Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 319 - 317. The Downfall of the Bai Family

317. The Fall of the Bai Family

Inside the study of the Bai residence, Bai Yuncheng was discussing strategies with his collateral relatives and advisors when the steward rushed in to report, "Sir, Third Young Master Feng and Third Young Master Xu have arrived." Feng Zhiyao is Mo Xiuyao’s trusted confidant, and Xu Qingfeng is the Third Young Master of the Xu Family, the cousin of the injured Xu Qingbai. What good could come of these two arriving together? Bai Yuncheng’s heart sank.

"Does Third Young Master Feng have anything to say?" Bai Yuncheng asked.

The steward’s face paled. "Third Young Master Feng only said he is here on the Prince’s orders to see you, sir. He didn’t provide details. But... Third Young Master Xu has quite a few guards with him. It seems... our residence is already surrounded." Upon hearing this, everyone in the study was shocked, their expressions growing increasingly grim. After a long moment, Bai Yuncheng finally sighed and said, "So be it. I will go and see."

Arriving in the main hall with the steward, he indeed found Feng Zhiyao, dressed in red, and Xu Qingfeng, in black, one sitting and the other standing. Seeing Bai Yuncheng emerge, Feng Zhiyao, who had been sitting and drinking tea, rose and cupped his hands in a smile as gentle as a spring breeze. "Family Head Bai, my apologies for the intrusion." Xu Qingfeng, standing to the side, remained expressionless and clearly displeased. Bai Yuncheng forced a smile and returned the gesture. "Not at all. It is a great honor for the Bai Family to host Third Young Master Feng and Third Young Master Xu. Please, have a seat and some tea?"

Xu Qingfeng curtly refused, "There’s no need. This young master is not here for tea."

Bai Yuncheng was taken aback again. I had assumed Xu Qingfeng, being from the Xu Family, would be as courteous as Xu Qingbai, even if he practices martial arts. I didn’t expect him to be so blunt, showing no regard for decorum. Feng Zhiyao, unconcerned, smiled without much sincerity. "Family Head Bai, don’t mind him. He’s not in a good mood."

Bai Yuncheng cautiously inquired, "Is there some lapse in our hospitality?"

Xu Qingfeng sneered, "Anyone who hears that someone wants to kill his cousin and her unborn child would not be in high spirits." Bai Yuncheng was greatly alarmed, his face paling. He forced a smile. "Third Young Master, you must be mistaken. The Princess Consort is a woman of immense grace; who would dare commit such a heinous act..."

Feng Zhiyao waved his folding fan nonchalantly, looking at Bai Yuncheng with a hint of pity. "Family Head Bai, what Brother Xu said is indeed true. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have troubled you with this visit. I am here on His Highness the Prince’s orders to... investigate this matter."

Bai Yuncheng’s smile had long since frozen on his face like a mask, his eyes unable to conceal the shock he was struggling to suppress. "Third Young Master Feng... what do you mean by this?"

Feng Zhiyao did not beat around the bush, stating seriously, "I received information that your wife harbors murderous intent towards the Princess Consort. His Highness is greatly angered. However... the Bai Family is, after all, not just anyone. His Highness is willing to show Family Head Bai some consideration. Please ask your esteemed wife to come out and speak with me. If this is a baseless accusation, I will be able to explain it to His Highness and the Princess Consort upon my return."

This... Bai Yuncheng inwardly groaned. His wife had just confessed her intentions to him, and now people from Prince Ding’s Mansion were at his doorstep. He couldn’t determine whether Feng Zhiyao truly had evidence or if someone from Prince Ding’s Mansion within his own residence had overheard his wife’s words.

Feng Zhiyao raised a sharp eyebrow, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This is also an opportunity for Family Head Bai to prove his innocence. Your evasiveness, Family Head Bai, suggests this might not be mere rumor. Could it be that the Bai Family, while feigning allegiance to Prince Ding’s Mansion, secretly harbors rebellious intent?"

"How could that be?!" Bai Yuncheng quickly exclaimed. "In that case, I shall ask my wife to come out immediately." As he was about to summon someone to fetch Madam Bai, Feng Zhiyao waved his hand and chuckled. "No need for such trouble. It would be quicker if we went ourselves."

"But... the harem is..." Bai Yuncheng began to object, but Feng Zhiyao smiled dismissively. "The men we brought are disciplined. As long as Family Head Bai’s servants keep their mouths shut, no rumors will spread." Looking at Feng Zhiyao’s unreadable smile and then at Xu Qingfeng, who was staring coldly at him, Bai Yuncheng could only concede. "Very well, Third Young Master Feng, Third Young Master Xu, this way, please."

Bai Yuncheng led the two men directly towards Madam Bai’s courtyard in the harem. Just as they neared the entrance, they heard cries and wails from within. A knot tightened in Bai Yuncheng’s chest. Ignoring Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng, he hurried inside. Upon entering, he saw Madam Bai collapsed on the floor, a pool of dark red blood beneath her, a small dagger embedded in her abdomen. One of her hands clutched the dagger’s hilt, making it appear as if she had taken her own life. Bai Yuncheng recognized the dagger; it was one Bai Qingning had cherished and often toyed with.

Seeing Madam Bai dead, Bai Yuncheng’s first reaction was, surprisingly, a sense of relief, quickly followed by a faint sorrow for the death of the wife of his youth. Turning, he saw Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng enter side by side. Bai Yuncheng said mournfully, "Third Young Master Feng, Third Young Master Xu, my humble wife... she..." ...has been murdered.

Feng Zhiyao gave him no chance to finish. Glancing at the scene, he frowned. "What has happened here? Why would Madam Bai commit suicide?"

Xu Qingfeng crossed his arms, a cold, ironic smile on his lips. "Obviously, a guilty conscience. Let’s go in and see." Walking a few steps further, he indeed saw Bai Qingning’s memorial tablet, with a stick of incense, recently lit, burning before it. Feng Zhiyao turned to Bai Yuncheng, sneering, "Family Head Bai, how do you explain this?" Bai Yuncheng struggled to maintain his composure. "I don’t understand Third Young Master Feng’s meaning. This is my daughter’s memorial tablet. Is there a problem?"

Feng Zhiyao scoffed, speaking calmly, "Is Family Head Bai trying to fool me, Third Feng, as if I were an uneducated man from a minor family? Even if one is to make offerings to a memorial tablet, who would place it in their own bedchamber?"

Bai Yuncheng’s face was ashen. "My wife doted on our daughter since she was a child. Now, with her sudden loss, she..."

"So, she harbored resentment and wished to assassinate Princess Consort Ding to retaliate against Prince Ding’s Mansion?" Feng Zhiyao interjected.

Bai Yuncheng retorted sharply, "Third Young Master Feng, that is slander!"

Feng Zhiyao stated calmly, "Whether it is slander or not, Family Head Bai, you had best explain it to the Prince himself." Bai Yuncheng glanced anxiously towards the doorway. The sight of the black-clad figures standing outside filled him with a sense of despair. Under the steady gazes of Feng Zhiyao and Xu Qingfeng, he finally lowered his head in dejection.

In September, the Xiling Imperial City, though not a battlefield, was still rife with bloodshed and turmoil. Following the massacre that had bloodied the streets near the Sun Family’s garden a few days prior, the Bai Family, renowned in Xiling as a clan of imperial consorts, also met its downfall. Madam Bai, seeking revenge for her daughter, had attempted to assassinate the Princess Consort. After her plot was exposed, she died by suicide. The members of the Bai Family were arrested and imprisoned. Although they were not immediately executed, the nobles of Xiling no longer paid any attention to the Bai Family’s fate. The previous assassination attempt on the Princess Consort had already implicated half the prominent figures in Xiling Imperial City. With the Bai Family launching another attempt, were they trying to drag the remaining half of the city down with them? Such fools were not worth pitying; who would want to be associated with them in the slightest?

「The Sun Family.」

Madam Sun sat in the study, holding her well-behaved daughter and examining account books. When a servant reported that the Bai Family’s assets had been confiscated, she didn’t even bat an eyelid, merely saying, "Understood. You may leave."

The servant respectfully withdrew. Only after a considerable time did Madam Sun put down the ledger, look up at her daughter, and smile gently. "Xiaofu, can you understand these?" Sun Xiaofu, merely seven or eight years old, naturally could not comprehend the dense account books. She shook her head, looking a little dejected and shy, and whispered, "Mother, Xiaofu is so useless..." Madam Sun chuckled, gently patting her daughter’s head. "When I was your age, I couldn’t understand them either. You’ll learn, bit by bit."

Sun Xiaofu nodded obediently. She looked at her mother’s calm demeanor, hesitated for a good while, and finally asked, "Mother, Lady Bai and the others... did they die?" Although young, Madam Sun often took her daughter out, so Sun Xiaofu recognized most of the noblewomen in the Capital City. Madam Sun smiled faintly. "I don’t know. Why would Xiaofu think they died?"

Sun Xiaofu’s small body trembled slightly. She clutched Madam Sun’s sleeve tightly. "Xiaofu heard Prince Ding killed many people. Little Zhao, and Brother Qian’s families... they were all killed..." A child her age shouldn’t understand death, but Sun Xiaofu had been present during the assassination that day. Though Madam Sun had protected her fiercely, Sun Xiaofu had still seen the blood-soaked corpses. Thus, in her young mind, her playmates who had died had become those mangled, gory bodies. Such a scene was indeed enough to terrify a seven- or eight-year-old child.

"Is Xiaofu afraid of Prince Ding?" Madam Sun looked down at her daughter, sighing softly.

"Mhm." Sun Xiaofu nodded emphatically, indicating she was very afraid of the handsome, white-clad, white-haired young man. A flicker of pain, mixed with even greater helplessness, crossed Madam Sun’s eyes. She said softly, "Xiaofu, you don’t need to be afraid. Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding are not bad people. So many people covet the estate your father left behind. Only by aligning ourselves with Prince Ding’s Mansion can Mother protect what your father left for you. So, if you ever meet Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding, Xiaofu, you must not be afraid, understand? They are good people; they will not harm Xiaofu."

Sun Xiaofu gazed at her mother, bewildered. Mother’s words were always right, but... could Prince Ding, who had killed so many people, truly be a good person? Good people... weren’t they supposed to not do bad things? Killing... that should be a bad thing, right? As if understanding her daughter’s thoughts, Madam Sun sighed softly. "Someone who has killed many people is not necessarily a bad person. Sometimes, it is because they have no other choice." Meeting her daughter’s confused eyes, Madam Sun ruffled her hair and chuckled. "You’ll understand when you’re older."

"Madam Sun, Lady Hui of the Yu clan, and Sun Xiaofu pay their respects to Your Highness and Your Highness the Princess Consort." In the study at the posthouse, Madam Sun, holding her daughter’s hand, bowed respectfully to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao glanced up at her and said indifferently, "Rise." Madam Sun expressed her thanks, then lowered her head and whispered to her daughter, "Xiaofu, greet the Prince and Princess Consort." Although Sun Xiaofu had been well-rehearsed at home, she faltered. Seeing Mo Xiuyao seated at the head, she was so frightened she couldn’t speak, hiding behind her mother and clutching a corner of Madam Sun’s gown, refusing to come out.

Seeing this, Ye Li smiled gently and said to Madam Sun, "She is still young. Don’t force her."

Madam Sun gave a helpless smile, a hint of worry in her eyes as she looked at her daughter. After the wet nurse had taken Sun Xiaofu out, Madam Sun composed herself and bowed deeply to Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li again. "Your Highnesses, the assassination attempt on the Princess Consort was due to my inadequate arrangements. I beg the Prince to mete out punishment." Although Mo Xiuyao hadn’t directed his anger towards them in the past few days, the astute Madam Sun knew that because of what had happened to Princess Consort Ding, Prince Ding was somewhat displeased with the Sun Family. However, Prince Ding had only just gained control of the Xiling Imperial City; he naturally couldn’t eliminate all the influential nobles and wealthy merchants. Besides, the Sun Family had been the first to pledge allegiance to Prince Ding’s Mansion. Now that the Bai Family was gone, Prince Ding would not move against the Sun Family at this time. But... not moving now didn’t mean he wouldn’t in the future. Though a woman, now that she bore the title of Family Head of the Sun Family, she had to shoulder the responsibilities that came with it.

As expected, Mo Xiuyao merely looked at her without speaking. Yet, the unspoken pressure made it difficult for a woman of seemingly delicate constitution like Madam Sun to keep her head bowed.

From the main seat, Ye Li gently reached out and placed her hand on the back of Mo Xiuyao’s, offering a faint smile. Mo Xiuyao’s expression softened. He said calmly, "The Princess Consort has pleaded on your behalf this time, so your punishment is waived. The Princess Consort and I will be leaving the Imperial City soon. Henceforth, you are all to diligently assist the Fourth Young Master in governing Xiling. Do you understand?" Joy filled Madam Sun’s heart. She bowed respectfully to Ye Li. "The Sun Family is deeply grateful for the Princess Consort’s immense kindness."

Ye Li smiled faintly and gestured with her hand. "Rise. This matter was not your fault to begin with." Indeed, Madam Sun had been rather unfairly caught in the situation. The autumn flower viewing party had been organized to help Prince Ding’s Mansion connect with those willing to pledge allegiance. How could she have foreseen an assassination attempt? Moreover, with the Sun Family’s power, how could they have contended with the Southern Garrison Prince’s trusted aides and elite forces? It was already remarkably difficult for a young woman like her, supporting a large family enterprise with a young daughter. As long as she did nothing untoward, Ye Li was willing to grant her some convenience and respect.

Madam Sun felt even more indebted to Ye Li. She understood clearly that while she could manage the Sun Family’s businesses, she was not particularly outstanding compared to the capable individuals under Prince Ding. Even in terms of family wealth, the Han Family and Feng Family of Licheng likely surpassed the Sun Family. Gaining Prince Ding’s regard was not easy, but with the Princess Consort’s support, most people would not dare to bully a widow and her orphan. Thus, her gaze towards Ye Li became even more sincere. Madam Sun bowed once more in gratitude to Ye Li before rising.

"Has the Bai Family matter been properly handled?" Mo Xiuyao asked only after Madam Sun had stood up. As a renowned and established family in Xiling, the Bai Family naturally possessed countless properties. Furthermore, generations of Xiling Emperors and Empresses had bestowed treasures upon them. Even Madam Sun, who had been ordered to accompany the group to confiscate the Bai Family’s assets, was astonished. Madam Sun nodded. "It has all been dealt with. After an inventory, all properties under the Bai Family’s name have been sent to the study and sealed, awaiting the Fourth Young Master’s inspection once he has recovered. Additionally, there are 57,000 taels of silver and 12,000 taels of gold. In the banks, there are 873,000 taels of silver and 100,000 taels in gold notes. There are also 678 valuable antiques, 34 chests of jewelry, 275 scrolls of valuable calligraphy and paintings, and 452 rare ancient books. The total confiscated assets of the Bai Family amount to approximately five million taels. Everything has been recorded in this register for Your Highnesses to review. Once the Fourth Young Master assumes control of the Imperial City, these assets can be transported to Licheng." Saying this, Madam Sun retrieved a thin ledger from her sleeve and presented it.

Mo Xiuyao took it and glanced through, a faint smile on his lips. "It seems Xiling is not so impoverished after all. Is this what’s meant by ’wealth residing with the people’?" He then passed the ledger to Ye Li. She, too, was quite surprised after flipping through it, but then, considering the vast, almost incalculable wealth of Prince Ding’s Mansion, it seemed less astounding. This was the true foundation of a great family with a century-long heritage. Families like the Ye Family, who would become frantic over a few tens of thousands of taels of silver, were clearly new nobles or upstarts. Even so, the Bai Family’s wealth was clearly excessive. However, considering the Bai Family had produced several Empresses and dozens of Imperial Consorts over generations, their ties to the imperial family were undeniably close. Perhaps such a profound accumulation of wealth was not so difficult to understand.

After some thought, Ye Li said, "Let’s send the silver, gold notes, and gold to Fourth Brother. It would be too much of an undertaking to supply the three hundred thousand troops’ salaries and provisions from Licheng."

Without hesitation, Mo Xiuyao nodded. "Ah-Li is right. Have Zhuo Jing deliver it later."

Ye Li nodded, setting the matter aside. Looking at the ledger in her hands, she continued, "These antiques and such... it would be troublesome to take them all back. We’ll select a few to bring. Also, I see there are two valuable swords here, in addition to the two we received some time ago. Let’s gift one each to General Zhang, General Lv, and General Yuan. The remaining one can be sent to Marquis South."

Mo Xiuyao leaned back in his chair, idly twirling a strand of Ye Li’s hair, and gestured to Zhuo Jing, who stood in attendance nearby, to note down Ye Li’s instructions. "You’re only gifting swords to Zhang Qilan and the others. Aren’t you afraid Third Feng will cause a scene?"

Ye Li grinned. "I recall that among these antiques is an ivory-handled, gold-inlaid folding fan, painted by Wu ZhiKai of the previous dynasty, depicting a ’Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains.’ I imagine Third Young Master Feng would prefer a fan to a sword." Feng Zhiyao was known for flaunting his suave and dapper image, always carrying a fan, regardless of the season. Presented with such a treasure of a fan, he would hardly remember wanting a sword. Mo Xiuyao, too, seemed to recall the image of Third Young Master Feng in his red robes, gracefully waving a fan with immense satisfaction, and couldn’t help but chuckle. "Giving such a fine item to him is truly a waste." Nevertheless, he waved his hand, signaling Zhuo Jing to record it.

Ye Li then selected many other items from the ledger to reward the meritorious officials from the western campaign; almost everyone received something. She also remembered to add a month’s salary and rations for the common soldiers. After all, the wealth confiscated from the Bai Family was an unexpected windfall. It would not be appropriate for Prince Ding’s Mansion to pocket it all. Throughout this, Mo Xiuyao offered no opinions, merely watching with a smile as Ye Li confidently and calmly issued these instructions. His face bore a gentle, serene expression, different from the cold indifference most people saw.

Zhuo Jing and Lin Han, standing nearby, were unfazed, but Madam Sun, who was also present, was inwardly astounded. Evidently, Prince Ding’s trust in the Princess Consort was far greater than anyone imagined. For many matters, the Princess Consort did not even need to consult Prince Ding; she simply gave orders. And Prince Ding showed no displeasure or doubt, as if it were perfectly natural for the Princess Consort to be involved in the political and military affairs of Prince Ding’s Mansion. This silently deepened Madam Sun’s respect and loyalty towards Ye Li by several degrees.

Once Ye Li had finished giving instructions, Zhuo Jing turned and left to carry them out. Ye Li closed the ledger, smiling. "We’ll take those rare books back to Licheng with us. Grandfather will be overjoyed to see them. I didn’t expect the Bai Family to actually possess some rather good rare editions." Although the quantity was but a drop in the ocean compared to the Xu Family’s collection, many rare books were inherently priceless and hard to come by; even one additional volume was enough to make many scholars and connoisseurs ecstatic.

Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "I’m afraid we can’t take all of them. We’ll have to leave some for your Fourth Brother to use as ’gifts’."

Ye Li blinked, then suddenly understood. Great scholars weren’t exclusive to Licheng; Xiling also had one, and he happened to be someone from whom they needed a favor. If Mr. Long Ting found out they had carted away so many ancient texts and rare books without leaving him a single volume, the old gentleman would surely give Fourth Brother a hard time before relenting.

Ye Li had no choice but to select only those books that would interest her maternal grandfather and two uncles, leaving the rest for Xu Qingbai to use as a means to persuade Mr. Xiuting to come out of seclusion.

Time passed quickly. In a few more days, it was time for Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li to depart for Licheng. The 300,000-strong army and Zhang Qilan remained in Xiling. Accompanying Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li back were only Feng Zhiyao, Xu Qingfeng, Yun Ting, 3,000 Black Cloud Cavalry, and a number of Qilin guards.

The day before their departure, Mo Xiuyao, in the name of Prince Ding, issued his first decree in Xiling. The decree renamed the Xiling Imperial City as Anping City. Simultaneously, it appointed Xu Qingbai as Governor-General of the Five Prefectures and Twelve Cities of Xiling, granting him overall authority over all military, administrative, and civil affairs in Xiling. Furthermore, Zhang Qilan was appointed Grand General of the Western Garrison, commanding the 300,000 troops stationed in Xiling, with all military forces within Xiling under his control. The moment this decree was announced, everyone was stunned. Although the title of Governor-General had not existed before, the extent of the powers bestowed by Mo Xiuyao made the authority of this position clear. Within the borders of Xiling, Xu Qingbai was virtually paramount. Although Zhang Qilan controlled military affairs, serving as a check, it was important to remember that military salaries were in Xu Qingbai’s hands. This clearly demonstrated Prince Ding’s trust in the Xu Family.

Xu Qingbai, feeling thoroughly set up by Mo Xiuyao, reluctantly supported his body, which could now manage to walk, and personally returned the millions of taels of silver Mo Xiuyao had handed him. He stated that since Feng Huaiting was being sent, financial matters should naturally be handled by someone who understood them; he himself would not be troubled. Mo Xiuyao was quite displeased by Xu Qingbai’s apparent lack of trust. Xu Qingbai sighed helplessly. "I haven’t offended Your Highness Prince Ding, have I? Are you trying to roast me over an open fire?"

Mo Xiuyao begrudgingly took back the silver, retorting, "Wasn’t I just showing my trust in Fourth Young Master Xu?" Inwardly, however, he lamented. Why were the people of the Xu Family all so intelligent? It was precisely because he felt that cunning fellow Xu Qingchen was unreliable and might slip away at any time that he wanted to train Fourth Young Master Xu more. Compared to Xu Qingchen, who was almost unnervingly intelligent, the clever yet down-to-earth Xu Qingbai was a much better choice for ’exploitation’. The resentful Prince Ding, however, forgot to consider: if Xu Qingbai weren’t smart enough, why would Mo Xiuyao bother laying a trap for a possibility that might only arise eight hundred years later?