All I know is that a fight broke out, with many experts killed, and Your Majesty and Zhao Douan are on the run.

There was nothing that could be done; he was tightly restrained by Duan Shuiliu's men, losing the Empress's whereabouts.

Because of this, he could no longer protect and escort, so he simply changed direction and led his subordinates, the Tributors from the Martial Arts Hall, to rendezvous with Mo Chou, Minister of Rites, Shipping Governor Ning Zechen, and others in the Sealing Team heading north.

"Hopefully, it will be so, but after so long, I'm afraid many in the Capital are already restless." Mo Chou frowned, "I'm just worried that if we return late and something happens in the city, I've heard that Prince Heng from Qingzhou Rode has already led the rebel army to the eastern outskirts of the Capital... if the Capital falls, even if Your Majesty returns, it will be..."

Eunuch Hai calmly said, "Although I do not understand politics, I know the Qingzhou Army is not strong, and that Prince Heng, with his ambitious yet talentless nature, is no hero but more of a fool. The fact that he was the first to send his princely heir, Xu Zudi, to the Capital to stir up trouble speaks volumes; he is not a concern."

After a pause, the old eunuch continued, "As for Your Majesty, with Zhao Douan's abilities, he will surely escort safely back to the Capital."

Zhao Douan... mentioning this hateful "rival," Mo Chou couldn't help but snort, gritting her teeth a bit, "This guy is really lucky; on this journey of escorting, I'm afraid Your Majesty's favor for him will only increase."

Mo Chou, who secretly loves the Empress, felt unwilling in her heart and decided to continue competing fairly with Zhao Douan upon her return to the Capital.

She still believes that with the Empress's exceptional talent, no man in this world is worthy of her.

Although she herself is not worthy, she could remain by the Empress's side as a maid until old age.

Poor Mo Chou, caught in her unrequited love, had no idea that Zhao Douan had already climbed into the dragon bed... nor did she know that a coup had broken out in the Capital and had even been quelled...

Eunuch Hai glanced at her, said nothing, raised his palm towards the sail, and with a strong wind blowing, the sail bulged, accelerating towards the Capital.

...

...

On the eastern outskirts of the Capital, several miles away.

In a plain area, the Qingzhou rebel army and the Five Army Camp of the court have been in a standoff on the Qingzhou border for days.

If viewed from above, each side of a vast empty field on the ground is occupied by large military camps.

As one of the "Capital Camp," the Five Army Camp naturally boasts elite weapons and soldiers, but the current situation is too complicated.

Opposite, Prince Heng, as a member of the Imperial Family, stands under the banner of "rescue the king;" within the court, Grandmaster Dong, as a minister, neither dares nor has the authority to rashly order to start a war.

They can only garrison and defend.

The Qingzhou rebel army also didn't take the initiative to start the war, leaving both sides in a stalemate for now.

Due to slow intelligence, they were not yet aware that the Empress had already returned to the Capital.

At this moment, inside the central army camp of the Qingzhou rebel camp, lights were bright.

Core members of the rebel army gathered in a tent, sitting around to discuss important military matters.

Sitting at the head was a middle-aged man of more than fifty years, with a sideburned beard, exuding the commanding presence of a habitual authority, and was precisely one of the "Eight Princes," Prince Heng.

Beneath Prince Heng, on the left, sat an aristocratic young man in his thirties, with red lips and white teeth, and was clearly Zhao Douan's "old acquaintance," Young Master, Xu Zudi.

Back then, Xu Zudi and the female Family Head of the East Lake Xiao family, along with Mr. Zhengyang, came to the Capital; because Prince Heng and Princess Yunyang shared the same mother, Xu Zudi stood up for that useless Li Lang and captured two small soldiers from Lihua Hall to mess with Zhao Douan.

As a result, Zhao Douan strongly humiliated him, and with the intervention of Secretariat Envoy Xue Shence mediating, the conflict didn't escalate.

Later, Zhao Douan even accepted an alliance with East Lake Mrs. Xiao at Hu Ting's market, which tricked this Young Master.

To Prince Heng's right sat a warrior-like leader in his thirties or forties, with a straight back, head slightly lowered, and gaze habitually on the ground to conceal the sharpness in his eyes.

This was, unmistakably, the top commander of the military mansion stationed in Qingzhou, Commander Wei Xianzong.

This time, Prince Heng's ability to quickly gather the rebel army to the Capital was due to this Commander's defection.

The two of them went down, only to meet the remaining civil servants of the Royal Mansion and military officers.

"Father, within the court, Dong Xuan holds sway over Xiuwen Pavilion, stubbornly refusing to relent. If things continue like this, the Capital Camp at the front will not back down. Although we're swiftly advancing towards the capital, with Qingzhou at our back, the army does not carry many provisions and supplies. If we continue to stalemate, I'm afraid it won't be advisable!"

Xu Zudi was the first to speak, handing over several intelligence reports received from the capital: "As for the rumor we've spread within the city, claiming the Empress is dead and the city is about to fall, it has indeed proven effective. Now the people inside the city are panicking, and there is turmoil within the court. From this subject son's perspective, we should strike first."

Inside the tent, another general also agreed: "Your Highness, what the Young Master said is very true. Our Qingzhou army is now ahead of other vassal kings, laying siege to the city. This is destiny's will. However, if the stalemate continues without the internal collapse of the court, other vassal kings might arrive, causing us to miss the opportune moment."

Another strategist of the Royal Mansion hesitated: "What the Princely Heir said is naturally correct, but the Prince's cautious approach also has merit. Our Qingzhou army is not large, and if we engage with the Five Army Camp at the front, we may inevitably suffer losses. After capturing the Five Army Camp, there is still the Divine Mechanism Camp guarding outside the capital, and inside, the Twelve Guards Forbidden Army..."

The Qingzhou Rebel Army's reluctance to start a battle has been due to their dread of the forces garrisoning the capital.

They are worried about losing too many troops.

Therefore, they have been playing the "rescue the king" card, trying to induce turmoil within the court, aiming to take control of the capital without engaging in warfare.

Now, everyone in the tent offered their own suggestions and discussed animatedly.

"Silence!"

Finally, a large, uncalloused hand slammed down on the table, silencing everyone.

The pampered and incompetent Prince Heng surveyed the assembly of 'subjects,' raising his nose, and turned his attention to Wei Xianzong, the Qingzhou Army Commander: "What does Xianzong think?"

Wei Xianzong clasped his fists, stood up, and respectfully saluted: "This humble general only follows the Prince's orders. Whether to fight or wait should be decided by Your Highness."

A sycophant... Xu Zudi glanced at him with his folded fan, having little fondness for this somewhat gloomy commander.

However, Prince Heng was quite pleased with Wei Xianzong's performance, nodding slightly, and arrogantly remarked:

"What all of you said has merit. Since those traitors within the city have sequestered the royal family's authority and refuse to open the gates to welcome me, it is indeed unwise to drag this out. However... engaging in a full-scale war recklessly will only lead to losses of our Xu Royal Family's troops... Now that there is unrest within the court, the Capital Camp outside the city and the imperial guard within must also be in fear; how could they, as subjects, truly dare to fight against me?"

After a pause, Prince Heng decided: "Therefore, we might as well strike first, send out the Evil troops, suppress the arrogance of the Five Army Camp, let these soldiers who rely on the Capital Camp see the might of our Qingzhou army. Ha... outsiders think we lack numbers and are not skilled in warfare, how laughable. If I had no backing, how could I dare to be the first to enter the capital to rescue the king?"

He wore a cold smile, showing no fear of the well-equipped Capital Camp army, as if defeating them was as simple as eating or drinking.

And the people in the tent appeared to take it for granted.

Xu Zudi smiled smugly: "Father is right. Those fools really think that our Qingzhou army cannot enter the city? Ha, we could, but we just don't want to incur losses. As Father said, instead of rushing into a full-scale death battle, we'll first fight one battle, subdue the Five Army Camp, and then force them to surrender, that's the best strategy. As long as we secure a great victory, and show those corrupt Confucians in the city that our Qingzhou army can breach the city walls if we wish, they will indeed be afraid! At that point, if we spread some more propaganda within the city, there's no fear the court won't open the gates to welcome Father into the city!"

Everyone else also chimed in agreement.

Prince Heng laughed, ordering the battle to commence the next day.

The generals departed, each preparing to mobilize for battle.

After everyone had left, Prince Heng also stood up and left the central army camp, returning to his luxurious personal tent for rest.

Inside the tent, two beautiful concubines were who ready to make the bed and wait: "Your Highness!"

Prince Heng strode into the tent, gave a soft nod, and suddenly asked: "What about Xiao Donger?"

One concubine, with downcast eyes, replied: "Following Your Highness's orders, she is being held separately. Does Your Highness wish to bring her here?"

"Forget it," Prince Heng waved dismissively, disinterested: "If it weren't for fearing the Xiao family's trouble-making, I wouldn't have bothered to take a widow on the expedition, how unlucky. You both may leave, a great battle is imminent, I need to conserve my energy."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After the two beautiful concubines left, Prince Heng walked to a corner, opened a box, revealing a peculiar and mysterious set of armor.

It was entirely crimson, with black human face patterns on the front.

"The throne, I am determined to claim it." Prince Heng picked up the mysterious armor, the corners of his mouth turning up in an expression of dominance.