The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

South of Linyuan City, along the official road, the late autumn wind was already biting, stirring up dust and withered leaves.

However, at this moment, on the wide official road leading to the majestic capital, there was a surge of heat that was completely different from the desolate autumn atmosphere, almost boiling over.

That wasn't an army, nor was it a merchant group; it was a crowd of people.

A vast, dark mass of people stretched as far as the eye could see. They were dressed simply, even in tattered clothes, and their faces were pale, but their eyes shone with an astonishing brightness as they followed closely behind the magnificent yet peculiar procession in the center of the official road.

At the heart of the procession was the carriage of Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo.

There was no luxurious decoration, and the blue carriage was even a bit old, but around the carriage stood dozens of "people's umbrellas" of different shapes, all covered with colorful strips of cloth, signed with names and covered with handprints.

These umbrellas, meticulously secured to specially made wooden frames, sway gently in the autumn wind like a moving forest symbolizing supreme public opinion, making a rustling sound that is more awe-inspiring than any royal procession.

The carriage was escorted by hundreds of people, representatives of the people from various southern prefectures, who had come spontaneously to provide the escort.

Among them were artisans who worked as relief workers during the disaster relief efforts, rescued victims, local elders and gentry, and even a few honest minor officials whom Yun Jin had saved from the brink of death.

They carried the elderly and children, trekking thousands of miles on foot, just to witness "Yun Qingtian" arrive safely in the capital and personally present the rubbings of the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People" and the "Merit Stele," which embodied the hard work of countless people, to the emperor.

Further out, the capital's residents, having heard the news, poured out of Lin Yuan City and crowded both sides of the official road, eagerly awaiting their arrival. The crowds were immense, shoulder to shoulder.

They eagerly spread the tales of various miracles from the south—"The princess personally distributed porridge," "Corrupt officials were executed as easily as chickens," "Thirty miles of waterways were dredged overnight," "Countless lives were saved"...

Princess Yun Jin of Jingguo was already a household name among the people. Now, witnessing this unprecedented spectacle of "ten thousand people seeing her off," she was even more excited, and cheers and discussions erupted like a tsunami.

"Look! That's the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People'!"

"My God, so many! This represents the heartfelt wishes of countless people!"

"Her Highness the Princess is really back! Those corrupt officials are going to be in trouble!"

"I heard that His Highness is in the south, eating like a disaster victim..."

Inside the carriage, Yun Jin sat quietly.

She wasn't dressed in palace attire, but rather in a simple indigo-blue, arrow-sleeved casual outfit for easy movement, with a worn-out cloak over it. Her long hair was simply tied up, and her face showed the weariness of a long journey. However, the calmness and fortitude between her brows, tempered by bloodshed and calamity, were even more restrained and profound than when she left the capital.

She lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, looked out at the surging crowd, and listened to the deafening cheers. She felt no pride, only a heavy sense of responsibility and a trace of barely perceptible compassion.

The will of the people is like a tide; it can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.

Today's grand scene of "ten thousand people seeing us off" is an honor, but also a heavy responsibility.

She knew that what awaited her in the capital was not just flowers and cheers.

"Your Highness, we've reached Yongding Gate." Night Owl, a guard beside the carriage, reported in a low voice, his tone wary.

As Su Che's eyes and ears hidden in the open, he knew better than anyone that this seemingly glorious journey home was fraught with danger at every step.

"Hmm." Yun Jin lowered the carriage curtain, straightened her clothes, and brushed her fingertips over a cold, hard object hidden in her sleeve.

That was a specially made "heart-protecting mirror" sent by Su Che through special channels, which was said to be able to protect against poisoned hidden weapons.

In his letter, Mr. Su simply advised: "Popular support is valuable, but we must guard against desperate measures. Special caution is needed before and after arriving in Beijing."

Less than two miles from the majestic Yongding Gate, the outline of the city gate is clearly visible, and one can even see the shadowy banners and figures of officials on the gate tower.

According to custom, when an imperial envoy returns to the capital, officials from the Ministry of Rites should come out of the city to greet him.

However, just as the procession at the very front, carrying signs that read "Silence" and "Avoidance," was about to step into the relatively open space in front of the city gate...

A sudden change has occurred!

"Boom—!"

Dust suddenly billowed up from a wasteland piled with building materials beside the originally flat official road on the left.

Three dilapidated carts loaded with thatch and straw were pushed wildly by dozens of ragged and fierce-looking "vagrants" and rammed into the specially made carriages carrying the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People" at the front of the procession!

At the same time, on the roof of the houses on the right, more than ten men in black, armed with crossbows, suddenly stood up. The crossbow bolts flashed coldly, and they fired indiscriminately at the crowd escorting the people and the carriage carrying the "Umbrella of Ten Thousand People"!

"Assassins! Protect the Umbrella of Ten Thousand People! Protect the people!" Night Owl roared, his already taut nerves reacting instantly. He drew his sword and charged ahead of the oncoming cart!

Dozens of elite guards behind him also sprang up at the same time. Some swung their knives at the cart wheels and ropes, some raised shields to protect the people and the umbrella cart, and several others took off their short crossbows and exchanged fire with the men in black on the roof!

"Murder!"

"Run!"

"Protecting the people is our lifeline!"

The scene instantly descended into chaos! People screamed in terror and scattered in all directions, yet many instinctively tried to protect the "umbrellas of the people," symbols of public opinion, and grappled with the "vagrants" who attempted to storm and seize the umbrellas. The genuine escorts and the onlookers from the capital mingled together, the cries, screams, curses, and the clashing of weapons deafening.

"The target was indeed the 'Umbrella of Ten Thousand People'!" Inside the carriage, Yun Jin's heart sank. Destroying the Umbrella of Ten Thousand People was tantamount to destroying the most dazzling symbol of her political achievements and the foundation of public support during this trip south!

The Crown Prince's move was both ruthless and precise! She gripped the short blade hidden in her sleeve, suppressing the urge to rush out of the carriage.

Mr. Su strictly ordered that no one should get off the bus no matter what happens!

In the chaos, the "vagrants" and the men in black on the rooftops were well-trained and ruthless, clearly not ordinary bandits.

They had a clear division of labor: one group desperately attacked the umbrella vehicle, attempting to set it on fire or steal it.

A special group was tasked with assassinating guard leaders who attempted to organize resistance.

Several others darted through the chaotic crowd like fish, stealthily approaching Yun Jin's carriage, their hidden weapons flashing blue light.

With a single slash, Night Owl severed the axle of a cart, then threw his dagger, pinning to death a "vagrant" who was about to throw a torch at the cart.

He caught a glimpse of several men in black approaching the princess's carriage out of the corner of his eye, and he was greatly alarmed, but he was held back by two fearless "vagrants".

Just then, the men in black were about to unleash their poisoned hidden weapons.