The hour of the Snake.
Jiang Ning lay beneath the shade of a large tree, his eyes half closed as he savored the gentle breeze blowing in from the lake.
Tap, tap, tap-
Hurried footsteps drew closer from afar.
Jiang Ning lifted his gaze slightly and saw a figure in green appear in his courtyard.
"Young master!" Lü Yi called softly when she met his gaze.
"What is it?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Young master, someone from the imperial palace is here!" Lü Yi said.
The next instant.
She saw Jiang Ning vanish from the reclining chair beneath the tree, then appear before her.
"Let's go!" A gleam lit Jiang Ning's eyes.
He knew that the rewards granted to him at today's court assembly had arrived.
With these resources, he would have what he needed to advance further.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, he was already moving.
Seeing this, Lü Yi hurried after him, jogging to keep up.
A short while later.
After passing through the central courtyard, the covered walkway, and the front courtyard, he saw a row of horse-drawn carts laden with chests outside his residence.
"Greetings, Luo River King!" A valiant young commander in gleaming silver armor strode forward upon seeing Jiang Ning and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" The Minister of Rites, who had accompanied the convoy, also bowed to Jiang Ning with his hands clasped, his manner respectful.
"Paying respects to the Luo River King!"
"Paying respects to the Luo River!"
"Paying respects to the Luo River King!"
"6
The imperial guards escorting the convoy dropped to one knee to salute Jiang Ning.
"You are all too courteous! There is no need for such ceremony," Jiang Ning said.
His gaze, however, had already settled on the iron chests stacked on the carts.
Noticing his gaze,