Ryan found the imperial eunuch waiting for him in the main hall, standing respectfully near the entrance with an imperial decree held carefully in both hands. The moment Ryan stepped inside, the eunuch lowered his head and bowed.
"General."
Ryan's gaze immediately fell on the rolled decree.
He did not need to ask what it was. Anything that came directly from the Emperor was rarely something that could simply be ignored.
"Read it."
The eunuch cleared his throat and carefully unrolled the decree before beginning to read in the formal voice expected when delivering an imperial order.
"By His Majesty's command, General Ryan and his newly wedded bride are invited to attend the imperial hunting competition..."
Ryan's expression remained composed as he listened to the rest of the decree, but beneath that calm exterior, his thoughts had already become restless.
The hunting grounds.
Of all places, it had to be there.
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
