The man, who had returned to the Flying Phoenix Palace, was still reeling from the intoxicating love of the previous night and the farewell of the previous morning when a royal guard arrived on horseback with a decree from King Andre III, forcing him to immediately brace himself and rush to the Palace of Sanssouci.
The Emperor's audience with Aurelian Dragon took place in an elegant cloister within the inner court of Sanssouci Palace, demonstrating the Emperor's high regard and affection for the man.
Led by court ladies, Aurelian Dragon slowly walked along the long corridor. Countless thoughts raced through his mind, yet he couldn't fathom what Andre III's true intentions were in summoning him in such a private manner. What schemes might those with ulterior motives have in store for this?
As he was pondering this, the palace maid who had led the way suddenly turned around, smiled slightly at him, and her eyes sparkled as if she wanted to say something.
Aurelian Dragon's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered that the court lady who had led the way was actually a lady-in-waiting to Andre III. He seemed to have caught a glimpse of her when she was being knighted, but she wasn't wearing the uniform that signified her status as a lady-in-waiting, so he hadn't recognized her.
Knowing that the lady-in-waiting before her held a certain position by the emperor's side and was in charge of clerical matters, Aurelian Dragon had a sudden inspiration and asked tentatively, "May I ask your name, sister?"
The beautiful female official gave him a half-smile, then said softly, "My lord, you needn't be so polite. My name is Shangguan Qing'er. From now on, you can just call me Qing'er."
"Qing'er!" Aurelian Dragon murmured, then exclaimed, "She truly lives up to her name, so beautiful and graceful!"
Shangguan Qing'er looked incredulous and said, "The beauties around you, sir, are all stunning beauties. How could someone as ordinary as me possibly catch your eye?"
Aurelian Dragon smiled slightly and said, "Miss Qing'er is too modest. Spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums each have their own strengths. If you don't believe me, you can ask other people. Anyone who doesn't think you are pure and refined must be blind."
Shangguan Qing'er knew in her heart that the man in front of her was saying nice things about her, but as a woman, she naturally felt pleased to hear such praise. She smiled sweetly and said, "What would you like to say, my lord? Please enlighten me."
Aurelian Dragon thought to himself, "Goodness, she's certainly a very capable woman. It seems she's quite formidable." He then cut to the chase, asking, "Does Miss Qing'er know why His Majesty summoned me this time?"
Shangguan Qing'er covered her mouth with her delicate hand, chuckled softly, and said, "Congratulations, Your Excellency! This is an incredibly wonderful thing!"
The man, feeling slightly relieved, was about to press for more information when he suddenly noticed Shangguan Qing'er's expression turn serious. She took a step forward, creating distance between them, and continued walking.
Aurelian Dragon was taken aback. They had already turned the corner of the corridor, and the carved dragon gate was in sight. He also understood why Shangguan Qing'er had changed her expression, because standing in front of the gate was an equally beautiful maid, undoubtedly a lady-in-waiting to Andre III.
Seeing Shangguan Qing'er and Aurelian Dragon walk in one after the other, the female official standing in front of the pavilion came up to greet them and complained to Shangguan Qing'er in a low voice, "Why are you so slow? His Majesty is getting impatient inside."
Shangguan Qing'er smiled apologetically and said, "Juan'er, why are you standing at the door?"
The female official named Juan'er had a very delicate face. At this moment, she wrinkled her nose slightly and said, "Qing'er, His Majesty has instructed the two of us to guard the pavilion entrance, and to let Lord Ye go in alone."
Shangguan Qing'er and the female official named Juan'er remained outside the pavilion. Aurelian Dragon gently pushed open the door made of fine sandalwood and respectfully went inside.
The door closed silently behind him, and a refreshing fragrance wafted into his nose, instantly invigorating the doubtful man.
King Andre III looked up from behind his white jade desk and gazed at Aurelian Dragon as she approached him. He said gently, "I am truly delighted to hear of your recovery, Aurelian!"
Aurelian Dragon immediately bowed and thanked His Majesty, saying, "When I was ill, Your Majesty personally came to visit me. I am truly grateful!"
King Andre III said in a gentle voice, "Aurelian, no need for formalities, please rise!"
Aurelian Dragon could not refuse, so she sat down in a chair in front of the desk.
King Andre III smiled as he looked at Aurelian Dragon and said, "Aurelian, are your injuries fully healed? What happened back then? Phoenix only said that you encountered a band of thieves, but how do you explain the strange events that occurred at that time?"
Aurelian Dragon thought to himself, "How am I supposed to answer that? Should I say it's because your third son sent someone to assassinate me? Besides, I don't even know the details of what happened back then. When I asked those despicable women, none of them would say anything, and they just kept laughing at me."
However, he couldn't ignore the emperor's question, so the man had no choice but to seriously use his nonsensical skills to make the incident seem as reasonable as possible based on Phoenix Vane's story.
Whether Andre III genuinely believed his half-truths or simply wasn't focused on the story, he listened with feigned concern, then spoke briefly about the strange wounds on the Aurelian Dragon before shifting the topic.
A glint suddenly flashed in his seemingly lifeless eyes, like lightning piercing through thick fog. Andrei III looked into Aurelian Dragon's eyes and said casually, "You have rendered me a great service this time. What kind of reward would you like me to give you?"
Having witnessed all these changes in the old man before him, Aurelian Dragon, who had initially looked down on the elderly man, suddenly became wary. He couldn't help but wonder if Andre III could have ruled the Fast Empire for nearly sixty years without extraordinary strength and methods. Beneath this old man's ordinary appearance, there must be something terrifying that no one knows about.
Thinking about it this way, he suddenly felt a sense of awe and respect for the old man in front of him, and he also became more cautious in trying to guess the meaning behind the emperor's words.
Aurelian Dragon calmly looked at Andre III and said, "Your Majesty, I have only done my best. There is no merit to be made. Your Majesty should reward those soldiers who have truly contributed!"
King Andre III lightly patted the white jade desk and sighed, "You are not arrogant despite your achievements, and you are able to think of your soldiers. Aurelian, you are just what I want!"
Aurelian Dragon knew perfectly well that the real show was finally about to begin, and wondered what kind of arrangements the emperor would make for him.
Having spent the past few days with Phoenix Vane and the others, Aurelian Dragon has gained a fairly good understanding of the political circles in the capital. He knows the current court dynamics, with its various factions deeply entrenched, making it impossible for anyone to establish themselves in the court alone. If one tries to remain a mere nobody in the court, they will inevitably become someone else's prey. Therefore, he is now taking a step back to observe the situation before making any further decisions.
Seeing that Aurelian Dragon remained unmoved, Andre III suddenly stood up, walked to Aurelian Dragon, put one hand on his shoulder, and whispered, "I will appoint you as the Eastern Governor of the Imperial Capital, and grant you the title of Viscount, allowing you to establish your own government and army."
Although Andre III spoke in a gentle and calm voice, it sounded like a thunderclap to Aurelian Dragon's ears. He jolted, looked up, and gazed at Emperor Fast with a complex and unfathomable expression.
Indeed, this news was far too shocking for him. This appointment could only be described as a meteoric rise. It was common for a baron to be promoted to viscount, but frankly, the lower ranks of nobility in the Faustian Empire were somewhat excessive; only the ranks of earl and above truly carried some weight.
However, his appointment as the Eastern Governor was a major event. In just a few months, based on two or three merits, he rose from a lowly centurion to the Eastern Governor of the capital. This was simply unbelievable to those seasoned generals who had fought countless battles. Their protests must have been quite loud.
While the Eastern Governor of the Imperial Capital held a position in the military second only to the legion commanders who commanded large armies, his power and influence far surpassed that of the legion commanders. This was because the Eastern Governor commanded 80,000 city guards, known as the "Imperial Guard," who were the most powerful armored cavalry and were fully responsible for the security of the Imperial Capital, Esnia.
In the Fast Empire, these armored cavalrymen were all knights of good birth. After rigorous training and selection, they entered the city guard, but at this stage, they were only apprentice armored cavalrymen. They also had to study various magical knowledge in the school established by the temple. After two years of study, those who performed exceptionally well, reaching or approaching the level of a magic swordsman, were selected to serve as court guards. The rest joined the city guard. Therefore, the Fast Empire's city guard was considered one of the most elite armies on the continent, its combat power enough to make everyone take notice. However, because the Fast emperor had always regarded this army as a last resort, he generally did not send them out lightly. As a result, they only saw combat a few times in the early days of their formation, and then they continued to guard the imperial capital, Esnia, occasionally taking on missions such as escorting envoys.
Of course, only 20,000 armored cavalry were truly under the direct command of the Eastern Governor. The remaining 60,000 armored cavalry were led by the Southern Governor, the Western Governor, and the Northern Governor, but these three were under the control and command of the Eastern Governor. In fact, if necessary, other legions of the empire could temporarily be placed under the Eastern Governor's command.
According to the laws of the Fast Empire, no army may approach the imperial capital, Esnia, without being summoned. Even if a legion commander returns to the capital, he can only enter the city with his personal guards. Therefore, some even say that the true power in Esnia lies with the Eastern Governor. Consequently, the selection of each Eastern Governor is extremely careful and meticulous, naturally reserved for those most trusted by the emperor. Even so, the Eastern Governor has the highest turnover rate among military commanders. Because of this sensitive position, a misstep could not only offend people but also potentially lose the emperor's trust amidst public opinion, leading to a swift disappearance. To date, the shortest term for an Eastern Governor is six months, a record set by the previous Eastern Governor.
It can be said that the position of Governor of the Eastern Capital is a position that is both risky and glorious. For every soldier of the Fast Empire, being appointed as Governor of the Eastern Capital is something they desperately desire, but at the same time, it is the most uncertain thing.
But for a man with a notorious reputation for womanizing, this challenge was incredibly exciting. The prospect of ascending to one of the most powerful positions in the empire in such a short time was undeniably alluring. This position offered him the power to stir up trouble, and more importantly, it gave him leverage to challenge Prince Elnario, preventing him from being left defenseless as before.
What shocked Aurelian Dragon most wasn't any of this, but rather the permission to establish his own government, command his own troops, and form his own retinue. This meant he could recruit talent, appoint his own generals, and gain the same power as a legion commander. Previously, the Eastern Governor could only have a personal guard, unlike a legion commander who could have his own subordinate generals. Now, possessing such power was an unprecedented honor in the Fast Empire.
Satisfied with the shock he had caused the man before him, Andre III smiled and continued, "Of course, I will also bestow upon you a luxurious mansion as the Eastern Governor's Residence of our Fast Empire."
Aurelian Dragon's mind raced with countless thoughts. After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly knelt down and bowed his head, saying, "Your Majesty, I am truly unworthy of such a heavy responsibility. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!"
Andre III's smile vanished, and he said with considerable surprise, "Aurelian, why do you say such a thing? Do you think this reward is not enough?"
"No, Your Majesty!" Aurelian Dragon replied respectfully, "It is only because I feel that my abilities are insufficient to shoulder this heavy responsibility. If I were to fail Your Majesty's great kindness, wouldn't Aurelian be willing to die a thousand deaths? Now that there are many talented people in the court, Your Majesty should appoint another person with both virtue and ability!"
A hint of anger flashed across Andre III's face, then he sighed softly and said, "Aurelian, do you really not want to take over the position of Governor of the East?"
After receiving an affirmative answer from the man at his feet, Andre III sighed deeply, sat down in a chair opposite Aurelian Dragon, and made Aurelian Dragon stand up.
"Does this mean that even an old man can't have a good night's sleep?"
Andre III's eyes seemed to be looking at the man in front of him, yet it was also as if the focus was not on him at all; at this moment, he appeared so helpless.
"Your Majesty, is there really no one in the palace you can trust?" Aurelian Dragon asked in a low voice.
Andre III shook his head helplessly and said, "They are all just guys who want to get more benefits from me, or cowards who are afraid of trouble. How can I put my mind at ease?"
In that instant, Aurelian Dragon suddenly realized that the emperor before him really looked like a helpless old man, not at all like His Majesty the Emperor who held the power of Fast. A strange sense of desolation flashed in Andre III's eyes, making the part of his heart that had not yet hardened even softer.
He tentatively asked, "Your Majesty, do you believe that I am not like them?"
King Andre III looked at him earnestly and said, "Aurelian, the first time I saw you, I knew you would be someone I could trust. I wanted to give you the position of Governor-General of the East, but they strongly opposed it, so I had you complete another mission first. Who knew you would be so badly injured because of it? When I heard the news, I was filled with regret. So now I've made up my mind to appoint you as Governor-General of the East. But I never expected you…" King Andre III sighed deeply again.
Aurelian Dragon thought to herself, "Even I don't have this much confidence in myself, so where does your strong confidence come from?"
That being said, Andre III's words and actions did indeed move him deeply. Perhaps it was out of gratitude for the old man's feelings, or perhaps it was because of the emperor's immense trust in him, but Aurelian Dragon was suddenly overcome with emotion and blurted out a sentence he would later regret.
"If Your Majesty still trusts me, then let me ensure Your Majesty gets a good night's sleep!"
King Andre III's eyes lit up, and he stood up, saying, "Aurelian, you agree!"
Aurelian Dragon gave a wry smile and nodded vigorously. He really didn't know why this emperor would trust him so much, but out of respect for the old man's wish, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree.
King Andre III was overjoyed and said, "Excellent! Excellent! I will immediately summon the ministers of the Central Secretariat and the Ministry of the Army to issue this appointment."
Having decided to accept the appointment, Aurelian Dragon had no choice but to carefully plan for his future. He looked at Andre III and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I hope you will grant me a request."
Without hesitation, Andrei III asked, "What is it? Just tell me, Aurelian, and I will certainly do it for you!"
Aurelian Dragon said, word by word, "I implore Your Majesty, when you speak to those officials, please say that I am overjoyed to accept this appointment!"
Andre III stared at him intently for a long time, then suddenly nodded and said, "I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Aurelian. If you had listened to those rumors, you would have really suffered a great loss!" He paused for a moment, then added, "Since Aurelian has such thoughts, then I must tell you to be very careful of Gilemans and Prince Elnario. They might cause you a lot of trouble in your work."
After expressing his gratitude, Aurelian Dragon left the warm chamber. He suddenly felt uneasy about accepting the appointment, because Andre III had drawn such a conclusion from just one of his words. This seemingly ordinary old man was not as his appearance suggested; the old man's cunning could only be described as extremely formidable.
The two female officials standing at the pavilion entrance smiled and congratulated Aurelian Dragon before going off to convey the emperor's orders.
Aurelian Dragon slowly walked out of the inner court, raised her head and looked at the sky of the capital. Suddenly, a white cloud drifted across the clear sky, obscuring the bright sun, and the area around the cloud emitted a dazzling seven-colored light.
"Is taking this position a good thing or a bad thing?" The man, his mind in turmoil, couldn't help but sigh. The old man living in this luxurious palace was not confused at all; he was actually very aware of the affairs of the court officials. Now, he felt that this emperor was terrifyingly shrewd, and that he might have fallen into a well that had been set in advance.
What was Andre III trying to tell him by mentioning the names of Gilemans and Prince Elnario? Why was he so determined to put him in the position of Governor-General of the East? Why did he have such confidence in him? Not long ago, he was just a lowly centurion in a small town; why was Andre so sure he was capable of holding this position?
The more she thought about it, the more agitated she became. Aurelian Dragon shook her head and looked away.
He chuckled self-deprecatingly, thinking to himself, "When soldiers come, we'll deal with them; when water comes, we'll dam it. Anyone who can become the Eastern Governor of the capital is incredibly prestigious. Why worry about troubles that haven't even arrived yet?"
Just then, he suddenly saw a pretty little maid rushing over, smiling at him. Upon closer inspection, he realized that she was Xiaochun, one of Princess Selene Qian's twin maids.
Xiaochun approached Aurelian Dragon, gave a polite bow, and then looked at the man before her with her bright, lively eyes, saying softly, "Her Highness the Princess invites Lord Ye!"
Aurelian Dragon's heart warmed, and she temporarily cast aside her troubles. That pretty Princess Selene Qian was certainly well-informed; she knew as soon as she arrived at the palace. Her eagerness to see her—could it be…?
The imaginative man chuckled to himself, then said with a grin to the pretty maid, "Lead the way!"
Aurelian Dragon followed Xiaochun through several corridors and through multiple palace complexes. Everywhere they went, the palace maids and guards they encountered were very polite to them. Thus, Aurelian Dragon realized that the little maid in front of them actually held a rather high position in the inner palace.
As they traveled, Xiaochun frequently introduced the various palaces within Sanssouci Palace to Aurelian Dragon. Through Aurelian Dragon's casual questions, Xiaochun shared her knowledge of Sanssouci Palace with him, giving him a fairly detailed impression of this vast palace complex.
After passing through a corridor connecting two magnificent palaces, the two arrived at the detached palace where Princess Selene Qian resided.