Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 171. Signs of Great Chaos
171. An Omen of Great Chaos
"Princess Consort!"
Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Reacting swiftly, Zhuo Jing rushed to the edge of the cliff. In the darkness, all they could see was heavy mist shrouding the bottomless depths. At that moment, nearly all the hidden guards, including Mo Hua and Wei Lin, had dashed to the cliff’s edge. The empty void left everyone almost unable to regain their senses. Han Mingyue, his face deathly pale, slumped to the ground, his already injured shoulder bloodstained.
Su Zuidie’s hidden weapon had not struck Ye Li or the Southern Garrison Prince standing beside her. Instead, Han Mingyue, who was not far from them, had used his own body to block the cluster of projectiles. Coughing lightly, Han Mingyue wiped away the blood trickling from his lips. He looked at Su Zuidie, who stood to one side looking at him, somewhat at a loss, her eyes filled with fatigue and sorrow.
"My Prince..." Su Zuidie called out hesitantly. She realized that the Southern Garrison Prince, who had just pulled the dagger from his chest, was looking at her with an expression she had never seen before. It wasn’t anger, but it inexplicably unsettled her. She herself hadn’t expected Ye Li to fall off the cliff so easily. Amidst her elation, there was a strange sense of unreality. At the same time, the venomous glares from Zhuo Jing and the others made her understand that she had to stay close to the Southern Garrison Prince right now. Otherwise, no one could save her.
"My Prince, these people, shall we..." one of the Golden Armor Guards cautiously inquired. The Southern Garrison Prince glanced at Zhuo Jing and the others, then said gravely, "No need. Depart immediately and leave through the pass! Not a moment’s delay." This time, although they had found Ye Li, they hadn’t captured her. Not only had they lost their anticipated bargaining chip, but they had also forged an irresolvable blood feud with Mo Xiuyao. The Southern Garrison Prince knew Mo Xiuyao was also rushing here. They had suffered significant losses in Hongzhou, and a direct confrontation with Mo Xiuyao now would be disastrous. He waved his hand. "Withdraw!" Bypassing Zhuo Jing and his men, the Southern Garrison Prince headed for the woods. Su Zuidie quickly grabbed his arm, looking at him pitifully. "My Prince..."
CRACK! A harsh slap landed on Su Zuidie’s exquisite face. The force sent her stumbling to the ground, rolling to one side. The Southern Garrison Prince’s cold and heartless voice followed, "Noble Consort Qingrong, Bai Long, has died of a sudden illness." Without looking back, he walked into the woods. The Golden Armor Guards following him dared not even glance at the stunning beauty on the ground. The Prince’s meaning was clear: he didn’t want to see this woman again. Thus, even if they were utterly infatuated, they wouldn’t dare bring her along.
"No..." Su Zuidie shook her head frantically. She had never imagined such an outcome. This result also heralded the tragic fate awaiting her. "No... Don’t, My Prince..." But the Golden Armor Guards moved quickly and soon vanished completely into the woods. Zhuo Jing stood up, cast a cold glance at the woman on the ground, and ordered icily, "Bind this wench and await the Prince’s decision." He then retrieved the rope Ye Li had prepared and tied to a tree for crossing the chasm, and threw one end down the cliff. Wei Lin also took out his own rope and did the same. Mo Hua watched them silently, uttering only two words, "Be careful." Zhuo Jing nodded, and he and Wei Lin, grasping the ropes, leaped off the cliff.
The area beneath the cliff remained deathly silent, while the atmosphere above was so oppressive it was hard to breathe. Han Mingyue, heedless of his disheveled state, leaned against a large tree, closing his eyes to recuperate. The shoulder of his white attire was dotted with crimson, and the entire joint felt numb. Although he had just taken an antidote found on Su Zuidie, he still lacked the strength to move. Su Zuidie, her acupoints sealed, had been tossed aside and was now weeping wretchedly while looking at Han Mingyue. Unfortunately, even if Han Mingyue felt a shred of pity for her, he was powerless to help. Mo Hua stood silently at the cliff’s edge. If not for his black hair occasionally stirring in the wind, one might have mistaken him for a statue.
An hour later, the foot of the mountain bustled with activity again. Countless torches could be vaguely seen converging on their position. "The imperial troops are coming up," Han Mingyue, propping up his severely injured body against the large tree, said as he looked at Mo Hua. Mo Hua scoffed, a mocking expression on his lips. "So what if they’re here?" The Princess Consort is gone. Whether the few of us live or die doesn’t matter to the larger picture. But soon, another line of torches illuminated the base of the mountain, then split into several fiery dragons, moving up the mountainside with incredible speed. It was a pattern of movement Mo Hua knew all too well. A bitter smile touched his lips. What’s the use of arriving now... My Prince, you’ve come too late...
Soon, the sounds of clashing weapons arose from below. Before long, a dark figure darted out of the woods, rushing straight to the cliff’s edge. He grabbed Han Mingyue, who was closest and leaning against a tree, and demanded sharply, "Where is Junwei? Where did Junwei go?" Han Mingyue’s lips moved, but he couldn’t utter a word. His gaze slowly shifted towards the edge of the forest.
Mo Xiuyao shot out from the trees. Even before landing, his gaze swept across the entire cliff edge, finally settling on Mo Hua. In a deep voice, he asked, "Where is the Princess Consort?"
Mo Hua silently dropped to his knees. After a long moment, he said hoarsely, "This subordinate has failed... The Princess Consort... fell off the cliff..."
Mo Xiuyao’s upright body swayed, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his lips. It made his already pale and weary face turn deathly pale and ashen. He lowered his head and casually wiped the blood from his lips, but more soon trickled out. Mo Hua’s expression changed drastically. Forgetting he was kneeling, he scrambled up to support Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao waved him aside. "Where are Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin?" Mo Hua lowered his head, his voice somber. "They’ve gone down the cliff." Mo Xiuyao gestured, and the Mo Family Army emerging from the woods behind him needed no further orders; they grabbed whatever ropes they could find and began their descent. Mo Xiuyao surveyed the battered group on the clifftop, his gaze lingering on Han Mingyue for a moment. Then, before anyone could react, he leaped from the edge, vanishing into the boundless sea of mist below.
When Feng Zhiyao arrived at the clifftop, looking somewhat flustered and exasperated, it was clear he was too late. His gaze wandered blankly to the horizon, which was faintly brightening with a tinge of red. An ominous premonition rose from the depths of his heart. In the vast night sky, as dawn approached, most stars had gradually dimmed. However, a few still flickered with an eerie, dark red light. Standing by the cliff, hands clasped behind his back, Feng Zhiyao contemplated the sight. The Army-Breaking Star and the Seven Killings are high in the sky... The world is about to descend into chaos...
It wasn’t until noon the next day that people gradually began to emerge from below the cliff. Seeing their desolate expressions, Feng Zhiyao felt his dwindling hope waver even more.
Suddenly, Mo Xiuyao, clad in dark red, rushed up from the chasm, startling everyone. Han Mingxi was staring down into the abyss with a look of intense resentment. Soon after, Mo Xiuyao leaped up again from below. He nearly stumbled upon landing, swaying for a moment before steadying himself. His gaze, icy cold, fixed on Han Mingxi who stood nearby. "Han Mingxi," Mo Xiuyao said, his voice frigid, "do you think this Prince wouldn’t dare kill you?"
A chill ran through Han Mingyue. He subtly moved to stand in front of Han Mingxi. He understood the man before them far better than Han Mingxi did. What did Mo Xiuyao see down there? In just half a day, the aura around him has changed so drastically.
If the Mo Xiuyao of before was a treasured sword, its brilliance hidden within a scabbard, then the Mo Xiuyao now was a naked blade, thirsting for blood. Han Mingyue had witnessed Mo Xiuyao in every phase: his heroic, vibrant youth, like a blazing sun; his reserved and forbearing young adulthood, seemingly gentle but actually indifferent. And now, this Mo Xiuyao, even doing nothing, was enough to make Han Mingyue shudder. Those refined yet cold eyes held a faint crimson glint and an undisguised ruthlessness, as if he wanted to tear apart anything he saw. Mo Xiuyao’s gaunt figure stood even straighter than usual, yet it radiated an overwhelming sense of danger, making him appear both incredibly fragile and capable of bringing devastation to the world with a mere wave of his hand.
Han Mingxi sneered. "This young master, afraid of you? Go on, kill me! You, Prince of Ding Kingdom, are a peerless talent, your divine skills unmatched. When Junwei was holding the line against Lei Zhenting in the Northwest, where were you? When Junwei was hunted down with nowhere to run, where were you? When she, pregnant, fell from the cliff, where were you?! Mo Xiuyao, are you even a man? You’re useless!"
A mouthful of blood sprayed from Mo Xiuyao’s lips as Han Mingxi’s words seemed to finally shatter something he had suppressed since the previous night. Feng Zhiyao rushed to his side. "My Prince!" Mo Xiuyao’s face was ashen. Yet, he didn’t fall. He just stared intently at Feng Zhiyao. "Ah-Li... Ah-Li was pregnant?" Feng Zhiyao’s throat constricted, a sharp pain making it difficult to speak. He managed a strained nod. Mo Xiuyao’s expression was an unreadable mix of joy and sorrow, but he seemed unable to form words. Dark red blood continued to trickle from the corner of his lips. Deep worry flashed in Feng Zhiyao’s eyes. He whispered, "My Prince, you must take care of yourself. The Princess Consort... for the Princess Consort’s vengeance..." Feng Zhiyao didn’t offer empty reassurances like "maybe the Princess Consort is fine," words he himself couldn’t believe and thus couldn’t use to persuade Mo Xiuyao. And those who harmed the Princess Consort... Feng Zhiyao sighed inwardly. They must die. Otherwise... the Prince himself might not survive!
On the narrow clifftop, everyone remained silent, fearing that breaking the stillness would trigger an unstoppable, terrible outcome. Since yesterday, no one here had eaten or drunk, yet no one felt hungry or thirsty. Mo Hua knelt, recounting in detail to Mo Xiuyao the events of the past two days. Through this, the others also learned of the situation below. At the base of the cliff was a raging river. After the mist dispersed at dawn, the view from both sides of the chasm was clear, with no obstructions. This meant Princess Consort Ye Li had undoubtedly fallen into the river. The torrential current, however, made it impossible to predict where someone falling into the water would be carried. Feng Zhiyao rose and ordered his subordinates to take a large contingent downstream along the riverbanks to search.
Han Mingyue carefully watched the man before him, who appeared calm. Yet, beneath that calm surface lay a danger that made Han Mingyue tremble. Right now, Mo Xiuyao was like a bloodthirsty blade; even the slightest touch would draw blood.
Finally, Mo Xiuyao’s gaze slowly shifted to Su Zuidie. She began to whimper in fear. She had never realized Mo Xiuyao could be this terrifying. The eyes that once captivated her so deeply now seemed capable of inducing nightmares with a single glance. As Mo Xiuyao rose and walked towards her, Su Zuidie, her acupoints sealed, could only shake her head helplessly. "Sob... Xiuyao... no... spare me, I beg you... sob..." At that moment, Su Zuidie suddenly realized, Killing Ye Li might have been the biggest mistake of my life. "Sob... No, I didn’t kill Ye Li! It had nothing to do with me..."
Mo Xiuyao squatted before her, intently studying her tear-streaked face. Under his gaze, Su Zuidie found she couldn’t even cry. After a long moment, she heard Mo Xiuyao ask softly, "You wanted to kill Ah-Li with hidden weapons?" Su Zuidie didn’t dare answer, and Mo Xiuyao clearly had no interest in hearing her reply. He reached out, pulled back her sleeve, revealing the hidden weapon device strapped to her wrist. "Storm Pear Blossom Needles?" He casually tore the device from her wrist. Then, before everyone’s eyes, he slowly pressed its trigger.
"AH—!"
Su Zuidie’s scream echoed through the mountain forest. The last volley of Storm Pear Blossom Needles from the device shot out, every single one embedding itself into the arm that had previously held the weapon. Her once fair and beautiful arm was instantly a mangled, bloody mess, gruesome to behold.
"Xiuyao..." Han Mingyue couldn’t bear to watch and turned his head away. After all, this was the woman he had loved for over a decade. He couldn’t stop himself from speaking out.
"You want to plead for her?" Mo Xiuyao turned back, sneering at him. "Han Mingyue... this time, you can only choose to die with her, or let her die alone. This choice is given to you on account of the injury you sustained saving Ah-Li."
"Princess Consort Ding is still not..." Han Mingyue struggled to articulate, but any words seemed feeble and powerless before the current Mo Xiuyao.
"Even if Ah-Li were standing here safe and sound right now, that wouldn’t be a reason for Su Zuidie to live," Mo Xiuyao stated. "But rest assured, I won’t let her die so quickly. Third Feng, take her to Qin Feng. He’ll know how to make use of her."
Feng Zhiyao nodded silently. For the first time, he felt a sliver of pity for this woman he detested. He had some idea of what would happen when the unit known as the Qilin by the Prince and Princess Consort got their hands on a woman hated by the Prince. Even the toughest person would be crying and begging for mercy within three days. And until the Prince permitted it, she wouldn’t even be able to die.
"My Prince," a subordinate reported, "Lei Zhenting has retreated to the Northwest with his Golden Armor Guards. I’ve already dispatched men in pursuit. As for the prisoners captured down the mountain... please give your instructions on how to deal with them."
Mo Xiuyao asked calmly, "How many?"
Feng Zhiyao reported, "In total, over six thousand five hundred men. Among them are seven Colonels, three Vice Generals, and one garrison commander, General Qi Shaowu of Ruyang."
"Kill them all," Mo Xiuyao said flatly, without the slightest hesitation.
Feng Zhiyao was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered, saying gravely, "This subordinate obeys!"
「Lishan Academy, Yunzhou」
Before dawn, Mr. Qingyun, now in his seventies, strolled along a corridor, supported by his youngest grandson. Xu Hong Yu, his expression calm, attended his father. "Father, why are you up so early?" Xu Hong Yu asked, a hint of worry in his eyes as he glanced at the still-dark sky. Mr. Qingyun waved his hand. "It’s nothing. I just happened to wake around the second watch and couldn’t fall back asleep."
Xu Hong Yu pondered for a moment. "Father, are you worried about Li’er?"
Mr. Qingyun sighed softly. "I haven’t seen Li’er for many years. From a young age, this child was different from her mother. As for you... you’ve been through a lot these past years." As if a thought struck him, Mr. Qingyun looked at his son, his eyes filled with affection and guilt. If not for the Xu Family, if not for my own widespread reputation, my son wouldn’t be confined to teaching students in an academy. Others struggle due to a lack of good family background; Xu Hong Yu, however, is burdened by his. Mr. Qingyun knew well that his eldest son was his equal, if not superior, in both talent and strategic thinking. More importantly, his son possessed aspirations and ambitions that he himself lacked.
"Father, what are you saying? I am also a renowned scholar of this era. How can you speak of hardship?"
Mr. Qingyun waved his hand and continued walking. "What you are all concerned about... do I not know it too? The Xu Family is not blindly loyal to the imperial court or the royal family. However... we have no choice but to be."
Xu Qingyan, beside him, glanced at his grandfather, puzzled. Mr. Qingyun smiled. "You don’t understand, Qingyan?"
Xu Qingyan said respectfully, "Please enlighten me, Grandfather."
Mr. Qingyun sighed softly. "Scholars... can sow chaos in a nation, but they cannot overthrow power. Throughout history, how many scholars have you seen topple regimes? That is why rulers across dynasties have always prioritized civil matters over military ones. They know that even if treacherous officials emerge from the literati, it’s exceedingly difficult for them to truly usurp imperial authority. And our Xu Family... we absolutely cannot do such a thing. Hong Yu, when you agreed to the marriage between Li’er and Prince Ding, did you consider the present circumstances?"
Xu Hong Yu was silent for a moment, then finally said, "Forgive me, Father. I did indeed consider it."
Mr. Qingyun shook his head. "I am not saying you were wrong. The entanglement between the imperial family and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion is now inescapable. One way or another, this era will see an end to it—be it the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion or... His present Majesty. Linking the Xu Family with the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was not a mistake on your part. If the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion were to fall... even if the imperial family didn’t target the Xu Family, only gradual decline would await us. Though I am old, I don’t wish to see my children and grandchildren live unfulfilled lives like you and Hongyan."
Xu Hong Yu was visibly moved. He lowered his head to hide the slight reddening of his eyes. "I have caused Father to worry."
Leaning on the corridor railing, Mr. Qingyun pointed to the distant horizon and sighed. "The Emperor Star is dim. The Army-Breaking Star and the Seven Killings are ascendant. The baleful star of the Northwest has manifested... A great chaos is now destined for the world."
"Yes, Father," Xu Hong Yu replied in a deep voice, standing beside his father. Also skilled in astrology, he naturally understood what Mr. Qingyun had seen. Only Xu Qingyan looked up at the faintly lit sky with a bewildered expression, scratching his head.
"Hong Yu, remember... the Xu Family’s creed has never been loyalty to a specific monarch, but rather..."
Xu Hong Yu responded readily, "I understand. The Xu Clan’s Motto: ’To govern in times of chaos, to save the people from dire straits.’ Your son dares not forget."
