Chapter 396: The Demon Lord Commandery Princess's Slacking Daily Life Chapter 399: Triumphant Return to the Capital

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

After the morning court session, the Emperor did not immediately leave the imperial court as usual, but turned and returned to the Yudi. He sat at the writing desk, pondered for a moment, then picked up his brush and began writing a secret report.

This secret report detailed the follow-up arrangements concerning Nan Liang, including military deployments for Nan Liang and opinions on handling Nan Liang officials.

The Emperor's brushstrokes were fluid and forceful. After finishing, he carefully folded the secret report, placed it in an envelope, and sealed it with wax.

At this moment, the Emperor recalled that Qianqian had once told him that a hidden guard named Yan Wang had returned yesterday, and happened to be preparing to return to the capital today to report completion of his mission.

The Emperor thought, let him deliver this secret report back to the capital. Thus, the Emperor summoned A Ming.

A Ming had never seen the Emperor before; yesterday he had only learned of the Emperor's existence from Qianqian's mouth, so he felt somewhat nervous inside.

Standing outside the Yudi, A Ming took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself, then gently pushed the door open.

Upon entering the Yudi, A Ming immediately knelt and saluted, crying aloud: "Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long, long live the Emperor!" Seeing this, the Emperor smiled faintly and said: "Rise." After thanking the Emperor, A Ming stood up, head bowed, not daring to look directly at the Emperor.

The Emperor then said: "You escorted Qianqian safely back to the capital; this merit We have recorded." Hearing this, A Ming felt slightly more at ease, and hurriedly knelt again to thank the Emperor.

Just then, Eunuch Sun walked over carrying a tray. The Emperor pointed at the tray and said to A Ming: "This is a reward for you." A Ming fixed his gaze and saw a stack of silver notes on the tray, but he did not know exactly how many.

However, A Ming was a quick-witted person; he immediately realized this was the Emperor's commendation of him, so he hurriedly said: "Thank the Emperor for the reward!"

"It is what a subordinate should do." After A Ming finished speaking, Eunuch Sun brought the items in his hand before A Ming, "Quickly accept it."

Seeing this, A Ming did not decline further, directly reached out to take it, then swiftly tucked it into his bosom.

At this time, the Emperor, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: "We heard you are setting off today to return to your Master's side?"

Hearing this, A Ming hurriedly knelt and kowtowed, replying respectfully: "Reporting to the Emperor, this subordinate was ordered to escort the Commandery Princess back to the capital; the mission is now complete, and indeed it is time to return and report."

The Emperor nodded slightly, acknowledging, then continued: "We have an urgent report here; take it to Wang'er, and remember you must hand it directly into his hands."

A Ming hurriedly replied: "Yes, this subordinate obeys!"

Seeing this, Eunuch Sun hurriedly took the secret report from the Emperor's hand and passed it to A Ming. A Ming carefully accepted the secret report and likewise stuffed it into his bosom.

Seeing this, the Emperor nodded in satisfaction and said: "Good, go quickly."

A Ming kowtowed in thanks again, then rose and withdrew from the Yudi at the command. The moment he left the Yudi, he unleashed his lightness skill and sped away like a flying bird; in the blink of an eye he had returned to the Wangfu.

Arriving at the Wangfu, A Ming rested briefly, then took out the silver notes the Emperor had just rewarded him from his bosom and examined them closely — they amounted to a full five hundred taels! He could not help but feel a surge of wild joy, muttering to himself: "I've struck it rich! I've struck it rich!"

However, this excited mood lasted only an instant; A Ming soon came back to his senses.

He knew he bore a heavy responsibility and must deliver the secret report as quickly as possible, so he took a deep breath, steadied his mind, then walked briskly to Qianqian's Room, briefly explained a few things to her, then rushed out the door, vaulted onto his horse, and galloped off.

After a full three days of rushing without stopping, A Ming finally reached his destination. During these three days, he hardly stopped, only seeking out an Inn for a brief rest when exhaustion became truly unbearable.

He dared not delay in the slightest; a journey that originally required four days, he forced himself to complete in three.

Yan Wang looked at the urgent report A Ming delivered, and could not help but feel surprised at his speed. He instructed A Ming to go rest well, then took the secret report back to the Yingdi and read it carefully.

The contents of the secret report were very important; it mentioned that everyone who had made outstanding contributions in this war must be remembered by Yan Wang, and upon returning to Kyoto they would be granted corresponding rewards.

In addition, the names of several cities on the Nan Liang side would remain unchanged; the Emperor had already dispatched special personnel to come take over each city. As for Yiliang City, its City Lord was currently on the way; once he arrived, Yan Wang could set off for Kyoto.

And regarding those traitors, the secret report specially emphasized that Yan Wang must guard them well, and without fail bring them safely back to Kyoto to receive their due punishment.

After reading the secret report, Yan Wang already clearly understood what to do next. Two days later, the people coming to take over Yiliang City finally arrived.

Yan Wang ordered without hesitation, having Ai Jiao and Tang Qi put Lin Shu's entire family and Dan Jiajie's entire family into prison carts. After everything was properly arranged, the group set foot on the return journey.

Because they were escorting prisoners, the column's marching speed was slower than expected; after a full six days of arduous travel, they finally reached Kyoto.

Upon entering the city, Yan Wang saw the streets on both sides packed with commoners who had come to welcome them. Their enthusiasm was high, cheers rising and falling. Yan Wang rode a tall horse, imposing and awe-inspiring; Tang Qi and Ai Jiao followed closely behind.

All along the way, commoners kept shouting: "General Yan, long live! Yan Family Army, mighty!" Even children and the elderly came out to greet them; the scene was extraordinarily spectacular.

However, faced with this enthusiastic welcome, Yan Wang's expression remained stern and expressionless throughout. In truth, his heart had long been shrouded by social anxiety; he was merely forcing a lofty, unapproachable appearance.

Simultaneously, some commoners also learned that Lin Shu and Dan Jiajie were traitors who sold out the country. They were filled with righteous indignation, and one after another hurled rotten eggs and wilted vegetable leaves at the prison carts.

Dan Jiajie's face was pale as dead ash, his eyes hollow and vacant, as if he had lost interest in everything worldly. Even as those rotten vegetable leaves and eggs rained down on him, he showed no reaction, as if already numb.

In contrast, Lin Shu appeared very bedraggled. He tried to dodge the flying rotten eggs with shifty eyes, but the prison cart space was limited; no matter how he dodged, he could not escape the fate of being hit.

And on both sides of the road, heads bobbed in a crowd; many young ladies from inner chambers stood by the roadside, some shyly lowering their heads, others secretly stealing glances at Yan Wang with the corners of their eyes. Their cheeks were faintly flushed, like peach blossoms blooming in spring.

Among them, a few bolder young ladies actually daringly threw sachets and handkerchiefs at Yan Wang. These sachets and handkerchiefs danced in the air, like colorful butterflies, lightly landing on Yan Wang's body.