Xi Chen followed Ah Lin's gaze.
"Lieutenant Yun. Captain Zhang." Sze Chang nodded at both men as he approached them.
"How many times do I need to tell you? Just call me Ah Lin." Ah Lin said dryly.
Sze Chang only smiled. "Captain Zhang, I'll call you by your given name next time when we're not on a business engagement."
"Eh. I guess that's fair." Ah Lin shrugged.
"Lieutenant Yun, thank you for inviting me to join this convoy."
"Oh, that was all His Imperial Majesty's idea."
"Oh, really? Then I should thank His Imperial Majesty when I see him. I've never been to the southern plains much less attend the Mid-Autumn celebrations there."
"Hold on. Does that mean that it is the first time for all of us, including His Imperial Majesty and Adlai?" Ah Lin quipped.
"I think you're right." Xi Chen came to a sudden realization.
"This is amazing! We should all go to the festival then!" Ah Lin declared.
"Sure." Sze Chang agreed.
"We need to ask Adlai to join us too." Ah Lin said before looking around the open space for the foreign prince. "Where is he?"
"He said that he didn't want any lunch and decided to take a nap in the coach that we're sharing instead. I'll probably just get some snacks for him to nibble on later." Sze Chang replied.
Ah Lin nodded at Sze Chang. "Then I'll leave it to you to invite Adlai for our group outing."
The grand eunuch just finished tasting the emperor's meal and determined that it wasn't laced with poison. He handed the food to Xi Chen.
"Thank you, grand eunuch. His Imperial Majesty requested to be left alone so please make sure that he has his privacy." Xi Chen said. He then turned to Ah Lin and Sze Chang. "I guess I'll see you when we arrive at the Temple of the Full Moon."
"Yes, see you." Sze Chang replied as he bowed at Xi Chen respectfully.
Compared to Sze Chang's calmer demeanor, Ah Lin was a charged ball of energy as he dismissively said goodbye to Xi Chen as he dragged Sze Chang to join him for lunch.
*******
Due to her persistent nausea, it took Ye An longer than usual to finish her meal. Initially, she didn't want to take even one bite of the food that Xi Chen had brought her but she relented after the lieutenant's patient coaxing.
"Do you feel better now, Your Imperial Majesty?" Xi Chen asked as he stacked up the empty plates and cutleries neatly.
YOU ARE READING
THE NIGHT EMPEROR: 夜安王 【The Night Emperor Book 1】| ✔️
Historical Fiction☑ COMPLETED "There are enough bad things in life, hold on to whatever it is that gives you joy." For the past 22 years, the Empress Mother has held onto the Dragon Throne that was rightfully Ye An's. Now, Ye An has finally ascended to the throne. Bu...
