I Am Truly Not a Treacherous Minister Your Majesty - Chapter 82
Chapter 81: The Grand Marshal Does Not See Guests
The moment Wei Xing stepped into the borders of Daxia, he felt that long-lost familiar feeling.
Every pavilion and building here made him feel at ease. Although he was greatly favored in the Weixi Empire as an exchange talent, it was still not as reassuring as returning to his own country.
The carriage was traveling on the newly paved official road, and ahead was the border checkpoint. The guards stopped him and asked for the relevant documents.
Wei Xing handed over his documents and showed them the badge symbolizing his position in the Xia Kingdom.
The soldiers carefully examined the words on the badge and immediately stood at attention:
“Captain, we apologize for not welcoming you from afar.”
“Haha, you soldiers guarding the border checkpoint, it would be a big problem if you came out specifically to welcome me,” Wei Xing laughed heartily and then asked, “How is it? I haven’t been back for three years. Is everything okay in the country? After the emperor ascended the throne, I only submitted a congratulatory letter and haven’t been able to meet the emperor in person. How is the emperor?”
“Captain, we are just soldiers, we don’t know much about the affairs in Tai’an City. However, recently my family’s life has improved. I heard that the emperor reduced the taxes in my area and got rid of a few corrupt officials who were evading taxes. My family even gained a few more acres of land.”
“Really? That’s great. Now life is guaranteed, right?”
Hearing this answer, Wei Xing continued to ask with satisfaction.
“If the year is normal, there is no problem with food and clothing,” the soldier said happily. “But, it’s inevitable that there will be bad years, which might be a bit difficult. However, it seems that the emperor won’t really let us starve. During the great disaster in Hexi County, many places sent grain to Hexi County.”
“Well, if the year is bad, there’s nothing we can do. After all, farming depends on the weather.” Wei Xing nodded and then put away his documents and badge. “Alright, you guys carry on, I’ll be on my way.”
“Captain, you just returned from abroad, won’t you stay for a meal? The county magistrate would be very happy to host you.” The soldiers hurriedly asked.
For their county, being located at the border, they often encountered dignitaries from home and abroad. The county magistrate would personally come to greet many famous people, let alone the captain.
“Forget it, I’m in a hurry to report back to the emperor and the grand marshal, so I won’t stay for a meal. Please send my regards to your lord.”
…………………………
Daxia, Zongzheng Mansion.
Xia Sigou hurriedly rushed into the Zongzheng Mansion. He looked around but did not see the person acting as the Zongzheng.
In the vast Zongzheng Mansion, there were only some servants and ordinary officials of the Zongzheng Mansion.
“Where is the grand marshal? Where is he?”
Xia Sigou asked.
The anxious look on the old man’s face made most of the officials in the mansion serious. Their superior rarely appeared so flustered.
“Lord Zongzheng, the grand marshal just left not long ago. He said he was going to the prison to visit Prince Rongsheng.”
“What about the documents he wrote about the affairs of the Zongzheng Mansion recently?”
“Well… Lord Zongzheng, the documents written by the grand marshal are somewhat inconvenient for us to…”
The officials looked embarrassed.
It wasn’t that they didn’t follow their superior’s orders, but Qin Ji, although acting as the Zongzheng, his main position was still the grand marshal of the empire. Anything related to him might involve some imperial military secrets. Who would dare to casually look at his documents?
“I’ll go find him!”
Xia Sigou turned around and prepared to leave.
In fact, Xia Sigou originally did not want to stop Xia Yuxiao and Qin Ji.
He knew that for the Great Xia, the Fifth Prince must die. Whether he died during the pursuit or was executed, there was no way out for the Fifth Prince. From the moment he started rebelling, he had no other path to take.
However, Xia Sigou still wanted to try his best.
He had seen the internal strife of the royal family, the kind of fratricidal events, and he really did not want the younger generation to experience it again. When the late emperor ascended to the throne, it was at the cost of many princes and princesses’ lives. He had to try to stop it. The Fifth Prince was not really bad; he just walked into a dead end. If he could explain the situation to His Majesty…
Before that, he had to first probe Qin Ji’s attitude. Although Xia Sigou did not understand the specific details of the current situation, at least Qin Ji played a very important role in it. If he wanted to change His Majesty’s mind, the best way was to persuade Qin Ji. After all, His Majesty would still consider Qin Ji’s words.
He hurried all the way to the dungeon.
However, the embarrassing part came; he couldn’t get into the dungeon himself.
This was very normal. Nowadays, the existence of the Fifth Prince was already very sensitive. Xia Yuxiao did not want anyone to communicate with the Fifth Prince. Only someone of Qin Ji’s status could possibly see the Fifth Prince. As the head of the clan, Xia Sigou did not have the qualification to freely enter and exit the dungeon.
There was no way; he could only let the guard inform Qin Ji inside, hoping to see Qin Ji.
However, soon, the guard came out of the dungeon and brought him a message:
“Lord Clan Head, I’m really sorry. The Grand Marshal asked me to tell you that he knows what you want to say, but it’s too late now. What should happen will not stop because of your plea.”
Xia Sigou was stunned for a while.
He looked at the sunlight outside and sighed deeply.
“Tell the Grand Marshal that I will wait for him at the Clan Head’s residence. If his visit is over, I hope he can meet me.”
“No need, Lord Clan Head.”
At this moment, a cold voice came from behind Xia Sigou.
Xia Sigou turned around and saw Ling Yan’s calm eyes.
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At this time, Ling Yan was wearing a slim black robe embroidered with gold threads, outlining her perfect body contour. The exquisitely decorated bronze sword at her waist was now sheathed in a delicate sandalwood scabbard.
Although this outfit was very in line with the etiquette and indeed very pleasing to the eye, at the moment he saw her, Xia Sigou instinctively took a step back.
The remnants of the Demon Sect appearing here indeed gave him a little “surprise.”
However, Ling Yan had obviously adapted to such reactions. She just glanced at him disdainfully and then continued:
“Lord Clan Head, my young master has instructed that no other guests will be received today, so please go back. Even if you see him, the young master will not discuss matters with you.”