I only wished to take up my fiefdom, but my elder brother forced me to rebel.

"No one may enter the city without His Majesty's order."

The city gate commander stood on the city tower, not even accepting Shen Chongshan's military tally.

Cao Wei, a personal guard, pointed at him.

"Look carefully!"

"Next is the General Who Guards the North, commanding twelve battalions, who has been ordered by His Majesty to return to the capital to report on his duties!"

The city gatekeeper handed his waist token to the guard beside him for inspection.

"I have seen it clearly."

"However, the imperial court has its rules: the capital city is locked at 7 PM and opened at sunrise. Even if members of the imperial family and princes return, they will have to wait until tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Cao Wei drew half of his sword and angrily rebuked, "Insolence! A mere seventh-rank city gatekeeper dares to allow the general to spend the night outside the city?"

Another guard pulled him back and asked Shen Chongshan for instructions with a smile.

"General, there is no need to be angry."

"They must have misheard because the city walls are too high. If they had heard that you were coming back, they would have opened the gates very quickly."

"In the entire Great Yong Dynasty, who dares to stop the Zhenbei Army outside the city?"

As he spoke, the guard rode forward and loudly announced Shen Chongshan's name once again.

Instead of opening the gate, the soldiers on the city wall placed crossbows on the crenellations.

The city gatekeeper bowed respectfully to those below.

"If General Shen insists on forcing his way in, I will have no choice but to treat it as treason."

Cao Wei's face flushed red.

"You dare!"

"Shut up."

Shen Chongshan only said two words, and Cao Wei then sheathed his sword.

He did not continue arguing, but instead put away the military tally and returned the salute to the city gate commander.

"You followed the rules, and you did nothing wrong."

"I will re-enter the city after the gates open tomorrow."

The city gatekeeper did not relax his vigilance because of these kind words.

"General, you may stay temporarily in Qinghe Town, which is ten miles away."

"Tomorrow at dawn, I will personally open the door to welcome you."

Shen Chongshan didn't say anything more and simply turned his horse around.

More than ten cavalrymen followed him away along the official road.

Cao Wei waited until he could no longer see the city wall before catching up with Shen Chongshan.

"General, I cannot swallow this insult."

"We guarded the northern border for the Great Yong for more than a decade."

"A mere gatekeeper dares to give you attitude."

"They don't even respect you."

Shen Chongshan gripped the reins and did not turn back.

"He's just a seventh-rank official; he doesn't have the guts to stop me."

"The fact that he dared to do this means that someone above him had already given him instructions."

The guards exchanged glances, all of them noticing the unease in each other's eyes.

Cao Wei lowered his voice even further.

"Could it be that something has happened to the Imperial Concubine and the Second Prince?"

"I only found out after I got to the city."

There are only two guesthouses in Qinghe Town.

Shen Chongshan rented out the backyard and had his personal guards take turns guarding it.

Without resting after entering the room, he immediately wrote a letter.

The letter made no mention of Zhaohua Palace or Lucheng, but only mentioned the sudden tightening of defenses in the capital and the change of commander of the Zhenbei Army.

Despite his calm demeanor, he knew perfectly well that something had definitely happened in the capital.

"Cao Wei".

"Your subordinate is here."

"You will personally deliver it to the Shen family in Runan."

Shen Chongshan sealed the letter and affixed his personal seal.

"It must be handed over to the head of the family."

"If anyone tries to stop it, burn it immediately."

Cao Wei received the letter with both hands.

"General, rest assured, as long as we are alive, our faith will endure."

He took two fast horses and left quickly through the back door of the inn.

Deputy General Xu Hu stood by the door, somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't the general being overly cautious?"

"If His Majesty truly intends to take action against the Shen family, he wouldn't simply send a city gatekeeper to stop you."

Shen Chongshan walked to the window and placed his sword beside him.

"My nephew has been vying for the throne for many years and has made quite a few enemies."

"My younger sister took over the management of the six palaces and offended many concubines as well."

"They'd better be safe and sound."

Xu Hu asked, "What if something really happens?"

Shen Chongshan gripped the scabbard and glanced toward the northern border.

"The Twelve Battalions of the Northern Frontier only know the orders of the Shen family army."

"The emperor can be changed, and so can the crown prince."

"This empire, of course, can also change its name."

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up with fervent admiration.

If they really reach that point, they won't be far from being granted titles and high positions.

The next day, as soon as the city gates opened, Shen Chongshan and his party entered the capital.

On the other side, Zhao Mingzhu stepped out of the Ninth Prince's residence, holding onto the sedan chair door, and paused for a moment when her right foot touched the ground.

Lu Yuan stood behind her and reached out to help her.

She turned around and glared at him.

"Don't touch me."

"Who was it that clung to me and wouldn't let go last night?"

"Say it again!"

Zhao Mingzhu raised her foot to kick, but lost her balance as soon as her leg was halfway up.

Lu Yuan supported her waist.

"Even in this state, you're still trying to be strong?"

Zhao Mingzhu leaned against him and pinched his waist.

"There are clearly other books in that book."

Why did you choose the one who bullies the most?

"This is my first time watching this, I have no experience."

"You have no experience? You're kidding me!"

Zhao Mingzhu didn't believe him at all.

From the initial plot development to the process and the subsequent handling.

He was completely clueless and at a loss.

He's clearly a seasoned veteran.

Lu Yuan helped her into the sedan chair.

"Go back and rest for two days."

"I will arrange everything: the marriage proposal, the betrothal gifts, the marriage certificate, and the courtyard in the mansion!"

Zhao Mingzhu leaned against the wall of the sedan chair.

"Don't keep calling yourself 'Empress' all the time. Stop thinking of yourself as the Crown Prince."

"Don't worry, leave it all to me!"

Zhao Mingzhu threw the soft pillow at him.

Lu Yuan took the soft pillow and placed it under her lower back.

When the sedan chair arrived at Fuyuan Escort Agency, Madam Zhao's carriage was already parked at the entrance.

She saw her daughter walking unsteadily as she got out of the sedan chair, and when she saw Lu Yuan, her eyes smiled even more.

"Your Highness has made a promise, and that promise must not be forgotten!"

Madam Zhao, supporting her daughter, said, "When the Zhao family marries off their daughter, the traditional three matchmakers and six betrothal gifts are indispensable."

Lu Yuan cupped his hands in greeting.

"Don't worry, Madam Zhao."

"Four days later, I will personally bring a matchmaker to your door to exchange betrothal gifts."

Zhao Mingzhu grabbed her mother's arm, "Mother, he might not be..."

Madam Zhao patted the back of her hand.

"Your Highness still has official business to attend to; please don't delay us."

Zhao Mingzhu had no choice but to swallow her words.

Lu Yuan left the escort agency and headed to the Ministry of War with his personal guards.

Just as I walked along Chang'an Avenue, a troop of cavalry came towards me.

Shen Chongshan reined in his horse. He first noticed the crown prince's token at Lu Yuan's waist, then glanced at the additional imperial guards around him, before dismounting.

"This humble general, Shen Chongshan, greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Lu Yuan raised his hand in a gesture of support, "General Shen, you must be tired from traveling all night."

"I was just about to send someone to fetch you."

Shen Chongshan bowed in greeting, and there was not a trace of impoliteness in his manners.

"This humble general has been ordered to return to the capital and dares not trouble Your Highness."

"I have heard that Your Highness donated weapons and cement and resolved the disaster in Hedong. I have also heard about it in the northern border."

"His Majesty's appointment of His Highness as Crown Prince is truly a blessing for the Great Yong Dynasty."

Lu Yuan smiled and walked up to him, helping him up.

"General Shen is loyal to the country, and my father often mentions him."

"We can discuss the rotation of the Zhenbei Army when we have time."

Shen Chongshan smiled as well, "Your Highness has given the order, and this humble general will obey."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two prepared to leave.

Shen Chongshan stepped back into the stirrups and suddenly turned around.

"Your Highness, I heard as soon as I entered the city that Commander He was assassinated and is still on the verge of death."

"The capital has been quite unsettled lately."

"Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."