Zhao Yun finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Before long, the party set out again for Qinghe City, taking the woman along. As for the three men guilty of Clashing with the Son of Heaven’s Carriage, they received no punishment. Instead, they were given a large bag of dry rations and stood there at a loss.
Only after a long while did they recover their senses. They knelt in the direction Liu Xie had departed and kowtowed without cease.
Qinghe Outside the City.
The heads of the city's Great Aristocratic Families had all received word that the Son of Heaven was personally leading an expedition and would spend a night in Qinghe City, so they had come to wait early.
To welcome the Son of Heaven, they had mobilized many of Qinghe City's commoners to line the streets. Not only had they prepared a grand procession, but they had also sprinkled water and cleaned the streets, making the occasion exceedingly solemn.
Soon, Liu Xie's party reached Qinghe City.
Before the clan heads could step forward to greet him, Taishi Ci, who led the troops clearing the way, told them, "His Majesty has ordered that you need only prepare lodgings. There is no need to mobilize a large retinue, much less hold any banquets. Keep everything simple. We will depart tomorrow."
At these words, the clan heads exchanged bewildered looks.
They had assumed that, with the Son of Heaven visiting Qinghe City, he would surely stay several days. They had already worked out how to cultivate ties with him. Had all their preparations now been for nothing?
But such was the imperial command, and they could not defy it. They could only assent respectfully and clear the way to welcome the Feathered Forest Guard into the city.
Thanks to the