The Lord Has Breathed His Last

Madam Zhou also knew an imperial envoy was coming, but he was here to deliver an edict to her husband. With the flooding brought under control, his arrival no longer caused much alarm.

As they watched, a dozen or so prefectural soldiers escorted several people laboriously toward them from the direction of the shouting. By the time they looked over, the group was only a few hundred meters away.

The officials hurried forward to welcome them.

Seeing that the ox cart where her husband was resting had also stopped in that direction, Madam Zhou hurried after them.

Only when they drew closer could they clearly see the man surrounded by the others. He was of medium build, with a pale, beardless face. His fair skin and bearing made it plain that he was not accustomed to traveling through such conditions, but with a mission to fulfill, he dared not stop even though he was exhausted and covered in mud and water. He kept trudging toward them.

Madam Zhou had seen eunuchs more than once, whether accompanying her mother to palace banquets or receiving edicts with Qi Hongxin after their marriage. She truly could recognize a eunuch on sight.

The pale, beardless man at the center of the group was presumably the imperial envoy sent to deliver the edict this time.

"Congratulations, Lord Qi! The flooding has been resolved, and the court has issued an edict for you!"

"Lord Qi, come out quickly to receive the edict! This is wonderful news!"

"Prefect Qi?"

"My lord, the imperial envoy is almost here! Wake up and come out to receive the edict!"

When Madam Zhou reached the ox cart, she saw several officials standing before it, offering congratulations to the person inside.

The eunuch delivering the edict was still all smiles despite everything