His Highness Prince Leonard

The black-clad guard continued reporting, "After extensive investigation, we reconstructed the scene when that group was chasing General Xiao, which led us to find General Xiao's body. I have had the best forensic examiner verify the corpse; the physical features match General Xiao perfectly. Since the body was decomposed and the face unrecognizable, we also had a forensic artist skilled in skeletal reconstruction draw the face based on the skull, confirming it is undoubtedly General Xiao."

Prince Ling looked at the "corpse of Xiao Zitian" with a complex and deep gaze, showing regret, amazement, and doubt, finally turning all into a long sigh: "Xiao Zitian, Xiao Zitian, I always thought you were an invincible great general, a figure like a living god. I never expected you could be wounded, could fail, could even... die... Heh..."

Prince Ling stared at the corpse for a long time, then covered it with a cloth, waving his hand: "Seal it in a coffin and transport it secretly back to the capital."

"Yes, Your Highness Prince Ling."

The guards carried the body away. Prince Ling stood under the eaves, his long, handsome eyes fixed on a cluster of wintersweet flowers in the corner. After a long while, he walked over, gently broke off a branch, brought it to his lips, and murmured, "Mingyu, oh Mingyu, the man you wished to marry is dead. You should give up now and obediently marry me..."

A sharp gleam flashed in Prince Ling’s eyes. Suddenly, he pinched the wintersweet branch between his fingers and crushed it fiercely. The proud petals bled juice onto his fingers, while the remaining petals fell onto the pure white snow, glaring like blood.

Prince Ling’s heart suddenly felt lighter.

The invincible war god Xiao Zitian, who once dominated the court, was finally dead. The shadow that loomed over the royal family had dissipated, and Prince Ling could now, as he wished, marry Princess Mingyu of Chu Kingdom as a strong support in his bid for the throne.

Prince Ling's mood brightened instantly. He had stayed in the modest Qingmiao City for a long time investigating Xiao Zitian’s whereabouts. Now, he could finally return to his exquisite and luxurious prince’s mansion.

"I heard Qingmiao City has opened a Wutong Academy. I want to take a look at the future pillars of our Great Jin Empire," Prince Ling said elegantly, wiping the wintersweet juice off his fingers with a handkerchief. Immediately, an attendant draped a black fox fur cloak over him.

Qingmiao City, Shilipo.

Though it was just past the first month of the lunar year, because Wutong Academy was opening today, Shilipo was bustling with excitement, filled with students returning to the academy and their families seeing them off.

Prince Ling, accompanied by two subordinates, disguised as an ordinary wealthy young master, strolled leisurely through the streets.

"Wutong Academy truly lives up to being the work of Minister Gu; it’s no less prestigious than the imperial academies. I’ve heard Minister Gu has already arrived in Qingmiao City. I’d like to find a chance to pay him a visit," Prince Ling said, admiring the vigor of the students.

Standing before the gates of Wutong Academy, Prince Ling observed the spacious terrain and elegant architecture. Passing scholars included many renowned figures of the age. He thought to himself that although Minister Gu had retired, with his grandson Gu Liangzhe serving as Grand Tutor in court, the Gu family’s prestige had only grown.

Thinking of Gu Liangzhe, Prince Ling also recalled Xiao Zitian, who, along with Gu Liangzhe, were known in court as "Gu Wen and Xiao Wu" for their literary and martial prowess respectively.

It was a pity that Gu Liangzhe, holding the position of Grand Tutor, had a boundless future, while Xiao Zitian had become a corpse, destined to be buried in the earth forever.

The cold outside soon got to him after a while of walking, making him both cold and hungry. Prince Ling, being a connoisseur of fine food, was dissatisfied with the less refined meals in Qingmiao City compared to his own mansion. He asked, "Are there any famous restaurants around here?"