Volume One, Chapter 11: Returning to the Palace

Shian was overwhelmed, his head spinning. The Grand General had just been simmering with anger at Shen Yurou. Now, Xie Zhian was rushing forward, only adding fuel to the fire. The problem had now landed squarely on his shoulders. Should he take on this burden or cast it far away?

He tested cautiously, "The date for this mission’s return is uncertain. Deputy General Xie, are you sure you want to go?"

Xie Zhian had no idea about the twists behind this. He took it as Shian testing his resolve. Again, he cupped his hands and shouted with a thunderous voice, “A man’s ambition lies beyond the horizon. Vice General Shian, please grant me the chance to achieve merit and glory.”

Shian dared not make the decision himself and glanced subtly toward He Lieting not far away. In that brief instant, the scheme to win the beauty’s heart had already circled through He Lieting’s mind several times. Xie Zhian was not worthy of her. This time, he would not only take her but also her heart, letting those tender hands rest obediently in his own palm.

He Lieting gave a slight nod. Overjoyed, Xie Zhian kowtowed repeatedly. Thus, Shen Yurou and Xie Zhian were once again separated by distance.

Before departing, Xie Zhian held Shen Yurou’s hand tightly and vowed, “Rou Niang, I will surely make a name for myself and spare you further hardship. Wait for me.”

Leaning on his shoulder, Shen Yurou quietly wiped away reluctant tears, her heart soft with affection.

He Lieting and his party spurred their horses, arriving at Yejing City within three days. This time, the troops did not camp in the eastern suburbs but pressed directly toward the imperial palace.

The guards at the gate tried to block their way. Without dismounting, He Lieting pulled out his badge and waved it at them. Seeing the badge, the guards shouted excitedly, “Open the gates! The Crown Prince has returned! The Crown Prince is back!”

In just over a month’s absence, the emperor had fallen gravely ill and was unable to rise from his bed. Upon seeing He Lieting, he first scolded him, “Why did you bring your sword into the hall? The rules I taught you just a month ago, have you forgotten them all?”

He Lieting silently removed his sword. The emperor coughed twice before continuing, “Ting’er, my days are numbered. Stop resisting and apologize to Noble Consort Li; then everything will pass.”

Veins bulging in his neck, He Lieting felt the immense frustration. Summoned hastily by imperial decree, only to be met with old grievances.

“I have said, the loss of Noble Consort Li’s child had nothing to do with me. I will not apologize.”

The emperor slapped the bed loudly. “You did nothing wrong, yet your mother, the Empress Dowager, volunteered to reside at Baiyun Nunnery to atone for your sins.”

He Lieting wondered silently why no one believed him, not even his beloved birth mother, the Empress Dowager.

Seeing no point in further argument, He Lieting cupped his hands in respect. “If Your Majesty has no other matters, your son will take his leave.”

The emperor’s face flushed as he coughed violently. “Insolent son! Don’t think that becoming Grand General allows you to flaunt your power here! Remember, the title of Western Pacification Grand General was granted by me.”

He Lieting almost laughed at the absurdity. Everyone had believed Noble Consort Li’s child was lost because of him. No one trusted his innocence, and he had no proof to defend himself.

As a result, he was exiled to the frontier for six years. When the Western tribes invaded, he donned armor and fought valiantly, accumulating battle honors and rising from unknown soldier to Western Pacification Grand General.

From beginning to end, he never flaunted his identity as the Crown Prince; only a few close soldiers knew the truth.

Yet now, in his father’s mouth, the title was depicted as a gift from the emperor.

Noble Consort Li sat nearby, scooping a spoonful of medicinal broth and gently feeding it to the emperor.

“Your Majesty, please don’t get angry. It is all in the past. Why bring it up again? Besides, we have a cure now.”

The emperor smiled faintly and squeezed her hand. “I have wronged you.”

Feigning emotion, Noble Consort Li wiped the corner of her eye. “As long as I am by Your Majesty’s side, I do not feel wronged.”

Watching this hypocritical scene, He Lieting nearly retched and turned to leave.

The emperor pointed shakily at his departing back. His hands trembled. “Insolent son, insolent son! Beloved consort, look at him! You kindly let him return to tend to me, but does he seem grateful?”

Consort Li wiped the medicine from the emperor’s lips, smiling silently.

The emperor’s illness was grave; no one knew when he would pass on. She could not allow He Lieting to command hundreds of thousands of troops, eyeing the western borders with ambition.

Her son was still young; she must plan everything carefully for him.

For Xie Zhian, this return to the capital was a tremendous surprise. Who would have guessed that the illustrious Western Pacification Grand General was the Crown Prince?

During this sensitive time of the emperor’s illness, the Crown Prince was urgently recalled. Naturally, speculation ran rampant.

This time, he seemed to have caught the favorable wind and was poised to rise swiftly, likely never to return to the western garrison again.

It seemed proper to send a letter to Rou Niang soon, urging her to return quickly.

Since Xie Zhian’s departure, Shen Yurou lived each day in constant fear. She did not know how that thief had found her and dared not be certain if he would come again.

The first thing she did after release was to buy two skilled maidservants to guard her closely.

She had also considered asking Brother Zhu for help, but since arriving at the western garrison, she had not seen him again.

Upon reflection, despite his martial prowess, being male made him less suitable for such protection.

Fortunately, she had met Bihuan and Biyao.

Besides them, she purchased daggers, silver hairpins, and various defensive tools. If that thief dared come again, she would take the opportunity to end it with a single strike.

What she did not know was that all her preparations were needless. The arrogant thief had long since left the western garrison and was now tangled in a heap of trivial matters, unable to escape.

In full bloom, the Flower Festival was held under Noble Consort Li’s lead, meant to enliven the palace and relieve the emperor’s ailment.

The day of the festival dawned cloudless and bright.

Miraculously, the emperor’s condition improved enough for him to attend.

Young men and women were all dressed splendidly, filling the once solemn palace with vibrant energy.

He Lieting was an exception. A veteran of endless battles, he had long lost interest in such flirtatious festivities.

Sitting in a corner, he coldly observed everything around him.

Others seemed well acquainted, playing and laughing without restraint in the lively atmosphere.

Just then, rhythmic drumbeats sounded, followed by a melodious tune.

The noise gradually faded.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the music.

A young girl stepped out, twirling in time with the drums.

Her steps were light, her figure graceful. Her dress fluttered in the sunlight with each movement.

All fell silent, fully immersed in the performance.

Even He Lieting was drawn in, glancing up twice.

Her bearing was noble, yet compared to Shen Yurou, she still fell short.

For some reason, she suddenly came to his mind.

Realizing this, he was startled.

Irritated, he closed his eyes briefly, then looked down, focusing on the wine in his cup.