The Imperial City gates.
The avenue ahead was lined with high-rises, crowded with carriages and people, and filled with noise and bustle.
Just one wall separated them, yet it felt like an entirely different world.
Ice Empress and Xiao Bai looked around curiously. Even the usually composed Snow Empress was no exception. It was their first time seeing such a prosperous human world, and it would have been a lie to say they weren't curious.
Zheng Zhan, on the other hand, seemed used to it. He had simply been stunned for quite a while when he saw Snow Empress and the others.
Especially after learning that Xiao Bai was the Ice Bear King and discovering the identities of the Ice and Snow Emperors, he felt thoroughly ill at ease and silently edged farther away.
"What do you think? Want to look around?" Xu Lanqing asked with a smile. He actually wanted to take a look around, too.
Ice Empress looked tempted, but also hesitant. She was afraid they'd waste time, so she simply turned to Snow Empress and left the decision to her.
Xiao Bai was different. He didn't get a say at all. Poor Xiao Bai.
"All right, Bing'er, we have more important things to do. We can look around next time we come back, after we've taken care of your problem." Snow Empress drew back her gaze and glanced at Ice Empress.
"I understand." Ice Empress nodded.
"Then let's go see someone first. It won't take long." Xu Lanqing turned and walked into an alley slightly smaller than the main road.
The others followed.
The alleys beside the Imperial City were beautiful and quiet, with land so expensive that most of the residents were high-ranking officials and nobles.
Xu Lanqing stopped in front of a lavishly decorated estate,