Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 202 - 201. The Shocking Secret, The Ending of Su Zuidie
201. A Heaven-shattering Secret, Su Zuidie’s Fate
Although it was already into the second night watch, there were still people who remained awake in Prince Ding’s Mansion.
Mo Xiuyao sat at the edge of the bed, watching Ye Li, who was deep in slumber, with a gentle and calm demeanor. He raised his hand, lightly touching her somewhat pale, beautiful face, his eyes soft with affection. In the small cradle by the bed, draped with soft silk, the little baby was also sound asleep.
Looking at the mother and child before him, Mo Xiuyao had not an ounce of sleepiness. He bent over to look at the baby in the cradle and, seeing no one around, couldn’t resist gently pinching his tender little face. Despite his gentle touch, the baby still puckered his mouth uncomfortably, as though about to cry. Mo Xiuyao swiftly retracted his hand, sitting straight as he looked down at the baby in the cradle. From now on, he was a father. He remembered the severity and affection of his own father in Prince Ding’s Mansion. Every time he got into trouble, his father would punish him relentlessly, and his elder brother would plead for mercy. However, he knew that his father would always come to check on him quietly in the middle of the night after a punishment, always followed by a helpless sigh.
He had hardly ever imagined he would one day become a father. And when he learned Ah-Li was pregnant, given the circumstances at the time, the anger he felt was immense. Therefore, he had always felt he disliked this child. Yet... the soft and warm feelings now welling up in his heart were entirely different from what he felt for Ah-Li.
This was his son, who needed his protection now. When he grew up, he would need his guidance to become a tall man just like him.
"Hmm, don’t try to steal Ah-Li’s attention from me, or else... your father will ’discipline’ you thoroughly," warned Mo Xiuyao, leaning over the cradle and staring at the sleeping baby.
Ye Li woke up slightly dazed and saw Mo Xiuyao sitting on the bed whispering something to the baby. She couldn’t help but chuckle.
Caught in his childish behavior by his beloved wife, Mo Xiuyao’s face stiffened. He pretended to be calm and sat back on the bed, whispering, "Why did you wake up?" Upon noticing that he had not even changed his clothes, she realized he had not slept at all. "Why haven’t you rested yet?"
Mo Xiuyao pulled her into his arms and mumbled, "I can’t sleep."
Ye Li sat up from his embrace, pushing a distance between them to observe his facial expressions closely. She softly asked, "What’s the matter? Are you too excited about the baby’s birth?"
Mo Xiuyao curled his lip in disdain and shot a sidelong glance at the baby in the cradle. Ye Li gave a wry smile. The baby had been scorned by his father ever since he was in her belly until his birth. If she had not understood Mo Xiuyao’s temperament and thoughts, she would have begun to doubt whether he despised their child. How would this father-son relationship unfold in the future?
"I noticed that you were slightly off even earlier, but I didn’t have the chance to ask you then. Did something happen?" Leaning against Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li asked softly.
Mo Xiuyao raised his hand to stroke the loose strands of Ye Li’s hair; a chill flashed in his eyes as he said faintly, "Remember the case of Tan Jizhi and Su Zuidie we were investigating? We might have a lead."
"Oh?" When Ye Li raised her head and saw Mo Xiuyao’s gloomy face, she knew that this matter might be shocking. She patted Mo Xiuyao’s hand lightly, comforting him, "No matter what, we will always be together."
Mo Xiuyao was startled, then he nodded and said, "I know."
"Prince, Commander Qin wishes to see you." Outside, Qingyu, who was on night duty, whispered in a low voice.
Mo Xiuyao nodded, stood up, and said to Ye Li, "I’ll check it out. Ah-Li, you should rest first."
Ye Li, understanding her current physical inconvenience, nodded. After a moment’s thought, she said, "If Su Zuidie really wants to confess, consider having Elder Su present as a witness."
Mo Xiuyao nodded, "I’m aware. Don’t worry about these matters. Rest well." He helped Ye Li lie down and covered her with the quilt before turning to leave. Glancing at Qingyu and Qingluan standing at the door, he said, "Take good care of the Princess Consort."
Qingyu and Qingluan stood up and said, "Please rest assured, Prince."
In an empty room, Su Zuidie sat in a chair positioned at the center. There was no one guarding her; no one was concerned she could escape or commit suicide. Given her massive blood loss earlier and the ruthless tortures she had endured for the past six months, she barely had the strength to walk a hundred steps from this room. She had just been dragged away to be washed and changed into clean clothes. Su Zuidie stared blankly at the clean linen garment she wore. The filth and gloom of her prison cell over the past six months had almost made her forget what cleanliness felt like. She constantly had to convince herself to forget in order to survive in such conditions, but now... she couldn’t hold on anymore. It wasn’t until she felt her blood dripping out that she realized how terrifying death could be. If those people had arrived just a little later, her blood might have completely drained. From the moment she begged for mercy, she had lost. She absolutely couldn’t bear to go through such a slow and quiet death again.
The door was pushed open from the outside. Mo Xiuyao strolled in, followed by Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Feng Zhiyao.
Mo Xiuyao took a seat to one side, and the others followed suit. Su Zuidie stared blankly at Mo Xiuyao. The man before her, dressed in white with white hair, had a calm expression and indifferent eyes that exuded an air of distant, unapproachable coldness. This was not the Mo Xiuyao she remembered. "Xiu...Xiuyao...Is that you? How come..."
Mo Xiuyao frowned and shot an impatient glance at Qin Feng.
Qin Feng turned to Su Zuidie and said in a stern voice, "Miss Su, if you are willing to confess, then speak in front of the Prince. It’s the middle of the night; none of us has time to waste."
Su Zuidie suddenly came back to her senses. Meeting Mo Xiuyao’s cold gaze, she plaintively cried, "Xiuyao, are you really not going to show me any mercy? Do you remember we grew up together... I now know my mistake..."
Mo Xiuyao stood up and looked coldly at Qin Feng, saying, "Is this the result you promised? You wasted my time. Deal with it... Send someone to the Capital of Great Chu soon!" Without even waiting for a reply, he turned to leave. The phrase ’deal with it’ naturally referred to dealing with Su Zuidie. Once they had even a little information, it wouldn’t be difficult to uncover the rest. Su Zuidie’s usefulness had become negligible. Compared to facing this woman who disgusted him, he would rather return to his room to be with Ah-Li.
Su Zuidie was visibly stunned, clearly not expecting Mo Xiuyao to be so heartless. He became impatient and walked away after she had barely spoken two sentences. As a cold shiver ran down her spine, Su Zuidie, seeing the murderous intentions in Qin Feng’s eyes, screamed, "No! Stop! I will confess...I’ll confess whatever you wish to know!"
"Should’ve said it earlier," Feng Zhiyao scoffed, retaking his seat.
"What did you steal from Prince Ding’s Mansion back then?" Qin Feng asked.
Glancing at Mo Xiuyao, who sat in his chair with eyes shut as though meditating, Su Zuidie ground her teeth and said, "It was... the military formation map of the Mo Family Army. I...I have an excellent memory. A single glance at those maps and they were ingrained in my heart. After leaving Prince Ding’s Mansion, I drew them out."
Everyone’s faces changed. Recalling the tragic defeat of the Mo Family Army in the war against Beirong ten years ago, Qin Feng frowned and continued to ask, "Did you present the map to Tan Jizhi and Mo Jingqi?"
Su Zuidie nodded and said, "Yes, Mo Jingqi sent Tan Jizhi to find me. I agreed to assist them."
"What did they want to do with the deployment maps of the Mo Family Army?" Feng Zhiyao asked. Even though the answer was clear to him, he needed Su Zuidie to confess.
Su Zuidie looked at Feng Zhiyao and then started to giggle, saying, "What were they planning to do with it? Mo Jingqi had harbored resentment against the Mo Family Army and Mo Xiuwen for a long time. He got his hands on the map and handed it over to the people of Beirong. Otherwise, why do you think the Mo Family Army was ambushed by Beirong, causing disastrous casualties?"
Qin Feng’s face darkened. His family had served Prince Ding’s Mansion for generations, and his father, along with several uncles, had died in that battle. Staring at the smugly laughing Su Zuidie, Qin Feng inquired, "Why did you assist Mo Jingqi in trapping Prince Ding’s Mansion?!" This was something everyone was puzzled about. Su Zuidie, who was then engaged to the Second Young Master of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, was envied by countless ladies from prestigious families. Why would she help Mo Jingqi to topple Prince Ding’s Mansion when it wouldn’t benefit her in any way?
Su Zuidie was startled. Looking towards Mo Xiuyao, who was sitting aside as if asleep, she coldly chuckled, pointed at Mo Xiuyao with her uninjured hand, and said, "Why? Why... that’s what you should ask him!"
Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, looked at Mo Xiuyao, and said, "Did the Prince do something to wrong you?" Even so, this woman’s methods of revenge were far too vicious. No wonder she could endure Qin Feng’s methods for so long without dying.
Su Zuidie laughed, her gaze filled with resentment and indescribable love and madness towards Mo Xiuyao. "Wrong me? No... he did not wrong me. But... he also didn’t do what was right by me! I, Su Zuidie, the foremost beauty and talent of Great Chu, was adored by countless princes. But in his eyes, I was nothing more than his betrothed fiancée!"
Feng Zhiyao furrowed his brows. He and Mo Xiuyao had been close friends since their youth, and he had seen how Mo Xiuyao treated Su Zuidie. It was not bad at all. The Second Young Master of Prince Ding’s Mansion was famous throughout the Capital City. Countless young ladies from noble families and remarkable women from all walks of life threw themselves at him, but he never reciprocated their advances. He was only close to his betrothed, Su Zuidie, and treated her well. So what dissatisfaction could Su Zuidie have with this?
Seemingly understanding Feng Zhiyao’s expression, Su Zuidie huffed arrogantly, "Even the princes treat me with the utmost care and tenderness. But him...Since I was promised to him, he wouldn’t even agree to my tiniest demand!" In her words, it seemed as if being promised to Mo Xiuyao was her condescending to do so. Looking at the man in front of her, who was as cold as snow and ice, Su Zuidie’s eyes grew hazy. With a soft voice, she continued, "But it doesn’t matter...I love him. Even if all the princes of the Capital City came to court me, I would only love Xiuyao. Why, Xiuyao, why won’t you agree to my smallest request? The Regent Prince is so fond of you; if you asked him, he would have granted you the position of Prince Ding.
And Mo Xiuwen...he has no interest in leading armies or war. Clearly, your military achievements are far greater than his, why did you give the position of Prince Ding to him? How could I be content with being merely the Second Young Madam of Prince Ding’s Mansion for the rest of my life? How could I let those other women lord it over me? I love you so much, yet you won’t even fulfill this little demand of mine..."
The room fell silent. Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Feng Zhiyao watched the woman sitting in the chair as if they had seen a ghost. Her face, marked with several scars and red swelling, coupled with the ever-changing expressions varying from adoring to gentle to resentful, was exceptionally fierce and terrifying.
Seemingly having vented years of grievances, Su Zuidie became unstoppable. She continued to ramble, "It’s all your fault. If you had become Prince Ding in the first place, everything would be perfectly fine. But when I tentatively asked you about it, you showed me an unpleasant face, even reproached me! Mo Xiuyao! It’s all your fault! HA HA, how could I let those ugly women strut around triumphantly over me? Only I, Su Zuidie, deserve to be the noble lady revered and envied by myriad.
You were unwilling to compete with Mo Xiuwen, so I helped you...Once Mo Xiuwen died, the position of Prince Ding would be yours, I’d be Princess Consort Ding, what’s not good about that? Why wouldn’t I help Mo Jingqi and Tan Jizhi?" Su Zuidie was becoming more excited as she spoke. Her expression grew more crazed, and she pointed to Mo Xiuyao and laughed wildly, "But... why did you get hurt? Why were you disfigured? Why are you crippled? Mo Xiuyao, it’s all your fault! Who made you not listen to me, who made you not love me? If you loved me, you should’ve done everything I wanted, just like Han Mingyue.
HA HA...The first time I saw Han Mingyue, I knew he was an easily deceived fool. Sometimes I wished you were as easily deceived as him. Why wouldn’t you accede to my wishes? Isn’t my love for you enough...If you had listened to me, Mo Xiuwen wouldn’t have died! HA HA...it’s all your fault! Mo Xiuwen had to die! You should have been the one to die, not him..."
A white shadow flashed past the room. In the blink of an eye, Mo Xiuyao was already in front of Su Zuidie. His hand mercilessly gripped her slender neck, staring with icy eyes at the struggling, contorted woman before him. "Who killed my brother?" Mo Xiuyao asked coldly.
Su Zuidie’s neck was constricted, and she immediately struggled for breath. She raised her hand, trying to pry Mo Xiuyao’s hand off. But how could her strength be a match for Mo Xiuyao’s? In a short while, her eyes began to roll back. "Speak!"
"Uhh... uhh... Mo... Jing... uhh..." Seeing she was about to pass out, Mo Xiuyao abruptly released his grip. A large amount of air flooded into her lungs as Su Zuidie coughed violently. "Who killed my elder brother?" Mo Xiuyao asked again.
"Mo... Mo Jingqi and the Liu Family... along with Beirong, Nanzhao, and the royal family of Xiling... Mo Xiuwen didn’t die from sickness... he was assassinated... COUGH, COUGH..." Looking at Mo Xiuyao before her, Su Zuidie didn’t dare to hold anything back. "Also... also the Regent Prince... The Regent Prince was plotted to death by the late emperor. However... before the Regent Prince died, he also seriously injured the late emperor, leading to the emperor’s death after only a couple of years. This was... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... what Mo Jingqi told me." Seeing Mo Xiuyao’s silence, Su Zuidie hurriedly added, "It’s true! The emperor had people poison the Regent Prince with a drug called Intoxicating Incense. It’s a strange, colorless, odorless poison. After being poisoned, there would be no odd signs, but five days later the victim would show symptoms of severe illness, then die without treatment. Even the most clever doctors can’t detect the cause of death."
Feng Zhiyao, Qin Feng, and Zhuo Jing exchanged glances, their hearts chilled. Of course, they knew what Intoxicating Incense was: a highly poisonous concoction, one of the world’s three great legendary poisons alongside ’Biluo Huangquan’ and ’Lady Bone Withering,’ thought to have been lost for thousands of years. However, the news that the Regent Prince’s death was connected to the former Emperor was even more astonishing than the news of Mo Xiuwen’s death at the hands of Mo Jingqi. Regent Prince Mo Liufang was widely known as an uncommonly virtuous official. When the previous Emperor ascended the throne, the state of Great Chu could hardly be said to be much better than it was now. Xiling and Beirong were eyeing Great Chu covetously. At that time, Prince Ding Mo Liufang, not yet of capping age, single-handedly repelled the armies of both Xiling and Beirong. Afterward, he led his army to quell a rebellion. The previous Emperor was only a teenager when he ascended the throne, and Mo Liufang, then just over twenty, was appointed Regent Prince. Unlike many regents who usurped power and bullied young rulers, Mo Liufang wholeheartedly assisted the previous Emperor. He even took the initiative to resign from the position of Regent Prince after the Emperor came of age. Their harmonious relationship as ruler and subject for over twenty years was considered a tale for the ages. Now Su Zuidie had revealed such a secret; how could it not be utterly appalling? Was history merely written to deceive the world?
Mo Xiuyao walked back to his seat and sat down in silence, lost in thought. Qin Feng glanced at Mo Xiuyao. Seeing that he had no intention of questioning further, he spoke up, "Xue Chengliang said that you took two things from Prince Ding’s Mansion back then, and handed one of them to Mo Jingqi. Where is the other item?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
Su Zuidie’s face stiffened. Her already unsightly face now became even more frightening. After a long period of silence, Su Zuidie said in a low voice, "It is the imperial edict left by the Great Ancestor Emperor to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion."
Qin Feng, somewhat surprised, raised his eyebrows and asked, "Where is it? What does it say?"
Su Zuidie replied, "The edict of the Great Ancestor Emperor states that the imperial family of Great Chu and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion shall be eternally regarded as direct kin, like brothers. If a future emperor were to act unjustly against the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, the Prince of Ding Kingdom could depose the emperor and establish a new one."
Everyone was shocked. No wonder Mo Jingqi had been so desperate to rescue Su Zuidie; such an important item was at stake!
"Where is it?" Feng Zhiyao asked. With that item, wouldn’t they have that bastard Mo Jingqi by the throat?
Su Zuidie clenched her teeth, "Do you think I’d tell you?" Su Zuidie was no fool. Having revealed all this, that edict was her only remaining lifeline.
Mo Xiuyao stood up, calmly ordered, "Qin Feng, get rid of her." With that, he turned and walked out.
Su Zuidie stared in disbelief as Mo Xiuyao turned to leave, and shrieked, "Don’t you want the decree from the Great Ancestor Emperor?"
Mo Xiuyao glanced back, a cold smile playing on his lips. "If I want to kill Mo Jingqi, I can do so whether I have the Great Ancestor Emperor’s edict or not." Without another look at Su Zuidie, who had collapsed to the floor, he strode out of the room.
Outside, in another room, Su Zhe, Han Mingyue, Han Mingxi, and Lv Jinxian were present, their expressions varied greatly. Su Zhe’s face alternated between red and white, his lips and hands trembling uncontrollably. He was clearly incandescent with rage. Han Mingyue’s face was deathly pale; he seemed not to have even noticed Mo Xiuyao leaving. Lv Jinxian, Uncle Mo, and the others looked furious, as if they wanted to rush in and kill Su Zuidie that very instant. The calmest among them appeared to be Han Mingxi, yet even he could not completely hide his shock.
"Elder Su can go and see her," Mo Xiuyao stated calmly.
Su Zhe’s throat made a gurgling sound. After a long moment, he managed a tragic smile and said, "I have failed in my teachings... that monstrous creature has committed such sins. How can I face the ancestors of the Su family..." PUH! A mouthful of blood sprayed from Su Zhe’s lips, and he collapsed.
Han Mingxi, who was closest and most alert, quickly stepped forward to support him. All he heard was Su Zhe’s voice, faintly saying, "That... wicked wretch... Your Highness... please dispose of her..."
Watching Su Zhe faint, Mo Xiuyao remained silent for a moment, then said, "Call Mr. Shen."
As Lv Jinxian was about to say something, Uncle Mo quietly pulled him aside. "It’s late. We can deal with the rest tomorrow. Besides, the Princess Consort just gave birth to the little heir. She will be worried not seeing the Prince."
Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "You all should also return early and rest."
Watching Mo Xiuyao departing, Lv Jinxian said angrily, "I have more to say, Chief Steward Mo, why would you..."
Chief Steward Mo shook his head and said, "Let the Prince calm down before we speak further. In any case, the truth is out. Do you fear we won’t be able to avenge this?" Such atrocities were shocking even for them to hear, let alone the impact it would have on the Prince. The Prince’s health was already poor; if he collapsed because of this, it would be a loss that outweighs the gain.
Understanding Chief Steward Mo’s reasoning, Lv Jinxian glared fiercely at the wall in front of him and said gruffly, "Very well, we have plenty of time! I’m going back too."
Soon, everyone had left the room. Han Mingyue stared blankly at the closed door, unable to move. He knew that Su Zuidie might be dying slowly in that room, but he couldn’t bring himself to push that unlocked door open.
"I knew he was a stupid fool that could easily be deceived the first time I saw Han Mingyue..."
「The first time...」
In the peach blossom forest, petals fluttered down like rain. A fourteen-year-old boy saw a thirteen-year-old girl in pink dancing among the flowers.
"Are you a friend of Xiuyao’s? Zuidie greets Young Master Mingyue."
From then on, he fell into the trap of love, never to break free.
