Chapter 634: Chapter 634

The day Marshal Fang and Han Ziqi’s troops entered the Capital City, Xie Xun did not go to the city gates to greet them. Instead, he sent Xie Jue with cabinet officials to meet them, while Xie Xun awaited news in the palace. In theory, after the commander returns from his military campaign, the first thing he is supposed to do is enter the palace to pay homage to the sovereign. But no one could quite grasp what the Marshal was truly thinking; if Xie Xun went to greet him to show respect at the city gates— Thɪs chapter is updated by novel[f]ire.net

With all the court officials and citizens of the city present, if the Marshal refused to submit and conflict broke out between the two, Xie Xun’s reputation would suffer. Moreover, under the public gaze, if the Marshal overstepped his authority, Xie Xun would face the choice of dispensing punishment or granting clemency. To avoid creating numerous disputes, it was better to steer clear. Whether the Marshal returned home or entered the palace after arriving in the Capital City, it would prevent any irreversible chaos from unfolding before the eyes of the masses.

During their time in Jiangnan, Xie Jue was familiar with the Marshal as they fought against enemies together, and there was no unpleasantness during their journey into the city. Han Ziqi and the others from Sannan were housed at the inn in East City, separate from Dugu Jing.

Fang Chuning had assumed his father, the Marshal, would return home, but unexpectedly, he planned to enter the palace. Exchanging a glance with Xie Jue, neither said anything. Entering the palace was, after all, the most appropriate course of action given the current political climate. Xie Jue sent a rider ahead to inform Xie Xun swiftly, advising him, no matter what the Marshal said, that he absolutely must remain composed.

Xie Xun clicked his tongue and said sarcastically, "I’ll certainly show my finest bearing."

Ying Si remarked, "The young master has asked that you stick to your words."

He hadn’t seen the Marshal since they had parted ways in Yangzhou. Originally, the pacification of Beiman might have been an opportunity for reconciliation. He had led the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to Jiangnan for support, but being gravely injured had rendered him unable to act. He had only come to the Capital City out of concern for Fengyu’s safety—not to directly seize power—but the Marshal might not see it that way. The Marshal probably thought him cunning and deceitful, accusing him of sending Second Brother to lead troops for reinforcement while secretly coming to the Capital City to usurp. Xie Xun felt unjustly wronged. In truth, it was Yuwen Jing who had brought ruination upon himself; otherwise, Xie Xun could have simply rescued Feng Shu, taken the Feng Family with him, and left the Capital City, fighting back slowly later. Who could have predicted the conclusion would end up ?

Fengyu was not in the palace and was also worried that conflict might erupt between the Marshal and Xie Xun. She had originally intended to enter the palace to take a look, but unexpectedly, Xiaoqi came looking for her. Fengyu was overjoyed. "Xiaoqi..."

"Elder Sister..." Xiaoqi had returned to the Capital City along with the Marshal, which Fengyu hadn’t anticipated. "How come you’re with the Marshal?"

After Fang Chuning returned to the Capital City, Fengyu had once asked Xie Xun about Xiaoqi’s whereabouts, wondering why Xiaoqi had not come back with him. Fang Chuning had merely said that Xiaoqi was in a safe place, which had led Fengyu to assume Xiaoqi was hidden somewhere by Fang Chuning. She hadn’t expected Xiaoqi to be by the Marshal’s side.

Several months of separation had passed, and Xiaoqi had grown taller. The slender and upright young man now looked refined and handsome, his demeanor vibrant and confident, reminiscent of flourishing bamboo in a lush forest. Fengyu felt delighted in her heart, pulling him close to examine him thoroughly. "Has everything been going well for you during this time? You’ve grown taller, and sturdier, too. Elder Sister truly missed you."

"I’ve been doing very well, always training with Uncle in the army. Elder Sister, you look to be in good spirits too." Xiaoqi still held a subtle affection and dependence on Fengyu that he couldn’t quite articulate. Though he had returned to the Capital City, he hadn’t followed the Marshal to the palace but had instead come to find Fengyu. "Congratulations, Elder Sister."

Fengyu understood what he was congratulating her for, and she couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness. Had it not been for the forces of the clan pressing so aggressively, the affair of Yuwen Jing and his father would never have happened. If things had gone differently, the one sitting on the throne now might very well have been Xiaoqi.

"Where will you be staying after you return to the Capital City?"

"Uncle’s residence. After that, I’ll follow his arrangements." Xiaoqi looked deeply at Fengyu. "Elder Sister, don’t worry. On the way back to the city, I spoke with Uncle, and he assured me he wouldn’t make things difficult for Xie Xun."