As Chen Caozhi exchanged greetings with the imperial envoys Gao Song and Xie Yan, he caught sight of an exceedingly familiar figure among the attendants behind Xie Yan. Dressed as an administrative clerk and riding a brown mare, she kept her head lowered, but Chen Caozhi recognized her at once. He was both astonished and delighted-
From afar, Xie Daoyun saw Chen Caozhi approaching in a white robe on a black horse, surrounded by a crowd. Joy filled her heart, and tears instantly brimmed in her eyes. She hurriedly lowered her head and discreetly wiped them away. Once her feelings had settled a little, she looked up again, and her gaze met Chen Caozhi's. Their gazes seemed almost tangible, each able to feel the tremor in the other's heart. Xie Daoyun quickly lowered her eyes and shook her head gently, signaling to Chen Caozhi not to reveal her identity. Apart from her elder cousin Xie Yan and a few private soldiers and servants of the Xie Clan, no one on this journey knew who she truly was, though this was not her first time dressing as a man, and the whole realm had once known of it-
Chen Caozhi gave a slight nod and exchanged a knowing smile with Xie Yan, then personally led Gao Song, Xie Yan, and their party into Ye City, briefing the two imperial envoys on the recent situation in Ji Province as they went-
When the people along the way learned that envoys of the Son of Heaven had arrived from Jiangdong, they all knelt and bowed beside the road. The quick-witted and eloquent among them praised Provincial Governor Chen for his diligence in government, his love for the people, and his tireless handling of countless affairs.
"Provincial Governor Chen has been in Ye City