The other party seemed to be walking, but the speed was extremely swift, as if traversing great distances in mere seconds; one moment he was far away, the next moment he was much closer.
No time to think, this official within the Li Party, although not a pillar-like minister, could participate in this grand event, indicating his significant power and status in the court, spurred his horse to block the path.
The whip in his hand quivered, striking through the air towards the direction of the two figures ahead, he shouted angrily:
"Ahead lies the Imperial Palace, unauthorized people approaching shall die!"
On normal days, he wouldn't be so arrogant and insolent, but because this grand event was vital, and because... if successful, his future prospects would be limitless.
Perhaps envisioning the glorious future, being elevated amongst clouds, as a meritorious minister after the new emperor ascends the throne, the whip he swung grew fiercer.
Yet that whip didn't strike the air, instead, it was suddenly grasped by a hand.
A couple who was clearly a significant distance away suddenly appeared before the horse.
Zhao Douan casually caught the horsewhip, and with a calm demeanor gave a tug, causing the official on horseback to stumble and fall, provoking a group of "government officers" behind to rush over protectively.
"Brazen commoner..." Although the official sensed something amiss, he couldn't help but angrily curse, trying to get up, then he finally noticed the attire of the duo, and was stunned.
The man donned a crimson robe which was only worn by those above the standard fourth rank in the court, and the embroidered pattern on the chest seemed to be a rare design, faintly hinting at a third-rank specification.
Which third-rank official was arriving?
But weren't they supposed to all be inside the palace at this time? Could this be a military officer?
And when he glanced at the gold dragon robe beside him, his entire being froze completely.
Who in the world can wear a dragon robe? Even if it were four claws, only a prince could have the privilege, let alone he glimpsed the glaring golden sleeve dragon, which seemed to be... five-clawed?
Five-clawed golden dragon... third-rank official robe... one man and one woman...
The Li Party official abruptly looked up, seeing the faces of this cold couple, faces recognized by all civil and military officials in court.
The Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, Zhao Douan.
The reigning Empress, Xu Zhenguan.
Zhao Douan casually tossed the whip to the ground, and together with the Empress, proceeded towards the city gate.
This core official of the Li Party knelt with a thud, the world spinning around him, his limbs icy cold, suddenly went madly to the ground, desperately kowtowing until the stone slabs were stained with a pool of bright red blood.
The dragon-robed Empress walked towards the tightly closed South City Gate.
Zhao Douan watched as the gate slowly opened with a creak, as if pushed by some invisible force.
At the top of the wall.
The rebel forces of the Imperial Guard and Thousand Cows Guard froze as if turned to stone, shocked and incredulous, they attempted to shout and run, but were horrified to find their bodies restrained.
Then, that invisible hand compressed their armor, and blood seeped out from the armor, silently, causing the entire rebel force atop the wall to perish.
Bodies collapsed one after another as if forming a steel cemetery.
The city gate aperture was somewhat dim.
After stepping out, Xu Zhenguan's frost-covered face was bathed in gentle sunlight, squinting, gazing far into the distance towards the great hall.
Zhao Douan's ears echoed with shouts and killing sounds, yet he lifted his head, looking towards the grey sky.
He noticed the clouds had somehow split open into a straight and long thin line, as if slicing the sky into two, and through the fissure, brilliant sunlight streamed.
Zhao Douan suddenly sank his breath to his Dantian, and exclaimed loudly: "Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty!"