Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot

Chapter 803: Chapter 660: The Princess Consort Arrives

As the sunset tilted westward, the Capital City was enveloped in the last dazzling glow of twilight, like a gigantic beast being soothed, slowly closing its giant eyes.

Shangguan Ling led the Jinyi Guard, waiting here since before noon.

Yet, half a day had passed, and not a single person was seen.

Accompanying him in wait was the Minister of Rites, escorted by the Imperial Guard.

The Minister of Rites, unlike those practiced in martial arts, unfortunately succumbed to heatstroke after being exposed to the scorching sun for over half an hour.

The leader of the Imperial Guard, Han Ci, ordered someone to assist him into a carriage.

Unexpectedly, the inside of the carriage was like a steamer, unable to relieve the heat.

With no other option, Han Ci could only let him go to the nearest inn in the city for a short rest.

The two generals sat astride tall, spirited horses.

The subordinates of the Jinyi Guard and the Imperial Guard stood ready; large beads of sweat formed small puddles on the ground, yet no one complained, nor did anyone move an inch.

Shangguan Ling grew somewhat impatient: "What’s wrong with the Loulan people? Are they deliberately trying to give us a hard time? Do they really think so highly of themselves?"

Han Ci replied without much expression: "Back when the Loulan people submitted to the Great Zhou, willingly taking the status of a vassal state, it was merely a tactical decision made with Prime Minister Xun, if it were not for Prime Minister Xun’s tragic defeat and death, Loulan might have already rebelled in the Western Regions."

Shangguan Ling touched his chin: "So it seems, old thief Xun actually did a good thing."

Han Ci did not deny this.

Even if it was feigned compliance, it was at least declared to the world.

If waging war again in the future, the Great Zhou would be a righteous army, following the heavenly way, obeying the will of the people.

Shangguan Ling gloated: "Would you say this is a case of one wrong step, leading to every further step going astray, ending in full-blown failure?"

Han Ci said: "First get the people here, then we’ll talk."

Shangguan Ling dismissively: "So young, what’s the point of being so cautious? You should learn from Zhang Feihu, be arrogant when it’s called for!"

Zhang Feihu...

Since parting from the Capital City, it had been too long since hearing that name.

The blood-drenched battles on the border and fighting side by side were vivid memories, the hot blood boiled in the heart, making Han Ci’s cold soul burn hot.

He wasn’t naturally cautious and cold, he had just been suppressing his nature all along.

After suppressing for so long, he truly started to believe that was his true self.

But in fact, he held endless aspirations in his heart, burning hot blood, and an unwilling soul...

Seeing Han Ci didn’t respond, Shangguan Ling thought he had spoken too harshly, so he patted his shoulder: "Only a joke, don’t take it seriously, one like Zhang Feihu is enough, you’re doing just fine."

Sigh, no.

He’s a dignified Commander of the Imperial Guard, skilled at using his sharp words and martial arts, when did he learn to comfort people?

This fondling skill seemed familiar...

As darkness fully descended, the Capital City, this mighty beast, fell into a deep sleep, lurking silently in the abyss of heaven and earth.

Finally, the Loulan Envoy arrived.

The grand procession stretched endlessly.

Under the gestures from Shangguan Ling and Han Ci, the Jinyi Guard and Imperial Guard, who had stood unmoving under the scorching sun for an entire day, lined up majestically, changing formations, even the sounds of armor friction were neat and unified.

The resounding universe, the clamor of metal and horses, formidable and murderous!

A display of strength.

If you Loulan people can give it, we, Great Zhou, can give it even more!

Shangguan Ling raised his chin, like a proud leopard, staring fearlessly at the wolves provoking him.

Han Ci, too, was not to be outdone, his cold and fierce general’s heart, long dyed and ossified by the battlefield blood.

When Loulan’s procession was five zhang away from the city gate, the leading general raised his hand, and the procession stopped smoothly, evidently well-trained too.

General against general.

In an instant, both sides were tense, ready to draw swords.

No one broke the deadlock, as if trying to oppress the other with a powerful aura.

Until the Minister of Rites, supporting his official hat, hurriedly arrived, representing the Emperor and courtiers, to demonstrate the mighty national prestige.

"Welcome Loulan Queen—Welcome Loulan Envoy—"

Shangguan Ling made a gesture identical to Lu Yuan’s raised eyebrow and waved to direct the Jinyi Guard to retreat to the right.

Han Ci then led the Imperial Guard to retreat to the left.

The Loulan Envoy’s procession slowly entered the city.

As the leading general passed in front of Shangguan Ling and Han Ci, he paused for a moment, giving each of them a look.

Shangguan Ling curled his lips into a smile: "Welcome."

The general withdrew his gaze indifferently and moved on without acknowledging anyone.

Shangguan Ling was disdainful: "Humph."

There were several carriages in the Loulan envoy’s procession, indistinguishable from the outside, more precisely, completely identical.

At a glance, it was impossible to determine which carriage the Loulan Queen was in.

A person exuding aura is not terrible; the most frightening is the ability to control and project that aura at will.

After the Loulan envoy had gone far, Shangguan Ling clicked his tongue and said: "Worthy of the Loulan Queen."

"The first one."

Han Ci said.

Shangguan Ling instinctively asked: "What first one?"

Han Ci gazed at the gradually disappearing procession in the twilight: "The Loulan Queen’s carriage."

Shangguan Ling was dumbfounded: "No, brother... even this was spotted by you? You... have a keen eye! How come I never noticed you had this skill before? You shouldn’t be in the Imperial Guard; you should be in the Jinyi Guard!"

"The wind lifted the curtain."

Han Ci said.

Shangguan Ling: "..."

"That person earlier."

Han Ci spoke.

Shangguan Ling looked at the silhouette that could no longer be seen and snorted: "Mo Yi of the Wusu Tribe, Loulan Queen’s confidant, now holds a high position in Loulan, personally promoted by the Loulan Queen."

Han Ci paused: "Mo Yi? The Mo Family’s young master, who killed his father to avenge his mother?"

Shangguan Ling nodded: "That’s right, it’s him. This caused a great uproar in Wusu, everyone clamored for his execution, but it was the Loulan Queen who saved him, took him away from Wusu, and kept him by her side. Since then, he’s been dedicated to serving the Loulan Queen."

Han Ci was skilled in leading troops into battle, but when it came to gathering intelligence, the Commander of the Jinyi Guard was naturally superior.

"He is a ruthless person."

Han Ci said.

Shangguan Ling laughed: "You are wrong. He is more than ruthless; he is a werewolf. The rebellious acts he committed are too many to list, patricide is just the least significant of them."

Han Ci pondered for a moment, looking towards the direction where the Loulan envoy had left, and said: "Such a person would never devote himself entirely to the Loulan Queen solely because of one life-saving grace. What kind of woman could make him submit?"

Shangguan Ling didn’t expect Han Ci’s perspective to be so precise and keen.

He looked at Han Ci with new eyes.

He said: "To be honest, when I investigated her past, she was unremarkable."

Han Ci replied: "That’s what makes her most terrifying. Clearly, she did nothing, yet she’s hailed as a legend in the Western Regions."

After a pause, he fixed his gaze and said, "She can erase her past."

Shangguan Ling took a deep breath.

The Loulan Queen... foiled the Jinyi Guard’s investigation!

For the first time, the Jinyi Guard failed!