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Chapter 75 - The Imperial Capital

 

Translator: CinderTL

 

Xu Sanyan had Xiao Hulu search for a long time, but they still couldn't find the Cui Family's Royal Treasury. However, he didn't mind. Even if they found it, there wouldn't be anything valuable left, and he had no need for ordinary gold and silver.

Then, Xiao Hulu clenched his fist tightly, and the iron key crumbled into dust, scattering on the ground. Naked, he leaped over the high wall and disappeared into the night...

The once-dominant Cui Family of Xiang City was thus erased from existence.

...

The next morning, Xu Sanyan set off for the capital with Xiao Hulu.

The journey was long, spanning thousands of miles, but fortunately, the capital and Central Region were in the same direction. After leaving the capital, they could head directly to the upper sect without detouring.

Xu Sanyan turned his head to glance at Xiang City behind him before walking away. He didn't know if he would ever have the chance to return.

"Let's go!"

The morning mist gradually enveloped the figures of Xu Sanyan and Xiao Hulu.

Ten days later.

The two followed the path Prince Rui had taken during his military campaign. The journey was uneventful, and they finally arrived at the capital by evening.

Looking at the towering city before him, even more majestic than Xiang City, Xu Sanyan was filled with awe. It was hard to imagine how such a city could have been built in ancient times, and he wondered how much manpower and resources it must have cost.

At the city gate, an Imperial Edict was posted. Xu Sanyan stopped to read it. It announced the ascension of the new emperor, a general amnesty, and a reduction of taxes by more than half.

The date on the edict was three days ago, meaning Xu Sanyan had arrived too late. He had lingered in Taian City for over a month, and with the time spent on the road, more than two months had passed.

Prince Rui had already completed his coronation ceremony a few days ago. Now, when they met again, he would have to address him as "Your Majesty."

Most of the city's residents wore smiles on their faces. They didn't care who the emperor was, but the tax reduction was a tangible benefit, earning the new emperor a bit more of their approval.

Xu Sanyan led his horse leisurely through the ancient city, which carried countless stories. He looked around with curiosity, while Xiao Hulu followed closely behind.

Suddenly, a surprised voice came from behind, "Is that... the Imperial Son-in-Law?"

Xu Sanyan's lips curled into a smile. With Prince Rui's ascension, his status had also risen, and he had become the Imperial Son-in-Law. How amusing.

As he pondered this, he turned to see a middle-aged man in a blue robe approaching with a smile.

Xu Sanyan thought for a moment and recalled that he had seen this man in Xiang City. He had also attended the wedding to offer congratulations.

"Lord He? What a coincidence," Xu Sanyan greeted with a smile, cupping his hands.

"Ah, Imperial Son-in-Law, why are you so late? You missed His Majesty's coronation ceremony," Lord He said with regret.

Xu Sanyan waved his hand dismissively, "It's fine. Do you know where the Prince is?"

Lord He quickly gestured for him to lower his voice, "You mustn't call him 'Prince' anymore. It's 'His Majesty' now."

Xu Sanyan nodded, realizing his slip of the tongue.

"Are you going to see His Majesty, Imperial Son-in-Law? I'm heading there as well. Shall we go together?"

"Sure."

Xu Sanyan didn't refuse and followed him to the palace gates.

The palace had seven gates, each with its specific purpose. For example, ministers entering for court used the Zhengyang Gate, while palace eunuchs and maids exiting used a small gate to the west of Zhengyang Gate, which was only wide enough for one person and didn't even have a name.

TL/N: Zhengyang Gate is a real historical gate in Beijing, often referred to as the Front Gate or Gate of the Zenith Sun in English.

Outside the palace gates, layers of imperial guards stood watch. These men had just returned from the battlefield, exuding a fierce aura that made them intimidating.

"Halt!" A young officer in a red robe stopped the two, his eyes scrutinizing Xu Sanyan and the Xiao Hulu behind him.

Lord He, with a beaming smile, cupped his hands and said, "So it's General Zhang on duty. I have some business in the palace. Could you kindly announce my arrival?"

As he spoke, he suddenly remembered to introduce Xu Sanyan beside him, "Oh, right, this is the Imperial Son-in-law, who also needs to enter the palace to see His Majesty."

These gatekeepers, though seemingly just low-ranking soldiers, held an unusual status. Being entrusted with guarding the palace gates, they were undoubtedly the Emperor's confidants and not to be trifled with.

The red-robed young general scrutinized Xu Sanyan with a look of disdain. He had never seen Xu on the battlefield, and now that the Emperor had ascended the throne, Xu had come to claim kinship. He despised such people the most.

Relying on a handsome face to rise to prominence—wasn't that just living off others?

Except that Xu was more impressive, living off the royal family.

With a haughty expression, he said, "Lord He, please proceed. As for this so-called Imperial Son-in-law... he can enter through that gate over there." He pointed to a small gate used by eunuchs in the distance.

The red-robed general wasn't afraid of offending Xu Sanyan, even if he was the Imperial Son-in-law.

The position of Imperial Son-in-law was practically the most useless. It was called an official position, but it wasn't really one, as it held no real power. The royal family would never allow the Imperial Son-in-law to wield authority, so offending him wouldn't matter much.

Moreover, he genuinely looked down on such opportunists.

Xu Sanyan, with a look of surprise, asked, "You don't know me?"

He had only recently reached the Foundation Establishment stage, so few people knew about him. But even before that, he had been a Celestial Realm Warrior and had married Yang Qiyuan. Logically, his fame should have been widespread.

The red-robed general looked at him as if he were an idiot, "This general has been fighting in the army for years. Should I know you, the Imperial Son-in-law? What, if I don't recognize you, are you going to complain to the Emperor?"

With that, he burst into laughter, clearly unbothered, and the soldiers behind him chuckled along.

Seeing this, Lord He looked troubled. After all, Xu Sanyan had come with him, and this situation was making him lose face. He stepped forward and whispered to the red-robed general,

"General Zhang, let it go. His Majesty has summoned him."

The red-robed general, accustomed to his unruly ways from years in the army and harboring no fondness for civil officials, frowned in annoyance,

"Lord He, are you telling me how to do my job? This official is tasked with guarding the Imperial Capital and must be thorough. Besides, I'm not stopping him from entering; it's just that the rules must be followed. He has no official status, so it's only natural for him to enter through that gate."

The red-robed general was determined to humiliate Xu Sanyan, though it was unclear where such resentment came from.

Perhaps it was because he had fought bravely on the battlefield, risking his life to achieve his current position, while this guy had risen to prominence simply by having a handsome face, which made him feel indignant.

"Sigh..."

Lord He didn't dare to offend the red-robed general and could only give Xu Sanyan a helpless look.

The red-robed general waved his hand, "Men, search them. And that oddly dressed person behind you, take off the mask. Who are you trying to scare in broad daylight?"

As soon as he finished speaking, two soldiers stepped forward to search Xu Sanyan and Xiao Hulu.

Xu Sanyan's eyes turned cold. Did they really think he was a lamb to be trampled upon?

"Take one more step, and I'll rip your heads off and shove them up your asses," Xu Sanyan said in a chilling voice.

"Damn it, do you think I'm scared of you? If you refuse to be searched, I can chop you down without a second thought. Let's go!" The red-robed general placed his hand on the long sword at his waist, threatening fiercely.

He even hoped Xu Sanyan would make a move, because once he did, the charge would be completely different—this would be an assault on the imperial palace, a capital offense!

Not even his status as the emperor's son-in-law could protect him.

(End of the Chapter)

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