They didn’t travel on horseback. Liang Cheng drove the carriage, with Siniang and Zheng Fan seated inside, while Fanli and A Ming sat outside with Liang Cheng.
The scene resembled that in "My Fair Princess" where Qianlong took the princesses on a trip.
The winter landscape was desolate. Although scholars and poets fancied the idea of a world "wrapped in silver," most common people deeply loathed the winter.
Perhaps due to the bumpy ride or from being exposed to the cold wind when they set out, Zheng Fan began to cough.
Siniang immediately helped Zheng Fan by patting his back. Using boiling water from a small charcoal stove in the carriage, she also brewed something like an instant medicinal drink. The ingredients included honeysuckle, wild chrysanthemum, and a few other traditional medicinal herbs, which had a heat-clearing and detoxifying effect.
Zheng Fan held the cup with both hands, warming them against its surface, and took small sips.
At this moment, he felt like an old man in his seventies or eighties, clutching a cup of tea on a winter afternoon while watching his fellow seniors play chess in the neighborhood.
It wasn’t that Zheng Fan was inherently weak. After such a severe injury, recovering one’s vitality wasn’t something that could be done in just ten days or half a month. Besides, he had only been awake for two days.
They arrived at Nanwang City, where the city guards conducted a routine inspection. These weren’t the original Nanwang City garrison, but rather the Jingnan Army.
Lord Jingnan had led his troops into the city on the day assassins appeared at the General’s funeral, and he hadn’t left since.
"Inside is Lord Zheng, Commander of Green Willow Fortress, summoned to meet the Lord," Liang Cheng stated directly.
The city guards immediately waived the inspection and signaled for the carriage to enter.
After entering the city, the carriage naturally slowed down.
A Ming asked curiously, "They’re not inspecting anymore?"
"Didn’t you see those two sitting at the table behind the city guards?" Liang Cheng said. "After we stated our identities, they were flipping through ledgers, probably cross-referencing records. Even details like whom the Lord is summoning into the city for an audience today are passed down to the city guards for verification. What you might have seen was the fawning of these city guards, letting us pass directly upon hearing My lord’s identity and the Lord’s summons. But what I see is a discipline upheld throughout this army, from the Lord down to the lowest-ranking soldiers."
A Ming wanted to roll his eyes at Liang Cheng but decided against it. Liang Cheng was clearly looking for a chance to wax lyrical after seeing that, and who else but A Ming himself had served up the perfect opportunity?
Before long, they reached their destination. A Ming lifted the curtain flap and helped Zheng Fan alight from the carriage.
"Then we’ll head to the General Mansion," Liang Cheng said.
A Ming accompanied Zheng Fan to meet Lord Jingnan. Of course, A Ming would most likely have to wait by the gatekeeper’s station; only Zheng Fan would be allowed inside. But no matter what, after My lord went in, someone definitely had to remain outside waiting.
Fanli, that simpleton, wasn’t suitable. Siniang was a woman, and Liang Cheng was an excellent driver. So, A Ming was chosen to accompany Zheng Fan.
Lord Jingnan hadn’t occupied the General Mansion. Instead, he was residing in a house owned by the Tian Family in Nanwang City.
The entrance to the residence was heavily guarded, with elite armored soldiers standing watch everywhere.
After Zheng Fan handed over his identification token, he waited for a short while. Then, a captain emerged from inside, clasped his hands in salute to Zheng Fan, and said, "Lord Zheng, please come with me."
Zheng Fan nodded to A Ming, then followed the captain inside.
As they passed through the rear garden, Zheng Fan saw a group of armored generals and officers walking out. As their paths crossed, these military men were clearly scrutinizing him.
Since the leading captain didn’t stop to make introductions, Zheng Fan didn’t make any presumptuous gestures of saluting them.
Truth be told, Zheng Fan’s official duties as Commander were quite leisurely. Blind Bei handled most matters, so Zheng Fan didn’t need to concern himself with the complexities of social etiquette and networking.
"Lord, Chief Zheng has arrived."
The captain clasped his hands towards Zheng Fan and said, "Lord Zheng, please enter. This subordinate will take his leave first."
Zheng Fan also clasped his hands briefly in return.
Then, he ascended the steps and entered.
Upon entering, Zheng Fan found Lord Jingnan seated behind a round mahogany table, bowl and chopsticks in hand, eating. Latest content publıshed on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲·𝗻𝗲𝘁
On the table were three stir-fried dishes and one large centerpiece dish.
Lord Jingnan gestured with his chopsticks to the opposite side of the table. "If you haven’t eaten, sit down and join me."
Zheng Fan didn’t stand on ceremony. The carriage ride had been slow, and it was already almost noon when they arrived.
After he sat down, a woman dressed in black approached and handed Zheng Fan a bowl filled with rice and a pair of chopsticks.
Who else could it be but Dujuan?
Dujuan was dressed very simply in homely attire, looking no different from one of the Lord’s chamber women.
Of course, even if she were his own sister-in-law, it wouldn’t be appropriate to stare, let alone at one of the Lord’s women.
"Thank you, Sister Dujuan."
"Oh, Lord, did you hear that? Our Lord Zheng certainly has a silver tongue," Dujuan joked.
The Lord put a mouthful of rice into his mouth. Chewing, he said, "That’s the mouth of Zhang the fraud."
... Zheng Fan was momentarily speechless.
The Lord pointed to the large basin of food with his chopsticks and said, "Try this. Grand Commandant Yang from Qian State sent it over."
Zheng Fan nodded and, not standing on ceremony, used his chopsticks to pick out a dark-colored piece from the basin, placed it in his bowl, and then ate it.
"Is it good?" the Lord asked.
"It’s sour with a sweet aftertaste, a profound and rich flavor."
"Hmm." The Lord reached his chopsticks into the basin, picked out a piece of tender white fish meat, and said at the same time, "What you just picked out was pickled greens."