Accompanied by the thunderous echo of iron hooves smiting the dust, the sound of bells and drums erupted instantly.
The high and majestic dark city gate slowly opened, and the Crown Prince, clad in a golden Python Robe, led the civil and military officials to welcome Prince Rui, Rong Shuo, into the Capital.
The Crown Prince stood at the forefront, followed by the Second Prince and civil and military officials.
The guards of the imperial guard, dressed in golden armor, stood solemnly on either side of the road, embodying the Yan Country's respect for Prince Rui.
On the outermost perimeter were the people of the Capital eagerly stretching their necks to catch a glimpse of Prince Rui's visage.
The Yan Country and Wei Country are the two great powers of the present age, having fought each other for over a hundred years with deep-rooted enmity, so it was no surprise that the people were so excited about the victory at the Southern Border this time.
Gu Lan's position, at the highest pavilion beside the Yan Capital gate, made it very convenient for viewing.
Because of the steep price, those around her were elite nobles and young ladies coming to join the lively scene.
Even though Gu Lan's eyesight was excellent, she still had to strain her eyes to make out the distant figures.
The Crown Prince? No impression, most likely a cannon fodder character.
The Second Prince? That's him, the one who accused Rong Heng of pushing him into the water recently.
According to Zijin, the Second Prince Rong Qijun and Young Master Gu have a great relationship, often skipping classes together to cockfight and feed birds.
Gu Lan carefully remembered Rong Qijun's face, planning to sever ties if they meet in the future.
She searched among the civil and military officials but didn't find Rong Heng—besides the Crown Prince and Second Prince, there were no boys around fifteen or sixteen in the crowd.
The male lead might still be shivering in the so-called Cold Palace, or suffering punishment in the Imperial Prison.
Beside her, two young noblewomen she had just met were whispering to each other.
"The Crown Prince is truly a youthful hero!"
"The Second Prince is not bad either."
"I've heard the Emperor will soon be selecting a Crown Princess Consort for the Crown Prince."
"Look, standing behind Old Prime Minister Su is Xie Yun, such a handsome person in this world!"
"Xie Yun? Who is that?"
Gu Lan heard a familiar name and asked out of interest.
One of the young ladies enthusiastically said, "Look at the young man standing slightly behind Old Prime Minister Su, isn't he handsome? He's the first Young Master Xie Yun, Xie Jingqi. Despite his young age, he has already been appointed as the Crown Prince's Advisor in the Eastern Palace."
Gu Lan: "And who is Old Prime Minister Su?"
The two young ladies, fully considering Gu Lan as an idle aristocratic lady benefiting from family prestige, were more than happy to explain, "The white-bearded elder behind the Second Prince is the current Old Prime Minister Su, and Young Master Xie is his proud student."
Gu Lan gazed carefully, first seeing a white-bearded elder, then a young man standing proudly behind, but the distance was too far to discern his handsomeness.
Seeing the ecstatic young noblewomen, Gu Lan couldn't help but wonder if her eyesight was failing.
She remembered Xie Yun's name purely because when she skipped chapters to the end of the original book, Xie Yun appeared as the Yan Country's Prime Minister.
The drumbeats ceased, and Prince Rui, accompanied by elite cavalry, rode into the city gate.
Yan Country esteems black; soldiers clad in Black Armor thunderously strode their horses forward.
Clad in Mystic Armor and wrapped in a crimson cloak, Prince Rui was the first to dismount, followed by his elite riders who all dismounted and knelt.
The crowd was silent as Prince Rui approached the Crown Prince and knelt on one knee, his voice deep and rugged:
"This subject Rong Shuo, pays respect to the Crown Prince!"
Gu Lan squinted her eyes, staring at Prince Rui. That man, full of wind and frost, had a stern expression with an underlining aura forged through a sea of blood and bones.
This Prince Rui did not seem like a mere figurehead.
Can he fight? Gu Lan's hands itched.
The Crown Prince personally helped Prince Rui up, raising his voice deliberately so all could hear: "Greetings, Imperial Uncle, may you be well and healthy."
Prince Rui Rong Shuo, the former Emperor's eldest son, the Emperor's elder brother, naturally was the Crown Prince's uncle.
Rong Shuo's gaze swept over the Crown Prince, inadvertently scanning the civil and military officials behind him, then sighed inwardly before rising.
Amongst these people,
there were no his children,
nor his Princess Consort,
and certainly not... his fifth brother.
After the Crown Prince issued the decree and shared harmonious exchanges, Prince Rui and the Crown Prince mounted their horses together, followed closely by the civil and military officials, to the court to meet the Emperor.
With everything concluded, the onlookers finally dispersed somewhat, each looking at the departing Prince Rui with pride and honor.
Beside Gu Lan, a young lady proudly said, "With such harmony between the ruler and his ministers, having Prince Rui is truly a great fortune for our Yan Country!"
Gu Lan narrowed her eyes, murmuring softly, "Not necessarily."
Not necessarily harmonious.
If it were truly harmonious, why were there no Princess Consort or young prince among the officials welcoming Prince Rui? The Emperor holding Prince Rui's family members, isn't it an implied threat?
Soon, the procession of Prince Rui and the Crown Prince would enter Xuanwu Gate, for an audience with the Emperor, reporting the military affairs.
Gu Lan bid farewell amidst the reluctance of the young ladies, walking across the street towards Zipei, who was eagerly waving at her.
At that moment, in the bustling market, a chubby, short boy managed to squeeze out of the crowd, suddenly clasping his hands over his mouth and shouting at the guards:
"Dad!"
That voice, particularly sonorous amid the buzzing crowd, that single word had exhausted the child's entire strength.
The distant and unreachable Prince Rui, whose back could barely be seen, made no pause, continuing to ride forward.
"Dad! Dad! Dad!"
The little boy rubbed his eyes, running and shouting persistently, his small face flushed red.
"What's that kid doing?"
"Is there really your dad in the imperial guard?"
"Whose child is that, recklessly calling out to his dad."
The bystanders pointed and laughed mockingly.
Two guards exchanged a glance and walked towards the boy menacingly: "Silence during military rejoicing, who are you to dare disturb the Prince!"
The boy retreated several steps, then stopped, puffing his cheeks, fearlessly glaring at the two guards.
A plain-looking middle-aged man suddenly emerged from the crowd, grabbed the boy, pulling him behind, smiling at the guards as he bowed:
"Dear officers, this child is the youngest of my household, usually adores the Prince, which is why he spoke recklessly. I have been negligent in his discipline, I will take him away at once... Little Tiger, hurry and come home with dad!"
The boy grabbed by the arm, while the man's other hand covered his mouth.
This is the feet of the Emperor, even the guards did not want to complicate matters, so they cupped their fists: "Take care of your child, don't let it happen again!"
"Sure, sure." The man laughed appeasingly.
"Let go of my lord... I mean, you are not my dad!"
Once the guards left, the boy whose mouth had been covered finally broke free of the man's grip, shouting angrily.
"Hurry and come home with dad, or else you'll face a good beating today." The man ordered sternly.
Seeing it was a household matter, the onlookers began to disperse.
The little boy's round, plump face scrunched up, his cheeks flushed red, struggling continuously, tears welling in his eyes.
On the second floor of the pavilion where Gu Lan had just descended, a young man observed this scene, clenching his fist.
Within his dark eyes laid a cold murderous intent.
"Jiu, go save him."
His voice was low, yet extremely pleasant, tinged with coldness, his face hidden in shadows beyond clear visibility.
Just as his subordinate was about to leap down, a clear voice rang out.
"You say you're his father; what evidence do you have?"
Gu Lan emerged from the crowd, extending an arm to block the middle-aged man, her smile not reaching her eyes.