Chapter 528

The ship was still drifting on the wide Yellow River.

One day after the Qingzhou merchant ship left Chang’an pier, the Prince of Zhao’s troops appeared on the riverbank. However, after the merchant ship passed through a continuous mountainous area, the Prince of Zhao’s troops no longer appeared.

They had now been drifting on the river for five days. According to Li San, they would reach the Qingzhou pier in at most two more days.

These days, they had all been staying on the merchant ship. Because they were prepared in advance, the ship’s hold had ample food, enough to sustain them on board.

However, the closer they got to Qingzhou, the more nervous the officials on the ship became. They were not familiar with King Qi, nor did they know what their fate would be.

These days, many people deliberately tried to get closer to Fiji. This Councillor Fei was King Qi’s father-in-law, and perhaps he could put in a good word for them with King Qi.

The ship continued to drift in the river. In the afternoon, a troop of cavalry suddenly appeared on the riverbank. These cavalrymen wore silver breastplates.

Upon seeing the merchant ships, these breastplate cavalrymen pointed and gestured at the fleet for a while, and then one person on the shore began to signal with flags.

Li San, on the merchant ship, was overjoyed when he saw the flag signals and these breastplate cavalrymen. He then had the secret guards signal back.

After receiving clear information, the breastplate cavalry began to follow the merchant ships along the riverbank towards Qingzhou.

“Councillor Fei, Li San sent a message. He said these are the Qingzhou Army’s breastplate cavalry, probably sent by His Royal Highness King Qi to protect us.” A soldier guarding the stern came over and said to Fiji.

To ensure communication on the ship, each ship had a person at the stern responsible for relaying messages.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Fiji said, “It seems His Highness has already received news from Chang’an, which is why he dispatched these breastplate cavalry to protect us.”

The other officials on the ship showed joy. King Qi’s action relieved a burden from their hearts. It seemed King Qi attached great importance to their group.

With the protection of the breastplate cavalry, the atmosphere on the merchant ships immediately became lively. People on each merchant ship discussed Qingzhou with each other, and Xiao Ming’s name was frequently mentioned.

On the seventh day, the fleet vaguely saw the Qingzhou pier in the distance. Merchant ships were lined up along the riverbank at the Qingzhou pier. The prosperity of the Qingzhou pier greatly surprised them. In their opinion, the prosperity of the Qingzhou pier had now surpassed that of the Chang’an pier.

Seeing that they were about to arrive in Chang’an, everyone on the merchant ship stood up. Unlike the discussions of yesterday, everyone’s face was solemn. The ship was terribly quiet, and everyone was worried about their fate.

The pier got closer, and then everyone saw the scene on the pier: a young man dressed in a blue round-necked long gown stood on the pier.

Beside him were four beautiful women of outstanding appearance, especially the woman beside the young man who was stunningly beautiful. And beside the five were some people dressed as officials.

“It’s younger sister Lu Luo and older sister Ziyuan.” Liuli looked around the ship, and when she saw Lu Luo and Ziyuan, she immediately shouted.

The palace maids from Bīshuǐ Pavilion also looked towards the pier and were happily jumping and shouting when they saw Ziyuan and Lu Luo.

Liuli immediately entered the cabin. Concubine Zhen had been in the cabin these days, shedding tears continuously due to Xiao Wenxuan’s death. Upon learning that Xiao Ming was at the pier, she finally showed a hint of a smile.

Fiji’s and Luo Quan’s ship was first. When the ship docked at the pier, everyone walked down the inclined wooden plank.

“Father.” Upon seeing Fiji, Fei Yue’er called out excitedly, tears falling down.

Luo Quan and Luo Hong looked at Luo Xin, their eyes also filled with joy.

Suppressing their excitement, Fiji and the father-son pair Luo Quan bowed simultaneously to Xiao Ming and said, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“Dispense with the formalities, everyone has suffered.” Xiao Ming said with a smile to Fiji and the other two. He looked at the fleet of merchant ships. These were all the people who had escaped.

In such a perilous time, their trust in him and their escape to Qingzhou were enough to show that these people were on his side. And from what he understood, these officials were basically all pro-war officials from Chang’an.

Many officials had contributed their strength to him in the court.

Luo Quan and Fiji exchanged glances. Fiji then said sadly, “Your Highness, I was incompetent; His Majesty has passed away.”

At the mention of this, Luo Quan and Luo Hong both showed mournful expressions.

Xiao Ming sighed inwardly. He said, “I already know about this. The Crown Prince committed regicide and rebelled, and the Prince of Zhao aided and abetted evil. I will avenge this blood debt for Father Emperor.”

“Your Highness.” Luo Quan and Fiji’s eyes became moist upon hearing this. This assurance deeply moved them.

At this time, more and more ships docked. Concubine Zhen’s ship also docked at this moment. Supported by a group of palace maids, Concubine Zhen slowly disembarked.

Seeing Concubine Zhen, Xiao Ming walked a few steps forward and bowed, saying, “Mother.”

“Ming’er.” Seeing Xiao Ming, Concubine Zhen could no longer hold back her grief and threw herself into Xiao Ming’s arms, crying bitterly. The other palace maids also quietly sobbed. As women, they had experienced too much these past few days.

Xiao Ming gently patted Concubine Zhen’s back. Concubine Zhen’s arrival completely reassured him.

He was most afraid of Concubine Zhen falling into the Prince of Zhao’s hands, which would tie his hands in dealing with the Prince of Zhao. After all, in Great Yu Empire, filial piety was considered the highest virtue, and even a first-rank official whose parents died had to return home to observe three years of mourning. Filial piety was the standard by which a person was judged in the world.

And this matter of rescuing Concubine Zhen was not only for his sake but also for the officials of Qingzhou.

“Mother, please don’t grieve too much. Father Emperor’s spirit in heaven surely wouldn’t want to see you overly sad.” Xiao Ming said.

Concubine Zhen nodded upon hearing this.

At this time, Lu Luo and Ziyuan stepped forward to help her walk towards a carriage. This carriage would take her to King Qi’s residence.

After Concubine Zhen, ordinary soldiers disembarked. Luo Hong then reorganized these soldiers.

Seeing these soldiers, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Ming’s face. The world was now in chaos, and what he lacked were soldiers. This chaos in Chang’an not only brought him some excellent officials but also these excellent generals and soldiers.

After Fiji bowed to Xiao Ming, Fei Yue’er immediately began chatting with Fiji, while Luo Quan and Luo Xin also exchanged pleasantries.

The remaining officials disembarked from the ships and greeted Xiao Ming one by one. At the same time, Xiao Ming also introduced Pang Yukun and others to these officials from Chang’an.

After introductions at the pier, Xiao Ming said to Fiji and Luo Quan, “Everyone, let us enter the city and discuss in detail.”

Fiji and Luo Quan nodded. He was about to talk to Xiao Ming about the last will, and the chaos in Chang’an also needed to be discussed with Xiao Ming on how to handle it.