Unlike the slight chill and faint stink of Northern Jin, the southern bank of the Ji River had long since become a place where "who cut these slender leaves, none could know; the spring wind of the second month was like a pair of scissors." Beside ten thousand hanging strands of green silk, the air was mild, with an added trace of the fresh fragrance of growing trees.
Here, Great Dragonhead Zhang's word carried the weight of nine cauldrons. Having said the exchange would continue, he truly overruled all objections and had the Empress's conveyances brought over.
Two donkey carts came along the road below the embankment and stopped behind and to one side of the Exorcising the Dragon Gang's party. One was a covered carriage with blue curtains, through which two or three figures could faintly be seen. The other was a flatbed cart carrying three young women whose plain clothing could not conceal their beauty, with several bundles piled behind them.
At the sight, Sima Zheng felt both somewhat relieved and somewhat tense, and immediately urged his horse forward.
Those around him knew his identity and knew he carried an imperial command to exact revenge on the Exorcising the Dragon Gang. Naturally, they were extremely wary, gripping their weapons and shifting into readiness.
Of course, Sima Zheng also understood the problem. He stopped promptly, then looked at Zhang Xing. "Zhang Sanlang, I must first go and pay my respects to Her Highness..."
Zhang Xing nodded.
Sima Zheng immediately dismounted, left his saber on his horse, and lightly passed through the crowd to salute and offer his respects before the covered carriage below the embankment.
The Empress naturally knew Sima Second Dragon, and sovereign and subject exchanged a few words from inside and outside the carriage.
A moment later,