Jiu: "I also suspected I heard it wrong."

The two exchanged a glance, numbly looking towards Rong Heng.

Seeing that Rong Heng merely looked a bit grim, Jiu suddenly realized that what this imperial guard said was true, Young Master Gu is indeed disguised as a man, and His Highness must have known about it long ago.

Jiu spoke sorrowfully: "Your Highness, why didn’t you tell me earlier about something so important? Did you know that I observed Young Master every day exercising diligently, and since you didn’t mention her physical condition afterward, I had always thought you—"

Rong Heng: "Thought what?"

Jiu stammered: "Thought you were..."

Rong Heng, his brain filled with knowledge from over a hundred storybooks, suddenly understood, and said through gritted teeth:

"Shut up."

Jiu silently shut his mouth.

"My god, Young Master Gu is a woman, that means our Xiao Family has descendants!" Su Yi exclaimed, his face full of joy.

The other Yan army soldiers only thought Young Master Gu and the Prince had deep brotherly ties, but Su Yi knew their true relationship.

At this realization, General Su Yi was overjoyed, tears streaming down his face.

Hearing Su Yi’s shout, Rong Baoyi finally snapped back to reality, realizing at last...

All the pairings she’d imagined about Young Master Gu and the beauties of the Capital are gone!

"Why... I never thought Gu Lan was a woman, boo hoo, then Miaoyan and Gu Lan, Zijin and Gu Lan, all impossible..."

Rong Baoyi muttered to herself, suddenly feeling a heat in the corner of her eye, as she raised her hand to wipe it, she realized tears had fallen.

Princess Changle couldn’t hold back any longer, and burst into tears, hugging Jiu tightly.

"It’s okay, even if the Princess and Young Master are fake, at least the Prince and Young Master are real!" Jiu hurriedly whispered to comfort her.

Watching Rong Baoyi cry hysterically, the Yan army soldiers finally snapped out of their shock, and started discussing intensely, lamenting endlessly.

"Sigh, Commandery Princess is truly deeply in love with Young Master Gu."

"Too pitiful..."

"Young Master Gu is actually a woman, I thought she would become our Dayan’s Prince Consort."

"Looking at General Su, doesn’t it mean Young Master Gu is with our Prince..."

This group of soldiers, as they talked, turned the topic back to Rong Heng, each one becoming more excited.

Until Mu Jun said, "Young Master Gu must have her reasons for disguising as a man, there is absolutely no disloyalty in Dingyuan Marquis Mansion!" Only then did everyone regain their senses, retracting their expressions, and turned to Rong Heng.

Rong Heng narrowed his eyes, glaring at those few still shouting imperial guards, clenching his hand into a fist inside his sleeve.

Conquering Qingzhou, marking it as a boundary, the Southern Border crisis resolved, and Dayan and Wei Country restored their friendship... he had achieved all these.

It’s time to return, to return and fight alongside Lanlan, to return and face that madman he always thought of as an elder brother.

Rong Heng took a deep breath, looked around at everyone, his gaze sharp, his voice resonant:

"You’ve all heard the Holy Decree, the Emperor wants me to return to the Capital, I will indeed return, but not to confront Dingyuan Marquis.

The Heir of Duke Dingyuan, Gu Lan disguised herself as a man, this was an exceptional allowance by the former Emperor due to Marquis Mansion having no descendants, I have long known this.

I have secured ten years of peace for Dayan’s Southern Border, and last year, Dingyuan Marquis destroyed the Qiangrong Royal Court in the Snowfield, ensuring peace in the Northern Territory for at least another decade. Gu Lan’s rescue of Yinzhou stabilized the Southern Border, never once with personal motives. The loyalty of Marquis Mansion can be proven against heaven and earth, and Gu Lan supports the state, evidenced as clear as the sun and moon. The Emperor’s belief in her treason is certainly due to the influence of traitors.

If you trust me, then return to the Capital with me, let’s eliminate the traitors, clear away the Emperor’s side, and restore the reputation of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion!"

Ultimately, he did not reveal Rong Jing’s identity, as doing so now would involve matters too deep and wide. A country’s monarch being non-royal lineage would plunge Dayan into unprecedented chaos.

Moreover, Rong Jing had already lost the hearts of Dayan’s military and civilians, and whether he was of the royal bloodline did not impact the Yan army following him back to the Capital.

Rong Heng’s words sent a ripple through everyone, their expressions turning solemn.

Those few imperial guards who came to deliver the message finally fell silent, as Geng Gong took direct action and apprehended them.

Geng Gong stepped forward, cupped his fist, and said:

"Since Young Master Gu’s disguise was permitted by the former Emperor, it cannot be considered treason! I believe in the loyalty of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion to Dayan, and even more, I believe in the innocence of Young Master Gu! I am willing to follow the Prince to the Capital, eliminate the traitors, and clear away the Emperor’s side!"

Su Yi also unhesitatingly stood behind Rong Heng, saying nothing, but showing his choice through his actions.

Mu Jun leaped onto his horse, eyes blood-red, growling: