Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 172. The Whole World is Shocked

172. The World Is Shocked

October of this year would undoubtedly become an unforgettable time for everyone.

Events such as Prince Li, Mo Jingli, joining forces with Xiling of Nanzhao to attack Great Chu, and Prince Ding of the Ding Kingdom personally leading the 500,000-strong Mo Family Army to confront the allied forces from three directions, were momentous. Furthermore, the sixteen-year-old Princess Consort Ding, despite her youth and gender, held the line in the Northwest. On October 15th and 16th, within Hongzhou City, Great Chu’s final defensive line in the Northwest, she annihilated the entire Xiling army. Consequently, the 200,000 Xiling troops confronting Princess Consort Ding in the Northwest were utterly destroyed. The news that Xiling’s Southern Garrison Prince had fled west in disarray shocked the world. Moreover, while Princess Consort Ding was engaged with the Southern Garrison Prince, she had even divided her forces, using a mere 30,000 soldiers to trap nearly 300,000 enemy troops in a vital gorge in the Northwest of Great Chu, leaving them unable to advance or retreat. Princess Consort Ding’s personal guard, Qin Feng, led a small unit of just a few dozen men called Qilin, who moved like phantoms. Each time the Mo Family Army launched a surprise attack or interception, Qilin would invariably serve as the invincible vanguard. On October 17th, a Xiling convoy transporting grain and fodder for their reinforcements was set ablaze, reduced to ashes. A massive Qilin-shaped signal flare soared into the sky amidst the flames. With this battle, Qilin became renowned throughout the world. The 300,000 Xiling soldiers, having lost all their provisions and suffered heavy casualties, were forced to retreat hastily to the Xiling border.

However, this was not the most critical news. The most shocking development was that on October 16th, Princess Consort Ding had fallen from a cliff in the Tingyun Mountain Range, located between Great Chu’s Hongzhou City and Ruyang City, and her whereabouts were unknown. What made it even more bizarre was that the troops stationed at the foot of the mountain at the time were not enemy soldiers, but over seven thousand Great Chu soldiers. In the aftermath, Prince Ding was enraged, and all seven thousand soldiers, including their generals, were executed without exception. It was said that bright red blood nearly stained the wide river below the mountain. When this news spread, it naturally sparked widespread discussion. Some condemned Prince Ding for his brutality and indiscriminate slaughter of the innocent; others defended him, claiming that malicious rumors and slander were being spread. Still others secretly speculated about the connection between Princess Consort Ding’s disappearance and the fate of those seven thousand soldiers. Yet, regardless of the fervent discussions across the land, the Mo Family Army, which had re-established its presence in Hongzhou City, and Prince Ding himself, offered no comment, as if the entire affair had nothing to do with them.

The news reached the Capital of Great Chu during the early morning court session. The great hall was plunged into silence; everyone held their breath, cautiously awaiting the decree of the emperor, whose face was contorted with emotion. Mo Jingqi could barely hold the petition presented to him, his hands trembling uncontrollably from either extreme rage or fear. After a long pause, he finally roared, "Presumptuous! Mo Xiuyao, how audacious you are! Seven thousand soldiers! He killed them without a word to me! Is he planning to rebel?!"

Below the dais, a few elderly ministers lowered their heads, their lips twitching almost imperceptibly. Your Majesty, have you even grasped the main point? Princess Consort Ding might be dead! Given her importance to Prince Ding and her current prestige within the Mo Family Army and even all of Great Chu, do you truly think these seven thousand men are the primary concern? Besides... even if you believe Prince Ding is about to rebel, there’s no need to announce it so openly in the great hall, in front of all the civil and military officials.

"Your Majesty, Prince Ding privately executed seven thousand imperial soldiers and several generals. This is an act of high treason!" Prime Minister Liu, whose influence was paramount at court, stepped forward to state. "If this act is not severely punished, it will undoubtedly chill the hearts of Great Chu’s soldiers and common people. We implore Your Majesty to issue an edict to severely punish Prince Ding." Several other ministers, known to be Mo Jingqi’s confidants, also stepped forward to second the motion.

Suddenly, someone else stepped forward, saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn’t!"

Mo Jingqi looked up to see Su Zhe, an elderly minister in his sixties. Mo Jingqi’s countenance darkened slightly as he asked coolly, "Lord Elder Su, what are your thoughts?"

Su Zhe bowed respectfully and stated, "Your Majesty, Princess Consort Ding has met with tragedy. His Highness Prince Ding must be exceptionally grieved and furious at this moment. He should be consoled, not pressured."

Prime Minister Liu turned to Su Zhe and retorted mockingly, "So, those seven thousand soldiers died in vain? Lord Elder Su, you are a man of learning; you should understand that when a prince commits a crime, he is judged the same as a commoner. Moreover, Prince Ding is merely a subject of Your Majesty. We all naturally mourn Princess Consort Ding’s tragic fate, but is her life a life, while the lives of those seven thousand soldiers are like wild grass?"

This was indeed a high-sounding statement, but who among those standing in this imperial court was a bookish fool who only knew how to read dead texts? A prince breaking the law is to be punished like a commoner? If this principle were truly enforced, the arrogant Liu Family would have had their entire clan exterminated long ago.

Su Zhe glanced at Prime Minister Liu, sighed softly, and continued addressing Mo Jingqi, "I implore Your Majesty to reconsider. Great Chu is currently embroiled in war and turmoil. Although His Highness Prince Ding’s actions this time were excessive, Great Chu absolutely cannot be without him at this critical juncture. Please, Your Majesty, forgive His Highness Prince Ding’s transgression."

Prime Minister Liu scoffed, "Cannot be without His Highness Prince Ding? Are all the civil and military officials of my Great Chu incompetents? Can Great Chu not function without His Highness Prince Ding?"

Su Zhe said calmly, "This old minister happens to have heard that a general hails from Lord Liu’s household. I just wonder, how capable is this young General Liu at commanding troops, and what are his accomplishments? Can he replace His Highness Prince Ding and quell the unrest in the Northwest?"

Lord Liu’s face turned various shades of livid. Mo Jingqi slammed his hand heavily on the imperial table and exclaimed angrily, "Enough! Do you regard the imperial court as a place for squabbling? Silence, all of you! Announce my decree: Prince Ding Mo Xiuyao has committed lèse-majesté by wantonly carrying out executions and slaughtering the innocent. In consideration of his ancestors’ meritorious service, I shall spare him the death penalty. His hereditary rank of Prince Ding shall be reduced to Commendary Prince, and he shall be fined three years’ salary!"

Upon hearing this declaration, the entire hall fell silent. It was a long moment before anyone reacted. "Your Majesty, please reconsider..."

"Shut up! My mind is made up!"

The news from the court quickly spread to the inner palace. Empress Hua was receiving salutations from imperial consorts and titled ladies when her trusted palace maid relayed the message. A wave of dizziness washed over her; she swayed but managed to remain seated. Waving away the bewildered consorts and ladies, who were oblivious to what had transpired, she asked in a low voice, "Is this true?"

The maid whispered, "The news just arrived from the court. The imperial edict detailing the punishment has likely already left the Capital City."

The Empress slumped back onto her Phoenix Throne, muttering softly, "He’s gone mad... Princess Consort Ding... Princess Consort Ding..."

The maid replied, "My family also received the news; I fear Princess Consort Ding’s fate is likely grim."

The Empress recalled the graceful, gentle woman she had met a few times—a woman who, despite her seemingly meek and yielding demeanor, always exuded an approachable warmth and a reassuring presence. That woman... she had astounded everyone on the Northwest battlefield, only to vanish so abruptly? Truly... Heaven is jealous of beauty...

Soon, the Empress regained her composure, schooling her features. "Go to my father in person. Tell him... tell him the Hua Family’s interests must take precedence; he need not concern himself on my account."

The maid looked hesitantly at the Empress, who waved her away. "Go. Father will understand my meaning."

After the maid departed with a worried heart, the Empress leaned back against her Phoenix Throne and sighed deeply, her beautiful face etched with concern and helplessness.

"Mother..." Princess Changle came trotting into the hall. Seeing the fatigue on her mother’s face, she asked with concern, "Mother, what’s wrong? Did something happen?"

The Empress drew Princess Changle into her embrace, gently patting her back. "It’s nothing, child, nothing will happen. Good girl... Mother will arrange everything for you..."

Although the Empress was evasive, Princess Changle’s young heart sensed that something major had occurred. She leaned obediently against her mother, saying, "Changle will also protect Mother. Changle wants Mother and me to be safe and sound together."

"Good child..."

「Hongzhou City」

The atmosphere within the Governor’s Mansion was drastically different. Unlike Xinyang, Hongzhou City itself had suffered minimal damage, aside from a few city gates. What was horrifying was the bloody battle that had raged within its walls for an entire day and night. When reinforcements arrived, the Mo Family Army, originally 30,000 strong, had been reduced to just over 10,000. The Xiling forces, initially around 70,000, numbered less than 30,000. The city reeked of blood; every step squelched on ground soaked with dark red gore. The corpses were quickly removed and disposed of, and the blood-stained streets and alleys were soon scrubbed clean. Apart from the faint, lingering smell of blood in the air, everything seemed to have returned to its pre-battle state. However, atop the city walls and within the Governor’s Mansion, the comforting presence of the woman in blue, who always seemed to exude a serene, reassuring aura, was gone. And the other master of the Mo Family Army remained lost in a deep, unconscious slumber.

In the deepest courtyard of the Governor’s Mansion, Feng Zhiyao paced restlessly. Watching Shen Yang take the Prince’s pulse, he asked irritably, "Mr. Shen, when will His Highness wake up?"

Ever since they had descended from the mountain that day, Mo Xiuyao’s already fragile health had finally succumbed to the relentless anxiety, exhaustion, and the sudden, immense shock. He had vomited several mouthfuls of blood before collapsing from his horse, and had not awoken since. Meanwhile, the search for the Princess Consort continued unabated. Every day, Feng Zhiyao dispatched nearly ten thousand men to scour the great river, both upstream and downstream, but after nearly eight days, there was still no news. Feng Zhiyao knew in his heart that hope was likely lost.

Shen Yang glanced back at him and shook his head.

Feng Zhiyao rushed forward, grabbing his arm. "What does that shake of the head mean?"

Shen Yang replied, "When His Highness will awaken is not something I can determine." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Feng Zhiyao gave a strained laugh. "What do you mean? Don’t tell me His Highness no longer wishes to live?"

Shen Yang shook his head. "That’s not it. If His Highness truly sought death, he would not be worthy of being Mo Liufang’s son. What I mean is that His Highness’s body currently cannot permit him to awaken. The toxins within him have not been cleared, and his body, weakened by prolonged illness, is now at an extremely dangerous precipice. Once His Highness awakens, he will inevitably fly into a great rage. Then... regardless of his own wishes, his body will completely collapse."

Feng Zhiyao, abandoning all pretense of composure, ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Then what are we to do? I can manage for a few days, perhaps even stretch it to half a month. But if His Highness doesn’t wake up after an extended period, what then? What about the Mo Family Army? What about the preparations for the Northwest?"

Shen Yang gave him a disdainful look, stating flatly, "I am a physician. You ask me about other matters; whom am I supposed to ask?"

"Mo Xiuyao is still unconscious?" Han Mingxi strode in, his face grim, and glanced at the figure on the bed.

Feng Zhiyao frowned at him. "Young Master Han, please conduct yourself with propriety."

Han Mingxi laughed coldly. "Propriety? What a joke! Ah-Li’s in danger, and he just lies here playing dead? Step aside..."

Feng Zhiyao blocked his path, his voice low and firm. "Young Master Han, I show you respect because you are the Princess Consort’s friend, but don’t presume too much!"

Han Mingxi, incensed, laughed caustically. "So you do remember your Princess Consort... how rare. Mo Xiuyao, if you can still draw breath, then crawl out of that bed! Junwei must have had the worst luck of eight lifetimes to end up with you."

Feng Zhiyao started to speak but was stopped by Shen Yang, who stood to one side. Shen Yang shook his head, signaling Feng Zhiyao to step aside and not interfere.

Han Mingxi snorted, walked to the bedside, and looked down contemptuously at the man whose face was ashen as paper; everything about him was an eyesore. If not for this man, would Junwei, a well-bred young lady from a prominent family, have had to risk her life on the battlefield? Would she have been forced to exert herself so much, unable to rest properly even while pregnant? All of this was due to Mo Xiuyao’s incompetence!

"Go on, sleep! Sleep yourself to death for all I care. I will avenge Junwei myself! Hmph! Coward, idiot, waste..."

Feng Zhiyao watched, stunned, as Han Mingxi unleashed a torrent of every curse and insult he knew upon Mo Xiuyao, from head to toe, without pausing for breath. Feng Zhiyao stood rigidly, unsure how to react. By the heavens, surely since the founding of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, no one had ever dared to curse the Prince of Ding Kingdom in such a manner.

Having finally vented the fury that had been simmering within him for days, Han Mingxi’s expression visibly lightened. He shot Mo Xiuyao a disdainful look and sneered, "If you want to play dead, then continue. This young master is done waiting on you!" With that, he swept out like a gust of wind.

Feng Zhiyao blinked, his eyes vacant, as he looked towards Shen Yang. Shen Yang glanced at the man on the bed, shook his head, and turned to leave.

「In the early morning.」

Feng Zhiyao was urgently summoned to Mo Xiuyao’s courtyard by a frantic guard. The reason was simple: the guard attending to His Highness that morning had entered the room to find that the man who should have been lying unconscious on the bed was gone. Despite the protection of hundreds of Dark Guards and the tens of thousands of Mo Family Army soldiers stationed both inside and outside the city, His Highness had vanished without a sound, throwing everyone into a panic.

Feng Zhiyao rushed into the courtyard and, without a second thought, kicked open the half-closed door, only to be frozen in place by the scene before him.

The bed in the room where His Highness was said to have disappeared was indeed empty. However, by the window of the side hall stood a thin yet erect figure. What stunned Feng Zhiyao was the cascade of shockingly bright, snow-white hair that draped over the man’s shoulders. "Your... Your Highness?" Snapping out of his shock, Feng Zhiyao roared to those outside, "Summon Mr. Shen immediately!"

Mo Xiuyao turned. Looking at him, Feng Zhiyao felt a pang in his heart. The silver-white strands hung loosely around Mo Xiuyao’s neck, making the already gaunt man appear even more frail and pale. Yet, his spirits seemed surprisingly good, showing no signs of the physical collapse Shen Yang had predicted might occur from a fit of rage. From Feng Zhiyao’s perspective, he even seemed to be in slightly better condition than before the Princess Consort’s accident. Only, his eyes, once warm yet tinged with indifference, now held a sharp, piercing glint. It reminded Feng Zhiyao of the gleam of a blood-quenched blade, as if some terrifying beast lay hidden beneath that calm exterior. If one day that beast were to break free... Feng Zhiyao shuddered, not daring to contemplate further. "Your... Your Highness, are you alright?"

Mo Xiuyao’s lips curved upwards almost imperceptibly, but Feng Zhiyao detected no trace of warmth. He heard him ask calmly, "How many days have I slept?"

"Nine days," Feng Zhiyao replied, his voice trembling slightly.

"Any news of Ah-Li?"

Feng Zhiyao lowered his head, his voice heavy. "The Princess Consort... is blessed by the heavens; she will undoubtedly turn peril into safety."

"So, useless words then..." Mo Xiuyao said faintly. "Blessed by the heavens... Turn peril into safety? This Prince does not believe in ghosts or gods, nor do I implore the heavens. If she perishes, this Prince will transform this world into a purgatory, and let these myriad mountains and rivers serve as her funeral offering!"

Feng Zhiyao’s heart lurched. Defeated, he could only shake his head. If Mo Xiuyao were crazed, despondent, or grief-stricken, he might have found words of consolation. But facing this man, who calmly uttered such chilling pronouncements, he was speechless. He didn’t know what to say, or perhaps, he didn’t dare.

Silence filled the room. After a long while, Mo Xiuyao finally said, "Tell me about Ah-Li."

Feng Zhiyao didn’t know where to begin, but he knew he couldn’t remain silent. So, he recounted in detail everything he could recall that had happened since Mo Xiuyao’s departure. When he inevitably mentioned their child, barely two months conceived, Feng Zhiyao discreetly glanced at the silver-haired man by the window. Apart from his hands gripping the window frame so tightly his knuckles were white, there was no discernible ripple on his placid features.

Shen Yang rushed in, carrying his medicine chest. Feng Zhiyao immediately fell silent and stepped aside to let him pass. Standing at the doorway, Shen Yang, too, was momentarily stunned by the sight of the man at the window. Clearly, this was not what he had anticipated. Cases of hair turning white overnight were documented, but witnessing it firsthand was another matter entirely. On the other hand, Shen Yang somewhat understood why Mo Xiuyao had awakened so soon and was able to stand, rather than being bedridden in a worse condition. The anger, resentment, pain, and sorrow in his heart had not departed even in his coma, thus leading to this head of white hair. But in a way, this meant some of it had been released. As long as His Highness Prince Ding did not excessively indulge his temper or emotions, he would be relatively safe for the time being. Given time, Shen Yang was confident he could find a complete cure.

At this thought, Shen Yang inwardly sighed with relief. He stepped forward and said gravely, "Your Highness, please allow me to take your pulse."

Mo Xiuyao did not object, casually seating himself on the chair by the window and placing his wrist on the table.

Shen Yang stepped forward and took his pulse. After examining Mo Xiuyao searchingly for a moment, he frowned. "Your Highness’s body... is temporarily stable. However, please do not overexert yourself. It is best to take good care of your health."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Shen," Mo Xiuyao nodded.

This time, Shen Yang also sensed that something was amiss with Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao was not a difficult patient, but he was certainly not one to blindly follow a physician’s orders. His current demeanor, appearing to take Shen Yang’s advice to heart, inexplicably unsettled him.

"Your Highness, these past few days... I fear you have damaged your heart and mind. I will prescribe a few doses of medicine; Your Highness should take them as prescribed to calm your mind and spirit."

"I understand." Mo Xiuyao nodded. He thought for a moment, then lifted a lock of white hair from his shoulder, looked at it, and said, "Also, Mr. Shen, please prepare some potion to conceal this white hair."

Shen Yang was taken aback, then nodded. "Your subordinate will obey."

"Reporting to Your Highness, an envoy from the Capital City has arrived," a guard announced from outside the door.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze, a barely perceptible smile touching his lips. "Let him enter."