Grand Tutor Returns to Court

Chaoge, within the Royal Palace.

Ever since Di Xin went to Tiger Head Cliff alone, Empress Jiang, upon receiving the news, couldn't sit still. Accompanied by Niangniang Huang and Noble Consort Yang, they emerged from the harem and waited within the palace gates for news.

Of all the women in the harem, only Su Daji was not with them.

As a newly appointed Noble Consort, according to the etiquette of the Royal Palace, Su Daji should have proactively paid her respects to the Central Palace's Niangniang, as she was the mistress of the harem, overseeing the empress's domain.

However, Su Daji did not do so.

Furthermore, she had no interaction with Niangniang Huang or Noble Consort Yang.

Although Empress Jiang did not explicitly say anything, she couldn't possibly have no thoughts on the matter.

If you don't reach out, and I don't reach out, the two sides gradually grow more distant.

Waiting was agonizing and anxious.

Especially concerning the safety of the Great King and the Crown Prince, even Empress Jiang, who was usually extremely composed, was having trouble staying calm. The feeling was truly like a year passing in a day.

Time dripped by.

From 9 AM to 11 AM, and then waiting until 1 PM, their legs were so tired from standing that they felt stiff, yet they still hadn't seen the Great King return.

Everyone couldn't help but panic a little, a bad premonition forming in their hearts, but fearing to break taboos, no one spoke it aloud.

Empress Jiang, in particular, was becoming increasingly restless, pacing back and forth on the ground.

"The Great King returns to the palace!"

Just as everyone was consumed by worry, a long, drawn-out shout suddenly came from outside the palace. Immediately, the heavy palace gates opened, and Di Xin strode in.

Seeing Di Xin, and then Yin Jiao behind him, Empress Jiang wept with joy.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

She curtsied to Di Xin, then went to pull Yin Jiao over and examined him closely.

Discovering that the Crown Prince was unharmed, she finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"Alright, Niangniang, take Jiao'er back to the Central Palace to talk!"

After Di Xin finished speaking, he went straight to Shouxian Palace, not even acknowledging Niangniang Huang and Noble Consort Yang, who were bowing to him.

Di Xin had always been like this towards them, and they were accustomed to it, showing no particular reaction. After congratulating Empress Jiang and offering some auspicious words, they returned to their own palaces.

Empress Jiang saw the other two off and, pulling Yin Jiao, headed straight for the Central Palace.

Once they reached the main hall, Empress Jiang examined Yin Jiao again, then pulled him into her embrace. "My son, you must have suffered. Tell your mother what you experienced these past two days, and how your Father King rescued you."

Yin Jiao knelt before Empress Jiang and performed a solemn bow. "Your unworthy son has caused you worry, Mother!"

Empress Jiang nodded slightly. "My child, there's no need for such formalities here. Sit down quickly and let's talk."

Yin Jiao thanked her and sat down as instructed. "Mother, you must surely know how I was abducted. After being captured, I spent a night in a cave on Chaoge Mountain, and today I was brought to Tiger Head Cliff."

Upon hearing this, Empress Jiang's eyes welled up with tears. "My child, you've always been delicate. You must have suffered greatly this time."

"Mother, I'm fine. If it weren't for Father King this time, I'm afraid I would have bid you farewell forever..." Yin Jiao then recounted in detail how Di Xin arrived at Tiger Head Cliff, and how father and son fell off the cliff together, not omitting even the part where they were caught by white clouds.

After Yin Jiao finished speaking, Empress Jiang's tense nerves finally relaxed slightly. Even though she knew Yin Jiao had returned safely, she couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat every time he spoke of a dangerous moment.

Imagining the critical situation at the time, and thinking of Di Xin leaping down, wanting to save Yin Jiao with his own life, Empress Jiang held Yin Jiao's hand and said softly, "My son, your father king does not feel as you think he does about you. He is simply not good at expressing himself. This time, you naturally understand."

Yin Jiao nodded heavily. "Mother, I understand. Moreover, on the way, I heard some news. When Father King climbed Tiger Head Cliff, he encountered four fierce tigers. He killed two of them. The situation was very dangerous at the time. Furthermore, Father King told me to stay in the Central Palace for a while and not return to the East Palace for the time being, to avoid being taken advantage of by assassins."

"Ah, really?"

Empress Jiang's tone was full of surprise. Ever since the Crown Prince was enfeoffed, he had lived alone in the East Palace, and she couldn't see him often. This was due to the rules of the Royal Palace; even his own mother could not.

"Yes!"

Yin Jiao nodded with a smile.

"My child, look, your Father King is truly good to you!"

Empress Jiang's expression softened even more.

"I know. I will never complain again..."

The banquet at Shouxian Palace was very lavish.

Daji had already instructed people to prepare it, waiting for the Great King to return to the palace.

Di Xin, embracing the fox spirit, drank wine heartily and briefly recounted his journey, especially emphasizing the part about being rescued by an Immortal, as if he had no prior knowledge.

In Di Xin's eyes, Daji had become a mouthpiece to relay the information he needed the Daoist Sect to know.

This fox spirit did not reveal any flaws. As Di Xin spoke, she occasionally showed a look of nervousness.

As they talked and drank, the atmosphere was harmonious when a eunuch carrying a message arrived to report that Grand Tutor Wen had just returned to Chaoge and was requesting an audience with the Great King outside the palace gates.

"He's back, that's great!"

Di Xin exclaimed excitedly and hurriedly got up to leave.

"Great King, Grand Tutor Wen is a subject. You may summon him for an audience!"

Daji stood up, her face full of disappointment, and reminded him.

"The Grand Tutor is returning to court, and this King must show him due respect."

As she spoke, Di Xin had already walked far away.

Meanwhile, a eunuch hurried to summon Wen Zhong to the palace. Di Xin met him halfway, finally spotting the legendary Grand Tutor Wen.

The man appeared to be only in his fifties, with a long, flowing beard that gave him an air of immortal grace.

"Your subject, Wen Zhong, pays his respects to the Great King!"

Upon seeing Di Xin personally come to greet him, Wen Zhong hastily bowed.

Di Xin quickly helped him up and laughed heartily, "Grand Tutor, you've returned so quickly! It's been a long time, this King has missed you dearly!"

The two went directly to Longde Hall to sit and converse, getting straight to the point.

Di Xin was very curious why Grand Tutor Wen had returned so quickly. Logically, the imperial decree should not have reached the North Sea yet, so he asked first.

Grand Tutor Wen glanced at Di Xin and said, "Your subject dares not deceive the Great King. This King had not yet received the decree because I heard from a friend about the situation in the palace, so I rushed back. The frontline soldiers have been handed over to my two young disciples, Ji Li and Yu Qing, to lead the army and defend temporarily. Everything will be decided by my command later.

"Your friend?"

Di Xin wasn't particularly concerned about the frontline matters. He was curious who had informed Grand Tutor Wen.

"Reporting to the Great King, that friend is actually an elder from my sect. Because we get along well, we treat each other as equals. His name is Zhao Gongming," Wen Zhong explained.