The Handover

Fang Yue was a little surprised. Tian Rui Chi was surprisingly easygoing.

"Yes, yes, Lord Tian is peerless in the sword arts. A mere Tail is nothing worth mentioning!" Dou Hongyi seized the chance to heap on the flattery.

Jing Yan and Lin Ling saw this and said nothing more.

Fang Yue, however, asked, "Brother Tian, may I ask why His Majesty summoned me to the capital?"

"His Majesty's intentions cannot be guessed at."

At that, Tian Rui Chi immediately got into character and put on that same pompous, world-weary air, as if it were a reflex.

Fang Yue looked puzzled but didn't press him further.

He had been planning to go to Shangjing anyway. Now, with the Sacred Edict, he had an extra layer of protection.

"Brother Ye, if there's nothing else, you'd better start getting ready. We'll set off tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?"

Fang Yue paused. "Isn't that a little rushed?"

"The Sacred Edict says to report to the Imperial Palace starting today. We can't delay."

"..."

Fang Yue said nothing, merely nodding in agreement.

Jing Yan winked at Fang Yue and sent him a message.

"Brother Ye, this guy works for the Seventh Prince. Other than delivering the Sacred Edict, did he ask you anything else?"

"He's with the Seventh Prince?"

Fang Yue searched his memory for anything he'd heard about the Seventh Prince, but it was practically a blank. After asking around, he got a rough idea of what the Seventh Prince was like—or rather, what people said he was like.

As for what Tian Rui Chi had asked him, Fang Yue told Jing Yan everything, without leaving anything out.

"Brother Ye, from what you've said, Tian Rui Chi seems pretty interested in you."

"I don't know. Let's wait and see."

Dou Hongyi spoke up. "Your Excellency, if