The Jing Kingdom officials were not displeased by the Qing Lord's words. After all, Fang Yun had put him through quite an ordeal, so it was only natural for him to disparage Jing Kingdom.
"Since the Qing Lord has praised us, this old man can rest easy. Please, everyone." Jiang Hechuan smiled.
The many Qing Kingdom officials and Qing Officials from Xiang Prefecture froze. Something was wrong with Jiang Hechuan's response. By rights, Jiang Hechuan should first admit their shortcomings, the Qing Lord should reply with a needle hidden in silk, Jiang Hechuan should apologize again, and then the Qing Lord should express his understanding. That was how such an exchange normally went. Yet Jiang Hechuan seemed to have heard only the words "you have already done very well," pretending that everything before them had never reached his ears.
In other words, Jiang Hechuan sounded less as though he were apologizing and more as though he were saying, "Seeing that you are unhappy, Qing Lord, puts my mind at ease."
Still, Jiang Hechuan was, after all, that magnanimous Great Scholar. Though merciless toward Demon Barbarians, he always stopped short when dealing with the Human Race, whatever the circumstances. The Qing Kingdom contingent could hardly say anything.
The Qing Lord caught the meaning behind Jiang Hechuan's words. With a cold snort, he prepared to lead the officials behind him up onto the city wall.
But a Metropolitan Graduate general extended his hand, stopping the Qing Lord and the Gu Lord. "Your Majesties, please wait. Space atop Yueyang Tower is limited, so only a few people may be seated there. Each of you may bring only one maid, one eunuch, one guard, and one attendant. Each of the other Great Scholars may bring only one person up."
The Qing Lord glanced up