When Yang Yi arrived at the Tongzi River, the soldiers beneath the palace walls already had their spears pointed at him.

Yang Yi looked at them, and for a moment he remained silent.

He had the Token given to him by the Empress, and there were guards assigned by the Empress behind him, so even without the Emperor’s order, it would be easy to enter.

But at this moment, his heart was blocked by a bundle of nerves. On the other side of these towering walls lived his father and mother. By rights, this was his home, and he should be happy, yet once he stepped through this city gate, he would no longer be able to turn back.

A path he hadn’t considered for decades now lay before him, at his feet. Involuntarily, a sense of caution surfaced, along with a somewhat inexplicable timidity.

It was a feeling akin to returning home after years of wandering, afraid to face everything that was once familiar—"near to home, yet fearful."

"Your Highness, arrangements have been made with the city guards, and they have swiftly reported to Qianqing Palace."

In this silent daze, the guard following behind reported from his horse.

Yang Yi subconsciously thought their actions were a bit hasty, but seeing that he had already gotten this far, he had no reason to blame them.

He dismounted. Raising his hand, he stroked the horse’s neck, gently smoothing down its mane.

Soon, there was movement from the direction of the city gate, a sudden beam of light shone from the opposite bank, and shortly thereafter, the drawbridge was lowered. Two lines of Palace Attendants carrying lanterns jogged over. After a quick glance around, they knelt down towards Yang Yi.

"We have arrived late to greet Your Highness. Please forgive us!"

Yang Yi turned around to see dozens of eunuchs and guards kneeling on the open ground stretching back to the drawbridge. They held lanterns and dusters, and the two elderly eunuchs at the front were holding a tray on which lay a Jade Ruyi over a foot long.

Yang Yi looked at them and slowly walked onto the drawbridge.

The elderly eunuch hurriedly held up the tray and followed: "Please, Your Highness, hold the Ruyi as you cross the bridge, and may our Great Zhou enjoy everlasting prosperity!"

Yang Yi felt a bit impatient.

He had come to talk to the Emperor about the Yi Family matter, not intending to immediately assume the role of Crown Prince on this return.

This whole rigmarole seemed rather superfluous to him.

He walked forward.

The old eunuch further behind lengthened his tone in supplication: "Your Highness! You are a child of the heavens, a Prince of our Great Zhou. You must think of the realm of Great Zhou!"

After speaking, there was another thud from behind as he knelt again.

Yang Yi took a deep breath, gripped the Ruyi in reverse, and proceeded toward the palace gate at the end of the bridge.

The old eunuch behind him called out excitedly: "Open the Meridian Gate! Open the Meridian Gate!"

The voice reached beneath the gate, and the vermilion palace gates slowly opened. Instantly, the inside of the gate was ablaze with lights, stately and solemn, as a luxurious palanquin with five-clawed dragon designs silently sat five measures within the threshold.

A few imposing guards and two eunuchs stood on either side of the palanquin.

As Yang Yi stepped through the gate, everyone approached a few steps, then all knelt down together: "We respectfully invite Your Highness to board the palanquin."

Yang Yi glanced at them, raised his head, and scrutinized his surroundings, then walked on foot towards the northern palace.

A group of Palace Attendants hurriedly followed: "Your Highness..."

But how could these people keep up with Yang Yi’s pace?

The Qianqing Palace was easy to find; following the central axis line all the way north, even someone who had never been there could find their way.

The Palace Attendants followed him, not daring to obstruct or knowing how to persuade him, so they trailed behind, and eventually stopped persuading, choosing instead to clear the path ahead.

In just a few moments, the path became increasingly illuminated, more Palace Attendants appeared, and the imperial guards became more vigilant.

A most majestic palace stood before him. Yang Yi halted at the foot of the steps, gazing up at the three characters ’Qianqing Palace’ on the plaque, and then steadily ascended the steps.

The eunuchs under the door had the foresight to enter the hall to report. As Yang Yi reached the threshold, the messenger emerged and knelt to the ground, saying:

"We welcome Your Highness back to the capital! A thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand, thousand years!"

Yang Yi glanced at them, wondering where this commoner had acquired this "thousand years" title?

Even if kneeling was required, shouldn’t it also await the official investiture ceremony?

But he was never one to be verbose, and how would he argue their rites at this moment?

Moreover, he understood that without permission, these individuals would not dare behave so.

He entered the door, and at once, a faint scent of ambergris wafted into his nostrils.