Chapter 59

As the ripples subsided, Su Ci felt lazy, not wanting to move a finger.

Yang Yanzong used the stream water to clean them up, kissed her forehead, and said, “Rest for a while. We should head back.” He picked up the thin cloak from the grass, dusted it off, wrapped her in it, and carried her up the slope. With a whistle, the two horses, which had wandered off, came running back. He mounted the horse and took Su Ci with him.

After a night’s rest, Yang Yanzong was fully recovered, looking spirited and solemn, with his cloak fluttering, bringing the scent of dust and grasslands.

It was time to go back; the wind had risen.

When Yang Yanzong said, “We should head back,” he didn’t mean returning to the camp but rather that it was time to return to Yangdu.

The grand drama was about to begin; everything was ready, and the wind had risen.

On the northern border, the internal tumor had been removed, the epidemic was under control, and all internal worries were gone. Northern Rong’s morale had plummeted after repeated defeats. The remaining issues were manageable, and General Xu and General Chen Qun were fully capable of handling them. As a “military advisor,” it was time for him to step back.

After returning to the camp, Yang Yanzong placed Su Ci back in her room to continue sleeping. He then went directly to General Xu to resign, followed by Ji Yuanhao and others.

General Xu had aged significantly, with deep wrinkles like knife cuts at the corners of his eyes. Northern Rong hadn’t frightened him, and malaria couldn’t defeat him, but the news of Huang Zhengmao’s self-immolation and suspected treason, which he received early that morning, had finally struck him down.

General Xu didn’t ask anything, remaining silent for a while before sighing deeply. He guessed why Yang Yanzong was returning to the capital and shook his head, approving all their requests.

“Go back, all of you.” He hoped the turmoil in the dynasty wouldn’t be too great.

Generals could protect the country on the battlefield but could never control political upheaval.

---

The incident of Huang Zhengmao’s self-immolation was already fermenting and would soon explode. Well-informed individuals had already received the news.

Qiu Yuanming returned to the Sixth Prince’s headquarters that same day. After continuous riding and travel, he adjusted himself and pretended to be in good spirits, kneeling and saying, “I have not disgraced your orders, my lord.”

“Good!” The Sixth Prince was delighted, even helping Qiu Yuanming up and saying warmly, “Rest assured, I will fulfill my promise to you.”

Qiu Yuanming forced a bittersweet yet excited smile, “Thank you, my lord, for your grace!” He kowtowed three times, then stood up and left.

Behind him, the Sixth Prince, full of ambition, was helped back to his large desk by his personal guards, speaking quickly, revealing his mood.

The entire Sixth Prince’s headquarters was bustling with guards and servants as the Sixth Prince was also packing up to return to Yangdu, waiting for the show to begin.

People moved back and forth, everyone looking relaxed and natural, unaware of what was looming over the Sixth Prince’s residence.

Back at his temporary residence, Qiu Yuanming’s forced expression began to falter, his smile fading as he fell silent. Not far from him was Ji Ye’s large courtyard. Ji Ye still wasn’t free, but many people came and went from his courtyard, and no one dared to neglect him. The Sixth Prince’s health had deteriorated, and under these circumstances, even though Ji Ye was ruthless, his attitude towards him had gradually softened.

Ji Ye seemed to understand this, and with a weight lifted from his heart, the distance between the two courtyards was neither too far nor too close, but Qiu Yuanming could still hear the commotion from the other side.

Qiu Yuanming sneered, thinking that Ji Ye was like a grasshopper after autumn, only able to jump around for a short while longer. He felt a sense of satisfaction. When Qiu Yuanming was exposed, Ji Ye was still by the Sixth Prince’s side, and it was Ji Ye who suggested imprisoning his wife and children to coerce him.

The distant noise contrasted with the small courtyard’s deathly silence. After his moment of satisfaction, Qiu Yuanming’s smile faded, and he fell silent again.

After a long time, he opened a drawer and took out a clay figurine. In the darkness, he lay on the bed, slowly feeling it, and tears flowed uncontrollably.

Once upon a time, they had promised to be good brothers for life.

Why do people have to grow up?

There’s no going back.

---

A group of fast horses set out from Gaobian, galloping along the road through the rolling plains. By evening, they were halfway there when a thunderstorm rang, and dark clouds came from the east.

Su Ci reined in her horse and looked back at Yang Yanzong. He said, “The wind is picking up.”

A gust of wind howled, blowing sand and stones!

Yang Yanzong raised his hand, using his cloak to shield her from the dust and wind, and said softly, “It’s a pity I can’t spend the Qixi Festival with you.”

He was very regretful. Qixi was said to be a festival well-suited for young couples, and he had prepared for it for some time. Unfortunately, he probably wouldn’t be able to spend it with her.

Su Ci chuckled and glanced at him, “It’s okay. There will be more in the future.”

There are plenty of festivals, just hope you won’t find them too many later. Men in the future often complain about the endless festivals and anniversaries making them stressed. Thinking of Yang Yanzong in such a situation amused her.

Yang Yanzong didn’t know what she found funny, but he thought, “That’s true.” He smiled, too.

The rain started to pour down, and Su Ci exclaimed. Yang Yanzong said, “Let’s go. We need to find shelter from the rain!”

The group quickly galloped towards the nearest tea shed.

A clap of thunder, and the torrential summer rain came down suddenly and fiercely, darkening the sky as if covering the entire world, just like the impending political situation!

Yang Yanzong returned to Yangdu on the last day of June. He took Su Ci back to his Yangdu residence and immediately headed to the Sixth Prince’s residence. He didn’t rush, arriving neither too early nor too late, just as the Huang Zhengmao incident was causing a major stir among the three princely estates.

As soon as the news spread and the evidence was verified in court, some of the older supporters of the Sixth Prince felt dizzy and fainted on the spot, only seeing the emperor’s mouth moving without hearing a sound.

It was like pouring cold water into a boiling oil pot, causing an immediate uproar!

The news reached the Sixth Prince at lightning speed before the court session even ended. He was in disbelief, “Nonsense! Who, who dares to spread such rumors?!”

How could it be possible?! Impossible!!

When Yang Yanzong entered the Sixth Prince’s residence, no one stopped him. After all, the plan to eliminate him was very secretive, known only to him, a few close confidants, and his sons. The entire residence was in chaos, with guards looking terrified, maids running around in panic, and people constantly coming out from the back courtyard to ask about the truth, only to be sent back by the guards trying to maintain order.

Yang Yanzong didn’t need an announcement this time and went to the main courtyard where the Sixth Prince resided.

With a furrowed brow, Mr. Fang was pacing under the corridor. Seeing Yang Yanzong, he was overjoyed. “Shenxing, you’re back!”

“Sigh, sigh…” Mr. Fang didn’t know what to say. The old emperor had meticulously prepared for this, and the plan was flawless. This time, the Sixth Prince’s residence might not be able to withstand it.

Yang Yanzong patted Mr. Fang’s shoulder and said in a deep voice, “Not necessarily. We’ve weathered many storms, and the Sixth Prince’s residence may not collapse just yet.”

What he wanted was not the downfall of the Sixth Prince’s faction but to deal with the Sixth Prince and his son.

Yang Yanzong said, “I’ll go in and see the prince first.”

Upon hearing the bad news, the Sixth Prince felt a rush of heat to his head and fainted. The household doctor rushed in to save him, diagnosing a stroke. He was barely revived, but he absolutely couldn’t get agitated again!

But how could the Sixth Prince not get agitated at this moment? Especially when the person who angered him the most appeared.

At this point, neither the household doctor nor Mr. Fang knew. Mr. Fang nodded, “Go ahead. The Prince just woke up, but he can’t get agitated. Sigh…”

Yang Yanzong stepped into the room. It was somewhat dark, with a very pungent smell of burning mugwort, so strong it made one’s eyes water. The medicine hadn’t been brewed yet, and the Sixth Prince had just been revived with acupuncture. At this moment, he felt severe numbness on the left side of his body, his hand trembling uncontrollably. He was about to speak when he suddenly noticed a shadow blocking the light at the door. He struggled to look up and saw a familiar yet unfamiliar handsome face.

It was Yang Yanzong.

Yang Yanzong’s lips carried a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Due to the suddenness of the situation, the Sixth Prince didn’t have time to give any orders. Yang Yanzong had walked into the Sixth Prince’s residence openly, even stepping into his bedroom. The Sixth Prince lay on the bed while Yang Yanzong stood, almost looking down on him.

“Ah—”

The Sixth Prince was so provoked that he became furious on the spot. Suddenly, he felt another rush of heat to his head, his vision blurred with a golden haze, and he heard the household doctor’s distant yet close exclamation, “Your Highness, don’t be anxious. Speak slowly…”

Yang Yanzong took a big step forward and supported the Sixth Prince, saying, “Your Highness, Your Highness…”

The Sixth Prince had a close confidant by his side, but this person hesitated. He knew the Sixth Prince wanted to eliminate Yang Yanzong, but now that Yang Yanzong hadn’t been eliminated, he didn’t know what the Sixth Prince’s plan was—whether to continue pretending to be friendly with Yang Yanzong for future plans or something else…

However, this moment of hesitation gave Yang Yanzong an opportunity.

Yang Yanzong remembered Su Ci once telling him during a casual conversation that a stroke was actually a cerebrovascular disease, either a blockage or a sudden rupture of blood vessels in the brain. The head is the most critical part of the body, and this is a severe condition. In mild cases, it can cause long-term complications; in severe cases, it can be fatal.

Yang Yanzong’s eyelids twitched. Being well-versed in martial arts, he was very familiar with the body’s key acupoints. He stepped forward and supported the Sixth Prince, pressing on his Fengchi acupoint and quickly moving away. The Sixth Prince immediately felt half of his body go numb. At the same time, Yang Yanzong bowed and said to the Sixth Prince, “Your Highness, please rest assured. We will take good care of the Seventh Prince and the residence.”

From the Sixth Prince’s perspective, however, it seemed like Yang Yanzong’s lips were saying, “Your Highness, please rest in peace. We will take good care of the Seventh Prince and the residence.”

Yang Yanzong stared at the Sixth Prince without blinking. His expression was anxious, but his eyes were steady, as if watching a joke.

This provocation made the Sixth Prince so angry that he felt a rush of blood to his head. The doctor’s acupuncture was useless. He felt a surge of blood and energy throughout his body, trembling all over. The Sixth Prince moved his hand, his eyes wide with rage, “You, you…” You traitor, scoundrel, die!

Unfortunately, the Sixth Prince would never be able to say the rest of his words. His body shook violently, his eyes rolled back, and the doctor exclaimed, “Your Highness, Your Highness…” You must stay calm!

But the Sixth Prince’s body trembled violently, and this once-powerful Prince, who had dominated the court for over a decade, died of anger.

His eyes were wide open, his mouth crooked, drooling, and he died with his eyes open.

Yang Yanzong coldly laughed to himself.

“Your Highness, Your Highness—”

---

At this moment, the imperial guards arrived, their footsteps uniform and orderly. They broke down the gates of the Sixth Prince’s residence and rushed in.

The Sixth Prince’s residence was the closest, so it was the first to be targeted. The worst part was that with the Sixth Prince dead, there was no one to stand up and make the guards hesitate. Knowing the culprit was dead, the commander of the imperial guards, Huang Dewei, waved his hand and directly ordered the arrest of Ji Ye, the accomplice.

Huang Dewei had reservations about the Sixth Prince’s body, thinking that since the person was dead, there was no need to make a fuss. But he had no such reservations about the Sixth Prince’s illegitimate son, who hadn’t even been granted a title and had lost his father’s protection. With a single order, the imperial guards charged in like wolves and tigers.

Poor Ji Ye was still dreaming of avenging his disgrace, unaware that his father had already died. He was still shouting angrily when Huang Dewei sneered and struck him with the hilt of his sword, knocking out more than a dozen of Ji Ye’s teeth and filling his mouth with blood, rendering him unable to speak clearly.

Ji Ye was dragged away, and Huang Dewei ordered the expulsion of idle people and the sealing of the Sixth Prince’s residence, causing a chorus of cries and exclamations. At this moment, Yang Yanzong stepped forward and said calmly, “The Sixth Prince’s guilt has not been determined, and his body is not yet cold. As a member of the royal family, General Huang, your actions are inappropriate, aren’t they?”

Several important figures of the Sixth Prince’s faction, such as Minister of Revenue Hou Can, Minister of Justice Liao Zhizong, and General of the Southern Army Hao Chengwang, also stepped forward, agreeing with Yang Yanzong.

“General Yang is absolutely right!”

“Even if His Majesty acts, he cannot disregard the law like this. General Huang, are your actions authorized by His Majesty? If not, it would be wise to be more cautious!”

These were not minor figures, and after some consideration, Huang Dewei finally took a step back, ordering the guards only to watch and not surround the residence. Except for those involved in the case, no one was allowed to leave, but the Sixth Prince’s funeral arrangements were permitted.

Yang Yanzong glanced indifferently at the dragged-away Ji Ye and then looked away.

A young, inexperienced boy with shallow roots, yet he always wanted to make grand demands. Did he ever consider that if the Sixth Prince died, could he take over the residence? He was just lucky to have a good father. Now that his good father was gone, it was all over in an instant.

Yang Yanzong coldly laughed to himself. However, he didn’t spend much thought on Ji Ye, giving him only a fleeting glance. Before the old emperor’s next thunderous move, Yang Yanzong had one crucial thing to do.

---

The Sixth Prince died suddenly from a stroke caused by extreme anger, and the imperial guards took away the Seventh Prince on charges of treason. These two men were like the sky over the Sixth Prince’s residence. With their fall, it was as if the entire sky of the Sixth Prince’s residence had collapsed.

Mr. Fang, who had always been treated with respect by the Sixth Prince, and Yang Yanzong, who held high positions, were all somewhat removed from the core, unable to take over. The entire residence was in chaos, filled with panic and cries, so much so that they couldn’t even set up the Sixth Prince’s mourning hall immediately. In this moment of panic and unrest, one person walked against the flow of people, heading towards the back courtyard of the Sixth Prince’s residence.

This person was Yang Yanzong. His destination was the main courtyard where the Sixth Princess resided. By the time he arrived, the news from the front courtyard had already reached the back, causing an uproar and fear among the women.

The Sixth Princess stood straight at the hall door. Upon hearing the maid’s report, her face twisted with rage, and she screamed, “Get him out! Who allowed him into the back courtyard? How dare he! Get out, throw him out!”

Yang Yanzong walked in slowly, standing in the courtyard and meeting the Sixth Prince’s gaze. He bowed slightly, “Yang Shenxing greets the Sixth Princess.”

Ignoring her furious glare, he continued, “After a hasty discussion with the gentlemen and Mr. Fang, I have come on their behalf to see you, Your Highness, to discuss an important matter.”

The Sixth Princess was furious, grabbing a vase from the table and throwing it: “Get out, get out. Didn’t you hear me?!”

Yang Yanzong moved slightly, and the vase missed. His expression turned stern, and he said coldly, “Now that the Sixth Prince has passed away and the Seventh Prince has been captured, the Sixth Prince’s residence is in grave danger. As the mistress of the house, will you just stand by and watch it fall?”

Yang Yanzong, having fought on the battlefield for many years, had hands stained with blood. His sudden burst of killing intent and the smell of blood were overwhelming, not something ordinary household servants could withstand. The servants, terrified by his fierce gaze, stumbled and fled, leaving the courtyard empty.

The Sixth Princess, both angry and frightened, laughed loudly, “Ha, ha ha ha, you come here to show off your power. Do the others know?”

She sneered, thinking that whatever Yang Yanzong claimed to be doing for the Sixth Prince’s residence, she knew it was all a lie. He had always harbored ambitions, and she wasn’t fooled.

She coldly said, “Stop dreaming. No matter what you’re after, I won’t let you have it!”

The Sixth Princess laughed mockingly. She had been brought to this state, left with nothing but the consort title. Why should she help her enemy? If the residence fell, so be it. As a member of the royal family, she wouldn’t be humiliated. The worst that could happen was closing her eyes forever. What did she have to fear now?

Yang Yanzong smiled slightly. She was just a woman of the inner courtyard. If he came, he naturally had ways to control her. He wasn’t upset. He walked up the steps, towering over her. The Sixth Princess glared up at him, and he smiled, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “Don’t you still have a grandson?”

Ji Yan’s youngest legitimate son, the one who was severely injured, had been saved, hadn’t he? How could there be no hope?

“Moreover,” Yang Yanzong whispered like a devil in her ear, “there’s still the Marquis of Zhenbei’s residence. Have you forgotten?”

The Shi family of the Marquis of Zhenbei had been implicated in treason, leading to the execution of the Shi brothers and their father. The marquisate was stripped, and the family scattered. Now, only the old matriarch and a few great-grandchildren lived quietly in a small alley in Suiping City. Unfortunately, the eldest great-grandson, unwilling to accept his fate, had fallen into despair and recently been tricked into gambling debts. The entire Shi family was in chaos, and it was the Sixth Princess who had settled the matter.

The Princess had tried to erase her family’s traces, and outsiders believed the Shi family had quietly returned to their hometown. But Yang Yanzong had always had people watching, and she couldn’t hide it from him.

Without the Princess’s support, what would happen if the eldest great-grandson’s gambling addiction resurfaced?

The old matriarch was already white-haired. If she passed away, how would the young Shi family members survive?

The Princess might not care about herself or her grandson, but surely she cared about her old mother and the last bloodline of her family?

Don’t you think so?

The Princess was terrified, staring at Yang Yanzong like a chicken with its neck squeezed.

Yang Yanzong stepped back, swept his cloak, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice, “Please, Princess, take charge! Now is the time to quickly retrieve the golden decree and take the Seventeenth Prince to Yangdu to see the emperor!”

The Princess cried, collapsing to the ground. This was a tiger, a leopard, a wolf. The Sixth Prince had his faults, but with his death, she was like a lamb to the slaughter! She wept bitterly.

After a while, Yang Yanzong asked again, “Please, Princess, act quickly to avoid long delays and unforeseen events!”

After crying her heart out, the Princess had no choice but to go to the ancestral hall and retrieve the golden decree that had been worshipped for generations. She then removed her hairpin, went barefoot, and took a carriage to Yangdu.

Yang Yanzong selected the Seventeenth Prince, a nine-year-old illegitimate son of the Sixth Prince, to accompany them. His older brothers either couldn’t stand up or were spoiled by the Sixth Princess and concubine, making them unsuitable choices. This selection saved Yang Yanzong the trouble of finding an excuse.

The Sixth Princess, holding the golden decree, took the chosen heir to Yangdu. At the morning court session, she knelt barefoot outside the palace gates, pleading for forgiveness. She claimed ignorance of external affairs and did not dare to ask for pardon, only hoping for the emperor’s mercy to preserve the Sixth Prince’s lineage. After returning, the Princess fell ill but had to force herself to get up.

The old emperor had not yet commented on the golden decree, but Yang Yanzong was not too concerned. The golden decree and the imperial edict were genuine. The old emperor’s lineage was actually a minor branch adopted by the main branch, while Xuanzong’s line was the true imperial bloodline. Yang Yanzong had no doubt about the effectiveness of the golden decree. He joined forces with the Sixth Princess, quickly taking control over the remaining close confidants of the Sixth Prince and, together with Mr. Fang, swiftly brought order to the chaos in the Sixth Prince’s residence.

Notably, during this process, Yang Yanzong found Qiu Yuanming’s wife and two children, who were imprisoned in the dungeon.

Qiu Yuanming had already died, having committed suicide on the day of the incident in the small courtyard where he was being held. His body lay quietly on the bed, and the faded clay figurine had rolled into an inconspicuous corner, never to be picked up by its owner again. But his wife and children didn’t know this yet. Upon hearing footsteps, a young woman in her mid-twenties, wearing an apricot-colored dress, hurriedly hugged her two children and turned around in fear, only to find Yang Yanzong and his wife. She was overjoyed, “Shenxing, Shenxing!!”

Qiu Yuanming’s wife, Pei Yinniang, was a gentle and kind woman. Yang Yanzong knew her well, having known her for many years. She was their teacher’s daughter in the small town school where they grew up. Whenever he and Qiu Yuanming went out to play, Qiu Yuanming would always bring her along, much to Yang Yanzong’s annoyance. Their love story had a happy beginning but a tragic end.

Seeing Pei Yinniang again, Yang Yanzong felt a mix of emotions. He could never forget the time he rushed hundreds of miles from the battlefield to make it to his friend’s wedding. He remembered the radiant smiles on Qiu Yuanming and Pei Yinniang’s faces as they turned to look at him, their red wedding clothes fluttering. He also remembered the sparkle in Qiu Yuanming’s eyes and the gentle, joyful look in Pei Yinniang’s eyes behind her fan.

Pei Yinniang was both surprised and delighted to see him. Her fear melted away, and she and her two children ran to the gate, joyfully calling out to “Uncle Yang.”

Yang Yanzong was silent for a moment. His usual approach was ruthless and thorough, ensuring no loose ends. But as he looked at Pei Yinniang’s happy face, memories of Qiu Yuanming and Pei Yinniang’s wedding day flashed before his eyes. For once, he hesitated.

Su Ci sighed softly and nudged him, whispering, “Why not let them go?”

Before coming down, Yang Yanzong had already confirmed that Qiu Yuanming had been forced into his actions and that his wife knew nothing. She had been taken to the Sixth Prince’s residence without knowing who had captured them, thinking it was the Prince’s enemies.

Given this, why not let them return to their hometown? After all, Yang Yanzong would soon eliminate anyone who knew about this matter. A widow and her children in a small town posed no threat to him unless they had some extraordinary luck.

Su Ci looked at him, knowing he had likely considered this. Otherwise, he would have already given the order without hesitation. If all it took were a final push, she would give it.

Yang Yanzong turned to her, and she smiled, nodding.

“Let them go?” Alright, Yang Yanzong finally relented. After a moment of silence, he said, “Then let them go.”