meant. Originally, even with Marquis Nan’s status, it was somewhat difficult to control the Mo Family Army, let alone now when there wasn’t even time to change commanders in the midst of battle. Although he had the identity of an heir, he only held the rank of captain. Not to mention統領墨家軍，隻怕就是

想要率領一部分墨家軍，冇有葉璃這個定王妃點頭也不會有人買賬的。沐揚從來不是個不知天高地厚的人，所以他完全冇有想過去奪取墨家軍兵權這種打算。隻是，站在自己麵前的明明是一個還不滿雙十的女子，但是那舉手投足間流露出的氣勢和銳氣卻讓他這個堂堂七尺男兒也忍不住為之折服。這樣的女子，已經完全超越了沐揚所理解的女子的意義和範疇。彷彿完全不用依靠任何人，也冇有任何人可以難得住她，冇有任何人可以擋在她的前麵。沐揚突然想到那個即使曾經坐在輪椅裡也依然優雅從容的俊雅男子。這世上似乎隻有那樣

的男人才能匹配這樣的女子。

"Prince Mu" Ye Li frowned at the person looking at her in front of her.

Mu Yang snapped out of his thoughts, smiling apologetically. "Princess Consort is mistaken about my meaning. I had no intention of making things difficult for Princess Consort."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow but remained silent with a smile. Mu Yang said, "With the current unrest caused by King Li in the south and Xi Ling's invasion, not to mention the Northern Rong looking on from the north, only the Ding Kingdom Family and the Mo Family Army can clear out the enemies. Although I am not talented enough, I also understand that the welfare of the country is paramount; why would I make things difficult for Princess Consort" Ye Li sized him up before smiling faintly. "Prince Mu doesn't want to make things difficult for this consort, but aren't you afraid of the Empress in the palace making things difficult for you"

Mu Yang laughed heartily and said, "Thank you, Princess Consort, for your concern; I have my own thoughts on that matter. There is just one small matter I hope Princess Consort will agree to."

"The Crown Prince should speak frankly."

Mu Yang pondered for a moment and said, "I don't know if my father had any unpleasant history with the Ding Kingdom王府. I only hope that in the future, the Queen Consort will show some leniency on my account."

Ye Li was surprised; after a long time, she sighed softly and said, "Lord Mu Yang has indeed raised a good son. To have such a son is enough to comfort him for life. Very well, I accept your request."

Mu Yang bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency the Queen Consort."

Ye Li shook her head and said, "The Crown Prince doesn't need to thank me; this deal is not a loss for me. After all, compared to matters on the battlefield, other little grievances are insignificant." Mu Yang chuckled softly and said, "After Your Excellency the Queen Consort speaks like that, I feel ashamed down to my bones."

Ye Li smiled gently and said, "It's my mistake; please don't blame me. It is getting late, Your Highness should rest early."

"Your Excellency the Queen Consort, wait!" Mu Yang spoke hastily, "Your Excellency the Queen Consort… do you have any news about Yao Ji" Ye Li was somewhat surprised and turned to look at him; she clearly saw a mixture of worry and longing on his face under the moonlight. Ye Li shook her head and said quietly when she saw the disappointment flash across Mu Yang's face, "Your Highness, some people and things are missed once they're gone."

Mu Yang glared at her不甘ly and asked, "How does Your Excellency the Queen Consort know that it can't be made up" Ye Li said, "I don't know if there is such a thing as making amends in this world… but just like how copper mirrors cannot hide their cracks even after being mended, I wonder if Your Highness truly has a way to achieve both without compromise" A hint of frustration and regret flashed across Mu Yang's face; Ye Li said no more and turned to leave, her voice faint as she recited softly:

曾慮多情損梵行，入山又恐彆傾城。

世間安得雙全法，不負如來不負卿？

Translation of the poem:

I once feared that too much affection would harm my religious path, but entering the mountains made me fear leaving the city behind.

In this world, how can one achieve both How can I not disappoint the Buddha and also you

"How can one have it both ways in this world..." Mu Yang murmured softly, a faint bitter smile playing on his lips. He could never persuade Yao Ji to become the concubine of the Duke Mu Yang's mansion, just as he could never convince his proud parents to accept Yao Ji as their daughter-in-law. "To fulfill one’s vow without betraying oneself," does the person who wrote this verse also experience struggles and pain like himThe next morning, the Western Capital army surprisingly did not resume its attack. Ye Li sat in her study sorting out various reports on the war situation and analyzing the military affairs. When Nan Hou said he was unable to help, it wasn't an excuse; early that morning, just after Ye Li got up, someone reported that Nan Hou had fallen seriously ill. Although there were no renowned doctors in Jiangxia City, fortunately, the medical skills of the Mo Family Army’s soldiers were excellent. They hurriedly went over to treat him and informed Ye Li that although Nan Hou was not yet old, he had been living a life of luxury for years and thus became too exhausted during the military journey due to his anxiety and excessive worry, leading to his sudden illness.Helplessly, Ye Li could only instruct someone to take good care of him while secretly searching for Prince Nanhou. Just then, Qin Feng completed his mission and returned to Jiangxia City in secret last night. Early that morning, Ye Li summoned him to the study and instructed him on the matter of finding Prince Nanhou."Your Excellency Consort, Captain Yun got into a fight with someone at the training ground!" While talking with Qin Feng, someone hurriedly reported this news from outside.Ye Li raised her eyebrows in amusement and turned to Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing: "These days, we have been on the road non-stop. Yesterday there was a major battle, and today morning he could already start fighting again. It seems that we underestimated our Mo Family Army soldiers' abilities." Zhuo Jing rubbed his nose and chuckled softly, "Your Excellency Consort is right." Ye Li stood up, rubbing her shoulders, saying: "Since this is the case, let's go take a look."Because it was the time when both armies were facing each other, the Mo Family Army’s camp was stationed on an open field not far from Jiangxia City. Soldiers guarded all the road entrances around. In the middle of the camp, there was an empty space used as a temporary training ground. By the time Ye Li and others arrived, Yun Ting had already been wrestling with another young officer of similar age. Several high-ranking officers and many soldiers were watching and cheering from the side.Mu Yang, standing by to watch the spectacle, first spotted Ye Li entering and turned back to smile at her. Ye Li nodded indifferently; Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing cleared a path for them in front. Everyone was too engrossed in watching the two young officers who were equally talented but fighting fiercely that many did not even notice Ye Li walking up to the forefront."Your Excellency Consort," it was Mu Yang who noticed her first, reminding everyone else; their expressions changed slightly and they hurriedly greeted Ye Li, with some wanting to step forward and separate the fighters. Ye Li waved her hand and smiled: "No need, let them fight until there's a clear winner."Although Ye Li said this, the excitement in the training ground immediately diminished with her presence. Many people showed awkward and restrained expressions on their faces. Ye Li didn’t mind; she smiled sideways at Mu Yang standing beside her and asked, “Prince Mu, who do you think has better chances of winning”Mu Yang gave a knowing smile, raising his eyebrows: "From my observation, Captain Yun Ting seems to be in the stronger position." At once, several officers showed discontented looks. One officer blurted out frankly, “Based on what I’ve seen, Instructor Chen is more skilled!”When he said this, seeing no displeasure on Ye Li’s face, everyone relaxed and began to cheer for the young officer of surnamed Chen.Mu Yang whispered a smile to Ye Li: "Your Excellency Consort, it seems like the Mo Family Army soldiers are also quite xenophobic." Yun Ting was now part of the Mo Family Army and had been personally cultivated by Princess Consort Ding. However, he was still relatively new, and many people who joined the army later in life were naturally looking down on him due to his abrupt appearance.e had very few people around her. In the past, because Ye Li preferred peace and quiet, she didn’t want servants following after her every move; hence, she didn’t mind much. However, if she were to ma...