CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 469: RETURNING TO THE COURT

The news of victory was sent urgently to the Fourth Prince.

The influence of the Liu Family in the Northwest needed to be uprooted entirely.

This matter was naturally entrusted to Feng Qi and three others to handle.

The Fourth Prince, after contemplating, took Uncle Liu’s head to see the Marquis of Northwest, who had been confined in a dark chamber for many days.

The dark chamber was an ordinary one, but the Marquis of Northwest had been heavily drugged by Jiang Huanqing.

He would not die immediately, but even turning over was difficult, let alone escaping.

Thus, there was no need to bind him with chains.

When he heard footsteps approaching, the Marquis of Northwest opened his eyes.

Upon seeing that it was the Fourth Prince, his expression did not change.

But when he saw the box in the Prince’s hand, his heart started to panic.

Having been in the army for many years, he could easily tell that the box was meant for a head.

To have the Fourth Prince personally deliver a head, the identity must not be low.

His eyes burst with a momentary hatred as he fixedly stared at the Fourth Prince and asked.

"My son?"

"Yes."

The Fourth Prince answered briefly, then placed the box in front of the Marquis of Northwest.

He glanced at it, and with slightly trembling hands, opened the box.

Unsurprisingly, it was indeed Uncle Liu’s head.

He was his most cherished son, yet now he was beheaded.

How could the Marquis of Northwest’s heart not ache, but years of military life had long forged him into someone with an indomitable spirit.

He naturally pressed all his sorrow deep into his heart.

Tears seemed to well in his eyes as he spoke.

"Keeping my life then was just to have me witness the extinction of the Liu Family and the dissolution of the Northwest Army, wasn’t it? Now that you have all your wishes fulfilled, grant me a swift death."

If he had the strength, he would have bitten his tongue to end his life long ago.

Now, tortured by the drug, he lay limp as if paralyzed on the bed.

Even death had become a luxury!

Since the situation was irreversible, he no longer cared about life or death.

The Fourth Prince looked at him, feeling a flash of pity.

The Heroes of Da Wei, once he also admired the Marquis of Northwest in his heart.

But somewhere along the line, this man changed.

The Fourth Prince sighed deeply and asked.

"Why rebel?"

This question had been bottled up within him for many years.

From a long time ago, the Fourth Prince wanted to know.

Clearly, the Liu Family was once so loyal and valiant, and the early Marquis of Northwest followed in the footsteps of the Liu Family’s integrity.

When did it all change, the Liu Family and the Marquis of Northwest?

The two men fell silent, staring at each other.

In the end, the Marquis of Northwest couldn’t answer that question.

He only vaguely remembered that battle against Da Jin years ago.

Over eighty members of the Liu Family clan died, securing peace for Da Wei’s Northwest.

That year, the late Emperor became ill and bedridden over a deceased Consort Xian.

If the Emperor of Da Wei had no interest in the realm, why should the Liu Family strive to safeguard the frontiers?

For hundreds of years, the Liu Family knew how many descendants were buried at the border, only they themselves understood.

And how many in the Imperial Family, far away in Shengjing City, cared?

After the Fourth Prince left, tears finally ran down the Marquis of Northwest’s face.

At this moment, he didn’t feel he had done anything wrong.

The only regret was for the children of the Liu Family’s kin.

If they were implicated by this matter, it would be unjust for them.

Thinking of this, the Marquis of Northwest felt a pang of guilt.

But guilt was useless; everything was a foregone conclusion.

April 13.

After ten days of neither eating nor drinking, the Marquis of Northwest died in that ordinary dark chamber.

There seemed to be no signs of decay, more like the body was desiccated.

He became a mummy.

When the Fourth Prince heard of this, there wasn’t too much emotion within him.

Thus, he said.

"Find a place, get a coffin, and bury him."

"Yes."

When he said this, none of the other soldiers objected.

The Marquis of Northwest was certainly terrible, wanting to overthrow the Da Wei world.

But there was no denying, without his years of defense in the Northwest, Da Jin’s cavalry would have ravaged the vast land long ago.

Therefore, his contributions existed alongside his faults.

With his death, a Chapter closed.

Everything turned to dust, settling on this land.

Because of the Liu Family’s rebellion, all past glories belonging to them vanished with the wind.

Leaving behind only terrified descendants of the Liu Family.

The Fourth Prince handled everything swiftly and orderly.

Before setting out on the expedition, he had discussed with the Emperor.

No one involved in the rebellion would be spared.

But those unaware and inadvertently involved among the Liu Family’s kin were merely demoted to commoners, and there was no actual execution of nine generations.

He entrusted this task to Shi Daquan and Meng Qianzhao.

The two had been in the Northwest for years, so they managed the task with ease.

Without sparing the guilty nor wronging the innocent.

Meanwhile, Feng Qi and Jiang Huanqing were also busy.

Repairing city walls, stabilizing livelihoods.

Restoring military systems, organizing new troops.

After staying there for over half a month, most matters were settled.

Thus, it was time for them to triumphantly return to court.

The 200,000 strong Imperial Armor Army, came charging here, now only 160,000 remained.

The lost souls scattered across the Northwest, evoking a sigh from all.

The Fourth Prince held a grand funeral to honor them.

Then he led the Imperial Armor Army on the journey back.

Of course, accompanying him were Feng Qi and Jiang Huanqing.

The two had made notable contributions to the defeat of the Marquis of Northwest.

Returning meant promising futures with titles and promotions.

The endless yellow sand, the return journey awaited.

Wherever the iron cavalry went, all was peaceful.

In Shengjing City, the Emperor issued a decree, announcing the victory of the Northwest battle to all the people.

Everyone cheered and celebrated.

All were eager for the return of the Fourth Prince and his entourage.

Before their return, another joyous event occurred in Shengjing City.

The marriage of the Dou Family’s young grandson and the Dong Family’s second daughter.

The pair were a perfect match, truly a heavenly couple.

Their wedding day coincided just after the announcement of the Northwest battle victory.

Thus, everyone said they were truly fortunate.

A couple favored by the heavens.

Even the previously anxious court officials celebrated upon hearing the news.

For the sake of Lin Wanyi and the Fifth Prince’s future, much flattery was given to the marriage of the Dou and Dong families.

Making it a grand affair.

On that day, the Emperor even sent Dong Yuzhong to the Dou household, giving the couple great honors.

Therefore, even after half a month, the wedding’s warmth lingered in Shengjing City.

At the end of April, in Yihua Palace.

Mrs. Dong specially brought her family members to the palace to see Lin Wanyi.

As a new bride, Dong Qiuyue naturally had to express her gratitude to the Imperial Concubine.