Imperial Concubine Qīngróng

from an established family would always be dignified and composed in public, while her miserable yet seductive demeanor clearly resembled that of a concubine. Indeed, she was not originally a concubin...146. Queen Consort Inclination Beauty

146. Queen Consort Inclination Beauty

Western Xiling Camp

The atmosphere in the main tent was heavy, with a gloomy wind blowing through. Prince Regent of the Southern Region's face had never been so grim since Western Xiling set out to war. Ever since Mo Xiuyao unexpectedly appeared and seized Xinyang, it seemed as if the entire Chu army suddenly came back to life; in just ten days or so, half of what was supposed to be a month's worth of achievements had disappeared. Not only did the northern army suffer from an unexpected ambush by Mo Xiuyao, but the southern army also encountered frequent setbacks. Only Prince Regent of the Southern Region, who personally commanded the central army, remained relatively stable. However, it was extremely difficult to reclaim Xinyang City from Mo Xiuyao again. Moreover, they had lost five thousand tons of grain and several million taels of silver to Ding Wangfei, which made the already poorly provisioned Western Xiling army face an even more dire situation as winter approached.

"My lord, please calm down!" The generals were somewhat trembling as they spoke.

Prince Regent of the Southern Region sneered and said, "Calm down, calm down! Can't you say anything else besides calming down"

Aware that his lord was in a rage, the generals dared not speak further. Instead, they looked to Lei Tengfeng sitting by the side for help. Lei Tengfeng smiled faintly and stood up to address Prince Regent of the Southern Region: "Father, we all know how difficult it is to deal with Mo Xiuyao. Please don't be hard on them; they've done their best." Prince Regent of the Southern Region lightly harrumphed and swept cold eyes over everyone before saying, "Get back to work. If you're still getting beaten up by the Mo army tomorrow, take off your armor yourselves and become foot soldiers!" The generals agreed in quick succession, gratefully looking at Lei Tengfeng as they slunk out of the main tent.

In the main tent, only Prince Regent of the Southern Region and his son remained. Lei Tengfeng then said with a smile: "Father, dealing with Mo Xiuyao can't be rushed. Although we've suffered some losses in recent days, we're not at a disadvantage considering the current situation." Prince Regent of the Southern Region sighed lightly and said solemnly, "I am well aware of this point. But... Tengfeng, don't underestimate Mo Xiuyao; from my perspective, he is even more dangerous than his father, Mo Liufang!" Lei Tengfeng raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting such high praise for someone they barely knew. After all, Mo Liufang was the father of Mo Xiuyao and Prince Regent's greatest—perhaps only—enemy throughout his life. Indeed... could it be that blue surpasses its source

"If these past years had been peaceful for Mo Xiuyao, I wouldn't have taken him as seriously. But you know what kind of days he has lived and the wounds he suffered back then. Look at how the Mo army performed in recent days; Mo Xiuyao showed no signs of unfamiliarity and even outdid his reputation for military prowess. This indicates that despite being bedridden with illness for nearly eight years in Dingwang Manor, Mo Xiuyao still had full control over the entire power structure of the Mo army, which remains loyal to him. Can you do this... Tengfeng" Prince Regent said calmly. Lei Tengfeng frowned slightly as he thought it through and lifted his head with a serious expression. With an apologetic smile tinged with reluctance, he still shook his head: "I am unable; I cannot match Mo Xiuyao's perfection under such circumstances." No one knew better than him the severity of Mo Xiuyao’s injuries years ago; in that situation, he doubted if anyone could manage to control the army as well as Mo Xiuyao did. He might have been broken by the pain and torment or driven mad by hatred.

Prince Regent nodded with a hint of satisfaction: "To see your own shortcomings is already good. Mo Liufang has raised an excellent son, and even better, he now has a fine daughter-in-law... Truly blessed."

Rui Tengfeng thought of the snow-white, carefree woman during the exchange of hostages and couldn't help but admit that Mo Xiuyao was indeed fortunate. To have such a wife would make countless heroes envy him.

"What are Your Majesty's plans" Rui Tengfeng asked.

Prince Regent Southern Region raised his brows and said, "Do you think Father has any plan" Rui Tengfeng smiled and said, "Although Your Majesty seemed very angry just now, he didn't get truly furious. This means that Your Majesty already has a solution in mind." If Your Majesty were really furious, even the Son of Heaven wouldn’t be able to help him out. Prince Regent Southern Region casually played with his jade finger guard and sneered coldly, "Back then, it was Mo Xiuyao’s luck that allowed King Dingwang Mansion to survive its downfall. This time… I’ll see if he can still be so lucky!"

Rui Tengfeng's heart stirred, and his expression changed slightly as he said, "Your Majesty intends…"

The Prince Regent laughed leisurely, "King Dingwang Mansion is not just in the way of this one."

"My lord is right; King Dingwang Mansion indeed obstructs many people. There are quite a few who want it to disappear," a soft and sultry voice came from outside the tent. Rui Tengfeng frowned upon hearing it, showing a look of disgust on his face. Prince Regent Southern Region saw this and shook his head with amusement.

The tent's curtain was lifted by someone from outside, and a slender figure walked in. Turning past the screen that depicted roaring tigers among the mountains, the woman who appeared inside the tent wore light pink court robes. Her eyebrows were naturally dark without any makeup applied, her lips naturally red, and her features flawless beyond reproach. As she turned her bright eyes, they seemed to sparkle with stars, captivating everyone around her. Even though Rui Tengfeng clearly despised her, he was momentarily lost in a daze when her gaze met his. Witnessing Rui Tengfeng's trance, the woman’s lips curved into a slight smile as she gracefully bowed and said, "Greetings to Your Highness, Crown Prince."

The Prince Regent looked at her indifferently and asked, "Why are you here Is there no need for your service in the imperial palace"

With a flick of her sultry eyes, she smiled and said, "Your Highness jokes. The Emperor is gravely ill now, so Empress Dowager’s presence is sufficient; I don’t need to serve him. Could it be… that Your Highness doesn't want to see me"

The Prince Regent laughed and replied, "Of course not! You came at the perfect time as I have something for you to do."

The woman laughed even more joyfully, and her laughter made the solemn imperial tent seem to brighten up a bit. "If His Royal Highness commands it, Lóng’er will do my best to fulfill his request." This woman is precisely Consort Qíróng Bai Lóng of Western Liang—the renowned Su Zuodie, once known as the most beautiful woman in Greater Chu.

It only took a moment for Le Tengfeng to lose himself. As soon as King Nanjun spoke, he had already snapped back to reality and silently listened to their conversation instead. The disgust and contempt in his gaze towards Su Zuodie did not fade away; it was as though she were some kind of filthy object. However, there seemed to be something deeper struggling within the depths of his eyes. King Nanjun had been observing his son’s expressions from the start and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly when he saw this. Tengfeng truly was the most outstanding among all his offspring and even the entire Western Liang royal family; unfortunately, compared to Mo Xiuyao, there was still a slight deficiency.

"What does Your Royal Highness wish of me" Su Zuodie smiled.

King Nanjun looked at her with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile and said, "Since Lóng’er rushed here in such haste, she must have known by now that Mo Xiuyao is already in Xinyang City." Su Zuodie was momentarily stunned; something flashed across her eyes but quickly vanished under the cover of her flirtatious smile. She cast a sidelong glance at King Nanjun and said, "I did know that Mo Xiuyao is in Xinyang when I heard it, but by then, I had already set out halfway through my journey here. Can’t I come just because I miss Your Royal Highness Does this mean Your Royal Highness doesn’t want to see Lóng’er" King Nanjun leisurely enjoyed the beautiful lady’s pouting expression and smiled faintly as he pulled her into his embrace and said loudly, "How could I not miss Lóng’er"

"Your Royal Highness..." The beauty leaned tenderly against King Nanjun and called out softly.

Le Tengfeng looked at the scene before him with an ugly expression. He finally couldn’t hold back any longer and said coldly, "Father, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

King Nanjun released Su Zuodie and shook his head as he looked at Le Tengfeng, saying, "You’re a good child in every way except that you tend to be overly meticulous about everything." The usual smile on Le Tengfeng’s face was gone; he glanced at Su Zuodie and said, "There is no need for me to be so meticulous over someone who has been with countless men. I merely find her disgusting."

"You! Le Tengfeng, you’re outrageous!" Su Zuodie was livid; she turned toward King Nanjun with tears welling up in her eyes and pouted stubbornly, "Your Royal Highness, have a look at how the Crown Prince talks to me. I... Lóng’er can’t bear living any longer!"

"Enough! Stop quarreling as soon as you meet." King Nanjun wiped away his smile and frowned.

Su Zuodie harrumphed, shot Le Tengfeng a glance, but inexplicably held back again. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll go first," said Le Tengfeng.

King Nanjun shook his head and said, "Alright, let’s get down to business. Lóng’er, what do you intend to do about Mo Xiuyao"

Su Zuidie frowned slightly, but quickly raised her head and smiled sweetly: "Your Highness, do you want Long'er to go back to find him" The Prince of Zhennan laughed and said, "Go back to find him Do you think he would accept you now Who doesn’t know that the King of Ding Kingdom is deeply in love with his queen consort" A trace of resentment flashed across Su Zuidie’s eyes. But as she raised her head again, her eyes were still full of charm and she said softly: "Your Highness, do you not believe me Long'er grew up with Prince Ding since childhood. Could I possibly be inferior to that talentless and unattractive Ye Li" What did Ye Li have besides a good family background No, she didn't even have a decent family background, just an influential grandfather. Unfortunately, Mr Qingyun hadn’t been involved in worldly affairs for many years. She was the officially recognized fiancée of Prince Ding, the most beautiful woman in the Great Chu Kingdom… Could she possibly be inferior to that talentless and unattractive woman

Le Tengfeng snorted disdainfully, clearly expressing his own opinion.

Su Zuidie glared angrily at him. The Prince of Zhennan laughed and said, "Of course I believe you. Long'er is the most incomparably beautiful woman in this era. How could Mo Xiuyao possibly not fall for her"

Su Zuidie smiled slightly with a hint of pride towards Le Tengfeng: “Then what should I do, Your Highness”

The Prince of Zhennan said nothing and just smiled.

“Father, will Mo Xiuyao fall for her trap" When Su Zuidie left the tent, Le Tengfeng asked with a frown.

"Do you think I would be infatuated with her" The Prince of Zhennan looked at him and asked. Le Tengfeng shook his head. He naturally understood that although his father had some entanglements with Su Zuidie, he didn’t have genuine feelings for her. The Prince of Zhennan laughed: "Since I won't fall for her trap, how could Mo Xiuyao"

“Then Father, is it too much of a game to let her seduce Mo Xiuyao” If that woman had the ability to seduce Mo Xiuyao, why would she appear in Western Ling

The Prince of Zhennan laughed and said: “Who said I want her to seduce Mo Xiuyao With someone as wonderful as Princess Consort Ding around, Bai Long is just a decorative vase.”

Le Tengfeng frowned slightly before he quickly raised his head and looked at the Prince of Zhennan with an expression that showed he understood: "Father has another plan." nodded; apart from two covert guards who were somewhat worse off with their kung fu, the rest could all cross. To the two covert guards, Ye Li said, “You can either go down together or separately. Be...