Pang Xiao’s rod injuries hadn’t healed yet. When Xiong Jinshui was present, he naturally had to maintain appearances for face. Once Xiong Jinshui left, Pang Xiao cast off his outer robe, hissed softly, and carefully turned to lie face down, hugging the large pillow and breathing a sigh of relief.

“How can we not return? If we refused the decree now, it would further confirm His Majesty’s suspicions about this prince, making him even more certain that this prince hid the treasure. His Majesty is sensitive and suspicious – this prince knows his temperament too well.” Pang Xiao’s voice was lazy. “So the more this happens, the more we must act contrary to expectations. His Majesty has his reasons for suspecting this prince, but this prince has his own methods.”

Even if he had done it, he could find ways to extricate himself.

Now forced into “separation from wife and children,” missing his beloved daily, longing for his two children and family – didn’t he know who was the culprit behind this situation?

Tang Xiu frowned thoughtfully, then suddenly understood and nodded: “Your Highness speaks reasonably. In that case, this subordinate will prepare the luggage immediately and ready the carriage to return to the capital with His Majesty’s procession at any time.”

Pang Xiao nodded. “Also have the guards prepare. After departure, assign half the guards to protect His Majesty’s procession.”

Tang Xiu was startled. “Your Highness, do you fear assassination attempts?”

“Not quite that. But we must be prepared for anything on the journey back to the capital.”

The Great Zhou was already in turmoil. Li Qitian needed to stay alive to maintain control and at least keep the realm stable so the people could peacefully weather this crisis.

Thinking of reports from the south showing most granaries were in crisis with people already eating grass roots and tree bark to survive, then observing the luxurious lives of nobles in the capital and His Majesty’s single-minded focus on treasure, Pang Xiao’s previously pleasant mood grew heavy.

Though he had business ventures, he also had armies to support and only achieved balanced income and expenses by including Qiu Feishan’s independence.

Moreover, his beloved had used most of her silver for disaster relief.

Besides, feeding all the people shouldn’t be any individual’s responsibility – this was originally Li Qitian’s duty to consider.

Now that the treasure was just obtained, using it required avoiding the spotlight. Though his desire to use the treasure to save more people was well-intentioned, he wouldn’t endanger himself in the process – otherwise, wouldn’t his followers be implicated?

With so many subordinates who chose to follow him for their own reasons, none would accept dying for no cause.

Pang Xiao closed his eyes to rest, but his mind calculated how to proceed in the future.

Meanwhile, Xiong Jinshui had arrived at the Lu residence and similarly announced His Majesty’s oral decree. Lu Heng agreed quite readily.

After all, with His Majesty’s procession departing, considerable preparations were needed.

Li Qitian had impulsively brought troops to search for treasure. Even if someone intended harm, they couldn’t immediately learn his whereabouts, so the journey here had been relatively safe.

But having stayed in Huichuan County for many days, departing for the capital undetected would be far from easy.

This greatly increased the danger of Li Qitian’s return journey.

The guards protecting His Majesty inevitably felt tense.

Especially Ma Cheng – upon learning of the imminent return, he immediately began arrangements and hadn’t had a chance to rest for two consecutive days, worrying so much his hair fell out in clumps.

Having safely escorted His Majesty out, he must bring him back intact. If anything happened under his watch, probably his entire family wouldn’t be enough to atone for the crime.

After intensive preparations, early the next morning, troops and ceremonial procession lined up neatly on the main street before the yamen.

Five Army Camp cavalry sat properly on horseback, guarding both sides of the ceremonial procession and carriages, blocking curious citizens from approaching.

The people had also gathered curiously around the area, craning their necks to see what the current emperor actually looked like – whether he truly had the square face and broad ears, bronze bell eyes, nine-foot height, and bear-like build that storytellers described, looking inhuman at first glance.

Soon the yamen gates opened wide, and the citizens’ chatter suddenly ceased. Several guards carried out a door plank with a tall, long-legged man lying prone on it, looking quite weak.

The people all knew Prince Zhongshun had been beaten with rods. Everyone was grateful that Pang Xiao had once found ways to procure grain for the people and taught some about terraced farming. But since the one who ordered the prince’s beating was the current emperor, they only dared discuss it privately. Now everyone felt pity and emotion but no one dared speak openly.

Next emerged a handsome young man in brocade robes, accompanied by a beautiful young woman.

Someone who didn’t recognize them whispered to their neighbor: “Who is that? So handsome – is he His Majesty’s brother or nephew?”

The questioned person clicked their tongue disdainfully: “That’s Magistrate Lu, the current Loyalty Earl. What are you thinking – nephew indeed.”

Reportedly His Majesty currently had only one crown prince. Though he had brothers and nephews, His Majesty hadn’t been seen favoring any of them. The current emperor was extremely wary of imperial clan members managing court affairs and potentially usurping power.

Nearby listeners began whispering among themselves.

“Who would have thought Loyalty Earl was so handsome.”

“Of course – Loyalty Earl is the Lu family head. What kind of family is the Lu family? Naturally they marry the most beautiful and talented wives, so their children won’t be lacking.”

The citizens’ discussions rose and fell, but soon they saw a bright yellow figure slowly emerging from the yamen.

Seeing the eunuchs behind him and the raised yellow silk umbrella and ceremonial retinue of attendants, the citizens’ chatter abruptly stopped. Originally curious to see what His Majesty looked like, they now lacked even the courage to look directly at the imperial countenance and knelt down, shouting “Ten thousand years!”

For a time, the calls of “Ten thousand years!” were endless before the gates.

Seeing his retinue and the citizens all kneeling and kowtowing, even Pang Xiao lying on the door plank doing the same, Li Qitian felt extremely pleased.

This was the sense of achievement only possible after unifying the realm – such achievement that nothing else could provide.

Li Qitian mounted his carriage, then raised his hand and waved outside, signaling the people to rise.

The citizens couldn’t understand this gesture and continued kneeling.

Li Qitian didn’t mind. When Xiong Jinshui trotted over to report that both Loyalty Earl and Prince Zhongshun had boarded their carriages, Li Qitian responded: “Depart.” He then leisurely leaned back against the soft large pillow arranged in his carriage.

Xiong Jinshui called out loudly: “His Majesty decrees – depart!”

“Depart!” The accompanying Five Army Camp cavalry immediately responded in unison.

That uniform roar resounded through the clouds with overwhelming momentum, giving ordinary citizens who had never seen battlefield combat a taste of the Five Army Camp cavalry’s power. The people immediately shouted loudly: “Long live His Majesty!”

As the long procession set out toward Huichuan County’s eastern gate, the citizens finally stood up and gradually gathered. Someone clicked their tongue: “Damn it, didn’t even see what His Majesty looks like.” This expressed everyone’s sentiment – having missed the chance for a clear view, they each dispersed.