Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 230 - 229. On the Way South

229. On the Way South

In Ye Li’s study in Prince Ding’s Mansion, Ye Li, with a calm expression, looked at Qin Feng standing before her and asked, "What is your opinion on this matter?"

With an indifferent expression, Qin Feng slightly lowered his eyes and replied, "I’ll follow whatever decision the Princess Consort makes." Upon hearing Ye Li mention Yaoji’s voluntary departure to the Capital of Great Chu to assist Leng Haoyu, Qin Feng’s face blanked for a moment. However, he quickly composed himself, concealing any fleeting emotions. Ye Li noticed Qin Feng’s reaction and understood that he truly had feelings for Yaoji.

Over the years, Qin Feng had served Ye Li as the Commander of Qilin, earning her trust as much as Zhuo Jing or Lin Han. Although Ye Li was hesitant to meddle in her subordinates’ personal affairs, she also didn’t want their romantic troubles to affect their duties. Looking at Qin Feng, Ye Li said, "I haven’t agreed to her request yet. If you don’t wish for her to go, I can deny it." Qin Feng hesitated for a moment before shaking his head, managing a forced smile. "This is her decision. I have no right to interfere."

Seeing his reaction, Ye Li could only sigh. "Yaoji’s journey will be fraught with danger. I hope you won’t regret it."

Qin Feng remained silent. "Thank you, Princess Consort." Ye Li didn’t attempt to persuade him further. She picked up a petition from the table, wrote a few words on it, and handed it to Qin Feng. "In that case, give this to Yaoji. Depart in seven days."

"As you command."

Even after Yaoji’s departure, Qin Feng didn’t seem particularly dejected. He continued his usual routine, traveling daily between Qilin’s base and Licheng, though he began spending a little more time at Qilin. After the imperial examination, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li personally selected a group of exceptionally talented young individuals to supplement the officials in the Northwest. Following this, it was time for Ye Li’s grand annual merchant assembly. However, this year, neither Ye Li nor Mo Xiuyao had time to attend, as they were preparing to journey to Nanzhao for Princess Anxi’s wedding.

The party traveling to Nanzhao included Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, along with Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Third Feng as their retinue. Young Master Qingchen, Xu Qingchen, was added at the last minute. The original plan was for Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao to go to Nanzhao, leaving Xu Qingchen and Xu Hong Yu to manage affairs in the Northwest. However, just before their departure, Xu Hong Yu pushed Xu Qingchen to go, leaving behind General Lv Jinxian, who had also been prepared to accompany them. Mo Xiuyao, for reasons unknown, pondered for a moment before agreeing. Consequently, this group from the Northwest, whose appearances were strikingly above average, began their leisurely journey south to Nanzhao.

In recent years, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had been preoccupied with governing the Northwest, reorganizing the Mo Family Army, and handling various other affairs. They hadn’t set foot outside the Northwest for five whole years. However, a vast stretch of Great Chu’s territory lay between the Northwest and Nanzhao. Thus, as soon as they crossed the border out of the Northwest, they found themselves under the surveillance of Great Chu’s various military forces. Although these troops didn’t intercept them or resort to force, the feeling of being constantly watched was quite vexing.

One day, as the group paused in a small town to rest and eat, Mo Xiuyao finally lost his patience with being tailed.

This small town, unremarkable in both size and name, was situated near the southwestern frontier. It was heavily garrisoned, serving as a second or third line of defense and providing direct support to the frontier region. When Mo Xiuyao’s party arrived, it was noon, and the weather was scorching. They were still a little over a day’s journey from Broken Snow Pass, and Princess Anxi’s wedding was more than twenty days away, so they decided not to hurry. Instead, they planned to rest in the small town for the night and resume their journey early the next morning. None of them were particularly picky, and since the town lacked luxurious inns or taverns, they simply chose a passable one and booked the entire establishment. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The innkeeper, observing their fine attire and striking appearances, deduced they were of high status and attended to them with great diligence. Ye Li’s group wasn’t large. Besides Ye Li, Mo Xiuyao, Xu Qingchen, Qin Feng, Zhuo Jing, and Third Feng, there were just over forty guards—half from the Black Cloud Cavalry and half from Qin Feng’s Qilin. The Qilin members were multi-talented; even tasks like brewing tea and cooking were simple for them. Consequently, neither the innkeeper, the waiters, nor even the inn’s chef were needed. Ye Li and the others sat on the second floor, savoring the exquisite delicacies prepared by a culinary expert from Qilin, and instructed the rest of their party to go and eat as well.

"Qin Feng, you certainly have a lot of capable people under your command," Third Young Master Feng praised as he savored the dish, which was prepared with the skill of a first-rate chef.

Qin Feng smiled faintly. "Third Young Master Feng, you’re too kind. These are mere trifles." Feng Zhiyao felt a mix of admiration and envy. Indeed, they were trifles. But those who could master such trifles so thoroughly were undoubtedly experts among experts. He had seen not only culinary masters and pedantic scholars among the Qilin, but also a plethora of talents specializing in various crafts, including tailors and embroiderers. Most importantly, these individuals also possessed terrifying combat prowess.

Xu Qingchen sipped his tea, listening to their conversation. Feng Zhiyao, who reveled in stirring up trouble, couldn’t bear to see someone remain aloof. He immediately turned his attention to Young Master Qingchen. "Young Master Qingchen," he said with feigned concern, "you’ve been so quiet ever since we left the Northwest. Are you feeling down?" At his words, everyone recalled Princess Anxi’s past affection for Young Master Qingchen and their close friendship. Could it be that Young Master Qingchen hadn’t been uninterested in Princess Anxi back then, but was simply too reserved to express his feelings? Was he now heartbroken because she was marrying someone else?

Everyone immediately conjured up numerous stories regarding Young Master Qingchen and Princess Anxi. Their gazes towards Xu Qingchen now held hints of sympathy. An involuntary twitch crossed Xu Qingchen’s handsome face as he sighed helplessly. "I’m just thinking... these people have been following us all this way... Could something happen?"

Everyone looked out the window. Across the street, at the corner, and beneath a large tree, various individuals were stationed, poorly disguised as loiterers, vendors, or passersby. To these seasoned eyes, such pretenses were laughably clumsy. Feng Zhiyao squinted. "You’re not wrong. The number of people tailing us seems to be increasing. Do they really think we haven’t noticed them?" Xu Qingchen sighed. "What they think isn’t important. What worries me is..."

Mo Xiuyao put down his wine cup and looked at Xu Qingchen. "You’re worried that Mo Jingqi will make a move?"

Xu Qingchen nodded solemnly, his sharp brows furrowing slightly. "The Northwest has been at peace with Great Chu for several years, so ordinarily, Mo Jingqi wouldn’t attack us while we’re merely passing through to Nanzhao. However... Mo Jingqi is an unpredictable factor. Given the current situation, it’s hard to guarantee they won’t try something." Ye Li asked, "Big Brother, if they truly intend to act, where do you think would be most advantageous for them?" Xu Qingchen shook his head. "That depends entirely on when and where they deem it convenient. We are currently on Great Chu’s soil; Mo Jingqi can justify any action he takes." Feng Zhiyao scoffed, "The only lands bordering the Northwest are Xiling and Great Chu. Does he expect us to detour through Xiling? Or perhaps he’d prefer we go nowhere at all?" Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "We may think that way, but it doesn’t mean Mo Jingqi shares our logic."

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "Well then, let him try. It’s time for this king to see how much Mo Jingqi has progressed over these years." Feng Zhiyao sneered, "What progress could he possibly make? He ceded a part of the northeast to those barbarian tribes. The majestic Great Chu can’t even handle a few frontier tribes, yet he’s thoroughly engrossed in his open and covert struggles with Mo Jingli in the Capital of Great Chu." Even though they no longer had ties to Great Chu, hearing that barbarian tribes had seized a piece of land in northeastern Great Chu was still unsettling. The soldiers of the Mo Family Army, in particular, found Mo Jingqi utterly contemptible. You used to think Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army were hindering you. Now that we’re out of your hair, why don’t you pull yourself together and show us your supposed grand strategies and ambitions?

"If he has made no progress, then this king can help him by cleaning up some of the useless trash under his command," Mo Xiuyao said lightly. Those present exchanged glances. The Prince’s words... carried a distinct murderous intent. But is it really auspicious to kill people while on the way to someone’s wedding?

However, it appeared they wouldn’t have to wait for Mo Xiuyao to cause trouble; trouble found them before lunch was over.

"Men! Surround the inn immediately!" an arrogant male voice boomed from downstairs. Feng Zhiyao stood up, looked down, and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Well, well, Prince, it’s an old acquaintance." Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly as he glanced at the person directing soldiers to surround the inn. He knew many people, but this particular ’old acquaintance’ didn’t ring a bell. Feng Zhiyao grinned. "Prince, take a closer look at that eminently slappable face and that distinctively crippled leg. Doesn’t it seem familiar?"

At Feng Zhiyao’s prompting, recognition flickered in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes. "Guan Ting? The one who was trampled by a horse? Was that horse blind? How did it fail to trample him to death?"

Feng Zhiyao grinned. "Should I find another horse to trample him a few more times?"

While those upstairs were laughing and joking, the people below grew impatient. Guan Ting limped back and forth on the opposite side of the street, shouting, "You traitors dare to set foot on Great Chu’s soil! This general, under orders from the Emperor, is here to eliminate rebels! Surrender at once!"

Upstairs, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but mutter, "If it were me, I’d have started by riddling the inn with arrows until it looked like a porcupine. He’s all talk and no action." Qin Feng chuckled. "That’s why Third Young Master Feng will outlive him." Feng Zhiyao beamed, cupping his hands. "I appreciate your auspicious words."

Qin Feng stood up, glanced disdainfully at the arrogant man downstairs, then turned his head to ask, "Prince, Princess Consort, shall we make the first move and kill him?"

Mo Xiuyao stood up. "No need. Let’s go down and take a look. Oh, and find someone to escort Young Master Qingchen away first." They were all capable of defending themselves; only Xu Qingchen was undeniably a non-combatant. While protecting him wouldn’t be difficult if a fight broke out, accidents could always happen in the chaos of battle. Xu Qingchen, aware that he would be a liability, nodded in agreement. He only said to Ye Li, "Li’er, be very careful." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Big Brother, please rest assured."

After Xu Qingchen was escorted away, the group followed Mo Xiuyao downstairs to watch the unfolding spectacle. The guards who had been dining in the main hall were already standing watch at the entrance. Just outside, lay the bodies of a few Great Chu soldiers who had ignored warnings and attempted to storm the inn. Guan Ting clearly hadn’t expected the guards from Prince Ding’s Mansion to be so brazen, daring to kill so readily even when heavily surrounded. His already unpleasant face turned a ghastly, contorted mask of fury.

"You have some nerve! How dare you act so arrogantly when death is at your doorstep! I will tear you limb from limb to appease the hatred in my heart!" Guan Ting bellowed at the guards at the door, safely positioned behind his own soldiers. The guards, especially those from Qilin, felt their lips twitch. They looked at Guan Ting as if he were both an idiot and a dead man. This fool probably thinks he’s perfectly safe hiding behind his men, hence his audacity, right? One of the Qilin guards couldn’t take it anymore. He raised his hand and flung something at the men across the street. SWOOSH! A green object shot swiftly and accurately towards Guan Ting.

When Guan Ting saw a green object hurtling towards him, he yelped in alarm and desperately tried to dodge. However, he was wedged between his soldiers, and his bulky frame, acquired over the years, made evasion impossible. Before he could even attempt to duck, the object was upon him. He shrieked, "Hidden weapon! Hidden weapon! Save me! Save me!"

The object struck his shoulder, sending a sharp, bone-deep pain through him, but it wasn’t life-threatening. Everyone, including Guan Ting’s own Great Chu soldiers, stared at the screaming man as if he were a fool. Someone muttered, "Idiot!"

Guan Ting screamed for a while before he realized he was fine. Looking down at his splendid clothes, now stained with some wet, fragrant substance, he asked, "What...what is this?"

"Reporting to the general, it’s a cucumber!" a soldier beside him solemnly reported.

Only then did Guan Ting spot a half-eaten, tender cucumber lying on the ground nearby. Realizing he’d been tricked, he flew into a thundering rage. "I’ll kill you! I’ll kill every last one of you! Attack! Slaughter these traitors!"

"Guan Ting, who is it you intend to kill? Why not tell this king?" a cool, clear voice drawled from within the inn. The guards at the door immediately parted to make way. Mo Xiuyao, still impeccably dressed in white, appeared before the crowd, leading Ye Li by the hand.