Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 53. The Wedding Day

53. The Wedding Day

After scorning a group of commoners, Murong Ting indulged in self-admiration, cherishing the hand that had touched Prince Ding’s relic. Minister Ye greatly complimented Ye Li; he could almost foresee the glory and fame that would be brought to the Ye Family when news of Ye Li acquiring the Lan Yun Sword spread. The question of whether there was a treasure or a military manual inside the Lan Yun Sword was now secondary. Minister Ye had some self-awareness; even if there were treasures, he would not reap any benefits. In comparison, gaining fame at no cost seemed more meaningful.

"Third Sister is so fortunate. When Prince Ding learned of the Heir of Southern Garrison Prince’s visit, he rushed over immediately. You can tell how deep his affection is for you, Third Sister," Ye Ying said, gazing at Ye Li with soft eyes.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Don’t Fourth Sister and Prince Li also share deep love?"

Ye Ying glanced quickly at Mo Jingli and lowered her head, a grievance shown on her face. Minister Ye saw this, and his brows wrinkled slightly. Could it be that Ying’er has been wronged at Prince Li’s Mansion? Thinking of this, Minister Ye casually glanced at Mo Jingli and asked Ye Ying in a soft voice, "Ying’er, are you getting used to living in Prince Li’s Mansion?"

"I am doing well, Father. Thank you for your concern," Ye Ying replied in a low voice.

Minister Ye finally felt relieved and smiled at Mo Jingli. "Ying’er has been pampered since childhood, so if she has any shortcomings, I hope Your Highness will be magnanimous."

Mo Jingli said, "Rest assured, Father-in-law. This Prince will take good care of Ying’er."

"That’s good. In a few days, Li’er will also have her grand wedding. Haha! It can be said that our Ye Family is blessed with double happiness this year," Minister Ye laughed with satisfaction. The three people present had different expressions. Ye Li simply smiled and nodded. "Father is correct."

「Twentieth of May」

Before dawn broke, Ye Li was woken up. Although she usually went to bed early and woke up early, looking at the pitch-black night still enveloping the outside, she felt a bit helpless. The groom’s entourage was scheduled to arrive just before noon, yet she had to be roused during the fourth night watch to be prepared. By the time she emerged from a fragrant petal bath and was being dressed by her attendants, her second maternal aunt, along with First Madam Hua from State Duke Hua’s Mansion, Madam Qin (Qin Zheng’s mother), and Madam Ye (her father’s cousin’s wife, who had previously helped her prepare her dowry), were all waiting in Qingyi Pavilion with Murong Ting, Hua Tianxiang, Qin Zheng, and Qin Yuling. Hua Tianxiang entered with a broad smile, holding the wedding dress made of phoenix brocade. The lustrous phoenix brocade accentuated her lovely face, making it even more beautiful and captivating. "Congratulations," Hua Tianxiang mouthed with a smile, looking at Ye Li.

Ye Li gave a faint smile, raising her hands like a puppet to let several women dress her. Under the candlelight, the majestic phoenix on the gown seemed to weave in and out of delicate peony embroidery with the flickering light. Adorned in the bright red wedding dress, Ye Li’s usually somewhat pale, beautiful face now had a festive glow. "It’s so beautiful, truly worthy of being phoenix brocade..." she mused softly. Everyone was so stunned by the sight they momentarily couldn’t react. First Madam Hua glanced at Madam Xu, who was gazing at Ye Li with a satisfied smile, and her understanding of Third Miss Ye’s standing within the Xu Family deepened. Patting her daughter, Hua Tianxiang, who was still in a daze, First Madam Hua laughed. "Alright, if you want to admire her, stand aside. Don’t disturb us while we do her makeup." Without further ado, she led Ye Li to a bronze mirror and sat her down, then began discussing the best hairstyle with Madam Xu and Madam Qin.

Ye Li silently let them fuss over her as she looked into the mirror, amused by the sight of Murong Ting leading a group of girls who were making faces at her from the side. By the time the ladies had finally agreed on a hairstyle, the sky outside had begun to lighten. Ye Li couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. So that’s why preparations had to start so early. If they had only started at dawn, they probably wouldn’t be finished even when the groom’s procession arrived. After her hair was styled, maids cleverly brought over several sets of headpieces and jewelry that had been prepared in advance. First Madam Hua wasn’t in a hurry to adorn Ye Li’s hair but instead instructed the maids with a smile, "Quickly bring some food for your young miss to fill her stomach. After her makeup is applied later, she won’t be able to eat anything else today." Qingshuang made a playful face, chuckling as she pulled Qingyu away to prepare the food. The other ladies also stepped out to take a brief rest.

As soon as the adults left, the younger girls immediately surrounded Ye Li. "How are you feeling, Ah-Li? Are you nervous?" Murong Ting asked, leaning on the table with her chin in her hands, her curiosity piqued.

Ye Li pressed her lips into a smile. "Whether I’m nervous or not, you wouldn’t know. But when it’s your turn, I’ll be sure to see if you’re nervous."

Murong Ting’s pretty face turned rosy with embarrassment, and she snapped, "I won’t... I won’t be nervous at all!"

Hua Tianxiang chuckled at her. "You’re already stammering and still claim you won’t be nervous? You’ll definitely be more nervous than Ah-Li. Ah, Zheng’er is next, so you’d better prepare yourself!"

Qin Zheng shot Hua Tianxiang an irritated glare, her face flushing as she murmured, "Why are you suddenly talking about me?"

Qin Zheng’s shy demeanor made Ye Li reach out and pinch her cheek, teasing, "Tianxiang has a point, doesn’t she, future cousin-in-law?"

"You all... Li’er, it’s your wedding day! How can you..." Qin Zheng looked helplessly at her giggling friends and Qin Yuling, who was snickering in a corner. The one who should be shy isn’t showing it at all, while I, who have nothing to do with this, am the one feeling embarrassed and awkward!

Wiping tears of laughter, Hua Tianxiang soothed her, "Don’t be angry, Zheng’er. She’s an odd one; don’t expect her to be all shy and demure." Turning back to Ye Li, Hua Tianxiang surveyed her and nodded approvingly. "Our Li’er truly is a great beauty."

Ye Li felt a wave of exasperation. "You’re not about to say ’clothes make the man,’ are you?"

"Of course not! It’s just that you usually don’t pay much attention to your appearance. Look at you now—no jewelry, no makeup, and you still shine so brightly. Hehe... Prince Ding will surely be stunned."

Ye Li shrugged without commenting. If Mo Xiuyao wasn’t even impressed by beauties like Noble Consort Liu, it’s hard to imagine what kind of woman could actually stun him. Qingshuang and the others brought several light breakfast dishes. After Ye Li ate and rested for a while, the ladies returned to choose accessories and apply her makeup. Because the wedding dress couldn’t be tried on beforehand, nor was there a duplicate, the hairstyle, makeup, and accessories could only be finalized after she put on the dress, based on its overall effect. Thus, three sets of jewelry had been prepared for selection. Eventually, the ladies unanimously chose a set featuring a gold filigree peony hairpiece with ruby-studded tassels, along with a few jeweled gold hairpins. Then, they penciled in her eyebrows and lightly brushed on some rouge. Madam Qin had the unique idea of painting a small, half-open peony on Ye Li’s forehead between her brows.

Ye Li stared in fascination at the beautiful young woman reflected in the bronze mirror, momentarily unable to recognize herself. Her dark, lustrous hair was elegantly pinned up, adorned with jeweled tassels that swayed gently in the candlelight, adding a touch of allure to the dignified and noble red wedding dress. Ye Li smiled faintly to herself. She had never imagined that words like ’alluring’ and ’gorgeous’ could ever be associated with her.

"So beautiful, Li’er! Even you must be stunned by your own reflection, right?" Hua Tianxiang teased.

Ye Li glared at her playfully. Madam Hua was already gently pushing the giggling girls out. "Alright, everyone out now. Let the bride rest a little. The groom’s procession will be here soon." Everyone once again wished Ye Li well before happily leaving the room. Only Madam Xu remained behind. After Madam Xu, beaming, handed Ye Li a thin booklet with instructions to read it carefully and then also departed, Ye Li could only stare speechlessly at the booklet. It was obvious what it contained without even having to think about it. After a moment, Ye Li stood up and stored the booklet in a rarely-used box.

King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was clearly much more reliable than Prince Li’s Mansion. Not long after the third quarter of the Si hour (around 10:15 AM), Qingyi Pavilion started bustling again. First Madam Hua and Madam Qin personally covered Ye Li’s head with a bridal veil made of brocade embroidered with a phoenix design. They then supported her, amidst a crowd, as she went to pay respects and bid farewell before the ancestral tablets of Old Madam Ye, Minister Ye, and her mother, Ms. Xu.

At this wedding, the most attention-grabbing element was naturally the bridegroom. His appearance, while expected in principle, was entirely unlooked-for in reality. For a long time, many had secretly speculated whom King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion would send to escort the bride, but no one had imagined that Prince Ding himself would come. The entire route from the main entrance of Ye Mansion to King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion was already lined with citizens from the Capital City, eager to witness the spectacle. Seeing Prince Ding appear before them in red robes, the people couldn’t help but recall the dashing, brocade-clad youth of yesteryear, riding his horse with spirited abandon, and many sighed with a mix of emotions. Similarly, Ye Mansion’s escorting procession was extraordinary. Ye Rong, the only male scion of the Ye Family, should have been the one to escort his sister. However, unlike Ye Ying’s wedding, six exceptionally handsome men, each with a distinct aura, stood outside Ye Mansion’s gates. Leading them were naturally Xu Qingchen and Xu Qingze. Following them were Xu Qingfeng and Xu Qingbai, with Xu Qingyan and Ye Rong at the very end. The young masters of the Xu Family were varied in their appeal: some were elegant and refined, others cold and imposing, some valiant and heroic, and others handsome and carefree. Even the youngest, Xu Qingyan, exuded intelligence and cheerfulness. Consequently, Ye Rong was completely overshadowed by the crowd’s attention and could only follow silently beside Xu Qingyan.

With Hua Tianxiang and Qin Zheng supporting her, the bride walked out of the main gates. Under the sunlight, her phoenix brocade wedding gown shimmered and gleamed, drawing renewed gasps of admiration from the onlookers.

Without a doubt, this was the liveliest day the Capital City had seen in a long time. Perhaps it was due to the status of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, or because the wedding guests were particularly distinguished, but even the Emperor himself attended, accompanied by the Empress and the Empress Dowager. They were there to attend, not to preside over the ceremony, as that role was filled by Eldest Princess Fuxi—a figure whom even the Emperor respectfully addressed as ’Grand-Imperial Aunt’. King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, which had not received guests for seven or eight years, was now bustling with visitors. Eldest Princess Fuxi sat in the seat of honor, conversing with the congratulatory guests. Mo Jing, the Emperor, sat with the Empress to one side, engaging in conversation with the Eldest Princess. Although Eldest Princess Fuxi had withdrawn from worldly affairs for over twenty years, the imposing dignity of the ’Princess IronLady,’ once revered even by the late Emperor, remained undiminished and was not to be slighted.

"Your Majesty, Eldest Princess, the auspicious time has arrived," reported the Steward-in-Chief of the Mansion, and the hall full of guests instantly fell silent. Mo Jing glanced at the still vigorous Eldest Princess Fuxi, whose hair was now white with age, and said with a smile, "Since that’s the case, let the ceremony begin. What say you, Grand-Imperial Aunt?"

Eldest Princess Fuxi nodded, stood up, and addressed the assembly, "If Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, Empress, and all our honored guests would please follow me, we shall proceed to observe the rites."

The ceremonial hall, located in the mansion’s main audience hall, had long been prepared, with tall red candles burning brightly and an atmosphere brimming with joy. Eldest Princess Fuxi occupied the main seat, with the Emperor and the Empress Dowager seated on her left and right respectively. The other guests were seated in order according to their status. Under the watchful eyes of all present, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, escorted by the wedding matrons, entered the ceremonial hall. It should have been a heavenly match between a talented man and a beautiful woman. Yet, the groom was confined to a wheelchair, a sight that caused many to sigh in quiet regret. Indeed, even more people lamented the circumstances. If Prince Ding were not in his current state, he would have long ago married a well-matched lady of both talent and beauty from a prominent family. Why else would he only now be marrying an obscure young lady from a mere minister’s household?

"Prince Ding is disabled in his legs. To conduct the ceremony like this, isn’t it lacking a degree of sincerity?" a mocking voice suddenly cut through the hall. It was as if a basin of ice water had been doused on a roaring fire; the entire wedding hall fell instantly silent. Everyone turned in shock towards the source of the voice. Seated there were the foreign envoys attending the ceremony. Among them, a sturdy young man was staring triumphantly at Mo Xiuyao. The words had clearly come from him. He showed no sign of considering his remark impolite; on the contrary, as all eyes focused on him, he grew even more brazen.

"That’s the Eleventh Prince of Beirong. I heard he’s an imbecile. Why would the King of Beirong send him as an envoy to Great Chu?" As Ye Li stood quietly beside Mo Xiuyao, she could overhear the guests’ hushed discussions.

"Have you forgotten? Beirong and King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion share a feud as deep as the sea. Although they’ve made peace with our Great Chu in recent years, they probably still resent past events. They must have deliberately sent this fool to humiliate Prince Ding."

"How could His Majesty allow such a person to attend the ceremony..."

"He is an envoy from another nation. Having traveled such a great distance, we can’t very well bar him from observing the rites, can we?"

Amidst the murmurs, Mo Jing looked down and addressed the Prince of Beirong loudly, "Eleventh Prince, our Great Chu wedding ceremonies do not include a kneeling ritual, so there is no inconvenience for Prince Ding." However, the Prince of Beirong clearly had no intention of showing deference to the Emperor of Great Chu. He frowned with his thick brows and boomed, "This Prince has heard of the renowned Prince Ding of Great Chu even in Beirong. Who knew that today I would see a cripple in a wheelchair?! Is the Emperor of Great Chu trying to deceive us?" This outburst caused not only Mo Jing’s expression to change drastically but also those of all the Great Chu civil and military officials present.

Lei Tengfeng, the Heir of the Southern Garrison Prince of Xiling, who was seated next to the Prince of Beirong, cleared his throat lightly and chuckled. "Eleventh Prince, this is indeed Prince Ding of Great Chu. Prince Ding met with an accident seven years ago. Today, we are here to observe the ceremony, not to cause a disturbance. Come, this humble prince will offer you a toast." Beirong was inherently a land of barbarians, and this Eleventh Prince was considered a brute even among them. He was not about to be placated by Lei Tengfeng’s attempt at a toast. He scanned Mo Xiuyao up and down and sneered, "Ah, this Prince remembers now! Prince Ding’s injuries were inflicted by our Beirong’s General Flying Cavalry, weren’t they? I often heard our General Flying Cavalry lamenting how he almost captured him..."

"Enough!" Eldest Princess Fuxi, now livid, disregarded the fact that the Prince of Beirong was a foreign envoy. Her voice was icy. "Prince of Beirong, if you are here to observe the ceremony, then sit quietly. If not, then please leave!"

The Prince of Beirong was stunned and opened his mouth to retort to Eldest Princess Fuxi, but his two attendants swiftly restrained him. Though his face was etched with displeasure, the Prince of Beirong ultimately said nothing more. Seeing the Eldest Princess’s dark expression, no one else dared to speak. Mo Jing coughed softly. "Grand-Imperial Aunt, it is time for the rites to proceed."

Eldest Princess Fuxi’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she nodded to the master of ceremonies at the side.

"First bow—to Heaven and Earth—!"

"Second bow—to the Elders—!"

"Third bow—husband and wife to each other—!"

Under the crimson bridal veil, Ye Li shifted her gaze slightly, seeing only the hand beside her, tightly gripping the red silk ribbon that joined them. A sigh was all that remained in her heart. Ever since she had come to know Mo Xiuyao, she had always felt his composure was almost too perfect, somewhat unreal. For a man with crippled legs, a disfigured face, and reputedly poor health, he carried himself with flawless dignity. No trace of inferiority, no self-pity, and certainly no self-destructive tendencies. He always held his spine erect; even seated in a wheelchair, he seemed to project an aura taller than anyone standing. Thinking back to the passionate, fiery youth of legend, this current Mo Xiuyao seemed even more illusory and ethereal. To transform from being as blazing as fire to as gentle and smooth as jade—what agonizing tempering must he have endured? It was only now, at this moment, that Ye Li truly sensed a flicker of Mo Xiuyao’s underlying emotions: a deep, suppressed rage and a chilling murderous intent.

Ye Li smiled bitterly. Her wedding day, and here in the ceremonial hall, she was sensing such negative emotions from her new husband. Even if they weren’t directed at her, it was still rather disheartening.

"The rites are complete—escort the new couple to the bridal chamber!"

In the festive red bridal chamber, dragon and phoenix candles burned quietly. Ye Li sat silently on the new bed, which was embroidered with auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns. He’s just sitting there not far from the bed, watching me, she thought, apparently with no intention of coming closer. "Can I take this off?" she finally had to ask when the groom made no move. After a moment, Mo Xiuyao slowly moved forward. Her vision brightened as he lifted the bridal veil from her head. Both were momentarily taken aback upon seeing each other. Accustomed to Mo Xiuyao’s usual plain attire, Ye Li was somewhat surprised to see him in vibrant red robes. Then again... this man seems to look good in any color. Mo Xiuyao himself experienced a fleeting daze; a flicker of stunned admiration flashed in his usually tranquil eyes, only to vanish instantly. They faced each other in silence, a sense of awkwardness settling between them for a moment.

Ye Li leaned forward slightly and reached for Mo Xiuyao’s left hand. He flinched, immediately trying to withdraw his clenched fist.

"Relax your hand," Ye Li said calmly.

Gradually, his fingers uncurled. His broad hand was not that of a pampered nobleman; it bore several calluses and old scars, though they were not unsightly. Ye Li recalled a childhood friend once describing the ideal man’s hand: it should have some calluses, showing he wasn’t entirely sheltered from hardship; perhaps a scar or two, proving he wasn’t some weakling with no strength to even truss a chicken, raised hidden away from the world; and above all, it should still look good. Only such hands, her friend had said, could make a woman feel secure and also be pleasing to the eye. Now, the palm of this hand was stained a startling crimson. Four deep, bloody nail marks were still slowly oozing blood, yet the man opposite her seemed to feel no pain at all, simply letting her inspect it.

Ye Li lowered her head, looking at his injured palm. She stretched out a finger, touched one of the wounds gently, then... pressed down hard. Raising her eyes to the man, whose expression didn’t change in the slightest, she asked, "Doesn’t it hurt?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly, a surprising warmth in his eyes as he looked at Ye Li. "This is nothing. I’ve endured far worse."

Ye Li silently agreed. For someone who had experienced the battlefield, such an injury truly was insignificant. She rose, went to her dowry chests, rummaged for a moment, and returned with a familiar small box. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she opened it, taking out clean cotton, gauze, and medicinal solution to treat his wound. "Even if you’re angry, there’s no need to hurt yourself, is there? I thought you would have been accustomed to such provocations by now?"

A hint of bitterness touched Mo Xiuyao’s lips as he smiled faintly. "As you can see, I’m actually not quite used to it yet." He had thought he was already accustomed; in fact, he had spent a full seven years trying to get used to it. Used to the fact that he could no longer gallop on horseback across the battlefield; used to having to wear a mask in public, lest the scars on his face draw stares of fear or pity; used to the frequent bouts of serious illness that made his former life feel like a distant dream. He had always believed he had adapted well. But today, standing in that ceremonial hall, listening to the Prince of Beirong’s blatant, deliberate humiliation, he finally understood how far he still had to go. Consequently, not only had he disgraced himself, but he had also allowed his new bride to be shamed along with him, even though she hadn’t blamed him.

Ye Li clearly saw the guilt in his eyes and smiled faintly. "I assumed you knew that from the moment we decided to accept this marriage, I was prepared for anything."

Mo Xiuyao asked, "You anticipated something like this would happen?"

Ye Li shook her head, a light laugh escaping her. "Even if this particular incident hadn’t occurred, something else would have. Could I really expect a completely peaceful and carefree life after marrying into such circumstances? Even ordinary families have their own sets of troubles, let alone a powerful and influential household like this one."

Mo Xiuyao looked at her quietly for a long moment before speaking softly, "Perhaps I cannot guarantee you a life entirely free of worries, but as long as I am here, I will do everything in my power to give you the kind of life you desire."

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "I believe you." Slowly, she finished applying the medicine, then put away her supplies with a gentle smile.

"You’ve had a long day. You should rest early," Mo Xiuyao said to Ye Li, his tone light.

Ye Li was taken aback for a moment but quickly smiled again. "Alright. You should also rest early."

Mo Xiuyao nodded, called for Ah-Jin to wheel him away, and thoughtfully instructed Qingshuang and the other maids waiting outside to come in and attend to her.

When Qingshuang and the others entered, Ye Li had already removed her jewelry and placed it in a box on the vanity table. Qingshuang frowned, clearly dissatisfied. "Miss, why did the Prince leave?" Eldest Princess Fuxi explicitly forbade any bridal chamber teasing, and Prince Ding didn’t need to stay and drink with the guests, so he should be here in the bridal chamber with you. Why did he come and then just leave?

Ye Li glanced back and chuckled. "This is Prince Ding’s Mansion. Are you worried he won’t have a place to rest?"

Qingluan and Qingyu prepared warm water, inviting Ye Li to bathe; their expressions were also none too pleased. However, Ye Li had no mind to care about her maids’ expressions. In her opinion, Mo Xiuyao’s decision was incredibly thoughtful. Although she didn’t intend to remain his wife in name only forever, the idea of being intimate with a man she barely knew, whom she had only met a few times, made her genuinely worried about whether she could adapt. In this respect, she had to admire the adaptability of women in ancient times. Normally, even holding a man’s hand was forbidden, yet on their wedding day, they were expected to share a bed with a man they had practically never met. After removing the heavy jewelry and ornate wedding gown, Ye Li gratefully relaxed, preparing for her bath and rest. As she finally lay down on the soft, comfortable bed and drifted into a deep sleep, a faint smile still graced her lips. Mother, Grandfather, Mom, Dad, and all my dear cousins... I’ve married myself off...

「In a study somewhere in King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion」

Mo Xiuyao, having changed into plain clothes, sat behind his desk, his expression unusually somber and icy. Lounging lazily by the doorway, Feng Zhiyao, still in his red attire, chuckled. "Why the grim face on your wedding day? Careful you don’t scare your new sister-in-law."

In a corner of the room, a young man with the air of a profligate scion grinned. "In my opinion, Sister-in-law’s courage is far greater than we imagine."

Feng Zhiyao pondered for a moment, then nodded. "True. I really haven’t met many women with the courage of Third Miss Ye."

"Are you two quite finished?" Mo Xiuyao lifted his head, his gaze cold as he looked at the pair.

Feng Zhiyao shrugged. "That imbecile tonight was Yelv Ping, the Eleventh Prince of Beirong. He’s the son of Consort Xiao, the King of Beirong’s favorite consort, and the younger brother of Yelv Ye, the Seventh Prince of Beirong. He’s also the maternal nephew of Helian Zhen, Beirong’s General Flying Cavalry. Surely you haven’t forgotten what you did to Helian Zhen seven years ago?"

"Helian Zhen’s surname is Helian, and Consort Xiao’s surname is Xiao. So how can Yelv Ping be Helian Zhen’s maternal nephew?" the young man with the profligate air asked, puzzled.

"The Beirong people’s family ties are a tangled mess that could give anyone a headache. Who knows how they’re all connected?" Feng Zhiyao retorted irritably. "Leng Haoyu, isn’t this supposed to be your area of expertise?"

The youth, indeed Leng Haoyu—reportedly the most disappointing Second Young Master of the Mansion of the Northern Garrison General in the Capital City—chimed in, "The intelligence I received from Beirong suggests that Yelv Ye might be Helian Zhen’s illegitimate son."

"Can we really trust intelligence that has already made its way to Great Chu?" Feng Zhiyao rolled his eyes, then turned to Mo Xiuyao. "Seven years ago, your elder brother suddenly passed away from illness. Helian Zhen could have seized that opportunity to achieve unparalleled military glory, perhaps even to sweep across Great Chu. But in the end, you charged out of Ghost Worry Valley with your saber, and that great fire nearly cost Helian Zhen his life. Not only did Helian Zhen suffer heavy losses in troops and commanders, but it also made Beirong too intimidated to wage war for a full three years. By the time they recovered, our Great Chu had also regained its strength. Since then, Helian Zhen fell out of favor with the King of Beirong, which, in turn, greatly diminished the influence of Yelv Ye and Consort Xiao within Beirong. It’s a wonder they haven’t charged directly into Great Chu to fight you to the death."

Mo Xiuyao said indifferently, "So, you’re saying Yelv Ping was sent by Yelv Ye specifically to embarrass me?"

Feng Zhiyao stroked his chin. "Everyone knows Yelv Ping is a lout. If he offends you, it’s awkward for someone of your stature to seriously hold it against him. The intended outcome is rather obvious, isn’t it?"

Mo Xiuyao sneered. "They were actually quite restrained today, with only Yelv Ping stepping out to cause a scene. I suppose the others are growing impatient too, aren’t they?"

Feng Zhiyao tapped his forehead thoughtfully. "Well, who would have guessed His Majesty would personally attend at King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion with the Empress and the Empress Dowager? It wouldn’t do to be too discourteous in front of His Majesty, would it? Since one fool already made a move, those who fancy themselves clever naturally wouldn’t open their mouths. But... the foreign envoys are still scheduled to stay in the Capital City for another half a month. Regarding Sister-in-law..."

"Do not disturb her!" Mo Xiuyao stated flatly.

Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu exchanged a glance. Leng Haoyu, his charming eyes twinkling, asked, "Your Highness, surely you don’t intend to keep your new Princess Consort hidden away in Prince Ding’s Mansion, like a treasure in a gilded cage, never to be seen by anyone?" Could it be that Third Miss Ye truly possesses such extraordinary charm that His Highness Prince Ding fell for her at first sight, and now wishes to keep her hidden away, cherishing and protecting her meticulously?

Mo Xiuyao said, "Ah-Li dislikes the social obligations that come with nobility. Unless it’s something truly important, do not trouble her."

Tapping his folding fan against his palm, Feng Zhiyao frowned. "Ah-Yao, even in an ordinary family, a new wife is expected to manage internal household affairs and handle social interactions. This is even more true for the Mistress of House of King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. If she were some sheltered young lady from a prominent family with no particular abilities, it would be understandable. But Third Miss Ye is no weak or incapable woman. If she can assist you, your efforts would be doubly effective, and things would be much easier for you."

"Third Feng is right," Leng Haoyu chimed in. "Ting’er has nothing but high praise for Third Miss Ye."

Mo Xiuyao frowned. "We’ll discuss this matter later."

Feng Zhiyao raised his eyebrows slightly, a thought seeming to occur to him, and he suddenly chuckled. "Alright, since you’ve decided, we won’t meddle. But what was His Majesty’s intention in personally coming here today with the Empress Dowager? Is he still wary of you?"

Mo Xiuyao replied, "When has he ever not been wary of me? Now, the Lan Yun Sword has returned to King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. In the past few days alone, at least ten groups have attempted to infiltrate the mansion, and at least three of those groups came from the palace."

Leng Haoyu’s eyes lit up. "Sent by His Majesty?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "It’s uncertain, but his people are definitely among them."

Feng Zhiyao looked at Leng Haoyu with a mischievous smile. "Second Leng, when you get back, keep an eye on that cold-faced general of an older brother of yours. If His Majesty keeps failing to break into Prince Ding’s Mansion, he’s highly likely to send your brother. After all, who else grew up with His Majesty and is considered such a deeply trusted confidant?"

Leng Haoyu pouted. "Don’t worry. Whoever comes, they won’t leave this place with even a single strand of hair." Thinking of his perpetually cold-faced elder brother, Leng Haoyu was filled with resentment. That self-righteous, brainless idiot, always blindly following the Emperor! Yet, every time Ting’er saw his brother, her eyes would be full of admiration, while she looked at Leng Haoyu himself as if he were trash. It was infuriating! Hopefully, that fellow *would* try to break into this mansion. If Leng Haoyu caught him, he’d give him a sound thrashing. Then Ting’er would see who was truly outstanding and heroic, and who was just a good-for-nothing dandy!

"Your Highness, intruders in the mansion!" The heavy stone door creaked open a sliver, and Ah-Jin rushed in.

Mo Xiuyao’s eyes turned icy. "Where did they go?"

"Towards the Princess Consort’s courtyard."

CRACK!

"Capture them all. Don’t let a single one escape," Mo Xiuyao commanded. "Since today is my wedding day, it’s inauspicious to shed blood. We’ll... ’entertain’ them properly tomorrow."