CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 413: RETURN

When Madam Shen of Jibei Marquis Mansion heard about the assassination attempt at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion, she couldn’t sit still.

After all, her son was still at the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion.

She didn’t even have time for breakfast and rushed over to take Young Master Shen back home.

To Madam Shen’s surprise, her son refused to leave, even after spending a night in the secret passage to hide from the assassins.

Afraid that Madam Shen might forcibly take him away, Young Master Shen hid behind Young Master Su.

Madam Shen’s face turned green.

It was the first time she felt the urge to hit her son since he grew up.

Young Master Su thought for a bit and voiced his grievances to make a demand, "Mother, there are many affairs in the household, and we aren’t being properly cared for. I think we should go and stay at Jibei Marquis Mansion for a few more days."

One must hurry to make demands when feeling wronged, lest the opportunity slips away.

Mrs. Tang had the same plan in mind.

Since Su Yang was at Jibei Marquis Mansion, she felt assured.

The Marquis wouldn’t let Su Yang and the Ninth Prince wander around, and would have someone watch over them.

That boy seemed unwilling to have the household servants follow him, preferring others instead.

Mrs. Tang didn’t understand his mindset, perhaps he feared the servants would report on him?

Since Su Yang brought it up, Mrs. Tang "reluctantly" agreed.

And so—

Madam Shen came to get her son, and also took Su Yang and the Ninth Prince back with them.

Whether Madam Shen was happy was unclear, but Old Madam Shen’s joy was evident on her face.

Even the Emperor felt that the Ninth Prince wasn’t safe at Dongxiang Marquis Mansion and sent people to fetch him, only to be informed that the prince had moved to Jibei Marquis Mansion.

With the prince at Jibei Marquis Mansion, the Emperor was reassured and thus didn’t concern himself further.

The Emperor had other matters to attend to and couldn’t focus on the Ninth Prince.

Duke Zhen led his army back to the Capital, camping a hundred miles out for three whole days, and finally set off at noon the day they would return to the Capital.

A hundred miles isn’t far, but because they set off at noon, it was dark by the time they reached the Capital.

Having captured the King of Beimo alive, the court’s prestige greatly increased. How could they miss such an opportunity to showcase the nation’s might?

So, the army stopped ten miles outside the Capital to spend the night, returning the next morning when the Emperor and his officials would come out to greet them.

That evening, after dinner, Mrs. Tang said to Su Chong, "Sleep early tonight, at dawn you’ll set out to meet with Duke Zhen."

Once outside, Prince NanAn looked at Su Chong and asked, "Why are we going to meet Duke Zhen?"

"Who knows," replied Su Chong.

"...."

"Don’t you ask?" Prince NanAn’s mouth twitched.

Su Chong gave Prince NanAn a sidelong glance, "It’s not that I didn’t ask, didn’t you see that my mother’s face said ’don’t ask why’?"

Prince NanAn, "...."

Forgive his poor eyesight, he truly didn’t see it.

Chu Shun said, "Going to see Duke Zhen is easier than early morning training."

Thinking this, Prince NanAn wouldn’t even mind climbing over the walls at night to leave the Capital.

The next day, just as the sky began to brighten, they rode out of the Capital.

When they reached the city gate, the guards were just opening it, and the group rode out of the city.

...

The day Duke Zhen returned triumphantly with his army, the sun shone brightly, the sky blue and clouds white.

Early in the morning, Duke Zhen Mansion was already bustling.

The maids and servants were cleaning every corner of the mansion, ensuring the floors were spotless.

At noon, there was a banquet at the palace to welcome Duke Zhen and wash away the dust, followed by a family banquet at the mansion in the evening, lively and bustling.

Having waited for so many days, they finally welcomed Duke Zhen and Old Master Xie back to the Capital, filling them with excitement.

After breakfast, Su Jin took Xingxing to pay respects to Old Madam.

They hadn’t been there long when they heard a maid report that the Emperor had left the palace.

The Emperor was going out to welcome Duke Zhen, and the Duke Mansion couldn’t leave too late.

Old Madam was too elderly to go out, but Princess Nanzhang and Second Madam, Third Madam would definitely go, along with Xie Jingchuan and Xie Jinyu, all without exception.

In grand procession, the group left the mansion and took carriages to the city gate.

On both sides of the city gate, the citizens lined the streets to welcome them.

The Emperor led the officials at the city gate, waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea when they finally saw the army approaching slowly.

A uniform and mighty procession.

The consistent footsteps were enough to inspire awe.

As the procession came closer, a banner came into the view of the officials.

The military flag shimmered in the sunlight.

Many officials’ eyes widened.

That banner—

Wasn’t it the Flying Tiger Army’s battle flag?!

After fifteen years, to see that banner again.

Everyone was stunned.

But all their combined astonishment didn’t match that of the Emperor alone.

To see the banner clearly, the Emperor walked several steps forward.

The closer he got, the more his eyes brimmed with tears.

It was undoubtedly that banner.

The one with his own characters, painstakingly embroidered by Consort Yun with golden silk and silver thread, taking half a year.

The second son of Jibei Marquis Mansion cherished Consort Yun dearly, saying when he received the banner: if the Flying Tiger Army stands, the banner stands; if it falls, the banner falls.

When the Flying Tiger Army was wiped out, that banner mysteriously disappeared.

Some guessed the banner with its silk and thread was burnt by the enemy, melted away for the gold thread.

Unexpectedly!

The banner still exists.

Officials followed the Emperor a hundred steps forward until they saw the person atop the horse.

A snow-white steed, ridden by a young general.

For a moment, the Emperor seemed to see the Heir of Late Duke Chong.

But upon closer inspection, wasn’t that the Young Master of Dongxiang Marquis Mansion?

Duke Zhen’s triumphant return, his army marching back to the Capital, why was he at the forefront?

The Emperor was going out to greet, the one leading should be none other than Duke Zhen.

In the past, officials would have gossiped, but faced with that flag, no one dared utter a word.

Who didn’t know Dongxiang Marquis’s bandit army was called the Flying Tiger Army?

If it was only called Flying Tiger Army it might be fine, but he even bore the Flying Tiger Army’s banner.

Su Chong led the way.

A young general, radiant with grace, a true dragon among men.

Duke Zhen followed behind Su Chong, with Marquis Dongxiang and Old Master Xie beside him.

Behind them were several generals and Prince NanAn and others.

Though they hadn’t been on a battlefield before, they were already in armor.

The armor was heavy, but after wearing iron plates for a month during their journey to Yu State, the armor was nothing to them.

Usually carefree and cheeky, their expressions were now unprecedentedly serious.

No matter how naive, they knew today was extraordinary.

Su Chong hadn’t even been on the battlefield, how could he lead an army over Duke Zhen?

By virtue of his father being the Heir of Late Duke Chong.

By virtue of his identity as the young commander of the Flying Tiger Army.

Half of the credit for capturing King Beimo alive belongs to the Flying Tiger Army.

As the young commander of the Flying Tiger Army, it was fitting for him to lead, not to mention this was Duke Zhen’s own request.

The Emperor didn’t recognize Su Chong, but he knew the armor he wore.

It was that of the Heir of Late Duke Chong.

Ten steps from the Emperor.

Su Chong dismounted, followed by Duke Zhen and others.

The Emperor was silent for a long time.

Su Chong knelt, his voice echoing like distant bells and drums:

"Your Majesty, I, Young Commander Shangguan Ting of the Flying Tiger Army, report back leading 8,000 Flying Tiger Army soldiers."