Chapter 153: The Prince of Qi Rebels

Jiang Mingyu's eyes widened like copper bells, his face filled with disbelief, a faint curve of shock lifting his lips.

His voice echoed through the silent room, tinged with stunned unease: "You mean you're willing to stay with me, even if I might be branded a condemned prisoner or a rebel? You still want to marry me?"

Liu Yifei's eyes curved into a charming arc.

Her eyes sparkled like jewels, fixed unwaveringly on him, her voice clear and resolute, carrying a hint of defiance.

"Today's predicament is merely a desperate choice forced upon us by the Prince of Qi, not your true intent. You dared lead troops into battle and transformed Shangmu into a land as lush and thriving as spring—this proves you hold firm convictions and are no evil man. Since I, Liu Yifei, have chosen you, why should I fear the labels of condemned prisoner or rebel?"

Liu Yifei's eyes glowed with a radiance that stirred the heart; her words struck like a blade, piercing straight into Jiang Mingyu's soul.

"Besides, who can say you'll surely fail? If your rebellion succeeds, you'll become the founding emperor. Your descendants will forever remember your achievements, and the whole nation will bow before you. At that time, who will recall your so-called rebellion?"

Jiang Mingyu was utterly stunned, his eyes widening further as he stared at Liu Yifei's delicate face, astonished she could speak such bold words.

A surge of warmth flooded his chest; he burst into loud, resonant laughter.

"Good, Yifei—your words cut straight to the heart. Your courage shames this man of mine. But the matter isn't settled yet; the court's situation remains unclear. We cannot decide lightly."

Liu Yifei's gaze flickered; her lips curved slightly into a beautiful arc.

She nodded calmly, her voice steady and firm.

"I agree. Go first to report your achievements and gauge the court's movements—prepare in advance. When you return, we'll go to my father to ask for my hand. No matter what, I'll wait for you."

After speaking these words, her figure vanished from Jiang Mingyu's sight like a beam of light.

Jiang Mingyu gazed at Liu Yifei's retreating back, a profound, indescribable emotion rising in his chest; his eyes grew slightly damp, a tender smile lifting his lips.

"To marry such a virtuous wife—I have no regrets in this life!"

The morning sun rose, casting orange-red light upon Jiang Mingyu's departing carriage convoy.

The convoy moved in orderly formation out of Shangmu City, wheels crunching over snow still half-melted.

Row upon row of carts formed a long line, each piled high with forty thousand severed heads—their spoils of war, symbols of victory.

Jiang Mingyu stood at the front of the column, scanning the soldiers and captives within the convoy.

He saw Tukesiluo grinning all the way, like a child gleeful and proud. Jiang Mingyu teased: "Did you swallow some strange medicine? Smiling like an idiot all day—careful you laugh your belly loose."

Tukesiluo shyly adjusted his hair, tidying it neatly and stylishly.

He grinned and replied: "Sir, last night Jiani agreed to be with me. She said I have the spirit of a hero, the very image of a mighty man in her eyes. I was so happy I couldn't sleep a wink!"

As he spoke, he let out a long yawn, dark circles clearly visible under his eyes—evidence of sleepless excitement.

Jiang Mingyu couldn't help laughing. Curious, he asked: "What did you two do last night? Did you rush into that cave and immediately start burning with passion?"

Hearing Jiang Mingyu's teasing, Tukesiluo blushed. He stammered in protest: "Sir, don't say such nonsense! We're completely innocent—how could we be so improper?"

Jiang Mingyu watched his bashful demeanor and thought inwardly: This boy is even more timid than Zhang Jiani—he's doomed to be bullied by her for life.

The convoy pressed onward toward the state capital, wind and snow battering the road, turning it into thick mud.

Wheels sank into the mire; soldiers strained to push the carts forward.

Despite the hardships, their hearts brimmed with joy and anticipation—they were returning to the capital to report their victory to their families.

Three days later, they finally reached the state capital.

As the convoy entered the city gates, a roar of voices and the bustling energy of the marketplace surged around them.

Though the arduous journey had drained the soldiers' strength, their cheerful expressions and determined gazes revealed their longing for victory and their love for home.

Tukesiluo was ecstatic, as if floating on clouds, eagerly anticipating his reunion with family in the capital.

His joy overflowed visibly; he radiated confidence and brilliance.

At midday, in the Inspector's mansion.

Jiang Mingyu was about to report his success when Wang Zhe let out a long sigh, his face worn with exhaustion: "Lord Jiang, something terrible has happened!"

Unlike their last meeting, Wang Zhe had grown noticeably thinner, his eye sockets sunken, his temples streaked with gray.

Jiang Mingyu's heart tightened; he frowned: "Has something happened in the capital?"

Wang Zhe's haggard face darkened further; he sighed softly: "The Emperor has passed away."

Jiang Mingyu was stunned: "How? The Emperor was in perfect health!"

Wang Zhe shook his head: "The Emperor knew the Prince of Qi planned rebellion, but he hesitated to execute a royal blood relative—so he ordered only that he be stripped of his title and reduced to commoner status. Yet the Prince of Qi had prepared in advance. Taking advantage of the Western Xia invasion, he gathered his forces and stormed the capital, deposing the Emperor. The late Emperor was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace and died shortly after. Now the Prince of Qi has crowned himself emperor, purged the court, and spilled rivers of blood—you and I are likely next."

Jiang Mingyu's heart lurched. The Prince of Qi had long harbored treacherous intent—and this Western Xia invasion may have been his doing all along.

Wang Zhe sighed again: "You are the Emperor's trusted minister; the Prince of Qi will never spare you. I fear I too cannot escape his wrath."

Jiang Mingyu frowned tightly: "If the Emperor has been deposed, why have no commanding generals reacted?"

Jiang Mingyu's brow furrowed deeply, lost in the grim situation, his eyes filled with anxiety and dread.

His fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms—as if this pain might help him find a sliver of hope.

Wang Zhe sat beside him, expression calm, yet his eyes betrayed unmistakable worry.

His lips curled slightly, hinting at some possibility, yet his words remained shrouded in mystery.

"Upon ascending the throne, the Prince of Qi immediately seized their military authority."

Wang Zhe's voice rose slowly, each word distinct, yet layered with unreadable emotion.

His gaze fixed on Jiang Mingyu, as if awaiting his reaction.

"How could generals loyal to the late Emperor simply surrender? The Governor of Guizhou, Chen Yutong, and the Commander of Yizhou, Tang Pingfeng, have already raised armies. Over a hundred thousand troops swear vengeance for the late Emperor. Other generals are rising one after another—nine provinces of Da Feng now blaze with rebellion. The Prince of Qi cannot hold his throne."

Jiang Mingyu listened, then smiled faintly—a smile like a wisp of smoke, elusive and inscrutable.

"But we may never live to see that day," Wang Zhe's voice suddenly turned low, heavy with despair.

His eyes gazed into the distance, as if tracing lost time.

"I am under Xiangcangzhou's jurisdiction, and its Governor, Lin Xijie, is the Prince of Qi's loyalist. He's surely already on his way to capture and kill us."

Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, the shadow of despair settling over him.

He wanted to flee—but he knew: the Emperor was far away, and in the end, death was the only path.

His face turned pale; tears glistened in his eyes, but he forced them back—crying now was meaningless.

At that moment, a yamen runner burst into the hall, face pale with terror, breath ragged, nearly stumbling.

His clothes were disheveled, sweat dripping from his forehead—as if he'd just awakened from a nightmare.

"My lord! My lord! Something terrible has happened!" He staggered into the room, gasping for breath, sweat pouring from his brow, eyes wide with panic.