Liyang Pass is the most important pass south of the Capital. To break through the Capital from the south, one must first conquer Liyang Pass.
Once past Liyang Pass, one officially enters the Capital's territory.
As they drew closer to the Capital, Shen Jing couldn't help but ponder again.
Emperor Zhou's decree for them to return to the Capital to receive rewards, even while the rebellion was still ongoing, made him feel like something was amiss.
But what exactly was amiss, he couldn't quite figure out, so he could only force himself not to overthink.
Before the hour of Shen was half over, a magnificent, imposing city suddenly appeared in their sight.
Even from a considerable distance, one could imagine how tall the walls of this massive city were.
To call them 'walls of bronze and iron' would probably not be an exaggeration.
From afar, this colossal city looked like a giant beast lying prostrate on the earth.
When this giant beast slept, all that was visible was prosperity and tranquility.
But when this giant beast opened its gaping maw, who knew how many would be devoured, leaving no trace behind.
However, he definitely wouldn't be buried within it!
He would only send his enemies to the afterlife!
Capital, here I come!
Shen Jing, in a very 'chuunibyou' manner, shouted in his heart and followed the others towards the distant colossal city.
“Giddy-up, giddy-up…”
At the same time, a group of people on fast horses galloped past on the official road.
Leading them was a gorgeously dressed young master.
As they brushed past, the young master subconsciously glanced their way.
After riding only twenty or thirty zhang, the young master suddenly reined in his horse.
“Whoa…”
The young master turned his horse around and quickly rode back towards Shen Jing's group.
The people behind him, not understanding why, could only follow him back.
Soon, the man on horseback rode up to Shen Jing, blocking his path, and scrutinized him from head to toe.
Shen Jing frowned and also scrutinized the man from head to toe.
The man was slightly plump, with a somewhat round face, but exuded an inherent noble air.
However, beneath that noble air, there seemed to be a hint of… roguishness?
Shen Jing wasn't sure if his description was accurate.
In any case, the first glance told him this person wasn't someone who lived a quiet life.
Most likely a dissolute scion from a wealthy family.
But why was this guy staring at him?
Damn it!
They hadn't even entered the Capital yet; surely he wasn't encountering another person with peculiar preferences, like Wang Zan?
Was it really true: 'Round face, buzz cut, full beard, Lin Xinru on Chunxi Road'?
Get lost!
It couldn't be that unlucky, could it?
Shen Jing ranted wildly in his mind, then immediately puffed out his eyes and glared at the other party.
Startled by Shen Jing's glare, the man paused.
After regaining his composure, the man burst into laughter and asked with a playful expression, “Are you that scoundrel, Shen Jing?”
“…”
Shen Jing's face twitched slightly.
Damn it!
If you're going to call me by my name, why add the suffix “scoundrel”?
But on second thought, how did this guy know him?
Just as Shen Jing was about to ask, Madam Su's voice suddenly came from behind him: “Prince Consort, what a coincidence!”
Prince Consort?
Shen Jing was slightly surprised and then signaled Du Heng and the others to dismount.
Since he was a Prince Consort, they certainly had to bow.
Behind them, the Su Family mother and daughter, who had alighted from the carriage, quickly came forward.
“Greetings, Prince Consort!”
The mother and daughter bowed, and Shen Jing and the others quickly followed suit.
“No need for formalities.”
Ye Xian also dismounted and bowed to Madam Su, “Greetings, Madam.”
“Prince Consort, you humble me.”
Madam Su quickly waved her hand and then introduced him to Shen Jing and the others, “This is Prince Wuping’s Prince Consort, Ye Xian.”
Hearing this, the group bowed to Ye Xian again.
Ye Xian smiled at the Su Yourong mother and daughter, his gaze then falling on Shen Jing, “Guess how I recognized you at a glance?”
“Well…”
Shen Jing paused slightly and chuckled, “I suppose it has something to do with Princess Qinghe?”
What else was there to guess?
He had never met this Prince Consort, yet he recognized him at a glance. Combined with his identity, besides having something to do with that girl Ye Li, who else could it be related to?
“Quite clever!”
Ye Xian nodded, revealing a gloating smile, “A few days ago, I went to see Princess Qinghe and saw a painting hanging on her archery target. The person in it was you!”
“…”
Listening to Ye Xian’s words, Shen Jing's face instantly darkened.
Damn it!
Does that girl Ye Li have to harbor such deep resentment?
Didn't they make up?
She still hangs his portrait on an archery target?
What, she wants to shoot him dead?
Damn it, could the Emperor's hasty decree for them to return to the Capital have something to do with that girl?
Could it be that she wants to tie him up and whip him?
Seeing Shen Jing's depressed expression, Ye Xian became even more gleeful, “Not many people can make Qinghe remember them so much. You’re on your own!”
“Uh…”
Shen Jing's face stiffened slightly and he chuckled, “Thank you for the reminder, Prince Consort.”
“I still have to go hunting, so I won’t say more for now! When you have time, tell me all about how you offended Qinghe.”
Ye Xian gave a mischievous smile and then bowed slightly to Madam Su, “Madam Su, farewell!”
With that, Ye Xian quickly mounted his horse and led his group away.
Watching Ye Xian ride away, Shen Jing felt even more depressed.
Before, he was always the one gloating, but this time it was someone else's turn to gloat over his misfortune.
“It seems Princess Qinghe holds quite a grudge against you!”
Su Yourong turned to look at Shen Jing, a smile on her face, but it looked suspiciously like gloating.
“She's a princess, yet she has no class!”
Shen Jing pouted, “If she pushes me too far, I’ll ambush her one day!”
“Are you trying to die?!”
Su Yourong widened her eyes and glared at him, “Alright, don't think so much! Princess Qinghe will at most just find an opportunity to teach you a lesson; she won't do anything serious to you.”
Back in Luochuan Prefecture, Princess Qinghe, even in her extreme rage, didn't do anything to Shen Jing, let alone now.
However, given Princess Qinghe's temper, she certainly wouldn't let Shen Jing off easily.
After a small interlude, they continued their journey towards the Capital.
Along the way, Shen Jing inquired about Ye Xian from the Su Family mother and daughter.
Ye Xian’s father, Prince Wuping Ye Xiaogong, was a renowned general of the imperial clan.
In terms of seniority, Ye Xiaogong was also Emperor Zhou’s cousin.
A few years ago, Ye Xiaogong was severely wounded in a fierce battle with the Oirat people, which left him with rheumatism. In recent years, he no longer commanded troops nor participated in court discussions.
However, Ye Xian, as Ye Xiaogong's eldest legitimate son, did not inherit Ye Xiaogong's legacy.
To say Ye Xian had some literary and martial talents would be true.
But this lord never did anything proper, only indulged in pleasure.
This lord had done many outrageous things and was very famous in the Capital.
It was rumored that this lord once 'borrowed' a jade ruyi from Emperor Zhou's bedchamber and sold it to pay off gambling debts, infuriating Prince Wuping so much that he chased him down several streets with a saber.
The Four Great Rakes of the Capital were well-known, but Ye Xian was the biggest rake of them all.
It was only because he was a member of the imperial family that he wasn't included among the Four Great Rakes by busybodies.
However, although Ye Xian was a rake, his nature wasn't bad. In any case, the Su Family mother and daughter had never heard anyone say that Ye Xian had done anything like bullying men or women.
Even when gambling with street thugs, if he lost, he would always honor his debts.
After hearing the Su Family mother and daughter's words, Shen Jing couldn't help but sigh.
This lord, he truly lived a clear-headed life!
The life he desired, this lord had already lived it before him…
