425: Situ Jun returned to the mansion

Inside the front hall, voices buzzed, yet it was not rowdy.

Seated in the primary position at the head of the hall was a man of extraordinary bearing.

He wore a black brocade robe with dark gold Dragon and Phoenix patterns embroidered on the hem; as he moved slightly, the patterns seemed to come alive, shimmering with a faint spiritual light.

The man stood as tall and straight as a verdant pine, with a handsome and elegant face. His eyebrows were like swords and his eyes like stars, with a high bridge to his nose. When his thin lips were pressed tight, his brow naturally carried the pressure unique to a Cultivator, making people afraid to look at him directly.

Yet whenever his gaze swept over the women beside him, that cold pressure would quietly dissipate, and his expression would unconsciously soften—this man was none other than the master of the Northern Frontier, Situ Jun.

Sitting right next to him was an unfamiliar woman.

She wore an ice-blue long dress adorned with tiny ice-crystal-like spiritual lights on the hem. When she moved, it looked like moonlight falling on a lake, rippling with layers of clear brilliance.

The woman's skin was as translucent and white as jade, as if it hadn't seen the sun for years, yet it glowed with health. Her eyes were curved, resembling autumn waters, possessing both the ethereal detachment of a Cultivator and the unique charm of a mature woman. Every frown and smile was soul-stirring.

She was none other than an Inner Sect Elder of the Xihua Sect, Luo Yu.

At this moment, she tilted her head slightly, listening to Situ Jun whisper something. When her gaze fell upon Yun Niang nearby, it held a touch of faint envy, but without a hint of jealousy or hostility.

At the doorway, Jiang Yan's heart suddenly constricted, her fingertips turning icy.

During these days, while waiting in the Situ Residence, she had imagined the appearance of this City Lord of the Northern Frontier countless times.

Perhaps he was a burly general with a face full of flesh and covered in Evil Qi; perhaps he was a sinister and cunning hegemon with schemes hidden in his eyes; or perhaps he was an elderly man over sixty with white hair and beard.

She had never expected him to be such a man of exceptional grace and powerful presence.

What shocked her even more was that the woman beside him had an extraordinary temperament, and her intimate posture with him clearly indicated she was no ordinary maid or subordinate.

While her thoughts were in turmoil, a wealthy merchant from Great Zhou in the hall, dressed in a magnificent robe inlaid with gold and jade, was holding a brocade box set with various gemstones. He was loudly introducing the treasures inside to everyone in the residence.

Situ Jun nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the items in the merchant's hands along with everyone else. His expression was indifferent, as if he didn't care much for these worldly goods, yet he gave the other party plenty of face.

His gaze drifted casually, inadvertently crossing the crowd to land at the doorway, meeting Jiang Yan's eyes directly.

The moment their eyes met, Jiang Yan's heart skipped a beat.

What deep eyes those were, seemingly hiding the vast snowy plains of the Northern Frontier and holding the starry sky, as if they could suck in one's very soul.

She hurriedly lowered her head, concealing the surging shock and awkwardness in her eyes. She slightly loosened her clenched fingertips and smoothed the stray hairs at her temples before stepping inside, gracefully greeting Yun Niang and the other familiar women.

Seeing this, Yun Niang smiled gently at her and then turned to Situ Jun, saying:

"Husband, this is Sister Jiang Yan; she has been waiting for you in the residence for many days."

Hearing this, Situ Jun's gaze fell on Jiang Yan, and he smiled slightly:

"The Empress has come from afar; it must have been a tiring journey."

As soon as these words were spoken, many eyes in the hall fell on Jiang Yan with a hint of scrutiny.

Jiang Yan remained calm on the surface, but her heart felt a pang of bitterness—in the end, she was still bearing the identity of the "Empress of Tianqi."

Yun Niang turned to Jiang Yan again and waved warmly:

"Sister Jiang Yan, come and sit. Let me introduce you: this is my husband, City Lord of the Northern Frontier Situ Jun. And this is Elder Luo Yu of the Xihua Sect."

Jiang Yan nodded to Situ Jun and Luo Yu, then sat in the chair beside Yun Niang.

This was the first time she had observed Situ Jun from such a close distance, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He and Li Xuan were two completely different kinds of people.

Li Xuan's handsomeness carried a hint of an Emperor's effeminacy and calculation; his brow always hid an impenetrable shrewdness, and his smiles were like hidden daggers, making him impossible to read.

In contrast, Situ Jun's handsomeness bore the boldness and ruggedness unique to the Northern Frontier, like a green pine on a mountain peak or a lone wisp of smoke in the desert—open and upright.

His eyes were clear and wise, as if they could see through people's hearts, yet they also held a reassuring steadiness, as if as long as he was there, he could hold up the sky even if it fell.

The Great Zhou merchant's introduction continued, spittle flying as he spoke about the origin and wonderful uses of the treasure in his hands.

But Jiang Yan didn't hear a single word. Her gaze uncontrollably fell on Situ Jun, her mind in a chaotic mess.

She thought of what Ye Nianrui had said, the respect shown by the servants when they mentioned him, and the prosperity, stability, and peaceful lives of the people in Northern Frontier City.

This man truly had his extraordinary qualities.

Before long, twilight descended, and it was time for the evening banquet.

Everyone stood up, laughing as they helped the servants bring in chairs and set out a variety of rich dishes.

For a time, glasses clinked, laughter filled the air, and a lively atmosphere spread. Jiang Yan's mood also quietly lightened.

After the banquet ended and the guests had all left, the night deepened.

Jiang Yan was about to follow a maid back to her room when Situ Jun called out to her.

"Empress, may I have a word with you in private?"

Jiang Yan paused, turned around, and nodded.

The two walked side by side on the path in the back garden. The night was as dark as ink, the moonlight bright, and the snow on the ground crunched under their feet, crisp and pleasant to the ear.

They walked in silence, and before long, they arrived at the entrance of the courtyard where Jiang Yan was staying.

By the courtyard wall, several winter plums were in full bloom, their faint fragrance wafting in the air.

"I heard from Yun Niang that you've been going to see those winter plums often lately."

Situ Jun spoke first, his voice deep and slightly raspy, perhaps because he had drunk a few extra cups of wine at the banquet.

Jiang Yan nodded, her gaze turning toward the winter plums standing proudly in the corner of the courtyard. She said softly:

"Yes, they certainly have more backbone than I do."

There was a hint of self-mockery and helplessness in her words.

As the Empress of Tianqi, she had been used as a bargaining chip by her own husband and sent to the Northern Frontier to be at the mercy of others. When had she ever had even a shred of backbone?

Situ Jun stopped, turned around, and looked at her.

His gaze fell on her pale face and the lingering sorrow in her eyes. He remained silent for a moment before slowly saying:

"The Empress's purpose in coming to the Northern Frontier, this so-called 'Phoenix Destiny,' this City Lord already knows."

As he spoke, he pushed open the door and stepped aside to let Jiang Yan enter first.

The two entered the house. The heater in the living room was burning brightly, dispelling the chill.

Situ Jun personally added some charcoal to the stove. The flames flickered, casting shifting shadows across his face.

He poured a cup of hot tea for Jiang Yan to warm her up before sitting down in the chair opposite her.

He looked up at Jiang Yan, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's:

"I only wonder, did Sovereign Li Xuan send you here to discuss state affairs, or... 'private matters'?"

The words "private matters" were spoken casually, yet they felt like a heavy hammer smashing against Jiang Yan's heart.

Her face instantly grew paler. Her fingers gripping the teacup tightened suddenly, her knuckles turning white, and even her fingertips began to tremble slightly.

Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, she forced a smile:

"The City Lord must be joking. Your humble servant is the Empress of Tianqi; coming here is naturally for the sake of the people of Tianqi, to discuss state affairs."

"Oh?"

Situ Jun raised an eyebrow, his gaze becoming even sharper, as if he could see through all her pretenses:

"But this City Lord has heard that the Sovereign told you to seek stability 'at all costs.' Does this 'all costs' include the Empress herself?"

This sentence was like a sharp dagger, directly piercing through Li Xuan's subtle hint and tearing away Jiang Yan's last shred of dignity.