Chaos reigned at the gates of the Imperial City.
Innocent commoners used as human shields, the ferocious Frontier Army hacking away with their swords, the Forbidden Guard Army, and debris flying everywhere.
Seeing that Fang Heng and Zhu Changyu would soon disappear around the corner of the long street, Fang Heng squeezed his legs around his horse's belly and rushed forward.
Jiang Yi and the others followed closely, murderous aura billowing.
Having trained since childhood and battled the Northern Nomads on horseback, their equestrian skills had long since become second nature. Nimbly avoiding the innocent commoners, catching up to Fang Yuan and Zhu Changyu was just a matter of time.
The frown on Chang Yan's face finally relaxed, only to furrow again the next moment.
At the end of the West Imperial City Gate street, the dense defending troops, upon seeing Fang Heng and the others galloping rapidly towards them, exchanged a glance with each other. Hand in hand, they formed a line across the street.
Using their own bodies to erect a wall, allowing themselves to be trampled by horses, all to buy those behind them a breath more to breathe.
"Is it worth it?" Fang Heng bellowed the question once more.
Hundreds of horses carrying the Frontier Army charged forth. As long as they did not rein in the reins, their hooves, which had already trampled countless Northern Nomad bloodstains, would crush their countrymen's bodies.
Those were their fellow countrymen!
The same ethnicity, similar appearances, approximate accents, some even acquainted.
Yet in this moment, they stood opposed with weapons drawn.
"What's worth it or not, we received the Second Prince's kindness in the past, now we use our lives to repay him," someone boldly finished speaking and closed his eyes.
The defending troops had no horses and with just iron swords were no match for the cavalry.
Galloping past them would not be difficult, what was difficult was the unified iron hooves needed to mercilessly trample their countrymen.
The delay of five thousand lives, even if they trampled past, they would no longer be able to catch up to Zhu Changyu and Fang Yuan.
Fang Heng gripped the reins tightly, restraining the surging emotions within him. He turned back to look at Chang Yan.
In the crowd, the youth lightly shook his head.
One could not tell if he was disappointed or upset, he waved his hand to signal the Frontier Army to confiscate weapons and detain the five thousand defending troops pending trial.
The Forbidden Guard Army also came over to help after safely circumventing the innocent commoners.
Chang Yan heaved a long sigh, knowing this palace revolt had truly ended.
"Young Fifth, you're just going to let those two grandsons of yours get away?" Zheng Ruqian sidled over, "They're troublemakers, endless troubles if not eliminated."
"Don't worry." Xu Mo's expression did not change, "There are still thirty thousand troops in the outskirts. As long as they run into them, the net will surely catch them."
There was a key phrase here - as long as.
Implying if they did not collide, things would still be quite troublesome.
Zheng Ruqian did not understand the implication but Chang Song heaved a long sigh of relief next to him, counting on his fingers just how much official-business collusion he would presently be capable of.
The crowds swiftly dispersed, each busying themselves with tasks.
Some took stock of the innocent commoners’ injuries, some tidied up the damaged items in the heavenly palace, some comforted the frightened civil and military officials, and some tearfully reminisced as they caught up.
"Big brother." Jiang Chengfeng hopped over to Jiang Chengyuan in three steps, eyes bright with anticipation, "How'd you come back?"
"The Crown Prince sent a letter requesting elite soldiers. I figured I could lend a hand." Jiang Chengyuan chuckled lightly and thumped his younger brother on the shoulder. "I heard you passed as an academically-ranked scholar. You'll be taking the imperial exam to qualify as the top-ranked scholar this year. You must have your name etched on the golden plaque!"
"Naturally. Big brother, you've already made it to fifth-rank General. How can I fall too far behind?" Jiang Chengfeng bared his big white teeth. "Big brother, do you have time? I'd like to hear about things on the battlefield. The letters only gave simple descriptions..."
The two brothers chatted and laughed as they walked, evidently with an excellent relationship.
Fang Heng watched them in a daze from the side until Zheng Ruqian jabbed him in the ribs with an elbow. His conditioned reflexes reacted and he almost dislocated second brother's arm.
"Aaaah, fratricide!" Zheng Ruqian let out a wretched shriek like a pig being slaughtered.
He gave Jiang Sheng and Wen Zhiyun a huge fright. They hurriedly surrounded Fang Heng, one questioning and the other checking him for injuries.
"I didn't, I didn't." Fang Heng helplessly retracted his hand. His absentmindedness had completely dispersed.
"You, ah, you." Jiang Sheng rested her hands on her hips and poked third brother. "Go easy. We're family!"
The little girl had grown up and even started using a lecturing tone.
Fang Heng endured his urge to laugh and did not fuss with her.
Next to them, Jiang Yi craned his neck over, "My lady, just because we're not related by blood means heavy hits are permitted?"
He had just finished speaking when Jiang Wu pinched the soft flesh at his waist. Tears sprang forth from the pain.
Jiang San and Jiang Si laughed themselves silly at the side. "Fifth sister demonstrated with actions that even family can dole out heavy hits."
Jiang Liu, Jiang Qi and Jiang Ba also laughed uproariously.
How wonderful!
Everyone was back.
Standing in the center of the crowd, Chang Yan smiled as he looked towards Xu Mo. "Where is the Crown Prince Estate's people?"
This palace revolt was not only to quell the rebellion but also to test their mettle and expose malicious intents and thieving hearts - the critical juncture.
When former top academically-ranked scholar Sun Xiaosheng took the initiative to join them earlier, Xu Mo had wanted to say something but held back, believing this person harbored ulterior motives but did have some capability and belonged to the category where one was reluctant to utilize him yet felt it a pity not to.
In the end, it was Chang Yan who spoke. As long as one took the initiative to submit to the Crown Prince Estate, they would take them all in.
Whether they had malicious intents or thieving hearts, a sincere heart does not fear being refined, and upright feet do not fear crooked shoes.
Those who should come could not escape, those who should flee also could not slip away.
From the outset of the revolt, there were people watching the Crown Prince Estate's advisors, observing their behavior, observing any oddities.
Not until the end of the revolt did the personal guards finally emerge, cupping their fists to respond. "Replying to the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince Estate's advisors...not a single oddity."
They were not only well-behaved but also racked their brains to strategize and coordinate with the Forbidden Guard Army to carry out the rescue.
This outcome was indeed somewhat beyond expectations.
While Chang Yan was still ruminating, Sun Xiaosheng had already led the advisors rushing over. Seeing the Crown Prince safe and sound, he heaved a long sigh of relief.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince." The advisors all bowed politely.
No anger could be discerned on Chang Yan's expression. "All of you please rise. I must have given you all a fright just now."
He paused before continuing, "This palace revolt was too abrupt and caught us unprepared. Does anyone have any thoughts about this?"
The dozen or so Crown Prince Estate advisors sized each other up, hesitant and unsure how to proceed.
The revolt concerned imperial family matters. Its success and failure depended solely on the imperial family. What could it have to do with the advisors?
Not until Sun Xiaosheng seemed to come to a realization and took a step forward. "May I ask if the Crown Prince harbors doubts about us advisors’ active overtures?"
Chang Yan remained silent.
The Crown Prince Estate had just been established. Without a long period of tacit cooperation built on trust, how could there be trust?
Sun Xiaosheng also did not expect a response. He cupped his fists again and continued, "I placed first alongside Xu Mo. I've also envied him before for his outstanding temperament and the admiration and praises he received. But I believe such envy can arise in anyone. As long as one controls their actions and keeps such emotions of joy and displeasure in check, there is no difference."
"I clearly knew of the exceptional relationship between the Crown Prince and Xu Mo yet still chose to submit to the Crown Prince Estate because this is the general trend. As someone with ambitions, following the general trend aligns with reason. I openly welcome investigations."
"I also wish to believe the Crown Prince possesses an accommodating heart to assign roles based on capabilities rather than determine one’s status based on familial ties."
"I, Sun Xiaosheng, am willing to assist the Crown Prince and fulfill my duties as a subject to contribute to the world."
