Though this imperial envoy had received his orders in the Imperial City before heading south, he too came from a great aristocratic lineage and had met several of these present-day Grand Confucians before. The moment he saw them, he was startled.
If these men stepped out on an ordinary day, even the head of the lineage behind him would have to receive them with the utmost courtesy. How could he possibly dare neglect them?
"Gentlemen..." As the thought crossed his mind, he hurried forward and cupped his hands in salute. Then he looked toward the posthouse gates, just in time to see Qiu Yan striding briskly out.
"Hm?" Xu Shi of Ritual Reverence Academy looked over at the sound. Upon seeing the imperial envoy, his expression shifted slightly as he recognized him. "You are a descendant of the Liu Household's second son, aren't you? I saw you before at Old Master Liu's eightieth birthday celebration."
The imperial envoy hurriedly replied, "Mr. Xu is correct. I am Liu Yun, of the Liu Household. This time, three others and I received an imperial decree to summon Academician Qiu back to the capital for an audience with His Majesty."
Xu Shi nodded. "So that is how it is. Still, I may have to make you wait. We came to visit Qiu Yan this time because there are some matters we must clarify with him, and it will take some time."
A troubled look appeared on the imperial envoy Liu Yun's face. But as Junior Chen, Zhou Dongyi, Han Yi, Pang Chu, and the others turned their gazes upon him, immense pressure immediately weighed down on him, nearly making him unable to hold himself steady. How could he dare say another word of refusal? He could only nod helplessly. If they delayed too long,