Queen Ju peered through a crack in the carriage window at the filthy, disorderly streets of South City. They made a poor impression on her, and she decided that sooner or later she would have the place completely rebuilt.
She had arrived in Jade City four days before the first duel, with six carriages and more than thirty guards. Almost no one had known they were coming. Xu Yanwei, riding in the same carriage, looked weary. She gazed out for a long while before recognizing her hometown, then sighed and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, aren't we going to North City? The Dragon King has had your old home there tidied up."
Queen Ju had grown up in a house in North City. For more than a decade, it had been her entire world. During the days she had been confined under house arrest by the chancellor after returning to Stone Kingdom, she had yearned for North City so much that she would even have traded her title of Princess for the chance to return. But times had changed, and she no longer had any interest in North City.
"Mm." Queen Ju remained lost in thought. Accustomed to the monotonous clatter of wheels and hooves, she found South City's bustle especially grating. "No, we won't stay in North City. Take us to the military governor's residence."
Xu Yanwei shrugged, understanding the queen's intentions. She could only stand by and watch. The young queen was no longer the delicate, shy girl she had once been. In Stone Kingdom, her word was law. Ever since He Nu's people had abducted her, she had grown even more resolute and decisive, and Xu Yanwei's opinions no longer carried much weight.
Still, Queen Ju needed Xu Yanwei. She didn't yet have many capable subordinates, and