Ge Zian was silent for a moment before answering Wei Shuxuan, "I see. I'm sorry. I lost my composure."
"That's good that you understand. Now that we know Sima Tianhai has transported the death - warriors to Baiyang Town, we should go back and find a way to break the control spell on the death - warriors."
"Yeah, I know. I'll go back and tell my father this news. He'll surely be happy... No, if he knows General Wei Tu has become like this, he won't be happy for sure."
The two returned along the original path. It took them a long time to get back to the territory of Qiangfeng Country. They went back to An Yan's mansion. Seeing that they had been away for a whole day and night and just came back now, An Yan joked, "You two were out for quite a long time."
"It's because Qiangfeng Country is so far from Yulong Country. We had to follow them for a long way before we found out their real purpose."
"You've really had a hard time. Go back to your rooms and rest quickly. I'll ask the kitchen to prepare meals for you. You can go directly to the dining - hall to have dinner after you wash up."
In the palace.
Xin Zizhao guessed that Wei Shuxuan should have gone to Qiangfeng Country according to the reports from the secret guards. He was very angry. This Xuan'er! Before she set out, he had repeatedly told her not to do dangerous things alone. But she still sneaked into Qiangfeng Country by herself without telling him.
"Your Majesty, the ginseng soup is ready. Do you want to drink it now?" Xiao Gaozi fetched the cooked ginseng soup from the imperial kitchen and walked into the imperial study in small steps. But now Xin Zizhao knew that Wei Shuxuan had gone to Qiangfeng Country alone. Deep worry filled his chest. Since he didn't know whether Wei Shuxuan was safe or not, he couldn't let out his worry.
"I'm not in the mood to drink it now. Put it aside first. Xiao Gaozi, you can leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty. But," Xiao Gaozi hesitated for a while but still said, "Your Majesty, you've been over - worked recently. You need to drink some ginseng soup to nourish your body. If the Empress comes back and sees that I haven't taken good care of you, she'll surely blame me. This is just my personal opinion. If Your Majesty doesn't like it, please spare my life. I'll take my leave first."
Watching Xiao Gaozi leave with his head down, Xin Zizhao wasn't angry. He just had no appetite because of his annoyance. Well, since Xiao Gaozi had said so, he might as well drink it.
Recently, the court had become more and more turbulent. Minister Zhang and Scholar Jin were secretly gathering people in private, while Xin Yeheng was recruiting soldiers everywhere to expand his power. Xin Zizhao had really racked his brains over them. That's why he later needed to drink ginseng soup to boost his energy.
The mysterious man would send a letter to him as soon as he got any news. But Xin Zizhao had no intention of uncovering the real identity of this mysterious man. Since the mysterious man wanted to help him, he would of course accept it without hesitation.
The ginseng soup on the round table was still hot. When he lifted the snow - white kettle lid, waves of fresh aroma rushed out, but Xin Zizhao ignored them all. He couldn't ruin his health. However, managing the court was really annoying. He wanted to just abandon the court and leave. Whoever wanted this position could have it. Anyway, didn't Xin Yeheng also want this position? Just give it to him.
Xin Zizhao picked up the soup kettle and drank it all in one gulp. Just after he finished the ginseng soup, someone came to report, "Your Majesty, the former emperor said he has something to talk to you. He asked you to go to Qianyu Palace to see him when you're free."
"Okay, I see. Leave."
In Qianyu Palace.
The former emperor was lying comfortably in a rocking chair, holding a fan in his hand and gently fanning. His snow - white hair and beard fluttered up and down with his movements. Hearing the sound, he slowly opened his eyes and saw Xin Zizhao standing in front of him. "Zizhao, you're here. I thought you wouldn't have time to visit me, an old man, these days."
"Recently, the court has been in a troubled time. I've been busy dealing with things. I just didn't have time to come."
"Hehe, I know, I know," Emperor Jinzheng squinted and smiled. "I also encountered something like a court official rebellion when I first ascended the throne. But I was tough and managed to subdue those people. Zizhao, I know you're a smart boy. It'll be easy for you to subdue those rebellious people."
"What would you do, Father, if there were other princes coveting the throne?"
"It depends on how much you value the throne. I can tell that the throne is far less important than your Empress to you. After I passed the throne to you, I sometimes wondered if I had made a mistake. If you didn't have the Empress by your side, maybe you could still sit on the throne. But you're a sentimental boy. You couldn't bear to refuse me and didn't want to leave the Empress. This contradiction has made you feel depressed and you've unconsciously developed a bit of resentment towards me."
Xin Zizhao pursed his lips and said nothing, but he actually agreed with Emperor Jinzheng's words in his heart.
"Alright, do whatever you want. If you don't like the throne, just give it to your eleventh younger brother. I have no reason to stop you. Do what you really want to do," Emperor Jinzheng said and then closed his eyes again. The rocking chair kept rocking. "Okay, I'm going to rest. You go back and rest early too."
"Thank you, Father."
When leaving, Xin Zizhao took a look at Emperor Jinzheng lying in the rocking chair. His eyes were flickering with complex emotions. He knew what he should do.
In the An Mansion in Qiangfeng Country.
After Wei Shuxuan had eaten, she went back to her room to rest. But soon, she heard a knock on the door. Being woken up from sleep, no one would be in a good mood. She shouted impatiently, "Who is it?"
"It's me," Ge Zian stood outside. "Are you still sleeping? I'm going out. Do you want to come too?"
"Where are we going?" Wei Shuxuan pulled up the quilt that was under her and covered her head.
"Let's go to the General's Mansion."
Hearing this, Wei Shuxuan thought, the General's Mansion? Isn't it the mansion of that man named Sima Tianhai?
"I'll get up now. Wait for me!"
Soon, Wei Shuxuan changed her clothes and appeared in front of Ge Zian. "Okay, we can go."
Ge Zian looked at her. "Wait a minute. You're not supposed to wear this dress today. And the props haven't arrived yet. We have to wait a while before we set off."
She rolled her eyes at him. "Then don't wake me up so early!"