Chapter 836: Chapter 506: Reporting to Your Majesty, the Qingzhou Army Has Been Defeated, and Mr. Zhao Returns Triumphant!
Crash——
On this day, at the pier outside the South Gate of the Capital, a ship returning along the canal finally docked.
Before the ship steadied, the deck was filled with shadows of people, led by the "Palace Attendants" Mo Chou and Sun Lianying.
After days of absence, Mo Chou had grown visibly thinner. Beside her, the Old Director Sun Lianying could barely hide his exhaustion — for a mortal like him, this retreat had undoubtedly been a strenuous journey.
On either side of the Empress’s trusted aides stood familiar faces to Zhao Douan:
Eunuch Hai in a bright red python robe.
The nominal highest official of the team, actually serving as a mascot, is the Minister of Rites.
Governor Ning Zechen of Shipping.
Tributor Eunuchs Tang Jinzhong, Song Jinxi, and others of the Martial Arts Hall.
And the elite of Zhao Douan’s direct lineage, the Lihua Hall, including Lang Shiba and Ji Yue.
"We have finally reached the Capital," Mo Chou stood at the bow, facing the summer wind, her expression grave and sweeping over the crowd: "If nothing unexpected happens, the capital is likely already in chaos. From the court to the common people, everyone is fearful. Although we are the Sealing Team and could not bring back the Holy Emperor, our every move will surely be scrutinized by countless people. I hope everyone, regardless of any unexpected changes, remains calm as if Luo Mountain collapsed before our eyes, only then can we uphold the court for Her Majesty in these tumultuous times."
The Minister of Rites, somewhat agitated and eager to disembark, responded: "Miss Mo has said this eight hundred times already, we are not three-year-olds, we understand. Let’s hurry into the city."
Having been away from the Capital for too long, although correspondence was maintained through Hidden Guards, the last communication was half a month ago. No one knew the current situation in the city.
Therefore, instead of being relaxed about returning to the Capital, everyone was tense, one could say they were preparing to face a formidable enemy.
"Father, this is the Capital," said the round-faced girl with big eyes, turning them around excitedly and nervously holding Mrs. Ning’s hand, behind Ning Zechen.
Astonishingly, it’s the wife and daughter of Governor Ning, whom Zhao Douan rescued at the river when he rushed to Jianning Prefecture.
During the Luo Mountain Sealing, Ning Zechen arranged for his wife and daughter to watch the ceremony nearby, and afterward, they simply followed the Sealing Team all the way north.
"Shh, the Capital is not like the outside, the court is extremely deep here; once we enter the city, don’t talk much, and don’t get lost," Governor Ning, whose skin had become much darker and rougher, warned seriously, holding the sword at his waist.
He turned to look at Xiong City, with heavy worry in his brows, unsure if entering the city this time was right or wrong.
At this moment, the governmental clerks at the pier had already noticed this special entourage and quickly came to welcome them.
Mo Chou directly threw out the Token and ordered to prepare carriages.
The small clerk at the pier, almost drenched in cold sweat upon receiving the Token, hurriedly went to give orders.
"Should we inquire about the situation in the city?" Qian Kerou, the small secretary in the Lihua Hall squad, was about to act but was stopped by Shen Juan: "The big figures on the ship haven’t spoken; why should we, the small soldiers, show off? Besides, what can these outside clerks know?"
Qian Kerou responded with an "Oh," stopped her action, and whispered: "I was just thinking, maybe Mr. Zhao has returned. I wonder how he is now, if he’s safe."
Hou Renmeng, hugging his arms, walked out with the entourage, patting her shoulder: "With his talents, he is surely safe."
...
Everyone, with heavy hearts, the entire entourage marched into the Capital.
Heading along the main road towards the Palace in the north of the city — this was the planned destination before disembarking, to enter the palace first, then connect with the Xiuwen Pavilion and establish contact with Grandmaster Dong and other important ministers.
To avoid losing control amidst the city’s chaos, in this return, Eunuch Hai had deliberately hidden his whereabouts, not reporting to the court beforehand.
Directly entering the Imperial Palace was also to catch those with intentions off guard, gaining the initiative.
However, along the way, everyone was surprised to find the city’s atmosphere much better than expected.
Indeed, it wasn’t as lively and prosperous as before, but overall order still prevailed, and no scholars were gathering to discuss national affairs as they passed the teahouses and taverns.
"The city is more stable than we anticipated, it seems Grandmaster Dong’s control over the court is still strong," Mo Chou’s eyes flickered.
Beside her, the Old Director Sun Lianying, frost-white at the temples and exhaust clearly showing, silently stared at the streets on both sides, as people came and went, his brow furrowing deeper: "Something doesn’t seem right."
"What doesn’t seem right?" Mo Chou turned to the old eunuch.
Sun Lianying murmured: "It’s too peaceful and stable; that’s the biggest issue."
The Minister of Rites walking nearby heard their conversation and added: "Random speculation is meaningless; the urgent matter is to enter the palace."
Mo Chou nodded, and the Sealing Team accelerated towards the Imperial Palace. Before long, the grand entourage reached the gates of the Imperial City.
Just at this moment, three figures emerged from the Imperial City.
The one in front, with a stern, sinister face, without a beard, and large knuckles, exuding an aura of avoidance, wore a third-rank Jinyi Commander’s official robe.
It was Ma Yan.
Behind him, on the left and right, were Zhang Han and Haitang, two Masters.
As the two entourages met, both sides were momentarily stunned.
After continuous labor, with dark circles and yawning, Haitang stopped abruptly, rubbing his eyes to make sure he wasn’t mistaken, then looked at the returning entourage, specifically at the bright red python robe, and his face bloomed with joy: "Great..."
Without finishing the sentence "grandfather," Ma Yan promptly interrupted: "Mo Zhaorong? Mr. Sun? When did you return?!"
"Lord Ma?!" Upon seeing familiar faces, everyone who had been tense all along suddenly relaxed, and the Minister of Rites almost burst into tears, finding the once-hated King Yan today surprisingly gentle and friendly.