Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 155. Survival and Extinction of Tianyi Pavilion

155. Fate of the Tianyi Pavilion

Seeing the two guards approach him, and then glancing at the men standing beside Ye Li, Han Mingyue sighed quietly and chose not to resist. When the matter did not involve Su Zuidie, Han Mingyue was a wise man, aware that it was futile to oppose the reality before him. He looked at Su Zuidie with a hint of apology, murmuring, "Zuidie, it seems we’re going to stay longer at the Governor’s Mansion." Su Zuidie gritted her teeth, resentfully looking at the composed Ye Li. She then glared at Han Mingyue, saying, "You have never accomplished anything! No wonder the Prince always says you are more likely to ruin things than achieve anything!"

Han Mingyue hung his head in bitterness. Ye Li, observing them, sighed, "Is it worth it?"

Han Mingyue responded calmly, "I chose it, so there’s no question of worth." He bowed to Ye Li and then turned, allowing the guards to escort him away.

Ye Li calmly evaluated the exceptionally beautiful woman before her. After her initial surprise, and having witnessed Su Zuidie’s various behaviors in recent days, her awe of the stunning beauty had somewhat dulled. Ye Li looked at her and her lips curled slightly. The most beautiful woman in Great Chu... was merely this. She was undoubtedly blessed with exceptional beauty, but she seemed to lack that certain something that would make people linger and yearn for her. Perhaps what is imagined is always best. The world remembers the unsurpassed beauty from the Capital of Great Chu, and Su Zuidie’s premature death further wrapped this beauty in a veil of mystery. But when such a renowned beauty actually appeared before one’s eyes, it unwittingly led to a slight disappointment. The world’s most beautiful woman... was merely this.

Su Zuidie clearly felt Ye Li’s appraising gaze. Initially, she might have felt a secret smugness. But gradually, as she noticed the indifference in Ye Li’s appraisal, anger began to stir within her. Having endured it for a long time, she finally couldn’t resist snapping, "What are you looking at!?" Ye Li withdrew her gaze, unperturbed, and said indifferently, "Does Noble Consort Bai have anything further? If not, please return to your room and rest. I shall take my leave."

Su Zuidie huffed in response and turned to retreat to her room.

Ye Li gave a faint smile, rose, and headed outside. Qin Feng and the others trailed behind her. As they walked, Ye Li asked, "What’s the situation outside?" Wei Lin answered, "Your Highness, please rest assured, all the forces of Tianyi Pavilion in the Northwest region have been wiped out." Ye Li nodded approvingly and chuckled, "Although the Prince had also made efforts to eradicate Tianyi Pavilion’s hidden agents, many still slipped through the net. Normally, it wouldn’t have been a major concern, but with the two nations at war, the presence of this force in the Northwest is quite troublesome. This time, it’s all thanks to Wei Lin." Wei Lin bowed his head and smiled faintly, "It’s my duty." Zhuo Jing clapped Wei Lin’s shoulder, laughing, "Little Fourth, no need to be modest. The Princess Consort is right. Without you this time, capturing Han Mingyue would have taken us considerably more effort. But the most important thing is that you’re finally back, and we brothers can be together again. It would be even better if Boss were here."

Wei Lin looked at Ye Li. Ye Li smiled and said, "Speak your mind."

Wei Lin said, "Two months ago, I saw Boss."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow slightly and gestured for him to continue. Wei Lin continued, "I originally planned to use Tianyi Pavilion’s resources to investigate the King of Hell Pavilion and the Ailing Scholar. Later, I received some scattered information and, using a pretext, went to the border where I coincidentally bumped into Boss. However, following Your Highness’s orders, I did not reveal my identity to him, nor did we speak." Ye Li nodded and asked, "It seems Darky One is doing well?" Wei Lin softly laughed, "From what I saw, he seemed to be doing well. Thanks to Your Highness’s training, it appeared he had already become a Colonel when I saw him." Zhuo Jing clicked his tongue and said, "A colonel’s rank isn’t very high, but for Boss to reach that level in just a few months truly shows his capability. Perhaps in another two years, Boss could even become a general." Qin Feng, who was from the Black Cloud Cavalry, scoffed and said, "Dream on! It might not be difficult for an ordinary soldier to get promoted to colonel. However, to become a general from a colonel requires more than a few steps. Don’t even think about it without at least eight to ten years of effort. Third Young Master Feng has been risking life and limb with the Prince since his teens, and he’s still only a Vice General."

Unfazed, Zhuo Jing said, "A Vice General is still a general, mind you. Could you get promoted to Colonel in two or three months?"

Qin Feng was left speechless; he indeed couldn’t. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Ye Li smilingly halted the banter among her subordinates and said, "Let’s not worry about Darky One for now. Are the guards for Han Mingyue arranged?" Qin Feng respectfully responded, "Reporting to Your Highness, it has been arranged. However... this subordinate doesn’t understand why Han Mingyue and Su Zuidie are not being held captive together. Keeping them in separate locations seems to waste a lot of manpower, and our forces at the Governor’s Mansion are not entirely sufficient at the moment." Ye Li’s clear eyes crinkled as she chuckled, "What if they are both taken out in one fell swoop? Rest assured. If I were the Southern Garrison Prince, I wouldn’t dispatch anyone to rescue Su Zuidie. Therefore... some of the guards assigned to Su Zuidie can be diverted and placed as hidden sentries near Han Mingyue." Seeing the confusion in her subordinates’ eyes, Ye Li laughed. "If the Southern Garrison Prince truly held Noble Consort Bai in his heart, why would he allow her to come to Xinyang alone? Noble Consort Bai has been our prisoner for so long; have you seen any significant moves from the Southern Garrison Prince?"

Realization dawned on everyone. "Then, Han Mingyue’s side..."

Ye Li began to laugh even louder. "Without rescuing Su Zuidie, even if I were to release Han Mingyue now, he wouldn’t leave."

It finally dawned on Qin Feng. "So, the Princess Consort intends to use Su Zuidie to control Han Mingyue!"

Ye Li sighed somewhat helplessly, "You could put it that way. Keep a close watch on Su Zuidie; she cannot die yet."

"Reporting to Your Highness... we’ve lost contact with Young Master Han." Inside the large tent at the Xiling military camp, a subordinate reported respectfully.

The brush in the Southern Garrison Prince’s hand paused slightly. "What about Tianyi Pavilion?"

The subordinate hesitated for a moment, then said, "We completely lost contact with Tianyi Pavilion last night as well. Based on what this subordinate has gathered... I’m afraid the situation is dire." The Southern Garrison Prince closed his eyes momentarily, seemingly calming the anger in his heart. His calm voice still held traces of a murderous intent. "Relay This King’s order! Apart from the troops besieging Xinyang, all other troops are to attack all the cities in the Northwest with full force. This King wants Xinyang to become an isolated city!"

"Your subordinate obeys." Watching his subordinate withdraw, the Southern Garrison Prince’s composed expression finally turned somber. He gritted his teeth and muttered, "Han Mingyue, you fool!"

In contrast to the furious Southern Garrison Prince, Han Mingyue appeared remarkably calm and nonchalant at this moment. As Mo Xiuyao stepped into the courtyard, he saw Han Mingyue leisurely seated by the window, engrossed in a solitary game against an unfinished chess board. Hearing footsteps, he chuckled without looking up, "Ah-Yao, come and play a game?" Mo Xiuyao walked over and sat down, picked up a black stone, and casually placed it on the board. Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow with interest and placed a white stone. Mo Xiuyao, his expression serene, placed another black stone. The two began their exchange of moves. In less than half an incense stick’s time, the once hard-fought chess game had turned into a one-sided slaughter. White pieces suffered heavy losses on the chessboard. Han Mingyue sighed. "Ah-Yao, your chess has a murderous aura."

"You, on the other hand, seem to be regressing," Mo Xiuyao said coldly.

Han Mingyue was unfazed by his old friend’s assessment. He smiled faintly and said, "I’m different from you. I wasn’t born capable of severing emotions and affections."

Severing emotions and affections? Mo Xiuyao scoffed at his words. He never claimed to be a saint of love, but neither was he truly unfeeling, devoid of affection, or cold-blooded. It was just that the one person who could make him offer tender care had appeared too late. More importantly, he understood what ought to be done and what ought not. He understood even better which people were worth cherishing and which had to be abandoned. The people of the Mo Family never invested their emotions without principle. Thus, for Han Mingyue’s infatuation, Mo Xiuyao felt not a shred of sympathy, only disdain.

"I presume you didn’t seek me out just to reminisce?" Mo Xiuyao said blandly.

Han Mingyue nodded. "You’ve already discovered the Southern Garrison Prince’s plan?" Mo Xiuyao didn’t answer, merely looking at him impassively. Han Mingyue laughed, "I’m in your hands now; there’s no need to be so guarded against me. With all of Xinyang now under Princess Consort Ding’s control, you, as the Prince of Ding Kingdom, must surely have more pressing matters to attend to. I’ve thought it over, and it seems only that matter is more important than the current siege of Xinyang. But... I do wonder, since you already know, why haven’t you made a move?" Watching Mo Xiuyao silently continue the game, Han Mingyue pondered for a moment before a thought struck him. "Is it because of Mo Jingqi? I originally thought that the Southern Garrison Prince had only contacted Mo Jingli and Nanzhao. I didn’t expect Mo Jingqi to get involved as well. If so, you indeed need to be more careful. Perhaps even Beirong will come to join the fun. Xiuyao, I’m starting to get curious how you plan to overcome the Southern Garrison Prince’s inescapable stratagem."

Mo Xiuyao gave a cold smile and said, "Since you know so much, you should understand I didn’t come here just to play chess with you."

Han Mingyue lazily smiled, "The fact that I haven’t told the Southern Garrison Prince what you already know—isn’t that enough?"

Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly. Han Mingyue shrugged helplessly, "The Tianyi Pavilion’s network in Great Chu was left in tatters by you. I was planning to sort things out upon my return this time. It’s useless for you to take it over now." Mo Xiuyao sneered. "This Prince does not need Tianyi Pavilion." Han Mingyue started, looking at Mo Xiuyao with confusion. He then heard Mo Xiuyao say indifferently, "This Prince dares not use anything taken from the hands of a traitor." Han Mingyue smiled bitterly, "Indeed, you two are cut from the same cloth. Your words are exactly the same as those of Princess Consort Ding. So, what do you want?"

Mo Xiuyao stated, "This Prince wants Tianyi Pavilion to cease to exist in this world!"

Han Mingyue was stunned. The chess stone in his hand fell onto the board with a CLACK, disrupting the game. He looked up at Mo Xiuyao’s coolly handsome and composed face, shook his head, and gave a bitter laugh. "Xiuyao, you either don’t make a move, or when you do, it’s earth-shattering. Do you realize how many problems will arise if Tianyi Pavilion disappears?" Tianyi Pavilion wasn’t some obscure minor faction or small merchant guild; it was reputed to be the world’s foremost intelligence organization. Even though its influence in Great Chu was severely damaged after being fiercely attacked by Mo Xiuyao, it’s still not an organization ordinary groups could compete with. Once Tianyi Pavilion ceases to exist, it means the clandestine powers of the world will undergo a major reshuffle.