Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 129. Xiling sends troops (1)

129. Xiling Prepares for War (Part 1)

In the study, the silence was so profound that the drop of a pin could have been heard. Ye Li silently watched the middle-aged man sitting before her. Her beautiful face was calm, betraying no hint of emotion. However, this couldn’t stop the storm raging in her heart from the words she had just heard. Mo Xiuwen had died young due to illness, and many suspected there were undisclosed secrets behind it. But even Ye Li had never imagined Mo Xiuwen’s death could be connected to that person in the palace. At the time of Mo Xiuwen’s death and the Mo Family Army’s setback, His Majesty had only been on the throne for three years... to make such a precipitous move against Prince Ding’s Mansion back then...

"What else does the Princess Consort want to know?" Mu Qingcang looked at Ye Li with a smirk, his expression tinged with schadenfreude.

Ye Li calmly responded, "Everything."

Mu Qingcang was taken aback, staring at Ye Li. "Everything? Are you sure, Princess Consort? You should know these secrets could impact all of Great Chu, even the entire world."

Ye Li responded with a cold smile, "Although I never met the previous Prince Ding, he was my husband’s elder brother, and thus my elder brother as well. Besides... you’ve fallen into my hands. Do you think that if I don’t make you speak, others will believe I’m unaware of this secret?"

Mu Qingcang was silent for a moment, then sighed lightly. "Prince Ding is truly fortunate. Since the Princess Consort insists, I will tell you everything as repayment for fulfilling my last wish."

Ye Li and Mu Qingcang sat in the study for the entire morning; no one knew what they discussed. When they emerged, both their expressions were somewhat solemn. Mu Qingcang was escorted away by two shadow guards. As he was leaving, he suddenly turned, looked at Ye Li, and chuckled. "I can see the Princess Consort is a decisive person. How about I offer you another piece of news, free of charge?"

Ye Li responded nonchalantly, "I’m all ears."

"Xiling has decided to march upon Great Chu on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Princess Consort. How do you plan to deal with it?" Having said that, without a glance at Ye Li’s reaction, Mu Qingcang’s earlier dejection vanished, replaced by hysterical laughter as he departed.

The smile on Ye Li’s lips gradually faded. After staring at the sky above the courtyard for a long while, she turned and swept out. "Fetch Third Feng and Sun Yan immediately! I want to see them in the study!"

Feng Zhiyao and Sun Yan arrived swiftly, almost at the same time. As soon as they entered the study, they saw Ye Li and Zhuo Jing at the desk, poring over thick stacks of files. Feng Zhiyao glanced casually; they were the confessions of the recently captured assassins and various intelligence gathered by the shadow guards. Raising an eyebrow, Feng Zhiyao smiled. "Princess Consort, what’s happened?"

Ye Li looked up at him. "Indeed, something has happened."

Feng Zhiyao was startled. His previously relaxed posture slowly straightened, and he regarded Ye Li with a solemn expression. Sun Yan also looked serious, ready to listen.

Ye Li picked up a file. "Mu Qingcang just informed me that Xiling plans to wage war against Great Chu on the fifteenth day of the eighth month."

A look of astonishment flashed across Feng Zhiyao’s face, his sword-like brows furrowing slightly. "Is this news reliable? We haven’t received any intelligence to this effect."

Ye Li shook her head. "I don’t know. Mu Qingcang probably wouldn’t lie, but the veracity of this news itself needs verification. However..." Ye Li paused, looking at the two men before her. "What’s today’s date?"

Sun Yan responded, "The seventh day of the eighth month."

Feng Zhiyao’s expression changed. He stood up. "If this news turns out to be false, then so be it. But if it is true..." If it was true, then even though the Northwest’s forces weren’t exactly depleted, many key positions had been held by Mo Jingqi’s trusted aides for years, restricting the Mo Family Army at every turn. If Xiling launched a surprise attack, they would undoubtedly be caught unprepared. And right now, they were in the Capital City, making it impossible to reach the border to provide support within seven or eight days.

Feng Zhiyao then said thoughtfully, "The Prince has been away from the Capital for over twenty days. Judging by the pace of the marriage escort, he must have already entered Beirong territory. Not to mention the Prince is burdened with the crucial task of escorting the bridal party; even if he were unhindered and rushed back at full speed, it would take at least half a month to reach the Xiling border and take command. Moreover, the Prince couldn’t possibly receive this news immediately." A foreboding sensation welled up in Feng Zhiyao’s heart. It seemed this entire event was a deliberate trap set for Great Chu.

Feng Zhiyao looked at her. "Princess Consort..."

Ye Li met his gaze, her brows furrowed. "What are your thoughts? If you have any, feel free to voice them."

Sun Yan said solemnly, "Regardless of whether it’s true or false, we must make preparations in advance. If it’s false, no harm done. But if it’s true..."

Feng Zhiyao’s face was grave, and he frowned. "I believe this news is likely true. Yet, the shadow guards received no word at all."

Ye Li said faintly, "You’ve forgotten, there’s someone who is an absolute master of intelligence. And right now, he’s in Xiling."

"Han Mingyue!" Feng Zhiyao exclaimed in surprise.

Ye Li nodded slowly. "Although Tianyi Pavilion’s influence in Great Chu has been reorganized by Han Mingxi, don’t forget that Han Mingyue is the true master of Tianyi Pavilion. Moreover, Tianyi Pavilion operates in many countries; only its Great Chu branch has suffered. Han Mingyue was once a good friend of the Prince. He’s undoubtedly one of the top three people in the world who understand Prince Ding’s Mansion best."

Feng Zhiyao nodded. "I will immediately send someone to investigate!"

Sun Yan asked, "Princess Consort, what should we do now?"

Ye Li lowered her gaze, pondering for a moment before saying, "Immediately send someone to inform the Prince. Additionally... issue an order to the Mo Family Army stationed near the Xiling border: be prepared to support the border at any time."

Sun Yan looked somewhat troubled. "Over the years, the Mo Family Army’s garrisons have been repeatedly downsized. Their current station is at least a five or six-day journey from the Xiling border. Factoring in the time to deliver the message, I’m afraid..."

Ye Li raised her hand. "Whether we can make it in time or not, if we can’t, then they must halt the Xiling army’s advance."

Sun Yan nodded. "I understand. I’ll dispatch the message to the Mo Family Army immediately. Please rest assured, Princess Consort. As long as the Mo Family Army has a single soldier left, the Xiling forces will not cross our defensive line."

Ye Li nodded, whispering, "Thank you for your hard work, General Sun. As for myself, I will go to the palace to see His Majesty."

"Princess Consort, this might not be appropriate," Feng Zhiyao frowned. Since Mu Qingcang’s capture, although nothing was explicitly stated, they all had a fair idea of who was behind the attempted massacre at Prince Ding’s Mansion.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "There’s nothing inappropriate. Even if that person in the palace dares to defy all propriety and move against me, he may not have the ability to keep me here."

Feng Zhiyao thought of that mysterious and formidable force, feeling slightly more at ease. "As long as the Princess Consort is confident, that’s what matters."

Ye Li stood up, setting down the file in her hand. "Go and attend to your duties. Also, maintain full alert status in the mansion."

"Yes."

「Palace」

In the Imperial Study, Mo Jingqi dismissed Marquis Muyang, who had hastily sought an audience. His face was dark and unsettled as he stared at the memorial before him, his expression unreadable.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Queen of Ding Kingdom seeks an audience," the eunuch outside the door announced.

Mo Jingqi frowned. Princess Consort Ding? Why has she come? He recalled the dawn a few days prior: that woman in white, standing resolutely on the blood-stained steps outside the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. A pang of what felt like loss and regret struck Mo Jingqi. This was the woman he had personally chosen for Mo Xiuyao, solely to humiliate him. But now, this woman had become another pillar of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and Mo Xiuyao’s greatest support. She had also become someone he had to eliminate. Given Ye Li’s intelligence, and since she had already approached Marquis Muyang’s Mansion, Mo Jingqi didn’t believe she wouldn’t have guessed the truth. But why would she still dare to come to the palace now?

"Admit her."

Before long, the doors were pushed open again. Ye Li walked in, dressed in the formal silver-white gown of the Queen of Ding Kingdom, adorned with dark silver Luan and Phoenix patterns. This was almost the first time Ye Li had worn such formal attire. Unlike her usual graceful and gentle aura, the silver color lent her an icy, almost unapproachable coldness. Ye Li walked to the center of the hall and bowed gracefully. "Ye Li greets Your Majesty."

Mo Jingqi observed Ye Li for a long time before speaking. "Come to think of it, I’ve never heard how Princess Consort Ding refers to herself."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Ye Li is Ye Li." She knew, of course, that in the presence of the Emperor, Empress, or Empress Dowager, all titled ladies referred to themselves as ’your servant-subject’. But she particularly disliked that appellation. Since the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager had never brought it up, others naturally didn’t dare to find fault with her over such a trivial matter, so it had been overlooked. She hadn’t expected Mo Jingqi to raise it today, seemingly just to make conversation.

Mo Jingqi’s eyes flashed subtly, and he quickly smiled. "A fine ’Ye Li is Ye Li.’ Does that mean Princess Consort Ding does not consider herself a subject of Great Chu?"

Ye Li raised her head, her gaze meeting Mo Jingqi’s directly as she said calmly, "The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion has guarded Great Chu for generations, dedicating their lives to it. As Ye Li, in her humble position as Queen of Ding Kingdom, how could I dare harbor such treasonous thoughts?"

Mo Jingqi watched her with an intrigued expression and chuckled, "Oh? So, Princess Consort, you mean to say the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion will never harbor disloyal intentions?"

Looking at Mo Jingqi’s probing gaze, Ye Li sneered inwardly, but her voice was firm as she said, "The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion will never do anything to betray Great Chu."

Hearing this, Mo Jingqi was silent for a long while before finally saying, "Good. I believe Princess Consort Ding’s words. Has Princess Consort Ding come to the palace today for a particular reason?"

Ye Li nodded. "Indeed, I have something very important to report to Your Majesty."

Mo Jingqi nodded. "Princess Consort Ding, please speak freely."

Ye Li said quietly, "I have just received news that Xiling will dispatch troops against Great Chu on the fifteenth of the eighth month. I implore Your Majesty to make preparations without delay."

Mo Jingqi was startled. It took him a good while before he chuckled and said to Ye Li, "Princess Consort Ding, this news is rather abrupt, isn’t it? As far as I know, Xiling’s main target is Beirong, not Great Chu. From whom did Princess Consort hear this news?"

Ye Li pursed her lips and gently frowned. "I hope Your Majesty can dispatch troops for support as soon as possible, just in case."

"I cannot possibly dispatch troops based on a few words from Princess Consort, unless Princess Consort can prove the authenticity of this news."

Ye Li frowned and said calmly, "Mu Qingcang."