Duan Wang’s entry into the city was grand and imposing. The Crown Prince, along with the recently returned Yu Wang, and Jin Wang, Qi Wang, and Kang Wang, all waited outside the palace gates to welcome Xiao Muchen.
Each of the brothers had different expressions. After recent events, Yu Wang had become more composed, though his face was darker, and his eyes deep and unreadable.
Kang Wang, as always, stood quietly in the back, trying to be invisible.
Qi Wang, lively by nature, wore a smile and looked off into the distance.
Jin Wang, calm and leisurely, turned to the Crown Prince and said slowly, “Fourth Brother has made great contributions this time. Royal Father is truly pleased. He’s brought glory to the royal family.”
The Crown Prince simply smiled and said nothing.
Qi Wang glanced over and grinned, adding, “Big Brother, aren’t you happy? I’m especially excited. If only I could go to war too.”
Jin Wang snorted, “With your half-baked skills? You’d just be handing the enemy a victory.”
Qi Wang: …
He wasn’t wrong, but did he have to be so blunt?
Qi Wang immediately retorted, “You may have real skills, but unfortunately Royal Father didn’t let you go to war. Otherwise, you would be the one basking in glory now.”
Why didn’t Jin Wang get such a good opportunity? It all traced back to Yu Wang’s side consort, He Wanyi. With such a crooked situation, he still had the nerve to mock others. Truly laughable.
Jin Wang’s face darkened.
The Crown Prince’s expression eased a little. In the distance, a figure appeared—Duan Wang galloped up and dismounted neatly in front of the palace gate.
The Crown Prince stepped forward immediately and laughed heartily. “Fourth Brother, you’re finally back!”
Xiao Muchen looked at him and then stepped forward to bow. “Your Highness.”
“Fourth Brother!” Qi Wang squeezed forward, sizing him up with eyes full of admiration. “You look so valiant in that armor. Congratulations on your glorious return and for bringing honor to Great Chu!”
Xiao Muchen looked at him and said, “Old Seven, if you train harder, you’ll have the chance to wear armor too.”
Qi Wang’s smile stiffened. “Fourth Brother, please spare me. I doubt I have that kind of luck.”
Jin Wang snorted. “Look at how spineless you are.”
Qi Wang shot back, “Big Brother, if you’re jealous, challenge Fourth Brother to a duel. Why pick on me?”
Jin Wang made a move to kick him. Qi Wang instantly ducked behind Xiao Muchen. “Fourth Brother, save me!”
Xiao Muchen grabbed him and held him still, then greeted Jin Wang and Yu Wang.
Finally, Kang Wang stepped forward and greeted him.
The Crown Prince, clearly annoyed at everyone fawning over Xiao Muchen, quickly said, “Let’s not delay. Royal Father is still waiting.”
Duan Wang entered the palace to meet the Emperor.
In the inner palace, Consort Shu beamed with joy. She had deliberately chosen a deep crimson brocade gown and asked her maid, Hu Momo, “How do I look?”
Hu Momo smiled. “Your Highness is a perfect match for the occasion. It’s time to go to Kunde Palace.”
Consort Shu adjusted her hair before the mirror and inserted a five-tailed kingfisher hairpin gifted by the Emperor just days ago. After confirming everything was in place, she held onto Hu Momo’s arm and walked out.
As they went, Hu Momo whispered, “All the consorts are gathering at Kunde Palace today. Duan Wang has returned in great glory, but Your Highness should still be cautious.”
Consort Shu raised her eyebrows and spoke unhurriedly, “Even if I lowered my head, do you think Her Majesty the Empress would spare me and my son?”
Of course not.
In the past, Consort Shu and Duan Wang had always kept a low profile. They never tried to compete with the Empress or the Crown Prince for attention in the palace. But…
Consort Shu let out a soft sigh. Ever since her son got engaged to Mingxi, keeping a low profile had become impossible.
With such a capable future daughter-in-law, even she was forced to adopt a different stance in the palace.
Still, Consort Shu didn’t feel unhappy about it. There was merit in being low-key, but there were advantages to being high-profile too.
The mistress and her maid entered Kunde Palace together. Consort Gui, Consort De, and Consort Xian were already there, but the Empress had yet to appear—it seemed she hadn’t come out yet.
Consort Shu stepped forward to greet the three consorts. Consort Xian looked a bit better but still pale and frail. Even with powder on her face, she appeared short of breath and weak.
This time, to get Yu Wang back to the capital, Consort Xian had truly sacrificed her health. Seeing her rise, Consort Shu quickly helped her up and said with a smile, “We’ve been companions in this palace for so many years. No need to be so formal. Once you recover, Consort Gui, Consort De, and I will go make a ruckus at your Changning Palace.”
“Exactly,” Consort Gui added, also helping to support her. “You should sit down. Since you’re finally feeling a bit better, take care and recover properly.”
Consort De nodded in agreement with a smile. “Yes, Consort Shu is right. We still have a long road ahead.”
Consort Xian’s eyes turned slightly red, but her face broke into a wide smile. “Then I’ll shamelessly sit down. When I recover, I’ll throw a banquet and send you all invitations.”
Everyone naturally agreed.
Consort Shu took a seat next to Consort Gui. Consort Gui chuckled and said, “Duan Wang should be at Chongzheng Hall by now. You’ll see your son soon—are you happy?”
Consort Shu made no attempt to hide her joy and said to the others, “To tell you the truth, when he first received the imperial order to leave the capital, I couldn’t sleep day or night. I must have burned countless sticks of incense in front of Buddha, just praying he’d come back alive. Now that he’s back, of course I’m happy.”
Upon hearing this, Consort De couldn’t help but feel a little jealous. But thinking of her own son, she felt a pang of regret. He didn’t have Duan Wang’s martial prowess. She’d pitied him too much when he was young, seeing him suffer while training, and hadn’t pushed him to persist like Duan Wang.
Back then, she’d even secretly mocked Consort Shu, thinking: Why should a prince need to train like that? But now, it felt like a slap in the face.
If Qi Wang had the same abilities as Duan Wang, perhaps His Majesty would have allowed him to lead troops.
But there was no point saying any of that now.
Consort Gui sighed and said, “Yes, as mothers, we only wish our sons return safely. Everything else is secondary.”
Hearing this, Consort De had to forcefully keep her expression neutral.
Everything else is secondary? What a noble-sounding lie. With the great merit Duan Wang had achieved, his position in His Majesty’s eyes would be different from now on. The Crown Prince had already disappointed His Majesty several times—whether he could hold on to the title of heir was uncertain.
If the Crown Prince were to fall out of favor, naturally the one to replace him would be the one His Majesty valued most.
Duan Wang’s triumphant return changed everything.
Consort De clenched her handkerchief tightly. The last time she had visited Chongzheng Hall, she had seen the Head Imperial Physician leaving with a grave expression. Though he returned to a neutral face when he saw her, she wasn’t a fool.
Whatever had caused that expression… it likely had to do with the Emperor’s health.
Consort De didn’t dare think too deeply, but she couldn’t help thinking about it either.
At a time like this, Duan Wang returning so triumphantly—there was no way the Empress and the Crown Prince could be happy.
