“Second Brother is dead.” At the city gate, the disguised Xiao Changyan stared intently at the announcement.

A prince committing treason – such a grave crime must be announced to the world. Ordering the death of one’s son had to be explained clearly, otherwise, how would the world judge His Majesty?

Though the crimes were listed clearly in the announcement, Xiao Changyan knew this was merely the outcome of Xiao Changmin’s failed gambit, just as he was now like a stray dog.

He had survived but knew he had thoroughly lost his chance to compete for that position. His shadow guards were mostly lost, and this great defeat at Minjiang, which buried so many elite imperial troops, was his responsibility as commander. His Majesty also needed to punish him to give the court an explanation.

“Your Highness, shall we enter the city?” Xiao Changfeng, who stood at his side, said.

Regarding the Second Highness’s matter, it wasn’t his place to comment…

Xiao Changyan turned to look at Xiao Changfeng, whose handsome, rugged face showed bruises and scrapes, his stubbled chin adding to his disheveled appearance. His fortunate escape this time was thanks to Xiao Changfeng’s protection. Both had suffered serious injuries and though they had expected assassination attempts along the way, their hiding and sneaking had brought them safely to the capital’s gates.

“Cousin, your wedding to the County Princess of Huaiyang approaches. You’ll soon be brothers-in-law with the Eastern Palace,” Xiao Changyan said, leaving it at that.

The Eastern Palace’s dominance had nearly crushed all the brothers. None could match its momentum – not just them, even His Majesty’s struggle with the Eastern Palace might not prevail, all because the entire Northwest stood behind the Eastern Palace.

“Your Highness, Changfeng is loyal to his sovereign,” Xiao Changfeng said.

He took no sides, only following the emperor’s orders. Today His Majesty was legitimate, so he was loyal to His Majesty. In the future, whoever seized power, if they used him, would show the same loyalty. If they refused to use him because of his current loyalty to His Majesty, that would be his fate.

Xiao Changyan looked at the submissive Xiao Changfeng, momentarily lost for words. To save him, Changfeng fought Shen Yun’an on the boat until it sank. Neither had held back despite their impending family connection, each serving their master with all their might.

Xiao Changfeng had proven worthy of His Majesty’s trust. This defeat was entirely his fault.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Changyan approached the gate guard and showed his jade token.

News of the Prince of Jing’s return to the palace spread quickly throughout the city like winged messengers. It was amid these two thunderclap-like events that Xiao Wenxi departed the capital quietly with minimal escort, accompanying the people who had come from Shunan to receive her.

With His Majesty’s assassination attempt and Second Prince’s treason before, the drowning of over ten thousand men at Minjiang, and the long-missing Prince of Jing’s return after – both matters of great imperial importance – no one except His Majesty paid attention to Xiao Wenxi’s departure.

But His Majesty himself was poisoned, and with the bloody lesson of Bu Shulin’s departure still fresh, the Divine Warrior Army severely wounded, and Xiao Juexong’s unexpected involvement – without which Xiao Changmin couldn’t have failed to stop Bu Shulin.

After much consideration, His Majesty only sent a few people to follow secretly, with orders to act if the opportunity arose, otherwise, let it be.

His Majesty no longer had the energy to focus on Xiao Wenxi. He urgently wanted to know how the Minjiang incident had become what it was.

In the Hall of Diligent Government, Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changfeng knelt straight before the imperial desk. Emperor Youning stood behind it, hands clasped behind his back, his gaze heavy as he looked at the two silent men with lowered heads.

Only four people were in the hall, with Liu Sanzhi attending at the side.

After an unknown time, the emperor finally spoke: “Tell me, I want to know what bewitched you to charge desperately toward the river, disregarding Yu Xiang’s intelligence?”

The Military Commissioner of Jiannan had already presented “Yu Xiang’s” letter to Emperor Youning.

Only now did Xiao Changyan learn of this letter. It had been sent by “Yu Xiang” two days before the incident, the day after receiving intelligence from Shen Yun’an, and arrived at the Military Commissioner’s hands on the very day of the incident.

The letter clearly showed that Yu Xiang firmly believed Xiao Changyan would trust his intelligence and act accordingly, intercepting Shen Yun’an and Bu Shulin to the east.

Yet unexpectedly, Xiao Changyan had led his army west in pursuit, causing an irreversible disaster.

Xiao Changyan closed his eyes briefly. Unlike Xiao Changmin who loved to struggle to the end, he saw at a glance this was an unsolvable situation. No explanation could change the fact that his decision had been wrong.

He kowtowed deeply, forehead touching the ground: “Your son was incompetent, presumptuous, misjudged, and created an irreversible grave error. I willingly accept punishment.”

Just yesterday, Xiao Changmin had stood here like a cornered beast, making endless cunning defenses, each word only condemning him further in the treason investigation.

Today Xiao Changyan knelt here, admitting guilt without excess words. This completely different response somewhat lessened Emperor Youning’s pent-up anger after his utter disappointment.

“I gave you five thousand men. Barely a hundred survived.” This was just the official count, not including the Divine Warrior Army.

Emperor Youning spoke with indescribable weariness: “The men are dead, and you couldn’t even reveal who the enemy was – their identity, their origin? You have nothing – you fought a self-destructive battle!”

Had none of Shen Yun’an’s people perished? Of course, some had, but they came prepared and suffered few casualties. Moreover, these people were mixed with the Divine Warrior Army and Xiao Changyan’s guards in the river. Unable to deeply investigate either group’s background, they naturally couldn’t order an investigation of the other group, so the matter had to be left unresolved.

Emperor Youning, who had spent his life in warfare and schemes to reach supreme power, had never felt such frustration, even during his struggles with the Northwest.

“Your son is ashamed and begs Your Majesty for severe punishment.” Xiao Changyan kowtowed heavily again.

“You have nothing else to tell me?” Emperor Youning asked.

Xiao Changyan paused: “Your son has nothing to say.”

What could he say? Explain everything from start to finish. Should he also tell His Majesty about having someone skilled in soul-capturing arts by his side? What would be the point?

It wouldn’t change his dereliction of duty, and pursuing Shen Yun’an couldn’t be openly discussed without evidence.

The punishment he deserved wouldn’t be lessened by saying these things – it would only reveal his remaining cards.

Emperor Youning propped one hand on the imperial desk, raised the other to pinch his nose bridge, and waved dismissively with diminished interest: “You may withdraw…”

“Your son takes his leave.” Xiao Changyan obediently bowed and withdrew.

His Majesty hadn’t decided his punishment – that would wait for tomorrow’s court assembly after the ministers discussed and advised.

Though Xiao Changyan’s error had caused heavy imperial losses and terrified the people around Minjiang, his crimes didn’t warrant death.

After various factions struggled all morning, the final result was that Xiao Changyan became an idle prince, not only losing his military authority in Annan but also thoroughly prevented from touching the center of power.