Xiling Tianyu had no idea at all that his careless gossip—spreading rumors without verifying them, exaggerating and distorting the story—would cause such serious consequences!
The news from Xiling Tianyu struck like a bolt from the blue, nearly stunning the Ninth Royal Uncle. He stared at those few lines, unable to tear his gaze away for a long time. Just as the shadow guards thought he was about to turn to stone, the Ninth Royal Uncle finally moved.
Smack—Ninth Royal Uncle slapped the letter onto the table. "Relay my order: accelerate our march. We must reach Xiling Imperial City within five days."
"Yes, sir." The shadow guards inwardly groaned but dared not protest.
Ninth Royal Uncle’s command for a nonstop journey wasn’t enough—he abandoned his ceremonial escort and rode ahead alone. "Wait for me outside the city. I’ll meet you there in five days."
"Your Highness, you mustn’t—!" The officials following him were utterly miserable. They’d put up with the forced march, but now he was running off alone—what kind of situation was this?
If anything happened to Ninth Royal Uncle on the road—if there was any mishap—they and their entire families would be doomed.
"Your Highness, I beg you, you can’t go!" The officials didn’t dare cling to the Ninth Royal Uncle’s leg, so they clung to his horse’s leg instead, desperately trying to keep him from leaving.
They’d already entered Xiling territory, and at every city along the way they had to meet with local officials. If Ninth Royal Uncle left, what were they supposed to do?
"Bring me another horse." Ninth Royal Uncle didn’t spare them a glance, simply ordering a fresh mount. He was determined to leave; as for how to cover it up, that was none of his concern.
"I trust you can handle it." If you can’t, don’t talk about serving your ruler—don’t just sit there doing nothing.
"Your Highness, oh Your Highness... I can’t do it!" The Minister of Revenue who’d come to negotiate with Ninth Royal Uncle was in tears—he wanted to resign.
"Hyah, hyah..." The only reply to this official was the sound of hoofbeats fading into the distance.
"What on earth happened? Why did His Highness just leave like that?" Now that he was gone, crying was useless—the officials from the Ministry of Revenue helped each other to their feet.
"It must be something major. Otherwise, Ninth Royal Uncle wouldn’t take such risks."
"No matter how big the issue, His Highness shouldn’t take risks. This is Xiling—Xiling! Ninth Royal Uncle is hiding his identity and acting in secret. If something happens, we won’t even be able to ask for an explanation." The timid officials wiped the corners of their eyes, their fear palpable.
"The Regent Prince is just too reckless. When I get back, I’m definitely filing a report against him. The Regent Prince’s safety affects all of Eastlyn—if he puts himself in danger, what about the people?"
What a shameless bit of flattery...
"Exactly. In my opinion, the Regent Prince should have the National Preceptor teach him—learn the way of rulership."
Another shameless flatterer...
After Ninth Royal Uncle left, the officials gathered together and began plotting how to stir things up back in Eastlyn to help him ascend the throne with full legitimacy.
If they succeeded, they’d be credited as kingmakers.
The more they thought about it, the more excited they got. The shadow guards yawned in boredom—officials really were clever, but who knew how their minds worked...
Ninth Royal Uncle traveled through the night and finally, on the third evening, reached the gates of Xiling Imperial City. After releasing his horse, he signaled into the darkness; the shadow guards appeared, distracting the city guards for him.
With a swift movement, Ninth Royal Uncle blended almost seamlessly into the night. As the shadow guards diverted the soldiers’ attention, he slipped toward the moat, paused lightly atop the water using qinggong, then fired his grappling hook and vaulted up to the city wall.
"There’s..." The patrolling soldier felt a chilling wind rush past his back and froze on the spot, too scared to move.
"Hey, what’s wrong?" Someone nearby noticed something was off and came over to ask.
"Th-there’s..." The terrified soldier’s face was white as a sheet, stammering. The man next to him turned pale and drew his blade. "Someone’s there?"
The soldier shook his head again and again, "Th-there’s... a ghost..."
With a thud, the man sat down on the ground, wetting his pants in terror. "A ghost, a ghost just floated past me!"
The man beside him let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Tch, must be new here. What’s so scary about ghosts? Around here, people are scarier than ghosts. It’s people you should fear."
"Go change your pants, brother. You’ll get used to it after a few times. Who knows how many have died under this gate—having a little yin energy is perfectly normal."
During sieges, the most deaths happen at the city gate. Weird things occur here all the time—you just get used to it.
To avoid drawing attention, the shadow guards didn’t enter the city but stayed at the gate to provide support.
Ninth Royal Uncle was extremely familiar with Xiling Imperial City. After entering, he made his way straight to the small courtyard where Feng Qincheng was staying. The first person to spot him was Zuo An’s master.
Not wanting to cause a commotion, Ninth Royal Uncle led Zuo An’s master to a secluded spot before revealing his identity.
"Ninth Royal Uncle?" Zuo An’s master was quite surprised.
"Yes. I need to see Feng Qincheng." After three days and nights of travel, Ninth Royal Uncle’s voice was hoarse.
Zuo An’s master gave Ninth Royal Uncle a long, searching look, then silently left. Soon, a commotion arose at Feng Qincheng’s temporary courtyard. Ninth Royal Uncle took the chance to slip past the guards and sneak inside...
Zuo An’s master hadn’t warned Feng Qincheng in advance, so when she saw Ninth Royal Uncle, she was utterly stunned. The cup in her hand slipped, but Ninth Royal Uncle reacted quickly, bending down and catching it without spilling a drop.
"You—you’re here?" Feng Qincheng was delighted, completely forgetting what she’d just been about to do.
"Didn’t you get word that I was coming to Xiling?" Ninth Royal Uncle set the cup on the table and sat down, his deep black eyes fixed steadily on Feng Qincheng.
Good—she hasn’t lost weight...
Good—she’s genuinely happy to see me.
Good—her eyes still can’t hide her feelings for me.
Good—things aren’t as bad as Tianyu made them sound...
In an instant, dozens of thoughts flashed through Ninth Royal Uncle’s mind. Outside, Xia Wan and Chun Hui heard the commotion and rushed over, only to be stopped by Feng Qincheng. But the snow wolf was not so obedient—catching the scent of a new person in the room, it barged in without warning.
"Awoo..." The snow wolf froze in place when it saw Ninth Royal Uncle, still in mid-charge, its mouth forming an O.
The snow wolf rubbed its eyes furiously, as if it couldn’t believe what it was seeing. To make sure it wasn’t mistaken, it dashed to Ninth Royal Uncle’s feet and sniffed all around, its whole wolf face looking baffled...
He stank—smelled terrible, nothing like Ninth Royal Uncle. But up close, the wolf could finally catch his familiar scent.
Chun Hui and Xia Wan stood outside, stunned to see Ninth Royal Uncle suddenly appear.
For Ninth Royal Uncle to show up early in Xiling—did something big happen?
Feng Qincheng wondered the same. She didn’t need to think twice: if Ninth Royal Uncle came early to Xiling, it had to be for something important—not because of her...
She wasn’t in any danger right now.