Phoenix Avenue was bustling with activity. Qinghe, dressed in men's clothing, was just as handsome as Mo Junqian and the others. Occasionally, a few young ladies would secretly slip her purses or handkerchiefs, some of whom were quite pretty, but she politely declined them all.
Shen Xun even joked with her, "I see you're no good as a woman, but you're popular as a man. Don't switch back."
Qinghe chuckled: "Don't think I don't know you were the one who pinched me just now. I'll settle the score with you after this is over!"
Shen Xun silently shut up, ending the topic.
The group enjoyed the flowers and scenery along the way, and before they knew it, they arrived at Posuo Lake.
The azure lake water shimmered with a faint silver light under the reflection of the sky. Several boats floated on the lake, and the sacred lotus platform stood in the center of the lake, giving it a sense of sacrificial ritual.
Changping volunteered to be the commentator: "Tonight, a man and a woman will be chosen to offer sacrifices to the heavens on this lotus platform. My father will also attend. This is the highlight of the flower-viewing and wine-offering ceremony."
Li Jiang sighed, "I wonder what kind of stunning beauties the chosen man and woman must be."
Changping smiled mysteriously: "It might be a man, but there's only one woman, and that's Consort Cheng."
Everyone: "Consort Cheng?"
Changping leaned against the bridge railing and said to the group, "Consort Cheng is my adoptive mother. My mother died in childbirth when she gave birth to me. I was raised by Consort Cheng since I was a child. Although I don't like her very much, I have to admit that she is one of the most beautiful women in Tianqi Kingdom."
At this point, she took a deep breath and continued, "Consort Cheng is gentle and kind, and she doesn't compete for favor. Many people in Tianqi Kingdom have benefited from her kindness. Every year during the flower-viewing and wine-offering ceremony, she always gets the most votes. Father King also tacitly allows her to participate, after all, it is indeed convincing for her to represent the people of Tianqi Kingdom in the sacrificial ceremony."
Qinghe waved his fan and said, "I originally thought that members of the royal family wouldn't participate in such folk festivals. Your Tianqi Kingdom is really down-to-earth."
Changping asked in confusion: "Down-to-earth?"
“What I mean is,” Qinghe coughed lightly, “being able to blend in with ordinary people is also a way of governing a country.”
Changping nodded: "This is indeed the Tianqi Kingdom that Father wanted to see, a kingdom where the ruler and the people lived in harmony. He achieved it, although..."
Qinghe: "Despite what?"
"nothing."
Changping turned around, her back to us, her eyelashes fluttering slightly.
Although the palace was already in ruins.
...
After strolling around for most of the day, just as darkness fell, a huge cannon salute resounded through the sky, and the highlight of the flower parade and wine offering finally arrived.
Countless people surged toward Phoenix Avenue, nearly scattering Qing and his companions.
Cultivators who had never appeared in the capital before also arrived. Qinghe released his divine sense and sensed that there were quite a few Foundation Establishment stage cultivators here, whose cultivation levels were not high.
Li Jiang was jostled around by the crowd and felt a little irritable. Sleeping in that dilapidated temple environment for the past few days had taken a toll on his mental state.
He struggled to get close to Qinghe and whispered, "All these cultivators come out at this time of day. It seems that the people from Tianqi Academy will be here tonight."
Qinghe looked around and nodded.
Li Jiang continued, "I just don't know who's coming. Those people from Tianqi Academy are no pushovers."
Qinghe nodded.
Li Jiang: "If you encounter them in the palace, never confront them head-on, or you'll suffer the consequences."
Qinghe nodded.
Li Jiang got a little annoyed by her perfunctory attitude: "Did you hear what I said?"
Qinghe turned to look at him: "Didn't Master say that the other four major sects also sent people to look for the Divine Pearl? Perhaps they will help us."
Li Jiang sneered: "The relationship between the other four sects and the Qingyun Sect has long been deteriorating, especially after the last Five Sects War. Master's words were just for show; the truth is probably already rotten."
Qinghe focused his mind: "A battle between the five gates?"
Enduring the crowd around him, Li Jiang spoke irritably, "Yes, ever since Master won the last Five Sects Battle, their relationship has soured." Li Jiang held one hand in front of him to prevent others from bumping into him. "That was a long time ago. I remember you had already joined the Qingyun Sect back then. Have you forgotten?" He turned his head and stared at Qing He. Perhaps because she was feeling guilty, Li Jiang's gaze was sharp and even a little suspicious.
Qinghe subtly avoided his gaze and calmly gave a soft "hmm".
Li Jiang's thoughts were focused on the surrounding crowd, and she said without paying attention, "You were still young then, so it's normal that you forgot. Anyway, it's still uncertain whether Tianqi Academy is friend or foe, so it's best not to let them know our whereabouts..."
Qinghe didn't quite hear what he said next, nor did she take the matter of Tianqi Academy to heart. She thought indifferently, "If we run into them, so be it. At worst, I'll just fight them. Why bother with all that?"
The crowd in front of her swayed, the surrounding noise came and went, her vision blurred, her heart began to race, and she felt even a little excited.
Yes, excitement.
My thoughts seemed to drift back to the modern era. Everyone in front of me was no longer wearing ancient costumes, but short-sleeved T-shirts. A group of people were dancing wildly in the square, probably doing square dancing.
Qinghe heard familiar music in her ears, her legs trembled involuntarily, and her heart beat faster and faster. Just when she was about to start dancing, the sound of celebratory cannons suddenly woke her up.
Her eyes widened suddenly, her pupils contracted sharply, and beads of sweat appeared on her forehead.
With her five senses returning, she was still in the capital city of Tianqi.
Everyone around was drawn to the sound of the cannons. As far as the eye could see, rows of heavy cannons were lined up on the imperial city, and a booming sound came from below as the city gates were opened wide.
Sitting in the lead carriage was Mo Zhanli, the ruler of the Tianqi Kingdom.
The appearance of the king once again brought cheers from the people. Although the formalities were waived, shouts of "Long live the king!" still filled the air.
Qinghe was startled awake by the sound of the cannon salute. She stood there stunned for a while, her pupils unfocused and her consciousness scattered. Naturally, she couldn't hear anyone calling her.
In a daze, she felt someone touch her forehead, cool and refreshing, which instantly calmed her restless heart.
"Senior sister, senior sister, are you alright? Senior sister?"
Qinghe finally saw the person in front of her clearly. Mo Junqian looked at her with a worried expression, his eyes filled with tenderness.
It's strange why he's looking at me like that.
This was Qinghe's first reaction after regaining consciousness.
But it only lasted for a second.
The next instant, she clutched her arm and cried out in pain, "Ah! You pinched me again!"
Shen Xun said expressionlessly, "Who told you to swoon over someone like that? Pinching you is the least of my worries."
Qinghe looked on incredulously: "Me? I'm infatuated with him?"
Shen Xun glanced at her sideways: "You've been staring at him for so long, what else could it be but infatuation? Don't forget, you're a man now!" He glanced in Changping's direction, his implication was all too clear.
Qinghe composed herself and regained her aloof demeanor, but she was still a little dizzy: "What's wrong with me?"
Mo Junqian asked worriedly from the side, "I also want to know, what's wrong with you today, Senior Sister? You seem so absent-minded. Are you not feeling well?"
Li Jiang was also a little worried: "If you're not feeling well, go back and rest. Let's skip it for today."
Qinghe shook his head and said, "No, tonight is a good opportunity, we can't miss it. Don't worry, I'm fine."
Shen Xun looked at her for a while, then took out something and put it in her hand.
"What is this?" Qinghe looked into her palm. It was a teardrop-shaped pendant, crystal clear and quite beautiful.
"This is a calming stone; wearing it will be good for you."
Qinghe hung it around her neck, carefully placing the stone close to her body, feeling it deeply.
The cool stone penetrated my skin, and spiritual energy flowed through my body like water, effectively dispelling much of the dizziness.
Qing smiled faintly: "Thanks."
Shen Xun waved his hand and said, "You're welcome."
Mo Junqian frowned slightly and darkened his eyes as he looked at their tacit understanding.
Meanwhile, Emperor Mo Zhanli of Tianqi immediately dismounted and responded to the people's cries one by one, demonstrating the high prestige the emperor enjoyed among his people.
Qinghe looked closely and saw that Mo Zhanli was over forty years old, but he was still full of vigor, with bright eyes and a hat full of dust. He exuded the aura of an emperor, yet he was also kind and benevolent. He was dignified without being angry.
Most importantly, she couldn't discern his cultivation level, so he must be a master.
Changping stood beside Mo Zhanli and whispered something, which made Mo Zhanli laugh and gently stroke her hair.
Their actions were very affectionate; it seems Mo Zhanli really dotes on this daughter.
Mo Zhanli stroked Changping's hair, gesturing for her to step aside. Changping glanced at the approaching sedan chair behind her, her smile fading slightly, and obediently moved to the side.
A woman stepped down from the elegant sedan chair. She was graceful and gentle, and although her appearance was not outstanding, her temperament was exceptional.
The maidservant beside her helped her to Mo Zhanli's side. She smiled faintly and gave a slight bow. Mo Zhanli gave her a slight nod and withdrew his hand. There was no verbal exchange between the two.
The highlight of the Flower Parade and Wine Offering Ceremony—the wine offering ceremony—is about to begin. The people crowd around the king as he walks towards Lake Posuo. Along the way, everyone must buy a red token with the name of all the young talents in the capital written on it. Then, a tally is made, and whoever buys the most tokens will be the man or woman representing this year's wine offering ceremony to Heaven.
Qing stared intently at the red chips hanging on the street stalls, rubbing his hands together.
As soon as he took a step, Li Jiang pulled him back.
"You don't even know them, why are you getting involved!"
Qinghe said excitedly, "It would be such a pity to miss something so interesting. Besides, we are now in Tianqi Kingdom, so we should do as the locals do, don't you understand?"
Ignoring Li Jiang, Qinghe hopped over to a small stall, hesitated for a moment, and then hopped back.
"Um, I'm out of money. Can any of you lend me some?"
Before the words were even finished, Li Jiang and Shen Xun had vanished without a trace.
Qinghe pouted: "Stingy."
His gaze shifted to Mu Dong.
Mu Dong shrugged: "Don't look at me, I gave all my money to that old lady, and I'm penniless now."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Li Jiang, who had returned, grabbed her by the collar and dragged her away.
Qinghe sighed and looked at Mo Junqian again.
Mo Junqian took out some silver from his sleeve and handed it to Qinghe, saying softly, "Here you go."
Qinghe looked into his eyes, and there it was again—that same look.
She looked down at the silver coins offered to her, and after a long pause, said indifferently, "Never mind, I don't want to buy it." Then she turned and left without any hesitation.
Mo Junqian stood there, stunned, his outstretched hand still in place. He watched her figure disappear into the crowd, his fingers tightening, feeling somewhat lost and helpless.
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