At the Border Capital, the Ruler Stands Before the People!

"Was this Yan Capital?"

Yuwen Liqian murmured softly, disbelief shining in her eyes.

Grand. Magnificent!

The immense city before her surpassed everything she had imagined. Even the distant imperial capital of the Han Kingdom seemed slightly diminished by comparison.

There were six gates on the southern face of the city alone. Merchant caravans streamed toward them, and each had to wait its turn before passing slowly through. The volume of goods moving in and out was plain to see.

Four broad official roads ran side by side, each divided into twelve carriage lanes. Horses and carts flowed without end, their hoofbeats and rumbling wheels weaving a scene of bustling prosperity.

Some carts were drawn by different numbers of horses, while lone riders traveled among them. There was no end to the variety.

The maid beside Yuwen Liqian slowly opened her mouth, her astonishment written all over her face.

She had thought the ancient capital of the Han Kingdom, painstakingly expanded by rulers of four dynasties, was a mighty city seldom seen in the world. She had never imagined Yan Capital would be even more imposing.

"That carriage really has ten horses pulling it!"

The maid's gaze followed an ornate carriage that had just swept past.

Two fine horses led the way, three moved steadily in the middle, and five powerful steeds hauled together at the rear. The display made its owner's standing unmistakable.

Yet it was nothing unusual on this road. The Northern Region truly was full of wealthy grandees.

Seeing it for the first time, the maid could not help feeling surprised. Beside such a spectacle, her own carriage looked rather shabby and unremarkable.

The South Gate of Yan Capital!

The envoys of all four nations had to wait their turn, gathering before the gate.

In light of what