Li Li arrived at the Imperial Capital at noon the following day.
The Human Realm had entered winter, and goose-feather snowflakes were drifting from the sky. The capital, Yongning City, situated beneath the feet of the Son of Heaven, had been on edge lately; it was far from peaceful. The once-bustling streets were now desolate, houses kept their doors tightly shut, and even the occasional bark of a dog would be abruptly swallowed by silence.
The Eldest Princess Manor was located in a prime area of Yongning City. Its vermilion gates were bolted shut, and guards clutching long spears patrolled the perimeter ceaselessly. The foul qi within Li Li, exacerbated by her intensive use of spiritual power, had spread throughout her body. She forced herself to approach the gate, but the guards, unable to see her face clearly through the gloom, frowned and barked at the weary-looking young woman.
Chapter 27