The two embraced quietly, the setting sun streaming in and casting long, long shadows of them...
Looking at the shadows huddled together on the ground, Yan Xuehen was momentarily dazed, wondering what she was thinking.
Just as she was about to muster her strength to push him away, Zuan suddenly lowered his head and gently kissed her on the lips.
Yan Xuehen's eyes widened suddenly, whether from embarrassment or anger, a blush rose visibly from her neck.
Just before she was about to explode, Zu'an released her, waving with a smile: "With Sister Yan's loving kiss, this trip will definitely go smoothly."
After saying that, he didn't give the other party a chance to make a move and disappeared into the distance in a flash.
Watching his hasty retreat, Yan Xuehen couldn't help but chuckle on her usually icy face: "What a scoundrel!"
Meanwhile, Zu'an was in high spirits after what had just happened, and he traveled as fast as the wind on his wheels.
After traveling for several days, they finally encountered the emperor's entourage near a small town.
The emperor's trip to perform the Fengshan ceremony was a grand affair, with a procession stretching for dozens of miles and numbering at least tens of thousands of people.
Zaun didn't show himself rashly. He spotted a few familiar figures among the forwards and quietly went to them while they were setting up camp.
The Qin brothers, Qin Guangyuan with his thick eyebrows and big eyes, and Qin Yongde with his delicate features, seemed to be in charge of forward guard duties in the army. Even the eldest daughter of the Murong family was there. She was dressed in military uniform, and with her wheat-colored skin, she was truly heroic and valiant.
The group was discussing military strategy with great enthusiasm when they were startled to see Zu'an arrive.
However, after a long separation, especially since everyone was related by blood, they quickly became happy to see each other again. Murong Qinghe, in particular, was especially happy to see Chu Youzhao, perhaps because of his affection for Chu Youzhao. The only regret was that Chu Youzhao did not come with them this time.
Zu An naturally understood the reason. After all, Chu Youzhao was a woman disguised as a man. She could keep up the act in the capital with the Qin family's protection, but if she were to be on long military campaigns, it would be difficult to hide her true identity as a woman.
After a conversation, Zu'an learned from them how large the imperial procession was for this Fengshan ceremony.
Apart from the Empress needing to recuperate, almost all the other top figures in the capital accompanied her, and they were all old acquaintances.
King Zhao Jing of Qi accompanied him, but his heir Zhao Zhi did not, presumably out of fear of being captured along with his family.
Pei Ming, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, is, in a sense, Da Manman's great-uncle.
Bi Qi, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Crown Princess's father, and her brother Bi Zi'ang also accompanied her;
The Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was originally Yu Xuanchong, but unfortunately, due to the changes in Yu Nan and the Yu family in Yunzhong, he was dismissed from his post and did not come this time.
Shang didn't come; he stayed in the capital to handle government affairs. Zu An secretly lamented that he had originally wanted to meet with Sang Hong to ask about Sang Qian's recent situation. He wondered how Sang Qian was doing now that she was pregnant.
The Imperial Supervisor Meng Yi and the Grand Secretary Lian Yu both came;
Pei Zheng, the Chamberlain of the Secretariat, was Da Manman's grandfather;
Attendant-in-Ordinary Dongfang Bai, Zu An recalled Zhang Jie's mention of the previous dynasty's affairs; his wife was a princess from the previous dynasty. Among the Nine Ministers, Grand Master of Ceremonies Murong Tong, Minister of Justice Jiang Boyang, and Minister of the Imperial Clan Zhen Xueyi arrived.
The duties of the Guanglu Xun included protecting the emperor's safety, so it was only natural for him to come here.
Unfortunately, Jiang Luofu did not come along.
When Zu An heard Zhen Xueyi's words, he also thought of Zhang Jie's words. Both of them had deep ties with the previous dynasty, but their treatment in this dynasty was vastly different from that of Dongfang Bai.
However, when his affair with Bi Linglong landed him in jail, Zhen Xueyi secretly helped him out, so he still owes him that favor.
When the emperor travels, safety is of course the top priority. Prince Zhao Yi of Liang served as the general of the rear army, leading the elite troops of the central army from the six major camps of the capital.
However, the captains of the six major camps did not accompany the army, but instead led another group to stay behind in the capital. Prince Zhao Zhi, the heir apparent of the Qi Kingdom, was one of the captains of the Yi Army.
In addition, General Liu Guang and General Liu Yao, along with their respective guards, accompanied them.
Whether it's Zhao Yi or Liu Yao, Zu An had dealt with them before in Mingyue City. Although he thought their cultivation was very high at the time, it seems that they are just so-so now. With their resources, their current cultivation level can be described as extremely mediocre.
Compared to the Six Great Camps, the Second Guard had a more complete high-ranking force. The Left Guard General, Lü He, was the brother of the eunuch Lü who served the Empress. The Right Guard General, Guo Zhi, was someone he had often dealt with when they were in the palace. The Tiger-like Guerrilla General, Zhao Yuan, was from a remote branch of the royal family and also had the title of Prince of Guangling.
In addition, there are the Tiger Warriors, Feathered Forest Guards, Upper Cavalry, and Extraordinary Forces. Speaking of which, Zuan himself is still a General of the Feathered Forest Guards, so he should be one of them.
Sensing that almost all the important figures in the capital had come out, Zu An couldn't help but wonder, "With all these important figures from the court out here, aren't you afraid that something might happen in the capital?"
Qin Guangyuan explained, "So the mid-level officials in charge of specific government affairs in various departments are still in the capital. In addition, the Crown Princess is shrewd and capable, and there are many talented people in the Eastern Palace. There shouldn't be any major problems in assisting the Crown Prince in overseeing the country and handling government affairs."
“That’s not what I’m worried about,” Zu’an said, naturally aware of Bi Linglong’s abilities. “It’s that all of the court’s top combat forces have left the capital. What if a demonic sect or rebel army stirs up trouble in the capital?”
Murong Qinghe laughed and said, "Brother Zu, you don't know this, but there are the Eight Elders in the capital. Those old antiques usually stay in their mansions in seclusion to cultivate. If something really happens, they certainly won't stand idly by."
Qin Yongde also explained, "The Eighth Master is highly respected, and everyone here has the cultivation of a Grandmaster. Who would dare to cause trouble in the capital? However, strictly speaking, there is only the Seventh Master now, and this is related to my ancestor."
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