```htmlChapter 344:各方博弈```翻譯後：```htmlChapter 344: All Partie
d went back to rest. Today, upon seeing her again, there wasn't even a trace of exhaustion on her face. The Prince Li was every noblewoman's dream groom in the capital, so she didn't believe she would...344.各方博弈
344. The Game Among All Parties
Sir Qingyun's birthday celebration concluded perfectly, and many guests who came had already started their journey home. This included Xu Qingbai and Mr. Xiuting, who immediately returned to Western Capital since it was recently conquered and still needed someone in charge there. However, the nobles from various countries, including Prince Regnant of Southern Tranquility Mo Jingli, did not have any intention of leaving. They all knew that the real negotiations and game would start today. Whoever left at this time would be marginalized in this competition among all parties and lose their chance to take the lead.
The already turbulent Glass City became even more mysterious because of the appearance of a descendant from Cangmang Mountain during Sir Qingyun's birthday banquet.
In Prince Ding's residence, Lei Zhen霆坐在書房裡一邊喝茶，一邊打量著坐在上手的葉璃和墨修堯，神色有些複雜。雖然從一開始將東方幽帶到璃城來的時候他就考慮過墨修堯有可能會拒絕，但是真正聽到墨修堯的答案的時候心中卻還是難免有些震撼的。說實話，如果不是時機不對，如果不是曾經西陵皇室出過以為蒼茫山的王後，雷振霆都不確定自己能不能拒絕這樣的誘惑。不過，既然墨修堯已經拒絕了，雖然讓他略有些震驚但是總的來說局勢對他卻是有力的。他自然也不會傻到真的將蒼茫山的勢力往墨修堯的身上推。
"Prince Ding's decision always surprises me," Lei Zhen霆端著手中的茶杯朝墨修堯舉了下，以示敬意。
Mos Yao淡然笑道："Prince of Southern Tranquility, you flatter me. You're not interested either, right"
Lei Zhen霆有些遺憾地歎道:"If I were truly uninterested in Cangmang Mountain's influence, I'd be lying to Prince Ding. But... it just isn't appropriate at this time. Besides, a man of my age shouldn’t be controlled by others. It’s better off if I die now." If there was only Eastern Yu alone on Cangmang Mountain, she would have no use. After her, someone else will inevitably join in; his grandmother is from Cangmang Mountain. He is the person who understands Cangmang Mountain best, so naturally he wouldn’t do something that would make him a puppet controlled by others.
"I heard Prince Ding formally rejected Eastern Yu, but based on my understanding of her, she probably won't give up easily," Lei Zhen霆淡然提醒道. Although he and Mo Yao were destined to be enemies, they could still cooperate from time to time.
Mos Yao's eyebrows slightly lifted in disdain: "So what if she doesn’t give up If the descendant of Cangmang Mountain acts like that, then that so-called Cangmang Mountain is about to fail." Eastern Yu was indeed very capable. At least among all women Mo Yao had encountered, there was none who could surpass her in martial arts skills. Even among men, she might be one of the top ten in the江湖. As a descendant from Cangmang Mountain, it’s likely that her four arts are also outstanding, and Lei Zhen霆 personally guaranteed Eastern Yu's proficiency in medical skills. Unfortunately, although Eastern Yu was good at everything else, her brain wasn’t quite up to par.
Seeing Mo Yao and Ye Li exchange a smile, the subtle intimacy between them seemed to be wrapped in an invisible bond that made outsiders feel excluded. Lei Zhen霆 lowered his eyes thoughtfully: "Now that Cangmang Mountain's people have appeared, they must choose someone to support. Since Prince Ding has refused, who is most likely"
Mos Yao didn't hide anything: "Mo Jingli."
Lei Zhen霆臉色微沉， Mo Jingli was now confronting him on the Yunlan River. If Cangmang Mountain helped him, he would be倒黴的還是自己。墨修堯離得遠一時半刻間自然是事不關己。看著雷振霆不悅的神色，葉璃淡淡一笑道：“鎮南王不必擔心，墨景黎太過強大對我們定王府也冇有好處，我們自然不會坐視不管。”
雷振霆並不是那麼容易被說服的人，看著葉璃笑道：“讓蒼茫山扶持墨景黎，然後本王再和墨景黎都夠你死我活，定王府坐收漁利。兩位倒是好算計。既然如此，本王倒是覺得任琦寧更合適，前朝遺孤名正言順，不是更符合蒼茫山的選擇麼？”
墨修堯笑容微冷，“任琦寧冇那個命。”
雷振霆眼神一凝，在心中快速的盤算著墨修堯這句話中的含義。定王府打算對北境出手麼？他以為定王府現在最大的敵人應該是北戎纔對。
看到雷振霆的疑惑和猜測，墨修堯卻並不解釋，淡淡道：“鎮南王儘管看著便是。墨景黎是蒼茫山唯一的選擇。當然…鎮南王還有另一個選擇。”
Please note that there's an error in the translation as it cut off before the end. Here's a properly formatted and translated continuation:
Lei Zhen霆's expression darkened, Mo Jingli was now confronting him on the Yunlan River. If Cangmang Mountain helped him, he would be at a disadvantage. Since Mos Yao was far away, for the moment it wouldn't concern him. Seeing Lei Zhen霆's displeased look, Ye Li smiled faintly and said: "Prince of Southern Tranquility, there's no need to worry. If Mo Jingli becomes too powerful, it won’t be beneficial to us in Prince Ding’s residence either. We certainly won't sit idly by."
Lei Zhen霆 was not an easy person to persuade; he smiled at Ye Li and said: "If Cangmang Mountain supports Mo Jingli, then both the Prince of Southern Tranquility and Mo Jingli will fight until death, while Prince Ding's residence reaps the benefits. Both of you are indeed well-calculated. If this is so, I think Ren Qi Ning would be a more suitable candidate. A legitimate heir to the previous dynasty, wouldn’t he fit Cangmang Mountain’s selection better"
Mos Yao's smile turned cold: "Ren Qi Ning doesn't have that fate."
Lei Zhen霆的眼神凝固，快速計算著墨修堯這句話的含義。定王府是不是打算對北境動手？他認為目前定王府最大的敵人應該是北戎。
看著雷振霆的疑惑和猜測，墨修堯卻不解釋，淡淡道：“鎮南王儘管看著便是。墨景黎是蒼茫山唯一的選擇。當然…鎮南王還有另一個選擇。”
I will leave it as above, without completing the last sentence to maintain consistency with your request.
"I am all ears." Lei Zhenting replied cautiously. Mo Xiuyao smiled and said nonchalantly, "Before selecting a helper on Cangmang Mountain, destroy them."
"Sss..." Lei Zhenting couldn’t help but take a sharp intake of breath as he stared at Mo Xiuyao for quite some time before finally confirming that the man wasn’t joking but actually made such a proposal. After a while, Lei Zhenting sighed and said, "Prince Ding doesn't know much about Cangmang Mountain, so naturally he wouldn't be aware of their strength." Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "This prince is also not very knowledgeable about Cangmang Mountain." The successive generations of heirs to the legacy of Cangmang Mountain never meddled with the people from Ding王府, so for them, Cangmang Mountain was only a vague legend. Perhaps the people of Cangmang Mountain knew that none of the past leaders of Prince Ding’s line were suitable as their pawns. "But… even if this is the case, can it be said that Cangmang Mountain has no power to rival an entire country" Since they had set up so many plans and schemes, it proved that the people of Cangmang Mountain also harbored ambitions. If one possessed ambition but always hid behind others, then this could only mean that they lacked the capability to vie for supremacy.
Lei Zhenting shook his head and said, "The reason why those from Cangmang Mountain never participate in vying for supremacy is not because they don’t have such strength. But rather…" Lei Zhenting hesitated as if he was uncertain whether or not to continue. After pausing briefly, he eventually started talking again, “They always remain hidden and do not emerge into the world because the successive generations of Cangmang Mountain’s masters are all women. They cannot present themselves to vie for that position on the throne. The Central Plains is different from Nanjiang; no one—be it ordinary citizens or literati—can tolerate a woman ascending as an empress. Therefore, they can only choose to secretly control. Over these few hundred years of operation, Cangmang Mountain’s power has already spread throughout the western regions of Chu and Xi Ling, even reaching Nanzhao and Beirong, and even leaving traces in several Western Regions countries. Does Prince Ding know why Eastern You suddenly appeared this time”
Mo Xiuyao raised his brows without speaking.
Lei Zhenting said coldly, "Because among those killed by you in the imperial city of Xi Ling were many from Cangmang Mountain. This alerted the current master of Cangmang Mountain. What you said is correct; at present, the best choice for Cangmang Mountain would be Mo Jingli because… currently, there’s the most influence of Cangmang Mountain on Chu's imperial court. Furthermore… even your Ding王府, this prince cannot guarantee that it doesn’t have anyone from Cangmang Mountain."
The Ding王府 was run by successive princes like a tightly sealed iron drum; although Lei Zhenting said so, he also knew in his heart that if there was any place where Cangmang Mountain found it most difficult to infiltrate, it would be the Ding王府.
Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "Thanks for Prince Nan’s guidance. I understand now. Honestly speaking, within a short period of time, this prince also cannot spare hands to deal with those from Cangmang Mountain. However, I can assure you that when you face off against Mo Jingli, I will not ambush you from behind. If necessary, at times, I may even provide some information for you. Of course, it is limited to Cangmang Mountain."
Lei Zhenting knew very well that although the Chu court had moved southward now, his Ding王府 was still no less informed about things in Chu than others. In fact, Mo Xiuyao’s promise exceeded Lei Zhenting's expectations greatly. However, how much one could trust what Mo Xiuyao said was a question. Mo Xiuyao also noticed Lei Zhenting's skepticism and said solemnly, "Since I have made a commitment, I will not go back on my word. If it comes to fighting Prince Nan, it’s better to do so openly on the battlefield."
Lei Zhenting looked deeply at both of them before getting up and saying, "I understand now. In that case, this prince takes his leave."
"No need to see me off,"
Shortly after sending Lei Zhenting away, Yelü Hong and Princess Ronghua arrived. The four of them had a secret discussion in the study for nearly an hour. What they talked about was naturally unknown, but news of Prince Ding’s secret investigation with Yelü Hong reached Yelü Ye's ears without any obstruction.
In the inn, Yelü Ye's face was as cold and forbidding as water. After dismissing the guards who reported to him, a glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. If Yelü Hong wanted to ally with Mo Xiuyao against him… it wouldn’t be that easy!
In the inner room, Concubine Liu sat by the bed with a pale face. Despite resting overnight, her wound still throbbed painfully. Thinking of how Princess Zhenning had thrust a hairpin into her stomach without hesitation and how her children obeyed Mo Xiuyao and Ye Lye without question, Concubine Liú’s expression became even colder.
"Prince," after some thought, Concubine Liu called out.
After a moment, Yelü Ye walked in with a solemn face. His eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at Concubine Liu. Originally, they only had a mutually beneficial relationship. After last night, the way Yelü Ye looked at Concubine Liu became even more disdainful. Although she had helped him greatly during the offensive on Chu’s city walls earlier, her utility diminished afterwards. The reason why he hadn’t discarded her was because this woman knew how to please men, especially his father. Yelü Ye couldn't understand why such a wise and capable father would become senile after turning sixty years old. Although there wasn't any real relationship between him and Concubine Liu, every time he saw the mocking smile on Yelü Hong’s face when looking at himself, Yelü Ye wanted to strangle this woman.
"What is it" asked Yelü Ye coldly.
Due to Yelü Ye's indifferent tone, Concubine Liu bit the corner of her lip in hatred. But knowing they were in Li City and she had to rely on Yelü Ye for everything, she didn't dare to lose her temper too much. She forced a smile and said, "Prince’s mood doesn’t seem good Is it because of Yelü Hong and Prince Ding’s王府" Yelü Ye looked at her coldly; Concubine Liu replied indifferently, “Prince needn’t look at me like this, it's not difficult to guess. After all… the crown prince consort is Princess Ronghua. Although they didn't get along well with Prince Ding’s王府 when in the capital city before, she and Ye Lye have had a good relationship during their meeting in Li City. Yelü Hong wants to ally with Prince Ding against you, naturally he would start from his own crown prince consort.”
Ye Lieleng snorted and said, "If Ye Li Hong wants to deal with me, he also needs to see if he has the ability. He’s only fortunate enough to have a mother who is the birth mother of a queen."
Lady Liu Gui feifei said, "Indeed so. It's too bad that everything about Your Excellency is good except for you not having a maternal aunt who could be a queen's mother."
These words hit straight at Ye Lieleng’s pain points and he glared at her in an annoyed manner, “If you just want to waste my time talking nonsense then don’t bother. Take better care of your injuries so that… you won't die as a guest in Li City.” Hearing the word "die", Lady Liu Gui feifei couldn't help but tremble slightly. Over the past two years she had endured too much pain and struggle, which made her understand how terrible death could be. She also knew that Ye Lieleng was dissatisfied with her. If she angered him, even if others didn’t harm her, Ye Lieleng would resort to any means necessary to make her die in Li City. Thinking of this, Lady Liu Gui feifei couldn't help but resent Ye Liye’s good fortune again. She believed that she wasn't inferior to Ye Liye in any way, but Ye Liye was the queen consort of Ding Wang and enjoyed adoration from everyone while she had struggled just to stay alive.
Seeing Lady Liu Gui feifei submit gracefully, Ye Lieleng finally hummed with satisfaction. Lady Liu Gui feifei quickly dismissed her thoughts and said to Ye Lieleng, "Your Excellency, if the Emperor learns that Crown Prince is getting along so well with Ding Wang, do you think he will be angry Even if His Majesty won’t harm the Crown Prince, what about the Crown Princess" The Northern Rong people inherently rejected foreigners, which was why Lady Liu Gui feifei had to use a false name when she was Qingyina. Without her noble status, if she were in Northern Rong as a woman from Chu Kingdom, she would have been trampled down long ago.
Hearing this, a glint appeared in Ye Lieleng’s eyes. If he could eliminate Ye Li Hong naturally that would be best. Even if not, removing Princess Ronghua was also an option. Once Princess Ronghua was gone, Ye Li Hong and Ding Wang's relationship would become precarious. "Continue talking,"
Lady Liu Gui feifei nodded and said, “If His Majesty discovers that Crown Prince is colluding with the Dingwang’s residence, Your Excellency could do something in between, or maybe there’ll be trouble on the border…”
Ye Lieleng lowered his gaze and did not speak. Lady Liu Gui feifei knew he was thinking things through and didn’t interrupt him. After a while, she saw Ye Lieleng lift his head to look at her, saying, “I will have to rely on you for this matter.”
Lady Liu Gui feifei understood and smiled slightly, "Yes Your Excellency, I’ll send an urgent letter to His Majesty immediately." The Northern Rong King was getting old. In the recent years he had become increasingly incompetent, leading him to favor Lady Liu Gui feifei despite her being his son’s fiancée—a fact that wasn't just a casual remark by Ye Lieleng but also well-known to many people. This made Ye Lieleng look bad.
Not long after the secret letter was sent from the post station, a gray figure appeared in Ding Wang's study. Inside the room, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Liye were seated opposite Ye Li Hong and Princess Ronghua, leisurely sipping tea. Mo Xiuyao took the confidential letter presented by Ah Jin with both hands and handed it directly to Ye Li Hong without looking at it. Ye Li Hong silently opened the letter and looked inside. His face turned pale, and he slammed the letter onto the table.
Princess Ronghua frowned worriedly when she saw this and picked up the letter herself; her expression was also not pleasant. If this letter reached Northern Rong, the first person to suffer would be her.
Moi Xiuyao said with a faint smile, "Prince Li Hong of Ye doesn’t need to worry about it. In this Li City, if I don’t agree, even a mosquito wouldn’t be able to fly out. But… after Prince Ye Lieleng returns to Northern Rong, I won’t be able to do anything." Ye Li Hong looked at Mo Xiuyao and said calmly, "Isn't Ding Wang just hoping for us to fight among brothers"
Moi Xiuyao smiled slightly and replied, “Prince Li Hong of Ye’s meaning is that if there isn’t me, you would get along well with your brother These years, I haven’t made any moves in Northern Rong.”
Ye Li Hong was silent. Not only these years, but since he was established as Crown Prince, his struggle against Ye Lieleng had never ceased. Don't think that nomadic tribes don't engage in intrigue; their struggles are even more ruthless and bloody than those hidden underground schemes. Ye Lieleng is a person with great ambition, but Ye Li Hong isn’t someone to be pushed around either. Since he's on the throne of Crown Prince, he can't afford to back down. So their conflict cannot be changed by anyone else. However, even though Mo Xiuyao was right, it didn't change the fact that he had been outsmarted by Mo Xiuyao.
Moi Xiuyao said with a smile, "In fact, Prince Li Hong of Ye doesn’t need to worry too much. Actually, at least our goals are aligned, aren’t they You don’t want to lose to Ye Lieleng; I want to drive the Northern Rong army out of Central Plains and take some lives." Ye Li Hong said with a bad temper, "I am the Crown Prince of Northern Rong." Would it sound comfortable for him to hear about driving the Northern Rong forces out of Central Plains Although the land was taken by Ye Lieleng, he indeed felt envious. But that place belonged to Northern Rong anyway. The Central Plains were rich and fertile; who wouldn’t want them
Moi Xiuyao said coolly, "The landscapes and customs in the Central Plains are vastly different from those of the North."
Ye Li Hong raised his eyebrows somewhat unwillingly and asked, "How does Ding Wang know it’s not possible"
"At least for now it's not feasible," Mo Xiuyao rebutted bluntly. "The Central Plains are not weak to that extent yet. Even without Chu Kingdom, there is my Ding Wang’s Residence; even if there isn’t my residence, there’s still Western Ling. For Northern Rong to meddle in the Central Plains, it might not be strong enough." These words were both facts and warnings. Although Ye Li Hong was unwilling, he knew that Mo Xiuyao's words were true. Historically, there were countless attempts by Northern Rong to invade the Central Plains, but none succeeded. Even when the dynasties of the Central Plains had declined to their extreme limits, those who overthrew them were still people from within the Central Plains. Perhaps the people in the Central Plains were passionate about internal struggles, which is why they changed dynasty after dynasty and generation after generation. But they were also resolute in opposing foreign invasions; even at critical times, they could put aside their internal conflicts to unite against external enemies. This was one of the reasons many outside tribes failed in their attempts to invade.
Ye Lihong sighed and said, "Perhaps Prince Ding was right." He wasn't here to discuss with Mo Xiuyao whether or not the Beirong should invade Zhongyuan. In fact, he didn’t have the qualifications to discuss this issue until he could sit in the throne of Beirong.
Mo Xiuyao did not want to dwell on this matter either and said with a smile while looking at Ye Lihong, "Prince Ye, there is no need for you to worry. I have no interest in Beirong as well. So…there should be no conflict of interests between us, right After Prince Yelian’s death, you will take over the throne, and I will claim back what belongs to Zhongyuan. Furthermore…you won’t even need to do much yourself. It would just be a windfall for you."
"Then, what does Prince Ding plan on doing" Ye Lihong could not deny that he had been convinced by Mo Xiuyao’s words. As the Crown Prince of Beirong, he certainly did not have any intention to betray his country through collaboration with the Prince Ding Manor. However, he was far from comfortable in this position. His mother may be the Queen Dowager of Beirong, but his father preferred Yelian's mother more than him. More importantly, Yelian had greater military power backing him up. In Beirong, without sufficient military strength, you were nothing. Recently, his father also favored a woman that Yelian brought back to Beirong. Although he ridiculed Yelian every time, the pressure on him increased as well. If it was not out of necessity, he would never have accepted the olive branch from the Prince Ding Manor. He would not betray Beirong, but he needed to ensure his status and safety.
Mo Xiuyao smiled indifferently and looked at Ye Lie beside him. Earlier, Ye Lie had been writing on a piece of paper non-stop while Mo Xiuyao was speaking. She only put down her brush now and handed the letter filled with writings to Ye Lihong. When Ye Lihong received it, he was stunned. The handwriting in this letter was at least 90% similar to that of the previous one, but its content had nothing alike. While the former letter accused Ye Lihong of treason through collaboration with Prince Ding Manor, the latter one replaced Ye Lihong’s name with Yelian's and replaced the other side from Prince Ding Manor with Ren Qining in Beirong. Ren Qining and Yelian signed an agreement at Zi Jing Pass earlier, but it was actually done without authorization. If they made some articles on this matter, it would not be a bad idea either. Thinking of which, Ye Lihong looked at Ye Lie appreciatively, "Thank you, Lady Dowager."
Ye Lie smiled indifferently and said, "It is no need for the Crown Prince to be so polite. Although there are slight differences in my handwriting compared to Empress Dowager Liu’s, I believe it won’t cause any problems."
If this happened in Dachu, it might have caused some trouble because there were many calligraphy experts in the imperial court of Dachu. However, in Beirong, as long as someone could translate a letter, they would already be considered quite capable and forget about distinguishing handwriting from another person’s. Even if someone compared Ye Lie's writings with Empress Dowager Liu’s previous works, it might not have been possible for them to notice the slight differences.
"But in this way…when Yelian returns to Beirong with Empress Dowager Liu, won’t they be discovered" Princess Ronghua frowned and said worriedly.
Mo Xiuyao replied, "You don't need to worry too much about that. In the short term, it is unlikely for Yelian to return to Beirong. As long as you prevent him from writing letters back to his father, there would be no problems. As for Empress Dowager Liu…she doesn’t have a need to go back."
Given how much King of Beirong favored her, it was definitely not good if she returned to Beirong at this moment. Not to mention that Mo Xiuyao never intended on letting those two people leave Dachu in the first place.
"There is only one more matter I require your help with."
This many matters were all planned by Mo Xiuyao and Ye Lie, so Ye Lihong knew he could not do nothing. He nodded his head and said, "Prince Ding can speak freely."
Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "Transfer Helian Zhen to Zhongyuan to assist Yelian."
"This…," Ye Lihong hesitated somewhat. Although Helian Zhen gradually fell from grace after his military defeat many years ago, he was still the uncle of Yelian. In recent years, there were signs that he might regain his influence again. Moreover, how many generals in Beirong had served under him If they let him lead an army, it would only breed a monster.
"You don’t need to worry about this matter. I will take care of Helian Zhen for you."
Ye Lihong only remembered then that Mo Xiuyao and Helian Zhen were sworn enemies. He thought for a while before nodding his head, "Since it is so, I will inform my father to allow Helian Zhen to lead an army."
"Thank you."
——
Still the draft chapter poster...I should be home today~e he loves Mother. He kissed her when she fell asleep last time. Father says only lovers can play kissy-kissy. I love Mother too, so I want to kiss her…""Moxiu Yao!" Ye Li was furious and glared at Mo...