Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 71: Warmth

Affectionate Warmth

"Mo Jingli would never collude with Nanzhao if it meant treason! He wouldn’t do such a thing!" Feng Zhiyao gritted his teeth. Yet Ye Li’s words left an alarming trace in his mind; if Mo Jingli indeed dared, the aftermath would be unbearable to imagine. "Ah-Yao?" Feng Zhiyao turned to Mo Xiuyao, who was deep in thought, hoping for his agreement. Mo Xiuyao’s eyebrows furrowed as though he didn’t hear him. He was staring at the map Ye Li had laid out, lost in thought. After quite a while, he said, "If Mo Jingli comes under too much pressure, who’s to say he wouldn’t? Third Feng, I need information on the Southern Border, the more detailed, the better."

Feng Zhiyao nodded. "I understand. I’ll deliver it to you within half a month. So... should we inform the palace?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "If he knows now, he would immediately lead the troops south." What Mo Jingqi could least tolerate was others coveting his land. If Mo Jingqi got wind of this suspicion, even if Mo Jingli hadn’t intended to rebel, he would be forced into it. Feng Zhiyao, puzzled, asked, "If Mo Jingli truly harbors such intentions, isn’t it better to eliminate him while he’s still weak?" Mo Xiuyao sighed lightly. "If we act against Nanzhao now, it will only result in the King of Nanzhao and the Saintess of the Southern Border setting aside their squabbles to counter foreign aggression. We, on the other hand, might end up besieged on both sides by Xiling and Beirong. Originally, we intended to deal with either Xiling or Beirong first. But since Nanzhao is also unwilling to settle down, then... let’s find a way to handle them first."

"Handle them?" Feng Zhiyao and Ye Li looked at Mo Xiuyao in disbelief, hardly able to fathom that he’d already devised a response for Nanzhao in such a short time.

Mo Xiuyao furrowed his eyebrows. "If the people of the Southern Border feel too bored, then let’s have them busy themselves. Brother Xu mentioned that he was quite friendly with the Eldest Princess of Nanzhao."

Ye Li nodded noncommittally. Since Xu Qingchen had brought it up in front of them, he probably wouldn’t withhold anything. Mo Xiuyao allowed a small smile to grace his face. "Since Jing Li secretly supports the Saintess of the Southern Border, then as the monarch of Great Chu, and with Nanzhao having always been on friendly terms with Great Chu... Great Chu providing some support to the Nanzhao royal family wouldn’t be out of line. Third Feng, keep Jing Li’s information under wraps. No need to let Mo Jingqi know."

Feng Zhiyao nodded with a laugh. "Good plan. But... Mo Jingqi won’t take your advice."

In fact, Mo Xiuyao couldn’t possibly offer Mo Jingqi any advice, because regardless of whether his suggestions were beneficial or detrimental to Great Chu, Mo Jingqi would definitely reject them.

Mo Xiuyao wasn’t troubled by this. "There’s always someone whose words he will listen to. As for Broken Snow Pass... Just in case, we need someone competent to guard it. Who’s the current commander at Broken Snow Pass?"

"Cloud Banners General Guan Ting," Feng Zhiyao answered.

"If I’m not mistaken... Guan Ting hasn’t won a single battle in his life." Mo Xiuyao furrowed his brows. Guan Ting didn’t have any relationship with the Mo Family Army, but he had some impression of this name.

Feng Zhiyao sneered. "Actually, he’s only fought in three battles in his life. In the first two, he rode on General Murong’s coattails and gained quite a bit of military merit. The last one was quelling bandits... Hmm... Against eight hundred bandits on Panlong Mountain, he used five thousand soldiers and lost seventeen hundred, but he ultimately won. Besides, his last time on the battlefield was seven years ago. More importantly... my Lord, you have a grudge against him."

"I remember." Mo Xiuyao naturally recalled. Once, when Guan Ting was leading troops to suppress the bandits on Panlong Mountain, his willfulness and arrogance were such that he didn’t heed the advice of his subordinates. In only three days, he lost over a thousand soldiers, killed or wounded, without even touching the outskirts of the Panlong Mountain stronghold. It was by coincidence that Mo Xiuyao was passing by that area on official business and went to take a look. He happened to hear Guan Ting brazenly ordering his soldiers to act as human shields in a forced assault on the stronghold. Back then, Mo Xiuyao’s temper and composure were far from what they are now. He immediately drew his whip and gave Guan Ting a sound lashing. Of course, Mo Xiuyao was severely reprimanded by his elder brother afterward.

"Find a way to replace him. I don’t want that idiot staying at Broken Snow Pass," Mo Xiuyao said.

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible. He was one of Mo Jingqi’s study companions in childhood and is also his confidant. I suspect Mo Jingqi keeps him at Broken Snow Pass specifically to guard against Mo Jingli," Feng Zhiyao explained, spreading his hands helplessly. Mo Xiuyao glanced at him lightly and said, "Third Feng, I want that imbecile gone from Broken Snow Pass within a month. I don’t care what method you use." Seeing the threatening look in Mo Xiuyao’s eyes, Feng Zhiyao immediately dropped his frivolous attitude and replied with utmost seriousness, almost swearing an oath to the heavens, "Yes, my Lord. I think Mo Jingli would take a keen interest in Guan Ting. But... if Guan Ting is replaced, who will guard Broken Snow Pass? It definitely can’t be one of our men. Mo Jingqi wouldn’t be at ease."

"General Murong," Mo Xiuyao suggested after a moment of thought. "He’s been detained in the capital for two years. Though Mo Jingqi says it’s out of consideration for General Murong’s hard work safeguarding the borders, you and I both know it’s not a good thing for a military officer to stay in the capital for so long. It will only erode his fighting spirit."

"Could it be that Mo Jingqi suspects General Murong as well?" asked Feng Zhiyao. Otherwise, General Murong is far more capable than that useless Guan Ting. Why would he sideline an accomplished general only to employ a dimwit?

"No. It’s just that he trusts Guan Ting more than General Murong. You find a way to get Guan Ting recalled. I’ll handle General Murong’s matter."

"No problem, my Lord."

After seeing off Feng Zhiyao, the small study regained its tranquility.

Living with him for so long had given Ye Li a good understanding of Mo Xiuyao. He was accustomed to planning ahead and thought far more deeply than most. "Aren’t you tired? What if what you’re worrying about never happens?"

Mo Xiuyao looked up at her, his expression softening into a smile. "If nothing happens, that would naturally be for the best."

"What will you do about the remaining matters if you exhaust yourself to death?"

Mo Xiuyao smiled slightly, tidying up the map on the table as he laughed, "I’ve never planned to exhaust myself to death. Besides, isn’t Ah-Li helping me now? And... I only do what I should do while I’m alive. If I really die... what do I care what happens to this world or the lands of Great Chu?"

Ye Li was at a loss for words. Ever since Mo Xiuyao discovered her speed and efficiency at handling account books outperformed his, he had used his health as an excuse to refuse to deal with them any longer. Whether it was the inner household, the outer courtyard, or even the Mo Family Army’s ledgers, he threw them all to her to manage. This further made Ye Li understand why the imperial family was so wary of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. After more than a month, Ye Li was certain that while the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion might not be richer than the state treasury, Mo Xiuyao was definitely wealthier than Mo Jingqi. Although the Mo Family Army was still funded by the imperial court, Ye Li believed that even if the court didn’t provide provisions and pay for the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion could still support both armies. Just looking at the account books Mo Xiuyao had tossed her, which detailed gold and silver mines, copper mines, and vast lands and industries scattered throughout Great Chu, made this clear. How could an emperor not be envious, jealous, and resentful knowing he was poorer than his subject? The fate of being "wealthy enough to rival a country" was clearly demonstrated by Shen Wansan of the Ming Dynasty as an excellent example for posterity.

While the power struggle between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager smoldered, a seemingly trivial incident subtly intensified the tension between the Emperor and Prince Li. Cloud Banners General Guan Ting, garrison commander of Broken Snow Pass, had accidentally fallen from his horse during a hunt, and his own horse had broken his leg bone. There was another stir in the court over who would be the new commander of Broken Snow Pass. However, the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, the instigator of these undercurrents, remained detached from public attention, quiet and comfortable.

In a tastefully decorated and comfortable bedroom, a middle-aged man of about fifty sat by the bedside, carefully taking Mo Xiuyao’s pulse. The man had a scholarly appearance, yet his eyes glinted with keenness. His brow held a hint of unrestrained pride, making him seem less like a doctor and more like a wandering knight-errant.

"Is the prescription from last year no longer working?" the middle-aged man asked with a frown.

Doctor He, who usually treated Mo Xiuyao, also stood by and interjected, "That’s right. The effects of last year’s prescription completely ceased once winter set in this year. Mr. Shen, the Prince’s illness..."

The middle-aged man, none other than Shen Yang, Great Chu’s master of medicine, frowned and said, "Let me see the current prescription." Doctor He quickly presented the prescription Mo Xiuyao was currently taking. Shen Yang examined it carefully, then raised an eyebrow. "This formula... is usable. However, I’m very surprised you didn’t add any painkillers." Having taken over Mo Xiuyao’s treatment, Shen Yang was quite familiar with Doctor He, this former army doctor, and naturally understood his medication habits. Other than Mo Xiuyao himself, no one knew better than he and Doctor He how painful the Prince’s condition was when it flared up. Doctor He had always been softer-hearted than him; Shen Yang was genuinely surprised he could bear not to prescribe painkillers.

Doctor He said, somewhat ashamed, "I did add painkillers initially, but the Princess Consort objected, so..."

Only then did Shen Yang notice Ye Li, who had been standing silently to one side. If Ye Li wished, her presence could be so minimal as to be almost unnoticeable. So, although he knew Prince Ding had married a Princess Consort this year, he hadn’t actually noticed what this Princess Consort standing behind him looked like in all the time he’d been here.

Looking up at Ye Li, Shen Yang praised, "The Princess Consort’s decision was correct. Without painkillers, the Prince will undoubtedly suffer a bit more, but there won’t be any troublesome side effects. Moreover, the poison will progress slower than if he took medication. That’s why I’ve always insisted on not using pain-relieving medicinal herbs. This room is well-prepared. If things continue like this, and barring any accidents, the Prince should have no problem holding on for another two or three years."

When he said this, however, no one in the room showed any joy. It meant that Shen Yang’s trip to the Eastern Sea to find the spider brake had evidently failed, or that the spider brake was useless for Mo Xiuyao’s condition.

Doctor He, still clinging to some hope, asked, "Mr. Shen, the spider brake..."

Shen Yang shook his head with some regret. "Spider brake is indeed effective against cold poison. But for the Prince’s body, it is greatly detrimental. Therefore, it’s best to wait until the fire lotus seeds mature before making further plans. Of course, over the next two years, I will also see if there are any other methods."

Mo Xiuyao, leaning against the headboard, calmly asked, "Does spider brake have side effects on the body?"

Shen Yang nodded. "Spider brake can indeed improve the Prince’s condition, but it cannot truly expel the cold poison. Instead, its own fire poison would counteract the cold poison. Once control is lost, not only will the cold poison in the Prince’s body worsen, but new fire poison will be added. At that point... even with fire lotus seeds in hand, it would be impossible to administer medicine."

Doctor He asked doubtfully, "Don’t fire poison and cold poison counteract each other?"

Shen Yang said irritably, "Cold and fire counteracting each other is correct, but not every counteracting medicinal property can neutralize the other. In fact, most toxins will coexist and may even form more unpredictable toxins."

Mo Xiuyao nodded. "In that case, we’ve troubled Mr. Shen with this trip. Since so many years have passed, waiting another two won’t matter. Mr. Shen, you’ve just returned and have already exerted so much effort. You should go and rest first."

Shen Yang glanced approvingly at the unusually calm Mo Xiuyao and nodded. "Your Highness’s strength of mind is something I’ve rarely seen in my life. Your Highness, Princess Consort, please rest assured. Although my medical skills are not refined enough to detoxify the Prince, I can absolutely guarantee the Prince’s safety until the fire lotus matures. Tomorrow, I will readjust the Prince’s prescription. His Highness’s condition has not excessively worsened this year. Once the weather warms up, there shouldn’t be any major issues."

Ye Li nodded. "Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Shen. Chief Steward Mo, please take Mr. Shen to the guest room to rest."

Chief Steward Mo acknowledged and stepped forward to escort Shen Yang and Doctor He out.

The room fell silent. Mo Xiuyao looked up to see Ye Li staring at him, lost in thought, and smiled faintly. "Ah-Li, you don’t need to worry. If the cold poison were so easily treated, we wouldn’t have waited all these years. I never held much hope in the first place."

Ye Li sat down by the bed, looked at him, and sighed softly. "But there’s still some disappointment, isn’t there?"

Mo Xiuyao paused for a moment, then looked at Ye Li for a long while before giving a wry smile. "Is it that obvious?"

Ye Li remained silent. Mo Xiuyao reached out and pulled Ye Li into his embrace. Ye Li, somewhat unaccustomed to it, wanted to push him away but instantly abandoned the thought, leaning quietly against Mo Xiuyao, allowing him to hold her captive in his arms. Mo Xiuyao held her tightly, burying his face in her faintly fragrant hair. "Ah-Li... I can’t accept this..." Mo Xiuyao’s voice revealed an unprecedented emptiness and despair. Ye Li frowned slightly and raised her hand to rest on Mo Xiuyao’s shoulder. She knew Mo Xiuyao was never as nonchalant as he appeared on the surface. If he could truly remain calm and composed, he wouldn’t be the Prince Ding who, even lying on his sickbed, was still strategizing. He would be close to being a saint then.

"If Father and Elder Brother were still alive... just give me five years, and I could pacify Xiling. At most ten years, and I could drive all the Beirong into the northern deserts! Then, no enemy could threaten Great Chu’s peace. Great Chu could also truly become a dynasty more glorious than the previous one. This has always been the cherished wish of generations of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, and also the wish of the Great Ancestor Emperor. Why... why did they do this? Ah-Li... do you know, seven years ago when I first woke up... I wished I could have killed every single one of them right then! How dared they... how dared they treat Elder Brother like that?" Mo Xiuyao held Ye Li tightly, his voice deep and weary. "Father said he wanted to protect the common people of Great Chu, and Elder Brother also said that the peace of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and Great Chu was more important than anything. But how did they treat us? I told myself back then... even if I could never stand up again, I had to kill them!"

"But you didn’t kill them, did you?" Ye Li leaned against him and said softly. With the strength of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, while it might have been impossible to withstand the entire military force of Great Chu at the time, if it truly came to a desperate struggle where both sides perished, killing a few people was definitely feasible. But Mo Xiuyao, even at the height of his rage, had not done so.

Mo Xiuyao was silent for a while before speaking softly, "I couldn’t... The soldiers of the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry have served for generations, guarding the borders of Great Chu. I couldn’t let them bear the stigma of treason. If that happened... what would the sacrifices and perseverance of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army for over a hundred years amount to?"

Ye Li fell silent. Perhaps this was the root of Mo Xiuyao’s agony. His intelligence and the strength of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion even spared him the process of struggling to identify his enemies. He hated the rulers of this country; moreover, he hated this country. But he couldn’t bring himself to destroy them decisively, and he even had to protect them. Protecting the people he hated most... for anyone, this was absolute torture.

"Ah-Li, one day... I will kill them. Will... you be afraid of me?" Mo Xiuyao leaned on Ye Li’s shoulder and asked in a low voice.

Ye Li lowered her gaze, looking at the bed curtain behind Mo Xiuyao, and said softly, "You’ve known for a long time, haven’t you? I’m not a timid person."

"But I know Ah-Li is a soft-hearted person," Mo Xiuyao chuckled softly. "If one day Ah-Li discovers I’m not a good man, it’s better if I tell you first."

Ye Li was somewhat surprised. She retreated slightly and saw Mo Xiuyao looking at her with a focused and gentle gaze. "Does it really matter to you whether I think you’re a good person or not?"

Mo Xiuyao raised his head and gently brushed the hair from her ear. "Of course. Ah-Li is my Princess Consort... Even if one day Ah-Li discovers I’m not a good man, I... will not let you leave." Mo Xiuyao smiled, a smile that seemed brighter and warmer than ever before. Ye Li couldn’t help but feel a little dazed. She only felt a light, faintly warm pair of lips gently land on her own. It was an extremely light touch, seeming to linger for a moment. Then she heard Mo Xiuyao’s laughter by her ear. "Ah-Li, I will never let you leave."

Her lips still seemed to tingle slightly. Ye Li felt as if her usually proud reflexes had completely stalled. Hey, did I agree to this?

"Your Highness, Miss Murong requests an audience," Qingluan announced loudly from the doorway.

Ye Li shot up, glared fiercely at Mo Xiuyao, who was looking at her with a smile, and called out, "Please ask Miss Murong to wait in the Hall of Blossoms. I’ll be right there." Qingluan acknowledged and left. Ye Li snorted lightly and turned to leave. Mo Xiuyao reached out and caught her hand. Meeting Ye Li’s angry, watery eyes, Mo Xiuyao smiled helplessly. "Ah-Li, change your clothes before you go out." Ye Li looked down at her clothes in confusion. Although they were a bit casual, they weren’t too impolite for meeting Miss Murong, were they? Mo Xiuyao said, "Second Leng must have come with Miss Murong. I’m a bit tired. You go meet him on my behalf."

Seeing the distinct fatigue in Mo Xiuyao’s expression, Ye Li then remembered that Shen Yang’s arrival had caused such a long commotion. Although Mo Xiuyao showed nothing on the surface, his mood must have still experienced considerable fluctuations and disappointment. Her heart couldn’t help but soften, and she said in a low voice, "I’ll go see him. You get some sleep."

After helping Mo Xiuyao lie down and tucking him in, Ye Li turned and went into the inner room to change her clothes. Mo Xiuyao lay on the bed, watching Ye Li’s retreating figure, a faint smile on his lips. Ah-Li, your soft heart makes me unwilling to let go. So... even if you don’t like me, I won’t give you a chance to regret it.

「In the Hall of Blossoms」

Murong Ting was excitedly examining the elegant and grand furnishings. Seeing Leng Haoyu sitting leisurely to one side sipping tea, she didn’t forget to glare at him resentfully. "I came to say goodbye to Ah-Li. Why did you have to shamelessly tag along?"

Leng Haoyu, good-natured as always, chuckled. "Ting’er, the Princess Consort of Ding Kingdom and I have met before. If you can come to bid farewell, why can’t I?"

Murong Ting said, somewhat annoyed, "Leng Haoyu, I’m going with my father to Yongzhou because he’s going. What are you, a young master, doing running around for no reason? Be careful you don’t die of exhaustion halfway!"

Leng Haoyu blinked, looking at her with a touched expression. "Is Ting’er worried about me? Don’t worry. For Ting’er’s sake, no matter how arduous the journey, I will definitely persevere."

"Leng Haoyu! Go to hell!" Murong Ting had been pestered by Leng Haoyu for so many years, yet she found she had consistently underestimated the extent of his shamelessness. Her pretty face flushed red with anger, and she couldn’t help but stomp her foot.

Leng Haoyu looked at his fuming fiancée in good spirits, smiling as he sipped his tea. His half-lowered eyes, however, held a trace of helplessness. In Ting’er’s eyes, he was always just a profligate son who only knew how to eat, drink, and be merry. He could never compare to his accomplished and capable elder brother. Only when he saw Ting’er angry with him did he feel that, in her eyes, he was still different from others.

"Ahem... Murong, who made you so angry that you’re throwing such a big tantrum?" Ye Li slowly entered the Hall of Blossoms, smiling as she looked at the raging Murong Ting.

Only then did Murong Ting remember that this wasn’t her own home, nor some random place outside. It was the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, a place many dignitaries in the Capital City treated with caution. She couldn’t help but flush. Glaring at Leng Haoyu, she complained, "Who else but this guy? Making me behave so rudely."

Leng Haoyu stood up and greeted her. "Greetings, Princess Consort."

Ye Li smiled. "Young Master Leng, there’s no need for such ceremony. Please sit." She pulled Murong Ting to sit beside her, playfully pinched Murong Ting’s still-pouting little face, and laughed. "Murong, for you to come to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion at this time, you must be here to say goodbye to me, right?"

Murong Ting looked at her in surprise and laughed. "I didn’t expect that even though you don’t leave the house, your information is so up-to-date! I only got the news yesterday afternoon. But time is tight; Father is setting off early tomorrow morning, so I could only find some time today to come and bid you farewell."

"Murong, are you also accompanying General Murong to Yongzhou?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Murong Ting said proudly, "Of course! My father is going to the border regions alone. How could I not go with him to take care of him?"

Ye Li raised an eyebrow. "General Murong agreed to let you go?" Murong Ting wasn’t young anymore; at the latest, she would have to get married within two years. General Murong, stationed at the border, might not be able to return for three to five years.

Murong Ting glanced at Leng Haoyu sitting to the side and, tugging at the braid on her chest, said in a small voice, "Father already agreed." Initially, Father had indeed disagreed. But Leng Haoyu somehow said something to Father that actually made him change his mind. I don’t know if I’m Father’s biological daughter or if that scoundrel Leng Haoyu is Father’s biological son! Father actually listened to him and changed his mind. I begged for a whole night, you know.

Sensing Murong Ting’s dissatisfaction, Leng Haoyu helplessly touched his nose and said, "Princess Consort, actually, I also came to bid farewell. I will be heading south soon."

Ye Li raised her eyebrows, somewhat surprised. "Oh? Young Master Leng is also going to Yongzhou?"

"No, I’m going to Lingzhou," Leng Haoyu smiled. "There’s some business in Lingzhou that needs handling, and I might take a trip to Nanzhao. I heard Eldest Young Master Xu is traveling in Nanzhao. If I’m fortunate enough to meet him, I wonder if the Princess Consort has any message for Young Master Xu?"

Murong Ting glanced at him disdainfully and snorted. "You, doing business? In all these years, besides taking the Leng Family’s money to fool around, when have you ever successfully concluded any business deal? Uncle Leng actually agreed to let you go out?"

Leng Haoyu put on a roguish smile. "Ting’er is right. My father thinks I’m too much of a disappointment, so he decided to kick me out to fend for myself."

"Uh..." Murong Ting hadn’t expected Leng Haoyu to actually be kicked out of his home. She had once thought Leng Haoyu would probably be supported by Uncle Leng and Brother Leng for his entire life. Although she despised Leng Haoyu’s mischievousness, the thought of him going to Lingzhou alone made her feel somewhat reluctant. "That... if you can’t manage, you can come to Broken Snow Pass. My father should need quite a few people under his command..."

"I knew Ting’er still cared about me!" Leng Haoyu clutched his chest in a feigned state of ecstasy, enraging Murong Ting so much that she couldn’t stop herself from flinging a dart straight at Leng Haoyu’s face. Leng Haoyu tilted his head slightly, and with a casual flick of the folding fan in his hand, he deflected the dart, which then landed in a nearby flowerpot.

Ye Li covered her mouth to stifle a laugh and pulled Murong Ting back. "Alright, Murong. I do indeed have a letter I’d like to ask Young Master Leng to deliver to my elder brother. Second Young Master Leng, could we perhaps adjourn to the study for a moment?"

Leng Haoyu stood up. "It would be my honor, Princess Consort. Please."

Ye Li apologized to Murong Ting, then called Qingshuang and others to keep Murong Ting company before inviting Leng Haoyu to the study. Murong Ting watched Leng Haoyu’s retreating figure from behind and paused for a moment. When this guy is serious, he doesn’t seem so annoying after all.

「In the study」

"Young Master Leng, please sit."

In the study, the frivolous smile typical of a profligate son gradually faded from Leng Haoyu’s face, and his brow took on a sharper, more incisive look. He seemed like a completely different person, definitely not as harmless as before.

"Since you know what kind of person Murong likes, why do you insist on acting in a way she dislikes?" Ye Li, sitting behind the desk, asked with some curiosity.

Leng Haoyu raised an eyebrow and smiled, a hint of bitterness in his expression. "If not for a fortunate coincidence, the Leng Haoyu the world sees today would be the real Leng Haoyu." Every family has its own troubles, and the Leng Family certainly wasn’t a place of pure innocence. Ye Li didn’t probe further into Leng Haoyu’s private affairs and simply said, "Murong has a lively personality and is somewhat competitive. She’s destined to like people stronger than her. Good luck."

"Thank you, Princess Consort," Leng Haoyu said with a smile.

Looking at the sharp, ambitious young man before her, Ye Li sighed inwardly. The world only saw how Leng Qingyu, the Eldest Young Master of the Leng Family, was skilled in both literary and martial arts and deeply valued by the Emperor. Yet, no one knew that this young man—who seemingly spent his days in brothels and taverns, fooling around with disreputable friends—actually controlled nearly half the assets of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. The amount of money that passed through his hands daily was enough to make any noble family’s heart flutter.

Ye Li slowly ground some ink, picked up a brush, and wrote a few characters. After letting them dry, she folded the paper—without even using an envelope—and handed it directly to Leng Haoyu. "If you happen to meet my elder brother, you can give this to him. If you don’t, it doesn’t matter; just dispose of it as you see fit."

Leng Haoyu took it and looked, confirmed he didn’t understand what was written on it, but didn’t seem to mind. He raised an eyebrow, tucked the note into a hidden pocket, and asked, "Does the Prince or Princess Consort have any further instructions?"

Ye Li smiled. "The Prince has always been confident in Young Master Leng’s work, and I have no further instructions. However, regarding Mo Jingli, I’m afraid we’ve all underestimated him before. Young Master Leng, please be careful on your journey, and of course, ensure General Murong’s safety. I imagine the Prince agreed to let Young Master Leng go partly due to this consideration."

Leng Haoyu looked somewhat apologetic. "The Prince... agreed?"

Ye Li looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Otherwise, why do you think I asked to speak with you alone?"

A flash of joy crossed Leng Haoyu’s brow. He had insisted on going south earlier. Although the Prince hadn’t flown into a rage, he had ultimately gone against the Prince’s wishes, which made him feel quite guilty and uneasy. Ye Li looked at him and said, "The Prince is unwell and has already rested. Since he didn’t stop you, he naturally agreed to your plan. However, the situation in the Southern Border is bound to be tense for some time. You are, after all, different from Feng Zhiyao and the others. Going south at this time is indeed somewhat risky." Feng Zhiyao might look like a romantic young master these days, but like Mo Xiuyao, he fought his way through battlefields since his youth. His operations are also conducted in secret. Leng Haoyu, on the other hand, controls vast wealth, making him an easy target for attention. If Mo Jingli or the Emperor were to notice anything unusual about him, he would likely face imminent death.

Hearing Ye Li’s words, Leng Haoyu felt somewhat reassured. "Please rest assured, Princess Consort. Haoyu will absolutely not ruin the Prince’s affairs. I had plans to do some small business in the Southern Border a few years ago anyway; this period of chaos in the Southern Border is actually an opportunity."

"It’s good that Young Master Leng has a clear plan. General Murong is departing tomorrow. Young Master Leng, will you be..."

Leng Haoyu shook his head. "I will set off in five days, traveling south by waterway."

Seeing that Leng Haoyu had considered everything thoroughly, Ye Li had nothing more to say. She merely offered a few more words of advice before asking Leng Haoyu to return with her to the Hall of Blossoms to see Murong Ting.