493: Take Xia Wei back to the Northern Frontier

At the same time, outside the northern gate of the imperial city, the first rays of dawn broke, casting a faint golden glow upon the Official Road.

The morning mist had not yet fully dissipated, thin as a veil of gauze, shrouding the distant palace eaves and the still-budding trees lining both sides of the road.

The wind still carried the chill of late winter, sweeping across the ground, whirling up fine frost crystals that settled on the bluestone-paved Official Road, only to be melted away instantly by the rising warm sun.

The Official Road stretched straight and endless towards the north. Its surface, worn smooth by countless carriages and horses, now gleamed with a gentle luster in the morning light, like a golden ribbon unfurling into the distance.

Beside the road, a particularly exquisite Spirit Beast carriage had long been waiting, standing out conspicuously among the other vehicles awaiting departure from the city, akin to a crane among chickens, drawing sidelong glances from all who saw it.

The carriage was pulled by two snow-white steeds with gleaming white single horns, known as 'Snow-Treading Steeds'.

These were Spirit Beasts unique to the Northern Frontier. They bore a single, crystal-clear white horn on their foreheads, manes flowing like cascading clouds, and possessed long, powerful limbs. They could travel a thousand li in a day without tiring, tread on snow without leaving a trace or sound, and were gentle yet highly intelligent. Even elite cavalry at full gallop could scarcely hope to catch up to them.

Now, the two Snow-Treading Steeds stood with heads held high, ears slightly pricked, their eyes lively yet showing not a hint of restlessness, clearly extremely well-trained.

The carriage compartment itself was crafted with the utmost sophistication, tempered from warm jade by a powerful Cultivator. It felt warm to the touch and could block out all external cold.

Its exterior was covered with heavy, dark-colored Cloud Brocade, embroidered with golden thread in a pattern of winding, ancient pine branches. The pine needles were meticulously detailed, the branches strong and vigorous, shimmering with a subdued golden light under the dawn, exuding a low-key luxury.

At each of the four corners of the compartment hung a mutton-fat Glazed Lamp. The lamp bodies were translucent, emanating a soft, warm luster even in the morning light; at night, they would surely be radiant and dazzling.

The carriage door was draped with a thick fox-fur curtain. The fur was snow-white, fluffy, and luxuriant, not only blocking the cold from both inside and out but also securely shielding the interior from any prying eyes.

Standing beside the carriage were over a dozen Northern Frontier personal Guards clad in dark soft armor. Each stood as straight as a pine tree, their auras as steady as a mountain. Faint ripples of spiritual power emanated from them—all were accomplished Cultivators.

They wore long sabers at their waists, the hilts wrapped in mermaid silk. Their gazes were sharp as eagles, sweeping their surroundings as they guarded the carriage at the center, their expressions solemn and vigilant.

These men were all Situ Jun's personal Guards, having followed him faithfully all the way from the Northern Frontier. For this return journey, responsible for security, they dared not be the slightest bit negligent.

A little further away, a more ordinary blue-cloth carriage was parked. Its frame was simple and unadorned, likely used for accompanying maids, servants, and luggage. It formed a stark contrast with the central Spirit Beast carriage, only serving to highlight the main carriage's greater nobility.

The Guards' sharp eyes spotted a figure in dark robes approaching swiftly from the far end of the palace road.

The figure's dark robes fluttered, his posture as straight as a pine tree. His steps were steady, each footfall carrying an undeniable presence. An Aura, sharp yet restrained, surrounded him—it was none other than the City Lord of the Northern Frontier, Situ Jun.

"City Lord!"

The Guard captain, Iron Tiger Wang, reacted first, immediately dropping to one knee, his dark armor clinking crisply.

Seeing this, the other Guards also knelt on one knee in unison. Their voices were uniform, deep, and forceful, filled with profound respect and loyalty, echoing in the morning breeze:

"City Lord!"

Situ Jun raised his hand slightly, a faint wisp of spiritual power brushing past. His voice was clear and carried an unquestionable authority:

"Rise."

The Guards obeyed and stood up, still keeping their heads bowed and standing at attention, not daring to slacken in the slightest.

Situ Jun's gaze swept over them, finally settling on the fox-fur curtain of the main carriage. He asked in a deep voice:

"Is she inside?"

The Guard captain, Iron Tiger Wang, stepped forward, bowed with clasped fists, and replied respectfully and steadily:

"Reporting to the City Lord, Young Miss Xia Wei has been waiting inside the carriage for some time. As you instructed, the Young Miss left the palace discreetly through a side gate, alerting no one within the palace. The journey here was conducted in secrecy, without a single mishap."

Situ Jun gave a slight nod and, without further words, strode towards the carriage.

As the curtain was lifted, a wave of warm, elegant air greeted him, a world apart from the chill outside.

The interior of the compartment was spacious and comfortable. The floor was covered with snow-white fox fur, soft and thick, making no sound underfoot and radiating warmth.

On one side stood a pearwood low table. Upon it rested a white porcelain teacup containing warm Spiritual Tea, steam curling upwards with a faint, fragrant aroma. Beside it were several plates of exquisite spiritual fruit pastries, their vibrant colors indicating careful preparation.

In a corner sat a small gilded incense burner, its body carved with orchid patterns. It burned a delicate orchid fragrance, the smoke rising in thin wisps, dispelling any stuffiness within the carriage and lending an air of refined coziness, quiet and pleasant.

A woman dressed in a light green palace gown sat upright on the carriage's soft couch.

The palace gown was made of soft material, embroidered with pale pink crabapple blossoms, complementing her fair skin and gentle features.

Seeing Situ Jun enter, she immediately rose and performed a curtsy. Her movements were soft and precise, her expression carrying a trace of nervous respect. Her lowered eyelashes fluttered slightly, yet held a hint of barely concealed anticipation. Her fingertips subtly clutched the hem of her gown.

This woman was precisely Xia Wei, a consort of the Tianqi Emperor, Li Xuan. Having entered the palace twenty years ago, she had lived a stable life without great favor, yet had managed to avoid being entangled in the harem's strife.

What was even rarer was that she possessed the rare 'Pure Yin Precious Physique' and a 'Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Root', giving her exceptional Cultivation talent. However, with no one in the palace to guide her, her Meridians were blocked, and her innate gifts lay buried.

Such a Physique and Spiritual Root were precisely the kind of assistance Situ Jun urgently desired and one of the reasons she was among his intended Dao Companions.

In taking her back to the Northern Frontier this time, Situ Jun had long harbored his own calculations:

First, to Cultivate his own forces. With her Physique and Spiritual Root, if nurtured carefully, she would undoubtedly become a formidable asset in the future. Second, he hoped to use her Pure Yin Precious Physique to help him break through his current Cultivation Bottleneck. Third, he also intended to use this journey together to foster feelings between them, making her willingly stay by his side as his Dao Companion.

"City Lord."

Xia Wei's voice was soft, carrying the gentle, mellifluous quality unique to mature women, like a spring breeze skimming a lake, tinged with a hint of timidity.

She kept her eyes lowered, not daring to meet Situ Jun's gaze. A faint blush tinged her cheeks, adding to her gentle appearance.

Situ Jun sat down on the other side of the soft couch. His dark robes draped down, forming a stark contrast with her light green palace gown—one cold, one soft; one deep, one pale—particularly striking.

His gaze swept over her, from her slightly lowered brows and eyes, to her fingertips clutching her gown, finally resting on her faintly blushing cheeks. A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth. His tone was calm yet carried an undeniable certainty:

"Since you are already in the carriage, sit at ease. Accompanying me to the Northern Frontier this time, far from the deep palace cage of Tianqi, from now on you need not watch the Emperor's mood, nor be bound by tedious palace rules. Your days will be much freer."

He paused, lightly tapped the low table with his fingertip, and continued:

"Your Meridians are now cleared, and your Foundation is acceptable. It was merely the lack of guidance that delayed you these years. In a couple of days, I will teach you Cultivation mantras and some basic Cultivation knowledge. With your Pure Yin Precious Physique and Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Root, your Cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds. It won't be long before you catch up to ordinary Cultivators."

Xia Wei abruptly looked up, her eyelashes fluttering. A flash of barely concealable delight shone in her eyes, swirling like starlight before transforming into profound gratitude. Her eyes grew slightly warm.

She performed another slight curtsy, her tone sincere and slightly choked:

"Thank you, City Lord, for this life-redeeming grace! Xia Wei will certainly Cultivate diligently, live up to your expectations, and in the future, do her utmost to share your burdens."

For twenty years in the palace, she had been but an insignificant speck of dust in the Emperor's harem, unnoticed and with no one caring about her talents.

Now, Situ Jun was not only taking her away from that cage but also planning to teach her Cultivation methods, giving her a new life. How could she not be grateful for such kindness?