Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 211 - 210. Envoys from the Three Kingdoms have all arrived
210. Envoys from the Three Nations Arrive
Although Ye Ying and Ye Li were related, Ye Li did not arrange for Mo Jingli and his group to stay in Prince Ding’s Mansion but in a separate residence specially set aside in Ruyang City. This place was specifically prepared to welcome envoys or nobles from other countries. Even though the Mo Family Army did not have amicable relations with other countries, warfare could not simply be started at a whim, and it was impossible for people not to have some form of communication. While the residence was not as luxurious or grand as those in the Capital of Great Chu where each country had its own guesthouse, it was decent and large enough to accommodate everyone; even if envoys from Great Chu, Beirong, and Xiling all came, there would be no concern about space.
Before Mo Jingli and his group could settle down, Chief Steward Mo came to report, "Prince, Princess Consort, the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling, along with the Heir of the Southern Garrison Prince, has arrived. Also, the Crown Prince of Beirong has arrived with his Princess Consort and the Seventh Prince. Moreover, the Imperial Princess of Nanzhao has arrived!"
Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li exchanged a glance. The emissaries were all highly influential figures, which showed considerable respect to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. Of course, it couldn’t be ruled out that some among them had intentions of probing Great Chu and the Mo Family Army. A cold glint flashed in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes. He got up with a smile, took Ye Li’s hand, and laughed, "It’s indeed a day blessed with the presence of distinguished guests. Ah-Li, let’s go welcome them." Ye Li responded with a slight nod and followed Mo Xiuyao out to greet the guests.
The main entrance to Prince Ding’s Mansion was bustling with activity. Whether it was coincidence or deliberate, all the envoys from the three nations had arrived at the same time. Thus, the entrance of Prince Ding’s Mansion was blocked by their carriages, guards, and attendants. However, the imposing Black Cloud Cavalry, dressed in black and stationed outside the mansion, made sure no one could get anywhere near. The doors of Prince Ding’s Mansion opened from within, and Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li stepped out together. Under the sunlight, Mo Xiuyao’s snowy hair shone with a cold gleam. Everyone who had just alighted from their carriages paused for a moment. They were the most influential individuals from various nations, so the news of Mo Xiuyao’s hair turning white had already reached them. However, seeing him in person, they still couldn’t hide their surprise. It was a mystery, however, as to why Prince Ding had been fine when the Princess Consort was missing, yet his hair had turned white overnight when the Princess Consort returned.
"You’ve all come a long way. Please forgive my tardiness in welcoming you," Mo Xiuyao said, glancing over the crowd with an apologetic smile.
"Not at all! We are acquainted with Prince Ding; there’s no need for such formality. This must be Princess Consort Ding? Upon meeting you today, you truly live up to your reputation." A young man dressed in the attire of the Beirong royal family—tall and broad, embodying the unique robustness and ruggedness of the Beirong people—was indeed quite imposing. Standing next to him were Beirong’s Seventh Prince Yelv Ye, and Princess Ronghua, an old acquaintance who was now the Crown Princess of Beirong.
Princess Ronghua gave Ye Li a nod and a faint smile. Her beautiful face was devoid of the pale delicacy and refined makeup she wore previously in the Capital of Great Chu. Instead, she appeared healthier, implying that Princess Ronghua had been living well in Beirong for the past year. The man who had spoken was naturally the Crown Prince of Beirong, Yelv Hong. With a faint smile, Ye Li responded, "Crown Prince of Beirong, your praise is too generous; I am unworthy of such acclaim. You all have traveled from afar. Before you proceed to the guesthouse, please come into the mansion for a cup of tea."
Yelv Hong glanced at Ye Li in surprise, then chuckled and answered, "Thank you, Princess Consort."
Princess Anxi stepped forward and laughed heartily, saying, "Princess Consort Ding, long time no see! Are you well?" Ye Li, facing Princess Anxi’s candid smile, felt somewhat embarrassed. Back in Nanzhao, she had deceived Princess Anxi more than once. Seeing that Princess Anxi could still converse so kindly with her, she wondered how much of this was due to Xu Qingchen’s influence. She nodded and smiled, "Princess Anxi, it’s good to see you’re well. My eldest brother is also in Ruyang; you two can catch up." Everyone knew Princess Consort Ding had no biological elder brother from her paternal family. Who else could she call ’Eldest Brother’? Ye Li wasn’t afraid of letting everyone know about Xu Qingchen’s presence in the Northwest; she had no intention of making the Xu Family hide. Since it would be revealed sooner or later, announcing it openly now wouldn’t matter. As expected, hearing Xu Qingchen’s name made Princess Anxi’s smile widen with delight, and she said, "Thank you for the news, Princess Consort."
"Princess Consort Ding, are you well?" Lei Tengfeng from Xiling stepped forward to greet her. Although all countries had reservations about the Mo Family Army, Xiling’s position was the most awkward. Last year, they had fought a battle, and Xiling’s hundreds of thousands of soldiers were lost in the Northwest. Of course, the news of Princess Consort Ding’s fall from the cliff and disappearance was even more grievous for the Mo Family Army. Even if both sides temporarily set aside their grudges to maintain a semblance of peace, there was always some discomfort. Mo Xiuyao stepped forward, his hand resting on Ye Li’s slender waist, and said to Lei Tengfeng with a smile, "Thank you for your concern, Heir. Ah-Li is blessed with great fortune and is doing very well." Lei Tengfeng felt helpless. He wasn’t the one who caused Princess Consort Ding to fall off the cliff, was he? But since it was his father, it felt like there wasn’t much difference. He gave a forced laugh and said, "Indeed, the Princess Consort turned misfortune into good fortune and is truly blessed."
Ye Li gently patted the back of Mo Xiuyao’s hand and smiled at everyone, saying, "I apologize for keeping you all standing at the door. Please come in." Mo Xiuyao faintly snorted. He glanced at the Southern Garrison Prince, who was scrutinizing Ye Li from the side, then stepped aside to allow the guests into Prince Ding’s Mansion. From behind them, the Southern Garrison Prince’s voice came, "It’s been a year. Prince Ding’s martial cultivation has become even more profound. I wonder if you would be free for a spar sometime?" Out of sight of the others, Mo Xiuyao’s lips curved into a savage smile. He tilted his head slightly and said, "This Prince is ready whenever you are."
"Princess Consort Ding, I haven’t seen you for a long time. Are you well?" The Southern Garrison Prince shifted his gaze to Ye Li, as if taunting Mo Xiuyao hadn’t been enough. He looked at Ye Li and asked with a smile. Ye Li nodded lightly and said, "Many thanks to the Southern Garrison Prince for your concern; I am fine. As for the Prince’s injury... I hope it’s not serious?" Feeling Mo Xiuyao’s hand on her waist tighten, Ye Li inwardly cursed, why hadn’t she used a little more force back then and directly taken his life?
The Southern Garrison Prince seemed to recall the wound Ye Li had inflicted on him. He said with a somewhat regretful smile, "The gift Your Highness bestowed is something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life."
Ye Li’s gaze turned cold, and she said coolly, "Is that so? I also remember it quite vividly—how my hand slipped and I failed to hit the vital spot that time."
The Southern Garrison Prince laughed and said, "In that case, I should thank the Princess Consort for showing mercy."
「」
After finally seating all the guests, when Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li returned to the study, only Xu Qingchen remained. Seeing them, he looked up and smiled, asking, "You two are back?"
Ye Li laughed and said, "Eldest Brother, are you still busy? Don’t you want to see your good friend?"
Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did Anxi come?"
Ye Li nodded. "It seems that Nanzhao can’t send any other envoys of significant status apart from Princess Anxi. Eldest Brother, aren’t you going to see her? When Princess Anxi left just now, she looked very disappointed."
Xu Qingchen glanced at her nonchalantly and said indifferently, "I will call on Princess Anxi later. What’s the rush?"
Ye Li felt helpless. Her eldest brother’s demeanor, like that of a transcendent immortal whom mortals could not easily approach, was truly frustrating. Was he like one who could pass through a field of flowers without a single petal clinging to him? No, he didn’t even enter the field. He merely observed from a distance, neither too close nor too far, neither too intensely nor too casually. It made one feel that he was very close and gentle, seemingly within reach, but upon actual contact, he felt as distant as if he were beyond the highest heavens—observable but unattainable. Even their eldest maternal aunt secretly worried that Eldest Brother might one day renounce worldly affairs and pursue immortality. It wasn’t that Ye Li was determined to match her eldest brother with Princess Anxi, but it seemed that over the years, the only woman who had gotten close to her eldest brother was Princess Anxi.
"The Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling, his Heir, the Crown Prince of Beirong and the Seventh Prince, the Imperial Princess of Nanzhao, and Prince Li of Great Chu..." Hearing the list of attendees from Ye Li, Xu Qingchen said thoughtfully, "Even if it’s for the so-called Imperial Jade Seal, the attendees are a bit too prominent." These people were almost all the key figures in their respective nations. Take the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling, for example, who was even more important than the current Emperor of Xiling. With all of them gathered in Ruyang, claiming it was just for the Imperial Jade Seal seemed like an understatement.
"My eldest brother and Xiuyao don’t regard the Imperial Jade Seal as particularly important, but others might not see it that way," Ye Li explained. "Whether it was the ancient First Emperor or the more recent Great Founding Emperor of the previous dynasty, didn’t they all obtain the Imperial Jade Seal only when they had nearly secured the land? The saying goes, ’He who obtains the Imperial Jade Seal obtains the world.’ But I believe it’s the other way around: ’He who obtains the world obtains the Imperial Jade Seal.’ If you have nothing and the Seal just falls into your lap from the sky, you’ll only end up as cannon fodder for others."
"What Ah-Li said is correct. Owning the Imperial Jade Seal would mean having the so-called Mandate of Heaven. Moreover, it is rumored that the treasure of the Great Founding Emperor of the previous dynasty, which includes his Art of War and the riches accumulated since the founding, are in this treasure trove," Mo Xiuyao said casually. For those people, the most valuable thing was probably not the treasure, but the Great Founding Emperor’s Art of War. When it came to the Art of War, who back then would dare compare themselves to the Mo Family Army? Originally, there was the Southern Garrison Prince, often hailed as the God of War from Xiling. But after his successive defeats at the hands of the Mo Family Army, his reputation was tarnished. It was somewhat understandable for him to lose to Mo Liufang, as Mo Liufang was a generational genius from Prince Ding’s Mansion, which had a profound family tradition of learning. Losing to Princess Consort Ding, however, a young lady in her teens from a scholarly family, was inexcusable. If even a young lady from a scholarly family could defeat the battle-hardened Southern Garrison Prince, what else could she be but his destined nemesis?
Speaking of the Imperial Jade Seal, Ye Li couldn’t help but frown and ask, "Will Tan Jizhi come to the Northwest this time?"
Mo Xiuyao nodded and said, "Shu Manlin is still in Ruyang. Unless Tan Jizhi doesn’t want her anymore, he will definitely come."
"Shu Manlin?" Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and chuckled from the side. He was unaware that the Holy Woman of the Southern Border had made her way to the Northwest.
Ye Li laughed, "I forgot to mention this to you, Eldest Brother. You and the Holy Woman of the Southern Border are acquaintances, you know. The Holy Woman mentioned you to Li’er before. Perhaps you would like to meet her sometime?"
Xu Qingchen helplessly rubbed Ye Li’s head, chose to ignore Mo Xiuyao’s displeased gaze, and smiled, "No need. I assume she wouldn’t want anyone else to know she’s here." The Holy Woman of the Southern Border was not supposed to leave Nanzhao Royal City; if the people of the Southern Border found out, Shu Manlin’s tenure as the Holy Woman of the Southern Border would be over.
「」
In Ruyang City, the flurry of people arriving from all directions to participate in this grand event transformed this normally obscure city in the Northwest into a bustling and noisy hub. Vendors from afar had somehow appeared on the streets, advertising various goods—from inside the border of the pass or from Xiling, Beirong, and Nanzhao—to passing pedestrians. The city’s inns, taverns, and teahouses were also fully occupied. Those entering the city daily were not just imperial envoys but also traveling merchants from various regions, knights-errant from the worldly society, and even itinerant travelers. The whole of Ruyang City exhibited unprecedented vibrancy and prosperity.
Ningxiang Pavilion, a newly established song and dance establishment in Ruyang City, had surged to the top position in less than two months. However, Ningxiang Pavilion was starkly different from ordinary brothels—the women here sold their skills, not their bodies. It was more akin to a high-class restaurant than a mere performance hall. Not only were the women here the most beautiful, but the establishment also provided the finest wine and most exquisite delicacies. You could request a woman to perform music or dance here. However, they did not accompany guests for drinks, let alone provide any other... extracurricular services. Consequently, Ningxiang Pavilion was not limited to male guests and welcomed female customers as well.
Yet, it’s human nature: the more something is forbidden or restricted, the more desirable it seems. After all, patronizing Ningxiang Pavilion to enjoy music, drinks, and admire beauties always felt more elegant than visiting a brothel. Moreover, the beauties at Ningxiang Pavilion were truly genuine. Without the heavy makeup, gaudy attire, and affected voices typical of brothels, these naturally beautiful women, with light makeup and dressed in identical, uniformly colored attire, were... serving plates in Ningxiang Pavilion. As for those who performed zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and dance, they were the cream of the crop among beauties. Forget the barren lands of the Northwest, which boasted few beauties; even scholars and poets from Jiangnan, the land of beauties, would be captivated here.
Ye Li was seated in a room on the second floor of Ningxiang Pavilion, leaning against the window, gazing out at the night scene. The entire Ruyang City was ablaze with lights, as bright as day. Directly opposite Ningxiang Pavilion, a high platform had been erected, seemingly for some kind of arena challenge. The people downstairs were bustling about, appearing even more lively than during the daytime.
Yaoji, dressed in a red silk robe, entered. Her original stunning beauty was about seventy to eighty percent restored; though not as breathtakingly glamorous as before, she exuded a gentler, more captivating charm. Leaning against the door, she smiled and asked, "Why has the Princess Consort come out so late?"
Ye Li smiled faintly. "I was idle, so I came out for a look. You’re managing Ningxiang Pavilion quite well."
Yaoji pouted. "It is doing well. I must thank the Princess Consort for her compassion. Otherwise, it would be a pity for so many beauties in Ningxiang Pavilion to fall into the dust."
Ye Li looked at her with a faint smile and said, "Who said beautiful women can only run brothels? Tianyi Pavilion has plenty of brothels under its name; there is no need to open another. Besides, the earnings from Ningxiang Pavilion might not necessarily be less than your Qingcheng Workshop, eh?"
Yaoji nodded and laughed, "What the Princess Consort said is absolutely correct." The high cost of consumption at Ningxiang Pavilion made even Yaoji, who had once managed the top brothel in the Capital City, click her tongue in astonishment. However, business here had been quite prosperous recently, and in less than half a month, they had earned coffers full of gold and silver. So, a certain saying is indeed true: people... are just contrary by nature! 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺
"Remember, if men want female companionship, tell them to go to those brothels themselves. Ningxiang Pavilion only provides the most gorgeous wine, the best cuisine, the most pleasing music, the most exquisite dances, and the most exciting talent shows—nothing else!" Ye Li instructed while observing the situation downstairs.
Yaoji nodded, "I understand. Speaking of which... today, Prince Li, the Seventh Prince of Beirong, and the Heir of the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling all came to Ningxiang Pavilion."
Ye Li laughed and said, "Ningxiang Pavilion has risen too quickly; it would be strange if they didn’t come. Just ignore them and treat them as you would any other guest."
Yaoji covered her mouth and laughed, "I now believe what the Princess Consort said, that Ningxiang Pavilion exists to make money. However, once the commotion of these days ends and these people leave, what will happen..."
Ye Li chuckled. "Rest assured, many of those who came this time will stay, and more will come after. This will require Ningxiang Pavilion to put in effort, to tell those rich people the benefits of settling and doing business in Ruyang City..."
"I understand." Yaoji walked to the window, curiously following Ye Li’s gaze outside. "What is the Princess Consort looking at?"
Ye Li pointed to the arena platform not far across the street, asking, "What is happening over there?"
Yaoji laughed, "They’re holding an arena challenge. Not only are there many businessmen in Ruyang these days, but a considerable number of nobles, young masters, and knights-errant from the worldly society are here as well. The arena challenge has been set up for two days. However, the current champion of the arena seems to be from Beirong. The prize for winning is a precious, jewel-encrusted sword so sharp it can sever a falling hair. Each attempt costs fifty taels of silver, and in these two days, the champion has earned quite a sum." In comparison to a sword studded with jewels, fifty taels of silver didn’t amount to much. But if no one could win, then the champion would earn fifty taels of silver for each attempt without any outlay for the prize itself—an amount more than sufficient for an average household to live on for two to three years.
Ye Li was curious, "What kind of challenge is it that’s so difficult?"
Yaoji said, "Archery."
"Archery?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise. It seemed this arena champion from Beirong was very confident in his archery skills. After all, what kind of place was Ruyang right now? It was where the Mo Family Army was garrisoned. Half of the Mo Family Army’s elite Black Cloud Cavalry were stationed outside Ruyang City, and every one of them was a sharpshooter, one in a hundred.
Yaoji, looking outside, suddenly smiled and said, "Princess Consort, are those young men part of your Mo Family Army?"
Ye Li looked out and saw several young officers already making their way to the front of the crowd. Indeed, it was Yun Ting and a young officer named Chen Yun, who had previously interacted with Ye Li in the Mo Family Army camp. It seemed the two of them had a pretty good relationship now. Ye Li stood up and said with a smile, "Let’s go. We’ll go and see what’s so marvelous about this Beirong sharpshooter’s skill."
Yaoji laughed, "In that case, I will go join in the fun too. After you, Princess Consort."
