Chapter 70: Arrival at the Imperial Capital

Tao Ming and Su Nanxing spent another day being affectionate in front of everyone. The Seventh Prince, unable to bear it any longer, hid in his room and refused to come out, while the other three simply ate and drank as if nothing was happening.

After a nap, Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo clung to Tao Ming, chattering incessantly in her ear. Su Nanxing tried several times to rescue her, but all his efforts ended in failure.

Just as Tao Ming was on the verge of losing her mind from all the noise, the Cloud Shuttle quivered again, and they arrived at the teleportation array of Tianhua City.

Stepping out of the shuttle, the Seventh Prince saw General Wei Tian, Xu Yunlei, waiting for them outside.

Xu Yunlei stepped forward and saluted. "Your servant, Xu Yunlei, welcomes Your Highness the Seventh Prince."

The Seventh Prince resumed his princely demeanor, helping Xu Yunlei to his feet. "Please rise, General Xu."

Xu Yunlei reported, "I have prepared carriages and escorts. We can set out immediately and reach the imperial city by dusk."

Tao Ming, holding Nuo Nuo in her arms, stood beside Su Nanxing. Upon hearing they’d have to ride in a carriage again, her entire body ached. She whispered, "Why doesn’t the imperial city have a teleportation array? It would be so much more convenient."

Su Nanxing replied in a low voice, "If the imperial city had a teleportation array, rebels could easily infiltrate the palace."

Tao Ming’s eyes lit up, but Su Nanxing quickly cautioned, "Walls have ears."

After a few more words between the Seventh Prince and Xu Yunlei, the group left the teleportation array.

Back in the spacious, luxurious carriage, Tao Ming felt utterly dispirited and couldn’t help but complain, "I just want to go out and have some fun! I want to stroll through the streets!"

Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo chimed in, "We want to go play too!"

Su Nanxing, amused, gathered the three of them into his arms and comforted, "Once we reach the imperial city, I’ll take you shopping. You can buy whatever you like."

Tao Ming replied weakly, "Shopping isn’t the point. It’s about being out and about! Think about it—we’ve spent nearly a whole week just on the road! Even prisoners get time for fresh air!"

The Seventh Prince asked in confusion, "What does a week mean? We’ve only been traveling for two days."

Ruan Ruan wriggled out of Su Nanxing’s arms, eager to explain to the prince, "A week is from Monday to Sunday!"

The Seventh Prince was even more puzzled. "What do Monday and Sunday mean?"

Ruan Ruan pulled Nuo Nuo over, and the two of them buzzed around the prince, trying to explain. But the more they talked, the deeper the prince’s frown became. Finally, he asked Tao Ming, "In your world, are there only twelve hours in a day?"

Tao Ming, sprawled over the low table, nodded and sighed as the carriage wheels rattled along, "At this moment, I really miss my Little Red!"

Su Nanxing massaged her shoulders and asked, "Who is Little Red?"

Ruan Ruan shouted, "I know! Little Red is Mom’s new car!"

...

Outside the south gate of the Sacred Heavenly Imperial City, the ceremonial procession to welcome the Saintess was already in place. The townspeople, who had rushed to the gates for the spectacle, were abuzz with excitement.

A man who had squeezed to the front said, "It’s been ages since I’ve seen such a grand procession!"

Another agreed, "Even my grandfather has never seen anything like this."

Someone else joined in, "Not just your grandfather—even your great-grandfather never saw such a sight."

An informed onlooker began to show off, "The Saintess’s procession has always been like this. At the front is the Saintess’s flower palanquin, decorated with freshly picked golden flame flowers, drawn by thirty-six Sun-rank female cultivators. Behind it come sixty canopies, seventy-two fan bearers, and one hundred and forty-four banners."

Hearing the gasps of astonishment from the crowd, he continued, "The sixty canopies are arranged in five rows, twelve in each, in red, orange, yellow, blue, and purple. The seventy-two fan bearers are arranged in six rows, twelve in each, with images of dragons, phoenixes, and the four great divine beasts. The one hundred and forty-four banners are also in six rows, twenty-four in each, displaying various birds, spirit beasts, constellations, famous mountains, and great rivers."

The crowd, as if they themselves were riding in the Saintess’s palanquin, spread the word excitedly, and soon everyone in the Sacred Heavenly Imperial City knew just how grand the procession was.

In a private room on the third floor of Dongchang Pavilion, Yao Pianpian was growing impatient, her eyes fixed on the horizon. Unable to wait any longer for the Saintess’s arrival, she asked, "Second Brother, will Nanxing really enter the city by dusk today?"

Yao Ruifeng’s young attendant had already gone out several times for news. Hearing her question, he replied, "I’ll go check again."

After making another round, he returned and described the grand procession outside the south gate, unable to hide his own admiration.

Yao Pianpian, feeling aggrieved, said, "Second Brother, if I had married into the Su family earlier, the girl being welcomed today would be my daughter."

Yao Ruifeng was at a loss for words. If he told the truth, he’d hurt his sister’s feelings; if he lied, he’d feel insincere. So he chose to remain silent.

Dong Yuxuan and Liu Ange exchanged glances, both thinking to themselves that Yao Pianpian was truly spoiled by Yao Ruifeng, believing the whole of Weishui revolved around her.

Su Yanfeng paced restlessly in his study as his attendants returned one after another with news. As soon as the Saintess’s entourage neared the south gate, he would lead every available member of the Su family to greet them at the palace gates.

Qin Youchuan was even more anxious. Every member of the Qin family who could leave home was already waiting at the highest floor of Dongchang Pavilion, ready to head straight down to the palace gate.

As the last sun in the sky was about to set, Tao Ming’s party finally approached the Sacred Heavenly Imperial City.

"They’re here! The Saintess is here!"

The crowd was instantly energized, pushing forward recklessly, everyone wanting an early glimpse of the Saintess.

Li Xiuran was well prepared. The palace guards lined up with a wide cloth, forming a barrier between themselves and the crowd, much like security teams holding back frenzied fans at a superstar’s concert.

Tao Ming felt the carriage come to a gradual halt. From outside, someone announced, "Your Highness, we have reached the southern gate. The Saintess’s procession is ready. Please, Saintess, board the flower palanquin."

The Seventh Prince replied, "Please wait a moment."

He then turned to Tao Ming and said, "In a moment, you’ll enter the city in the palanquin with Ruan Ruan and Nuo Nuo."

Tao Ming hesitated. "Is that appropriate?"

Su Nanxing reassured her, "It’s customary for a young Saintess to travel with her mother."

After considering, Tao Ming asked, "Should Nuo Nuo turn back into her white tiger form?"

The Seventh Prince nodded approvingly, "Very thoughtful of you."

Su Nanxing said to the prince, "You go ahead and step out. Let them change clothes and tidy up."

The Seventh Prince walked to the carriage door, then turned back in surprise, "Why aren’t you coming out?"

Su Nanxing replied confidently, "I need to help my wife change and do her hair!"

The Seventh Prince opened his mouth but said nothing, stepping out of the carriage.

Nuo Nuo obediently transformed back into her white tiger form, now only the size of two fists, and the clothes she had been wearing immediately buried her in fabric.

Ruan Ruan giggled as she dug Nuo Nuo out and cradled her, smoothing her fur. "Nuo Nuo has turned into a glutinous rice ball again!"

Tao Ming took out two sets of starry gauze dresses, one large and one small, and dressed Ruan Ruan first. Su Nanxing then fixed Ruan Ruan’s hair.

After Tao Ming changed into her dress, Su Nanxing asked, "Do you have any other jewelry? Just a single hairpin seems a bit too plain."

Tao Ming produced over a dozen boxes of jewelry for him to choose from. She herself had no idea which were precious or cheap unless she checked Tao Banxia’s list.

Su Nanxing examined them all and finally picked a set of silver accessories, including a pair of hairpins, a pair of dangling ornaments, a pair of floral forehead pieces, a decorative comb, a choker, and a pair of bracelets.

After finishing Tao Ming’s hair, Su Nanxing handed her a mirror. Tao Ming complained, "With all these pins in my hair, I look like I’m about to go on stage and perform in an opera!"

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