Unconsciously, several days had passed.
Shen Jing and his group finally approached the capital.
They received news while still on their way back to the capital: Cao Yuan had already led his troops to quell the rebellion. After leaving Yuan Dingguo and ten thousand men to guard Qu Prefecture, Cao Yuan led his main force back to Su Prefecture, and the troops dispatched from other areas also returned to their original garrisons.
All of Prince Ji's family members, except for a few who stubbornly resisted and were executed, were captured and escorted back to the capital by Ning Ji and the Suanni Iron Cavalry.
When they were still more than ten li from the capital, a guard galloped over.
"Reporting to Duke Qi and Young Master Shen, His Royal Highness Prince Xiang has been ordered to leave the capital ten li to welcome Duke Qi and Young Master Shen on their triumphant return!"
The guard reported loudly to the two.
Hearing the guard's words, Shen Jing and Pei Ji couldn't help but exchange a surprised look.
To be welcomed ten li outside the capital?
This was a slightly high-level reception!
After a brief moment of absentmindedness, Pei Ji looked at the carriage being escorted by the Longxiang Imperial Guards.
Welcoming them must just be a detour, right?
They were probably supposed to hand Prince Ji over to the Fourth Prince.
No matter what, Prince Ji was still a descendant of the late emperor, and the current emperor's own brother.
Having them escort him back to the capital might indeed be inappropriate.
This was the same reasoning as them using a carriage to transport Prince Ji.
Before long, they saw the Fourth Prince, Ye Zhen, and his entourage in the distance.
They and all the Longxiang Imperial Guards dismounted.
Ye Zhen, who had been waiting for a long time, also led his entourage forward quickly.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness Prince Xiang!"
Everyone bowed in unison.
"No, no!"
Ye Zhen, with a beaming smile, stepped forward to help the two up, "Duke Qi and Mr. Shen have rendered great service to our Great Zhou; it is I who should be bowing to the two of you!"
With that, Ye Zhen took a step back and voluntarily bowed to the two of them.
Shen Jing was stunned.
Mr. Shen...?
He had truly heard that title for the first time.
He had to admit, hearing that title from a prince's mouth felt quite satisfying!
Regaining his composure, Shen Jing still humbly said, "Shen Jing is merely a commoner; I truly do not deserve Your Royal Highness's title of 'Mr.'"
"You do! You do! Mr. Shen turned the tide; how could you not deserve this title?"
Ye Zhen's face was full of smiles. "Father Emperor asked me to tell Mr. Shen that you have worked hard. Please rest well today, and be sure to attend the morning court tomorrow on time! I suspect Father Emperor will heavily reward Mr. Shen in court tomorrow! I congratulate Mr. Shen in advance today!"
Ye Zhen was extremely courteous, which made Shen Jing very unaccustomed to it, so he could only bow and say, "Thank you, Your Royal Highness."
"Mr. Shen, you're being too formal."
Ye Zhen laughed heartily and then asked Pei Ji, "Is Royal Uncle in the carriage?"
"Mhm."
Pei Ji replied with a smile.
Ye Zhen nodded and smiled at the two, then walked to the carriage behind them, lifted the curtain, glanced at Prince Ji inside, then lowered the curtain, stepped back two paces, and bowed, "Nephew Ye Zhen greets Royal Uncle! Nephew has been commanded by Father Emperor to invite Royal Uncle to the palace for a talk!"
"Escort is escort; what's with 'invite'! Hypocrite!"
Prince Ji's cold snort came from inside the carriage.
"Royal Uncle, please calm your anger."
Ye Zhen was not angry. "No matter what, Royal Uncle is an elder! It is proper for your nephew to invite Royal Uncle."
Prince Ji in the carriage merely grunted softly but said nothing.
Ye Zhen, having been rebuffed, turned to look at Pei Ji and Shen Jing. "I still need to invite Royal Uncle into the palace, so I won't chat with you two any longer."
"Farewell, Your Royal Highness."
Everyone bowed, but Pei Ji secretly pondered.
Why was the Fourth Prince sent to deliver the imperial edict?
Did the Emperor make a spur-of-the-moment decision, or was there a deeper meaning?
Ye Zhen waved his hand at them, ordering his men to drive the carriage carrying Prince Ji away.
Watching Ye Zhen's departing back, Pei Ji couldn't help but ponder.
Why was the Fourth Prince sent to receive Prince Ji, and not the Second Prince or the Crown Prince?
Did the Emperor arrange it casually, or was it intentional?
Without needing to escort Prince Ji, their speed immediately picked up.
After entering the city, Pei Ji parted ways with Shen Jing and ordered Pang Suo to personally lead men to escort Shen Jing back to the Su Manor.
Just as Shen Jing was walking back with Pang Suo and the others, he suddenly noticed something was off.
"Don't you think some of the commoners are looking at me a bit strangely?"
Shen Jing frowned and looked at Du Heng beside him, "Why do I feel like these people want to eat me?"
"Not at all."
Du Heng didn't notice the commoners' gazes at all. "Even if they are, it's probably just envy and jealousy!"
After all, Shen Jing had returned with the beauty, not only avoiding being cursed to death but also rendering great service to the imperial court.
Even he was a little jealous, let alone those commoners?
"Is that so?"
Shen Jing tilted his head and looked at the pedestrians on one side of the street again.
Hmm...
It should be!
However, there's nothing for them to envy or be jealous about!
This is just my fate!
With such thoughts, Shen Jing immediately held his head high.
He just wanted to show these people what nonsense 'husband-killing' was!
It was their fate that wasn't strong enough!
From now on, no one should ever say Su Yourong was a husband-killer again!
This was clearly a husband-booster!
After escorting them to the Su Manor, Pang Suo immediately left with his men, not even entering for a drink of water.
With Shen Jing and the others safe, the entire Su Manor was immediately filled with a festive atmosphere.
Everyone knew that with such a great service rendered by Shen Jing this time, the imperial court would certainly not be short on rewards.
Su Yourong pulled Shen Jing, examining him up and down, while Chi Chi also circled around Shen Jing.
After confirming that Shen Jing was completely unharmed, they finally relaxed.
"By the way, where's Fan Qinghu?"
Only then did Su Yourong notice that Fan Qinghu hadn't returned with them.
"He was seriously injured avenging his father and is recovering in Qu Prefecture..."
Shen Jing said, then told them about Fan Qinghu's situation.
Upon learning that Mr. Leng was Lao Guai, the Su Family mother and daughter were greatly surprised.
After confirming that Fan Qinghu was not in any life-threatening danger, they also felt relieved.
"Alright, alright, stop crowding around him."
Madam Su happily waved her hand at everyone, then instructed Lao He, "Quickly have someone boil water for the young master to bathe and change. Announce that tonight we celebrate the young master's safe return. Everyone in the manor will have extra food, and each person will be rewarded with a month's salary!"
"Yes, yes!"
Lao He nodded repeatedly, his face full of smiles.
Before long, the servants had prepared everything for Shen Jing's bath and change of clothes.
Shen Jing lay in the bathtub, soaking in the slightly hot water, and secretly sighed, 'Home is truly comfortable!'
At this moment, if there was a beauty to share a mandarin duck bath with, it would be even more comfortable.
Just as Shen Jing was lost in wild thoughts, the door was pushed open.
He turned his head and saw Su Yourong entering.
Seeing this, Shen Jing couldn't help but be stunned.
Holy cow!
Had his mouth been blessed?
Whatever he thought of, it appeared?
Su Yourong, unaware of Shen Jing's thoughts, casually closed the door and then came to the bathtub.
Watching Su Yourong's actions, Shen Jing's heart couldn't help but flutter, and he said with a mischievous smile, "Are you here to join me for a mandarin duck bath?"