Hard to calm down

  It's hard to calm down.

  Outside the palace gate, Princess Ronghua wore a bright red wedding dress with peony patterns and tearfully bid farewell to Empress Dowager and Emperor. The proud and arrogant Princess Zhaoren couldn't help but shed tears as she faced her only daughter's departure to marry into the northern tribes. She looked at her departing daughter but couldn't say anything. At this moment, it was Empress Dowager and the Emperor who came together to see off the princess for the diplomatic marriage, and even as her biological mother, she couldn't hold onto Princess Ronghua again.

  The Princess of Ronghua bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, the Empress, and her parents, and was escorted by the palace maidens to the carriage. Just as she was about to board the carriage, she turned back to glance in Ye Li's direction, and Ye Li nodded slightly and smiled faintly at her. The Princess of Ronghua lowered her eyes and smiled calmly, then resolutely turned around and stepped into the carriage. The lavishly decorated carriage, adorned with peony curtains symbolizing the princess's noble status, gently fell down, concealing the Princess of Ronghua's beautiful face and figure. From now on, she would live as a princess in a foreign land, perhaps never to see her parents again...

  "A Li, I'm leaving. Be careful in the capital by yourself." Mo Xiuyao whispered beside Ye Li.

  Ye Li looked up at the man in front of her, who was wearing a dark blue dragon-embroidered robe with silver trim, and nodded lightly: "I know, you be careful too. Come back early." Mo Xiuyao nodded, "I will be careful, Ye Li is alone in the capital..." Ye Li interrupted him, saying firmly: "I will take good care of the Ding Wang Fu, waiting for your return."

  Moxi Yao was taken aback and said in a low voice: "As long as Ahli is safe and sound, Moxi Yao will be very happy."

  One of the attendants carefully came over to urge them to set off, muttering to himself that it was said that the king and queen had a deep affection for each other, and now it seemed that they were indeed inseparable.

  Ye Li took a step back and left Mo Xiu Yao's arms. She turned to Lin Han, who was standing on the side, and said: "Lin Han, the king's safety is in your hands."

  Lin Han nodded seriously and said: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will not betray your trust."

  Ye Li nodded and bid farewell to Mo Xiuyao, then retreated into the crowd of people seeing them off. Mo Xiuyao turned his head to look at her for a moment, then led the white horse over, mounted it, and chased after the team that had already set out in front.

  Until the entire entourage disappeared into the distance, Princess Zhaoren finally collapsed to the ground in tears. Princess Zhaoyang ordered someone to support her back to the princess's mansion. The emperor and empress accompanied Empress Dowager back to the palace, and the originally noisy palace gate suddenly became much quieter. Ye Li stood still, gazing silently at the place where Mo Xiuyao had left. "Your Highness, the king has already left the city. We should return too." Mo Zongguan walked up to Ye Li's side and said in a low voice. Ye Li nodded, saying, "Let's go back." The capital, which suddenly no longer had Mo Xiuyao, seemed somewhat desolate and dull.

  The Ding Wang left the capital, and the Ding Guo Wang Fu closed its doors to visitors and became quiet as usual. However, only the people of the Ding Guo Wang Fu knew that in just ten short days, the Ding Guo Wang Fu had suffered a number of secret attacks several times more than it had in the past few years.

  In the dead of night, another wave of attacks came to an end. Ye Li sat in a chair placed under the eaves, gazing calmly at the black-clad men kneeling all over the courtyard, their faces ashen. Standing on either side were Zhuo Jing, Qin Feng, Mo Zongguan, Feng Zhiyao, Mo Hua, and Zhang Qilang and Han Mingxi, who had been stationed in the palace to guard it while the Emperor was away from the capital. Except for Feng Zhiyao's usual carefree smile, everyone else looked grim. Tonight, the assassins had actually breached the outer defenses of the Dingguo King's palace and almost entered the main courtyard where Ye Li lived. Mo Hua, as the leader of the Dark Guards, looked even more displeased - this was a slap in the face for the Dark Guards.

  "Alright, let's take a look. Where is this person from?" Ye Li asked lightly, glancing at the gloomy faces of his subordinates.

  The assassin, who was forced to kneel in the courtyard, flashed a disdainful glint in his eyes and proudly turned his head to one side. Ye Li lost her smile, "I misspoke, I shouldn't have asked you all so carelessly. However...in the past ten days, there have been seven waves of people coming here, perhaps including your companions. But none of them had bones hard enough to die with me. Qin Feng, it's up to you."

  Qin Feng laughed loudly and said, "Thank you, Princess. It's just that my subordinates are learning interrogation techniques, and they've made tremendous progress in the past few days. I must thank all of you for your contributions." Feng Zhiyao, who was standing on the side, let out a disdainful snort, but his eyes were already fixed eagerly on Qin Feng. "I request to observe," he said. As the renowned master interrogator of the Dingguo Kingdom's royal family, Feng Zhiyao had thought himself unparalleled, but since Qin Feng brought back those few young men, he discovered that there was always someone better out there. And what's more, this interrogation expert was mass-produced. Qin Feng smiled wryly and said, "This is a confidential matter, outsiders are not allowed." With a wave of his hand, someone came over to push the people in the courtyard back.

  Feng Zhiyao gazed resentfully at Qin Feng, who was walking away with a carefree expression. She turned her head and looked longingly at Ye Li. There was no way around it - ever since Qin Feng had started following the princess, nobody could speak freely in front of him except for the prince and princess's orders. Ye Li smiled faintly: "Feng San, Qin Feng isn't intentionally making things difficult for you. This really is a secret." Feng Zhiyao snorted: "It's just an interrogation, even if there are any special methods, it can't be considered a secret." Ye Li laughed: "The person conducting the interrogation is currently a secret."

  Feng San touched his nose and stopped talking, he was one of the people Mo Xiu Yao trusted the most, so naturally he knew that the queen had a secret team composed of people selected from various troops under the command of the Dingguo King. No one knew what the queen wanted these people for, not even the king himself knew what happened to them after they were chosen by the queen. Now... was it these people? Feng Zhi Yao remembered the few people Qin Feng brought back a few days ago to accept their interrogation mission. He had only taken a quick glance at them and didn't seem to notice anything unusual, but the vigilance that Feng Zhi Yao had developed over the years on the battlefield and in secret made him feel that these people were not simple.

  Yelü stood up and smiled at everyone: "Thanks for your hard work tonight, let's sit in the study room."

  Zhang Qilan's face looked unpleasant as he said, "The king just left and these people immediately made a move on the Ding Wang Fu. Can it be that this is how it ends?" Ye Li smiled lightly and said, "General Zhang doesn't need to worry, of course it won't end like this. This imperial concubine...also needs some people to practice her skills." The gentle tone carried a chilling murderous intent, causing everyone to become solemn as they followed Ye Li into the study.

  They returned to the study and sat down, Ye Li said to Han Mingxi: "The matters in Xiling and Nanjiang should also be handled. Mingxi, you can set off tomorrow." Upon hearing this, Han Mingxi furrowed his brow, wanting to say something. Ye Li shook her head: "No need to say more, you've seen the situation in the capital. You staying behind won't accomplish anything, it's better to set off early. Big brother should still be in Yongzhou, if there's anything you're unsure about, you can take my token and ask him." Han Mingxi looked at her lightly, sighed softly: "I understand, I'll set off tomorrow. I'll go back and pack my luggage first."

  Ye Li didn't stay with him either, she just nodded slightly.

  As soon as Han Mingxi left, the atmosphere in the study immediately became more harmonious. It's not that the people of Ding Wangfu didn't trust Han Mingxi and were on guard against him, it's just that these people all had a pair of sharp eyes that saw through everything. Even if Han Mingxi's thoughts were hidden, how could he hide from these people? Moreover, these people were also very particular about Mo Xiuyao's loyalty to Ding Wangfu, even though there was nothing between the princess and Han Mingxi, but in the eyes of these loyal ministers, they couldn't help but be a bit cold towards Han Mingxi.

  Ye Li seemed to have not noticed the expressions of the crowd, and spoke with them about the matters of the Wang Fu as if nothing was wrong. The crowd was worried about the safety of the Ding Wang Fu, and Mo Zongguan asked: "Wang Fei, shouldn't we add more secret guards to the mansion?" These days, the Ding Wang Fu had been continuously attacked, and the attendants and secret guards were probably exhausted. Today, an assassin even broke into the Wang Fei's residence. Ye Li smiled and said: "No need to go through so much trouble. They worked so hard to sneak into the capital, and risked their lives to break into the Ding Guo Wang Fu, which is known for being as secure as a fortress. We should at least see what they want to do. Starting from tomorrow, let's catch fewer assassins. Let a few of them go."

  Feng Zhi Yao's eyes flashed with a hint of a smile, "Is the queen thinking... to let people think that the defense of the Dingguo King's mansion is gradually weakening? Will they believe it?"

  Ye Li smiled and said: "Since they clearly know they can't get in, yet still come wave after wave without giving up, I'll give them an opportunity. Do you believe it?"

  Zhang Qilan said worriedly: "If this news gets out, I'm afraid the Wang family will be even more restless."

  Ye Li's smile was cold and detached, her voice light as she said: "This princess will let the world know that the Dingguo King's palace is not only impregnable like a fortress of gold, but also a hell on earth from which there is no return!"

  Everyone's heart skipped a beat, staring blankly at the gentle and beautiful woman in green clothes for a long time without saying a word.

  "Princess." Qin Feng pushed open the door and came in, his expression somewhat strange. Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked, not unexpectedly: "Didn't you find out?"

  Qin Feng said with a hint of annoyance: "One killed himself, and several others were just small fry who knew nothing."

  Ye Li shook her head and said, "No, the one who died wasn't the leader."

  Qin Feng looked at Ye Li with an uncomprehending gaze, and Ye Li calmly said: "The other party can't be unaware of how severe the torture in Ding Wang Fu is. If they really had a death wish, they would have taken their own lives as soon as they were caught. Compared to experience, you are still not as good as Feng San." Feng Zhiyao looked at Qin Feng with a smile, saying: "That's right, at least in the hands of this young master, such a thing will absolutely not happen." Qin Feng was not paying attention to Feng Zhiyao's provocation at this time, and his sword-like eyebrows were furrowed as he said: "The queen's meaning is that the one who committed suicide was just covering for the real leader?" Ye Li supported her chin with her hand and said: "At least there's a 50% possibility. Of course, it's also possible that he was really scared by your methods and happened to fall into the hands of a few inexperienced rookies and took advantage of the opportunity to commit suicide. However...your methods shouldn't be at that level yet, right?"

  Qin Feng said with some worry: "Those young ones have just learned this, and they don't know their own strength. If they really end up killing someone..."

  Ye Li lowered her eyelids and said softly: "There's no shortage of time now, let's take a different approach and go slowly."

  "Another one?"

  Ye Li said: "Hao Ying."

  "Stewing eagle?"

  Ye Li played with the white porcelain cup in her hand, and said softly: "Make the prison cell bright as daylight. Don't use torture anymore, have the people in the prison take turns watching them, changing shifts every hour. Just one thing, don't let me see anyone sleeping until they are willing to tell the truth." Feng Zhiyao asked inexplicably: "Is it useful just not letting them sleep?"

  Ye Li smiled and said, "Maybe Feng San Gongzi has tried staying up for a day or two without sleep, but has he ever tried going four or five days without sleep? This method can even tame the proudest eagle, let alone a human."

  Although Feng Zhiyao had doubts about Ye Li's words, Qin Feng accepted them without hesitation and immediately turned around to instruct.

  Feng Zhi Yao turned her head and looked at Ye Li, "In these past few days, has the princess had any thoughts about these assassins?"

  Zhuo Jing handed over a volume of documents, Ye Li took it and opened it, saying: "These past few days, the people who have been to the mansion are all sorts. There are those who were bought to commit murder, those who came seeking revenge, and those who came to take advantage of the situation."

  "Take advantage of the fire to loot? Who has the guts to take advantage of the fire and loot the Ding Wang Fu?" Mo Hua, who rarely spoke, sneered.

  Feng Zhiyao smiled and said, "Is it true that no one knows about the fire and the thieves? However, in just a few days, so many outlaws have suddenly appeared in the capital. Have the people guarding the capital and the prefect of the capital been eating dry rice?" Mo Zongguan spoke in a low voice, "The Dingguo King's mansion has been attacked repeatedly. Even if the Dingwang Mansion is large and there are not many mansions around it, the palace must know about it. However, for so many days, no one from the palace has come to ask questions, as if nothing had happened." Ye Li rubbed her chest and smiled sweetly, "The palace probably wants to see how strong the Dingwang Mansion really is. Feng San, spread the news tomorrow that the princess is shocked and unwell due to recent events."

  "Scared?" Feng Zhiyao's eyes gazed at Ye Li's smiling face with a hint of eeriness. It was still unclear whether it was the Crown Princess or those unlucky assassins who had been frightened these days. Ye Li glanced at him, "What? Can't I be scared? I'm just a woman after all, and the king isn't by my side. What's wrong if I get scared with assassins showing up every day?"

  Feng Zhi Yao touched her nose and said respectfully: "No, the princess was frightened too much, and her body is out of harmony."

  "Alright, let them be happy for a few days. The princess is shocked and won't see anyone, that's it."

  Mo Zongguan hesitated for a moment and asked: "If it's a summons from the palace..."

  Ye Li smiled and said: "The patient's condition is severe, cannot enter the palace. The imperial physician sent by the palace and the reward can be accepted. Don't agree to anything else."

  "The old slave understands." Mu Zongguan nodded and said.

  She dismissed everyone and left the study room alone, walking towards her bedroom. She looked up at the nearly full moon and let out a worried sigh. Turning around, she spoke to a certain place in the darkness: "What are you following me for?"

  A somewhat stiff voice came from the darkness, "The king said he would protect the queen's safety."

  Ye Li smiled faintly and ignored him, turning back to her room. It wasn't until she was far away that Mo Hua emerged from the shadows, exposing himself under the moonlight. His eyes still held a hint of irritation and frustration. He couldn't even hide his abilities better than the queen?

  Digression

  Hehe, I'm typing on my computer in the hotel, sorry for keeping you all waiting~