Volume Three: Beyond Carefree Chapter 108

If she had not seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.

Although entering the city manor had always been her goal, she could absolutely not agree to this marriage. But what about the Kunlun Mirror?

Jin Li rode her tall, spirited horse, sandwiched between a group of soldiers. As they drew closer to the city manor, the surroundings seemed to open up significantly. The ground was paved with smooth, polished tiles, and the towering pavilions and high platforms exuded an air of luxury. She noticed the passersby—some wives were carefully supporting their husbands, while others, visibly pregnant, walked alongside their husbands who accompanied them with patient care. There was an immeasurable sweetness in the air. Elsewhere, women pursued their loves with boldness. It seemed as though this place was inhabited by high-ranking officials and nobles. It was astonishing that such a grand ancient city was divided into two such starkly contrasting worlds.

Here, men were cherished and valued by women, whereas the place she had arrived from treated men with little more than coercion and cold indifference.

"Rest assured, Sovereign. You and Lord Simu will surely be as harmonious a couple as they are."

Jin Li smiled silently. She absolutely could not allow this marriage to proceed; if she did, where would that jealous young man be left? Since they had already confessed their feelings to each other, she could no longer act as recklessly as she once had. She only needed to see the City Lord and obtain the Kunlun Mirror.

Jin Li gazed at the majestic, imposing gate of the city manor before her. Was this merely a city? It rivaled the capital of a mortal kingdom; the Lord of Shanjing City had been far too modest.

She had been riding for a whole day, and the insides of her thighs ached intensely. She had ridden horses often in the past, but those were the spirit steeds of the Heavenly Realm. Wait... she seemed to remember having ridden a donkey as well. Why would she have ridden a donkey? Yet, the image of herself doing so was already clear in her mind. Perhaps as she drew closer to the Kunlun Mirror, many memories she had forgotten after her illness were slowly resurfacing.

"When we enter the manor shortly, I ask that you dismount and proceed on foot, Sovereign."

"That is only natural."

As long as she could meet the City Lord and state her purpose, it would suffice. Regardless of anything else, this was within the territory of the Western Wilderness, and since Tushan Yan was on good terms with the Upper God of the Western Wilderness, perhaps she could obtain the Kunlun Mirror all the faster.

Upon reaching the manor of Shanjing Ancient City, the city gate stood tall and imposing, a testament to the might of the Western Wilderness. Jin Li dismounted as the gate slowly creaked open. Two rows of people emerged, each dressed in magnificent official robes, standing in parallel on either side.

Jin Li scanned them; they were all women. Judging by this display, the City Lord intended to see her. Jin Li followed them inside. The city walls were incredibly high, inlaid with gold and white jade. When she looked up, she could only see a small square of sky, yet the clouds above were auspicious, and amidst the drifting mist, the mountain range that pierced the heavens was where the Upper God of the Western Wilderness resided.

In the grand and luxurious main hall, three golden pillars carved with dancing phoenixes and auspicious clouds stood tall; the phoenixes seemed vivid and lifelike. Jin Li studied the craftsmanship and patterns—this was the handiwork of the Artisan Immortal from the Queen of Heaven’s Yulin Pavilion. It seemed the City Lord had some connection with the Queen of Heaven.

Jin Li waited in the hall alone, arms crossed. The City Lord was slow to appear, and the vast hall was empty save for her, as those who had accompanied her had retreated outside.

Just then, a voice rang out from beyond the hall: "I heard that my useless younger brother is getting married? I’ve come to see."

Jin Li turned to look. A group of people bowed to a woman dressed in gorgeous attire, adorned with exquisite pearls and precious gems. Her hair was styled in a high bun, decorated with dazzling jewelry, and a string of high-quality, translucent pearls—the kind only found in the Southern Sea—adorned her slender neck.

Who was she? Judging by her arrogant aura, she was clearly someone not to be trifled with. The young woman thought to herself that it would be safer to act according to the situation. She must not alert the enemy.

The woman entered, her fox-like eyes slanted upward, appraising her. Her red lips parted, "She has a decent look. I wonder about her character? What is your name?"

"My name is... A-Jin."

"Jin? It sounds like a man's name."

"The 'Jin' of embroidery. May I ask who this peerless beauty is..."

"How bold! This is the Second Princess of Shanjing City. Mind your manners."

Jin Li narrowed her eyes, the dark shadows beneath her pupils gradually surfacing as she looked at the servant who had spoken. Who was the one being bold? However, she raised a smile at the corners of her lips, "I did not know. I beg the Second Princess’s forgiveness."

The Second Princess rolled her fox-like eyes, yet she remained utterly enchanting, enough to leave any man spellbound.

Immediately after, another voice spoke, "Why have you arrived so early today, Second Sister?"

Who was this? A woman with a high ponytail, full of heroic spirit. Her brows exuded the air of a military family, bearing a slight resemblance to the War God Tang Jiu, though only by a fraction. People in the heavens always said that the War God Tang Jiu was the reincarnation of the Nine Profound Emperor, usually serious and unsmiling, but invincible on the battlefield. Such a brave and resourceful woman was truly worthy of admiration and awe.

Jin Li’s thoughts drifted, only to realize that the woman with the high ponytail and hair crown was watching her. Her gaze was cold, and her face remained expressionless, revealing neither joy nor anger.

"My name is A-Jin. You must be the Eldest Princess."

"You are quite observant."

"Does Big Sister seem to like her?" the Second Princess teased provocatively.

"Second Sister, you jest. After all, A-Jin is Third Brother’s future Sovereign; it is only right that you and I should know her."

"Big Sister always follows the principle of 'harmony is precious' no matter the time or place. I just wonder if things are truly harmonious at home?"

"Family matters are family matters; affairs of the city and family affairs should not be mentioned in the same breath. Besides, what happens in my home is none of your concern, Second Sister. I heard you’ve taken a fancy to another man recently?"

The Second Princess rolled her eyes, showing she held no regard for her eldest sister. "Big Sister says not to meddle in your affairs, yet you are so concerned with mine. It must be tiring for you, Big Sister, to juggle military power while still worrying about me. If you have the time to concern yourself with me, you’d be better off worrying about Little Uncle; he is working in secret for military power as we speak."

Hearing the two of them trading barbs, Jin Li feared they might break into a fight in the main hall at any moment. The Eldest Princess was one who kept her emotions well-hidden, yet she knew how to use retreat as a form of advance. Conversely, the Second Princess spoke her mind freely; her joy and anger were written all over her face, and her tongue was sharp.

These two sisters of Lord Simu were not to be trifled with. She had best avoid getting too entangled with them; after all, where there are many women, there is much trouble.

Just then, a sharp, piercing voice echoed in the hall: "The City Lord has arrived."

The Second Princess wore a look of utter disdain. "The voice of that Forest person is still as grating as ever."

This time, the Eldest Princess did not bicker with her, but instead glared at her. The Second Princess finally composed her expression. Even the haughty Second Princess had restrained herself; it seemed this Master Lin was no ordinary person, and both of them held a deep wariness—or perhaps fear—of the City Lord.

At this moment, many officials in magnificent robes appeared on both sides of the hall. They moved with perfect order, lining up along the sides, with the Eldest and Second Princesses standing at the forefront. Jin Li did not know where to stand, so the Eldest Princess pulled her to stand beside the princesses.

Everyone bowed in unison—the timing, the movement, and the posture were as if carved from the same mold. The young woman bowed lightly, then observed everyone until the person on the high platform sat down. The voice of Master Lin echoed once more, and only then did the crowd offer their thanks and straighten up.

Jin Li looked up, observing the woman sitting upon the throne adorned with bright pearls. The woman looked to be of a mature age—by mortal standards, perhaps in her forties. Her expression was stern, her eyes deep and dark. Her features were exquisite and beautiful, her skin free of wrinkles, though faint lines at the corners of her eyes betrayed her age. She wore a jeweled crown, her long hair neatly combed, and her luxurious robes showed not a single crease; even the gold thread was exceptionally refined.

She exuded a majestic and poised aura, and as she sat there, she cast an invisible sense of oppression. Jin Li was all too familiar with this feeling.

The Queen of Heaven.