Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 214 - 213. Martial Arts Betting Game
213. Martial Duel Bet
Mo Xiuyao entered the hall, an icy aura clinging to him. He regarded the Southern Garrison Prince before him with contempt, undisguised killing intent glinting in his cold eyes.
Naturally, the position of Prime Minister of the Xiling Kingdom was not an empty title. Regardless of the country, the title of Prime Minister was indeed extremely influential, standing just below the ruler and above the masses. The situation, however, shifted during the era of this Southern Garrison Prince. The former Prime Minister of Xiling was a loyal follower of the former Xiling Emperor, thus naturally loyal to the reigning emperor whom the former Emperor had designated. In his early years, he had often frustrated the Southern Garrison Prince. The Xiling Emperor, though perhaps not as brilliant as the Southern Garrison Prince, understood that the Prime Minister was his own man. Thus, he offered much protection in matters of the court, leading to many years of frustration for the Southern Garrison Prince. It wasn’t until recent years that the old Prime Minister, who had served two dynasties, was finally worn out and passed away. The few Prime Ministers appointed after him, however, were mere puppets, unable to make any decisions of consequence. So, when the Southern Garrison Prince now spoke of treating Ye Li with the honors due to a Prime Minister, it was a statement that those in the know found particularly intriguing.
Xu Qingchen followed Mo Xiuyao in. Seeing the Southern Garrison Prince and Lei Tengfeng, he merely quirked an eyebrow and smiled faintly at Ye Li. Ye Li offered a helpless smile and gestured for someone to serve Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen tea.
Lei Tengfeng observed Xu Qingchen for a moment before chuckling, "Young Master Qingchen, long time no see. You seem even more magnificent than before."
Xu Qingchen smiled serenely, as if untouched by worldly dust. "Heir Lei is too kind. It hasn’t been that long; didn’t we meet in the south last year?"
Lei Tengfeng’s eyes darkened slightly, though he laughed. "It seems my memory failed me." Last year in the south, Xu Qingchen had caused him no small amount of trouble. Naturally, Lei Tengfeng would not underestimate this seemingly free-spirited young man whom the people of Great Chu hailed as the foremost young master under heaven.
While one side maintained a peaceful facade, the other was far less courteous. Mo Xiuyao casually sat beside Ye Li, reclining lazily in his chair. He glanced indolently at the Southern Garrison Prince seated further down and asked, "To what do we owe the honor of the Southern Garrison Prince’s visit?"
Ye Li quietly explained the purpose of the Southern Garrison Prince’s visit. Everyone else in the hall fell silent, awaiting Mo Xiuyao’s response. After all, in the Northwest, and especially in Prince Ding’s Mansion, Mo Xiuyao had the final say. If he disagreed, any further words would be futile.
A cruel smile bloomed on Mo Xiuyao’s cold, sharp features as he looked at the Southern Garrison Prince and chuckled, "Didn’t the Southern Garrison Prince mention wanting to spar with me earlier? As it happens, I am free today. As long as the Southern Garrison Prince can defeat me, anything can be discussed!"
Everyone was taken aback; no one had expected Mo Xiuyao to pick a fight with the Southern Garrison Prince at this moment. Lei Tengfeng frowned and began, "Prince Ding, at this time..."
Mo Xiuyao cut him off with a smile. "Heir Lei, rest assured, I definitely won’t bully the Southern Garrison Prince for having only one hand. At worst, I too shall use only one hand to face the Southern Garrison Prince."
At these words, an instant chill permeated the hall. The Southern Garrison Prince, his face grim, glared at Mo Xiuyao and said coldly, "Prince Ding, you are far too arrogant. Do you truly possess the ability to face me with a single hand?"
Everyone knew the Southern Garrison Prince’s left arm was a taboo subject. It represented the most tragic failure of his life: not only was his undefeated record shattered, but his personal guard was almost entirely wiped out just to rescue him. Even so, he paid the price of an arm to escape from Mo Liufang. And now, the one taunting him was Mo Liufang’s son, making it all the more unbearable.
Mo Xiuyao, however, paid no heed to the Southern Garrison Prince’s fury, remarking nonchalantly, "It should be somewhat easier than waiting for the Southern Garrison Prince to regrow an arm, wouldn’t you agree?"
"Insolent whelp!" The Southern Garrison Prince, incensed, slammed his right hand on the armrest, launched himself into the air, and shot a palm strike towards Mo Xiuyao.
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, flicked his sleeve, pulled Ye Li into his embrace with one arm to dodge the attack, and whisked her outside. By the time the Southern Garrison Prince and the others pursued them out, Mo Xiuyao had already landed with Ye Li. He even had the leisure to gently smooth down her wind-tousled hair before he turned to face the Southern Garrison Prince, took two steps forward, and said calmly, "After you."
The Southern Garrison Prince snorted coldly and lunged at Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao did not evade but surged forward to meet him. The two began to exchange blows in the courtyard just outside the main hall. This development naturally drew a crowd from Prince Ding’s Mansion. Those who rushed over upon hearing the commotion all wore unfriendly expressions as they stared at the fighting Southern Garrison Prince and Lei Tengfeng, who was watching from the side. Feng Zhiyao, ever the agent provocateur, stood beside Ye Li and said cheerfully, "Your Highness, has our Prince’s skill improved yet again? Prince Ding challenging Xiling’s foremost expert with a single hand—once this news spreads, imagine how many will bow in admiration of our Prince’s might!"
The people present all had keen ears and sharp eyes, and they heard Feng Zhiyao’s words clearly. Looking at the duel, they saw that Prince Ding was indeed using only one hand, his other kept behind his back, not moving an inch. The Southern Garrison Prince obviously heard this as well; his expression grew darker, and his attacks became even fiercer.
While one hand against one hand might sound fair, there weren’t that many genuine fools in the world. The Southern Garrison Prince had been disabled for over a decade and had long grown accustomed to using a single hand. Prince Ding, on the other hand, had always used two. Suddenly restricting himself to one would absolutely diminish his combat strength. Consequently, whether the Southern Garrison Prince won or lost this bout, it wouldn’t be a glorious outcome for him.
Although Prince Ding’s Mansion maintained strict rules, the idle onlookers watching their Prince duel the Southern Garrison Prince had already started placing wagers on the outcome. The betting, however, was a bit skewed. Everyone was betting on their own Prince to win. This meant that if he lost, no one would have to pay out, but if he won, no one would make any money either. The wagers simply couldn’t get off the ground.
Feng Zhiyao approached Lei Tengfeng with a beaming smile. "Heir Lei, care to place a bet? Who do you think will win, our Prince or your Axe King?"
Lei Tengfeng merely glanced at him, naturally not deigning to answer such a question. Feng Zhiyao, unperturbed by his indifference, turned to Ye Li. "What do you think, Your Highness?"
Ye Li was completely engrossed in the battle before her and had no mind for Feng Zhiyao’s teasing. Truth be told, this was the first time she had witnessed a true contest between members of the Four Great Experts. The others were also watching intently; after all, such a confrontation was not a common spectacle. For martial practitioners, observing such a high-level duel was immensely beneficial for their own cultivation.
The only one present who showed no interest in the proceedings was Young Master Qingchen. Though Young Master Qingchen was a man of extraordinary talent, he was, alas, completely ignorant in the way of martial arts. Given his refinement and knowledge, he naturally had little interest in mere spectating. Seeing the crowd captivated by the duel, Young Master Qingchen could only slip away quietly and return to his study to attend to his affairs.
The fight lasted for almost four hours, and the initial wagers quickly spread from Prince Ding’s Mansion throughout Ruyang City. Han Mingxi, hearing the news, rushed over to act as bookmaker. He even arranged for people to continuously announce the real-time progress of the duel to the outside world, concurrently refreshing the betting odds. The citizens of Ruyang City naturally supported their Prince without hesitation, but supporters of the Southern Garrison Prince were not in short supply either. Although their numbers were fewer than those backing Prince Ding, those betting on him were influential figures from various nations, so the sums wagered were naturally substantial. Thus, for a time, the wagers on both sides appeared evenly matched.
In the courtyard of Prince Ding’s Mansion, two figures, exchanging blows at lightning speed, sometimes separated, sometimes merged. Their speed was so great it was almost impossible to clearly see their moves. After another clash of palms, the two separated, each retreating several steps. The Southern Garrison Prince’s expression was hard to read; his originally magnificent sleeves were tattered and uneven, shredded by fierce palm winds. Mo Xiuyao’s head was slightly lowered, his face a little pale. A strand of his silver-white hair, severed by a palm wind, drifted down before his eyes.
The Southern Garrison Prince sneered, "Mo Xiuyao, do you really think you can defeat this prince with a single hand?"
Mo Xiuyao lifted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips as he replied, "Why don’t you try and see whether this prince can sever your other arm as well?"
"Insolent whelp!" the Southern Garrison Prince rebuked furiously and unleashed a palm strike. The force of the blow surged towards Mo Xiuyao like a mountain-toppling, sea-overturning wave. Mo Xiuyao’s figure spun, spiraling upwards like a drill, then, in mid-air, he twisted at an unnatural angle, aiming straight for the Southern Garrison Prince’s right arm.
"Father, be careful!" Lei Tengfeng cried out in alarm.
The Southern Garrison Prince snorted coldly and unleashed a continuous barrage of swift palm strikes, successfully thwarting Mo Xiuyao’s attack. The two once again engaged in a fierce back-and-forth.
Ye Li did not witness the end of this contest. As the sun began to set, Ye Li rose and returned to her chambers to look after her precious son. In any case, here in Prince Ding’s Mansion, even if Mo Xiuyao couldn’t defeat the Southern Garrison Prince, the Southern Garrison Prince definitely couldn’t harm him either.
When Ye Li returned to her room, Mo Xiaobao was indeed awake and crying his lungs out in the wet nurse’s arms. Because Ye Li wasn’t fond of wet nurses raising the child, Mo Xiaobao, apart from feeding times, also disliked being held by them. Even the two Madams from the Xu Family were more favored by Mo Xiaobao than the wet nurses. By the time Ye Li returned, the two wet nurses were sweating profusely, having been thoroughly tormented by Mo Xiaobao.
She walked over and took him into her arms. Mo Xiaobao’s large, tear-filled eyes gazed at his mother; he sniffled, nuzzled into Ye Li’s embrace, and promptly became drowsy.
Ye Li watched her little bun with amusement. She wondered if such a tiny thing could truly recognize people, but it was evident that the little baby recognized both her and Mo Xiuyao. The proof was that no matter how fiercely Mo Xiaobao cried, he would absolutely stop the moment he was in her hands. Similarly, no matter how happily he was cooing, as long as he was awake and ended up in Mo Xiuyao’s hands, he would invariably cry up a storm. It made Ye Li marvel where a mere one-month-old baby found so much energy and so many tears.
Just as she was lulling Mo Xiaobao to sleep, a maidservant from outside announced that First Madam Xu, Second Madam Xu, and Miss Qin had come to visit. Ye Li quickly had them shown in.
"First Aunt, Second Aunt, Sister Zheng’er, what brings you here at this hour?" Ye Li came out holding Mo Xiaobao and asked with a smile.
First Madam Xu smiled. "We heard a fight broke out in the front courtyard?"
Although the Xu Family wasn’t overly conservative, female family members generally didn’t frequent the front courtyard. This was especially true now that Qin Zheng was preparing for her marriage, and both Xu Madams were busy with wedding arrangements.
Ye Li smiled. "Aunts, please don’t worry. The Prince and the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling are just sparring for fun."
Even as female relatives, they had heard of the Southern Garrison Prince’s reputation, so how could they not be worried? So they sat in the flower hall, chatting with Ye Li while waiting for news.
It wasn’t until the sky had completely darkened that Qingluan ran back, smiling. "Your Highness, the fight in the front courtyard has ended."
Ye Li raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Who won?"
Qingluan, fiddling with the end of her braid, looked somewhat perplexed. "Well... it seems neither won nor lost. They said it was a draw. But the Southern Garrison Prince spat up a mouthful of blood at the end, so perhaps he lost?"
No winner, no loser? Then doesn’t that mean Han Mingxi won? In a draw, the house takes all.
Qingluan covered her mouth and giggled. "Perhaps so. When I was coming back just now, I saw Young Master Han grinning from ear to ear. The Prince said that after seeing off the Southern Garrison Prince and Heir Lei, he would return to dine with the Princess Consort."
Ye Li nodded with a smile. "Tell the kitchen to prepare a few of the Prince’s favorite dishes."
Qingluan acknowledged with a smile and departed.
