Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 293 - 291. Mr. Qingyun’s Concerns

291. The Worries of Mr. Qingyun

At the end of May this year, the new emperor of Great Chu had not yet ascended the throne for two months. Most of the power in the court was still held by the Regent Prince. However, the undercurrent beneath the court still hadn’t stopped. Prince Li’s intentions had become too apparent, and the upstanding officials in the court who supported the proper succession had slowly begun to gather together, subtly forming a counterbalance against the Regent Prince.

On the northern border, the war before Zijing Pass continued. Farther north, the large army of Beirong had already begun to stir before the arrival of early summer. On May 20th, the Xiling army once again launched an offensive on the southwestern border. The people of the southwest, who had experienced war just a few years prior, were once again plunged into conflict.

「Northwest Licheng」

Not far outside the city, on a mountain, Lishan Academy lay hidden in the lush forest, appearing as tranquil and elegant as a realm beyond this world. Ye Li walked through the quiet bamboo forest, heading towards the source of the ringing zither music. In a clearing within the bamboo forest, Mr. Qingyun, his hair and beard as white as snow, sat on the ground. A tongmu zither rested on his knees, and he lightly strummed its strings, producing a soothing melody. Not far from him sat Su Zhe, equally white-haired, leisurely brewing tea while listening to the music.

"Has Li’er arrived?" Mr. Qingyun stopped playing, turned to look at Ye Li, and smiled faintly.

"Grandfather, Elder Su," Ye Li said softly. She stepped forward to help Mr. Qingyun sit on the stone bench beside Su Zhe. Elder Su smiled and poured tea for them both, saying, "Why has the Princess Consort come at this time? Is she here to see the young heir?"

Ye Li laughed. "With Grandfather and Mr. Elder Su teaching Xiaobao, I can rest assured. Have the children not been disturbing Grandfather and Elder Su?"

Currently, Lishan Academy housed not only its students but also three young children. Mo Xiaobao was to study at Lishan Academy, and although Leng Junhan was still young, he had to accompany him. Consequently, Qin Zheng had also sent her son, Xu Zhirui, saying the three children would be good companions for each other.

"The young heir is even wiser than the Prince was in his younger days and needs no extra effort to tutor," Su Zhe laughed. He was very fond of the clever Mo Xiaobao. Mo Xiaobao treated Su Zhe with the respect due to a great-grandfather, which naturally earned him even more affection from Su Zhe, who had no children or grandchildren of his own. Even Mr. Qingyun sometimes had to step back. It must be said that even though Mo Xiaobao was young, his ability to flatter surpassed that of many adults.

Mr. Qingyun looked at Ye Li with a gentle and kind expression. "Li’er, have you come because you are about to embark on a long journey?"

Ye Li looked at Mr. Qingyun, somewhat surprised. "Grandfather, even though you stay at Lishan Academy, you are remarkably well-informed about worldly affairs."

Elder Su shook his head and laughed. "Mr. Qingyun is not only talented and refined, but he is also knowledgeable in astronomy, geography, astrology, and divination. This morning, he told me that the star positions of the Prince and Princess Consort have shifted, indicating an impending long journey. And now, here you are, are you not?"

"Does it really work like that?" Ye Li had heard of such astrological arts but had never studied them. Deep down, she still carried the traces of her previous life and held a certain skepticism towards these things. "Then, Grandfather," she asked, "can you see anything else?"

Mr. Qingyun stroked his snowy beard, shook his head, and sighed. "The world... is in great chaos. Such chaos... is rarely seen in hundreds of years."

Mr. Qingyun’s words made not only Ye Li but also Su Zhe look solemn. Su Zhe said with some regret, "So it truly is irreversible?"

Mr. Qingyun shook his head. "The seeds of this great chaos were sown years ago; it is irreversible now. Li’er, in this generation of the Xu Family, you and your elder brother stand out the most. Especially you... In the contest for supremacy, casualties are inevitable, but the common people are innocent. No matter what, you must not vent your anger on the innocent. You and Mo Xiuyao must remember this."

Ye Li nodded and said softly, "Please rest assured, Grandfather. Xiuyao isn’t that kind of person." Ye Li understood what Mr. Qingyun meant. In this era, there was no concept of human rights; the lives of ordinary people were as insignificant as grass. Countless records of city massacres could be found in the history of every dynasty. Despite being covered up by the ruling class, traces could still be discovered by later generations. But Ye Li didn’t believe she would ever act in such a way. Neither her basic humanity nor her past identity as a soldier would permit her to do such a thing. And she was confident that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t either.

Looking at the earnest, clear-eyed young woman before him, a sigh escaped Mr. Qingyun’s wrinkled face. A hint of worry flashed in his wise eyes, and he sighed softly. "Well, we are all old. The future is up to you youngsters. Be careful when you are away from home."

Ye Li nodded and smiled. "Grandfather, please don’t worry. However, after we leave, only my eldest brother will remain in Licheng. Perhaps you could mention to my uncles that he might be too busy alone." Her second uncle, Xu Hongyan, had already started teaching at Lishan Academy. Her eldest uncle, though still in Licheng, seemed to have developed an interest in agriculture and had made several trips to her fourth and fifth brothers’ places in the past year. While agriculture is indeed crucial, putting Xu Hong Yu in charge of it seemed like an underutilization of his talents.

Mr. Qingyun stroked his beard and laughed. "They were idle before because there was nothing for them to do. Now that there are proper tasks, they will naturally return to their duties. Why would I need to say anything?"

Ye Li blinked, a sudden realization dawning on her. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandfather. Li’er understands now."

Only then did Mr. Qingyun nod, smiling. "Grandfather knows you are very busy. You don’t have to stay with us old folks. Off you go."

Ye Li then rose, bade farewell to Mr. Qingyun and Su Zhe, and left.

Watching the graceful figure gradually disappear into the distance, Su Zhe shook his head and said to Mr. Qingyun, "Is Princess Consort Ding truly planning to accompany Prince Ding on the expedition? Mr. Qingyun, are you at ease with this?"

Mr. Qingyun shook his head and sighed. "The child has grown up. It seems like only yesterday Li’er was a little girl, even younger than Chen’er..."

Su Zhe had also seen Ye Li as a child. At that time, the Xu Family was still in the Capital of Great Chu, and Ye Li’s birth mother was still alive. Who could have imagined that the sweet little girl would grow up to be the capable Princess Consort Ding, proficient in both civil and military affairs, capable of governing the country and pacifying the nation?

Mr. Qingyun frowned. "I perceive a lingering malevolence in Prince Ding’s heart. I fear that the future will involve much bloodshed, detrimental to the harmony of the world. Having Li’er by his side to advise him might make a significant difference."

"How can that be?" Su Zhe frowned. Though he hadn’t seen Mo Xiuyao often in recent years, he had met him a few times. Despite his white hair, Mo Xiuyao’s temperament had improved significantly compared to his youth. It didn’t seem like he harbored any underlying malevolence.

Mr. Qingyun shook his head. "We all know what Prince Ding’s temperament was like when he was young. But his current demeanor... it’s unsettling. Considering his original temperament, how do you think he would deal with Mo Jingqi?"

Su Zhe pondered for a moment, his expression subtly changing. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. He might even retaliate tenfold. But after all these years, Prince Ding’s temperament has surely been smoothed."

Mr. Qingyun smiled faintly. "The Mo Family’s temperament is all the same; it’s not so easily smoothed out. Among all the generations of Princes in Prince Ding’s Mansion, wasn’t the Regent Prince considered the most amiable? Yet, could the late emperor withstand the final blow he delivered before his death?"

Su Zhe was speechless. The Regent Prince Mr. Qingyun referred to was naturally Mo Xiuyao’s father, Mo Liufang. Even after several decades, Su Zhe still remembered that handsome, dashing man of peerless talent. Though as skilled in both civil and military arts as the other Princes of Ding, Mo Liufang epitomized cultured refinement. In the present world, only Young Master Qingchen could compare, but Young Master Qingchen’s appearance and temperament were too ethereal and otherworldly, making him seem more like a celestial being than a mortal. Mo Liufang, however, was a true worldly gentleman of noble birth, a scion of a distinguished house, whose talent and grace deserved to be celebrated for generations. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Yet, even such a man was plotted against by the emperor he faithfully served, and the counterattack he launched just before his death was devastating. The late emperor, then in his prime, died within three years, his ambitions interred in the cold royal mausoleum. This left behind the young new emperor, Mo Jingqi, but it also bought Prince Ding’s Mansion several years of respite. Otherwise, had the young Mo Xiuwen and Mo Xiuyao fallen into the hands of the older and more cunning late emperor, it is truly questionable whether Prince Ding’s Mansion would still exist today.

"In that case..." Su Zhe murmured thoughtfully.

Mr. Qingyun said gravely, "Prince Ding has been suppressing his true feelings all these years; or rather, he has been meticulously planning a grand game of chess in his mind. That is why he could endure his hatred for Mo Jingqi and for the imperial family of Great Chu, even his hatred for Beirong and Xiling. Despite appearing unrestrained these past years, he has, in reality, been biding his time. He needed time to set his pieces, and now... the board is evidently set. The battlefield... is often where a person’s truest nature is revealed. Once the pent-up emotions from all these years of endurance erupt... no one in this world, except Li’er, will be able to restrain him."

"The original affair concerning Prince Ding’s Mansion involved not only Mo Jingqi but also, to varying degrees, Beirong and Xiling. Moreover, the Mo Family Army was directly massacred by Beirong’s cavalry. For so many years, whenever Mr. Qingyun recalled Mo Xiuyao’s composure when dealing with Beirong envoys, a chill ran down his spine."

"So that’s how it is," Su Zhe sighed, a deeper sense of guilt etching his features. If Su Zuidie hadn’t stolen the Mo Family Army’s deployment map back then, that tragedy might never have occurred. Despite grieving for his only granddaughter, when he thought of the tens of thousands of heroic souls of the Mo Family Army who had died unjustly, Su Zhe felt he didn’t even have the right to mourn. Those soldiers who fought for their country only to die unrecognized—who mourned for them? All of this happened because of his misguided teachings, his terrible failure in guidance.

Seeing the expression on Su Zhe’s face, Mr. Qingyun understood his thoughts. He reached out and patted Su Zhe’s hand. "Those events... are in the past. Why dwell on them?"

Su Zhe shook his head, looking up at the sky with a long sigh.

After bidding farewell to Mr. Qingyun and visiting Mo Xiaobao, Ye Li returned to Prince Ding’s Mansion. As soon as she entered, she saw numerous civil and military officials—who usually only appeared if summoned—waiting in the courtyard. Upon seeing Ye Li, they immediately surged forward to greet her. Ye Li arched an eyebrow slightly and smiled. "What’s the matter, everyone? What brings you all to the mansion at this hour?"

Zhang Qilan laughed. "Princess Consort, please rest assured. We have diligently handled all matters instructed by the Prince and yourself. Nothing is amiss."

Ye Li laughed. "If there are no issues, did you all come specially to pay respects? Our mansion doesn’t stand on such ceremony. Since nothing is wrong, you may all take your leave."

"Princess Consort..." The others dared not say more. However, Lv Jinxian, Zhang Qilan, and the veteran general Yuan Pei showed no such hesitation and quickly stopped Ye Li. Ye Li raised an eyebrow, looking at them with an amused smile. Lv Jinxian was pushed forward and said, "Ah... Your Highness, envoys from both Xiling and Great Chu have just requested an audience with the Prince. We wished to ask... what are His Highness’s intentions?"

They had been secretly preparing their troops, sensing that their superiors were planning a move. This had greatly excited the old generals, who had grown stiff from inactivity. But today, envoys from two states had suddenly arrived simultaneously seeking an audience. The Prince’s decision on whom to favor would indicate their future course of action.

"Envoys from Xiling and Great Chu requested an audience simultaneously?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows; having just returned, she was unaware of this news. Lin Han, who was beside her, rubbed his nose and said, "This is precisely what I was about to report to Your Highness. The Xiling envoy arrived first, followed shortly by the Great Chu envoy. However, the Prince summoned the Great Chu envoy first. Also, His Highness requests Your Highness to proceed to the main hall now that you have returned."

Ye Li smiled without saying a word, looking at the crowd around her. They hastily made way. "Please, Your Highness."

"Then... I shall take my leave first?"

"We dare not delay Your Highness. Please, proceed." Realizing that the Princess Consort was also uninformed, everyone sighed helplessly. They could only watch Ye Li depart, eagerly awaiting news of the outcome.

In a corner, Feng Huaiting and Han Mingyue were playing chess, while Han Mingxi dangled from a large tree above them, yawning as he watched their game.

"Young Master Mingyue, do you think a battle is imminent?" Feng Huaiting asked calmly.

Although he had been in the Northwest for less than three months, it had given Feng Huaiting a completely different feeling. The officials and generals of Prince Ding’s Mansion were generally young, making Feng Huaiting, now in his years, one of the eldest. Moreover, Prince Ding had granted him an unprecedented level of authority and trust. Feng Huaiting had once asked Mo Xiuyao why he trusted him so much. Prince Ding had replied, half-jokingly, half-seriously, that he didn’t trust Feng Huaiting; he only trusted Feng Zhiyao. If Feng Huaiting were to betray Prince Ding’s Mansion, Feng Zhiyao’s head would immediately roll. Feng Zhiyao, who had been present, showed no displeasure at Mo Xiuyao’s words, reacting as if it were perfectly natural.

Feng Huaiting didn’t understand the bonds between these young men, but as the Feng Family Head, he knew how to make choices. Although Prince Ding’s Mansion didn’t currently seem to hold the advantage in the grand scheme of the realm, for some reason, he believed that if there were to be only one ultimate victor, it would be Prince Ding. And for the Feng Family, the most advantageous path was, naturally, to align with the final winner.

"It’s bound to happen. After so many years... even if the Mo Family Army doesn’t want to act, others can no longer hold back," Han Mingyue said flatly.

These past few years, he had idled at home. No one in Licheng targeted him, nor did anyone ask anything of him. He knew this was because Mo Xiuyao no longer trusted him.

Years had passed. Gradually awakening from the delusive dream woven by Su Zuidie, Han Mingyue finally understood what he had lost for the sake of that so-called love. But it was too late for amends. Han Mingyue would not humiliate himself by trying to mend their friendship. He understood Mo Xiuyao: once Mo Xiuyao offered his friendship, he would never forsake you unless you betrayed him first. But a betrayal meant an eternal severance. From the moment he took that first step for Su Zuidie, there was no longer any hope of reconciliation between them.

So, he merely acted like an idler, offering a few words of advice to his younger brother when occasionally needed. Now... this younger brother was the only family he had left in the world.

Han Mingxi, hanging from the tree like a bat, said languidly, "Whether they fight or not, what does it have to do with us?" They wouldn’t have to go to the battlefield anyway.

Feng Huaiting put down his chess piece, stood up, and said with a laugh, "Of course, it matters. Since it has come to this, we should also start preparing."

Han Mingxi dropped down from the tree. Watching Feng Huaiting’s departing figure, he asked doubtfully, "What do we need to prepare?"

Han Mingyue smiled faintly. "As the saying goes, ’an army marches on its stomach.’ The Feng Family Head is a smart man."

"Brother..." Han Mingxi looked at his elder brother with regret and concern. His brother’s obsession with Su Zuidie was a thing of the past. Now that he was gradually recovering, his talents were definitely not inferior to those of the Feng Family Head, Feng Huaiting. Yet, past events had ensured he would never have a chance to use his abilities in the Northwest.

Han Mingyue shook his head reassuringly and said with a faint smile, "Mingxi... for me, this so-called ’grand ambition of kingship and hegemony’ is nothing but a dream. No, I’ve never even had such a dream. There’s nothing wrong with the way things are now..."

"Does Prince Ding truly not know that you’ve been advising me for the past year or two?" Han Mingxi asked. He wasn’t afraid to admit his own limitations. Many tasks Prince Ding had assigned him in the last couple of years were clearly beyond his capabilities, which had made Han Mingxi suspicious.

Han Mingyue chuckled and patted his brother’s shoulder. "Sometimes, ’ignorance is bliss.’ Come on, Mr. Feng might have something for you to help with."

When Ye Li stepped into the main reception hall, the envoy from Great Chu had not yet left. The Xiling envoy, meanwhile, had been shown to a flower hall on the other side to wait with some tea. Upon entering and seeing the envoy sent by Great Chu, Ye Li was momentarily stunned—it was an acquaintance: Prince Yu, Mo Jingyu.

"Ah-Li, you’re back?" Seeing Ye Li appear at the doorway, Mo Xiuyao, who had a trace of impatience on his face, immediately broke into a smile and rose to greet her. Mo Jingyu also quickly stood up and bowed. "Princess Consort Ding. What brings Your Highness here?"

Ye Li smiled. "Oh, it’s Prince Yu. I just went out of the city to see my maternal grandfather. My apologies for not being here to welcome you earlier. Please forgive the oversight."

Of course, Mo Jingyu knew about Lishan Academy, situated on the mountain not far outside the city. It had originally been one of the three great academies of Great Chu. But due to Mo Jingqi’s folly, it had fallen into the hands of the Northwest, a veritable gift. Over the past two years, the Northwest’s talent selection system had largely taken shape, its success greatly attributable to Lishan Academy, which attracted and nurtured a continuous stream of gifted individuals. Many scholars who traveled thousands of miles to study there chose to remain in the Northwest upon completing their education. Furthermore, the number of local students from the Northwest had significantly increased in recent years, and they were fiercely loyal to Prince Ding’s Mansion.

"Prince Yu, please be seated," Ye Li said with a smile, taking her seat beside Mo Xiuyao in the host’s position.

Mo Jingyu thanked her and sat down again. He glanced at Mo Xiuyao, whose attention had clearly drifted elsewhere, and inwardly smiled wryly, wondering how to broach the subject.

Ye Li said apologetically, "Did I interrupt your discussion?"

Mo Xiuyao took one of Ye Li’s hands, resting it on his lap and idly playing with her fingers. "What discussion? He’s here to ask for aid, isn’t he?"

"Ask for aid?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow.

Mo Jingyu gave a bitter laugh at Mo Xiuyao’s bluntness. He had indeed come to request assistance, but Mo Xiuyao’s tone made him feel rather humiliated.

Ye Li frowned. "Has the situation deteriorated to such an extent? Would Prince Li actually agree to seek help from the Mo Family Army?"

Mo Jingyu looked awkward. Prince Li certainly hadn’t agreed. It had to be said, Mo Jingli and Mo Jingqi, despite their discord, were brothers after all. On the issue of Prince Ding’s Mansion, both were stubbornly and unyieldingly opposed. The only real difference was that Mo Jingqi targeted Prince Ding’s Mansion itself—he’d want to tear into whoever held the title of Prince Ding. Mo Jingli, on the other hand, focused his animosity more on Mo Xiuyao as an individual. However, the current situation left Mo Jingli no choice but to concede. Perhaps Mo Jingli could retreat to Jiangnan with his own men, but others could not. Their roots were in the Capital of Great Chu. Once the capital fell, everything would be lost for them.

"General Leng is struggling to defend Zijing Pass against the Northern Territory. Last month, Xiling and Beirong simultaneously launched attacks on Great Chu. Great Chu is truly besieged on three sides... I hope Prince Ding will extend a helping hand, considering our shared lineage with Great Chu."

Mo Xiuyao snorted. "Extend a helping hand? Is this the notion of those old fools in the court? Did Mo Jingli agree? Can Prince Yu guarantee that Mo Jingli won’t stab us in the back if I dispatch my troops? My Mo Family Army has experienced such treachery more than once or twice. Prince Yu, you should leave."

"Prince Ding... are you truly going to stand by and watch disaster unfold?" Mo Jingyu pleaded. Even though he was close to Mo Jingli, he genuinely didn’t want to see Great Chu destroyed. "Does Your Highness feel our sincerity is lacking? If there is anything else we can do, please, Your Highness, just give the command."

"Sincerity?" Mo Xiuyao said indifferently. "From beginning to end, I have seen no sincerity whatsoever. However... it’s not entirely out of the question..."

Mo Jingyu was overjoyed. "Please, Prince Ding, just give your conditions."

A cold smile touched Mo Xiuyao’s lips. "If Mo Jingli is willing to kneel before the Mo Family Army and apologize on behalf of the imperial family of Great Chu, then I might consider it."

Mo Jingyu’s expression changed drastically. He immediately realized his trip had been in vain. It would be impossible to make Mo Jingli even bow to Mo Xiuyao, let alone kneel before the Mo Family Army. With a sigh of resignation, Mo Jingyu finally lowered his head, dejected.

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "It seems Prince Yu has given up. In that case, please show yourself out."

Mo Jingyu glanced at Mo Xiuyao’s impassive face, heaved a long sigh, and departed.