Chapter 610

First Volume, Chapter 610: The Princess Arrives in Beijing

Hearing these words from the Chang Princess, the Princess of Qiyang could not help but feel a wave of admiration.

Those Tianji Camp Guards were all drawn from the City Patrol Bureau—mere second-rate garrison troops—how could they have become these tigers and wolves today?

What sorcery did Qin Feng use?

Hmm, yes, it must be sorcery; otherwise, this unbelievable scene cannot be explained.

The Princess of Qiyang knew well that her mother and the Emperor were siblings in perfect unity; with the imperial authority now damaged, her mother must be seething with rage.

The Princess of Qiyang quickly soothed in a gentle voice: "Even if the Tianji Camp Guards are even more valiant, it no longer matters."

"After the brutal battles on the Northern Border and the losses at the Execution Ground, only a mere twenty-some remain."

"Even if they are strong, what ripples can they possibly stir?"

The Chang Princess shook her head with a bitter smile: "Foolish girl, the Tianji Camp Guards were all trained by Qin Feng himself."

"In the past, Qin Feng could train three hundred; in the future, he can train three thousand."

"And after this incident, Qin Feng will only become even more unrestrained—if he truly trains three thousand Tianji Camp Guards..."

The Chang Princess dared not continue speaking, not even daring to imagine it.

The deed is done; obsessing over this now is useless.

To consolidate imperial authority, we must temporarily rely on Qin Feng's power—otherwise, before the State Peace Talks even begin, Heaven itself will be in chaos.

"I suspect Li Xiaolan is about to arrive in Beijing; you, Princess of Qiyang, go to meet her."

"By the way, you must treat Li Xiaolan with utmost respect—she is the Lost Pearl Princess, who suffered half a lifetime in the Folk; the Emperor will surely feel profound guilt toward her."

"At this moment, you must not cause Li Xiaolan the slightest displeasure."

"After she meets the Emperor, take her directly to Cining Gong."

Cining Gong...

The Princess of Qiyang's heart lurched; her voice dropped instantly: "So... the Empress wants to see her?"

The Chang Princess pressed her hand down, signaling the Princess of Qiyang not to speak of this.

Though the Princess of Qiyang did not know why the Empress was so interested in Li Xiaolan, one thing she knew all too well.

The Empress was nothing like the rumors claimed—no pious, Buddha-worshipping, benevolent soul.

On the contrary, the Empress was a formidable woman.

The Princess of Qiyang said no more, turned, and left the Imperial Palace to meet Li Xiaolan.

Not long after, a loud cry rang out from the Beijing City Gate.

"The Princess has returned to Beijing!"

At the City Gate, a crowd of curious civilians had already gathered, packed along both sides of the Imperial Road, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Soon after, a rhythmic "tat-tat-tat" of hooves echoed.

A force of several hundred men marched grandly through the Beijing City Gate.

Because she was the Lost Pearl Princess returning home, the Emperor had granted special permission for her to ride a horse into the city.

Before even seeing Li Xiaolan, gasps of astonishment rose in waves—because the escorting force was extraordinarily formidable.

"Good heavens, this... what kind of army is this? So full of lethal aura—just looking at it sends chills down one's spine."

"Black horses, black armor? Could this be the famed Beixi Black Cavalry?"

"It must be! After all, escorting a Princess back to Beijing—Beixi would naturally send its Elite Troops."

"They say that during the war against the Di army, Longhu Army's Zhao Yuxiong led only two thousand Black Cavalry and held back tens of thousands of Di troops!"

"The foremost Heavy Cavalry of Shedynasty—none other than the Black Cavalry."

"Not just Shedynasty? In all of Heaven, Heavy Cavalry must look to the Beixi Black Cavalry."

"Heh, only Beixi County can afford such Elite Troops—they say the cost to equip one Black Cavalry is enough to train a hundred Infantry."

"Wait, look— isn't that Zhao Yuxiong?!"

Under the blazing, admiring gazes of the Beijing civilians, Zhao Yuxiong slowly rode through the City Gate into view.

Zhao Yuxiong was already imposing in stature; now he wore black armor forged by the Tianji Camp Workshop, crowned with a LionHelmet, wielding a horse spear, his piercing, sword-like eyes sweeping over everyone present.

This aura of authority and lethal power left every civilian in awe.

The military families of Jingzhong were especially envious, muttering jealously.

"When Zhao Yuxiong left Beijing, he was no different from us—idling away his days."

"After a trip to the Northern Border, he's returned so formidable."

"Hmph, what's so impressive? He just climbed onto Qin Feng's coattails."

"Exactly! Good horses are common, but a master who recognizes talent is rare—if not for Qin Feng's cultivation, where would Zhao Yuxiong be today?"

"If I'd known, I'd have gone to Beixi County too."

"Shh, there's no such opportunity anymore—the Emperor is most sensitive about this topic; not even military families, let alone commoners, are allowed to go to the Northern Border."

"Damn it, in that case, Zhao Yuxiong, Xu Mo, Ning Hu—they really hit the jackpot, lucky enough to become Qin Feng's soldiers; their chances for glory and achievement are endless."

"We're stuck here in Beijing, wasting time—so frustrating."

Zhao Yuxiong led five hundred Black Cavalry and one thousand Beixi Soldiers, marching slowly toward the Imperial Palace beneath the scorching, envious stares from all sides.

When the column was halfway through, a striking white horse emerged, surrounded by the Black Cavalry.

"Look! It's the Princess!"

"How do you know it's the Princess?"

"Need you ask? Of course it is!"

Amid the dark cavalry, Li Xiaolan did not ride in an Imperial Road Carriage—she wore a golden-gleaming Light Armor specially crafted by the Tianji Camp.

According to Qin Feng's Blueprint, this golden armor was modeled after the famed Mingguang Armor.

However, since Mingguang Armor is Heavy Armor, and Li Xiaolan, as the Spy Chief of the Brocade Guard, would never charge into the First Line to fight, this set of Golden Armor is in fact Light Armor.

Li Xiaolan's black hair was bound in a crown, a crimson cloak billowing in the wind, a Sword at her waist, a snow-white steed beneath her, both hands gripping the Reins.

Her face, beautiful enough to topple nations, combined with this military attire, was utterly dazzling.

The crowd and the young nobles present were all stunned.

Especially the sons of officials—they had long known of Li Xiaolan's existence, but she had left as a child with the Qin-Cheng Clan for Beixi County.

Now that she had finally returned, her appearance and bearing nearly made the young nobles' eyes pop out.

"This… this is the Qin Family's Third Miss? I've heard of her name for years, but never seen her—now that I see the real person, she's breathtakingly beautiful."

"What Qin Family Third Miss? This is our Shedynasty's lost princess."

"Not just a lost princess—she is the only princess."

Though the Li Imperial Clan was numerous, all were Princes; at least on the surface, there were no Princesses.

Precisely because of this, the Princess of Qiyang Commandery had been so favored.

Now that Li Xiaolan has returned to Jingdu, it has shaken the entire capital.

"N… no wonder she's our Shedynasty Princess—she's a beauty that could topple nations. Just one glance, and I'd gladly die for her."

"Stop dreaming—the Princess has already secretly pledged her life to Qin Feng; otherwise, why would she return to Beijing?"

At these words, a chorus of groans rose from the crowd.

"What?!"

"Again? That Qin Feng guy? How come all the good fortune in the world falls to him?"