Chapter 209 Return to the Court
At dawn the next day, the army broke camp and split into two groups.
Jiang Baichuan and two other men led the main force and marched towards the Beidi royal court in a mighty manner. The battle flags fluttered and the sound of horses' hooves shook the earth.
Qin Xiu led a streamlined team, escorting the wooden box containing Murong Feng's head and a group of high-ranking Northern Di captives, and rode at full speed in the opposite direction of the capital.
He looked back at the golden figure walking in front of the team, which was gradually moving away. His eyes were complicated, and finally turned into an almost inaudible sigh. He turned around resolutely.
A few days later.
Qin Xiu was exhausted and knelt on one knee in the Golden Palace in front of all the civil and military officials. He said in a loud voice:
"Your servant, Qin Xiu, was ordered to suppress the rebellion. I have fulfilled my mission and have brought back the head of Murong Feng, the Northern Di commander. The main force of the Northern Di army has been defeated, and the remaining troops have fled."
As he spoke, the personal guard brought forward the heavy wooden box and opened it, revealing Murong Feng's head.
All the civil and military officials in the court gasped in shock, followed by a huge uproar and discussion.
Lu Bin, sitting on the dragon throne, initially shrank back in fear. But when he saw clearly that it was indeed Murong Feng's head, he suddenly stood up, his voice trembling with excitement: "Okay, okay, Qin Aiqing, you are indeed the pillar of my great cause. Where are the father and son of the Jiang family? Where are they? I will reward you handsomely!"
Qin Xiu bowed his head and, following the instructions he had agreed upon with Lu Yong, said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, General Jiang and the Major General originally intended to return to the capital immediately to report, but His Royal Highness the Fourth Prince, with foresight, believed that the newly defeated Northern Di royal court was now empty, presenting a golden opportunity to quell the border threat and enhance our national prestige. Therefore, His Royal Highness has issued an order on behalf of Your Majesty, ordering General Jiang and his son to postpone their return to the capital and pursue the Northern Di royal court. By now, the Jiang army must have penetrated deep into the heart of the Northern Di."
Lu Bin was stunned when he heard this and looked at Lu Yong who was standing at the head of the civil servants.
Lu Yong immediately stepped out and bowed, saying, "Father, this is indeed my intention. This opportunity is fleeting. If we can conquer the Northern Di in one fell swoop, your achievements will far surpass those of previous emperors. Therefore, I have the audacity to issue the order first. I beg your forgiveness!"
As he finished speaking, he looked up with admiration, his face showing just the right amount of "fear" and eagerness to "share his father's worries."
At this moment, Lu Bin was overwhelmed by the huge victory. He felt that what his son said made a lot of sense. It was such an achievement to conquer Beidi.
He was immediately delighted and waved his hands repeatedly, "Yong'er has done nothing wrong. You have done the right thing. As you said, let the father and son of the Jiang family be severely beaten by me. If you can defeat Beidi, I will reward you handsomely!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" Lu Yong responded loudly, with a gleam of success in his lowered eyes.
At this time, Qin Xiu spoke again: "Your Majesty, I have another matter to report. I have found Miss Jiang Qingning, the eldest, and Miss Jiang Qingxi, the second."
"Oh? Sister Jiang Qingning was found. Where was she found?" Lu Bin was in a very good mood at the moment and asked casually.
Qin Xiu's voice suddenly turned cold, filled with undisguised anger. "Your Majesty, the two young ladies of the Jiang family are not missing. Instead, they were secretly kidnapped by their ex-husband, Xun Chen, the Earl of Anping, and imprisoned in a remote courtyard outside the capital. If General Jiang and his son hadn't stumbled upon a clue and rescued them along the way, they would probably still be imprisoned."
"What?!" The entire court was in an uproar.
"Xun Chen actually did such a despicable thing!"
"Kidnapping my wife? This is horrifying!"
"No wonder there has been no news from Miss Jiang!"
"Is this a revenge killing or a murder of passion? This is the first time I've heard of such a scandal!"
"Kidnapping my ex-wife and ex-sister-in-law is truly heartless!"
The smile on Lu Bin's face froze instantly, and then turned into anger.
The Jiang family is now his great contributor, but Xun Chen actually dared to touch anyone from the Jiang family, and used such despicable means.
"Where is that bastard Xun Chen? Bring him here for me. I want to personally..." Lu Bin was so angry that he was shaking all over and said angrily in a cold voice.
Qin Xiu interrupted, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Xun Chen has been apprehended by General Jiang and is being escorted back to the capital by me. He has been thrown into the Heavenly Prison awaiting trial. However..."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious. "While I was ordered to search the Anping Marquis's residence, I unexpectedly discovered something that seems to be related to Xun Chen's treason. This matter is of great importance, and I dare not take it upon myself. I can only submit a memorial to Your Majesty for your gracious approval."
"Furthermore, Miss Jiang is the direct victim, and General Jiang and his son are about to achieve unparalleled merit. I believe it would be better to wait until all members of the Jiang family return to the capital before hearing this case together. This would allow the Jiang family to witness their enemy being brought to justice, as a testament to Your Majesty's great grace."
"Treason?"
"Xun Chen also colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country?"
These four words have now almost become Lu Bin's nightmare. His scalp tingles when he hears this word. This is another minister he once trusted.
His eyes went dark, his body swayed, and he almost fainted.
He held onto the dragon throne, pointing his trembling fingers downwards, his voice cracking and breaking: "Another act of treason! Is my court, my court, a sieve? How can it be filled with traitors harboring evil intentions?!"
A huge fear and dread swept over him.
He couldn't imagine that if there were no Jiang family, no Qin Xiu, and no He Ning, his kingdom would have been completely eaten away by these termites long ago.
"Investigate, investigate thoroughly!"
Lu Bin roared hysterically, "As for Xun Chen, lock him up in the lowest level of the Heavenly Prison and torture him daily, but don't let him die. Wait for Jiang Baichuan to return, and I will make him watch this traitor being cut into pieces with his own eyes!"
"Your Majesty, I obey your order!" Qin Xiu lowered his head and accepted the order, hiding the cold light that flashed in the depths of his eyes.
In the Golden Palace, all the ministers were silent, and they were all terrified.
Outside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials were whispering to each other after court was dismissed.
"The Xun family is completely finished now."
"And the Jiang family's prestige will surely reach its peak after this incident, and no one will be able to stop them."
"I'm afraid the situation in the imperial court is really going to change."
Half an hour later, Qin Xiu walked out of the Yangxin Palace and looked at He Ning, Concubine Qin and others who were waiting outside.
"Sister." Qin Xiu stepped forward and said.
"I'm glad you're back. Do you know how scared I was when I heard you were injured a few days ago..." Concubine Qin hesitated to speak, her eyes full of worry.
"Don't worry, sister. Ignore it. Miss Jiang arrived just in time, and the encirclement by General Jiang and Junior General Jiang is also perfect. Nothing will happen to this young man."
Qin Xiu looked at Concubine Qin's red eyes that were full of concern, and the softness in his heart seemed to be touched. He cared about his family, and in order to let his family live a life without worries, he needed to continue working hard on this matter.
"That's great. I'm afraid my father and mother have been waiting for you at home for a long time. They have also received the news that you were injured. If you are done with your work, please go back early and don't let them worry."
Concubine Qin raised her hand to wipe away the moisture from the corners of her eyes, and the worry in her eyes turned sharp: "Is Yong'er still in there?"
"His Royal Highness Prince Yong has always been by your Majesty's side." Qin Xiu said respectfully.
"He's still a child after all, and he gets tired too. I'm going to see His Majesty now, so you guys can go back first."
After she finished speaking, Concubine Qin took the hand of the palace maid, turned around and walked towards the door of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Qin Xiu and He Ning saluted side by side, and only stood up and looked at each other after Concubine Qin disappeared.
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