The city of Luoyang lay north of the Luo River—since the northern bank of a river was called “yang,” the city was named Luoyang.

Within Luoyang’s borders, mountains and rivers crisscrossed the land—bordered by the Qinling Mountains to the west, the Song Mountains to the east, Wangwu Mountain to the north, the formidable Yellow River nearby, and Funiu Mountain to the south. Since ancient times it had been described as “a capital guarded by eight passes, encircled by mountains on all eight sides, with five rivers winding around the city.” For this reason it was praised as a place “embraced by rivers and mountains, its strategic beauty unmatched under heaven,” and known as “the center of the realm, the crossroads of ten provinces.”

After the founding of Dazhou, Luoyang had been established as the capital, and two hundred years had passed since then. Throughout these two centuries, Dazhou had enjoyed peace and prosperity, its national strength abundant. The capital city of Luoyang served as both the political center of Dazhou and its most flourishing, wealthiest city.

Water transport flourished both within and around Luoyang, with over a dozen rivers—the Yellow River, the Luo River, the Yi River, the Qing River, and others—winding their way through the area.

The fleet of boats sailed onward until it moored at the docks outside Dingding Gate.

“Wonderful! We’re finally back in the capital!” Ling Jingyan couldn’t sit still any longer. She stood up excitedly, rising onto her toes to peer outside: “After half a month on this boat, I’ve been bored out of my mind.”

She looked thoroughly delighted, as though she couldn’t wait to fly straight out of the cabin.

Returning to the familiar city of Luoyang, Sun Shi also felt quite pleased at heart, though she scolded with mock displeasure: “Just look at A’Shu—even arriving in the capital for the first time, she can still keep her composure and sit quietly without stirring. And look at you, bounding about like a wild monkey. You hardly act like a young lady from a proper family.”

In the past, if someone had praised Ling Jingshu like this, Ling Jingyan would have felt at least a little jealous.

But after spending these recent days together on the boat, day and night, the bond between Ling Jingyan and Ling Jingshu had deepened considerably, and she had even come to feel a subtle admiration for her. So hearing such words now, she didn’t mind at all.

Ling Jingyan made a funny face at Sun Shi: “Yes, yes, I’m a flighty wild monkey, all right. Mother, isn’t it a bit unkind to say that about your own daughter? If I’m a wild monkey, doesn’t that make you a mother monkey?”

Sun Shi couldn’t help bursting into laughter at that.

Everyone else laughed along as well.

Ling Jingyan eagerly pulled Ling Jingshu by the hand: “A’Shu, come stand by the window with me. You must have never seen docks this large or this numerous before! Let me tell you, this is nothing yet. Once we’re in the carriage and pass through Dingding Gate, your eyes will really be opened.”

“Luoyang is divided into the Inner City and the Outer City. The Inner City includes the imperial palace and the imperial city, while the Outer City is also called the Outer Wall City. There are eight gates in total leading into the city—Dingding Gate is the main gate of the Outer Wall City, leading directly to the imperial city. Once you pass through Dingding Gate, you’re on Dingding Gate Avenue, which the common people are accustomed to calling Heaven Street. This Heaven Street is extraordinarily wide—a dozen or more carriages could travel side by side without any crowding…”

Ling Jingshu joined Ling Jingyan at the window and gazed out into the distance.

The water here was wide and open, with dozens of docks of varying sizes built along it. Boats came and went frequently. A rough glance showed no fewer than a hundred vessels moored at the various docks—official boats and civilian boats of every size, along with merchant ships loaded with rice, grain, cloth, porcelain, tea, and all manner of other goods.

Laborers on the docks bustled about hauling cargo, while vendors hawking their wares called out eagerly. The whole scene buzzed with activity.

About two li from the docks stood the tall, imposing Dingding Gate.

Even from such a distance, the sturdy, towering city gate was clearly visible. Carriages and pedestrians formed a long line in front of the gate, and the soldiers guarding it only allowed passage after checking each traveler’s permit.

So this was Luoyang!

Luoyang—I have finally arrived!

Ling Jingshu silently repeated this to herself. Her thoughts drifted to her past life—waiting bitterly for her husband only to suffer humiliation and die an unjust death; to Princess Changping, who had used her power and influence to steal away another woman’s husband; to Empress Xu, who had once held sway over the entire harem… For a moment her mind grew distant and unfocused, and she failed to notice that Ling Jingyan was still speaking to her.

“A’Shu. A’Shu!” Ling Jingyan’s annoyed voice sounded in her ear: “I’m talking to you, and you’re not even listening to a word I say.”

Ling Jingshu quickly snapped back to herself and gave Ling Jingyan an apologetic smile: “I’ve never seen docks this large or this numerous before, nor a city gate so magnificent—I got lost staring at it for a moment and didn’t catch what you said. I’m truly sorry.”

It was only natural, having just arrived, to be struck speechless by such a magnificent sight.

Ling Jingyan smiled rather generously: “It’s nothing to worry about. Once you’ve gotten used to living in the capital, it won’t seem so remarkable anymore.”

Ling Jingshu pressed her lips together in a small smile: “I came to the capital only to accompany A’Xiao for his eye treatment. At most we’ll stay a year or so before returning to Dingzhou. No matter how wonderful the capital is, it isn’t a place for the two of us to settle permanently. I’m afraid I won’t have the chance to get used to it.”

“That’s not necessarily true.”

Jiang Shi made a remark half in jest, half in earnest, with a meaningful undertone: “Who knows—perhaps your marriage destiny lies right here in the capital. You might end up marrying, raising children, and settling here permanently!”

Ling Jingshu had no inclination to feign bashfulness. Hearing this, she merely gave a faint smile and said nothing.

Sun Shi, however, felt a stir in her heart at these words.

Ling Jingshu was so beautiful, and so intelligent and composed, far surpassing girls her own age. Once they were settled in the capital, arranging a good marriage for her would truly not be difficult… and with the right fortune, her future could be limitless.

With sharp eyes, Ling Jingyan spotted something and quickly tugged at Ling Jingshu’s sleeve: “A’Shu, look quick! The Crown Grandson’s fleet has arrived at that dock over there. A line of carriages is already waiting for him. Isn’t that him, the one walking down the gangplank right now?”

Ling Jingshu followed Ling Jingyan’s gaze.

A handsome young man in a black brocade robe descended the gangplank at an unhurried pace.

The tall, sturdy, and exceptionally skilled Eastern Palace guards surrounded him like stars circling the moon.

Although no Eastern Palace honor guard had been deliberately displayed, the air of nobility and bearing was impossible to conceal. The more than two hundred Eastern Palace guards drew even more attention.

Anyone with eyes could tell this group was of exalted status and extraordinary origin. Ordinary commoners naturally kept their distance, and the vendors who made their living year-round at the docks were even more perceptive, never daring to crowd closer.

In the midst of the busiest, most crowded part of the docks, a wide stretch of empty space had miraculously appeared.

The young man in black seemed to sense something, and just as he was about to step into the carriage, he suddenly turned his head to look over.

Who was watching him?

From such a distance, it was impossible to make out who stood behind that tiny window. Yet, instinctively, he knew it had to be Ling Jingshu.

Was she watching him off?

The corner of the black-robed young man’s lips lifted slightly. He withdrew his gaze and stepped into the carriage.

“A’Shu, was the Crown Grandson just looking at you?” Ling Jingyan’s lowered voice was full of excitement and delight: “It must be. He surely guessed it was you standing by the window.”

Ling Jingshu’s response was calm, nearly indifferent: “From such a distance, if the Crown Grandson could actually tell who was standing by the window, he wouldn’t be a man at all—he’d be a hawk.”

Ling Jingyan: “…”

How utterly dull!

Not a shred of romantic girlish sentiment in her.

Ling Jingyan rolled her eyes and gave up bothering to engage with Ling Jingshu any further.

Ling Jingshu, only too glad for the peace, let her gaze sweep briefly past the Crown Grandson’s carriage before quickly looking away again.