Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 213 - 212. Southern Garrison Prince comes for negotiation
212. Southern Garrison Prince Comes to Negotiate
Ye Li leaped off the platform with the Howling Moon Saber, only for Yun Ting to immediately rush over, eyeing it covetously. "Princess Consort, could I take a look at the saber you won?" That weapon was renowned among the Beirong. Though Great Chu boasted numerous famed swordsmiths, their craftsmanship could not compare to Xiling and Beirong in terms of crafting blades, especially Beirong. Their blades of all kinds were objects of great quality, not to mention something as famous as the Howling Moon Saber. Ye Li gave him an amused, skeptical glance. Instantly recalling the trouble he had recently caused, Yun Ting’s excitement morphed into dismay and apprehension. Ye Li thoroughly enjoyed watching his deflated expression, a satisfied smile playing on her lips as she handed over the saber. "Your archery is truly miraculous, Princess Consort; I am extremely impressed," exclaimed Chen Yun sincerely, who was standing beside Ye Li. Ever since the martial arts competition last year, he had admired this young Princess Consort. After today’s events, his respect had elevated to genuine admiration.
Ye Li laughed and said, "It’s not as mystical as you make it sound. It just took a little extra effort. On the battlefield, no one needs to spend half the night trying to shoot a copper coin off a tree. You are there to kill enemies, not to perform on a stage."
Chen Yun chuckled knowingly, understanding that the Princess Consort was comforting him. In his heart, he vowed to dedicate himself even more to mastering archery when he got back.
Chen Yun and Yun Ting resided in the military camp, and therefore their paths did not coincide with Ye Li’s. As he was about to part ways with her, Yun Ting reluctantly handed the Howling Moon Saber back to Ye Li. Seeing his longing expression, she casually tossed the saber back to him. "If you like it that much, keep it."
"Huh?" Yun Ting was flabbergasted, sheer joy lighting up his face. Chen Yun, standing next to him, rolled his eyes helplessly. Yun Ting’s pitiful, longing expression made it seem as if the Princess Consort were taking away his sweetheart rather than a mere blade. Knowing that the Princess Consort had always been exceptionally generous with her aides, Chen Yun refrained from stopping Yun Ting from making a fool of himself. When Yun Ting finally processed what had happened, he stammered cautiously, "Princess Consort... are you... are you really giving it to me?" Ye Li laughed. "I didn’t come here specifically for this blade; I just happened upon it. Besides, no one in my household fancies this type of weapon. Since you like it, it’s yours." Ye Li preferred nimble, straight-bladed daggers and military spikes over these curved sabers. Not to mention, the lavish gemstones and decorations made this blade highly impractical to carry as a weapon. Upon Ye Li’s confirmation, Yun Ting cradled the saber so gingerly, he looked as if he wanted to take a bite out of it to see if it was real. Chen Yun, standing beside him, discreetly took a step back, too embarrassed to be seen with him.
Ye Li looked at Chen Yun and laughed. "I recall that Colonel Chen is a spearman. Perhaps you will be better suited to a close-combat weapon for self-defense. I recently acquired a Cold Rhino Blade. I’ll have someone send it to you later to see if it suits your hand."
Chen Yun was overjoyed. Although the Cold Rhino Blade’s scabbard wasn’t as extravagant as the Howling Moon Saber Yun Ting held, its blade was by no means inferior. After all, they were forged by the same master. Moreover, its practicality surpassed that of the Howling Moon Saber. The latter, having been acquired by the Beirong imperial family, was so lavishly and intricately decorated that it was no longer suitable for the battlefield. The Cold Rhino Blade, however, had always retained the original simplicity and sharpness intended by its creator. "My deepest thanks, Princess Consort." Ye Li waved her hand and laughed. "No need for thanks. It’s a fortunate thing when a good weapon finds a worthy owner. I shall take my leave first. Enjoy your rare leisure; you all can take your time."
"Farewell, Princess Consort."
The spot where Ye Li and her entourage were conversing was merely a dozen steps from the platform, so her act of casually tossing the Howling Moon Saber to Yun Ting was naturally witnessed by many. Ordinary citizens naturally saw it as a sign of Princess Consort Ding’s kindness and generosity towards her subordinates. However, those who understood the underlying implications couldn’t help but feel their expressions darken.
From the Ningxiang Pavilion above, Yelv Ye and Mo Jingli simultaneously stared at the elegant figure receding into the crowd. A trace of gloom and fury flickered in Yelv Ye’s eyes. Ye Li had publicly exposed Huyan Lv’s true identity and then, after winning the Howling Moon Saber, had nonchalantly bestowed it upon a mere colonel. This was a blatant display of contempt for Beirong and for him, Yelv Ye.
The inherently proud Yelv Ye was once again thwarted by Ye Li. How could he swallow such humiliation?
Yelv Ye stood up, intending to leap from the window and pursue the figure that was gradually disappearing into the crowd. Just then, he sensed a chilling gaze, filled with undisguised killing intent, fixed upon him. Looking towards the source of the gaze, he saw a man with snow-white hair in an open window on the opposite street corner, staring at him coldly and motionlessly. Yelv Ye’s heart jolted. He forcibly suppressed the chill that ran through him and slowly sat back down. Across the way, Mo Xiuyao, seeing him sit down, raised his wine cup in a mock toast, a faint, cold smile playing on his lips. Yelv Ye snorted coldly, picked up the wine cup in front of him, and drained it in one gulp.
"Princess Consort Ding is truly a unique woman, unparalleled in this world. This little prince is deeply impressed," Yelv Hong, the Crown Prince of Beirong, said with a smile, looking at Mo Xiuyao in the quiet private room. A moment ago, everyone’s attention had been focused on the platform below; no one had noticed that the Crown Prince of Beirong and Prince Ding were observing from a private room on the second floor overlooking the street. Mo Xiuyao let out a soft hum. A hint of warmth softened his usually indifferent expression; clearly, Yelv Hong’s compliment pleased him greatly. Princess Ronghua sat beside Yelv Hong. This Commendary Princess of the imperial family, once famed for her beauty and pride in the Capital City of Great Chu, seemed to have acquired an even greater feminine gentleness and charm in the foreign land of Beirong. Princess Ronghua demurely leaned against Yelv Hong, occasionally refilling his wine cup, her slightly lowered eyes betraying a mix of complexity and bitterness.
Just two years ago, she hadn’t paid any heed to Princess Consort Ding. However, in just these two short years, the gap between them had widened to the point where she felt ashamed even to be mentioned in the same breath. Witnessing Princess Consort Ding’s calm and composed demeanor on the platform, and her archery skills that even Beirong’s finest archer would struggle to match, Princess Ronghua knew that Princess Consort Ding was someone she could never hope to rival in this lifetime.
The door to the private room was gently pushed open from the outside. Ye Li stood at the entrance with a smile. "Crown Prince Yelv, am I interrupting?"
Yelv Hong was momentarily taken aback, then quickly smiled. "Not at all. This little prince is honored by your presence, Princess Consort. Please, come in." Ye Li entered and walked to Mo Xiuyao’s side. Mo Xiuyao reached out to help her sit, then said softly, "You could have just found someone to play with him. Why did Ah-Li have to personally compete?" Ye Li chuckled. "I merely wanted to see just how skilled Beirong’s top archer truly is." Yelv Hong raised his cup and laughed. "You flatter me, Princess Consort. This little prince toasts you. Although Huyan Lv was once known as Beirong’s foremost archer, that was over a decade ago. As for the Huyan Lv of today..." Yelv Hong shook his head with a laugh. "Let’s not speak of such a dispiriting individual. Come, Princess Consort, Prince Ding, please."
Ye Li raised her wine cup and said with a light smile, "Crown Prince, please. Princess Consort, please."
「In the days leading up to the full moon celebration for the Heir of Prince Ding, Ruyang City was filled with an air of festive song and dance.」 Yet, behind this veneer of joyous peace, certain agreements and deals were being silently struck. For instance, trade agreements with Nanzhao, including the annual purchase of large quantities of medicinal herbs. Furthermore, there was the clandestine purchase of substantial amounts of grain from a certain grain merchant in Great Chu. Or the discreet agreement for temporary border stability reached with the Crown Prince of Beirong, among others. All these transactions were proceeding quietly, unbeknownst to the general populace. So, compared to the jubilant people outside, the people at Prince Ding’s Mansion were even busier than usual.
"Princess Consort, the Southern Garrison Prince and the Heir of Southern Garrison Prince seek an audience," Lin Han reported. Ye Li was enjoying a rare moment of leisure in her room with her baby. The baby, nearly a month old, was no longer as perpetually sleepy as he had been at birth. He gazed at Ye Li with wide, round eyes, his dark pupils shimmering as if veiled by a layer of moisture. Ye Li’s heart melted at the sight, feeling that no amount of affection for this little baby could ever be enough. Hearing Lin Han’s report, Ye Li frowned slightly. "Is the Prince in the mansion?" Lin Han replied, "The Prince left the city this morning with Young Master Qingchen and has not yet returned. Should we... ask the Southern Garrison Prince to return tomorrow?" Everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion harbored ill feelings towards the Southern Garrison Prince. The incident where the Princess Consort fell from the cliff, in particular, remained a sore point for individuals like Zhuo Jing and Lin Han. Naturally, they wouldn’t want Ye Li to meet the Southern Garrison Prince again.
Ye Li gently put down Mo Xiaobao and said with a faint smile, "That won’t be necessary. This is Prince Ding’s Mansion. If I were to refuse to see them, it would only make me appear timid."
Lin Han fell silent and withdrew to the doorway, awaiting Ye Li’s departure.
Shortly thereafter, Ye Li, having settled Mo Xiaobao, stepped out of her room accompanied by Qingluan and others, and made her way to the main hall.
In the main hall of Prince Ding’s Mansion, Lei Tengfeng sat calmly in a seat subordinate to the Southern Garrison Prince, observing the hall’s decor. Truthfully, Prince Ding’s Mansion in Ruyang was not as grand or magnificent as the one in the Capital of Great Chu. Having been recently renovated, it lacked the ancient, profound aura of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion in the Capital of Great Chu. Instead, it exuded more of the rugged simplicity and unconstrained atmosphere characteristic of the Northwest. The Southern Garrison Prince was also surveying the hall, though his gaze was fixed more intently on the entrance. Hearing the melodious tinkling of waist pendants from outside, the Southern Garrison Prince’s eyes grew sharper and more profound.
As Ye Li stepped into the main hall, she said with a resonant laugh, "I’ve been delayed. My apologies for keeping the Prince and the Heir waiting. Chief Steward Mo, why haven’t our guests been served tea?" Lin Han, standing beside Ye Li, glanced impassively at the Southern Garrison Prince and his son, who were sitting without tea, and replied coolly, "Princess Consort, Chief Steward Mo has gone to arrange new quarters for Mr. Qingyun." Lei Tengfeng, aware that he and his father were unwelcome in Prince Ding’s Mansion, managed a wry smile. "Princess Consort, please don’t trouble yourself." Ye Li smiled sweetly. "Propriety must be observed. The mansion has been exceptionally busy lately, so even Chief Steward Mo can be somewhat neglectful. I trust the Heir will understand. Lin Han." Lin Han nodded and went to the door to instruct the maid waiting outside to serve tea.
Once tea was served, Ye Li took a sip of her clear tea before turning to the Southern Garrison Prince with a smile. "My son’s full moon celebration is approaching, and both the Prince and I have been quite occupied. If there have been any oversights in our hospitality, I hope the Prince will not take offense."
The Southern Garrison Prince gazed at Ye Li intently for a long moment before looking away. He chuckled, "How could that be? The Princess Consort’s arrangements are most considerate; this prince feels entirely at home." Ye Li, of course, did not take the Southern Garrison Prince’s pleasantries at face value, as she hadn’t personally overseen the guest arrangements at all. Zhuo Jing and Wei Lin were known for their vindictive natures, always repaying every slight; they would hardly have arranged things to make their guests feel ’entirely at home.’ After a brief pause, Ye Li asked, "May I inquire as to the purpose of the Prince and Heir’s visit today?"
Lei Tengfeng smiled. "Indeed, there are a few minor matters this little prince wished to discuss with Prince Ding. However, my two previous requests for an audience were declined, leaving me no choice but to impose upon the Princess Consort. I hope you will forgive the intrusion." Ye Li blinked. She recalled how Mo Xiuyao would turn sullen whenever anything concerning Xiling or the Southern Garrison Prince was mentioned. It was indeed highly probable that he had rejected Lei Tengfeng’s requests for an audience. These days, Mo Xiuyao often acted capriciously, disregarding all reason. However, Ye Li felt no displeasure at this. She knew in her heart that Mo Xiuyao’s disrespectful and rude behavior towards the people of Xiling stemmed not only from the current animosity between the Northwest and Xiling but, more significantly, because of her. It was common for nations to fight to the death, only to act cordially at the negotiation table later, feigning long-standing friendship. After all, between nations, there were no permanent enemies or friends. Personal grievances, however, were far more likely to fester and be remembered.
Smiling at Lei Tengfeng, Ye Li said without a trace of apology, "Xiuyao has been overwhelmed with matters lately. I hope the Heir understands."
Lei Tengfeng had no choice but to understand. When Ye Li then said, "If the Heir has any matters, you can discuss them with me as well," Lei Tengfeng glanced at his father, who seemed lost in thought, before smiling. "Actually, it’s nothing of great importance. This little prince happened to hear that Prince Ding has reached trade agreements with both Beirong and Nanzhao..." Ye Li raised an eyebrow. The word ’happened’ was certainly an interesting choice. Xiling must have numerous spies planted in various states to ’happen’ upon such information. She waited calmly for Lei Tengfeng to finish his sentence. Lei Tengfeng felt rather helpless. He truly disliked conversing with Ye Li. After a few encounters, it was difficult to treat her as an ordinary woman. One could rarely discern any surprising emotion from her eyes or expression; she always appeared like a gentle, harmless lady from a noble family. You could never detect emotions like curiosity, surprise, or worry on her face. This placed an unimaginable pressure on her negotiating counterpart, as one could never ascertain her bottom line. Perhaps her limit was only a hair’s breadth away from yours, yet she gave the impression that it was still miles distant.
This wasn’t the first time Lei Tengfeng had felt this frustration. After a moment of internal discomfort, he dismissed it. He continued, "The Princess Consort should be aware that our country engages in numerous transactions and exchanges with both East Chu and Nanzhao annually. Many of these goods must pass through the Northwest." Although Xiling is vast, it is, in fact, a nation deficient in resources and must import many goods. Of course, Xiling follows a policy of plundering when possible, but there are always certain items that cannot be obtained in sufficient quantities, or at all, through such means. For instance, the silks and satins favored by the Xiling imperial family, as well as tea and porcelain, all need to be purchased from Nanzhao and Great Chu—items that the smaller nations to the west do not possess. Moreover, at heart, the people of Xiling, sharing a common ancestry with the people of Great Chu, are generally more accustomed to products from Great Chu. And since the Northwest controls the vital transportation routes between Great Chu and Xiling, these goods must pass through the Northwest to reach Xiling. As for the southwestern routes, an ancient saying goes, ’The roads to Shu are more difficult to traverse than scaling the heavens.’ Merely entering Shu is exceedingly difficult, let alone guiding a trade caravan back to Xiling through treacherous mountains and over perilous waters. Setting aside the circuitousness of the route, the inherent dangers and rampant banditry are enough to deter most merchants.
Ye Li smiled faintly. From Lei Tengfeng’s first sentence, she had understood their purpose for coming today. In fact, Prince Ding’s Mansion had been anticipating their visit. Ye Li simply hadn’t expected that it wasn’t the Xiling envoys trying to play hard to get and stall for time, but rather Mo Xiuyao who had given them the cold shoulder. She gently placed her teacup back on the table, leaned back in her chair, and turned her head to look at Lei Tengfeng. "I understand the Heir’s meaning. Opening the trade routes for commerce between our two nations would naturally be a good thing. However... what benefit would this bring to our Northwest?" In other words, why should our Mo Family Army allow Xiling’s merchant caravans to pass through?
Lei Tengfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly. He chuckled, "Even in times of war, trade between nations is not forbidden. Unimpeded commerce has always been a consensus reached by our country, East Chu, Beirong, and Nanzhao. Princess Consort, your words are rather perplexing."
Ye Li lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. "If that is the case, Xiling’s merchant caravans may pass through the Northwest as they please. Why then would the Heir need to specifically consult this consort?"
Lei Tengfeng was struck speechless. This so-called consensus, when it came to actual implementation, was often nothing more than a worthless piece of paper. Trade routes were long and fraught with incidents; who could say when bandits might appear, or accidents occur? For at least the past year, and especially in the last six months, merchant caravans traveling from Xiling to Great Chu had become even scarcer than during wartime. As a result, the prices of many goods in Xiling’s imperial capital remained exorbitant.
They then heard Ye Li say calmly, "This consort finds the Heir’s assertion that commerce is not prohibited during wartime rather questionable. If two nations are at war, they naturally wish to drive the other to ruin. At such a time, would Great Chu still agree to sell silks and grain to Xiling? Would they consent to Nanzhao’s medicinal herbs being transported through Great Chu to Xiling? Furthermore, even if these points were immaterial, how would the Heir distinguish between genuine merchants and spies among those flocking in during wartime?" Lei Tengfeng was stunned for a moment, then sighed helplessly and looked towards his father, the Southern Garrison Prince, who had been listening to their exchange in silence.
Only then did the Southern Garrison Prince raise his head, his gaze fixed on Ye Li. "What conditions does Princess Consort Ding propose?"
Ye Li smiled and waved to Lin Han behind her. Lin Han efficiently produced two petitions and handed one to the Southern Garrison Prince and one to Lei Tengfeng.
The Southern Garrison Prince accepted the petition, glanced at Ye Li with a puzzled expression, and then opened it. After some time, he looked up and asked, "According to the Princess Consort’s terms, what benefits would Xiling gain?" Ye Li smiled faintly. "Since the Northwest can accommodate trade from all nations, naturally, Xiling cannot be treated differently. Thus, the concerns raised by the Southern Garrison Prince and the Heir would naturally be resolved, would they not?"
The Southern Garrison Prince frowned and said gravely, "This prince needs time to consider."
Ye Li smiled. "Naturally. The Prince and the Heir may provide their answer before departing Ruyang."
The Southern Garrison Prince folded the petition, rose, and looked at Ye Li. "Is the Princess Consort truly unwilling to reconsider this prince’s earlier proposal? If the Princess Consort were willing to come to Xiling, this prince would accord you the honors due to a Prime Minister."
Ye Li was taken aback, then couldn’t help but chuckle. Just as she was about to reply, Mo Xiuyao’s cold voice drifted in from outside the door. "Many thanks for the Southern Garrison Prince’s kind offer, but this Prince’s beloved consort has no need for the position of Prime Minister in Xiling. Besides, who doesn’t know that the rank of Prime Minister in Xiling is merely a titular one!"
