Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 256 - 255. Princess Changle’s Plan

255. Princess Changle’s Plan

Back at Prince Ding’s Mansion, Ye Li, caught between laughter and tears, held the pitiful little dumpling in her arms and interceded on his behalf with Mo Xiuyao. While Mo Xiaobao had indeed missed his mother, it wasn’t to the point where he couldn’t function day or night without her. In fact, during these few months that Mo Xiaobao had been freed from Mo Xiuyao’s oppression, Mr. Qingyun had been exceedingly fond of this great-grandson of his, treating him completely differently from his harsh dealings with Xu Qingchen and his other brothers. Consequently, Mo Xiaobao had been overjoyed and carried away, playing as though he were a wild horse that had broken free from its reins. It was in the midst of this joy that he forgot about the homework Mo Xiuyao had assigned the night before he left, which he was told would be checked upon his return.

This time, Mo Xiuyao hadn’t deliberately made things difficult for Mo Xiaobao; the assignments were all tasks the child was capable of completing. But the problem was that Mo Xiaobao was too clever. Clever people tend to be a bit more artful than others, and so he procrastinated. By the time he suddenly realized his father was about to return, he had completed less than a third of his homework.

"Alright, you will have to complete your father’s assignments within ten days, understand?" Ye Li reached out to gently ruffle the boy’s drooping head as she spoke. In reality, Ye Li didn’t think it was a good idea to assign so much homework to a child as young as Mo Xiaobao. However, since it had already been assigned, it had to be completed. She didn’t want him to develop a tendency to shirk his responsibilities or rely on luck. Knowing he was in the wrong, Mo Xiaobao cautiously raised his eyes to look at Ye Li and said softly, "Mother, I know I was wrong." Ye Li nodded with a smile. "A child who can recognize their mistakes and make amends is a good child."

"Then... can I go see Great Grandfather a few days later?" Mo Xiaobao asked hesitantly. Unable to hold back a chuckle, Ye Li said, "Alright, we’ll go see Great Grandfather tomorrow and tell him we’ll visit the academy in a few days. However, you can’t behave like this in the future. When you study with Great Grandfather, you must understand the principle of persistence and not neglect your studies for other things, understood?" Mo Xiaobao obediently nodded. Mo Xiuyao, who was sitting to the side, watched him with an enigmatic smile and said, "If you don’t understand, then you don’t have to study with your Great Grandfather in the future. How about Father has your Eldest Uncle teach you instead?" Mo Xiaobao’s face immediately fell. Compared to his cultured, elegant, and refined Eldest Uncle, who always made him a bit scared, he much preferred his kind and benevolent Great Grandfather.

Ye Li watched helplessly as the father and son bickered; one could feel the hostile aura between them from hundreds of meters away. "Xiuyao, your wound hasn’t fully healed yet. Rest today, and we can discuss things tomorrow." Mo Xiuyao’s expression softened, and he nodded. Mo Xiaobao’s eyes lit up, and blinking his big eyes, he looked at Ye Li. "Mother, Xiaobao wants to sleep with you." Just as Ye Li was about to respond, Mo Xiuyao unhesitatingly picked Mo Xiaobao up, placed him on his lap, and, lowering his gaze to eye him, said, "Brat, you’re almost six years old and still want to sleep with Ah-Li. Do you want to be laughed to death?" Mo Xiaobao retorted indignantly, "Father, you’re over thirty! Why do you still want to sleep with Mother?!"

"PFFT..." Ye Li finally couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Seeing both the big one and the little one instantly turn their gazes to her, she quickly waved her hands and said with a laugh, "It’s nothing... I have some things to attend to in my study. You two can discuss it slowly." With that, she beat a hasty retreat under their glares.

"I want to sleep with Mother," Mo Xiaobao said firmly.

"Ah-Li is my wife," Mo Xiuyao said. "If you want someone to sleep with, go find your own wife."

"Mother is *my* mother!" Mo Xiaobao declared, his eyes wide. "You go find *your* mother!"

Mo Xiuyao’s mouth twitched, his expression turning fierce. "Only wives can sleep with you. Only cowardly, useless little brats sleep with their mothers."

Mo Xiaobao looked conflicted. "Where’s my wife then?"

Mo Xiuyao looked composed and said calmly, "Wait until you grow older, then you can find one yourself."

Outside the door, Ye Li listened to their nonsensical conversation and, thoroughly exasperated, turned and left.

Upon Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao’s return to Licheng, a flood of accumulated state affairs surged towards them. Although Xu Hong Yu had been holding down the fort, many matters still required Mo Xiuyao’s personal attention. The most pressing were a large batch of intelligence reports concerning Ren Qining, sent from Great Chu, and the military exercises for which preparations had begun even before Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had left Licheng.

In the study, Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow as he stared at the thick pile of various scrolls and documents before him. The efficiency of the intelligence network under Prince Ding’s Mansion was quite impressive; in less than a month, all sorts of information about Ren Qining had been delivered to his study. After reviewing the submitted materials, even Mo Xiuyao couldn’t help but marvel at how deeply Ren Qining had hidden himself. Ren Qining appeared to be a young man in his twenties, but in reality, he was the same age as Tan Jizhi, already thirty-seven or thirty-eight. For an ordinary person, this was no longer considered young, but for someone aspiring to conquer the world, he was still remarkably young. After arriving at a certain tribe in Northern Jin at the age of twelve, he hadn’t set foot in the Central Plains for over twenty years. During those two decades, he had steadily established his foothold in the Northern Territory, step by step subduing the various tribes of Northern Jin and effectively unifying the entire region. Unbeknownst to anyone, including Prince Ding’s Mansion, he had quietly built the Northern Territory into a power that now commanded over a hundred thousand elite soldiers. To put it bluntly, even if Ren Qining failed to restore his nation, his current strength was more than enough to declare himself king in the Northern Territory. From this perspective, Tan Jizhi, who was so actively stirring up trouble between Great Chu and Nanzhao, seemed more like a smokescreen deliberately placed by Ren Qining. It was just unknown whether this smokescreen was intentional or not.

"News just arrived from Leng Haoyu," Xu Hong Yu reported calmly. "Mo Jingqi is preparing to deploy troops to the Northern Territory."

"Deploying troops to the Northern Territory?" Mo Xiuyao furrowed his brows, turning his head to ask the generals like Lv Jinxian seated nearby, "Can the Army of Great Chu defeat the forces of the Northern Territory?" Lv Jinxian pondered for a moment before saying, "In terms of national strength and military power, there’s no reason the Army of Great Chu shouldn’t be able to defeat the Northern Territory. However, in recent years, the Northern Territory has been plagued by internal strife, with constant warfare among its various tribes. Although the Northern Territory only has just over a hundred thousand troops, they can be considered elite forces, tempered by countless battles. As for Great Chu, while they fought a war a few years ago, their combat record was truly worrying."

Feng Zhiyao sneered, "Your Highness, what’s the point of caring whether he can win a great victory? Even if you were willing to send troops to help him pacify Northern Jin now, he wouldn’t dare let the Mo Family Army enter the passes. He’s currently deployed the majority of his forces to defend the Feihong Pass line." Mo Xiuyao gave a rare good-natured smile. "I’m just worried Mo Jingqi is too incompetent. If the Northern Territory’s army were to make a sweeping advance, it wouldn’t be good for us either." If he were truly worried about Great Chu’s safety, he wouldn’t have deliberately provoked Mo Jingqi in Ancheng City. He just hoped Mo Jingqi’s generals wouldn’t disappoint him too much.

Xu Qingchen said thoughtfully, "If nothing unexpected happens, battles will break out on both the southern and northern fronts within three months at most. What are your plans, Your Highness?"

Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "Plans? Aren’t we supposed to be preparing for military exercises? Xiling will fight Nanzhao, Great Chu will fight the Northern Territory, and we... we’ll just play amongst ourselves." Everyone was speechless. Play amongst ourselves? Your Highness, you truly have a whimsical way of putting things.

After discussing Ren Qining, the conversation naturally turned to the military exercises that had been in preparation for several months. This was undoubtedly a novel concept for both the civil officials like Xu Hong Yu and the military generals like Lv Jinxian and Zhang Qilan. In an era where actual battles occurred frequently, many questioned the true significance of such so-called exercises. Nevertheless, after several months of preparation, everyone was quite expectant. When Mo Xiuyao inquired, Zhang Qilan immediately replied, "Your Highness, please rest assured. Everything has been prepared according to the instructions from you and the Princess Consort. The location has been set, centered on Hongzhou, within a radius of three hundred li." Mo Xiuyao nodded. "The area is large enough. Very good. Proceed with the preparations as previously instructed."

"Then, Your Highness... when will the exercises be scheduled?" Lv Jinxian asked.

Mo Xiuyao lazily lifted his eyelids, shot him a sideways glance, and asked, "Will the enemy inform you when they plan to launch a sneak attack? Just stay prepared for now."

"Yes, Your Highness. This subordinate obeys."

"Princess Consort, Princess Changle is here." Ye Li was sitting in her small study, looking through scrolls, when Zhuo Jing entered from the outer room to report. Ye Li was somewhat surprised. She had just returned and already had a mountain of tasks to handle; truth be told, she had almost forgotten about Princess Changle. Setting down her brush, Ye Li said, "Please show her in."

Shortly after, Princess Changle stepped into the study. Having not seen her for two months, the once charming and petite princess seemed to have lost some weight and appeared to have matured considerably. However, her once bright eyes now held a hint of dimness and sorrow.

"Greetings, Princess Consort Ding." Princess Changle curtsied. Ye Li stepped forward to help her up, looking her over before saying, "Your Highness, you seem to have lost a fair bit of weight. Have the servants been negligent in their care?" Princess Changle quickly shook her head. "You are too kind, Princess Consort. The people in Prince Ding’s Mansion have treated Wuyou very well." After returning to Licheng with Feng Zhiyao and the others, Princess Changle had set aside her formal title and gone by the pet name the Empress had given her. Thus, apart from Feng Zhiyao, Zhuo Jing, and the few others who had accompanied her to Nanzhao, everyone else in Prince Ding’s Mansion called her Miss Wuyou. Even the surname Mo was no longer mentioned.

Looking at Princess Changle, who seemed to have matured so much all at once, Ye Li sighed inwardly with a sense of helplessness. She took Princess Changle’s hand, led her to a seat, and said, "It’s good that you haven’t been wronged. If the servants have been remiss in any way, please don’t hesitate to tell me, or you can speak to Chief Steward Mo or Zhuo Jing. You absolutely mustn’t suffer in silence, understand?" Princess Changle’s eyes reddened slightly. She looked at Ye Li gratefully and said, "Everyone has been extremely kind to me; I haven’t suffered any grievances. I came today, Princess Consort, to bid you farewell. I... I’m thinking of moving out."

Ye Li was taken aback and frowned slightly. "Why is that?" Princess Changle replied, "I know everyone has been very kind to me, but Wuyou is, after all, an outsider. Prince Ding’s Mansion isn’t like other places, and living outside would also be a bit more freeing." Ye Li smiled faintly. "Surely you don’t think that here in the mansion, your Uncle Prince Ding and I would restrict your freedom?"

"No... That’s not what I meant..." Princess Changle seemed flustered, apparently unsure how to explain it to Ye Li. In truth, Ye Li understood her intentions perfectly. Even if she and Mo Xiuyao trusted Princess Changle, the girl was, after all, Mo Jingqi’s biological daughter. Staying in Prince Ding’s Mansion, she would inevitably have to be constantly cautious and tread carefully. Moreover, although not many people in Licheng knew Princess Changle, there were still a few. If word of Princess Changle’s presence in Prince Ding’s Mansion were to spread, it might lead to further trouble in the future. To think that this child, merely thirteen or fourteen years old, had to consider such complex issues... Ye Li couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for her.

Perhaps understanding Ye Li’s thoughts, Princess Changle put on a bright smile and, taking Ye Li’s hand, said, "Princess Consort Ding, I know you’re doing this for my own good. But I’m grown up now. Having left my mother and maternal grandfather, I need to act like an adult so they can rest assured, don’t I? Besides, I’m not destitute. Mother left me enough silver to live comfortably for a lifetime, and when they departed, they also left two trusted retainers from the Hua Family to look after me. Moreover, since I’ll be here in the Northwest, I’m sure you, Princess Consort, wouldn’t let anyone bully me, right?"

Ye Li smiled gently and reached out to ruffle the young girl’s hair bun. "You truly have grown up. But as a young woman on your own, what are your plans for the future?"

Princess Changle tilted her head in thought for a moment, then looked at Ye Li with determination. "I want to learn medicine. I know that the Northwest isn’t as restrictive towards women as Great Chu. Once I’ve become proficient, perhaps I can open a clinic to treat patients." Ye Li smiled at her and, raising an eyebrow, asked, "So, who do you plan to learn from? How will you find a master? You should know that physicians nowadays rarely take girls as apprentices. And medicine isn’t something you can master on your own just by reading a few books." Princess Changle replied earnestly, "I can disguise myself as a boy and become an apprentice at a clinic. Or... I can pay a skilled physician to teach me. Mother said that if one truly wants to learn, there’s always a way. Besides, I’m not completely ignorant. I can recite the Herbal Classic and recognize many medicinal herbs. That’s better than knowing nothing at all, so it should be easier for a master to accept me, right?"

Seeing that the young girl had truly made up her mind, Ye Li smiled warmly at her and whispered, "Seeing you’re so sincere, let me tell you a secret."

Princess Changle blinked, looking at her curiously. Ye Li said softly, "There are two Divine Doctors right here in Prince Ding’s Mansion."

"Ah? Is it Divine Doctor Shen, the one who cured Uncle Prince Ding? But it’s been so long, and I haven’t seen him," Princess Changle’s eyes lit up, then she added with some confusion. Ye Li smiled. "Mr. Shen and Mr. Lin found it dull in the mansion, so they moved into the city and opened a clinic. If you can persuade them to teach you, you naturally won’t have to worry about failing to learn medicine." Although Princess Changle didn’t know who this Doctor Lin was, Shen Yang’s name was known throughout the world. Hearing Ye Li’s words, she made her decision and nodded. "Thank you, Princess Consort Ding. I know what to do now."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Mr. Shen and Doctor Lin might not necessarily accept you, though."

Princess Changle said resolutely, "I will definitely try my utmost to persuade Mr. Shen to accept me!" Ye Li didn’t try to dissuade her further. She sighed, gently patting Princess Changle’s hand. "Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t say any more. Later, I’ll have someone find a suitable residence for you near the Mansion. You mustn’t refuse this. After all, the Mansion’s people are familiar with Licheng, which will make arranging things more convenient." Princess Changle no longer refused. Her clear eyes were slightly red, but she still smiled and said, "Then, thank you very much, Princess Consort Ding."

After they talked for a while longer, Princess Changle rose to take her leave. After seeing Princess Changle off, Ye Li pondered for a moment before summoning Zhuo Jing. "These past few days, has Third Young Master Feng been treating Princess Changle well?" Zhuo Jing was taken aback. Although he didn’t understand the meaning behind the Princess Consort’s question, he answered truthfully, "There hasn’t been anything particularly good or bad, I suppose. Princess Changle has been staying in the guest courtyard and doesn’t often see Third Young Master Feng." Ye Li frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then asked, "And... on the journey back here?" Zhuo Jing replied, "On the way back... Third Young Master Feng seemed rather reluctant to approach Princess Changle. I recall one time when we missed a town and had to camp in the wilderness, Lin Han asked Third Young Master Feng to deliver some food to Princess Changle. In the end, Third Young Master Feng tossed the items to me. However, he wasn’t disrespectful to Princess Changle." Ye Li nodded. "I understand. Later, when Third Feng is finished with his tasks, ask him to come see me."

"Your subordinate, Third Feng, requests an audience with the Princess Consort." In less than an hour, Feng Zhiyao appeared outside Ye Li’s study door.

"Come in."

Hearing Ye Li’s voice, Feng Zhiyao stepped into the study and said with a smile, "For the Princess Consort to summon this subordinate so soon after returning, I am truly honored. What instructions does the Princess Consort have for me?"

Ye Li ignored his jocularity. She put down the scroll in her hand, took a sip from her teacup, and said lightly, "Princess Changle intends to move out of the Mansion." Feng Zhiyao was taken aback. Before he could speak, Ye Li continued, "And I have already agreed."

Feng Zhiyao frowned, his tone somewhat disapproving. "Why? Princess Consort, Princess Changle is still just a young girl. How will she manage living alone if she moves out?" Ye Li smiled faintly. "Young girl? Princess Changle is already fourteen. Although Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Great Chu imperial family share a common ancestor, in terms of blood relations, we are already beyond the fifth degree of kinship. We are neither relatives nor close acquaintances; how can a young, unmarried girl like her continue to stay in the Mansion?"

Feng Zhiyao stared intently at Ye Li, clearly not believing her reasons. Ye Li, however, was unconcerned. She arched an eyebrow and smiled. "Alright, to be honest, this Princess Consort felt that Third Young Master Feng seemed to have some issues with Princess Changle. Since that’s the case, Princess Changle is merely an insignificant young girl, while you, Third Young Master Feng, are the Prince’s trusted confidant. Naturally, I had to prioritize your feelings." Feng Zhiyao’s expression soured. "When did I ever have issues with Princess Changle..." Meeting Ye Li’s enigmatic, half-smiling gaze, Feng Zhiyao could only fall silent and rub his nose. "Even so, Princess Consort, you didn’t need to make her move out. She’s still just a child, after all."

"I’ve already told you, she herself wanted to move out. A girl living under someone else’s roof is inevitably sensitive. You’ve been acting strangely towards her throughout the journey; can you blame her for feeling uncomfortable staying in the Mansion? You also know she’s still a child. That being the case, adult grudges have nothing to do with her. It’s not just you; I’m afraid everyone in the Mansion who knows her identity has some reservations about her. Even if no one was overtly rude, a girl’s perceptions are very keen; how could she not notice the subtle attitudes of others towards her? It’s no wonder Princess Changle came to bid farewell the very next day after returning. But then again, this can’t really be blamed on anyone. After all, her father is Mo Jingqi. Everyone knows it’s wrong to misplace anger, but how many can truly manage not to?"

"I admit that I was wrong. Princess Consort, please let her stay," said Feng Zhiyao.

Ye Li shook her head. "Princess Changle has already decided to seek a master to study medicine; living outside will be more convenient for that. I called you here mainly to ask you to find a suitable residence for her and also to look after her a little when she’s out and about. The Mansion is large, with many people and complex affairs. Even if we were to give orders, there’s no guarantee she wouldn’t still suffer some grievances." Feng Zhiyao was silent for a moment. Feeling that Ye Li’s words made sense, he nodded. "This subordinate understands. Please rest assured, Princess Consort."