Chapter 163: Pre-war

s and potential are good. Starting today, you will begin more detailed training; naturally, the original physical training will continue every day."The soldiers couldn’t help but groan in their hearts...163 Pre-war

163. Pre-war

Han Mingyue silently watched as her brother turned and walked away, ultimately not saying anything more. Although she had left a mess behind initially, things eventually stabilized with her own efforts. As for him… She looked back at the white-clad woman who was walking towards her from a distance, a faint bitter smile playing on her lips.

"Han Mingyue!" Su Zuodie walked gracefully under the corridor but stopped in front of Han Mingyue, leaning against a pillar, with an angry expression darkening her beautiful face. "When are we leaving this damn place" Su Zuodie felt like she was going crazy; she had never regretted agreeing to return to the Great Chu and seducing Mo Xiuyao for Southern Prince Zhen as much as now. It didn't matter that she hadn't been able to seduce him, but these days of following the army around were exhausting. She ate simple meals and wore ordinary clothes, and the worst part was that they couldn’t stop traveling even when she wanted to rest. Every day was tiring. When they finally arrived in Hongzhou, she thought things would improve a bit, only to find herself being locked up here with no one caring about her. Apart from the person who brought her meals every day, there wasn't even a servant girl left to attend to her needs, pushing Su Zuodie's patience to its limit.

In fact, what Su Zuodie didn’t know was that the reason this courtyard didn’t have servants attending it wasn’t because Ye Li deliberately mistreated her but because Han Mingyue had dismissed all the people sent by him. Therefore, Su Zuodie had to take care of herself daily—washing and dressing up as well as washing her clothes.

Seeing Su Zuodie’s impatient and angry expression, Han Mingyue felt a dull ache in her heart, as if being stabbed with an old knife. She frowned, remembering what Han Mingzhi had said earlier. With a faint look of indifference on her face, she asked, “Leave here Where do you want to go”

"Of course back to Xi Ling!" Not noticing Han Mingyue’s expression, Su Zuodie replied matter-of-factly: "I want to return to the palace! I can’t bear this place anymore." Looking at her with a calm and indifferent gaze, Han Mingyue asked, “You don't want to take revenge on Princess Consort Ding” Startled, Su Zuodie frowned hesitantly. Of course she wanted revenge against Ye Li; it was something she dreamed of. But she wasn’t stupid either—she knew that as long as Mo Xiuyao was alive, she couldn’t dare to take revenge on Ye Li. She had grown up with Mo Xiuyao since childhood and could look down upon any other man in the world, but she never dared underestimate him. Glancing at Han Mingyue, Su Zuodie bit her lip lightly and asked, “You said you would help me, is that true”

Han Mingyue looked at her without speaking, but Su Zuodie took his silence as an agreement. Her eyes flickered and she placed her delicate hand on Han Mingyue's chest, her voice soft and enchanting, "Mingyue, will you help me… help me… kill Mo Xi堯 should be Mo Xiayao here]..."

Han Mingyue felt a chill in his heart as he lowered his head to look at the woman leaning against his chest. Her incomparably beautiful face was that of an ethereal celestial maiden, yet the words coming from her cherry-red lips were chilling, "I thought you could never forget Mo Xiayao"

Su Zuodie smiled lightly as if it didn't matter at all, "Of course I can't forget Mo Xiayao. Even if he's dead, I will never forget him in my lifetime. Mingyue, do you still remember how Mo Xiayao looked when we were in the capital of Chu At that time, I knew there would never be another man as excellent as him. Unfortunately… back then, he was just the second young master of Ding Kingdom's王府的二公子，定王的弟弟。如果冇有墨修文那就更完美了。可惜…現在他雖然已經是定王了。卻再也看不到當年名揚楚京的風采樣貌了。”

Hearing Su Zuodie’s seemingly self-talk, Han Mingyue’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He stood motionless in the hallway with the fragrant and warm woman in his arms but showed no reaction as if he was lost in thought.

Su Zuodie wasn’t really expecting Han Mingyue to voice an opinion either. She continued with a smile, "Originally, I was thinking maybe one day Mo Xiayao and I could reunite. But after this reunion, I realized… Mo Xiayao has been seduced by that vile woman, Ye Li! You've seen how cold-hearted he is towards me… Since I can't have him, neither will that vile woman!" By the time she reached here, her beautiful face was distorted with resentment. As she looked up at Han Mingyue again, her gaze was filled with tenderness and yearning, "Mingyue, help me kill Mo Xiayao...

Help me kill Mo Xiayao and I will belong to you..."

Han Mingyue's eyes were vacant and lost, "Kill Mo Xiayao...

Su Zuodie nodded and said softly, "You know that I only like the strongest man in the world. By killing Mo Xiuyao... you will prove to me that you are the most powerful man in this world..." Han Mingyue was silent for a long time before suddenly asking, "Are you coming with me To watch as Mo Xiuyao dies." Su Zuodie's eyes flickered slightly and she smiled sweetly, "I'll wait for you in the Western Capital. Bring Mo Xiuyao's head to see me. Then we can be together forever."

She stared at him intently until his faint smile wavered a bit before slowly releasing her hand and turning away into the depths of the courtyard. Su Zuodie was taken aback, looking puzzledly at Han Mingyue's retreating back. She had grown too accustomed to having her way with Han Mingyue.

In fact, Han Mingyue had never truly refused her. Even during those years when she left him for the Western Capital and even if he was as cold towards her as ever, whenever she asked him to do something, he would definitely comply.

But this time, a strange sense of uncertainty suddenly welled up inside her.

"Mingyue..."

Han Mingyue turned around. His handsome face was etched with weariness, "Zuodie, have you thought about what the consequences would be if I were to kill Xiuyao" He no longer held the power he once did as head of Tianyi Pavilion; not even at his peak could he claim that he had a chance of killing Han Mingyue.

Su Zuodie frowned slightly, quickly recovering her smile and saying, "I know this is dangerous. But don't worry, Mingyue, I'll find someone to help you."

Han Mingyue remained unmoved, "Do you know what would happen if Mo Xiuyao were to die How would the Great Chu react"

Su Zuodie frowned unhappily. "What does it matter to us how the Great Chu reacts Are you going to help me or not, Mingyue"

Han Mingyue shook his head heavily, watching as Su Zuodie's expression suddenly darkened and she shot him a fierce glare before turning away angrily. Watching her leave so resolutely, Han Mingyue heaved a sigh.

If he were to agree... Forget about whether or not they could assassinate Mo Xiuyao; the question was even if they would survive this night. This... Was she really the woman he loved

The white figure was no longer in the room, Han Mingyue thought bitterly.

In the study of the Governor's residence, apart from those generals who were leading troops outside, all the generals remaining in the northwest rarely missed a deadline.

Sitting comfortably in her chair, Ye Li smiled as she listened to the generals report on the recent battle situation. Although the generals left in the northwest tended to be young and relatively unknown, they included Nan Hou who was believed by outsiders to have perished. Neither his experience nor his insight could be compared with ordinary young generals. Even though he couldn't fight openly on the battlefield, these days he had taught Ye Li a lot about military strategy and tactics, thus alleviating her stress.

"... Except for three cities captured by Xi Ling and two that are being contested back and forth, the remaining six cities are now firmly under our control. Please give us your instructions, Your Excellency."

Ye Li nodded approvingly. "You generals have all worked hard." It had taken a great deal of effort to peacefully take over the cities originally held by imperial troops, no less than fighting against Xi Ling's forces. Now that the situation in the northwest was under their control, they could handle any reinforcements sent by Xi Ling and need not fear being attacked from both front and rear while secretly plotted against by Emperor Mo Jingqi. Bowing respectfully, everyone expressed their humility. Ye Li smiled as she turned to Nan Hou who was drinking tea on one side of the room and asked, "Your Excellency, what are your thoughts regarding future battles"

Nan Hou bowed slightly towards Ye Li and said, "Winter is fast approaching in the northwest. If Xi Ling doesn't want to spend the winter fighting with us, they will probably step up their offensives soon. We shouldn't hesitate or be courteous; we must fight back fiercely! The northwest is one of the three major granaries of Dachu. Continued warfare after spring might affect farmers' planting." Nan Hou's manner was humble, but calling Ye Li 'my lord' indicated his respect. On another note, he was quite satisfied with her leadership style; unlike ordinary women who either meddle or act high-handedly and ignorant for the sake of appearances, she knew her limitations in managing troops on a large scale and was willing to seek advice from subordinates. A true leader didn't need to lead charges or even arrange formations - they just had to make good use of capable people and make wise decisions when necessary. No wonder Duke Hua praised Consort Ding so highly; in Nan Hou's view, despite being a woman, she already possessed the bearing of a king.

Ye Li nodded and said, "Your Excellency has thought this through thoroughly. I am also quite concerned about it. Let's share our thoughts."

In fact, Ye Li was not only worried about spring planting in the northwest next year but also about how the balance between Ding王府 and the Dachu imperial family that had persisted for over a hundred years would be disrupted regardless of the outcome of this war. If the Mo Family lost, there wouldn't even be a Ding王府 left; if they won, Emperor Mo Jingqi might take advantage of their post-war exhaustion to cause trouble. Therefore, Ye Li knew very clearly that controlling the northwest was not just about driving out Xi Ling but also safeguarding it for Mo Xi堯 and ensuring it remained under their control. Because this could be their last line of defense. Hence, food supplies needed to be given even more attention.o Jing stood up and replied, "Understood. Your servant will invite the doctor!" Su Zuidie gritted her teeth and waved away Zhuo Jing's hand before glaring at Mo Xiuyao with resentment in her voice, "I...