"An ideal?"
The steam-belching train advanced across the plains along the tracks, passing through several checkpoints before stopping once at the Morning Wind border station. The passengers who had waited from day until night quickly filled the other half of the empty carriage.
The reason this train could travel unhindered through Morning Wind District was, of course, not merely because of a treaty. More importantly, both sides needed to send people to Yan Jing.
The swaying carriage made it difficult to sleep, while leaving home for the first time filled them with excitement. The train had no sleeping berths, only cushioned seats. After sharing a friendly dinner, the four girls who had only just met quickly grew close. They chatted for a long time without any sign of stopping, as if they had known one another for years and had endless things to confide.
Most of their conversation, however, revolved around Yan Jing Royal Academy. Even Li Ying, who had little interest in studying, yearned for this supreme institution of learning in the capital. To them, the Royal Academy was no less wondrous than the world in a fairy tale. Countless scholars, heroes, and star-crossed lovers had left their footprints there over the past thousand years.
The Royal Academy had given birth to countless legends. The Royal Academy itself was a legend.
Since they were discussing the academy, it was only natural that they would move on to such a dreamy word as "ideal." Li Ying posed with one hand pressed to her heart and said with longing, "My ideal is to meet the person I love. He'll be a peerless hero who takes me on countless thrilling adventures. In the end, we'll achieve our happy ending and retire to the countryside, living together in a palace..."
"Mm-hmm, mm-hmm." Kui