Chapter 561: Outskirts of the Capital

The emperor deeply favored Li Guanwen. In court, even officials of the inner council showed him respect. He was sometimes sent to complete tasks on the emperor’s behalf, such as questioning Ji Zeyu right now.

Everyone under the heavens knew this. Even the uncouth boors of the Valiant Tigers knew that the supervising official by the emperor’s side should not be offended. However, they’d immediately hauled him off without the slightest shred of protest or hesitation when Ji Zeyu gave the word.

Li Guanwen had no doubt that if Ji Zeyu had casually ordered him to be executed on the spot just now, his head would’ve separated from his neck in the next moment!

Valiant Tigers obedience to Ji Zeyu had reached a stage in which they didn’t even think before following his orders. They didn’t even care if their actions could lead to a charge of high treason, only that Ji Zeyu had given his orders. Wasn’t this a clear representation of the control that the prince consort held over this portion of the army?

Ji Zeyu used these actions to bluntly answer Li Guanwen’s previous question.

Some things were best believed when seen. Not everyone would believe that the prince consort now grasped complete control over the Valiant Tigers, but Li Guanwen was forced to be a believer now.

Li Guanwen wiped the sweat from his forehead, cutting a sorry figure as he scrambled up from the ground and pasted a wide grin on his face.

“Prince Consort Ji is indeed a hero to sort out the Valiant Tigers in such a short amount of time and with such thoroughness. His Majesty will be very happy to hear of this.”

Ji Zeyu nodded indifferently, “Anything else?”

Li Guanwen choked. The prince consort was known for treating others in an aloof manner, but the eunuch had just mentioned the emperor! Shouldn’t ordinary people make some sort of modest remark, exchange pleasantries, then thank His Majesty for his trust and patronage?

Why did it feel like Prince Consort Ji was showing him the door?

“In response to Prince Consort Ji, this servant has nothing left to address. Rest assured, I won’t say anything untoward when I report back to His Majesty. His Majesty will only know that you have taken control of the Valiant Tigers. He is certain to be so pleased that he will lavish you with praise.” Li Guanwen’s smile was so wide that it creased two deep rows of wrinkles by his eyes.

Ji Zeyu’s face was stony from start to finish; he nodded without a single flicker of emotion. “I won’t see you out.”

Li Guanwen hastily bowed and walked outside, finally feeling alive again after breathing in fresh air.

But fortunately, he had good news. His Majesty would be highly pleased to learn that Prince Consort Ji held complete control over the Valiant Tigers. They no longer had to worry about the Valiant Tigers betraying the throne to support the Faithful Prince of the First Rank.

Li Guanwen quickly departed to make his report to the emperor.

Back inside the tent, Ji Zeyu returned to contemplating the map. His slender, powerful fingers tapped a border station, Skyzone Pass, before sliding down to Skywolf Pass, then to Skyaxis and Skygate Pass. The route passed through countless towns, slowly making its way to the capital.

Pang Xiao was on his way back, he had found Qin Yining. However, the emperor had already prepared a large net and was just waiting for them to rush in.

The emperor has even given me the Valiant Tigers with complete peace of mind in order to deal with Pang Xiao. His Majesty truly wants to completely eliminate Pang Xiao this time.

Ji Zeyu narrowed his eyes, tapping somewhere on the map with his fingertips. Only after a long while did he awake from his trance with a sigh. It’s better to not return this time. What are you doing, hastily coming back here with your wife?

The happy couple naturally couldn’t hear Ji Zeyu’s thoughts. However, the pace of their travels was indeed hampered by Qin Yining’s severe morning sickness.

“My dear, are you feeling better?” Pang Xiao fed Qin Yining a piece of dried plum and coaxed it down her throat, “I hear this can help alleviate nausea, try some.”

They were lying together in a soft, cozy carriage. In order to reduce the bumpiness that caused her to vomit, Pang Xiao had ordered the vehicle’s wheels to be bound with a layer of thick cotton. That really did lessen the jolting and noisy din, but the decline in speed was unavoidable. Just looking at the carriage now made Yi Binghu’s stomach churn with anger.

“I’m fine, it’s already a lot better.” Qin Yining scrunched her brows up as she leaned on Pang Xiao’s chest, a few tears still hanging on her lashes from when she’d thrown up earlier. She closed her eyes, weakly giving all of her weight to Pang Xiao.

The prince lowered his head and looked tenderly at her pale face. He used his sleeve to wipe her tears away.

“We’ll arrive at the capital soon. I don’t feel comfortable with your body like this. I’ll send for an imperial physician to give you a proper examination as soon as we arrive.”

Qin Yining found it funny. “We’re being escorted into the capital as criminals, how would they let you call for an imperial physician? If we really do request one upon our arrival, His Majesty would probably die of apoplexy.”

Although her tone was very relaxed, her voice was weak and hoarse.