Outside the Imperial City.
Prince Ding, Zhu Cijiong, and Prince Yong, Zhu Cizhao, stood solemnly. As they gazed at the Imperial City before them and the formidable soldiers atop the walls, they were overcome by a sense of how much had changed. When they had left the capital, Prince Ding was twelve and Prince Yong was eleven. Six years had passed, and the two children had grown into young men. This physical and emotional maturation had taught them many hard lessons—among them, the poignant truth that nowhere is as heartless as the imperial family.
"Your Highnesses, please follow me closely," Li Ruolian directed, leading them into the Imperial City.
Chapter 782