The Imperial Capital was the Heavenly Strategy Dynasty's most prosperous city, as well as its economic and cultural center.
Here, it was fair to say that any stone tossed at random could hit someone rich and powerful.
Princes, heirs, officials' children-they were everywhere.
Of all these privileged young people, none had changed more than Xu Zifeng.
Early that morning, Xu Zifeng arrived at the courtyard where Ma Hei lived. Assuming Xu Zifeng wanted to go out and cause trouble, Ma Hei deliberately changed his clothes, not daring to wear his formal uniform.
He was a military officer, after all. How embarrassing would it be to cause trouble in uniform?
After participating in two Northern Expeditions, Ma Hei had established his own circle. The Holy Lord had also written back to tell him that if he could rise through the ranks on his own, he need not rely on the Prince of the South.
Given his good relationship with Xu Zifeng, he was also doing everything he could to help him.
Besides, Xu Zifeng's special status meant he could be sent to the front whenever war broke out, letting Ma Hei tag along and earn military merits.
Yet Xu Zifeng said, "Put on your formal uniform. We're going to visit several ministers from the Ministry of Rites. We'll need to prepare some gifts, too."
Puzzled, Ma Hei asked, "Your Highness, why?"
Normally, to conceal his true abilities, Xu Zifeng caused trouble in the Imperial Capital every day. Even after earning military merits, he kept at it-in fact, he had to cause even bigger disturbances. Someone would clean up after him anyway.
That person was supposedly the Empress Dowager, but it was actually Li Chen. Ma Hei did not know that.
But to Ma Hei's knowledge, this was the first time Xu