Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 209 - 208. Responses from Various Sides
208. Various Reactions
The Xu Family’s welcoming banquet was held at the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. To show solemn respect for the Xu Family, Mo Xiuyao invited all civil and military officials in Ruyang and even notified the trusted elites of Prince Ding’s Mansion stationed in other prefectures of the Northwest in advance. He very solemnly introduced the Xu Family to the generals and officials in the Northwest. This made it clear that the Xu Family was not simply the maternal family of Princess Consort Ding; in the future, they would hold a significant position in this region of the Northwest. Due to the Xu Family’s established reputation, people naturally harbored no feelings of rejection or jealousy. Anyone with insight understood that the Xu Family’s arrival in the Northwest at this time was only beneficial to Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army.
The banquet was naturally lively, its atmosphere harmonious and festive. Even though Ye Li needed to care for the baby, she discreetly left the banquet a bit early. While walking back through the garden, she saw Qin Zheng sitting alone in a gazebo by the pond, seemingly in a daze. Ye Li paused and asked softly, "Sister Zheng’er, why are you here?" Behind her, Qingyu said, "At the banquet just now, Miss Qin seemed a little unwell and left early." Qingshuang then added, "Miss Qin came to the Northwest alone; perhaps she isn’t accustomed to it yet." Ye Li lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then said, "Wait here for a moment."
Ye Li walked lightly into the gazebo and chuckled softly, "Sister Zheng’er, why are you sitting here?"
Qin Zheng was clearly startled. She only relaxed when she turned and saw Ye Li, rising to say, "Princess Consort..." Ye Li reached out and gently pressed her to remain seated, smiling somewhat helplessly. "It’s only been a little over a year, Sister Zheng’er, and you’ve become so distant." Qin Zheng looked at Ye Li with a troubled expression, unsure what to say. Ye Li chuckled. "Don’t tell me that after you marry Second Brother, you’ll still insist on calling me Princess Consort?" Qin Zheng’s face flushed red. She gazed at Ye Li with a helpless look, yet she seemed to relax considerably, a touch of her former ease returning.
After the lighthearted teasing, Ye Li sat down and took Qin Zheng’s hand. "Sister Zheng’er, you seem unhappy. Is there something you’re not accustomed to, or has anyone in the mansion neglected you?" Qin Zheng hurriedly shook her head, her eyes reddening as she said softly, "Everyone has been very good to me. It’s just... I miss home a little. My parents raised me, pampering me and following my every whim. Yet, I haven’t repaid them in the slightest and have instead traveled far from them. It’s truly unfilial of me." Ye Li sighed softly, gently patting Qin Zheng’s hand. "Lord Qin and Madam Qin allowed you to leave Capital City because they were thinking of your happiness, Sister Zheng’er. You should settle down in the Northwest with peace of mind. It’s not as if you’ll never have the chance to see them again. The most important thing now is your marriage to Second Brother. This evening, Great Aunt and Second Aunt both spoke to me about it. It seems Second Brother and Second Aunt are also eager to marry you soon."
"Li’er!" Qin Zheng’s beautiful face suddenly turned crimson. Unable to escape Ye Li’s teasing, she covered her face with her hands and said with dissatisfaction, "It’s only been a year, Li’er, how have you started to act like Murong?" Ye Li laughed. "What’s wrong with learning from Murong? It’s better to say what’s on your mind than to keep it bottled up and make yourself miserable. Alright, Sister Zheng’er, don’t be shy. If Second Brother hadn’t accompanied me to the Northwest last year, you two would have been married long ago. Just relax and be a beautiful bride, Sister Zheng’er. Li’er will definitely prepare a grand wedding for you and Second Brother." Qin Zheng lowered her head, hiding the tears welling in her eyes, and said softly, "Li’er, thank you." Ye Li smiled. "We’re family. What is there to thank me for?" Qin Zheng smiled without a word. She was just a girl in her teens who had faked her death to leave her parents and Capital City for the distant Northwest; how could she not feel apprehensive? Although the Xu Family members were not difficult to get along with, and Second Madam Xu treated her with exceptional care, not having her parents to rely on was a significant change. For a young woman like Qin Zheng, raised in the seclusion of her boudoir, this naturally made her feel apprehensive and insecure. Moreover, Second Young Master Xu, Xu Qingze, was a reserved person by nature. He wouldn’t be one to offer warm comforts or inquiries about her well-being, which further amplified Qin Zheng’s anxieties.
After carefully comforting Qin Zheng for a while, Ye Li called for the maidservant attending to Qin Zheng and had Qingyu personally escort her back to the small courtyard where she was temporarily staying.
Returning to her room, she found Mo Xiuyao already there, looking thoroughly bored as he leaned over the cradle, playfully poking Mo Xiaobao’s tender little cheek. Ye Li freshened up, changed her clothes, and came out, saying helplessly, "Prince, are you trying to poke our baby’s face until he looks grotesque?" He was at it when she came in, and he was still at it after she had finished freshening up. Even if he wasn’t using much force, the baby’s delicate skin couldn’t withstand such persistent poking. Walking to the cradle, she saw the little one was awake, gazing at her with his large, round eyes. Perhaps because he had just woken up, his large eyes were glistening with moisture, looking utterly pitiful. She bent down, picked up the little fellow, and gently patted him, cooing, "Good baby. Daddy is being mean; let’s ignore him." While whispering softly to the baby, she paced slowly around the room, lulling him to sleep. She completely missed the way the man behind her instantly scowled. He was mean? That little rascal was truly his natural-born nemesis! Ah-Li actually said *he* was mean because of *him*?!
Mo Xiuyao’s palpable resentment finally caught Ye Li’s attention. Turning, she saw the man sitting on the edge of the bed, staring gloomily at the baby in her arms. She sighed inwardly. Other men would give anything for a precious son, yet this one seemed to regard his son as an enemy from a past life. Carefully, she placed the baby into Mo Xiuyao’s hands and chuckled, "Prince, are you still a child? Why are you throwing a tantrum with the baby?" 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮
Mo Xiuyao hmphed lightly, unceremoniously kneading the little dumpling in his hands. "Are you fattening him up to eat him?" Ye Li rolled her eyes. The baby was indeed round and smooth, fair-skinned and tender, but he was far from fat, wasn’t he? Fortunately, Mo Xiuyao knew Ah-Li disliked anyone criticizing her precious son, so he didn’t say more. While silently disdaining Mo Xiaobao—who understood nothing and was powerless to resist his torment—he asked, "Why were you back so late?" Ye Li recounted seeing Qin Zheng in the garden. She then asked, "Great Aunt and Second Aunt propose setting the wedding date after the baby’s full moon banquet. Great Aunt suggests Sister Zheng’er be married from Great Uncle’s mansion. In my opinion, it would be better if she were married from our Prince’s Mansion. What do you think?" After all, being married from Great Uncle’s house to Second Uncle’s house felt a bit off.
Mo Xiuyao thought for a moment. "Our mansion doesn’t have any elders. You certainly can’t be the one to give Qin Zheng away; you’re younger than her. How about this: General Lv, General Zhang, and their families are all in Ruyang. See which family would be suitable to recognize Qin Zheng as a goddaughter. Then she can be married from a general’s mansion. Both General Lv and General Zhang are among the most renowned generals in the Mo Family Army. It wouldn’t be a slight to Qin Zheng to be under their family’s patronage. This way, it would also be considered a marriage alliance between the Xu Family and the Mo Family Army. Prince Ding’s Mansion, after all, rose to prominence through military achievements. With this connection, things will be much more convenient for the Xu Family members in the Northwest." Both Zhang Qilan and Lv Jinxian were highly prestigious veteran generals in the Mo Family Army. With their support, the Mo Family Army soldiers’ aversion to outsiders like the Xu Family would lessen considerably. Ultimately... every army is somewhat exclusive.
Ye Li hadn’t expected Mo Xiuyao to have considered so much in such a short time, much of it intended to benefit the Xu Family. A sweet warmth spread through her heart, and she said softly, "Thank you for thinking so much for the Xu Family." Mo Xiuyao merely hmphed softly and turned his attention back to playing with his son. Ye Li looked helplessly at the man who kept his head down, ignoring her. Prince, are you being deliberately aloof now? she wanted to ask.
News of the birth of the Little Heir of Prince Ding’s Mansion spread rapidly to neighboring nations. Furthermore, Mo Xiuyao had openly sent out ornate invitations to dignitaries from various countries, inviting them to Ruyang for the Little Heir’s full moon banquet. Upon receiving these invitations, emblazoned with the mark of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, countless individuals, in their frustration, smashed priceless antiques and calligraphy treasures in their studies.
「Southern Garrison Prince’s Mansion in Xiling」
In the study, the Southern Garrison Prince squinted dangerously at the extravagant invitation on the table. As the Prince remained silent, the others in the study dared not utter a word, and the atmosphere grew tense and stifling. After a long while, Lei Tengfeng, Heir of the Southern Garrison Prince, finally broke the silence. "Father, what is Mo Xiuyao implying? Does he truly intend to break with Great Chu?" As King Ding of Great Chu, no matter how renowned the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was, it had no authority to invite dignitaries of other nations to a mere heir’s full moon banquet. In fact, even imperial families of various nations would rarely invite foreign dignitaries to a full moon banquet for a prince, let alone the Crown Prince. However, if Mo Xiuyao were to break from Great Chu and declare himself king, he would at least be qualified to engage in dialogue with the imperial families of other nations. In that case, this invitation would not be considered a breach of etiquette. As for Mo Xiuyao choosing to hold such a full moon banquet for his son, that was his own affair, and no one could interfere.
The Southern Garrison Prince sneered. "It’s only a matter of time before the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion breaks with Great Chu. That’s not really surprising. What is surprising... is that Princess Consort Ding actually managed to return alive." Even more unthinkable was that after falling from such a high cliff, not only was Princess Consort Ding unharmed, but the child in her womb was also fine. Mo Xiuyao’s luck is truly infuriatingly good! Thinking of this, the Southern Garrison Prince’s expression darkened further. He had not only lost to a woman but to a pregnant woman at that!
"Ye Li!" The Southern Garrison Prince ground his teeth.
Lei Tengfeng glanced at his father, whose face was dark with gloom, but he himself did not share the Southern Garrison Prince’s intense anger. Thinking of that graceful woman in cyan, seemingly gentle yet repeatedly astonishing, Lei Tengfeng had to admit he’d felt a faint sense of regret upon hearing of Princess Consort Ding’s death. Now, not only had she survived the ordeal but had also safely given birth to the Heir of Prince Ding. A flicker of envy touched Lei Tengfeng’s heart, but he quickly dismissed it. "Father, this full moon banquet for the Heir of Prince Ding—should we attend?" Although Ruyang was not far from the border between Great Chu and Xiling, it was a considerable distance from the royal city of Xiling. This invitation must have been dispatched as soon as the Little Heir was born; even the Little Heir’s name wasn’t on it. Even so, if they were to attend the full moon banquet, they would have to depart immediately, or they might not arrive in time.
"Go! Of course, we must go!" the Southern Garrison Prince sneered. "Do you think Mo Xiuyao is merely hosting a full moon banquet for his son? Ruyang City will be extraordinarily lively this time, I’m afraid." Lei Tengfeng lowered his gaze thoughtfully and quickly understood. "Father, are you referring to the national jade seal and the Great Founding Emperor’s treasure?" The Southern Garrison Prince nodded. "Correct. Rather than having people sneaking in and out of the Northwest, he’d rather open his doors and graciously invite them. At least then, these individuals would be under his surveillance. Mo Xiuyao has certainly thought this through..." Lei Tengfeng frowned. "In Father’s opinion, is the national jade seal truly in Mo Xiuyao’s hands? The information we received... suggests that people from Prince Ding’s Mansion are secretly searching for someone named Lin Yuan, and this is related to the national jade seal."
"Lin Yuan? Lin..." the Southern Garrison Prince mused. Lei Tengfeng continued, "Lin is the imperial surname of the former dynasty. This Lin Yuan, also known as Tan Jizhi, supposedly attempted to abduct Princess Consort Ding in the Northwest to threaten Prince Ding. However, word somehow leaked, and he was captured by Prince Ding. After Mo Xiuyao released him, Tan Jizhi vanished from public view. Shortly thereafter, rumors spread that the national jade seal was in Prince Ding’s Mansion. Not only Prince Ding’s Mansion, but Mo Jingqi is also searching for him." The Southern Garrison Prince pondered for a good while before saying, "I do have some recollection of this Tan Jizhi. Su Zuidie once mentioned he is a surviving descendant of the former imperial family."
"A surviving descendant of the former imperial family?" Lei Tengfeng scoffed, a dismissive curl on his lips. The former dynasty fell over a century ago. Who still cares about any surviving descendants? By that logic, there would be countless such descendants from various dynasties scattered throughout the world. With every dynastic change, a few imperial offspring inevitably end up among the common folk. But who among them has ever truly succeeded in restoring a fallen dynasty? The tale of enduring hardship to seek revenge is legendary precisely because it’s an exception, not the rule. "Father, did you know Tan Jizhi’s identity all along?" The Southern Garrison Prince clearly didn’t hold Tan Jizhi in high regard either, smiling faintly. "Whether he’s an imperial descendant of the former dynasty or a rebellious traitor is irrelevant to us. As long as he can help Mo Jingqi deal with the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, he is not our enemy. That being the case, I would naturally keep his identity secret. A pity... that woman, Su Zuidie! Since she could reveal his identity to me, how could she not have told others?"
Lei Tengfeng frowned. "Then, in Father’s opinion, who actually possesses the national jade seal?"
The Southern Garrison Prince pondered for a moment. "Given the disposition of those in the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, the national jade seal isn’t of paramount importance to them. Mo Xiuyao is even prouder than Mo Liufang was in his day; he wouldn’t deign to use the national jade seal to bolster the Mo Family Army’s prestige." Lei Tengfeng asked, "Father, are you implying..." The Southern Garrison Prince waved his hand. "No. The national jade seal may not be in Mo Xiuyao’s possession, but it’s not necessarily in Tan Jizhi’s hands either. Therefore... this trip to the Northwest is one we absolutely must make." At the very least, they could not allow the national jade seal to fall into anyone else’s hands.
"I understand," Lei Tengfeng nodded. "Does Father intend to go to Ruyang City personally?" The Southern Garrison Prince affirmed, "You will accompany me. There’s nothing of major importance in Xiling recently."
"Yes, Father."
In the imperial study of the Palace of Great Chu, the atmosphere was even more oppressive. Mo Jingqi’s face was black with fury. He flung the invitation from his hand. "Mo Yuchen! What a Mo Yuchen! Mo Xiuyao, you are truly something..." Mo Jingli, who had also received an invitation and had just come to the palace, happened to step into the imperial study just as that invitation, bearing the seal of Prince Ding’s Mansion, came flying towards him. Catching it, Mo Jingli chuckled, "Imperial Brother, who has angered you so?" Seeing this full brother of his, Mo Jingqi’s expression grew even colder. "Why have you come to the palace?"
Mo Jingli produced another invitation with a smile. "I came to pay my respects to Mother Empress. Also... it seems Imperial Brother has also received Prince Ding’s invitation. What are your intentions, Imperial Brother?" He casually opened the invitation, his eyes falling on the flamboyantly inscribed name of the Heir of Prince Ding’s Mansion—Mo Yuchen. Yuchen... a fine name indeed. Mo Xiuyao, you finally couldn’t hold back, could you?
Mo Jingqi stared coldly at his younger brother, who had clearly become shrewder and more difficult to handle since returning from the south. If he hadn’t suddenly become so astute on his own, then he must have a master strategist advising him. "What are your plans? Since Mo Xiuyao sent you an invitation, Imperial Younger Brother, do you intend to go?" Mo Jingli chuckled. "Since Prince Ding personally extended the invitation, how could your subject dare not attend? What gift does Imperial Brother plan to send the Heir of Prince Ding?" Mo Jingqi snorted coldly, a malicious smile suddenly appearing. "Imperial Younger Brother, you certainly should go. After all, Ye Li is no stranger to you. Moreover, she is Princess Consort Li’s biological elder sister."
At the mention of this, Mo Jingli’s expression also turned grim. Every time he thought of Ye Ying in his own mansion—always crying, whining, and complaining—and then contrasted her with Ye Li, who was capable on the battlefield and in court, and who had the backing of the Xu Family, Mo Jingli couldn’t help but feel sick to his stomach remembering that Ye Li had once been his fiancée. What would things be like if he had married Ye Li back then? With Ye Li’s ability to defeat the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling, perhaps he wouldn’t have needed to be in this north-south standoff with his Imperial Brother; he might have directly attacked the Capital of Great Chu! And Xu Qingchen, who had caused him so much trouble in the south. If Ye Li were his princess consort, Xu Qingchen would not only cease to cause him trouble but would actively assist him. He might even have been able to help him conquer Nanzhao, instead of being constrained by Nanzhao at every turn as he was now!
Seeing Mo Jingli’s suddenly darkened expression, Mo Jingqi’s mood improved considerably. He raised an eyebrow. "Since you’re going, Imperial Younger Brother, why not take Princess Consort Li along? It would be a good opportunity for her to catch up with Ye Li."
Mo Jingli gritted his teeth and replied evenly, "Thank you for the suggestion, Imperial Brother. In that case, your subject will go and prepare. Time is short; I shall depart for the Northwest early tomorrow morning."
Mo Jingqi nodded. "Go then, Imperial Younger Brother."
The moment Mo Jingli departed, the smile vanished from Mo Jingqi’s face. Did Mo Jingli think he didn’t know what he intended to do in the Northwest? Congratulate Mo Xiuyao’s son on his first month? Hmph! Mo Jingli would be even more eager than him for Mo Xiuyao’s son to die young, because that child’s mother was his former fiancée. Ye Li’s very existence was a constant reminder to the entire world of how blind he, Prince Li, had been. Going to the Northwest to search for the national jade seal? Mo Jingli, your ambition is far too great!
"Your Majesty?"
"Is there any news of Tan Jizhi’s whereabouts?" Mo Jingqi asked coldly, looking at the gray-robed man kneeling in the hall.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, we have not yet found any trace of Tan Jizhi."
CRASH! Mo Jingqi seized the inkstone from his desk and hurled it. The gray-robed man on the floor dared not dodge. The inkstone struck his shoulder before clattering to the ground. The man let out a muffled groan. "Forgive me, Your Majesty!"
"Useless curs! Go and search again! Even if you have to dig three feet into the earth, you must find Tan Jizhi for Your Imperial Majesty!"
"Yes."
