Assassination Afterward

."In just a short while, more than half of the twenty or so assassins had fallen. A man who had been watching from the sidelines sneered and said, "King Ding's mansion guards are indeed famous for the...127. After the Assassination Attempt

"Your Majesty is wise indeed, Your Majesty," said Ye Li after P將軍被刺殺。, showing her gratitude for the emperor's concern.

In front of the main gate, Ye Li still wore a white robe as she stepped out gracefully. Standing on the steps outside the gate, she looked down at the officials and nobles with varying expressions, some even turning slightly pale like Emperor Mo Jingqi. She slowly walked up to him and bowed slightly: "The Queen Consort of Ding Kingdom greets Your Majesty."

Emperor Mo Jingqi was taken aback, his gaze complex as he sized up the kneeling white-robed woman before him. He didn’t show a moment's hesitation on his face, instead smiling warmly and saying: "It is truly fortunate that the Queen Consort of Ding Kingdom is unharmed; now I can give an account to Prince Ding. Has the Queen Consort been frightened" Ye Li pursed her lips with a slight smile and replied: "Indeed it was quite frightening, but the guards in the palace are all personally arranged by Your Highness. I believe that as long as they have breath in their bodies, no one will harm me."

"That is true," said the Director of the Imperial Guard solemnly from beside them.

"We swear to protect our Queen Consort with our lives!" echoed the guards outside the main gate.

Emperor Mo Jingqi's expression darkened, and he forced a somewhat stiff smile: "Everyone in Prince Ding’s palace is loyal and brave. It truly is a blessing for the Queen Consort and Prince Ding. Let it be known that I reward all the guards of Ding Palace tonight with ten taels of gold."

Ye Li smiled and said, "Thank you Your Majesty's kindness. Shall we proceed inside"

Murdered inside., Mo Jingqi was about to step into the palace when he saw traces of blood seeping out from under the main gate. A faint breeze brought a stronger scent of blood than what was outside, hinting at how fierce the battle had been that night. Emperor Mo Jingqi's expression froze for a moment before he said with a smile: "As Prince Ding is not in his palace now, Your Majesty and the officials will not enter. The Queen Consort should rest well after being frightened today; later I'll have the Empress send some imperial physicians to attend to her. I will return to the palace now since it's time for court."

Ye Li nodded respectfully: "If that is so, then Your Majesty may leave."

Murdered inside., Mo Jingqi waved his hand and turned around to get back into the imperial sedan chair. Soon enough, surrounded by palace guards and officials, the imperial sedan chair headed towards the palace direction. Ye Li stood outside until it disappeared from sight before turning around and saying with a smile: "Let's head home."

Returning to her residence, Ye Li walked through the blood-stained garden corridor, coldly watching as bodies were carried away or left sprawled in the courtyard. Finally, she returned to the study.

Xu Hongyan was still sitting inside reading tea and a half-finished poetry collection when he heard Ye Li enter. He put down his book and looked at her curiously: "Are you alright"

Ye Li smiled and apologized, "I have caused Uncle to worry."

Xu Hongyan shook his head and said, "We cannot be of much help at the moment. Is there any damage in the estate" Ye Li sighed and replied, "Casualties are inevitable but everything is under control. I will manage it properly, so you don’t need to worry."

Uncle Xu whispered, "Tonight, I realized that your handling of affairs is much more cautious than your second brother’s group. You deal with things on your own as you see fit, and I won't interfere further. If there's anything we can help with in the future, just send someone to our estate."

Ye Li nodded and whispered back, "I understand, Uncle. Thank you for worrying about me."

"Your Excellency." Soon after, Feng Zhirao and others came back inside to report on their mission outside. Ye Li nodded and invited them to sit down. She asked softly, "How did things go" Feng Zhirao beamed with pride and said, "Your Excellency can rest assured. We have captured all the enemies in various places. Although General Sun hasn't returned yet, don’t you trust the capabilities of the Black Cloud Cavalry"

Ye Li smiled and replied, "I believe in General Sun and the abilities of the Black Cloud Cavalry. Please share your situations."

Zhang Qilan announced loudly, "Your Excellency, all the assassins outside Ding Wang's Estate have been apprehended. Those who resisted were killed!" A valiant general’s report was filled with a sense of authority.

"Your Excellency," said Mo Hua solemnly, "All suspicious individuals within the city are now under the control of our Dark Guards. Thirty-six people resisted and were executed."

Qin Feng stood respectfully and coolly remarked, "Anyone who entered Ding Wang's Estate as an assassin will be killed without mercy."

Mohua looked at Qin Feng but didn’t speak; Feng Zhirao waved his fan and joked, "It seems we truly have caught all those scoundrels tonight. We’ll likely be busy for the next few days. Qin Feng, don't compete with me." Qin Feng didn’t even lift an eyelid and said calmly, "Subordinate will follow Your Excellency's instructions." Feng Zhirao pouted and looked longingly at Ye Li; Ye Li smiled and said, "If Feng San is interested, you can accompany Qin Feng to take a look. Providing them with advice would also be helpful as they still lack experience in this area." Feng Zhirao’s eyes lit up and he clasped his hands together and laughed, "Thank you, Your Excellency."

"Subordinate Sun Yan requests an audience with Your Excellency," came a deep voice from outside.

Ye Li smiled and said, "General Sun, please come in. We have been waiting for your report."

Sun Yan pushed the door open and after looking at everyone present, he clasped his hands together to Ye Li and reported, "Your Excellency’s strategies were flawless. Subordinate posted guards on all important routes leading out of the capital. At five in the morning, we encountered many suspicious individuals attempting to flee. We killed twenty-six on the spot and captured seven alive. Please give your instructions."

Ye Li rubbed her temples and said, "With so many captives, our estate can't hold them all. Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing, go ahead and choose whom to send to Dali Temple." Both Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing nodded and left immediately. Feng Zhirao looked at everyone and smiled as he asked, "Your Excellency, what are your plans for Mu Qingcang" Apart from the generals present on the battlefield—Mo Hua, Zhang Qilan, and Sun Yan—all of them were stunned. "Mu Qingcang" Although they served in the army, the title of the number one expert in Chu had reached their ears. They hadn’t expected him to fall into Your Excellency’s hands.

Xu Hongyan frowned and asked, "Is Mu Qingcang the illegitimate son of the House of Marquis Mu Yang"

The Chief Eunuch Mo smiled and said, "That's right. Although there is little known about his background, a few people in the capital are still aware of it. He is the eldest son of Marquis Mu Yang and the elder brother of current heir Mu Yang."

Zhang Qilan and Sun Yan were taken aback. They only knew that Mu Qingcang was renowned as the number one expert, but they didn't know he had such a background. However, given that Marquis Mu Yang had his sole son Mu Yang in his thirties, it wouldn't be strange to have another son like Mu Qingcang. Nevertheless, what secrets lie behind this is not something outsiders can know. Xu Hongyan was silent for a long time before finally sighing and getting up, saying, "Let Li decide on these matters herself. I'm quite tired and need to rest." Ye Li nodded and had people escort Xu Hongyan back to his room. Seeing him leave, Feng Zhirao asked with confusion, "What does Master Xu mean" Ye Li said indifferently, "Nothing much. Uncle is just disappointed by some people and things." With Uncle's shrewdness, how could he not guess who was pulling the strings behind Mu Qingcang

Feng Zhirao didn't care either; he smiled and said, "Actually, I'm not interested in how the Queen Consort deals with Mu Qingcang. What interests me more is who are those people that caught him"

The moment this was said, all eyes in the study fell on Ye Li. She lowered her head to take a sip of clear tea and smiled lightly at the gradually brightening sky outside, saying, "They naturally belong to Prince Ding's household too. As for who they are... I can't tell you right now, but rest assured that the Prince will personally inform everyone in due time." Zhang Qilan said excitedly, "Does the Prince know these people" Ye Li raised her brows in surprise and smiled, "As the owner of the Household of Prince Ding, what doesn’t the Prince know about his household" Zhang Qilan clearly felt he was too hasty and laughed heartily, "Please forgive me, Commander. My intention is... since the Prince knows about this group, can I request him to allocate such a team to the Black Ink Army in future With their participation, everything will surely progress much faster."

Ye Li’s eyebrows rose slightly as she looked at Zhang Qilan's excited and ecstatic expression. She didn't expect that although Zhang Qilan seemed like an impetuous martial artist, he was very sensitive regarding the battlefield and soldiers' quality. Ye Li didn’t dampen his mood; instead, she smiled and said, "You can discuss this with the Prince when he returns."

With Feng Zhirao's expertise in interrogation joining them, the investigation of these assassins progressed swiftly. Of course, this was also because they had captured a large number of people from various backgrounds this time around. On the morning of the third day after chaos erupted at Prince Ding’s household, thick volumes of documents appeared on Ye Li's desk. Upon opening it and taking a look inside, anything could shock anyone. The assassination included factions from Great Chu, Western Ling, Northern Rong, Southern Zhaoyao—all parties were involved. After reading through the documents, even Ye Li couldn’t help but feel like laughing bitterly. For so many years, the Household of Prince Ding had indeed become a target for everyone to aim at; people would be delighted if they could get rid of it. However, after this incident, there wouldn't likely be many who would dare to scheme against the Household of Prince Ding again.

"Reporting to Madam Queen Consort, Mu Qingcang wishes to see you."

Ye Li put down the documents and raised her brows as she smiled. "He couldn’t last three days"

Qin Feng frowned and said, "Since we captured him, Mu Qingcang has been somewhat listless. We did not torture him according to your orders. He decided to see you himself; before seeing Madam Queen Consort, he wouldn't say anything." Ye Li waved her hand as she smiled and said, "Interrogation won’t work on someone like Mu Qingcang; it might even ignite his hatred and desires. Bring him in."

Qin Feng disagreed and said, "Madam Queen Consort, bringing him to the study isn't..."

"It's fine. He can't stir up any trouble now. Go ahead."

A short time later, Mu Qingcang was brought into the study. In just three days, he had already transformed from that night’s intimidating black-clothed assassin into a disheveled and haggard prisoner. Looking at Ye Li with dead eyes devoid of vitality or luster, she sighed in her heart; indeed, Mu Qingcang had aged.

"You may leave," Ye Li told Qin Feng who was following Mu Qingcang. Qin Feng’s sharp gaze swept over Mu Qingcang before silently leaving. A momentary silence fell in the study before they heard Mu Qingcang say, "I never expected that these people in Prince Ding's household would actually willingly follow orders from a girl barely in her teens." Ye Li said indifferently, "Whether I'm in my teens or sixties, Mr. Mu should acknowledge my other identity—I am the Queen Consort of Prince Ding. Just this alone is enough to make them obey me." Mu Qingcang shook his head and said, "The Queen Consort of Prince Ding... a Queen Consort capable of commanding Black Cloud Cavalry and the Black Ink Army has never been seen in the history of Great Chu." Ye Li smiled with pursed lips and said, "Mr. Mu flatters me."

"What do you want to know" Mu Qingcang asked straightforwardly.

Ye Li didn't hesitate either. She countered, "Then what does Mr. Mu want"

Mu Qingcang's expression was indifferent as he asked after a long silence, "Surely the Duchess knows who I am"

Ye Li smiled at the man before her who, despite being no more than forty years old, already had an air of world-weariness about him. She neither confirmed nor denied his question. Mu Qingcang didn't mind and continued, "Has anyone been inquiring after me from you these past few days"

Ye Li lowered her gaze, smiling slightly as she replied, "Mr. Mu must have a particular person in mind who he hopes would inquire about him. After the incident of attempting to assassinate the Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom at night, Mr. Mu thinks there's no one else in this capital who dares associate with him now. To put it bluntly, even His Majesty wouldn't dare claim any ties with you at this moment."

Mu Qingcang's expression darkened as he looked at Ye Li and said, "Surely the Duchess has already figured out my identity"

Ye Li smiled without speaking. Mu Qingcang nodded more firmly in confirmation, saying, "I'm not surprised that you're the Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom; I admire your wisdom." Ye Li shook her head and said, "No, I know nothing. All I hope for is peace and safety for my family at Ding Kingdom's palace and myself. So what does Mr. Mu want"

Mu Qingcang looked lost as he muttered to himself, "What do I want…"

Ye Li gazed down at her hands resting on the table and softly said, "Since Mr. Mu wants to see me, it must be because you have something you wish to trade with me. Therefore… there must be something that Mr. Mu desires."

Mu Qingcang remained silent for a long while before he lifted his head and looked at Ye Li, saying, "The Duchess surely knows my identity well by now. I want to know… what do they think of me!"

Ye Li looked at him with some pity and said softly, "Mr. Mu, there's no need for such self-deprecation. If you wish to get away from all this, it is possible. Given your capabilities, once you leave the affairs and people of Chu Capital, you'll be free as a bird."

A flicker of desolation passed through Mu Qingcang's eyes as he shook his head and said, "If I want to leave, I can do so myself, right"

"Has Mr. Mu made up your mind then" Ye Li asked.

Mu Qingcang nodded firmly. Ye Li gently inclined her head in response and said, "In that case, please show me what you have to offer first, Mr. Mu."ent before saying: Leave them alone.Understood, Your Highness.In a hidden courtyard outside the capital cityYe Li was bored as she sat beside the flower bed staring at the newly planted peach tree. Th...