Chapter 1 Waking

Two days, for ordinary people, wouldn't be enough to heal their injuries, and the same held true for Zheng Fan.

However, after having two extra days to recuperate, he could barely put on his armor, though it was just for show; it was almost impossible for him to draw his blade and fight.

"There shouldn't be much of a problem, after all, Marquis Jingnan should have been heavily guarded on his way back to the capital, it's impossible for any accid…………"

"Silence!"

Blindman Bei directly stopped Liang Cheng from continuing his words.

"How have you become so superstitious?" Liang Cheng said.

"I won't take what others say seriously, but don't you know your own identity?

The Gypsy witch with the crystal ball would have to call you Ancestor."

"I want to go with you," Liang Cheng said.

"Don't even think about it. If you go, who will manage the barbarian soldiers in this fortress?" Blindman Bei rejected Liang Cheng's words again.

"What about me?" Fan Li pointed to his face.

"Someone has to chop firewood at home, or there won't be enough hot water for bathing." Blindman Bei also refused Fan Li.

"Oh, okay." Fan Li nodded, thinking that what Blindman said made a lot of sense.

In fact, it was also because it was better when someone was watching over this ironhead Fan Li; once no one was watching him, it would be easy for him to cause trouble. Even at home, he could scare the other demon kings so much that their brows jumped. If he went to the capital and caused trouble, it would be really difficult to clean up.

Standing on the side, A Ming had a subtle and elegant smile on his face.

This time, he and Si Niang would go to the capital with the master. To be honest, there weren't many things that he and Si Niang needed to do. Since the master had been selected by Marquis Jingnan to be one of his personal guards, the odds were that he wouldn't be eating and living with them. The reason for going together was just to have someone who could be used in case something happened.

Of course, the biggest advantage was that if something unexpected really happened, he and Si Niang could do something in the capital. At the very least, they could be mentally prepared.

Unlike the four left behind in Green Willow Fort, who had to constantly think about whether they would die suddenly while eating, sleeping, or going to the toilet.

After experiencing several dangers, the demon kings had a psychological shadow over the matter of sudden death.

"So, you still haven't told the master about the matter of our strength recovery being linked to the master's strength?"

Blindman Bei shook his head and said, "Let's wait a bit longer. This matter should be very important when the master returns from the capital, so let's not distract him."

A Ming smiled "hehe,"

Said:

"You told A Cheng not to set a flag, but you've already set it for the second time. In the movies, it's like saying 'I'll confess to her when he comes back,' which basically means he won't be coming back."

"Two negatives make a positive," Blindman Bei said shamelessly.

You're blind, so you can say whatever you want.

"Alright, Si Niang and the master are out, so you go with them."

Hearing this, A Ming gave a very gentlemanly Western-style salute to Blindman and the others,

Said:

"Then, goodbye everyone."

………

Last time, he went to Nanwang City by carriage, but this time he was riding a horse. Although the morning winter sun was bright, the temperature was still very low. However, by the time he reached the Nanwang City, Zheng Fan was already drenched in sweat. This body was still very weak.

At the city gate, Zheng Fan separated from Si Niang and A Ming. He entered the city alone and went to the residence where Marquis Jingnan lived.

Not long after reporting, Zheng Fan saw Du Juan walking over, followed by two maids, who were holding a set of Marquis Jingnan's military armor.

The Yan Kingdom favored black, but the military equipment of the various local armies had their own characteristics. Not to mention the details, but in terms of feeling, the armor of the Zhenbei Army seemed darker, as if it had been coated with a layer of matte by the sand of the desert.

The armor of the Jingnan Army appeared brighter and more vibrant, but because of this, it lacked a true, accumulated baleful aura.

"Master Zheng, please go take a bath and change your clothes first."

"Um…"

Zheng Fan was stunned for a moment. Changing into military uniform was fine, which was reasonable, but taking a bath too?

Was the Jingnan Army so clean?

But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Besides, Zheng Fan also liked to take baths.

It was just that when taking a bath at home, Si Niang would serve him, and occasionally he would have a bubble bath to clear his muscles and bones.

In the Marquis's residence, the servants only helped you fetch hot water; you had to wash yourself.

After taking a bath and changing into the armor, Zheng Fan found that the armored soldiers in the Marquis's residence were lining up in neat formations to leave the residence, obviously about to set off.

Zheng Fan wanted to pull someone aside and ask where the Marquis's personal guards were so he could report, but before he could, he heard footsteps behind him. Turning his head, he saw it was still Du Juan.

"Master Zheng, please get on the Marquis's carriage."

"…………" Zheng Fan.

Taking a bath, changing clothes, and then getting on the Marquis's carriage, even though Zheng Fan thought he was normal, he still felt strange, even though the Marquis was also normal.

But in the end, Zheng Fan still got on the carriage. If there was a carriage to ride, he might as well ride in it; his current body couldn't withstand a few days of horseback riding.

The carriage was still the same one as last time, but this time there was no brazier inside. Instead, there was a desk with many memorials placed on it.

After Zheng Fan got on the carriage, Marquis Jingnan didn't even look up, but focused on the matters at hand.

After a while, Du Juan also got on the carriage and sat sideways beside Marquis Jingnan, helping him deal with the memorials.

It was good that no one greeted Zheng Fan. Zheng Fan wasn't foolish enough to stay kneeling, but instead faced the outside of the carriage, leaned against the wall, squinted his eyes, and began to doze off.

However, as they moved forward, dozing off gradually became a luxury.

From time to time, knights would approach the carriage, and Du Juan would hand out the processed memorials or receive newly delivered ones.

This carriage was completely a mobile office.

Since Du Juan didn't ask him to help, Zheng Fan didn't take the initiative to do anything, and continued to act as his "doorman" against the wall.

When night fell, the team began to set up camp, not choosing to stay overnight near a city.

What surprised Zheng Fan a little was that not only did he have the privilege of riding in the carriage, but he also had the privilege of eating with them.

The food was not bad, so it seemed that Marquis Jingnan was not a sweet potato enthusiast, there were two stir-fried dishes and one stew.

Three sets of tableware, for Marquis Jingnan, Du Juan, and Zheng Fan.

Eating with big shots was a "reward." In ancient times, emperors liked to use "staying for a meal" to show favor. In fact, it was the same in later generations. Being able to sit at the same table was itself a favor for subordinates.

After the meal, the team continued to advance, not choosing to rest.

Inside the carriage, candles were lit. Marquis Jingnan was no longer working, but was reading a book.

Zheng Fan didn't know exactly what book it was. This world also had various schools of thought, and also had Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other cultures, but it seemed that at some point in the past, this world had undergone some changes, leading to a historical trajectory that Zheng Fan was unfamiliar with.

Du Juan served tea next to him and also brought some dried fruits.

Marquis Jingnan put down the book and said to Zheng Fan:

"Eat."

"Reporting to the Marquis, this subordinate doesn't like to eat this."

This wasn't modesty; there really weren't many young people who liked to eat this kind of fruit plate in Zheng Fan's previous life.

Marquis Jingnan didn't say anything more, continued to read the book with his left hand, and occasionally picked up two dried fruits with his right hand and slowly chewed them.

Zheng Fan felt that after he made a name for himself in the future, he would also have Xue San make him this set of carriages. He would sit inside and read a book, with Si Niang adding fragrance to the sleeves next to him, and then have a few small cats and dogs responsible for being frightened below.

"If you're sleepy, just sleep here. You're injured, you can't stay up all night."

Huh?

Sleep in the carriage?

Since putting on the special armor of the personal guards, Zheng Fan hadn't reported to the personal guards, and had been taken on the carriage all the time, like a eunuch accompanying him.

Since he was already here, he should be at ease.

"Thank you, Marquis, for your consideration."

Zheng Fan didn't refuse and lay on his side in the carriage, trying to use as little space as possible.

He closed his eyes and began to count sheep.

…………

These kinds of days continued for several days. The team would stop for a short time for rest in the morning, noon, and evening, but the rest of the time they were traveling day and night.

The knights all had two horses per person, and slept on horseback in shifts.

Honestly, Zheng Fan had only seen this scene on his own barbarian soldiers, so no matter how much he said that this Jingnan Army had not been tempered by real war, it was definitely an elite force.

The next morning, the team arrived at Tiantai County, a county town outside the capital. Going north from Tiantai County would mean that the capital was in sight.

The team stayed here for a while, and everyone began to wash themselves. This was basically a tacit rule. No matter which team it was, they would stop and tidy themselves up before entering the capital.

Zheng Fan also took a bath. At this moment, he was really glad that he had taken a bath in the Marquis's residence before leaving Nanwang City; otherwise, not being able to take a bath for several days in a row would have been even more uncomfortable for him.

After taking a bath, Zheng Fan felt refreshed. He stood next to the carriage, waiting for the team to start moving again.

He saw Marquis Jingnan riding a ferocious pi xiu (a mythical wild animal) wearing gilded armor slowly approaching.

Marquis Jingnan raised the whip in his hand and pointed at Zheng Fan,

Asked:

"Can you ride a horse?"

"Reporting to the Marquis, no problem."

Although the days on the carriage were boring, his body had recovered a lot of energy.

Zheng Fan jumped on his horse and followed behind Marquis Jingnan. The team set off again, and the Jingnan Army knights also showed their best spirit.

From being able to see the walls of the capital from afar to finally arriving at the city gate, there were seven groups of people who came here to meet and report. At the same time, below the south gate of the capital, the Minister of Rites led hundreds of officials on behalf of the emperor to welcome Marquis Jingnan into the capital.

Flags were fluttering, the Imperial Guards were standing in rows, and on the periphery, there were crowds of people watching the excitement.

For hundreds of years, Zhenbei and Jingnan had been the two pillars of the Great Yan, and they had an irreplaceable influence in the hearts of the Great Yan people.

Although the Zhenbei Marquis lineage had always steadily suppressed the Jingnan Marquis in terms of influence, power, and even inheritance, this generation of Jingnan Marquis was the queen's younger brother and the current emperor's brother-in-law, so his status was extremely noble.

And Zheng Fan, who was following behind Marquis Jingnan, personally witnessed what was called domineering and what was called… a real noble.

According to the etiquette, the Minister of Rites stepped forward to lead the horse, but was frightened by the pi xiu's snort and dared not step forward.

Marquis Jingnan laughed loudly, not giving the Minister of Rites any face at all. At the same time, he waved his hand, signaling the Jingnan Army around him to enter the city with him.

There were still many ceremonies that had not been completed below, but Marquis Jingnan chose not to cooperate.

The road from the south gate to the Tian residence had been cleared by the Imperial Guards. It was a tradition since ancient times to block the road when leaders traveled.

But Marquis Jingnan deliberately stopped the pi xiu under him and waved to the people behind him.

Zheng Fan immediately rode forward and came to Marquis Jingnan's side.

"Are you hungry?"

Earlier in Tiantai County, everyone was only concerned with washing themselves, but they had not eaten.

"Reporting to the Marquis, I'm hungry."

"Is this your first time in the capital?"

"Yes, Marquis."

"Tell me, what do you want to eat?"

"Marquis, this subordinate has heard that the roast duck at Quande Restaurant in the capital is the most famous."

Marquis Jingnan turned his face to look at Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan licked his lips in a serious manner.

Marquis Jingnan pondered for a moment,

And ordered:

"Go to Quande Restaurant."

…………

Quande Restaurant became popular again.

The last time Quande Restaurant became famous was when Marquis Zhenbei entered the capital and ate several ducks in one breath.

This time,

Marquis Jingnan also went to Quande Restaurant to eat ducks without entering the Tian residence or the palace.

These two top nobles, one in the south and one in the north, were all gathered by this Quande Restaurant. It was believed that from now on, Quande Restaurant would become a must-eat restaurant for foreigners entering the capital.

The Marquis was not traveling incognito, but had just come from the south gate, and his soldiers were all with him, so clearing the restaurant was a matter of course.

One by one, armored soldiers entered Quande Restaurant and carried out strict security.

Zheng Fan followed Marquis Jingnan directly to the second floor and sat in the private room.

In fact, there was no need for a private room at all, because the entire Quande Restaurant now had only one guest, Marquis Jingnan.

Marquis Jingnan sat, and Zheng Fan stood.

The waiter at Quande Restaurant first served tea and some appetizers.

Zheng Fan then acted as a translator:

"Go down and urge them to serve the food quickly, don't let the Marquis wait too long!"

"Yes, yes."

The waiter was so frightened by Zheng Fan that his legs were shaking.

"The roast duck is here!!!"

A young man wearing a plain robe and an apron around his waist walked over with a roast duck.

Zheng Fan didn't pay attention at first, but after taking a few more glances, his eyes immediately widened. Wasn't this guy the Sixth Prince?

Obviously, Marquis Jingnan also recognized the Sixth Prince.

But he was of the same generation as the Yan Emperor. Unless the Crown Prince of the East Palace had the status of heir apparent as a reliance, the other princes should pour tea and water for him.

And even if the Second Prince took over the East Palace in the future, it was estimated that he would not dare to act arrogant in front of his uncle who had real power.

"Uncle, I'm sorry. There were actually good ducks a long time ago, but this slicing of the duck took a lot of effort for your nephew.

This duck, the choice of the duck, the control of the fireplace, the marinating, the heat, and so on, are all pre-lessons. In fact, there is still the most important link, which is the slicing after the duck comes out of the oven.

Your nephew doesn't trust others, so your nephew personally sliced it out. Please try it."

Marquis Jingnan nodded and put a piece of duck meat into his mouth with chopsticks.

In ancient times, the legal wife was the most respected. The children of concubines had to call the father's legal wife mother. If there were more rules, the children of secondary wives or concubines could not call their own mothers mother, but had to call them aunts.

Marquis Jingnan was the Queen's younger brother, and the Queen was naturally the legal mother of all the princes. Therefore, nominally, Marquis Jingnan was the uncle of all the princes.

It was just that other princes except for the Second Prince would at most respectfully call him "Marquis Jingnan" when they saw Marquis Jingnan, but they would not call him uncle, because they had to save face.

"Uncle, how does it taste? Hehe, thank you, Uncle, for giving my nephew's store a shoutout. This is Wuchuan peach blossom wine from the Qian Kingdom. As the saying goes, the good wine of Wuchuan opens the ink of Hengzhou. You can use this to relieve the greasiness.

Of course, if you are interested, Uncle, this Hengzhou ink is also prepared. Your nephew is looking forward to you leaving a calligraphy for your nephew's small shop."

"Did Li Liangting leave a word when he ate duck here before?"

Marquis Jingnan asked.

"Alas, Uncle, don't mention it. Marquis Zhenbei ate five ducks in one breath when he came here. The shopkeeper went up and shamelessly asked for a word, but Marquis Zhenbei directly took my high-quality paper from the capital to wipe his hands and scolded me for having paper that was too hard and not clean enough."

"Hehe."

"Uncle, you eat first. Later, there will be a duck bone soup. The weather is getting cold, so I'll have them bring it up later. This is a corn cake, baked in the stove. The taste is very crispy. You can also try it."

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Isn't it right for this nephew to show filial piety to his uncle? It's my duty to make sure you eat well and drink warmly."

Saying that, the Sixth Prince finally straightened up and said to the surrounding circle of armored soldiers:

"Get two people, and come with me to the back kitchen to bring out the duck. The brothers came all the way from the south, so they have to taste the flavor of our Quande Restaurant."

Marquis Jingnan picked up the wine glass, took a sip, and nodded.

Zheng Fan and the other two guards followed the Sixth Prince downstairs to the back kitchen. The two armored soldiers each took five or six roast ducks wrapped in lotus leaves and went out to distribute them, while Zheng Fan stayed behind.

The Sixth Prince turned around and looked at Zheng Fan, looking him up and down carefully,

"What's wrong?" Zheng Fan asked.

"I'm brewing emotions to win people's hearts."

"Oh, you continue."

After a while,

The Sixth Prince's eyes suddenly flashed with some crystal light,

And spoke:

"Dear brother, why have you become so thin and haggard? It hurts my heart..."

"My good brother!"

"…………" The Sixth Prince.

"Zheng Fan, I said, why do I feel that you haven't changed at all after going around in the south?"

Zheng Fan reached out and brushed off the ashes on the Sixth Prince's hair,

And said:

"Did you really roast the duck yourself?"

"Of course, I've been preparing since this morning."

"Then you and Marquis Jingnan must be very close."

"Of course, I've been close to Marquis Jingnan since I was a child."

"Is that so? How close are you?"

"He led his troops to slaughter my maternal grandfather's family, does that count?"