Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 251 - 250. Upsetting the wrong person
250. Provoking Someone Who Shouldn’t Be Provoked
In the splendid hall of the Murong family’s residence, Xu Qingchen sat with a calm expression, drinking tea.
Ling Tiehan, naturally, sat beside him, also sipping the finest fragrant tea from Great Chu. Ling Tiehan couldn’t help but exclaim, "As expected of the Murong family! This premium fragrant tea is rare even in Great Chu, isn’t it?" Xu Qingchen smiled and replied, "If Brother Ling likes it, I’ll have someone send a couple of boxes over to you later."
Ling Tiehan raised his eyebrows. "Is this kind of tea abundant in the Northwest? That shouldn’t be the case; this tea is scarce in Great Chu itself." Although Great Chu and the Northwest traded, some goods were indeed embargoed from the Northwest, including this tea, touted as Great Chu’s finest. These embargoes didn’t significantly impact the Northwest; they were purely Mo Jingqi’s attempts to annoy Mo Xiuyao.
Xu Qingchen smiled gently. "Not particularly. A batch was imported to the Northwest in the spring, and Li’er sent a few boxes to me. However, this tea... while fragrant, is overly so, masking the natural scent of the leaves. No one in our family particularly enjoys it, so I have a little extra."
Ling Tiehan’s mouth twitched. So, he’s giving me something he doesn’t even like? "I know, you scholars are always so particular. You don’t just want the finest tea; you even have to rank the finest teas into different grades."
Xu Qingchen remained silent, smiling.
The attendant servants at the side felt beads of sweat forming on their foreheads. They had received instructions from their young miss to serve the best tea to Young Master Qingchen. Who would have thought Young Master Qingchen actually disliked this tea? They were unsure whether to let the mistake stand or to brew another cup for him.
"Haha... Young Master Qingchen! Your presence truly graces our Murong family!" The Murong Family Head exclaimed with a hearty and bright laugh, appearing every bit the warm and hospitable host. Beside him stood Murong Mingyan, her face veiled, smiling at Xu Qingchen with an air of affability. However, this very affability sent shivers down the spines of the two outsiders, Ling Tiehan and Xu Qingchen.
Xu Qingchen chuckled. "Family Head Murong, you’re too kind. May I inquire as to the purpose of your invitation?"
The Murong Family Head laughed heartily. "Young Master Qingchen is a straightforward person, so I won’t beat around the bush. I hear that Young Master Qingchen, despite having passed the age of thirty, has yet to marry?"
Xu Qingchen’s expression flickered. His half-lidded eyes seemed to dim slightly as he calmly replied, "That is correct." The Murong Family Head chuckled with satisfaction. "What do you think of our Mingyan?" Murong Mingyan blushed and shyly peeked at Xu Qingchen, only to see him gazing serenely at his teacup, not sparing her even a single glance. A knot formed in her chest, and a wave of indignation brought tears to her eyes, making them instantly red.
Seated to the side, Ling Tiehan raised an eyebrow, casting a teasing glance at Xu Qingchen, clearly relishing the unfolding drama. Xu Qingchen, however, was far from amused. To his dismay, Mo Xiuyao had accurately predicted the Murong family’s intentions. The mere thought of the mockery he would endure from that ill-tempered scoundrel Mo Xiuyao was enough to sour Eldest Young Master Xu’s mood considerably.
The Murong Family Head, initially beaming with confidence, found his smile gradually fading as Xu Qingchen remained silent for a long time. After a considerable pause, Xu Qingchen calmly stated, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Family Head Murong. However, I currently have no plans to marry. I’m afraid I must disappoint you." The Murong Family Head forced a smile. "As the saying goes, ’Order the family, govern the state, pacify the world.’ Young Master, you are past thirty and still unmarried; it is something you should seriously consider."
Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "Family Head Murong is correct. All these years, I have been striving for self-cultivation, but alas, my aptitude is dull, and I have achieved nothing." Listening from the side, Ling Tiehan couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle. However, with his profound martial arts cultivation and strong self-control, he managed to suppress his amusement. The Murong Family Head had quoted, ’Order the family, govern the state, pacify the world.’ Xu Qingchen cleverly took it out of context by emphasizing the preceding ’cultivate oneself.’ The ancient saying is ’Cultivate oneself, order the family, govern the state, pacify the world.’ Eldest Young Master Xu was still diligently ’cultivating himself’ and therefore had no time to ’order his family.’
Such a refusal, especially in Ling Tiehan’s presence, was unmistakably clear. It effectively severed any possibility of the Murong family pursuing an alternative alliance. The Murong Family Head’s face darkened, and he said coldly, "If that’s the case, why was Young Master Qingchen alone in a room with Mingyan last night? As Eldest Young Master Xu, a man well-versed in the classics, are you unaware of the need for propriety between men and women? Do you not understand the importance of a young lady’s reputation? Don’t you think, Young Master Qingchen, that you owe the Murong family an explanation for this matter?"
"An explanation?" Xu Qingchen furrowed his brows, looking at the Murong Family Head and Murong Mingyan with pure incomprehension. The utter bewilderment in his calm eyes nearly made their expressions falter. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
Xu Qingchen said, "Last night, it was Miss Murong who came to visit me. My original intention was to speak at the doorway, but Miss Murong insisted on a private conversation. Or does Family Head Murong believe it would have been better for us to create a scene at the entrance for all passersby to witness? Furthermore... even if we spoke privately, given my status, which Family Head Murong surely knows, I can guarantee there were never fewer than four people in the room at any time. And I assure you, I did not lay a single finger on Miss Murong."
Blushing with shame and embarrassment, Murong Mingyan said tearfully, "Young Master Qingchen, am I truly so beneath your notice?"
Xu Qingchen frowned slightly and said indifferently, "I apologize."
The conversation had reached a deadlock. Ling Tiehan pondered whether he should intervene. Regardless, his priority was to get Xu Qingchen out of the Murong residence unharmed. He wasn’t worried about the others, only that the old monster, Murong Xiong, might suddenly make a move. If that happened, their situation today could indeed become precarious.
The Murong Family Head’s expression hardened. He stared at Xu Qingchen and warned, "Even if you don’t consider yourself, Young Master Qingchen, shouldn’t you think about Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding?" Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "Family Head Murong, please forgive my ignorance, but I don’t quite understand your meaning."
The Murong Family Head sneered. "Our Murong family not only controls nearly sixty percent of the commerce in the Xiling Kingdom but also has significant business interests in Great Chu, including Licheng in the Northwest. Speaking of which... the Northwest purchases its iron ore from Great Chu and Xiling, correct? Coincidentally... seventy percent of the iron ore Licheng buys from Xiling comes through the Murong family."
While ordinary households might not use much iron in a lifetime, for Prince Ding’s Mansion, with its army of nearly a million, no iron ore means no weapons. Thus, iron ore is critically important to the Northwest. The Murong family, being among the wealthiest in the land, naturally wouldn’t overlook such enormous profits. Soon after the Northwest broke away from Great Chu, the Murong family had proactively contacted Prince Ding’s Mansion. Xu Qingchen lowered his gaze, saying nothing. If the Murong Family Head could have seen, he would have noticed the cold sneer and iciness in Xu Qingchen’s clear eyes. Unfortunately, he didn’t, and thus interpreted Xu Qingchen’s silence as acquiescence. Nodding with a hint of smug satisfaction, he chuckled. "Young Master Qingchen, why don’t you consider it carefully? Although the Murong family are merchants, our wealth rivals that of a nation. If you marry into our family, you will be the next Family Head. Wouldn’t that be a thousand times better than being a mere advisor under Prince Ding?"
"COUGH, COUGH..." Even the usually imperturbable Pavilion Master Ling nearly choked on his tea. Ling Tiehan stared at the Murong Family Head with a look of sheer admiration. Asking Xu Qingchen to marry into their family? You old man, you certainly have a wild imagination! If Xu Qingchen doesn’t dismantle your Murong family, I, this Pavilion Master, will hand over the King of Hell Pavilion to you! Ling Tiehan and Xu Qingchen had known each other for a very long time. Though they didn’t meet frequently, it didn’t impede his understanding of Xu Qingchen—an understanding born from hard-earned personal experience.
Eventually, the two were politely escorted out by Murong family servants, who showered Xu Qingchen with flattery along the way. It seemed the Murong family servants had already accepted Young Master Qingchen as the future son-in-law of the Murong family. Once they were well away from the Murong estate, Ling Tiehan could no longer contain himself and, looking at Xu Qingchen, burst into hearty laughter.
Xu Qingchen glanced at him coldly. "Is it that amusing?" Ling Tiehan readily admitted, "Indeed. After all these years... Young Master Qingchen, you’ve finally provided this Pavilion Master with some entertainment." Usually, it was Young Master Qingchen, with his calm and composed ’moon bright, wind clear’ expression, who observed the follies of others. This time, it was his turn to be the spectacle. Being pressured to marry into a family... If word of this gets out, it’ll make countless jaws drop.
Xu Qingchen gave him a look, then turned and headed towards the city. Ling Tiehan watched his departing figure, stroked his chin, and, momentarily forgetting his second sister and third brother who were still waiting for him at the assembly hall, eagerly followed.
As Xu Qingchen knew no martial arts, he could only walk back slowly. Ling Tiehan, strolling effortlessly beside him, asked, "Young Master Qingchen, have you devised a plan to deal with the Murong family? Or are you genuinely considering marrying into their family and becoming the wealthiest man in the world?" Xu Qingchen stopped and regarded Ling Tiehan thoughtfully. Immediately wary, Pavilion Master Ling drifted back several feet. "What are you planning? I can’t defeat that old monster from the Murong family."
Xu Qingchen smiled. "Someone told me that with one more expert of Pavilion Master Ling’s caliber, it would be sufficient to deal with Murong Xiong."
"Mo Xiuyao!" Ling Tiehan gritted his teeth. He glanced at Xu Qingchen and said, "Fine, tell Mo Xiuyao to come himself. This Pavilion Master would also like to see if his skills have improved. Besides, what benefits are in it for me if I help you deal with the Murong family?" Friendship was one thing, but business was business. Dealing with a major power like the Murong family wasn’t something he’d do without reward.
Xu Qingchen stood with his hands clasped behind him, his tone calm. "Naturally, I won’t disappoint Brother Ling. However... to deal with the Murong family, you and I are not enough. We need another partner." Ling Tiehan frowned, his voice deep. "Lei Zhenting?" Having become the Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion and one of the Four Great Experts of the worldly society at a young age, Ling Tiehan was no fool. In Xiling territory, confronting a colossus like the Murong family, which even the imperial family regarded with apprehension, would be exceedingly difficult without official sanction. "Would Lei Zhenting cooperate with you? His enmity with Mo Liufang is known throughout the land."
"In this world, there are no permanent friends, nor are there permanent enemies. Lei Zhenting will come to us of his own accord." Leaving these words behind, Young Master Qingchen gracefully departed. Ling Tiehan shook his head where he stood, sighing in resignation. "It seems the Murong family’s fortunes have truly run out. Why else would they offend such a formidable individual?"
「"Your Highness."」
The Southern Garrison Prince, his expression solemn, watched the martial arts competition on the stage. Lei Tengfeng, seated behind him, knew his royal father’s thoughts had long since strayed from the arena.
"What is it?" the Southern Garrison Prince asked, looking at the Golden Armor Guard before him. The guard replied in a low voice, "We’ve just received word. The Murong family intends to have Young Master Qingchen marry into their family."
The Southern Garrison Prince was momentarily stunned, then quickly scoffed. "They certainly have lofty aspirations. What was Xu Qingchen’s reaction?"
The Golden Armor Guard responded, "Young Master Qingchen appeared to disagree. His expression was not pleasant when he departed. He has already returned directly to the city."
The Southern Garrison Prince fell silent, pondering for a long moment. Lei Tengfeng said softly, "Xu Qingchen achieved fame at a young age and hails from a prestigious scholarly family. He is undoubtedly proud; it’s highly unlikely he would consent to such a proposal."
The Southern Garrison Prince furrowed his brow, turned to Lei Tengfeng, and asked, "Tengfeng, if you were Xu Qingchen, would you agree?" Lei Tengfeng considered for a moment, then nodded honestly. "Replying to Royal Father, your son would agree." The Southern Garrison Prince nodded and smiled. "That, at least, is the truth. Let’s go. We’re returning to the city!"
Rising to his feet, the Southern Garrison Prince turned and walked out of the assembly hall, Lei Tengfeng immediately following. Leng Liuyue, seated nearby, observed their departure and the now largely empty front row. After a moment’s thought, he said, "Third Brother, let’s leave as well." The Sick Scholar, of course, wouldn’t object to Leng Liuyue’s suggestion, nodding and rising to depart. On the fighting stage, Ren Qining caught sight of the vacant seats below out of the corner of his eye. A cold glint flashed in his own, and with a backhanded sword strike, he sent his opponent flying off the platform. Standing there, Ren Qining gazed pensively towards the Murong family estate, not far from the venue.
After parting ways with Ling Tiehan, Xu Qingchen wandered through the city for a while before returning to the inn where he was temporarily staying. The moment he stepped into his room, he saw two figures seated inside. Before Xu Qingchen could utter a word, several shadowy figures at his side lunged forward. The Southern Garrison Prince, naturally, paid these secret guards little heed. With a cold chuckle, he set down his teacup and casually sent out a palm strike. The secret guards, clearly realizing they were outmatched by this individual, moved in coordination. In a flash, two of them engaged the Southern Garrison Prince, while another two lunged towards Lei Tengfeng. Simultaneously, two more figures appeared, positioning themselves in front of Xu Qingchen protectively.
"Stop," Xu Qingchen ordered.
His voice had barely faded when the secret guards halted their assault, retreated to the side, and stood respectfully. The Southern Garrison Prince clapped his hands and laughed. "Excellent! The secret guards of Prince Ding’s Mansion truly live up to their renown. Young Master Qingchen, this prince has taken the liberty of visiting unannounced. I hope you’ll forgive the intrusion." Xu Qingchen stepped out from behind his guards and waved a hand. "Stand down. The Southern Garrison Prince intends no harm."
"We obey and take our leave." The secret guards didn’t tarry; upon Xu Qingchen’s command, they withdrew promptly and efficiently.
The Southern Garrison Prince’s sword-like eyebrows rose slightly, a new appreciation for this gentle and elegant Young Master Qingchen dawning on him. "Oh? And how did Young Master Qingchen deduce that this prince harbors no ill intent?"
Xu Qingchen smiled. "If the Southern Garrison Prince wished to ambush me, any location would have sufficed. Why wait in my room at the inn?" The Southern Garrison Prince nodded. "True enough. This prince truly envies Prince Ding. Not only does he have a sagacious advisor like Young Master Qingchen, but his subordinates are also exceptionally well-trained. This prince initially planned to enter undetected, yet I was discovered. What’s even more remarkable is their composure."
Xu Qingchen walked over to sit across from the Southern Garrison Prince, picked up a celadon teacup, poured himself some tea, and smiled. "Your Highness flatters me."
Xu Qingchen smiled as he looked at the Southern Garrison Prince. "I am aware of the purpose of Your Highness’s visit. I have no interest in selling myself to anyone."
A peculiar smile touched the Southern Garrison Prince’s lips. "But the Murong family’s wealth rivals that of a nation."
Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "Wealth rivaling a nation is only useful if one knows how to wield it. If a hundred thousand taels of silver are enough for a person to live a lifetime of utmost luxury, then... what significance does a million taels hold? Once wealth surpasses a certain point, it becomes merely a number." The Southern Garrison Prince narrowed his eyes, studying Xu Qingchen. "This prince doesn’t quite grasp your meaning, Young Master."
Xu Qingchen chuckled. "In my current capacity, I am indeed in great need of funds. Millions, even tens of millions, would not be excessive. However, were I in a different position, eight or ten thousand would suffice."
A glint sparked in the Southern Garrison Prince’s eyes. He clasped his hands in salute. "Young Master, you possess extraordinary talent. Not having someone of your caliber as an advisor will be a lifelong regret for this prince. Prince Ding is indeed fortunate." Xu Qingchen’s meaning was clear: as a key figure in the Northwest, responsible for its governance, funds were always needed—the more, the better. Yet, Young Master Qingchen himself held no personal interest in wealth. The Southern Garrison Prince looked at him. "Young Master Qingchen doesn’t seem surprised by my visit. Or perhaps... were you deliberately waiting for this prince?"
Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "I was just discussing with Pavilion Master Ling. In this world, there are no eternal friends and no eternal enemies. Now, I’ll add: there are only eternal interests. For the present, at least, our objectives align, do they not? Or... does Your Highness believe I lack the ability to bring the Murong family under my control?"
"No eternal friends, no eternal enemies, only eternal interests? Insightful!" the Southern Garrison Prince praised.
"Merely repeating what I’ve heard. I chanced to hear the Princess Consort say it and felt it was quite fitting for this situation. Don’t you agree?" Xu Qingchen asked, sipping his tea.
"Princess Consort Ding... she is indeed an extraordinary woman, a rarity in this world. Since Young Master Qingchen is confident in his ability to gain full control of the Murong family, why the need to cooperate with this prince?" the Southern Garrison Prince inquired.
"It would be a waste of time," Xu Qingchen stated bluntly. He could, of course, take control of the entire Murong family, but that wouldn’t be a matter of ten days or half a month; it likely couldn’t be accomplished even within three to five years. And as for now, if Mo Xiuyao were to let him stay away for so long just for the Murong family, Mo Xiuyao would probably prefer to burn all of the Murong family’s assets to the ground. With Xu Qingchen gone, who would manage the state affairs for him, racking their brains over the populace’s livelihood?
The Southern Garrison Prince lowered his gaze, mulling over Xu Qingchen’s words. If it were possible, he would absolutely prefer not to cooperate with Xu Qingchen. Cooperation meant the profits couldn’t be monopolized, and the majority of the Murong family’s interests were in Xiling, inherently belonging to Xiling. However, if he refused, the Southern Garrison Prince had no doubt that even if Xu Qingchen was unwilling to marry into the Murong family, he possessed other means to cause trouble for him. Furthermore, Great Chu was a factor. If the Murong family were pushed to ally with Great Chu, the losses would be even greater.
After a long while, the Southern Garrison Prince finally raised his head and asked, "What does Young Master Qingchen want?"
A calm, satisfied smile touched Xu Qingchen’s lips. "All Murong family assets in the Northwest will go to Prince Ding’s Mansion. As for those within Xiling... I won’t ask for much: thirty percent to Prince Ding’s Mansion, and ten percent to the King of Hell Pavilion."
The Southern Garrison Prince’s expression darkened slightly. "Young Master Qingchen, your appetite is rather large." Demanding forty percent of the Murong family’s assets outright was equivalent to roughly twenty percent of Xiling’s entire commerce. Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "Is Your Highness suggesting that the Southern Garrison Prince’s Mansion can take down the Murong family single-handedly? Or can Your Highness guarantee that Great Chu, Nanzhao, and Beirong will not interfere? Although the Beirong imperial family sent no representatives this time... we are currently on Your Highness’s territory. I find it hard to believe Your Highness is unaware of Beirong’s activities. Putting that aside, is Your Highness confident in dealing with Murong Xiong?"
