Chapter 769: Chapter 731: Bestowed Death (Part 2)

Lu Xingzhou nodded and looked at Song Wei, "Third Son, find a place to sit for a while. Soon, your mother-in-law and I will go see Wanwan."

Song Wei nodded.

After Lu Xingzhou left, he followed Zhao Xi to the Eastern Palace and met Song Yuanbao halfway.

"Father!"

Seeing Song Wei, Song Yuanbao exclaimed in surprise.

Song Wei stopped in his tracks and saw him hurriedly running over.

As he got closer, Song Wei, fearing he would slip, reached out to support him.

Song Yuanbao steadied himself and looked Song Wei up and down, finally showing a smile, "Father, are you all well?"

Song Wei nodded, "Yun Shiliu’s medical skills are beyond doubt."

"That’s good." Song Yuanbao patted his chest in relief, "If you weren’t well, I’d be burdened by guilt for life."

Song Wei asked him, "Why are you in the palace?"

Song Yuanbao glanced at Zhao Xi beside Song Wei, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Earlier, I heard from Miss Dong that someone was trying to assassinate His Highness, so I went with people to rescue him. But we ended up trapped instead, and it wasn’t until Grandfather came that we were brought out. I’ve been waiting outside all this time."

When Song Yuanbao called him Grandfather, Song Wei was momentarily confused, then realized he meant Lu Xingzhou. He smiled and was about to ask more when Song Yuanbao interrupted, "Father, don’t worry about me right now. You should think about how to explain to my mother when we get home!"

Song Wei asked, "Is Wanwan angry?"

Song Yuanbao had an expression that said, "You’re on your own," and replied, "On the day I returned to the Capital with the funeral procession, Yang Xiong’an found an excuse to have the coffin switched. Mother was present when it was opened, and though the body inside was made to resemble you, that one glance still terrified her. I reckon she’s holding a grudge now!"

"Alright." A smile that could not be hidden appeared on Song Wei’s lips, "I’ll explain to her personally when we return."

Only then did Song Yuanbao shift his attention to Zhao Xi beside him, "Your Highness, are you alright?"

Zhao Xi stepped back two steps and bowed to Song Wei and Song Yuanbao, "Thank you both for your assistance today."

Song Wei returned the gesture, "Your Highness is too kind. It is my duty as a subject."

Zhao Xi, being the Crown Prince, was lowering himself with this gesture. From the time they’ve known him, it was the first time. Song Yuanbao quickly followed Song Wei in returning the bow, "Your Highness, I promised to protect you."

Zhao Xi thought of the scene where Song Yuanbao bravely led men into the Imperial Clan Court to save him and of Mr. Cui’s words that Song Wei was personally chosen by Emperor Guangxi as his Assistant Minister, filling his heart with many emotions.

Song Yuanbao felt uncomfortable under his gaze and scratched his head, "Alright, alright, I admit, even I find it cheesy. Does your Eastern Palace have any food? I’ve been starved being locked up for so long."

"Yes." Zhao Xi said, "Whatever you want to eat later, I’ll have the Imperial Kitchen make it for you."

Song Yuanbao grinned, "Isn’t Your Highness controlling my diet anymore?"

Zhao Xi paused, then smiled slightly, "You deserve a reward for protecting me and being frightened."

Song Yuanbao raised his eyebrows, "What a pity that both the main wife and concubine aren’t here. If they saw this rare smile of Your Highness, imagine how delighted they’d be?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xi turned his head slightly, the smile fading from his face, "Where’s Miss Yang?"

"I had someone send her back." Song Yuanbao said, "She was lucky. She didn’t wake up during the fight, or she would’ve passed out from the blood. But since Yang Xiong’an has been caught, the Yang Family can’t escape this calamity, can they? I guess your marriage arrangement is over."

Song Wei suddenly spoke, "Colluding with eunuchs, controlling the imperial guard, holding ministers hostage, fabricating decrees—just these charges are enough to execute nine generations, let alone with a disorderly Tongji Association. Once its leader confesses, the Yang Family has no chance of recovery."

Song Yuanbao blinked, "What will happen to Miss Yang?"

Song Wei said, "At worst, exile or being made an official prostitute; at worst, death."

"No way?" Song Yuanbao thought of the timid girl who dared to steal grandfather’s directive to save Zhao Xi, "Although her character isn’t endearing, she did help us..."

Before he could finish, Zhao Xi interrupted, "I will protect her."

Song Yuanbao coughed lightly, "Does Your Highness... have feelings for her?"

Zhao Xi replied indifferently, "If you like her, I’ll give her to you."

"No, no, no!" Yuanbao waved his hand repeatedly, "There’s a saying that goes well, ’Never covet a friend’s wife.’ Besides, I already have a fiancée. Our family’s Ye Baobao is much smarter and more charming than her."

Zhao Xi directly ignored him and invited Song Wei, and the three of them continued towards the Eastern Palace.

...

Emperor’s bedroom.

After Lu Xingzhou paid his respects to Emperor Guangxi, he was seated next to Fanghua.

Emperor Guangxi lay on the Dragon Couch, turned his head to look at him, "The Northern Military Report, you are aware of it, right?"

Lu Xingzhou nodded, "It was a message from the Crown Prince."

Before Zhao Xi, Emperor Guangxi had also sent a message to Lu Xingzhou and his wife, but it didn’t mention his serious illness or the Northern Military Report, only that the Yang Family intended to rebel, and asked the couple to come to the rescue.

"What is your opinion?" Emperor Guangxi asked.

Lu Xingzhou stood up, cupped his hands, "If Your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to lead the troops northward."

"No need for ’commoner’ anymore." Emperor Guangxi sighed lightly, "You and your wife have great merit in rescuing me, you deserve rewards. Cui Fuquan, draft an edict for me, conferring the title of Marquis Changning to Lu Xingzhou, appointing him as the main commander of this Northern Expedition, and granting him a residence. From now on, the Capital will be your home."

Lu Xingzhou and Fanghua exchanged glances, the couple knelt together to express their gratitude.

Emperor Guangxi raised his hand to let them stand, sighing deeply, "During the late Emperor’s reign, there was once a night when a celestial anomaly appeared. An Alchemist predicted that Chu Country would face unprecedented calamities, and once the flames of war spread, it would result in a dreadful scene of bones and corpses stretching for miles, leading to inevitable ruin. When we attacked West Yue back then, I was fearful the prophecy would come true, hence I didn’t agree to your mid-battle truce, ordering an all-out assault to breach the Imperial City. Unfortunately, this still left hidden dangers.

This time, Bei Yan is coming fiercely. According to frontline scouts, they have already amassed an army of eight hundred thousand, and once fully assembled, it will be over a million. Clearly, they are determined to destroy Chu Country. I will give you the 调动 troops tiger talismans of the West Mountain Camp and East City Camp, plus over a hundred mechanical beasts from the Divine Soldier Bureau. This battle must be won. If lost, your wife and children will perish along with Chu Country."

Lu Xingzhou’s expression turned grave, "As long as I live, I will not let the enemy step on my Great Chu even a single step!"

Emperor Guangxi nodded in satisfaction, "The last time we punished West Yue, the main commander was Marquis Zhenxi, Xu Guangfu. This time, it’s your turn to lead the army. All the generals in the court are at your disposal."

Lu Xingzhou cupped his hands again, "To receive Your Majesty’s trust is my good fortune. I will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty nor the citizens’ high expectations."

Emperor Guangxi had said too much today, his energy spent, he mentioned he was tired and asked the couple to withdraw first.

Lu Xingzhou and Fanghua had no choice but to leave the Emperor’s bedroom.

As they walked out of the Qianqing Palace gate, Fanghua looked at the long path ahead and suddenly spoke, "With the enemy not yet destroyed, how can we call it a home? You must win this battle, not only for our mother and child, but also for the Great Chu’s kingdom and millions of people. Therefore, no matter how seriously injured you are, as long as there is still a breath in you, you must fight to the end. If you return triumphantly, I will brew wine and warm tea for you; if you become bones on the battlefield, I will wear plain clothes and remain faithful for the rest of my life."

This was the first time in decades of marriage that she commanded him in such a serious tone.

Lu Xingzhou listened and smiled slightly, "No boastful words, I will do my best."

After inquiring that Song Wei was in the Eastern Palace, Lu Xingzhou and his wife took a carriage there.

Zhao Xi had a lot of good dishes prepared, along with palace-brewed wine. Yuanbao was eating heartily, and upon seeing Lu Xingzhou and Fanghua enter, he quickly put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and stood up to greet, "Grandfather, Grandmother."

Fanghua heard the voice, turned to look at him, and smiled in praise, "The child has grown so big already?"

Yuanbao chuckled, "I am the same age as the Crown Prince."

Fanghua nodded, "As expected of being brought up by Song Wei, you look good."

Yuanbao, receiving the compliment, was already feeling quite proud but modestly said, "Grandmother overpraises me."

Zhao Xi came over, "Aunt and uncle, please take a seat. I’ll have more food and wine brought immediately."

"No need for trouble," Fanghua waved her hand, "If we’re going to eat, it would be at Sanlang Mansion. I haven’t seen my daughter in years; I wonder how my little grandson has grown."

Zhao Xi understood, "Since aunt says so, I can only be inadequate in my hospitality."

With that, he ordered tea to be served.

Fanghua looked at Zhao Xi, contemplating for a moment before speaking, "Xixi, come outside with me, there’s something I want to tell you."

Zhao Xi asked Yuanbao to help host the guests and followed Fanghua outside the door, "What does aunt want to say to me in private?"

Fanghua hesitated slightly, "It’s your father, he asked me to tell you, regarding the Empress, you have just one choice: don’t get involved. If you insist on getting involved, he will immediately decree her execution."