Wei Mingyuan believed that the people of Pingcheng had been assimilated after more than a decade under the rule of the Southern Barbarians, and therefore could not be considered citizens of Daqing. Yan Huai did not agree with this view.

He ultimately did not adopt Wei Mingyuan's suggestion and chose another method, which took two more months to capture Pingcheng.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongde's eyes darkened, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

This matter had already been submitted to the emperor in a memorial, and it was now on his desk. Unexpectedly, the crown prince took the initiative to confess.

He stared at him with a stern face, and finally sighed: "As the crown prince, the most taboo thing is to be soft-hearted. You, what can I say to you?"

Yan Huai's eyes were firm, and he did not regret his choice: "Father, if we really use such cruel methods, it is called the extinction of humanity! Even if we win the war, how will the people view us?"

He looked somewhat dejected. "However, I am indeed at fault. Please punish me, Father."

Emperor Chongde's expression was solemn: "I still need to discuss this matter with my ministers. You should focus on recovering from your injuries and not worry about anything else."

Yan Huai raised his eyes, his gaze filled with admiration: "Father, will you not punish your son?"

Emperor Chongde snorted coldly: "Of course you must be punished. This time, your merits and demerits are offset, so that you can learn your lesson!"

The Crown Prince's benevolence is, in some ways, a good thing.

If the Crown Prince is truly ruthless, then he should be wary of him.

"You must do everything in your power to cure the Crown Prince, or I will have you all bring me your heads!"

The imperial physician, trembling with fear, agreed.

"Your son respectfully sees off Your Majesty." Watching Emperor Chongde depart, the Crown Prince slowly closed his eyes, his expression turning calm.

Not long after, the eunuch respectfully reported:

"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived."

Yan Huai's face broke into a smile again, and he coughed softly, "Quickly, please invite the Empress Dowager in!"

The phoenix carriage landed, and a graceful and noble woman stepped down. With her beautiful features and elegant demeanor, her phoenix eyes held a faint chill. The Empress was always dignified and elegant, but her steps were somewhat hurried at this moment.

"Xingjian, has the imperial physician diagnosed the condition?"

Upon seeing her son's appearance, the Empress's breath caught in her throat. She clenched her fingers and her face turned cold: "All of you, get out of my sight."

After dismissing her attendants, the Empress stepped forward, her eyes reddening, her raised hand frozen in mid-air: "My son, how could this be!"

Yan Huai coughed softly, enduring his discomfort, and said, "Mother, do not worry, let me explain in detail."

"This is all thanks to my cousin..."

The Empress's expression shifted rapidly, and she frowned: "You mean, it was Tang Ning who had someone remind you?"

Yan Huai nodded: "She didn't say it explicitly, she just told me a story."

The story is about two tigers, father and son, who fight fiercely over territory, sometimes even killing each other until one dies.

He broke out in a cold sweat on the spot after hearing this.

Shen Tangning went to great lengths to send him a letter, so it couldn't have been just to tell him a story.

At first, he didn't believe that his father would be dissatisfied with him, but his cousin wasn't one to make baseless accusations.

After careful consideration, Yan Huai began to make arrangements.

The Emperor's probing actions just now have confirmed the truth he least wanted to face.

His father had long been dissatisfied with him and even harbored murderous intentions.