Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 143. Reunion After a Long Separation
143. Reunited at Last
Upon their return to Jiangxia City, Ye Li instructed her men to take the Southern Garrison Prince and the others away, then she personally accompanied the Heir of South Marquis to visit the anxious Marquis South. Upon seeing his son return covered in wounds, Marquis South was filled with both elation and concern, looking his son over from head to toe and questioning him about his injuries. The Heir of South Marquis, who hadn’t thought he would have the chance to see his parents again in this life, was visibly moved, tears welling up in his eyes. Shaking off his father’s hand, he knelt on the ground and said in a low voice, "I have brought shame upon you, Father."
Marquis South immediately helped him to his feet, tears streaming down his face. "Foolish child, it’s enough that you have come back. Why speak of such things? You’re back... that’s enough..." After the initial joy passed, Marquis South remembered that Ye Li and the others were still present. Wiping his tears and holding his son, he said, "Your safe return is largely thanks to the Princess Consort. Hurry and thank the Princess Consort for saving your life." The Heir of South Marquis stepped forward to offer a bow, saying, "Thank you, Princess Consort, for your life-saving kindness." Ye Li responded with a faint smile, "Brother-in-law, please dispense with the formalities. We are family; there’s no need to speak as strangers. Are you alright? Did the Xiling people injure you?" After exchanging a glance, the Heir of South Marquis shook his head, laughing, "I just have some minor injuries. Thank you for your concern... sister. Just say the word if you need anything later. Marquis South’s Mansion will certainly support you." Ye Li thanked him with a smile. She knew in her heart that even if Marquis South’s Mansion could not become an ally to King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, they would no longer be their enemies.
This time, Lei Tengfeng apparently did not attempt any additional tricks. Five days later, at the same time and place, he delivered fifty thousand loads of grain and fodder and five million taels of silver into Ye Li’s hands. Ye Li, keeping her promise, released the Southern Garrison Prince. Once back in his own Xiling camps, the Southern Garrison Prince turned around to give Ye Li a long look, then said, "I was too arrogant. You have won this round, Princess Consort Ding. We will meet again in the future." Ye Li responded with a dazzling smile, "Your Highness jests. I can’t say that I’ve won against you; it was merely a streak of luck." The Southern Garrison Prince’s expression was somber as he turned away. Neither arrogant in victory nor discouraged by defeat, Princess Consort Ding, a mere woman, had effortlessly won a vast amount of supplies and silver from Xiling, yet she showed no hint of pride. She was truly beyond compare among women.
As Ye Li watched the departing figure of the Southern Garrison Prince disappear among the Xiling Army ranks, she turned to Feng Zhiyao and said, "Give the order for the entire army to remain on alert."
Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow quizzically. Ye Li calmly replied, "After suffering such a blow, the Southern Garrison Prince will surely seek revenge."
"Your Highness, Xinyang City has been recaptured by our army!" A soldier rushed over, his face beaming with joy.
Ye Li was taken aback. "What did you say?" The soldier lifted his head and loudly reported, "We’ve just received news from the front; the Prince led an army of one hundred thousand from the north, defeated the Xiling Northern Route Army, and recaptured Xinyang City last night!"
"Xiuyao is back?!"
"The Prince is back!"
Ye Li and Feng Zhiyao exchanged glances, seeing sheer ecstasy reflected in each other’s eyes. Collecting her thoughts, Ye Li commanded loudly, "Back to the city!"
Shortly after returning to the city, news arrived that the Xiling Army was retreating. Everyone ascended the city wall, and sure enough, they saw the Xiling forces receding in the distance. Yun Ting, filled with valiant spirit, quickly asked Ye Li for permission, "Princess Consort, I request to lead troops to pursue the retreating Xiling Army." General Yuan Pei stepped forward. "That would be unwise, Princess Consort. Although the Xiling Army is retreating, they are not a defeated force, and their formations show no signs of disorder. They are likely withdrawing out of concern for Xinyang, fearing we might launch a pincer attack. If we pursue rashly now, we might fall into a Xiling trap." Ye Li nodded. "General Yuan Pei is correct. Let them go. Give the order for the entire army to remain on alert and await the Prince’s return."
"Yes!" Mo Xiuyao had evidently become a symbol of faith for the Mo Family Army. Or rather, every Prince of Ding Kingdom was seen as a beacon of faith by the Mo Family Army. With word that he was on his way, a pleasant and confident smile lit up every face. Ye Li was taken by surprise that Mo Xiuyao had managed to return to Great Chu so quietly, and even more so that he had recaptured Xinyang City by breaking through the Northern Route Army’s blockade with lightning speed. With this, the disadvantages Great Chu had originally faced due to time constraints were greatly lessened. Relieved, Ye Li let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.
Although she knew that Mo Xiuyao had arrived at Xinyang, it was several days later when she finally met him in person. Xinyang had been so ravaged by Xiling, its people virtually massacred, that it had become almost an empty city. Even with the Southern Garrison Prince attempting to impose discipline, the surrounding populace couldn’t escape the Xiling Army’s depredations. Upon arriving at Xinyang, Mo Xiuyao busied himself immediately. He only had time to send a letter to Ye Li, asking her to temporarily hand over the military affairs in her charge to Lv Jinxian and Yuan Pei, and meet him at Xinyang. Ye Li, herself overwhelmed with a mountain of tasks, was only able to arrive at Xinyang several days later after settling affairs with Lv Jinxian and Yuan Pei.
"Ah-Li..."
Hearing this deep call, Ye Li couldn’t help but feel her eyes redden. They had been apart for months, and she hadn’t realized until she heard his deep, pleasant voice how much she missed him. Not caring about anything else, she leaped into the arms already open and waiting for her. Thankfully, the people around them had tactfully retreated, not wishing to disturb the Princess Consort and Prince’s heartfelt reunion. Otherwise, Ye Li would have been mortified at the loss of her usual calm and elegant demeanor.
"Ah-Li... Ah-Li..." Mo Xiuyao tightly embraced her, whispering her name over and over again, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones. Ye Li lifted her head to look at his handsome, elegant face, now etched with the hardships of their time apart and a touch thinner, as she quietly murmured, "Xiuyao..." Mo Xiuyao’s eyes darkened; he reached out to caress her exquisite, delicate face, then leaned down and fiercely kissed her lovely lips. "Ah-Li..." Unconsciously, Ye Li lifted her hands to encircle his shoulders, her lips parting as their tongues intertwined in a passionate kiss. Detecting her response, the dark gleam in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes intensified. After a deep kiss, he scooped her up in his arms and headed for the bedroom.
Inside the room, clothes were scattered everywhere. Behind layers of curtains on the large bed, two entwined figures held each other tightly, lost in passion...
"Ah-Li..." Ye Li opened her eyes to see Mo Xiuyao’s handsome smile and the warmth of affection in his eyes. What had transpired earlier flashed through her mind like snapshots from a movie, causing her freshly awakened face to redden once again. Lowering her gaze, she spotted faint red marks on her smooth, bare shoulder. Biting her lip, she shot Mo Xiuyao a reproachful look. Chuckling, Mo Xiuyao leaned in to breathe in the fragrant scent of her hair. "It’s been a few months, Ah-Li. I’ve missed you dearly," he murmured gently, his eyes full of tenderness that made Ye Li’s heart soften. "Was your journey to Beirong alright?" asked Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao looked at her, then leaned in for a kiss. "Nothing major, just some minor delays. You’ve worked hard these past days, Ah-Li."
Just as Ye Li was about to sit up to discuss recent events with him, Mo Xiuyao, as if understanding her intention, gently pushed her back down. "Let’s not rush to talk about those things. Why don’t you rest a while?"
Ye Li looked at him curiously and said, "I’m not tired." Generally, she had no habit of sleeping during the day, and with the Xiling Army behaving rather quietly lately, her tasks had mostly involved handling some effortless paperwork. Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. As he gazed upon his wife’s slightly pale face, he said firmly, "Tired or not, you need to rest! Unless you want to..."
Understanding the implication in his eyes, Ye Li immediately rolled her eyes. She gave up the idea of working and pulled the blanket over herself, closing her eyes to rest. A hint of regret flickered across Mo Xiuyao’s face before being replaced with satisfaction. He nodded approvingly and chuckled, "That’s a good girl... sleep well."
「In the study.」
Mo Xiuyao, dressed in a white robe, stepped into the room. The people who had been waiting there quickly came forward and greeted him with a respectful bow. Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow and gave Mo Xiuyao a knowing smile. Mo Xiuyao glanced at him indifferently, and Feng Zhiyao wisely covered his mouth with his fan, signaling he would hold his tongue. Mo Xiuyao sat down on a couch to the side and said, "Marquis, everyone, thank you for your hard work these past few days." Marquis South hurriedly stood up. "Your Highness, you are too kind. We are terribly ashamed for losing Xinyang. If Your Highness hadn’t recaptured it, we wouldn’t have been able to face the people of Great Chu. Here is the army’s seal, please review it, Your Highness." These past few days, Marquis South’s sickly appearance had vanished, and his health had improved greatly since his son’s safe return. He took out the army’s seal from his sleeve and handed it to Mo Xiuyao with both hands.
Mo Xiuyao didn’t refuse and casually accepted the seal, placing it aside. In reality, this commander’s seal, bestowed by the Emperor, meant nothing to the Mo Family Army. However, Marquis South’s gesture was intended to show everyone that from now on, Prince Ding would be the ultimate authority in the army, and Mo Xiuyao naturally wouldn’t dismiss such goodwill. Even though he had been far away in Beirong and then busy with the march, he was well informed about the happenings in the Capital of Great Chu, Xinyang, and Jiangxia. Naturally, he also understood the reasons behind the usually neutral Marquis South’s current stance.
"I was incompetent, leading to Xinyang’s fall and the massacre of its people. I request Your Highness to punish me." Leng Qingyu came forward and knelt to plead his case. He still appeared thin and pale, but his spirits were much stronger compared to his previous listlessness.
Mo Xiuyao looked at him with a slight frown, before finally saying, "General Leng, you were personally appointed commander by His Majesty; I have no right to punish you. Later, I will have someone escort you back to the Capital City for you to personally beg for forgiveness from His Majesty." Leng Qingyu lowered his eyes and remained silent. The others in the study didn’t utter a word either. The Prince of Ding Kingdom possessed the authority to command all military officers in the land. He could punish even renowned veteran generals without anyone daring to object, let alone a young general like Leng Qingyu. Prince Ding speaking this way simply meant he was treating Leng Qingyu as an outsider. Given the Emperor’s temperament, Leng Qingyu would definitely not have an easy time upon his return to the Capital City.
Leng Qingyu gritted his teeth before finally speaking with resolve, "I implore Your Highness to allow me to stay. Leng Qingyu would rather be a common soldier at the front, as long as I can repel the Xiling invaders and avenge this humiliation. After returning to the Capital City, I am prepared to atone with my life!"
Mo Xiuyao looked at him indifferently. After a while, he finally said calmly, "If that’s the case, I’ll grant your wish."
