Chapter 690: Distinguished Guest
Looking at the prime minister, Jin Yu ordered, "Release Feng Xiyan and treat him as an honored guest. Tonight, he will sit below Zhen. Let’s see if Zhen can subdue this favored child of Heaven."
As his words echoed in the Hall of Benevolence, the ministers and others knelt on the cold floor and said in unison, "Your Majesty is wise."
Standing up from the dragon throne, Jin Yu flicked his sleeve and calmly walked toward the side corridor.
Seeing this, the chief eunuch announced, "The imperial court is adjourned!"
Below, the ministers and generals said in unison, "Respectfully sending off the Emperor. Long live the Emperor for tens of thousands of years!"
Leaving the Hall of Benevolence, Jin Yu walked toward the imperial study, with the chief eunuch and a group of imperial guards following closely behind.
On the way, Jin Yu suddenly paused in his tracks.
Seeing him thoughtfully staring at the sky, the chief eunuch took a step forward and asked, "Your Majesty, do you need something?"
Jin Yu did not answer for a long time, only staring at the bright sky.
After a long moment of silence, he finally asked, "Xiao Luzi, how long has it been since the last rainfall?"
The chief eunuch calculated on his fingers for a moment, then replied, "Replying to Your Majesty, it has been over three years since the last rain fell here."
At his answer, Jin Yu frowned slightly.
Noticing the subtle change in his expression, the chief eunuch asked, "Is there something wrong with the sky, Your Majesty?"
Jin Yu glanced at him but said nothing.
Under Jin Yu’s cold gaze, the chief eunuch’s back was already soaked with cold sweat.
Just as he was thinking about kneeling and begging for mercy, Jin Yu finally continued walking.
Seeing this, the chief eunuch was confused but grateful that he could keep his small life. Taking out a handkerchief, he quickly wiped the sweat from his face and neck, then hurried after Jin Yu.
Meanwhile, outside the Hall of Benevolence, a young eunuch approached Wu Ruizhan and the others.
Stopping a few steps before Wu Ruizhan, the young eunuch clasped his hands, bowed slightly, and respectfully said, "Great General Wu, His Majesty has decreed that Great General Feng be released and be treated as a distinguished guest. His Majesty also invites Great General Feng to attend tonight’s imperial banquet."
Hearing this, Wu Ruizhan frowned slightly, then responded, "This general accepts the order."
After he said that, one of the elite soldiers of the Feng Army guarding the iron cage took out a key and unlocked it. Opening the door, he clasped his fists and said, "Great General, please come out."
Feng Xiyan nodded to the elite soldier, then lowered his head and whispered, "Yun’er, you go out first."
"Alright," Bai Hanyun replied softly.
Letting go of her, Feng Xiyan waited a few seconds before standing up and walking out of the iron cage.
When the young eunuch saw Feng Xiyan, he was surprised by how clean and tidy his appearance was. Glancing at Wu Ruizhan, he couldn’t help but think, ’Great General Wu really treats the war prisoner like a guest.’
Although confused, the young eunuch did not show it on his face. Smiling politely at Feng Xiyan, he said, "Great General Feng, we have prepared accommodations for you. Please come with this servant."
The moment his words fell, Wu Ruizhan raised his hand and interrupted him. "No need. Great General Feng will stay at this general’s mansion."
Aside from the imperial palace, the Great General’s mansion was the safest place in the Jin Empire. Thinking that Feng Xiyan would not be able to escape with Wu Ruizhan watching him, the young eunuch agreed.
"Very well. This servant still needs to report back to His Majesty. This servant will take my leave first."
"Alright."
After the young eunuch left, Wu Ruizhan gestured to Feng Xiyan and said, "Great General, please."
Feng Xiyan nodded, then followed Wu Ruizhan out of the imperial palace. On their way to the main entrance, no one spoke.
Forty minutes later, they finally exited the imperial palace through the side gate.
Waiting outside, a young eunuch saw them coming and bowed. Lowering his head, he respectfully said, "Great General Wu, this is the carriage prepared for Great General Feng."
Wu Ruizhan and the generals had been riding their warhorses when they entered the city earlier, so they did not need a carriage.
"Thank His Majesty on my behalf," Wu Ruizhan responded.
"Yes, Great General Wu. This servant will take his leave first," the young eunuch replied before returning to report to Jin Yu.
Wu Ruizhan then turned to Feng Xiyan and said, "Great General, please."
Stepping onto the stepping stool, Feng Xiyan opened the carriage door. Instead of getting inside, he looked at the group in silence.
Confused by his behavior, Wu Ruizhan was about to speak. However, before he could say anything, he noticed a faint footprint had suddenly appeared on the stepping stool.
Based on its size, it was clearly a woman’s footprint.
Raising his eyes to look at Feng Xiyan, realization flashed across Wu Ruizhan’s eyes. ’Could it be that Miss Bai is also here?’
While he was thinking, Feng Xiyan heard Bai Hanyun whisper softly, "Let’s go."
Knowing that she had already boarded the carriage, he stepped inside and closed the door.
At the sound of it, Wu Ruizhan came back to his senses. Taking the reins from the imperial guard, he mounted his warhorse.
After everyone was seated on their war horses, Wu Ruizhan ordered, "Return to the Great General’s mansion."
With that, the group left the imperial palace and made their way back.
Standing on top of the palace wall, Jin Yu looked down at their retreating figures. As he fell into deep thoughts, he subconsciously rubbed the jade thumb ring on his left hand.
After Wu Ruizhan and the others disappeared from his sight, he calmly ordered, "Go and keep an eye on Wu Ruizhan."
As his emotionless voice echoed through the silent surroundings, a cold male voice responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Staring into the horizon, Jin Yu’s eyes slowly turned cold. As a gust of wind fluttered his dragon robe, time seemed to pass slowly.