Chapter 33

The carriage moved very slowly, and upon closer inspection, the wooden boards of the carriage seemed about to fall apart at any moment. Not to mention the emaciated yellow horse pulling the carriage. At this moment, everyone except the deputy commander Zhao Xi, the two commandants Wu Yuanhao and Sun Jie, who knew the inside story, couldn't help but think the same thing—could this be what we've been waiting for?

The carriage, without a driver, creaked and groaned as it approached the wide street paved with marble slabs, and finally came to a stop.

However...

There was no movement from inside the carriage for a long time, not even a sound. This made the three leaders of the Yingyang Guard, who were about to bow, stand awkwardly with their backs bent, looking at each other. They didn't know whether to go up and take a look or to confirm if anyone was inside, either way, it was awkward.

"Ha—!"

After a while, a sound finally came from the carriage, as if someone had just woken up.

Wu Fan secretly glanced at the expressions of Zhao Xi and the others, but saw that these three were not angry; instead, they seemed to have breathed a sigh of relief, which made him even more surprised.

The coarse linen curtain of the carriage was lifted, and the first thing to come out was a hand, a very white and delicate hand, a true jade-like hand. Then came the face, a very handsome oval face with almond eyes and willow-leaf eyebrows, wearing a purple sandalwood hairpin. It turned out to be a man! He seemed not to have slept enough, and his beautiful eyes scanned the Yingyang Guard below, filled with confusion.

Then...

"Ouch!"

The person finally came out, but the way he came out was rather ungraceful, being kicked out of the carriage.

[What the hell! It's not the main person!]

Wu Fan was speechless and no longer looked at the handsome young man who had fallen to the ground. Instead, he observed the middle-aged man who had just walked out, who was about eight feet tall, with a stern face and neatly trimmed beard, wearing a short-sleeved Hu-style robe. This middle-aged man clearly looked like a martial artist, with his calloused, powerful hands and his spirited demeanor, which was not something an ordinary person would have.

The middle-aged man got off the carriage and, looking at the handsome young man who had fallen to the ground, angrily shouted, "I've told you before, don't block our way!"

"Ha—!"

Among the nearly a thousand Yingyang Guard gathered, at least half of them couldn't hold back their laughter when the middle-aged man spoke! The reason was simple: this stern-faced middle-aged man had a very high-pitched voice! Moreover, his way of addressing himself was very characteristic, "our household," which in the Great Sui Empire was used only by—eunuchs!

Wu Fan was one of the few who didn't change his expression. The reason was simple... he stood a bit forward, making it inconvenient, but in his heart, he was already in turmoil! [What the hell! What's going on? A eunuch... a eunuch with a beard? Why not castrate him again? Wait! Could the important person Rain Fragrance mentioned be him? No way...]

Hearing the laughter behind them, Zhao Xi, Wu Yuanhao, and Sun Jie exchanged glances, all seeing the drastic changes in each other's expressions. After a few exchanges of looks, they all hurriedly bowed with respect, saying in unison, "This subordinate, Zhao Xi (Wu Yuanhao, Sun Jie), greets Lord Luo! This subordinate has failed to maintain discipline, please punish us, Lord!"

The stern face of the middle-aged man, Lord Luo, now looked quite unpleasant, and he glared coldly at the Yingyang Guard who couldn't hold back their laughter, with a hint of killing intent. It was a good choice that Wu Fan didn't laugh; when Lord Luo's gaze fell on Wu Fan's calm and somewhat respectful face, it lingered for a moment...

Lord Luo retracted his gaze and looked at Zhao Xi, saying, "Get up! We are merely servants of the imperial family, and you are the emperor's personal guards. It's not proper for the emperor's personal guards to bow to a servant of the imperial family." This statement, apart from his unpleasant voice, was indeed a very self-aware statement for a eunuch, a servant of the imperial family. However, his expression was not inconsistent with his words; he looked quite proud. Then he asked, "Where is Commander Wu?"

Zhao Xi bowed and replied, "Lord Luo, Commander Wu has another mission and is not in Luoyang City."

Lord Luo frowned in thought for a moment, then said, "I'm just here to prepare in advance, to help the nobles clean up the imperial palace and arrange accommodations. There's no need for so many people to accompany me!" He then pointed at Wu Fan and said, "I think this young man is quite capable, so let him take fifty men and stay. The rest should go back to their duties!"

"Understood!"

Deputy Commander Zhao Xi, Commandants Wu Yuanhao, and Sun Jie all bowed in acknowledgment.

Wu Fan was taken aback for a moment, then quickly bowed to Lord Luo without saying anything. It was only when he bent down that he noticed the jealous and resentful look in Wu Yuanhao's eyes, as if he had just done something immoral to his wife. He couldn't help but wonder, [It's just a task for a eunuch, why are they vying for it? Could this bearded eunuch be more than he seems?]

"Take your men and follow me!"

Lord Luo informed Wu Fan and then started to walk towards the imperial palace.

The handsome young man, still lying on the street, weakly called out, "Grandpa... I'm hungry..."

Crack!!

In an instant, countless grass mud horses galloped through Wu Fan's mind! He was completely petrified, shattered!

[What kind of monster is this? Oh my God! That coquettish tone, what is he trying to do? And that expression, is it seductive? It can't be seductive! It can't be seductive! It can't be...]

Wu Fan shuddered, not daring to think any further. It was too terrifying!

Lord Luo glanced at the handsome young man lying on the ground, pondered for a moment, and sighed, "I'm hungry too. I haven't had a good meal on this journey. Deputy Commander Zhao, are there any good vegetarian restaurants in Luoyang recently?"

Zhao Xi was overjoyed, his waxen yellow face full of flattery, and he quickly replied, "This subordinate recommends Manxiang Tower. It's the closest and most famous for its vegetarian dishes, especially the 'Luohan Vegetarian Feast,' which is well-known far and wide! Last year, when the Crown Prince visited, he tried it and praised it highly, even writing a poem for Manxiang Tower..."

Lord Luo waved his hand, interrupting Zhao Xi's rambling, and said, "If that's the case, then the three of you should come with me to try it!" He turned to Wu Fan and instructed, "Wait here for an hour to receive further orders. Remember, don't be late, understand?"

Wu Fan bowed and replied solemnly, "This subordinate understands!"

Watching Lord Luo's carriage creak away, Wu Fan frowned, turned his eyes, and led his men to a secluded place. He gave a few silver taels to one of his subordinates and instructed, "Brother, keep an eye on them. Buy some food nearby, it looks like we'll be up all night. If you need to inform your family, do it quickly. Don't delay the task. Otherwise, I, as the chief, won't be able to save you, and I'll be the one to suffer! Dismissed! All dismissed! I need to go home too!"

After giving the instructions, Wu Fan quickly left, heading straight for his home. However, when no one was watching, he suddenly changed his route...

...

PS1: Third update, please collect, recommend, and like! I'm really trying hard!

PS2: Thank you for the 588-point coin donation from Cangjian Weng! Thanks!