[*]
Gao Zheqi merely shot him 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, a lazy, reclining voice chuckled humorlessly. "What is it? Has that old bastard Gao Zheqi arrived?"
The servant, slightly startled, quickly lowered his gaze. "A messenger just reported that Mr. Gao is already on his way to the Imperial Palace."
"I am tired. If he arrives, just have him wait." The voice was careless, tinged with amusement.
The servant swiftly complied and retreated.
*
*
The wind picked up again.
The Dayong Dynasty's territory was vast, growing more arid and desolate the farther west one traveled.
The landscape was crisscrossed with massive gullies, like scars from a celestial whip lashing the earth. Carriages and horses struggled over the uneven, pitted ground. Occasionally, gusts of yellow sand would swirl up, forcing people to squeeze their eyes shut.
