After reading the note, Lu Zhao'er handed it to Lin Ji.
Normally, regardless of the importance of the message, such an act would be considered improper.
But Lu Zhao'er did it instinctively.
Lin Ji didn't think it was presumptuous, he took the note and found only four words, 'Hasten back to the capital,' and a seal.
"Summoning you back to the capital? Is there another case for you to investigate?" Lin Ji handed the note back.
But when he looked at Lu Zhao'er, he noticed her slight frown, showing some unease.
"What's wrong?"
"Something's not right." Lu Zhao'er shook her head slightly. "When I left, the capital was still dealing with various troubles from all over, and officials like me were out handling tasks."
"And then?" Lu Zhao'er looked at Lin Ji.
"Lord Lin, you may not know, the reason why we're called wandering officials is because we are often away, like the countless stars in the sky. Logically, I haven't returned to the capital from Liangzhou, so this kind of order shouldn't fall on me."
Lu Zhao'er pondered and continued, "There are instances of receiving orders while on duty outside, but most of the time they are temporary assignments. The capital sends out spirit doves, which follow the guidance of the wandering official order, and then find someone nearby to handle the task."
"Receiving a summons back to the capital like this, in my over a year as a wandering official, this is the first time."
After hearing this explanation, Lin Ji subconsciously said, "It's likely that something significant has happened in the capital, hence the urgent recall."
"Very likely." Lu Zhao'er nodded. "The seal on this note is also significant, it's Lord Zheng's seal. Lord Zheng is in charge of supervising dispatches, ordinary tasks wouldn't be handled by him personally! This time, with only the seal and no signature, it's clear that it's not just me being summoned back, so the notes are standardized."
"Is it Lord Zheng Lixin?" Lin Ji recalled the stern official he met in the capital during his previous visit.
"Yes." Lu Zhao'er nodded slightly, looking at Lin Ji. "It seems I have to trouble Lord Lin to this extent. The order came suddenly, I can't delay, I have to leave immediately."
"May the winds be favorable on your journey." Lin Ji clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.
"Thank you for your kind words." Lu Zhao'er nodded and turned to leave.
But after taking only two steps, she turned back to look at Lin Ji.
"I will report the affairs of Shan Yuan County truthfully. Your knowledge of the law, my favoritism and corruption, I will document them in detail and submit them."
"It should be so." Lin Ji nodded, as he had no ambitions in that regard, only seeking to be true to his conscience.
Seeing him so calm, Lu Zhao'er also smiled.
"Lin Ji, the greatest surprise of my visit to Liangzhou this time is getting to know you. If you ever come to the capital, be sure to visit me at the Lu Mansion, so I can extend the hospitality of a host."
"How can a lowly sixth-ranked official like me go to the Duke's mansion?"
"If I ask you to go, you go, no need for so much nonsense!" Lu Zhao'er glared at Lin Ji, then shook her head with a smile, and turned to head towards the direction of the capital.
In the blink of an eye, she disappeared without a trace.
Lin Ji watched Lu Zhao'er for a long time.
It wasn't until the rain intensified that he chuckled silently, the girl had finally left.
On the way back to Liangcheng, Lin Ji couldn't help but think about the matters in the capital.
"Even the wandering officials are being summoned back, what exactly is happening in the capital?"
"Could it be?"
Lin Ji suddenly thought of the Demon Suppression Tower.
The Demon Subduing Staff had returned to the capital, could it be that the Celestial Oversight Bureau was preparing to reopen the Demon Suppression Tower?
"If that's the case, it's indeed a serious matter."
"But what does it have to do with me? I'm just a lowly chief constable."
Lin Ji chuckled lightly, and his pace quickened.
Even if the sky were to fall, there would be taller people to bear it, it wasn't his concern.
Back in Liangcheng, after resting at the mansion and changing into fresh clothes, Lin Ji went to the yamen.
Responding to the greetings of the yamen officials along the way.
After arriving at his study in the yamen, he had barely sat down when there was a knock on the door.
"Lord Lin." Zhou Ying's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in." Lin Ji yawned.
Zhou Ying opened the door but didn't enter, just half-bowed and said, "Lord Lin, Master Zhang requests your presence for a conversation."
Upon hearing this, Lin Ji immediately sat up.
"I understand, I'll go right away."
Since it was Master Zhang's request, Lin Ji naturally didn't dare to delay. But he also wondered why Master Zhang was looking for him so soon after his return, he hadn't even had a chance to settle in his study.
Arriving at the yamen's backyard garden, Master Zhang was not in his own courtyard but in the hall by the pond, with Master Xingchi also present.
After Lin Ji arrived, he gave a slight bow.
"Master Zhang, Master Xingchi."
"Please, have a seat." Master Zhang gestured for Lin Ji to sit down and personally poured him a cup of tea.
Lin Ji quickly received it with both hands.
"Master Zhang, you honor me too much."
Master Zhang shook his head, indicating for Lin Ji not to be so polite.
After pouring the tea, Master Zhang put down the teapot and looked at Lin Ji.
"I went with Lu Zhao'er on a trip below, how did you find it?"
"A bit tiring." Lin Ji admitted, "Lu Zhao'er is full of energy, we've only been on the road for two or three days, and we've already been to Shan Yuan County."
"Haha, that girl is just like that." Master Zhang couldn't help but smile.
Master Zhang obviously already knew about the recall of the wandering officials to the capital, so he wasn't surprised that Lin Ji had returned so early.
He got up, nodded to Master Xingchi, then turned to Lin Ji.
"I'll be leaving for a few days as well. While I'm away, Lin Ji, you must be vigilant about the affairs of the Celestial Oversight Bureau in Liangzhou, don't be careless."
"I understand." Lin Ji responded.
Master Zhang was different from Lu Zhao'er, Lin Ji wasn't so nosy as to ask him where he was going.
"Off I go." Master Zhang smiled and bowed to Master Xingchi, then quickly left.
Lin Ji looked at Master Xingchi.
"It seems that Master Zhang and Master Xingchi have a close relationship?"
Master Xingchi nodded, smiling as he asked, "How long have you been in Liangcheng, Lord Lin?"
"It's been a while." Lin Ji replied casually.
Although Master Xingchi was also a high-ranking individual, Lin Ji seemed to be able to relax a bit more around him.
After taking a sip of tea, nothing special happened.
The tea poured by the town official, that was all.
Master Xingchi's smile widened.
"Lord Lin, since you've come to Liangcheng, is there anywhere worth visiting?"
"You're a local of Liangcheng, why ask me?"
"Just a casual question from Lord Lin."
At this, Lin Ji casually replied, "The outskirts of Liangcheng have beautiful mountains and waters worth seeing."
"What else?"
Lin Ji pondered.
"North of the city, there's a tall tower that pierces the sky, worth a visit."
"Where is this tower located?"
Lin Ji was about to answer when he suddenly froze.
He looked deeply at Master Xingchi, then apologized with a bow.
"I've been in Liangcheng for a while and haven't visited the Great Liang Temple, it was rude of me."
"If there's nothing urgent, I'll visit tomorrow."
Master Xingchi chuckled and stood up.
"I'll be waiting for you at the temple."
(End of this chapter)