Fu Shen heard his trembling tone, as if he was about to die, couldn’t help curling his mouth and sighed, “Thank you for your concern, Commander Zhong. It’s just a leg injury, not fatal. Ah, Zhong Shan, quickly find a handkerchief to wipe Commander Zhong’s tears.”
Fu Shen’s entourage, though traveling light, quickly spread news of their arrival in the capital. At this hour, no one would visit, so the old servant saw off Xiao Chun and others before closing the main gate, leaving only a side door open. Unexpectedly, not long after Fu Shen had fallen asleep, urgent and forceful knocking suddenly erupted outside the Jingning Marquis’s residence.
The gatekeeper did not dare to be negligent and hurried to report. The residence’s only capable old servant, dragging his somewhat inconvenient legs, rushed over. The moment he saw the group of black-clad men riding tall horses and wearing waist-hung sabers, he was stunned and trembling: “May I ask who… who you are?”
From the crowd, a tall, slender man rode forward, stopping precisely in the light outside the eaves’ shadow. In an instant, the deep blue robe’s cloud patterns flowed like water, and the silver-embroidered celestial horse on the back of his outer garment seemed about to take flight. Moonlight and lamplight illuminated an elegant face with smiling eyes and thin lips.
“
“Old sir, please do not be afraid,” he courteously nodded, his pale and thin hand holding the reins. “I am Yan Xiaohan, Chief Inspector of the Flying Dragon Guard, here by His Majesty’s decree to visit the Jingning Marquis and bring a renowned physician to treat his injuries. Kindly inform him.”
The old servant had served in the Yinguo Duke’s residence for decades, and the name “Yan Xiaohan” was familiar. His heart immediately sank, and he stammered: “This… my master has traveled far and is injured, and has just gone to sleep. Distinguished officials, what do you say…”
The Flying Dragon Guard was known for their unbridled behavior, and no one dared to obstruct them. Yan Xiaohan looked down at the wrinkled old man, his smile undiminished, and said playfully: “Old sir, it seems you are very afraid of me seeing your master?”
He had guessed correctly.
