Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 199 - 198. Master and Servant Reunite

198. Master and Servant Reunion

After ordering someone to lead Prince Virtue and Prince Yu back to their guest quarters for rest, Ye Li emerged from the rear, leaning on her maidservant’s arm, and smiled faintly. "We haven’t seen each other for just one night, yet Prince Virtue seems to have changed quite a bit."

Mo Xiuyao rose to support her, waving his hand to dismiss the maidservant. "To have been able to retreat unscathed from under the previous Emperor’s nose and maintain stability for so many years, Prince Virtue has indeed become a cunning old fox. It’s just that he’s grown somewhat arrogant in recent years. Did he think that just because he managed the trivial affairs of the imperial clan and Mo Jingqi called him ’Imperial Uncle’, Mo Jingqi genuinely respected him as an uncle?" Little did he know, the ones Mo Jingqi despised the most were these old officials and elders who constrained him. Without anyone needing to incite him, Mo Jingqi would look for any opportunity to eliminate them.

"Now he comes invoking righteousness and trying to persuade me with fine words. Even if I don’t grant him any face, I should at least allow them to return safely to the Capital of Great Chu."

Settling down slowly, Ye Li recalled the two princes’ behavior earlier. If they were truly acting as advocates for Mo Jingqi, they certainly lacked persuasiveness. They merely recited Mo Jingqi’s intentions and then offered a few perfunctory words to Mo Xiuyao as a token gesture. Clearly, neither of them genuinely wanted to provoke Mo Xiuyao. Ye Li smiled faintly and asked, "You originally planned to let them go back?" Mo Xiuyao nodded slightly and sat down beside her. "Although those two can’t achieve anything significant, they’re more than capable of causing Mo Jingqi some trouble. I don’t want to deal with them for the next few months."

He lowered his head to look at Ye Li’s rounded abdomen, raised his hand, and gently touched it, just as the baby inside kicked. Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. Seeing Ye Li frown slightly, he said, "This little fellow really is restless. We’ll have to discipline him properly after he’s born."

Ye Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but whenever Mo Xiuyao was near, especially when he touched her belly, the child within would become exceptionally active. Helplessly, she said, "He’s just a fetus; what can he understand? My Prince, you are the one becoming more childish." Mo Xiuyao’s sword-like eyebrows arched slightly, and he inwardly resolved to thoroughly discipline the child once it was born.

A few days later, Prince Virtue and Prince Yu bid Mo Xiuyao farewell, preparing to return to the capital. However, Su Zhe was critically ill. When Prince Yu personally went to see him, Su Zhe was already emaciated to skin and bones and had fallen into a coma. His condition was undeniably genuine; he wasn’t faking. Without proper care, even a common cold could likely prove fatal. But both princes knew that the Northwest was no place for them to linger. They could only bid Mo Xiuyao farewell and depart first. After returning to the capital, they would report to His Majesty and then, once Su Zhe had recovered somewhat, send people to bring him back. Mo Xiuyao naturally didn’t try to detain them. The two Princes, accompanied by Mo Jian and their guards—now less than half the original number—set off on their journey that same day without further inquiry. Hearing of their departure, Mo Xiuyao merely smiled faintly and dispatched Zhang Yu and Lv Jinxian, who was stationed in Ruyang, to personally escort the two princes out of the city.

In the dim dungeon, Mo Xiuyao sat lazily on a chair, looking at the blood-smeared, middle-aged man tied to a wooden stake before him. He raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army? His Majesty’s confidant and beloved general, Xue Chengliang? And... the Empress Dowager’s cousin, His Majesty’s own cousin? Mo Jingqi really is willing to spend heavily, sending you all the way to the Northwest." The man lifted his head. Staring at the white-robed, white-haired man before him, who seemed as if untouched by worldly dust, a flicker of terror flashed in his eyes. In the dim, filthy dungeon, such whiteness seemed to evoke an even deeper chill in one’s heart.

Mo Xiuyao paid it no mind, laughing nonchalantly. "I hear Commander Xue is hailed as the foremost expert within the imperial palace, his martial arts said to be only a step behind Mu Qingcang. For so many years, you have merely held the position of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army. What a waste of talent." Xue Chengliang jerked his head up. He had always maintained a low profile in the Capital City, serving for many years as an unremarkable Deputy Commander of the Imperial Army. He never expected Mo Xiuyao to have investigated him so thoroughly.

Leaning back in his chair, Mo Xiuyao eyed him. "Now that you’re in my Ruyang City, surely you don’t still fantasize about leaving safely, Commander Xue? I won’t have you tortured; I imagine torture would be useless against you anyway. Do you plan to speak on your own, or shall I find a way to make you talk?"

Xue Chengliang sneered. "Is Ruyang City yours? ’All land under Heaven belongs to the Emperor.’ Do you think Ruyang is yours just because you occupy it? To think that the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion would produce such a generation of traitors! I wonder how Mo Lanyun and Mo Liufang will be able to face the Great Ancestor Emperor and the late Emperor in the netherworld?" Mo Xiuyao ignored his furious curses, his eyes as cold and clear as snow. "I didn’t expect Commander Xue to be such a rare, loyal patriot. This Prince is truly impressed. However, I just wonder if that sweetheart of yours, and your recently born young son, are also such loyal patriots?"

Xue Chengliang froze, a hint of panic in his eyes. Only now did he truly believe that Mo Xiuyao had thoroughly investigated his identity. He might not have cared if Mo Xiuyao had threatened him with his family; he was a concubine’s son of the Xue Family, and the Xue Family’s Mistress of the House was the Empress Dowager’s own younger sister. He had suffered bitterly since childhood and held no affection for the Xue Family, including his wife. But the sweetheart and newborn child Mo Xiuyao mentioned were indeed precious to him. She was his childhood sweetheart, the first woman he had ever loved. She had been by his side during his most difficult years, and now they even had a son. He had planned, after returning this time, to ask the Emperor for a decree to formally bring her and their child into his home as his wife.

Seeing Xue Chengliang’s expression change, Mo Xiuyao smiled with satisfaction and gestured with his fingers. From behind him, Qin Feng produced a portrait, unrolled it, and presented it to Xue Chengliang. Xue Chengliang’s already ashen face turned deathly pale. The people in the portrait were his beloved woman and son. Not only were their appearances and attire identical, but even the courtyard in the background was exactly the same. Xue Chengliang exclaimed in shock, "This is impossible! How could you..." Mo Xiuyao’s smile was cold and merciless. "I indeed didn’t know Commander Xue would grace the Northwest with his presence. However... I never said I wouldn’t ever return to the Capital of Great Chu. That being the case, I naturally needed to clearly understand just what kind of people surround His Majesty." Since the incident with Tan Jizhi, Mo Xiuyao had ordered Tianyi Pavilion and his hidden guards to thoroughly re-investigate everyone around Mo Jingqi. Although he couldn’t be certain that all of Mo Jingqi’s hidden pawns had been exposed, there had still been some significant findings.

"What do you want?" Xue Chengliang rasped.

Mo Xiuyao rose. "Commander Xue has been by the Emperor’s side since he was fifteen; you must know a great deal. There’s no hurry, you can think it over slowly. Within a month at most, I guarantee a family reunion for Commander Xue. It won’t be too late for you to consider then what answer you’ll give me." With that, Mo Xiuyao paid no more attention to the bloodied, contorted-faced Xue Chengliang tied to the pillar and turned to walk out of the cell. Behind him, Xue Chengliang roared, "Mo Xiuyao, don’t you dare harm them!"

"Oh, and Commander Xue, don’t even think about foolish things like suicide. This Prince has no rule against killing women and children. Or perhaps you’d prefer your son to suffer in your stead?"

"Mo Xiuyao, you’ll die a miserable death!" Xue Chengliang stared in terror at the man before him, his white robes and white hair like snow, as if looking at some demon.

"A miserable death?" Mo Xiuyao scoffed. "This Prince has already died no less than ten times. I don’t fear death. Commander Xue, do you?" Xue Chengliang was speechless. Was he afraid of death? Of course, he was. He had endured countless hardships from childhood until now. He finally had his own home, his own child. How could he not fear death?

Elder Su only woke up five days after Prince Virtue and Prince Yu had departed. Hearing from Mo Xiuyao that the two princes had already left with their men, Elder Su looked stunned for a moment, then shook his head at Mo Xiuyao. "Your Highness, why was that necessary?" Mo Xiuyao was silent for a moment before saying, "Elder Su, your body truly cannot withstand another long journey. If you insist on returning, you must wait until you have fully recovered. If you do not wish to stay in Ruyang City, there is a villa outside the city where you can stay temporarily."

Elder Su sighed, shook his head, and said no more. He recuperated alone in a quiet courtyard within the princely mansion, reading books and rarely stepping out. He also made no further inquiries about Su Zuidie.

When the child was nine months along, a piece of news suddenly spread throughout the various kingdoms: the treasure and the Imperial Jade Seal of the Great Founding Emperor of the previous dynasty were located within the Northwestern Territory. The Great Founding Emperor was a figure even more legendary than the Great Ancestor Emperor of Great Chu. It was said that he had once obtained the Golden City treasure, which was only mentioned in unofficial historical records. Rumored to be a city built of gold, one could only imagine the staggering wealth of the Great Founding Emperor. Add to this the Imperial Jade Seal—a treasure coveted by the powerful in every kingdom—and the news immediately sparked a flurry of activity across the Northwestern Territory. The once calm region instantly became tense.

Ye Li’s belly was growing ever larger; after nine months, the child could be born at any moment. Mo Xiuyao had long before selected midwives and servants to be ready in the mansion at all times. Moreover, because Ye Li had always disliked having attendants close by, Mo Xiuyao had specially sent for the people who used to serve Ye Li in the Capital of Great Chu. With Chief Steward Mo reassigned to the Northwest, leaving affairs in the Central Plains unattended, Feng Zhiyao cursed incessantly as he sent messages to Leng Haoyu, urging him to temporarily oversee matters there.

Qin Feng, who had gone to fetch the people, arrived in Ruyang City almost at the same time as the news about the previous dynasty’s treasure. Mo Xiuyao, who had been strolling with Ye Li to help her relax, received the message from Zhuo Jing. His face darkened, and he said coldly, "Tan Jizhi! You truly are eager to court death!" Ye Li took the message, glanced at it, and gently pushed Mo Xiuyao. "You should go deal with it. I’m sure Third Feng and the others are waiting for you." Mo Xiuyao sighed softly and said gently, "I’ll go and be right back. Don’t tire yourself out." Ye Li nodded with a smile, watched Mo Xiuyao leave, then turned to the group beside her, smiling faintly. "Wet Nurse, Nanny Lin, are you all well?"

The two nannies were already in tears. If Mo Xiuyao hadn’t been present, they would have rushed to Ye Li and wept openly. "Miss... Princess Consort... we old servants thought we would never see you again..." Qingshuang and the other young maids also gathered around Ye Li, some crying, some laughing, talking all at once, making the room quite lively for a moment. Ye Li smiled as she looked at them. It had been a year since they last met. Though she hadn’t particularly felt it day to day, seeing them now, she realized how much she had missed them. Seeing Qingshuang staring at her, wiping tears but not speaking, Ye Li smiled, reached out, and gently pinched her soft cheek, laughing, "A year apart, and Qingshuang has grown into a young lady." Qingshuang’s pretty face flushed red, and she glared at Ye Li. "Miss is so heartless! You didn’t send for Qingshuang for so long. Qingshuang isn’t going to talk to Miss anymore!" Ye Li said apologetically in a soft voice, "Silly girl, what good would it do you to follow me to the Northwest? Isn’t it better to stay safely in the Capital City?"

Although Mo Jingqi had ordered Mo Xiuyao stripped of his titles, he still hadn’t dared to openly ransack Prince Ding’s Mansion. However, for safety, Chief Steward Mo had still moved the important items from the mansion, and of course, the important people. These maids, staying in the Capital City under the secret protection of Prince Ding’s Mansion’s hidden guards, were indeed better off than undertaking a thousand-mile journey to the Northwest. If Mo Xiuyao hadn’t directly sent Qin Feng to fetch them, Ye Li had not originally intended to bring them to Ruyang.

"Wet Nurse, Nanny Lin, this journey must have been arduous for you." Looking at her slightly thinner Wet Nurse and Nanny Lin, Ye Li felt even more apologetic. Initially, Nanny Lin and Wet Nurse had been taken to her second maternal uncle’s residence, with plans to send them back to Yunzhou once the situation stabilized. Now, they had been brought thousands of miles to Ruyang. Not only were they separated from their families, but the climate and conditions in the Northwest were also no match for the Capital City or Yunzhou. Nanny Wei wiped her tears and, joyfully observing Ye Li’s belly, said with a smile, "Your Highness, what are you saying? There is nothing better than being able to serve Your Highness and the young heir. What hardship is there? This past year... we heard so much in the Capital City, we could hardly eat or sleep from worry, but unfortunately, being so far away, we knew nothing..." Nanny Lin nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! Now that we can see Your Highness safely give birth to the young heir, this old servant will finally be able to face my lady in the afterlife." The ’my lady’ Nanny Lin referred to was, of course, Ye Li’s mother, Ms. Xu.

Ye Li held Nanny Lin’s hand and said softly, "In that case, I will continue to trouble you, Nanny Lin, and Wet Nurse, in the future. You must all be exhausted from the long journey. Please rest for a few days, and we can talk about other things later."

Although Nanny Lin and Wet Nurse were reluctant to leave, they were indeed no longer young, and the arduous journey had thoroughly tired them. They had to let others lead them away to rest. The young maids, though showing signs of fatigue, were surprisingly energetic. They surrounded Ye Li, chattering with curiosity and joy. It took Ye Li some effort to calm them down and have them taken to rest. Seeing the hall quiet down again, Ye Li smiled at Qin Feng, who stood to one side. "It’s been a long time since it was this lively. I’m still not quite used to it." Qin Feng smiled faintly. "Your Highness doesn’t like to be waited upon, so those around you don’t dare to disturb you. These young ladies, however, have been with Your Highness for a longer time and are very close to you." Ye Li nodded, then turned her thoughts to serious matters. "On your way back, did you hear any news?"

Qin Feng nodded. "As we neared the Northwest, we did hear some rumors. However, we avoided the main roads for the entire journey, so we didn’t hear any crucial news. The news about the treasure of the previous dynasty might have first started spreading from the Capital City, but its widespread dissemination didn’t originate solely from there." Ye Li nodded. Qin Feng and his men had traveled quickly. He hadn’t heard the news when he left the capital, yet by the time they neared the Northwest, it was already known throughout the land. This news obviously wasn’t spread only from the Capital City. It was likely that people were secretly disseminating it from many places. With a soft snort, Ye Li said coldly, "The Prince was right. Tan Jizhi is indeed eager to die!"

The baby in her womb seemed to sense its mother’s anger; Ye Li felt two distinct kicks. She frowned, then, with a helpless smile, reached out to soothe her belly. This child is already so lively in the womb; it’s bound to be a mischievous little imp in the future.

Qin Feng looked at Ye Li, hesitating, as if he wanted to say something but couldn’t bring himself to. Ye Li glanced at him with a smile. "If you have something to say, just say it. Is Commander Qin feeling shy?" Qin Feng’s handsome face reddened slightly. Ye Li laughed in surprise. "Don’t tell me I guessed right? Did Commander Qin have a romantic encounter on this trip?" Qin Feng gave a helpless, wry smile. "Your Highness, please don’t tease your subordinate. It’s just that... on the road, I rescued someone and brought them back to Ruyang without Your Highness’s permission. I ask Your Highness to assign blame."

"Rescued someone? Could it be an old acquaintance?" Ye Li asked, raising an eyebrow.

Qin Feng nodded. "It’s Miss Yaoji. Does Your Highness remember her?"

Of course, Ye Li remembered. Supporting her belly, she settled herself more firmly and asked, "What happened? Tell me from the beginning." Qin Feng then recounted the entire incident. Apparently, after picking up Chief Steward Mo and his party, Qin Feng led them off the main roads, traveling day and night. However, in a small town more than three hundred li from the Capital City, they encountered Yaoji being pursued. It wasn’t exactly a straightforward pursuit; Yaoji was desperately protecting a child, and it seemed the attackers were more interested in snatching the child. It was only when Yaoji’s desperate resistance angered them that they decided to kill her and take the child. Qin Feng had met Yaoji a few times before and naturally couldn’t stand by and watch her die, so he fought off the attackers and rescued her. However, Yaoji’s remarkable beauty, coupled with the current chaos of war, meant that a woman with a child had nowhere safe to go. That’s why Qin Feng brought her back.

Ye Li smiled. "I was wondering what it was about. Has Yaoji’s background been investigated?" Qin Feng nodded. "I had the hidden guards investigate it that same day. There’s nothing suspicious." Ye Li nodded. "You’ve always been reliable. Yaoji is an old acquaintance, so bringing her back is fine. But have you thought about how to settle her?" Qin Feng looked somewhat troubled. He had only managed to rescue her; how could he have considered how to settle her?

Ye Li covered her mouth to hide a smile. "For Yaoji to be hunted down like this, she must have fled in a panic. Otherwise, with her abilities, she wouldn’t have ended up in such a wretched state. If she had some silver taels or possessions, we could find her a place to live and a way to make a living in the city. But looking at her..."

"When I rescued her, I saw her clothes were old and worn, and she was emaciated. I’m afraid she has no money left," Qin Feng said, realization dawning on him. He nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Princess Consort. I understand. I’ll find a place to settle her later. I also have some savings I can give her for temporary use." Ye Li felt like knocking on Qin Feng’s dense head. She shot him a look. "How can a lone woman with a child accept financial aid from you, the great Commander Qin? Although she was once a courtesan, now that she has a child, how could she not consider the child’s future? Having finally found a place to stay, she naturally wouldn’t return to her old profession. Doesn’t a woman value her reputation?" Unless Qin Feng planned to marry her, it would be best not to be overly solicitous.

Qin Feng looked somewhat dejected, gazing helplessly at Ye Li. Giving money wasn’t right, but not giving money also seemed wrong. Why was rescuing someone more troublesome than fighting on a battlefield?

Ye Li sighed. "Please ask Miss Yaoji to come here. Perhaps she already has her own plans." Yaoji was not one of those indecisive, sheltered women. Although Ye Li had only met her a few times and didn’t agree with some of Yaoji’s past actions, it didn’t stop her from appreciating Yaoji’s unique qualities.

Qin Feng breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that the Princess Consort was willing to handle it; he truly didn’t know how to settle Yaoji. "Thank you, Princess Consort."