While warfare raged in the north, the capital Lin’an was in a state of heightened anxiety.

When Yue Qiong understood Yan Chi’s intentions, she immediately sent word to the capital. The message, delivered by fast horse, took ten days to reach the capital.

By then, Yan Chi had already led his army south, yet no one in the capital knew of this.

Upon receiving the letter, the Grand Princess claimed illness and stayed home, simultaneously confining Yue Jia and Yue Qing within the mansion. She announced to the outside world that she was gravely ill and her grandsons needed to attend to her. When this news reached Yan Fan, he simply sent imperial physicians to the Anyang Marquis’s mansion without much inquiry.

At this time, news leaked that the Emperor had ordered Ge Yang and other reinforcements to attack the Western Regions. Rumors spread throughout the capital, but being under imperial rule, no one dared openly criticize the Emperor’s unjust actions. They only spoke of how the Western Regions faced dire circumstances.

The “ill” Grand Princess, upon learning this, could only sigh deeply. When Yue Jia and Yue Qing asked about the situation, she only questioned them, “The Emperor’s actions, though not unexpected – Grandmother would like to hear your thoughts on this matter?”

Yue Jia, who had trained in the Western Regions, responded, “It’s quite unconscionable.”

The Grand Princess smiled, “How so? Yan Chi is now a rebel, and the Western Regions are his military base. As Emperor, he naturally needs to reclaim it.”

Yue Jia sighed, “With the nation in crisis, His Majesty’s actions reveal a petty mind. No wonder the reinforcements never moved – this was his intention all along. Though the Western Army may be rebels, they understand righteousness better than the Emperor. If His Majesty takes back the Western Regions this way, it would be contemptible.”

The Grand Princess looked to Yue Qing, who frowned and said, “His Majesty’s actions are indeed disheartening, but those in power think differently from us. Since they’re labeled rebels, why should we discuss righteousness with rebels?” Yue Qing sighed, “If it were anyone but Prince Rui, I wouldn’t think much of these actions.”

Yue Jia shook his head, “You haven’t served in the military, so you don’t understand its dangers. Besides the Western Army in the north, there are a hundred thousand troops in the northern expedition. The Emperor’s delay in sending reinforcements gambles with these hundred thousand soldiers’ lives, not to mention the hundreds of thousands of civilians in the north. Without Yan Chi, what do you think would happen to the north?”

Stumped by this argument, Yue Qing scratched his head and said, “Put that way, you have a point. Then the Emperor was wrong.”

The Grand Princess nodded at Yue Jia, “Jia hasn’t wasted his military experience. As for Qing, you’ve spent too little time in the army since childhood, never been to the battlefield, raised in comfort. You only see the weight of imperial power, not understanding the fragility of the state.”

Yue Jia frowned, “Grandmother, you’re claiming illness, is it because…”

The Grand Princess shook her head, “Major events are about to unfold. Your father risks his life in the north, I must protect this family in his stead.”

Yue Jia and Yue Qing exchanged doubtful glances, but the Grand Princess wouldn’t explain further, only saying, “For the next month, we need not open our gates.”

Seeing the Grand Princess’s attitude, both understood major events were imminent and dared not take it lightly.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Yan Li knelt outside Chongzheng Hall.

Inside, Yan Fan’s eyes were dark as Yuan Qing wiped thin sweat from his face and said, “Your Majesty, letting Prince Gong kneel like this isn’t a long-term solution.”

Yan Fan laughed coldly, “If he enjoys kneeling, let him kneel.”

Yuan Qing smiled bitterly, “The mornings are cold now, while midday still carries summer’s heat. I fear Prince Gong’s health won’t withstand it.”

Hearing this, Yan Fan suddenly slammed his imperial desk, “This is preposterous! Yan Chi is rebelling! Rebelling! He dares criticize my Western campaign… This… This is tantamount to treason…”

Yuan Qing could only continue persuading, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger…”

Yan Fan waved his hand, “Let him keep kneeling. If he won’t rise, throw him in the imperial prison and be done with it!”

Yuan Qing’s eyes shifted slightly as he suggested, “Perhaps… we could ask Crown Prince Yan Ze to persuade him? They’re of similar age, and Prince Gong has always listened to Prince Yi’s heir.”

Yan Fan glanced at Yuan Qing, narrowing his eyes for a moment, “Go tell him.”

Yuan Qing’s lips curved slightly as he hurried out toward Shoukang Palace.

These past days, while the court discussed the western campaign, only Yan Ze stayed uninvolved, spending his days filially attending to the Empress Dowager in Shoukang Palace.

When Yuan Qing arrived at Shoukang Palace, he found Yan Ze teaching Yan Sui to write.

After paying his respects, Yuan Qing said, “Your Highness, this servant comes with His Majesty’s verbal order. Prince Gong currently kneels outside Chongzheng Hall and won’t listen to persuasion, so His Majesty hopes you might convince Prince Gong—”

Yan Ze smiled at this, “Even if I go persuade him, he might not listen.”

Yuan Qing hurriedly said, “It would still be different coming from you, please try speaking with him.”

Yan Ze nodded, “Don’t worry, I’ll go. His Majesty has been lenient with him, he shouldn’t cause His Majesty more grief.”

Yuan Qing was slightly taken aback, feeling something indescribable in Yan Ze’s words, but seeing Yan Ze say nothing more, he couldn’t comment further. Yan Ze added, “Ninth Prince is about to finish his writing practice. You go report back first, I’ll go shortly.”

Hearing this and his task accomplished, Yuan Qing naturally took his leave.

After Yuan Qing had gone far, Yan Sui looked up, “What happened?”

Yan Ze sighed, “Do you remember what I discussed with Yan Li before?”

Yan Sui’s small head nodded, and Yan Ze continued worriedly, “Yan Chi and Qin Wan went north to fight the Rong barbarians, but at this time, His Majesty sent people to the Western Regions.” Seeing Yan Sui’s confusion, Yan Ze explained, “Right now, the Western Regions have few troops. When Yan Chi finishes fighting the barbarians, their home will be occupied. Then Yan Chi and his men will be homeless, the army will have no provisions, and morale will quickly collapse. Then—”

Yan Sui’s small face paled, his hand tightly gripping the brush, brows furrowed.

“Is Brother Yan Li… begging for mercy?”

Yan Ze shook his head directly, “Begging is useless. His Majesty is determined to take Yan Chi’s life.”

Yan Sui suddenly stood up, “Then who can save him?”

Yan Ze smiled bitterly, “No one can save him. In this world, when His Majesty wants someone dead, they must die. Everything is His Majesty’s decision.”

Yan Sui mumbled, “Everything is His Majesty’s decision?”

Yan Ze nodded, “There’s no way out. Even if I wanted to help, I was powerless. Could we possibly change emperors?”

Hearing these words, Yan Sui’s small body tensed tightly, filled with anger he couldn’t release. He had lost his mother consort at a young age, and finally gained the Empress Dowager’s protection and Qin Wan’s care, but now the Empress Dowager was gravely ill, the Emperor turned a blind eye, and Qin Wan and Yan Chi would die by the Emperor’s hand, just like his mother consort…

Yan Sui swayed slightly, looking helplessly at Yan Ze, “Can’t… can’t you save them? Aren’t you unafraid of him—”

Yan Ze’s brows furrowed slightly, “I’m not afraid of him?”

Yan Sui nodded, “I feel you’re not afraid of him.”

Yan Ze’s eyes grew complex, “What about you?”

At this, Yan Sui’s pupils trembled, and he lowered his head, very frustrated and dejected, “I… I’m afraid…”

Then he quickly raised his head again, “Can’t… can’t you send them a message? Tell them to go home…”

Yan Ze stared steadily at Yan Sui, then after a moment, held his tightly clenched fist, “Ninth Prince… do you want to save Yan Chi and Qin Wan? Would you do anything to save them?”

Yan Sui immediately nodded, his eyes full of determination.

Yan Ze’s lips pressed together slightly, and after a moment, he slowly said, “There is a way to save them.”

…

Yan Ze brought Yan Sui with him to Chongzheng Hall.

Seeing Yan Li kneeling at the bottom of the steps, Yan Ze led Yan Sui to Yan Li’s side.

Yan Ze sighed, “What are you doing? You know it’s useless.”

Yan Li knelt with sweat covering his head, looking at Yan Sui, “Why did you bring him here?”

Yan Ze sighed, sitting down on the steps beside Yan Li, “I brought him to help persuade you. His Majesty asked me to convince you, but I don’t know how, so I brought him along. Even if we can’t persuade you, at least let him see how naive you are.”

Yan Li’s expression changed slightly, “Third Brother, you…”

Yan Ze smiled, “Tell me, aren’t you naive? At this point, there’s no room for turning back. Do you know what treason means?!”

Yan Li frowned, his face paling further, but Yan Ze smiled calmly, though his words were cruel, “You should know best what rebellion means. Your maternal clan paid a huge price for it. Once labeled as treason, there’s no possibility of return. Your kneeling here changes nothing.”

The entire Fu clan had been executed then – that was the consequence of treason.

Sweat increased on Yan Li’s forehead, “Third Brother, what do you mean?”

Yan Ze looked at Yan Li without speaking, then after a moment shook his head, “Yan Li, sometimes I admire you.”

Yan Li didn’t understand, and Yan Ze patted the dust from his robe, “In life, everyone must grow up, especially those in the royal family. But you seem to have never grown up. That’s very difficult to achieve – I’ve tried, but I simply couldn’t do it.”

Yan Li’s pupils contracted, “Third Brother… what are you saying?”

Yan Ze held Yan Sui’s hand, speaking to Yan Li but looking at Yan Sui, “It’s difficult, isn’t it? After all, you’re not like him, truly only five years old. You have too much kindness in your heart. Too kind people are easily guilt-ridden and once guilty, they’ll stand alone without help. Better to have more ambition instead.”

Yan Li grew somewhat impatient, “What exactly does Third Brother mean?”

Hearing this, Yan Ze stood up, his face once again showing that impenetrable gentle expression, “I know I can’t persuade you. Since that’s the case, continue kneeling here, but the Western campaign won’t stop—”

Yan Li, annoyed by Yan Ze’s words, looked up and said, “Then why does Third Brother tell me all this? Hasn’t Third Brother joined the court? Aren’t you in His Majesty’s favor? As his subject, shouldn’t you stop His Majesty from such actions that lose the people’s hearts? Why can’t Third Brother persuade him?”

Hearing this, Yan Ze just smiled, waving his hand, not saying another word to Yan Li as he led Yan Sui up the steps to Chongzheng Hall’s entrance.

Yan Ze turned to look at Yan Sui, “Wait for me here, I’ll be back soon.”

Yan Sui nodded, and Yan Ze went inside. Yan Fan was reviewing memorials, but put down his brush when Yan Ze arrived, “Did you see Prince Gong?”

Hearing this, Yan Ze smiled bitterly, “Your Majesty, I cannot persuade him. I think rather than persuading, better to teach him a lesson. He’s still like a child, hasn’t seen the situation clearly, and harbors false hope. Your Majesty should let him understand what imperial power and law mean.”

These words truly pleased Yan Fan, who frowned and said, “Even if you didn’t say so, I had the same thought. He’s never experienced hardship since childhood, that’s why he’s been spoiled like this.”

Speaking these words, Yan Fan suddenly felt something amiss, as if remembering Yan Li’s circumstances after birth.

His eyes darkened slightly as he changed the subject, “Let him stay in the imperial prison for a few days to learn his lesson.”

Yan Ze smiled, “Your Majesty is wise.”

As Yan Ze was about to take his leave, Yan Fan glanced outside, “Who’s outside?”

Yan Ze hurriedly said, “It’s Ninth Prince. Earlier when Yuan Gong went to find me, I was teaching Ninth Prince to write. Thinking I might not be able to persuade Prince Gong, I brought Ninth Prince along, but it was all in vain…”

“What can he say at such a young age?”

Yan Fan shook his head, “Since he’s here, why hasn’t he come to pay respects?”

Yan Ze seemed somewhat hesitant, and when Yan Fan raised an eyebrow, Yan Ze said, “Ninth Prince is somewhat afraid of you, it seems your majesty is too imposing.”

Yan Fan raised his eyebrows higher, laughing, “Someone! Let Ninth Prince come in!”

Outside, a young eunuch led Yan Sui in. Yan Fan indeed saw Yan Sui shrinking his neck, appearing afraid of him. Having not visited Shoukang Palace for many days, Yan Fan naturally hadn’t seen Yan Sui for just as long. Looking at him now, he felt Yan Sui looked very much like Yan Li did as a child, which moved something in his heart, so he looked at Yan Sui a while longer. Yan Sui tremblingly paid his respects, and Yan Fan asked about the Empress Dowager’s condition. Yan Sui answered everything, though in an extremely small voice.

Recently, Yan Fan had learned that the northern barbarian situation had stabilized, and the western campaign army was heading toward the Western Regions, so his mood was relatively good. He said, “You’re not so young anymore, it’s time for your education. Your brothers can teach you, and you must study writing and literature well with your tutors. Come here every few days, and I will test your diligence.”

Yan Sui answered tremblingly again, and only then did Yan Fan dismiss them both.

Leaving Chongzheng Hall, Yan Ze held Yan Sui’s hand and said, “You see, it wasn’t difficult.”