Moments later, the camp commanders gathered before the carriage, with the two princes surrounded in the middle. The Twelfth Prince’s face was pale, while the Fifteenth Prince’s face was ashen.
“…I don’t know, I was asleep and heard nothing. We went to bed early last night but fell asleep late. I can confirm that Fourteenth was still turning over until the beginning of the chou hour, but after that I’m not clear…”
“…I was drunk, I didn’t hear anything…”
“Did Your Highnesses notice anything unusual? Any detail at all.”
Both shook their heads.
“If Murong Yi wanted to kill, why did he spare Your Highnesses?”
“Hey, what do you mean? Are you saying we’re in league with Murong Yi? Speaking without evidence—have you been drinking too?”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard leader walked over, pointing at the carriage wall: “The killer didn’t enter the carriage. From outside the carriage, he used a dagger to pierce through the carriage wall and killed the Fourteenth Prince who was sleeping close to the wall.”
There was a penetrating hole in the carriage wall, blood all around it.
Another bizarre murder method.
But this could also explain why the other two princes were unharmed—the killer didn’t enter the carriage, and the Fourteenth Prince was unlucky.
The Tiger Guard leader questioned the guard soldiers again: “You took turns keeping watch last night. I repeatedly instructed you to guard well—what were you all doing!”
“General, we’re wronged! We really didn’t sleep!” the guards protested loudly. “We didn’t dare blink an eye!”
“Then could Murong Yi have turned invisible under your very noses!”
“Did you see anyone pass by the carriage last night?” the Embroidered Uniform Guard leader suddenly asked.
“No… ah…” the guard said timidly, “Does a prince relieving himself count? I saw the Twelfth Prince get off the carriage to relieve himself.”
The Twelfth Prince said calmly: “Nature calls—one can’t solve it in the carriage or hold it all night.”
This was indeed human nature and couldn’t be grounds for suspicion. The Tiger Guard leader had nothing to say.
Besides, the killer was undoubtedly Murong Yi. Suspecting the princes, who might very well become the next victims, was rather absurd.
The matter was thus set aside.
After endless questioning with no results, the guards swore they saw no unrelated persons pass by the carriage. The Fourteenth Prince’s death was strange, but with two who had died even more strangely before him, everyone seemed numb to such results. After some discussion, they could only wrap the corpse in white cloth and place it with the previous corpses of the Ninth and Seventh Princes, to be transported back to Ru Prefecture first.
The Tiger Guard leader, originally a forceful man, felt enormous psychological pressure facing the consecutive deaths of three princes while the Great King remained unconscious. In just a few days, his temples had turned white. Now he somewhat regretted having previously marginalized the Embroidered Uniform Guard leader—all responsibility now fell on his shoulders alone, and he didn’t know how to explain to the Great King when he awakened.
He sighed and forced himself to rally: “There can be no more incidents. Your Highnesses, please stay with us. You may each choose between myself and the Embroidered Uniform Guard leader.”
The Twelfth Prince glanced at both men and said: “Then I’ll trouble General Fang.”
But the Fifteenth Prince laughed carelessly: “I’m just a worthless life—I won’t drag you gentlemen down. I’ll stay in the carriage where drinking is convenient. Just assign more guards, though protection is probably useless anyway.”
His words made everyone’s faces turn pale, but they couldn’t argue with a drunkard. The Embroidered Uniform Guard leader, though not trusted, showed no anger and silently smiled, stepping aside.
The Tiger Guard leader tried to persuade the Fifteenth Prince a few more times, but seeing him unmoved, gave up. He thought that the Great King had never thought much of this drunkard anyway—if he wanted to court death, who could he blame.
He invited the Twelfth Prince to come forward. Not staying in carriages himself, he personally guarded beside the Great King’s royal carriage daily. He now arranged for a carriage to follow closely behind the Great King’s carriage, moved the Fifteenth Prince’s carriage to the rear, ordered the army to surround and protect it, then commanded the march to continue.
The Twelfth Prince quietly boarded his carriage, curtains hanging deep, not saying a word. The Fifteenth Prince popped open another wine jar’s clay seal, lifting the curtains to sing loudly—completely different styles.
The Tiger Guard leader sat on horseback, gazing at the two princes’ carriages. Five princes had departed, now only two remained.
Wind and snow howled, light and shadow dim, as if countless white ghosts wandered within, singing a funeral song no one could understand.
The Tiger Guard leader’s gaze swept over the three large carriages, and a trace of relief suddenly crossed his mind.
The Great King had been confident of victory in this battle, so he brought several of the currently most favored princes to the battlefield to let them experience the edge of iron and blood, with the meaning of on-site examination. Who knew that Murong Yi, this rebel, would appear—the Great King was severely injured, and the princes died one after another.
But if the princes hadn’t died consecutively, with Liaodong’s defeat and the Great King severely injured and unconscious, on this road back to Ru Prefecture, what thoughts would these princes in their prime and with relatively the most power have developed, what troubles would they have caused—only heaven would know.
Now, those with power kept falling, everyone barely able to protect themselves, while those without power remained in Ru Prefecture and dared not stir up trouble. Though the Great King was in his weakest period, he was thus able to remain secure.
Thinking this way, he almost wanted to thank Murong Yi.
Precisely because of this, when the Great King awakened, he might not be as furious about his sons’ consecutive deaths as he imagined, since Murong Yi had intentionally or unintentionally helped him eliminate the crisis…
But would Murong Yi be so kind-hearted?
What he most wanted to attack was still the Great King, wasn’t it?
He just hadn’t found the opportunity.
Almost the entire army was deployed around the royal carriage. All the Great King’s affairs passed through his hands personally—he allowed no one to approach the royal carriage by a single step.
All medicines were repeatedly inspected, even the water for brewing medicine was tested first.
It would be good once they returned to Ru Prefecture. Back in Ru Prefecture, with that person in the royal palace who could bring the dead back to life, the Great King would surely recover.
The Tiger Guard leader’s gaze swept over those two carriages, sighing inwardly.
Ruling a territory with tens of thousands under command—what was the point?
Look at this—no father-son relationship, no brotherhood.
In the rear carriage, the Twelfth Prince sat cross-legged, then after a moment took out a string of Jianan prayer beads, silently counting them in his palm.
In the carriage further back, the Fifteenth Prince drank wine while tilting his head back and popped a pill into his mouth.
…
Banners fluttered, armor gleamed, the long army filled the road. The front had already climbed the slope while the rear was still at the mountain’s base.
At the army’s center was a carriage with yellow tassels hanging down, the royal totem flowing with dark light under the spring sun. The curtains hung deep, the surrounding guards silent—no one wished to disturb the Crown Princess’s recovery.
Before going to battle, Tie Ci had already had some problems with her true qi. On the battlefield, she continuously used her innate abilities, suffering excessive depletion, plus sword wounds, explosive injuries, and long exhaustion—internal and external attacks combined. After forcing herself to travel, she fell seriously ill.
But all those who stayed by her side knew that while the above were all reasons, there was one most important reason that everyone was unwilling to speak of.
That was heartache.
External wounds heal easily, heartache is hard to cure.
Watching medicine flow like water into the carriage, the carriage constantly filled with medicinal fragrance, the Crown Princess occasionally appearing but looking more haggard each day, everyone couldn’t help but worry.
They wanted the Princess to rest well, but also wanted to hurry on the road to reach the capital’s famous doctors who could properly treat the Princess’s illness.
On this journey, the Crown Princess led the army and barely accepted any receptions from officials along the way, with the army mostly camping outside cities. But wherever they passed, common people continuously came, offering various local products, looking from afar at the Princess’s carriage, then returning home supporting the old and carrying the young.
At first everyone didn’t understand, but later learned it was due to the merit of the legendary six volumes. Those six books not only swept the capital but were also brought back to their native places by merchants from various regions visiting the capital, continuously spreading among Da Qian’s common people.
Compared to the Crown Princess’s reputation as a “worthless puppet” a year ago, the current Da Qian heir’s reputation was incomparable.
Moreover, Miss Li from the Assistant Magistrate’s family in Ziyang Yuan County also followed the trend and wrote a book called “Ziyang Assembly,” also known as “Those Misunderstandings of False Phoenix and Empty Phoenix.” It first became popular in Ziyang, then spread nationwide.
Li Yao, because the case behind him involved great matters, was still imprisoned in the capital’s Supreme Court prison. His family property had been confiscated, but Tie Ci had previously sent people to settle Miss Li, ensuring that while she no longer enjoyed wealth, she had no worries about food and clothing.
Miss Li was a person of backbone. Having no way to repay the kindness, seeing the six volumes’ popularity and their benefit to the Crown Princess, she carefully wrote out her encounter with the Princess.
Her version naturally had more details than what He Zi had arranged to be written, with a more delicate and romantic perspective. In the six volumes, people saw a Da Qian heir with grand vision, caring for the world, combining courage and wisdom. But through a young woman’s pen, they saw this woman’s compassion, mercy, consideration, and dashing style suitable for both men and women. The Crown Princess’s character thus became more full and real, and the people quickly closed the distance with the heir through such warm stories, developing infinite affection and heartfelt fondness.
Probably inspired by Miss Li’s success, Shen Mi, who remained at the academy handling miscellaneous affairs, also wrote a book called “Biography of Mercy,” subtly writing about his acquaintance with the Crown Princess, receiving her guidance and support, even having his mother enlightened by her. Once published, it caused a paper shortage on the eastern seaboard. Bookshops couldn’t print fast enough, and scholars there earned large sums just by copying stories for others.
The Crown Princess’s reputation, continuously enhanced by these story books, had reached its peak.
In contrast, the Xiao family became synonymous with vicious villains, their reputation hitting rock bottom.
Under such circumstances, Empress Dowager Xiao couldn’t sit still.
A horseman galloped wildly toward the convoy. Dan Shuang lifted the curtain, gazing at the obvious messenger, her heart jumping.
Xia Houchun had already gone to meet him, and moments later his large frame shot back like lightning.
“Your Highness, three days ago the Empress Dowager convened a great court assembly, claiming that Prince Zhao’s son Tie Lin had awakened his innate abilities—the very abilities unique to the founding emperor: object control and immunity. Therefore the Empress Dowager said Tie Lin was the reincarnation of the founding emperor, the hope of Da Qian’s future, demanding His Majesty adopt Tie Lin as son and rename him Crown Prince.”
Chi Xue was shocked: “What! Tie Lin actually has object control and immunity abilities? Didn’t he fail to awaken any innate abilities?”
Dan Shuang frowned coldly: “What’s to fear? Our Crown Princess has even more innate abilities than him!”
“You forget what Supervisor Rong said about the Princess’s abilities being best not used now. He said the innate abilities seem to have caused damage to the Princess’s true qi and meridians—don’t use them until he’s certain.” Xia Houchun said, “Besides, Tie Lin didn’t awaken ordinary abilities—he awakened the founding emperor’s two innate abilities. The founding emperor was invincible on battlefields, able to establish Da Qian’s eternal foundation, relying on these two abilities!”
Chi Xue and Dan Shuang both fell silent.
Every citizen of Da Qian was familiar with the founding emperor’s deeds because they were highly legendary. The founding emperor was not tall or strong, yet was invincible in battle, commanding countless soldiers’ worship and respect, relying on these two amazing abilities. After all, a man who could have his intestines spilling out on the battlefield, stuff them back in, and continue fighting with no aftereffects—how could people not view him as divine?
It could be said that the founding emperor’s rise from three small soldiers to commanding millions to conquer the realm owed much to object control and immunity. Waving hands to move mountains and fill seas, fearing no harm or poison—how magnificent! How perfectly matched the suffering people’s fantasies of a divine savior.
These two types of innate abilities had different significance. Tie Lin had actually inherited these two abilities.
It could be said that if this had been revealed a year earlier, Tie Ci would no longer be Crown Princess.
Even now the situation was not optimistic. Xia Houchun said the urgent report from the capital indicated many neutral ministers had changed their attitudes, while other ministers who had just sided with Tie Ci also became ambiguous.
To protect Tie Ci as much as possible and prevent others from targeting her, catching the Empress Dowager off guard, the six volumes hadn’t mentioned Tie Ci’s innate abilities. Though some rumors reached the capital, apart from common people believing them, court officials didn’t believe them, all thinking they were fabricated by the Grand Tutor to create momentum for Tie Ci.
For the past seventeen years, they’d never seen Tie Ci awaken abilities, and now just going out once she had them?
More than one?
Who were they trying to fool?
The people were half-believing, but more excited about the founding emperor’s extraordinary abilities reappearing. The founding emperor’s legend was too deeply rooted—it almost immediately overshadowed much of the six volumes’ influence.
The Xiao family and their vassals struck in time, also spreading many legends about how Tie Lin resembled the founding emperor—from his first urination as a toddler forming the shape of Da Qian’s map, to his first clay figure being the founding emperor though he said it was himself, to how he increasingly resembled the founding emperor… they just hadn’t hung a sign on his head reading “Qian Founding Emperor.”
“They say the great court assembly had a huge argument. His Majesty firmly refused, while the Xiao family united with many ministers to press step by step. Though temporarily shelved, the Empress Dowager said this matter would be decided at the great court assembly in half a month, when the assembly would move to the plaza before all the capital’s citizens, letting them see the reincarnated founding emperor and hear the people’s voice… Your Highness!”
The curtain opened, revealing Tie Ci in neat clothing. Recently she had grown so thin her eyes were sunken, but now her skin was fair and eyes clear, her condition excellent. Xia Houchun was startled, looking closer to discover the Princess had used rouge and powder, possibly some cosmetic arts too.
Tie Ci got off the carriage: “Bring my horse.”
“Your Highness!” Dan Shuang’s face was full of refusal.
With sword wounds unhealed and old ailments unresolved, how could she gallop on horseback?
Not to mention that to recuperate and pressure the capital, their journey was not even half complete. This dash would take at least ten days at the fastest.
This was risking her life!
Tie Ci had already leaped onto her horse, her figure cutting a smooth arc in the sunlight. The worried soldiers watching from afar all cheered in unison, their emotions much relaxed.
Academy students ran over, wanting to grab the Princess’s reins.
Slender, pale fingers grasped the reins first as the Crown Princess leaned down from horseback.
“Cherishing one’s life now might mean having no life in the future. Let’s go.”
She pointed her whip ahead: “Since we’re already on the road, the best way to truly rest is actually to go a bit faster, even faster.”
“Giddyap!”
…
Liaodong’s night always fell like a curtain yanked down from the sky.
An County’s city gates usually closed before dark, but today they remained wide open even after nightfall. The An County magistrate led a group of officials, braving wind and snow to wait at the city gate, until they saw the long convoy appear on the horizon and finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The Tiger Guard leader also breathed a sigh of relief.
Along the way they gathered defeated troops and regrouped. Border troops from various regions returned to their prefectures, while those belonging to Ru Prefecture’s royal army escorted them all the way. Three days ago they entered Liaodong’s interior, seeing cities and towns. To enter safe territory as quickly as possible, he hadn’t entered those small cities. Only upon reaching the relatively prosperous An County in southeastern Liaodong did he choose to send orders to An County’s magistrate, commanding him to clear the county office to receive the royal carriage.
Yesterday the Great King briefly awakened once. Though he didn’t have time to say much, it let the Tiger Guard leader see a glimmer of hope, making him even more careful in protecting the royal carriage.
These past days on the road had been quite peaceful too. Murong Yi seemed to have stopped, and everyone on edge relaxed slightly.
An County’s offices prepared a sumptuous evening banquet, but everyone declined. Only the Fifteenth Prince attended as representative, returning drunk after the feast. On his way back to the rear office, he encountered the Twelfth Prince strolling by a small bridge in the back garden.
After days of eating and sleeping in carriages, everyone was sore from the jostling and needed to stretch their muscles. Though they called it strolling, they had thirty to forty people following before and behind—quite ridiculous.
Seeing the Twelfth Prince, the Fifteenth Prince stopped and raised his wine pot to him: “Twelfth Brother, why didn’t you go drink up front? Hey, speaking of unbelievable things, this An County is a good place—they actually have good wine, very mellow and rich!”
The Twelfth Prince looked at him with disgust, but caught the wine’s fragrance, which was indeed exceptional. He vaguely remembered that some famous wine’s place of origin was An County, and suddenly felt somewhat tempted.
He also loved wine but never drank in front of his brothers. Though moved, he shook his head in refusal.
The Fifteenth Prince suddenly pointed drunkenly behind him: “Fourteenth Brother?”