The capital was in turmoil. The aristocratic families and officials stayed at home, spoke and acted cautiously, and the atmosphere was very depressing.
Duke Dingguo received news on his way that the emperor had implicated several officials, two of whom were members of aristocratic families. To provoke the emperor into such rage, they must have done something that was detrimental to the country, or more precisely, to the emperor.
He was only away for a few days, what happened?
Since the relationship between the empress and the emperor has been uneasy, the emperor trusted the eldest prince after he became the crown prince, but not as closely to him as when he was a prince.
Xiao Zhensheng understood that they were now emperor and subject, no longer the close-knit brothers they once were. Over the years, with Yuzhang held hostage in Northern Qi, his heart had been preoccupied with that place, and he hadn't paid much attention to the emperor and empress, neglecting even his youngest son.
Many of his people stayed in Northern Qi, and many were assassinated. Others could not get close to him at all. He only knew that his eldest son lived a dull life in Northern Qi. Over the years, he sent many things to Northern Qi, and even though he knew that many of them would not reach his eldest son, he still insisted on sending them.
He did this to tell his eldest son that they had not given up on him and would take him home sooner or later. Unexpectedly, after fighting with Northern Qi for so long, when Northern Qi agreed to release him, his eldest son contracted smallpox and died without even setting foot on the land of Jing Dynasty.
How could he not hate him? He wished he could lead his army to conquer the capital of Northern Qi and kill those who harmed his son. As a father, he could do so, but he represented the generals of the Jing Dynasty. For the sake of the Jing Dynasty and the people, he could only bury this hatred in his heart.
He had kept the news of his eldest son's death a secret from his youngest son, fearing that he would be unable to bear it and his condition would worsen. Eventually, the truth was revealed, and the youngest son fell into a coma for several days, only waking up the day before his death.
Xiao Zhensheng felt he had let his eldest son down, having promised to take him home but breaking his promise. He had also promised his youngest son to protect his brother, but he failed to do so, leaving him to die in a foreign land.
I owe a lot to my youngest son. I have neglected him over the years and left him alone in Lingshan.
There is also the child's mother. Since her eldest son went to Northern Qi, she has been ill and has not forgiven him for seven years, and has not allowed him to get close to her.
Now that his eldest son has died tragically, his wife will never forgive him in her life.
Xiao Zhensheng glanced back at the carriage following behind him. He only had this one son, and he had to cure his illness. He had heard that there was a female healer in Lu'er Town, Guliang County, who was very skilled in medicine and had saved many lives.
The youngest son could no longer travel, so Xiao Zhensheng had already sent people to Luer Town. No matter what means they used, they would kidnap the female doctor and bring her to treat Xiao Yujian.
Xiao Yuzhang lay weakly in the carriage, his eyes closed, dozing. Years of illness had left him looking thin and pale. At fourteen, he was about the same height as Amu, but so thin he resembled a bamboo pole in clothes.
Xiao Yuzhang and Amu are about 60% similar, and he looks more like the wife of Duke Dingguo, but both brothers are very handsome men.
Xiao Yuzhang couldn't believe that his brother would die like this. It was impossible for such a smart person to be killed like this.
He must still be alive and must have escaped, which is why Northern Qi came up with such a plan in a hurry to prevent his brother from returning home.
When he heard the news of his brother's death, he fainted from grief, unable to accept the fact, nor to admit it. So, he wanted to return to the capital, maybe his brother was waiting for him in their secret base.
In the past two days, he vaguely heard people talking about the young master not being dead. After all, he died before reaching the border of Jing Dynasty and was burned into ashes by Northern Qi and sent to Duke Dingguo, Marquis Anchang and others who came to pick him up.
The people Jingchao went to pick up were not afraid of smallpox infection, so why was Beiqi so afraid? His father didn't even see his brother for the last time. There must be something wrong.
He forced himself to follow his father back to the capital. Perhaps this was the last time he would see his parents and brother. He had lived a useless life, always bedridden. He was so useless.
At that time, when his brother went to Northern Qi as a hostage, he felt that he would definitely die early, so he wanted to go in his brother's place. He had prepared everything, but was discovered by his brother when he was about to set off.
His brother felt sorry for him, so how could he let him go to Northern Qi instead? In order to let him live well, his brother made a promise with him.
Brother, you haven’t fulfilled our promise yet. You can’t go back on your word. I’m waiting for you in the capital. You must come back.
As the team drew closer to the capital, Xiao Yuzhang lifted the curtains of his carriage. The roadside remained unchanged from when he left. The Jing Dynasty was truly declining. Seven years had passed without progress, and instead, it was spiraling downward.
If this continues, the Jing Dynasty will become increasingly impoverished, and the people will suffer. By then, the Northern Qi will lead its troops south and take over the Jing Dynasty without any effort.
If the Jing Dynasty does not resist, it will be destroyed.
As the carriage entered the capital and passed through Suzaku Street, Duke Dingguo felt someone was watching them. He didn't suspect anyone else, but rather the spies and rivals in the court.
Duke Dingguo straightened his back and let you see enough. Don’t you just want him to be alone? No matter how much pain I am in, I can’t let you bastards see it.
Xiao Yujian looked at the scenery outside the carriage. After seven years away, he was finally back. For some reason, he always felt that his brother was in the capital, perhaps watching him from the dark.
He couldn't help but stick his head out and look at the restaurants and teahouses around him. Is his brother there?
Amu, Linlang, Rongyi and Moer were in a private room of a restaurant next door. The window of the room faced the street. When the team came over, the four of them stared at them.
When Linlang first met Duke Dingguo, his hair and beard were gray. He was about the same age as Marquis Anchang, but looked much older. He was very perceptive and noticed that someone was staring at him, so he straightened his back.
There must be many people in the capital who are gloating over the misfortune of the Duke Dingguo's Mansion, especially the camps of the other princes, who wish that the Duke Dingguo's Mansion would have no successor.
Looking at Duke Dingguo's appearance, it's no wonder his father, mother, and brother recognized Ah Mu immediately. Ah Mu and Duke Dingguo looked so much alike. He also inherited the good looks of Duke Dingguo and his wife: he was so handsome and so eye-catching.
The curtain of the carriage at the back was pushed aside by slender and thin fingers, and a young man who looked very similar to Amu poked his head out. His face looked sick, and the area around his lips and nose was blue, which was caused by long-term poor breathing and lack of oxygen.
Those bright big eyes looked around, as if looking for someone.
Linlang suddenly understood, "Amu, is he looking for you?"
"Well, he always thought I was still alive. He must have thought I was in the capital and felt that I was watching him from there."
With tears in his eyes, Ah Mu murmured, "Ah Jian, we will meet soon."
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