The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 1225 - 653: Return to the Capital (5k) (2)
He sighed lightly in his heart and nodded, saying:
"Governor, rest assured, today’s battle has already severely weakened the Liao Clan. Even if they can summon the Great La Ba once more, I am confident that the border army’s military formation can break it."
Zhao Douan nodded and smiled:
"I believe that. By the way, I need to trouble the General to send a message to the Great Territory for the Clan Leader Song Zhi of the Liao Clan. Tell him that Xu Jianwen has been captured alive by us. If he doesn’t want Jian Wen dead, he should stay quietly tucked away in the Great Territory, else he will face the consequences."
"Alright." Zhao Shixiong nodded and regrettably said:
"It’s a pity the governor is in a hurry to leave; otherwise, I would have wanted to host a victory celebration. Today’s battle, the governor’s heroic presence commanded admiration from the entire army, and many want to toast the governor in person."
Zhao Douan smiled and said, "Next time, for sure."
Next, he handled follow-up matters in the Border City, ensuring the Liao side was thoroughly quiet.
Before sunset, Zhang Yan Yi summoned a patch of Qingyun, carrying Zhao Douan and his entourage atop the cloud, swiftly heading back to the Capital.
Coming and going, it was only three days.
...
...
The next morning.
"Woo woo—"
Amidst the sound of wind breaking, Zhao Douan squinted, surveying the city below. He stood atop the Qingyun, surrounded by Tuoba Weizhi and three priests sitting cross-legged in meditation.
With an ethereal presence, Zhang Yan Yi stood with his hands behind his back and calmly said:
"Ahead is the Capital. Soon, my young friend can depart alone. My three disciples are weary, and I will take them back to rest."
Jin Jian rubbed his eyes, muttering: "I’m not tired... woo woo..."
Han Zhao covered Jin Jian’s mouth, laughing:
"Master is right. We’re tired, it’s getting hard to hold on. Isn’t that right, Second Senior Sister?"
Yu Xiu: Ah, yes, yes, yes.
"..."
Zhao Douan silently looked at the three priests with their rosy faces, all energetic, then glanced at Zhang Yan Yi’s pale, bluish face... clearly mana-depleted, on the verge of collapse; he thought, if you can’t fly this fast, don’t force it... why put on a show...
One must accept aging... You’ve been contending with the Great La Ba for so long, and flying back with so many people, it’s understandable if you can’t sustain...
He wholeheartedly agreed:
"Makes sense, thanks to your assistance. Let’s part here; just drop me and my servant at the city gate."
...
In a moment.
On the bustling street of the Capital, Tuoba Weizhi looked up, watching the Qingyun wobbling, nearing collapse as it fell in the direction of the Heavenly Master Mansion. She tightened the cloth bag on her back, curiously looking at Zhao Douan:
"Master, Heavenly Master Zhang seems a bit exhausted..."
Zhao Douan sighed, withdrew his gaze, and patted the young girl’s shoulder:
"Life is tough; let’s move along and enter the palace."
"Mmm."
Master and servant walked through the bustling streets, Tuoba Weizhi closely following Zhao Douan, her eyes busily darting toward the buildings on the streets and then being drawn to the passersby.
Clearly, everything here was new to her.
Six hundred years had passed.
Even the Crown Prince of Qi Country would lament the fleetingness of time, let alone Tuoba Weizhi, a blank slate?
Zhao Douan deliberately slowed his pace, quietly introducing the city’s customs while walking, halfway through he even took her for breakfast at a street stall.
During the meal.
The guests in the shop were discussing national matters.
"Have you heard? The southern Liao Clan seems to be stirring trouble."
"Where did you hear that? I thought only Xiping Road was at war?"
"My cousin’s father-in-law’s younger brother’s wife’s neighbor’s son works in the Privy Council... It’s authentic!"
Zhao Douan frowned, the news has spread?
But thinking about it, it’s unsurprising. The Liao invasion was known to all the people of Yunfu Road; it would be impossible to prevent someone from bringing the news to the Capital.
At that moment, some diners glanced at the master and servant pair, but Zhao Douan had disguised himself. Most people only looked at Tuoba Weizhi, thinking her attire and appearance were peculiar...
"Master, I’m full."
Tuoba Weizhi felt uneasy under the gaze, she picked up a large bowl of soup and gulped it down, saying.
How are you not choking... Zhao Douan held back his urge to comment, stood up and placed a string of copper coins on the table corner:
"Waiter, here’s the money."
"Alright." The waiter came over, picked up the copper coins, and glanced at the departing master and servant pair, suddenly freezing.
"Why are you standing there dumbly?" The shopkeeper came over with a stern face.
The waiter snapped back to reality with a shiver, murmuring:
"Too similar, too similar, that gentleman’s back and voice are so much like Junior Guardian Zhao’s."
In the Capital, there were quite a few who knew Zhao Douan, including the lucky waiter who had seen Junior Guardian’s true face before.
...
Zhao Douan didn’t head straight to the palace, but detoured to the North Gate.
First went to Xiuwen Pavilion, to see if any affairs occurred in the court over the past few days.
Upon entering Xiuwen Pavilion, a scholar came forward, eyes lighting up:
"Scholar Zhao, are you here seeking the Grandmaster? Please come in."
"You stay here. I have some matters to attend to." Zhao Douan instructed Tuoba Weizhi before stepping into Grandmaster Dong’s ’office.’
Upon entering.
He saw Grandmaster Dong draped in a loose scholar’s robe, frowning while reviewing the documents on the table.
Seeing him enter, his eyebrows slightly relaxed:
"Have a seat. Haven’t seen you in two days, was thinking of sending someone to find you."
From the Empress’s expedition to today, it had only been four days.
Thus, in the eyes of the court officials, Zhao Douan merely hadn’t appeared much in four days.
Considering cultivators often retreat for ten days or more, almost no one noticed Zhao Douan had left the Capital.
