Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 162: There is nothing to regret.

162. Regret Beyond Regret

Fierce battles of various scales were taking place daily across the Northwest, especially within the boundaries of Hongzhou. However, in these battles, Ye Li did not personally lead the charge but directed operations remotely from within Hongzhou City. This was because she was no longer alone; she carried a baby in her womb, so small it was almost imperceptible. This was her first child with Mo Xiuyao. Although she had not been a mother before, she knew that as a mother, she had to protect him.

"Doctor Yang, how is my condition?" After her pulse was checked, Ye Li withdrew her wrist and asked the young doctor before her.

Doctor Yang respectfully replied, "There’s nothing to worry about, Princess Consort Ding. But I must still advise you to avoid overexertion. Otherwise, even if there is no immediate danger to you, it will not be good for the heir in your womb."

Ye Li nodded. "I will remember your words, Doctor. Thank you for your trouble."

"In that case, I will take my leave to adjust the Princess Consort Ding’s meal plan." With that, Doctor Yang bowed and took his leave.

Once the doctor had left, Zhuo Jing and the others looked at Ye Li with concern. Zhuo Jing frowned and said, "Princess Consort Ding, for the sake of the heir, you should rest more."

The others nodded in agreement. Ye Li gave a helpless, wry smile. "How can I afford to be idle in the current situation? If you all work a little harder and can soon stand on your own, I will be able to relax a bit then."

Zhuo Jing lowered his head in shame. "Your subordinate is incompetent."

Ye Li waved her hand and smiled. "It’s not that you are incompetent. It’s difficult for anyone to become capable of handling things independently in just two or three months. You’ve all done very well."

Zhuo Jing fell silent, glancing at Ye Li. They had been with Princess Consort Ding from the very beginning, and it seemed that from the very start, nothing was ever too difficult for her. Compared to Princess Consort Ding, how could they, a group of grown men, claim to be competent? Often, he couldn’t help but wonder whether Princess Consort Ding was a heaven-sent genius or if the Xu Family’s teachings were truly effective.

"Reporting to Princess Consort Ding, a Young Master Han is outside requesting an audience," reported one of the guards from outside.

"Young Master Han?" Ye Li was taken aback, but she quickly realized who it was. "Han Mingxi? Quickly invite him in."

It didn’t take long for Han Mingxi to enter the study. He was dressed in a magnificent dark red robe. A few months’ separation had brought some changes to his originally roguishly charming face; it now held more of the sharp decisiveness of a superior. Yet, on seeing Ye Li, he couldn’t help but flash his characteristic roguish smile, his voice deep and captivating, "Junwei... I’ve missed you dearly..."

Ye Li looked at the handsome man in front of her and sighed softly, "Mingxi, why are you here?"

Entering the study, Han Mingxi smiled, seemingly quite helplessly. "I heard that Junwei, in her capacity as Princess Consort Ding, led troops into battle and left the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling utterly humiliated. What a display of power, wasn’t it? How could I not come to witness the splendor of Princess Consort Ding for myself?" His upturned peach-blossom eyes stared at Ye Li, undisguisedly showing a hint of anger.

Knowing he was concerned for her, Ye Li smiled sweetly and said, "What splendor? I was forced into it; there was no other choice. And... it wasn’t me who left the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling humiliated. The situation in the Northwest isn’t easy right now. If you had come a little later, I might have been the one humiliated."

Han Mingxi snorted lightly, glanced at Zhuo Jing and the others in the study who were pretending to be busy but were actually straining their ears to listen, and said, "Where did your Prince Ding go? Isn’t he called the God of War? What kind of skill is it to throw his wife onto the battlefield to lead the charge?"

"Mingxi..." Ye Li said with a smile, "I know you’re concerned about me as a friend. But, given the current situation, even if Xiuyao is formidable, he can’t be in multiple places at once in this situation."

Han Mingxi scoffed, turned his head away, ignoring her. But hearing Ye Li defending Mo Xiuyao, his clear, handsome eyes dimmed slightly.

Ye Li saw Han Mingxi’s gloom, but some things are destined and shouldn’t be dwelled upon. Indecisiveness ultimately harms both oneself and others. She stood up and said with a beaming smile, "You’ve come at a good time; Hongzhou is still quite decent now. Why don’t you rest first, and we can discuss matters tomorrow? By the way, Young Master Mingyue is also in the mansion. You should go see him."

At the mention of Han Mingyue, Han Mingxi was startled again, his expression complex and unreadable. Every time he thought of this elder brother who had raised him since childhood, Han Mingxi felt a mixture of anger and helplessness. The debt of upbringing and guidance could not be simply severed by declaring ties broken. Han Mingxi’s respect for his elder brother definitely surpassed that for his deceased parents. The reason he had so vehemently opposed Han Mingyue’s actions against Ye Li was partly due to his friendship with Ye Li, but more so because he understood that it wasn’t worth it for his brother to betray friends and even oppose Prince Ding’s Mansion for such a woman. Moreover, it was a path to ruin. And now... the reason Han Mingxi had traveled thousands of miles to Hongzhou was not only because Ye Li was here, but also because he had received news that Han Mingyue had been captured. Hearing Ye Li say this, he knew Han Mingyue wasn’t faring too badly. He also understood that Ye Li’s willingness to easily let Han Mingyue off had something to do with him. A warmth spread through his heart. "Junwei, thank you."

Ye Li smiled faintly. "What is there to thank me for? Han Mingyue made a deal with Xiuyao on his own. Since Xiuyao spared his life, it makes little difference whether his conditions are good or bad. You brothers haven’t seen each other for a long time. Go and see him."

Han Mingxi nodded, turned around, and left the study.

「In the small courtyard」

Han Mingyue leisurely sat on the veranda, gazing abstractedly at the chrysanthemums in the courtyard, which were almost withered, with only a few petals remaining. However, his expression was not as relaxed as his posture. His handsome, sword-like eyebrows were slightly furrowed, and from time to time, he would glance towards a tightly closed window not far away, his elegant face filled with worry.

"Big Brother," Han Mingxi’s voice came from around the corner.

Han Mingyue was startled. Turning to see his long-unseen younger brother, he couldn’t help but smile bitterly. "Mingxi, your lightness skill seems to have improved even more; I didn’t even notice you."

Han Mingxi looked at him for a good while before slowly saying, "Big Brother, I didn’t use any lightness skill. You simply didn’t hear my footsteps." Following Han Mingyue’s gaze, Han Mingxi, despite having just arrived in Hongzhou City, had already figured out the whole story of Han Mingyue’s capture by Ye Li on his way here. He naturally knew who it was that preoccupied his brother so. He frowned in disgust and said, "Big Brother, are you still so stubborn?"

Han Mingyue looked at him quietly, then chuckled softly after a long moment. "If one could understand, how could it be called obsession? On the contrary, Mingxi, you’ve grown up in the time we haven’t seen each other."

Han Mingxi’s face flushed. He awkwardly turned his head aside, a mix of emotions churning within him. Since childhood, he had always been mischievous and willful, often seeing his elder brother shake his head helplessly at him. Now, suddenly hearing his praise, he was somewhat taken aback, yet also very pleased. But thinking of the price of his ’growing up’... these past days had not been as comfortable or glamorous for Han Mingxi as outsiders imagined. When he first took charge of the Han Family, it was precisely when the news of Han Mingyue’s defection to Xiling was known throughout the land. Even with the protection of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, stabilizing the Han Family’s foundation had cost him considerable effort and thought. The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was full of capable people; how could they easily submit to a young brat who had just pledged allegiance to Prince Ding’s Mansion? These days could be said to be the most eventful days of Han Mingxi’s life in over twenty years.

Han Mingyue was naturally aware of the hardships Han Mingxi had endured. While feeling guilty, he was also gratified that his younger brother had managed to pull through and shoulder the responsibility of the entire Han Family without being dragged down by him. He reached out, patted Han Mingxi’s shoulder, and said softly, "You’ve suffered. Are you still angry with Big Brother?"

Han Mingxi’s eyes grew hot, but he stubbornly turned his face away. Only after his emotions calmed did he turn back to gaze at Han Mingyue and ask, "Junwei has already told me about your deal with Prince Ding. What are your plans for the future, Big Brother?"

Han Mingyue smiled faintly. "I’m afraid there’s no place for us in Great Chu or Xiling anymore. When all this is over, I will take Zuidie to Nanzhao to live in seclusion."

Han Mingxi looked at him intently and asked, "Are you so sure Su Zuidie will go with you? Big Brother, frankly speaking, when it comes to choosing women, your taste is more than just a little bit worse than Prince Ding’s."

Han Mingyue smiled. "If my taste were the same as Prince Ding’s, my life would be even more difficult. So... Mingxi, if possible, stay away from Princess Consort Ding. When men get jealous, they can be very unreasonable."

Having his thoughts exposed by his elder brother, Han Mingxi felt somewhat awkward. On second thought, he felt his brother’s words did make some sense. If his brother had set his sights on Su Zuidie, he might not have been without means to obtain her, had he truly wanted to. But a woman like Ye Li... that was a different matter. He glared resentfully at Han Mingyue for changing the subject and said, "I know what I’m doing regarding my own affairs. As for you, let me give you a piece of advice. We both know very well what kind of woman Su Zuidie is. If you really want her to follow you obediently, why not try my method?"

Han Mingyue raised an eyebrow at him curiously.

Han Mingxi sneered, a malicious smile spreading across his face. "If you destroy that face of hers, she will naturally follow you obediently! But, Big Brother, do you truly love Su Zuidie, or do you only love that face of hers?"

Han Mingyue remained silent. Did he love Su Zuidie the person, or her face? He himself couldn’t quite say. Love the person... After all these years, he knew her temperament and heart were not what he liked at all. Love that face? Indeed, Su Zuidie was very beautiful. But in this vast world, finding one or two women who could rival her beauty wouldn’t necessarily be impossible. He only knew that, that year... in the peach blossom forest, when he first saw that peerless woman amidst the falling blossoms, he had fallen into a deep, enchanting dream from which he had never awakened...

Seeing Han Mingyue lost in thought, Han Mingxi heaved a silent sigh. His brother, whom he had once admired so much, how could he have fallen for a woman like Su Zuidie, who possessed only looks and nothing else? Remembering his brother’s resolute departure from Guangling, remembering his brother’s dejected return after being abandoned by Su Zuidie, and thinking of his current state of having nothing and being trapped, a hint of killing intent seeped from Han Mingxi’s narrowed eyes.

Han Mingyue frowned slightly, looking at Han Mingxi. "Mingxi, don’t hurt her. Consider it... Big Brother begging you..."

Han Mingxi looked at his brother’s pleading face; a wave of sorrow washed over him. Young Master Mingyue, once like a bright moon, peerless and elegant, was now begging him—a notorious profligate—for a woman. At this moment, Han Mingxi finally understood something that had, in fact, long been settled: the world would never again see the once refined, elegant, and graceful Young Master Mingyue.

"Big Brother, do you really not regret it?" Han Mingxi asked.

Han Mingyue smiled faintly and remained silent. Now... he was already beyond regret.

After a long pause, Han Mingxi finally relented. He nodded and turned to leave. "Alright, I understand. Big Brother, take care of yourself. If that woman ever causes your death, your younger brother will kill her and have her buried with you."