Chapter 1 A Prison Cart

The prison cart holding the Third Prince was draped with a layer of black cloth, which hadn't been there originally. It wasn’t as if there was wind or rain; in this winter of Yan, basking in the sun was quite a pleasant thing.

But the black cloth had been deliberately added.

The men of the Secret Espionage Division clustered around the prison cart, exuding an aura that warned people to keep away. Most of the eyes of the common people in the capital were on the higher-ups.

But they might not fear the yamen runners of the capital, or even the imperial guards of the capital, because most of the imperial guards were sons of the capital. However, they certainly wouldn't dare to shamelessly go up and ask the spies of the Secret Espionage Division who exactly was being escorted in the prison cart.

The common people at the bottom could only watch the excitement. Sometimes, they even watched this excitement in a hazy fog. As for the specifics, they could only rely on each family's imagination.

In the teahouses in the afternoon, some said that the Jingnan Marquis had entered the Prince's mansion to question the Second Prince, warning him that if he wanted to be the Crown Prince in the future, he would have to read more and reflect more. This was a guess with a negative political IQ.

Some said that a certain prince had offended the Jingnan Marquis, and the Jingnan Marquis went in and demanded that the prince kneel down and offer tea to quell his anger. This was a little more reliable.

Others said that the Jingnan Marquis not only questioned that prince, but also had a ruthless man under his command break all five of that prince's limbs. You ask what the fifth limb is? That person pointed to his lower body.

Then that person was splashed out with a bowl of tea by each of the tea drinkers. You have to be realistic when you brag, right? Bragging like that, are you taking everyone for fools?

By the window on the second floor of Quan De Restaurant,

The Sixth Prince held a cup of Huadiao wine in his left hand, slowly sniffing it in front of his nose.

The prison cart carrying the Third Prince passed by on the street below. It would travel to a royal garden outside the city. There was a lake there, and in the middle of the lake was an island, and on the island was a pavilion.

The Lakeside Pavilion was a place exclusively for the Yan royal family to exile members of the Ji family. Ordinary people were not qualified to live there.

Since the founding of Great Yan, six princes had already lived there. Now, the seventh was going.

"Oh, really?"

The Sixth Prince was a little surprised after listening to the report from Eunuch Zhang beside him.

"Absolutely true, Your Highness. This servant was also quite frightened when I first heard the news. That Jingnan Marquis, that Zheng Fan, how could he really dare…"

"I understand Zheng Fan. He must have been forced by the situation. He had no choice but to act."

"That's true, but..."

"But he must have felt incredibly comfortable when he did it."

"..." Eunuch Zhang.

"Your Highness, weren't you very optimistic about Zheng Fan? Now that he has done something like this, the Jingnan Marquis can protect him for a while, but can he protect him for a lifetime?"

You crippled a prince, and you broke all five of his limbs. A dignified member of the royal family, the current emperor's son, you just cripple him like that. What will His Majesty think? What will all the members of the Ji royal family think?

"In this servant's opinion, if it was really unavoidable, it would have been better to just…" Eunuch Zhang made a chopping gesture and continued, "Now that the Third Prince is still alive, although he's a cripple, as long as he lives in the Lakeside Pavilion for one day, whenever His Majesty or other princes think of him, they will probably think of that Zheng Fan."

"Have you investigated what I asked you to investigate?"

The Sixth Prince changed the subject.

"Oh, Your Highness, I've investigated. The missing servant from Qi Simiao's residence was indeed kidnapped by Li Yinglian's people."

"Then there will probably be another nameless floating corpse on the shores of Tiancheng Lake tonight."

The Sixth Prince took a sip of the Huadiao wine in his cup.

"Your Highness guessed it long ago?"

"Not really. I'm not a divine immortal. But to be honest, the Third Brother and those bookworms are really just foolish from reading too many books.

Qi Simiao willingly acted as a suicide operative for my Third Brother, but how could all his letters and arrangements be completely hidden from all of my Second Brother's spies?"

"So, the Second Prince already knew that Qi Simiao was secretly working for the Third Prince behind his back?"

"It's not just my Second Brother's side. Although the Second Brother's maternal clan is the Tian family, the Tian family has been planning for the Southern and Northern Marquises to be crowned kings ever since the Zhenbei Marquis entered the capital.

The Empress in the palace has been living cautiously ever since she ascended to the position of mistress of the harem. She has already taken what she should have taken. Whether it's the phoenix coronet on her head or her son's position as heir apparent, everything is already very secure.

My Second Brother has two sources of support: one is the Tian family, and the other is the Empress in the palace. If these two big mountains don't move, my Second Brother can't accomplish anything at all.

It's impossible for him to lead the imperial guards in the capital to rebel and clear the emperor's side and ask his father to ascend to the throne as the Supreme Emperor, right?"

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words!"

"I know what I'm doing. The assassination outside Yin City also involved people from the Jin Kingdom's Heavenly Mystery Pavilion. Let me put it this way, even if my Second Brother personally arranged this, the Tian family and the Empress would never allow him to do so.

What the Empress wants is stability, to live peacefully; what the Tian family wants is to take advantage of the opposition between the Zhenbei Army and the imperial court to push Tian Wu鏡 to the position of Jingnan King.

Making such a fuss would only put the Jingnan Marquis on the fire, going too far.

The Tian family wouldn't do that, and the Empress wouldn't do that to her own younger brother, who is also her greatest reliance in the outer court."

"But they still did it, so…"

"That means they have enough benefits to overcome their previous unwillingness. My Second Brother hasn't been officially named Crown Prince by our father yet. Even if he has already entered the Eastern Palace, the fewer competitors he has, the better."

"This… this is really a good move to borrow a knife to kill someone."

"It's laughable that my Third Brother妄想 to borrow a knife to kill someone through Qi Simiao, but he didn't know that others would use his own methods against him and return a borrowed knife to kill someone."

"So, the servant in Qi Simiao's residence is…"

"That's right. He should be the witness who was controlled after the Jingnan Marquis entered the capital today. I guess the material evidence of Qi Simiao colluding with my Third Brother should have been prepared long ago.

This is a backup plan, prepared in case of an emergency, to clear his own name and point the finger at my Third Brother.

Right now, Li Yinglian in the Second Brother's residence is probably busy burning the previously prepared material evidence."

"Your Highness, does that mean that the Jingnan Marquis was actually singing a duet with the Second Prince today?"

Hearing this question,

The Sixth Prince put down his wine cup, and Eunuch Zhang understood and immediately refilled it.

Picking up the wine cup again, the Sixth Prince put it in front of his nose, slowly sniffing it, and said slowly:

"Tian Wu鏡 is Tian Wu鏡."

"This… Your Highness, please forgive this servant's ignorance."

"Just think of it this way. If my Second Brother could really sing that duet with the Jingnan Marquis, he wouldn't have to rush to prepare the witness and material evidence to clear his own name today."

"Your Highness, now I understand."

"What about the other thing? Which friend did Xu Wenzu visit when he went to Yin City?"

"Your Highness, this matter has also been investigated. It was Weng Shuangyou, who retired at home, who invited Xu Wenzu. Weng Shuangyou retired from the position of Surveillance Commissioner, and his hometown is in Yin City. He and Xu Wenzu have a history. Xu Wenzu used to work under him."

"In other words, if Weng Shuangyou hadn't invited him that day, Xu Wenzu most likely wouldn't have stayed at the post station, right?"

"Your Highness, Yin City is only half a day's journey from Nanwang City by fast horse."

"Where did Weng Shuangyou start his career?"

"Sanshi."

"Sanshi? Military or civilian post?"

"He was in the military before transferring to a civilian post."

"Sanshi, haha, the Deng family of Sanshi. My Fourth Brother, he helped add a little something to it."

"The Fourth Prince? Why would the Fourth Prince do this?"

"I guess he was just itching to do something. It's like when you're walking by the river and you see a flock of ducks coming over, you probably can't help but want to pick up a stone and throw it at them for fun."

"This…"

Eunuch Zhang felt a chill in his heart. There were actually three princes involved in this matter.

The Sixth Prince slowly turned the wine cup in his hand and asked:

"Eunuch Zhang, Wuchuan produces fine wine, which is famous in the four countries. Even the barbarians and Westerners recognize this. Do you know which two are the best of Wuchuan's fine wines?"

"It's naturally Daughter Red and Huadiao."

"Then do you know the difference between Daughter Red and Huadiao?"

"This, Your Highness, please forgive this servant's lack of knowledge. I have secretly drunk it in private and only know that they are both the best wines in the world, but I really can't tell the difference between the two."

"Actually, the wine is the same."

"The same?"

"Yes, it's the same. They are both wines buried by the families of Wuchuan when their daughters are one month old. When the daughter grows up and gets married, the wine jar is dug up, and this wine is called Daughter Red."

"That's truly a fitting name. What about Huadiao, Your Highness?"

"The daughter dies young and never gets married. When this wine is dug up, it's called Huadiao, which also means 'flowers wither'."

"Hiss…"

The Sixth Prince silently looked at the wine in his hand,

Ignoring Eunuch Zhang's expression, he continued:

"I heard that every time His Majesty has a son born, he orders Wei Zhonghe to bury a jar of wine. To this day, Wei Zhonghe should have buried seven jars for His Majesty."

"This matter, I also heard about it when I was in the palace, but the place where Wei Gong buries the wine is very secretive, and ordinary people can't find it at all."

"Then tell me, tonight, will my father let Wei Zhonghe take out a jar and sit in the imperial study to slowly savor it, like me?"

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please be careful with your words!"

Eunuch Zhang was so frightened that he immediately got up and closed the window.

The Sixth Prince, however, seemed like nothing had happened and continued to savor his wine.

"Your Highness, although this servant was castrated and sent to the palace since I was a child, it was because there were too many brothers in my family and the family was about to run out of food. That's why my parents sent me to the palace with tears in their eyes. Although I can't be a man in this life, I don't resent my parents at all. Although I am a eunuch, I also understand the principle that even tigers don't eat their cubs. Your Highness, you must never have any resentment in your heart."

"Resentment? Tigers don't eat their cubs?"

The Sixth Prince pursed his lips,

"When he held me in one hand and praised me for being smart, and with the other hand, he issued an edict to have Tian Wu鏡屠灭 my maternal grandfather's entire family, did he ever think about tigers not eating their cubs?

When he ordered Wei Zhonghe to bestow a white silk upon my mother consort, did he ever think about tigers not eating their cubs?

When he made me live like a dog in the eyes of the world, did he ever think about tigers not eating their cubs?"

"Your Highness, Your Highness!!!"

Eunuch Zhang was so frightened that he knelt on the ground.

"If the Third Brother becomes a cripple, do you think my father will be sad? To tell you the truth, when the prison cart carrying the Third Brother passed by just now, I felt a little sad in my heart, but I'm telling you, he won't, he definitely won't!

He will be very happy, he will be very proud, he will feel that it was worth it!

Do you know why the Jingnan Marquis insisted on resisting the decree and why he insisted on crippling one of the Emperor's sons?"

"This servant doesn't know, this servant doesn't know."

"Because the Jingnan Marquis has resentment in his heart, the Jingnan Marquis feels unbalanced. If he doesn't take advantage of an excuse to cripple one of the Emperor's sons, he won't be able to calm his mind!

The Emperor also knows this, so he only sent Wei Zhonghe to deliver the decree, but he didn't let Wei Zhonghe bring troops along, and he deliberately delayed it. The Emperor issued the decree before the Jingnan Marquis entered the capital, and he didn't issue the decree when the Jingnan Marquis arrived at the gates of the prince's mansion, and he didn't issue the decree when the Jingnan Marquis questioned my Second Brother, but the decree arrived only when my Third Brother was exposed!"

The Sixth Prince's face became a little distorted,

"Where are these sons? Where are these sons? These are clearly the chips in his hand, the cards in his hand. As long as he feels it's worth it, as long as he feels it's appropriate;

He can throw them out without hesitation, he can discard them without hesitation!

This is, this is,

My good father!!!"

…………

Sitting on horseback,

Zheng Fan was still feeling a little dazed.

The surrounding personal guards would look at him from time to time. If they looked at him on the way here because Zheng Fan had once led only a few hundred riders to run rampant in the Qian Kingdom and break through cities, which would cause soldiers to admire him instinctively, then now, they were truly a little... afraid.

This was a ruthless man who dared to break a prince's limbs!

Zheng Fan was a little dizzy, like the feeling of being tipsy after drinking too much wine.

Damn it, did I cripple a prince?

How could I do such a cruel thing?

This isn't my style.

Of course, what I'm thinking about more is, what should I do in the future?

Either continue to cling to the Jingnan Marquis's thigh, or wait until I go back and run away directly with the assets of Cuiliu Fort.

I can't go to the Qian Kingdom, what about the Jin Kingdom?

No, it's too close to the Yan Kingdom, what about the Chu Kingdom? It's a bit far...

Zheng Fan's mentality at this time was somewhat like feeling scared after a good time.

Sigh...

But when I finished smashing the last blow with the saber hilt,

The Jingnan Marquis turned around and started to leave,

This meant that the Jingnan Marquis wanted this result, and my actions seemed to have satisfied the Jingnan Marquis more than killing the Third Prince.

I have to find a way to contact Si Niang and A Ming, who came to the capital with me, and ask them to help spread the news back as soon as possible.

At this moment, the team that had already left the city suddenly stopped. Zheng Fan immediately realized what was happening and reined in his horse.

I was a little confused and thinking about things just now, but now I realized that there was actually a courtyard wall in front of me, with white walls and green tiles. From the outside, I could see pavilions and terraces inside, and I could also see butterflies flying.

This was an extremely rare and even almost impossible sight in winter.

In front of the team, that is, on the wide avenue specially built in front of this magnificent and luxurious mansion, a group of people was kneeling in darkness.

However, these people were not here to kneel to the Jingnan Marquis, because the Jingnan Marquis had ordered this Jingnan Army to stop far away.

And in front of us, there was another team.

In the center of the team, there was a Luan carriage, carried by eighteen people in the front and eighteen people in the back.

On both sides of the Luan carriage, there were nearly a hundred palace maids following, and on the outer perimeter, there were five hundred imperial guards holding ceremonial instruments.

These imperial guards were all tall and burly, but what they were holding were not weapons for fighting, but some "ornaments" with more symbolic meaning, a bit like a military band in later generations.

In short, it was indeed a grand spectacle.

Zheng Fan then remembered that today was the day the Empress was returning to her family to visit.

It was normal for ordinary folk women to return to their parents' home from time to time after marrying, but it was too difficult for women who entered the palace to return home.

The Jingnan Marquis seemed unwilling for his army to clash with the atmosphere in front of him, so he ordered the troops to stop. Because he had not taken off his armor, he did not go forward to welcome his own sister home to visit her family.

People came from the mansion several times to say a few words to the Jingnan Marquis at the front of the team, and then left immediately. Obviously, the Tian family's old master also agreed with the Jingnan Marquis's approach.

They were going through the ceremony over there. The Empress visiting her family was such a great honor, so there must be no mistakes. His son and sister could meet and talk after the sister entered the mansion, so there was no need to rush.

This may also be a local superstition, that sharp weapons were most taboo on major celebrations and festivals, as it meant misfortune.

In front of the Luan carriage,

Guards surrounded it in circles, and eunuchs and palace maids were waiting orderly on the side with the instruments they had prepared.

With the arrangement and planning of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, after the rituals such as incense tables and candles were completed, the two Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Rites stepped back, and the guards in front also dispersed.

A roll of silk was laid all the way down from the steps of the Luan carriage, long and winding, all the way to the front of the Tian family members kneeling on the ground.

Then, according to etiquette, the Tian family had to first select a respected person to come forward and invite the Empress into the mansion with the etiquette of a subject.

The Tian family's old master had just passed his seventieth birthday, but he was still very healthy. He walked onto the silk road supported by his two adult youngest sons.

The Tian family's mother would not be sixty until next year. Although she looked old, she was full of red light and had plenty of energy. Obviously, she was living a very comfortable life at home and had basically nothing to worry about.

The Tian family's old master was still vigorous and took concubines every now and then in recent years, but no matter how much those little vixens could stir up trouble, none of them dared to be the slightest bit presumptuous in front of the Tian mother.

For no other reason than that the mother relied on her son's nobility!

The Tian mother had only given birth to one son and one daughter in her life.

Her daughter was the current Empress!

Her son was the current Jingnan Marquis!

Not to mention the young women and concubines in the mansion, even the Tian family's old master had to respect her. How could such a comfortable life not nourish people?

The Tian mother was supported by two younger sisters-in-law from the family and walked onto the silk road with the Tian family's old master.

Behind the two of them, there were also more than a dozen men and women, all of whom were not young. If the younger generation supporting the Tian family's old master and the Tian mother were specially gaining favor to be qualified to move forward, then the more than ten Tian family members behind them were officials or had imperial titles.

Most of the other Tian family members could only continue to kneel there and were not qualified to move forward.

Inside the Luan carriage, layers of beaded curtains blocked the view, and the sound of crisp chimes could be heard as the wind blew.

The Tian family's old master and the Tian mother finally walked to the front of the Luan carriage along this silk road.

At this time, a nanny serving beside the Luan carriage began to report:

"Your Majesty, Earl of Shan County and the Second Rank County Lady Tian Zhang are requesting an audience outside."

"Summon them."

Inside the Luan carriage, the Empress's voice was a little trembling.

The Empress, who had been able to sit firmly as the mistress of the harem for so many years, was naturally not a simple person. The battlefield of the harem would only be more sinister, more bloody, and more cruel.

But at the doorstep of her home, when facing her parents who gave birth to her and raised her, she could finally take off her mask and face her true emotions.

However, at the moment, these emotions still needed to be restrained.

Earl of Shan County was the Tian family's old master's title, and Second Rank County Lady was the title of nobility.

The Tian family's old master was the head of the Tian family and was once a member of the imperial court, but he was able to be named Earl only because of the glory of his son and daughter.

The Tian mother was the same.

The old lady of the Zhenbei Marquis's residence, whom Zheng Fan had seen scolding the barbarian tribe leader as a rebellious son, was a First Rank National Lady. In terms of the rank of nobility, she was one rank higher than the Tian mother.

This was also because the Zhenbei Marquis's residence was hereditary, and the Li family had been guarding Beifeng County for a hundred years, while the Jingnan Marquis was more like a "position", so it was only right that the old lady in the north surpassed the Tian mother in the south in terms of rewards.

"Your subject, Tian Bokai, Earl of Shan County, pays his respects to the Empress. May the Empress's phoenix body be safe and sound."

"Your handmaid, Tian Zhang, Second Rank County Lady, pays her respects to the Empress. May the Empress's phoenix body be safe and sound."

The surrounding Tian family members also knelt down together at this time.

The father and mother kneeling together to their daughter might seem to violate ethics, but in front of imperial power, the love between father and daughter and mother and daughter had to take a back seat. The ruler was as great as the heavens.

The Empress in the Luan carriage took a deep breath,

And said:

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

…………

"What, you're watching so intently?"

A woman's voice came from behind Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan turned around and saw a woman wearing a black gauze hat appearing on horseback behind him. From the voice, he could tell that it was Du Juan.

"Is that the Empress inside?"

"Who else could it be besides the Empress?"

"The parents kowtowing to their daughter like that, it looks…"

"First, they are ruler and subject, then they are father and daughter."

"I just feel a little…"

"A little what?"

"Nothing."

Zheng Fan wanted to say that he felt it was a little unlucky, but he thought about it and decided against it. After all, this was a joyous day for the Jingnan Marquis's family.

"You did those things today, and you still have things you dare not say?"

"My good sister, do you think I wanted to do it?"

"Aren't you afraid that I'll tell the Marquis what you said if you complain to me like this?"

"Just tell him. It's just human nature."

"Yes, are you very scared now?"

"Yes, I wasn't even this scared when I was surrounded by the Qian army."

"Don't be afraid. The Marquis is here."

Ha, you're his woman, of course, you think your man is omnipotent.

But what am I?

God knows to what extent the Jingnan Marquis is willing to protect me and for how long?

"Sister Du Juan, I thought you stayed in Tiantai County."

"Isn't the Marquis going home? Of course, I have to come back too."

"Meeting the parents?"

"I guess so. An ugly daughter-in-law always has to meet her parents."

"Sister, you're not ugly at all."

Of course, she's not as good-looking as my Si Niang.

"But the parents-in-law will definitely dislike me even more. Lord Zheng, you know my identity. Do you think they will accept me?"

"Love is something that only the people involved need to like and be satisfied with. As for both sets of parents, just have a clear conscience."

"Have a clear conscience? I didn't realize that Preparatory Officer Zheng, you're not old, but you see these things between men and women so clearly. But I heard that Preparatory Officer Zheng hasn't married yet."

"You can introduce me to one when you have time, Sister."

"Okay, you can choose any of the female spies from the Secret Espionage Division."

"…" Zheng Fan.

"What, are you scared?"

Zheng Fan shook his head. Just imagine, after the female spies of the Secret Espionage Division are married into my family, they will have to face the threat of Blind Man Bei, Xue San, Si Niang, A Ming, and Demon Pill.

In the end, who will be afraid?

"The Empress's Luan carriage has entered the mansion, and the Marquis is also going to enter the mansion. Let's go."

"Hmm? Are we qualified to go in?"

"It's huge inside. You're all the Marquis's personal guards, so of course, you're family. How can there be a reason not to let you enter the mansion?"

"Then I really want to wander around inside."

"Just be careful with your behavior."

…………

After the Empress's Luan carriage entered the mansion, the rules and tension instantly dissipated a lot.

In an elegant building in the garden, covered with light veils, the Empress dismissed everyone around her and knelt in front of the Tian family's old master and the Tian mother.

"Father, Mother, your daughter is unfilial. After entering the palace, I can't serve you by your side."

The Tian family's old master and the Tian mother immediately got up to help the Empress up, but the Empress insisted on kneeling. When they couldn't persuade her, the Tian family's old master stopped struggling and let the Tian mother and the Empress hug each other and cry their eyes out.

"My dear daughter, you've suffered…"

The inner palace was deep and secluded. To survive in the inner palace, how much suffering must one endure?

The Tian family's old master sighed, glanced at his old wife, and looked at his daughter,

His lips moved slightly,

Finally, he still opened his mouth and shouted:

"Chai'er."

This was the Empress's nickname before she left the cabinet.

The Empress's body trembled, and she turned her head to look at the Tian family's old master:

"Father."

"Your brother is also back. Because he's leading the troops, he hasn't removed his armor. Your father didn't let him come forward earlier. Now your father will go and welcome your brother and bring him to see you later. It's been a long time since you two siblings have seen each other."

"When I was in the Luan carriage earlier, I also saw the soldiers behind me. My brother is promising and can defend the country. Because of him, I, as his sister, can sit in my position in the palace with more confidence. His Majesty also praised my brother and called him a pillar of the country."

"As a subject, it is our duty to share the worries for His Majesty. Besides, His Majesty has never treated my Tian family badly. His Majesty's favor for my Tian family has become increasingly grand. My Tian family has received this honor, so we should naturally work harder for His Majesty."

"Father, we are all family. Why are you speaking so politely and caring so much about these titles?"

The Tian family's old master smiled kindly on the surface, but after hearing his daughter's words, he suddenly felt a little cold in his heart.

There was something hidden in his daughter's words,

It seemed that,

This time, his daughter's visit home was not as simple as just coinciding with her birthday.

After all, his daughter's words clearly implied that she wanted to win over her younger brother for her husband, but in the current situation, his Tian family was only one step away from being crowned king. How could he let go?

How could he, as a father, possibly let go?

As expected, a daughter who is married is like water that is spilled. Her heart is already completely on the side of her husband and children, on the side of the Ji family. She has already forgotten that she is a daughter of the Tian family!

The Tian mother was still crying. She had a good life and both her son and daughter were very promising, so she had been enjoying a life of luxury. Naturally, she didn't understand how much thought was contained in the conversation between the father and daughter.

The Tian family's old master took his leave and walked out of the elegant building. Outside, the Tian family's relatives were all gathered at a relatively distant place. At this time, it was time for the parents and daughter to enjoy a little family time. If there were others present, everyone would not be able to let go.

Everyone would be able to see the Empress at the banquet tonight, and the younger generation would also be able to receive rewards from the Empress.

The Tian family's old master walked hurriedly on the path. In front of him, at the corridor, the Jingnan Marquis Tian Wu鏡, who had just removed his armor, was walking this way under the guidance of a maid.

Seeing his son, the Tian family's old master spewed out a burst of anger. When he was preparing to welcome the Empress's Luan carriage earlier, he had already received the news that his son had actually entered the prince's mansion directly after entering the capital and crippled the Third Prince!

What was he trying to do!

What was he really trying to do!

All the Tian family wanted was a title of king. They certainly didn't want to rebel!

Even if they wanted to rebel, didn't the Zhenbei Army of Li Liangting not really start fighting yet? The Zhenbei Marquis's residence had not really broken face. Was his Tian family in such a hurry?

At this critical moment, his always steady son actually did this. The Tian family's old master, really, really, really…

"Wu鏡, my son, it must have been hard work along the way. Let your father take a good look at whether the wind in the Southern Border has blown you thin."

Inside,

Perhaps there was fatherly love,

But more,

It was when the Tian family's old master walked up to Tian Wu鏡, that is, his own son,

He was suddenly intimidated by that great marshal's aura.

At this moment, the Tian family's old master remembered that the person in front of him was not only his son but also the commander of the elite 50,000 Jingnan Army!

The Tian family's old master was also the head of the Tian family, but he was already old, and how could the aura of a clan lord compare to that of a general commanding an army?

After walking up to him, Tian Wu鏡 knelt down on both knees and kowtowed three times to the Tian family's old master in front of him,

And said:

"Your son is unfilial. He was unable to return to celebrate his father's birthday. Please punish him."

"Ah, my son has important military matters to attend to. How can this father blame you?"

The Tian family's old master immediately reached out to help Tian Wu鏡 up.

At this time, the Tian family's old master noticed that there was actually a woman following behind Tian Wu鏡. The woman was wearing a black dress and a hair accessory. She looked very moving and was naturally beautiful.

But soon, the Tian family's old master thought of the woman's identity, opened his mouth, and pointed at this woman and said:

"You, you brought her back?"

Tian Wu鏡 turned around and waved to Du Juan:

"Come, greet him."

"Your daughter-in-law greets her father-in-law."

Du Juan knelt down to the Tian family's old master.

"This...this...you...how dare...you..."

This woman was a member of the Secret Espionage Division, and her status in the Secret Espionage Division was not low.

"Father, my older sister is in the front. I'll take Du Juan to see my older sister. In her letters to me, my older sister has been urging me to marry for a long time."

"The Empress...no...your older sister is in the front at the elegant building with your mother, but, this…"

The Tian family's old master took a deep breath,

His expression immediately recovered,

And he showed a kind smile,

And said:

"Oh, you two young people can go to the elegant building quickly. Your older sister has been waiting for you for a long time."

The identity of the head of the family was indeed not simple. The Tian family's old master was able to immediately overcome his emotions at this moment, even though his heart was stormy.

The Tian family's old master led Tian Wu鏡 in front, and Du Juan, who was entering the house for the first time, followed behind.

The Tian family's old master asked in a soft and urgent voice:

"What exactly happened to the Third Prince?"

"Father, your son has his own reasons. Please don't ask any more questions."

"You...do you know how critical the moment is now? Ji Runhao will not be willing to let this go. Ji Runhao is different from his ridiculous old father."

"What's the difference? Aren't they just being suppressed by you to the point where they don't have a temper?"

"This is a matter of one thing. It was Ji Runhao who妄想ed to attack the Zhenbei Marquis's residence. Don't think we don't know what he was planning. The current situation is also Ji Runhao's own fault. For hundreds of years, Great Yan has been ruled by the clan and the Ji family together. Who does Ji Runhao think he is? How dare he!"

The Tian family's old master noticed that Du Juan seemed to have realized that they were talking, so she deliberately pulled out a distance behind him, so the Tian family's old master spoke more casually.

"So, what does it matter if I cripple one of his sons?"

"It doesn't matter, he Ji Runhao is now facing the Zhenbei Army. As long as his head isn't dizzy, he wouldn't dare to do anything to you. The Zhenbei Army is about to rebel. I originally thought that Li Liangting's entry into the capital would calm things down in the north, or at most make a show. Who knew that Li Liangting's son would actually appear in the north? Haha, if he dares to do anything to you again, the Jingnan Army in the south will also have to rebel against him. At that time, how can he Ji family sit on his throne?"

"Then why are you blaming me, Father?"

"I'm blaming you because this matter didn't need to be so reckless and hasty. It was originally Li Liangting's Zhenbei Army putting pressure in the front, and our families united to give the Li family a title of king to quell the incident, and you, our Tian family, were just