The words of his son and minister made the old emperor nod slightly.
"Pass down my decree. Tell them I intend to spend a night at the temple before the year ends. Tomorrow, we shall proceed to Dragon Painting Temple."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The eunuch acknowledged the order. The emperor swept his gaze over the assembled ministers again and took both dragon scales in his hands.
"Court is dismissed. Hmm, Mao'er, come with me."
"Your son obeys!"
The emperor nodded and left first, with Prince Xin hurrying after him. But after only a few steps, the old emperor stopped and turned to look at Guan Xinrui.
"Minister Guan, you come along as well!"
However skilled Guan Xinrui was at putting on an act and restraining himself, he could hardly contain his delighted surprise now. A smile appeared on his face as he hurried to respond, his excitement making his voice rise considerably.
"Your subject obeys-"
Amid the ministers' respectful farewells, that morning's court session ended. Some rejoiced, while others fretted.
That night, a faint, concealed demon wind blew through the northern sky. After skirting certain places along their journey, the Great Toad King and his daughter had reached Great Qiu's Capital City.
Just then, Chan Qin suddenly looked toward the north of the city.
"Hmm?"
At the sound, the Great Toad King turned to his daughter behind him.
"What is it?"
Chan Qin hesitated, then shook her head.
"Nothing. I just spotted someone of no consequence."
As far as Chan Qin was concerned, a promise was not necessarily something she had to keep. Even if it were, that only applied to friends and virtuous people. A scoundrel of the Rivers and Lakes like Chai Wang was merely someone to use; naturally, she had no concern for him.
Her glance