Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 86. Secret Letter from Yunzhou

86. Secret Letter from Yunzhou

「Capital City」

"Prince, the secret letter from Yunzhou!" In the study, Chief Steward Mo entered briskly, holding a letter sealed with a black flame emblem. Mo Xiuyao, who was reading at his desk, abruptly lifted his head. He took the letter from Chief Steward Mo and skimmed through it, his expression gradually turning serious. The atmosphere in the study seemed to thicken. Chief Steward Mo, slightly worried, asked, "Prince?" Mo Xiuyao paused, then looked down, realizing he had unconsciously crumpled the letter in his hand. Taking a deep breath to calm his shock and anger, he slowly smoothed out the paper, refolded it, and said in a low voice, "Call Feng Zhiyao over. And... invite Mr. Shen as well. Make preparations; I will be going to the palace shortly."

Chief Steward Mo frowned. Ever since the incident involving the Princess Consort, the Prince had not set foot in the palace. The news from Yunzhou must be of great importance. Although worried, Chief Steward Mo could only bow his head and reply softly, "I will see to it at once."

Soon after, Feng Zhiyao and Shen Yang appeared at the study doorway. Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on his lips. "What commands does the Prince have for us?"

Mo Xiuyao handed over the slightly creased letter, his voice grave. "Take a look."

Feng Zhiyao understood the gravity in Mo Xiuyao’s expression and tone. Without further questions, he took the letter and sat down to one side. "From Yunzhou? Is this Mr. Elder Qingyun’s handwriting?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded silently, causing Feng Zhiyao’s expression to grow more solemn. He had only hoped the Xu Family could find someone knowledgeable to help translate the items Ye Li had sent back. He never expected it would attract the attention of Mr. Elder Qingyun himself. Anything that could capture the old gentleman’s attention was bound to be significant.

As Feng Zhiyao read the letter, Shen Yang looked at Mo Xiuyao with concern. "Prince, is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" As a physician, Shen Yang usually refrained from inquiring about such matters.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Mr. Shen, you were scheduled to depart for Xiling in a few days. However, I’m afraid I must ask you to postpone your journey."

Shen Yang frowned. "Have the Prince’s plans changed?"

Mo Xiuyao sighed. "There isn’t enough time. Mr. Shen, I must go to the Southern Border."

"What?!" Shen Yang cried out. Even Feng Zhiyao, seated to the side, paused, a frown creasing his brow. Shen Yang gave Mo Xiuyao no chance to explain, roaring angrily, "Are you joking, Prince? Your body might be much better than it was in winter, but don’t forget, that’s only in comparison to winter! The Southern Border is humid and rainy, completely unsuitable for your constitution! Furthermore... as you well know, the cold poison in your body flared up uncontrollably last winter. Although we managed to suppress it, your body will only worsen. If you rashly change environments, the cold poison could spiral out of control again!"

Feng Zhiyao, somewhat perplexed, asked, "Isn’t the warmer climate of the South more suitable for the Prince’s constitution?"

Shen Yang rolled his eyes in exasperation. "If that were the case, why would we have bothered with all this effort for so many years? We could have just sent the Prince to the South to recuperate!"

"Mr. Shen." Mo Xiuyao frowned, looking at Shen Yang with a serious gaze. "I must go." His deep, firm voice conveyed his unshakeable resolve.

"A reason!" Shen Yang thundered. "Prince, give me a reason why you are treating your own life with such disregard! As a physician, I at least have the right to know why my patient intends to go to his death." 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Mo Xiuyao sighed. He held deep respect for this elder who had pulled him back from the brink of death multiple times over the years. Unfortunately, he had to disregard his advice this time. "Because... if I don’t go, in the future, we will all have to atone with our lives."

Shen Yang was stunned. For Mo Xiuyao to say such a thing, the matter must be beyond his ability to prevent, or perhaps, beyond anyone’s ability to stop. In that instant, Shen Yang seemed to age ten years. His voice was somber and disheartened as he said, "Prince, even if you reach the Southern Border, with your current physical condition, you won’t be able to do anything." A body afflicted by the cold poison is extremely sensitive to changes in the external climate. The North has a dry climate, yet even so, on rainy days, Mo Xiuyao’s body would become extremely weak and ache faintly. How much worse would it be in the humid, rainy South? Mo Xiuyao’s condition there would not be much better than it was during winter.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze. "I know you have a way, Mr. Shen. I cannot simply go to the Southern Border as I am. I must be able to stand, to appear in the Southern Border whole and sound. Do you understand?"

"You’re mad!" Shen Yang exclaimed.

Feng Zhiyao also rose abruptly, saying, "Prince, things haven’t reached that point yet. Why don’t we set out for the Southern Border first, and then... we can figure things out when we get there?"

Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly. "You should understand, if I don’t go to the Southern Border, by the time things truly reach that stage, it will be too late."

Feng Zhiyao lowered his head, clutching the letter in his hand, speechless.

Shen Yang harrumphed. "Regardless of the circumstances, what’s impossible is impossible! I am a physician, not an assassin. I will absolutely not let you do that!"

Mo Xiuyao ignored him and said calmly to Feng Zhiyao, "Go and make the preparations. I need to make a trip to the palace."

Feng Zhiyao stared at him, speechless for a long moment, then he could only manage a low, "Yes, Prince."

As Mo Xiuyao wheeled himself out, he passed Shen Yang and added calmly, "Mr. Shen, I expect to see the medicine when I return."

"I will not give it to you!" Shen Yang, finally abandoning his physician’s composure, roared. But the object of his fury had already departed. Feng Zhiyao glanced at the red-faced, fuming Shen Yang, then tightened his grip on the letter and also hurried out. Left alone in the study, an exasperated Shen Yang, after a long moment, finally burst out, "Is there something wrong with you men of the Mo Family? Do you think the world can’t go on without you?!"

Feng Zhiyao glanced back at the study, then quickly caught up with Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao asked calmly, "Do you have something to say?"

Feng Zhiyao hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I have nothing to say. I request the Prince’s permission for Third Feng to accompany you."

Mo Xiuyao frowned. "You are needed here to manage affairs in the Capital City."

Feng Zhiyao’s eyebrows rose, a rare flicker of martial spirit in his eyes. "Prince, Third Feng is a soldier. My lifelong ambition is to command armies on the battlefield, not to control the Undercover Guards and gather intelligence."

Mo Xiuyao paused, looking at Feng Zhiyao with a hint of surprise. So much time had passed, he had almost forgotten. When they were still mischievous children, Feng Zhiyao, clad in red, had stood before him and declared his ambition to become an invincible, peerless general. Then, at thirteen, Feng Zhiyao had forsaken the comfortable life of the Feng Family to follow him through life-and-death situations. Perhaps if it weren’t for that incident years ago, Feng Zhiyao would have already become the renowned general he aspired to be. He wouldn’t be as he was now, relegated to the Capital City. He wouldn’t be playing the part of a dissolute, unrestrained young rake, a facade to conceal his true identity as the Commender of the Undercover Guards.

After a long pause, Mo Xiuyao said softly, "Very well. If they truly... then they should be aware of your connection to the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion. I will make other arrangements for the Undercover Guards." When Feng Zhiyao had anonymously followed him onto the battlefields, few knew his true identity, but it wasn’t a complete secret.

Feng Zhiyao was overjoyed. "Thank you, Prince!"

Mo Xiuyao offered a faint smile. "I should be the one thanking you. Also, send a swift horse with a message to Ah-Li. Tell her to be wary of Shu Manlin!"

「Nanzhao Capital」

Ye Li looked helplessly at the hostile Han Mingxi and the composed Xu Qingchen before her. "Young Master Han..."

Han Mingxi hummed softly, turning to Ye Li with a smile. "Sister Liuyun, no need for such formality. Since you also know Junwei, just call me Brother Mingxi."

Ye Li looked at him silently and swallowed the words of persuasion she was about to utter.

Seeing the lovely young woman ignore him, Han Mingxi shrugged with a hint of regret and studied Ye Li. "Speaking of which, Sister Liuyun, you and Junwei do look somewhat alike. Actually, Junwei isn’t Young Master Qingchen’s younger brother; he’s actually your brother, isn’t he? After all, don’t you both share the surname Chu?"

Ye Li mentally wiped her sweat. She said, "Brother Qingchen is indeed Junwei’s older brother."

Han Mingxi’s eyes lit up, and he blinked innocently at Ye Li. "So, Junwei’s name must be an alias then? Sister Liuyun, tell me, what’s Junwei’s real name?"

Ye Li felt an unspeakable bitterness, silently regretting her moment of folly in asking Han Mingxi for help. She cast a pleading look towards Xu Qingchen, who was leisurely sipping his tea.

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and said nonchalantly, "Xu Qingliu."

"Qingliu? A good name... it suits Junwei very well. Unlike some people... who are a disgrace to such a good name. No... there’s no Xu Qingliu among the Fifth Young Masters of the Xu Family!" Han Mingxi muttered, then quickly reacted, glaring fiercely at Xu Qingchen.

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "Who told you he was one of the Xu Family’s five sons?"

Han Mingxi paused to think; indeed, no one had. After pondering for a moment, he looked up, an expression of sudden realization on his face. His gaze towards Xu Qingchen became strange and conflicted, with a visible hint of disdain.

Ye Li looked at Han Mingxi helplessly. What outlandish idea have you come up with now?

Han Mingxi snorted, scanning Xu Qingchen from head to toe before nodding and saying, "I understand now. No wonder I’ve never heard the name Xu Qingliu before, and no wonder he had to change his name and surname when he was away from home. Hmph, hmph. You lot better not think of bullying Qingliu... no, with that name, he must have suffered. From now on, your Xu Family better not think of bullying Junwei! This young master will protect him."

Ye Li looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "Young Master Han has a vivid imagination."

Han Mingxi sneered, "My fighting skills are even better. If it weren’t for Junwei, I would have taught you a lesson already!"

"Young Master Han..." Ye Li called out helplessly. She was quite touched by Han Mingxi’s genuine concern for Chu Junwei and felt a deeper pang of guilt for having deceived him.

Han Mingxi glanced at her. "Sister Liuyun, you’d better find a new fiancé soon. Some people may look like gentlemen on the outside, but who knows what they’re really like. Hmph... Junwei has been gone for so long, but that fiancé of yours doesn’t even seem worried. I’ll go look for him!" With that, Han Mingxi swept out like a gust of wind.

Xu Qingchen put down his teacup and commented thoughtfully, "Han Mingxi genuinely cares for you."

Ye Li gave a bitter laugh. "I’m truly regretting deceiving him now."

Xu Qingchen said calmly, "It’s right to be cautious when away from home. He should understand if you explain things clearly to him sooner rather than later."

Ye Li glared at him helplessly. "But Brother, you just mentioned Xu Qingliu yourself. Doesn’t that mean I’ve deceived him yet again?"

Xu Qingchen chuckled lightly. "I’ll ask Grandfather to add the name to the family-tree registration later; then it won’t be considered deceiving him. As for you..."

Ye Li looked at Xu Qingchen in confusion, but he shook his head and said no more.

"Xu Qingchen!" A fierce shout came from outside. The main door crashed open as it was kicked in, and a figure in sapphire-blue robes rushed inside. Ye Li trembled at the sight of the furiously approaching woman. Looking back at Xu Qingchen, she saw him still sitting calmly and leisurely, as if the enraged woman wasn’t coming for him at all. The woman rushed to the hall entrance and stopped abruptly, staring blankly at Xu Qingchen.

Ye Li blinked, cleared her throat, and called out softly, "Princess Anxi."

Princess Anxi seemed to regain her senses, stepped into the hall, and asked with concern, "Qingchen, are you alright?"

Xu Qingchen smiled gently. "Judging by your entrance, Princess, I thought you were here to settle accounts with me."

Princess Anxi’s cheeks flushed. She glared at him. "And shouldn’t I settle accounts with you? What mischief did you cause in the palace?"

Xu Qingchen smiled innocently. "I didn’t do anything." Indeed, he hadn’t done anything personally; his Undercover Guards and the people from Tianyi Pavilion had handled everything.

Princess Anxi sat down to the side, glaring unhappily at Xu Qingchen. "You didn’t do anything, yet you caused such a stir in the palace! Father-King just summoned me for questioning, suspecting I was behind it." Although she had indeed been prepared to do something similar, hadn’t someone else beaten her to it? Why did Father-King still suspect her?

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "Knowing the King of Nanzhao suspects you, you still came here?"

Princess Anxi snorted disdainfully. "Those incompetents can only follow me if I allow it. If I don’t want them to, they could run their legs off and still not keep up."

"Princess, did you rush over for something urgent?" Xu Qingchen asked.

Ye Li sighed inwardly. Princess Anxi had rushed over, clearly worried about his safety, yet he just casually asked if she had something urgent? Did he really expect a young lady to explicitly say, ’I came because I was worried about your safety’?

Princess Anxi was taken aback. She glanced at Ye Li beside her and said, "Can’t I come if there’s nothing urgent? I just wanted to see if my friend and military advisor was still alive."

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "It’s good you came. I also have matters to discuss with you. Now I won’t need to send someone to the Princess Mansion to find you."

Princess Anxi frowned, looking at Xu Qingchen. "You’re not returning to the Princess Mansion?" She hesitated, then glanced at Ye Li. "Miss Chu is also staying in the Princess Mansion now. If you return with us, you can look out for each other. And wouldn’t it be more convenient for us to discuss things?"

Before Xu Qingchen could reply, Ye Li said, "Princess, I’m truly sorry for deceiving you before..."

Princess Anxi frowned in confusion. Ye Li whispered, "Actually... I’m actually..."

"Actually, Liuyun is not some defenseless, frail woman. She went into the palace with Lin Han today to rescue me. She only pretended to know nothing because she was afraid of arousing your suspicions," Xu Qingchen smoothly interjected.

Ye Li frowned slightly and shot Xu Qingchen a subtle glare, but he remained as impassive as a mountain.

Princess Anxi looked at him in surprise, then at Ye Li, and laughed. "What’s the big deal! It’s quite rare to find a woman from the Central Plains as skilled in both scholarly arts and martial prowess as Miss Chu. Miss Chu acted for Qingchen’s safety; I’m not that petty."

Ye Li smiled. "Thank you, Princess."