Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 344 - 343. The Heir of Cangmang Mountain

343. The Heir of Cangmang Mountain

Compared to Mo Xiuyao’s ruthless mocking and taunting, the courtesy and alienation that Xu Qingchen maintained with nonchalance clearly left Dongfang You at a loss. Dongfang You looked at Xu Qingchen for a long time before she sighed faintly and asked, "Young Master Qingchen, do you not believe my words?" Xu Qingchen smiled without a word, neither affirming nor denying.

Dongfang You apparently took Xu Qingchen’s silence as acquiescence and said lightly, "Young Master Qingchen, rest assured. The reason why I chose to marry Prince Ding as a Secondary Consort is not because I want Prince Ding’s affection or anything else. It’s just to assist Prince Ding. Once Prince Ding rules over the world, Dongfang You will fulfill her duty and retreat to pursue her own happiness, promising to never cling to Prince Ding or cause any trouble for Princess Consort Ding."

Xu Qingchen smiled and said, "Miss Dongfang, you can pursue your own happiness right now. Pardon my frank words, but Prince Ding does not appear to need your assistance. Besides, perhaps because you’ve been away from society for too long on the mountain, you seem to have lost touch with some conventional norms of the world. For instance, a Secondary Consort is... well, not exactly married, but rather, accepted." Any woman who could publicly state her intent to marry Prince Ding might not be as uncompetitive as she claimed. Perhaps she didn’t need Prince Ding’s affection because what she truly desired was something more important than that. Xu Qingchen had always lacked fondness for these so-called legendary reclusive families. As for the so-called mandate of heaven to select a ruler, it sounded absolutely preposterous. If one really possessed such insight, they should have surfaced ten years ago. Although the current political situation wasn’t fully clear, it was obvious that Mo Xiuyao had the best chance. With the power of Cangmang Mountain, creating a ruler who could unify the whole world would not be difficult. But Prince Ding’s Mansion could achieve this even without the people from Cangmang Mountain, so why bother gaining such a reputation?

A flicker of annoyance appeared in Dongfang You’s eyes. Xu Qingchen’s blatant disregard for her dignity was upsetting. But Xu Qingchen’s attitude gave her no outlet for her anger, making her expression complex and unreadable for a moment.

Dongfang You knew her strengths and abilities, but she also realized that her inherent talents were of no use before steadfast characters like Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen. Therefore, she declined to humiliate herself any further. She calmly looked at Xu Qingchen and said, "I believe some matters are best discussed with Prince Ding in person. Perhaps Prince Ding might have a different answer. After all... Young Master Qingchen cannot entirely represent Prince Ding’s Mansion, can he?"

Xu Qingchen casually deflected with a raised eyebrow, stating merely, "Prince Ding is currently unavailable."

Dongfang You wasn’t in a hurry. "I can wait."

Xu Qingchen looked at the woman before him with a frown, suddenly feeling deep down that this woman was trouble. But what he didn’t know was that she indeed was trouble, but not for Mo Xiuyao.

True to her word, Dongfang You proved to be incredibly patient. Xu Qingchen sat with her in the main hall, accompanying her for six or seven rounds of tea. Even the normally calm and composed Young Master Qingchen felt stretched thin by sitting in silence with such a woman. Yet Dongfang You didn’t seem impatient in the slightest, sitting with grace in the hall, occasionally taking small sips of the clear tea.

It wasn’t until nearly noon that Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li arrived, later than expected. Seeing the forced stiffness and helplessness hidden beneath Xu Qingchen’s usual polished demeanor, Mo Xiuyao’s mood lightened considerably. Once everyone was seated, Mo Xiuyao leaned back leisurely, handing the conversation over to Ye Li. With a smile, Ye Li looked at Dongfang You and casually asked, "May I ask for your name, Miss?"

Dongfang You stood and curtseyed, replying, "I am Dongfang You. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Consort."

Ye Li laughed as she nodded. "Miss Dongfang, there’s no need for such formalities. I apologize for keeping you waiting; it’s just that the Prince and I had some minor business to attend to."

Dongfang You smiled. "Not at all. Young Master Qingchen has been quite hospitable; our conversation has been most enjoyable."

Mo Xiuyao looked at Xu Qingchen with a smile. "In that case, why didn’t Miss Dongfang directly discuss her concerns with Young Master Qingchen? After all, he handles most of the affairs of Prince Ding’s Mansion."

At his words, Dongfang You’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Prince, forgive me for speaking frankly. Even though you and the Princess Consort share a deep affection, and you also trust and heavily rely on the Xu Clan, the power of maternal clans has always been a source of chaos since ancient times. Moreover, you have not yet established any real achievements. If in the future..."

The three of them in the hall silently watched Dongfang You rattle on with her admonishments. It wasn’t that her words were inherently problematic; at the right time, some might even be considered wise counsel. But her current position made them controversial. She wasn’t a relative of Prince Ding’s Mansion nor a core member, so was it really appropriate for her to speak ill of them in the presence of members of the Xu Family and Princess Consort Ding? Is this girl just reciting something she memorized from a book?

Only after Dongfang You finally finished speaking did Ye Li respond with a smile, "Thank you for your advice, Miss Dongfang. I believe the Prince has his own thoughts on these matters."

Dongfang You wrinkled her brows slightly, her tone of dissatisfaction clear as she looked at Ye Li and said, "Princess Consort Ding, even though the Xu Family is your maternal home, there is an old saying that ’a married daughter is like spilled water.’ Besides, you are not even a daughter of the Xu Family. Shouldn’t you put Prince Ding’s Mansion’s interests first? This pursuit of self-interest for your family—is that the way of a wife or a consort?"

Ye Li remained silent. This girl not only wants to play the role of a loyal and brave advisor but also, it seems, a grand empress like Ban Zhao or Empress Zhangsun. If all the heirs of Cangmang Mountain are like this, Ye Li seriously doubts how they managed to secure positions as Empresses. They should have been executed by their emperors long ago for offering such unwelcome advice.

"Miss Dongfang, these are matters you don’t need to concern yourself with for now. Why don’t you tell us why you came to Prince Ding’s Mansion instead? What do you say?" Ye Li finally couldn’t help but interrupt her.

A look of disbelief appeared on Dongfang You’s beautiful face as she stared at Ye Li. "Princess Consort Ding, haven’t you understood yet?"

Feeling her intelligence was being doubted, Ye Li feigned innocence. "What should I have understood?"

Dongfang You said, "I descended from the mountain to assist the new monarch."

"Then go find your new monarch," Ye Li’s mood darkened, and she responded lightly.

Dongfang You was speechless for a moment before laughing lightly. "The new ruler chosen by my generation in Cangmang Mountain is Prince Ding. I am the current successor of Cangmang Mountain, tasked by Heaven to aid Prince Ding."

Ye Li looked at her and asked, "Miss Dongfang, by ’aid,’ do you mean to become the Secondary Consort to the Prince in Prince Ding’s Mansion?"

Dongfang You didn’t seem bothered. "This is just a temporary solution. Since Prince Ding is already married, I naturally won’t interfere. Once Prince Ding unifies the world, I will naturally retreat after my mission is accomplished."

Ye Li turned her head to Mo Xiuyao. "Prince, what do you think? Do you want to take on a female strategist?"

Mo Xiuyao responded ruthlessly, "Throw her out. She’s wasting my time."

"Prince Ding!" Dongfang You exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise as she glared at Mo Xiuyao. "Do you really not want to know the benefits I can offer? The influence of Cangmang Mountain is far greater than you can imagine."

Mo Xiuyao didn’t even lift his eyes, saying indifferently, "I’m not interested in your Cangmang Mountain. Let alone... with a successor like you, even if Cangmang Mountain could muster a million troops, it would be futile."

Such words were even more unacceptable to Dongfang You than flat-out disdain for Cangmang Mountain. She was truly sincere in wishing to assist Mo Xiuyao. She believed that with her and Cangmang Mountain’s help, Prince Ding would certainly unify the world in the shortest time possible and become a great ruler. Moreover, this would enhance the reputation and status of Cangmang Mountain. But she had never expected Mo Xiuyao to look down on her and the powerful backing she represented. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Looking at Mo Xiuyao and then at Ye Li, a moment of enlightenment crossed Dongfang You’s mind. She turned her head to Xu Qingchen, frowned, and said, "If Prince Ding can’t accept my offer, perhaps there’s another way."

Mo Xiuyao remained indifferent as Dongfang You declared loudly, "Since Prince Ding is unwilling to disrupt the relationship between him and the Princess Consort by allowing me into Prince Ding’s Mansion, then I could join the Xu Family."

The three people present were stunned. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li simultaneously turned their eyes to Xu Qingchen. Currently, only Xu Qingchen and Xu Qingyan of the Xu Family were unmarried. Dongfang You certainly wouldn’t be thinking of wedding Xu Qingyan, whom she had hardly met, which left only Young Master Qingchen as a possibility. Mo Xiuyao’s gaze became playful, looking at Young Master Qingchen as if he were staring at a prime cut of meat. If Young Master Qingchen could secure the aid of Cangmang Mountain’s forces, it would certainly be a worthwhile exchange. Of course, this woman named Dongfang You would have to behave, settle down, care for her husband, serve her in-laws, and not entertain any other notions.

"Forget it," Xu Qingchen flatly rejected, likely sensing Mo Xiuyao’s unspoken thoughts.

It didn’t matter much to Mo Xiuyao. He didn’t attach great importance to Cangmang Mountain’s power. It would be good to have, but he was indifferent if they didn’t. Moreover, if he did gain Cangmang Mountain’s support, he’d have to find a way to fully integrate it to prevent another tiresome woman from emerging a century later claiming to choose a ruler by divine mandate. He shrugged. "Fine, then... Let’s leave this for Young Master Qingchen to handle. I won’t interfere. Ah-Li, let’s go. There’s work to be done in the study."

Ye Li hesitated, looking at Xu Qingchen, but Mo Xiuyao pulled her away, reassuring her as they left, "Don’t worry. If Young Master Qingchen can’t even handle this, he doesn’t deserve his reputation as the foremost young master in the world. Brother Qingchen, I’ll leave this to you."

Watching Mo Xiuyao drag Ye Li away without hesitation, disappearing through the doorway, Xu Qingchen felt an urge to hurl all the petitions in the study at Mo Xiuyao’s face. He toiled tirelessly for Prince Ding’s Mansion, and not only was Mo Xiuyao ungrateful, but he also never missed an opportunity to cause him trouble.

"Young Master Qingchen," Dongfang You said softly.

"Miss Dongfang." Xu Qingchen stopped her from speaking further and said indifferently, "There’s no need to say more. Prince Ding’s Mansion does not require Miss Dongfang’s assistance." More importantly, the Xu Family didn’t need a daughter-in-law like Dongfang You.

Dongfang You said, displeased, "Prince Ding didn’t say that. Isn’t your decision too selfish, Young Master Qingchen?"

With a wave of his sleeve, Xu Qingchen summoned a guard from outside. "Escort Miss Dongfang out. No one is to let her in again."

"I will not give up!" Dongfang You stated resolutely.

Xu Qingchen remained unmoved. "Take her away."

After Dongfang You was escorted away, Xu Qingchen walked to the study with a gloomy expression. Inside, Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li sat close together, the warm and intimate atmosphere making anyone else feel superfluous. Seeing Xu Qingchen enter, Ye Li stood up and asked with a faint smile, "Big brother, has Miss Dongfang left?"

Xu Qingchen nodded, his gaze shifting sharply toward Mo Xiuyao.

Mo Xiuyao, not in the least embarrassed, said with a bright smile, "What’s this, Young Master Qingchen? I didn’t suggest that. It’s Miss Dongfang who’s interested in you, isn’t it?"

Xu Qingchen laughed lightly. "Such a woman—even Prince Ding disregards her. Who could she possibly set her sights on?" Despite their brief exchange, Xu Qingchen already saw the reality clearly. He couldn’t fathom how Cangmang Mountain had raised a woman like Dongfang You, who seemed to have no room for love or affection in her heart. So, yes, she genuinely hadn’t intended to interfere in Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li’s relationship. Her proposal to marry Xu Qingchen wasn’t born of attraction to him but of convenience. She believed that marrying into Prince Ding’s Mansion as a Secondary Consort, or marrying Xu Qingchen as his wife, would allow her to employ her own methods to assist Prince Ding’s Mansion in its bid to rule the world. Ultimately, what she valued were her so-called ambitions and achievements. However, to men like Mo Xiuyao and Xu Qingchen, her grand ambitions seemed utterly vague, almost illusory. Apart from the backing of Cangmang Mountain’s power, she herself had nothing, let alone the capability to truly assist an emperor.

The caliber of a general, a minister, or the woman behind an emperor wasn’t solely defined by intelligence. The world abounded with clever women, and those proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting were numerous. But women like Ye Li, who could stand shoulder to shoulder with men, were unique. If one were to make a true comparison, in arts like zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, or even astrology and divination, Ye Li might indeed be inferior to Dongfang You. But what Dongfang You could do, other women in the world could also achieve. What Ye Li could do, however, few women could replicate; that was what made her unique. Moreover, even the previous Empresses from Cangmang Mountain had never positioned themselves as their emperor’s chief advisors. In short, Dongfang You thought far too highly of herself.

Mo Xiuyao chuckled. "Maybe Miss Dongfang just fancies an ’Immortal Young Master’ like you, Young Master Qingchen?"

"Prince," Xu Qingchen said indifferently, "I suddenly recall wanting to go on an extended journey for some time. The affairs of Prince Ding’s Mansion will have to be managed by you."

Mentioning this, Mo Xiuyao could only concede. After all, if he truly drove Young Master Qingchen away, the loss would be immense. He coughed drily twice and declared righteously, "Anyway, Dongfang You is your responsibility. Whether you kill her, ruin her, or marry her, I won’t ask. Brother Qingchen, rest assured, whatever you decide, Ah-Li and I will fully support you." After speaking, he didn’t forget to pat Xu Qingchen’s shoulder encouragingly.

Xu Qingchen disdainfully brushed Mo Xiuyao’s hand away. Had he ever encountered such a shameless person? Young Master Qingchen deeply felt that having such a brother-in-law was the greatest misfortune of his life. If he had known things would turn out this way, he would never have allowed his precious Li’er to marry this scoundrel.

Ye Li, feeling helpless, touched her forehead and attempted to diffuse the confrontation between the two by asking, "Big brother, Xiuyao, what exactly is this Cangmang Mountain?" Ye Li wasn’t entirely familiar with certain aspects of this world and hadn’t deliberately sought to understand things that weren’t particularly important, such as Cangmang Mountain. She didn’t have a clear impression of it.

Xu Qingchen sat down, his brows furrowed as he said, "Cangmang Mountain is so secretive largely because it has produced three Empresses, and all those who have descended the mountain for worldly experience have been outstanding individuals. But if we talk about their actual ability to dictate the fate of the world..." Young Master Qingchen’s lips curved into a sarcastic smirk. Both Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, understanding him well, easily grasped the mockery in his expression.

Xu Qingchen continued, "Three generations of Empresses were from three different kingdoms, spanning several hundred years. Therefore, it’s undeniable that Cangmang Mountain possesses considerable power; otherwise, it couldn’t have sustained its glory and mystery for so long. Now that a successor of Cangmang Mountain has emerged, it follows that other members of Cangmang Mountain won’t be far behind. Hence, Prince, you now have three strategies to choose from."

Mo Xiuyao nodded thoughtfully. "I’m all ears."

Xu Qingchen laughed. "The lesser strategy is for you, Prince, to ignore Dongfang You. When she finally gives up on you, she will inevitably choose someone else. At that point, Prince Ding’s Mansion will face another formidable enemy. The middle strategy is for you to acquiesce to Dongfang You’s wishes and take her as a Secondary Consort. Cangmang Mountain would then surely lend its full support to Prince Ding’s Mansion."

Mo Xiuyao replied, "I always choose the superior strategy."

Xu Qingchen chuckled. "The superior strategy is... to eradicate Cangmang Mountain. Thus, the legend of them choosing a ruler on behalf of Heaven will cease to exist."

"A good plan," Mo Xiuyao agreed, nodding.

Xu Qingchen nodded and laughed. "Indeed, it’s a good plan. This way, even if you unify the world in the future, Prince, you’ll eliminate any future concerns about being constrained by Cangmang Mountain. However, the current problem is... Cangmang Mountain might not be so easy to destroy." Although Prince Ding’s Mansion held Cangmang Mountain in disdain, it didn’t mean others felt the same. As long as there were people interested in Cangmang Mountain’s successor and the legend of choosing a ruler by divine mandate, others would naturally move against Prince Ding’s Mansion on Cangmang Mountain’s behalf, even without Cangmang Mountain lifting a finger. A single misstep could even provoke various powers across the land to simultaneously attack Prince Ding’s Mansion. Even if Prince Ding’s Mansion wasn’t afraid, fighting on multiple fronts would be an extremely dangerous situation.

Mo Xiuyao contemplated for a moment and said, "It may not be as difficult as you think. The only ones who can truly oppose us are Mo Jingli and Lei Zhenting. Lei Zhenting is restrained by the Emperor of Xiling, while Mo Jingli... well, Lei Zhenting still stands between us. Mo Jingli would need to deal with Lei Zhenting first if he wanted to oppose me. As for Beirong and the Northern Territory, they won’t get the chance."

Xu Qingchen knew of Mo Xiuyao’s arrangements for Beirong and the Northern Territory, which had a high probability of success. It indeed seemed feasible. He raised his eyebrows and asked Mo Xiuyao, "Has the Prince made a decision?"

Mo Xiuyao snorted lightly, his disdain evident, but offered no reply.

Actually, there was another path Xu Qingchen hadn’t mentioned. Mo Xiuyao could agree to cooperate with Cangmang Mountain and then deal with them once their objectives were achieved. Given Mo Xiuyao’s cunning, Xu Qingchen believed it wouldn’t be difficult for him to outmaneuver Cangmang Mountain.

Ye Li looked at the two serious-faced men and asked, "Is it possible that Dongfang You isn’t actually from Cangmang Mountain? Don’t you think she seemed a bit too... peculiar?"

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "Dynasties rise and fall; likewise, it’s impossible for a family to consist solely of elites forever. But Dongfang You is indeed from Cangmang Mountain."

Ye Li raised her eyebrows in confusion.

Xu Qingchen explained with a hint of disgust, "The Dongfang family of Cangmang Mountain possesses a secret art that naturally inclines people to feel goodwill towards them. Li’er, you saw what happened at the banquet last night, didn’t you?"

Ye Li wanted to argue. Was that really ’goodwill’? In her view, what Dongfang You aroused was a more primal, hidden desire in men.

"How do you know about this in such detail, big brother?" Ye Li asked, curious.

Xu Qingchen didn’t try to hide it, saying lightly, "Isn’t there a legend that one of our Xu Family ancestors was involved with a woman from Cangmang Mountain?"

"And the truth is?"

"Indeed, there was such a woman, but our Xu Family ancestor did not marry her. However, he nearly fell for her scheme back then. That’s why he mentioned it in the journals he left behind, warning future descendants to be wary of women from Cangmang Mountain."

This was the first time Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had heard this story. Beyond their surprise, their estimation of Cangmang Mountain diminished further.

After a moment of contemplation, Ye Li asked, "Since Cangmang Mountain has the so-called power to choose rulers as proxies for Heaven, why would Lei Zhenting send Dongfang You to Prince Ding’s Mansion? Could Lei Zhenting also be controlled by Cangmang Mountain?"

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "Controlled isn’t the right word. Perhaps Lei Zhenting knows that Lei Tengfeng’s abilities alone might not be a match for Cangmang Mountain. As for Prince Ding’s Mansion... Lei Zhenting might be betting that Prince Ding’s Mansion will not accept Dongfang You. In this way, Prince Ding’s Mansion and Cangmang Mountain will inevitably become enemies. By then, no matter whom Cangmang Mountain chooses to support, having Prince Ding’s Mansion as a powerful adversary would allow him to profit from the conflict."

Lei Zhenting was a renowned figure of his generation. Unfortunately, his greatest disappointment was his son, Lei Tengfeng. It wasn’t that Lei Tengfeng was incompetent; he was diligent and capable in both disposition and ability. However, he wasn’t outstanding enough. Having grown up in the shadow of his father’s brilliance, Lei Tengfeng evidently lacked the ambition to surpass his forebears, an aspirational drive common within Prince Ding’s Mansion. Therefore, as the heir of the Southern Garrison Prince’s Mansion, he was adequate, but as a monarch who would have to shoulder the responsibility for all of Xiling, Lei Tengfeng was not yet strong enough.

"So... Lei Tengfeng won’t cooperate with Cangmang Mountain either," Mo Xiuyao speculated. "Then... the most likely candidate for Cangmang Mountain is Mo Jingli." Mo Jingli, the Regent Prince of Great Chu, controlled Jiangnan, the most fertile region of Great Chu, and commanded an army of a million soldiers. Most importantly, while abundantly ruthless, he lacked decisiveness and boldness. This made him an ideal puppet candidate. If Mo Xiuyao were in Cangmang Mountain’s shoes, he too would choose Mo Jingli.

Xu Qingchen raised his eyebrows. "Do we need to make a move against Mo Jingli now?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "The time isn’t right. The priority is still dealing with Yelv Ye and Ren Qining. However... what needs to be obtained must be obtained. Send someone to tell Mo Jingli to promptly deliver the items I want. Otherwise, I’ll send what *he* wants over to Lei Zhenting." Mo Xiuyao only wanted a few treasures. If those items fell into Lei Zhenting’s hands, there was no telling what Lei Zhenting might demand in return. "Also, leak Dongfang You’s intentions to Mo Jingli. Let’s see how he reacts."

"If that’s the case, what about Ye Ying..." Ye Li began, concerned. Ye Ying was also an important piece on their chessboard. But if they needed Ye Ying to work for them while simultaneously trying to place someone else by Mo Jingli’s side, it was clearly an impossible task. Ye Ying wouldn’t be that compliant.

Xu Qingchen shook his head. "Li’er, you don’t need to worry about that. If Dongfang You genuinely assists Mo Jingli, Ye Ying will only become more dependent on Prince Ding’s Mansion." The Ye Family had no hope of resurgence. A significant reason Ye Ying could still securely hold her position as a princess consort was her status as Princess Consort Ding’s sister. Once a truly important woman appeared by Mo Jingli’s side, the support and assistance from Prince Ding’s Mansion would become even more crucial for Ye Ying.