Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 163: Before The rd Battle

163. Before the Battle

Watching his younger brother turn and walk away, Han Mingyue remained silent, saying nothing more. Despite the mess he had left behind, Mingxi had managed to tough it out on his own. As for him... He turned to look at the woman in white approaching him from not far away, a bitter smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Han Mingyue!" Su Zuidie exclaimed, gracefully walking under the eaves. She looked at Han Mingyue, who was leaning against a pillar, while her own face was dark, displeasure written all over her exquisite features. "When are we finally going to get out of this hellhole?" Su Zuidie felt like she was going insane. Never before had she so deeply regretted agreeing to the Southern Garrison Prince’s plan for her to return to Great Chu and seduce Mo Xiuyao. Failing to seduce Mo Xiuyao was one thing, but these past few days, migrating with the army, eating simple meals, and wearing common attire had become unbearable. Worst of all, she couldn’t rest whenever she wanted during the march. Every day, she was so tired she felt like dying. She had thought that once they reached Hongzhou, things would be more comfortable. Instead, Ye Li had her shoved into a small, rundown courtyard and then completely ignored her. Apart from the person who delivered food daily, there wasn’t even a maid to attend to her. This had pushed Su Zuidie’s patience to its absolute limit.

What Su Zuidie did not know was that the absence of maids or servants in the courtyard wasn’t because Ye Li was being particularly harsh. Han Mingyue himself had dismissed the assigned attendants. Consequently, Su Zuidie had to wash and dress herself, tidy her room, and even do her own laundry.

Observing Su Zuidie’s impatient and irritable expression, Han Mingyue felt a dull ache in his heart. Recalling Han Mingxi’s words from earlier, he lowered his gaze and asked indifferently, "Leave this place? Where do you want to go?"

"Back to Xiling, of course!" Su Zuidie replied matter-of-factly, oblivious to Han Mingyue’s expression. "I want to return to the palace! I can’t bear this godforsaken place any longer."

Han Mingyue looked at her, his own expression calm and unperturbed. "Don’t you want to take revenge on Princess Consort Ding?"

Su Zuidie faltered, her fine eyebrows furrowing in hesitation. Of course, she wanted to get back at Ye Li; she dreamed of it. But she wasn’t a fool. As long as Mo Xiuyao was alive, she wouldn’t dare try to take revenge on Ye Li. Having grown up with Mo Xiuyao, she might underestimate any other man in the world, but she would never underestimate him. She glanced at Han Mingyue, biting her lip, and asked softly, "You said you would help me. Was that true?"

Han Mingyue gazed at her without speaking, but Su Zuidie took his silence as acquiescence. Her eyes sparkled, and her slender, jade-like hands rested on Han Mingyue’s chest. Her voice was honeyed and seductive. "Mingyue, will you help me... help me... kill Xiuyao..."

A chill gripped Han Mingyue’s heart. He lowered his gaze to the woman resting against his chest. Her beauty was peerless, her ethereal charm rivaling that of a celestial fairy, yet the words that escaped her cherry-red lips sent shivers down his spine. "I thought you’ve always been unable to forget Xiuyao?"

Su Zuidie gave a carefree smile. "Of course, I can’t forget Xiuyao. Even if he were to die, I would remember him for the rest of my life. Mingyue, do you still remember what Xiuyao was like back in the Capital of Great Chu? I knew then that there would never be a more outstanding man than him. Unfortunately... back then, he was just the Second Young Master of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, Prince Ding’s younger brother. If only Mo Xiuwen hadn’t existed, it would have been perfect. Alas... now, even though he is Prince Ding, he no longer possesses the charm and grace he once had, the kind that made him famous in the Capital of Great Chu."

Hearing Su Zuidie’s soliloquy, Han Mingyue’s heart suddenly skipped a beat. He stood frozen in the corridor, the warm, fragrant Zuidie in his arms, yet he remained unresponsive, as if lost deep in thought.

Su Zuidie wasn’t genuinely seeking Han Mingyue’s opinion; she simply continued with a smile, "Originally, I had hoped that perhaps one day Xiuyao and I could reconcile. But it was only upon meeting him again that I realized... Xiuyao has been bewitched by that bitch Ye Li! You saw how heartless he was towards me... Since I can’t have him, that bitch Ye Li shouldn’t dream of having him either!" As she spoke, Su Zuidie’s stunningly beautiful face twisted with consuming hatred. She then looked up at Han Mingyue, her gaze suddenly filled with tender, captivating affection. "Mingyue, help me kill Mo Xiuyao... Help me kill Mo Xiuyao, and I will be yours..."

Han Mingyue’s eyes were vacant and unfocused. "Kill Mo Xiuyao..." he echoed.

Su Zuidie nodded, her voice soft and tender. "You know, I only desire the strongest man in the world. Kill Mo Xiuyao... and prove that you are the most formidable man alive."

Han Mingyue remained silent for a long time before he suddenly asked, "Will you come with me? To watch Mo Xiuyao die with your own eyes?"

Su Zuidie’s eyes flickered, and she offered a sweet smile. "I’ll wait for you in the imperial city of Xiling. Bring me Mo Xiuyao’s head, and then we can be together forever."

Han Mingyue stared at her fixedly until the faint smile on Su Zuidie’s lips began to waver. He slowly pulled his hand away from hers, turned, and walked deeper into the small courtyard. Su Zuidie was momentarily startled, watching Han Mingyue’s retreating figure with some confusion. She was so accustomed to Han Mingyue being at her beck and call; indeed, he had never truly denied her anything. Even during the years she had abandoned him for Xiling, no matter how cold Han Mingyue became towards her, he would invariably do whatever she asked if she merely opened her mouth. This time, however, a sudden unease settled within her.

"Mingyue..." Su Zuidie called out tentatively.

Han Mingyue turned back, his refined, handsome face etched with fatigue. "Zuidie, have you considered the consequences if I were to attempt to kill Xiuyao?" He was no longer the Han Mingyue who once commanded the Tianyi Pavilion; even at the zenith of his power, he wouldn’t have dared claim he could assassinate Mo Xiuyao.

Su Zuidie’s delicate brows furrowed for a moment, but she quickly recovered with a light laugh. "I know this is a dangerous task, Mingyue. Naturally, I will find people to help you."

Han Mingyue remained unmoved. "Do you realize what would happen to Great Chu if Mo Xiuyao were to die?"

Su Zuidie’s brows knitted in displeasure. "What does Great Chu’s fate have to do with us? Mingyue, are you going to help me or not?"

Han Mingyue shook his head heavily. Seeing this, Su Zuidie’s expression changed drastically. She glared at him fiercely, cursed him as "useless," and stormed off. Watching her unhesitating departure, Han Mingyue sighed. If he had agreed, forget about whether they could assassinate Mo Xiuyao; their own survival through the night would have been questionable. Is this... the woman he loved? The white figure was no longer in the corridor. Han Mingyue thought with a bitter ache in his heart.

「In the study of the Governor’s Mansion」

Nearly all the generals of the Mo Family Army stationed in the Northwest, except for those leading troops elsewhere, had gathered—a rare assembly indeed.

Ye Li sat comfortably in her chair, a smile on her face as she listened to the generals report on the recent battles. Although the generals stationed in the Northwest were generally younger and relatively unknown, Marquis South—believed by outsiders to have perished—had remained. Marquis South’s experience and wisdom were far beyond what ordinary young generals could compare to. Though he couldn’t openly participate on the battlefield, he had taught Ye Li a great deal about military strategy and warfare in recent days, significantly easing the pressure on her.

"...Of the eleven cities in the Northwest, aside from the three that fell into Xiling’s hands and two still being fiercely contested, the remaining six are now entirely under our army’s control. We await Your Highness’s command."

Ye Li nodded in satisfaction. "You generals have all worked hard." Peacefully transferring control of the cities once garrisoned by imperial court troops to the Mo Family Army had required an effort no less demanding than battling the Xiling forces. This success now placed the situation in the Northwest firmly under the Mo Family Army’s control. Even if Xiling were to send more troops to the Northwest, they now had sufficient room to maneuver, without fearing attacks from the rear or clandestine plots by Mo Jingqi’s men. As everyone rose, Ye Li smiled and turned to Marquis South, who was sitting to one side sipping tea. "Marquis, what are your thoughts on the upcoming battles?"

Marquis South bowed to Ye Li. "The Northwest is about to enter a harsh winter. If the Xiling forces don’t want to be drawn into a war of attrition extending into next spring, they will undoubtedly intensify their attacks soon. I believe we no longer need to be lenient with them; we must strike back fiercely! The Northwest is one of Great Chu’s three major breadbaskets. If the war drags on past spring, it will severely impact the people’s ability to farm." Marquis South’s humble demeanor, and his addressing himself as ’this subordinate’ to Ye Li, a young woman, clearly indicated his current stance. Moreover, he was genuinely impressed with Ye Li. Princess Consort Ding was unlike other women who might grasp for power or behave arrogantly; nor did she feign understanding of matters beyond her ken simply to save face. She was acutely aware of her own limitations in commanding large-scale troop deployments and thus never hesitated to seek the opinions of her subordinates.

A true commander doesn’t need to personally charge into battle or even be an expert in deploying troops. As long as they can effectively utilize capable individuals and make correct decisions at critical junctures, they are a true leader. It was no wonder State Duke Hua spoke so highly of Princess Consort Ding. In Marquis South’s eyes, Princess Consort Ding, though a woman, already possessed the aura of a sovereign.

Ye Li nodded. "Marquis South has been very thoughtful. I share your deep concerns. In that case, let us all share our perspectives." In truth, Ye Li’s anxieties extended beyond next year’s spring plowing in the Northwest. Although the Mo Family Army and the imperial court hadn’t officially severed ties, everyone knew that regardless of this war’s outcome, the delicate balance maintained for over a century between the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and the Great Chu imperial family would shatter. If the Mo Family Army were defeated, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion would cease to exist. If they were victorious, Mo Jingqi would likely seize the opportunity to strike when the Mo Family Army was exhausted and vulnerable after the great war. Thus, Ye Li understood with stark clarity: securing the Northwest wasn’t merely about expelling the Xiling forces. She also had to hold this territory for Mo Xiuyao, ensuring it remained firmly in the Mo Family Army’s hands. This land might very well become their final sanctuary. Consequently, the matter of grain provisions demanded even greater attention.

Recently, the Mo Family Army’s engagements had mostly been skirmishes and delaying actions, essentially just bogging down the Xiling army. There hadn’t been any truly decisive, large-scale battles, leaving the soldiers feeling constrained and frustrated. They had long been spoiling for a chance to deliver a resounding blow to the Xiling forces. Now, hearing Ye Li’s words, they immediately grew animated, eagerly voicing their opinions one after another, and the study quickly filled with a lively clamor.