75: Imperial City

Xu Sanyan controlled Little Gourd to search for a long time, but still couldn't find the Cui Family's inner treasury. However, he didn't care; even if he found it, there wouldn't be anything good, and he didn't need worldly gold and silver.

Then, Little Gourd clenched its fist, and the iron key turned into iron filings scattered on the ground. After that, it leaped naked over the high wall, disappearing into the darkness of the night…

The Cui Family, once so arrogant in Xiang City, was thus removed from the records.

…

The next morning, Xu Sanyan and Little Gourd set off for the capital.

The journey was thousands of miles and not short, but fortunately, the capital and Zhongzhou were in the same direction. After leaving the capital, they could go directly to the Upper Sect, so it wasn't a detour.

Xu Sanyan turned his head to look at Xiang City behind him, then turned and left. He didn't know if he would ever have the chance to return after this departure.

“Giddy up!”

The morning mist gradually obscured the figures of Xu Sanyan and Little Gourd.

Ten days later.

The two set off along the path Prince Rui had taken when he marched, and the journey was peaceful. Finally, they arrived in the capital on this evening.

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

A royal proclamation was posted at the city gate. Xu Sanyan stopped to read it. It stated that the new emperor had ascended the throne, granted a general amnesty, and reduced various taxes by more than half.

The date was three days prior. In other words, Xu Sanyan was 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 ascension ceremony a few days ago. Now, when they met again, he should be addressed as Your Majesty.

Most of the common people in the city wore smiles. They didn't care who was emperor, but the tax reduction was a real benefit, making them feel a sense of approval for this new emperor.

Xu Sanyan slowly walked through this ancient city, which carried countless stories, leading his horse. He looked left and right, finding everything very new, with Little Gourd following closely behind him.

At this moment, a surprised voice came from behind, “Are you… the Imperial Son-in-Law?”

A smile played on Xu Sanyan's lips. With Prince Rui's ascension, he too had risen in status, becoming the current Imperial Son-in-Law. How interesting.

As he pondered, he turned his head and saw a middle-aged man in a blue robe, approaching him with a wide smile.

Xu Sanyan thought back for a moment. He had seen this person in Xiang City, and he had also come to congratulate him at his wedding.

“Lord He? What a coincidence.” Xu Sanyan cupped his hands and smiled.

“Oh, Imperial Son-in-Law, why are you only just arriving? You missed His Majesty's ascension ceremony.” Lord He said regretfully.

Xu Sanyan waved his hand indifferently, “No matter. Where is the Prince?”

Lord He quickly gestured for him to be quiet, “You must not call him Prince anymore. You must call him Your Majesty.”

Xu Sanyan nodded, a momentary slip of the tongue.

“Imperial Son-in-Law, are you going to see His Majesty? Perfect, I'm going too. Let's go together.”

“Alright.”

Xu Sanyan did not refuse and followed him to the outside of the Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace had seven gates, each with its fixed purpose. For example, ministers going to court had to use Zhengyang Gate, while eunuchs and maids leaving the palace had to use the small gate on the west side of Zhengyang Gate, which was only wide enough for one person and didn't even have a name.

Outside the palace gate, the imperial guards were stationed in layers. These men had just come from the battlefield, filled with fierce Qi, and were not to be trifled with.

“Halt.” A young general in a red robe outside the palace gate reached out and stopped the two, his eyes scrutinizing Xu Sanyan and Little Gourd behind him.

Lord He, with a Face full of smiles, cupped his hands, “So it's General Zhang on duty. I have business inside the palace; please inform them.”

As he spoke, he remembered to introduce Xu Sanyan beside him, “Oh, by the way, this is the Imperial Son-in-Law. He also needs to enter the palace to meet His Majesty.”

Although these people were just gatekeepers, their official rank might not be as high as his, but their status was extraordinary. Being entrusted with guarding the palace gate meant they were His Majesty's confidants and could not be offended.

The young general in the red robe scrutinized Xu Sanyan, his eyes filled with disdain. He had not been seen fighting on the battlefield, but now that the Emperor had ascended, he had come to claim kinship. He despised such people.

Relying on a handsome Face to rise to power, wasn't this just freeloading?

It's just that he was more impressive, freeloading off the imperial family.

So he spoke arrogantly, “Lord He, please proceed. As for this so-called Imperial Son-in-Law… go in from over there.” He pointed to the small gate used by eunuchs in the distance.

The young general in the red robe was not afraid of offending Xu Sanyan, even if he was the Imperial Son-in-Law.

The Imperial Son-in-Law was arguably the most useless position. It was called an official position, but it wasn't really one, because he held no real power, and the imperial family would not allow the Imperial Son-in-Law to wield power. So, what if he offended him?

Moreover, he truly looked down on such sycophants.

Xu Sanyan's eyes showed surprise, and he said in astonishment, “You don't know me?”

He had only recently reached Foundation Establishment, so few people knew him. But even back then, he was a Heavenly Human Realm Martial Artist and married to Yang Qiyuan; logically, his fame should be widespread.

The young general in the red robe looked at him as if he were an idiot, “This general has been fighting in the army for years; do I also need to know you, the Imperial Son-in-Law? What, if I don't know you, are you going to report me to His Majesty?”

After saying that, he laughed to himself, completely unconcerned, and the soldiers behind him echoed his laughter a few times.

Lord He looked troubled at the sight. After all, Xu Sanyan had come with him, and this situation made him lose Face. So, he stepped forward and quietly advised the young general in the red robe,

“General Zhang, let it go. His Majesty has ordered a summons.”

The young general in the red robe had spent years in the army, accustomed to being unruly, and had no fondness for these civil officials. He frowned in annoyance,

“Is Lord He teaching me how to do my job? This official is ordered to guard the Imperial City, so I must be meticulous. Besides, I'm not stopping him from entering; it's just that rules cannot be broken. He has no official status, so it's perfectly normal for him to go through there.”

The young general in the red robe was determined to make Xu Sanyan look foolish, though he didn't know where such strong resentment came from.

Perhaps it was because he had fought bravely and survived countless dangers to achieve his current status, while this young man, merely by having a good Face, was about to ride above him, thus he felt indignant.

“Alas…”

Lord He didn't dare offend the young general in the red robe either, and could only give Xu Sanyan a helpless expression.

The young general in the red robe waved his hand, “Men, search them. And that strange-looking person behind you, take off that mask. Wearing a mask in broad daylight, who are you trying to scare?”

As soon as his voice fell, two soldiers stepped forward, ready to search Xu Sanyan and Little Gourd.

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

“Take one more step, and I'll pluck your heads off and stuff them up your asses.” Xu Sanyan said in a cold voice.

“Damn it, do you think I was scared as a child? Refuse to be searched, and I'll cut you down without a problem. Go!” The young general in the red robe placed his finger on the long saber at his waist and threatened fiercely.

He even hoped that Xu Sanyan would make a move, because once he did, the charge would be different. This was assaulting the Imperial Palace, a capital offense!

Even the Imperial Son-in-Law's status couldn't protect him.