Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 70. Discussion in the Study

70. Discussion in the Study

As he entered the study and saw the two men playing chess, Feng Zhiyao couldn’t help but envy Mo Xiuyao’s lifestyle.

"Prince, it doesn’t seem right for you to be lounging about playing chess while others work themselves to the bone outside," he casually mocked, leaning against the door. "Life really is unfair. The unfortunate ones have to slog through wind and rain, like me, while the fortunate ones can comfortably sit in a warm room, playing chess and accompanied by a beauty, like Mo Xiuyao." Ye Li gave Feng Zhiyao a smiling glance; despite Third Young Master Feng’s disgruntled expression, there was a hint of genuine cheerfulness in his eyes. It was clear his mood wasn’t bad.

Placing a chess piece, Mo Xiuyao finally lifted his head to ask Feng Zhiyao, "What is it?"

Shaking his fan, Feng Zhiyao sauntered in. "Can’t I come see you if there’s nothing else? Having a Princess Consort really changes things! In previous years, you’d usually be half-dead in bed around this time, wouldn’t you?" Feng Zhiyao clearly didn’t mind poking at Mo Xiuyao’s old wounds. He swaggered over to a nearby seat and sat down, surveying the room’s furnishings. "Chief Steward Mo had Second Leng find people skilled in construction some time ago. Was it for this side hall? Not bad, really not bad at all. Princess Consort, sister-in-law, could this humble little brother get one of these systems too?" Even someone as knowledgeable as Third Young Master Feng couldn’t figure out how this very warm room worked after looking for a long time. Not understanding it didn’t matter; it didn’t stop him from knowing its benefits. In the dead of winter, who would bother burning that coal, which is almost as expensive as silver? It smells bad, is inconvenient, and isn’t even this warm.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "Actually, I don’t understand these things very well either. If Young Master Feng is interested, you could go discuss it with those master craftsmen." The wisdom of ancient craftsmen truly shouldn’t be underestimated. She had only drawn a rough design sketch and proposed her concepts and principles. Yet, those experienced craftsmen had managed to properly install the water heating system for this side hall in less than half a month. No wonder some say that many lost crafts cannot be replicated even with twenty-first-century machinery.

Feng Zhiyao’s eyes lit up. "Are they all Second Leng’s men? Thank you, Princess Consort. This young master will go find him tomorrow." Hehe, once he had a house as warm as this one, he would host a banquet in his residence. He’d see if those supercilious fellows would drool with envy. "Hmm? Prince, did that fellow Second Leng mention if we could use this to make a fortune? Of course... we wouldn’t forget the Princess Consort’s contribution." Remembering that Ye Li was the original creator of this heated room, Feng Zhiyao didn’t forget to flash an ingratiating smile her way.

Mo Xiuyao, holding a chess piece, said, "Second Leng has calculated it. To build such a heated room would require at least seventeen thousand taels. Even if the costs gradually decrease after the technology matures, it wouldn’t be less than fifteen thousand taels. The cost is too high. How many people do you think would be willing to spend that kind of money?"

Feng Zhiyao pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Indeed, not too many. There are many powerful and noble people in the Capital City, and even more wealthy individuals. But if the cost for just this side hall is over ten thousand taels, then indeed, not many people would be willing to spend twenty to thirty thousand taels to build a heated room. If it’s just for a profit of one or two hundred thousand taels, there’s really no need to specifically research this, at least not at present."

Ye Li smiled. "Actually, Young Master Feng’s idea isn’t bad. If the cost could be reduced to around one thousand taels... there would still be a significant market."

Feng Zhiyao scoffed, "What can be earned with something around only one thousand taels?"

"If it’s only around one thousand taels, then the powerful and noble, rich merchants, and even ordinary well-off merchants in the Capital City might choose a heated room instead of silver-priced charcoal. And what if it’s the entire Great Chu... or even Xiling and Beirong?" Ye Li said with a faint smile.

Feng Zhiyao was taken aback. He glanced at Mo Xiuyao, who seemed to have no intention of interjecting, then mused for a moment before saying, "I’ll mention it to Second Leng about it later."

"The Second Leng you’re referring to, that should be the Leng Family’s Second Young Master, Leng Haoyu, right?" Ye Li asked. "I don’t think I’ve heard that Second Young Master Leng is close with the Prince." Leng Haoyu was different from someone like Feng Zhiyao, who grew up with Mo Xiuyao; he was several years younger than them. When Mo Xiuyao had his accident, Leng Haoyu was probably still just a twelve or thirteen-year-old boy. Moreover, the Leng Family was staunchly loyal to the Emperor.

Feng Zhiyao nodded and asked Mo Xiuyao with some surprise, "Prince, you haven’t mentioned this to the Princess Consort?"

Mo Xiuyao replied calmly, "I sent a message to Leng Haoyu asking him to come to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, but he seemed to be unavailable."

Feng Zhiyao seemed to recall something and lowered his head, stifling a laugh. "A few days ago, Second Leng went drinking at a brothel and was caught red-handed by his future father-in-law. General Murong gave him a sound thrashing. He probably still can’t leave his house." Knowing Second Leng’s prideful nature, he definitely wouldn’t write back to Mo Xiuyao saying he got beaten up and couldn’t leave the house.

Ye Li was startled and said in astonishment, "Second Young Master Leng was beaten by General Murong?"

"Indeed! Princess Consort, you didn’t see it at the time; General Murong truly showed no mercy. That poor kid Leng Haoyu, his father doesn’t dote on him and his mother doesn’t love him. He’s probably still lying in bed ignored right now. This young master should probably go check on him later," Feng Zhiyao said with no small amount of schadenfreude.

Ye Li summoned a servant to pour a cup of hot tea for Feng Zhiyao before asking, "Since Young Master Leng is the Prince’s friend and he’s injured, should we send someone to see him?"

"Let Feng Zhiyao go," Mo Xiuyao said. Before Feng Zhiyao could reply, Mo Xiuyao added to him, "When he’s able to leave the house, have him come over."

Feng Zhiyao knew that Mo Xiuyao wouldn’t summon them to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion unless there was serious business. He immediately wiped the lazy smile from his face, nodded seriously, and said, "What are your orders, Prince?"

Mo Xiuyao took the scroll Ye Li handed him and said, "This just arrived from the Southern Border. Take a look."

Feng Zhiyao glanced at Ye Li, then opened the scroll and began to read it carefully. The further he read, the uglier his expression became. He only looked up when Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had finished their game of chess and Ye Li was starting to put the pieces back into the box, saying, "Mo Jingli is secretly funding the Southern Border Saintess’s rebellion? What’s going on? If I remember correctly, the Eldest Princess of Nanzhao should be Princess Qixia’s biological older sister. Once the Eldest Princess ascends the throne, Nanzhao will become Mo Jingli’s greatest support." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Mo Xiuyao, holding a warm teacup, said calmly, "Don’t forget, the King of Nanzhao is only just over forty this year. Barring any accidents, the Eldest Princess will have to wait at least another twenty years if she wants to ascend the throne."

"The King of Nanzhao and Princess Qixia are also biological father and daughter. Would he not support his own son-in-law?" Feng Zhiyao said.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "I’ve had dealings with the King of Nanzhao. Back then, he was still the Crown Prince of Nanzhao. He is a very cautious and intelligent man; he would never support Mo Jingli. If he were going to, he would have married Princess Qixia to him two years ago when Mo Jingli was an envoy to Nanzhao, rather than waiting for Princess Qixia to travel thousands of miles to Great Chu on her own. The King of Nanzhao must have been very displeased with that marriage back in June. The chances of either him or the Eldest Princess supporting Mo Jingli are not high."

Feng Zhiyao looked down at the scroll in his hand and said, "The analysis here says the same thing. So... when did Mo Jingli get involved with this Southern Border Saintess?"

Feng Zhiyao felt that they had truly underestimated Mo Jingli all these years. In his eyes, Mo Jingli had been nothing more than a hot-tempered fool since childhood. So, even though Mo Jingli was a high and mighty prince while he himself was just the concubine’s son of a rich merchant, he had never taken Mo Jingli seriously. But looking at all these chaotic incidents in the Capital City these past two years, which one didn’t Mo Jingli have a hand in? Especially in the last six months, he had only just discovered that there was actually a considerable number of ministers in the imperial court who sided with Prince Li.

"It was likely during his diplomatic mission to the Southern Border. After all, he stayed in the Southern Border for quite a long time back then," Mo Xiuyao said with a frown.

"Do you think... the one in the Palace knows about this now?" Feng Zhiyao asked curiously. Fratricide among imperial brothers was always the most interesting.

"Probably not. Your men haven’t received any news yet either, have they?" Mo Xiuyao said.

Feng Zhiyao’s face darkened. He was in charge of receiving and sending all kinds of information for the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. Now that news from Nanzhao had reached the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, his men hadn’t even caught a whisper of it. Of course, he knew Mo Xiuyao didn’t distrust him; if Mo Xiuyao didn’t trust him, he wouldn’t have shown him the information so easily. But knowing that someone was more capable than him was always rather uncomfortable.

"You don’t need to feel ashamed. This information hasn’t leaked out yet. Apart from those who have read this scroll, no one else knows." Mo Xiuyao didn’t want to discourage his good friend and confidant too much. "However, I cannot tell you the source of this information. Find a way to get it to Mo Jingqi."

"Get it to Mo Jingqi?" Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn’t he be mad with rage? Still, it’s good to let them fight like dogs among themselves; that way, we’ll have more time to do other things. Do we need to send people to the Southern Border? Although the current chaos in the Southern Border is beneficial to us, that might not be the case if it drags on for too long." The people of Nanzhao are fierce, and like surrounding countries, they have long coveted the vast, resource-rich Great Chu. It’s just that their national strength was too weak, and their few provocations were met with crushing defeats by Great Chu, losing troops and generals, forcing them to submit to Great Chu.

"We don’t have anyone to spare to send to the Southern Border right now. There’s someone there who should be able to handle it. Let’s not worry about it for the time being. Is there any news from Beirong?"

Feng Zhiyao snorted lightly. "After the failed marriage alliance between Xiling and Great Chu, Xiling’s clandestine dealings with Beirong have become somewhat more frequent than before. I’m afraid Lei Tengfeng has also sensed the problems between the brothers Mo Jingqi and Mo Jingli, which is why he changed his mind so decisively. He’s likely planning to wait for internal strife to erupt in Great Chu and then launch a joint siege with Beirong."

"Lei Tengfeng... Great Chu is internally unstable, but does he think Xiling is any better off?" Mo Xiuyao’s smile was chilling. He frowned and said, "Mr. Shen should be back by now, shouldn’t he?"

Feng Zhiyao paused, then said, "He should be back soon."

"After he returns, please ask him to make a trip to Xiling," Mo Xiuyao said with a faint smile. "I hear the Emperor of Xiling has also been suffering from a prolonged illness. Divine Doctor Shen’s superb medical skills will surely interest him."

Feng Zhiyao raised his eyebrows and grinned. "The Emperor of Xiling and the Southern Garrison Prince? That seems like a good idea. I just wonder if a healthy Emperor of Xiling would still tolerate having such an untitled yet de facto Regent Prince in the Xiling Kingdom?"

Ye Li sat quietly to one side, listening to the two men discuss matters between various nations, and unknowingly became somewhat lost in thought. For more than half a year, she had gained a clear enough understanding of many events in the Capital City. She naturally saw clearly how the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, with the latter often acting through Prince Li, were engaged in covert power struggles both within and outside the court. She hadn’t expected Mo Jingli to even drag Nanzhao into this mess. While these three—mother, son, and brother—were busy scheming and fighting amongst themselves, did they ever consider that some of the very people they were guarding against and plotting about were secretly maneuvering and toiling for the rise and fall of this country?

"Ah-Li, what benefit do you think Mo Jingli gains from secretly aiding the Southern Border Saintess?" Mo Xiuyao suddenly asked, interrupting her silent reverie.

Ye Li was startled, then frowned and said, "Even with the Empress Dowager’s support, Mo Jingli is not necessarily the Emperor’s match. Firstly, he is at a disadvantage in terms of public opinion and moral legitimacy. The Emperor is the rightful successor, having received the throne from the late Emperor, and as Mo Jingli’s own elder brother, he has not treated him poorly since ascending the throne. To rashly contend with the Emperor offers him no benefit at all. I believe... Mo Jingli has always placed too much importance on Nanzhao. Superficially, what he has gained because of Princess Qixia far outweighs what he has lost. Therefore, Nanzhao must possess some power or figure that he can depend on."

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Ah-Li is right. We all feel that Mo Jingli has changed too quickly in recent years. But... if one looks closely, one will find that he likely began to change only after returning from the Southern Border. It’s just that most people haven’t noticed such a change. I am certain that before this, Mo Jingli might have harbored ambitions, but he definitely had no intention of seizing the throne."

Ye Li stood up, took out a map from a nearby cabinet, spread it on the table, and said, "I don’t know what exactly in the Southern Border gives him such immense confidence. But in my view, if he could control the entire Southern Border, then even if Mo Jingli’s attempt to seize the throne fails, he wouldn’t be the one to lose."

Feng Zhiyao leaned in curiously and asked, "How so?"

Ye Li pointed at the map. "Mo Jingli’s fiefdom is in Lingzhou, which is less than three hundred li from Nanzhao. The Great Chu imperial family’s regulations require imperial princes to reside in the Capital City for only two months each year. However, due to the ’concern’ of the Empress Dowager and Grand Consort Wise Zhao, Mo Jingli has been stationed in the Capital City year-round and basically doesn’t return to his fiefdom. Of course, this might also be the Emperor’s way of guarding against Mo Jingli. But Lingzhou is still Prince Li’s fiefdom. Judging by Prince Li’s current confidence, Lingzhou is definitely completely under his control. Once Nanzhao fully supports Prince Li and they simultaneously launch a pincer attack from within and without, Yongzhou, which lies between Lingzhou and Nanzhao, will inevitably be captured. To the east of Lingzhou lies open plains; at that time, if he has sufficient troops, Prince Li could march eastward all the way and seize control of more than half the southwestern region. And reinforcements from the imperial court, even the fastest Black Cloud Cavalry, would need at least twenty days to arrive, and they would also need to cross the Yunlan River, which traverses the entirety of Great Chu. As far as I know... no army in Great Chu is proficient in water warfare. That includes the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry."

As her slender, fair hand gestured lightly, Feng Zhiyao’s expression gradually grew grim. He was more familiar with the terrain of Nanzhao and Great Chu than Ye Li, so he naturally understood even more clearly what kind of situation would arise if the two armies truly confronted each other. The region east of Lingzhou in Great Chu had always been peaceful and was far from the borders, so the garrisoned troops there could be said to be extremely few. If Mo Jingli truly united with Nanzhao and advanced southeast, instead of Nanzhao Kingdom’s usual habit of heading north, once they crossed Yongzhou’s Broken Snow Pass, it could be said that half of Great Chu’s territory south of the Yunlan River would practically be given away for free.