Ma Shunde mulled it over and was about to speak again with a half-smile when he heard hoofbeats approaching. Had someone caught up with them? Who was it?
The sudden hoofbeats coming up from behind gave both men inside the carriage a fright!
At a time like this, the slightest rustle of wind through grass would put them on guard. Liu Zhan in particular frowned slightly, a vague unease stirring within him.
Do not let your thoughts run wild. Liu Zhan had cultivated deep composure and immediately settled his heart.
Ma Shunde, by contrast, showed a trace of anticipation and excitement amid his tension and promptly ordered the carriage to stop.
"Eunuch Ma!" Just then, the rider catching up from behind reached the carriage.
They were still on the imperial road, where galloping a horse was no trivial matter. Ma Shunde knew full well that anyone riding headlong down this road alone must have urgent business and a token authorizing him!
Sure enough, when he lifted the curtain and leaned out, he saw a familiar face!
A Hundred-Household Officer surnamed Jiang!
The man was not one of Ma Shunde's confidants, but he had always numbered among the capable men in the Imperial City Office. Nor had he ever shown outward obedience while secretly defying Ma Shunde, so Ma Shunde often entrusted him with relatively important tasks.
Seeing him gallop up alone, Ma Shunde realized there must be important intelligence. Otherwise, why would a Hundred-Household Officer be so anxious that he came to deliver the message himself?
"Director, please take a look!" As soon as the ox cart stopped, Hundred-Household Officer Jiang swung down from his horse, took the intelligence report from inside his robe, and presented it with both hands.
Ma Shunde accepted it, unfolded it, and immediately paled!
He