Chapter 254 - 158: This Is Also Against Etiquette? (2)

Wang Dali shook his head, his gaze still fixed on the distant camp: "Hard to say. But since the Prince already knows, let’s just wait and see."

Li Zhang Hutou nodded, a trace of expectation flashing in his eyes: "Mm! Hopefully, it will succeed."

Wang Dali smiled and patted Li Ergou’s shoulder: "Don’t worry, with the Prince and Princess Consort here, we’ll only get better and better."

In the night, the outpost on Yin Mountain stood silently, like a guardian god, quietly watching everything at the foot of the mountain.

In the distant Turkic camp, the bonfires gradually extinguished, and the camp fell into silence.

The following afternoon.

The Turkic entourage’s convoy slowly traveled along the official road leading to Yong’an City, the wheels rolling over the loamy soil, kicking up fine dust.

Princess Yujia sat inside the carriage, her fingers gently lifting the curtain, her gaze peering through the gap towards the distant scenery.

The outline of Yong’an City gradually became clear in the distance, the towering city walls appearing exceptionally majestic in the afterglow of the sunset, like an insurmountable peak weighing on her heart.

Her mood had improved somewhat compared to previous days, at least on the surface.

Every time she lifted the curtain and saw the view ahead, a sense of indescribable anticipation surged in her heart.

She knew that the man—Zhao Zun, was in that city.

Princess Yujia’s fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of the curtain, her heart stirring with ripples.

What did Zhao Zun look like?

She had sketched his appearance countless times in her mind.

Perhaps he had sharp eyes, like hawks on the prairie, eyes that could see through all hypocrisy and lies.

Perhaps his brow carried a hint of sternness, like the cold wind atop snowy mountains, harsh and unapproachable.

She even imagined that when Zhao Zun saw her, would he, like her, have uncontrollable emotions rising in his heart?

Yet, these fantasies were quickly shattered by reality.

Her fingers trembled slightly, the curtain slipped from her fingers, hiding the view outside. Her mood sank to a low point with it.

Her purpose for this trip was not to see him, but for an arranged marriage, to wed the Emperor of the Da Jing Dynasty.

This was her fate, also her duty. As a Turkic princess, she had no choice.

Princess Yujia lowered her head, her gaze landing on her dress hem.

The luxurious silk embroidered with intricate patterns symbolized her identity and status but also felt like an invisible shackle, binding her tightly.

Her happiness had long been devoured by duty and power.

"Zhao Zun..."

She whispered softly, as if the name could bring her some solace.

But she knew that even if Zhao Zun had feelings for her, once she became the Emperor’s concubine, it would all become unattainable.

Moreover, she did not even know if Zhao Zun loved her.

Tears glistened in Princess Yujia’s eyes as she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

The carriage continued its journey, drawing closer to Yong’an City.

Her fate, like the wheels of the carriage, could not turn back, only move forward.

Princess Yujia repeatedly lifted the curtain, looking towards the direction of Yong’an City. After watching for a while, she would sigh and lower the curtain again.

Perhaps, she herself was unsure of what she was expecting, or mourning.

Not knowing how many times she lifted the curtain, the fortress of Yong’an gradually came into Princess Yujia’s view.

The blue-gray city walls shimmered with a cold, harsh gleam under the sunset, clear and distinct, like a giant beast lying dormant, quietly guarding the city.

As the convoy progressed, the details of the fortress became increasingly clear.

She noticed the machine gun ports on the side of the fortress, the dark gun barrels protruding from them like pairs of cold eyes, coldly watching the distance.

Though Princess Yujia didn’t know what the black sticks were, she was savvy enough to guess that anything used on a fortress should be a weapon.

Could those black sticks be weapons that fired "peanuts"?

After secretly guessing, Princess Yujia observed the fortress’s structure carefully, her heart gradually filled with shock.

When did Da Jing have such a fortress? She hadn’t heard anything about it.

The fortress’s design was anything but ordinary; every corner, every firing port had been meticulously calculated, enabling effective defense while maximizing weapon potency.

Her fingers lightly tapped the edge of the carriage window, her fingertips slightly cold.

The convoy continued forward, the full view of the fortress gradually unveiled before her eyes. The sturdy walls, dense firearms points, and wide trenches all showcased Da Jing’s formidable military prowess.