Chapter 153: The Prince of Qi Rebels

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes widened like copper bells, his face wore an expression of disbelief, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a startled arc.

His voice echoed in the silent room, carrying a hint of stunned unease. "Do you mean you are willing to stay with me, even if I might be a condemned prisoner or labeled a rebel? Do you still wish to marry me?"

The corners of Liu Liu Yifei's eyes curved, forming a charming arc.

Her eyes sparkled like gems as she gazed fixedly at him; her voice was clear and firm, carrying a hint of provocation.

"Today's predicament is a helpless choice forced by the Prince of Qi, not your true intent. You dared to lead troops personally and govern Shangmu as prosperous and flourishing as a bountiful spring; this proves you hold firm beliefs in your heart and are by no means an evil person. Since I, Liu Liu Yifei, have chosen you, what fear do I have of the names 'condemned prisoner' or 'rebel'?"

A heart-stirring light sparkled in Liu Liu Yifei's eyes; her words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's soul.

"Besides, who can assert you will definitely fail? If you rise up and achieve Zao Fan Cheng Gong, you will become the founding monarch. Your descendants will remember your achievements, and the whole nation will worship you. At that time, who will remember your past rebellion?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was utterly stunned; his eyes widened even further as he looked at Liu Liu Yifei's delicate face, never expecting she could utter such bold words.

A surge of warmth rose in his heart; he could not help but laugh heartily, his voice loud and resonant.

"Good, Liu Yifei, your words hit the mark and strike straight at my heart. Your lofty ambitions shame me, a man. However, things have not reached that point yet; the court situation is not clear, and we cannot decide lightly."

Liu Liu Yifei's gaze sparkled, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly, forming a beautiful arc.

She nodded calmly, her voice peaceful yet powerful.

"I agree. Go first to report this achievement and inquire about the movements within the court so you can prepare in advance. When you return, we will go to my father to propose. No matter what, I will wait for you."

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

Jiang Jiang Mingyu watched Liu Liu Yifei's receding back; a indescribable emotion surged in his heart, the corners of his eyes grew slightly moist, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a touched smile.

"To marry such a virtuous wife, my life shall have no regrets!"

The morning sun rose, casting orange-red light upon the convoy where Jiang Jiang Mingyu waved.

The convoy departed Shangmu City in an orderly fashion, the wheels creaking on the snow not yet fully melted.

Carriages lined up in a long queue, piled with forty thousand human heads; these were their trophies heading to the provincial capital and symbols of victory.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu stood at the front of the convoy, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers and captives within.

He saw Tu Tu Kesiluo grinning from ear to ear all the way, looking like a delighted and happy child. Jiang Jiang Mingyu teased, "Did you take the wrong medicine? Grinning like that all the way, you might laugh the wind out of your belly."

Tu Tu Kesiluo shyly adjusted his hair, which was groomed neatly and handsomely.

He answered with a sheepish face, "My lord, last night Zhang Zhang Jiani agreed to be with me. She said I have heroic temperament and am the burly man in her heart. I was so happy I couldn't sleep all night!"

As he spoke, he let out a long yawn; dark circles were clearly visible, obviously from staying up late due to excitement.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but laugh and asked curiously, "What did you two do last night? Did you start burning with passion the moment the cave door opened?"

Hearing Jiang Jiang Mingyu's teasing, Tu Tu Kesiluo's face turned red; he flustered and defended, "My lord, what nonsense are you talking? We are very innocent; how could we be so improper!"

Watching his shy appearance, Jiang Jiang Mingyu thought to himself that this fellow was far more feminine than Zhang Zhang Jiani and would likely never escape the fate of being bullied by her in his life.

The convoy proceeded toward the provincial capital all the way, with wind and snow mixing and the roads muddy and impassable.

The wheels sank into the mud, and the soldiers struggled to push the carriages forward.

Despite numerous difficulties, their hearts were filled with joy and expectation because they were about to return to Jingcheng to report victory to their elders.

Three days later, they finally arrived at the provincial capital.

The convoy entered the city gate; the noise of crowds and the bustling market atmosphere rushed to meet them.

Although the arduous journey had exhausted the soldiers' strength, their joyful expressions and determined gazes revealed their longing for victory and attachment to their hometown.

Tu Tu Kesiluo was even more overjoyed, as if floating on clouds, filled with expectation about returning to Jingcheng to reunite with his family.

His joy overflowed in his words, and his whole person radiated a kind of confidence and brilliance.

At noon, inside the Inspector's residence.

Just as Jiang Jiang Mingyu was about to speak to report victory, he saw Wang Zhe sigh deeply, his face full of exhaustion: "Jiang Da Ren, something terrible has happened!"

Unlike their last meeting, Wang Zhe was obviously much thinner, his eye sockets sunken, and his temples already faintly white.

A chill ran through Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; he frowned and asked, "Could something have happened in Jingcheng?"

Wang Zhe's haggard face grew even more gloomy; he sighed lightly: "Your Majesty has passed away."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu was shocked and turned pale: "How could this be? Your Majesty's health was still fine!"

Wang Zhe shook his head: "Actually, the Emperor already knew the Prince of Qi intended to rebel. Because the Emperor could not bear to execute royal blood, he ordered only his demotion to commoner status. Who knew the Prince of Qi had prepared long ago? Taking advantage of the Western Xia invasion, he gathered heavy troops, stormed into Jingcheng in one blow, and deposed the Emperor. The late Emperor was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace and died shortly after. Now the Prince of Qi has declared himself Emperor, purged the court, and blood flowed like a river. You and I are afraid we cannot escape this doom!"

A shock ran through Jiang Jiang Mingyu's heart; it turned out the Prince of Qi had harbored treacherous intentions for a long time, and this Other Xi Xia attack might have been orchestrated by him alone.

Wang Zhe sighed again: "You are the Emperor's confidant; the Prince of Qi will surely not tolerate you. I fear I cannot guarantee my own safety either."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned tightly: "The Emperor has been deposed; do none of the commanding generals make a move?"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu frowned deeply, sinking into the grim situation; his eyes were filled with anxiety and unease.

His hands clenched into fists, his nails digging deep into his palms, as if this could help him find a glimmer of hope.

Wang Zhe sat nearby, his face calm, but his eyes flickered with undeniable worry.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, as if hinting at some possibility, yet his words were full of mystery.

"When the Prince of Qi ascended the throne, he immediately confiscated their military power."

Wang Zhe's voice rose slowly, every word distinct, yet carrying a layer of unfathomable emotion.

His gaze turned toward Jiang Jiang Mingyu, as if waiting for his reaction.

"Would those generals loyal to the late Emperor stop there? Now Chen Yutong, the Commandant of Guizhou, and Tang Pingfeng, the Commander of Yizhou, have already risen up. Over a hundred thousand troops swear to avenge the late Emperor. Other generals have also risen up one after another; nine provinces of Great Feng are ablaze with beacon fires, and the Prince of Qi is afraid he cannot secure his position."

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu could not help but smile meaningfully; his smile was like a wisp of faint smoke, drifting and unpredictable in the air.

"But we may not have the chance to witness that day." Wang Zhe's voice suddenly grew low, carrying a hint of despair.

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

"I belong to Zangzhou, and Lin Lin Xijie, the Commandant of Zangzhou, is the Prince of Qi's confidant. He must already be on the way to capture and kill us."

Hearing these words, Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment; he too felt the shadow of despair looming overhead.

He wanted to escape all this, but he knew that with the sky high and the Emperor far away, in the end, there was only one path to death.

His face turned pale, and tears seemed to flicker in his eyes, but he struggled to suppress his emotions, knowing that crying now was meaningless.

At that moment, the Yamen Runner outside the door, face filled with terror, breathing heavily, rushed into the hall, stumbling and nearly falling.

His clothes were disheveled, sweat dripping from his forehead, looking as if he had just awakened from a nightmare still filled with dread.

"My lord, my lord, it is bad, a great calamity has occurred." He stumbled into the room, panting, sweat dripping from his forehead, his eyes filled with terror and panic.