Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 146. Noble Consort’s Grace

146. The Stunning Noble Consort

「The Xiling Grand Camp」

The atmosphere within the large tent was heavy, laden with ominous winds. The Southern Garrison Prince’s expression was the worst it had been since Xiling had dispatched its troops. Since Mo Xiuyao’s sudden appearance to seize Xinyang, the whole Great Chu army seemed to have sprung to life. Within a short span of ten days or so, about half of nearly a month’s battle gains had been lost. Not only was the Northern Route Army caught by surprise and severely beaten by Mo Xiuyao, but the Southern Route Army also suffered continuous setbacks. The only remaining stable force was the Central Army, personally overseen by the Southern Garrison Prince. However, the difficulty of retaking Xinyang City from Mo Xiuyao’s hands was evident. On top of that, they had lost fifty thousand *dan* of grain and several million taels of silver at the hands of Princess Consort Ding. This placed the Xiling Grand Army, whose provisions were not particularly ample, in a dire predicament. With the approaching winter, it only seemed to add frost to snow.

"My Prince, calm down!" The generals uttered cautiously.

The Southern Garrison Prince snorted and said, "Calm down, calm down! Is that all you know to say?"

Knowing that the Prince was in a fury, no one dared to speak. They turned pleadingly to Lei Tengfeng, who was sitting to the side. Lei Tengfeng gave a faint smile, stood up, and said to the Southern Garrison Prince, "Father, we all know that Mo Xiuyao is not easy to deal with. Don’t be too tough on them; they have already done their best." The Prince grunted lightly and swept a cold glance over everyone as he said, "Get out! If you let the Mo Family Army leave you in disarray again tomorrow, you might as well take off your armor and be common soldiers!" The others agreed repeatedly, gave grateful glances at Lei Tengfeng, and left the tent dejectedly.

When only the Southern Garrison Prince and his son remained in the large tent, Lei Tengfeng chuckled. "Father, we can’t rush to deal with Mo Xiuyao. Even though we have suffered some losses in recent days, considering the current situation, we are not at a disadvantage." The Prince sighed lightly, speaking solemnly, "I am well-aware of this, but...Tengfeng, do not underestimate Mo Xiuyao. In my view, he is even more dangerous than Mo Liufang!" Lei Tengfeng raised his eyebrows in surprise; he hadn’t expected his father to think so highly of Mo Xiuyao, whom they’d only met a few times. Mo Liufang was Mo Xiuyao’s father, and was the greatest and, it could be said, the only lifelong enemy of his father. Could it be...that the student has surpassed the teacher?

"Had Mo Xiuyao led a smooth life all these years, perhaps I wouldn’t pay him so much attention. But you know what kind of life he’s lived these years and what kind of injuries he suffered back then. But look at the Mo Family Army’s performance in recent days; Mo Xiuyao not only shows no signs of rustiness, but he also seems even more adept at commanding troops than the man from the legends. This indicates that even though Mo Xiuyao has remained secluded in the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion for seven or eight years due to his illness and pain, he is still entirely capable of controlling the entire Mo Family Army. Moreover, the Mo Family Army is still utterly loyal to him. Can you achieve this, Tengfeng?" the Southern Garrison Prince asked plainly.

Lei Tengfeng pondered a moment, his brow furrowing. He slowly looked up, his face growing serious. Although his smile was laden with some embarrassment and unwillingness, he still shook his head and said, "I’m incapable of doing so." No one understood better than him how severe Mo Xiuyao’s injuries had been those years ago. He felt that if he had been in the same situation, he would definitely not be able to control the Mo Family Army as perfectly as Mo Xiuyao had. He might even have been defeated by such pain and torment or swallowed by hatred and turned mad.

The Prince nodded with some satisfaction, noting, "It’s a good thing to recognize your own shortcomings. Mo Liufang sired a good son, and has an excellent daughter-in-law...how lucky he is."

Lei Tengfeng recalled the woman in white, as pure as snow, who had been so calm and composed during the hostage exchange. He had to admit that Mo Xiuyao was indeed fortunate. Marrying such a woman was something many heroes in the world would envy Mo Xiuyao for.

"What do you intend to do, Father?" Lei Tengfeng asked.

The Southern Garrison Prince raised an eyebrow. "What do you think your father’s plans are?"

Lei Tengfeng laughed. "Even if Father appeared to be very angry on the surface, I know in my heart, you are not genuinely enraged. This indicates that Father actually already has a plan." If his father truly became furious, not even the plea of the gods would be of any use. The Southern Garrison Prince casually toyed with the jade thumb ring in his hand, laughing coldly. "In the past, Mo Xiuyao was lucky, and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was not fated to be annihilated. This time...we’ll see if he is still so fortunate!"

Realization dawned on Lei Tengfeng. He frowned and began to ask, "Father, are you planning..."

The Southern Garrison Prince laughed serenely. "The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion isn’t just a thorn in my side alone."

"The Prince is right. The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion is indeed an eyesore to many. There are countless people in this world who wish for its disappearance." A sultry voice floated in from outside the tent. Lei Tengfeng frowned, a flicker of disgust crossing his face. The Southern Garrison Prince saw this and shook his head with a hint of amusement.

The tent flap was lifted from the outside, and a slender, graceful figure walked in. Passing the screen embroidered with tigers roaring in the forest, the woman who entered the main tent wore a pink palace gown. Her willow-like eyebrows were naturally dark, her cherry lips naturally crimson, and her features were exquisitely flawless, without a single imperfection. Her sparkling eyes, with a single glance, seemed to hold a starlight that could make one drunk with fascination. Even Lei Tengfeng, who held an apparent dislike for her, could not help but be momentarily dazed as her gaze met his. Noticing Lei Tengfeng’s distraction, a smile flirted around the corners of her lips. She advanced slowly and curtsied gracefully. "Greetings to the Prince and the Heir Apparent."

The Southern Garrison Prince looked at her coolly and asked, "Why have you come? Is His Majesty not in need of attendance?"

The woman’s charming eyes glinted. She chuckled, "The Prince jests. His Majesty is gravely ill; with Her Highness Empress present, my attendance is hardly needed. Or could it be... the Prince does not wish to see me?"

The Southern Garrison Prince laughed. "How could that be? You have come at just the right time. I have something I need your help with."

The woman laughed, appearing even more pleased. As she did so, the otherwise solemn tent seemed to brighten. "Whatever the Prince commands, Long’er will certainly do her utmost to accomplish it for you." This woman was Bai Long, Xiling’s Noble Consort Qingrong. She was also Su Zuidie, once known as the foremost beauty of Great Chu.

Lei Tengfeng’s daze was but a fleeting moment. He had already recovered as soon as the Southern Garrison Prince began to speak, and he merely listened silently to their conversation. An unwavering look of disgust and disdain remained evident in his eyes towards Su Zuidie, as if peering at some abhorrent creature. Yet, something deeper seemed to struggle within their depths. The Southern Garrison Prince had been observing his son’s expression from the start of their conversation, and seeing him like this, he sighed inwardly. Indeed, Tengfeng was outstanding, surpassing all his siblings and even others in the Xiling imperial family. Unfortunately, when compared to Mo Xiuyao, he still fell a little short.

Su Zuidie smiled sweetly. "What are the Prince’s instructions?"

The Southern Garrison Prince looked at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. "Long’er, you rushed here so quickly. You must have already known that Mo Xiuyao is in Xinyang City?"

Su Zuidie was taken aback for a moment; something rapidly flickered in her eyes but was soon concealed behind a captivating smile. She gave the Southern Garrison Prince a coquettish glance and said, "Long’er did indeed know Mo Xiuyao is in Xinyang, but I was already halfway here when I found out. Couldn’t I have come because I was missing the Prince? It seems the Prince truly did not wish to see Long’er."

The Southern Garrison Prince leisurely enjoyed the beautiful lady’s pouting display before him, stretched out his hand to pull her closer, and replied with a hearty laugh, "Why would this Prince not miss Long’er?"

"Prince..." the beauty cooed, leaning bonelessly against the Southern Garrison Prince.

Lei Tengfeng’s face was unsightly as he watched the scene before him. Finally, he couldn’t help but say coldly, "Father, if there is nothing else, your son requests permission to withdraw."

The Southern Garrison Prince released Su Zuidie, looked at Lei Tengfeng, and shook his head. "You child, you are good in every way, but you take everything too seriously."

The usual smile on Lei Tengfeng’s face was gone. He glanced at Su Zuidie and said, "Your son has no need to get serious over a promiscuous woman. I simply find her disgusting."

Su Zuidie’s face turned red then white with anger. "You! Lei Tengfeng, you are too much!" She turned to the Southern Garrison Prince, her eyes red with grievance. "Prince, look at what the Heir Apparent is saying about me! I... Long’er is too ashamed to live!"

The Southern Garrison Prince’s smile vanished, and he frowned. "Alright, stop it, both of you. Don’t quarrel the moment you meet."

Su Zuidie snorted softly, glared at Lei Tengfeng, but for some reason, held back her retort this time.

Lei Tengfeng said, "If there is nothing else, your son will leave first."

The Southern Garrison Prince shook his head and said, "Enough, let’s discuss important matters. Long’er, what are your plans regarding Mo Xiuyao?"

Su Zuidie’s delicate brows knitted slightly, but she quickly looked up and smiled sweetly. "Does the Prince want Long’er to go back to him?"

The Southern Garrison Prince smiled and answered, "Go back to him? Do you think he will accept you now? Everyone knows the depth of affection and singular devotion the Prince of Ding Kingdom has for his Princess Consort."

A trace of resentment flashed in Su Zuidie’s eyes, but she quickly looked up, her eyes still like silk, and said softly, "Does the Prince not believe me? Long’er grew up with Prince Ding. Am I to be considered inferior to that Ye Li, that ’three-lacks’ young lady?" What did that Ye Li possess, apart from a decent family background? Nothing! No, she didn’t even have a commendable family background; she merely had a good maternal grandfather. Unfortunately, Mr. Qingyun has not involved himself in worldly affairs for many years. I am Prince Ding’s legitimate, formally betrothed fiancée, the Great Chu’s... the world’s number one beauty. Could I truly be inferior to a woman with no talent or looks?

Lei Tengfeng scoffed disdainfully, making his viewpoint quite clear.

Su Zuidie glared at him angrily. The Southern Garrison Prince laughed. "How could that be? This Prince absolutely believes that Long’er is a peerless beauty in this world. How could Mo Xiuyao dare not fall at Long’er’s feet?"

With a hint of triumph, Su Zuidie smiled at Lei Tengfeng. "Prince, how do you wish me to proceed?"

The Southern Garrison Prince didn’t respond, just grinned. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Father, will Mo Xiuyao fall for it?" Lei Tengfeng asked with a frown once Su Zuidie had left the main tent.

The Southern Garrison Prince looked at him and asked, "Do you think this Prince would be infatuated with her?"

Lei Tengfeng shook his head. He could naturally see that although his father had some entanglement with Su Zuidie, he had absolutely no genuine feelings for her.

The Southern Garrison Prince smiled. "Since this Prince would not fall for it, how could Mo Xiuyao?"

"Then, Father, isn’t sending her to seduce Mo Xiuyao too much like child’s play?" Lei Tengfeng asked. If that woman had the ability to seduce Mo Xiuyao, how could she have appeared in Xiling?

The Southern Garrison Prince chuckled. "Who said this Prince wanted her to seduce Mo Xiuyao? With an exquisite woman like Princess Consort Ding around, Bai Long is merely a pretty but useless vase."

Lei Tengfeng frowned, then his brow quickly cleared. He looked up at the Southern Garrison Prince. "Father has other plans."

"I merely want her to divert Mo Xiuyao’s attention for me, just a little. If she can’t even do that, then she’s useless." The Southern Garrison Prince smiled coldly, his voice ruthless and devoid of the tenderness and affection he had shown moments before.