Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 87. Exposure of Identity

87. Unmasked

The three of them moved to the study. Although Princess Anxi had some doubts about Ye Li’s presence, she didn’t question further due to her trust in Xu Qingchen. After all, this seemingly delicate young lady had traveled thousands of miles to Nanzhao, successfully tricked the princess, and personally rescued Xu Qingchen. Naturally, she was no ordinary person. Princess Anxi’s gaze upon Ye Li carried more complicated feelings. Ye Li, seeing this, could only give a wry, inward smile. She secretly glared at Xu Qingchen, throwing him a look that clearly said, You owe me an explanation. Xu Qingchen merely smiled serenely.

Once they were seated in the study, Princess Anxi quickly put aside her personal matters, her demeanor becoming serious and focused. Xu Qingchen asked, "Did you get the military token?"

Princess Anxi shook her head, somewhat ashamed. "I’m sorry, Qingchen. The place where we thought the military token was hidden turned out to be a decoy. The token wasn’t there at all."

Xu Qingchen frowned slightly. "Logically speaking... Shu Manlin shouldn’t know we were looking for the military token. No outsiders should know where the actual token is. Why would she hide it so secretly, and even make it seem like a trap specifically set for us?"

Princess Anxi shook her head. "Very few people on our side know about it, and I can guarantee they are all absolutely trustworthy."

Xu Qingchen also shook his head. "We naturally trust your people. But this time... Anxi, don’t you find it strange? For the past six months, it seems that every time we were about to expose a critical mistake of Shu Manlin’s, she would manage to evade us just one step ahead."

Princess Anxi retorted irritably, "Isn’t it all because of Father? He always inexplicably favors Shu Manlin! He claims that as the Holy Maiden of the Southern Border, she couldn’t possibly do such things, and says that you’re trying to sow discord among us in Nanzhao. The most absurd time, he even dismissed it as a misunderstanding! Father has truly become more muddled in recent years."

Xu Qingchen asked thoughtfully, "Is the King of Nanzhao truly getting muddled?"

Princess Anxi looked at Xu Qingchen in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

Xu Qingchen calmly replied, "We initially thought the King of Nanzhao was biased towards Shu Manlin due to partiality and believing rumors. But this time... On the day I was captured, I was immediately drugged and knocked unconscious. I remember fainting around the end of Weishi (around 3:00 p.m.), and I woke up in the stone chamber around two Ke into Shenshi (around 3:30 p.m.). That day, you had people watching the Holy Maiden’s Palace, so they must have returned from the royal palace. However, during that period, the King of Nanzhao is usually resting in his bedchambers. Even if he wasn’t there, the guards at the secret passage entrance in the Nanzhao royal palace are not just for show. After you entered the palace, Anxi, did you hear any rumors about this?"

Princess Anxi thought for a moment, then shook her head. "No. When I reported your disappearance to Father, he appeared very worried and said he would send people to help me find you. But I refused his offer."

Xu Qingchen smiled faintly. "Would the great King of Nanzhao be unaware of something happening in his own bedchambers? Especially when he constantly has guards stationed at that secret passage?"

Princess Anxi was stunned for a long moment. When she raised her head to look at Xu Qingchen again, her gaze still held disbelief and hesitation. "Are you saying that Father isn’t being deceived by Shu Manlin, but is actually siding with her and helping her? Why... I am his biological daughter, the Eldest Princess of Nanzhao. I have never done anything unworthy of my status."

"Perhaps it’s precisely because Your Highness is *too* worthy of your status?" Ye Li remarked lightly, raising an eyebrow.

Princess Anxi shot her a sharp look. "What do you mean, Miss Chu?"

Ye Li blinked and, looking at Princess Anxi, said, "There’s a saying in the Central Plains. I wonder if Your Highness has heard it?" Princess Anxi gazed at her silently. Ye Li then continued gravely, "When a subject’s achievements overshadow the ruler. Your Highness and the King of Nanzhao are, of course, father and daughter. But... although Your Highness addresses the King of Nanzhao as ’Father King,’ in my opinion, it should be ’King Father.’ In the imperial family, one is a king first, then a father. Similarly, Your Highness is a subject first, and then a daughter. During my time in the Nanzhao Capital, I have heard much about Your Highness’s reputation. The people of Nanzhao praise you endlessly as a wise and sagacious Eldest Princess. Even a newcomer from the Central Plains like myself has formed such an impression, let alone the people of the Southern Border who have benefited from Your Highness’s grace."

Princess Anxi’s face turned pale, and she trembled as she asked, "Are you saying that Father is wary of me? So he supported Shu Manlin to oppose me, thereby suppressing me?"

Ye Li sighed softly, looking at Princess Anxi with pity. "Your Highness should have read some historical books from the Central Plains. Let’s not speak of distant history, but of recent events. Although Your Highness resides in the Southern Border, you must have some understanding of the situation of the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion, correct?"

Princess Anxi’s lips, bitten until they were pale, trembled slightly as she looked pleadingly at Xu Qingchen.

Xu Qingchen sighed softly. "Anxi... I once warned you that going too far is as bad as not going far enough."

Princess Anxi bit her lip and lowered her head, remaining silent. Going too far is as bad as not going far enough... He had said this to her when they first met four years ago, but she hadn’t truly taken it to heart. She genuinely wanted what was best for Nanzhao; she could declare to anyone with a clear conscience that she never harbored selfish motives. She believed that if she worked hard to alleviate Father’s burdens, he would be pleased. She thought that if Nanzhao became strong and prosperous, and its people lived in peace, her younger sister Qixia wouldn’t have to be sent for a political marriage. But the result was Qixia running off to Great Chu, marrying a man as a concubine under an assumed name, while Father had long been secretly scheming to keep her in check. All her efforts over these years... what did they amount to?

Seeing Princess Anxi so deeply stricken, Ye Li and Xu Qingchen could only watch her in silence. Such a blow could not be mended with a few superficial words of comfort; Princess Anxi had to come to terms with it herself.

A heavy silence filled the study. Princess Anxi sat in her chair, head bowed. Though her expression revealed little, the sight of her fingers, white from gripping the armrests so tightly, betrayed the turmoil within her. At least Princess Anxi is definitely someone who knows how to control herself, Ye Li thought with admiration. That’s rare, especially among women.

After a long while, Princess Anxi finally lifted her head, breaking the silence in the study. "If I give up everything now, would Father...?"

"Anxi..." Xu Qingchen frowned, shaking his head at her. "I don’t know what the King of Nanzhao would do, but Shu Manlin... Anxi, you understand that she hates you, don’t you? She won’t let you go. Moreover... she will definitely drag Nanzhao into ruin. Is that what you want to see?"

Anxi looked at him, puzzled. "I know she hates me. At worst, I can go to the Central Plains, Xiling, or Beirong. But you said..."

"What do you think she wants the military token for? To mobilize the capital garrison to besiege your Princess Mansion?" Xu Qingchen stated. "I’ve spoken with her a few times. Her ambition is indeed vast, but... she lacks the capability to match it."

Princess Anxi’s expression grew solemn, and she looked at Xu Qingchen hesitantly. "You mean... she intends to..."

Xu Qingchen said, "Ask Liuyun what she has been doing on the Nanzhao-Great Chu border."

Princess Anxi turned to Ye Li, who said gravely, "On our way to the Southern Border, we accidentally discovered an artificially created snake valley not far from Broken Snow Pass. Hidden behind it was an enormous weapons manufactory. All the weapons being forged there were standard armaments of Great Chu soldiers. However, I also found some other items inside. Furthermore, the one controlling this weapons manufactory is Le Jiang, the chieftain of the Luoyi Tribe."

"An artificially created snake valley? Manufacturing weapons for Great Chu? What on earth is she trying to do?" Princess Anxi exclaimed, shocked and furious. The people of the Southern Border generally had an affinity for snakes, but that didn’t mean they wanted the Southern Border to become overrun with venomous ones. Thus, when Mo Xiuyao burned down the snake valley less than a decade ago, it hadn’t incited significant animosity among the Southern Border populace. Who would have thought that now, not even ten years later, another snake valley would appear? As for manufacturing another nation’s weapons within Southern Border territory, that crossed Princess Anxi’s absolute line. Who knows if these weapons will one day be turned against the people of the Southern Border? In Princess Anxi’s eyes, this was tantamount to treason and colluding with the enemy.

Does Father know about all this? Is he being kept in the dark by Shu Manlin, is he feigning ignorance, or did Father actually approve Shu Manlin’s plan?

Xu Qingchen stated, "Isn’t it obvious? Prince Li helped the Southern Border’s Holy Maiden obtain the Nanzhao Kingdom; in return, Shu Manlin would naturally help Prince Li obtain Great Chu."

"Foolish!" Princess Anxi snapped. How great a price would Nanzhao have to pay to help Prince Li obtain Great Chu? Not to mention the devastating losses Nanzhao would suffer if they failed. And even if they succeeded, what benefits would Nanzhao gain? At that point, a severely weakened Nanzhao would inevitably become subservient to Mo Jingli, just like the Southern Border was hundreds of years ago. "I must go to the palace and ask Father for clarification!" Princess Anxi declared resolutely.

"Anxi," Xu Qingchen said disapprovingly.

Princess Anxi turned back to look at them and said in a low voice, "Don’t try to dissuade me. Qingchen... I don’t know your purpose in coming to Nanzhao, but if it weren’t for you these past six months, I fear I would have long since fallen prey to Shu Manlin’s schemes. For that, I thank you. You are outsiders, and this is, after all, the Nanzhao Capital. It might not be difficult for you to leave unscathed, but if Father truly decides to have a complete falling out, you won’t be able to hold out for long. Leave Nanzhao as soon as possible. I will do what I must."

Xu Qingchen asked, "Is walking right into a trap what you, as the Eldest Princess of the Southern Border, should be doing now?"

Princess Anxi gave a bitter smile. "The title of Eldest Princess was bestowed by Father. If Father is determined to side with Shu Manlin, then even ten Eldest Princesses would be of no use. I must go and speak with Father."

Seeing Princess Anxi’s determined expression, both Ye Li and Xu Qingchen knew they couldn’t dissuade her. Xu Qingchen said softly, "Anxi, take care."

Anxi smiled nonchalantly. "Don’t worry. I am, after all, his only remaining daughter. He won’t kill me."

Watching Princess Anxi’s figure disappear decisively through the doorway, Ye Li sighed and asked Xu Qingchen, "Brother, aren’t you the least bit moved? Princess Anxi is the most remarkable woman I’ve ever met."

Xu Qingchen’s expression was calm as he glanced at her. "What nonsense are you spouting? Princess Anxi and I are friends."

Ye Li blinked. "Then why didn’t you let me tell Princess Anxi the truth earlier? Doesn’t that mean you’re clearly aware of it?"

Xu Qingchen gave her an exasperated look. "Is this all you spend your time thinking about? Why dwell on something that is inherently impossible and allow lingering attachments to remain?"

Ye Li nodded. "I understand. Princess Anxi is a proud woman; she would never entertain any thoughts about you after learning you have a fiancée. But, Brother, haven’t you been using this method to ward off romantic interests all these years? Let me be clear, I was at fault this time, but don’t even think about using me as your shield again in the future."

Xu Qingchen tossed a petition he was holding towards her. Ye Li caught it and glanced at the writing; it was recent intelligence from Tianyi Pavilion regarding the Nanzhao Capital. Her heart couldn’t help but sink. "Brother, will Princess Anxi be alright?"

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "Even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs. With Princess Qixia as good as dead, Anxi is indeed the King of Nanzhao’s only daughter. If anything were to happen to Anxi, Nanzhao could only be inherited by a collateral branch of the imperial clan. Given that the King of Nanzhao’s prestige is not particularly high, he could very well be dethroned on the grounds of having no successor."

Ye Li raised her eyebrows in surprise. "There’s such a rule?"

"The Southern Border is different from our Central Plains. Daughters can also inherit the throne, but there’s no custom of adopting heirs from outside the direct lineage. If a ruler has no offspring, the people of the Southern Border believe it means the King of Nanzhao is not blessed by the gods and is therefore incapable of protecting his people. Abdicating in such a case is considered only natural."

Ye Li nodded. "As long as she’s not in danger, we can make other plans later."

"Miss," Darky Two said, appearing at the doorway.

"What is it?"

"We just received a message from Tianyi Pavilion. Old Master Liang couldn’t withstand the interrogation and confessed. The Sick Scholar has taken him to the location of the treasure. Young Master Han has also rushed over there," Darky Two reported gravely.

"Damn it, why does he have to get involved! Why is everything happening at once?" Ye Li cursed under her breath, then looked up and ordered, "You and Darky Three, prepare yourselves. We’re heading over immediately."

"Yes, Miss." Darky Two quickly vanished from the doorway.

Ye Li turned to Xu Qingchen. "Brother, I have to leave first. If anything comes up, just have the Shadow Guards handle it. Given what Princess Anxi said, shouldn’t you consider leaving Nanzhao soon?"

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "I still have some matters to clarify. I’ll stay here for now. You be careful."

Ye Li nodded. "You too, Brother."

She departed swiftly with Darky Two and Darky Three, following the markers left by Tianyi Pavilion and the Shadow Guards. Fortunately, the Southern Border was not exceptionally vast, so the area around the capital was not overly large. After riding for more than four hours, they finally reached the location mentioned in Tianyi Pavilion’s message. At the foot of a mountain, they found markings left by Han Mingxi.

"Young Master, this is the place. They’ve gone into the mountains," Darky Two reported.

Ye Li nodded and ordered, "We’ll split up."

Darky Two objected, "No, Young Master, it’s too dangerous for you to be alone."

Ye Li said with a sigh of resignation, "Darky Three will come with me. Darky Two, you follow us discreetly."

"Yes, Young Master."

Leading Darky Three, Ye Li followed the marks left by Han Mingxi into the mountains. The forests of the Southern Border were more humid than those in the north and teemed with poisonous insects and plants. Fortunately, these posed no challenge to the pair. They pressed on in the direction of the markings.

"Young Master, look ahead," Darky Three said, gripping his weapon and vigilantly scanning the area before them.

Beneath a small hillock ahead, several men in Tianyi Pavilion attire lay sprawled. The blood from their wounds had long since congealed; they had clearly been dead for some time. Ye Li frowned, listening intently to the surrounding sounds, then pointed in another direction. "Let’s go that way."

Darky Three took the lead. Along the path, they encountered more bodies of Tianyi Pavilion members. Darky Three said in a low voice, "None of our people."

Ye Li’s delicate brows knitted together as she quickened her pace.

After walking for another hour or so, they finally heard the faint sounds of clashing weapons and voices in the distance. Exchanging a look, they carefully crept closer.

At the entrance of a cave, the Sick Scholar was looking at Han Mingxi, who was seated on the ground, with a sinister, gloating smile. "Han Mingxi, do you really think I’m afraid of your elder brother and wouldn’t dare to touch you? Your Tianyi Pavilion has opposed me at every turn along this journey. Leaving you alive until now is already quite lenient of me, wouldn’t you say?"

Han Mingxi was slumped awkwardly on the ground, his usually elegant folding fan, inscribed by a famous calligrapher, lay discarded in the dust nearby. He coughed lightly. "If that’s the case, why don’t you just kill me?"

"Haha, no need to be hasty. You’ve gone through so much trouble for Chu Junwei; I should at least let you see him one last time before you die, shouldn’t I? Rest assured, when the time comes, I’ll send him down to keep you company." The Sick Scholar sneered. "That brat surnamed Chu has some nerve. Has he not been in the worldly society long enough to hear of my reputation? Or perhaps you, Han Mingxi, haven’t told him? When have I ever shared what’s mine with others? Yet he dared to demand a reward from me, even coveting the Bilo flower! Heh heh... *cough, cough*... Now the Bilo flower is right here. I’d like to see whether you, a friend he’s known for only a few days, are more important in his eyes, or this priceless treasure."

"Boring..." Han Mingxi muttered disdainfully.

The Sick Scholar, evidently very pleased with himself, sneered, "Enjoy what little time you have left. You’d better pray Chu Junwei truly values you enough to rush here within the next two hours. Otherwise, I’ll have no choice but to miss this fine show and just hand your corpse over to him."

Ye Li quietly observed the scene from a distance, her brow furrowed in thought. A moment later, Darky Three returned to her side and whispered, "There are no ambushes nearby."

Ye Li nodded, then stood up and started walking out. Darky Three moved to stop her but was too late. Seeing her make a concealed hand signal from behind, he could only retreat into hiding again. He exchanged a glance with Darky Two, who was concealed on the other side, and then both fixed their gazes intently on the grassy area outside the cave.

Seeing Ye Li approach with her hands behind her back, appearing quite at ease, the Sick Scholar’s eyes glinted. "You came, just as I expected."

Ye Li strolled forward, her expression composed. Her gaze swept over Han Mingxi before slowly settling on the Sick Scholar. She chuckled. "Third Master, kicking away the ladder after climbing up isn’t a very good habit, you know."

The Sick Scholar squinted, then gave a savage laugh. "Kicking away the ladder? If anyone’s to blame, it’s you for being too greedy."

Ye Li sighed, tapping her palm with her folding fan. "This world... alas, people’s hearts are not what they used to be. Well, I suppose I’m just unlucky this time. Go on, what do you want? Regardless, how about you let Han Mingxi go first? I know you’re not afraid of Han Mingyue, but I believe... Pavilion Master Ling wouldn’t be pleased if you antagonize Tianyi Pavilion."

"You... you dare threaten me with my Big Brother?"

Ye Li waved her fan nonchalantly and smiled. "No, it just so happens that an elder brother of mine is a very close friend of Pavilion Master Ling. And, coincidentally, I informed him before I came here. If something were to happen to us, he would naturally convey the news of my demise to my family. Of course, I wouldn’t forget to have him also inform Young Master Mingyue and Pavilion Master Ling. What do you say? When it comes to enemies, the fewer one makes, the better, right?"

The Sick Scholar glanced at Han Mingxi on the ground, then back at Ye Li. "Alright. Han Mingxi can leave. You stay."

Ye Li nodded. "No problem."

Han Mingxi remained seated on the ground, not moving. Ye Li frowned. "What’s wrong? Are your injuries severe?"

Han Mingxi snorted, his brow furrowed. A dark, blackish stain had soaked through the fabric of his left trouser leg, clearly indicating a serious injury. Ye Li took two steps forward and asked with concern, "Mingxi, are you alright?"

Han Mingxi looked up and shook his head. "I’m fine... Junwei, don’t worry about me. Just go."

Ye Li shook her head, smiling. "You got into this trouble because of me; how could I abandon you and leave first? Mingxi, I was wrong to deceive you before. You can call me by my real name. To be honest... I’m not quite used to the name Junwei myself."

A flicker of a different emotion crossed Han Mingxi’s face. He nodded. "I understand."

Ye Li smiled gently. "Let me help you up..."

Han Mingxi nodded, raising his hand to take the one Ye Li extended.

"Don’t!"

The situation changed in an instant. Just as Han Mingxi’s hand was about to grasp Ye Li’s, it suddenly transformed, shooting out like an eagle’s talon towards her. Simultaneously, Ye Li ducked back, and the hand that had been holding the folding fan glinted with a brilliant silver light. Almost at the same instant, a figure shot out from the cave like lightning, pouncing towards Ye Li. With a frown, Ye Li sent the dagger in her hand flying.

"*Cough, cough...*" The person who had pounced on Ye Li had a face identical to the Han Mingxi opposite them, but now looked exceptionally wretched. A trickle of blood flowed from the corner of his lips. "Junwei... Junwei, are you alright?"

Ye Li pushed him off and said in cold anger, "I’m fine! You’re the one who’s in trouble, you idiot!" The palm strike from the attacker opposite them had just landed squarely on his back.

Ye Li then looked up, her gaze as sharp as a blade sweeping over the attacker. "Young Master Mingyue, are you satisfied now?"

The one she addressed as Han Mingyue—the fake Han Mingxi—had a dagger embedded in his shoulder, a dark patch of moisture spreading on his crimson clothes. He stared at the person Ye Li was supporting, his eyes blazing with fury. "Han Mingxi, you scoundrel! What do you think you’re doing? Who allowed you to come out?"

Han Mingxi leaned weakly against Ye Li. Her smaller frame struggled somewhat to support his tall figure. He, too, glared at the man opposite—who looked almost identical to him—and said with a provocative smile, "I told you your lousy acting couldn’t fool Junwei. Besides... however much of a scoundrel I might be, am I as bad as you?"

"Insolent! Risking your life for someone you’ve only known a few days? Do you even know who *she* is?" Han Mingyue said coldly.

Han Mingxi faltered, then gritted his teeth. "Regardless of who he is, he is my friend! Even if we’ve only known each other a few days, he’s better than you! At least Junwei came to save me. As for you... if you got into life-threatening trouble, who besides me would care if you lived or died!"

Hearing his younger brother’s furious outburst, Han Mingyue seemed momentarily stunned, his expression complex as he looked at the two of them. He quickly recovered, then turned to Ye Li, raising an eyebrow. "Sister-in-law, could you please release my younger brother?"

Han Mingxi stiffened, staring incredulously at Ye Li, as if trying to discern what on earth about her would make Han Mingyue call her ’sister-in-law.’ After a long moment, he managed a strained scoff. "Elder Brother, did that stab wound muddle your brain? Stop randomly claiming relatives; I don’t have a second elder brother."

Han Mingyue snorted coldly, pointing at Ye Li. "Han Mingxi, open your eyes and take a good look! Is the person standing before you a man? Or have you been wandering the worldly society for so long you can’t even tell men from women anymore?"

Ye Li helped Han Mingxi to sit down to one side, then gently eased away, looking at him somewhat apologetically. "Brother Han, I’m sorry for deceiving you."

Han Mingxi stared at her for a long moment before reluctantly pursing his lips. "Fine, I get it, you’re a woman. Considering we’ve been through life and death together, you should at least tell me which sister-in-law you are, right? I don’t want to hear it from that bastard!"

Ye Li glanced at the Sick Scholar, who was glaring at her with hatred, and then at Han Mingyue, who stood woodenly, his thoughts unreadable. She lowered her voice. "My name is Ye Li."

"Ye Li... Xu Qingchen is your elder brother... Yes, Xu Qingchen is indeed your elder brother. You’re Third Miss Ye, which means... you’re—!" Han Mingxi stared at her, his expression as if he’d swallowed a fly. He had met Third Miss Ye... The problem was, how did this handsome youth before him resemble that cunning yet pretentiously elegant young miss?! He had sworn to stay far away from that woman, so why had he been tagging along with her all this time? "You deceived me!" Han Mingxi accused.

Ye Li said apologetically, "I’m sorry."

"Is ’sorry’ enough? I want another ten percent share of Xunya Pavilion!"

Ye Li nodded readily. "No problem."

Han Mingxi narrowed his eyes, continuing his demands. "And at least four bottles of new perfume every year."

Ye Li hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

Han Mingxi tilted his head, sizing her up as if assessing the sincerity of her words. After a good while, he lifted his chin proudly. "In that case, this young master will reluctantly forgive your deception. And I, Han Mingxi, acknowledge you, Ye Li, as my friend."

Ye Li was torn between amusement and exasperation. She said resignedly, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Brother Han."

Han Mingxi still snorted unhappily and shot a disdainful look at Han Mingyue. "See that? And you still have the gall to claim you’re good at making money. If the Han Family actually depended on you, a whole bunch of us would starve to death."

Han Mingyue’s face darkened. He glared at Han Mingxi. "Enough nonsense. Once you’re done, step aside."

Han Mingxi gave him a defiant look. "Are you an idiot? This woman is my friend and my future business partner. You dare try to touch her?"

"Han Mingxi!" Han Mingyue barked.

"This young master knows his own name," Han Mingxi retorted, lazily leaning against the hillside and picking his ear.

"Young Masters Han... have you finished your touching reunion?" the Sick Scholar’s sinister voice interjected from behind. "If you don’t make your move soon, it’ll be too late once the people from the King of Ding Kingdom’s Mansion arrive."