Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 104. Lantern Festival

104. Lantern Festival

After they returned to the Capital City, Mo Xiuyao was busy dealing with the political situation in the court and the Emperor’s incessant probing. Ye Li was occupied with the affairs of Prince Ding’s Mansion and the training of the elite troops at the foot of Black Cloud Peak, putting other matters on hold. It wasn’t until Murong Ting and Leng Haoyu came to visit that Ye Li remembered the battle in Yongzhou was not over yet. Naturally, Murong Ting and Leng Haoyu came under the pretext of visiting Princess Consort Ding. Back in Biancheng City, after much insistence from Murong Shen, Murong Ting ended up marrying Leng Haoyu. They had now returned to the Capital City. She was no longer the Eldest Miss from General Murong’s Mansion but the Second Young Madam of the Leng Family. Mo Xiuyao was undoubtedly responsible for the speed at which Murong Ting and Leng Haoyu got married. Ye Li felt some guilt about this, but her worries eased after seeing the radiant Murong Ting. It seemed that no matter the circumstances, Murong could always make herself happy and content. Considering Leng Haoyu’s deep affection for Murong Ting, he certainly wouldn’t mistreat her.

"Murong, Young Master Leng, I apologize for missing your wedding." Seeing Murong Ting, still dressed in red and looking vibrant, Ye Li offered an apologetic smile. Murong Ting casually waved her hand and laughed. "What’s there to apologize for? It’s all due to my persistent father..." She shot a resentful glare at Leng Haoyu, who was sitting beside her. However, her eyes held a unique coyness and a feminine charm she had never shown before. Leng Haoyu, good-naturedly, smiled at Murong Ting and didn’t respond. Ye Li observed them, gave a slight shake of her head, and smiled lightly. Leng Haoyu must indeed be deeply in love with Murong Ting to be so tolerant of her temperament. Then again, describing Leng Haoyu as tolerant was quite a stretch.

Leaving Mo Xiuyao and Leng Haoyu to their discussion, Ye Li pulled Murong Ting aside for a casual chat. Murong Ting, somewhat puzzled, glanced at Mo Xiuyao and Leng Haoyu seated not far away. She wasn’t foolish. Despite being married to Leng Haoyu for less than a month, she sensed that the private Leng Haoyu was not entirely the same as the one she had known. Now, seeing him conversing with Prince Ding with such seriousness and intent—an expression she had never witnessed on him before—her suspicion grew stronger. If Leng Haoyu were truly a carefree wastrel, Prince Ding would never sit and converse with him, not even for Ye Li’s sake. "Murong, what’s wrong?"

Murong Ting looked puzzled. "Li’er... are you hiding something from me?"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, smiling as she asked, "Who do you think is hiding something from you?"

Murong Ting voiced her frustration. "I think Leng Haoyu is not the same person I used to know. Sometimes I even doubt if I ever truly knew him." Even though Leng Haoyu still appeared uninterested in worldly affairs and immersed in food, drinks, and merriment when they returned to the mansion, as his wife, Murong Ting knew better. She was aware that Leng Haoyu was often busy in his study until midnight, although nobody knew what he was working on.

Ye Li looked calmly at Murong Ting, asking softly, "Do you feel happy after getting married, Murong? How is your relationship with Second Young Master Leng?"

Murong Ting was taken aback. Her face flushed slightly as she avoided Ye Li’s gaze and hesitated. "Well... It doesn’t seem that bad... As they say, I’m bound to get married eventually. He is the man that Father chose. Even though he fools around all the time, Father didn’t seem to mind, so I guess... he probably isn’t all that bad. Besides, he treats me quite well." Ye Li smiled faintly. It seemed that all those years of Second Young Master Leng’s persistence were not in vain. Glancing over at Leng Haoyu, who was talking to Mo Xiuyao but still keeping an eye on their side, Ye Li laughed. "If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask him yourself?" Murong Ting huffed, "He’s been playing the fool in front of me all these years. Do you really expect me to start asking him now? I certainly don’t fancy that."

Ye Li didn’t meddle in another couple’s affairs, so she simply asked with a smile, "Are you getting used to living in the Leng Mansion yet?"

Murong Ting’s face fell. She looked ruefully at Ye Li. "Not many people have your good fortune, Ah-Li. Now I understand why Leng Haoyu dislikes the Leng family. It’s definitely not a place for a normal person." Mentioning her new marital home prompted a slew of complaints from Murong Ting. Now that she finally had someone to confide in, she naturally didn’t hide anything from Ye Li, rattling off everything that had happened since their return to the Capital City. The Leng family was among the prestigious aristocratic families in the Capital City, particularly in this generation with the emergence of Leng Qingyu. At twenty-six, he became the Commander of the Imperial Army in the Capital City and was unarguably the Emperor’s trusted confidant. Naturally, the entire Leng family placed their hopes on him. In contrast, the notorious wastrel, Second Young Master Leng Haoyu, was inevitably underestimated. However, it wasn’t until Murong Ting actually married into the Leng family that she realized the extent of the neglect Second Young Master Leng endured. Even servants with some standing in the household dared to make snide remarks about Leng Haoyu. They wouldn’t have dared to do so if the head of the family had not indulged them.

Murong Ting had always been one to speak her mind, not suffer in silence, so naturally, she found these people unbearable and had unknowingly caused many disputes in the past few days. Worse, the Leng family’s Madam of House, Leng Haoyu’s nominal mother, never sided with them, regardless of who was right or wrong. Even Eldest Young Master Leng, whom Murong Ting had once admired, treated his younger brother Leng Haoyu with cold disregard and disdain, leaving Murong Ting deeply frustrated. Even if she were careless, she could clearly see that Leng Haoyu had no place in the Leng Mansion. Anyone living in such an environment would develop a foul temper.

Listening to Murong Ting’s complaints, Ye Li laughed curiously. "Didn’t you used to have a good impression of Eldest Young Master Leng?" In the few times they had met, it seemed Murong Ting couldn’t help but compare Leng Qingyu and Leng Haoyu. Ye Li had never interacted with Leng Qingyu but had heard of this famously cold-faced young master in the Capital City. However, as the Leng Family was loyal to the Emperor and clearly not aligned with Prince Ding’s Mansion, there was no need for them to interact.

Murong Ting slumped weakly in her chair, looking pitifully at Ye Li. "Isn’t there a saying... ’admire from afar, but don’t get too close’? He seemed impressive from a distance. But imagine being looked down upon from head to toe three times a day by someone. Especially when their very gaze makes you feel like something unclean—you can’t tolerate that!" Ye Li raised an eyebrow with interest. "Does Leng Qingyu treat Second Young Master Leng that way?" Murong Ting shrugged. "Actually, apart from Leng Haoyu’s father, his entire family treats him that way. That place is a hellhole I can’t endure. Unfortunately... I can’t just move back to the Murong Mansion now. Who knows what rumors would spread if outsiders found out? However, Leng Haoyu told me that after the initial newlywed period, he’d ask his father if we could buy a courtyard outside and move out on our own."

"Would General Leng agree?" Ye Li asked. It was well-known that the Leng family was particularly concerned about their family reputation. Aside from Leng Haoyu frequently infuriating his father, the Leng family was known for something quite impressive in the Capital City: among numerous other officials, General Leng was the only one who did not have any concubines. Both his sons were born of Madam Leng. However, many people also knew that Second Young Master Leng was not actually Madam Leng’s biological son. He was the son of a servant girl who died shortly after giving birth to him. Thus, he was raised under Madam Leng’s name, thereby becoming an official son of the Grand General of National Garrison’s Mansion. Madam Leng’s extensive pampering of the Second Young Master had subsequently nurtured him into the most notorious prodigal son in the Capital City.

Murong Ting pursed her lips. "If Leng Haoyu says it’s okay, it should be. I don’t want to go pay my respects every morning only to be dragged into a session lamenting how worthless and scoundrelly Leng Haoyu is." They were truly treating her, Murong Ting, as a fool. Regardless of whether Leng Haoyu was as they described, even if he were a prodigal son, couldn’t she distinguish between close and distant relatives? Worst comes to worst, she would send Leng Haoyu to her father’s army for some harsh training. She had no interest in joining a group of idle women to discuss how terrible her husband was.

Ye Li nodded, looking at Murong Ting with a smile. "As long as you trust him, that’s what matters. If Second Young Master Leng told you this, it means he can indeed handle it. Mutual trust is the most important thing for a couple."

Murong Ting blinked, smiling mischievously at Ye Li. "Just like you and Prince Ding, huh? Hee hee... That time in Yonglin, when Prince Ding appeared on the battlefield in the nick of time and saved the Princess Consort... I heard so many dramatic accounts when I was in Yonglin. I’m afraid the entire Jiangnan has heard about it by now. Back in Yonglin City, many young maidens were dying of envy for the Princess Consort."

Ye Li shot her a helpless glance.

Meanwhile, Mo Xiuyao and Leng Haoyu finished their discussion, and Leng Haoyu prepared to depart. Although Murong Ting was a bit reluctant to leave, she understood they were both married women now, and Ye Li, in particular, was very busy. So, they didn’t linger and rose to take their leave with Leng Haoyu. Leng Haoyu glanced at Mo Xiuyao standing aside, then smiled at Ye Li. "Princess Consort, I’ve heard that the new Family Head of the Han Family is planning some rather interesting new business ventures but seems quite hesitant. I was wondering if there might be an opportunity for me to get involved?" Ye Li glanced at Mo Xiuyao and smiled. "You are indeed well-informed, Second Young Master Leng." Leng Haoyu didn’t mind, laughing. "As a businessman, one naturally has certain channels. Please forgive my forwardness, Princess Consort."

Ye Li laughed generously. "Since Young Master Leng is interested, why not discuss it with Young Master Han? I’m just the owner in name and don’t get involved in the specifics."

Leng Haoyu smiled. "The Princess Consort’s talent and ideas are always astonishing. It’s hardly the case that you know nothing. In that case, I thank you, Princess Consort. We’ll take our leave."

"We won’t see you out."

Murong Ting looked at them strangely, not quite understanding what business Leng Haoyu wanted to pursue or why he had to ask Li’er if he was doing business with the Han Family. But at least this proves Leng Haoyu also intends to do something legitimate, right?

After seeing Murong Ting and Leng Haoyu off, Ye Li turned to Mo Xiuyao, who looked somewhat grim. She raised an eyebrow. "What’s wrong? Did Leng Haoyu say something upsetting?"

Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his arms and snorted lightly. "What else could it be but the situation in Yongzhou? Liu Jingyun and Guan Ting, those two incompetents! With over a hundred thousand troops, they were utterly crushed by Mo Jingli’s mere hundred thousand, completely unable to fight back." Ye Li raised her brows. "A hundred thousand? Mo Jingli divided his forces and advanced eastward?" Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Indeed. Mo Jingli conscripted two hundred thousand troops from Lingzhou, intending to seize all territory south of the Yunlan River in the shortest possible time. Originally, that wasn’t much of a concern. However, according to information from Yongzhou, an exceptionally formidable figure seems to have appeared in Mo Jingli’s forces. A few days ago, he engaged Liu Jingyun and Guan Ting. Those two fools lost three battles out of three. If General Murong hadn’t reinforced them in time, Yonglin City might have truly fallen into their hands."

"His Majesty is resolute in not letting the Mo Family Army go south to quell the rebellion. Your anger won’t help," Ye Li said, raising her hand to pat his arm comfortingly.

Mo Xiuyao sighed heavily. "I know." He knew, of course, that the Emperor (Mo Jingqi) would rather cede the entire region south of the Yunlan River to Mo Jingli than allow King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion’s influence to take root there. Thus, the situation had devolved to this: the southern campaign suffered repeated defeats, with two incompetents achieving nothing despite commanding over one hundred thousand soldiers. Meanwhile, Mo Xiuyao and the other influential figures of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, however much they wished to deploy troops southward, could only remain idle with their forces, watching anxiously.

"Liu Jingyun has never fought a war, let alone commanded over a hundred thousand troops. That Guan Ting is also useless. The Grand General of National Garrison is currently unwell and recuperating at home. Old State Duke Hua is elderly and, moreover, lacks the Emperor’s trust. As for the commanders under Prince Ding’s Mansion, they’re out of the question. I fear that even if Mo Jingli conquered the entire south, the Emperor wouldn’t allow them onto the battlefield," Ye Li mused.

Mo Xiuyao said gravely, "With General Murong overseeing him, that fool Guan Ting should be able to hold out for a few months, as long as he doesn’t try to be too clever. But... once Mo Jingli truly controls the south and turns his attention back to him, that will be Guan Ting’s doom." Ye Li frowned. "Given Mo Jingli’s speed, by the time that happens, you should still be in Beirong, shouldn’t you?" Mo Xiuyao shook his head and snorted, a hint of anger in his voice. "Forget it. Let them make a mess if they want. I don’t have time for them right now. It’s good for the Emperor to have something to occupy him, so he doesn’t spend all day staring at Prince Ding’s Mansion." Ye Li smiled helplessly. "I’m afraid that no matter how much else he has to do, he won’t forget about King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion."

"Since he insists on watching Prince Ding’s Mansion, I’ll give him an eyeful. Ah-Li, let’s go for a walk." Circling an arm around Ye Li’s slender waist, Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly and began to lead her outside. Ye Li glanced at the sky in confusion. "It’s almost dark. Where are we going for a walk?" Mo Xiuyao smiled. "You’ll know when we get there."

Walking among the bustling throngs, Ye Li, who had lived in the Capital of Great Chu for so many years, never realized the city’s nights could be so vibrant. This wasn’t a place frequented by the capital’s elite, but rather a market street where common folk gathered. As evening settled, the streets, lined with lanterns of diverse designs—some plain, others exquisitely ornate—came alive. People strolled in small groups, laughing and chatting. It was indeed a picture of peace and joy. Ye Li looked down at their intertwined hands. Under the lantern light, it wasn’t as bright as daytime. Most people on the street were ordinary citizens, so the couple blended into the crowd unnoticed. At most, passersby would occasionally glance at Mo Xiuyao’s mask, their attention then drawn to the couple’s striking appearance and dignified air.

"What special occasion is it today?" Looking at the jubilant crowd, Ye Li leaned into Mo Xiuyao’s arms and asked curiously.

Mo Xiuyao gently drew her closer into his embrace and said with a soft laugh, "It’s not a particularly special day. In the Capital City, there’s a night market and lantern festival one day each month. On this day, the curfew is extended by four hours compared to usual, making it one of the liveliest days in the capital. This is a tradition here. Didn’t you know, Ah-Li?" Ye Li was silent. She truly hadn’t known about such a day. Mo Xiuyao turned to her with a smile. "Enjoying oneself with these common people is entirely different from mingling with nobles and dignitaries. When I was young, I came here almost every month. I’ve always wanted to bring you to see it." Ye Li looked up at him and smiled faintly. "Then, if we have time in the future, let’s come every month. The capital can be quite dull sometimes."

Looking at Ye Li’s lovely face under the lantern light, Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his embrace, rested his chin on her shoulder, and chuckled softly. "Alright. If Ah-Li likes it, we’ll come every month from now on."

Passing pedestrians saw a handsome, distinguished man carefully protecting a delicate, graceful woman in his arms amidst the crowd. Judging by the woman’s attire and hairstyle, she was clearly married. In the eyes of the onlookers, this striking pair was undoubtedly a newlywed couple, and many offered them warm, knowing smiles.

Mo Xiuyao expertly navigated the crowd with Ye Li, his hand in hers. Though it had been many years since his last visit, the lantern festival seemed largely unchanged, and he easily found his destination: a rather humble-looking stall selling flower lanterns. The stallholder was an elderly man with white hair, meticulously hanging up finished lanterns one by one on a nearby rack. However, due to his age, he struggled, his hand trembling as he tried several times to hang a magnificent lotus lantern on the highest hook. Mo Xiuyao stopped beside him, reached out, took the lantern from the old man’s hand, and hung it up. The old man, startled, turned to see a couple of extraordinary grace and bearing standing before him. He looked at Mo Xiuyao, frowning slightly. "Thank you, young master... You look somewhat familiar. I feel as though I’ve seen you somewhere before..." Mo Xiuyao smiled calmly. "I used to come here often some years ago and bought quite a few lanterns from your stall, sir. It’s no wonder you find me familiar."

The old man waved his hands modestly. "This old one doesn’t deserve to be called ’sir.’ Young master, have you brought your wife to enjoy the lantern festival? Would you care to buy a flower lantern?"

The word ’wife’ clearly pleased Mo Xiuyao. He glanced at Ye Li, then pointed to a pair of plain flower lanterns set aside. "We’ll take these two." The old man looked at them, a little hesitant. Though the young master and his wife weren’t dressed extravagantly, the old man had been selling flower lanterns for most of his life and had seen countless people. This pair was clearly of noble birth; they didn’t seem like the type to choose such simple lanterns. Ye Li understood the old man’s thoughts and smiled gently. "Yes, those two, please. Their simplicity and elegance are quite unique."

Seeing their genuine interest in the simple flower lanterns, the old man nodded and handed them over. Ye Li took one. It was indeed a very ordinary lantern. The craftsmanship was decent, but compared to the other lanterns with their intricate designs of birds and flowers, it was merely conventional. Even the paper covering was ordinary white paper, onto which some simple floral patterns had been painted. It looked like two lanterns cobbled together from leftover materials after more elaborate ones were made. Mo Xiuyao took the lantern from Ye Li’s hand, examined it, then smiled at her. He turned, picked up the brush and ink the old man had set aside, and began to paint. A short while later, he stopped, nodded with satisfaction, and handed the lantern back to Ye Li. She looked down. Using the blank spaces on the original floral design, he had sketched several graceful female figures—one holding a scroll, another frowning in thought, one plucking a flower, another grasping a sword. Though rendered with just a few strokes, the demure beauty of the women seemed to leap from the paper. The once plain and uninteresting flower lantern was instantly transformed into an exquisite ’beauty’ lantern.

Ye Li looked at the lantern in her hand, then at the other one set aside, a smile playing on her lips. She took the brush and began to sketch on the second lantern. It took her noticeably longer than Mo Xiuyao, but he waited patiently by her side. When Ye Li handed him the finished lantern, Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow in surprise. On the lantern, a man on horseback brandished a spear, his presence overwhelmingly powerful. Unlike Mo Xiuyao, who had drawn several scenes, Ye Li had depicted only that single, airborne warrior, as sharp and imposing as a god of war descending to earth. It was the very scene from outside Yonglin City that day. Mo Xiuyao looked at the lantern, his smile deepening. "Is this how I appeared in Ah-Li’s eyes at that moment?"

Ye Li’s face flushed. She picked up her own ’beauty’ lantern. "My skill with the brush doesn’t capture the spirit as well as yours. If you don’t like it, then never mind."

Mo Xiuyao laughed. "How could I not like it? I will treasure it always." Looking at the figure on the lantern, his eyes filled with even greater delight. He had never known that in Ah-Li’s eyes, he appeared so imposing and formidable.

Mo Xiuyao paid the old man, who had been watching them paint the lanterns, then took Ye Li’s hand again, and they continued on their way. The old man, still somewhat dazed, looked down at the pieces of silver in his palm—enough to equal what he’d earn from selling lanterns all evening. His eyes flickered, and suddenly, as if remembering something, he grew agitated. "It’s... So it was..." But he didn’t finish his sentence, his gaze lost on the couple’s gradually receding figures. Years ago, a spirited young man in fine clothes used to come to his stall every month to buy a flower lantern. Each time, the young man would pick the plainest, most poorly made one, yet he would always pay the price of a top-quality lantern. Over time, the old man understood. The young man, seeing he was old and alone, had worried his inferior lanterns wouldn’t sell and so chose the worst ones to help him out. But then, some years ago, that young man had stopped appearing...