When Qi Zhen returned home, he was visibly tanned and worn. He had been out inspecting the military camps and reviewing the registry of troops, staying outside the capital for more than half a month before finally returning.
The moment he stepped through the door, he headed straight to the courtyard of Old Madam Qi and the old Marquis. His first question was about the Feng family.
He had heard the Fengs were back—and of course, he’d also heard about Feng Caiwei’s infamous reputation.
Frowning in concern, he asked the old Marquis, “The Fengs began building up momentum for her in advance. I’m afraid their intentions aren’t so simple… Could something go wrong?”
The old Marquis stroked his beard and clicked his tongue. “By the time you came back to remind us, the vegetables have already gone cold! What are you dreaming about!”
Qi Zhen was scolded right out the gate, but he didn’t mind.
Though he held a position in the Ministry of War these past years, his main role had been to help Emperor Yongchang search for Liu Wangfei.
Still, as a general, he never intended to spend his whole life just running errands.
Now that he held military power and had become one of Emperor Yongchang’s trusted aides, he was naturally quite pleased with himself.
After laughing it off, he asked, “So what happened with that, then…?”
Old Madam Qi said coolly, “The Fengs already lost Feng Jun. That chapter’s long since closed.”
…
Qi Zhen accepted the outcome quickly.
If the Fengs dared to reach out their hand again, Qi Yuan not cutting it off wouldn’t be like her at all.
Just as he was feeling relieved, he heard the old Marquis say: “Get ready—Yuanyuan said she wants to become the Imperial Grandson Consort.”
Qi Zhen was in the middle of drinking tea and immediately choked, spurting it out at once.
Clearly, much more had happened while he was away from the capital than he’d imagined!
The old Marquis shot him a look of disdain. “You’re not young anymore—already the commander of the Five Armies—but still this lacking in composure!”
Old Madam Qi rolled her eyes.
Like father, like son. Both equally unsteady.
She raised an eyebrow and explained how Xiao Yunting had visited, and afterwards, Qi Yuan had stated plainly that she wished to become the Imperial Grandson Consort.
Qi Zhen hurried to swallow the rest of his tea and nodded enthusiastically.
“Good! Very good!”
With Yuanyuan’s abilities, no one could stop her from shining.
He had known long ago that the Imperial Grandson favored her. Now that she had finally agreed, wasn’t this a happy ending for everyone?
He never even considered the possibility that it wouldn’t work out.
Whatever Yuanyuan wanted to do, she would surely succeed in doing.
He said, “If Yuanyuan has made up her mind, then of course we have to support her completely!”
A son-in-law to the emperor brought to your door? That’s like a pie falling from the sky!
The old Marquis grunted and scolded, “Alright, alright, keep it to yourself. The imperial edict hasn’t come down yet—don’t go blabbering!”
—
When Xiao Yunting went to request an audience with Emperor Yongchang, the emperor wasn’t available.
Eunuch Xia replied respectfully, “Your Highness, Daoist Li has returned from his travels and is currently speaking with His Majesty. If you have something important, please come back later.”
Daoist Li—the very one who had once said, “One mountain cannot hold two tigers,” declaring that the emperor and the Crown Prince could only maintain peace by avoiding each other.
Over the years, Emperor Yongchang had grown to trust him deeply, allowing him to come and go freely. He often even crafted elixirs for the emperor.
Xiao Yunting lowered his gaze and turned away.
Why had this Daoist suddenly returned now?
He wasn’t the only one questioning it.
Upon hearing of the Daoist’s return, no one was angrier than the Crown Prince.
He sneered, “That d*mned Daoist, always spouting nonsense—it was him who ruined me! And now he dares come back?”
Still, he couldn’t help but frown.
Wasn’t this Daoist Li Changqing from the Duke Chu household?
Back then, he had insisted that the Crown Prince and Emperor Yongchang could not meet often, and the emperor had taken his word as gospel.
So why now, after the fall of the Chu household, had the Daoist returned?
He slammed the table. “Bring Xiao Yunting to me!”
This man could not be allowed to remain in the capital!
But at that moment, Xiao Jingzhao spoke softly at his side: “Royal Father, may I say a few words?”
The Crown Prince always treated this son differently—his tone softened at once. “You’re young and don’t know that charlatan. He talks as if his mouth is coated in honey—can turn the dead into the living, the living into the dead!”
He didn’t want to be branded with another d*mning label again.
Xiao Jingzhao knelt before him and looked up: “Royal Father, perhaps you haven’t heard—my brother has taken a liking to the Yongping Marquis’s eldest daughter. He plans to ask Royal Grandfather for her hand as Imperial Grandson Consort.”
The Crown Prince’s face darkened. “And what does that have to do with any of this?”
“Royal Father, right now everyone only talks about the Imperial Grandson—no one speaks of the Crown Prince. If he truly marries the Yongping girl, Royal Grandmother will likely press for Feng Caiwei to become his side consort as well…”
Xiao Jingzhao’s voice was calm as he watched the Crown Prince’s expression. “At that point, the Eastern Palace will be no more than an empty name.”
The Crown Prince let out a cold snort. “Ungrateful wretch!”
Xiao Yunting had never been close to him.
And he, in truth, had never liked Xiao Yunting.
Especially since Emperor Yongchang scolded him every day, but lavished affection on Xiao Yunting—this only made his heart burn with anger.
He was the Crown Prince—the one who’d been wronged, the one who’d been suppressed for decades thanks to the Chu family’s sabotage.
And yet?
The emperor criticized him endlessly, but favored Xiao Yunting, even allowing him to attend court sessions—blatantly slapping his own son’s face!
He had endured enough humiliation.
His gaze shifted to Xiao Jingzhao. “So what does this have to do with that d*mned Daoist?”
Xiao Jingzhao smiled faintly. “Royal Father, if we could make that Daoist speak on our behalf…”
The Crown Prince looked at him with suspicion. “You mean?”
“He once claimed that you and the emperor were destined to be at odds. But perhaps now, he might just declare that the disaster has passed—and father and son are reconciled.”
After all, Li Changqing was someone Emperor Yongchang deeply trusted—and, more importantly, someone whose words the emperor believed.
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, tapping his fingers on the table. “That d*mned Daoist is favored by your Royal Grandfather. Can he really be brought over to our side?”
Xiao Jingzhao knew that question was actually tacit approval.
He smiled slightly. “If Royal Father trusts me, I’m willing to try.”
The Crown Prince leaned back in his chair. “And what exactly do you intend to do?”
“Royal Father, if the Qi family fails to become my brother’s allies, and even loses the emperor’s favor, wouldn’t the 200,000 troops of the Capital Garrison fall to someone closer to you?”
Hearing this, the Crown Prince asked in a low voice: “And who is even left to be close to me?”
