Arrangements

"Your Majesty's grace is Zhiwei appreciated," Zhao Ruxi said, bowing again towards the capital. "Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Deng."

She also knew that imperial decrees would only be delivered in the capital. The fact that Eunuch Deng was willing to go through all this trouble, traveling to Nanyang and then to Gusu, was entirely due to Xiao Ge's high regard for Xiao Lingyan and her.

Liu Hongyu and others shared the same feeling. Liu Hongyu and Li Li increasingly felt that their decision to decisively side with Zhao Ruxi was incredibly wise.

Eunuch Deng glanced behind him again and gestured to the two men standing behind him. "This is Zhang Tao, and this is Guo Cheng. They are both imperial Imperial Guards who serve the Emperor and are often by his side. All the court officials recognize them."

"His Majesty said that Lord Zhao, being a woman, has worked tirelessly for the court, which is especially commendable. People have always valued a woman's reputation, and now that Lord Zhao has become a royal daughter-in-law, people will be even more demanding of you. These two Imperial Guards are specially bestowed upon you by His Majesty, and they will surely protect Lord Zhao when she encounters villains."

Eunuch Deng was very particular about what he said.

When Xiao Ge sent Imperial Guards to Zhao Ruxi, it would feel very strange to call her a princess at this time—a father-in-law sending guards to his daughter-in-law just doesn't seem right.

However, if the emperor were sending guards to his ministers, then there would be no problem. No one would think that way after hearing this.

Therefore, he previously addressed Zhao Ruxi as "Princess Consort," but now he calls her "Lord Zhao." Unless one is exceptionally perceptive, one might not notice the subtle difference.

Zhao Ruxi was overjoyed and bowed again towards the capital to express her gratitude. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

As she rose, two Imperial Guards stepped forward to pay their respects. "Zhang Tao (Guo Cheng) greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities," Zhao Ruxi said, raising her hand with neither servility nor arrogance.

The two stood up.

Zhao Ruxi turned to look at Eunuch Deng: "You just said that the two Imperial Guards were bestowed upon me by the Emperor. I would like to ask, who do these two Imperial Guards take orders from?"

Everyone: "..."

The atmosphere froze for a moment.

The Emperor's gift is an immense favor, and everyone would accept it with trepidation, not daring to ask a single question. The two Imperial Guards would be treated with utmost courtesy. While not exactly honored guests, they would certainly not be treated like their own subordinates. Regardless of the Emperor's initial words, everyone would regard their master as the Emperor, not themselves.

But Zhao Ruxi asked this question. Was it out of ignorance, or was she simply too audacious and lacked any respect for the royal family?

Zhao Ruxi asked these questions, her gaze fell on the faces of Eunuch Deng, Zhang Tao, and Guo Cheng. She wanted to see their subconscious reactions.

Zhang Tao and Guo Cheng looked somewhat bewildered, both turning to look at Eunuch Deng, seemingly unsure how to define their new identities.

Eunuch Deng was stunned for a moment, but quickly realized what was happening.

"Hahahaha... This servant can only say that Lord Zhao truly lives up to his fiancée, Prince of Qi! The two of you asked the exact same question. When His Majesty was discussing your marriage with Mister Kumu, His Majesty specifically summoned Prince of Qi. When the topic of bestowing Imperial Guards upon you came up, Prince of Qi also asked this question."

He raised his hand and bowed towards the capital. "His Majesty has said that although Lord Zhao has not yet married His Highness Prince of Qi, the imperial decree of marriage has been issued, and he is already a member of the royal family. It is only right and proper for Imperial Guards Lord Zhao to have imperial guards by his side. Since Zhang Tao and Guo Cheng have been bestowed upon Lord Zhao Lord Zhao, they should naturally obey his orders. After Lord Zhao marries His Highness Prince of Qi, they will belong to Prince of Qi's Residence."

He winked playfully. "His Majesty said that as for whether they will obey Prince of Qi or Consort of the Prince of Qi, that's for the two of you to decide, hahaha..."

Liu Hongyu and the others quickly joined in the laughter.

Zhang Tao and Guo Cheng quickly bowed to Zhao Ruxi again. "Your subordinates greet you, Master."

This gesture was completely different in nature from the previous one. The attitude of everyone in the prefectural government towards Zhao Ruxi changed once again.

This Lord Zhao was not only formidable to them, but also to the royal family, showing absolutely no fear of them.

It seems only a girl like this can marry into the royal family and become a royal wife. Compared to her, they are far inferior, even just in terms of character.

Chen Kang looked at Zhao Ruxi, who was standing in the middle of the crowd and was always the center of attention, and sighed inwardly.

If he hadn't followed Cai Yaozong in targeting Zhao Ruxi from the beginning, but instead acted like Li Li and directly showed goodwill to Zhao Ruxi, even a small amount of resources that Zhao Ruxi let slip through her fingers would have been enough for his children and grandchildren to enjoy endlessly.

Regardless of the reason, simply becoming a servant under Zhao Ruxi would grant one power comparable to that of Cai Yaozong.

Unfortunately, he let this opportunity slip by and offended Zhao Ruxi in the process.

However, it's not too late to make amends now. Even if we can't win over Zhao Ruxi, it would be good enough if we could at least make her stop holding a grudge.

He glanced at the crowd gathered in the yamen, waved to his attendants, and withdrew from the crowd.

Yang Jie, Xiang Ming, and Lu Yun had received instructions from Zhao Ruxi yesterday, and their positions were carefully chosen. Lu Yun stayed close to Zhao Ruxi, Xiang Ming was a little further away, and Yang Jie, who was usually quiet and had a low profile, stood on the periphery of the crowd.

Seeing Chen Kang walk out, he quietly followed him.

Although he originally served as a guard rather than a secret agent, he had to learn to reduce his presence and conceal his abilities.

Therefore, not only Chen Kang, but also the other officials in the yamen who were focused on Zhao Ruxi and Eunuch Deng did not notice his movements.

Chen Kang walked out of the corridor and saw the two guards standing dumbfounded in the courtyard, grinning as they watched the commotion. He patted one of them on the back and said, "Aren't you guards? What are you still doing here? Hurry up and stand at the gate. If anything happens and you offend the Princess and Eunuch Deng, you'll be in for a world of hurt."

The two constables then remembered their duties and hurried toward the door.

Seeing Chen Kang also walking out, the two couldn't help but ask curiously, "Administrative Clerk Chen, why did you come out?"

Chen Kang ignored them, walked out of the yamen gate and looked outside. Sure enough, there were several horses tied up in the open space outside the yamen, and a man who looked like Imperial Guards was standing guard.

He quickly led his entourage over, introduced himself to the man, and said, "Lord Zhao has invited Eunuch Deng and the other officials to dine at the Added Fortune Pavilion. It seems you will all be staying here for half an hour. The horses have traveled all the way from the capital to Nanyang, and in this heat, they need to graze and drink. Perhaps I could have my entourage lead the horses into the government office, and you can retrieve them after you have finished your meal?"

That person is angry about this.

They were heading to Gusu soon, and the horses needed to eat and drink, otherwise they wouldn't be able to run on the way. They had planned to resupply the horses at the Nanyang Prefecture, but all the guards at the gate went in with Eunuch Deng and his Eunuch Deng, leaving him and the horses here unattended.