Chapter 1230 - 303: Flames of War Arising (Part 3)

Chapter 1230: Chapter 303: Flames of War Arising (Part 3)

"I understand, my lord."

As he left the palace, Zheng Fan noticed that Master Zhang’s carriage was waiting at the palace gates.

After Ji Chengjue left the Imperial Study, he went to the Ministry of Revenue, so the carriage wasn’t needed for the time being.

This carriage also indicated that experienced protectors were ready around it. After all, when it came to safeguarding one’s life, Zheng Fan knew that Ji Chengjue was just as cautious as he was.

After Lord Zheng boarded the carriage, Master Zhang asked graciously:

"My lord, are we heading back to the mansion?"

"To Prince Jin’s mansion."

Master Zhang was slightly taken aback, then nodded, "I understand, my lord."

In fact,

Last time when visiting the Third Prince, Lord Zheng had intended to visit Prince Jin’s mansion as well, but accompanying the Sword Saint changed those plans.

Now, with Ji Chengjue’s skilled protectors by his side, he could visit safely.

They were all old acquaintances, and since he’s entered the capital, he should pay a visit.

Prince Jin’s mansion was situated on East Third Street, with the government office of the Inspection Bureau on its west and the Yanjing Prefecture Office on the east, making it well-guarded.

Of course, apart from this, the Yan Emperor did not treat Prince Jin’s family harshly. On this point, the Yan Emperor was always generous.

Within Prince Jin’s mansion, there were hundreds of servants and maids, funded annually by the internal treasury of Yan, maintaining their luxurious lifestyle without issue.

Aside from annual festivals when Prince Jin needed to formally appear, the Yan Emperor didn’t specially summon him to the palace by decree.

The gates of Prince Jin’s mansion were grand, with many guards stationed before them.

When Master Zhang drove the carriage to the mansion’s gates, a line of soldiers immediately came down to surround the carriage.

Prince Jin was essentially under house arrest at the mansion, bestowed with wealth and honor but deprived of freedom, and no one within Yanjing would visit him.

Even His Majesty would grant him basic respect without ridiculing him as a captive. So, what other noble or official would dare flaunt their power?

As Lord Zheng emerged from the carriage,

The surrounding soldiers knelt in unison:

"Greetings to Lord Pingye!"

"Greetings to Lord Pingye!"

The golden armor was indeed highly recognizable.

Today, as he was entering the palace to see the emperor, Lord Zheng was still in his golden armor.

"I just came from the palace," Lord Zheng said.

Lord Zheng had become quite adept at leveraging his status; he had indeed just left the palace, though not by imperial decree to see Prince Jin’s family, but the implication was similar.

In the Jin land, Lord Zheng was accustomed to such assertiveness; in Yanjing, he hadn’t really held back either. The reason being, he was a rare talent, adept in warfare and administration, thus emboldened by favor.

Even if the Yan Emperor knew of this audacity, it wouldn’t matter. When he needed you, nothing was of consequence. But when he chose to be stringent,

you could be convicted of cursing the emperor even if you were at home bathing, burning incense, and praying daily for his long life and prosperity.

Upon hearing this, the surrounding soldiers immediately moved aside, and the leading captain ordered his subordinates,

"Open the door!"

The mansion gates were opened.

However, that captain stepped forward, kicked one of his subordinates, and yelled.

The gates were closed once more, then promptly, the main gate was opened.

The gate opened earlier was a side gate.

"Please, my lord."

Zheng Fan smiled and shook his head but still alighted the carriage, not allowing it to enter through the main gate directly.

Inside Prince Jin’s mansion, the flora thrived, and the garden was well-kept.

Several servants were alerted by the sound of the opening gate and hurried over.

"Please inform His Highness Prince Jin that an old acquaintance is visiting."

...

Lord Zheng was arranged by the mansion’s servants in the drawing-room and served with tea.

After awaiting a while,

he noticed footsteps approaching outside the hall,

yet instead of Prince Jin Yu Ciming,

it was the Empress Dowager in a red dress who entered.

Lord Zheng immediately stood and saluted:

"Greetings, Empress Dowager."

"The servants said a golden-armored general arrived at the mansion, and I guessed who it must be. Indeed, it is you, Lord Pingye."

"Empress Dowager, where is His Highness Prince Jin?"

It wasn’t fitting to have a woman hosting the guests.

"It’s quite coincidental; yesterday was the day for the ancestor worship at the Grand Temple, and the Prince must serve in seclusion for three days."

"Quite the coincidence indeed."

"......" The Empress Dowager.

Lord Zheng sat back again and asked, "How have the days been for you in the capital, Empress Dowager?"

"The days pass well enough. His Majesty has granted us ample stature and dignity."

"Hmm."

Zheng Fan nodded, surveying the surroundings. He was aware there were likely many from the Spy Bureau in this mansion, making some topics unsuitable to broach.

The atmosphere, thus, cooled naturally.

The Empress Dowager broke the silence, saying, "I must thank Lord Pingye for expelling the wild people from Jin land and saving our people from distress."

"It was my duty."

Then,

there was another awkward pause.

The Empress Dowager said:

"Lord Pingye, your visit this time... was for...?"

"Oh, I don’t have many acquaintances in the capital, and since I rarely return, I thought to visit and see a few places."

"I see. In truth, there are seldom any visitors at the mansion."

And then,

another lull.

Lord Zheng felt somewhat uncomfortable sitting there, so he stood, ready to take his leave.

The Empress Dowager, seeing this, rose as well, preparing to escort him out.

She wasn’t really supposed to receive visitors, but with Yu Ciming still in secluded service at the mansion’s temple, and visitors who could enter this mansion not being ordinary themselves, it was understandable.

"Then, I shall take my leave. I’ll send some specialties from Jin land later."

"Thank you, my lord."

"Is there anything the Empress Dowager still requires? I can send whatever is needed."

The Empress Dowager’s face flushed suddenly, and she shook her head, saying, "No need, no need, we lack nothing here."

"Very well then."

Lord Zheng left Prince Jin’s mansion and returned to the carriage.

"Tsk tsk..."

This was quite unsatisfying.

Lord Zheng felt somewhat unfulfilled.

"My lord, where to next?"

"To the mansion."

"Yes, my lord."

The carriage exited East Third Street and encountered another carriage at the street’s corner, driven by young Eunuch Zhang.

The curtain lifted, and Blindman disembarked from that carriage, boarding Zheng Fan’s.

"My lord visited Prince Jin’s mansion, did you?"

"Hmm, I went to have a look. And you?"

"I was preparing to visit my father-in-law."

"Oh, right, you still have a father-in-law in the capital."

"Would my lord like to accompany me?"

"Why not? Consider it visiting an old friend."

"By the way, my lord, how did things go at the Imperial Study today?"

Lord Zheng smiled,

and replied;

"Preparation for war."