"Jian'er, mother has heard that the matters in the Northern Lands are quite complex. After you go there, you must be cautious."
She reminds her son that, being in the capital, it is impossible not to be aware of certain things; one can always hear a bit of news, more or less.
Hearing his mother's words, Gong Jian paused in organizing his travel gear and turned to look at Lady Gong.
"Mother, have you heard something?"
"This..."
Lady Gong pursed her lips, unsure of what to say.
"It's nothing much, just that Madam of the Zhao Family mentioned her husband sent someone to the Northern Lands to collect grain, claiming to have someone's command."
"Zhao Family? The one from the Ministry of Rites?" Gong Jian furrowed his brows.
It seems the Retired Emperor's net is cast wide; not only in the Northern Lands, but even the capital is filled with his people.
