Pavilions and towers stretched in every direction through the Peerless Marquis's Residence. Luo Kong passed through several winding corridors and reached his mother's courtyard.
"Elder brother."
A woman dressed in a female official's robes sat upright in the courtyard. Her figure was slender and graceful, her pretty face fair, as tender as a flower that had just put forth its stamens. She sat on a stone chair, her wrists white as snow, exceedingly beautiful. At the sight of Luo Kong, she rose lightly and curtsied. Luo Kong returned her greeting with a slight bow and smiled. "Has Mother woken? There are some matters I wish to discuss."
"Aunt is already awake and admiring the flowers in the rear courtyard. Please follow me, Elder brother."
The two reached the rear courtyard, where a noblewoman was carefully watering the delicate, beautiful flowers, a Sacred Mark between her brows. Luo Kong's mother was a woman of the Luo Clan, and another female official stood beside her.
Hearing them, she turned and saw her son. She set down her work and pointed toward a pavilion in the rear courtyard. The two female officials withdrew, and mother and son entered the pavilion and knelt to sit.
Military and civil administration had been separate in the Marquis of Unshuang State for many years. The Marquis of Unshuang was responsible for warfare, while Luo Kong's mother oversaw civil affairs. Nothing had gone wrong over the years.
None knew a son better than his mother, much less a woman so clever. The moment Luo Kong arrived, she knew what he wanted to do.
While Luo Kong was still wrestling with how to begin, Luo Xin spoke directly. "The edict to rally to the emperor has arrived. Do you intend to lead an army to the Central Plains to