Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 399 - 398. The "Truth" Behind Prince Ding’s Serious Injury
398. Prince Ding Seriously Injured: "The Truth"
By the time Ye Li and her group arrived at Feihong Pass, exhausted from their journey, it was already the evening of the second day. Feng Zhiyao had been waiting anxiously to greet them outside the pass. Seeing Ye Li return, Feng Zhiyao seemed to heave a sigh of relief. "Princess Consort, you’re finally back."
Seeing Feng Zhiyao’s expression, Ye Li’s heart sank slightly, and she asked, "What happened?"
Feng Zhiyao sighed. "The Prince was assaulted by men from Cangmang Mountain."
"How could he be so easily ambushed?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow. Setting aside how high Mo Xiuyao’s martial arts skills were, he had obtained the list of Cangmang Mountain infiltrators in Prince Ding’s Mansion quite some time ago. How could he still have been ambushed?
Feng Zhiyao gave a bitter laugh. "We were careless. That person struck suddenly... and nearly injured the heir. The Prince was just trying to..."
Seeing Ye Li’s expression change, Feng Zhiyao rushed to add, "Princess Consort, rest assured, the heir was not injured."
Noticing the exhaustion etched onto Feng Zhiyao’s handsome face, Ye Li nodded. "You’ve had a hard time these past few days. How is Xiuyao?"
Feng Zhiyao frowned. "About the Prince... Princess Consort, let’s discuss it once we return."
Back at Feihong Pass, most of the soldiers were unaware of Prince Ding’s situation or the Princess Consort’s sudden return. Only Yuan Pei, Marquis South, and Murong Shen had come to greet Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao was temporarily staying in the General’s Mansion within Feihong Pass. The group headed straight to his quarters. Upon entering the room and seeing the scene before her, Ye Li couldn’t help but pause, turning to Feng Zhiyao, she asked, "What happened?"
Indeed, someone was lying on the bed, covered by a thick brocade quilt that obscured most of his face. Only a head of snow-white long hair was visible. Although Ye Li hadn’t approached, a single glance told her that the person on the bed was definitely not Mo Xiuyao.
Feng Zhiyao gave a wry smile. The person on the bed, hearing Ye Li’s voice, suddenly sat up, swung his legs over the side, and got down. His handsome face was tightly creased as he said to Ye Li, "You’re finally back. Lying here playing dead every day is exhausting me."
"Han Mingxi?" Ye Li raised an eyebrow, her cool gaze sweeping over Feng Zhiyao and the others.
Feng Zhiyao said gravely, "The Prince has disappeared."
"Disappeared?" Ye Li’s brows knitted together as she stared at Feng Zhiyao. Though she hadn’t expressed her anger, Feng Zhiyao felt a chill run down his spine. When the Princess Consort truly became angry, her aura was no less intimidating than the Prince’s. Steeling himself, Feng Zhiyao quickly recounted what had transpired.
Apparently, the usually playful and mischievous Mo Xiaobao had suddenly been kidnapped. The kidnapper left a letter demanding Mo Xiuyao go alone, promising Mo Xiaobao’s safety in return. Mo Xiuyao naturally couldn’t allow Mo Xiaobao to be harmed, so he went to the appointed place alone. By the time Feng Zhiyao and the others found the location, they only saw Mo Xiaobao lying unconscious, his acupoints sealed, amidst a scene of corpses and bloodstains. But there was no trace of Mo Xiuyao. Afterward, Feng Zhiyao and the others secretly ordered a search of the surrounding hundred-li radius, but they couldn’t find even a shadow of Mo Xiuyao. Left with no choice, they had to feign Mo Xiuyao’s injury. At the very least, they had to make people believe that Prince Ding was still with the army.
Ye Li’s delicate brows furrowed tightly. Feng Zhiyao’s account sounded plausible, but it struck her as too convenient, too straightforward. "The list I had someone send back, how did Mo Xiuyao handle it?"
"The list?" Feng Zhiyao frowned for a moment, then recalled. "The list the Princess Consort sent back from Jiangnan last time—the Prince looked at it and then put it away. Afterward, he was busy with the war against Beirong, and the Prince seemed to..." It seemed Mo Xiuyao hadn’t dealt with this matter. If Ye Li’s most trusted people were Qin Feng and Zhuo Jing, then Mo Xiuyao’s most trusted confidant was Feng Zhiyao. If even Feng Zhiyao didn’t know, then Mo Xiuyao truly hadn’t handled it. But this was clearly unreasonable. Ignoring spies from Cangmang Mountain planted within the Mo Family Army was definitely not Mo Xiuyao’s style, unless... he was keeping them for another purpose.
Han Mingxi chuckled mockingly. "Some people like to think they’re clever, only to have it backfire, don’t they?"
"Mingxi..." Han Mingyue, who had just entered, happened to hear Han Mingxi’s words and spoke somewhat helplessly. Glancing at Ye Li’s tightly furrowed brows, he knew this was not the time for jokes and said apologetically, "Princess... Consort, I didn’t..."
Ye Li lightly tugged at the corner of her lip and smiled faintly. "I understand. Young Master Mingyue, is there any news?"
Han Mingyue shook his head, frowning. "Based on various reports, apart from ourselves, neither Mo Jingli nor Lei Zhenting knows about Mo Xiuyao’s disappearance. This means... Mo Jingli’s spy didn’t return. It’s possible... he’s dead, or he fled."
Comparatively, death was the more likely possibility. If he were still alive, he would surely have returned to Mo Jingli to report on Mo Xiuyao. If he had succeeded, there would be even less reason to flee. Having killed Prince Ding, Mo Xiuyao, Mo Jingli’s reward would be enough for him to live in luxury for several lifetimes. Moreover, if he fled alone, he would face pursuit from Prince Ding’s Mansion. Where could he possibly escape? Currently, there was no news of either Mo Xiuyao or this spy.
Ye Li pondered for a moment before asking, "Who was that person?"
Feng Zhiyao looked uneasy. "He was one of the Prince’s bodyguards, from the secret guard unit." Prince Ding himself possessed supreme martial arts, so his need for personal secret guards was almost negligible. And Mo Xiuyao was surrounded by numerous experts and talented individuals, so unlike Ye Li, he had no need to personally train trusted aides. Therefore, compared to the current status of people like Zhuo Jing and others, Mo Xiuyao’s secret guards were almost inconspicuous. After some of the secret guards’ roles were gradually replaced by the Qilin, these secret guards garnered even less attention. Nevertheless, the secret guards were an extremely important force within Prince Ding’s Mansion. More important than the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry, because being in the shadows, they were closer to Prince Ding himself than the army was. Yet, unexpectedly, Cangmang Mountain had managed to plant someone within the secret guards. Fortunately, Cangmang Mountain had already been eradicated; otherwise, it would have been even more detrimental to Prince Ding’s Mansion.
"Call Mo Hua to see me," Ye Li said softly. "All of you go and rest. You’ve been tired these past few days. We can discuss things tomorrow."
Everyone looked at Ye Li with concern. They had indeed not had it easy these past few days, but the Princess Consort, who had rushed for two days and nights, looked even worse. Han Mingyue and Feng Zhiyao exchanged a glance, and Feng Zhiyao nodded. "Yes, your subordinates will take their leave. Princess Consort, please rest well too."
Ye Li nodded and said no more. Everyone quietly withdrew, leaving her alone under the lamp, lost in silent contemplation.
"Mother..." It was already late at night. The study was still quiet, save for the occasional soft crackle of the candlewick. Ye Li sat alone behind her desk, her brow furrowed in thought. A somewhat timid voice came from the doorway. Ye Li looked up to see Mo Xiaobao, dressed in moon-white inner clothes, standing at the doorway without his outer robe, staring at her eagerly.
Although it was early spring, there was still no warmth in the Northwest, day or night. Ye Li’s gaze slightly deepened. She quickly rose, took a cloak placed aside, and went forward to wrap him in it. An adult’s cloak draped over Mo Xiaobao immediately enveloped his entire small frame. Ye Li lifted him with some effort, walked to the side, and sat down. "Why did you run out without even putting on your outer clothes?"
"Mother..." Mo Xiaobao looked at Ye Li, tears welling in his large, round eyes. He sobbed, "Mother... Xiaobao didn’t do it on purpose. Sob... Xiaobao didn’t mean to make Father disappear. Xiaobao knows he was wrong, Mother..."
"Why are you crying?" Ye Li gently wiped the teardrops from his cheeks and rubbed his tender little face. "Mother knows this isn’t your fault. Don’t be afraid... Your father will be fine. He’ll be back soon."
"Mm." Mo Xiaobao sniffled and said seriously, "When Father comes back, Xiaobao won’t make Father angry anymore. Mother, Xiaobao will be good from now on."
Ye Li, her heart aching, bent down and kissed her son’s brow. "Mother knows Xiaobao is a good boy. Don’t be afraid, nothing will happen..." Mo Xiaobao was smarter than most children his age, which meant he understood many things far beyond his peers. Although Feng Zhiyao and the others hadn’t said anything in front of him, and hadn’t even told him about Mo Xiuyao’s disappearance, he himself had already figured it out. It was just that these days, everyone in Prince Ding’s Mansion who knew was worried and busy, and no one had paid attention to him, nor had he told anyone.
But no matter how smart, he was still just a child. Now that his mother was back, he could no longer hold it in. He had even quietly slipped past the secret guards and run to the study to find Ye Li without wearing his outer clothes.
Mo Xiaobao sat in Ye Li’s lap, his large, moist eyes still filled with worry. "Mother, will Father really... be alright?"
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Don’t worry, he’ll be fine. It’s very late. Xiaobao, go back to sleep, alright?"
Mo Xiaobao rubbed his eyes. "Xiaobao will stay with Mother."
"Alright, Mother still has some things to do. If you get sleepy, just sleep for a while?" Ye Li carefully adjusted the cloak on him and said softly.
Mo Xiaobao nodded in agreement, then sat in Ye Li’s lap, his eyes wide as he looked at the petitions in Ye Li’s hands. These past few days, with Mo Xiuyao’s sudden disappearance, many matters had piled up in the Mo Family Army that required either Mo Xiuyao or Ye Li to handle personally.
Ye Li read two petitions, and when she looked down again, Mo Xiaobao had already closed his eyes and fallen fast asleep. It wasn’t just the adults who had been frightened and exhausted these past few days; children’s hearts are more sensitive, and Mo Xiaobao was also very tired. Now, nestled in his mother’s lap, he quickly drifted off to sleep.
From the doorway, Mo Hua’s calm voice came. "Your subordinate, Mo Hua, requests an audience with the Princess Consort."
Ye Li’s pen paused. She put it down and said softly, "Come in."
Mo Hua walked in and was also taken aback to see Mo Xiaobao in Ye Li’s arms. "Princess Consort, the heir..."
Ye Li waved her hand. "Wait." She carried Mo Xiaobao and turned into the room partitioned off within the study for resting. After placing him on the bed and covering him with a quilt, Ye Li turned back out and looked at Mo Hua. "You brought Mu Qingcang?"
A hint of surprise flashed in Mo Hua’s eyes. He said gravely, "This subordinate was a step too late and allowed the Princess Consort to be frightened. Please punish me, Princess Consort."
Ye Li shook her head and looked at him. "Where did the Prince go?"
"This subordinate... does not know," Mo Hua said, his gaze lowered.
"Don’t know?" Ye Li raised her eyebrows, looking at Mo Hua with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. "If you didn’t know, how would you have known to bring Mu Qingcang to rescue me? As far as I know, not many people knew Mu Qingcang’s whereabouts and could have gone to request his help in advance. Among them... Commander Mo should not be included. Moreover, the place where Mu Qingcang was in seclusion is a three-day journey from where Ling Tiehan ambushed me. Even rushing from Feihong Pass on a fast horse would take more than two days. This implies... you had already set out before the Prince was injured. Did Commander Mo know beforehand that the Prince would disappear and that I, his consort, would be ambushed by Ling Tiehan on my return?"
There are few in this world who can deal with Ye Li and the Qilin. If it weren’t Ling Tiehan or Lei Zhenting making a move personally, there would be no need to trouble Mu Qingcang. In fact, even the current Lei Zhenting might not be capable of it. Therefore, without extremely accurate intelligence, or should I say... premeditation, Mo Hua simply wouldn’t have had time to find Mu Qingcang to come to the rescue.
Mo Hua remained silent. Ye Li looked at him calmly and nodded. "I understand. You just need to tell me, is Xiuyao still alive? Shake your head, or nod." Although Mo Hua was somewhat arrogant, he was a man who strictly abided by rules. If it weren’t truly something he couldn’t say, he wouldn’t refuse Ye Li with such silence.
After a long moment, Mo Hua finally nodded slightly.
Ye Li let out a soft breath, visibly relaxing. No matter what, Mo Xiuyao being alive was the best news. No one knew that even though Ye Li had already made some deductions in her heart, in that instant of waiting for Mo Hua’s nod, her heart still felt as if it had been viciously seized. She didn’t even dare to imagine what she would do if Mo Hua’s answer wasn’t what she anticipated.
Ye Li nodded lightly. Mo Hua’s unwillingness to say more was naturally because Mo Xiuyao had ordered him not to. Although she was somewhat displeased that Mo Xiuyao would hide things even from her, Ye Li also knew that secrecy was very important in many matters. After all, even though she had already received the list Dongfang You gave Mo Jingli... who could guarantee that what Dongfang You provided was truly complete?
"Where did Mu Qingcang go?" With the confirmation that Mo Xiuyao was fine, Ye Li finally had the mind to pay attention to other matters. When she had spared Mu Qingcang’s life back then, she truly hadn’t imagined that she would one day be saved by him.
"Mr. Mu left with Marquis Muyang," Mo Hua replied respectfully. What Mo Hua didn’t say was that Mu Qingcang was quite severely injured. It was likely he wouldn’t be able to recover to his current level within ten years. However, in Mo Hua’s eyes, Mu Qingcang’s injury was well worth it if it allowed the Princess Consort to escape safely from the hands of the Pavilion Master of the King of Hell Pavilion.
"Ling Tiehan..." Ye Li frowned. Now that Mo Xiuyao was absent, if Ling Tiehan continued to oppose them, it would be a huge problem. In that case, Ye Li would have to find a way to eliminate him first. Despite the recent life-and-death crisis, Ye Li still didn’t harbor much ill will towards Ling Tiehan, nor did she wish to make an enemy of him. This wasn’t just because of the friendship between her elder brother and him; in fact, Ye Li knew very well that Ling Tiehan had no intention of killing her. That day, even if Mu Qingcang hadn’t arrived, the worst outcome would likely have been her being severely injured and taken away by Ling Tiehan. With Ling Tiehan’s strength, if he truly wanted to kill her, he would have had plenty of opportunities.
Mo Hua said, "Ling Tiehan only promised Lei Zhenting to ambush the Princess Consort on her way back to Feihong Pass. Since the Princess Consort has already returned, Ling Tiehan will not strike again. Moreover, according to news from our subordinates, Ling Tiehan has already taken his men back to the King of Hell Pavilion." Furthermore, this time the King of Hell Pavilion did not escape unscathed. To stop the Qilin, the Mo Family Army’s most powerful fighting force, even if only for a short while, the King of Hell Pavilion paid a tragic price. It’s likely that for the next few years, the King of Hell Pavilion will be unable to take on assassination jobs, unless Ling Tiehan and Leng Liyue, the sickly scholar, personally take action.
Ye Li nodded with satisfaction. "Very good. You may go back and rest."
Mo Hua nodded respectfully. "Your subordinate takes his leave."
Watching Mo Hua close the door as he left, Ye Li gazed at the faintly flickering candle flame before her. An extremely cold smile touched her beautiful face. "Mo Xiuyao... are you addicted to playing games?"
In a certain secret stronghold of Prince Ding’s Mansion, Prince Ding, dressed in white with white hair, leaned lazily on a bed, toying with a simple and elegant green jade hairpin. His chest, under a casually draped outer robe, was still wrapped in a thick layer of white gauze. His handsome face was slightly pale, but his spirits were quite good. Looking at the green jade hairpin in his hand, Mo Xiuyao sighed with some regret. Ah-Li is back, but I can’t go back to see her. This is really annoying.
"ACHOO!" His Highness Prince Ding let out a rather unprincely sneeze and tugged at the outer robe draped over him, puzzled. With my level of skill, I shouldn’t feel cold even without clothes, let alone catch a cold, right?
The next morning, everyone arrived early at the study to request an audience with Ye Li. Although the Princess Consort had returned, there was still no news of the Prince. The situation on the battlefield was also beginning to develop unfavorably for them. This caused all the generals to have a sleepless night, and they all headed to Ye Li’s courtyard early in the morning, as if by common consent.
A short while later, Ye Li walked out, holding Mo Xiaobao’s hand. Mo Xiaobao was dressed in a black brocade robe with coiling dragons. His small, handsome face, though still very tender, was taut with a serious expression, looking every bit like a little adult.
Ye Li said calmly, leading Mo Xiaobao to sit in the main seat. "Everyone, please sit."
Looking at Mo Xiaobao sitting beside Ye Li, Feng Zhiyao suddenly had a rather bad premonition. He hesitated for a moment before asking, "Princess Consort... this... the heir..." We are about to discuss important matters. Is it appropriate for the heir to be here? What if we mention the Prince’s affairs and frighten the heir?
Ye Li said, "No need. I’ve already told Yuchen. He knows what to do."
Everyone exchanged glances. It was common knowledge that the Prince never called the heir by his formal name. The Princess Consort, who had initially insisted, was eventually assimilated by the Prince and also started using the heir’s nickname. When the Princess Consort uttered the name ’Mo Yuchen,’ it indicated she had made a very serious decision.
Mo Xiaobao, his handsome little face composed, nodded seriously.
Feng Zhiyao’s mouth twitched. "What does the Princess Consort mean?"
Ye Li said calmly, "Release the news that Prince Ding’s injuries have worsened. Send a message back to Licheng, requesting Mr. Shen to come as soon as possible. Half a month from now... arrange the Prince’s funeral."
Huh?!
Everyone stared in astonishment at Princess Consort Ding, who stood before them, calm and dressed in green. Feng Zhiyao, uncharacteristically, stammered, "Princess Consort, this subordinate thinks... the Prince..." That man, Mo Xiuyao, was notoriously hard to kill. Even with no news now, Feng Zhiyao would at most guess he was unlucky enough to have broken his leg again and couldn’t crawl back. He had never considered that Mo Xiuyao would die just like that. Moreover, for the Princess Consort, who had always shared such deep affection with Mo Xiuyao, to say such words was truly difficult for them to accept.
"He is now severely injured and unconscious. What’s the difference between that and being dead? Just do as I said," Ye Li stated.
Nearby, Han Mingyue glanced at Ye Li, his sword-like brows slightly raised. He stopped Han Mingxi, who was about to speak, and said, "Holding a funeral is indeed a good option. Urgently summoning Mr. Shen will make it even more convincing. I believe neither Mo Jingli nor the Southern Garrison Prince will have any doubts."
With his words, everyone suddenly understood what they had overlooked. The Princess Consort’s arrangement wasn’t because she believed the Prince was dead, but to make others believe he was dead. A thought struck Feng Zhiyao, and he looked at Ye Li. "Princess Consort, do you have news of the Prince’s whereabouts?"
Ye Li shook her head with regret. "For now, don’t concern yourselves with the Prince. Recall all the search parties. What we need to do now is stabilize the current situation. Marquis South?"
Marquis South rose and said respectfully, "Previously, our army engaged the Xiling main forces several times. Thanks to the Prince’s god-like strategies, our army consistently won more battles than we lost. However, ever since the Prince... Lei Zhenting’s offensive has suddenly intensified, and our army is finding it somewhat difficult to cope." Although the Mo Family Army is brave and formidable, the Xiling forces are not lacking. Not to mention, the Xiling army far outnumbers the Mo Family Army. This wasn’t particularly noticeable when Mo Xiuyao was present, but once he was gone, the Mo Family Army’s disadvantages were immediately laid bare.
Ye Li nodded. "There’s no need for any of you to blame yourselves; you’ve all worked hard these past days. Now that the Xiling forces are strong, we don’t necessarily have to clash with them head-on. Let’s try to avoid direct engagement."
"What does the Princess Consort mean by that?" Murong Shen asked.
Ye Li said, "Avoid their vanguard and strike where they must defend. All generals will divide their forces and fight independently. Feihong Pass will still be defended by myself and General Yuan Pei." Feihong Pass, after more than a decade of continuous reinforcement by the Mo Family Army, is no less easy to defend and hard to attack than the Cold Valley Pass, known as the impregnable fortress of the Central Plains. The Mo Family Army currently lacks the means to confront the Xiling main forces head-on.
"But Princess Consort, if Lei Zhenting commits his full strength against Feihong Pass, I fear that you and Veteran General Yuan..."
Ye Li smiled. "That’s why you all must ensure he cannot commit his full strength. I believe this is something the Mo Family Army and the Black Cloud Cavalry excel at. Additionally, you need not worry about Feihong Pass. We have a batch of ’interesting toys’ that will soon arrive. If Lei Zhenting still wants to breach Feihong Pass, he’ll have to fill it with human lives. I, too, am curious to see how many Xiling soldiers he is willing to sacrifice to attack Feihong Pass."
Although they were curious about what these ’interesting toys’ the Princess Consort mentioned were, seeing Ye Li’s calm and composed demeanor, everyone felt considerably more at ease. They cupped their hands and said in unison, "Your subordinates obey."
