The Grand Secretary’s Pampered Wife
Chapter 522.1: Returning to the Capital

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S T E L L A R C L O U D

[Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]

O R A N G E S T A R

[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Reece P.] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Manon] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Lord_Wolve] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy] [Nicole]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Allie] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Peggy F.]

T H E S U N

[Amy K.] [Ava C.] [Caroline] [Haruka N.] [kuroneko_chan] [Lily J.]

[Malinkat] [Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Scorpion Princess] [Smurfinbatik] [Sophia W.]

Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧?≦*)

Bo Qinwang was of imperial blood, and although he was considered skilled in martial arts, he was ultimately no match for battlefield generals like Rong Yao. In the end, Bo Qinwang suffered severe injuries at the hands of Rong Yao and did not survive.

"This subject acted recklessly. I had intended to capture him alive, but this man proved to be quite difficult. In a moment of carelessness, this subject mistakenly killed him. I humbly request Your Highness, the Sixth Prince, to impose punishment."

These were the words spoken by Rong Yao when he descended from the city tower and came before Yuan Tang to apologize.

Yuan Tang, still at Gu Changqing's side, mounted on a spirited horse, looked down at his maternal uncle, Rong Yao, from a higher vantage point.

He smiled coldly.

Could his uncle even believe such nonsense?

If he didn’t kill Bo Qinwang, what if Bo Qinwang returned to the palace and revealed detrimental information about Rong Yao?

This maternal uncle was indeed far-sighted and ruthless.

However, did he truly think that eliminating Bo Qinwang would guarantee his safety?

Yuan Tang looked at Rong Yao with a sly smile, "Uncle, you've worked hard. Your contribution in defeating the traitor will surely be recognized by imperial father when we return to the capital."

Rong Yao knelt down on one knee, cupped his hands, and said with a sincere and apprehensive expression, "This subject dare not expect rewards and only hopes to make amends for one’s mistakes. This subject was also misled by Bo Qinwang, thinking everything was the decree of His Majesty. Who knew this man falsely conveyed an imperial order, leading us into this expedition... This subject pleads for Your Highness to scrutinize the matter closely."

Gu Changqing, standing nearby, slightly parted his thin lips, "Hah."

Rong Yao's expression turned grim.

Rong Yao's youngest son, Rong Fu, had died at the hands of Gu Changqing. Rong Yao held great resentment toward Gu Changqing, but sometimes, one had to bow their head under the eaves of another's house.

Yuan Tang glanced at Gu Changqing, then back at Rong Yao, and said with a faint smile, "Uncle, your words are weighty. The truth will be revealed once we return to the capital. As long as you have a clear conscience, I believe the truth will emerge someday."

A thin layer of cold sweat appeared on Rong Yao's forehead.

He dared not meet Yuan Tang's eyes. He already felt the implicit threat emanating from Yuan Tang.

"Your Highness the Sixth Prince, may I have a private word with you?" Rong Yao asked Yuan Tang.

Yuan Tang rode his horse back to the camp of the State of Chen's army alongside Rong Yao.

General Zhang Shen glanced at the two figures and said to Gu Changqing, "General, it seems that someone surnamed Rong is gearing up for a major confrontation."

With eighty thousand reinforcements from the State of Chen and an additional sixty thousand troops from Ye City, their forces significantly outnumbered the Gu Family Army. If an actual battle were to commence, it would undoubtedly result in a bloody and fierce confrontation.

Gu Changqing's demeanor showed no signs of worry. He calmly responded, "Yuan Tang won't agree to that."

If Yuan Tang truly desired war, he wouldn't have come alone, and he wouldn't have introduced himself as a friend of Gu Jiao when they first met earlier.

He didn’t know what conversation took place between Yuan Tang and Rong Yao over there, but the latter almost stormed off. However, Yuan Tang paid him no heed and directly ordered the sixty thousand troops of the State of Chen's army to withdraw from Ye City.

Of course, this matter was far from over. It was the State of Chen that first violated the peace treaty by initiating the war. All the losses incurred during the war would be solely borne by the State of Chen, which was akin to adding insult to injury for the State of Chen’s imperial court which had already suffered losses from a previous war.

However, this incident truly exposed Yuan Tang to the cruelty of war and the dreadful price it exacts.

While Yuan Tang might have once harbored intentions of eventually waging war against the State of Zhao during his time as a hostage prince there, now such thoughts had vanished.

War was a struggle for power among the elites, yet it was the innocent soldiers and civilians who paid with their lives.

Yuan Tang rode back to the camp of the Gu Family Army once again and spoke earnestly to Gu Changqing, "If you trust me, I would like to take Rong Yao back to the capital of the State of Chen first. Later, I will personally go to the capital of the State of Zhao to apologize and negotiate with your country's Emperor."

Yuan Tang's current status was still that of the hostage prince from the State of Chen. In theory, he should return to the capital with Gu Changqing. Letting him go would be akin to releasing a tiger back into the mountains.

Before Gu Changqing could respond, Yuan Tang added, "However, before that, I hope to accompany you to Yuegu City to pay a visit to the army's Supreme Commander and the Old Marquis."

"Alright." Gu Changqing agreed.

Accompanied only by Gu Changqing, Yuan Tang headed to Yuegu City. His straightforwardness and courage were truly commendable.

However, upon arriving at Yuegu City, Gu Changqing realized he had been deceived!

This fellow wasn't here to visit Tang Yueshan and his grandfather; he was clearly here to see his little sister!

As soon as Yuan Tang entered the city, he made his way straight to the infirmary camp, "Physician Gu, I'm here!"

Watching Yuan Tang, who acted as if he belonged there, Gu Changqing narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Gu Jiao had long recovered from the plague and passed the quarantine period. At that moment, she was in the infirmary camp, guiding several soldiers in their rehabilitation.

Yuan Tang was wearing the armor of a State of Chen general.

Suddenly barging in like that, the soldiers in the infirmary immediately grabbed the swords and daggers beside their beds in alarm.

Yuan Tang clicked his tongue, unfastened the sword from his waist, and tossed it to the nearest wounded soldier, "Take it."

The wounded soldier: "..."

Gu Jiao remained calm, giving Yuan Tang a brief glance before addressing the recovering soldier beside her, "Continue."

The soldier continued his rehabilitation exercises with a cane.

Yuan Tang intruded beside Gu Jiao without invitation, exaggeratedly sighed, and said, "There's not even a hint of excitement upon seeing this prince. I should have known better than to come to see you."

"Do you need something?" Gu Jiao asked.

Yuan Tang opened his mouth as if he did.

But then he clicked his tongue and said, "Aren't you going to ask why I came to the border?"

Gu Jiao responded casually, "To kill Bo Qinwang or to kill Rong Yao?"

Yuan Tang: "..."

"Here." Yuan Tang handed her a small bundle he carried.

"What's this?" Gu Jiao inquired.

Yuan Tang stuffed the bundle into her arms and said, "The begonia box is for you, and the bamboo leaf box is for my cousin. I need to return to the capital to deal with my uncle. I might not be able to go to the State of Zhao’s capital for some time, so take these to my cousin for me."

"Alright." Gu Jiao agreed.

Yuan Tang raised an eyebrow, saying, "Don't get any ideas. I'm giving you gifts just to thank you for helping me with my cousin's matters, and besides... back in the State of Zhao’s capital, I owe my escape to your husband."

Initially, Yuan Tang thought he had concealed himself well without Xiao Liulang knowing, but upon reflection, Xiao Liulang was supposed to be on duty at the yamen office, yet suddenly changed direction toward the north gate of the capital and even stopped by the post station for a while.

Xiao Liulalng must have found his presence early and deliberately sent him away.

Gu Jiao didn’t know there was such a thing.

It was thanks to Xiao Heng's decision to help Yuan Tang escape that the war ended quickly. Otherwise, there would have been prolonged battles and increased casualties on both sides.

References

1. — a Chinese proverb that implies that in certain situations or circumstances, one may have to yield or compromise, even if they harbor resentment or dissatisfaction.

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