When Governor-General Lei led his troops back and saw the bustling scene at the encampment, he couldn’t help but freeze in surprise.

Large pots set up in the open air were bubbling with steam. The campfires illuminated the faces of the surrounding soldiers, and songs even accompanied the fragrance of food drifting through the air.

What was going on?

After his initial shock came great joy.

Had Prince Kaiyang dealt with Luo Chi?

Governor-General Lei walked over excitedly and called out to His Highness.

“Governor-General Lei has returned. How did it go?”

Mentioning today’s battle, Governor-General Lei was thoroughly pleased: “Thanks to Your Highness’s reinforcement, this humble official was able to free his hands to properly deal with the Prince of Henan’s remnant troops.”

“Congratulations on Governor-General Lei’s great victory.”

“I wouldn’t call it a great victory—just routing scattered stragglers. The Prince of Henan still managed to escape.” Governor-General Lei said modestly, then turned to ask Wei Han, “How did Your Highness fare in battle today? The Zhaoyang Army are all elite troops—I imagine you didn’t let Luo Chi off easy.”

“We didn’t fight.”

“What?” Governor-General Lei was stunned.

Wei Han said calmly: “Today I went into the city and discussed matters with Uncle Luo. We’ve decided to return to the capital together.”

Governor-General Lei thought he’d heard wrong and forced a smile: “Your Highness, please don’t joke with this humble official like this.”

Why was it that he heard every word Prince Kaiyang said clearly, yet when put together he couldn’t understand?

What kind of absurdity was “Uncle Luo”?

Wei Han furrowed his brow, glanced at Governor-General Lei, and said flatly: “This prince does not joke around.”

They weren’t even familiar with each other.

Governor-General Lei’s smile vanished as he grew serious: “What exactly does Your Highness mean?”

That “Uncle Luo”—could it possibly refer to Luo Chi?

With this thought, Governor-General Lei’s hand moved to his sword hilt.

Wei Han seemed not to notice Governor-General Lei’s action, his expression remaining calm: “Governor-General Lei, let’s go inside the tent and sit down to talk.”

Governor-General Lei remained unmoved: “Sitting down to talk isn’t necessary. Your Highness, please speak plainly.”

By now he had figured it out—Prince Kaiyang had colluded with Luo Chi, plotting to usurp power and seize the throne!

As someone who commanded the three great camps of the Imperial Guards, Lei Ming’s loyalty to Emperor Yong’an was naturally beyond question.

“Governor-General Lei should know the reason why Governor-General Luo fled the capital, correct?” Wei Han asked.

Governor-General Lei’s brow furrowed tightly: “One who receives a lord’s salary must be loyal in the lord’s service. Whatever the reason, as Commander of the Jinlin Guard, his betrayal and flight from the capital was an act of treason!”

He had naturally heard the reason. Supposedly the Emperor had listened to the National Preceptor’s words and, for the sake of Princess Changle, needed to sacrifice women born on the seventh day of the seventh month in the year of Wuchen. By chance, Luo Chi’s most beloved daughter was born on that very day.

But in his view, when a lord commands a subject to die, the subject has no choice but to comply. How could one commit an act of betrayal over a single daughter?

“There’s something Governor-General Lei may not have had time to hear about yet.”

Governor-General Lei sneered coldly: “This humble official has also heard about Your Highness clearing out treacherous ministers from the Emperor’s side.”

Wei Han smiled slightly: “This prince isn’t referring to that.”

“Then what is it?”

“Later it developed to the point where all young women in the city faced mortal danger. Governor-General Lei’s daughter was no exception—”

“Impossible!” Governor-General Lei’s expression changed dramatically. He completely refused to believe what he’d heard.

Wei Han pointed to a nearby tent: “Governor-General Lei, let’s still sit down and talk slowly.”

Governor-General Lei’s expression kept changing. Finally, he nodded.

The two entered the tent.

“Your Highness, please speak.” Governor-General Lei said with a stiff face.

Wei Han looked at him, his tone indifferent: “Has Governor-General Lei not received letters from home for some time?”

Governor-General Lei’s heart jumped, though he struggled to maintain his composure.

“In fact, because the Jinlin Guard took Miss Lei away, fearing that Governor-General Lei leading troops abroad would hear the news, they’ve long since placed the Lei residence under control.”

Governor-General Lei found it incredible: “Does Your Highness think I would believe such absurd words?”

Wei Han chuckled lightly: “In terms of being valued by the Emperor, how does Governor-General Lei think he compares to Governor-General Luo?”

Governor-General Lei faltered.

The Jinlin Guard was responsible for palace security, while the three great camps’ duties mainly involved protecting the capital and resisting foreign enemies. Naturally, the Commander of the Jinlin Guard would be more trusted by the Emperor.

Wei Han asked again: “And how does Miss Lei compare to Miss Luo?”

Governor-General Lei fell silent.

If the Emperor could move against Luo Chi’s beloved daughter, naturally he could move against his own daughter as well.

An image of his daughter floated through Governor-General Lei’s mind.

He had three sons and only one daughter. Though he hadn’t spoiled her to the extent of Miss Luo, he had still treated her as the pearl in his palm since childhood.

Thinking that his daughter might be in danger, Governor-General Lei suddenly felt his heart being cut like knives.

At this moment, he suddenly understood Governor-General Luo’s feelings somewhat, and secretly mocked himself: So it turns out one can only truly empathize when something happens to oneself.

Of course, even so, he would never commit an act of treason like Luo Chi had.

Governor-General Lei suppressed his chaotic thoughts and said coldly: “If Your Highness thinks you can persuade Lei with this, then there’s no need to continue talking.”

“The Emperor has fallen ill.”

Governor-General Lei started: “His Majesty—”

“Perhaps there’s need for an heir apparent who can take charge of the overall situation.”

Governor-General Lei couldn’t sit still: “Does Your Highness want to replace him?”

“This prince has absolutely no interest in that position.” Wei Han said coldly.

“Then what exactly does Your Highness mean?” Governor-General Lei stared hard at Wei Han as he asked.

“Governor-General Luo’s only son is not his biological child, but rather the true orphan of the Prince of Zhennan, and possesses the late emperor’s secret edict…”

After hearing everything, Governor-General Lei’s expression was quite remarkable: “The late emperor’s secret edict… Your Highness has seen it?”

Wei Han nodded and said: “Under these circumstances, this prince feels it’s perfectly reasonable to return the throne to the Qi clan, and it’s also the choice most likely to win support. What does Governor-General Lei think?”

Governor-General Lei sank into complete silence.

If something happened to the Emperor, compared to the rebellious vassal princes and the orphan of the Prince of Zhennan holding the late emperor’s secret edict, clearly the latter was more legitimate and proper.

The tent fell into prolonged silence, making the liveliness outside even more apparent.

Wei Han waited quietly.

Finally, Governor-General Lei asked in a hoarse voice: “How can I trust that what Your Highness says is true?”

Wei Han smiled slightly: “I’m telling Governor-General Lei these things because I cannot bear to see fellow soldiers cross weapons. If Governor-General Lei truly wants a battle, this prince will naturally oblige.”

Governor-General Lei’s expression shifted slightly.

Wei Han pointed outside the tent: “Governor-General Lei, listen to that laughter. Who knows what the scene will be after we fight?”

Governor-General Lei walked to the tent entrance and looked outside.

It was mealtime. The soldiers sitting in circles eating heartily were talking and laughing, some in high spirits singing folk songs from their hometowns.

Governor-General Lei’s expression kept changing as he struggled internally.

After who knows how long, he gritted his teeth and made his decision: “If what Your Highness says is true, Lei is willing to escort the orphan of the Prince of Zhennan to the capital!”

What’s real can’t be fake, what’s fake can’t be real. If Prince Kaiyang had deceived him, it wouldn’t be too late to fight to the death then.

Wei Han’s lips curved in a smile: “Then I must trouble Governor-General Lei.”

After the two reached an agreement, they quickly made contact with Governor-General Luo.

Following secret discussions among all three parties, the next day they gathered their forces and wiped out the Prince of Henan’s remnant troops in one sweep. Taking the Prince of Henan’s head, the great army marched magnificently toward the capital.