Hektonmar.
The messenger skimmed down the corridor on tiptoe like a dragonfly touching water, making no sound at all.
Yet as he approached the study door, his speed gradually slowed.
"What do you have to report?"
Xin'er had already stepped in front of him and asked softly.
The messenger bowed and presented a bamboo slip containing the battle report with both hands.
"The latest report from the West Coast battlefield. The Grand Commandant ordered this subordinate to deliver it to the Emperor."
Xin'er accepted the report without opening it, then waved her hand. "Withdraw for now. The Emperor is in seclusion and cannot meet anyone."
"Yes."
The messenger did not ask why and simply turned to leave.
Xin'er could now be said to be the steward of the Imperial Study. Matters great and small all passed through her hands.
Although Yue Shen and the others occasionally helped, there was simply too much to do for them to handle it all.
Moreover, the Imperial Study dealt with mountains of government affairs every day, and most of them required someone to step forward and resolve them.
Yue Shen and the others had sensitive identities, so such public-facing matters naturally had to be entrusted to someone reliable.
Xin'er had stood out as the outstanding woman for the role.
After all, the position occasionally required visits to the inner palace, and it would hardly be appropriate to send a man.
What was more, Xiao Tianyang's mind was now entirely focused on court affairs, and he no longer had the passion he once did.
Otherwise, how could Bibi Dong and the others possibly have taken the initiative to deliver such a tempting prize right to Xiao Tianyang's lips?
Back to the point.
It was also true that Xiao Tianyang was in seclusion.
Therefore, handing the