When Shen Youying and Xue Shen returned to the Prince's Mansion, it was already 9 PM.

Just as the two were about to return to Tingmeixuan to wash up and rest, they saw Wang Deshun walking hurriedly towards them.

Upon approaching, Wang Deshun bowed and said, "Your Highness, the scouts have just reported that the Crown Prince has returned to the capital. He is still fifty li away from the capital and should arrive tomorrow."

Xue Shen's expression shifted slightly, and after a long pause, he said, "He returned too late; he can no longer change the situation."

Wang Deshun said in a low voice, "But the Emperor might instigate the Crown Prince to fight against the Prince."

Emperor Cheng'an was past his prime and posed no threat. The only one who could truly contend with Xue Shen was Xue Heng. If it were anyone else, Wang Deshun would have no reason to worry. But it was different because it was Xue Heng.

The two had grown up together since childhood. Although Xue Shen spoke so resolutely, Wang Deshun knew that his lord had never been so ruthless. If he could, he would definitely want to protect the crown prince.

Wang Deshun worried that if the Crown Prince was truly instigated by Emperor Cheng'an to fight, the two brothers would eventually become enemies, which would likely leave a lingering unease in the Prince's heart.

Xue Shen remained silent for a moment, then said, "That's his biological father. Let him fight if he wants. No matter what he decides, my plan will not change."

"Go and send a message to find a few troublemakers to put pressure on the court tomorrow and get the rewards and official positions of Pang Lai and the others decided as soon as possible."

Wang Deshun said "Eh?" and retreated with his hands in his pockets.

After everyone left, Shen Youying walked back to Tingmei Pavilion with him. After thinking for a moment, she said, "To say something outrageous, the Emperor's decision this time was muddled. Given my brother's temperament, he might not necessarily stand on the Emperor's side."

Upon hearing this, Xue Shen glanced at her and a smile curved his lips: "You seem to know quite a lot."

He shared Shen Youying's view that Xue Heng might confront him to protect Emperor Cheng'an, but their stance on the Northern Rong should be the same.

Therefore, he was not too worried about Wang Deshun's words. If Xue Heng were someone who could be easily swayed and moved, the situation in the court would not be like this now.

Shen Youying pursed her lips. Seeing his relaxed expression, she knew he knew what was going on. She glanced at him and said, "Since you know what's going on, I won't waste my breath."

Xue Shen helped her into the inner room, shaking his head in disapproval, "We certainly can't let Zhao Zhao waste her breath."

Before Shen Youying could react, he leaned down and kissed her lips, his powerful tongue prying open her teeth and forcefully invading her.

Shen Youying let out a soft "woof," grabbed his shoulder, tried to push him away but then stopped, and finally wrapped her arms around his neck...

*

The next morning at court, the crown prince indeed led his troops back.

The main army was stationed outside the city, and Xue Heng only brought a few generals to the palace to meet the emperor.

When Emperor Cheng'an saw his son standing in court, his restless heart calmed down considerably. He had no intention of bringing up the previous siege by the Northern Rong, after all, it was Xue Shen's achievement, but the court and the Crown Prince's dereliction of duty. Therefore, he deliberately omitted the details of the battle and only comforted him, saying, "Your Highness has worked hard this time."

Xue Heng, however, was not grateful. He knelt on one knee and begged for forgiveness, saying, "Your subject fell for the Northern Rong's feint attack. By the time I learned of the news and rushed back, it was already too late. Fortunately, I soon heard that the King of Qin had led his troops in a surprise attack and repelled the Northern Rong army, thus averting a tragedy."

Emperor Cheng'an originally intended to shamelessly let the matter slide, but he did not expect Xue Heng to take the initiative to plead guilty. He felt a tightness in his chest and after a long while, he said, "The Northern Rong people are cunning. The siege did not cause too much damage. Besides, this matter was not something you could have predicted."

Xue Heng shook his head again: "It was my fault in leading the troops that we fell into the trap of the Northern Rong. Please punish me, Father."

Emperor Cheng'an was so angry he almost fell over, but since Xue Heng had already taken the initiative to apologize, it would be too ugly for him to continue to refuse.

He looked at Xue Heng with disappointment and could only suppress his anger and follow Xue Heng's wishes to give him a minor punishment.

"The Crown Prince made a mistake in leading the troops, but considering that he took the initiative to apologize, he will be fined one year's salary."

No one objected to the punishment, but officials who supported Xue Shen advised against it, saying, "Since ancient times, those who have committed wrongdoings should be punished, and those who have made contributions should be rewarded. Your Majesty is clear about rewards and punishments. Now that those who have committed wrongdoings have been punished, those who have made contributions should also be rewarded. Only in this way can rewards and punishments be clearly distinguished and the people's hearts be at peace."

Upon hearing this, officials from Xue Shenyi's faction immediately echoed his sentiments.

Although the royalists were unwilling to sit idly by and watch Xue Shen's power grow, it was indeed Xue Shen's surprise attack that quelled the siege of the Northern Rong. Now, seeing Xue Shen's faction being aggressive and demanding that Emperor Cheng'an reward the meritorious generals, they could only swallow their anger and lie low for the time being.

Emperor Cheng'an sat at the head of the table, and as he watched more and more officials in the court supporting Xue Shen, even Xie Lianhong and others stepped forward to echo him, his face instantly turned ugly.

But circumstances forced him to accept the reward, and even though he was unwilling, he had no choice but to grant it.

Pang Lai and others were granted the title of Loyal and Brave General, reinstated to their original positions, and awarded a mansion and gold. Further rewards were distributed according to the number of enemies killed.

Pang Lai and the others stepped forward to express their gratitude, their booming voices making Emperor Cheng'an's head throb. He glanced again at the silent Crown Prince, but finally could not bear it any longer, ordered the court to adjourn, and stormed off.

After the officials dispersed, Qi Zhong caught up with the Crown Prince who was heading to the East Palace and respectfully said, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you."

Xue Heng paused, then had no choice but to follow him to the emperor's bedroom.

Inside the palace, Emperor Cheng'an had already smashed two teacups, and the palace servants were carefully attending to him as he took his medicine.

Emperor Cheng'an stared at the pills, which smelled so foul they seemed like poison to quench his thirst. His expression changed for a long time before he finally picked one up and swallowed it whole.

When Xue Heng entered, he saw him sitting down with a tired expression. His face, which had already aged considerably, seemed even more aged and weathered than before he left the capital.

Emperor Cheng'an looked up at him listlessly and pointed to the seat next to him: "Sit."

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