Five days later!

A carriage and over ten fine horses galloped swiftly into the capital.

Dust flew everywhere!

Pedestrians at the capital’s city gate, seeing this, hurriedly moved aside, unclear about what exactly had happened and why those people were in such a rush.

Could it be that war was breaking out?

That shouldn’t be!

As soon as the carriage and horse convoy reached the capital’s city gate, they were blocked by several city guards who formed a horizontal line.

The carriage and horses were forced to stop.

The lead city guard looked them over, then stepped forward with stern brows and spoke solemnly.

“Routine inspection required!”

They truly had the gall of a bear heart and leopard’s courage, daring to intercept even Prince Rong’s carriage.

Lang Bo, mounted on horseback, swept his gaze over each of the blocking city guards, then produced his token and raised it above his head.

He shouted loudly.

“Stand aside.”

Full of presence and authority.

The city guards startled and looked toward that token.

It was actually Prince Rong’s Manor’s token!

So… the person in this carriage was Prince Rong?

Prince Rong had returned to the capital?

They were shocked to their core.

The lead city guard immediately stepped aside and waved his hand broadly.

“Let them through.”

All retreated to both sides and cleared a wide path for the carriage to pass!

After the carriage and horses paused briefly, they immediately drove into the capital.

During these five days, from Hou Liao to the capital, they had barely stopped for a moment.

All to hurry to the capital as quickly as possible and see Lord Qin off on his final journey!

After the carriage had traveled far, the city guards at the gate finally recovered from their daze.

But lingering shock remained.

City Guard A scratched his head, muttering: “This Prince Rong… why did he suddenly return to the capital?”

“You don’t even know?” City Guard B moved closer and said, “Lord Qin died, so naturally Prince Rong had to return when he learned of it.”

“So that’s how it is. It’s also quite pitiful—Lord Qin dedicated his entire life to serving the court with utmost devotion. Finally, with difficulty, he received the Emperor’s gracious permission to retire and return to his hometown, but on the road he encountered mountain bandits. Truly, human plans are no match for heaven’s calculations!”

“Isn’t that the truth? Alas!”

The two discussed in low voices, drawing City Guard C into the conversation. C had a different view.

He said: “I think Prince Rong’s return to the capital isn’t only because of Lord Qin’s matter.”

“Oh? What do you mean by that? Could there be something else?” City Guard C glanced around at his surroundings, drew in his neck, and with a shifty, furtive look, lowered his voice: “Don’t you know that His Majesty has dismissed many officials in recent months? I heard that those officials all privately took orders from Prince Rong. The moment Prince Rong’s front foot left the capital, His Majesty’s back foot started dismissing those ministers. Any clear-sighted person can see the machinations within.”

“Then tell us what you think.” “His Majesty must be worried that Prince Rong has second thoughts, which is why he dismissed all the court officials related to him one by one. First was Lord Zuo from the Ministry of Works, then Lord Liu from the Attendant Department, and even Lord Yu from the Court of Judicial Review—because of a case involving skeletal remains, he’s still locked up in prison right now. Heaven knows where those bones came from! I also heard that the reason Lord Qin retired to his hometown this time was to avoid being implicated. But he dodged the first but couldn’t dodge the fifteenth. Tell me, isn’t that tragic!”

He slapped the back of one hand against the palm of the other, several times in succession.

Smack, smack, smack!

To show his regret!

Guards A and B suddenly understood: “You mean to say Prince Rong rushed back to the capital because His Majesty dismissed his people?”

“Certainly!”

Definitive!

Mysteriously confident!

They say gossip is frightening, and indeed it is.

Inside the moving carriage, Ji Yunshu’s expression was dazed, her mind uneasy, her back tensed tightly. Her brain kept uncontrollably beginning to overthink wildly. In just a few days, she seemed to have lost much weight. Her entire person had lost spirit, her gaze vacant. Occasionally looking outside, she could space out for an entire day, as if unable to hear anyone calling her.

October weather—clearly autumn had already arrived. In such a comfortable and pleasant season, her heart grew increasingly restless and anxious, unable to find relief. It was as if countless ants were constantly gnawing at her chest—the pain in her bones couldn’t be scratched away no matter how she tried.

At this moment, her ten fingers twisted together, her palms sweating.

Jingrong understood her current mood better than anyone. His large hand grasped her ice-cold, trembling hand.

He said nothing.

Yet invisibly gave her a thread of comfort.

When it came down to it, she was truly afraid!

Afraid that Wei Yi had become what she least wanted to see.

If so, what should she do?

What should she do?

That contradictory yet helpless feeling seemed to be gradually breaking down all her rationality, bit by bit.

She was nearly going mad!

Jingrong gazed at her with heartache. Actually, when had his own heart ever been at peace?

The imperial throne—he had personally handed it over to Wei Yi.

That was equivalent to entrusting all his trust to him as well.

Now…

He truly hoped everything was just because they had overthought it!

Before long, the carriage arrived outside the Qin Manor.

The Qin Manor, from top to bottom, was hung full of white silk ribbons and white lanterns, swaying and drifting lightly in the wind, appearing lonely and desolate.

At the entrance stood several young servants dressed in white plain clothes, all with reddened eyes and trembling bodies—presumably from having cried for a long time. When Qin Shiyu was a military general in the past, he was very popular with people. It was said his legs were injured because he saved a junior officer, which made the soldiers respect him even more. After becoming a civil official, his straightforward military temperament offended quite a few people, yet also earned the admiration of many officials. Now that he had died, court officials came one by one to bow and pay their respects, each with an appearance of painful regret.

Wiping tears as they entered, wiping tears as they left!

Some even cried so hard they nearly lost their breath, being carried back home directly by others.

These past few days, the Qin Manor’s threshold had nearly been worn down.

Jingrong and Ji Yunshu descended from the carriage, both with sorrowful expressions.

Jingrong paused outside the entrance, raising his gaze to look at the plaque hanging high above the Qin Manor’s gate.

Unable to restrain himself, his eyes finally reddened. Inside his robe, his hands clenched into fists, his heart aching unbearably.

For him, Qin Shiyu could be called both teacher and friend!

The young servants at the entrance, though surprised upon seeing the two, immediately came forward.

“Prince Rong? Lord Ji?”

How had they returned to the capital?

Then thinking it over, their old master had been very close with Prince Rong during his lifetime, so his return was actually quite normal.

At least it showed Prince Rong was not a heartless and ungrateful person!

Jingrong glanced at that young servant and said in a low voice: “No need to make a commotion. This prince only wishes to see Lord Qin off on his final journey.”

“Yes!”

They proceeded all the way to the mourning hall in the rear courtyard.

Inside knelt a full crowd of people, mostly Qin Shiyu’s extended relatives.

Years ago, Qin Shiyu had married a woman who died of illness decades past. As someone who marched and fought in wars, he was naturally a man of feeling—valuing loyalty and righteousness. Thus he never remarried, leaving him with no sons or daughters, no children to see him off. Those wearing mourning hemp and hemp bands, besides the young servants and maids of the manor, were his extended relatives.

In the mourning hall, mournful sounds echoed without end!

Weeping uncontrollably.

Jingrong and Ji Yunshu crossed the threshold and entered, walking slowly.

Inside, the scent of candles and incense permeated, paper money scattered everywhere.

A fine coffin was placed in the central position of the mourning hall. The coffin lid was covered with a black cloth, held down with a piece of jade!

And in front of the coffin stood a spirit tablet.

—The Spirit Tablet of Lord Qin.

No personal name was carved.

Simple and clear.