Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 226 - 225. Qin Zheng Leaves her Boudoir

225. Qin Zheng Leaving the Pavilion

In the end, the matter of Lei Tengfeng was resolved satisfactorily through the Southern Garrison Prince’s compromise. This included a five-year armistice treaty signed between Xiling and the Mo Family Army, and an agreement for mutual trade between Xiling and the Northwest, which also established a direct commercial route to the Western Regions. Furthermore, Xiling agreed to sell a certain quantity of copper and iron ore to the Northwest annually at a low price as compensation for Lei Tengfeng’s recent actions there. Having gained no advantage from his trip to the Northwest, the Southern Garrison Prince left Licheng with Lei Tengfeng early the next morning to return to Xiling. However, the once mighty contingent that had arrived with great fanfare was reduced to less than half its original numbers upon departure.

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao did not inquire about the negotiations between the Crown Prince of Beirong, the Seventh Prince, and Prince Li of Great Chu. Instead, they delegated this task to Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu. Both Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had full confidence in their abilities and naturally didn’t worry about them letting the Mo Family Army suffer a loss. After the Southern Garrison Prince departed, the Ling Tiehan siblings, who were staying at Prince Ding’s Mansion, also bid their farewells. Although the scholar, long afflicted by illness, still looked just as pale, his breathing seemed to have improved significantly. Ling Tiehan and Leng Liuyue still seemed to share an odd stiffness between them, but that was none of Ye Li’s concern.

Within a few days, Xu Qingchen and Xu Hongyu had successfully handled the remaining dignitaries. This time, the Mo Family Army not only reaped enormous tangible benefits but also made the nobles from various countries understand a crucial point: even if the Mo Family Army currently occupied less than one-sixth of Great Chu’s territory, they were not to be trifled with. Since Mo Xiuyao announced the Mo Family Army’s separation from Great Chu, the previously precarious balance of power among the nations was once again subtly maintained.

"Princess Consort, Prince Li and Princess Consort Li have come to bid you farewell," Qingluan announced. Having sent away the large crowd of troublesome people, Ye Li was leisurely playing with Mo Xiaobao. Already nearly two months old, Mo Xiaobao was growing more adorable by the day. His fair, chubby little face featured two large, crystal-black eyes. Whenever he gazed at Ye Li with those innocent eyes, it made one want to sweep him into an embrace and shower him with kisses. Hearing Qingluan’s announcement, Ye Li sat up, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Bidding *me* farewell?" Since when had she, Princess Consort Ding, become more important than Prince Ding in the eyes of outsiders? If it was due to her relationship with Ye Ying, they had never shared any deep sisterly affection. Qingluan nodded and said, "That’s what Princess Consort Li said. The Prince left the city with Second Young Master Xu early this morning. He probably won’t make it back in time to see Prince Li off." Ye Li smiled faintly. Mo Xiuyao clearly knew Mo Jingli was leaving today. If he had intended to see him off, he wouldn’t have left the city at all.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Li waved her hand and said, "Very well, please ask Prince Li and Princess Consort Li to wait in the flower hall."

Qingluan left to carry out her orders, and Ye Li changed her clothes before heading out. She hadn’t even stepped out of the inner room when Mo Xiaobao, who was behind her, started gurgling and cooing; no one could understand what he was trying to say. Hearing him, Ye Li turned back. The little cherub lay in his cradle, stretching out a tiny hand towards her and smiling adorably, his small mouth babbling incomprehensibly. Nanny Lin chuckled, "It seems the young heir can’t bear to be parted from the Princess Consort." Seeing the baby gazing at her expectantly, Ye Li felt a pang of guilt. Her baby was nearly two months old, yet she had spent very little time with him. It was even common for her not to see him for a day or two. It was a wonder that Mo Xiaobao still greeted her so affectionately with a smile each time he saw her. She carefully lifted the baby from the cradle and cooed gently, "My sweet baby, would you like to go out with Mommy?"

Although it was only August, the weather in the Northwest was already turning chilly. When Nanny Lin heard Ye Li was taking Mo Xiaobao outside, she quickly fetched a soft, warm blanket, wrapped him in it, and carefully cautioned her not to let the young heir catch a cold from the cool breeze. Only after Ye Li had agreed to everything did she carry Mo Xiaobao out.

Upon entering the flower hall with Mo Xiaobao in her arms, Ye Li saw only Mo Jingli seated there, lost in thought; Ye Ying was nowhere to be seen. Frowning in displeasure, Ye Li beckoned to the maidservant standing by the door and asked, "Where did Princess Consort Li go?" The maidservant replied respectfully, "Princess Consort, Princess Consort Li said she wanted to go for a walk and headed towards the garden. Shall I go and fetch her?" Ye Li nodded, but Mo Jingli, who had risen from his seat, called out, "Wait, there’s no need to call Ying’er. Ye Li, I have something I wish to discuss with you alone." Ye Li turned to look at the man, who still wore a cold, arrogant expression as he faced her, and felt an inward amusement. Dismissing the maidservant with a wave, she stepped into the hall and asked, "Prince Li, what matter do you wish to discuss with this princess consort?"

Mo Jingli frowned at Mo Xiaobao in Ye Li’s arms and at Wei Lin and Qingyu standing behind her, saying with displeasure, "I want to speak with you alone."

Ye Li looked at him, puzzled. "There are no outsiders here. Please say what you need to say." Mo Jingli understood that Ye Li would not agree to be alone with him, so he suppressed his frustration and sat down again. Ye Li took the main seat, gently cradling Mo Xiaobao and playing with his little hands, which made him giggle and reveal a toothless grin. This heartwarming scene of mother and son was exceptionally jarring to Mo Jingli. He snorted disdainfully, fixed his gaze on Ye Li, and said, "It was wrong of me to call off our engagement back then. I apologize to you now."

Ye Li blinked, looking at the solemn Mo Jingli in surprise. She glanced at Wei Lin and Qingyu. Is Mo Jingli out of his mind? Wei Lin and Qingyu looked equally astounded. They had known Prince Li for a long time; they could believe him capable of resorting to underhanded tactics, but an in-person apology? That was unheard of. Seeing the disbelief on their faces, Mo Jingli’s expression darkened further. Ye Li had no desire to rehash old grievances and simply wanted to send him away quickly. She gave a small nod and replied, "It’s all in the past. You needn’t dwell on it, Prince Li." Mo Jingli stared at her intently. "How can I not dwell on it? I’ve investigated what happened back then. It was Ye Ying who deliberately ruined your reputation to marry into Prince Li’s Mansion. If not for her, you would be Princess Consort Li today." Ye Li was speechless. How foolish she had been to think that Mo Jingli might have changed after all he had experienced in the past two-plus years!

"Prince Li, there’s one thing you’ve probably never considered. If I hadn’t been willing to break off the engagement... do you truly believe it would have been so easy to annul?" It was, after all, a marriage personally decreed by the late Emperor. How could it have been so easily annulled?

"What are you implying?" Mo Jingli demanded, looking at Ye Li with displeasure. He naturally detected the disdain in her words. Ye Li cradled Mo Xiaobao gently and said with a faint smile, "Nothing much. This princess consort merely wishes to remind His Highness Prince Li that what has happened, has happened. There are no ’ifs’ in this world, nor is there anything that ’should have been.’ If Prince Li has no other business, please take your leave. The Prince went out of the city on official business this morning, so I won’t see you and Princess Consort Li off." Mo Jingli glared at Ye Li, his voice filled with resentment. "You were originally my princess consort!"

Ye Li gazed at him impassively. "Then what does Your Highness propose?" 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Come with me, and I promise you will be the principal consort of Prince Li!" Mo Jingli asserted.

Ye Li studied Mo Jingli calmly for a long moment before letting out a disdainful scoff. Detecting the mockery in her laughter, Mo Jingli flushed with shame and anger. "What are you laughing at?" Ye Li restrained her smile, her voice calm as she asked, "Your Highness Prince Li, do you dare to take me away from right here in Licheng?" At her words, Mo Jingli’s face turned pale. He glanced quickly at Wei Lin standing behind Ye Li, his complexion shifting rapidly. Ye Li leaned back leisurely in her chair, playing with Mo Xiaobao as she continued with a smile, "What is the meaning of all this, Prince Li? Or has Your Highness’s courage and audacity grown to the point where you dare to abduct Princess Consort Ding from the Northwest? If that were truly the case, this princess consort would indeed be impressed. But... even then, why should I go with you? Principal Consort of Prince Li? Is that title so valuable that this princess consort should covet it?"

Mo Jingli clenched his fists tightly at his sides, his gaze fixed on Ye Li. "Is Mo Xiuyao treating you so well? Are you that willing to follow him, disregarding everything else? He is merely using you!" Ye Li smiled faintly. "Of course, Xiuyao treats me well. Everyone knows I am his only wife. I oversee much of the power within Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army, and I command the Qilin, the world’s most clandestine and elite force. Can you offer me all this? Would you dare to? Or is it that Prince Li also intends to use this princess consort? Do you not covet the support of the Yunzhou Xu Family behind me, and the Qilin I command?"

With his intentions so ruthlessly exposed, Mo Jingli looked extremely awkward. It took him a long moment before he gritted his teeth and said, "The Mo Family Army is at odds with the entire world. Ye Li, I am doing this for your own good. Don’t be ungrateful."

Ye Li replied indifferently, "This princess consort appreciates Prince Li’s kind intentions. Princess Consort Li has also been waiting for a long time. You both should depart soon. I won’t see you out." All eyes turned to the doorway, where Ye Ying had appeared at some point, unnoticed. She stared at them with a peculiar expression. A flicker of unease crossed Mo Jingli’s face. He stood up and said, "Ying’er, when did you return?" Ye Ying stared at him for a long moment before replying calmly, "Just now. My lord, now that you’ve finished bidding farewell to Third Sister, shouldn’t we be on our way?" Mo Jingli glanced at Ye Li reluctantly. Seeing her with her head down, playing with the baby in her arms, he could only nod. "Let’s go." Without another word to Ye Li, he walked past Ye Ying and out the door. Ye Ying turned to look at Ye Li, her expression complex. "Third Sister, we’re leaving." Ye Li nodded, her voice serene. "I won’t see you out."

Watching Ye Ying leave, Ye Li sighed softly. Qingyu, standing beside her, gently consoled, "Prince Li has always been self-centered, Princess Consort. Why let him anger you?" Ye Li shook her head and smiled. "I’m not angry with him. I was just feeling a bit reflective. Thinking back to when Ye Ying was still in her maiden chambers, how proud and pampered she was. But now..." The truth was, Ye Ying had been outside the door when Mo Jingli proposed making Ye Li his principal consort. If it had been the Ye Ying of the past, she would have inevitably caused a scene, crying and wailing. But now, even facing such a situation, Ye Ying had learned to remain silent. It seems that truly, no one in this world stays the same forever.

Qingyu chuckled. "Formerly, the Fourth Miss was the treasured daughter of the Minister’s Mansion, the younger sister of Zhaoyi, and a renowned talent and beauty in the Capital City. Naturally, she was incredibly arrogant. Moreover, at that time, Prince Li was merely an ordinary prince. Now, however, Prince Li occupies half of Great Chu’s most fertile lands and contends with the Emperor as an equal, while the Ye Family has long since declined. How could Ye Ying dare to quarrel with Prince Li now? The Prince Li of today is likely no longer the ideal husband who once doted on the Fourth Miss in every way." Ye Li smiled faintly. Indeed, wasn’t that the truth? Mo Jingli had even brought Princess Qixia with him to the Northwest, which showed that Ye Ying’s place in his heart was insignificant. If not for Ye Ying’s connection to her and the fact that she had borne Mo Jingli a son, she would likely have been relegated to some forgotten corner by now.

After the envoys from various countries departed, Licheng gradually regained its tranquility. Simultaneously, numerous merchants began to arrive and settle not only in Licheng but throughout the entire Northwest. Many of the commoners who had once fled into the interior to escape the calamities of war also gradually began to return. Thanks to the concerted efforts of everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion, the Northwest did not descend into chaos following the sudden declaration of separation from Great Chu; instead, it slowly got back on track. By the time Ye Li could finally breathe a sigh of relief, the wedding date for Xu Qingze and Qin Zheng had arrived.

Although Xu Qingze was the first of his generation in the Xu Family to marry, everyone from Mr. Qingyun down to Xu Qingze and Qin Zheng themselves insisted on a simple wedding. Qin Zheng, having acknowledged General Zhang Qilan as her adoptive father, would be married from General Zhang’s Mansion. For the wedding, Murong Ting, who was far away in Great Chu, had left Leng Haoyu behind and rushed over, arriving just in time for the day of Qin Zheng’s bridal departure.

In the bridal chamber prepared for Qin Zheng in General Zhang’s Mansion, Ye Li and Murong Ting gazed at Qin Zheng. Dressed in a bright red wedding gown, she looked extraordinarily gorgeous. Murong Ting took Qin Zheng’s hands and exclaimed admiringly, "Thank heavens I made it in time! Otherwise, I would have missed seeing Zheng’er looking so beautiful and captivating. Just looking at you makes my heart flutter! I bet even that blockhead, Second Young Master Xu, will be stunned speechless."

"Murong..." Qin Zheng said reproachfully, her face blushing as she feigned a glare at Murong Ting. The vibrant red wedding dress made her appear even more radiant, truly more beautiful than any flower. For Xu Qingze and Qin Zheng’s wedding, Ye Li, who usually dressed plainly, had chosen a bright yellow gown embroidered with interconnected hibiscus flowers. Standing before Qin Zheng, she tilted her head to get a better look, then nodded and smiled. "Murong is right; you are indeed more beautiful than any flower. Second Brother is truly fortunate to marry you, Sister Zheng’er." Qin Zheng looked at them helplessly and protested, "Li’er, even you’re teasing me..." Ye Li quickly covered her smile. "I wouldn’t dare! After today, Zheng’er, you’ll be my second sister-in-law. How could I dare tease my second sister-in-law... right, Sister-in-law?"

Joyful laughter filled the boudoir. Murong Ting turned, retrieved a sizeable sandalwood box from her luggage, and handed it to Qin Zheng. Puzzled, Qin Zheng looked at her. "What’s this?"

Murong Ting replied, "When I was about to leave, Madam Qin had someone deliver this to me. She said that because you left in such a hurry, she hadn’t been able to make many arrangements. You didn’t even have a proper dowry. Madam Qin and Lord Qin personally prepared these; she said it’s your dowry." The previously jovial atmosphere in the room gradually dissipated. Qin Zheng, clutching the box, burst into tears. Murong Ting immediately grew flustered and hastily pulled out her handkerchief to wipe Qin Zheng’s tears. "Hey now... today is your wedding day! Why are you crying? I... I didn’t mean to make you cry... Ah-Li..." Unable to console Qin Zheng, Murong Ting looked helplessly at Ye Li. She truly hadn’t intended to make Qin Zheng cry, but the dowry from the Qin Family absolutely had to be handed to Zheng’er before the ceremony.

Ye Li sat beside Qin Zheng, gently patting her shoulder. "Sister Zheng’er," she comforted softly, "don’t cry and ruin your makeup. Lord Qin and Madam Qin having Murong bring the dowry all this way shows their deep parental love. You should be happy."

Qin Zheng nodded repeatedly, but tears are not so easily stopped. Ye Li sighed softly, patted Qin Zheng again, and said with a smile, "Alright, if you want to cry, then have a good cry. When you’re done, we’ll redo your makeup and make you look even more beautiful. Just don’t cry your eyes swollen, or you might scare my second brother—that would be terrible!"

"PFFT!" Murong Ting was the first to burst out laughing at Ye Li’s attempt at consolation. Staring at Ye Li, she said, "Ah-Li, are you trying to comfort Zheng’er or tell jokes?" Even Qin Zheng couldn’t help but chuckle, a hint of embarrassment on her beautiful face. In front of Ye Li and Murong Ting, Qin Zheng carefully opened the box, a symbol of her parents’ love. Lord Qin and Madam Qin had clearly been very thoughtful. Considering the long and arduous journey, Murong Ting wouldn’t have been able to carry much. Thus, the box primarily contained bank notes: two notes of ten thousand taels each, and nearly a thousand taels in smaller denominations and loose silver pieces. Additionally, there were three small boxes filled with various pieces of jewelry. With these, even if Qin Zheng did nothing, she would have enough to live comfortably and without worry for the rest of her life.

Qin Zheng hugged the box, her clear eyes brimming with tears. She whispered, "My parents have done so much for me, yet I’ve been so unfilial... even for my wedding..."

"Nonsense," Ye Li said. "As long as you are well, Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin will naturally be at ease. There will come a day when your family is reunited." Murong Ting nodded vigorously. "Exactly! After your wedding, I have to return to the Capital City. You can write a letter then, and I’ll take it back to Uncle Qin and Aunt Qin for you. Don’t worry, we’ll naturally look after the two elders in the Capital City."

Qin Zheng nodded, wiped her tears, and said with some embarrassment, "Thank you, Li’er, and Murong."

Murong Ting laughed heartily and said, "Why thank us? Aren’t we friends?"

Ye Li smiled and said, "Alright, Heroine Murong, your friend is about to have her bridal departure. Quickly go and add these items to the dowry list. Just say they are dowry from Zheng’er’s parents." Qin Zheng’s dowry, prepared by General Zhang’s Mansion, was already substantial, with Ye Li and Prince Ding’s Mansion also contributing many additional gifts. However, a dowry from one’s own parents always held a special significance.

Murong Ting, having just made Qin Zheng cry, was now eager for something to do. She took the list Ye Li handed her and hurried off to take care of it.

The two of them smiled as they watched Murong Ting depart cheerfully, and much of the earlier sadness dissipated.

"The groom has arrived to fetch the bride! The bride should come out now..." The wedding matron’s joyful, festive voice drifted in from outside. Ye Li checked Qin Zheng’s makeup one last time, then personally took the red bridal veil, patterned with twin hibiscus flowers, and gently placed it over Qin Zheng’s head. "Zheng’er, I wish you happiness."

"Thank you," Qin Zheng said softly.