Shortly after, Dujuan also boarded the carriage. She sat beside Lord Jingnan, and they dealt with memorandums together.
No one disturbed Zheng Fan, which was rather fortunate. He didn’t persist in kneeling foolishly but instead leaned casually against the carriage wall, half-closing his eyes and beginning to doze off. Googlᴇ search 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽
However, as the journey progressed, dozing off increasingly became a great luxury.
From time to time, knights would approach the carriage. Dujuan would then pass them the finished memorandums or accept newly delivered ones.
This carriage was essentially a mobile office.
Since Dujuan didn’t require his assistance, Zheng Fan took no initiative. He simply continued to lean against the carriage wall, acting as his own "door god."
Once night fell, the procession began to set up camp, choosing not to stop near a city to rest.
To Zheng Fan’s surprise, he was not only allowed to hitch a ride but was also afforded the privilege of dining with them.
The meal was quite satisfactory. It seemed Lord Jingnan was not exclusively a fan of sweet potato dishes; there were two stir-fried dishes and one stew.
Three sets of bowls and chopsticks were set out for Lord Jingnan, Dujuan, and Zheng Fan.
Dining with important figures was considered a "reward." Ancient emperors, for example, liked to bestow the "privilege of dining" to show favor. Similarly, in later eras, simply being able to dine at the same table was, in itself, a blessing for those of lower status.
After the meal, the procession continued its journey without stopping to rest.
Lord Jingnan lit a candle inside the carriage. Instead of working, he began reading a book.
Zheng Fan was not sure about the exact content of the book. This world also possessed a variety of philosophies and cultures, including Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. However, it seemed that at some point in the past, this world had undergone changes that made its historical trajectory unfamiliar to him.
Dujuan served tea beside Lord Jingnan and brought over some dried fruit and preserves.
Lord Jingnan put down his book and said to Zheng Fan, "Eat."
"My Lord," Zheng Fan replied, "this humble servant is not fond of these."
This wasn’t false modesty or politeness. Even in his previous life, Zheng Fan had been one of the few young men who didn’t particularly enjoy such fruit platters.
Lord Jingnan said nothing more. He continued reading, holding the book in his left hand, while his right hand occasionally picked up a few pieces of dried fruit and chewed them slowly.
Zheng Fan found himself thinking that if he ever achieved prominence, he would have Xue Three build him a carriage just . He would sit inside reading, with Siniang as his beautiful companion, adding fragrance and grace to his scholarly pursuits, while a few underlings trembled in fear below.
"If you feel tired, sleep here," Lord Jingnan said. "You are wounded and shouldn’t stay up late."
Hmm? Sleep in the carriage?
Since putting on the special armor of the personal guard, Zheng Fan hadn’t yet reported to the other personal guards. He had been kept in the carriage the whole time, treated almost like an accompanying eunuch.
Well, when in Rome, do as the Romans do, he figured.
"Thank you, My Lord, for your consideration."
Zheng Fan no longer stood on ceremony. He lay down sideways in the carriage, trying to take up as little space as possible.
He closed his eyes and began counting sheep.
This routine continued for several more days. Apart from brief stops for rest and refreshment in the morning, noon, and evening, the procession was constantly on the move, day and night.
The knights each had two horses, taking turns riding them and even sleeping on horseback.
Honestly, Zheng Fan had only ever witnessed such endurance among his own barbarian soldiers. So, regardless of any claims that Lord Jingnan’s army lacked the tempering of real battles, they were undoubtedly elite troops.
Early the next morning, the procession reached Tiantai County, a county town on the outskirts of the capital. From Tiantai County, continuing north would bring the capital into view.
The procession lingered here for some time, allowing everyone to freshen up. It was a common custom for any contingent to stop and tidy themselves up before entering the capital.
Zheng Fan also took a bath. He was truly glad now that he had bathed at the Lord’s mansion in Nanwang City before they set out. Otherwise, being unable to bathe for the past few days would have been even more unbearable for him.
Refreshed after his bath, Zheng Fan stood by the carriage, waiting for the procession to resume its journey.
He then saw Lord Jingnan, wearing gilded armor and riding a ferocious Pi Beast, slowly approaching.
Lord Jingnan raised the whip in his hand, pointed it at Zheng Fan, and asked, "Can you ride a horse?"
"My Lord, no problem."
Although the days spent in the carriage had been dull and boring, his body had recovered a good deal of its strength.
Zheng Fan mounted a horse and followed behind Lord Jingnan. The procession set off once more. The knights of Lord Jingnan’s army also roused themselves, each displaying their finest spirit and bearing.
From the moment the capital’s city walls became distantly visible until they finally arrived at the city gate, they were met and escorted by seven different groups of riders along the way. Meanwhile, at the South Gate of the capital, the Minister of Rites, representing the Emperor, led court officials to welcome Lord Jingnan into the city.
Banners fluttered, imperial guards stood in formation, and a sea of onlookers crowded the periphery.
For a hundred years, the Earl of North Border and Lord Jingnan had been the two great supporting pillars of Yan, holding an irreplaceable influence in the hearts of Yan’s people.
Although the lineage of the Earl of North Border had always firmly surpassed Lord Jingnan’s in terms of influence, real power, and even heritage, the current Lord Jingnan was the Queen’s own younger brother and the reigning Emperor’s little uncle, making his status truly beyond measure.
And Zheng Fan, following behind Lord Jingnan, witnessed firsthand what true arrogance was, and what it truly meant to be a high-born noble.
According to protocol, the Minister of Rites was to step forward and take the reins of Lord Jingnan’s mount, but he was so frightened by the Pi Beast’s snorting breath that he dared not approach.
Lord Jingnan burst into loud laughter, showing the Minister of Rites no deference whatsoever. With a wave of his hand, he signaled his Jingnan army to enter the city with him.
Clearly, many rituals were yet to be completed, but Lord Jingnan chose not to cooperate.