Taiping Lie 391. The Estrangement Plan

late at night

Yao Ji was sitting in the tent reading a book, while Mu Lie had already fallen asleep. Mu Yang led his troops to intercept Lu Jinxian. Because of the incident, the control in the entire military camp has become very strict in the past few days. Even the secret guards of Prince Ding’s mansion have difficulty finding opportunities to pass on any news. Yao Ji knew that if it continued like this, it would only be a matter of time before the old Marquis Mu Yang found out the identities of herself and Mu Lie. After all, they were the last people who should have appeared in the entire military camp. Unreasonable places are naturally the most likely to arouse suspicion.

A cold wind blew through the door of the big tent. Yao Ji looked up and saw Qin Feng, dressed in black, standing at the door. She was startled and didn't have time to say anything. She grabbed Qin Feng and walked inside. Mu Lie, who was sleeping inside, opened his eyes the moment Qin Feng came in, got out of bed and said, "Godfather, why are you here?" Qin Feng raised his hand and touched Mu Lie's head and said, "You are in danger now. I will take you away from here."

Yao Ji frowned and said, "But..." Yao Ji understood that Qin Feng's arrival might be the princess' intention. But if she failed to complete the task assigned by Prince Ding, she would be in trouble, not only herself, but also Mu Lie and Qin Feng. Qin Feng looked at her knowingly and said, "Go and deal with Mu Yang now. Marquis Mu Yang will soon suspect you. If you continue to stay here, not only will you be in danger, but the secret guards hidden in the army will also be a threat."

Mu Lie nodded and began to pack his things neatly. In fact, there was nothing to pack. Although they brought a lot of things with Mu Yang, there was almost nothing they needed to take away. Yao Ji nodded and frowned with some worry: "The whole army is under strict alert now. How can we get out? Moreover..." If she and Mu Lie suddenly disappeared from the army, Marquis Mu Yang would probably suspect them immediately.

Qin Feng smiled faintly and said, "Since you can come in, you can naturally go out. You have to leave now, Marquis Muyang will definitely suspect you." Mu Lie held Yao Ji's hand and said in a deep voice, "Mother, let's go. When this is over, we can go back to Licheng." Yao Ji was startled, and her expression became more moved. Yes, as long as the things here are done, they can go back to Licheng. Mu Lie no longer has to worry about a child following him all day, and he can see his son.

"Let's go!"

Qin Feng nodded in satisfaction. Soon, there was a clamor outside to catch the assassin, and it could be felt that Jianjian was coming here. Qin Feng grabbed Yao Ji, pretended to hold her Mu Yang, and threw Mu Lie to the Mohist Army's secret guards waiting outside the tent. To the people outside, it seemed as if the spy of Prince Ding's mansion was discovered, and was chased by the Chu army to hold Yao Ji and her son.

After all, Mu Lie was the only grandson of Marquis Muyang, so the soldiers of the Chu army did not dare to do anything too heavy-handed. They had no choice but to restrain themselves. When the old Marquis Muyang arrived, Qin Feng and others had already rushed to the perimeter of the Chu army camp with Yao Ji. The old Marquis Muyang knew very well that things had not gone well since the expedition, and Mu Yang's disastrous defeat of Lu Jinxian made Mo Jingli extremely disappointed with Marquis Muyang. If the spy of Prince Ding's Mansion was let go because of Yao Ji and Mu Lie again, I'm afraid that Marquis Muyang's Mansion would really be in trouble. Moreover, Marquis Muyang also had some small doubts in his heart, how could the spy of Prince Ding's Mansion hold Yao Ji so coincidentally.

Seeing this, the old Marquis Muyang made a quick decision and shouted: "Capture the assassin at all costs!"

"Grandfather..." Mu Lie cried out in tears while being held in the arms of the secret guards. The old Marquis Muyang shuddered in his heart, but finally he hardened his heart and said, "Shoot!" Mu Lie was his only grandson, but when it came to the life and death of the entire Marquis Muyang Mansion, the old Marquis Muyang gave up this grandson without hesitation. As long as the Marquis Muyang Mansion was still there, as long as Mu Yang was still there, there would naturally be grandsons in the future.

Long arrows rained down on Qin Feng and his companions, but at this time they were already outside the Chu army camp, and the people who came with Qin Feng were the elite among the Qilin. After a while, they disappeared into the night.

The old Marquis Muyang stared at the direction where the black-clothed man disappeared in the distance and was in a daze for a long time. After so many years of getting along, the old Marquis Muyang still loved Mu Lie very much. Although he was abandoned for the sake of the Marquis Muyang Mansion, it did not mean that he was not heartbroken. Now he just hoped that the spies in the Dingwang Mansion would not take human lives lightly and leave him a way to live.

"Old Marquis, the emperor summons you." The guard who hurried over from behind said in a deep voice.

Old Marquis Muyang sighed, nodded, turned and walked towards Mo Jingli's tent.

In the big tent, Mo Jingli stared at the old Marquis Muyang and asked, "Has the spy been caught?" The old Marquis Muyang lowered his head and said, "The spy escaped. Your Majesty, please punish me." Mo Jingli's face darkened, but he did not lose his temper. He just said calmly, "I heard that Marquis Muyang's wife and children were captured by assassins?"

Old Marquis Muyang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, that's exactly what happened."

Mo Jingli stared at the old Marquis Muyang coldly and asked, "What do you think of the spies in Prince Ding's Mansion?" The old Marquis Muyang was stunned, not quite understanding the meaning of Mo Jingli's words. Mo Jingli continued, "What a coincidence... Marquis Muyang's military secrets were leaked, and tonight... the spies in Prince Ding's Mansion just happened to kidnap Marquis Muyang's wife and children. In addition, if they wanted to kidnap them, wouldn't it be much more convenient to just take the young master away? I really don't understand what the other party's value is in taking away a concubine who was born a dancer? Old Marquis, what do you think?"

After hearing what Mo Jingli said, the old Marquis Muyang felt his heartbeat quicken, and cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead. The emperor actually suspected Yao Ji was a spy of Prince Ding's mansion. If the emperor took it seriously, the Marquis Muyang's mansion would be finished.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty is wise! The Marquis of Muyang is loyal to the Great Chu." The old Marquis of Muyang knelt on the ground with a plop and said hurriedly. Mo Jingli snorted and said, "Get up. I am just a little curious. The spies in the Prince Ding's Mansion must continue to investigate. If there is any more information leakage, I will kill without mercy!"

"Yes, I will obey your order!" The old Marquis of Muyang breathed a sigh of relief and quickly responded. But he was shocked and made up his mind to investigate this matter thoroughly. If there was really something wrong with Yao Ji, he would have a plan to deal with it.

Just when Mo Jingli was in a very bad mood, worse news kept coming. Early in the morning, Mo Jingli had just gotten up and hadn't even had time to eat breakfast when an urgent report came in from outside, "Your Majesty, our army's four troops deployed in secret were attacked by the Mo family army one after another, and suffered heavy losses!"

"What?!" Mo Jingli, who was about to eat, accidentally knocked over the soup bowl on the table. He stood up suddenly and said, "Send the generals to come to see me!" After receiving the order, the generals in the Chu army camp came in a hurry. When they saw Mo Jingli's face, they secretly said in their hearts that something bad had happened.

Mo Jingli was in no mood to care about their thoughts. He threw the urgent report he had just delivered to the ground and said, "Take a look!"

The old Marquis Muyang, who was standing at the front, leaned over to pick it up and took a look. His face immediately changed. He trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid we have really been fooled by Yun Ting. Princess Ding is not in the Mo family army at all." Two days ago, they sent people to investigate, and the report back was that Princess Ding was in the army. Now I think this is just a trick of Yun Ting. Princess Ding was not in Hangu Pass from the beginning.

"Ye Li! You are such a good Ye Li!" Mo Jingli gnashed his teeth in hatred, "In that case, don't blame me for being cruel and ruthless!" In a moment of anger, Mo Jingli even forgot the title of the emperor.

"Pass on my order, go out immediately and destroy Yun Ting's army!" Mo Jingli said in a stern voice.

"I obey your command!" Seeing Mo Jingli's angry look, the generals didn't dare to say much, but just accepted the order in a deep voice.

A guard hurriedly came to Mo Jingli with a letter and handed it to him. Mo Jingli opened it and took a look. He glanced at the people below with a cold gaze, and finally fell on the hand of the old Marquis Muyang. He said calmly: "Marquis Muyang stays, and the others leave." Everyone looked at the old Marquis Muyang with sympathy and left one after another.

Mo Jingli held the letter in his hand, looked at the old Marquis Muyang coldly and said, "Old Marquis Mu, do you know what is written in this letter?" The old Marquis Muyang's heart tightened, knowing that it might be related to him. After thinking for a while, he asked carefully, "Your Majesty... but about Yao Ji and Mu Lie last night..." For a moment, the old Marquis Muyang felt very complicated. He didn't know whether he was worried about Yao Ji's relationship with Prince Ding's Mansion, or worried about Mu Lie's life or death.

Mo Jingli sneered and said, "Master Mu, I remember that Yao Ji had been missing for several years?"

Old Marquis Muyang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, that's right."

"Do you know where Yao Ji was and what she was doing during those years?" Mo Jingli asked. The old Marquis Muyang's back was soaked with sweat, and he dared not answer. Mo Jingli slammed the letter on the desk and said in a sharp voice: "Yao Ji was in Licheng during those years! And she even opened a teahouse. She is really great... I have great trust in the Marquis Muyang Mansion, and it turns out that the thief is right next to me!"

The old Marquis Muyang's legs went limp, and he knelt on the ground, repeatedly saying, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, please judge! That was all done by that bitch Yao Ji. The Marquis Muyang Mansion and the Prince Ding Mansion have nothing to do with each other. This old minister... This old minister has a grudge against Prince Ding, how could I possibly surrender to Prince Ding? Please judge!" Mo Jingli narrowed his eyes and said, "You can't? What about Mu Yang? Since ancient times, Wenrou Township has been a tomb for heroes. Will Mu Yang surrender to Prince Ding's Mansion because of Yao Ji? One hundred thousand people can't deal with Lu Jinxian's five thousand troops, and he was allowed to come back alive. Old Marquis Mu, how can I trust you?"

Many things are fine if you don't think about them. Once you start thinking about them, many questions will come to your mind and you can't stop them.

Mo Jingli himself is a suspicious person, not to mention that the Marquis of Muyang Mansion was not loyal to him from the beginning. Since Marquis of Muyang could betray Mo Jingqi and be loyal to him, it is natural that he could betray him and be loyal to Mo Xiuyao. Thinking of this, the look he stared at the old Marquis of Muyang became more and more unfriendly. The old Marquis of Muyang secretly groaned in his heart, but he also knew that no matter how many excuses he made at this time, Mo Jingli would only think it was cunning. He just wanted to skin Yao Ji alive. He never thought that he would be calculated by his son's woman after all his life.

"Your Majesty..." Old Marquis Muyang opened his mouth and wanted to say something else. But Mo Jingli didn't want to listen to him anymore, and snorted coldly, "Enough! I don't want to listen to you anymore." Old Marquis Muyang shook his head and said, "No! Your Majesty, please listen to me. Yao Ji... Yao Ji, that bitch, will definitely go to Yang Er... to beg Your Majesty after she leaves the camp..." Mo Jingli sneered and said, "If you hadn't said it, I would have forgotten it. Don't worry, you will be reunited with Mu Yang soon! Someone, take her away!"

He was grabbed by the guards and dragged out of the tent without any courtesy. The old Marquis Muyang knew that the situation was hopeless and it was useless to say anything, so he just kept silent.

In the Chu army's western camp, Mu Yang was discussing military situation with the western general and Lei Tengfeng. A guard came to report, "General Mu, there is a child outside who wants to see you. He is the prince of the Marquis of Muyang."

Mu Yang was slightly startled, wondering why Mu Lie came to see him alone. Lei Tengfeng's eyes flickered and he said with a smile: "Brother Mu, you should go and see if the young master has anything to do."

Mu Yang nodded. Mu Lie's sudden arrival also made him a little worried about what happened. Lei Tengfeng's suggestion was naturally just what he wanted. He stood up, bowed to Lei Tengfeng and said, "Thank you, Prince."

After leaving the camp, I saw Mu Lie standing outside the camp in a dishevel, shivering. It was only the beginning of February, and the north was still chilly. Mu Lie was wearing tattered clothes, and even his lips were purple. Mu Yang quickly took off his clothes and hugged him, anxiously asking, "Lie'er, why are you here alone?"

Mu Lie trembled and moved his lips, saying, "Mother... Mother..." Before he could finish his words, tears came out. Mu Yang was startled and asked quickly, "What happened to your mother?" Mu Lie stared at Mu Yang in a daze, and finally burst into tears.

Seeing his look, it was obvious that he was frightened. Mu Yang hugged him in his arms with a loving heart, and said softly: "Good boy, don't be afraid, come and tell daddy...what happened?" Mu Lie leaned on Mu Yang's arms, and then sobbed: "Some bad people...some bad people took mother and Lie'er away. Later, Lie'er escaped...I wanted to go back and ask grandfather to save mother, but...but they said that grandfather was captured by the emperor. Wow...Father, save mother...save grandfather..."

"What?" Such a big change made Mu Yang stunned. He supported Mu Lie and asked, "You said your grandfather was arrested by the emperor? Why?" Mu Lie was stunned and shook his head blankly, "I don't know, I don't know... Lie'er heard it from others. Lie'er didn't dare to go back, so he asked the kind uncle to bring Lie'er to find his father."

Mu Lie was young, and his words were sporadic. Mu Yang couldn't help but feel confused. Lei Tengfeng, who followed him, also heard their conversation. He looked at Mu Lie, who was sobbing in Mu Yang's arms, and said in a deep voice: "Brother Mu, don't be anxious. Ask them carefully first. Besides... Hangu Pass is not far from here. If there is something wrong, there should be news soon. Young Master... how did you get here?" Hangu Pass is not far from here, but it is not close either. It is at least two hundred miles away. How can a child run here alone?

Mu Lie hid in Mu Yang's arms, sobbing and shaking his head, saying, "Wuwu... I don't know... Ride a horse..."

"You came here on horseback?" Lei Tengfeng raised his eyebrows and asked, "Whose horse is it? Who brought you here?"

"Wuwu... I don't know. Father, save mother, mother has lost a lot of blood... Lie'er is scared..." Mu Yang hurriedly hugged him in his arms with heartache, patted him gently and said: "Okay, don't be afraid, it's okay... Lie'er is good..."

After taking Mu Lie into his tent, Mu Yang asked him carefully and learned the whole story from Mu Lie. It turned out that two days after Mu Yang left, the Mohist spies hidden in the army could no longer sit still. After being discovered by the Chu army, they took Mu Lie and Yao Ji hostage while escaping. Later, Yao Ji managed to help Mu Lie escape. After escaping, Mu Lie originally wanted to go back to his grandfather to help save his mother, but he heard that the old Marquis Mu Yang was also captured. So he asked a kind passerby to send him here.

Mu Yang was already worried after hearing what Mu Lie said, but Lei Tengfeng, who was also present, was much calmer and noticed more details that Mu Yang didn't notice at all. Lei Tengfeng looked at Mu Lie with a smile and asked, "Young Master, where is the person who sent you here?"

Hearing this, Mu Yang couldn't help but frowned and said, "Brother Lei, what do you mean?" Mu Yang and Lei Tengfeng had been getting along well these days, so Mu Yang didn't want to offend Lei Tengfeng. But Lei Tengfeng's question made him feel a little uncomfortable. Lei Tengfeng smiled and said, "Brother Mu, there is a war going on here now, and the young master can actually meet a passerby on horseback. Don't you think it's a bit strange?" In a place where there is a war, most people stay away from it. How could someone have the leisure to ride a horse to send a child to the military camp?

Mu Yang looked at Lei Tengfeng angrily and said, "Brother Lei, do you mean that Lie'er is lying?"

Lei Tengfeng frowned slightly and said, "Brother Mu, you misunderstood. That's not what I meant. It's just a little strange. The young master is still young, so it's inevitable that he will be taken advantage of." Mu Yang took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "No matter what, let's find out what's going on first. Brother Lei, the army will trouble you for a few days. I have to go back."

"No!" Mu Lie tightly grasped Mu Yang's hand and refused to let go, "Father, don't go back! The emperor will kill you! They said... the emperor wants to capture father and then kill him together with grandfather. Lie'er, don't... don't want father to die. Wuwu..."

Mu Yang's face became even uglier. He believed Mu Lie's words to a great extent, but he didn't understand why the emperor wanted to arrest his father. As he was thinking, a sharp voice came from outside the door, "The imperial edict has arrived! Marquis Mu Yang of Muyang, please accept the edict!"

Mu Yang quickly settled Mu Lie and hurried out of the tent. When he saw the look of the eunuch standing next to Mo Jingli in the camp, his heart sank.

"Your Majesty, Mu Yang accepts the order." Mu Yang knelt down respectfully to receive the order.

The eunuch glanced at Mu Yang, unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict in his hand, and said in a deep voice: "The Marquis of Muyang colluded with the Prince of Ding's Mansion and conspired for treason. Their crimes should be punished! Now, Mu Yang's military power will be removed and he will be escorted back to the camp. A day will be chosen for his punishment! This is my sincere wish!" The eunuch closed the imperial edict and ordered in a sharp voice: "Arrest Mu Yang now!"

"Wait a minute!" Mu Yang said loudly, "May I ask, sir, when did Mu Yang collude with Prince Ding's Mansion? When did he commit treason?" The eunuch sneered and said, "You have to ask what Marquis Mu Yang has done. We are here to arrest people under the order of the emperor. Do you think Marquis Mu Yang wants to disobey the order?"

Mu Yang gritted his teeth and said, "If you want to accuse me of something, you can always find a pretext. Mu Yang will not accept it!"

The eunuch sneered, "You don't agree? Marquis Muyang, if you have anything to say, go and tell the emperor. I am doing this in accordance with the emperor's order, so please don't make it difficult for me. But... I am afraid Marquis Muyang has nothing to say. This morning, the old Marquis Muyang has already beheaded me."

"What?! Father..." Mu Yang's face changed drastically. He didn't expect that Mu Lie said that his father was captured by Mo Jingli, and he had already been beheaded so quickly. The eunuch seemed not to notice Mu Yang's change of expression, and said smugly: "Marquis Muyang should just surrender obediently. Your father had already explained the matter of Marquis Muyang's mansion colluding with Prince Ding's mansion before he died."

Mu Yang's face turned pale and blue. He knew his family's affairs better than anyone else. If possible, his father would not refuse to join the Dingwang Mansion, but the problem was that his father had acted on Mo Jingqi's orders to attack the Dingwang Princess, and he had already made a great grudge against the Dingwang Mansion. No matter who he joined, he would never join the Dingwang Mansion. How could his father admit to such a ridiculous charge, unless... he was tortured into confessing!

Thinking of this, Mu Yang was filled with grief and anger. "My Mu family is loyal to the emperor, but the emperor is so careless about human life! How can this not make the loyal ministers feel disappointed!" The eunuch frowned and waved his hand impatiently, saying, "Capture Marquis Mu Yang, so that we can report back."

The guards on both sides rushed forward and tried to catch Mu Yang. But although Mu Yang was young, Marquis Mu Yang had been a successful man for half his life, and he was also very good at dealing with people. There were also many loyal family generals in the Marquis Mu Yang's mansion. The old Marquis Mu Yang was inexplicably beheaded by the emperor, how could these people let Mu Yang be caught? For a moment, the relationship between the two sides suddenly became tense.

By the time the western general arrived, most of the people brought by the eunuch had been killed, and he only escaped from the barracks with two remaining guards.

Outside the military camp, the eunuch who was delivering the imperial edict looked pale as he looked at the person standing not far ahead, his hands and feet went limp. The last two guards beside him also fell down in front of him. The eunuch was also very good at reading people's faces, and he hurried forward and said with a flattering smile: "Commander Qin, I said everything according to your wishes. That Mu Yang...that Mu Yang was so bold and presumptuous that he actually killed the guards sent by the emperor. Commander Qin, please spare my life."

Qin Feng turned around and looked at the flattering eunuch in front of him, and said with a smile: "Don't worry, I won't kill you."

The eunuch was stunned, but in his heart he was overjoyed. He originally thought that coming to deliver the imperial edict was a simple errand, but he didn't expect to be caught by the people of Dingwang Mansion before he set out. In the end, he had to follow Qin Feng's words to trick Mu Yang into being killed. He almost became a dead soul under Mu Yang's knife, and now he finally got his life back, so he was naturally overjoyed.

"Not only will I not kill you, I will also send someone to take you back safely. Do you know what to say when you get back?"

"I understand, I understand. Mu Yang boldly disobeyed the imperial order and killed the imperial messenger, intending to rebel." The eunuch said hurriedly.

Qin Feng nodded with satisfaction, "Very good, I like dealing with smart people."