“Princess Consort, Princess Consort! The Prince’s party has returned!” Bingtang quickly entered the room, speaking in crisp tones.
Qin Yining was doing needlework and paused slightly upon hearing this, turning to ask: “Have they already entered the capital?”
“Not yet. Our mansion’s people got this news when they went out to purchase supplies earlier. They said the Prince has brought people to camp not far from the city gate. It’s been a whole night, and there’s no sign they intend to enter the city.”
Bingtang’s tone was puzzled: “Could it be that the Prince still has other matters to attend to?”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining continued her needlework, her gentle smile revealing a hint of sweetness. She hadn’t told Pang Xiao in detail what she intended to do after entering the city, yet after Pang Xiao returned to the capital and camped outside the city, it showed that upon learning of the situation in the city, he had quickly made a judgment to coordinate with her actions.
Such perfect understanding—how could it not bring joy to one’s heart?
“It’s fine. If they’re willing to camp outside the city, then let them stay outside for now. We needn’t worry and should just go about our own business.”
Seeing that Qin Yining could remain so calm, Bingtang guessed that the master and mistress had other arrangements, so she stopped worrying.
At the same time, in the capital’s wine shops and tea houses, on streets and in alleys, the common people were all discussing this matter.
In their hearts, Pang Xiao’s image was at its most glorious and magnificent. The great hero had returned and would be walking grandly through the city gates—didn’t this mean they all had a chance to see the great hero’s true appearance up close?
The people were extremely excited and full of anticipation. An entire floor of diners in the restaurants was discussing this.
“Perhaps Prince Zhongshun returned too late yesterday and the city gates were already closed, so they camped outside for the night. Once everything is prepared today, they’ll return immediately.”
“That’s probably what happened. Should we go guard by the city gates? We can’t have the Prince’s party return to the mansion without us knowing—then we’d miss seeing the great hero!”
“Hey, what do you think? The great hero pacified the Nanyan rebellion—such a great achievement, the Emperor will surely reward him richly, right?”
“Definitely. Maybe the Emperor will even personally leave the palace to welcome the Prince!”
…
Tang Xiu mingled in the crowd, listening to everyone’s discussions, smiling as he sipped his wine and tossed a broad bean into his mouth, crunching it loudly. The Princess Consort was truly prophetic—just a few storytelling sessions had made the entire city’s people passionate with excitement. The current atmosphere of welcoming Pang Xiao was even more worshipful than the military families who had followed during the conquest of North Ji’s capital city.
Some people had already gone to scout the route. Those shops facing the street that could open their windows to clearly see the pedestrians on the street were also being frantically sought after by the people.
Many families refused to go home, waiting eagerly for Pang Xiao to enter the city.
On the city gate tower, Commander Gong looked at Pang Xiao’s camp not far below the city and couldn’t help frowning.
“Commander, what do you think Prince Zhongshun means by this? Why has he come but refuses to enter the city? Now quite a few common people have gathered on the city streets, all wanting to see the Prince return to the city. If the Prince doesn’t come in soon, the city might descend into chaos.”
“That’s right, Commander. What should we do? Should we report this up the chain? If this causes civil unrest, we won’t be able to explain ourselves!”
Commander Gong frowned, saying in a low voice: “With the city’s people already in such a state, the higher-ups should already know. Still, after reporting this, having the Five Cities Military Commission prepare early would be good.”
“Yes, with so many people gathered in one place, there will inevitably be some troublemakers taking advantage of the chaos. Early precautions by the Five Cities Military Commission can prevent some troubles.”
Everyone looked toward the camp not far outside the city, all thinking the same thing: Prince Zhongshun, please hurry up and enter the city!
At this moment, Pang Xiao was reading in his tent.
Huzi brought in steamed buns, smoked meat, and pickled vegetables, smiling as he said: “Your Highness, time to eat.”
Pang Xiao nodded: “Sit down, let’s eat together.”
“Yes!” Huzi responded. The two had fought in military campaigns together, facing life and death many times—eating from the same bowl was common.
“Your Highness, when do you plan to enter the city?” Huzi took a big bite of steamed bun, asking unclearly.
Pang Xiao said: “We’ll just wait here. When the time comes, someone will naturally be anxious for us to enter the city.”
Huzi scratched the back of his head, nodded, and asked no more questions.
It didn’t matter if he couldn’t understand—the Prince and Princess Consort clearly had perfect understanding. Those of them who followed just needed to obey orders and they would never go wrong.
The excitement in the city continued until nightfall. The people waited bitterly for an entire day without seeing anyone come. When curfew time arrived, although everyone wanted to wait a bit longer, due to the curfew restrictions, they had no choice but to return home.
“The Prince didn’t enter the city today—perhaps he was delayed by some matter. Let’s come early tomorrow to wait. The Prince will surely enter the city tomorrow.”
“You speak reasonably. Tomorrow we might even be able to grab a good position to see the great hero’s appearance up close.”
The city gate guards and Five Cities Military Commission personnel, seeing the people obediently disperse, all breathed long sighs of relief. If these people had gathered together to cause trouble, that would have been truly difficult to handle.
Both Commander Gong and the Five Cities Military Commission commander thought that perhaps the Prince would enter the city first thing in the morning.
But the next day, there was still no movement from Pang Xiao’s side.
Meanwhile, the number of people at the city gates and along the entire street increased even more. Even all the tea houses and restaurants along the street saw their business become increasingly prosperous.
By afternoon, the originally excited chatter of the people waiting to see the great hero had quieted down. The waiting became anxious and unbearable, and some began complaining: “Why hasn’t he entered the city yet?”
At this time, some in the crowd began speaking in low voices: “The Prince pacified the South this time and achieved great merit—why haven’t we seen anyone from the court come to welcome him?”
These words immediately reminded everyone.
“That’s right! Such a great hero should properly have a lively welcoming ceremony. Haven’t you noticed that in the past when victorious generals returned to court, the Emperor would command important ministers to welcome them?”
“Right, right! I still remember when General Huguo was alive, after several great victories, the emperor at that time even personally welcomed him.”
Upon mentioning General Huguo Pang Zhongzheng, everyone quickly thought of an issue they had obviously overlooked.
“Oh my, isn’t Prince Zhongshun the posthumous son of General Huguo? Truly a tiger cub from a tiger’s den!”
“Exactly! Dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes—look at the bloodline of General Huguo’s family!”
Speaking of this, some elderly people who had personally witnessed Pang Zhongzheng’s execution began feeling uncomfortable.
“Really, that tyrant emperor was absolutely damnable. General Pang was such a good person, yet he ended up with such a fate.”
“Yes…”
When General Huguo’s blood was spilled in the capital and the Pang family’s entire household flowed with blood, it was a shadow that would make many people feel lingering fear when they remembered it. It was precisely because the tyrant emperor was jealous of meritorious officials and cruelly killed Pang Zhongzheng that the long-suppressed popular anger erupted like a mountain cry and tsunami. The current emperor had initially raised his cause under the banner of Pang Zhongzheng’s orphan seeking revenge for General Huguo.
Thinking of past events, everyone felt heavy-hearted.
Looking at Prince Zhongshun, who had now achieved great merit and returned to the capital, yet was quietly staying in tents outside the city with just over a dozen people. In the capital, where a falling plaque could hit three high officials, there were so many officials in the court, yet not one person mentioned going to welcome him.
But when Prince Zhennan fled back from the South, the Emperor had arranged for high officials from the Ministry of Rites to welcome him!
The dignified Prince Zhongshun, the great hero who pacified the South, received treatment inferior to that of a despicable villain?
Some straightforward people thought this and said it aloud.
This observation resonated with many people, who couldn’t help whispering among themselves. They didn’t dare discuss current affairs loudly, but seeing Prince Zhongshun being treated so coldly and thinking of General Huguo who hadn’t met a good end, not one person felt comfortable.
Some blunt people even said directly: “Prince Zhongshun won’t end up as ill-fated as his father, will he?”
Some people gasped upon hearing this, whispering with those beside them.
Others were more cautious and, seeing the situation was not good, quietly slipped away.
But most of the common people remained in place.
Everyone’s emotions changed from initial excitement to current indignation. The content of their discussions also changed flavor.
The Five Cities Military Commission personnel maintaining order on the streets—how could they not hear these discussions? They shouted loudly, and the people shut their mouths in their presence, but as soon as they turned away, the buzzing discussion resumed. They couldn’t arrest all the city’s people, and faced with the tide-like discussions, they could only stare helplessly, completely at a loss.
When large groups of people gathered in the capital with discussions that were very unpleasant to hear, how could Li Qitian not know?
At this time, someone had already reported the events at the city gates to Li Qitian.
“Your Majesty, the people are now gathering on the streets, all waiting to see Prince Zhongshun enter the city. But Prince Zhongshun delays without moving. If they continue gathering, undesirable changes may occur. Please make an early decision, Your Majesty.”
Li Qitian sat grimly behind the black lacquered paulownia desk in the imperial study, his hands clenched into fists, barely restraining himself from cursing aloud.
“What is he trying to do? Hmm? Threatening me with troops at the city gates?”
Several court ministers bowed their heads upon hearing this, knowing the Emperor was speaking in confused anger. Pang Xiao had only a dozen or twenty people with him—how could this count as troops at the city gates?
Li Qitian looked at Lu Heng, who had remained silent among the group: “Loyalty Count, how do you view this matter?”
Lu Heng stepped forward and bowed: “Your Majesty, this minister believes we should now think of ways to calm public opinion—that would be the best strategy.”
Calm public opinion? Li Qitian was crystal clear about what public opinion meant—what the common people were discussing outside and what they were thinking.
He was the Son of Heaven—did he need to act according to others’ expressions?
Li Qitian said in a deep voice: “Xiong Jinshui.”
“This slave is here.” Grand Eunuch Xiong Jinshui stepped forward and bowed.
Li Qitian ordered: “Go convey my verbal decree. Tell Prince Zhongshun to quickly enter the palace for an audience with me. No delays!”
Xiong Jinshui bowed: “This slave obeys the decree.”
He then quickly withdrew to carry out the orders.
The ministers in the imperial study all bowed their heads, not daring to say another word.