City of Chaoge stood at the heart of Great Qi.
A mighty river split the entire city into northern and southern halves.
In the north, the largest area belonged to the Royal City, a city within the city.
Over a millennium, this vast palace complex had endured countless disasters and repairs; its current footprint was nearly 1.5 million square meters.
Aside from the Royal Palace in the northern city, the surrounding residences belonged mostly to noble families—either prestigious aristocrats or official mansions—truly gathering the elite of Great Qi.
The southern city appeared far more ordinary, filled mostly with commoners and laborers.
The southern city’s south wall stretched about twenty kilometers, lined with nine gates arranged in a row.
Before each gate stood a guo, a semicircular outer wall encasing the gate.
This meant that any enemy aiming to invade Chaoge had to first enter the Moon Wall.
Once closed, the Moon Wall created a half-circle enclosed space.
This was the design of ancient city fortifications—the inner circle being the main city wall, and the protruding semicircular outer wall known as the Moon Wall.
“Finally arrived at Chaoge.”
Xu Ping’an lifted his head, gazing at the massive city-state in the distance. The official road ahead had gradually become busier with horse carriages.
Soon, their caravan reached the outer guo wall, stopping in front of the city gate.
Seeing such a large group approaching, the soldiers atop the walls immediately heightened their vigilance.
Before they even entered the guo wall, arrows were drawn, and moments later, a general rode forward.
“Who goes there?”
For ordinary civilians, these city guards paid little mind, but the over a hundred men Li Yuer had brought were all armored elite soldiers at first glance.
Naturally, the guards paid close attention.
“This is the Shunnan King’s Heir, Li Yuer’s carriage!” “The Shunnan King’s Heir?”
General Ming’s eyes flickered in surprise before he quickly dismounted, clasping his hands respectfully.
“I am Xue Zheng, Captain of the South City Wumen Gate. Please, Your Highness, show your credentials.”
As the words rang out, the lead carriage slowly drew back its curtains. Li Yuer, dressed in male attire and wearing a gender-concealing talisman, stepped out.
Li Yuer said nothing but casually tossed a golden plaque into the air. It arced gracefully before landing in the general’s hand.
Xue Zheng immediately bowed his head to inspect the plaque, then straightened, showing profound respect.
“I, Captain Xue Zheng of Wumen Gate, greet the Shunnan King’s Heir!”
“Hm, I have come under the orders of my father.” “Understood, Your Highness, please proceed.”
With that, Xue Zheng turned and shouted loudly.
“Clear the way! Open the city gates to welcome the Shunnan King’s Heir!”
At the command, soldiers quickly sheathed their bows, and the main gate began to slowly open.
But upon hearing this, Li Yuer frowned slightly and suddenly turned to face Xue Zheng.
“Captain Xue, General Xue, may I ask who is allowed to enter or exit through Wumen’s main gate?”
Xue Zheng froze briefly; a shadow flickered across his eyes.
“Well… it seems…”
“Heh, General Xue, to my knowledge, Wumen’s main gate is the Emperor’s gate, only opened when the Emperor enters or leaves Chaoge. For me to enter through it seems irregular, does it not?”
“Yes, yes… I—was not considering that fully. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”
“No need for apologies. Just open the side gates and let my troops enter.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Xue Zheng said no more, simply nodded and immediately turned to issue orders.
Li Yuer stood atop the carriage, watching his back, a cold glint flashing through his eyes.
Without a doubt, Xue Zheng was not loyal to the Shunnan King’s lineage. Perhaps he was aligned with the Left Chancellor.
If Li Yuer had allowed the caravan through the main gate, he would surely be reported by tomorrow.
At worst, it could implicate the Shunnan King himself and cause a loss of face.
Breaking protocol was a serious offense—though not fatal for her, it would be enough trouble.
This vast city of Chaoge now felt like a great beast slowly opening its huge maw, waiting for its prey to fall into that bloodthirsty abyss.
Not even inside the city yet, and they were almost ambushed. Li Yuer’s mind churned as she returned inside the carriage.
Xu Ping’an, seated in the carriage behind, had witnessed the entire scene and grew more cautious.
Though the matter might not directly concern him, he had to stay alert. If something went wrong, he could become a liability to Li Yuer.
“Never thought trouble would start before even entering the city. I wonder what will happen once we’re inside.”
This was clearly not a place to linger.
Besides, he had no great skills to show off except his medical talents.
He might as well focus on curing the Emperor’s illness.
Once the Emperor recovered, all the previous turmoil would subside.
Xu Ping’an didn’t want to be dragged into the vortex.
But considering Pei Qingxuan’s status and her support for the Emperor, if he could help stabilize Great Qi’s politics and aid the Emperor, the Floating Cloud Sect would likely remain peaceful.
With his decision made, the carriage slowly moved into the guo wall.
Just as the front carriage entered the city, a man in embroidered robes and a square crown appeared by the city gate, stepping forward to block the carriage.
“I greet the Shunnan King’s Heir. By the Prince’s orders, I have awaited your arrival for some time.”
Hearing this, Li Yuer quickly pulled aside the curtain and looked out with a slight smile.
“Uncle Liao, there’s no need for such formalities. Since Father has already made arrangements, please lead the way.”
“I am but an old servant unworthy of such a title. Follow me, Your Highness.”
After nearly half an hour of travel—from the southern city’s south gate to its north gate—they transferred to a large boat, sailing to the northern city’s south gate.
Passing through that gate and traveling another half hour, they finally arrived at the Duke of the Southern Border’s Residence, just outside the Royal City.
The moment they disembarked, a middle-aged man appeared before the mansion gate.
Dressed in simple yet elegant embroidered robes, his hair wrapped in a turban, with a black mustache beneath his chin, and a pair of sword-like eyebrows framing his tiger-like eyes, he smiled kindly.
“Father, your child has arrived late.”
Li Yuer immediately stepped forward from the carriage, clasping his fists respectfully.
“You, you… I gave you the seal to tell you not to come. You’re still as stubborn as ever. Well then, come inside with me first. By the way… did you meet with your mother before coming?”
Xu Ping’an stepped down from the carriage and, at first glance, took in this filial scene carefully.
He scrutinized the Shunnan King from head to toe, already forming his assessment.
His external functions had been damaged; testosterone levels were very low.
Fortunately, he seemed to practice some cultivation method that forcibly activated male hormones, allowing him to retain masculine features.
In other words, although the details were unclear, this Shunnan King appeared tinged with a faint sorrow.
“Father, I would like to introduce someone.” “Mr. Xu, this way please.”
Huh?
No one mentioned this step when we arrived.
But now it was too late to refuse.
“Father, this is Mr. Xu. He is a man of great talent and wisdom.”