59. This imperial throne and kingdom are fraught with thorns.

"Your humble servant greets the Princess Consort," Xu Guiyi said as he stepped into the Eastern Palace, immediately encountering a familiar face.

"Greetings, Marquis of Gongmin," Xu Guiyi nodded gently.

"Is Your Lordship here to see the Crown Prince?" Xu Guiyi turned her gaze toward Nangong Mingchen, her tone warm and smiling.

Nangong Mingchen, still clad in his court robes which accentuated his noble bearing, raised his brows and replied in a clear voice, "Today, I accompanied the Crown Prince to the Ministry of War. There were still matters left unfinished, so we returned together."

Truth be told, the Emperor truly valued Nangong Mingchen, seldom excluding him from important affairs.

Thinking of this, Xu Guiyi smiled faintly. "Fortunately, Your Lordship serves as Deputy General in Xinzhou, and Xinzhou is not far from Guangling. Traveling back and forth is convenient."

Anyone with discernment could hear the subtle irony in her words.

Xinzhou belonged to the northern border, and the distance to the capital, Guangling, was at least a three-day ride on swift horses.

Yet Nangong Mingchen took no offense, his smile deepening. "The Princess Consort is teasing me. Serving the sovereign is but a matter of following imperial commands; how could a servant decide? Besides, my post in Xinzhou is in name only: there is a Commander above and a Lieutenant below, all seasoned veterans. How could I presume to meddle in Xinzhou’s military affairs?"

Xu Guiyi's eyes darkened suddenly, a sense of shame washing over her.

He was always like this. No matter how cautiously she guarded against him, knowing he was from the Nangong family, he had always treated her with sincere courtesy, never with superficial pretense.

He revealed his circumstances openly, without reservation.

Xu Guiyi sighed softly. "I heard the Gong family has called off the marriage? I had prepared the wedding gift, never expecting such a turn."

Nangong Mingchen paused, the smile fading from his face. "Thank you for your kindness, Princess Consort. The engagement was cancelled a few days ago."

Xu Guiyi had vaguely heard palace gossip: it seemed the Gong family’s daughter had her heart set elsewhere and would rather die than marry Nangong Mingchen. The family, at a loss, had the patriarch personally visit and gratefully withdraw from the match.

"The true measure of a man is in achievement and merit. Marquis, you are still young and will surely meet someone more to your liking in the future."

Xu Guiyi did not know that Nangong Mingchen himself had quietly manipulated events to prompt the Gong family's withdrawal. She earnestly comforted him, advising him not to dwell on it.

Nangong Mingchen suppressed his amusement, maintaining respectful composure. "Thank you, Princess Consort."

That day, Fu Lancheng and Shen Yu stood together atop Yonghui Pavilion, both bearing somber expressions.

"The court may need to mobilize a second wave of troops," Fu Lancheng gazed northeast, lost in thought.

Shen Yu, dressed in short armor with arrow sleeves, his brows severe, replied, "But General Qu has arrived in Liaodong several days ago, has he not? He is an undefeated general, trusted by the Emperor for years. With him there, the situation should be under control."

Fu Lancheng shook his head, his tone inexplicably weighted. "Ayu, my father is a man whose intentions are always inscrutable; no one can truly guess them."

Shen Yu turned to Fu Lancheng, puzzled. "Brother Crown Prince, what do you mean?"

"Precisely because General Qu has been in Liaodong for days without clarity in the battle, I suspect something more," Fu Lancheng continued.

Shen Yu remained confused, listening as Fu Lancheng explained, "General Qu is renowned for swift, decisive warfare. That is why my father sent him—he wants the matter resolved quickly. Yet ten days have passed and the situation remains unclear. This affair may not be as simple as it appears."

The two entered the chamber, Fu Lancheng still analyzing, "Within Liaodong, there are several garrisoned armies, but they cannot be moved recklessly. Even if they are to be mobilized, my father does not wish the Prince of Liaodong to command them. Qu Zhe, being from the Qilin Army, has shallow roots in Liaodong and may not be able to direct those cunning old generals."

Rivalry among military leaders was common. Moreover, Qu Zhe already commanded thirty thousand troops, while the Prince of Liaodong had fifty thousand. If the Emperor were to significantly reinforce the Prince of Liaodong, it would risk destabilizing the state, stirring unrest in the court—something the Emperor did not intend.

"In the early days of our dynasty, those who followed the founding emperor were generously rewarded, dozens of princes and marquises created. Over generations, it has left an underlying threat," Shen Yu, though young, had grown up beside Fu Lancheng and understood the situation well.

Fu Lancheng wore a cold, thin smile. He had no desire to inherit such a tangled mess. All the world saw the supremacy of imperial power, but not the scars atop the heights of humanity.

"Thus, imperial power is not easily grasped," Fu Lancheng sighed deeply.

Shen Yu hesitated, cautiously asking, "Brother Crown Prince, what do you believe the Emperor intends?"

Fu Lancheng’s phoenix eyes narrowed. "My guess is that my father wants a royal prince, under the name of the imperial family, to command both Qu Zhe’s and the Prince of Liaodong’s armies, legitimately overseeing the campaign."

At this, Shen Yu finally understood.

Currently, neither the Prince of Liaodong’s nor Qu Zhe’s troops had taken Watchtower City; more reinforcements were needed, even if just a few. But who would lead them? By rights, Qu Zhe, appointed by the Emperor as Loyal and Valiant General, had the qualifications.

Yet in Liaodong, the Prince of Liaodong, Yuwen Kun, was the foremost noble, a seasoned warrior, and this battle was his family’s vengeance.

He could lead, too.

Fu Lancheng, though nonchalant, could see the difficulties his father faced.

"Guangling originally had 130,000 troops stationed; Qu Zhe took thirty thousand, leaving only twenty thousand available. If my father seeks a swift resolution, even twenty thousand may not suffice, so border troops must be drawn. When Qu Zhe arrived in Liaodong, Dayue had already reinforced Watchtower City with 100,000, ensuring a fierce battle."

Shen Yu trembled, anxious, "Brother Crown Prince, which prince do you think the Emperor will send to Liaodong?"

Fu Lancheng’s brows furrowed, his tone bitter. "Most likely, it will be me. Before leaving Tai Ning Palace today, my father asked if I had visited Liaodong a few years ago."

Shen Yu stroked his chin, curious. "That did happen; I recall you spent half a year in Liaodong. Did you ever meet the eldest son of Liaodong?"

Fu Lancheng snorted at the mention. "Naturally. He is an exceedingly arrogant and unruly young master—the ‘little tyrant’ of Liaodong."

Shen Yu was surprised. "Little tyrant? I heard he is only a firstborn son by a concubine. The Prince of Liaodong has two legitimate sons."

Fu Lancheng’s voice grew caustic. "A concubine’s son, yes, but his mother was the Prince’s favorite, his childhood sweetheart. She died in childbirth, becoming his ‘white moonlight’. So the deceased is not merely Yuwen Kun’s eldest, but his beloved."

Shen Yu let out a thoughtful "Ah..." Suddenly, he sensed the war would not end easily.

As expected, Fu Lancheng’s predictions all came true.

In the fifteenth year of Chengxiao’s reign, on the eighth day of the second month, the Emperor commanded Crown Prince Fu Lancheng to lead twenty thousand soldiers from the capital through Yongding Gate. Once the Crown Prince arrived in Liaodong, all local forces were to be at his disposal.

The Emperor’s decree sent the entire court into uproar.

Since ancient times, it was rare for a crown prince to personally lead an expedition. In the century since the founding of Dayi, only the sons of the founding emperor had combat experience; later generations seldom ventured to the frontiers.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the heir of the nation. This decree is unwise!" The righteous elder in python robes was none other than the Imperial Consort Nangong’s brother, Prince Ningdu, Nangong Ping. He was the first to react, and the first to advise the Emperor to reconsider.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the realm. The campaign in Liaodong is perilous; please reconsider!" Grand Tutor Cao was the second to bow and plead the Emperor to retract his order.

Next were Marquis Yongjia, Marquis Xincheng, and many other venerable ministers.

Standing beside the Emperor, Fu Lancheng remained calm. Those now kneeling to beg the Emperor to reconsider were the very ones who had reviled him most fiercely in the past.

He looked up; those standing motionless in the hall, aside from the Emperor and himself, were Marquis Gongmin Nangong Mingchen and Prince An Fu Jingchu. Oh, and one more: Imperial Censor Nian Shaoqing.

Fu Lancheng never thought his status as Crown Prince meant much, but seeing it today, perhaps it carried some weight after all.

The Emperor’s brows were furrowed in displeasure, sighing deeply before finally saying, "So... what my beloved ministers mean is that I must... personally go to Liaodong?"

The even-toned words sent a chill through the assembled ministers, beads of sweat forming on their foreheads.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, that was not my intention..."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider; such risk cannot be taken..."

"Your son is willing to go in your stead, to Liaodong himself!" Prince Qi’s resolute words brought a sudden hush.

The Emperor lifted his gaze, Fu Lancheng curled his lips. Prince Qi spoke again: "I am willing to replace both Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, and personally go to Liaodong."

The Emperor said nothing; Fu Lancheng smirked inwardly. If Prince Qi managed to secure this task, he would enjoy some leisure.

But the Emperor did not agree, only saying, "Prince Qi, your intentions are good, but the affairs of the court are busy and I cannot spare you. The Crown Prince is always idle and has volunteered to go to Liaodong; I find this excellent. You are both my sons. How can I favor one over the other—one is constantly occupied, the other does nothing."

Fu Lancheng’s lips twitched. When had he ever volunteered for Liaodong?

Hearing the Emperor, the ministers clearly did not believe it, all cautiously glancing at the Crown Prince’s expression. The Emperor then barked, "Crown Prince, do you agree?"

Fu Lancheng dug his fingers into his palm, answering slowly, "Yes, I volunteer to go to Liaodong and share Your Majesty’s burdens."

The Emperor was satisfied, Prince Qi fell silent, and the ministers had nothing more to say.

Nangong Mingchen stepped forward, bowing. "Your Majesty, I am willing to follow the Crown Prince and protect him."

Instantly, the officials exchanged glances. Fu Lancheng had no time to refuse before the Emperor readily agreed, pleased to see relations between the Nangong family and the Eastern Palace improve.

After the court dispersed from Deqing Hall, Fu Lancheng was summoned again to Tai Ning Palace.

"Father, is there an urgent matter you wish to entrust to me?" Fu Lancheng asked calmly.

The Emperor stood, hands on hips, before a vast map of the realm, his mind filled with ambition and worry.

"Do you know why, this time, I am sending you, and not Prince Zhao or Prince Qi?"

Fu Lancheng was speechless. To his mind, the Emperor’s choice to dispatch the Crown Prince instead of his favored Prince Zhao or Prince Qi must have been carefully planned.