ALL NOVEL Under the tree in the yard, Mo Xiu Yao sat against the trunk at leisure with his eyes fixed gently on the slender girl who was quick and fierce.
A dagger glistening with cold light turned up in her hand now and then. Nimble as she was, she went past several wooden figures in various postures in an instant and left each one with a visible fatal wound on the neck or chest. Ye Li’s performance wasn’t much of a pleasure to the eye but full of killing intent.
However, to the man that was in the yard watching, it was more mesmerizing than any dance performance.
Secret guards that were in the dark all touched their necks instinctively, wondering if they would escape from the princess’s dagger.
Feng Zhi Yao, who was enjoying some rare leisure time, also stood frozen under the tree as he stole glances at Mo Xiu Yao who looked in peace, even a bit gentle and thought to himself: “What a bad judgment the emperor had to have chosen such a fierce wife for Prince Ding among all the noble ladies! Prince Li made a right choice to have canceled his engagement. Otherwise, he would have been killed by this woman sooner or later.”
Ye Li put her dagger away. Frowning, clearly she wasn’t happy. She turned around and headed to where Mo Xiu Yao was.
“Ah Li, you may lack in internal energy but you totally make up with combat skills,” said Mo Xiu Yao nodding smilingly. It took time to improve. Given Ah Li’s position, there weren’t many master-hands she needed to deal with herself. At least she was at a better level than he had imagined.
She nodded slightly and said with a frown: “A lack of internal energy is a weakness. I’ll come up with something to make up for it. If I come across master-hands… Well, let me think about it later.”
Feng Zhi Yao looked at her, a bit horrified. “My Lady, you are not telling me you want to deal with internal energy master-hands with your skills?”
With her hand supporting her chin, she answered: “Depends on what level that master-hand is at. If he can blow up a house 30 meters away, it might be difficult.”
Feng Zhi Yao rolled his eyes. “I’ve never heard of someone as good as that. There isn’t such a person like you described.” What was internal energy to her? A person that could break a trunk that was as wide as a bowl would have had very high-level of internal energy.
Ye Li nodded seriously as she said: “I don’t think there is.”
Curious, Feng Zhi Yao said: “Then, how are you going to tackle a master-hand, My Lady?”
Blinking, she said calmly: “Considering my skills… it might be hard for me to face a master-hand like His Highness in combat. But it won’t be a problem for me to get away unscathed.” As she spoke, she turned to examine Mo Xiu Yao. Having lived as a man with disability for almost ten years, even if Mo Xiu Yao’s martial arts didn’t have a setback, he should have remained at the level he was when he was 17 or 18. For the past few days, she found that his martial arts was an abyss. She wouldn’t have a chance to win if she faced him in a combat, which left her a bit frustrated.
Feng Zhi Yao didn’t know what look he was supposed to put on anymore. Where did her frustration come from? Did she think that there were many people that could get away unscathed after facing His Highness in combat? “If so, you don’t need to worry anymore, My Lady. After all… there are only three men in this world that are as good as His Highness in terms of martial arts,” said Feng Zhi Yao.
“Who are they?” asked Ye Li curiously.
Feng Zhi Yao touched his nose before he answered: “Ling Tie Han, Grand Master of the Hall of Darkness, Prince Zhenan of Xi Ling and Mu Qing Cang, No.1 master-hand of Great Chu. Well, Prince Zhenan might have had a setback given he has lost an arm in battles years ago. But I don’t think anyone of those men would harm you so you don’t need to worry, My Lady.”
Ye Li rolled her eyes at him and said: “I’m not paranoid. Enhancing my martial arts has nothing to do with whether there is someone that wants to harm me.”
Feng Zhi Yao was speechless. Did she even need to enhance her martial arts?
“If you need anything, let our men take care of it. If you need help, take men from secret guards or Hidden Cloud Soldiers,” said Mo Xiu Yao softly. Since the future was going to be chaos, he agreed that Ah Li should enhance her skills, even if it was just for her own safety. More skills meant more security.
A bit surprised, Feng Zhi Yao glanced at Mo Xiu Yao with a slightly raised brow. Indeed, His Highness valued this princess very much. At least the power he had given her was second only to that of the first Princess Ding. Well, maybe as much as that of the first Princess Ding, for his implicit consent to her power over the Hidden Cloud Soldiers.
“Your Highness, My Lady, General Murong is here to see you. And… relief troops have arrived,” A soldier on duty at the door reported.
Feng Zhi Yao’s brows raised. “Quick journey. Who’s the commander?”
The soldier answered: “General Liu, Liu Jing Yun, titled General Pingkou which was newly conferred by His Majesty.” (Translator’s note: Pingkou means suppressing bandits in Chinese.)
Calmly, Mo Xiu Yao spoke: “Let him in.”
The soldier hesitated then answered: “General Liu hasn’t entered Yong Lin yet.”
“Well, does he want me to welcome him in?” Though Mo Ciu Yao sounded calm, there was an authority in his voice.
The soldier bowed immediately and said: “Yes, Your Highness!” Then he left with the message.
Asking His Highness to go out of town for a reception? No kidding!
“Who is this Liu Jing Yun?” Feng Zhi Yao searched his mind. Had he done a bad job as leader of secret guards these years that he didn’t even know the emperor had such a trusted subordinate?
Mo Xiu Yao said calmly: “A posthumous child of the fourth son of Chief Minister Liu, the 11th son of the family. He’s around 27 this year.”
Frowning, Feng Zhi Yao said: “Noble Consort Liu’s nephew? Has the emperor gone mad because of Mo Jing Li? Is there no one else so he has sent a rookie to quench a rebellion? Duke Hua would have been a better choice than him.”
Mo Xiu Yao shook his head as he spoke: “His Majesty won’t place anyone of Hua Family in an important position.”
Feng Zhi Yao sneered: “Is that why he trusts Liu Family?” He knew the emperor had his guard up against Hua Family, otherwise the queen, legitimate daughter of Hua Family would have given birth to more children other than an only daughter. Hua Family’s best time was behind it. In the past, Duke Hua was close to Mo Liu Fang, all the reason for the emperor to not trust him.
“To His Majesty, Liu Family was more loyal than Hua Family, easier to control as well,” Mo Xiu Yao pointed out the fact calmly.
Feng Zhi Yao shook his head and said with scorn: “True. Liu Family would have lost the emperor’s favor if it hadn’t been so dedicated for years.” Talking about selling out daughters for wealth and power… On that aspect, Hua Family was indeed no match for Liu Family.
“His Majesty won’t let a rookie command an army of over a hundred thousand men. Liu Jing Yun is simply a piece in his board game. Now Mo Jing Li has raised a rebellion, His Majesty won’t trust Ye Family anymore. It is a must for him to give Liu Family more power. However… I think he will also raise another power to keep Liu Family in check during this period,” said Mo Xiu Yao, a bit unconcerned, as if he wasn’t worried about what would happen to Ying Lin at all. “We’ll leave as soon as the relief troops take over the city. If His Majesty wants to prolong this war, let him. It will at least take three to five months.”