Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 240 - 239. Changle without Worries
239. Everlasting Happiness Without Worry
The battle outside the hall was still raging fiercely, but inside, the atmosphere was chilled and silent. Ye Li calmly looked at the King of Nanzhao, who was a head taller than herself. Her beautiful face wore an apologetic expression, as if truly feeling sorry for holding the king hostage. Nevertheless, the dagger at the king’s throat showed no signs of shifting.
The King of Nanzhao could only feel the chill of the blade prickling his skin. "Princess Consort Ding, what do you intend to do?" Ye Li glanced at Princess Changle, who was sitting on the ground, and smiled lightly. "King of Nanzhao, why ask what you already know? Isn’t it obvious?"
"For this little beauty?" The King of Nanzhao found it hard to believe. The girl before him was a princess of Great Chu and had nothing to do with the Northwest. He naturally didn’t believe Princess Consort Ding would expend so much effort breaking into the palace just for an unrelated princess. "Though she is the Princess of Great Chu, she means nothing to the Emperor of Great Chu. He has already given her to me."
After some thought, the King of Nanzhao could only assume that Princess Consort Ding intended to capture Princess Changle as a threat to the Emperor of Great Chu. After all, everyone knew about the deep-seated enmity between Prince Ding and the Emperor.
"That’s none of your concern, King of Nanzhao. You only need to tell me whether I can take Princess Changle away or not," Ye Li said, undisturbed by his words.
The King of Nanzhao scoffed. "A beauty gifted by others, there’s no reason why you can’t have her. But...Princess Consort, roaming freely within my palace, do you take Nanzhao for an undefended place? I advise you to put down your weapon. For Prince Ding’s sake, I will not make things difficult for you. Otherwise, when my guards arrive, you won’t escape so easily."
This King of Nanzhao isn’t as useless as he appears, Ye Li thought. But she gave him a composed smile. "I’m afraid your guards won’t have the chance to come in." At some point, the noise of the fight outside had quieted. The satisfied look that had initially been on the king’s face quickly transformed into unease. If his Nanzhao guards had won, they would surely have reported from outside the hall. But now, it was eerily quiet outside; not even the slightest sound could be heard from within. The king’s face changed. "I have a thousand guards in my palace and eight thousand elite soldiers stationed in Nanzhao Royal City. Do you think you can escape?"
"Your eight thousand elite soldiers probably don’t have the time to come and protect Your Majesty." Ye Li said with a knowing smile, "Has the King of Nanzhao forgotten about the important event tonight?"
At those words, the King of Nanzhao’s heart sank, and his face turned increasingly gloomy. How could he forget? Shu Manlin had planned to move against Anxi tonight, and he had secretly handed her the token to mobilize the city guards. If by now...
Ye Li sighed softly, "Fighting has been going on in the palace for quite some time now, but except for the guards originally stationed here, no one came to protect Your Majesty. King of Nanzhao, why don’t you guess where they might have gone?" The King of Nanzhao was speechless. "Do as you wish." Ye Li smiled, "Why would I kill the King of Nanzhao? I’m merely taking an unknown young lady from your palace. After tonight, I doubt Princess Anxi would fuss over such a trivial matter. The friendship between Nanzhao and the Northwest will certainly continue to flourish." She stated that Princess Anxi wouldn’t fuss, not the King of Nanzhao. The implication was clear to him—after tonight, his reign over Nanzhao Kingdom would be over. "Prince Ding’s Mansion is assisting Anxi!"
"It wasn’t initially, but it is now." Ye Li felt no fear in offending the King of Nanzhao. Offending him could no longer affect the relationship between Nanzhao and the Northwest. For after tonight, whoever prevailed, the real power of Nanzhao would no longer have anything to do with him. If Princess Anxi won, then learning from past lessons, she definitely would not indulge Shu Manlin and the King of Nanzhao anymore. If Shu Manlin won, then the king would become nothing more than a puppet for her or, rather, for Tan Jizhi. The King of Nanzhao’s mistake was choosing to cooperate with Mo Jingqi. Perhaps Mo Jingqi had been sincere in his desire to partner with the king. However, his envoys, whether Noble Consort Liu or Prime Minister Liu, didn’t seem like they would be of any help to the King of Nanzhao.
"That wretched girl!" The King of Nanzhao cursed through gritted teeth.
Ye Li frowned at the King of Nanzhao, expressing her confusion, "I have always had a doubt. Princess Anxi is currently the King’s only princess. Furthermore, she is known for an effective administration and doesn’t crave power. The King of Nanzhao should be pleased to have such a daughter. So why would the King side with Shu Manlin and oppose Princess Anxi at every turn?" Shu Manlin should have been a holy maiden with no real power, merely kept for show. Yet, she had reached a position where she could threaten the Eldest Princess’s very life and status. This ascent definitely couldn’t have happened without the King of Nanzhao’s support. Even if Shu Manlin was also his daughter, or if he favored her more, it still wouldn’t explain his aversion to Princess Anxi to such an extent.
A look of confusion crossed the King of Nanzhao’s face; clearly, he didn’t understand the question Ye Li posed either. How had his relationship with his eldest daughter deteriorated to this state?
He still recalled how Anxi, unlike Qixia who loved singing and dancing from a young age and had a flamboyant personality, had a straightforward nature yet acted with great prudence. At just thirteen or fourteen, she could already assist him with state affairs. She managed to handle matters perfectly that he himself found to be a headache. At the time, he was merely thankful to Heaven for giving him such an intelligent daughter; even without a prince, he felt no regret. So, he designated Anxi as the Eldest Princess and watched as she diligently governed the country step by step, earning the people’s adoration and support.
However, he didn’t know when his initial joy and gratification gradually turned sour. Each time he saw the people’s expressions of reverence and respect towards his daughter, an inexplicable displeasure began to stir in his heart. He had governed the country arduously for decades, yet the people always complained about this or that. Even when they saw him, their expressions were of fear and obedience, rather than reverence and affection. Why could his daughter so effortlessly obtain what he had strived for his entire life but never achieved?
Watching the King of Nanzhao’s shifting expressions, Ye Li felt she understood. It was due to jealousy—not because he feared Princess Anxi would usurp his authority, nor because he favored Shu Manlin more—it was purely out of jealousy. A father jealous of his daughter’s talent for governance and the people’s adoration for her, so he created countless obstacles for her, even allowing others to attempt to kill her and fueling the efforts. Ye Li shook her head and looked at the King of Nanzhao, "If Princess Anxi really loses, what will become of Nanzhao? King of Nanzhao, have you really thought it through?"
The King of Nanzhao’s face twisted with ferocity, and his breathing grew rapid. But at that moment, Ye Li released the king, walked over to Princess Changle, who was now standing on her own, and whispered with a smile, "Princess, let’s go."
Princess Changle cast a wary glance at the King of Nanzhao nearby. She didn’t know what he was thinking; his face was contorted and ferocious, yet he seemed oblivious to them. Ye Li laughed and said, "Don’t worry, let’s go." She then led Princess Changle directly out of the hall.
Outside the hall, the guards who were originally protecting the sleeping chambers and those who rushed to the scene upon hearing the commotion had already been dealt with; however, seven or eight from another group still remained. Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing were waiting at the entrance for Ye Li to come out.
"Princess..." As soon as the two of them came out, the leader of the remaining survivors rushed up immediately, but Zhuo Jing stepped forward to stop him. The man quickly said, "Princess! Princess, are you okay? I’m incompetent... I failed to rescue you sooner!" Princess Changle hesitated for a while before asking, "You are... Guard Yang?"
The man pulled down the mask on his face, revealing a resolute and somewhat familiar face. Ye Li frowned, recalling for a moment before recognizing him as the commander of the Empress’s personal guards. Ye Li said, "Let’s leave the palace first." Guard Yang obviously recognized Ye Li as well, and respectfully replied, "Thank you, Princess Consort, for your assistance."
The group left the palace without any hindrance. Outside the palace gate, the square was still bustling with activity. But on closer inspection, it was apparent that those who should have been there were no longer present.
Ye Li and her group returned to the post station without delay. Before she had a chance to question them, Guard Yang was the first to kneel on the ground before Princess Changle, and said, "I’m incompetent. I have allowed the Princess to be frightened. Here is the antidote, please take it quickly." He took out a small green porcelain vial from his sleeve and presented it to Princess Changle. Ye Li frowned and asked, "Princess, have you been poisoned?"
Throughout the journey, Princess Changle seemed normal and showed no signs of being poisoned. Princess Changle hesitated for a moment before nodding her head. Guard Yang said with anger, "If it weren’t for that venomous woman who poisoned the Princess, how could we have rescued her so late? This kind of poison is possessed only by that venomous woman. If we had rescued the princess, she would have immediately destroyed the antidote. So all this time, we could only try to obtain the antidote first before rescuing the princess. That’s why the princess was sent to the palace."
"Was it Noble Consort Liu?" Ye Li asked, "How did you get the antidote?"
Guard Yang explained, "That venomous woman thought that once she had sent the princess into the palace, the antidote was no longer necessary. However, even so, we lost seven or eight brothers before finally obtaining it. Thankfully, we were not too late... otherwise... we would have died ten thousand deaths and still been unable to face Her Highness the Empress and the Old State Duke."
Ye Li raised her eyebrows, "Was it the Empress who sent you to rescue the Princess?" Guard Yang answered seriously, "Of course. All of us subordinates are confidants of Her Highness the Empress, and have received her great kindness. Several of our brothers were also favored by State Duke Hua in the past. Originally, we intended to act on the road, but we couldn’t obtain the antidote and dared not act rashly for fear of endangering the Princess’s life. Your subordinate thanks the Princess Consort for her help." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
When Princess Changle heard the news about her mother empress, tears were already streaming down her face. Holding the medicine bottle, she hurriedly asked, "How is my mother empress?" Guard Yang hesitated for a moment and said, "Her Highness the Empress... When your subordinate left the capital, Her Highness the Empress was still under house arrest. But the Princess can be assured. The Old State Duke has made arrangements, and Her Highness the Empress herself has said that even if she is not free, His Majesty, even if only for the sake of face, will ensure her life is not in danger. Her Highness the Empress only asks that the Princess not return to the Capital of Great Chu in the future. This is what Her Highness the Empress entrusted your subordinate to deliver to the Princess."
Guard Yang presented another small and ordinary-looking wooden box. Princess Changle hesitated for a moment before opening it. The box was only about an inch wide and four to five inches long. Inside were a few folded banknotes, upon which lay a delicate and gorgeous hairpin and seven or eight night-luminescent pearls. Even without seeing the denomination of the banknotes, just by looking at those night-luminescent pearls, she knew that any single one of them was enough to ensure Princess Changle could live comfortably for the rest of her life. "Princess Consort Ding... Mother Empress, does she not want me anymore?" Princess Changle asked in a low voice while holding the box.
Ye Li whispered with a sigh, "Your mother empress is doing this for your own good." Princess Changle wasn’t sent here for a marriage alliance; she was given to the King of Nanzhao by Mo Jingqi. This meant that Princess Changle could never again appear in the Capital of Great Chu or before the world as a princess. Otherwise, when the time came... if Mo Jingqi had the heart to send his daughter to the King of Nanzhao, he would naturally have the heart to take her life.
"I know..." Princess Changle, holding the wooden box, couldn’t help but sob. From now on, she would no longer be Princess Changle of Great Chu. Her imperial father would probably soon spread news that Princess Changle had died of illness. From then on, she might never see her mother empress or maternal grandfather again. She could only wander alone, nameless and unknown.
Looking at the grieving Princess Changle, Ye Li reached out and gently stroked her hair. "Good child, don’t be sad. When matters in the Southern Border are settled, you can come back with us to the Northwest, okay?"
Princess Changle hesitated before refusing Ye Li’s offer, "Thank you, Princess Consort Ding, but given my status, I am afraid it will cause trouble for you and Uncle Prince Ding." Ye Li smiled and said, "We’ve already broken into the Nanzhao royal palace, what’s a little more trouble like this? Later, I’ll have someone examine this antidote. Princess, you should rest now. The rest can be discussed when your Uncle Prince Ding returns. No one here would dare to intrude."
Upon hearing Ye Li’s words, Guard Yang’s face lit up with joy. The Empress and the Old State Duke were most worried about Princess Changle living alone outside. Although they had made arrangements to protect the Princess secretly, in these chaotic times—which could erupt at any moment—who, aside from those in the Northwest, could say with certainty where was safe? Originally, they had also planned to secretly send the Princess to the Northwest to live anonymously among the common people. With Princess Consort Ding’s invitation, it would naturally be even better for the Princess. "On behalf of Her Highness the Empress and the Old State Duke, your subordinate thanks the Princess Consort."
Ye Li waved her hand and said, "Our Prince regards Her Highness the Empress as an elder sister. State Duke Hua watched our Prince grow up, and Eldest Miss Hua is a good friend of mine. Therefore, Princess Changle is naturally not an outsider."
After Guard Yang thanked her again, Princess Changle looked at Ye Li and said, "I am no longer a princess. My mother empress has given me a pet name, Wuyou. Princess Consort, you can call me Wuyou." Wuyou, Changle—without worry, everlasting happiness. It was evident how much Her Highness the Empress loved her daughter.
Ye Li nodded with a smile and said, "Okay, Wuyou. You must be tired. Go to your room and rest first."
Princess Changle—no, Wuyou—nodded and followed the guard to a vacant room. As soon as she closed the door, she fell on the bed and began to sob, biting into her blanket. She sobbed into her blanket in the room, unaware that those outside were all experts with profound internal energy and could naturally hear her clearly. Ye Li turned and looked at Feng Zhiyao standing in the shadows under the eaves not far away and silently sighed.
