It takes a day to travel from Chengzhou to Daiyang Pass.

They were to depart around midnight. Shu Chengfeng rested at Yan Nangui's place that night; in the middle of the night, Yun Ji woke him up from outside.

Shu Chengfeng woke up, sighed, and turned over to get up.

Yan Nangui was annoyed by the noise and hummed softly.

"Not only do you not get up to serve me, but you also complain?" Shu Chengfeng snorted.

"If you don't make me feel comfortable, you should have gone somewhere else last night." Yan Nangui just wouldn't get up.

Shu Chengfeng shook his head: "Alright, you go to sleep. I will return the day after tomorrow."

Yan Nangui first hummed in agreement, then asked, "The day after tomorrow? You're flying back?"

"Are you awake now? Do you think if I don't come back the day after tomorrow, it will harm your father?" Shu Chengfeng asked as Chanyi and Jiangxiang helped her change her clothes.

Yan Nangui yawned, sat up, and wrapped himself in the blanket: "Then Your Highness will have to go through the trouble. You can't let my father suffer."

This is just a cryptic remark; it refers to His Majesty.

If he doesn't return late the day after tomorrow, how worried His Majesty will be!

Since the journey involves carriages and horses, and it's tiring, His Majesty insisted that all the princes go.

Including his precious twelfth prince, let's all get tired together.

Yan Nangui watched him get dressed and then called a special hairdresser to style his hair.

"I'm leaving now. You can go to sleep. You don't need to see me off," Shu Chengfeng said.

“Alright, Your Highness, have something to eat in the carriage,” Yan Nangui said.

Shu Chengfeng gave a casual "hmm" and left.

Outside the courtyard, Consort Su, Consort Xia, and Consort Xiang were all waiting to see him off.

He helped Su Liangdi up: "Although it's April, it's still cold at night. Why did you come out?"

"Since His Highness is going on an inspection tour, I thought I'd see him off," Consort Su said with a smile.

"I've been busy lately and haven't been able to visit you yet. I'll come see you when I get back. You guys stay put, I'll be leaving now," Shu Chengfeng said gently.

Consort Su led the way in curtsying: "Your Highness, I respectfully wish you a safe journey and a speedy return."

Shu Chengfeng nodded and left.

Once they were a distance away, Xiang Fengyi asked, "Why hasn't Consort Yan gotten up? Is she feeling unwell?"

That's exactly what she meant when she said that; she wasn't trying to cause trouble.

Consort Su simply smiled and did not reply: "It's still early. His Highness has gone out. We have nothing to do, so why don't we go back and get some more sleep? I'll have someone lock the doors to our quarters here. We can talk about it when we want to go out."

"Sister Su is very thoughtful. I heard that the two guards went with His Highness, leaving fewer people behind. Although there are many imperial guards in the imperial palace, I still feel less at ease than when I was in my residence," said Consort Xia.

“Yes, that’s what I think too. It’s still early, let’s go back,” Su Liangdi said.

The two men curtsied and escorted Consort Su back home. Then they each went their own way.

Yan Nangui didn't get up, but she didn't care at all; she had already fallen asleep again.

Shu Chengfeng departed from the imperial palace, only briefly bidding farewell to His Majesty before leaving. The Crown Prince's entourage led the way, followed closely by the princes. They set off at midnight and finally arrived at Daiyang Pass in the afternoon.

Not daring to delay, he changed horses from the carriage and headed to the army camp, covered in dust from his journey.

Just as Shu Chengfeng had predicted, the twelfth prince had started crying and making a fuss.

The Crown Prince decided to keep him in Daiyang City. His personal eunuch and nanny were unwilling, but he was really tired and kept making a fuss.

Realizing that something important was about to be delayed, they dared not directly disobey the Crown Prince's wishes.

The only option was to stay.

Shu Chengfeng, along with the Second Prince and the Third Prince, headed to the army camp.

The seventh prince was injured, and the eighth prince had already been sent back, so naturally he couldn't come.

The inspection was nothing more than checking on the soldiers' training and saying a few words.

Even if Shu Zhongjing summoned the other princes, they wouldn't dare say anything beyond the Crown Prince's authority at this point.

They can only stay by one's side.

But in reality, it's all a waste of effort.

With the Crown Prince himself present, no matter how many princes come, they are merely there as foils.

The Crown Prince has always had a good reputation among the people and the army, and there is nothing blemish on his record.

He himself is handsome, tall and upright, and exudes a heroic spirit. He is skilled in both literature and martial arts.

It's not that having a few princes around makes him seem incompetent.

Shu Zhongjing was indeed trying to weaken his influence, but as the years passed after his wedding, it became increasingly difficult.

This wasn't just due to the Ye family's strong leadership; it also stemmed from the fact that the people of the land recognized the Empress as the legitimate daughter of the Empress.

He cannot be easily replaced unless he has a clear history of misconduct.

We failed to surpass him when he was young, and now we've missed our chance.

Shu Chengfeng changed into a light armor and stood in front of the soldiers with a warm smile.

"I have never been on the battlefield. Although I know some martial arts, I am no match for the killing moves you use. Today, although I am wearing armor, it is just for show."

Some of the soldiers had already started laughing.

"However, I am the Crown Prince. I must also have the heart to fight on the battlefield. If one day I need to personally go into battle, I cannot be afraid of death. So I wear this outfit to tell you that His Majesty and I are not afraid of death. You protected His Majesty and me, and His Majesty and I remember you."

A young general shouted, "We will certainly protect Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince with utmost loyalty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live the Crown Prince!"

Immediately, everyone shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince!"

Shu Chengfeng smiled and said a few more words.

We'll just have to wait until tomorrow during the day to check on the defenses, and then it'll be over.

Yan Lingyun didn't arrange any restaurants or similar establishments, but instead set up tents within the army camp for them to rest in. They ate the army's own food.

Of course, when there's no war, the generals definitely eat better than the soldiers.

It's not that it's particularly good, but at least there are a few stir-fries.

Yan Lingyun sometimes stayed at the general's mansion in Daiyang City, and sometimes he lived directly in the army camp.

He had two servants who held no official titles. They had remained in Daiyang City for many years; they were not allowed to be brought into the army.

At this point, he made all these arrangements openly and honestly, without even considering whether the crown prince and princes needed women to serve them.

Even if necessary, arrangements cannot be made within the military.

Upon seeing this, Shu Chengfeng was overjoyed: "I was just looking forward to experiencing military life, and General Yan has truly fulfilled my wish."

"I have served in the army for many years and am not very familiar with how to receive Your Majesty. If I have been inconsiderate in any way, I beg Your Highness's forgiveness," Yan Lingyun said.

"General, you're too kind. We're just here on an inspection tour, so naturally we'll stay and eat here," the Second Prince said with a smile.

"Then I will have someone make arrangements. There are no women in the army, so I summoned a few servants from my household early this morning to serve you," Yan Lingyun said.

The Crown Prince nodded: "Thank you for your trouble, General."

This was considered a rather simple meal for the Crown Prince and the other princes.

Even when Shu Chengfeng went on an inspection tour of the capital region at the end of each year, he would stay in the city at night.

It's nothing serious, it's just simple, not hard to eat.