The Return of the King: A Generation of Prodigies

"My father is the Marquis of Zhenbei. If anything happens to him, not only will the Marquis of Zhenbei's mansion be in jeopardy, but Yunli's vast territory will also be in jeopardy."

"And big brother, as the eldest son of the Zhenbei Marquisate, you are also the future heir of the Zhenbei Marquisate. If something happens to you right after my father, then our Zhenbei Marquisate will be completely hopeless."

"As for my second and third brothers, those people will naturally not let them go. Without my father and eldest brother, they will naturally not be afraid of them and will use other methods to deal with them."

"Then if anything happens to you all, it will be Mu'er and I's turn next."

It was extremely terrifying to think about it. This was basically a chain reaction. The only difference from the previous life was that in the previous life, she was killed first, and then her father and brothers.

The order of this life was originally the same, but it changed because of her arrival.

Since it is her who has come to this life, she must find out the mastermind behind the scenes no matter what, to protect her father and brother, and also to protect the country of Yunli.

The brothers Shen Yiyang and Shen Tingzhi were stunned by what Shen Tianjiao had just said.

No one has ever dared to challenge the authority of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion in the past hundred years. Who is so arrogant this time that not only dares to challenge the authority of the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, but even wants to wipe out their Shen family?

If the person behind this is not quickly caught, I am afraid that even if the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion can escape this time, it may not be able to escape next time.

"Leave this matter to me. I'll investigate and uncover the mastermind behind this. No matter how deep the waters in Shangjing City are right now, I will definitely suppress the three-foot-high waves it stirs up."

Thinking that someone had already attacked his father and brother, and would attack his younger brothers and sisters in the near future, Shen Tingzhi wanted to immediately pull the person out and tear him into pieces, but it would not be enough to relieve the hatred in his heart.

What happened to his father and elder brother is now irreversible, but Shen Tingzhi will never allow those people to reach out to his younger brothers, sisters and nephews again.

Everyone knows that Marquis Zhenbei is the backbone of the Yunli Kingdom. As long as Marquis Zhenbei and the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion are there, there will be no internal strife in Yunli and no powerful enemies will invade from outside.

The purpose of these people who are causing trouble is very clear. They may not have any grudges against the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, but they must be coveting the country and people of Yunli Kingdom.

Up to now, the matter is no longer simply a family feud, but has been elevated to national hatred and the safety of the people of Yunli.

The people that they, the Marquis of Zhenbei, have protected over the years have never been any high and mighty superiors. They have only protected the people of Yunli Country.

"No, not now. You have something more important to do. Only by doing this well can you deter those people with ulterior motives while Dad and Big Brother are detoxifying and healing, and prevent them from taking advantage of the opportunity to cause trouble again."

Shen Tianjiao knew how capable her second brother Shen Tingzhi was. As long as he took action, the progress of the investigation would definitely be much faster, and perhaps the truth would come to light soon.

But if we don't stabilize those people outside first, I'm afraid the situation will become more chaotic.

"What's the matter? Jiaojiao, tell me and I'll do it right away." Shen Tingzhi's attitude changed immediately after hearing Shen Tianjiao's words. As long as he could protect his father and elder brother, he would be willing to go through fire and water.

Shen Tianjiao glanced at Shen Tingzhi and then said, "Second brother, it will take another half a month for the poison in father's body to be completely cleared."

"Everyone in Shangjing City knows that my father has returned from the Northern Frontier. However, except for appearing in front of everyone when he entered the palace on the day he returned to the capital, my father has been staying in this hot spring villa to detoxify and heal his injuries."

"Although my father claimed that he returned to Beijing this time because he was unwell and needed to rest at home, this reason is really too far-fetched."

"It would also make it easy for the outside world to speculate whether Father's health has reached a point where he can no longer sustain it, especially with you and Big Brother coming back together."

"If Dad doesn't show up again, I'm afraid those speculations will spread like the wind, not only throughout Yunli Country overnight, but also to those foreign lands."

"If it really comes to that, let alone those people with ulterior motives in Yunli Country, they will cause chaos. Even those foreign tribes who have always coveted Yunli but are afraid of my father will probably be unable to hold back and will attack Yunli."

"The situation in the country is unstable right now. It's not the best time to go to war with those foreign races. We need to wait a little longer."

Shen Tingzhi nodded and said, "Yes, if my father arouses suspicion at this time, the border will probably be in chaos immediately."

"Sister, I have another piece of news to tell my two brothers."

When Shen Yiyang and Shen Tingzhi returned to Beijing, Li Muyang had just been named the crown prince, so the two brothers did not know about this matter at the moment.

"Your nephew, Li Muyang, has been crowned the Crown Prince before you returned today."

"What? Mu'er was named the crown prince?" Brothers Shen Yiyang and Shen Tingzhi were both shocked by the news.

Shen Yiyang saw with his own eyes that Li Rui wanted to kill his sister. The discord between the emperor and the empress had reached a life-and-death point. How could Li Rui possibly enthrone his nephew as the crown prince?

Although Shen Tingzhi did not see with his own eyes how Li Rui wanted to kill his sister, he had heard from his elder brother that the main purpose of his return this time was to vent his anger for his sister.

His sister had been raised in the palm of her hand in the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion since she was a child. No one could and no one could bully his sister, let alone want to kill her, which he would never allow.

But now he suddenly heard his sister say that his nephew was crowned as the crown prince today, which made him confused and disoriented.

Shen Tianjiao looked at the confused expressions of her two brothers and said without further explanation, "Things are quite complicated here, and I can't explain them clearly in a short time. I'll tell you in detail after this matter is over."

"Second brother, what you have to do now is to pretend to be Daddy and show your face in front of everyone until Daddy is detoxified and his body can move freely."

"Now that my grandson has been canonized as the Crown Prince, all the major families and officials in the court will surely come to the Zhenbei Marquis's mansion to offer their congratulations. Second brother, everything depends on you."

This task is extremely difficult. Whether it can scare people depends on Shen Tingzhi's performance.

"No problem, leave it to me. I'll go back home and dress up now." Imitating others is not an easy task, but fortunately, the person to be imitated is his father, which makes it easier for Shen Tingzhi.

Shen Tingzhi has been following the Marquis of Zhenbei for many years. He is familiar with the Marquis of Zhenbei's habits and aura. As long as he is cautious, he will not be exposed.

"Go see your father before you return home. He has been thinking about you all the time."

Shen Tianjiao looked at her two brothers, feeling both relieved and a little worried.

"I'll let Chunchao go back to the mansion with you later. I'll let her pretend to be a servant and stay by your side. She's familiar with the situation in the capital, and is also familiar with the major families and officials in the court. I'll feel more at ease having her with you."

"Where is Uncle Han? He is not in the mansion?" Shen Tingzhi asked in confusion when he heard Shen Tianjiao say that she wanted Chunchao to follow her.

"Uncle Han is not at home, so I asked him to go to Yanzhou with my third brother. My third brother is sometimes too impatient, so I feel at ease knowing that there are people watching over him."

Counting the days, Shen Xinghao should be arriving in Yanzhou by now. Thinking of this, Shen Tianjiao felt even more worried.

When Shen Tianjiao mentioned Shen Xinghao, brothers Shen Yiyang and Shen Tingzhi remembered that their younger brother was still on his way to Yanzhou to quell the rebellion.

"Jiaojiao, the poison in my body shouldn't be a problem for the time being. Otherwise, I'd better go to Yanzhou first. Although your third brother has fought many battles in recent years, he still has no command experience."

"Ever since I learned that he went to Yanzhou to quell the rebellion, I haven't felt at peace. When I go with him to quell the rebellion and return to the capital, I will listen to you obediently and detoxify and heal my wounds at home."

The eldest brother is like a father. In Shen Yiyang's heart, his youngest brother will never grow up, and he needs to worry about everything for the child.

This was the first time Shen Yiyang was carrying out such an important mission. He would not feel at ease if he was not with Shen Xinghao.

"Big brother, don't control Third Brother in everything. He's an adult, not a child anymore. Let him practice more. He'll eventually have to be able to stand on his own. You can't always keep him by your side and protect him for the rest of his life, right?"

Before Shen Tingzhi could say anything, Shen Tianjiao spoke first. She said that her eldest brother was good in every way, but he was too responsible. He took care of everything by himself and protected his younger brothers and sisters so well.

"I know, but, Jiaojiao, suppressing a rebellion is no small matter. Your third brother isn't capable of it yet."

Shen Yiyang understood all the reasons Shen Tianjiao said, but he was still very clear about how much his brother weighed.

"I've already told you not to worry, so don't worry. Just stay home and detoxify yourself and heal your injuries."

"With Lin Mozhou and Wan Feng following him, what could possibly happen to him? Even if he wanted to, would Lin Mozhou and Wan Feng allow it?"

Shen Tianjiao knew that if she didn't tell her who had followed Shen Xinghao to Yanzhou to quell the rebellion, her elder brother would definitely keep pestering her endlessly.

Even if he was finally persuaded and willing to detoxify and heal his injuries at home, his worry about Shen Xinghao would affect the effectiveness of the detoxification and healing.

"Jiaojiao, who are you talking about? Who followed your third brother to Yanzhou to quell the rebellion?"

As expected, as soon as Shen Tianjiao finished speaking, the two people next to her exploded.

They had heard correctly, who were the ones going to Yanzhou to quell the rebellion? Lin Mozhou and Wan Feng?

These two people went to be followers of their younger brother. Oh my God, is this really happening?

Lin Mozhou is rumored to be the commander of the Golden Army under the personal command of the emperor, and Wanfeng, the Marquis of Eternal Life, is even more extraordinary.

Marquis Zhenbei is in charge of all the military power of Yunli Kingdom, but the Wan family of Marquis Wanshi is an exception. They always obey orders but not announcements.

In other words, no one except the emperor can order Wanshi Hou around, not even their father, Zhenbei Hou.

Moreover, the title of Wanshihou, like their Zhenbeihou Mansion, is hereditary.

"Yes, they are the two people you heard about. They went with Third Brother. This matter is more complicated than why Li Rui suddenly appointed Mu'er as the crown prince. I will tell you later. Don't ask now."

Shen Tianjiao ended the topic. If she allowed the two brothers to continue asking questions, it would probably be dawn.

"Now go see dad, and then big brother stay and listen to the arrangements. As for you, second brother, take Chunchao back to the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion."

"Also, bring Dongyang along. You've worked hard these days. Ask her to make some delicious food as a reward for you."

"If you give Chunchao to me, who will handle the affairs in the palace for you?" Shen Tingzhi had no objection to Dongyang staying to prepare delicious food for him, but Chunchao was Shen Tianjiao's most capable assistant.

If Chunchao was not by Shen Tianjiao's side, Shen Tianjiao would have to do many things by herself.

"It's okay. I have someone available around me. Let her stay with you so that she can remind you at any time and enable you to deal with those people."

Although it would be very inconvenient without Chunchao around, this matter is of great importance. Shen Tingzhi has not been in Beijing for many years, and he does not know many people or many things.

With Chunchao by his side to remind him, he can make fewer mistakes, avoid unnecessary trouble, and not arouse other people's suspicion.

As the three siblings were talking, they returned to the courtyard where the Marquis of Zhenbei lived.

When the Marquis of Zhenbei saw his two sons coming in, his worried heart finally calmed down.

"Father, my son is back." Seeing that Marquis Zhenbei had lost a lot of weight, it was clear that he must have suffered a lot during this period of time due to detoxification.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." Marquis Zhenbei looked at his three children and felt very comforted.

"Dad, you have suffered." Shen Yiyang felt extremely distressed when he saw the haggard appearance of Marquis Zhenbei. As the eldest son in the family, he had spent the longest time with Marquis Zhenbei, and the relationship between father and son was the deepest.

"It's okay. This is much easier than getting injured on the battlefield." Marquis Zhenbei looked at Shen Yiyang with a smile. Thinking that his eldest son was poisoned like himself and had to experience the same pain as he had experienced, he felt very uncomfortable as a father.

The Marquis of Zhenbei turned back to look at his second son, Shen Tingzhi, and said, "Tingzhi, you're going to have a hard time in the next few days."

"Father, what are you talking about? Not only can you ask your son to pretend to be you and deal with those people, you can even ask your son to go through fire and water and risk his life for you."