After returning to the capital, Zhao Yun and Luo Cheng led their night scouts back to their military camp.
Mu Zian's first task was naturally to go to the palace to report to Xiao Yu.
At this moment, the imperial palace in the capital was already filled with red lanterns, and everywhere was filled with a festive atmosphere.
Officials of the Dali Dynasty had a seven-day holiday every year during the Spring Festival, which was a relatively quiet time for the palace.
Walking along the palace road and looking around, the entire palace was bathed in white snow, like an ancient painting, which made Mu Zian feel a little dazed for a moment.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Eunuch Cao whispered to Xiao Yu, who was painting.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhenguo has arrived."
Xiao Yu put down his brush and spoke.
"Announce."
As Eunuch Cao's high-pitched, drawn-out voice faded away.
Wearing a cloak, Mu Zi'an slowly entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu nodded, and then spoke.
"Someone, please have a seat."
As soon as he finished speaking, a young eunuch brought over a stool.
Mu Zian handed over a memorial summarizing the work in Liangzhou, and then sat down without any ceremony.
Seeing that Mu Zian was still acting like a spoiled brat, Xiao Yu felt a sense of relief for some reason.
"Was the journey arduous?"
Mu Zian smiled upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty, I have been suffering from back pain and discomfort throughout the journey."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu pretended to be angry and said...
"Hmph! You're just too lazy! In my opinion, I should have sent you out to gain some experience long ago, so you wouldn't have caused so much trouble in the capital all these years."
The relationship between the two was not like that of a ruler and his subject, but more like that of a father and son, after all, Mu Zian was someone Xiao Yu had watched grow up.
Mu Zhanying was away leading troops for most of the year, so Xiao Yu had much more contact with Mu Zi'an than Mu Zhanying did.
That's why Xiao Yu was able to tolerate Mu Zi'an's repeated antics.
Suddenly, Xiao Yu spoke earnestly to Mu Zi'an.
"You performed well in this battle and did not disgrace your father. I am very satisfied."
"But you should also know that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind. There are quite a few people watching you, both inside and outside the court."
Mu Zian's playful expression immediately vanished.
"Your Majesty understands."
Seeing this, Xiao Yu was very satisfied, and then continued to speak.
"I have already instructed the Imperial Observatory to find an auspicious date for your marriage to Xiao Jiu."
"After the Spring Festival, once you and Xiao Jiu get married, don't go back to Liangzhou. Take a good rest and spend more time with Xiao Jiu."
Mu Zian was slightly startled upon hearing this.
As expected, Xiao Yu still made a move against him. As expected of a cunning old fox, he easily took back his power with just a few words.
If we hadn't made preparations while in Liangzhou, we would probably have been caught off guard by Xiao Yu.
Although that's what he thought in his heart, Mu Zian still pretended to be relaxed and said it.
"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu was very satisfied with Mu Zi'an's reaction.
Xiao Yu was not the kind of person who would discard someone after they had served their purpose.
However, Mu Zian is currently too powerful and too young. Looking around the world, where can one find a regional governor who is only twenty years old?
A cold wind howled outside the hall, and the atmosphere inside the hall turned slightly chilly.
After a long while, Xiao Yu suddenly spoke.
"Let's have a separate New Year's feast this year, and bring Xiao Jiu to the palace together."
Upon hearing this, Mu Zian was slightly shocked.
The so-called "New Year's Eve feast" refers to the New Year's Eve dinner.
As we all know, the New Year's Eve dinner is a family feast.
Now that Xiao Yu has personally invited Mu Zi'an to a family banquet, it's clear that he considers Mu Zi'an as family, which is an immense favor.
Mu Zian stood up and bowed.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yu nodded and then waved his hand.
"You must be tired from your journey, go and rest first."
"Your humble servant takes his leave."
After Mu Zian's figure disappeared, a trace of worry flashed in Xiao Yu's eyes.
After all, the more outstanding Mu Zi'an is, the more afraid some people will be.
Xiao Yu stepped forward, picked up the memorial presented by Mu Zi'an, and began to read it.
After leaving the palace, Mu Zian hurried to the Imperial City Guard.
In the last battle to defend the capital, the Imperial City Guard suffered heavy losses.
Even Li Jiuxuan was seriously injured.
Today, being a day off, my two old friends had a rare get-together at home.
Mu Zian didn't hesitate and immediately handed the list that Mi Linglong had given him to Li Jiuxuan.
Li Jiuxuan took the list and glanced at it from top to bottom, then his brows suddenly furrowed.
"Brother Mu, where did you get this list?"
Although Li Jiuxuan did not recognize most of the names on the list.
However, Li Jiuxuan vaguely recognized two or three of the names; they were the remnants of the former Chu state that Dali had been investigating for nearly twenty years.
And if the names of these two or three people are put together, then the identities of the others become obvious.
Mu Zian remained calm upon hearing this, and simply said indifferently.
"Given to me by a friend."
Li Jiuxuan placed the list on the table, staring at Mu Zian with a somewhat cold gaze.
"These people are all remnants of the former Chu state. Aren't you afraid of getting burned?"
Mu Zian drank the peach blossom wine in his cup in one gulp, then slowly got up and walked towards the door.
As he approached the door, he paused and spoke.
"Remember to come to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and let me know once you find the person."
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