It was no different from hurling a thousand-pound boulder into a placid lake.
Many princes and ministers were dumbstruck.
For a moment, they even wondered whether something was wrong with their ears.
Someone had actually escaped the Skeleton Desert?
The Skeleton Desert was a forbidden zone!
Since ancient times, there had never been so much as a rumor of anyone escaping!
Ning Yuanzhou was the first!
Yet not everyone learned of this news immediately.
Wang Yong, Minister of Personnel, reclined on a cushioned couch, a translucent grape pinched between his fingertips, listening to Su Xiaoxiao, the celebrated courtesan of the Moonlit Mountain House nestled in his arms, sing a newly composed tune.
Sandalwood incense curled through the air, her song flowing sweetly. There could be no greater bliss on earth.
"Lord Wang, listen to this line, 'Sleeping to the rain aboard a painted pleasure boat.' I learned it especially for you."
Su Xiaoxiao's breath was fragrant as orchids, and her fingertips were just about to settle on Wang Yong's wrist.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, startling the parrot beneath the veranda into flapping its wings and squawking.
"Lord Wang! Something's happened!"
The voice belonged to Zhao Chengfeng, Minister of War. Deng Shigao, the diplomatic envoy, followed behind him.
Their official robes were still coated with dust, clearly showing that they had rushed over from the palace.
Wang Yong looked displeased and was about to speak.
But Zhao Chengfeng had already charged up to the couch, holding a bloodstained carrier pigeon's leg band. "A message from the Skeleton Desert! Ning Yuanzhou... he escaped!"
"Pfft!"
He seemed determined not to rest until his words stunned everyone senseless!
The moment those words fell, Wang Yong spat the grape seed straight out of his mouth.
He was so frightened that he slid