In the blink of an eye, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month arrived. According to the old custom, General Xiao and his sons went to the palace to celebrate the festival with the emperor.

The palace banquet was still grand and lively. Halfway through the banquet, a servant whispered something in the emperor's ear. The ministers noticed that the emperor, who had just been so amiable, suddenly changed his expression. After the servant left, the emperor ordered the singing and dancing to stop and sent all the outsiders away.

"The banditry in this northwestern border town is too rampant. I received a report on New Year's Day, and another today. The people are living in dire straits, and I am deeply troubled! Therefore, these bandits must be apprehended and executed, so that the people can live in peace and tranquility."

"Your Majesty is wise." All the ministers stood up and said respectfully in unison.

"But who should we send?"

"I am willing to lead the troops there." General Xiao was the first to step forward and ask for permission.

The emperor nodded secretly. Xiao Hu was a man of extraordinary courage and insight, and he knew how to judge the situation and take the right time to step forward. He knew full well that he would not send him to suppress the bandits, but he set an example, allowing those who hesitated to step forward to see that there were people who supported the emperor's will and also to see the attitude that a minister should have. He was truly a fox.

"I am willing to go too." General Yuan stepped out and said.

"I am very pleased that you two have such an attitude, but I have promised to let you stay in Kyoto and live out your days, so let's not mention this matter anymore.

"Now that the world is at peace and the country is prosperous, it is truly infuriating that this sudden appearance of bandits dares to endanger the people so brazenly. I truly wish to bring them to justice myself and rid myself of this bitter anger."

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

"Your Majesty, please think twice!"

…… ……

It's ridiculous to ask the emperor to lead the army in person to fight against a group of bandits. He can't afford to lose face, so the ministers all stepped forward to oppose it.

After a round of impassioned speeches, King Jing stood up, walked to the center of the hall, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go to war in your place. I will not return to the capital until the bandit problem is eliminated."

"King Jing, you can't do that!" Princess Han objected.

"Your Majesty, Prince Jing is a noble prince and your younger brother. How can he put himself in danger?" Duke Qing also objected.

The Emperor and Prince Jing glanced at each other obscurely. These two uncles actually opposed it. If they said that they had no selfish motives and just felt sorry for their nephews, others might believe it, but the Yun brothers firmly disagreed.

"this……"

"I have made up my mind. I beg your Majesty to grant my consent."

"Thank you for your hard work, my royal brother. You should go back and prepare. We will set off on February 26th." Prince Jing's legitimate daughter Yun Ruonan's birthday is February 23rd. The emperor can be said to be a caring and affectionate brother and uncle.

King Jing understood and smiled and thanked him.

The Emperor and Prince Jing, who thought that things were going smoothly and everything was normal, were invited to Fengxiang Palace by people sent by the Queen Mother after the banquet.

"How could you make such a decision behind my back? If there's a bandit problem in the northwest, just ask your second uncle's cousin to suppress it. Why bother letting Xuan'er go in person? The journey is long, with mountains and rivers. How can I feel at ease?" Even though Queen Mother Han had become the most honorable woman in Tianyu, she was still a mother. How could a mother feel good when her son was going on a long journey?

We went there to investigate him, and asking him to suppress the bandits would be like the thief crying "stop thief," the two brothers thought at the same time.

"Your son will be back in three to five months, please don't worry, mother." When King Jing saw Queen Dowager Han's expression full of reluctance and excitement, his heart was also in turmoil. After all, they were mother and son. Although he could be angry, the affection of decades could not be broken just like that.

"Why must you go with all the civil and military officials in the court? What's the point of keeping them? Why not let Xiao Hu go? Leaving him in Kyoto will only abuse my grandson."

"Mother, have you forgotten that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs?"

"I... I don't care about other things. Xuan'er's affairs and the two grandsons' affairs are also private matters of the royal family. Can't I say a few words?"

Back when my eldest son first ascended the throne, his attitude wasn't the same. He trusted me, his mother, and relied heavily on the Han family. Now that he's firmly established at the helm, he's increasingly restricting me and lacks the same trust in the Han family. Many key positions within my family and the Han family have been replaced or laid off, and my older and younger brothers have confronted me about this more than once.

They kept saying how if there hadn't been the support of the Han family, the throne would never have fallen into the hands of the illegitimate and non-eldest Sixth Prince Yun Aoyuan. Now that he has firmly sat on the throne, he doesn't acknowledge his uncle, which is really disheartening.

What could he say, could he refute it? He had indeed borrowed the power of the Han family back then. Even without their help, his eldest son would have been able to ascend the throne. But once he accepted help, he accepted it. The facts could never be changed.

Caught between her son and her family, she felt awkward. But who had ever considered her own difficulties? Was she really getting old? Could she never go back to the days when she was a powerful figure, calling the shots?

"The Queen Mother won't allow Brother Xuan to go. Does that mean I, the Emperor, must lead the army in person?"

"They are just a few petty thieves. Why should the Emperor and the Prince lead the charge?"

"Your Majesty, you should know that the more peaceful and prosperous the times, the more likely banditry will attract the attention of the people. Today, the east and south of Tianyu are prosperous and affluent; the people in most of the west and north can live and work in peace and contentment. Only in the northwest border area are some people stirring up trouble. Therefore, your attitude is of vital importance. It is related to whether the people's hearts can be stabilized, and it is related to the attitude of neighboring countries towards Tianyu."

"Is there any danger? How about having Duke Qing send someone to deliver a letter to Han Yaowu, who is stationed there, asking him to send people to wipe out the bandits first, and then Xuan'er can go and inspect them?"

"You don't need to worry about these things. I heard that the granddaughter of Duke Qing has entered the palace. It would be good for her to spend some time with the imperial concubine and her son. When Yibai turns fifteen, I will decree their marriage."

Empress Dowager Han stared at the Emperor in astonishment. This wasn't her plan. The Imperial Concubine and her son were her own people, so there was no need to win them over. Her goal was to marry her niece to Yun Yifan. If she facilitated this marriage, would she still have to worry about Empress Mu and the Mu family clashing with the Han family? The Empress' daughter-in-law, the Crown Prince's sister-in-law—this was what she and the Han family wanted.

"The children are still young. They need to spend some time together before we can see who is the most suitable for each other. Not only has the daughter of the Duke of Qing entered the palace, but the daughter of the Duke of Han is also in the palace. If Xuan'er must go to the northwest, let Achen move into the palace. I am worried about leaving him alone in the palace."

King Jing raised a sarcastic smile at the corner of his lips. As expected, it came. Not only did his mother harm his own son, but she even set her sights on her own grandson. He would rather Achen never marry in his life than let the girl from the Han family enter the palace again. Otherwise, how could he be worthy of his wife who had endured humiliation for many years, and how could he be worthy of his daughter who was still suffering from illness.

"I have other arrangements for Xiaojiu and Achen. Since the Queen Mother likes them both, let them stay with the Imperial Concubine."

"No... Let's just let them live in the side halls of Fengxiang Palace for now." Did his son treat the Han family's daughter as trash? He wanted to give them all to the imperial concubine and digest them internally? Humph, forget it. The grandson he chose must marry the Han family's granddaughter, and no one could change that.

"Okay, whatever you say." As long as the emperor didn't force Xiaojiu and Achen to go, he really wouldn't bother to ask where they were going.

"I'm worried about you being alone outside, Xuan'er. Let Ying'er accompany you to the northwest. How can a prince be without someone to look after him?"

King Jing's eyes were cold, and the warmth that had just risen in his heart disappeared in an instant. This must be the real purpose of his good mother. With Han Ying, she would not be afraid that he would kill her on the way.

"Concubine Han has to stay in the palace to take charge of the overall situation. How can she leave? Besides, are you confident in leaving County Master Baozhu and County Master Ruzhu to be taken care of by Princess Jing?" The emperor said. They are the treasures of your Han family. In your eyes, they are your granddaughters who are more worthy of your love than Ruonan, the legitimate daughter of the palace, and the princess.

Thinking that what her son said made sense, Queen Mother Han no longer insisted.

King Jing glared at the emperor. "How can you persuade others like this? Can you not discredit my princess?"

The emperor glared back without showing any weakness and said, "If I hadn't said so, my mother would have forced you to take Concubine Han away. Your kindness is really not rewarded."