Incidents in the border commandery sent reports flying like rain toward the capital, with messages relayed along the entire route.
But one place was deliberately bypassed.
Zhongshan Commandery.
Outside Zhongshan Commandery, troops were stationed; inside, there were also troops. On the surface, all seemed peaceful, but in reality, one side stood guard while the other remained vigilant.
Previously, Zhongshan Commandery had intentionally intercepted courier messages; now, the court refrained from sending any communications to Zhongshan Commandery.
Although reports from the border commandery circumvented Zhongshan Commandery, couriers within the commandery still galloped urgently.
At the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, the plaque had been replaced with "King Who Pacifies the Country," but the people here still habitually referred to it as the Prince Zhongshan's residence.
This, of course, reflected another sentiment—they did not recognize the Little Emperor's bestowal of the title.
Outside the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion, besides the swiftly riding couriers, many people came and went, carriages and horses crowding the streets, while the common folk along the roadside pointed and commented with keen interest.
"Look, whose carriage is that?"
"The carriage has a plaque directly attached—it's the Liu Clan of Yuchuan."
"Wow, even the Liu Clan has come to present gifts to the Prince!"
"Of course the Liu Clan would come. Our Prince is truly admirable."
"The Prince is kind and benevolent. When the court faced difficulties, he contributed troops and resources. Yet the court only regards him with suspicion and even holds the Heir Apparent hostage in the capital."
"I still remember when the Heir Apparent celebrated the Prince's birthday, he personally prepared a float. When he leaped down from it, I was so frightened I nearly fainted."
This remark stirred louder chatter among the commoners. "Yes, yes!" "I remember that too." "The Prince was also startled, saying he was risking his life." "I recall as well—the Heir Apparent said he was thanking the Prince for granting him life and bringing him into this world."
Laughter erupted on the streets—what a delightful and amusing son! Yet, even as they laughed, their indignation grew stronger, for this very son was now imprisoned by the court in the capital.
"Alas, this year, the Heir Apparent can only offer a distant bow to his father from the capital."
Amid the crowd, one person sighed along with the surrounding commoners when his gaze suddenly shifted to the street. A horse was galloping toward them, and upon recognizing the scholar on horseback, he quickly made a gesture. The scholar, without glancing aside, gave a slight nod.
As the scholar approached, the steward in front of the Prince's Mansion exclaimed with delight, "Master Ning, you've returned!"
Ning Kun smiled and nodded. "I had to make it back in time for the Prince's birthday."
Dismounting, he glanced at the carriages and horses entering and leaving, their large and small boxes covered with red cloth.
"This year, even more people from various regions are coming to congratulate the Prince," he remarked.
The steward smiled proudly. "That's only natural." Then he added coldly, "Does that Little Emperor think that sitting on the Dragon Throne will make the world submit? A petty Grand Tutor, a child Empress, and Imperial Relatives—pointing fingers in the court? It's utterly ridiculous. If they were to take charge, our ancestors' legacy would be ruined."
Thus, over the past year, Prince Zhongshan had won the support of even more scholar clans. Ning Kun summed it up succinctly.
"Indeed," he nodded. "The Prince truly deserves such widespread trust."
The steward said, "Hurry inside. The Prince has been thinking of you, and he will be very pleased to see you."
Ning Kun then strode inside. Before he even reached the main hall, he heard Prince Zhongshan's hearty laughter, so robust that it sent the birds under the eaves fluttering their wings in alarm.
Even without any news of the Heir Apparent, the Prince was already in high spirits. Ning Kun thought to himself as he entered the hall.
The laughing Prince Zhongshan spotted him and waved aside his formal greetings and words. Ning Kun said nothing more, standing quietly to the side with a smile, waiting for the Prince to finish his laughter."I knew it. The King of Xiliang would certainly deal them a heavy blow." Prince Zhongshan looked at the intelligence report in his hand. "The King of Xiliang has been accumulating strength his entire life for this battle. He won't be easily dealt with."
"Your Highness," a military officer said, his eyes gleaming as he rubbed his hands together, "let's take this opportunity to make the Little Emperor go play in the mud."
Prince Zhongshan waved his hand dismissively. "There's no need for that. If we act now, we'd actually be helping the imperial court."
How so? Their action wouldn't be against the King of Xiliang, but against the imperial court—how could that possibly help the court?
Prince Zhongshan smiled, looking at the report in his hand. "This battle won't continue. The King of Xiliang might use this opportunity to negotiate peace with the court. With him having captured a city of Great Xia, he can achieve his goals and end the war honorably. For him, that would be a victory."
"The King of Xiliang will likely use that city as leverage. To protect the lives of the people in the city, the court will agree to peace talks," Ning Kun interjected thoughtfully. "If Your Highness were to attack the court now, it would force them to fight desperately—as the saying goes, don't pursue a desperate enemy."
Everyone else in the hall understood now and nodded in agreement.
"So there's no need to rush. When the court negotiates peace with Xiliang, this battle will be considered a defeat." Prince Zhongshan sneered, lightly tossing the report aside. "The Little Emperor, the Grand Tutor, Empress Chu, and that Xie San will all be disgraced, their prestige in Great Xia greatly diminished. When that time comes—
With Prince Zhongshan's prestige soaring, he would only need to raise his arms in call, and the world would naturally fall into his hands. Ning Kun was the first to bow and proclaim loudly: "Your Highness is most sagacious!The others naturally didn't want to fall behind, all bowing and shouting, "Your Highness is most sagacious!""
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily again, his gaze settling on Ning Kun with a hint of concern. "How is A Xun?" Without waiting for Ning Kun's reply, he sighed and shook his head. "How could he be well? I ask this merely to comfort myself."
Ning Kun hurriedly said, "Your Highness worries too much. The Heir Apparent is well. As you know, he has always been very patient and wholly dedicated to Your Highness's great cause. He has adapted quite well and has even sent birthday gifts for Your Highness—"
Hearing this, Prince Zhongshan and others in the hall looked at him, noting his empty hands.
"The Heir Apparent sent the gifts to the Ministry of Rites, to be presented together with the court's birthday tribute," Ning Kun explained with a smile. "This demonstrates his obedience as a hostage to the court."
This was indeed something Xiao Xun would do. When his father was brave and determined to fight, he followed with equal fervor. Now that his father was lying low, he naturally followed with deference. Prince Zhongshan nodded in satisfaction.
"Also," Ning Kun added, remembering something, "should we make use of those people in the capital for the Heir Apparent?"
Despite the court's previous purges, Prince Zhongshan, having schemed for so many years, still had agents lying dormant in hiding.
Hearing this, Prince Zhongshan shook his head. "No need. Having nothing is the best protection for him now." He then added, "When we move against the capital, these people will be used to ensure A Xun's safety. If we reveal them now, it might endanger A Xun in the future."
Ning Kun quickly nodded. "This subordinate was not thoughtful enough." He bowed again. "Your Highness is indeed considerate."
As he bowed, he concealed a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.Prince Zhongshan clapped his hands and said, "I originally intended to intercept the court's congratulatory gifts outside the commandery. But now, with A Xun's gift arriving, let them all enter together. I'm quite looking forward to seeing what gift A Xun has prepared for me."
Ning Kun immediately interjected, "Your Highness, the Heir Apparent instructed me not to tell you—it's meant to be a surprise."
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily once more. "Excellent! This prince shall await the surprise."
The hall echoed with laughter as congratulatory gifts continued to be carried to the front. Stewards from various regions, offices, and families loudly announced their well-wishes, reported their household names, and presented their gift lists. The Zhongshan Prince's Mansion was even more bustling than during New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile, the court in the capital was equally lively—though not with joyous laughter, but with furious questioning and uproar.
"Is the fall of a single Stone Slope City not serious enough?"
"This isn't just about one city falling."
"It's a matter of border defense!"
"The defenses are full of holes. This time it's one city, next time another—how many cities does Yunzhong Commandery even have?"
"Don't forget, at the start of the conflict, the Western Liang forces broke through and even reached the outskirts of Yunzhong Commandery!"
"What have the Border Army been doing these past two years?"
The court officials argued vehemently. With such a major incident occurring, the Border Army bore undeniable responsibility. Along with the news came a series of officers being held accountable.
Yet no matter how chaotic the court became, the Empress behind the Dragon Throne remained silent.
Hadn't she always refused to tolerate any criticism of the Border Army? Why wasn't she uttering a single word in rebuttal now?
Court officials sneered inwardly. It was precisely because she had monopolized power and forbidden others from questioning the Border Army that she now had no face to speak amidst this situation.
But staying silent wouldn't let her escape scrutiny!
The Empress had controlled the Border Army as her backing, enabling her domineering behavior in court. This time, the Border Army must be reorganized, and the Empress must be silenced in court—not just silenced, but forced back to the inner palace, ceasing her regency behind the curtain.
"Let's pause these arguments for now," the silent Deng Yi spoke up, cutting through the noise. "We should focus on what to do immediately."
He produced a letter bearing a seal clearly not of Great Xia.
"The King of Xiliang has sent an envoy letter proposing... peace negotiations."
Peace negotiations—this was what everyone had been waiting for. Just as officials prepared to speak, a consistently silent female voice spoke first.
"Absolutely not." Chu Zhao's expression was wooden as she surveyed the court. "No peace negotiations."
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