Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 304 - 302. General’s Unknown Path
302. Self-immolation, a Renowned General Takes a Different Path
In the early morning, Biancheng City seemed to have returned to its old days of serenity and leisure, yet it had lost its former prosperity and bustle. Empty streets were peppered only with patrolling Mo Family Army soldiers, with no lively crowd or street vendors, no open shops or inns welcoming guests on both sides. The vast Biancheng City appeared incredibly quiet and empty.
Mo Xiuyao had been asked by Zhang Qilan and others to come to the study early in the morning. During this free time, Ye Li, together with Zhuo Jing, Lin Han, and Qin Feng, took a walk around the city. As they watched the deserted streets, she broke their silence and asked after a moment, "What about the people from yesterday’s execution ground?" The three of them exchanged a look, and Qin Feng said, "Princess Consort, the Prince decreed the removal of all civilians from Biancheng City."
Upon hearing this, Ye Li breathed a small sigh of relief. No matter what, it was good that they hadn’t ended up massacring the city.
"All of them were expelled from Biancheng City? Where did these people go?" After some thought, Ye Li asked.
Qin Feng replied, "Having survived, wherever they go will always be better. However... Lei Tengfeng, who was defeated, has only twenty to thirty thousand soldiers left, and they retreated to the west. The civilians also headed in that direction, so I’m afraid many of them will be conscripted into Lei Tengfeng’s army, and then they will end up on the battlefield..."
Ye Li calmly said, "Once they’re on the battlefield, they’re enemies. Spread the news about Long Yang using the civilians of Great Chu as human shields on the walls of Biancheng City. It wouldn’t hurt to exaggerate a little." The three of them looked at Ye Li in confusion. She continued, "Since we can’t hide the fact of those captured and the Prince’s intention to kill the civilians, having this situation as a reason would be more favorable for the reputation of the Prince and the Mo Family Army." Once the news of Long Yang using the civilians of Great Chu as human shields in Biancheng City got out, Mo Xiuyao’s actions would be easier to understand. Whether it was called revenge or a moment of rage, it would be easier for people to ignore Mo Xiuyao’s actions, especially since, in the end, Prince Ding didn’t massacre the city.
Zhuo Jing went off to take care of the task. Ye Li, accompanied by Qin Feng and Lin Han, continued to walk ahead. "Where is Long Yang?"
Qin Feng hesitated and said, "He’s in the western prison of the city, heavily guarded by the Prince’s orders."
"Let’s go take a look," Ye Li whispered.
Mo Xiuyao truly despised Long Yang. The place where Long Yang was held wasn’t a solid prison. It was a small building adjacent to the city’s western execution grounds. From the windows of the small building, one could see the execution ground outside the city. No one knew how many people were killed at the execution ground outside the city last night. But Long Yang certainly knew because he was forced to watch each of the captives being killed. Even after the executions were done, the prison Mo Xiuyao found for him was also facing the execution ground, not far away. Perhaps the coppery smell of blood from the execution ground permeated the air all night.
The soldiers guarding the building didn’t stop Ye Li. Ye Li signaled the others not to follow, only taking Qin Feng and Lin Han up the small building. Long Yang seemed drastically different from the day before. An elderly man already in his seventies, Long Yang’s once robust back was finally hunched over. The wrinkles on his face had deepened overnight, making him appear more than a decade older. His sparse, white hair was strewn messily on his head, and his aging, murky eyes looked lifeless.
Anyone could tell how much pain Long Yang was in. His pain had nothing to do with his physical condition; rather, his heart was tormented by guilt and regret. Already a man in his seventies, he was no longer the hard-hearted, bloody butcher he used to be. Witnessing the Xiling soldiers dying one by one due to his own mistake, he wished he could die in their stead.
"Cough, cough... Princess Consort Ding?" Upon hearing footsteps coming upstairs, Long Yang turned around with some difficulty. He then saw a young woman standing at the staircase entrance. This beautiful lady in a blue dress wasn’t decked in luxurious jewelry, nor was she dressed in gorgeous and noble silks. Her clear and serene beauty had an air of authority that ordinary young ladies and noblewomen lacked. Long Yang hadn’t expected Princess Consort Ding, whose name was renowned across the world, to be a young lady seemingly not yet twenty. However, in Biancheng City, the only woman who could freely come and go and possessed such a formidable demeanor could only be Princess Consort Ding.
Ye Li nodded and softly said, "General Long Yang, it’s good to meet you."
Long Yang gave a bitter smile. "A defeated general has no cause for pleasantries. Yesterday... I thank you, Princess Consort, for sparing the lives of the civilians of Biancheng City."
"It wasn’t for the civilians of Biancheng City," Ye Li walked over and sat down on a chair not far from Long Yang, replying indifferently.
Long Yang shook his head, saying, "Regardless of the reason, the fact remains that you saved them. This old man... I was old and confused, nearly sending these innocent civilians to their deaths, and I naturally must thank you." With that, Long Yang stood up and bowed to Ye Li. As he was already a dying man, his views on fame and vanity had naturally lightened. He didn’t feel any shame in kneeling before a young lady who was not yet twenty.
Ye Li was taken aback and glanced at Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing standing nearby. Both of them stepped forward, one on each side, helping Long Yang back to the chair he had previously been sitting on. After catching his breath, Long Yang looked at Ye Li and asked, "Why has the Princess Consort come at this moment? Is there something you wish to discuss with this old man?"
Long Yang was both physically and mentally exhausted. Not only from the strain and fatigue of recent days but also from staying up the entire previous night, staring fixedly at the execution field outside the window. All this had worn down a man in his seventies to the extreme. Even though the Mo Family Army did not harm Long Yang, let alone withhold food, his complexion and physical condition had nevertheless become extremely weak.
Ye Li nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "General Zhu Yan and Zhu Ling have both died in battle."
Long Yang gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I had anticipated this... Zhu Yan spent his life brooding. Dying on the battlefield after suppressing his grievances for twenty years is a good thing for him. He is luckier than me. It’s a pity about that young man Zhu Ling... That boy was thrown into the Jing Kingdom’s Army by his grandfather when he was just over ten years old. He fought for more than a decade before he could take over the command of the Jing Kingdom’s Army, yet he didn’t expect..." Shaking his head with a sigh, Long Yang turned to Ye Li. "When I first heard that the Princess Consort single-handedly defeated Lei Tengfeng’s hundreds of thousands of troops, we thought it was only because Lei Tengfeng was arrogant and underestimated his opponent. But now it seems that I was the one who underestimated others. The Princess Consort is indeed no less competent than any famous general. I am impressed that you were able to locate the Jing Kingdom’s Army in such a short time."
"It was only a small trick, General. You overpraise me."
After a moment of silence upstairs, Long Yang asked, "How did Zhu Yan die?"
"Old General Zhu... after the city fell, he plunged from the walls, dying for his country," Ye Li stated quietly.
"Good... dying honorably is not something to regret." Long Yang nodded, looking at Ye Li. "Actually, even if the Princess Consort didn’t come today, this old man also wanted to see the Princess Consort."
Ye Li answered seriously, "If General Long Yang has anything to say, please feel free to speak."
Long Yang sighed, looking at the desolate execution field not far from the window. "The Princess Consort must have heard that when I was young, I was a ruthless, cold-blooded character who wouldn’t hesitate to kill."
Ye Li nodded. "Indeed, General Long Yang’s reputation as the ’Killing God of the Western Region’ not only shakes the Western Region but is also well-known in the Central Plains."
Long Yang shook his head. "What ’Killing God of the Western Region’? When I was young, I didn’t believe in gods or destiny and caused many deaths. Only when I retired over twenty years ago did I realize the mistakes of the past. It’s just that I never thought... My entire life of killing would be repaid in my old age. This old man lost his wife in middle age, and now in his later years, he is childless and alone. There must be a reason for that."
Ye Li remained silent for a moment, looked at Long Yang, and said, "I understand General Long Yang’s meaning."
Long Yang nodded. "Although I am an old man, I have some insight into people’s characters. The Princess Consort is naturally gentle and not bloodthirsty. But Prince Ding... Although I have only met him a few times, I can see that beneath his seemingly calm and indifferent exterior lies a sharp-edged brow and a hidden killing intent in his eyes. I fear this is not a good omen. I’ve heard that the Princess Consort comes from a scholarly family in Great Chu and should know that casualties in wars are inevitable. However, indiscriminately killing innocent civilians harms both Heaven and human nature."
Ye Li frowned, a trace of displeasure in her eyes as she calmly said, "General Long, the Prince has not harmed a single civilian in Biancheng City."
Seeing Ye Li’s displeased expression, Long Yang chuckled and nodded. "That’s why I want to thank the Princess Consort. If it weren’t for you, I fear Biancheng City would be flooded with blood and filled with the cries of innocent spirits by now."
Ye Li frowned. "What exactly does General Long Yang want to tell me?"
Long Yang stared at Ye Li, saying solemnly, "Please encourage Prince Ding. Casualties on the battlefield are the will of Heaven. But the indiscriminate killing of innocents off the battlefield is not what a general or a ruler should do." Ye Li’s heart stirred lightly as she calmly looked back at Long Yang. Long Yang turned his gaze back towards the window, his countenance somber. "When a person is about to die, their words are good. I speak these words not for Xiling, but they are simply the wisdom gained over my lifetime. If one allows themselves to be blinded by bloodshed, there will come a day when their own heart is engulfed by that same bloodshed. The battlefield, since ancient times, has always been a place that can turn a living person into a ghost."
Ye Li lowered her gaze, her mind filled with turmoil. She understood Long Yang’s meaning. The battlefield was indeed a place that could amplify one’s evil thoughts to the greatest extent possible. Ye Li had always known that Mo Xiuyao was not as he appeared on the surface. Whether it was his initial gentleness and elegance, or the occasional willfulness and disregard for norms later in life, a person who had suffered such profound pain and hardship, who had endured so much humiliation for so many years, even to the point of completely changing his character, couldn’t possibly be as calm and composed as he appeared. At least, if it were her, she would not be able to do so.
Mo Xiuyao harbored resentment in his heart, but he could suppress such hatred. He also harbored hatred, yet he merely watched Mo Jingqi die before him without taking any further revenge. This made it easy for people to assume his hatred wasn’t deep, or that, being broad-minded, he had gradually let it go. However, Ye Li knew Mo Xiuyao was never one to repay grievance with virtue.
This time, Mo Xiuyao’s sudden outburst was actually irrational. Long Yang’s act of using Great Chu civilians as human shields was undeniably wrong. However, most people in that situation would want to capture Long Yang and subject him to a torturous death to vent their anger. But Mo Xiuyao wanted Long Yang to live, to watch the Xiling soldiers, and even Xiling civilians, die one by one. He wanted Long Yang to experience a fate worse than death. He wasn’t merely angry at Long Yang’s actions; he hated Long Yang with an extreme, deep-seated resentment. Yet, in reality, there was no prior enmity between Long Yang and Mo Xiuyao; battlefield clashes couldn’t be considered personal grudges.
Long Yang had seen through all this, and naturally, Ye Li could understand it too. Therefore, Long Yang was filled with regret. He wasn’t truly regretting his own actions of using civilians as a human shield, but rather regretting that such actions had provoked Mo Xiuyao’s murderous intent and might have even unleashed a bloodthirsty demon.
Ye Li looked at the old man in front of her who, despite his age, had a worried look in his eyes. She said seriously, "He won’t become that kind of person. He will be alright." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖
Long Yang nodded and said, "I believe that the Princess Consort can make it happen. It is Prince Ding’s fortune to have Princess Consort Ding as his wife."
Ye Li smiled gently and whispered, "Being able to meet him is also my fortune."
Who was the fortunate one wasn’t really important. What mattered was that Ye Li believed Mo Xiuyao was the right person for her. Even if there were men in this world more handsome, more powerful, or more capable than Mo Xiuyao, there was only one Mo Xiuyao.
At this, they both shared a smile, the atmosphere in the small building unusually peaceful, not like that between enemies.
Just as Ye Li was about to speak, steady footsteps were heard from downstairs. Qin Feng, who was standing at the stairwell, glanced downstairs and made a gesture to Ye Li. Ye Li got up and walked to the stair entrance. The person coming upstairs had already reached the landing. Seeing Ye Li, he smiled and said, "Ah-Li."
Ye Li extended her hand to hold Mo Xiuyao’s hand, pulling him into the small building, and asked with a smile, "What brings you here?"
Mo Xiuyao looked down at her, his voice gentle. "I finished my official duties and thought I would take you for a walk. They said you had left."
Ye Li laughed and said, "I was unoccupied this morning, so I came out for a walk. I just happened to drop by and visit General Long. You’ve been busy since early morning. Why don’t you sit down and rest for a bit?"
Seeing Long Yang sitting by the window, a slight coldness flashed in Mo Xiuyao’s half-lidded eyes, but he did not resist Ye Li’s intention. He let her pull him to sit beside her. The two people who had been at each other’s throats yesterday naturally had nothing much to say to each other. Mo Xiuyao did not intend to talk to Long Yang either. Acting as if Long Yang didn’t exist, he took Ye Li’s hand and asked softly, "Is there anywhere you want to go, Ah-Li? We will be leaving in a few days. I’ve heard some places in Biancheng City are worth visiting."
Ye Li laughed. "Whatever you think is good, we can go and see. I remember, Longshan Academy is in the city, right?"
Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly, nodded somewhat unhappily, and said, "Yes, but it’s a shame that all the famous teachers of Longshan Academy were taken away by Lei Tengfeng. Only some unserviceable literati were left behind, and some ancient books they didn’t have time to take with them. Ah-Li can check and see which she likes, and we can have someone deliver them to your grandfather and uncles later."
Ye Li smiled lightly and said, "You are really considerate. But... only select a few that my grandfather and uncles would like. The rest should be left in Biancheng City. We will need them in the future." The future she referred to was not about returning them to the people of Longshan Academy. Since the Mo Family Army had taken over Biancheng City, there was no way they could rule it in the long run without the common people. Although Mo Xiuyao had expelled all the people of Biancheng City for now, there would certainly be people here in the future. As one of the three major academies in the world, if Longshan Academy were revived, it would be very beneficial to Prince Ding’s Mansion’s rule.
Mo Xiuyao naturally understood Ye Li’s intention and smiled slightly. "Whatever Ah-Li says goes. However, if Ah-Li is interested in Longshan Academy... there is someone in Biancheng City whom I can introduce to you."
What did he mean by her being interested in Longshan Academy? Ye Li felt somewhat helpless. But she was interested in what Mo Xiuyao said. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Which teacher of Longshan Academy is still in Biancheng City and has not left?"
Mo Xiuyao raised his eyebrows and laughed. "The headmaster of Longshan Academy, Mr. Xiuting, Chen Xiufu."
Upon hearing this, not only Ye Li but also Long Yang showed a look of surprise. Mr. Xiuting’s name was far less known among nations than Mr. Qingyun and the Xu Family, but this didn’t mean Mr. Xiuting’s talent was much less than Mr. Qingyun’s. Xiling had always valued military prowess over literature. Scholars and refined individuals were not as numerous as in Great Chu, and the status of upright scholars was far less revered than in Great Chu. And this Mr. Xiuting was indeed not involved in politics, only dedicated to teaching. Considering that Xiling, in the eyes of Central Plains people, was an uncivilized barbarian place similar to Nanzhao and Beirong, the fact that he allowed Longshan Academy to rank amongst the top three academies in the world was a testament to Mr. Xiuting’s talent and knowledge. Moreover, Longshan Academy was different from the ancient heritage of Lishan Academy; Longshan Academy flourished under Mr. Xiuting’s guidance.
"How is that gentleman still in Biancheng City? Is he still there now?" Ye Li asked in surprise.
Mo Xiuyao nodded and laughed. "Of course." Even if he really wanted to kill everyone in Biancheng City, he was not completely out of his senses. He knew who couldn’t be killed and who couldn’t be let go. And there were indeed only a few people of such value in this city. Even before Biancheng City was taken, Mo Xiuyao had already ordered Qilin to control them; even if they had wanted to leave beforehand, they couldn’t have. "Shall we go see him now?" Mo Xiuyao asked softly. "I heard that the gentleman is quite a stirrer."
Ye Li stood up. They didn’t have much time to stay in Biancheng City, so naturally, they had to seize the opportunity to visit.
Mo Xiuyao let go of Ye Li’s hand and said with a smile, "I have a few words to say to General Long Yang. Can Ah-Li go downstairs and wait for me first?"
Ye Li glanced at Long Yang sitting by the window and gently nodded, saying, "I’ll wait for you downstairs."
Only when the sound of her descending footsteps disappeared completely did Mo Xiuyao turn to look at Long Yang at the window. The gentle smile on his face was long gone, replaced by a stern gaze filled with a sharp edge and murderous intent. "If I hear you spouting nonsense to Ah-Li again, I will make you live to regret it!"
Although he hadn’t heard exactly what Long Yang had said to Ah-Li, the fleeting worry he’d seen in her eyes when he had come upstairs hadn’t escaped him. Long Yang must have said something inappropriate to make Ah-Li concerned about him.
Long Yang looked at him calmly, without yesterday’s heart-wrenching pain and hatred. He gave a faint smile and said, "It is a great fortune to have such a Princess Consort. You are very lucky, Prince Ding."
Mo Xiuyao snorted coldly, his eyes watching him darkly.
Long Yang shook his head and chuckled. "Prince, you need not worry. What could an old man like me say to the Princess Consort? We were just chatting. Besides... we probably won’t see each other again..." With these words, Long Yang sighed, a touch of melancholy in his voice.
Mo Xiuyao stared at Long Yang for a long time, then suddenly laughed in a low voice. "Long Yang, don’t hope that Lei Zhenting will return. Even if he does, he can’t save Xiling. I have placed four hundred thousand soldiers at the border waiting for him. Plus, there are several hundred thousand elite Nanzhao soldiers. Do you think the defending forces across the land will have time to come to their aid? And what about the small Western Region kingdoms you suppressed in the past? Do you think they won’t take this opportunity for revenge? Xiling... is beyond saving!"
Long Yang was stunned. After a long time, he finally gave a resigned laugh, a laugh filled with immense desolation and despair. "As expected of Prince Ding. Years of planning... indeed, either you don’t act, or when you do, it’s extraordinary. So be it... This old man is old and ready to die. I can’t concern myself with the affairs to come... Prince Ding, please proceed..."
Outside the gate downstairs, Ye Li greeted Mo Xiuyao with a smile as he walked out. Mo Xiuyao reached out and held her slender waist, whispering, "Shall we go visit Mr. Xiuting now?"
Ye Li blinked, worriedly asking, "Is Mr. Xiuting really not going to drive us away?" Scholars always possessed a degree of pride. Given Mo Xiuyao’s actions in Biancheng City, Ye Li wouldn’t have been surprised if Mr. Xiuting charged at them with a knife, let alone just driving them away.
Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, holding Ye Li as they walked on. "Who dares?"
Ye Li looked back at the small building with its windows still open and asked, "What did you say to General Long Yang? What are you planning to do with him?"
Mo Xiuyao’s eyes flickered slightly, and he said with a faint smile, "I told him not to speak nonsense to Ah-Li in the future. Ah-Li, you don’t have to worry about me."
Ye Li was taken aback, her hand gently clasping his hand on her waist, whispering, "I am not worried; we will always be together, no matter what."
Mo Xiuyao’s expression softened, and the smile on his face became gentler. "Ah-Li, rest assured. This Prince has no interest in bothering with a half-dead old man. As long as he doesn’t cause trouble, this Prince will just ignore him."
Ye Li smiled faintly, "Aren’t you more important to me than him? Xiuyao, I don’t care how you deal with him." As a military man, Long Yang’s devotion to his country indeed commanded her respect. However, considering the blood on his hands and his recent actions in Biancheng City, she wouldn’t utter a word even if Mo Xiuyao decided to execute him. The fall of a renowned general was regrettable, but Long Yang was hardly innocent.
The two gradually moved away until a soldier ran up to them, panting, "Prince, Princess Consort, Long Yang has committed self-immolation by fire."
Ye Li was taken aback. "What happened?" She turned back; from where they stood, they could no longer see the small building where Long Yang had been imprisoned. But they could still see thick smoke rising in that direction.
The soldier hesitated before saying, "General Long Yang doused himself with liquor and set himself on fire."
