The Great Qian Imperial Capital of old had endured upheaval after upheaval, but at least its city walls had remained standing.
Some enormous stone towers and earth towers had remained as well.
Later, after Chu Qing had bathed the Imperial Capital in blood, many wealthy households had moved in.
The Imperial Capital had gradually become prosperous once more.
When Chu Qing had come last time, the Princess had not only arranged idols for the temples, but also sent people to build houses, intending to restore the Imperial Capital's former prosperity.
Everything had been moving in a better direction.
A few days ago, Yue Manlou had come to the Imperial Capital to retrieve something, and she had not mentioned any problems there.
But now—
This time, Chu Qing discovered—
The vast Imperial Capital had become ruins.
The city walls, over a hundred meters tall, had collapsed.
Stone towers one hundred meters tall, even two or three hundred meters tall, had utterly crumbled.
The magnificent temples had all fallen as well.
Even the Imperial Palace was shattered beyond recognition.
"This is nothing but a ruin!"
Chu Qing rubbed his eyes. "How did such a fine Imperial Capital end up like this?"
Ten minutes later—
Chu Qing found the Princess in the ruined Imperial Palace.
The Princess's face was pale and her eyes hollow. Her splendid imperial robes were stained with copious blood.
Her long hair hung loose, and not a trace of her former regal grace remained.
When she saw Chu Qing, she merely nodded.
The female officials who should have gathered around her were nowhere to be seen.
Ying Hongzhu and Ying Hongzhuang, who had always been at her side, had vanished as well.
"What happened?"
Chu Qing sat cross-legged, facing the Princess.
The Princess said hollowly, "Three days ago, the