Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 152. Trace of the Bright Moon

152. Traces of Han Mingyue

Having soothed Feng Zhiyao, Ye Li lightly tapped her slender fingers, deep in thought. "Last time we outsmarted Lei Zhenting. It seems this time he’s determined to get even?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Regardless of what happened last time, Lei Zhenting would stop at nothing to deal with the Mo Family Army." The Mo Family Army had been a thorn in the side of the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling ever since their defeat years ago. The Southern Garrison Prince was pushing fifty this year, still arguably in his prime for a military man. However, if this dragged on any longer, he would have no chance in his lifetime to avenge the disgrace by defeating the Mo Family Army.

Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao and said, "You will probably be very busy lately. I’ll handle Xinyang."

Mo Xiuyao looked at Ye Li somewhat apologetically. They had only been married for just over a year. He had always promised Ah-Li she could live the life she liked, but the fact was that since the day they married, Ah-Li hadn’t had a single peaceful day.

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Those who flee when disaster strikes are birds, not people. Or do you not believe in my ability?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled appreciatively, admiring the confidence and pride emanating from her. He gently said, "In that case, I’ll entrust Ah-Li with the defense and political affairs of Xinyang?"

Ye Li nodded. "Rest assured, I’ll handle it."

The State Duke Hua’s message came too suddenly. Yet both Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li knew that if he wasn’t absolutely certain, the State Duke Hua would not make such a jest. Although they hadn’t detected any movement yet, Mo Xiuyao had to act preemptively, deploying the Mo Family Army troops from various locations to prepare for potential multi-front warfare. As for Xinyang, Mo Xiuyao indeed didn’t have much time to personally oversee many affairs. After a copy of all maps compiled from Qilin’s collected data was sent to Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li had someone prepare a study for her, and she quickly moved in.

"Princess Consort, Noble Consort Bai insists on seeing the Prince," Qin Feng entered and reported in a low voice, as Ye Li was contemplating the map before her. Now that Ye Li was fully in charge of all affairs in Xinyang, including the tens of thousands of Mo Family Army soldiers guarding Xinyang City, and Mo Xiuyao was incredibly busy, Su Zuidie’s matter naturally fell to Ye Li to handle alone.

Ye Li frowned. "If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have almost forgotten her. Is there any news of Han Mingyue?"

Qin Feng replied, "According to news from Xiling, Han Mingyue has definitely left Xiling and entered Great Chu, but we have yet to locate him."

Ye Li rubbed her temples. "As expected of Young Master Mingyue, who specializes in intelligence. I suspect he is near Xinyang."

Qin Feng nodded in agreement. "Considering Han Mingyue’s concern for Su Zuidie, he is very likely near Xinyang. Unfortunately, Han Mingyue himself is a master of concealment. Unless he chooses to reveal himself, it will be very difficult to find him."

Ye Li’s smile was icy. "If he has a weakness, we can exploit it. But... I am not in a hurry to catch Han Mingyue himself. Rather... it’s the Tianyi Pavilion behind him. Although the Prince has largely eradicated Tianyi Pavilion’s strongholds within Great Chu, and many others defected with Han Mingxi to the righteous side, some inevitably slipped through the net. Such elements pose a lethal threat to the current Mo Family Army."

Qin Feng looked up, puzzled. "What does the Princess Consort intend to do?"

Ye Li replied indifferently, "It depends on how deep Han Mingyue’s feelings for Su Zuidie are. Spread the word that I am jealous of the past relationship between Su Zuidie and the Prince, that I torment her daily, and even... that I plan to kill her behind the Prince’s back!" 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Qin Feng hesitated and asked, "Will Han Mingyue fall for it?"

Ye Li looked up, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Do you think I’m joking?"

Qin Feng was confused. "What does the Princess Consort mean?"

Ye Li laughed. "If Han Mingyue doesn’t come... I’ll send Su Zuidie to him, piece by piece. Those who betray their country for personal gain deserve death!"

"Your subordinate obeys."

「In a small town near Xinyang」

Han Mingyue, who hadn’t been seen for a long time, sat by the window in an inconspicuous civilian house. His handsome face showed more traces of weathering, fatigue, and deep worry.

"Young Master." A man in grey clothes entered the room and greeted him reverently.

Han Mingyue turned around and asked, "Any news?"

The man nodded. "Miss Su is indeed in the Governor’s Mansion in Xinyang City, but... our people are completely unable to get near her."

Han Mingyue was unsurprised and said gravely, "She’s been placed under house arrest by Prince Ding."

The man in grey shook his head. "Prince Ding doesn’t seem very interested in Miss Su. Since Miss Su entered the Governor’s Mansion, Prince Ding has barely inquired about her. All affairs in Xinyang City are now handled by Princess Consort Ding."

Han Mingyue paused, then turned to him. "All affairs in Xinyang City are entrusted to Princess Consort Ding? Then what is Prince Ding doing?"

The man in grey frowned slightly. "Your subordinate suspects that Prince Ding has already learned about the Southern Garrison Prince’s plan and may have already made secret arrangements. Otherwise... with over a hundred thousand troops still stationed outside Xinyang City, it’s impossible for Prince Ding not to be personally overseeing military affairs. Young Master, should we inform the Southern Garrison Prince about this?"

Han Mingyue glanced at him coolly and asked, "We are here for Zuidie’s safety. What happens with the Mo Family Army is none of our concern. Understood?"

The man in grey was startled, then immediately nodded. "Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate knows nothing. Since we now know Miss Su’s whereabouts, should we send someone to rescue her?"

A trace of hesitation flashed across Han Mingyue’s face, and he frowned, saying, "Rescue her... Out of consideration for their past relationship, Prince Ding shouldn’t harm her. So... perhaps she’s safer staying in Xinyang City."

The man in grey whispered, "However... according to information from the Governor’s Mansion, Miss Su is not faring well there. A few days ago, she even injured her forehead. Moreover, Princess Consort Ding seems very displeased with Miss Su’s former status as Prince Ding’s fiancée. Now that Prince Ding completely disregards matters of the Governor’s Mansion and Xinyang City, I fear Miss Su will... will not fare well..."

Princess Consort Ding, Ye Li... Han Mingyue frowned. He had only encountered that renowned Princess Consort Ding a few times, and it seemed each meeting had not been particularly pleasant. Even so, he couldn’t help but envy his former friend’s good fortune. Princess Consort Ding was an exceptionally outstanding wife, even more suited to Mo Xiuyao and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion than Su Zuidie, who was hailed as the foremost beauty of Great Chu. She was intelligent, perceptive, resolute, decisive, and at the same time... possessed enough perseverance and courage. If she wanted to make things difficult for Su Zuidie, and Prince Ding didn’t intervene... Su Zuidie would be no match for Ye Li. Han Mingyue understood the woman he admired—Su Zuidie—far better than others imagined. At night, when dreams replayed, he would even silently ask himself if everything he had done was worth it, but...

"Keep a close watch on the Governor’s Mansion. Report any movements immediately."

"Your subordinate understands." The man in grey respectfully bowed his head.

Han Mingyue pondered for a moment, sighed, and then instructed, "Make preparations. I will go to Xinyang myself."

The man in grey was taken aback and said with some disapproval, "Young Master, please reconsider. Xinyang’s city gates are currently closed tightly, and it’s not easy to get in or out."

Han Mingyue said firmly, "Go and prepare."

"...Yes, as you command."

"Princess Consort, the Xiling army has remained camped twenty li outside Xinyang City for several days. However, the Heir of the Southern Garrison Prince is secretly leading nearly two hundred thousand troops south by a detour, apparently preparing to rendezvous with the Southern Route Army. Your subordinate suspects that Xiling may be attempting to get behind our army to launch a pincer attack on Xinyang."

Ye Li listened to Zhuo Jing’s report as she walked along the winding corridor of the Governor’s Mansion. Upon hearing his words, Ye Li’s delicate eyebrows knitted slightly, but her pace didn’t falter. She continued walking and asked, "Send a copy of this information to the Prince. Has there been any movement from the Xiling troops outside the city?"

Zhuo Jing replied, "The troops outside the city have remained stationary these past few days."

"What is the Southern Garrison Prince doing?" Ye Li inquired.

Zhuo Jing’s sword-like brows deeply furrowed as he said thoughtfully, "The Xiling army has been inactive these past few days, and there has been no news from the Southern Garrison Prince either."

Ye Li paused slightly in her steps, contemplated for a moment, then said, "Send someone to verify if the Southern Garrison Prince is actually with his troops. Also, tell the Prince that it’s best to be cautious regarding Jiangxia. Lei Tengfeng leading troops south might not necessarily be to launch a pincer attack on Xinyang."

"Yes," Zhuo Jing nodded in acknowledgment. He then added, "That person in the side courtyard has been causing quite a disturbance these past few days. How does the Princess Consort wish to handle her?"

Ye Li glanced towards a small courtyard in the Northwest, though nothing could be seen from the corridor. However, she knew Su Zuidie had been in the courtyard these past few days, constantly shouting to be let out and making all sorts of demands. She smiled nonchalantly. "If she likes to make a fuss, let her. Is there any news of Han Mingyue?"

Zhuo Jing nodded. "News came yesterday. Traces of Han Mingyue’s subordinates from Tianyi Pavilion were discovered in a small town near Xinyang, but when our men arrived, the place was already empty. The Princess Consort’s deduction was correct; Han Mingyue is indeed near Xinyang."

Ye Li thought for a moment, then smiled. "Perhaps he has already entered the city. Once he’s in, we won’t have to worry about finding him. The Xinyang of today is different from before." Previously, Xinyang City had a large population and a motley crowd. But now, apart from soldiers, there were hardly any ordinary citizens, let alone traveling merchants. It wouldn’t be so easy for Han Mingyue and his group to hide their tracks. "Be vigilant within the Governor’s Mansion; don’t let anyone break in and abduct the person. The moment any trace of Han Mingyue and his men is discovered, lock down Xinyang City—allow entry but no exit. Does Han Mingyue really think the current Xinyang City is so easy to enter?" If we weren’t intentionally leaving an opening for someone to walk into a trap, not even a fly could get into Xinyang City.

Zhuo Jing smiled. "Princess Consort, rest assured. While we might not be as skilled as Han Mingyue at concealing movements, it won’t be easy for him to abduct someone from under our noses either."

Ye Li nodded. Standing at the door of her new study, she said to Zhuo Jing, "Go attend to your tasks."

Zhuo Jing bowed and took his leave. When Ye Li entered the room, she found Mo Xiuyao sitting behind the desk, reading. Somewhat surprised, she asked, "Why are you here?"

Mo Xiuyao had been extremely busy these past few days; they hadn’t even met for two days.

Mo Xiuyao put down his book and chuckled lightly. "What? Ah-Li doesn’t want to see me?"

Ye Li glanced at him. "I had Zhuo Jing send some things to you. Since you’re here, didn’t he make a trip for nothing?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled, rose, and pulled her to sit down with him. "Then it’s my fault. If there’s anything important, Ah-Li can just tell me directly. It’s rare for me to sneak away for a moment to see Ah-Li."

Ye Li rubbed her temples, glancing somewhat helplessly at the stack of scrolls and petitions on the desk. "The Prince still has time to sneak away, but unfortunately, I’m swamped."

Mo Xiuyao looked at the items on the desk, also frowning, and asked with some concern, "Why are there so many things? Are the people around Ah-Li still not enough? How about I send a few more people to you?"

Ye Li waved her hand. "No need. You’re very busy yourself. Xinyang City is currently in a state where many neglected tasks need to be undertaken, so it’s inevitably a bit hectic. It will get better after a while. I estimate that in a few more days, there should be results regarding Han Mingyue, and Darky Four should be back by then. The people around me are sufficient."

Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his embrace and murmured with some dissatisfaction, "If I had known Ah-Li was so good at training people, I regret not assigning a few female guards to you back then."

Ye Li arched an eyebrow. "Is the Prince feeling jealous?"

"My lady is wise," Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly.

Ye Li snorted. "The Prince is certainly improving. Now you even get jealous of the people around me?"

Mo Xiuyao sighed with a hint of complaint. He didn’t want to make himself seem like a resentful husband, but Ah-Li was becoming more and more dazzling, and the time he spent with her was clearly less than that of Zhuo Jing or Qin Feng. Most importantly, Ah-Li still hadn’t said she loved him... It’s about time Zhuo Jing and the others got married too...

"If you’re too busy, let Second Brother come and help you."

Ye Li rolled her eyes. "Second Brother is here in the capacity of Army Supervisor. What would it look like for him to be by my side?"

"But I trust Second Brother," Mo Xiuyao muttered.

"..."