Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 342 - 341. Blood-stained Golden Hairpin

341. Blood-Stained Golden Hairpin

Mo Xiuyao was not one to raise his voice in anger. Perhaps due to his temperament, however, his voice always carried a hint of icy indifference. So, when he truly set his face sternly, even a casual word could send a chill of murderous intent down one’s spine.

The woman standing beside Lei Zhenting suddenly raised her head, looking astonished at the snow-haired man above. Apparently, she had not expected Mo Xiuyao to reject her so bluntly. She knew that while the successor of Cangmang Mountain entered the world only every sixty years, the significance she represented—as well as the complex relationships between Cangmang Mountain and various countries over hundreds of years—meant that everyone had to treat her cautiously. Lei Zhenting’s proposal to offer her as a gift in public had already irritated her, but she also knew he was not lying. She had arrived one step too late; Prince Ding already had a Princess Consort Ding by his side.

Although she did not believe Princess Consort Ding to be superior to her, the decade-long relationship between Prince Ding and his consort was undeniable. A man could possess countless beauties, but he only needed one capable and virtuous wife. With Ye Li already by his side, her advantage was no longer obvious. Even so, her willingness to accept the status of a Secondary Consort seemed like a significant concession in her eyes. However, she had not expected Mo Xiuyao to reject her—a temptation that, in her view, no man would refuse.

But upon further thought, if he could not resist such a temptation, would not Prince Ding be as ordinary and vulgar as most men?

"Prince Ding, are you really going to reject me?" the woman in white asked, stepping forward.

Mo Xiuyao gave a cold chuckle. "I am not rejecting you; I am telling you to get out immediately!"

The woman in white turned pale. No matter how calm and confident she was, being humiliated thus in front of all these dignitaries was unbearable. She glanced at the emotionless Mo Xiuyao and then at Ye Li, who sat beside him. The woman in white asked, "Princess Consort Ding, what do you say?"

Ye Li looked up, somewhat puzzled. "What should I say?"

The woman in white stared at her and said solemnly, "I have heard that Princess Consort Ding is unparalleled in wisdom and beauty, the virtuous helpmate of Prince Ding. Surely, Your Highness knows what is best for Prince Ding and would not jeopardize his great endeavors over trivial matters."

Ye Li frowned slightly and asked softly, "Miss, are you truly interested in knowing my thoughts?"

The woman in white paused for a moment before nodding. "Naturally."

Ye Li stated calmly, "From a woman’s perspective, I wish to tell you one word: Scram. From the perspective of a Princess Consort, I also wish to tell you: Get out immediately. As a wife, it is natural that I should follow my husband’s lead. Therefore, I still wish to tell you: From wherever you came, get yourself back there."

"Well said!" Xu Qingyan could not help but loudly praise from the other side.

"You..." The woman in white’s expression changed, but instead of becoming enraged, she quickly calmed down. She looked at Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao with composure and said, "It appears today is not the right time for discussions. Perhaps we can talk again once the two of you have considered things further." With that, she turned gracefully, heedless of the gazes upon her, and strode away, leaving the crowd stunned.

Ye Li’s words had clearly improved Mo Xiuyao’s mood. Holding Ye Li’s hand as they returned to their seats, he looked coldly at Lei Zhenting and said, "Southern Garrison Prince, is this your ’gift’?"

Lei Zhenting shrugged helplessly. "I had no other choice. Since the matter is settled, Prince Ding can decide how to handle it." It was true that Lei Zhenting had been wronged this time. Regardless of whether this woman possessed the fabled ability to help one obtain the world, the reputation and hidden power of Cangmang Mountain alone were enough to make one covetous. Lei Zhenting, even if he were out of his mind, would not willingly offer such a figure to his greatest enemy. But what could he do? Cangmang Mountain was located within his current jurisdiction, and he could not afford to offend its people. Of course, the thought of seeing a rift form between Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li was not unwelcome—but that was merely incidental.

"Is Prince Ding truly not interested in the successor of Cangmang Mountain?" Yelv Ye asked from below, his voice laced with a sinister tone. Although Beirong was considered a barbarian tribe from the north, they had been greatly influenced by Central Plains culture over the years. The royal family, in particular, was familiar with many Central Plains legends. While they did not entirely believe the tales of Cangmang Mountain, such legends could sometimes symbolize Heaven’s Mandate and, if utilized well, might prove no less effective than an army of a million.

Holding Ye Li’s hand, Mo Xiuyao said lightly, "Whoever is interested may give it a try. This Prince, however, is not fortunate enough to accept such a ’blessing’."

The crowd was filled with both envy and admiration. They envied Mo Xiuyao’s good fortune—that a successor from a legendary hidden family would personally offer herself to him, yet he remained unmoved. They also admired his steadfastness in the face of such temptation, all for the sake of his Princess Consort.

In the Xu Family’s seating area, Xu Qingbai’s sword-like brows furrowed as he looked at Xu Qingchen before him and whispered, "Big Brother, the people from Cangmang Mountain have also come to stir up trouble. I fear things might become rather complicated."

Xu Qingchen’s smile was gentle and elegant. He replied casually, "Fourth Brother, do you recall the year of the last... incident involving someone from Cangmang Mountain?"

Xu Qingbai pondered for a moment. "The last one seemed to be the Southern Garrison Prince’s grandmother... That should be more than sixty years ago. Logically, someone from Cangmang Mountain should have appeared a few years, or even a decade, earlier."

Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow. "The people of Cangmang Mountain do possess some abilities; otherwise, they would not have produced several Queen Mothers. However... that is the extent of it. If they take themselves too seriously, our Xu Family has no fear of them." An air of transcendent pride naturally emanated from him, clearly showing he did not hold the so-called legendary family in high regard.

Seeing their eldest brother speak in such a manner, the expressions of the others also relaxed somewhat. Xu Qingyan asked curiously, "Eldest Brother, did any of our ancestors ever marry a woman from Cangmang Mountain?"

Xu Qingze glanced at him coldly. "No one of unclear origins has ever married into the Xu Family. Go back and read the family tree carefully." The most important criterion for brides of the Xu Family was not high official rank, nor peerless beauty or exceptional talent, but one thing above all: a clear and upright family background. Those who liked to be secretive could never enter the Xu Family’s doors. And the people of Cangmang Mountain, to maintain their so-called mystique, were precisely those who loved to be secretive the most. Xu Qingyan shrank his neck and ducked behind Xu Qingbai, as always, afraid of his cold-faced second brother.

At the front, Xu Hong Yu and Xu Hongyan observed their nephews’ calm and composed demeanor and nodded approvingly.

The brief interlude did not affect the festive music and dance in the square below. The guests on the observation tower quickly resumed their conversations over wine, though many were clearly distracted.

Ye Li, sitting beside Mo Xiuyao, looked at the guests below and frowned slightly. Something feels missing.

Mo Xiuyao, noticing her furrowed brows, asked with some concern, "Ah-Li, what is wrong? Did that woman upset you?"

Ye Li shook her head and looked at him teasingly. "My Prince is indeed blessed with good fortune with women; even legendary hidden world fairies wish to throw themselves at you, is it not?"

Mo Xiuyao shifted Mo Xiaobao, who was between them, into his own arms, casually restraining his two flailing little hands to keep them from getting in the way. He then moved closer to Ye Li and retorted scornfully, "Her, a beauty? Has Cangmang Mountain fallen into such decline that they cannot even produce one presentable woman?"

Ye Li smiled and raised an eyebrow, offering no comment on Mo Xiuyao’s assessment. In terms of appearance, the woman in white was indeed slightly inferior to Ye Li, but the difference was not vast. However, she possessed a peculiar, captivating aura, distinct from Ye Li’s noble and dignified presence, and it was clearly more adept at stirring certain deep-seated desires in men. In this regard, even Su Zuidie and Noble Consort Liu, at the peak of their beauty, might have fallen short. This was evident from the expressions of the guests in the hall earlier.

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly. "That woman is somewhat strange. Ah-Li, do not get too close to her."

Mo Xiuyao had seen countless beautiful women in his life; how could he fail to notice the woman in white’s peculiar allure? Unfortunately for her, such an attraction was almost ineffective on a man of Mo Xiuyao’s strong will and determination, and could even provoke revulsion and backfire.

Ye Li nodded with a smile. "I know. Why would the people of Cangmang Mountain descend at this particular time? It has been more than seventy years since the last instance, has it not?"

Mo Xiuyao sneered. "Ten years ago, when the struggle for power under Heaven was unclear, they lacked a prophet capable of foresight, so naturally, they had to wait and observe. The claim that they appear every sixty years is merely a deception to fool the world. For the truly significant instances, when was their timing ever so precise? When Great Chu was founded, they conveniently appeared just as Emperor Taizong was contending for the throne. Why did they not accompany Emperor Taizu in conquering the realm? And Lei Zhenting’s grandmother—they all chose opportune moments to appear, did they not?"

Ye Li suddenly understood. If the true successors of Cangmang Mountain indeed appeared so perfectly every sixty years, she would genuinely believe that the people of Cangmang Mountain could predict the future and select the ruler on behalf of Heaven.

After all, the reputation of Cangmang Mountain is still quite formidable. With the title of ’Selecting the Ruler on Behalf of Heaven,’ being chosen meant legitimacy. No wonder the expressions of those present were amiss; this time, Ye Li was inclined to believe it was not Lei Zhenting’s scheme.

Mo Xiuyao scoffed. "Selecting the Ruler on Behalf of Heaven? This Prince will achieve what he desires; no one can stop me. Does this Prince need Cangmang Mountain to select him?"

Ye Li smiled faintly. "I know, our Prince is ambitious and would absolutely not rely on connections through marriage to seize the world."

Looking at her cheerful and radiant face, if they were not in public, Mo Xiuyao would have desperately wished to pounce on her for a taste.

"WAH WAH..." Mo Xiaobao, whose little hands were still held captive, protested unhappily but was mercilessly silenced with a mouthful of food by Mo Xiuyao. Unable to voice his complaint, Mo Xiaobao could only blink his large eyes pitifully at his mother. Unfortunately, to Ye Li, it merely looked like a father feeding his son—albeit not very gently. Ye Li had always felt that the constant rivalry between this father and son was not ideal, so she chose not to interrupt their "bonding."

"Is someone missing?" Ye Li murmured, staring downward in deep thought. From the beginning, I’ve felt that something, or someone, was amiss. But then that woman in white from Cangmang Mountain appeared and caused a disturbance, leaving me no time to dwell on it.

Mo Xiuyao glanced down briefly. With so many guests—thousands on the observation tower alone—it truly was not easy to notice if anyone was absent.

Mo Xiuyao frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then said, "Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning are not here." Although these two held no real power, their symbolic importance was considerable. After all, they were the legitimate prince and princess of Great Chu and had voluntarily relinquished the Capital of Great Chu to Prince Ding’s Mansion. In any case, as long as these two did not commit treason or any other unpardonable crimes, Prince Ding’s Mansion was obliged to ensure their well-being.

Looking at the two empty seats, a thought flashed through Ye Li’s mind. She turned abruptly to glance beside Yelv Ye and exclaimed, "Noble Consort Liu is not here either!"

Mo Xiuyao replied nonchalantly, "Although she is known as Yelv Ye’s future Princess Consort, as long as they are not officially wed, she is not the Princess Consort of Beirong. Besides, she does not hail from a prominent family, so her absence is understandable."

Ye Li shook her head. "Given her arrogance and confidence, she would not consider herself unworthy to attend." A woman like Noble Consort Liu would believe herself the noblest and most beautiful person in the world, even if trampled into the mud. Why would she deem herself unqualified for the birthday banquet and choose not to come? Ye Li furrowed her brows slightly. Where could she have gone? Could it be related to Prince Changxing and Princess Zhenning?

Mo Xiuyao said, "Even so, Ah-Li, you need not worry about them. Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning have protectors. Even if something were to happen, it would not be them who suffer."

Ye Li felt helpless but could only suppress her unease and wait for the banquet to conclude before looking into the matter.

By the time the banquet ended, it was nearly midnight. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, naturally, took Mo Xiaobao back to their mansion first, leaving others to manage the aftermath. However, no sooner had they returned to the mansion than Zhuo Jing came to report, "Your Highness, Your Highness the Princess Consort, something has happened to Princess Zhenning."

Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had to settle Mo Xiaobao and then hurried to Prince Changxing’s Mansion.

Upon arriving at Prince Changxing’s Mansion, they saw that Zhuo Jing had not exaggerated; something had indeed happened. Princess Zhenning sat in the main hall, looking lost and distraught, with a patch of half-dried blood on the floor beside her. Princess Zhenning, who had always been self-conscious about her appearance and never forgot to wear a veil in public, now sat with disheveled hair, the hideous scar on her face openly displayed. Not far away, a woman in white lay on the ground, a golden hairpin embedded in her abdomen, her white clothes soaked crimson with blood. Shen Yang and Mo Wuyou, who had arrived at some unknown point, were squatting beside her, examining the body. One look at the woman’s face confirmed to Ye Li that it was indeed Noble Consort Liu.

Ye Li sighed softly. I understand what happened without needing to ask. She glanced at Mo Xiaoyun, who stood to the side, his face pale and his hands clenched tightly. He said in a low voice, "Princess Consort, it was I who, in a moment of impulse, injured the Seventh Beirong Princess Consort. Please mete out punishment."

Having experienced numerous vicissitudes over the years, Mo Xiaoyun had long understood the harsh realities of the world. If Noble Consort Liu is truly Yelv Ye’s intended Princess Consort, and we have harmed her, Yelv Ye will undoubtedly cause trouble for Prince Ding’s Mansion. The best way for Prince Ding’s Mansion to resolve this would be to hand me over. That way, they could also conveniently eliminate me, a Prince of Great Chu—killing two birds with one stone.

Ye Li shook her head. Pulling Mo Xiuyao to sit beside her, she asked, "Mr. Shen, how do you happen to be here? How severe are her injuries?"

Shen Yang rolled his eyes. "This old man was on my way home after the banquet when this young fellow accosted me."

Mo Wuyou looked up at Ye Li and smiled. "Master and I were passing Prince Changxing’s Mansion when we encountered Prince Changxing. Please rest assured, Princess Consort. My master’s medical skills are superb; she should be fine."

Shen Yang glared at Mo Wuyou. "What do you mean, ’she should be fine’? With the injury in such a place, what use is it even if this old man’s skills were more profound?" Considerations of propriety between sexes prevented Shen Yang from treating Noble Consort Liu’s abdominal injury. Although a physician’s duty is to heal all, Noble Consort Liu’s status made the situation delicate.

Mo Wuyou, unfazed by the glare, said cheerfully, "In that case, Master, could you guide this disciple, and I shall treat her?"

Reluctantly, Shen Yang glanced at the unconscious Noble Consort Liu one last time, muttered a few words of guidance to Mo Wuyou, then let him proceed while he himself went to the side to sit and rest.

Ye Li smiled faintly. "It seems Wuyou has learned well from Mr. Shen." Indeed, judging by Shen Yang’s attitude towards Mo Wuyou, it was clear he was quite satisfied with this disciple.

Shen Yang stated flatly, "He certainly has more aptitude for it than the Princess Consort."

Actually, my own aptitude wasn’t poor, Ye Li thought. But medicine requires immense concentration and patience. As Princess Consort Ding, I am swamped with worldly affairs and have little time for dedicated study, let alone inheriting my master’s legacy. This had indeed been a source of considerable regret for both Shen Yang and Doctor Lin previously.

Mo Xiaoyun stood to the side, listening to their conversation, and vaguely gathered that Noble Consort Liu would likely not die for now. For a moment, he was unsure whether to feel relief or regret. He glanced at his sister, who sat in a daze, then cautiously began, "Uncle Prince Ding, Princess Consort... about tonight’s... tonight’s events..."

Mo Xiuyao raised an eyebrow. "You still intend to claim you were the one who injured her?"

Mo Xiaoyun was taken aback for a moment, then nodded. "It was a moment of anger... Xiaoyun is prepared to accept Uncle Prince Ding’s punishment."

Mo Xiuyao sized him up with interest for a moment before remarking, "I did not expect... that Mo Jingqi could have such a son. Not bad at all. However... why would you use Princess Zhenning’s golden hairpin to stab that woman?"

"I... I momentarily lost control..." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

"Younger Brother." Princess Zhenning, who had been in a daze, suddenly lifted her head, stopping Mo Xiaoyun. She looked directly into Mo Xiuyao’s eyes and stated calmly, "Uncle Prince Ding, I was the one who did it. You need not save her. If she dies, I will pay with my life!"

"Imperial Sister!" Mo Xiaoyun exclaimed, somewhat exasperated. He had long ceased to care about Noble Consort Liu. But this imperial sister, only two or three years his senior, had cared for him since childhood. Even though she was not particularly clever or capable, she had always striven to look after her two younger brothers when they were neglected by their own mother consort.

Mo Xiuyao frowned in annoyance. "Enough. She is not yet Yelv Ye’s princess consort. Even if she were to die, Yelv Ye would not seek your lives in compensation. Zhenning, tell me, do you truly wish her dead?"

Princess Zhenning’s face drained of color. She glared fiercely at the woman in white on the ground, her lips trembling, unable to speak for a long moment.

Mo Xiuyao said nonchalantly, "If you truly want her dead, then go over and push that hairpin in deeper."

At his words, not only did Princess Zhenning tremble with fear, but Noble Consort Liu, who lay unconscious on the ground, also suddenly widened her eyes, staring in disbelief at Mo Xiuyao, seated in the main seat. Noble Consort Liu had been barely clinging to consciousness due to blood loss; her stupor was not deep. She could still faintly hear the conversation around her. Mo Xiuyao’s casually ruthless words had jolted her fully awake.

Mo Wuyou, who was trying to remove the hairpin, looked at Mo Xiuyao with a resigned air and warned, "Uncle Prince Ding, if you agitate her further, she really might not make it." Princess Zhenning had shown no mercy with that stab; if the hairpin went any deeper, Noble Consort Liu would surely die. That was why they dared not move her and had to treat her on the spot.

Mo Xiuyao stated gravely, "This Prince is not joking."

I believe you are not joking, Uncle, Mo Wuyou thought silently. But could you perhaps not be so serious right now? Is it really alright to incite a daughter to kill her own mother?

"Alright," Ye Li said, glancing at Mo Xiuyao to silence him. She then turned and asked, "Wuyou, is it very difficult?"

Mo Wuyou hesitated for a moment. "Not difficult. However..."

"Speak plainly," Mo Xiuyao said, displeased. Not being able to return home to hug my precious daughter and then sleep embracing Ah-Li is making me extremely irritable. If not for the fact that Mo Xiaoyun and Zhenning still have some use, I would have had someone dispose of this woman already. In Licheng, Yelv Ye surely lacks the means to find her.

Mo Wuyou glanced at Princess Zhenning and Mo Xiaoyun, his brow furrowed. "The injury is in an awkward place. Furthermore... it seems she suffered a miscarriage about half a year ago. If not handled carefully, she might become infertile in the future." Since she is to be the future Princess Consort of Beirong, her ability to conceive is likely a very important matter.

Shen Yang raised an eyebrow at Mo Wuyou. "Disciple, your medical skills still require more honing."

"Ah? Please enlighten me, Master." Hearing his master’s words, Mo Wuyou thought he might have misdiagnosed, and a hint of chagrin flickered across his young face.

Shen Yang said, "This woman, half a year ago? She has had at least three miscarriages in the last two years. Remove it confidently. You need not worry about something she is destined never to have again. Even without this injury, her situation would be the same."

Looking at Noble Consort Liu, Shen Yang’s expression was filled with disgust. He knew Noble Consort Liu’s identity, but that alone was not enough to make him detest her. However, deliberately ending the life of one’s own unborn child—that was beyond Shen Yang’s tolerance. Shen Yang’s medical skills were virtually unmatched in their time; he could even deduce the type of abortifacient Noble Consort Liu had used. Only the pregnant woman herself would take such a drug, one that did not harm her own body and even had certain "special effects."

"Mr. Shen, are you saying that she..." Mo Xiaoyun stared at the woman on the ground, unable to voice the rest of his question.

"She has used Sanxiang Pill, and more than once."

Mo Xiaoyun’s expression instantly became unreadable. Princess Zhenning, being a young woman, did not understand the implications. However, Mo Xiaoyun, having been tutored by the Liu Family and privy to many clandestine matters that Prime Minister Liu did not hide from him, knew. Sanxiang Pill was said to be an abortifacient, but it was better known as a miraculous beauty tonic. Someone had discovered that its effects were even more extraordinary when used during pregnancy. A woman’s looks inevitably suffer during pregnancy, so such a potent drug was naturally highly coveted. However, it was soon discovered that women who took this drug during pregnancy invariably miscarried; those who took smaller doses would give birth to stillborns. Yet, its beautifying effect was ten times more potent than when used normally. For the sake of beauty, many women disregarded the children in their wombs, and the drug gradually became prohibited.

A woman whose father was dead, who had suffered three miscarriages in two years—all self-inflicted. Mo Xiaoyun truly could not comprehend what his formerly high and mighty mother consort had been thinking. However, looking at that exquisitely beautiful face, Mo Xiaoyun suddenly rushed outside and retched violently.

Although Princess Zhenning was unaware of all the details, the mere knowledge of Noble Consort Liu’s pregnancies and abortions was a sufficient blow. She walked numbly towards Noble Consort Liu, looking down at the exceptionally beautiful woman on the ground. Princess Zhenning felt a torrent of venomous hatred surge through her as if a dam had burst within her heart. "Wench!"