Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 419 - 416. Human nature pursues profit

416. Men Seek Wealth

Watching Ye Li leave, Hua Tianxiang, Murong Ting, and Qin Zheng shared worried glances and sighed in resignation. Every family had its own set of troubles. Even couples like Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao, who held significant power in the world, had times when they were forced into difficult circumstances.

Murong Ting heaved a sigh and said, "Luckily, Second Leng isn’t very talented and nobody is forcing him to take a wife or concubines." Regarding those witless enough to try and ingratiate themselves, she had her ways of dealing with them. However, situations like the one at Prince Ding’s Mansion could not be simply resolved by driving such people away.

Qin Zheng also sighed deeply. Murong Ting paused before looking at Hua Tianxiang and asked, "Could Prince Ding’s reluctance to ascend to the throne be because of this?"

Hua Tianxiang gave her a glance and said, "Even if it’s not entirely due to this, it probably played a part. But... let’s keep this conversation within these walls. You absolutely must not spread this gossip outside—including to Leng Haoyu!"

Murong Ting rolled her eyes at Hua Tianxiang. "I know that, of course. Do you take me for an idiot? I loathe these people. When Prince Ding’s Mansion was in decline, no one was eager to marry their daughters to Prince Ding. But now that Prince Ding is on the verge of ruling the world, they are swarming here. They even dare to corner the Xu Family, accusing it of seeking to monopolize power through maternal relatives. How ridiculous!"

Qin Zheng patted her hand with a smile, saying, "All right, there’s no need to be angry. Since Li’er is already aware of this, we can’t really help. All we can do is stand by and watch."

Murong Ting giggled. "Who says we can’t help? At least, I’ve already dissuaded a few girls from wanting to marry Prince Ding."

Her statement made Hua Tianxiang raise an eyebrow. "You were able to convince them?" Prince Ding was the future emperor. Even if Murong Ting had the gift of gab, which she clearly did not, it was questionable whether she could convince those women longing to become imperial consorts.

Murong Ting grunted. "Their heads must be clouded by the idea. They forgot who Prince Ding really is. He has no qualms about executing women. I’ve told these girls what fate befell the women who admired Prince Ding. Several of them lost their wish to be his consorts on the spot."

Qin Zheng couldn’t help but find it both funny and exasperating. "Ting’er, do you really think those girls have control over whether they marry Prince Ding? What’s the use of scaring them?"

Murong Ting paused, her face falling a bit as she acknowledged Qin Zheng was right. Indeed. In this world, how many things were left for women to decide? Surely, those women who desired to marry Prince Ding and become his consorts admired wealth and honor, but what could they do if they didn’t want to marry? In the end, they had no choice in the matter.

Ye Li stood outside the study without entering immediately. Before she even reached the study, she heard Mo Xiuyao’s voice emanating from the room. When Mo Xiuyao was genuinely furious, he was extremely calm, a tranquility that usually presaged startling mayhem and bloodshed. Perhaps because of this, Xu Qingchen had secretly sent someone to summon her. After all, the war had just ended, and the world had not truly returned to peace. Xu Qingchen didn’t want news of Prince Ding executing his meritorious officials to spread at this time, even though Young Master Qingchen himself didn’t think many of them deserved any credit at all.

"What’s wrong with not ascending the throne? Does that mean you all can’t live anymore? Over the years, the Northwest hasn’t had an emperor, yet no one seems unable to live," Mo Xiuyao said indifferently. "A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day? If this is the case, what use are you?"

"My Prince..." It was clear that some individuals were still not giving up and wanted to continue urging him.

Seeing that if she didn’t intervene soon, Mo Xiuyao was about to explode, Ye Li pushed open the door and leisurely walked in. "What’s wrong? I heard you raising your voice even before I came in."

Mo Xiuyao glared at Xu Qingchen with annoyance, to which Xu Qingchen responded with a silent smile.

"Ah-Li, what brings you here?" Mo Xiuyao got up from his seat and gently asked Ye Li as he took her hand.

Ye Li smiled faintly and said, "I thought of some things I wanted to discuss with the Prince, so I came. Have I chosen an inappropriate time?"

Mo Xiuyao led her forward, saying, "It’s nothing important; let’s sit down and talk. The rest of you, leave if you have nothing else."

Seeing Mo Xiuyao lead Ye Li to sit beside him on the main seat, the crowd below couldn’t help but furrow their brows, a few even openly expressing their dissatisfaction. As for the confidants from Prince Ding’s Mansion, they quickly lowered their heads, wishing they could dig a hole and bury themselves. You all want to court death, but at least wait until we’ve left! they resentfully thought.

"Your Highness, we are discussing important matters with you!" an elderly man with gray hair stepped forward, speaking solemnly.

Ye Li glanced at him; he looked somewhat familiar but she didn’t know him well. He seemed to be from a once-famous noble family in Great Chu, a veteran official of two dynasties. When the Beirong invaded, his family, being relatively close to the Northwest, had fled to Prince Ding’s Mansion for refuge. He had not accomplished much since, so it was natural for Ye Li not to know his name.

Mo Xiuyao, displeased, cast him a glance and said indifferently, "Discussing affairs? I have been sitting here all morning, listening to your nonsense. Do you think I am idle? In the future, if you have something to say, argue it out and reach a conclusion first, then come report to me!"

The old man was nearly choked speechless by Mo Xiuyao’s words. "The coronation ceremony... how can it be nonsense?!" In the eyes of a man who had studied his entire life and prided himself on his scholarly family, what could be more important than the enthronement of a nation’s ruler?

Nearby, several confidants of Prince Ding’s Mansion looked sympathetically at the old man, consciously inching backward to avoid being caught in the Prince’s impending fury. To Prince Ding, the coronation really isn’t a big deal. If he wanted to be emperor, he would have ascended the throne years ago.

Mo Xiuyao impatiently said, "Who told you there would be a coronation ceremony? A few years ago, you were all crying and shouting your loyalty to Great Chu. What’s this? Great Chu isn’t even annihilated yet, and you’re already in a hurry to claim credit for supporting a new dragon? You want a coronation ceremony, is that it? Coincidentally, there’s one happening in Jiangnan around this time. I can send people to escort you there; perhaps you can even catch a cup of celebratory wine."

"Your... Your Highness?" These words were devastating to the ears of these former Great Chu aristocrats. But Mo Xiuyao was in a fit of anger at that moment, hardly caring about their faces, which were alternating between pale and flushed. He sneered, "You want to send your daughters into Prince Ding’s Mansion? Fine! My beloved consort is short of a few maids to serve tea, pour water, wash feet, and fold quilts! If that’s not enough, there’s laundry work and cleaning in the mansion. That will save Prince Ding’s Mansion the money to buy more maids."

"But, Your Highness, it has been customary since ancient times for a man to have three wives and four concubines. Previously, Your Highness was busy with various matters and had no time to attend to these things. But now that the world is at peace, if there is only one Princess Consort in your mansion, it will inevitably... inevitably tarnish the reputation of Prince Ding’s Mansion." Still, someone discontentedly spoke out. This time, it was a former Great Chu official, who had once held a high-ranking ministerial post. His attitude had always been ambiguous, offending neither Prince Ding’s Mansion nor Mo Jingqi. After Great Chu migrated south, he had brought his family to the Northwest, a shrewd bet that had paid off.

Ye Li paid little attention to these people. She was genuinely worried about the old officials of the Mo Family Army, whose eyes also showed an eagerness to try.

Many of these men had served Prince Ding’s Mansion for generations. Although they, unlike Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu, hadn’t known Mo Xiuyao since childhood and thus didn’t share that same level of a confidant’s trust or a brotherly bond with him, their ties to Prince Ding’s Mansion and the Mo Family Army were even more complex than those of close aides like Feng Zhiyao and Leng Haoyu. These men had followed Prince Ding’s Mansion and endured suppression by the Great Chu imperial family for many years; they could be considered exceptionally loyal. Now that the Prince was finally about to unify the world, it was naturally their time to finally hold their heads high. Such thoughts were not inherently wrong; after all, weren’t the founding meritorious officials of every dynasty like this? In which dynasty were all the benefits and glories of founding the nation monopolized by a single family? But alas, the master they served was Mo Xiuyao, who never played by the rules.

Ye Li sighed softly and raised her hand to pat the back of Mo Xiuyao’s hand, which was tense with anger, calming him. Although Mo Xiuyao hadn’t fully unleashed his anger, Ye Li, sitting beside him, could feel the coldness emanating from him.

However, this scene appeared improper in the eyes of those old officials. These scholars, unlike warriors on the battlefield, were most particular about etiquette and rules. Ye Li, as the Princess Consort, barging into the study where state affairs were discussed and sitting side-by-side with Prince Ding—this was, in the view of these old-fashioned pedants, an outrageous and unvirtuous act, a defiance of propriety and female conduct.

"Your Highness, the Princess Consort, being a woman, should observe the rules of the boudoir and retire to the rear palace. How can she so openly sit in the grand hall where affairs are discussed? It is, after all, a little... indecorous!" an old minister with a white beard trembled as he spoke. "The Princess Consort also comes from the scholarly Xu Family; such behavior... does it not tarnish Mr. Qingyun’s reputation?"

"Rules of the boudoir?" Mo Xiuyao chuckled coldly, looking down at the old minister whose face was etched with distress and indignation. "When Lei Zhenting led his troops in rebellion, why didn’t anyone think that my beloved consort is a woman who should observe the rules of the boudoir? When I was in trouble, why didn’t any of you consider that the Princess Consort is a woman, and why didn’t you step forward to lead the troops and resist the enemy in her place? Now that the world is at peace, you remember that the Princess Consort is a woman? So... your so-called loyalty, filial piety, and etiquette mean... hiding behind a woman when danger comes, then enjoying the land and prosperity that woman fought to secure for you, and, by the way, criticizing that woman for not observing the rules of the boudoir? Excellent... truly excellent ideas. I am deeply impressed."

These plainly spoken words left the old ministers, who had just been so righteous, with flushed faces. These men were not Prince Ding’s trusted aides and naturally did not understand his personality or character. They were merely relying on their reputations and seniority to act presumptuously.

Mo Xiuyao waved his hand dismissively and, staring at the crowd, said coldly, "What the Princess Consort chooses to do is none of your concern. You will all remember this clearly: whatever the Princess Consort says, and whatever she does, is my will. If anyone dares to defy this, do not blame me for being merciless!"

In the vast study, everyone felt a chill run down their spine and hurriedly replied, "We obey your command!"

After dismissing everyone, Mo Xiuyao’s anger had yet to subside as he glared at Xu Qingchen with displeasure. Young Master Qingchen sipped his tea elegantly and calmly said, "What are you glaring at me for? If I hadn’t called Li’er over, were you truly planning on killing a few to establish your authority?"

Mo Xiuyao snorted. "You think I wouldn’t dare? Those old men do nothing but babble useless nonsense all day and accomplish nothing of substance. They only create more trouble for me. I truly don’t know why I took them in. I’d rather exchange them for a few commoners who can till the land and do actual work."

Xu Qingchen smiled leisurely. "These men may be useless and, at times, quite annoying. But, Prince, we cannot afford to be without them. It’s true they are old and decadent, but every one of them has former students and subordinates spread throughout the land. They are old foxes, truly. If they were to genuinely stir up trouble, the effect would be no less than that of a mighty army. The pen in a scholar’s hand can be far more troublesome than the sword in an enemy’s. Of course, if Your Highness wishes to be a tyrant who burns books and buries scholars, then you need not pay them any mind."

Ye Li sat beside Mo Xiuyao, her brows slightly knitted. "This is still about them urging Xiuyao to ascend the throne soon, isn’t it?"

Xu Qingchen gave Mo Xiuyao a half-smile and said teasingly, "If it were only about ascending the throne, would it have caused such a fuss? Those old ministers, with too much idle time on their hands, have even thought about expanding the harem for the new emperor. They were planning to present a petition for the selection of consorts to the Princess Consort for her review. After all, when a new emperor ascends the throne, wouldn’t it look bad if there’s only one Princess Consort? They could confer titles on the new consorts at the same time. Look, they’ve even listed the ranks. Below the Empress, there should be two Noble Consorts, four Consorts, and a number of Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, and so on..."

Ignoring Mo Xiuyao’s murderous glare, Xu Qingchen smiled and handed the petition to Ye Li. Mo Xiuyao was furious precisely because those individuals, in their cleverness, had planned to send the petition directly to Ye Li. It was just that Mo Xiuyao had intercepted it a step faster.

Ye Li took it and flipped through it. Indeed, it sprawled across several pages. She shook her head with a smile and, frowning, asked Xu Qingchen, "Have people from the Xu Family been bothering First Aunt and Second Aunt recently?"

Xu Qingchen looked at Ye Li gently. "These are minor matters. When those ladies come to visit, we can’t just ignore them. They wouldn’t dare be too impertinent in front of my mother and Second Aunt."

Ye Li frowned. "I worry that in a few more days, they’ll start troubling Grandfather."

Xu Qingchen seemed unconcerned, saying lightly, "At Grandfather’s age, surely he won’t be troubled by such things. Li’er, my father, Second Uncle, and I understand your intentions. No matter what you do, the Xu Family will support you."

Ye Li nodded, whispering, "I understand, Elder Brother." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Having said what needed to be said, Xu Qingchen stood up. "Looking at it now, not ascending the throne was the right decision. He hasn’t even been proclaimed emperor yet, and many people are already getting impatient. Moreover, this whole affair has escalated too quickly. It’s not certain there isn’t someone stirring trouble from behind. It’s about time for Prince Ding’s Mansion to clean house. And you, as a father, shouldn’t be too lazy, trying to dump everything on your son. Your son will need quite a few more years before he can handle major affairs." This last sentence was naturally directed at Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao said with a dark expression, "I know. If anyone dares to meddle in my affairs, I’ll break their hands and feet!"

After Xu Qingchen left, only Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li remained in the study. Ye Li smiled and gently pulled Mo Xiuyao’s handsome face closer. "Are you still angry?"

Mo Xiuyao scoffed. "If they really want an emperor, I wouldn’t mind showing them what a tyrant is like!"

"I certainly wouldn’t want my husband to be known as a notorious tyrant," Ye Li laughed.

Mo Xiuyao embraced her and chuckled. "If I were to become a tyrant, Ah-Li, would you be my wicked queen?"

Ye Li leaned into Mo Xiuyao’s arms, her lips twitching involuntarily. As a soldier from a new era who sacrificed her life for her country, the idea of being a ’wicked queen’ was truly challenging to her worldview. Besides, even though they spoke like this, both knew that neither of them could truly act with abandon, disregarding all consequences. Mo Xiuyao was ruthless towards his enemies and never showed mercy, but he had always been soft-hearted towards his own people.

They were unable to challenge the concepts and traditions that had existed for thousands of years in this era. That was why Mo Xiuyao had chosen to shelve the issue. If he didn’t ascend the throne and declare himself emperor, the problem of a harem naturally wouldn’t exist. And as a Prince, having an heir was his greatest responsibility to Prince Ding’s Mansion. The ancestral rules of Prince Ding’s Mansion had never stipulated that its Princes must have wives and concubines in droves. On the other hand, Mo Xiuyao genuinely had no interest in the imperial throne. What he enjoyed was the process of conquering the world, not the glittering golden dragon throne that sat high above all. He didn’t want to be bound to that position; once he sat upon it, many things would inevitably be beyond his control.

Mo Xiuyao nuzzled Ye Li’s hair affectionately, smiling as he said, "Ah-Li just needs to be happy and play with Xin’er and Lin’er. I’ll handle these annoying matters. When Little Treasure grows up, we can travel, see the sights, and live the free and unrestrained life we desire."

"Okay, I’ll listen to you." Ye Li smiled faintly, her eyes lowered, and whispered, "If those people continue to harass the Xu Family and Grandfather..."

"Ah-Li can deal with them as you see fit. I’ve said it before, whatever Ah-Li does is my will," Mo Xiuyao spoke gravely. Even if Ah-Li wanted to kill them all, I could bear the blame. He didn’t say this aloud, because he knew Ah-Li, with her disposition, would never do such a thing. Ah-Li is too soft-hearted... The things you are unwilling or unable to bring yourself to do, I will do for you!

Ye Li’s prediction was not wrong. After Mo Xiuyao swiftly and mercilessly demoted several of the most boisterous individuals, those clamoring for him to ascend the throne and take consorts suddenly quieted down. But soon, faced with the allure of profit, wealth, and status, countless people began to scheme, willing to use any means and pay any price to worm their way in.

「」

In the Cuizhu forest behind Lishan Academy on the outskirts of the city, Mr. Qingyun was playing chess with Su Zhe. Su Zhe, holding a black piece, gazed thoughtfully at the chessboard and said with a smile, "Now that Prince Ding’s great undertaking is nearing completion, why does Elder Xu still look troubled?"

"It is often said that maintaining power is harder than seizing it. Given Prince Ding’s intelligence and character, unifying the world should not be difficult, provided no major accidents occur. However, history is replete with examples of those who gained the world but could not secure it. Consider the ancient Emperor Tai—was he not an emperor for the ages? Yet, after unifying the world, his dynasty lasted less than thirty years. How can we, his successors, not sigh in helpless lament?" Mr. Qingyun, his hair and beard entirely white, had a lean, ascetic appearance, imbued with the leisurely, transcendent air of a drifting cloud or a wild crane. Yet, having devoted his life to cherishing the world and educating students, how could he truly see through all worldly vanities and remain entirely detached?

Su Zhe also sighed and slowly placed a chess piece. "Setting other things aside, Prince Ding’s continued refusal to ascend the throne and take consorts is ultimately detrimental to the stability of the realm. Ascending the throne, establishing an Empress, taking consorts, and ensuring the continuation of the imperial line not only signifies the beginning of a dynasty but also sends a message of stability to the common people, reassuring them. Prince Ding’s temperament... is too much like that of the founding Prince Ding." If the first Prince Ding of Great Chu, Mo Lanyun, had not insisted on marrying the Commendary Princess of the previous dynasty, the imperial throne might not have fallen to the Great Ancestor Emperor of Great Chu. And now... there wasn’t even a chance to reenact the events of the past. In the present world, no one but Prince Ding could hold the throne securely; anyone else who tried would fail to command popular support.

"Elder Xu, perhaps you should try to persuade Prince Ding?" Su Zhe hesitated for a moment before finally speaking. Although they were far from the city, they were still aware of the major and minor happenings in Licheng. For discord to arise between ruler and ministers before the state was even formally established was truly not a good omen.

Mr. Qingyun waved his hand and smiled. "There’s no need. They know what they are doing. It may seem a bit chaotic now, but those who truly know their place are all quite astute. It’s better to have some chaos now than to leave these problems to fester and be passed down through future generations."

Su Zhe was startled. "Isn’t that too risky? The paramount concern after a realm is newly settled has always been stability. That’s why so many founding emperors generously enfeoffed their supporters, only for their successors to expend great effort to curtail those overgrown powers later. How could those sagacious founding monarchs not have understood these problems? It was, simply put, a matter of being forced by circumstances. To begin purging officials before the realm is truly pacified is exceedingly risky. One misstep, and it’s feared chaos will erupt anew."

Mr. Qingyun laughed. "We are old, and in everything we do, we inevitably weigh the pros and cons too much. Since Prince Ding has such daring, why not wait and see?"

Su Zhe shook his head with a wry smile. "If you, his wife’s grandfather, are not worried, what should an old man like me be concerned about? However, those old pedants will probably be coming to see you soon." These people had little real ability despite their considerable reputations; they were rather narrow-minded but quick to anger. Having been rebuffed by Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding, it would be a wonder if they *didn’t* come looking for Mr. Qingyun next.

"Reporting to Master, there are several elderly gentlemen outside requesting an audience. They claim to be old acquaintances of Mr. Qingyun and Elder Su," a pageboy walked into the bamboo forest and respectfully announced.

The two men exchanged glances and smiled knowingly. Su Zhe chuckled, "Talk of the devil, and they appear."

Mr. Qingyun casually tossed the chess piece in his hand and laughed. "It seems they’re unavoidable this time. It’s been many years; it might be good to see them." These individuals had attempted to visit him several times when they first arrived in Xiling, but Mr. Qingyun had always found excuses to turn them away. So, it was indeed true that he hadn’t seen them for many years. Given Mr. Qingyun’s age, status, and reputation, no one would dare take offense if he chose not to see someone. But this time, these people were unlikely to leave without seeing him. Mr. Qingyun wasn’t actually afraid of them; he was simply old and disinclined to deal with people harboring ulterior motives. "Go on, please show them in."

"Understood."