Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 138. Transaction

138. The Transaction

Late at night, Ye Li strolled along a winding corridor, looking up at the nearly full silver moon and frowning slightly. The next full moon is approaching, yet there’s still no news from Mo Xiuyao, who ventured to Beirong. This situation makes me unbearably anxious. And then there’s the current state of affairs: Marquis South has clearly stated his unwillingness to manage things, and for the first time in my life, I am commanding hundreds of thousands of soldiers. The confidence and calmness I project don’t truly reflect my inner turmoil. Xiuyao... where are you now...

"Who’s there?! Come out!" In the moonlight, Ye Li suddenly snapped out of her reverie, her hand shooting out to point towards the end of the corridor behind her.

After a moment, a tall figure emerged from around the corner. Ye Li was momentarily stunned. Her elegant eyebrows rose, and her cool eyes narrowed slightly. "Heir Mu, what are you doing here so late?"

Mu Yang, his expression somewhat complicated, gazed at the hand Ye Li had pointed at him; beneath its slender, jade-like fairness lay a hidden killing intent. He cleared his throat and said, "I meant no offense. Please forgive me for disturbing you, Princess Consort."

Ye Li offered a faint smile, nonchalantly retracting her hand and tucking it into her sleeve. She then brushed a stray strand of hair from beside her ear and asked, "It’s very late. Does Heir Mu have something to say?"

A look of surprise flashed across Mu Yang’s face, but he quickly recovered, smiling faintly. "Princess Consort, you are indeed extraordinarily perceptive. I merely wished to ask... has Marquis South already agreed to grant you full authority over the army’s critical decisions?"

Ye Li’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Heir Mu, although you are the Heir of Marquis Muyang, you are not Marquis Muyang himself. Besides, even Marquis Muyang has no authority to interfere in military affairs. You, Heir Mu, are merely a colonel serving under Marquis South, the deputy commander-in-chief."

Mu Yang showed no anger at Ye Li’s obvious slight. He leaned against the corridor railing, hands clasped behind his back, and said calmly, "I would think the Princess Consort understands the true meaning and purpose of my position as colonel?"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, a smile on her face. "And so what if I do? Marquis South is heartbroken over the unknown fate of the Heir of South Marquis and is incapable of commanding the army. With Xiling’s forces at our gates, what does Colonel Mu propose we do?"

Facing the calm and composed woman before him, a wave of helplessness and exhaustion washed over Mu Yang from deep within. Of course, he understood what Princess Consort Ding meant. It was already a difficult task for Marquis South to exert control over the Mo Family Army, much less change commanders on the eve of battle. And though he held the status of an heir, his military rank was merely that of a colonel. Forget commanding the entire Mo Family Army; even if he wished to lead a portion of it, no one would obey him without a nod from Ye Li, Princess Consort Ding. Mu Yang had never been an arrogant or overconfident man, so he had never entertained the notion of seizing military authority over the Mo Family Army. However, the woman standing before him, not yet twenty years of age, exuded an aura and incisiveness that he, a grown man, couldn’t help but be impressed by. Such a woman completely transcended his understanding of what a woman could be. It was as if she needed to rely on no one, and no one could obstruct her or stand in her path. Mu Yang suddenly recalled that handsome, elegant man who, even when confined to a wheelchair, had always remained graceful and composed. It seemed that only such a man was worthy of such a woman.

"Heir Mu?" Ye Li frowned, looking at the man before her who was staring blankly, seemingly lost in thought.

Mu Yang snapped back to his senses and smiled apologetically. "Princess Consort, you’ve misunderstood my intentions. I have no desire to make things difficult for you."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow, smiling but saying nothing.

Mu Yang continued, "Currently, Prince Li’s rebellion in the south is yet to be quelled, Xiling has invaded, and Beirong watches menacingly from the north. The only ones capable of sweeping away these enemies are the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army. Though I may not be talented, I understand that the welfare of the realm is paramount, so why would I cause trouble for the Princess Consort?"

Ye Li studied him, a faint smile on her lips. "If Heir Mu doesn’t cause trouble for me, aren’t you afraid that *the one* in the palace will make things difficult for *you*?"

Mu Yang laughed heartily. "Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort. I am well aware of how to handle that. However, there is a small matter I hope the Princess Consort will agree to."

"Please speak plainly, Heir Mu."

After a moment of contemplation, Mu Yang said, "I am unaware if my father has had any past unpleasantries with the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. I only hope that the Princess Consort, for my sake, might be magnanimous in the future."

Ye Li looked surprised. After a long moment, she sighed softly. "Marquis Muyang has indeed raised a fine son. With a son like you, he should find great comfort in his life. Very well. I agree to your request."

Mu Yang cupped his hands in a salute. "Thank you, Princess Consort."

Ye Li shook her head. "Heir Mu, there’s no need to thank me. I am not at a disadvantage in making this transaction with you. After all, compared to matters on the battlefield, all other minor favors and grudges are insignificant by comparison."

Mu Yang chuckled softly. "Hearing the Princess Consort put it that way makes me feel quite ashamed."

A slight, knowing smile touched Ye Li’s lips. "It was a slip of the tongue on my part. Please don’t take offense, Heir Mu. It’s getting late. You should get some rest."

"Princess Consort, please wait!" Mu Yang blurted out, somewhat agitated. "Princess Consort, may I ask... do you have any news of Yaoji?"

Ye Li turned her head, surprised, and clearly saw the undisguised worry and longing on the man’s face in the moonlight. She shook her head. Seeing the disappointment that flashed across Mu Yang’s face, she said softly, "Heir Mu, some people and some opportunities, once missed, are truly missed for good."

Mu Yang stared at her resentfully. "How does the Princess Consort know that a broken mirror cannot be mended?"

Ye Li replied, "I do not know if broken mirrors can truly be mended in this world, but... a bronze mirror, even if pieced back together, can never hide the cracks it once bore. Besides... can Heir Mu truly find a way to satisfy both sides perfectly?"

A flicker of frustration and vexation crossed Mu Yang’s face. Ye Li said no more. She turned and walked away, softly reciting, "Once I feared that deep feeling would harm my chaste conduct; entering the mountains, I then feared parting from beauty. How in this world can one find a method to satisfy both sides, to be true to the Tathagata, and yet not fail you?"

"’How in this world can one find a method to satisfy both sides...’" Mu Yang softly repeated, a faint, bitter smile touching his lips. He could never persuade Yaoji to become a concubine in the Marquis Muyang’s Mansion, just as he could never convince his proud parents to accept Yaoji as their daughter-in-law. ’To be true to the Tathagata, and yet not fail you’... He wondered if the one who wrote these lines had also experienced the same struggle and anguish as he did.

「Early the next morning,」 the Xiling army, uncharacteristically, did not renew their attack. Ye Li sat in her study, sorting through various battle reports and analyses from the front lines.

Marquis South’s claim of being unable to manage affairs was no mere excuse. Indeed, just as Ye Li had risen, someone came to report that Marquis South had fallen gravely ill. Although Jiangxia City lacked renowned physicians, fortunately, the Mo Family Army’s medics possessed excellent skills. They hurried over to diagnose and treat him. They reported back to Ye Li that although Marquis South was not exceptionally old, he had lived a pampered life for many years. The fatigue from the march, combined with intense anxiety and excessive worry, had caused his sudden collapse.

Left with no alternative, Ye Li had to assign people to care for him properly while also intensifying the secret search for the Heir of South Marquis. Coincidentally, Qin Feng had completed his mission and secretly returned to Jiangxia City the previous night. Ye Li summoned him to the study first thing in the morning and assigned him the task of finding the Heir of South Marquis.

"Princess Consort, Colonel Yun is fighting with someone on the drill ground!" Just as she was speaking with Qin Feng, someone rushed in from outside to report.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled, turning her head to Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing. "After days of forced marches and a major battle only yesterday, they’re already up and fighting this morning. It seems we’ve underestimated the stamina of our Mo Family Army soldiers."

Zhuo Jing rubbed his nose and chuckled softly. "You’re right, Princess Consort."

Ye Li stood up, rubbing her shoulder. "In that case, let’s go take a look."

As the two armies were in a standoff, the Mo Family Army’s encampment was situated on an open area not far outside Jiangxia City. Soldiers maintained a strict watch at all surrounding road intersections. An open space in the middle of the camp had been cleared out to serve as a temporary drill ground.

When Ye Li and her party arrived, Yun Ting was already grappling fiercely with another young officer of roughly the same age. Several high-ranking Mo Family Army officers and many soldiers had gathered around, watching and cheering them on. Mu Yang, who was watching the spectacle from the side, was the first to notice Ye Li’s arrival and turned to smile at her. Ye Li nodded faintly. Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing went ahead, parting the crowd to make way for her. The onlookers were so engrossed in the intense fight between the two young and exceptionally skilled officers that many didn’t even notice when Ye Li had reached the very front.

"Princess Consort." It was Mu Yang who spoke. Only then did the crowd, still focused on the ongoing fight, come to their senses. Their expressions changed slightly, and they hurriedly saluted Ye Li. Some even made to step forward and pull apart the two who were still locked in combat.

Ye Li waved her hand and smiled. "No matter. Let them finish and determine a winner." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Although Ye Li had said this, with the Princess Consort present, the previously boisterous and enthusiastic atmosphere on the drill ground immediately dissipated significantly. Many faces showed awkwardness and restraint. Ye Li paid it no mind, smiling as she turned to Mu Yang beside her. "Heir Mu, who do you think has a better chance of winning?"

Mu Yang smiled knowingly and raised an eyebrow. "In my view, I fear Colonel Yun is likely a cut above."

Instantly, the surrounding officers showed expressions of disagreement. One particularly blunt officer blurted out, "As this humble general sees it, Colonel Chen is more formidable!"

As soon as he said this, and seeing that Ye Li’s expression showed not a hint of displeasure, the others visibly relaxed. They too began to chime in, clearly backing the young colonel surnamed Chen.

Mu Yang leaned in and said to Ye Li with a low laugh, "Princess Consort, it seems the Mo Family Army is quite exclusive. Yun Ting is now one of them, and personally cultivated by you. But he’s an outsider who joined midway, essentially dropping in from nowhere. Soldiers are inherently proud and haughty; it’s natural that many would find him an eyesore."

Ye Li was unfazed, smiling faintly. "In the army, the strong rule. Occasional sparring isn’t a bad thing, as long as it doesn’t affect important matters."

In her previous life, in the special forces unit she belonged to, any soldier taken at random was an elite among elites. When a group of such elites was gathered, how could there not be competition? It was precisely this competition that spurred them to strive harder, because the weak would ultimately be eliminated. Similarly, many Mo Family Army officers had risen from the ranks of ordinary soldiers, while others were descendants of military families who had served the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion for generations. Although Yun Ting had distinguished himself in the Battle of Yonglin, to the officers and men of the Mo Family Army, it was hardly worth mentioning. Moreover, he was someone promoted by her, a Princess Consort whose capabilities were still largely untested in their eyes.

Mu Yang gave Ye Li a deep look and said with a soft laugh, "The Princess Consort is right."