Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 130. Xiling sends troops (2)
130. Xiling Deploys Troops (2)
Upon hearing these words, Mo Jingqi’s expression changed several times. It took him a while to regain his composure as he stared at the woman standing confidently below the dais. What were Ye Li’s intentions for revealing her hand so readily? He didn’t believe the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion wanted to fall out with him now, especially not when Mo Xiuyao wasn’t in the Capital City. Besides, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion wouldn’t suddenly do anything detrimental to Great Chu. But if Ye Li was simply providing military intelligence, why openly mention Mu Qingcang? The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion had numerous sources of information; surely they could find a suitable excuse to gloss over it.
After a long pause, Mo Jingqi said casually, "I’ve taken note of what Princess Consort Ding said."
Ye Li looked up at the man seated on the dragon throne, her brows slightly furrowed. Mo Jingqi, however, didn’t give her a chance to speak. He rose, gestured with his hand, and said, "I am aware of this matter. Princess Consort Ding, you may return for now."
Ye Li sighed inwardly. She bowed slightly and said, "I take my leave."
After leaving the Imperial Study, Ye Li was about to leave the palace and return to her mansion when someone stopped her. Two somewhat familiar palace maids stood before Ye Li and said, "Princess Consort, Her Highness Noble Consort Liu invites you." Ye Li vaguely recalled them as Noble Consort Liu’s personal attendants. Remembering what she had overheard in the peach orchard and the strange looks Noble Consort Liu always gave her, Ye Li felt a stir of unease. She said indifferently, "I am busy. Please convey my apologies to Her Highness Noble Consort."
The two palace maids exchanged a glance but didn’t move aside, insisting, "Princess Consort, please forgive us, but Her Highness Noble Consort has important matters to discuss with you."
Ye Li glanced coolly at the speaking palace maid, raised her eyebrows, and asked, "Oh? And what if I insist that I am unavailable?"
"This... then please forgive our offense." The two advanced a step, their movements steady and a sharp glint in their eyes. They were clearly trained.
Ye Li subtly raised her hand, signaling the hidden guards nearby not to reveal themselves. Frowning, she looked past the two palace maids and sneered, "Her Highness Noble Consort is quite bold. Does she dare to use force against me right outside the Imperial Study?"
"If you had come willingly to talk with me, would I have needed to resort to force?" Noble Consort Liu strolled out from behind a corner of the hall, her voice as clear and cold as snow, just as usual. Yet, Ye Li couldn’t help but recall the mournful and sorrowful voice she had heard in the peach orchard. Noble Consort Liu’s unrequited love for Mo Xiuyao was indeed pitiful, but as Mo Xiuyao’s wife, I don’t feel much sympathy for her. So, seeing Noble Consort Liu emerge, Ye Li merely said coolly, "Regardless of what Your Highness wishes to discuss, to think you would order someone to use force against me within the palace. Has Your Highness considered the consequences?"
Noble Consort Liu’s beautiful lips curled into a scornful smile. "Consequences? Do you think His Majesty would do anything to me for someone like you? In the past, people deferred to you only because of Prince Ding. Now that Prince Ding isn’t in the Capital City, do you think your mere title of Princess Consort Ding is of any use?"
Ye Li silently watched the stunning woman who stared at her with contempt. From their very first meeting, I sensed Noble Consort Liu’s disdain and scorn. In her heart, probably no one but herself was worthy of Mo Xiuyao, right? Unfortunately for her, I also have my eyes on Mo Xiuyao...
"In that case, Your Highness might as well say what you have to say right here," Ye Li said, frowning.
Noble Consort Liu lifted her delicate chin slightly, staring at Ye Li. "Come with me."
Ye Li smiled faintly and turned to walk towards the palace gate.
"Ye Li!" Noble Consort Liu cried out sharply. Seeing Ye Li turn and leave without hesitation, she grew flustered and exasperated, ordering, "Stop her for me!"
The two palace maids immediately stepped forward, one to the left and one to the right, blocking Ye Li’s path. A cold glint flashed in Ye Li’s eyes. A sharp blade appeared from her sleeve; the silver-white fabric of her attire traced a dazzling arc in the sunlight, simultaneously bringing forth two brilliant sprays of blood.
"ARGH!"
Two screams rang out. The palace maids clutched their wrists, their faces pale, staring in terror at the silver-clad woman before them. Bright red blood instantly stained their wide pink sleeves. Ye Li lifted the dagger in her hand, observing how the fresh crimson blood slid down the gleaming blade before dripping slowly onto the earth below. Noble Consort Liu’s usually icy, aloof expression finally changed. Although I’m not a top-tier martial artist, I’m considered first-rate among women. Even so, I didn’t even see clearly how Ye Li attacked. Staring coldly at Ye Li, Noble Consort Liu remained silent for a long time.
Ye Li met Noble Consort Liu’s gaze directly, showing no intention of apologizing or explaining her actions. The two palace maids clutched their wrists, their eyes filled with terror and dread as they looked at Ye Li. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
"Ye Li! How dare you..." Noble Consort Liu’s face was pale with rage as she glared at Ye Li, speaking with gritted teeth.
Ye Li gave her an indifferent glance, then turned and walked towards the palace gate. The two palace maids who had been blocking her path scrambled aside, terrified of obstructing this fearsome woman and risking another crippled hand.
As soon as she exited the palace gate, Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and the others were anxiously waiting at the palace entrance. Seeing Ye Li looking somewhat upset, Feng Zhiyao asked worriedly, "Princess Consort, what happened? Did His Majesty not believe us?"
Ye Li waved her hand. "It’s fine. We’ll know by tomorrow whether His Majesty believes us or not. Order everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion to be on high alert. If there’s no movement from the palace by tomorrow..."
Feng Zhiyao’s expression changed slightly. He lowered his voice and asked, "Princess Consort, are you planning to mobilize the Mo Family Army? Doing so would give His Majesty an excuse to deal with Prince Ding’s Mansion."
Ye Li turned to look at him. "And if he doesn’t have an excuse, will His Majesty not deal with Prince Ding’s Mansion? Besides... if this is true, Xiling’s offensive will surely be overwhelming. If we delay, the course of future battles may no longer be in our hands. Don’t worry, the troops near the Capital City cannot be mobilized for now. His Majesty won’t find an excuse on that front. Zhuo Jing, have Qin Feng see me when he gets back."
"Yes, Princess Consort," Zhuo Jing responded solemnly. "The intelligence from our covert sources just arrived. Xiling’s border troops have been restless for over a month now. The news about Mu Qingcang is likely true."
Ye Li’s eyes turned cold. "Prince Ding is right. Those good-for-nothings at the border certainly need to be replaced! Back to the mansion!"
「The next day, during the morning court session, the Emperor mentioned nothing about Xiling’s impending military expedition.」
「On the third day, still no news came from the palace.」
「After the morning court on the fourth day, the Emperor summoned a few trusted officials to the Imperial Study. Still, there was no word of troop or supply movements.」
The atmosphere in the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion grew increasingly heavy with the continued silence from the palace. In the study, after listening to the report about that day’s morning court, Ye Li closed her eyes, a little weary. In a deep voice, she said, "Qin Feng."
"Your subordinate is here," Qin Feng replied, his voice deep.
"Cancel the planned assessment. You will personally lead a team tonight and rush to the border at full speed."
Without hesitation, Qin Feng responded, "Yes, Princess Consort! Your subordinate obeys."
Ye Li looked up at him. "I’m not asking you to lead men to the border to fight. Your numbers are few. Even if each of your men could take on a hundred, you still wouldn’t be able to stop an army of one hundred thousand. Spread out along the border regions. Investigate all information regarding Xiling and the battle situation."
Qin Feng nodded. "Understood."
"Go."
The war erupted faster than Ye Li had anticipated. Xiling deployed its troops not on August fifteenth, but on August ninth. By August fifteenth, news of Xiling’s invasion had already reached the Capital of Great Chu. Even more startling was the news that this time, the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling himself was leading an army of five hundred thousand to attack Great Chu, vowing to avenge their past defeat at the hands of Mo Liufang. The Xiling army, having built up its strength for years, swept through like a torrent, capturing two cities in a single day. The entire Capital of Great Chu was shaken. Ye Li, as the Madam of House of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, was urgently summoned to the palace by the Emperor to discuss matters.
「A few days later, Ye Li once again stepped into the Imperial Study, but the atmosphere was entirely different from her last visit.」
As soon as she entered, she could clearly feel the oppressive atmosphere within. Ye Li quickly scanned the people in the Imperial Study: Prime Minister Liu, Marquis Muyang, the Grand General of National Garrison, Marquis South, the Heir of South Marquis, Leng Qingyu, Old State Duke Hua, and a young man whose face was familiar but whom she didn’t know. He wore silk robes, not official attire, and stood beside Mo Jingqi’s desk. Ye Li frowned. I instinctively disliked this man. His shrewd eyes, filled with intense calculation, marred his otherwise handsome features.
Ye Li lowered her gaze. Of the eight people in the study, Prime Minister Liu, Marquis Muyang, and the Grand General of National Garrison were all the Emperor’s confidants. Marquis South generally avoided worldly affairs. And Old State Duke Hua, though close to Prince Ding’s Mansion, was elderly and had been retired for many years.
"Ye Li pays her respects to Your Majesty," Ye Li said, curtsying lightly.
"We pay our respects to Princess Consort Ding," the others chorused, also bowing.
Mo Jingqi waved his hand, somewhat vexed. "Princess Consort Ding, dispense with the formalities. Have you heard about today’s eight-hundred-li express dispatch from the border?"
Ye Li nodded. Mo Jingqi frowned. "What are your thoughts, esteemed officials?"
Old State Duke Hua stepped forward first. "Naturally, we must immediately dispatch troops to reinforce our defenses and deliver a heavy blow to those Xiling scoundrels! We cannot let Xiling think Great Chu is easily bullied!"
Mo Jingqi frowned. "Old State Duke, you’ve also heard that the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling is personally leading their troops. Although the Southern Garrison Prince was defeated by the Regent Prince back then, it was only by a narrow margin. He has long held the title of War God in Xiling. Who among our generals do you all think is suitable to lead our forces?"
Marquis Muyang and the Grand General of National Garrison exchanged a glance, both frowning. Old State Duke Hua harrumphed softly, stepped forward, and declared, "Although this old subject is aged, I am willing to lead the troops and display the might of our Great Chu!"
At these words, the expressions of Marquis Muyang and the Grand General of National Garrison changed. From the back, Leng Qingyu and the Heir of South Marquis stepped out from the group and proclaimed, "Your subject is willing to lead the troops and display the might of our Great Chu!"
Mo Jingqi looked at the two men, a satisfied smile on his face. "Old State Duke, your words are too grave. You are already in your seventies; it is time for you to enjoy your twilight years in peace. If I were to let you lead the troops, wouldn’t that bring shame upon all the men of Great Chu? What do you all think?"
"Your Majesty is wise."
