Half a month has passed.

After a long and arduous journey, Ji Shang and his entourage finally arrived back in the capital at dawn.

"My goodness! I've finally seen it all, you young people have no sportsmanship!"

"This old man is about to fall apart from your efforts," Li An said, panting heavily as he supported himself on his back with one hand and the other on his horse. He looked at the magnificent palace gates and then at Ji Shang and the guards beside him.

Ji Shang was speechless. This was what the prince himself had said, that he should hurry back, even though it had only taken a little over half a month.

It's true that we traveled from the border to the capital, but that's all thanks to the asphalt roads—it was so fast!

"Your Highness, I don't quite understand what you mean, but we have already arrived in the capital. Please come with me to report back." Ji Shang bowed and invited.

Li An flicked his robes, deciding not to argue with a fool and that it would be better to go find his imperial nephew.

***

The Golden Palace.

"Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince requests an audience!" A young eunuch entered from outside and bowed as he reported.

Li Qishang jumped up from the chair next to him and quickly said, "Uncle, why is he back? Please invite him in!"

Then the young eunuch began to announce loudly: "Summon the Seventh Prince to an audience!"

"Summon the Seventh Prince to an audience!"

"Summon the Seventh Prince to an audience!"

The eunuch's voice was high-pitched yet delicate, instantly spreading throughout the entire hall and even in front of the Golden Palace.

Li An straightened his robes, held two imperial edicts aloft, and strode in. His proud and confident demeanor made it seem as if the imperial edicts he held aloft were his own personal presence.

Li Qishang rushed down from his high position, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed to Li An, saying, "Uncle, why have you returned? Our court has not received any news of a withdrawal!"

Li An handed the imperial edict to Li Qishang, saying, "Good nephew, this was given to me by His Majesty. Please keep it for now and let all the cabinet ministers take a look."

However, when Li An turned his head, he realized that none of the old-fashioned officials who were attending court were there. He wondered what had happened!

They were only gone for two or three months, and when they returned, all the ministers in the court had been replaced.

Li Qishang's eyes widened in surprise. These two imperial edicts were from his elder brother, the Emperor. Could it be that...?

"Uncle, what kind of imperial edict is this? Could it be... could it be..." Li Qishang's hand holding the imperial edict was still trembling slightly. He couldn't believe it, he just couldn't believe it.

Seeing the fear in his eyes, Li An quickly said, "Open it yourself and you'll see."

Upon hearing this, Li Qishang quickly tore open the imperial edict. What he saw was a divorce agreement, signed and sealed by both parties. There was even Yuan Ningsu's seal on it. He recognized Yuan Ningsu as the crown prince of Ningjian Kingdom.

"Ah, this, this...my sister-in-law, she..."

"Don't get excited, there's one more letter, take a look first," Li An reminded him.

Li Qishang quickly opened the other document, which turned out to be an abdication edict. If he were to meet with misfortune this time, he, Li Qishang, would be the next king of Nanding Kingdom.

It is hoped that Qi Shang can shoulder the heavy responsibility of pacifying the Southern Kingdom, always put the people first, and be a wise ruler who is loved by all the people.

"No, this is impossible, this..."

"Uncle, tell me, what exactly did my brother go off to do? Why did he go?"

Li An was also heartbroken, shaking his head and sighing, "His Majesty is personally leading the expedition. Nephew, you must take good care of yourself and follow your brother's arrangements. Where is Lord Su Xu?"

Su Xu, dressed in a red official robe, stepped out from behind Li Qishang, respectfully clasped his hands in greeting to Li An, and said, "Your Highness."

"This is a letter from the Emperor to you. He hopes that Chief Minister Su can remain true to his principles, just like the Emperor... You must diligently assist the new..."

Although the ministers present did not read the specific contents of the imperial edict, they could guess what it was based on what Li An said to the Grand Secretary. It seemed that the situation in Nanding was about to change again!

Li Qishang stared at his royal uncle in disbelief, never expecting his uncle to say such a thing...

Su Xu was also shocked. He was smart; the old prince had made it so obvious, how could he not know?

so...

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Su Xu stood up straight, clasped his hands and bowed slightly.

Li An saw that silly boy sitting there blankly, holding two imperial edicts in his arms, as if he was still in shock.

He handed him a letter from his pocket, then strode away. He was going to see the Empress Dowager; he had another letter to give her, and he wanted to see her again...

Upon seeing this, Hua Quan quickly raised his hand and flicked his whisk, the sharp sound echoing throughout the hall.

"Court adjourned!"

All the ministers clasped their hands and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, we take our leave!"

All the ministers withdrew, but Li Qishang remained sitting on the stairs of the Golden Palace, still incredulous and dazed. He couldn't accept it.

He didn't even know how to accept it. He knew his elder brother would return safely, but...

Since ancient times, swords have no eyes, this...

"Hua Quan, take a look at these things yourself!" Li Qishang said dejectedly, handing all the things in his hand to Hua Quan and sitting down on the ground with a puzzled look on his face.

When Hua Quan saw the abdication edict, he immediately knelt down on the ground, and tears began to stream down his face.

It felt as if the emperor had truly passed away, but the servants in the hall were all so frightened that they quickly knelt respectfully on the ground, not daring to raise their heads. This was just too damn scary.

"Brother, how can you do this? No, he must come back, he must come back." Li Qishang clenched his fists tightly.

His eyes instantly turned bloodshot, as if he were seeing his father's killer, giving him a fierce yet heartbreaking look.

"Japan, I want you dead."

After saying that, he stood up abruptly and stormed toward the palace prison.

Hua Quan and Shang Yao, who were following behind, were both dumbfounded. What was wrong with the Carefree Prince? Why wasn't he going to the Imperial Study to handle state affairs after court? Why was he running towards the prison? What was he up to?

As Hua Quan ran, he wondered to himself, and then glanced at Shang Yao, who was also following beside him, seeking an answer.

But Shang Yao had a blank expression at the moment; as long as she didn't get angry, there was no way she would tell him the answer.

Li Qishang stormed toward the prison. The guards were somewhat intimidated by his imposing presence, and they trembled as they bowed.

"Your Highness, what is this matter?"

"Bring me the prisoner, Tong Chunfang."

The guards quickly dragged Tong Chunfang out. By this time, Tong Chunfang had been beaten bloody and was no longer the arrogant person she once was.