Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 198 - 197. Undercurrents in the Palace of Great Chu
197. Undercurrents in the Palace of Great Chu
"None of my concern?"
Tan Jizhi looked with interest at the stunning woman before him, as ethereal as a fairy descended from the heavens. Ever since his first encounter with Noble Consort Liu, he found her rather intriguing. She had no ambition, caring little for the emperor’s favor, akin to a snow lotus blooming alone atop a lofty mountain peak, coldly and proudly surveying the mundane beings of the palace. He used to believe it was merely a tactic to win the emperor’s affection. After all, with countless women fawning over the emperor, a cold and beautiful woman would certainly stand out. However, he soon discovered that she truly didn’t care about these matters. Whether the emperor visited or not, she was indifferent. If she could maintain such an attitude, he would have to admire this woman. Alas, he eventually found her Achilles heel—Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao.
Noble Consort Liu was truly in love with Mo Xiuyao; and unlike Su Zuidie, whose affection for him stemmed from complicated reasons, her love was purely for Mo Xiuyao the man. She didn’t care if he was the Second Young Master of Prince Ding’s Mansion, the Prince of Ding Kingdom, or just an ordinary commoner. Whether Mo Xiuyao was gallantly leading battles on the front lines or lying sick in bed, crippled, it didn’t matter to her. Tan Jizhi found himself nearly moved by her wholehearted devotion.
Regrettably, Mo Xiuyao had never had eyes for her. If even Su Zuidie—his childhood sweetheart and a renowned beauty—couldn’t captivate Mo Xiuyao’s heart, what hope did a daughter of the Liu Family, whom Mo Xiuyao regarded unfavorably, possibly have, even if Noble Consort Liu was no less attractive than Su Zuidie? Perhaps she hadn’t cared initially, since Mo Xiuyao was as unreachable to others as he was to her. She could even deceive herself into believing that it wasn’t that Mo Xiuyao didn’t love her, but that he was simply incapable of love. But now, with Mo Xiuyao and the Princess Consort sharing such a deep marital bond in the Northwest, and with their child expected soon, surely Noble Consort Liu couldn’t remain unperturbed.
Seeing Noble Consort Liu unmoved, Tan Jizhi sighed, drawing out his words deliberately, "Does Your Highness Noble Consort truly wish to spend your whole life in this deep palace? In a couple of months, the heir of Prince Ding will be born. Prince Ding will undoubtedly be more devoted to the Princess Consort. By then, I’m afraid no one else will catch Prince Ding’s eye. I’ve heard... Prince Ding made a vow to the Xu Family only to favor the Princess Consort in this lifetime..."
Noble Consort Liu abruptly turned her head, her gaze piercing like icy arrows towards the man bathed in the moonlight. "The Xu Family? The Xu Family is related to... to Prince Ding?"
"Surely Your Highness doesn’t still believe in the nonsense about the Xu Family retaining their purity and being above worldly matters, do you?" Tan Jizhi chuckled. "Don’t forget... ever since Prince Ding took over Ruyang, he has even released Leng Qingyu and Mu Yang, yet there is still no news of Xu Qingze, the second son of the Xu Family. If Mo Xiuyao could release even Leng Qingyu and Mu Yang, he wouldn’t detain his own brother-in-law. Naturally, it is Xu Qingze who does not wish to return."
Noble Consort Liu said icily, "Even so, what of it? Xu Hongyan remains in Capital City, and Mr. Qingyun and Xu Hong Yu are in Yunzhou. As long as these three don’t act, what could happen to the Xu Family even if all five of its sons arrived in Ruyang? His Majesty would not act rashly against the Xu Family."
Tan Jizhi chuckled softly. "Your Highness may consider telling His Majesty about the Xu Family’s deeds during the founding of Great Chu. His Majesty may then realize that having Xu Hongyan and Xu Qingyun at hand doesn’t necessarily guarantee safety."
Noble Consort Liu glanced at him curiously. "Why don’t you tell him yourself? He has been sending people to find you these days, even suspecting that you were assassinated by Prince Ding."
Helplessly shrugging his shoulders, Tan Jizhi ground his teeth. "That wretch, Su Zuidie, revealed my identity to Mo Xiuyao. If I were to reappear in the palace, there’s no guarantee Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t disclose this to His Majesty."
Noble Consort Liu sneered, "So, Young Master Tan and Su Zuidie have dealings. Is the world’s most beautiful woman really as she is rumored to be?"
Tan Jizhi replied, "Of course, she cannot compare to Your Highness. Now, I don’t know what state that wretch Su Zuidie is in after being tormented by Mo Xiuyao. The only pity is that my people haven’t found the opportunity to kill her!"
Every time he mentioned Su Zuidie, Tan Jizhi seethed with resentment. In his youthful arrogance, he had believed Mo Xiuyao’s fiancée would surely be a third more beautiful than other women. Now he realized that true, unparalleled beauty belonged to women like Noble Consort Liu. If only there were medicine for regret, he definitely wouldn’t have provoked that woman, Su Zuidie, back then!
Looking at the icy beauty of Noble Consort Liu, Tan Jizhi softened his voice and said, "Your Highness might as well think carefully. Getting rid of the Xu Family wouldn’t be without benefits for Your Highness, would it? Eliminating the Xu Family is akin to severing one of Princess Consort Ding’s arms..." Seeing Noble Consort Liu silent, Tan Jizhi, understanding that she was somewhat moved, continued, "The treasures from the previous dynasty are in the Northwest, including the Imperial Jade Seal, the Great Founding Emperor’s Art of War, and immense wealth. These now probably all belong to Mo Xiuyao. Your Highness could disclose this information to His Majesty, and it would be considered as us fulfilling our duty as his subjects."
Noble Consort Liu sneered coldly, "How do you expect me to explain how I knew something even Mo Jingqi is unaware of?"
Tan Jizhi raised an eyebrow, amused. "If that’s the case, I won’t force you. I will ask Lord Liu to handle this; it was never my intention to trouble Your Highness with it in the first place."
"You may leave now," said Noble Consort Liu.
Tan Jizhi sighed, "Your Highness is truly cold-hearted... After all, we have known each other for many years, and I have always..."
"The Emperor has arrived!" A sharp voice called out from outside the palace gate.
Tan Jizhi’s eyes flickered. "Why would His Majesty come at this late hour?"
Noble Consort Liu rose, saying faintly, "He’s the Emperor. Who can control when he comes and goes?"
Tan Jizhi sighed helplessly. "Thus, everyone in the world wishes to be emperor. Your Highness, take care. I shall take my leave now." With that, he vanished into the dark.
Noble Consort Liu lowered her head, lost in thought for a moment, then softly said, "Not everyone is interested in that position." If that man truly showed interest in that position, she would give her all to help him achieve it, just for the chance that he might truly see her...
Mo Jingqi’s imperial carriage had already arrived outside the hall. He leisurely straightened his robes. Stepping into the hall, Mo Jingqi frowned at the dimness. "Why are there no lights? Where have the attendants gone?"
Just by listening to Mo Jingqi’s tone, Noble Consort Liu knew he was in a bad mood. It was said that Noble Consort Liu was the most favored in the six palaces, and that the Emperor even frequently defied the Empress Dowager for her sake. But Noble Consort Liu herself knew that was only when Mo Jingqi was in a good mood. When Mo Jingqi was pleased, he would naturally dote on her lavishly. However, when he was in a bad mood, those closest to him suffered the most. Therefore, Noble Consort Liu never underestimated the neglected Empress. Mo Jingqi had not given her his affection, but he had granted her the authority to manage the harem. Moreover, he never took his temper out on the Empress. Therefore, the Empress was the one who lived most comfortably in the deep palace, even if this was merely because Mo Jingqi was wary of the Hua Family and, by extension, unwilling to be close to the Empress.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was I who ordered them to leave," Noble Consort Liu said indifferently.
The palace maids and eunuchs attending Mo Jingqi quietly entered the hall, lighting all the candles before silently departing. Under the candlelight, the hall became bright, filled with a faint, sweet fragrance. Mo Jingqi, looking at Noble Consort Liu, asked, "It’s so late. Why isn’t my dear consort resting yet?"
Noble Consort Liu replied calmly, "The night-blooming cereus outside the window has opened. I was admiring it and lost track of the hour."
"Oh?" Mo Jingqi raised an eyebrow, walked to the half-open window, and indeed saw a night-blooming cereus blooming perfectly under the window. He then chuckled, "So, it was I who disturbed my dear consort’s flower viewing?"
Noble Consort Liu remained silent, tacitly agreeing. Mo Jingqi had long since become accustomed to her temperament and didn’t mind. If Noble Consort Liu were too enthusiastic and intimate with him, he would instead become suspicious. Looking at the woman, who appeared exceptionally captivating under the moonlight, a flicker of desire crossed Mo Jingqi’s eyes. He pulled her into his embrace, pressing her against the windowsill, and kissed her fiercely. The intense kiss, a tangle of lips and tongues, only ended when Noble Consort Liu was somewhat breathless. Mo Jingqi looked down at the woman in his arms; her eyes remained cold and emotionless, as if everything that had just transpired was merely his illusion. Gazing at Noble Consort Liu’s stunning face, Mo Jingqi’s expression was complex and hard to read. It held anger and unwillingness, yet also deep infatuation and jealousy, a mixture that surprisingly extinguished his earlier desire.
"Why did Your Majesty come so late?" Noble Consort Liu, gently pushing away Mo Jingqi, walked back to the divan in the hall, sat down, and asked.
Mo Jingqi’s face darkened. He sat down next to Noble Consort Liu, gritting his teeth. "Today, that old scoundrel Hua Chenfeng submitted a petition asking to lead troops on an expedition!"
Noble Consort Liu looked at him in confusion. Mo Jingqi scoffed, "He wishes! He’s old enough to be quietly waiting for death at home. Considering the Empress and Changle, I’ll let him die of old age! The moment Mo Xiuyao ran into trouble, he started coveting military power. Sooner or later, I’ll make him die a terrible death!"
Noble Consort Liu listened calmly as Mo Jingqi cursed State Duke Hua and the court officials who defended Prince Ding’s Mansion. She wouldn’t speak ill of State Duke Hua. Besides, Mo Jingqi didn’t need her to share his animosity and rail against State Duke Hua; he merely needed someone to listen. When Mo Jingqi finally finished venting his anger, he turned to find Noble Consort Liu sitting there, lost in thought. He asked, displeased, "What is my dear consort thinking about?"
Noble Consort Liu lowered her gaze. "Is Your Majesty upset today because of State Duke Hua’s matter?"
Mo Jingqi scoffed lightly. "That old scoundrel Hua Chenfeng, I don’t have time to deal with him right now! Tan Jizhi hasn’t returned yet, and I fear he has been killed in secret by Mo Xiuyao. Those incompetents who returned all said many people witnessed Tan Jizhi leaving Ruyang. Mo Xiuyao has certainly improved. Does he think such petty tricks can deceive me?" Previously, if Mo Xiuyao didn’t want to release Tan Jizhi, he would have held him captive indefinitely. If he wanted to kill Tan Jizhi, he would have done so openly with a single stroke, and no words would have mattered. But now, he ostensibly released the man, only to strike from the shadows. Mo Xiuyao has indeed grown considerably over these years!
Noble Consort Liu’s eyes were half-lidded, concealing her expression. "Since Your Majesty sent Lord Tan to the Northwest, you must have considered the possibility of him falling into Prince Ding’s hands."
Mo Jingqi cursed under his breath, furious. "Tan Jizhi is useless! Not only was he caught by Mo Xiuyao, but even the captive Princess Consort Ding was rescued by Mo Xiuyao!" Speaking of this, Mo Jingqi was so enraged his liver ached. If they had captured Ye Li, a pregnant Ye Li at that, wouldn’t Mo Xiuyao have had to obediently submit to his manipulations? How could Mo Jingqi not be furious at losing such a golden opportunity!
Noble Consort Liu looked up. "Lord Tan has always been Your Majesty’s confidant. Why exactly did Your Majesty send Lord Tan to the Northwest? ...I have overstepped. I shouldn’t inquire about court affairs."
Mo Jingqi waved his hand. "It’s fine, I naturally trust you. The Imperial Mausoleum and treasures of the Great Founding Emperor of the previous dynasty are rumored to be in the Northwest. Tan Jizhi went there precisely for this matter. I just didn’t expect..."
Noble Consort Liu pondered for a moment, then spoke, "So... does that mean the treasures of the previous dynasty now belong to the Mo Family Army?"
Mo Jingqi stood up with a face full of fury. "Exactly! If the Great Founding Emperor’s Art of War manuscripts and treasures are truly in the Northwest, the Mo Family Army’s strength will inevitably reach a new level! Damn that Tan Jizhi!"
As if not noticing Mo Jingqi’s fury, Noble Consort Liu continued, "And that’s not all, there might also be... the Imperial Jade Seal."
Mo Jingqi’s expression changed. He quickly shot a suspicious look at Noble Consort Liu. "How do you know the Imperial Jade Seal is in the Imperial Mausoleum of the Great Founding Emperor?"
Noble Consort Liu’s expression changed slightly. She looked up at him and said, "Historical records state that the Great Founding Emperor of the previous dynasty did indeed obtain the Imperial Jade Seal. Imperial edicts stamped with the Imperial Jade Seal, found among the relics left behind in the palace of the previous dynasty, also prove this. However, since the Great Founding Emperor’s death, no one in the world has seen any trace of the Imperial Jade Seal. Clearly, the Great Founding Emperor did not pass it down to his descendants. If that’s the case... the seal is naturally very likely to be in the Imperial Mausoleum. Surely... the Great Founding Emperor wouldn’t have just casually tossed the Imperial Jade Seal into a river, would he?"
Mo Jingqi examined Noble Consort Liu carefully for a long while before saying, "My dear consort rarely says so much. It seems... you really despise Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li?"
Noble Consort Liu did not hold back. "Does Your Majesty not hate them?"
Mo Jingqi nodded. "My dear consort is right. I, too, despise them!" Noble Consort Liu hated Mo Xiuyao for not loving her and hated Ye Li for stealing her beloved. He hated the power and prestige of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, and even more, he hated Mo Xiuyao’s status as a heaven-blessed prodigy and his heaven-defying talent. He was the son of the late emperor; Mo Xiuyao was merely the second son of a princely mansion. Yet, while he struggled cautiously in the palace from a young age, Mo Xiuyao was the one everyone in the Capital of Great Chu, including the imperial princes, vied to befriend and curry favor with. While he and his brothers schemed against each other, fighting to the death for their imperial father’s favor, even having to be wary of his own full-blooded younger brother, Mo Xiuyao lived wantonly and recklessly. No matter what trouble he caused, his elder brother, Mo Xiuwen, would be there with a helpless expression, cleaning up the mess behind him. When he toiled through sleepless nights, racking his brains to write essays and policy papers just to earn a smile from his imperial father, Mo Xiuyao merely needed to casually wield his brush, and his eloquent words would win acclaim from the entire court. Not to mention, even though he was an imperial prince, the woman he admired was also infatuated with that Mo Xiuyao... Even when he was still a prince, he had sworn an oath: one day, he would trample Mo Xiuyao and Prince Ding’s Mansion underfoot!
Pondering Noble Consort Liu’s deductions, Mo Jingqi’s face grew increasingly grim. If Mo Xiuyao truly obtained the Imperial Jade Seal, then it would indeed be... the Mandate of Heaven? It seemed Mo Xiuyao truly harbored ambitions for the realm. At this thought, Mo Jingqi naturally couldn’t sit still any longer. He rose and walked towards the exit. Noble Consort Liu didn’t try to stop him. She watched him leave with a detached expression. As the sound of the imperial carriage departing faded, the hall once again fell silent.
"You didn’t mention the Xu Family’s matter," Tan Jizhi’s voice suddenly sounded in the hall.
"You still haven’t left," Noble Consort Liu said, her face darkening with displeasure.
Knowing that he wasn’t welcome, Tan Jizhi didn’t press the issue. "I’ll leave at once. It seems His Majesty has taken an interest in the Imperial Jade Seal?"
Noble Consort Liu snorted lightly. "You didn’t inform him earlier about the Imperial Jade Seal; do you think he won’t suspect you once he comes to his senses?" Mo Jingqi might be lacking in other areas, but suspicion was his forte. The slightest trace or clue, whether right or wrong, would make him suspicious first and foremost.
Tan Jizhi said nonchalantly, "After serving him diligently for ten years, I’m tired too. I’m preparing to change my identity. In the future, I’m afraid I won’t have as much time to visit Your Highness Noble Consort. It’s truly regrettable."
"Scram!" Noble Consort Liu said coldly.
Tan Jizhi sighed lightly, walked to Noble Consort Liu’s side, lifted a strand of her beautiful hair, and whispered, "Ruoyou, when we obtain the world in the future, I will definitely deliver Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li to you for your personal disposal..."
"Scram!"
「Ruyang City.」
Mo Xiuyao, leaning against the divan, regarded Prince Virtue and Mo Jingyu before him with a casual, almost careless air. Su Zhe had suddenly fallen gravely ill last night and was unable to get out of bed this morning, thus naturally unable to attend this meeting, while Mo Jian seemed to have been forgotten by everyone, merely sitting to one side like an observer. After a night, Prince Virtue’s demeanor had become much more composed. Mo Xiuyao nodded inwardly in approval. This was the Prince Virtue who had once calmly withdrawn from the deadly struggle for the throne during the late Emperor’s reign. These years of comfort and high social position had probably made him forget what royal caution meant.
Taking a sip of tea, Mo Xiuyao asked, "Prince Virtue and Prince Yu, have you come bearing an imperial decree from His Majesty for this prince?"
Prince Virtue and Prince Yu exchanged a look; they could both sense the ridicule in Mo Xiuyao’s words. Prince Yu cupped his hands and said, "Prince Ding, please understand. My imperial uncle and I are merely here on orders to convey His Majesty’s meaning. Presumably, Your Highness already understood His Majesty’s meaning yesterday. His Majesty’s meaning is to request Your Highness to return to the Capital City immediately. Of course, the decree His Majesty issued in a fit of rage cannot be withdrawn, but His Majesty will naturally return everything that belongs to Your Highness back to you." Prince Yu dared not say much more, only relaying Mo Jingqi’s meaning word for word, truly not daring to add anything else.
Mo Xiuyao laughed heartily. "This prince understands His Majesty’s meaning. But I’m afraid I cannot fulfill His Majesty’s wish."
Prince Yu’s heart sank. Is Prince Ding determined to fall out with Great Chu?
Mo Xiuyao held up a hand to stop Prince Yu from speaking. He said, "Please ask Prince Yu to go back and tell His Majesty that what His Majesty did previously, the Mo Family Army and all its members remember it vividly. Even if this prince were willing to take a risk and trust His Majesty one more time, I’m afraid the soldiers of the Mo Family Army would not agree."
Prince Yu swallowed with difficulty and said arduously, "Prince Ding’s Mansion has been loyal to the country for generations. Why must Your Highness be so unyielding? If there is any dissatisfaction, as long as Your Highness voices it, this prince will definitely report it to His Majesty. Everything can be discussed further."
Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "Discuss further? This prince appreciates Prince Yu’s kind intentions. Similarly, Prince Yu can also inform His Majesty and all the ministers in court that as long as this prince is here for a day, Xiling will not invade Great Chu from the Northwest."
Prince Yu felt bitter. As long as the Mo Family Army was in the Northwest, Xiling naturally had no chance to invade from there. However, Xiling and Great Chu also shared a border in the southwest. Although the route was many times more perilous than through the Northwest, if they were determined... Currently, with the two armies in a standoff on the southwestern border, Great Chu was still the weaker side. It wasn’t necessarily impossible for Xiling to invade Great Chu from the southwest.
Prince Virtue looked at Mo Xiuyao with a serious expression. "Prince Ding, have you made up your mind?"
Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and smiled faintly. "This prince merely wants to secure a path to survival for the Mo Family Army, and for my wife and child. Prince Ding’s Mansion has defended Great Chu for generations. Even if there were no great merits, there was hard toil. This prince cannot let the line of Prince Ding’s Mansion end with me, can I? If that were to happen, how could this prince face my father, my elder brother, and the ancestors of Prince Ding’s Mansion in the underworld?"
Prince Virtue was silent for a long while, then nodded. "Very well. Prince Yu and I cannot persuade you. We have conveyed His Majesty’s decree, and we won’t say anything more. I only hope Prince Ding does not forget that the men of Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army are, in the end, subjects of Great Chu."
Mo Xiuyao gave a knowing smile but said nothing.
