The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1079 - 1079 522 Return to the Capital (First Update)

Chapter 1079: 522 Return to the Capital (First Update) Chapter 1079: 522 Return to the Capital (First Update) Prince Bo was of the royal family and, though a highly skilled martial artist, he ultimately paled in comparison to a celebrated battlefield general like Rong Yao, ultimately suffering a fatal injury at Rong Yao’s hands.

“I was reckless, my lord. My intention was to capture him alive, but the man proved too troublesome. I accidentally killed him, I ask for Your Highness’ punishment.”

These were the words Rong Yao spoke as he descended from the city tower and came to bow before Yuan Tang to confess his crime.

At this moment, Yuan Tang still stood by Gu Changqing’s side, mounted on a tall and majestic horse, looking down condescendingly at his uncle, Rong Yao.

He laughed coldly in his heart.

Even his uncle must not believe such implausible tales, right?

Indeed, if Prince Bo had not been killed, what would they do if he returned to the Imperial Palace and spoke out against Rong Yao?

His uncle truly proved to be far-sighted and ruthless.

However, did he really think that, with Prince Bo gone, everything would be flawless?

Yuan Tang looked at Rong Yao with a feigned smile, “Uncle has worked hard. For killing the traitor, uncle has made a great contribution. Upon our return to the capital, His Majesty will surely reward you for your merits.”

Kneeling on one knee, Rong Yao bowed deeply, his face a mix of solemnity and fear, “I dare not speak of rewards. I only wish to make amends for my actions. I too was bewitched by Prince Bo and truly believed everything was as per His Majesty’s decree. Little did I expect that he would deceive us with a false imperial edict, leading us to march far on a campaign… I beg for Your Highness’ insightful judgment.”

Beside them, Gu Changqing’s lips curled slightly in a sneer, “Ha.”

Rong Yao’s face turned very ugly.

Rong Yao harbored great resentment towards Gu Changqing for his youngest son Rong Fu’s death at Gu Changqing’s hands, but powerless under the former’s roof, he had no choice but to bow his head.

Yuan Tang glanced at Gu Changqing, then looked back at Rong Yao, and said with a light smile, “Uncle is being too serious. The truth will come out once we return to the capital. If uncle’s conscience is clear, I believe the truth will eventually come to light.”

Rong Yao broke out in a cold sweat on his forehead.

He didn’t dare raise his head to meet Yuan Tang’s eyes; he could feel the threat emanating from Yuan Tang.

“Your Highness, may I have a word in private?” Rong Yao asked Yuan Tang.

Yuan Tang rode with him back to the Chen Country military camp.

Looking at their retreating figures, General Zhang said to Gu Changqing, “General, that Rong fellow seems inclined to continue the war.”

With eighty thousand reinforcements from Chen Country coupled with the sixty thousand-strong army of Ye City, the numbers greatly overpowered Gu Family’s forces; a battle would indeed result in a bloodbath.

Gu Changqing’s face revealed no anxiety as he calmly stated, “Yuan Tang won’t agree.”

If Yuan Tang truly wanted to wage war, he would not have come alone, nor would he have introduced himself as a friend of Gu Jiao.

Over there, it was unknown what Yuan Tang said to Rong Yao, but Rong Yao was on the verge of losing control; however, Yuan Tang paid him no heed, directing the sixty thousand-strong army of Chen Country to withdraw from Ye City.

Of course, the matter was far from over. It was Chen Country who first broke the peace treaty by initiating the war, and all the losses from the war would fall upon Chen Country alone, a severe blow to a nation already weakened by previous conflict.

This event also truly exposed Yuan Tang to the harsh realities of war and its dreadful costs.

If Yuan Tang once harbored dreams of waging war against Zhan Country while being held as a hostage there, now he no longer entertained such thoughts.

War is a struggle for power among the elite, but it is the innocent military officers and civilians who pay with their lives.

Yuan Tang once again spurred his horse towards Gu Family’s camp, saying earnestly to Gu Changqing, “If you trust me, I’d like to take Rong Yao back to the capital of Chen Country first. Afterwards, I will personally visit your Emperor in Zhaodu to apologize and conduct peace talks.”

Yuan Tang’s current status was still that of a hostage of Chen Country; logically, he was supposed to return to the capital with Gu Changqing. Letting him go was akin to freeing a tiger back into the mountains.

Before Gu Changqing could reply, Yuan Tang spoke again, “However, before that, I wish to travel with you to Yuegu City and meet the Grand Marshal and the Old Marquis.”

“Very well,” said Gu Changqing.

Yuan Tang, alone and unguarded, accompanied Gu Changqing to Yuegu City, an act of transparency and courage that was quite remarkable.

However, upon actually arriving at Yuegu City, Gu Changqing realized he had been duped!

This youngster wasn’t there to visit Tang Yueshan and his grandfather; he clearly came to see his sister!

As soon as Yuan Tang entered the city, he headed straight for the medical camp, “Doctor Gu, I’m here!”

Watching Yuan Tang, who did not consider himself an outsider, Gu Changqing narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Gu Jiao’s epidemic had long since healed, and she had passed the quarantine period; she was currently in the medical camp, instructing several soldiers in their rehabilitation.

He was wearing the armor of a Chen Country general.