Wen Xian and Zhao Huai exchanged glances, already understanding her meaning.

“Scholar Ji, back then Prince Rong released us at the Imperial Manor. By rights, we should help him now, but this involves matters of Da Lin’s court after all, so it’s not appropriate for us to interfere.”

It wasn’t that they shouldn’t interfere—they couldn’t interfere!

They wished nothing more than for Da Lin to fight amongst themselves, battling to the death, so they could ultimately reap the benefits.

But Ji Yunshu bowed deeply to them both. “I know your difficulties. This matter truly shouldn’t involve you. But if something unexpected happens, His Highness doesn’t have many people by his side. Outnumbered and alone, he may be unable to move an inch. I beg you both just this once—turn back. If there truly is an emergency, please protect His Highness.”

With the Young Master bowing, the two of them both stepped back, hastily saying, “Scholar Ji, your status is noble. How can you bow to us?”

“This isn’t a bow—it’s a plea.”

Zhao Huai was a man of fierce blood. Though he had lost one arm and had even had conflict with Jingrong back at Gaoshan Stronghold, ultimately Jingrong had spared him. One couldn’t say they had a grudge, nor could one say they had a debt of gratitude. Now with Ji Yunshu pleading, he couldn’t harden his heart and truly play the fisherman, could he?

After considering for a moment—

“We receive orders from you. Whatever you want us to do, we’ll do it. Alright, we’ll return now and will certainly protect Prince Rong.” Zhao Huai said.

Wen Xian beside him was startled, glancing at him sideways, but ultimately said nothing.

Ji Yunshu’s eyes, soft with worry, swept over them both as she lowered her head slightly. “Thank you.”

She expressed her gratitude!

Only then did she board the carriage with peace of mind, heading toward the capital’s city gate.

On the spot, Wen Xian asked Zhao Huai, “We shouldn’t interfere in this matter.”

“The Young Master’s orders—we must obey them.”

His attitude was resolute!

Wen Xian thought for a moment, then suddenly patted his shoulder, nodding his gaze toward the carriage Ji Yunshu had boarded, and said, “You follow the Young Master. I’ll turn back.”

Hmm?

“No, you alone…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted.

“You only have one hand left. Do you want to lose the other one too?”

Such deep sentiment.

Zhao Huai was moved, but then Wen Xian poured cold water over him again. “You took Lin Feng’s life, so your life should also end by my hand. I can’t let someone else kill you.”

Ha ha!

Immediately, Zhao Huai’s expression turned cold. “I may have lost one hand, but that doesn’t make me useless. I can still kill a few people.”

“Stop being stubborn. Listen to me. Our purpose is to protect the Young Master, so one of us must be by the Master’s side. You follow the Master into the capital. Leave Prince Rong’s side to me.”

“You…”

Before Zhao Huai could argue further, Wen Xian had already turned to head back.

That figure—so gallant!

…

Soon, the Capital Magistrate outside the capital received the message sent by Jingrong’s messenger. With the Prince returning to the city, there could be no delay, so he immediately entered the palace.

At this moment in the Council Hall, several court ministers and generals were discussing matters with Emperor Qizhen.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was heavy.

“Your Majesty, this is already the third urgent message from the frontier. The barbarians have caused trouble repeatedly. Although they haven’t crossed the border, their raiding and killing has caused many common people to suffer.” A court minister reported.

Emperor Qizhen was also burning with fury. “Twenty years ago, We signed an agreement with them—a thirty-year ceasefire period. There are still ten years remaining.”

How frustrating!

“But we can’t just let them be so brazen because of that.” High Commander Gao An, vanguard of the border army, stepped forward to volunteer. “With just one command from Your Majesty, we ministers will immediately lead troops to eliminate those barbarians one by one.”

“Absolutely not!” A court official objected. “If Your Majesty orders troops to march, it would violate the agreement. How would the world view this? The eyes of all nations are watching.”

“Then what do we do now? Let them continue causing chaos at the frontier?” Gao An was a fierce general, even more rash and impulsive than Ji Huan. “They provoked us first. They’re just a small barbarian tribe—fifty thousand troops could flatten them. Agreement or not, those who insult our Da Lin should be killed!”

“General Gao, this isn’t about killing or not killing. It’s about His Majesty’s authority and the fundamental principles between nations. Unless they actually send troops across the border by a hundred li, we can dispatch forces. But as long as they don’t cross that line, we can only hold our troops in place.”

The minister analyzed the situation.

Hearing this, unwillingness flashed in Gao An’s fierce eyes.

He was furious.

He wished he could lead his soldiers to charge to the frontier and kill those barbarians one by one to establish Da Lin’s national authority.

The several domestic affairs ministers turned their gazes to Emperor Qizhen, waiting for him to decide.

These past days, Emperor Qizhen seemed to have aged considerably, his entire face much more weathered. The numerous court matters had nearly crushed him, and now this situation had erupted.

He thought for a moment and said, “Minister Li is correct. Given the current situation, we cannot rashly dispatch troops. First there’s the signed agreement, then there are other nations watching like tigers. If we lose our national authority and provoke chaos, the consequences would be unbearable.”

“What is Your Majesty’s meaning then?”

After considering, Emperor Qizhen said to Gao An, “General Gao, take Our decree and command the frontier troops to send forces to suppress them. Absolutely do not let the barbarians take advantage and endanger the common people of the frontier region. If necessary, make an example of them!” His tone carried a hint of ruthlessness.

The implication was clear—though they couldn’t send troops, they could capture a barbarian leader and make an example of him on the spot.

Gao An restrained his impulsive emotions, bowing to receive the command. “Yes, this minister obeys Your Majesty’s decree.”

“If they cross the border by a hundred li, then you need not come to the capital to report to Us. You may immediately dispatch troops.”

“Yes!”

“You may all withdraw then.”

He waved his hand.

The ministers exchanged glances and filed out one after another.

In the vast Council Hall, only Emperor Qizhen remained alone.

He sighed and closed the urgent message from the frontier before him with a slap.

“Bang!”

The sound echoed through the hall, a muffled boom.

At this moment, a eunuch outside prostrated himself and entered to report, “Your Majesty, the Capital Magistrate requests an audience.”

The Capital Magistrate requesting an audience?

Could it be that another wall at the city gate had collapsed and he was entering the palace to request funds for repairs?

How annoying!

Emperor Qizhen furrowed his brow deeply. “Grant him entry.”

The eunuch bowed his head and prostrated himself as he left.

Soon, the Capital Magistrate entered holding up his robe, standing obediently in the center of the hall, lowering his body and cupping his hands in salutation. “This minister pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Qizhen picked up the tea at his side, holding the lid and gently brushing it a few times as he looked at the Capital Magistrate trembling in the center of the hall.

“What is it?”

“Prince Rong has returned to the city.”

“Clang!”

The tea lid slipped from his fingers, lightly striking the teacup.

Emperor Qizhen was slightly stunned before he realized what he’d heard.

He quickly set down his teacup and pressed, “What did you say? Prince Rong has returned to the capital? When did this happen?”

Emperor Qizhen was like someone who had seen a ray of light!

Finally, he had returned to the capital.

He had been waiting for so long!