Zhang Li was in a state of utter confusion, and when he looked at Qin Ze again, a look of guilt gradually appeared in his eyes.
After all, it was he who put Qin Ze on the cusp of becoming emperor.
But in the end, Qin Ze was still young, barely twenty years old, and not even as old as his second son.
Although, from a public perspective, Qin Ze should be crowned emperor, since there is no one more suitable than him.
But this declaration of himself as emperor would lead him into such a perilous situation.
The slightest misstep could lead to the fall from the throne. Not only would one perish, but even more terrifying would be the title of "ruler of a fallen kingdom."
If the Great Gan dynasty were to perish, then this last monarch would inevitably bear the infamy of a thousand years.
At this moment, although Qin Ze appeared calm and composed, Zhang Li knew in his heart that not everyone could bear the weight of this heavy responsibility.
If... if in the end Qin Ze cannot keep the throne, and Da Gan cannot withstand the storms, and eventually perishes.
The words I spoke today, supporting his ascension to the throne, have harmed the son of my old friend.
Thinking of this, Zhang Li felt so heavy-hearted that he could barely stand up straight. He could only bite his lip tightly to keep from shedding tears on such a joyous day.
Just then.
A gentle voice, like a spring breeze caressing willows, came from ahead:
"father."
"Qin..."
"Your Highness, you're back."
As soon as the voice faded, Qin Ze looked up.
But now, at the entrance of the Qin mansion, which had been uninhabited for a long time, large red lanterns were already hanging under the eaves.
Two women stood in the dim candlelight.
Qin Ze's gaze was quickly drawn to the woman at the head of the group who was holding the clothes.
She had an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, and bright, sparkling eyes. Her long, flowing black hair was casually tied behind her back.
Her fair face was flushed with a light red glow in the candlelight, and her red lips stood out against her clean face, adding a touch of vibrancy to her serene appearance.
But if it's too much, it's vulgar; if it's too little, it's plain.
Of course, the finishing touch was those seemingly expressive eyes.
Similar to her face was a long, plain-colored brocade robe embroidered with plum blossoms, over which she wore a short-sleeved, light red cotton coat—simple yet graceful.
It doesn't have much of an air of nobility, but it's not vulgar either.
It was Zhang Li's daughter, Zhang Zisheng.
She was a few years older than Qin Ze, who had known Zhang Li's children for many years, having played with them since childhood.
However, as they grew older, several of their friends went to the battlefield one after another, and the days they spent together became fewer and fewer.
Tian Guan had three sons and one daughter. The eldest son, Zhang Ran, was the first to die on the battlefield in Huichang.
The youngest son, Zhang Jian, was the same age as Qin Ze and died at the hands of the Hu horses on the Beiku Grassland.
The second son, Zhang Ye, ran away from home many years ago. If we hadn't met him in Xijing before, everyone would have thought he was dead.
Qin Ze understood that Zhang Ye dared not show his face in public because what he was doing would bring disaster to his entire family. If Jin Fengluan found out, everyone in the Zhang family would be implicated.
Therefore, the only one left by the Heavenly Official's side was his daughter, Zhang Zisheng.
The Tianguan family can be described as a family of loyal martyrs.
Upon seeing Zhang Zisheng, Qin Ze still used the same address as before, and he walked forward with a smile:
"Sister Zisheng."
Seeing Qin Ze and the others approach, Zhang Zisheng smiled slightly, quickened her pace, and then stepped back, saying:
"Your Highness, how could I possibly deserve such a title? It's simply too much of an honor..."
Before he could finish speaking, Qin Ze waved his hand and casually laughed:
"It's too formal, Sister Zisheng. You know me well, there's no need to be so reserved."
"Speaking of which, it's been two or three years since we last saw each other."
Zhang Zisheng smiled, nodded, and her gaze first swept over Qin Ze, then moved to the generals behind her, before continuing:
"This humble woman, Zhang Zisheng, greets all the generals."
"When the prince left Jinling, he had only eight hundred personal guards with him. Now that he has returned to Jinling, he will need the help of all the generals."
"Seeing the generals in such high spirits today, even though I have not personally witnessed your valiant figures on the battlefield, I can tell at a glance that you are all extraordinary, each one of you is a dragon among men."
The praise pleased the generals, who all nodded and smiled in response.
Following that, she turned her gaze to Qin Ze and said with a smile:
"With these capable generals following him, the prince, despite the many hardships he faced, made great strides and successfully returned to Jinling."
"The people have been waiting day and night, and you have finally returned."
The maid Yu Chuan behind her had her eyes crinkled into crescents, and she added softly:
"Miss, you've been looking forward to it just as much."
Although the voice was soft, everyone present heard it.
The generals turned their heads slightly to look at Qin Ze, and then consciously took a step or two back.
Lu Bu was the first to make a move, followed by Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao quietly tugged at Xu Chu's arm, and only then did Xu Chu react.
Zhang Zisheng's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly:
"That's natural, after all, I'm just an ordinary citizen."
Zhang Li, however, had not yet fully recovered from his heavy emotions, and he casually asked:
"Zi Sheng, when did you arrive?"
Zhang Zisheng said calmly, "It hasn't been long."
“When Your Highness returns to the capital, he will definitely need to go home. However, with so many people around, he may not be able to leave immediately.”
“But no matter how late it is, Your Highness will definitely come back…” She looked at Qin Ze with gentle eyes.
Qin Ze nodded and said with a faint smile, "You understand me best, Sister Zisheng."
He raised his head and looked at the mansion gate, his gaze softening:
"No matter how long or how late, I will always come back here."
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