Since she couldn't leave the courtyard, Hua Yan had no desire to wander anymore.
So, she said to Ya Shua, "Help me back to my room! There's really nothing in this broken courtyard worth strolling for."
Ya Shua nodded and helped Hua Yan back to her room.
The Commander didn't follow Hua Yan into the room. After watching her being helped inside by Ya Shua, he left the courtyard, crossed the plum grove, and headed to the study.
Seeing him arrive, the military advisor Yan hurried to his feet to greet him and respectfully said, "As per your instructions, I have passed along the orders. Since we are some distance from the Capital City, it'll probably take three days before we can take action."
The Commander grunted, his face somewhat absent as he seated himself in a chair.
The military advisor Yan noticed the dirt on the Commander's sleeve, paused for a moment, and thought to himself that the Commander, who loved cleanliness, would hardly tolerate wearing dirty clothes. Yet now…
