Lin Qi arrived at the Huali family estate in Yu Lian's carriage, just in time to see a group of guards escorting a four-wheeled carriage out through the gates. Yu Lian hurriedly jumped down and stood beside the carriage, bowing to it.
The window of the four-wheeled carriage opened, and a middle-aged man smiled and nodded at Yu Lian before calling out softly, "To the Ministry of Affairs!"
Lin Qi glanced at the dignified, imposing middle-aged man. The Ministry of Affairs? Then this must be Tixiang's father—Florent Huali, the current President of the Imperial Ministry of Affairs, responsible for issuing all administrative orders of the Empire and managing its daily governmental affairs.
He was a true figure of towering rank and immense power. Having once served as the Empire's Deputy Chancellor, coupled with his experience overseeing the Ministry of Affairs as a whole, once Huali formally retired, Florent Huali would very likely become the next Chancellor of the Gallic Empire.
Lin Qi stepped out of the carriage, stood beside Yu Lian, and smiled as he nodded in greeting toward the four-wheeled carriage.
Florent looked at Lin Qi through the window, a restrained smile appearing on his face. Then the coachman cracked his whip, and the six purebred horses drawing the carriage quickened their pace, swiftly carrying it toward Victory Palace. The guards in black cloaks and rune armor also urged their horses onward, following close beside the carriage without daring to slacken in the slightest.
Yu Lian called to Lin Qi, and the two could not be bothered to get back into the carriage. Instead, they walked into the ancient, understated estate.
A middle-aged man in servant's livery was already waiting by the gates. He bowed to Lin Qi and Yu Lian, then turned without a word and led them