[*]
Gao Zheqi merely offered a faint smile, and the official fell silent.
*
*
「Upper Monarch Hall.」
A servant added some incense and was about to withdraw. From behind the beaded curtain, the languidly reclining master chuckled. "What is it? Has that old codger Gao Zheqi arrived?"
The servant, slightly startled, quickly lowered his gaze. "A messenger just arrived. Mr. Gao is already on his way to the Imperial Palace."
"I'm tired. If he arrives, just have him wait." His tone was careless, tinged with amusement.
The servant swiftly acknowledged the order and withdrew.
*
*
The wind picked up. The Dayong Dynasty's domain was vast, growing more arid and desolate the farther west one traveled.
Huge ravines crisscrossed the land like scars from a whip lashed by the heavens. As their carriages and horses traversed the pitted, uneven ground, sudden squalls of yellow sand would whip up, forcing everyone to shut their eyes.
