118: Return to the Northern Wasteland

The Northern Wilderness War God personally led ten thousand iron cavalry to welcome Prince Pinggan back, and they have now reached Zhouyang County.

Upon hearing this news, the people of Northern Wilderness finally let out a sigh of relief.

For the past two months, rumors had been circulating that Su Ming was being punished to reflect behind closed doors in his mansion because he had angered His Majesty by killing Prince Jing on the street.

It wasn't until a few days ago, when Da Gan's largest merchant guild, Linglong Pavilion, went bankrupt and Second Miss Su was found hanged on the city wall, that everyone realized this high and mighty Prince Pinggan had, for such a long time, disregarded his own safety, endured hardships, and infiltrated back into Da Gan.

His image as a great figure, who planned everything meticulously and was willing to put himself in harm's way for the sake of Northern Wilderness, was deeply etched into the hearts of all Northern Wilderness people.

But at the same time, people were also worried: would Da Gan so easily allow Su Ming to return to Northern Wilderness?

If Su Ming fell into Da Gan's hands, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the entire Northern Wilderness, so for these past days, the hearts of the Northern Wilderness people had been suspended, and they waited daily for news about Su Ming.

Now, hearing that this great Prince Pinggan had finally returned safely, Northern Wilderness rejoiced nationwide.

Unbeknownst to them, Su Ming's status in the hearts of the Northern Wilderness people had reached an unprecedented level.

"Prince Pinggan has reached Tongquan County!!!"

"Prince Pinggan is about to arrive at our Pinglin City! Hurry to the city gate to welcome him!!"

Every time Su Ming arrived at a city, countless common people would spontaneously rush to the city gate, excitedly welcoming the return of this Prince Pinggan, who had achieved countless merits for Northern Wilderness.

Ten days later, Northern Wilderness Capital.

"Prince Pinggan is back!!! Prince Pinggan is back!!"

Someone excitedly shouted in the street, and in an instant, the entire capital erupted.

The common people excitedly surged towards the city gate, eager to personally witness this Prince Pinggan, who had triumphed and returned from Da Gan.

After entering the Northern Wilderness territory, the ten thousand iron cavalry no longer followed Su Ming, and only Tuoba Man accompanied him the entire way.

Today, Su Ming wore a black robe, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes; beneath him was a tall, pitch-black horse, making him look heroic, dashing, and unapproachable.

"Gak chi~ !"

The enormous city gate was slowly opened, and Su Ming, riding his black horse, slowly entered the city accompanied by Tuoba Man.

"Welcome back, Prince Pinggan!"

First, the few soldiers who opened the city gate knelt excitedly before Su Ming's horse, welcoming his return.

This sentence was like pushing over a domino, and at this moment, the crowds packed on both sides of the entire street simultaneously knelt devoutly in Su Ming's direction.

"Welcome back, Prince Pinggan!"

"Welcome back, Prince Pinggan!"

"......."

Shouts that reached the sky echoed through the clouds, as if expressing everyone's reverence and gratitude for Su Ming.

Amidst this heartfelt spectacle, Su Ming slowly rode his horse towards the palace.

At this moment, in comparison to all the city's people, Su Ming appeared incredibly majestic and grand.

"King who Pacifies Da Gan, Su Ming requests an audience with the Emperor..."

Outside the palace, a eunuch shouted loudly, his voice seemingly tinged with excitement.

"Let him in quickly!"

Ni Changshang in the hall excitedly stood up directly from the dragon throne, her eyes radiating with joy.

However, she immediately realized her impropriety and quickly sat back on the dragon throne, though her chest still heaved violently.

Fortunately, the attention of all the civil and military officials at court was currently focused on the outside of the hall, and they did not notice Ni Changshang's unusual behavior.

Seeing the young man in black slowly step onto the white marble steps outside the hall, all the court officials immediately prostrated themselves in greeting.

"Greetings, Prince Pinggan, welcome back, Prince Pinggan..."

Su Ming walked to the entrance of the main hall with a slight smile, but just as he was about to step inside, his foot, which had just moved forward, suddenly paused, and his eye twitched involuntarily.

He saw that the civil and military officials, who had been properly dressed and meticulously groomed when he left, now looked like refugees fleeing a famine, covered in oil stains, their hair matted, completely devoid of any dignity befitting high-ranking Northern Wilderness officials.

Moreover, a faint stench emanated from the originally solemn and dignified hall.

It was then that Su Ming remembered that when he left, Ni Changshang, in order to seal off information, seemed to have ordered everyone here not to leave, and that all eating, drinking, and bodily functions had to be handled inside the hall.

"Could it be that they haven't left for these two months?"

Thinking of this, Su Ming couldn't help but feel a chill.

Seeing his expression, the excited faces of the court officials showed a hint of schadenfreude, as if saying:

Do you know what we've been through these past days...

Adjusting his mood, Su Ming finally stepped into the main hall, giving Ni Changshang on the dragon throne a meaningful look, a slight curve forming on his lips.

"Your subject, Su Ming, greets Your Majesty."

Ni Changshang pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes filled with excitement, adoration, and even a hint of resentment.

"My dear Su, you have worked hard these past days."

"To be able to eliminate a major hidden danger for Northern Wilderness, no matter how hard it was, it was worth it!" Su Ming replied with immense conviction, thinking of how he had to use his charm for the plan over the past two months.

To celebrate Su Ming's return, Ni Changshang granted a general amnesty and specifically gave the court officials, who had been confined for two months, three days off to rest well at home.

After everyone had left, Ni Changshang's eyes, full of subtle meaning, turned to Su Ming.

"Su Ming, come with me to the Imperial Study."

Once the two entered the Imperial Study, Zhao Li, with excellent foresight, closed the door tightly and dismissed all palace maids and eunuchs.

And the moment the door closed, Ni Changshang, who was walking ahead, suddenly turned around, narrowing her eyes and staring at Su Ming, asking with a hint of jealousy:

"Su Ming, I heard that you had a very difficult time during your infiltration in Da Gan."

Su Ming naturally knew what she meant; he instinctively touched his nose, feigning an expression of 'if I don't go to hell, who will'.

"To be able to share Your Majesty's worries, no matter how much hardship or fatigue I endure, it's worth it!"

Seeing that he was so shameless, Ni Changshang couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

"Hmph!"

"Yes, indeed, these past days have truly exhausted our Prince Pinggan of Northern Wilderness! First, there was the married woman from Da Gan's Zhou Family, then the white-robed, white-silk clad fairy, and finally, traveling through the capital with a group of beauties—who wouldn't be tired from all that!"

"Su Ming, have you forgotten all about me these past days?!"

By the end, Ni Changshang's voice even contained a hint of a sob, as if she were a little woman abandoned by her beloved.

Three black lines immediately appeared on Su Ming's forehead, and he quickly explained.

"It was all just for show; I had no choice."

"'Had no choice,' how convenient."

Ni Changshang twitched the corner of her mouth, pulled a belt from under the bed, and placed it in Su Ming's hand.

"To punish you, you must stay with me tonight!"

Looking at the belt in his hand, Su Ming felt completely numb.

"Holy crap! Did this Ni Changshang awaken her own talent??!"

The dragon robe, symbolizing supreme imperial power, slipped from Ni Changshang's body, revealing a pair of long, slender, toned legs, and a pair of black suspender silk stockings exuding endless temptation.

"Su Ming..."

........