"Being a bandit is too tough. You need some training, right?" the man chuckled.

Uncle Qing, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man standing beside Yinzhen, approached. He was a bodyguard assigned to Yinzhen by the Emperor to protect the princes. Aside from the time the Fourteenth Prince ran away, he dared not stray too far from the prince. He glanced at the corpses on the ground and whispered, "These people's hands have been specially treated and have no special markings. However, the fabric they wear looks like a type unique to the south. It's just that so many people buy it that it's hard to tell where it came from."

Qingyin stepped forward, examined the three faces, and said, "They've been poisoned. When I attacked them earlier, some of them only fainted, but now, upon checking, they've stopped breathing. There must have been some special poison in their bodies."

A hint of appreciation flashed in the middle-aged man's eyes. No wonder the Fourteenth Prince had taken a liking to Qingyin; she was indeed outstanding.

Yinzhen nodded, "Alright, what Asa said makes a lot of sense. Keep these three under control and have a doctor watch over them. Make sure they stay until we return to the capital for interrogation."

Uncle Qing: "Yes, Your Highness."

The mountains in the southwest stretch for hundreds of miles, with few inhabitants and wild animals roaming freely. After eliminating human-caused disasters, the army fared much better and was even able to hold wild sacrifices at times. Even though Yinzhen was traveling at a leisurely pace, he quickly arrived in the capital.

— — — — — — — — — —

There are many people in the capital who care about the Fourteenth Prince, but the one who truly cares about him the most is undoubtedly Consort De. The Emperor's decree to bring the child back this time was thanks to her. The child she raised and cherished most was sent to the battlefield when he was only a teenager. Now he is in his mid-twenties and doesn't even have a wife. She has been heartbroken for countless nights. This time when Zhen'er came back, she found a good girl to look after him.

Thinking of this, Consort De coughed violently. Yu'er (Consort De's personal maid) hurriedly brought her a handkerchief, only to see Consort De cover her forehead with her hand and slump weakly into a chair. Yu'er was startled and quickly stepped forward to support her: "Your Highness, what's wrong? I'll go find the imperial physician right away!"

"It's nothing, it's probably just dizziness from the cooler weather." Consort De waved her hand, lay down on the chaise lounge, and felt much better after resting for a while.

Upon hearing the news of the attack on the Fourteenth Prince, the princes gathered together in the capital. When news of the attack on Yinzhen by bandits reached the Emperor's ears, he was furious and immediately ordered the Crown Prince to thoroughly investigate the facts.

“Eighth Brother, don’t worry. Fourteenth Brother is highly skilled in martial arts and will surely return safely with so many people.” Ninth Prince Yintang stepped forward and patted Eighth Prince Yinsi on the shoulder, saying in a seemingly carefree manner, “Of course, Fourteenth Brother has made great contributions this time and has been a great help to you, Eighth Brother. I can’t possibly show favoritism because of this.”

Yinzhi smiled gently and said, "Ninth Brother, you shouldn't overthink it. Fourteenth Brother and you have both been of great help to me. Even just for the sake of our friendship, I won't treat you unfairly."

"My brother's gentlemanly demeanor was something I had been mistaken about," Yinzhen said, covering his mouth with a handkerchief, feeling guilty.

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince, dressed in an apricot-yellow robe, stood with his hands behind his back. Facing the suspicion of his retainers, he remained calm and composed. He looked back at their doubtful eyes and said calmly, "I would not be so stupid as to harm him like this. Besides, he is also my brother."

The retainers suppressed their suspicions, bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince, and said, "Your Highness, the Fourteenth Prince's incident is also in your best interest. The Emperor is your father, so why don't you take this opportunity to show your brotherly love and respect to the Emperor?"

The Crown Prince stood with his hands behind his back and said, “Father Emperor ordered us to handle this case. I will personally take charge of it. As long as we get to the bottom of this, Father Emperor will surely see my abilities. Why bother with these underhanded methods?”

Seeing the lowered eyelids of the guests who had refused his offer, a glint of light flashed in his eyes. He smiled helplessly and stopped recommending. The Crown Prince was currently favored by the Emperor and was always stubborn, refusing to listen to advice. He had no choice but to shut up. If the Crown Prince didn't become more submissive in the royal family, his competence would become his weakness. The more assertive he was, the more suspicious the Emperor would become.

Upon seeing the capital, the group quickened its pace.

The people of the capital also received news of the general's impending return, and they stood joyfully in the streets, eagerly anticipating the triumphant army's return. Meanwhile, the young ladies of noble families shyly squeezed into the guest rooms of the restaurants, opened the windows, and waited with prepared flowers to shower upon the returning general.

"Here he comes! General Fuyuan is back!" With a middle-aged man's shout, young ladies peeked out of the windows.

A man riding in, dressed in white robes and black armor, led the way. His hair was tied up, with strands fluttering gently in the breeze. He had sharp, piercing eyes, a high nose, and a cold, handsome appearance. It must be said that, unlike his usual comedic persona, today he exuded the aura of a serious, handsome man, truly showcasing his striking good looks.

Gazing ahead, his dark, deep eyes were filled with unwavering determination, making people marvel at the general's handsome appearance. The young ladies and girls all threw their handkerchiefs and flowers at him.

However, the moment the two boys appeared behind him, time seemed to stand still, and everyone's eyes were instantly filled with only their figures.

The two graceful young men, also dressed in red robes and black armor, had a radiant glow on their bare skin, as if flowing with pearls and jade. Their deep blue eyes, as blue as the sky, were profound and mysterious, and their gazes shone with a unique, sacred aura. They did not seem like soldiers fighting the enemy, but rather like Buddhist disciples patiently praying under the Buddha. Their faces were captivating, making people dare not desecrate them, yet they also made people hate themselves for not being able to stop dreaming about them.

That kind of beauty that transcends the mundane is beyond description with all the beautiful adjectives in the world.

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