Beyond Longyou, All Roads Lead to Chang'an

Just as he racked his brains for an excuse to leave,

someone suddenly gave his sleeve a sharp tug.

"Senior Brother!"

Ji Shuyu, who had stood obediently behind him all this time, now had shining eyes.

"We rushed the whole way here. My legs are practically rubbed raw..."

You Wujiang hesitated. "But... Junior Sister, official business comes first..."

While he struggled to decide,

Jiang Yuechu spoke up as well. "General Wei has a point."

Though she was cool by nature and disliked mundane affairs,

she still understood how to conduct herself.

Never mind that she had tricked this honest man the last time she returned to the capital.

This time alone,

he had traveled thousands of miles to this godforsaken place and brought her imperial brother's verbal decree.

To send him packing without even offering him a meal

would hardly be proper.

"Well..."

You Wujiang frowned.

If he insisted on leaving, his junior sister would make a fuss, and he would offend the Great Tang's eldest princess.

Worse, he would make himself look petty and ignorant of basic courtesy.

"So be it."

You Wujiang let out a long sigh.

He patted the back of his junior sister's hand, signaling her to let go.

Then he cupped his hands in salute, his voice resigned.

"Since I can hardly refuse such generous hospitality, then..."

"Sorry for the trouble."

Night fell.

The flower hall in the rear courtyard of the military headquarters was brightly lit.

Wei He had called it a modest meal with a little wine,

but an old hand like him would never fob off honored guests from the capital with plain food.

He had already ordered the kitchen to slaughter two fat sheep, then sent someone to Fortune Tower in the city

for a full spread of its finest