Back when he was studying at the sect, Xiao Yi took good care of his previous self. When the previous self passed the imperial examination and was appointed as a low-ranking official in the engineering department, Xiao Yi had advised him that his character wasn’t suitable for serving as an official in such a critical situation or even in the capital. He suggested that he could request an assignment elsewhere citing “lack of experience.”
Unfortunately, the previous self didn’t listen.
As it turned out, his judgment was correct. The previous self had just taken office as a low-ranking official in the engineering department and discovered many irregularities in court projects. He immediately submitted a petition to the emperor, but the matter was buried and nothing was gained.
Out of anger, he entered the palace to meet the emperor, and then… there was no follow-up.
Therefore, when he heard that Xiao Yi was coming to find him, although he didn’t know why he was coming at this time, Lu Chen didn’t think too much and got up.
“You go receive him, I’ll be there shortly.”
“Alright.”
Luo Xiaoyu replied, got up, and headed towards the living room.
Lu Chen tidied himself up a bit, not wanting to appear too discourteous, and then left his room.
Upon arriving at the living room, he saw Xiao Yi sitting in the main seat, sipping tea.
After entering the living room, Lu Chen first greeted Xiao Yi and exchanged some pleasantries. Then he sat in the main seat and went straight to the point:
“If Brother Xiao came all this way, what is the matter?”
Xiao Yi put down his teacup, his expression becoming somewhat serious.
“Huaiyu, do you believe in me?”
Hearing this, Lu Chen was momentarily taken aback, then nodded firmly, “If Brother Xiao has always taken care of me, naturally, I believe in Brother Xiao.”
Hearing this answer, Xiao Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
“That’s good then.”
Saying that, he suddenly reached into his pocket and took out a letter, handing it to Lu Chen.
“Huaiyu, take a look at this letter.”
Lu Chen didn’t understand, but he still opened the envelope and began reading. M.Ι.
After a while, he suddenly glared with anger, slapped the paper on the table with a loud “snap.”
“This is outrageous!!”
The content of this letter was quite simple. In summary, it stated that Li Zheng reported that the Cangming Holy King had completely wiped out the rebel forces, eliminated the threat to Luojing, and was now leading the army back north. They were expected to arrive in the capital the day after tomorrow at the chen hour.
Furthermore, the Holy King intended to enter the capital through the Imperial Gateway, a privilege usually reserved for emperors. He aimed to bring his accomplishments into the court, and he openly expressed his hope that all officials would welcome him outside the Imperial Gateway the day after tomorrow, giving ample recognition and honor to the Cangming Army soldiers who saved the court from difficulties and achieved great feats.
Of course, if one had a “health issue,” they could choose not to go. However, if they were “sick and still attending court,” that wouldn’t hold up.
Li Zheng called on all the “perceptive individuals” to follow the intentions expressed by the Cangming Holy King. He urged them not to attend court duties tomorrow but to go to the area outside the Imperial Gateway early to greet the triumphant return of the Cangming Army under the Holy King’s command.
If they were unwell, it was best to remain in their residence and not test their limits, as it would only cause unhappiness.
Both overtly and covertly, there was a sense of threat.
Li Zheng had also participated in this pursuit of the “rebel forces” and had been with the Cangming Holy King all along. Therefore, his words carried some credibility. Besides, there was no reason for him to lie about this matter; it wouldn’t benefit him in any way.
As a loyal supporter of the Empress Dowager, how could Lu Chen not feel indignant upon seeing this message?
Although he was “angry,” a smile was nearly overtaking his lips, he managed to restrain his excitement and emotions. In front of shameless individuals like Li Zheng, he cursed them out loud for a whole quarter of an hour in the presence of Xiao Yi. The vocabulary he used was diverse and devoid of repetition.