Pang Xiao shook his head, patting Ji Zeyu’s shoulder: “Good brother, I accept your sentiment. You have unlimited prospects ahead – there’s no need to delay yourself for me. Besides, can you really let go of the frontline battle? You know the northern frontier better than I do. After years of fighting the Tatars, we’ve finally seen light. Wouldn’t it be a pity to give up now? As commanders, we must consider not only ourselves but also the common people. If we abandon this now, what will happen to the border residents?”

Ji Zeyu was struck at his point of concern, his expression wavering somewhat, but it immediately became resolute: “Even so, I won’t allow you to go back and die!”

“My mind is made up, A-Lan. No need to obstruct me further.” Pang Xiao solemnly cupped his hands in farewell to Ji Zeyu, turned and lifted the tent flap to stride out of the tent.

Mu Jinghu stood before the tent: “Decided to go back?”

“Mm.” Pang Xiao smiled slightly.

But looking up, he saw that soldiers from the army had all gathered around.

The Pingnan Army, Huben Army, Longxiang Army, and troops recruited along the way had followed Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu for so long that they had long been completely convinced by them. Now they all looked at Pang Xiao with concerned gazes.

“My lord, you’re returning to the capital?”

“Yes. By imperial edict, even though this is a crucial moment, I have no choice but to return.” Pang Xiao’s voice was scattered somewhat by the fierce wind carrying snowflakes. His disheveled hair was blown up by the wind, revealing his sincere and handsome face.

“From now on, fighting the Tatars will depend greatly on all of you. Duke Dingguo commands troops like a god. I believe with Duke Dingguo in command and all of you standing firm, dealing with those Tatar children won’t be difficult!”

Hearing this, the soldiers didn’t show their usual enthusiasm. Everyone’s gaze was heavy and complex.

Xu Weizhi sighed: “My lord, returning to the capital this time means certain death. Won’t you reconsider?”

Pang Xiao smiled and gently shook his head.

Huzi wiped his face, then suddenly threw his sword violently to the ground: “My lord! I’ll go back with you – if we die, we die together! Damn that heartless Emperor! You’re fighting Tatars at the border while the Emperor kidnaps your wife and children – is this something a human would do! You’ve been loyal and devoted, yet constantly suspected and suppressed. When you led us Pingnan Army brothers and newly enlisted men back to the capital as prince, the old Emperor wouldn’t even let us enter the city gates! I knew even then that your loyalty wasn’t worth it! Now look – your wife and children have been kidnapped!”

Huzi turned around, stamping his feet and roaring angrily: “We’re spilling blood and sacrificing our lives at the front, but our homes are being raided – and by our own people! Brothers, tell me, is this something humans do!”

Everyone had long heard about how the Emperor treated Pang Xiao, and there had been many rumors these days about the Emperor urgently summoning Pang Xiao back to the capital.

The angry words Huzi cursed, they had all cursed privately long ago. These tough men fought desperately with sabers against the Tatars without fear of death – if their own wives and children were kidnapped because of suspicion toward themselves, what would their feelings be?

Moreover, they had always admired Pang Xiao’s character. He was always first to charge and last to retreat. Though noble as a prince, he ate and lived together with them, never acted special, and would even train with them in his spare time, practicing boxing and saber techniques. Comrades who had rolled in the same trench naturally had special feelings.

Now the person they respected was being treated so badly by the Emperor – how could these hot-blooded men swallow this anger!

“Too much! What kind of behavior is this!”

“Back when we were starving, His Majesty didn’t give us enough to eat – it was the Prince and Princess Consort who used their own money to feed us. Why didn’t His Majesty object then?”

“The Emperor’s actions are too disheartening!”

“Isn’t it just because he thinks the Prince holds military power and he’s worried?”

“But the Prince never thought of seizing his position. If the Prince really wanted to seize it, he would have become emperor years ago!”

“Shh, do you want to die!”

“I’m not afraid of anything! Push me too far and I’ll rebel against that son of a bitch!”

“Right, rebel against that son of a bitch!”

…

The soldiers’ morale was high as they roared angrily. As long as Pang Xiao nodded, they could immediately rebel.

Pang Xiao helplessly pressed his forehead and waved his hand: “Enough, everyone quiet down.”

The ocean-like roar gradually subsided. In the camp that stretched like a white ocean, many people were gradually gathering in this direction.

Seeing the situation was becoming difficult to control, Pang Xiao quickly shouted sternly: “Everyone should go do what they’re supposed to do, don’t all gather here! The Tatars could organize a counterattack at any time – what does it mean for everyone to gather here! Disperse! Return to your positions!”

Hearing this, the soldiers hesitated slightly in their steps. Some continued patrolling and standing guard, but others remained in place, watching the situation around Pang Xiao from afar.

The current camp housed over four hundred thousand troops, with tents stretching for dozens of miles, forming a white barrier between the Tatars and Great Zhou. Just the soldiers gathering around the central command tent created an imposing sight. If everyone became furious and caused a mutiny, it would become uncontrollable.

Pang Xiao bowed all around: “Everyone calm down, please listen to me. The Emperor urgently summoned me back to the capital – perhaps there’s some important matter to discuss. I’ve already delayed for many days and am now planning to comply with the edict. Everyone should stay here and peacefully follow Duke Dingguo’s arrangements. Breaking the Tatars and protecting our mountains and rivers – only then will we be worthy sons of Great Zhou.”

“My lord, don’t try to comfort us! His Majesty wants you back to kill you!”

“When the ruler wants a subject to die, the subject cannot refuse. I, Pang Xiao, am loyal to Great Zhou and cannot harbor any transgressive thoughts. Even if I die, I have no regrets.”

“My lord!”

“My mind is made up. Everyone disperse.” Pang Xiao bowed again.

The soldiers could do nothing at this point. After all, they were insignificant – if the Emperor was determined to make things difficult for the Prince, what could they do?

Everyone dispersed dejectedly, making way for Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao sighed and turned to look at Ji Zeyu, who was pressing his lips together.

“A-Lan, I’ll have to trouble you more from now on.”

Ji Zeyu’s fists clenched at his sides, veins bulging on his forehead, his whole body trembling.

Pang Xiao smiled at him, turned and walked away. In the wind and snow, his disheveled long hair and black robe hem flew together. Just from his back, there was a sense of a hero’s tragic end.

Wherever he passed, soldiers looked at him with complex expressions – some anxious, some trying to detain him, others wiping tears with their sleeves.

Huzi took a deep breath, picked up his sword and chased after him.

Xu Weizhi also cupped his hands in farewell to Ji Zeyu and resolutely followed.

Pang Xiao heard footsteps and looked back, smiling helplessly: “You should stay. Master Xu is greatly talented – perfect to assist Duke Dingguo.”

Xu Weizhi waved his hand casually: “This old man’s aged bones have followed My Lord for so many years – that’s already worth it. Whether it’s a dragon’s pool or tiger’s den in the capital, this old man will brave it with My Lord.”

“Right.” Huzi also said: “Following My Lord for so many years, even if I lose my head, you shouldn’t think of leaving me behind.”

As Huzi finished speaking, dozens of Elite Tiger Guards also formed ranks and emerged, walking forward in perfect formation and bowing in unison. Though they said little, their intention was clear.

Pang Xiao’s phoenix eyes reddened somewhat.

But he just smiled: “Why must you all do this.”

“We swear to follow My Lord to the death.” Huzi bowed together with the Elite Tiger Guards.

Pang Xiao was quite helpless. Knowing that returning meant certain death, he didn’t want to bring these people along to die, but they insisted on following. For a moment, Pang Xiao couldn’t think how to dissuade these people, much less how to find them a way to survive in the capital.

Just as Pang Xiao was in a dilemma, someone hurried from outside the camp: “Report to My Lord! Guard Tang has returned with his men!”

Pang Xiao was stunned and quickly said: “Quickly invite them in.”

With Tang Xiu’s return, Pang Xiao was no longer in a hurry to leave, turning instead to return to the tent.

Xu Weizhi vaguely felt there might be a turning point and discussed with Ji Zeyu about first organizing the soldiers to disperse. Ji Zeyu also held high prestige in the army – when he spoke, others naturally dared not disobey, and everyone quickly dispersed.

Soon, Tang Xiu arrived at the main tent with a group of Elite Tiger Guards.

“My lord!”

“Why have you returned? How is the Princess Consort?”

Tang Xiu lowered his eyes: “Reporting to My Lord, five days ago…”

As Pang Xiao listened to Tang Xiu’s report, his brow gradually furrowed deeply. When he heard how many injuries Qin Yining had when she escaped the capital, he was already furious. Hearing that they were pursued along the way and that Qin Yining’s shoulder was pierced by an arrow, his heart felt like it was being twisted, his eyes splitting with rage.

“My lord, this time we have much to thank Tianji Zi for. If she hadn’t dared to block in front of the Princess Consort at the crucial moment, the Princess Consort might have… Only now Tianji Zi has an arrow in her back and another in her leg. Miss Bingtang says Tianji Zi’s condition doesn’t look optimistic.”

Mu Jinghu beside him went pale listening: “You’re saying Master might…”

Tang Xiu nodded: “That arrow hit a vital spot and she lost much blood. We hurried to draw away the pursuers to find My Lord, so we don’t know the subsequent situation. In fact, at that time Miss Bingtang said both the Princess Consort and Tianji Zi’s conditions looked grim. Fortunately, the young master and little miss were extremely well protected – not a hair was harmed.”

Pang Xiao stared blankly ahead, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins, his body swaying as he staggered two steps before barely steadying himself.

Pang Xiao found it hard to imagine how desperate Qin Yining must have been when pursued in the forest. When she went to draw away the pursuers to protect the children, had she already resolved to die? If she had perished then, with him so far away, he could only learn of her fate days later. He could do nothing for her, couldn’t even weep in time.

In her desperation, had she resented or hated him? Did she regret marrying him? If she were gone, what use would it be if only the children survived? He could have many children, but there was only one Yining!

“Where have they gone now?” Pang Xiao’s voice was hoarse, as if it weren’t coming from him.

Tang Xiu said: “Manager Zhong said the Princess Consort also has properties in the north. They’re now trying their best to avoid pursuers, taking the Princess Consort and Tianji Zi to their properties to treat their injuries. I imagine if they settle safely, Master Xie will find a way to send word to My Lord.”

After Tang Xiu finished speaking, he lowered his head, catching sight of Ji Zeyu’s robe hem not far beside him from the corner of his eye. He dared not specify Qin Yining’s whereabouts because he no longer dared to completely trust others.