Thus, even though Kong Rong had kept turning him away, he dared not show the slightest disrespect. He could only wait outside the residence every day, hoping to find an opportunity to enter and deliver the edict.
Before the steward could answer, a mocking voice came from beside them. "What sort of edict is that? Does it bear the imprint of the Imperial Seal? Without the Imperial Seal's imprint, you dare call it an edict from the Son of Heaven? Why would the chancellor see you? Hurry up and scurry back to Xu County!"
The speaker was none other than the emissary from Ye City.
Compared with the anxious emissary from Xu County, he seemed perfectly at ease. He had even set a table beside his carriage and prepared tea, refreshments, and books on bamboo slips. At that moment, he was looking at the Xu County emissary with disdain.
"Insolence! How dare you insult the Son of Heaven!"
The Xu County emissary was already seething with frustration. Hearing the Ye City emissary's words, his fury blazed three yards high. He pointed at the other man's nose and cursed, "His Majesty has been in Xu County all along, with Lord Yang, Lord Fu, and other close ministers constantly at his side. Numerous consorts can also bear witness. The one in Ye City is a Pretender Emperor!"
"Yuan Shao has set up a false Son of Heaven. Does he not fear Heaven's punishment?"
"Hah, bear witness?" The Ye City emissary sneered, slammed his bamboo book onto the table, and met the Xu County emissary head-on. "Duke Wen, Lü Fengxian, and the imperial uncle, Liu Xuande, both acknowledge our emperor. Even the Imperial Seal is in His Majesty's hands!"
"What does that Pretender Emperor in Xu County have to prove his identity? Who