"Look, it's the Imperial Grandson's royal carriage!"
Su Ziji rode an ox cart toward the Imperial Palace.
The Imperial Grandson's carriage was a Golden Carriage, vermilion-bodied and gold-trimmed, drawn by four oxen. Six mounted guards rode on either side, carrying bows, arrows, and cross-hilted sabers, while another twelve guards surrounded it. Even this was already the most stripped-down arrangement.
The Crown Grandson's Residence was not far from the Imperial Palace. The Capital City was accustomed to seeing nobles, so upon seeing the carriage, the people did not panic. They merely stirred and moved aside, with some pointing and commenting.
In the blink of an eye, I'm no longer a newcomer. Su Ziji thought to himself, almost amused. In truth, the Imperial Grandson's carriage could have been attended by more than a hundred people. But while Su Ziji did not decline the rank and protocol due to him, he still followed his old ways when it came to pomp and display, adding nothing extra.
Why? This was keeping a low profile. But if he did not even ride in the Golden Carriage, it would be like an official refusing to wear official robes—not humility, but willingly debasing oneself.
Upon arriving at the palace gates and stepping down from the Golden Carriage, he saw a eunuch waiting with several young eunuchs. It was neither Eunuch Zhao nor Eunuch Ma, but a senior eunuch he had only glimpsed once from afar: Chen Xu, Eunuch Chen.
Eunuch Chen was somewhat younger, just over thirty. Neither fat nor thin, he had a pleasant, amiable face that naturally inspired goodwill.
The moment he saw Su Ziji descend from the ox cart, he hurried forward to bow, smiling as he flattered him. "Greetings, Your Highness the Imperial Grandson. This servant heard magpies chirping earlier and thought that