Time had reached past noon.

Underneath the tall city tower with its blue-grey roof tiles, soldiers clad in armor stood between battlements holding long spears, their postures straight and imposing.

Below the city tower, the grey wall stretched endlessly, and right in its center, a grand entrance with one high and two lower archways stood wide open. The stream of people and horses coming and going was ceaseless, a portrait of prosperity.

The fierce sun hung in the sky as the gigantic shadow of the city gate enveloped the crowd entering and leaving, crossing the drawbridge and the moat, stretching all the way to Yuan Ming's feet.

Gazing at the familiar gates, Yuan Ming lifted his head slightly, his gaze finally landing on the grey stone plaque above the archway.

In the plaque were only two bold and vigorous characters: "Qu Jiang."

It was under this plaque, years ago, that Yuan Ming bid farewell to the crowd seeing him off, leaving the capital of Da Jin. He and Lin Junsheng, carrying the titles of main and deputy emissaries, led the mission to the Southern Border, brimming with ambition and radiating vigor.

But now, things were no longer the same.

He fell silent for a moment, collecting his scattered thoughts, and stepped towards the city.

"Make way, make way!"

Just as he crossed the drawbridge, the sound of horsewhips and shouts came from behind Yuan Ming.

He turned his head to look, and saw three or four soldiers in full armor, riding tall horses, wielding whips, they were driving away the carriages and the common folk in front of the city gate.

They were rough, but their horsewhips didn't actually strike anyone; they were only to intimidate.

Further away, a large convoy of vehicles moved slowly, their banners unfurling in the wind revealing the character "Zhao."

Yuan Ming's brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing and, like the frightened commoners beside him, stepped aside.

Soon, a path wide enough for two horse-drawn carriages to pass side by side was cleared before the gates, and the convoy bearing the Zhao banners made its way through.

The convoy was sizable, its horses and men plenty, with soldiers on warhorses guarding both the front and rear. The carriages in the middle, though not luxurious, bore woodwork and carvings that were simple yet majestic—clearly not meant for ordinary folks.

However, upon seeing the carriage decorations and the Zhao banners, a thoughtful look crossed Yuan Ming's face.

As the convoy drew near, the city guards at the gate seemed to grow tense, and a soldier clad in the Gate Captain's armor hurried out from the tower, making it down to the entrance just before the arrival of the convoy.

The convoy stopped before the gate, and from the leading carriage, a servant lifted the curtain to reveal an old man inside with white hair and a severe expression.

"Greetings, Marquis Zhao," the Gate Captain said with a smile, stepping forward to bow to the old man.

Meanwhile, beside Yuan Ming, a man dressed as a merchant whispered to his companion, "Brother Lu, whose convoy is this? Why such grandeur?"

His companion glanced around and lowered his voice: "Keep it down. This is General Jingbei's convoy. If we disturb them, our lives wouldn't be enough to make amends."

"That domineering? I've come from the south. Can you fill me in?" The merchant was taken aback.

"You haven't been to the north; you wouldn't know. General Zhao has been stationed at the borders for many years, and he's known to be domineering with an imposing reputation," his companion said with a face full of awe.

On the side, Yuan Ming chuckled without a sound. Whether General Jingbei was domineering, he did not know, but he remembered that in his youth, General Zhao was a regular visitor at his home and had watched him grow up.

On the other side, General Zhao merely nodded slightly to the Gate Captain. The servant dropped the curtain, and the convoy resumed its slow progress, with the scene in front of the gate quickly returning to its previous state.

But beside Yuan Ming, the two men were still chatting: "But still, General Zhao is usually stationed in the North Territory and rarely returns to the Capital unless something big happens. The year is far from over, so why would he suddenly enter the Capital with troops?"

"How would I know? Probably some big development with the court," said the merchant as he walked and talked with his companion.

By then, Yuan Ming had reached the gate entrance, where the city guard asked, "Name?"

"Yuan Ming," Yuan Ming replied.

"Yuan Ming? Young Master Yuan of the Yuan Mansion?" the city guard said in surprise.

"Yes, that's me," Yuan Ming responded.

To his surprise, once the guard saw Yuan Ming's face clearly, he exclaimed and excitedly reached for Yuan Ming's hand.

Someone beside them said, "Yuan Ming? Young Master Yuan, is it really you? I heard you went missing on your mission to the Southern Border and feared something had happened to you. To think you're still alive!" Suddenly, as if remembering something, the man patted his clothes and pulled out a roll of silk.

Wrapped in the silk was an exquisitely made book with four embossed golden characters on the cover— "Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey."

"I'm a true fan of yours, Young Master Yuan. I came here today specifically to buy this deluxe edition of Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey, but to think I'd actually meet you by the gate," the man said, his eyes shining bright with anticipation as he presented the deluxe book to Yuan Ming: "Could I trouble you for an autograph? I will treasure it!"

Unable to withstand his enthusiasm, Yuan Ming took the book but then said, "I'm sorry, I don't have a pen," and tried to leave.

"Ah, my oversight, please wait a moment," the man said in annoyance, slapping his forehead and turning to grab someone nearby, "Excuse me, could you lend me a pen and ink?"

"Pen and ink? Why would I carry those things on me when I'm out handling business?" The passerby was perplexed at the request, glancing between him and Yuan Ming, then his eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, aren't you Young Master Yuan Ming?"

"Indeed, I've just returned from the Southern Border," Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"'Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey' is truly a riveting read, your experiences are absolutely thrilling," the man said.

Before Yuan Ming could respond, the passerby realized he had no writing brush and, just like the man before, turned to seek a writing brush from others on the road.

Word spread quickly, one telling ten, ten telling a hundred, and in no time at all, a large crowd had gathered around Yuan Ming.

The commotion near the city gate soon caught the Gate Captain's attention.

"Make way, make way, don't crowd around, what's happened here... Young Master Yuan?" he directed the city guards to push through the crowd, and when he caught a clear glimpse of Yuan Ming, he too exclaimed in surprise.

Yuan Ming was puzzled: "You recognize me as well?"

"Of course! Young Master Yuan, when you set out from the city with the delegation in military splendor years ago, it was my shift! Even though you look different now, taller, I still recognize you. After all, since your disappearance, the books you've written have sold out, with some editions being extremely hard to find!" the Gate Captain immediately said with a smile on his face while commanding his subordinates to part the crowd.

Yuan Ming listened and couldn't help but let out an embarrassed chuckle, remembering how it was said that an artist's works soar in value after their death, and now it seemed it was his turn.

At that moment, someone in the crowd was desperately trying to squeeze forward, yelling, "Young Master Yuan, I've found a writing brush!"

The Gate Captain's face darkened, about to scold, but Yuan Ming stopped him: "Let him through, I promised to sign for him."

"Young Master Yuan is still so kind-hearted," the Gate Captain complimented, ordering his men to clear some space.

Yuan Ming took the book, wrote a sentence of encouragement for the man's daughter, and added his signature, and the man retreated with a goofy smile.

Seeing this, the crowd grew even more excited, and numerous people also fished out copies of the same book from who knows where, all crying out to receive Yuan Ming's autograph.

"Young Master Yuan, is your 'Southern Travel Chronicles' a true story?"

"Young Master Yuan, please wait."

The pressure on the city guards increased greatly for a time.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming said loudly, "Gentlemen, I understand your feelings, but I have been away for many years and have just returned to the Capital today. My heart longs for my parents in the family home, and I really cannot linger long. Please understand. After resting for a few days, I will visit Tianming Bookstore and catch up with everyone."

Upon hearing this, various shouts of understanding burst from the crowd.

The Gate Captain wiped off a bead of sweat and hurriedly had his men escort Yuan Ming into the city.

But as soon as he passed through the city gate, Yuan Ming heard a roar like the tide from the crowd.

In the bustling streets, heads were packed tightly together, the surging throng at the gateway made it impassable. Whether scholars or peddlers, everyone squeezed into the masses, stretching their necks, desperate to catch a glimpse of Yuan Ming's demeanor.

Yuan Ming too was taken aback at the sight before him, thinking he had not been so famous before his disappearance, and couldn't help but turn with a wry smile, "It seems I'll have to trouble you to send someone to notify the General Mansion to come and clear a way."

"No need to bother the folks at General Mansion for such a trivial matter, I happen to have some extra men at hand, let them escort Young Master Yuan home," said the Gate Captain, thumping his chest.

Soon, he called over several idle city guards to accompany Yuan Ming on his way to General Mansion.

City guards, armed to the teeth, intimidated the crowd, finally carving out a passable path for Yuan Ming.

Even so, there were still many people crowding both sides of the route, and the windows of the taverns and tea houses along the street flew open, with patrons flocking to the windows, eagerly peering out at the scene unfolding, their excitement palpable as they watched Yuan Ming being escorted through.

Soon, news that Yuan Ming, the bestselling author in the Capital and the sole descendant of General Yuan Zuochong from General of the South, had returned safely from the Southern Border after being missing for years, spread throughout the entire Capital.

In General Jingbei's Mansion, Duke Jingbei - General Zhao Jisheng was being assisted off his carriage by servants, preparing to enter his home, when he heard the noise from the main street.

He frowned slightly, and a guard clad in armor immediately went to investigate.

In a short while, the guard returned with news. After hearing his report, surprise flitted across Zhao Jisheng's face, followed swiftly by a smile of genuine delight.

"Hey, Yuan, I always said the boy was lucky and blessed!"

He signaled to his attendants, "Send a gift to Yuan Mansion on my behalf, and a visiting card with it, informing them that I shall pay a visit shortly."

Meanwhile, at Tianming Book Society, the Shopkeeper was arranging for his employees to restock the sold-out shelves with leather-bound editions of 'Young Master Sheng's Southern Journey', when a clerk suddenly stumbled in, breathless.

"Shopkeeper, big news, huge news!"

"What news could possibly justify such a racket, and what if it disturbs the customers?" scolded the Shopkeeper of the Book Society.

Panting heavily, the clerk paused to catch his breath before managing to say, "Great news, Shopkeeper, it's Young Master Yuan, Young Master Yuan has returned!"

"Young Master Yuan? Which Yuan..."

The Shopkeeper of the Book Society paused, then quickly stepped forward, grabbing the clerk's arm: "You mean Yuan Ming, Young Master Yuan?"

"Exactly him, the streets are buzzing with it, saying Young Master Yuan has endured great hardships and returned from the Southern Border!" the clerk nodded immediately.

The Shopkeeper of the Book Society burst into laughter: "Excellent, excellent! Quick, arrange for someone to go out and spread the word, say that to celebrate Young Master Yuan's return, all books in the shop are being sold at a discount... no, at eighty percent of the original price!"

As he commanded, the clerks in the shop quickly dispersed to spread the news, with the Shopkeeper's eyes sparkling with excitement.

Your Majesty, Young Master Yuan has finally returned!

...

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