Chapter 460: The matchmaker could have been there at the time

Yangzhou, Office of the Salt Inspectorate for the Two Huai Regions.

In the inner hall of the back courtyard, an old man with graying hair and beard was checking Lin Ruhai's pulse.

Standing beside Lin Ruhai was a youth, standing tall and upright, his aura like that of an orchid, his appearance handsome and intelligent—a sight one would find hard to forget.

Jia Cong and his party had arrived at the Salt Inspectorate office in Yangzhou just this morning, while Zhang Youshi had already been staying in the back hall of the office for four days, focusing on diagnosing and recuperating Lin Ruhai.

Once Zhang Youshi finished checking the pulse, Jia Cong, who was standing to the side, asked, "Mr. Zhang, has my uncle's condition improved at all?"

Before Zhang Youshi could answer, Lin Ruhai laughed and said, "The doctors I invited in the past used many needles and medicines, but the results were minimal.

These past few days, with Mr. Zhang's decoctions and care, the results have truly been immediate. His medical skills are miraculous and truly admirable."

Zhang Youshi stroked his beard and said, "Lord Lin, you are too kind. Without any extraordinary methods, what I can do for you, Lord, is just what you see before you.

In the days I have been diagnosing you, Lord, although your illness is caused by excessive worry and toil, the root of the ailment is somewhat unusual."

Upon hearing this, both Jia Cong and Lin Ruhai looked quite astonished, not understanding what Zhang Youshi meant.

Jia Cong asked, "Mr. Zhang, what do you mean by the root of the ailment being unusual?"

Zhang Youshi said, "In this world, the birth and nourishment of all things follow no fixed law; each has its own fullness and deficiency, its own waxing and waning.

Everyone is born after ten months of gestation. Some are born with strong bones and muscles, while others are born with weak Qi and pulses. This is simply because each person's innate Qi and blood are different."

Lin Ruhai asked, "According to your theory, am I a person born with a weak innate Qi and pulse, which is why I am constantly plagued by illness?"

Zhang Youshi replied, "Actually, people born with weak innate Qi and pulses are not rare. As long as one can nourish oneself well, carefully regulate diet, nurture the body and mind, and stay away from grief, one can live past sixty, just like any normal person.

It is just that those with weak Qi and pulses are easily invaded by external evils and are frequently tormented by pain; that is unavoidable.

These days, as I have been treating you, Lord—and a physician emphasizes looking, listening, questioning, and feeling the pulse, tracing the pathology to its source—through my casual chats with you and the rumors of your reputation, I have been able to determine the root cause.

You were born into a wealthy family, Lord, and originally had enough resources for a life of comfort; you could have enjoyed your life in peace.

It is just that you were successful in the imperial examinations in your youth, Lord, and studied bitterly in a sea of books, pouring your heart and blood into it day and night, which caused great damage to your physical foundation. After the age of thirty, the symptoms of your weak innate Qi and pulse became difficult to suppress.

And after that, the death of relatives and the separation from loved ones meant that grief and depression were inevitable. Added to that was the busy official work, the day-and-night toil and worry, and the accumulation of these burdens made it hard to turn back. That is why you have today's condition, and it is now extremely difficult to eradicate."

Hearing this, Jia Cong felt a slight pang of sorrow. Zhang Youshi's words were blunt; he had already diagnosed that Lin Ruhai's ailment was deep and that treatment was very thorny.

Jia Cong had seen Zhang Youshi's miraculous medical skills several times.

Back then, when Zou Min'er was stabbed in the chest and abdomen and was near death, a common doctor would likely have seen her soul return to heaven long ago. Yet, under Zhang Youshi's miraculous needles and medicine, it was as if she had been brought back from the dead.

Therefore, he trusted Zhang Youshi's diagnosis implicitly. Innate weak blood and Qi were exactly the same as what later generations called "congenital deficiency."

Some people are born with congenital heart disease, hemophilia, and the like; their physical condition is much weaker than normal people, and their lifespan is not very long.

Weak innate Qi and pulses are often hereditary. I fear that Lin Daiyu's frailty since childhood, her sensitive and overthinking nature, and her tendency to be easily saddened and moved to tears, all have their roots in this.

Lin Ruhai smiled indifferently and said, "I am already nearing fifty. I have long been open-minded about life and death. Mr. Zhang, can you tell me how much lifespan I have left?"

Zhang Youshi said, "Lord, do not be overly pessimistic. You have not yet reached a desperate situation. As long as I use precious medicines as a guide, supplemented by the methods of sovereign, minister, yin, and yang, I can make pills that target the symptoms.

If you take them according to the method, Lord, nourish your body, and restrain your toil and hardship, extending your life by ten years will not be a problem, and perhaps even longer.

But you are already over forty, Lord, and your foundation is set. Eradicating the congenital ailment is no longer possible."

People in this world are greedy for life and fear death; this is human nature. Lin Ruhai had long been mentally prepared for the unexpected with his sickly body, but knowing there was a medicine for his symptoms and that he could extend his life by ten years, he was still exceptionally happy.

He said, "Mr. Zhang, since you have such a wonderful prescription, please bestow your grace and perform the treatment. I will certainly exhaust all my resources for the necessary consultation fees and medicinal materials."

Ten years of life was enough for Lin Ruhai to complete the unfinished business in his heart.

He glanced at Jia Cong, his thoughts surging. Within ten years, his Yu'er should have long since found a lifelong home, and he would have no more worries.

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Mr. Zhang, my cousin has also been frail and sickly since she was young. Is it also a case of weak innate Qi and pulse?"

Zhang Youshi replied, "When I was in the Love Shenjing, I also heard my younger brother mention the matter of Miss Lin of the Rongguo Prefecture. Although I have never personally diagnosed her, Miss Lin's condition must be due to the transmission of bloodlines."

Jia Cong's eyes were bright as he asked, "With your precious medicine method, sir, can you eliminate the congenital calamity for my cousin?"

Lin Ruhai was also emotionally agitated and said, "If you can resolve my daughter's hidden ailment, sir, the entire Lin family will be eternally grateful for your great virtue!"

Zhang Youshi looked at Jia Cong and said, "Since Miss Lin is younger than the Count of Weiyuan, she has not yet reached the age of fifteen, and her essence, blood, and bones are still in the stage of nourishment.

Her situation is much more optimistic than yours, Lord. As long as you use my precious medicine method and take it for two years to nourish the blood and solidify the foundation, you can eradicate the ailment of weak bloodlines.

In the future, it is possible for her to have the same lifespan and childbearing ability as an ordinary woman. However, everything must wait until I return to the capital and personally diagnose Miss Lin before it can be finally determined."

Hearing this, Jia Cong also let out a long sigh of relief.

Although he had often enlightened and cared for Daiyu over the past few years, broadening her mind and teaching her some methods of maintenance from later generations, Daiyu was no longer as frail as she was in her childhood. However, these were, after all, only treating the symptoms and not the root cause.

Only a famous doctor of the current age like Zhang Youshi, who had specialized medical methods for the symptoms, could solve the problem once and for all, treating both the symptoms and the root cause.

When he left the capital, he had thought about letting Zhang Youshi diagnose Lin Ruhai. He never expected such an unexpected joy, being able to resolve Lin Daiyu's frail condition. There could be nothing better than this.

Lin Ruhai was also emotionally agitated and said, "I have received Mr. Zhang's treatment for several days, and my body has no major ailments. Tomorrow, Cong-ge'er will set off to return to the capital. You can just travel together, sir."

Hearing this, Zhang Youshi laughed out loud, "Lord Lin, your love for your daughter is so deep that you have actually issued an order to expel me."

Lin Ruhai quickly laughed and said, "I was abrupt. I would never dare to have such an intention. Please forgive me, sir."

Zhang Youshi said, "That is fine too. Your condition is stable, Lord. As long as you take the decoctions on time according to the prescription I wrote, there will be no major problems within a year.

The medicinal materials I need to make the medicine are all in the Love Shenjing. It is only right to return to the capital early to prepare. Once the pills are made, let the Count of Weiyuan send someone to rush them to Yangzhou so you can take them in time, Lord."

Jia Cong asked with some curiosity, "Mr. Zhang, what kind of strange medicinal material is this precious medicine you speak of?"

Zhang Youshi laughed, "When you went to Huaxi Village last time, you had already seen this precious medicine. It is that Three-Life Soul-Welcoming Grass."

Jia Cong suddenly realized and remembered that when he went to Huaxi Village north of the Love Shenjing, he had seen a strange orchid in Zhang Youshi's home.

Compared to ordinary orchids, this orchid was somewhat strange in shape. At the tip of each orchid leaf, there were three striking golden lines, as if they had been drawn with gold paint.

At that time, Zhang Youshi told him that this strange orchid grew in the great marshes of the south, born from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and was very rare.

Its appearance was similar to an orchid, but it did not belong to the orchid family. Because there were three golden lines growing on the leaves, ancient medical books had repeatedly recorded it, calling it the Three-Life Soul-Welcoming Grass.

This grass had the miraculous effect of calming the soul and nourishing the spirit, and could be used to refine top-grade precious medicine.

Jia Cong did not expect that this strange orchid could be used to prepare the precious medicine to treat Daiyu's congenital ailment.

The next day, on the official road heading north from Yangzhou, Jia Cong's party and Zhang Youshi set off to return to the Love Shenjing.

Jia Cong also carried half a cart of gifts prepared by the Lin family for Daiyu.

Lin Ruhai, accompanied by Zhao Yiniang Chen, personally saw them off. Watching Jia Cong's motorcade gradually move away, his carriage was still parked by the side of the official road, watching them go.

Zhao Yiniang Chen, who was beside him, said, "This time, it was all thanks to the Doctor Zhang that Cong-ge'er invited that the master's illness improved so quickly."

"And he even found a way to treat the eldest young lady's deficiency. This Cong-ge'er is truly rare. I can see that he is especially attentive to the eldest young lady."

Lin Ruhai smiled slightly, "Yu'er is living as a guest in the Jia family of her maternal grandmother. Having such a cousin to look after her, I can be more at ease."

Zhao Yiniang Chen said, "From the several letters the eldest young lady has sent, I can see that she values and admires this cousin very much, and Cong-ge'er is also exceptionally concerned about the eldest young lady."

"The two of them are such a perfect match. Since they are so well-suited, has the master ever thought about making the decision for them and setting a matchmaker's agreement? The Jia family would likely agree."

Lin Ruhai said, "Of course I have thought about this. I also like Cong-ge'er very much, but now is not the time."

Zhao Yiniang Chen asked curiously, "Why is that? With Cong-ge'er's talent and appearance, I imagine there won't be few people who have their eyes on him. Why is the master still hesitating about this matter?"

Lin Ruhai said, "You are also from the Rongguo Jia family; you should know about Cong-ge'er's birth mother. This old case is the biggest heart-sickness of my mother-in-law."

"Because of this, Cong-ge'er has not been liked by my mother-in-law since he was born."

"When my wife was alive, she mentioned this matter several times, and there was much sighing."

"In the eyes of my mother-in-law, the most precious descendant of the Jia family is not Cong-ge'er, but Baoyu, who is under the knees of the second brother-in-law. From the news I heard in the past few years, my mother-in-law has always wanted to match Yu'er with Baoyu."

"It's just that the children are all too young, so it hasn't been spoken of. If I were to make the decision for Cong-ge'er and Yu'er, this matter might not necessarily go smoothly on the Jia family's side."

"Moreover, there is an even more important matter right now."

Zhao Yiniang Chen asked, "What important matter is it? And does it have anything to do with Cong-ge'er and the eldest young lady?"

Lin Ruhai said, "A few days ago, I received a letter from a former colleague at the Lantai Temple. The letter mentioned news that recently came out of the palace."

"It said that Cong-ge'er has been favored by the Old Imperial Consort Zhen in the palace, and she wants the Retired Emperor to bestow the third young lady of the Jin Ling Zhen family upon him in marriage."

Hearing this news, Zhao Yiniang Chen looked surprised and said, "No wonder the master said now is not the time."

Lin Ruhai said, "Cong-ge'er is the youngest imperial-appointed noble of the Great Zhou. It is no exaggeration to say that a tall tree catches the wind. It is not strange at all that he has the honor of a bestowed marriage."

"Now that the talk of a bestowed marriage has not yet landed, if I were to bring up a matchmaker's agreement at this time, and if the palace really issued an imperial decree, where would that leave Yu'er?"

"Moreover, Yu'er has not yet reached the age of fifteen, and with her bloodline ailment and frail body, now is not the time to discuss marriage. Marriage has always been a match made in heaven; human calculations can never surpass heaven's calculations."

"I hope Mr. Zhang's diagnostic method can resolve the hidden worry of Yu'er's frail body. In the future, being a wife and mother and having a prosperous family business is the long-term plan."

Jin Ling, Mingde Ward, Zhen Prefecture, Yuhe Hall.

Besides Old Madam Zhen sitting there, not only were Zhen Yingjia and his wife present, but even the usually unseen Second Madam Zhen was also there.

In the morning, a servant passed on the word that a family general from the Prince Beijing's mansion in the Love Shenjing had visited, saying that the Princess Beijing had an urgent letter to deliver.

The Eldest Madam Zhen, who had just suffered the pain of losing a son, could not help but feel greatly comforted upon hearing this.

Although she had lost her eldest son, she still had a daughter who was a princess. That she was thinking of her mother from so far away made the Eldest Madam Zhen feel a bit encouraged as she went to Yuhe Hall.

However, the old woman who brought the letter into the inner hall said that the military officer who delivered the letter repeatedly explained that the letter was written to the Third Young Lady Zhen of the mansion and must be opened by the Third Young Lady herself.

Eldest Madam Zhen was full of depression upon hearing this. Her daughter had sent it from so far away, and it wasn't for her, her mother, but actually for this third girl who didn't recognize her own relatives.

Recently, Zhen Fangqing had used various methods to dissolve and remove the personnel Zhen Shiwen had planted in various shops, shattering the plans the first branch had made for several years.

This made Eldest Madam Zhen's heart burn with jealousy and hatred. Her son's body was not yet cold, and yet Zhen Fangqing, who used to appear so precious and noble, was so cold and heartless, doing so many cruel things.

However, the first branch had lost Zhen Shiwen and no longer had anyone who could manage the business. Added to this, the investigation this time revealed that the people under her son's command had done many things harmful to the Zhen family.

Even with Zhen Fangqing's swift and decisive actions, Zhen Yingjia and Second Madam Zhen could not say a word and could only helplessly watch Zhen Fangqing reorganize the family business.

The various shops, which had previously been somewhat loose and decentralized, returned to the control of the second branch.

Everyone saw Zhen Fangqing open the letter and browse it. After reading only a few lines, her pretty face quickly turned deathly pale.

Seeing her ugly complexion, Old Madam Zhen quickly asked, "Qing'er, what did your second sister say in the letter?"

Zhen Fangqing's eyes filled with tears as she said, "Second sister says in the letter that the Old Imperial Consort had wind evil enter her body more than ten days ago. Although she was treated by the imperial physician, the condition not only did not lighten but became increasingly lingering."

"Now she is so ill that she cannot get out of bed. Every day she can only take some porridge and ginseng soup to maintain herself. The imperial physician says the Old Imperial Consort is already over eighty. Once the illness becomes difficult to remove, it will be extremely dangerous."

"Second sister went into the palace to visit the Old Imperial Consort. The old lady said she was worried that her days were numbered, so she told second sister to send me a letter, telling me... telling me to go to the Love Shenjing quickly and enter the palace to see her!"

Upon hearing this, Old Madam Zhen and the others were all shocked. A person over eighty was already considered to have a very long life in the present day. Once the illness reached the point of no return, it was a life-and-death situation.

The Old Imperial Consort letting Zhen Fangqing enter the capital meant she realized she wouldn't live much longer and wanted to see Zhen Fangqing, the bloodline of the main family she had raised since childhood, one last time.

The Zhen family members present all knew clearly that the Zhen family had been able to continue its wealth for several generations and become the number one noble family in Jin Ling City, not even inferior to the four great families of Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue.

Being able to possess such glory and decency all came from the Old Imperial Consort Zhen, who held a respected status in the palace.

If the Old Imperial Consort Zhen passed away at an old age, the Jin Ling Zhen family would lose its greatest reliance. Added to the recent Zhen Shiwen incident, they had long since entered the eyes and ears of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Losing the protection of the palace at this time, the Zhen family might well see its mansion collapse, and disaster might be imminent.

Zhen Fangqing said to Old Madam Zhen, "Old Madam, second sister says in the letter that the Old Imperial Consort has been ill for more than ten days, and this letter had to travel for four or five days on the road. This means that the Old Imperial Consort has been bedridden for half a month now."

"At her age, this is an extremely dangerous matter. Time is of the essence. I will set off for the Love Shenjing early tomorrow morning, hoping it is still in time to see her one last time."

Old Madam Zhen and the others naturally had no objections. If the Old Imperial Consort really reached her final days, Zhen Fangqing must be by her side; this way, perhaps she could still beg for the final legacy for the Zhen family.

After Zhen Fangqing left Yuhe Hall, she picked reliable maids and servants from the inner courtyard to accompany her, telling them to pack their luggage and prepare the carriages and horses to set off early tomorrow morning.

Then she changed into men's clothing and went to the Hongxuan Hall outside the second gate, asking someone to summon Liu Xian to the hall to discuss matters.

Not long after, Liu Xian came in. Hearing about the Old Imperial Consort Zhen, he was also shocked. As an old servant of the Zhen family's second branch, he naturally understood the significance of the Old Imperial Consort Zhen to the Zhen family.

Liu Xian said, "Third Young Lady, I will select the most reliable guards to escort you to the capital."

Zhen Fangqing instructed, "I am setting off tomorrow, and there are many things I don't have time to prepare. Help me select a few capable stewards."

"Also, prepare a batch of gold, silver, and gifts, and then have them transported to the Love Shenjing. I will have use for them."

"Third Young Lady, rest assured. I will handle this matter personally and personally escort the items to the Love Shenjing."

Zhen Fangqing shook her head and said, "You can leave the escorting to a reliable steward. You must stay in Jin Ling; there are still major matters that need you to do."

"I wonder what major matters you have, Third Young Lady, that need Liu Xian to do?"

Zhen Fangqing sighed, "In case the Old Imperial Consort is truly unfortunate this time, the Zhen family will definitely be impacted. We must be on guard!"

"After I arrive in the Love Shenjing and enter the palace to see the Imperial Consort and judge the situation, I will immediately send a letter back to Jin Ling. At that time, you can just act according to what I say in the letter."

"Also, what percentage of the important wealth and materials we have on hand has been sent to Mingxia Island?"

Liu Xian said, "Seventy percent had been sent over before. After the third young master's incident, I followed your instructions, Third Young Lady, and have already transported a few more rounds. At present, more than ninety percent has been sent over."

"The captains of the merchant ships used were all the most reliable subordinates of the master back then. According to your instructions, Third Young Lady, the sailors used were all newly screened people. These families are poor and loyal and reliable."

Zhen Fangqing's expression relaxed slightly, "During the time I am in the Love Shenjing, you should check for omissions and fill in the gaps these few days, and carefully comb through and investigate one more time."

"Also, prepare a little. In case what I say in my reply letter is unexpected, you escort my mother to the maternal grandmother's house in Huizhou to take temporary refuge."

Liu Xian's complexion changed, and he said, "Why must you be like this, Third Young Lady? Things won't reach that point, will they!"

Zhen Fangqing smiled bitterly, "I don't want to be like this either, but you must know that the third brother did not die from bandits looting for wealth, but was silenced and killed! I don't know who instigated the things he did behind his back, or what heaven-defying connections were hidden. I know nothing about these, so the matter is increasingly unpredictable."

"Mingxia Island is just a retreat when there is no other way. If you don't consider victory, first consider defeat, only then can you ensure everything is foolproof."

Jia Cong and his party set off from Yangzhou. After a long journey of several days, they had already entered the territory of Dezhou Prefecture, which was less than a hundred miles from the Love Shenjing.

When the carriages and horses reached the foot of Yunyan Mountain, they stopped on a flat piece of land by a stream, and the men and horses rested for a while.

Yunyan Mountain was a mountain range stretching for a hundred miles, towering and majestic, lying between Dezhou and the Love Shenjing. It was said that the scenery in the mountains was beautiful and magnificent, with Luofeng Slope being the best among them.

Zhi Shao brought Ling Guan to move dozens of plum roots from the carriage, placed them all by the stream, and sprayed each plum root with clear, cold stream water.

Daiyu had always wanted to see the plum blossoms on Mount Xuanmu in Gusu. When Zhi Shao left the capital, she had promised to transplant some high-quality plum trees from Mount Xuanmu.

These dozens of plum roots were all personally selected by Zhi Shao from Mount Xuanmu, prepared to be transplanted in the Count's mansion.

After setting off from Yangzhou, they would take them out to dry and water them every other day along the way to maintain the vitality of the plum roots.

Jia Cong found a mountain rock by the stream and sat down, watching Zhi Shao and Ling Guan busy by the stream. The two would occasionally say something, their laughter like bells, pleasant and nice to hear.

At this time, Xing Xiuyan carried a small white cloth package, walked to the side of the stream, cleaned her hands with the stream water, and then took out a baked cake from the small package and handed it to Jia Cong.

"Cousin, this is a fire-baked cake I made using the inn's stove last night. Try one to fill your stomach."

Jia Cong smiled and took it, brushed the mountain rock beside him with his sleeve, and said, "You sit down too. Standing is tiring."

Although the fire-baked cake was vegetarian, it was sprinkled with sesame seeds and baked until crispy and fragrant, making it easy to eat. It seemed Xing Xiuyan had put a lot of thought into it.

Jia Cong suddenly asked, "Xiuyan, why did the Madam suddenly write to you all, asking you to come to the Love Shenjing? Is there something going on?"

Hearing this, Xing Xiuyan's body trembled slightly, her small face gradually covered in a blush, and she said, "I... I don't know either. Father and mother said they wanted to come, so I followed them."

"Does cousin not like me coming to the Love Shenjing?" Xing Xiuyan asked with some anxiety.

Jia Cong laughed, "What is this talk? Of course I am happy that you are coming to the Love Shenjing. When the time comes, I will let Zhi Shao accompany you to stroll around the garden properly. There are many sisters in the mansion, and they are all very easy to get along with. It is just right to have one more person for company."

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Xing Xiuyan breathed a slight sigh of relief.

She took a piece of the fire-baked cake and gnawed on it, tilted her head to look at Jia Cong. The sun was bright, the water was murmuring, and the lines of his brows and eyes were smooth and handsome, as beautiful as a painting. Her heart trembled, and she turned her head, not daring to look again.

After a long while, she said, "Father and mother let me come, so I came. I don't have many ideas. I am not like cousin, born into a great noble family. I am just a woman from an ordinary family."

"I have followed Sister Sister Miao Yu to read and recognize characters since I was young. She always told me that as long as a person is simple and keeps to themselves, they can eventually find joy. I don't want to seek anything, just live a peaceful and comfortable life."

Jia Cong could tell that these words came from Xing Xiuyan's heart. He was just slightly surprised that she would suddenly say this to him.

Ever since he knew it was Lady Xing who wrote the letter to pick up Xing Zhong's family to the Love Shenjing, he originally thought it was just an ordinary visit to relatives. To him, this was not strange.

However, along the way, the look in Xing Zhong and his wife's eyes when they looked at him was quite strange, and Xing Xiuyan would blush inexplicably every time she faced him.

Added to the fact that Jia Cong knew Lady Xing's temperament well, he guessed a little, but he wasn't sure. However, he didn't take it to heart. Lady Xing couldn't manipulate him anyway.

Xing Xiuyan said again, "Cousin, if there is anything in the future that cannot be to your liking, just ignore it. It is also that I cannot make my own decisions. Cousin, please don't be distant or disgusted with me because of this..."

Hearing this, Jia Cong's heart trembled slightly, realizing that his guess was somewhat reasonable.

He smiled slightly, "You are talking nonsense again. I understand your temperament very well. No matter what, I will never be distant or disgusted with you. Also, this fire-baked cake is delicious."

Hearing Jia Cong's words, although Xing Xiuyan was happy in her heart, she was also a bit surprised. In a few years, he had only seen her twice. How could he say he understood her temperament very well?

The party left the foot of Yunyan Mountain and walked for another day. After staying for a night, they arrived outside the Love Shenjing the next morning.

Jia Cong lifted the carriage curtain, and the tall and majestic Hongde Gate of the Love Shenjing came into view.

The city gate was as busy as usual, with an endless stream of people, full of popularity, noisy and lively. In the distance, one could see the magnificent buildings in the city, row upon row, living up to the charm of the national capital.

As the motorcade entered the Xuande Gate, Xing Xiuyan and Ling Guan were both coming to the Love Shenjing for the first time. Each lifted the carriage curtain, looking around with excitement at this magnificent and grand first city of the Great Zhou.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 461 =====