Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 36. Visit to Prince Ding’s Mansion

36. Visiting Prince Ding’s Mansion

King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion

"Prince, Third Young Master Feng has arrived."

Upon hearing the guard’s report, Mo Xiuyao laid down the brush he was using to paint and frowned slightly, saying, "Let him in."

Soon enough, in the manner of a dandy, Feng Zhiyao appeared at the study door, smiling. "With the big wedding imminent, can you still afford to be idle?"

Mo Xiuyao did not look at him, and instead said indifferently, "Why are you here? It’s not good for people to know that you and I are in contact."

Feng Zhiyao shrugged helplessly. "It’s not that I wanted to come; someone wanted to meet you. Your threshold at the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion is too high, so they sought me out."

Mo Xiuyao paused in his painting. After thoughtful contemplation, he finally lifted his gaze and said, "Xu Qingchen."

"The Prince of Ding Kingdom is indeed as well-informed as they say," someone laughed outside the door. Xu Qingchen stepped into the study, clothed all in white, an ethereal bearing about him. The study, suddenly containing three distinctive and exceptional men, seemed somewhat crowded.

Mo Xiuyao stared at Xu Qingchen in silence for a moment before finally sighing, "Senior Mr. Xu, you’ve taken a lot of trouble."

Xu Qingchen nodded in satisfaction. "No need to thank me. Even if it weren’t you, my father would still have had to make a personal trip to the Capital City. You must know, Li’er... she is the only daughter of our Xu Family."

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, found himself a seat, and watched Mo Xiuyao with a teasing gaze. He was right; the future Princess Consort Ding had significant backing.

Clearly, Xu Qingchen had no intention of being overly courteous either. He took an empty chair to the side and studied Mo Xiuyao. "I never thought that the most dazzling and brilliant young general of the Capital City back then would now become so... refined."

When Xu Qingchen had first gained repute, Mo Xiuyao himself was at the height of his fame as well, and they shared some camaraderie. However, one was a martial man while the other a scholar, and their differing temperaments had barred them from becoming much closer.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and said with a faint, bitter smile, "By mentioning this crippled man, is Brother Xu trying to reopen old wounds?"

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow, a slight smile playing on his lips. "If the Prince can’t even accept his current situation, on what grounds can the Xu Family entrust Li’er to you? Besides, I haven’t noticed that the Prince seems hurt at all."

Mo Xiuyao lifted his eyes, a faint indifference shimmering within them. "Even if I did feel hurt, would Brother Xu refrain from mentioning it?"

Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes at the two men in front of him. "I say, do both of you plan to continue this meaningless conversation?"

With an apologetic smile, Xu Qingchen responded, "Well, I have been a bit impolite. But I trust the Prince will understand the feelings of a brother about to see his sister married off, won’t he?"

Mo Xiuyao could only return a bitter smile. "Actually, what baffles me... is why the Xu Family agreed to marry Miss Ye to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?"

Xu Qingchen glanced at Feng Zhiyao, who lazily smiled back. Xu Qingchen understood that Feng Zhiyao was someone Mo Xiuyao trusted. Although he still didn’t know why Mo Xiuyao would trust a son from the Feng Family, who were clearly aligned with the Emperor, he didn’t plan to delve deeper at that moment. "Because His Majesty would never give us freedom of choice. Prince Li was never a good option, and, fortunately, Li’er also didn’t like him. What’s even more fortunate is that His Majesty actually agreed to dissolve the engagement. So why wouldn’t we agree? Although His Majesty meddlesomely arranged another marriage for Li’er, compared to Prince Li, both my father and I trust Prince Ding more."

Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. "Prince Li is considered the top choice for a husband among the young ladies of prominent families in the Capital City."

Xu Qingchen appeared unbothered. "That doesn’t change the fact that he’s a fool."

Is Prince Li a fool? Of course not. But Eldest Young Master Xu clearly didn’t think so. Consequently, Feng Zhiyao could only shoot him a look that seemed to say, "You’ve got guts!"

"So, His Majesty still can’t tolerate the Xu Family? Binding the Xu Family and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion together, then swallowing them whole. Isn’t his appetite a bit too enormous?" Mo Xiuyao asked softly after a long pause.

In the study, the temperature seemed to plummet. Feng Zhiyao’s carefree smile vanished, and he frowned at Mo Xiuyao.

"Heh... Prince, you have keen insight." Xu Qingchen laughed, his slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, his demeanor still exuding boundless elegance. "His Majesty probably believes that both the Xu Family and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion have greatly declined in strength. If he dealt with us separately, it might alert the other. It would be better to... catch us all in one sweep. After all, the Xu Family controls Lishan Academy, the foremost academy in Great Chu. At least half of all officials in the court, high and low, are its graduates. How could such an ambitious monarch ever feel secure?"

For some reason, Feng Zhiyao felt that when Xu Qingchen used the phrase "ambitious monarch," it sounded more like sarcasm.

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion has indeed suffered a severe blow. It’s no wonder His Majesty has such confidence."

Xu Qingchen laughed. "I don’t believe His Majesty should be so confident. Otherwise... why would the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion still exist after all these years?" The King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was undoubtedly a thorn in the Emperor’s side. It had suffered a massive calamity. If it weren’t for the man before them, who had weathered the storm despite his grievous illness, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion would likely only exist in the memories of the common people now.

Staring at the two refined men before him, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but feel a chill run down his spine. By forcing the two families he most fears into a marriage alliance, Your Majesty, do you truly hate your own vast empire so much?

"Can you two discuss something a normal person can handle?" He was just a dandy, a profligate son! Why did he have to listen to them discuss matters so grave they could lead to the annihilation of entire clans?

Xu Qingchen nodded in agreement and, ever so considerate, changed the subject. "Alright. I have a feeling there might still be some twists and turns regarding the Prince’s marriage to Li’er. Of course, the Xu Family, being far from the Capital City, is powerless in these matters. So, we’ll have to trouble you, Prince. Consider it... a test of the Prince’s sincerity."

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Brother Xu. I know what to do."

Xu Qingchen rose, satisfied. "In that case, I shall take my leave. We can catch up when we both have time."

Mo Xiuyao nodded, lightly tapping the armrest of his wheelchair with his fingers. A young man in brown clothes appeared at the entrance. "Prince."

"See Young Master Xu out."

Xu Qingchen raised an elegant brow and followed the young man out without another word.

Only the two of them remained in the study. Feng Zhiyao looked at his friend in confusion. "Ah-Yao, why do I get the feeling this Xu Qingchen isn’t quite like the rumors say?"

"Is Third Young Master Feng the same inside and out?"

Feng Zhiyao fell silent. Indeed, who in this world didn’t live wearing several masks?

"What does Xu Qingchen mean? Is the one in the palace really planning to wipe out both the Xu Family and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion?" Feng Zhiyao asked.

"The Xu Family is the head of the literary families in Great Chu, and the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion has held significant military power for generations. Indeed, we are quite an eyesore to him."

"But why would he push our two families together then? Isn’t he afraid you’ll truly unite and pull him down from his throne?" Is it overconfidence, or does the Emperor have some trump card?

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly. "The Xu Family will not rebel. All he needs to do is implicate the Xu Family when the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion meets with misfortune. He knows very well that as long as Mr. Qingyun is alive, the Xu Family will never betray Great Chu. Even as in-laws, the Xu Family won’t provide the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion with much help."

Feng Zhiyao shrugged, thinking to himself that Xu Qingchen didn’t strike him as a minister who would pledge loyalty to the death.

"Keep a close watch on Mo Jingli." Mo Xiuyao picked up his brush again to finish the incomplete painting.

Feng Zhiyao lazily waved his folding fan. "Mo Jingli is quite busy these days. Who do you think spread those rumors?" When Feng Zhiyao first heard those street gossips, he’d thought Mo Jingli must have had abysmal luck this year to be so unfortunate.

Without lifting his head, Mo Xiuyao replied, "The Xu Family, Murong Mansion, State Duke Hua’s Mansion, Liu Mansion, the Office of the Imperial Censor, Chuxiang Pavilion, and... this Prince."

Feng Zhiyao was rendered speechless. Alright, he shouldn’t have asked. Having offended so many people, if Mo Jingli wasn’t doomed, who would be?