After crossing, I was forced to hold on to my thighs and build a kingdom

On the 21st day of the first lunar month, the spring is still chilly and the weather is warm but still cold.

A few days ago, when the grandfather of Jingchuan Marquis Zhao Huaiqing, who was his adoptive parents' grandfather, was seriously ill and dying, he kept calling the name of his eldest grandson Wang Weiyuan, who is also the prince Zhao Huaiqing, from his sickbed. His deep longing for him was evident.

Upon hearing the news, Crown Prince Zhao Huaiqing was so anxious that he felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground. The Marquis of Jingchuan and his wife, who loved their son dearly and were extremely grateful to his adoptive parents, were naturally extremely anxious.

On that day, Jingchuan Marquis Zhao Wenyan once again stepped into the residence of Crown Prince Shenyou. Jingchuan Marquis's wife Qin Suxin even wore the marquis's wife's dress and entered the palace again to pay a visit to Concubine Wei after many years.

When Marquis Jingchuan met Shenyou, he bowed down without saying a word.

Shenyou was shocked!

In his impression, Marquis Jingchuan has always been neither humble nor arrogant, neither hurried nor slow, a typical ancient middle-aged gentleman.

Even when he used Zhao Huaiqing, the eldest son of Marquis Jingchuan, to threaten his adopted cousin whom he had called for many years, and asked him to return to the city defense army to fight against the northern army of Su Cheng'an, the prince of Dingbei, he never showed such an anxious and worried attitude.

While being surprised, Shenyou was also full of curiosity.

"What happened that made my uncle look so worried?"

"I, an old minister, humbly beg Your Highness the Crown Prince, to temporarily allow my son Huaiqing to return to Lincheng to see his grandfather, who has raised him for many years, so that we can continue the relationship that has lasted for over a decade."

Jingchuan Hou Zhao Wenyan then went straight to the point and told the story of how the old grandfather of Zhao Huaiqing's adoptive parents in the countryside of Lincheng was seriously ill and dying, but was still calling for his eldest grandson whom he had not seen for several years.

Finally, he reminded Shenyou: "Birth, aging, sickness and death are common to all human beings. Loyalty, filial piety, benevolence and righteousness are even more important. Let alone Your Highness, even if the Emperor wakes up, he will not forcibly stop his subjects from fulfilling their filial duties without reason."

"And now that I've left the Marquis of Jingchuan's mansion and joined the city defense forces, Huaiqing's presence is meaningless to Your Highness. It's neither reasonable nor logical for Your Highness to keep Huaiqing confined to the Eastern Palace any longer. I heard that he fainted in anxiety after learning that his grandfather was seriously ill."

"If Your Highness doesn't let him leave the city to fulfill his filial duties, Huai Qing will not only feel guilty towards his grandfather, but will also feel resentful towards Your Highness. And he's the next generation of Marquis Jingchuan. And what will Your Highness gain from this?"

The last sentence was clearly a warning, though soft in tone, with a strong meaning.

Shenyou frowned slightly, with displeasure in his eyes, and then he raised his lips and smiled.

"Uncle, what you said makes sense. I was wondering why my cousin, who was treated like a distinguished guest at the mansion, with all the delicious food and drinks, suddenly fainted. So this is the problem. I only knew that my cousin was smart and talented, but I never thought he was so affectionate and loyal at heart."

He turned around and looked at Marquis Jingchuan with an eager face, then finally waved his hand and let him go.

"I will not hinder my cousin from performing his filial duties this time. I will let him go this very day. I only hope that my uncle will not disappoint me. I will trouble you to take care of the city defense forces!"

"Your Highness, rest assured. This time, if you can let Huai Qing go and fulfill his wish, I, this old minister, will do my utmost to lead the city defense forces to protect the capital. I cannot control others, but I dare to promise Your Highness that I will defend the capital until my death."

"it is good!"

Shenyou's eyes lit up with surprise. He stepped forward and helped Jingchuan Marquis Zhao Wenyan up. "I am deeply comforted by your words today, uncle."

In front of Marquis Jingchuan, he instructed the guards beside him, "Go and see if Marquis Jingchuan's son has woken up. If he has, bring him here and tell him that Marquis Jingchuan is here. I also know what's on his mind. I will let him go back to Lincheng to see his grandfather, so that he can fulfill his filial duty as a young man."

The guard received the order and left. Moments later, footsteps were heard outside the hall.

Zhao Huaiqing, the son of Marquis Jingchuan, still had a pale face, but he walked straight ahead with big strides.

"Huai Qing pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

He walked a few steps away from Shenyou, stopped, and saluted politely.

"Cousin Huaiqing, please get up quickly. There are no outsiders here, so there's no need to be polite."

Shen Youxu gave him a hand with a friendly smile on his face, as if he and Zhao Huaiqing were really like brothers, and it was not him who had imprisoned him in the mansion before.

Zhao Huaiqing stood up respectfully, stood aside obediently, and called out to Marquis Jingchuan beside him, "Father."

Marquis Jingchuan nodded slightly, and after looking his son up and down, he finally relaxed the breath he had held in his throat.

He said to Zhao Huaiqing, "I have already reported the situation of your grandfather from the Wang family in Lincheng to His Highness. His Highness is magnanimous and understanding. Today, he has agreed to let you return home to sort things out. After that, you will leave the capital immediately and go to Lincheng to visit your grandfather. This will also fulfill the concern of both of you, the grandfather and the grandson."

"Thank you, Your Highness. Your Highness is so considerate. It is truly a great favor. Huai Qing will keep it in mind and will never forget it."

Zhao Huaiqing was grateful and bowed his head again to express his gratitude.

Seeing his obedient and grateful look, Shenyou was satisfied and smiled. He said generously, "Since that's the case, my cousin and uncle haven't seen each other for a few days. Since we've met today, you two should leave the house together!"

After Marquis Jingchuan and Zhao Huaiqing thanked the gods again, the father and son left the house together.

As soon as he got on the carriage, Zhao Huaiqing couldn't wait to ask, "What did father promise His Highness that made him so generous as to let me go?"

Looking at his son's anxious and sad eyes, Jingchuan Hou Zhao Huaiqing felt quite relieved.

Since the eldest son is so smart and filial, all his sacrifices are worth it.

Even after entering the Jingchuan Marquis Mansion, this child's nature remained unchanged.

Today he was wearing a casual blue cotton robe with dark patterns. Although his face looked a little pale, it did not detract from his elegant demeanor at all.

For a man like this, he would do it without hesitation, even if the Jingchuan Marquisate had to make the greatest sacrifice.

"Nothing, I just told Shenyou that I will do my best to protect the capital."

Marquis Jingchuan placed his hand on his son's shoulder and said gently, "While I'm away, you must take good care of your mother and sister. As for your two half-brothers and their aunt, if they behave themselves, I'll look after them. If they harbor ill intentions, I'll show you no mercy. Just deal with them as you see fit. Don't worry too much about me. The Marquis Jingchuan Mansion will be in your hands from now on."

Zhao Huaiqing was so excited that he couldn't help but hold Jingchuan Hou's hand.

"Father, Shenyou is forcing us to act this way. How can he be a benevolent ruler? Furthermore, the two generals from the Northwest Army and the Southern Border are both resentful of the imperial court, yet Shenyou remains arrogant and conceited. He hasn't even paid the overdue military pay, and he's still foolishly hoping that the two generals will lead their troops to support him!"

"Even if the two generals are loyal to the court, the actions of the next crown prince are chilling. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the capital is in imminent danger. Right now, we only have a few tens of thousands of soldiers, barely enough to fight against the existing northern troops outside the city."

"Wait until later, and the northern border will send more troops. By then, with the heavy pressure on the city, the entire capital will fall in an instant! Su Cheng'an is just trying to win the hearts of the people, so he adopted this delaying tactic. Shenyou is in the middle of the situation, and he is too arrogant to see clearly, but you, father, know it very well, but you still promised him to do your best to protect the city..."

At this point, the young man's eyes turned red, and his tone was filled with shame and sobs.

"After all, it's the child who has implicated his father!"

Zhao Wenyan was very pleased. He was always gentle and he hugged his son.

"Qing'er, even if you weren't here this time, Shenyou wouldn't let me off so easily. Ever since I helped the imperial concubine and her son, I've had no way out. Even if I did, they wouldn't allow me to withdraw."

"I have reached a consensus with the Prince of Dingbei. This time, I am trapped in the Divine Blessing Camp and cannot escape. You and your brothers and sisters in the mansion are all innocent people. Especially you are extremely talented and knowledgeable. Given time, you will definitely become successful. Whether there is the Jingchuan Marquisate or not, your father believes that you can lead a good life with your family."

"Father, can you?"

"cannot!"

Zhao Wenyan interrupted Zhao Huaiqing's unspoken question and sighed softly, "Son, there aren't many things in this world that can be gained without hard work. Our Jingchuan Marquisate has been flourishing for nearly twenty years. As a father, I cannot deny the help of Shenyou and his mother. Now, since he insists on paying me back, I cannot refuse!"

"Lincheng, your Wang family grandfather is indeed ill. While not fatal, he is advanced in age, and the Wang family is truly concerned about you, so they came up with this excuse to help you. Thanks to your past friendship with the Dingbei Prince's Consort, Su Cheng'an was willing to cooperate fully, and coupled with the conditions my father promised to grant divine protection, after much negotiation, you were finally able to leave the Eastern Palace today."

Hearing the long-lost name of Prince Dingbei's Consort, Zhao Huaiqing was slightly startled, and the beautiful and stubborn girl appeared in front of him again.

After all, she still didn't want to owe him a favor. Fortunately, she still remembered him.

That's enough!

Seeing his son's dazed look, Zhao Wenyan smiled slowly and comforted him, "Everyone has his own destiny. My son is so outstanding, he will definitely find a good girl to match him in the future."

Those words awoke Zhao Huaiqing's memories. He gathered his thoughts and was about to speak when Marquis Jingchuan reminded him again, "King Dingbei and his son both care about the world. Leaving the country in their hands is a thousand times better than leaving it in the hands of God's protection. If possible in the future, put aside the past and devote yourself to starting a new life!"

"Father..." Zhao Huaiqing's endless reluctance turned into this word.

"Qing'er, remember, only if you live well can your father rest in peace."

Marquis Jingchuan said with a serious face.