"That's right! The Empress Dowager called us back, what do you mean by stopping us? To tell you the truth, the matter between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor cannot be discussed with outsiders. Why did she go to such lengths to send you directly to the capital instead of having you come from afar? Something must have happened. And you still won't let us in. Is there something wrong with you?" The Sixth Princess was quick-witted as well.
"No, how could I!" General Xu was also greatly surprised: "Your Highnesses, please calm down, but this is a matter of protocol..."
"It is precisely because of the rules that Her Majesty the Empress instructed me to receive her personally," said Shuanzi.
General Xu reported on his duties every year, so it was impossible for him not to know Shuanzi.
“If you delay any longer, something really bad might happen. You can’t be blindly loyal, can you?” Yan Nanji said.
General Xu sighed; he too was puzzled by the sudden appointment of a crown prince.
He could only sigh, "Very well, for His Majesty's sake. But the troops must not enter the city, nor can they bypass my garrison."
"Alright!" Now that we're here, General Xu can't stop us if we really need to.
That night, the Seventh Princess and her entourage rushed back to the capital.
Meanwhile, the Ning family faction had been trapped for ten days.
They were, after all, civil officials, and there was nothing they could do if they were trapped for the time being.
With His Majesty absent and no morning court session, even if the officials submit memorials, no one cares anymore.
By this time, Yan Nangui had already seized military power in the capital.
Yan Nanji's return put her mind at ease.
In the Beichen Palace, Yan Nangui told the Fifth Prince's sixth princess to go back first.
"Mother, what's wrong with Father?" the Seventh Princess asked.
Yan Nangui could lie to everyone, but she couldn't lie to her own daughter.
“Your father must have passed away,” Yan Nangui said.
The seventh princess was stunned. After what seemed like an eternity, she cried out, "Why? How could this be? There's been no news. Mother, are you mistaken?"
“I didn’t want him to die so soon either. But Mother wouldn’t be wrong.” Yan Nangui hugged her: “Silly child, cry.”
How could the Seventh Princess hold back? Her beloved father, the Emperor, was dead.
She didn't believe it, but she had no choice but to.
After all that her mother had done, she couldn't help but believe it.
Then she burst into tears.
"There is no news at this time because the war has just ended. Soon, the Crown Prince will escort the coffin back to the capital." Yan Nangui said amidst her sobs, "I have already sent a message to your maternal grandfather to defend Daiyang Pass to the death."
The seventh princess cried for a long time before asking, "From now on, eldest brother will be..."
“No, he isn’t.” Yan Nangui took out a handkerchief and wiped her daughter’s face: “Come, listen to what your mother has to say.”
She pulled the child to sit down: "Your mother knows you're very sad. But we still have a lot to do, you know?"
The Seventh Princess bit her lip: "But Mother, Father's decree is to establish my eldest brother as heir. I... can I disobey?"
"Do you feel that doing this is unfair to him?" Yan Nangui asked.
The seventh princess didn't say anything, but simply hugged her mother's waist.
“When it’s time to apologize, I will apologize. The Empress Dowager promised to take care of the child and the Empress Dowager. But in the end, only you are my own child. I want you to never be made difficult by anyone in your life.” Yan Nangui stroked her head.
"So, can Bao'er believe Mother's words and listen to Mother?"
The Seventh Princess nodded vigorously: "Bao'er will definitely listen, sob sob sob, Mother, you must be well, I will definitely be obedient, I will listen to everything."
"Good, good child, remember, your mother doesn't mean to wrong your father. Your father chose the eldest prince simply because he had no other choice. To be honest, none of your father's eldest sons are up to par. So, I will protect the country for him."
"Yes, Mother, please be alright, okay?" The Seventh Princess cried and hiccuped.
"Alright, your mother will always protect you. Until you grow up and become an adult." Yan Nangui stroked her cheek and wiped away her tears: "So, my good child, cheer up. It's not time to cry yet, understand?"
"Mmm." The Seventh Princess couldn't stop sobbing for a long time.
How could a teenager not cry when he suddenly loses his father who loves him so much?
"Your father and the others should be back soon." Yan Nangui sighed deeply.
No matter how much you don't want to face it, you'll eventually have to.
Two days later, the imperial carriage finally returned in the early morning.
Although there was no news, the entire army was dressed in white, and everyone understood.
The Crown Prince personally escorted the coffin, walking at the front.
Once they arrived at this point, the news of the emperor's death no longer needed to be concealed.
The army that followed the emperor was not large, only a little over ten thousand men.
Not all of these people could go to the capital. Only the Imperial Guards and officials could return. An additional three thousand men would accompany them on their journey.
Wei Xiao was still cleaning up Meng Haijiang's mess.
Although the crown prince was also saddened, he remained relaxed.
After all, the Ning family and their mother were still in the capital. The princes were all deeply saddened.
Regardless of whether it's true or not, you have to act sad.
But just as the group reached the outskirts of the city, the Empress's decree arrived.
Shuanzi held up the imperial edict: "It is an imperial edict from Her Majesty the Empress."
Everyone had to kneel, including the crown prince.
But he didn't kneel down immediately. Instead, he asked, "Now that Father's coffin has returned to the palace, even if Mother has something to do, shouldn't she have called Father back first?"
This statement was agreed upon by many people.
Shuanzi looked at him coldly: "By the Empress's decree, His Majesty's decision to establish an heir on the battlefield must be suspicious. General Xu and General Yan are hereby ordered to capture and temporarily control the Crown Prince. Lord Ding is to escort His Majesty into the palace."
Ding Min was among those accompanying him.
He was also skeptical; even though he knew the Empress had taken action, he still couldn't get out.
Although he was in charge of the Ministry of War, there were no soldiers in the capital...
"You dare?" The crown prince was shocked and furious. "Are you planning a rebellion?"
Yun Ji also came out: "What's going on? His Majesty's appointment of an heir was witnessed by all the ministers, how could there be anything suspicious?"
"Eunuch Yun, no one knows the relationship between the Empress and His Majesty better than you, right? The Empress's suspicions must have a reason. She's only temporarily detaining the Crown Prince. She's not going to kill him. As the Crown Prince's mother, even if the Empress is wrong, the Crown Prince won't hold it against her, will he? But Your Highness, you blurt out that the Empress was plotting a rebellion, which is why His Majesty passed away. What do you mean by saying such things? It seems you've harbored resentment towards the Empress for a long time, haven't you?" Shuanzi said angrily.
"You! That's not what I meant!" the prince exclaimed urgently.
“Even if Her Majesty the Empress has any suspicions, she cannot stop the Crown Prince from entering the capital…” Yun Ji said.
"We won't stop them, but they will be escorted to the capital by General Xu and General Yan. Eunuch Yun, please don't stop them," said Shuanzi.
Yun Ji sighed and could only remain silent.
At this time, the Crown Prince had not yet gained full control of the power, while Yan Nanji had already led 60,000 men to the capital region.
What else is there to say?
"May I see Her Majesty the Empress?" Yun asked.
“Of course, Her Majesty will also want to see you. Her Majesty is not the type to do things behind the scenes, so you can rest assured,” Shuanzi said.
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