Chapter 771: Chapter 484: The Monarch and Minister Inspected by Surprise
Li Yanfu, expressionless, flicked his sleeve: "Leave."
Li Yinglong pleaded bitterly:
"Father, what are you still hesitating for? Previously, Xue Shence was in the city, our chances weren’t great, but now he’s left the city.
As long as you nod, both leaders of the Imperial Guard and Thousand Cows Guard will support us. Added with the death soldiers we’ve nurtured over the years in the Capital, taking control of the court would be easy..."
"Leave!"
Li Yinglong sighed, stomped his foot, and left.
In the study room, only Li Yanfu remained, clad in a red robe with a white jade belt, sitting upright. He was staring at a decorative small dagger on the desk, lost in thought for a long time.
...
...
Just when the city was filled with unrest, with everyone still thinking the Empress was fleeing.
Outside the south gate of the Capital, on the wide official road, a carriage moved against the flow of people, heading towards the city gate.
Using a Disguise Mask, Zhao Douan changed his appearance once more. He now posed as a coachman, whipping the reins while observing the carriages and horses on the road, saying:
"Your Majesty, are you really going to enter the city discreetly?"
Inside the carriage, Xu Zhenguan, having regained her cultivation and temporarily changed her appearance with a Disguise Pill, sat cross-legged in meditation, and replied blandly:
"Now that I have returned, there’s no rush to show myself immediately. It’s better to enter the city quietly, understand the situation, and then return to the palace. When you captured Zhuang Xiaocheng and brought him back from the Coastal Road, wasn’t it the same?"
"No, why are you comparing you and me..." Zhao Douan said helplessly.
After her advancement, the Empress traveled swiftly, though this world’s Heavenly Human cannot "travel from the sea at dawn to Cangwu at dusk," unable to reach thousands of miles instantly.
But Sword Flight can ignore geographical barriers, significantly shortening the time to return to the Capital.
The sovereign and minister rushed along the way, passing through Linfeng without stopping, and arrived near the Capital before dawn. Yet, the Empress demanded entering the city discreetly to first ascertain the situation.
"The problem is, I feel that our approach is not discreet at all."
Zhao Douan sighed slightly, pointing with the whip at the large crowd of people leaving the city on the official road.
Normally, the number of people entering and leaving the city would be comparable.
But now, it’s starkly different; looking around, most are leaving the city, with only a few entering.
"It seems the news of the rebels’ conspiracy has spread within the city. At this moment, the city gates should be sealed, forbidding entry and exit," Xu Zhenguan frowned, looking at the scene outside the carriage window:
"This current situation only indicates that the court’s orders are not strictly enforced."
"No, you are being tactful. It should be said the enforcement system has failed...Indeed, with no leader, the court must be a mess. Moreover, you could hit seven or eight dignitaries if you threw a brick in the city..."
In such circumstances, dignitaries will always find ways to escape the Capital... Zhao Douan sighed lightly, bitterly smiling:
"But, looking on the bright side, at least it indicates the Capital hasn’t fallen into chaos; otherwise, basic order wouldn’t still be maintained."
While speaking, the sovereign and minister reached outside the city gate. Zhao Douan had several fake identity passes advantageous for entry, allowing them to enter the city peacefully.
"Your Majesty, where should we go next?"
Zhao Douan drove the carriage on the streets of the Capital.
He was relieved to find the city’s order was better than expected.
It seems the people fleeing the city are only a small portion.
Xu Zhenguan also had no immediate ideas. Having lived in the palace for years, where might she have a foothold outside?
Regarding places outside the palace with familiarity where she once resided, there was one...
"To your home?" she glanced at Zhao Douan, saying unintentionally.
Just freshly wed, eager to visit my place... Zhao Douan felt comforted, the corners of his mouth lifting.
The Empress glared at him: "Why are you smiling?"
Zhao Douan quickly restrained his smile, speaking solemnly:
"I wasn’t smiling, merely that it seems inappropriate. My home may already be watched by others."
Having left the Capital for so long, his first thought was also to go home to see his aunt and sisters.
Yet, reason told him it was inappropriate.
Xu Zhenguan understood this point too, thinking briefly, she said: "Let’s find an inn to stay, then investigate the situation in the city."
"Alright."
Zhao Douan identified the direction, found an inn where he had stayed before, and checked in.
...
Before long.
The two of them were already in the room upstairs in the inn, tossing their luggage onto the table. They stood side by side by the window, opened it, and gazed out at the familiar yet unfamiliar street scene.
Months had passed.
When leaving the Capital it was still spring, but now returning, it was almost the end of summer.
"Your Majesty, please rest in the inn for a while, I will go out to inquire about the situation." Zhao Douan said.
He did not imitate the scenes from movies by spending money to ask the inn’s staff, because the information he needed involved more court affairs.
The rumors among the people were often exaggerated and distorted, accompanied by conspiracy theories, and could not be accepted.
"Let’s go together." Xu Zhenguan couldn’t sit still. If not for wanting to observe the changes in the court after leaving, she would have flown into the Imperial City by sword control.
"Well, alright then." Zhao Douan nodded, considering whom to ask for information.
Just then, suddenly, he noticed a large group of government officers swaggering down the street, full of murderous intent, heading directly toward the inn.
The leader of the group wore loose silk clothes that didn’t quite fit, had small eyes, a skinny build, and carried a partially folded fan at the back of his neck, appearing arrogant and domineering.
"Is it him?" Zhao Douan hesitated for a moment, his expression becoming odd.
"Do you know him?" Xu Zhenguan had no impression of this little figure.
"Mm. He was one of my lackeys." Zhao Douan sighed and curiously asked:
"How did this fellow appear here?"
...
Downstairs of the inn.
Qin Qiu led a group of "government officers" into the hall, immediately greeted by the shopkeeper with a smiling face:
"Oh, masters, what brings you here?"
Having formerly flattered and clung to Zhao Douan, maneuvering into the "Capital’s circle," the arrogant and egotistical Qin Qiu sneered, kicked over without saying a word:
"Don’t recognize me, do you? Still asking what brings us here? Are you truly unaware, or pretending to be?"
The shopkeeper was kicked but didn’t dare get angry. Although the inn had official connections behind it, he still dared not offend these agents:
"Mr. Qin, it turns out to be Mr. Qin, my eyesight is poor, I didn’t recognize you."
Kowtowing before Zhao Douan but flaunting power outside, Qin Qiu snorted, tossing out a token:
"Too lazy to waste words with you. I’m now working for the Imperial Court. The city has been restless lately. Do you have any newly registered guests of unknown origin here at the inn?"
Ah, they’re checking rooms... The shopkeeper cursed inwardly, chuckling:
"Mr. Qin, please sit, everyone here is registered, there’s no one of unknown origin..."
"Hmm, what you say doesn’t count. People, follow me upstairs to check the rooms!" Qin Qiu, now in power, walked as if floating.
With a wave, he led people upstairs, beginning to rudely kick open door after door.
Quickly causing a series of exclamations and chaos, in each room, questioning the occupants, extorting "tribute," before leaving.
Before long, Qin Qiu brought his men to the door of Zhao Douan’s room.
"Thump thump! Government room inspection, people inside, open the door obediently!" Qin Qiu failed to kick the door, discovering it was locked, scolded angrily.
Inside the room, footsteps seemed to linger, yet no one answered.
"Mr. Qin, this person needs a beating." A clerk lifted the whistle stick, preparing to break in.
Qin Qiu waved his hand, rolled up his sleeves, sneered:
"I’ll handle this myself! Refusing a toast only to drink punishment. Once I’m inside, I’ll make you kneel and beg for mercy."
Taking a few steps back to gather strength, then charged forward, slamming into the door, unexpectedly finding it unlocked and open.
"Ah!" Qin Qiu cried out, couldn’t stop his momentum, rolled in, crashed into the room, fell, and cursed, about to get up, when suddenly, his head was pinned down by a boot onto the ground.
"Worthy of the Capital’s government officers, so domineering, but how come I haven’t heard of anyone like you in the Imperial Court?" Zhao Douan asked softly.