The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Chapter 1059 - 586: Xu Jingtang Executed by Commander Zhao at the Foot of Zhengyang Mountain

Early the next morning, Zhao Douan, along with Yu Xiu and Jin Jian, rode on two giant celestial cranes of the Old Heavenly Master, leaving Zhengyang Mountain and heading back to the Huai River.

The celestial cranes were of an unknown breed, even more extraordinary than unicorn horses. With the Old Heavenly Master’s magic enhancing them, by midday, Zhao Douan, riding on the crane’s back, peered through the clouds below and could clearly discern Jingchuan City’s county town.

The cranes swooped down and landed in the countryside.

"We’ll part ways here. You’ll continue on your journey, and I must return to the Capital," Zhang Yan Yi said, seated on the other celestial crane, with a dozing Jin Jian beside him.

Zhao Douan and Yu Xiu were on one crane. Hearing this, they jumped down from the crane’s back, and Jin Jian, still bleary-eyed and drowsy, followed suit, landing on the ground with effort.

"Heavenly Master, take care. We’ll see you again in the Capital," Zhao Douan smiled and cupped his hands.

Once the three watched Zhang Yan Yi depart on the crane until he disappeared into the sky, Zhao Douan remarked with a peculiar expression:

"The celestial cranes may be fast even when carrying people, but in a day’s journey, it seems they can barely make it from the Capital to Yongjia..."

He suspected that the last time, the message-carrying crane might have been carried by Old Zhang himself...

Shaking his head, he laughed, seeing the confused gaze of the two women: "Let’s go. We should head back and check things out."

The three then headed straight towards the city gate.

From afar, they could see that the flags on the city tower had already been changed. Court soldiers guarded the city gate. Zhao Douan walked straight over, took out his token, and loudly questioned:

"Are Yuan Feng and Zhao Shixiong in the city? Quickly inform them that I, the governor, am waiting at the Huai’an Prince Mansion."

With that, he led the two priests into the city. Only then did the gate guards, recovering from their shock, exchange bewildered looks, all wearing expressions of astonishment.

The governor had returned... Without hesitation, soldiers immediately sprinted off to deliver the news.

The return of the long-absent Grand Governor was news enough to stir the entire Jingchuan City.

...

Inside the city, Zhao Douan and his companions strolled down the street. Compared to the last time when they launched a night raid and it was quiet, the county was much livelier in the daylight.

Though a cloud of post-war unease still hung in the air, the overall order was stable, and the shops operated as usual.

"Aren’t we going to the county government?" Yu Xiu curiously asked.

Zhao Douan shook his head and tucked the Fengyue Treasure Mirror into his chest pocket: "Let’s go to the Royal Mansion first."

Upon entering Jingchuan City’s area, he used the Fengyue Treasure Mirror to check the locations of Ji Yue and Lang Shiba, discovering they were both inside the Huai Royal Mansion.

While in the Capital, he had learned from military intelligence that Lang Shiba had successfully passed on his instructions that day but was also seriously injured.

Compared to the bustling streets, the neighborhood around the Huai’an Prince Mansion was tense and foreboding.

From afar, they could see that every gate of the Royal Mansion was heavily guarded, and the entire mansion was sealed off by the elites of the Capital Camp, preventing anyone from entering or leaving.

"Who goes there?! This is a restricted area. Do not approach!"

The soldiers at the main gate saw the trio coming from a distance and immediately drew their swords and shouted.

Clearly, not all the soldiers recognized Commander Zhao.

Zhao Douan, not wanting to waste words, casually tossed a token forward and said blandly: "Call the officer stationed here to come to see me."

Moments later, the tightly shut gates of the Royal Mansion swung open. A mid-level officer from the Five Army Camp appeared, holding the Grand Governor’s token like a hot potato. As soon as he stepped out, his eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and joy, bending ninety degrees:

"This humble officer welcomes the Grand Governor back. I apologize for not greeting you from afar; please forgive my negligence!"

Grand Governor?

The other soldiers were shocked by these words and immediately knelt on one knee.

Jin Jian watched enviously, whispering, "This guy is really impressive."

Yu Xiu huffed, somewhat disdainful of this worldly display as a female Taoist from beyond.

Zhao Douan retrieved his badge with a smile and asked a few questions. That officer, extremely excited, quickly described the city’s situation from the past few days.

It turned out that after the court’s army conquered Jingchuan City that night, it was a great victory. However, the information Lang Shiba brought back left Yuan Feng, Zhao Shixiong, and others extremely anxious. Though they were worried sick, they could only follow Zhao Douan’s orders to consolidate the situation calmly. Nonetheless, the upper leadership was increasingly concerned about Zhao Douan’s whereabouts and safety.

Moreover, the incident at Hundred Generations Manor that night was too loud to conceal, and despite Yuan Feng and others’ best efforts to seal off the information, the news of Zhao Douan’s disappearance couldn’t be contained.

Everyone understood that if something happened to Zhao Douan, no matter how successful the capture of Jingchuan City was, it couldn’t compensate for this loss.

So, seeing Zhao Douan return safely, the officer was this excited.

"Alright, I’m going into the Royal Mansion first. Wait outside," Zhao Douan instructed and led the two priests into the mansion.

They hadn’t walked far before three familiar figures appeared, hurrying over from the sounds they had heard.

It was none other than Foodie Prince Xu An, Commandery Princess Xu Junling, and Princely Heir Xu Qian.

Though only gone a few days, Prince Huaian visibly looked older, the elegant and amiable Commandery Princess couldn’t hide the fatigue between her brows, and only the carefree Princely Heir remained energetic.

At the sight of Zhao Douan, they froze momentarily, seemingly unable to believe their eyes.

"Prince, Commandery Princess, what’s this? Just a few days and you no longer recognize me?" Zhao Douan smiled.

"Zhao... you’re back?!" Prince Huaian exclaimed with joy and surprise. At this moment, this imperial fence-sitter nearly cried with happiness, stumbling over to grab Zhao Douan’s hand, his enthusiasm almost overwhelming.

Prince Huaian felt bitter inside.

He had clearly made an agreement with Zhao Douan that night to align with the court. The deed was done, but Zhao Douan vanished afterward.

Though Ji Yue and Lang Shiba were around, their statements weren’t evidence enough.