The First Marquis of Leisure

When Bai Xinghe woke up, it was already the morning of the second day.

He suddenly opened his eyes, feeling a tearing pain in many parts of his body.

"Young master, don't move! You're badly injured!"

Upon closer inspection, he saw Bai Heng and the people from the Marquis's mansion gathered around his bed.

"Uncle Heng, it's a man, the assassin who tried to kill me!"

Although Bai Xinghe was very weak, his mind was very clear.

Last night he risked his life to save one of the assassins, who was connected to the mastermind behind the scenes and absolutely had to be protected.

"Young master, don't worry, leave the rest to me!"

"Damn it, they have the audacity to assassinate the heir of our Zhenguo Marquis's mansion in the capital!"

Bai Heng was furious that someone dared to assassinate Bai Xinghe at this critical juncture.

This guy is definitely asking for trouble. Everyone knows that he'll be back in force today, at the height of his power!

"Uncle Heng, I know my own body. I'm badly injured, but I won't die. Go and bring the man here; I want to interrogate him myself!"

Bai Xinghe lay down on the bed and gave the instructions.

Bai Heng nodded, then quickly walked out.

At this moment, at the Nine Gates Admiral's Mansion.

He Wuji was frowning. Last night, the guards from the Governor's Mansion had just rescued Bai Xinghe during their night patrol!

They also brought back an assassin, who is currently imprisoned in the governor's jail.

This matter is neither a big deal nor a small one.

Just as I was hesitating, a subordinate came to report that people from the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion had arrived!

He Wuji dared not delay and immediately went to greet him.

The person who arrived was Bai Heng, who rushed over at top speed. Bai Heng didn't waste any words.

"Lord He, I won't waste any more words. Where is the assassin who tried to kill my young master last night? I want to take him with me!"

"General Bai, this is a difficult matter." He Wuji, holding such an important position as the Commander of the Nine Gates, naturally possessed extremely high emotional intelligence.

This position was held by the emperor's confidants, but it was also a target for various factions to court.

Nowadays, the Crown Prince is making various overtures, and the Third Prince is also frequently making appointments with him.

He knew without a doubt that anyone with the guts to assassinate Bai Xinghe was no ordinary person.

He Wuji's first reaction was that this matter was most likely caused by Prime Minister Li Taibei.

As everyone knows, Bai Xinghe and Li Taibei are sworn enemies.

Handing over the murderer will surely lead to the discovery of the person behind it all.

"Lord He, what do you mean? Are you suggesting that you won't even give my Zhenguo Marquis's mansion this much face?"

Bai Heng was very tough, and he understood the complexities involved.

"General Bai, this is in accordance with the regulations of the Nine Gates Commandery and the Free Commandery. This matter is of great importance, and I need to report it to higher authorities before a decision can be made!"

"He Taiji, I'll say it again, I'm taking the murderer away right now!" Bai Heng lost his patience and was also afraid that things might get complicated if he waited too long.

This angered He Wuji as well. The Zhenguo Marquis's mansion was at its zenith, and he, as the Nine Gates Admiral, was not someone to be trifled with.

"Bai Heng, do you intend to make a move on me?"

As they spoke, all the soldiers from the governor's office stepped forward.

Bai Heng clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, and roared, "He Wuji, you've really gone too far! Today, the Marquis is returning to the capital in triumph, and you've really got guts!"

After uttering those harsh words, Bai Heng quickly left.

He Wuji didn't dare to delay either, knowing that he lacked temper during the day.

After giving some instructions to his subordinates, he was immediately taken to the palace by carriage.

at the same time

An inn established by the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace in the capital.

Tang Wannian and the others were trembling with fear and completely lost.

"Brother Tang, what should we do?"

"I didn't expect that the assassin we hired at great expense would fail to kill Bai Xinghe, and someone was even knocked unconscious. If they interrogate him, it will definitely implicate us."

Tang Wannian panicked; it was they who had assassinated Bai Xinghe.

He thought that hiring a highly skilled expert at great expense would be a piece of cake to kill an unsuspecting spoiled brat.

Unexpectedly, it failed and there was a risk of exposure.

Once they are found out who is behind this, they will definitely lose their heads.

Just as the group was panicking, the door to the side room was kicked open.

Qin Guang stormed in, looking furious.

"Useless trash, a bunch of good-for-nothings who only cause trouble!"

Qin Guang immediately slapped each of them and ordered them to kneel down.

"Who gave you the right to hire someone to assassinate Bai Xinghe on your own? Do you want to die?"

Tang Wannian and his companions knelt on the ground, trembling. They simply wanted revenge and believed that their actions were discreet and unknown to anyone.

Unexpectedly, Qin Guang found out so quickly and came to confront them.

Tang Wannian dared not hide anything and embellished the story of what happened at the Eighth Prince's residence.

Qin Guang was secretly curious, never expecting that Zhang Chunqiu would think so highly of Bai Xinghe.

Considering that Zhang Chunqiu was the Crown Prince's greatest enemy, it was clear that a friend of an enemy was also an enemy.

"Alright, what's done is done. If any of you dare to act on your own again, you'll die!"

Qin Guang didn't waste any words, knowing that time was of the essence.

After reprimanding the men, he immediately set off for the Nine Gates Commander's Mansion.

Meanwhile, Bai Heng angrily rushed back to the Zhenguo Marquis's residence and truthfully told Bai Xinghe about He Wuji's attitude.

Bai Xinghe quickly analyzed the reason and also felt annoyed.

"Young master, why don't we send the Marquis's personal guards directly to the Governor's Office to seize them!"

"Absolutely not!" Bai Xinghe waved his hand to stop him.

First of all, the Marquis's personal guards could not possibly defeat the Nine Gates Commander's troops, and secondly, doing so would definitely give others grounds for criticism.

Even if Zhao Tianhe was very concerned about his father, he absolutely could not tolerate the Marquis's personal guards going to the Nine Gates Commander's Office to snatch people away!

It is important to know that the Nine Gates Admiral is responsible for protecting the safety of the capital, and his position is extremely special.

"We'll wait until Father returns to the capital today to seize the people from the Governor's Office."

For the first time, Bai Xinghe felt helpless; he could only rely on his father.

On the other side, He Wuji originally wanted to go directly to the palace to report to the emperor, but he was stopped halfway by the crown prince's confidant.

After a series of threats and inducements, He Wuji thought it over again and again, but still turned back halfway.

In the Golden Palace, Zhao Taihe summoned all civil and military officials.

All officials of the fifth rank and above in Beijing must go to Desheng Gate at Shenshi (3-5 PM) today to kneel and welcome the troops who returned to the capital during the day.

Lee Tae-bak and his cronies jumped out to oppose it.

However, this was just a routine notification; Zhao Tianhe had already made up his mind.

The emperor's word is law, and no one dares to disobey it!

Soon, it was approaching Shenshi (3-5 PM).

The entire capital was bustling with activity, and many people had already gathered inside and outside Deshengmen, waiting for the daytime return of the imperial army.

Emperor Zhao Tianhe also appeared in person, followed by officials of all ranks, making for a very spectacular scene.

The officials knelt in welcome, a first since the founding of the Great Zhao Dynasty!

Many ministers were extremely dissatisfied, but dared not disobey the imperial edict.

As the sun gradually sets on the horizon, one can look out through the wide Desheng Gate towards the official road outside the city.

Lines of troops appeared on the horizon, their banners fluttering in the wind, majestic and awe-inspiring!

"They're back! General Bai has returned in triumph!"

"General Bai is mighty!"

The people raised their hands and shouted, welcoming this national war god.

The earth seemed to be shaking, and the returning procession stretched as far as the eye could see.

"All officials knelt in welcome!"

As soon as a eunuch shouted, all the civil and military officials knelt down.

During the day, he rode his warhorse at the head of the procession, followed by several trusted lieutenants and attendants, looking very imposing.

Upon entering Desheng Gate, the soldiers were overjoyed to see the kneeling officials welcoming them.

A barely perceptible hint of worry flashed across Bai Tianque's originally calm face!

"General, it was His Majesty himself who led all the civil and military officials to kneel and welcome us back to the capital!"

"Where is the young master?"

A lieutenant glanced at the dense crowd, but couldn't see Bai Xinghe anywhere.

He nodded in agreement during the day, secretly cursing his unfilial son!

Then he dismounted and walked first.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"

"Long live the Emperor!"

Bai Tianque knelt down before Zhao Tianhe and shouted "Long live the Emperor!" The soldiers behind him also knelt down and shouted the same.

"Bai Qing, please rise quickly!"

Zhao Tianhe abandoned his imperial demeanor and jogged over to personally help Bai Tianque up.

This made Bai Tianque even more uneasy. Although Zhao Tianhe had always been very kind to him, this time it clearly went beyond the distinction between ruler and subject.

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. Although we defeated the enemy in this campaign, the thousands of soldiers of my Great Zhao will never return!"

"You flatter me, Bai Qing. Without your protection, our Great Zhao would be in grave danger!"

"You are the savior of the Great Zhao, and even more so, my benefactor!"

Zhao Tianhe's words were very sincere.

Then, with a wave of his hand, he declared: "By imperial decree, Bai Tianque is hereby granted the title of 'One-Character Parallel King,' a hereditary title, and the entire army shall be rewarded. The whole nation shall rejoice!"