Chapter 1318 - 1267: Safe Return to the Capital
Nothing happened to Xun Zu on the road; everything went too smoothly.
Zeng Yue led two hundred soldiers to escort Xun Zu, staying close to him, practically never leaving his side—even sleeping beside Xun Zu at night.
No one from outside could harm Xun Zu, not even Xun Zu himself.
However, Xun Zu didn’t use his life to frame Zhao Hanzhang.
Yuan Li and Zhao Shen escorted Yu Hong, accompanying Xun Fan on the return journey; the two groups met halfway.
Xun Zu first saw Yu Hong in a prison cart, looking disgraced, and immediately rushed to the carriage to check on Xun Fan, needing to confirm if his brother was still alive.
The Imperial Physician arrived two days before Xun Zu; it was only after he arrived that Xun Fan’s group set off, and now they were in the same carriage.
Seeing Xun Zu rush in, holding Xun Fan’s hand with grief beyond control, he couldn’t help but say, "Imperial Censor Xun, though Grand Tutor Xun’s injuries are severe, as long as he recuperates properly, it will be fine."
The doctor Yuan Li invited was reliable; Xun Fan’s biggest issues were excessive blood loss and old age. The doctor had a special acupuncture technique to stop bleeding and provided a prescription to nourish blood, keeping Xun Fan’s life hanging on just right.
Once the Imperial Physician arrived, he immediately gave Xun Fan a blood transfusion and adjusted him with excellent medicinal materials, and by then everything was fine, and the wounds were beginning to heal.
He truly couldn’t understand why Xun Zu was crying.
Xun Zu felt incredibly complex, with relief, fear, and some indescribable emotions.
Xun Fan used an excuse to send away the Imperial Physician, only then learning from Xun Zu what had happened in the Capital City.
Xun Fan already realized what Zhao Hanzhang was planning; he glanced at his still-crying brother, who clearly hadn’t yet grasped Zhao Hanzhang’s intentions, and sighed, saying, "From the chaos of the past decades, it is known that the world should prioritize virtue; ruling a country with virtue can ensure long-term peace and stability."
Xun Zu raised his tear-streaked face in confusion, "Why does brother suddenly bring this up?"
Xun Fan shook his head, not explaining to Xun Zu, but asked, "Is Your Majesty well?"
Xun Zu’s spirits lifted, and he hurriedly answered, "Well, but constantly fearful, which is not a sustainable plan. After I left the capital, I don’t know if Zhao Hanzhang will trouble His Majesty."
Xun Fan slightly shook his head, considering that Zhao Hanzhang, wanting to rebuild the nation’s moral integrity, would not trouble the emperor at this time.
Xun Fan said, "Don’t delay, hurry back to the capital."
Xun Zu agreed.
Outside, Yuan Li was very surprised at Zeng Yue’s arrival. He looked somewhat displeased, "Why did the Great General send you to fetch Xun Fan? And bring Xun Zu."
Zeng Yue replied, "I am merely following orders."
Yuan Li said, "But you are the Deputy Commander to the Great General; you should stay close to the Great General."
Zeng Yue slightly furrowed his brow, warning him, "Yuan Li, you are overstepping; how the Great General acts is the Great General’s concern. We merely follow orders."
Zhao Shen also wandered over, praising Zeng Yue, "Indeed, Deputy Commander Zeng understands clearly."
Zeng Yue and Zhao Shen exchanged salutes.
Zhao Shen quickly returned the salute.
Zeng Yue’s position was higher than Zhao Shen’s, but Zhao Shen bore the Zhao Family name, and Zeng Yue had once been a subordinate of the Zhao Family; Yuan Li did not accept Zhao Shen’s authority, but Zeng Yue would slightly defer to Zhao Family members.
But Zhao Shen also dared not truly treat them as family subordinates; they followed Zhao Hanzhang’s orders, not the Zhao Family’s.
Yuan Li remained silently focused.
On the way back, Zeng Yue’s men replaced those of Yuan Li and Zhao Shen to surround the Xun Fan brothers; Zeng Yue stayed with Xun Zu and the Imperial Physician, residing with Xun Fan, whether camping in the wild or staying at the post station, never leaving the pair.
Zhao Shen watched, dumbfounded, and couldn’t help but ask, "Who is he guarding against?"
Yuan Li was somewhat volatile, worried Zhao Hanzhang would blame him for being presumptuous, he also suspected Zeng Yue’s actions were guarding against him—no, he was equitably guarding against everyone.
Yuan Li sneered, "He has always been like this, single-minded. Surely the lady ordered him to protect Xun Fan and Xun Zu, and this is the method he devised."
Just like when he was young, the leader told him his riding skills were poor, and hacking vigorously on horseback would cause him to fall; the intent was to find technique, control, or to no longer be a cavalryman, but instead he single-mindedly practiced hacking from horseback, constantly falling and climbing back up, until the leader couldn’t bear it, allowing him to remain in the cavalry.
This method was clumsy but effective.
Xun Fan and Xun Zu safely returned to Luoyang.
Before entering the city, Zhao Shen invited Xun Zu to ride into the city together.
Xun Zu wanted to refuse, but Xun Fan said, "Go ahead, let me relax a little. Four people in one car tires me out."