Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 124. Confess

124. Confession

"Princess Consort."

In the study, Ye Li set down the unplaced chess piece and looked up at Qin Feng by the door. "What is it?"

Qin Feng reported, "The assassin has confessed."

Mo Hua, who was seated across from her, brightened, also setting down his chess piece and staring intently at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng smiled. "Princess Consort, your method was indeed effective. Yesterday afternoon, one of the assassins couldn’t bear it any longer and confessed. However, their leader held out until just now."

Ye Li nodded in satisfaction, gathering the chess pieces and the board. "Bring him here, along with all their testimonies."

Qin Feng acknowledged and departed.

Soon, a man, his face etched with exhaustion and haggardness, was escorted in by two guards, one on each side. The crimson veins in his eyes and his wary gaze fixed on Ye Li revealed he was at his limit. After several days and nights without food, water, or sleep, he was so physically and mentally debilitated that even if she released him, he would likely collapse and die outside the main gate of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion.

Smiling faintly as she observed the man forced to kneel on the floor, Ye Li said lightly, "It’s been a few days. Are you well, Your Excellency?"

The man’s crimson eyes seemed to blaze with fire as he glared fixedly at the woman in green before him. Ye Li, unconcerned, toyed with the jade bracelet on her wrist and sighed softly. "You needn’t look at me like that. I had no choice but to use this method on you. My Prince is not here; for so many of you to bully a weak woman like me, that hardly counts as acting honorably, does it?"

The man was already dispirited; that he could still muster the energy to glare at Ye Li was a testament to his resilience. Unfortunately, it had no effect on Ye Li. Soon enough, his defiance waned, and he hoarsely asked, "What exactly do you want?"

Ye Li slowly let her smile fade, her expression turning serious. "Tell me, who is the mastermind behind all this?"

"I’ve already told you," the man said.

Ye Li sneered, casually tossing the written confession in her hand onto the table. "When it comes to forging confessions, I’m afraid you’re far from an expert. Zhuo Jing..."

Darky Three nodded. "Understood. We will double the training in interrogation and intelligence analysis."

Ye Li nodded in satisfaction and glanced at the man on the ground. "Still unwilling to speak? Then go back and continue resting. Don’t worry, I won’t take your life. Let him rest for two hours before resuming the interrogation."

Hearing her words, the man’s expression finally changed. Qin Feng frowned. "If we let him rest sufficiently and then start over, won’t it diminish the effect?"

Ye Li smiled. "Two hours. Don’t worry. I believe that after a brief rest, this gentleman will better appreciate the... unique charm of this interrogation method."

"No, I’ll speak..." the man said, his face ashen.

Ye Li said, "Very good. Who sent you? Don’t tell me again it was that person in the Palace. Although you’ve only confessed now, your subordinates aren’t entirely clueless either. The leader of Night Assassination, the third-ranked assassin organization in the worldly society? Hmm?"

The man’s face changed. He looked at Ye Li, his voice a helpless croak. "Princess Consort, you are indeed remarkably resourceful."

Ye Li smiled, taking it as a compliment, and raised an eyebrow. "The answer?"

The man said, "I don’t know who the client was exactly, but from his appearance and accent, he seemed to be from Xiling."

Ye Li pondered for a moment, then asked, "Where did he contact you?"

The man replied, "Night Assassination is in the south, near... Yongzhou. When the client approached us, Prince Ding had not yet left the Capital City, so we didn’t plan to take this job. However, he assured us repeatedly that Prince Ding would absolutely leave the Capital City within a month at most. So, he paid a hefty sum for us to infiltrate the Capital City first, with the understanding that if Prince Ding did not leave, we wouldn’t have to make a move. Over ten days ago, Prince Ding indeed left the Capital City. We then observed for another ten days. We discovered that the assassins infiltrating the mansion were not targeting us, Night Assassination, so we decided to act."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Very good. Where is your leader?"

The man started, staring at Ye Li in astonishment.

Ye Li said calmly, "Your group observed for ten days before making a move; you are not ones to act recklessly. I refuse to believe that the fate of the various assassins these past few days—none of whom returned—didn’t prompt you to properly evaluate the strength of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. To attempt something knowing it’s impossible? That can only mean... you are not the true leader of Night Assassination, are you?"

When the man lowered his head in silence, Ye Li paid him no mind. She pulled a sheet of paper from the desk and swiftly wrote for a moment before looking up and handing it to Qin Feng. "Take him down and question him according to this. If you still can’t get anything out of him, don’t bother bringing him back. This Princess Consort’s patience is wearing thin."

Qin Feng glanced at the paper in his hand, gestured to the guards with a wave, and led the man out.

Mo Hua stared intently at Ye Li. "Princess Consort, you knew all along he wasn’t the real leader? If so, why waste time on him?"

Ye Li smiled helplessly. "Although I knew he was just a pathfinder, we still don’t know where the remaining members of Night Assassination are, do we? This Princess Consort feels... if we can’t find them quickly, we’ll be in big trouble."

Mo Hua gritted his teeth. "Even if that person in the Palace wasn’t involved, he definitely knows their plans. The Hidden Guards have been obstructed at every turn while searching in the Capital City these past few days; it’s undoubtedly his doing."

Ye Li said calmly, "Have the Hidden Guards fallen to the point where they can be easily obstructed by the palace guards?"

Mo Hua’s face turned ashen, and he was speechless for a long moment. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "I wonder what brilliant strategy the Princess Consort has!"

Ye Li shrugged and smiled. "There is no brilliant strategy. We’ll meet myriad changes with an unchanging response."

An hour later, Qin Feng returned with another confession from the assassin. His expression was even grimmer than before.

Ye Li didn’t rush to read it, asking instead, "Is he dead?"

Qin Feng shook his head. "Not dead, just unconscious."

Ye Li nodded, looking down at the confession in her hand. A cold smile gradually bloomed on her lips. "Very good..." She handed the confession to Mo Hua and Zhuo Jing. Upon reading it, their expressions also grew heavy. Mo Hua stood up. "This subordinate will immediately recall all Hidden Guards near the Capital City back to the mansion!"

"Stop!" Ye Li ordered calmly.

Mo Hua turned back, glaring angrily at Ye Li. "Princess Consort, it’s clear that forces from all sides have united to attack the Prince’s Mansion! Once they..."

"Once they step inside, This Princess Consort will ensure they never leave alive!" Ye Li sneered.

Mo Hua faltered, seemingly intimidated by the potent, unreservedly released killing intent emanating from Ye Li at that moment. He frowned. "Although the Prince’s Mansion is heavily guarded, defending against so many experts simultaneously is impossible. It’s not just your safety, Princess Consort, but also many important locations within the mansion..."

Ye Li’s smile was gentle, yet it sent an involuntary chill deep into the bones of those who heard her. "Don’t worry. Send word to General Sun. Have him lead the Black Cloud Cavalry to secure all routes into and out of the Capital City. If any assassins attempt to flee, kill them without mercy. The Hidden Guards stationed throughout the Capital City are to kill anyone found fleeing! Furthermore, the Hidden Guards near Prince Ding’s Mansion, upon seeing the signal from within, are to immediately surround the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. Allow entry, but no exit."

"This subordinate obeys the command," Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing replied respectfully.

Mo Hua looked at the two and also respectfully agreed. Ye Li nodded and said to Qin Feng, "Have all your men come out for some practice. Their first mission is codenamed ’Extinguish’."

Qin Feng, somewhat excited, nodded. "This subordinate understands. I will definitely not betray the Princess Consort’s trust."

Ye Li waved her hand, dismissing the three of them. She looked up at the bright sunlight outside the window and couldn’t help but sigh. In just over ten days, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion had already turned into a sea of blood. However... no matter what, she had to protect this residence. This wasn’t just a magnificent Prince’s Mansion; it was her home.

Since Prince Ding had left the Capital City, the influential figures in the Capital City clearly felt the oppressive atmosphere of an impending storm. Not everyone was in the dark about the continuous attacks on the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion; after all, the commotion from the fighting and killing was not insignificant. However, the Palace showed no reaction whatsoever, so people began to understand the intentions of the one in the Palace. Still, an occasional, faint sense of unease would surface in their hearts. It would be one thing if the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion remained unscathed; but if something truly happened, Prince Ding’s return would surely spell considerable trouble.

A few days later, rumors spread that Princess Consort Ding was bedridden due to shock, and she declined all summons from the Palace. The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion closed its doors to all visitors, leaving both those who were concerned and those seeking information with no way to ascertain Princess Consort Ding’s true condition. Many people secretly believed the rumors of Princess Consort Ding being gravely ill. After all, she was a girl in her teens. No matter how capable, without Prince Ding by her side, enduring assassination attempts for over ten consecutive days would be unbearable, not just for a woman, but likely even for an ordinary man.

"Princess Consort, Lord Xu from the Imperial Censor’s Mansion requests an audience," Chief Steward Mo respectfully reported.

Ye Li’s brush paused. She said faintly, "I will not see him. Please ask Lord Xu to return. When my health improves, I will visit the Imperial Censor’s Mansion another day to pay my respects to Uncle and Aunt."

Chief Steward Mo hesitated for a moment. "Lord Xu is very insistent. He also said that if the Princess Consort resolutely refuses to see him, he will immediately go to the Palace to see His Majesty and forcefully report the recent assassination attempts on the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion."

In truth, it wasn’t that no one had reported this matter to the Emperor; however, all petitions had been set aside by the Emperor, who acted as if the matter didn’t exist. Some people, mindful of the Emperor’s wishes, and others, secretly placated by people sent from Prince Ding’s Mansion, contributed to the situation. So, although the assassination attempts on Prince Ding’s Mansion were now an open secret, on the surface, everyone still pretended ignorance along with the Emperor.

Ye Li fell silent for a moment, then finally said, "Please show Uncle in."

Xu Hongyan followed Chief Steward Mo in. Chief Steward Mo excused himself at the doorway, inviting Xu Hongyan to enter the study alone. Ye Li put down her brush and rose to greet him. "Uncle, what brings you here?"

Xu Hongyan glared at her irritably. "If I hadn’t come, would you have just let yourself remain in Prince Ding’s Mansion, with your life and death unknown to us?"

Ye Li smiled faintly, led Xu Hongyan into the study to sit, and said with a laugh, "What do you mean, life and death unknown? Li’er is perfectly fine. I’ve made Uncle and Aunt worry these past few days."

Xu Hongyan glanced at her coolly. "You knew we were worried, yet you still kept your Second Brother outside. If I hadn’t come personally today, were you not planning to send any news home at all?"

Ye Li looked at Xu Hongyan with some difficulty. "Uncle, these past few days, this mansion of mine..."

Xu Hongyan frowned. "Things are chaotic in the Capital City these days. Those few people at our residence, were they sent by you?"

Ye Li nodded. "I’m afraid there will be major disturbances in the Capital City these next few days. Uncle and Aunt should be careful."

Xu Hongyan frowned. "What on earth is the Emperor thinking!"

Ye Li smiled helplessly. "What other meaning could there be? He’s taking advantage of the Prince’s absence to use others to destroy Prince Ding’s Mansion. Even if the Prince returns, he can’t blame the Emperor, can he? At that point, the Prince will either have to bow his head and swallow this loss, or if he can’t resist challenging the Emperor, then the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion will be accused of ingratitude, and Li’er, I’m afraid, will become a ’beauty who brings disaster to the country.’"

How could Xu Hongyan not know these things? Deep down, he grew even more disappointed with the Emperor’s actions. Looking at Ye Li, he asked softly, "You can’t continue to feign illness forever. Do you have a plan?"

Ye Li lowered her gaze, a faint smile on her lips. "Catch them all in one net, and ensure that no one in this world ever dares to target the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion again."

Xu Hongyan looked at Ye Li with some surprise. His niece before him still seemed as gentle and graceful as ever, but the fleeting coldness in her eyes let him know she wasn’t as harmless as she appeared on the surface. Xu Hongyan sighed and said, "There wouldn’t be any problem with your uncle staying at your mansion for a few days, would there?"

Ye Li frowned, disapproving. "Uncle, how can that be acceptable?"

Xu Hongyan raised an eyebrow. "They say a maternal uncle is like a mother. Can’t your uncle enjoy his niece’s good fortune?"

Ye Li gave a bitter smile. In the past, when things were smooth and peaceful, she couldn’t even invite her uncle and aunt over, as they feared causing trouble for her and Prince Ding’s Mansion and provoking the Emperor’s disapproval. Now the mansion was in turmoil; if Uncle came, he would only share in the anxiety and fear. How could he possibly enjoy any good fortune? "Uncle, in a few days, when things settle down, Li’er will invite you and Aunt to the mansion to enjoy a comfortable life. Wouldn’t that be better?"

Xu Hongyan looked at her calmly, neither objecting nor agreeing. Ye Li helplessly rubbed her nose and lowered her head. She was no stranger to this expression of her uncle’s; it meant that nothing she said would work. He had already made up his mind.

Ye Li had to concede. "In that case, Li’er will have someone prepare a courtyard for Uncle. Qin Feng, Mo Hua."

Qin Feng and Mo Hua entered from outside, glanced at Xu Hongyan, and saluted respectfully. "Greetings, Princess Consort. Greetings, Lord Xu."

Ye Li waved her hand. "Dispense with the formalities. My Second Uncle will be staying in the mansion for a few days. Mo Hua, please make the arrangements."

Mo Hua nodded, understanding that the Princess Consort meant for him to arrange Hidden Guards to secretly protect Xu Hongyan.

Qin Feng asked, "Princess Consort, should we send more people over to the Xu Family and Ye Family sides?"

Ye Li replied, "Mo Hua, dispatch a few more Hidden Guards to personally protect Madam Xu and Second Young Master Xu. As for the Ye Mansion, there’s no need. Everyone in the Capital City knows that This Princess Consort has a cold relationship with her maternal family. Sending too many people would instead put them in a perilous situation."

"This subordinate understands. This subordinate will attend to it immediately." Mo Hua nodded and turned to leave.

Qin Feng looked at Xu Hongyan and said, "Princess Consort, Lord Xu’s courtyard should be arranged in..."

Ye Li said, "Just arrange for it to be the courtyard closest to the main residence. Also, send someone to tell Third Feng to hurry up. The sooner these matters are resolved, the better."

Qin Feng’s spirits lifted, and he smiled. "This subordinate understands! I will immediately send someone to notify Third Young Master Feng." These days, they had been utterly frustrated by the seemingly endless waves of assassins. The prospect of resolving it all at once naturally lifted his spirits. Turning and heading out, Qin Feng’s mood soared. The Princess Consort had named the operation ’Extinguish’. Therefore, any assassin daring to step into the Prince’s Mansion would absolutely not leave standing!