Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 218 - 217. The Resentment of the Sick Scholar
217. The Resentment of the Ill Scholar
The news of the Mo Family Army’s break from Great Chu spread like wildfire in an alarmingly short period throughout the entire Great Chu and the surrounding countries. The enormity of its impact was something Mo Jingqi had not anticipated. Not only were the deceived common people and literati extremely displeased with the imperial court, but even the princes stationed across different regions began to grow restless. This was not to mention the increasingly frequent military maneuvers by neighboring countries. Aside from the Beirong in the north, who were eager to advance, even some small northern tribes began to sporadically instigate provocations at the border. While the monarch and officials in the Capital of Great Chu might still be cursing in rage, the common people of the various border regions of Great Chu had already experienced firsthand what it meant to lose the Mo Family Army.
"Mo Xiuyao! Good job, Mo Xiuyao... Well done, Prince Ding’s Mansion! Someday, I will execute your entire family!" In his study, Mo Jingqi was frantically smashing the furnishings. This time, Mo Xiuyao had left him completely powerless to retaliate. Mo Xiuyao dropping such a bombshell at his son’s full moon celebration meant that by the time the news reached the Capital of Great Chu, it had practically spread throughout the world. Mo Jingqi could forget about any refutation or countermeasures. Every day when the imperial court was in session, countless scholars would collectively submit petitions. And these petitions were more like interrogations than actual submissions. The evidence from the Northwest was concrete and its reasoning clear, making any attempt at defense on his part seem weak and ineffective. Every day, the sight of a petition made Mo Jingqi’s head throb. And these scholars and common people, in their anger at being deceived by the monarch and their anxiety over losing the Mo Family Army, seemed to collectively forget the grave implications of Prince Ding’s Mansion announcing its separation from Great Chu.
"Guards! Convey my decree: immediately assemble five hundred thousand troops to suppress the rebel Mo Xiuyao!" Mo Jingqi shouted in blinding fury. Now, he refused to think about anything else; he only wanted to exterminate the Mo Family Army and execute every member of Prince Ding’s Mansion, leaving no survivors, to appease his hatred.
Prime Minister Liu, standing in the corner, frowned at Mo Jingqi’s frenzied state. He hesitated before advising, "Your Majesty, the Beirong are eyeing our borders greedily, and disturbances are occurring at the southwestern border shared with Xiling. Moreover... Prince Ding..." Before he could finish, Mo Jingqi interrupted him, "It’s the rebel Mo Xiuyao!" Prime Minister Liu nodded. "Mo Xiuyao has stationed two hundred thousand Mo Family Army troops at Feihong Pass. If we wish to advance... it will not be easy. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!" There were at least four hundred thousand Mo Family Army troops within the Northwest borders. Although Great Chu’s army was several times larger, few of its units could actually contend with the Mo Family Army. If they wanted to pacify the Northwest, Great Chu would have to be prepared to gamble the entire nation. But by any measure, it clearly wasn’t worth the risk.
Mo Jingqi knew this all too well. And this understanding only fueled his rage. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Get out! Everyone, get out!" Mo Jingqi roared. He grabbed something from his desk and threw it. Prime Minister Liu, an elderly man, dodged the incoming inkstone but was still startled. After a glance at Mo Jingqi, who was leaning against his desk, his face a mask of rage and gloom, Prime Minister Liu’s eyes narrowed slightly before he quickly retreated.
「In Prince Ding’s Mansion,」
Ye Li picked up the letter sent by Zhuo Jing and raised her eyebrows. The letter was from Tan Jizhi, naturally reminding Ye Li that it was time to release Shu Manlin, who they had imprisoned for a long time. Even though both Shen Yang and Doctor Lin had confirmed that the Bilo flower retrieved from the Capital of Great Chu was genuine, Ye Li unconcernedly kept Shu Manlin imprisoned, not releasing her before the antidote was developed. Zhuo Jing asked, "Princess Consort, should we reply?" Ye Li smiled as she neatly folded the letter. "Tell Tan Jizhi it’s not that I refuse to release her, but Princess Anxi of Nanzhao is currently a guest in Licheng. If she were to learn that the Holy Woman of the Southern Border is here, it wouldn’t be good. Ask him to wait a little longer. As soon as Princess Anxi leaves the Northwest, I will release Shu Manlin immediately. Assure him, we have not mistreated her these past few months."
Zhuo Jing nodded. After a moment’s thought, he asked, "Recently, various forces have been covertly active in the Northwest; even our Mansion hasn’t been spared. Should we leak the information about the jade seal of state?"
Ye Li nodded in agreement, grinning. "Otherwise, why would I want Tan Jizhi tied up in the Northwest? Spread the word: Tan Jizhi’s identity, the whereabouts of the jade seal of state, and... that he’s in the Northwest right now precisely to retrieve the jade seal of state and the treasure. Since he was the one who leaked this information initially, let him reap what he sows." Zhuo Jing chuckled, "The Princess Consort is wise." Seeing others suffer truly does make one happy.
"Princess Consort, there’s one more thing... The sick scholar of the King of Hell Pavilion has appeared in the Northwest. He entered the city early this morning and is staying at an inn." After concluding the matter concerning Tan Jizhi, Zhuo Jing shifted the topic. The sick scholar was definitely a high-priority target for surveillance by Prince Ding’s Mansion, owing to both his character and his vendetta against the Mansion. If not for the sake of Ling Tiehan and the friendship between Ling Tiehan and Xu Qingchen, Ye Li would not hesitate to strike first and kill this man.
"Have him watched. Also, inform Ling Tiehan that if the sick scholar dares to cause any trouble in Licheng, he shouldn’t blame this princess consort for not showing deference to the Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion." Zhuo Jing acknowledged and departed. Ye Li frowned. The Bilo flower brought back from the Capital of Great Chu has been here for over half a month. Shen Yang and Doctor Lin have been studying it behind closed doors daily, but there’s no telling when they’ll make a breakthrough. Although Mo Xiuyao didn’t outwardly show any signs of discomfort, Ye Li knew that with such potent toxins and old wounds in his body, he definitely wasn’t feeling well. After some thought, Ye Li got up and headed towards the courtyard where Shen Yang and Doctor Lin lived.
As she entered, she heard Shen Yang and Doctor Lin arguing endlessly. Shen Yang usually maintained a scholarly demeanor, rarely arguing in such an ungentlemanly fashion or engaging in frivolous quarrels. Doctor Lin had an eccentric personality, but even after several months of acquaintance, Ye Li had never seen him look so ready to roll up his sleeves and fight. Stepping into the courtyard, Ye Li laughed, "Mr. Shen, Doctor Lin, what’s troubling you both?" Shen Yang snorted, tilting his chin arrogantly. "I, the Divine Doctor, do not stoop to the level of a common country bumpkin." Doctor Lin, not to be outdone, returned a disdainful look. "It’s this country bumpkin who doesn’t want to sink to your level! You call yourself a Divine Doctor when you’re so rigid? Haven’t you killed your fair share of patients over the years?"
Shen Yang flew into a rage, leaping up. "Old Lin! Don’t think I won’t strike you just because you’re old! You dare slander my medical ethics!" Doctor Lin sneered, "Afraid of you? How was that bout of diarrhea yesterday?"
Ye Li couldn’t help but groan, covering her face. There’s a saying: one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. This courtyard obviously couldn’t accommodate two Divine Doctors either. How had they reached the point of drugging each other after only a few months? She quickly intervened, pulling back the two who were about to fight. "Mr. Shen, your composure, please! Doctor Lin... calm down, calm down. Let’s discuss this civilly." Doctor Lin snorted, glanced contemptuously at Shen Yang, "For the sake of Princess Consort Ding, I won’t bother with you." Shen Yang harrumphed even louder, brushed his sleeves, and resumed his scholarly air. "To what do we owe the honor of the Princess Consort’s visit?" Ye Li was speechless. If I hadn’t come, would you two have actually tried to kill each other?
Actually, Ye Li was completely overthinking. Lately, the two frequently disagreed, and the servants in the courtyard had long grown accustomed to their bickering. Whenever they saw the two Divine Doctors start to argue, they would immediately retreat to a safe distance to avoid getting caught in the crossfire. Despite this, no one had actually seen either of them harm the other.
The three sat down. Shen Yang looked at Ye Li and said, "I believe I know why the Princess Consort has come." Ye Li nodded and smiled lightly. "Then I presume Mr. Shen and Doctor Lin have made some progress?" Shen Yang and Doctor Lin exchanged a glance, both sighing. Their daily arguments stemmed from disagreements regarding the progress they had made, as neither could convince the other. The ancient formula for the Bilo flower had been lost for nearly a thousand years, and the recipe was incredibly complex, with many ambiguous passages. Any mistake could have dire consequences. After hearing Shen Yang’s words, Ye Li remained silent for a moment. She understood that not everything could be resolved so easily. Moreover, the Bilo flower wasn’t a common herb; they couldn’t afford to experiment with it.
"What are Mr. Shen and Doctor Lin’s opinions?" Ye Li asked, hiding a flicker of disappointment in her heart.
Shen Yang looked at Ye Li with admiration. "The more conservative approach involves using the Bilo flower to prepare a medicine that can temporarily suppress the fire-cold dual toxins in the Prince’s body. This could keep him safe for several years." Ye Li shook her head, rejecting Shen Yang’s proposal. Anyone with foresight could see that the days ahead would not be peaceful. If Mo Xiuyao’s health were to fail then, it would almost be preferable for the Mo Family Army and everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion to perish now. Besides, where in the world could they find another Bilo flower? After a long pause, Ye Li said, "The Prince is in no immediate danger for now. I must ask you both to continue your research." In truth, both doctors were equally skeptical of the conservative treatment; they simply dared not gamble with Mo Xiuyao’s life. Hearing Ye Li’s decision, they naturally agreed.
Upon leaving Shen Yang’s courtyard, Ye Li felt rather gloomy. Strolling along the corridor, she suddenly stopped and said in a low voice, "Qin Feng, bring the sick scholar here. This princess consort wishes to see him."
"Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate obeys."
The sick scholar’s skill with poisons was unparalleled, but due to his physical condition, his martial arts were unremarkable. Since Qin Feng knew his particular skills and weaknesses, it was not difficult for Qilin to ’invite’ someone for a visit.
「In the Flower Hall,」
Ye Li, leading her attendants, walked into the Flower Hall and smiled at the sallow-faced, sullen young man seated there. The sick scholar turned at her voice, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the composed woman in green, a malicious glint in his gaze. "COUGH, COUGH... Princess Consort Ding? Indeed, it has been a long time. What? Hasn’t Mo Xiuyao kicked the bucket yet?" Ye Li remained unruffled and smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Third Pavilion Master. The Prince is doing quite well. Otherwise, why would you have troubled yourself to travel all the way from Xiling to Licheng?" The sick scholar coldly gazed at her, "Is the Bilo flower in your hands?" He had clashed countless times with the people Ye Li sent in pursuit of the Bilo flower’s whereabouts. Unexpectedly, in the end, the flower had fallen into Ye Li’s hands first. Ye Li lowered her gaze, responded calmly, "Did Mo Jingqi or Tan Jizhi tell you?"
The sick scholar raised an eyebrow. Ye Li chuckled softly. "When Third Feng returned from the Capital City, she mentioned being pursued by individuals suspected to be from the King of Hell Pavilion. I guessed then that it wouldn’t be long before I met you, Third Pavilion Master. However..." Ye Li’s tone shifted, her calm eyes acquiring a frosty glint. "Third Pavilion Master, you dare to venture into Licheng alone. Do you hold Prince Ding’s Mansion and myself in such low regard, or do you believe I wouldn’t dare touch you out of consideration for Pavilion Master Ling?"
At the mention of Ling Tiehan, the sick scholar’s expression darkened. He sneered. "This young master doesn’t need you to consider my elder brother’s face! Didn’t you invite me here to ask for my help? I hear the Divine Doctor Shen Yang has resided in Prince Ding’s Mansion for years. Has he managed to decipher the Bilo flower formula yet?" Ye Li’s lips curled into a faint smile and she nodded in acknowledgment, "Third Pavilion Master, you are correct, I did indeed invite you here for the formula of the Bilo flower." A malicious grin spread across the sick scholar’s sullen face. "Dream on. You think I’ll save Mo Xiuyao? Once I’ve perfected the Bilo Road to Hell, I’ll be sure to let Mo Xiuyao have a taste!"
Ye Li sat calmly in her chair, watching him, her expression unmoved. The sick scholar gave Ye Li a curious look and asked, "You are indeed an odd woman. Are you really Mo Xiuyao’s woman?"
Ye Li’s brows rose slightly, looking at him quizzically. The sick scholar studied Ye Li for a moment, then asked, "Without the ancient formula for the Bilo flower, Mo Xiuyao is doomed. Aren’t you worried in the slightest? You didn’t even get angry hearing me say that? Ah... I remember now. You reacted the same way in the Southern Border when I told you. You didn’t betray a hint of emotion. Even Mo Xiuyao himself probably couldn’t maintain such composure." Hearing this, Ye Li gave a wry smile internally. She wasn’t truly composed; she was forcing herself to appear so because she had no other choice. In fact, she desperately wanted to give the man before her a sound thrashing. Unfortunately, she couldn’t!
The sick scholar looked Ye Li up and down. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled. "Alright, if you truly want to save Mo Xiuyao, there is a way. From now on, you serve me. If you serve me, this young master might generously spare Mo Xiuyao’s little life." Ye Li blinked and asked calmly, "Serve you? What would you have me do, Third Pavilion Master?" The sick scholar glanced at her disdainfully and sneered, "You don’t think this young master has taken a fancy to you, do you? Given your status, you might pass as a servant girl to pour my tea. How about it?"
Standing behind Ye Li, Qin Feng’s expression had already darkened, and he stepped forward, ready to act. Ye Li raised her hand, stopping him. She looked at the sick scholar calmly. "Third Pavilion Master, I have a rather unfortunate habit. If I’m unhappy, I make sure others become even unhappier than I am. So... if my husband were to die..." The sick scholar laughed scornfully. "Princess Consort, are you threatening to kill my wife? My apologies, but this young master isn’t married yet." Ye Li smiled faintly, continuing where she was interrupted, "...then I will ensure other people’s entire families die. Not just your relatives, but everyone you know—this princess consort can eliminate them all, down to the last one."
"Such arrogance!" The sick scholar’s eye twitched, and he spoke coldly. Did this woman think that the King of Hell Pavilion—renowned as the world’s foremost assassin organization, one that even Xiling’s imperial family doesn’t take lightly—could be swayed by her words alone? Or did she take him, the Third Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion, for an inexperienced child who could be easily intimidated into submission? Ye Li smiled. "Even if the Third Pavilion Master doubts my abilities, he shouldn’t doubt the capabilities of the Black Cloud Cavalry and Qilin. Or has the Third Pavilion Master opposed Prince Ding’s Mansion for so many years without ever truly assessing his opponent’s strength? I fail to understand what deep-seated hatred you harbor for our Prince that makes you so reckless. Setting other matters aside, without the Bilo flower’s ancient formula, and with your body on the verge of collapse at any moment, how do you intend to seek revenge? It seems to this princess consort that your complexion and constitution are far worse than when we met in the Southern Border. I wonder who will succumb first: our Prince to his poison, or you to your illness?"
The sick scholar’s face twisted with resentment as he glared at Ye Li. His childhood was filled with hardships, twisting his nature into one that sought revenge for the slightest offense. Truthfully, he held no profound grudge against Mo Xiuyao, yet he undoubtedly ranked among the top three individuals who despised Mo Xiuyao most fiercely. This was because Mo Xiuyao had once crippled most of his martial abilities and inflicted severe internal injuries to his heart meridians. Consequently, his martial arts could no longer progress, and his body became the sickly wreck it was today. Ultimately, however, this outcome was a direct result of the King of Hell Pavilion’s initial attempt to assassinate Mo Xiuyao. Nevertheless, from that day forward, the sick scholar harbored a bone-deep hatred for Mo Xiuyao, vowing vengeance with an intensity as inexplicable and irrational as Han Mingyue’s infatuation with Su Zuidie.
After a moment, the sick scholar suddenly let out a dry chuckle. He stopped, lifted his chin at Ye Li, and said, "Princess Consort Ding, whatever you say is meaningless. Even if I die, I’ll drag Mo Xiuyao down with me. As for the Bilo flower’s ancient formula, you might as well give up. No one in this world can decipher it. If you accidentally concoct a deadly poison instead of a life-saving antidote, don’t blame me for not warning you." Ye Li observed him quietly for a moment, then a slow smile spread across her face. "In that case, Third Pavilion Master, please make yourself comfortable in Prince Ding’s Mansion for the time being. Why don’t we see who lives longer—my Prince, or you? Even without an antidote, as long as the Prince lives, he remains a commanding figure, wielding power and influence. You, on the other hand... spend half the year bedridden. Apart from dabbling in useless poisons, you’re nothing but a worthless good-for-nothing, hiding under Pavilion Master Ling’s protection." Ye Li’s voice was soft and measured, her face held a gentle, composed smile, yet her words were like sharp blades, ruthlessly piercing the sick scholar’s heart.
The sick scholar’s eyes widened abruptly, his gaze fixed on Ye Li, filled with an indescribably terrifying and twisted hatred. He lurched to his feet and lunged at Ye Li. "Bitch! You’re spouting nonsense!"
However, he didn’t even get the chance to touch Ye Li. A fierce palm strike sent him flying sideways, and he collapsed onto a nearby chair. Before he could recover, a cold voice, heavy with murderous intent, echoed from the entrance. "Sick scholar? This prince believes you aspire not to be a sick scholar, but a dead one!"
The tall man at the entrance was clad in dark purple brocade adorned with cloud patterns. His snow-white hair was casually tied back, yet he exuded an effortless air of superiority and majesty that set him above all others. If not Mo Xiuyao, then who else could it be?
