Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 132. Setting Out (1)
132. Going to War (1)
News from the border trickled in day by day, and the atmosphere in the entire imperial court grew increasingly heavy. Xiling’s formidable army had conquered three cities in succession within half a month, rapidly approaching Xinyang. On the ninth day of the ninth month, word arrived that the hundred-thousand-strong army led by General Leng Qingcang and the Heir of South Marquis, who had just rushed to provide aid, was ambushed en route by the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling himself with fifty thousand troops. They suffered heavy losses, and the surviving remnants retreated to defend Xinyang.
On the tenth day of the ninth month, Xinyang was besieged. Concurrently, the Xiling armies split into three columns, advancing simultaneously towards the north, south, and central regions. Urgent calls for help came from various border passes. However, at this critical time, the Prince of Ding Kingdom, who had protected Great Chu for a hundred years, was still nowhere to be found, and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was besieged by visitors daily.
"Princess Consort."
In the study, Ye Li looked up and asked Steward-in-Chief Mo at the entrance, "Who is requesting an audience this time?"
Steward-in-Chief Mo said in a solemn tone, "State Duke Hua and Marquis South request to see you. The Heir of South Marquis has gone missing in the midst of the routed army."
Gone missing?! How could this be... Ye Li’s delicate eyebrows furrowed. She somewhat understood the purpose of State Duke Hua and Marquis South’s visit. However, this truly placed her in a difficult position. With a soft sigh, Ye Li said, "Please invite the Old State Duke and Marquis South in."
Shortly after, State Duke Hua and Marquis South arrived at the entrance. Ye Li personally rose to welcome them, stopping the two who were about to bow, and said, "There are no outsiders here, so let’s dispense with the formalities. Old State Duke, Marquis, please sit." After the two had thanked her and taken their seats, and a maidservant had served tea, Ye Li then asked, "Old State Duke and Marquis South, have you come together because of the situation at the border?"
Marquis South looked haggard. He let out a long sigh and said, "Indeed. We have troubled you, Princess Consort."
Ye Li shook her head, saying, "The Heir of South Marquis and I are not strangers. Marquis, you need not be anxious. I will immediately instruct people at the border to search for the Heir of South Marquis."
Marquis South shook his head and sighed, "My son serves the country with loyalty; whether he lives or dies depends on fate. However... Princess Consort, the news from Prince Ding’s Mansion surely arrives faster than ours. If this continues, I fear the hundreds of thousands of soldiers at the border will be annihilated before His Highness Prince Ding returns!" Ye Li also sighed softly and said, "The Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling has spent over a decade building up his strength and resources; his resurgence now will certainly not be simple. Although Prince Ding’s Mansion sent word to Beirong long ago, the Prince has yet to send any word back. I too... am helpless..."
State Duke Hua sighed heavily. "For a mere escort mission for a marriage alliance, how could the Emperor have dispatched Prince Ding? And as fate would have it, among the generals in the court who can lead troops, General Murong is far away in Yongzhou, and General Jingguo is guarding the Beirong border. I..." With a long sigh, State Duke Hua abruptly stood up as if to leave, declaring, "I shall go to the palace immediately to request an audience with the Emperor! Let this old bag of bones lead the troops to war!" Ye Li and Marquis South quickly stopped him. Marquis South said with a bitter smile, "Old State Duke, even if we are to lead troops, it should be us. How can we let you, at your age, exert yourself again?"
Looking at the two elderly men before her, whose combined ages exceeded one hundred and twenty years, a helpless smile touched Ye Li’s lips. She understood their purpose in coming and could not blame them. Unlike Mo Jing, Prime Minister Liu, and Marquis Muyang, they were genuinely concerned for Great Chu, and for the soldiers and common people at the border. Because she too had once been a soldier, for this reason alone, she could not resent them.
"Old State Duke, Marquis..."
State Duke Hua turned back and saw Ye Li’s clear, calm eyes, which seemed to perceive everything as if by bright candlelight. He was momentarily stunned and sat down again. Apologetically, he said, "Princess Consort, please don’t blame this old man for being tactless enough to disturb you at a time like this. It’s just that..."
Ye Li shook her head. "Old State Duke, you’re being too serious. Ye Li understands."
State Duke Hua said, "Now that Xiuyao is not present, it’s already difficult for you, a woman, to support the great King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion; this old man knows this. But the situation at the border is critical and truly cannot wait for Prince Ding’s return. I have heard some of your capabilities, Princess Consort, and I implore you to lend a hand for the sake of the people of Great Chu and the soldiers at the border. As for my earlier offer to lead the troops, it’s not that I am demanding it; this old man is well aware of your concerns, Princess Consort. If you trust this old man, I will personally lead the troops. At the very least, I can hold out until Prince Ding returns. The Emperor, no matter how anxious he is, wouldn’t dare to seize military command from this old man when matters come to a head. Once Prince Ding returns, he can go directly to the border and reclaim command of the army, and everything will be settled. What do you think, Princess Consort?"
With a bitter smile, Ye Li asked, "Old State Duke, are you so sure that Ye Li can mobilize the Mo Family Army?"
State Duke Hua raised his white eyebrows, eyeing Ye Li. "So, can the Princess Consort mobilize them or not? If the Princess Consort says she cannot, this old man will turn and leave immediately."
Ye Li remained silent for a long moment, then looked up and said, "The military authority cannot be given to you, Old State Duke. It is not that Ye Li does not trust you, but I fear that even if the military token were given to you, Old State Duke, it would not be easy to command the troops." A flicker of disappointment crossed the eyes of both State Duke Hua and Marquis South, but then they heard Ye Li continue calmly, "Ye Li will accompany you to the border. However, the Old State Duke is advanced in years, and I fear he cannot undertake such a long journey..."
Marquis South said joyfully, "If the Princess Consort trusts this Marquis, I shall immediately request the Emperor to let me lead the troops on the expedition! No, this Marquis can take the position of Vice General, and the position of Commander-in-Chief can be left for Prince Ding upon his return!"
State Duke Hua looked at Ye Li with some surprise, admiration evident in his eyes. He nodded and said, "Good. Xiuyao indeed has excellent judgment. Then we shall trouble you this time, Princess Consort."
Ye Li shook her head and smiled. "Old State Duke, don’t celebrate too soon. No matter how well we plan, the Emperor might not necessarily agree." State Duke Hua said gravely, "If the Emperor is truly the sovereign of this nation, he will naturally agree." Hearing this, Marquis South was startled. He glanced outside the study and said in a low voice, "Old State Duke, such words should not be spoken." The Old State Duke snorted lightly and said no more.
After seeing off State Duke Hua and Marquis South, Ye Li had just returned to the study when she saw Feng Zhiyao standing under a bookshelf, head bowed, flipping through a book. Hearing her footsteps, he turned around, a hint of worry in his voice, "Princess Consort, did you really agree to let the Old State Duke and Marquis South go to the border?"
"You heard?" Ye Li smiled faintly, walked back to her desk, and sat down. "Xiling’s offensive is fierce. It’s impossible for the Mo Family Army to stay out of it, even if the Prince is not here. Right now, if I withhold military authority, people might still understand. But once the war situation deteriorates further, no excuse will suffice. The world will only see Great Chu being ravaged by foreign invaders while the Mo Family Army stands idly by. Besides, since we must dispatch troops sooner or later, entering the battlefield sooner means gaining control of the situation sooner. Moreover... even if I agree, that person in the palace may not necessarily agree."
Feng Zhiyao sneered. "If he doesn’t agree, then whatever the world says in the future will have nothing to do with us."
Ye Li nodded. "It’s been so long. If things are proceeding smoothly on the Prince’s end, then by the time our army reaches the border, the Prince should also be on his way back."
Mentioning Mo Xiuyao, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but frown. "It’s been so many days. How is it that there’s still no news from the Prince?"
"Perhaps someone doesn’t want him to return. A complete lack of news at least proves he is still safe for now. Go and make preparations. Also, tell Steward-in-Chief Mo that if the Secondary Consort of the Heir from Marquis South’s Mansion comes, ask her to return first."
"Yes." Feng Zhiyao nodded, hesitated for a moment, then said, "Princess Consort, how about letting Third Feng accompany you to the border this time?"
Ye Li frowned slightly. "With both the Prince and I away from Prince Ding’s Mansion in the Capital City, although nothing major should happen, we still need someone to remain and manage the overall situation."
Feng Zhiyao said, "Uncle Mo will be enough. Although Prince Ding’s Mansion is heavily guarded, its practical use to the Mo Family Army isn’t significant. Besides, Steward-in-Chief Mo has been managing the Prince’s Mansion for decades; he’s much better than an outsider like me." Ye Li pondered for a moment. "I understand. You may go first; I will consider it later. Since you’re preparing to go on the expedition, go bid farewell to those you need to."
Feng Zhiyao was taken aback, a bitter smile touching his lips. "I’m just a drifter; where would I have anyone to bid farewell to..." Ye Li looked at him with a smile. "There’s no point in deceiving yourself. Don’t wait until it’s too late to regret." Feng Zhiyao seemed somewhat lost in a daze. After a moment, he came back to his senses and walked out, looking rather dejected.
As expected, Mo Jing flatly rejected State Duke Hua and Marquis South’s proposal during the morning court session before they had even finished speaking. Ye Li paid it no mind. Instead, as soon as the morning court ended, Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingze both rushed to Prince Ding’s Mansion. Xu Hongyan didn’t say much; although he didn’t hold a key position, he had a clearer understanding of the current situation than those directly involved. After offering some words of advice, he sighed and departed. Xu Qingze, reticent as ever, only spoke before leaving, "If you insist on going, I will submit a request to the Emperor tomorrow to accompany you to the border." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Second Brother, you are about to get married. If your marriage is delayed because of Li’er, Aunt Qin and our maternal aunt will surely be upset with me later. Prince Ding’s Mansion has many guards; Second Brother, please rest assured." Xu Qingze frowned. "We will go together. This way, Uncle, Father, and Grandfather will also be more at ease." With that, he turned and left with a sweep of his sleeves, not waiting for Ye Li’s reply.
Bad news from the border arrived day after day. Although those in the distant Capital City could not witness the carnage of war firsthand, the reports of lost cities and casualty figures were still shocking. And in the Capital City, calls for the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion to dispatch troops grew louder. People had long grown accustomed to that ever-present black-armored army protecting their safety, no matter the circumstances. Yet now, nearly a month had passed since the war began, and still, there was no word from the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion or the Mo Family Army. This made many commoners, and even high-ranking officials, feel increasingly uneasy. The entire Capital City was gripped by a palpable sense of unease and disquiet.
When news spread from an unknown source that Prince Ding was far away in Beirong, and that his wife, the Princess Consort, had offered to lead troops in his stead but was rejected by the Emperor, the imperial court fell into a stunned silence, while discussions gradually arose among the populace. Naturally, their words expressed considerable dissatisfaction with the Emperor’s decision. However, at this time, Mo Jing lacked the courage to suppress these discussions, leading to a flood of petitions from citizens across the capital and even various regions, almost drowning half the Imperial Study. Three days later, Mo Jing, his face dark, finally announced during the morning court the decree appointing Marquis South as Vice General, with the Princess Consort to accompany the army as Army Supervisor on the expedition to the border to repel the Xiling invasion. Upon receiving the edict, Ye Li inwardly curled her lip, then turned and returned to her chambers to prepare.
The news that the Mo Family Army was about to set out on an expedition excited the entire Capital City. It was as if the moment the Mo Family Army was dispatched, the formidable Xiling army would be utterly routed, collapsing like a landslide. Seeing this, Ye Li couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. Mo Xiuyao was right: the strength of Prince Ding’s Mansion over so many years had directly resulted in a scarcity of true military commanders in Great Chu. If anything were to happen to Prince Ding’s Mansion, the state of Great Chu would indeed be precarious.
