After stuffing a large pouch of silver to send Wei Wuxie away, Prince Rui personally brought the imperial gifts to Li Jiǎo’s quarters.

“Your Highness.” Li Jiǎo performed the proper greeting to Prince Rui.

“No need for such formalities. Jiǎo, look—these are all rewards Father Emperor has bestowed upon you. This is all thanks to your contribution.” Prince Rui smiled like he was bathed in the spring breeze, appearing much younger. He took Li Jiǎo’s hand, and they stood together, the two of them looking quite like a perfect couple.

Extraordinary light flashed in Li Jiǎo’s beautiful eyes, but she forcibly restrained herself from looking at those rewards, keeping her eyes modestly lowered. “This concubine dares not claim credit. It is Your Highness’s profound fortune that has blessed this humble concubine.”

Prince Rui felt as if he were drinking sweet dew upon hearing this, unable to help but burst into hearty laughter, his gaze toward Li Jiǎo becoming increasingly tender.

This concubine of his was truly a wonderful person—rare to have both superior temperament and appearance, and her words were so pleasing to hear. She could truly be called a flower that understood language. It seemed that women from scholarly families were indeed more comfortable to be around.

Li Jiǎo lowered her head shyly, triumph flashing in her eyes.

It appeared her initial approach had been correct. As long as she secured an heir, even if His Highness initially harbored dissatisfaction about her methods, time would dilute that with the joy of having offspring. If she continued being gentle and considerate, she needn’t worry about His Highness not caring for her.

Someday, she would make His Highness unable to live without her as a person, not just because of the child.

Li Jiǎo suddenly felt full of anticipation for the future.

That His Majesty would specifically reward a mere concubine showed how much he valued His Highness’s heir, and what did this indicate? It showed His Majesty thought highly of His Highness. If she could bear a son in one attempt, perhaps—

When that time came, what would Third Sister Li amount to? When she returned to her natal home to visit, everyone in the Li residence would have to kowtow to her.

Due to Emperor Mingkang’s unexpected reward, the entire Prince Rui’s residence was filled with joy, while the atmosphere at Prince Mu’s residence was gloomy.

No one dared approach within ten feet of Prince Mu’s study, and Prince Mu had already smashed the precious ornaments in his study to smithereens.

“Outrageous, truly outrageous! Fifth Brother’s concubine is merely pregnant—we don’t even know if it’s male or female, or even whether it can be born safely—yet Father Emperor has already given rewards. What does Father Emperor mean by this? Does he think Fifth Brother finally has an heir and can now confidently pass the throne to him?”

“Your Highness, please watch your words,” his adviser hastily reminded him.

Prince Mu’s face was cold with anger. “Tell me, what is Father Emperor’s intention?”

The adviser’s mouth twitched.

What else could it mean? When a son who had been childless finally had good news, even a commoner father would be overjoyed.

“Yes, I know Fifth Brother’s childless state has been a major problem. Father Emperor would inevitably be delighted to hear good news from his residence. But can the imperial family be the same as common families? With Father Emperor acting this way, what will those noble ministers think? Those originally neutral old foxes will surely side with Fifth Brother now!”

“Your Highness, please remain calm. As you said, whether Prince Rui’s concubine can safely deliver the child is still uncertain. Even if the child is born safely, whether it’s male or female is also unclear. There’s no need to panic now.”

“I fear Father Emperor might act rashly in a moment of confusion—”

He was truly having a disaster fall from the sky while sitting peacefully at home. Originally, he could have securely taken that position, but who knew Fifth Brother’s concubine would become pregnant at such a crucial time?

The former Jinlin Guards commander, Jiang Tang, had already died from eating Father Emperor’s immortality pills. Perhaps Father Emperor wouldn’t even last until Fifth Brother’s child was born before going to drink with his sworn brother. When that time came, if those ministers brought out the ancient principle of “establish the eldest, not the most worthy,” and he lost the advantage of Prince Rui being childless, he would be too passive.

“No, Fifth Brother’s concubine’s child cannot be allowed to remain!” Prince Rui’s eyes turned cold as he whispered instructions to his adviser. “Think of every possible way to make Fifth Brother’s concubine lose the child.”

“This student will arrange it immediately.”

The capital remained calm for a time, but then, as Marquis Guanjun returned triumphantly to the capital, the entire city became lively again.

The day Shao Mingyuan led his personal guard army back, the capital could truly be described as having empty streets, with common people welcoming the marquis’s great victory crowding together like mountains and seas of humanity.

The city gates opened wide, and Shao Mingyuan in silver armor rode his fine horse slowly inside, his crimson cloak fluttering behind him in the wind, the red tassels on his silver helmet swaying with movement. Behind him followed a team of black-armored personal guards, each with long swords at their waists and silver spears in hand, their movements perfectly synchronized.

The watching commoners consciously cleared a path, looking at this approaching force with fervent expressions.

“Heavens, Marquis Guanjun is truly handsome!” A young girl covered her face and squealed.

“Of course, Marquis Guanjun is the capital’s most beautiful man.”

“That’s not right—isn’t Young Master Chi the capital’s most beautiful man?”

“Your information is outdated. What makes a truly beautiful man? Naturally, it’s a great hero like Marquis Guanjun who is extraordinarily martial and heroic! Look at how heroically Marquis Guanjun sits his horse. Could those powerless men like Young Master Chi compare?”

“Right, Marquis Guanjun is a true man. To marry such a person, even death would be worth it.”

Chi Can heard such words and darkened his face, touching his chin.

This was enough. If they wanted to praise Shao Tingyuan, fine, but why did they have to drag him into it? How was he powerless? He could take down three to five ordinary men just fine!

Young Master Chi grew angrier the more he thought about it. Too lazy to continue watching his friend, he pushed through the crowd and headed home.

Qiao Zhao had someone reserve a private room in a street-side teahouse early on, and was now standing by the window looking down.

Since Shao Mingyuan left, so many things have happened. He had even secretly entered the capital twice, and now he could finally return openly.

“Miss, look quickly! The general is here, the general is here!” Binglu was extremely excited, forcefully tugging at Qiao Zhao’s sleeve.

Qiao Zhao was rather helpless. “Binglu, you’re about to tear my sleeve off.”

Binglu awkwardly withdrew her hand. “This servant is just excited on Miss’s behalf. Miss, aren’t you even a little excited?”

“I am excited,” Qiao Zhao admitted frankly, staring intently at that most eye-catching figure in the crowd.

As Shao Mingyuan rode slowly past, the girls’ screams were deafening, with countless sachets and handkerchiefs thrown toward the young, handsome general in silver armor, bringing waves of fragrant wind.

Binglu coughed several times from the scent and became angry.

How outrageous! Their miss was right here, and these little hussies were showing off what kind of coquettish behavior?

The little maid put her hands on her hips, bent her knees slightly, gathered her energy in her core, and shouted: “General! Our miss is here!”

The entire teahouse instantly fell silent, and Qiao Zhao couldn’t help but raise her hand to her forehead.

Shao Mingyuan, who was passing below the teahouse, immediately reined in his horse and looked toward the teahouse.

“Miss, the young master is looking over! Quickly wave your handkerchief!”

Hmph, if she didn’t let these little hussies see whose house the general’s heart belonged to and make them give up completely, she wouldn’t be called Binglu.

Qiao Zhao naturally wouldn’t wave a handkerchief. Meeting the face that sometimes entered her dreams, she smiled beautifully.

When Shao Mingyuan stopped, the personal guard army behind him immediately stopped as well, and the common people following the procession and lining the roads were all bewildered.

What was wrong with Marquis Guanjun?