Month: December 2025

The large carriage convoy departed from the manor entrance. Yang Xiuying lifted the window curtain. What she saw was her husband riding his horse flanking the carriage, slightly ahead.

Today, many citizens lined both sides of the street waiting for the bridal procession from foreign lands. They already knew that Qin Wang of Jian Kingdom’s bride was the daughter of the Long Yu Island Lord, which was famous for its strong Duanshen ore.

In the imperial palace at the capital of Jian Kingdom, Jian Dezhu—the current Emperor—received a letter from the envoys within a few days and furrowed his brow.

Finally, a reply accepting the meeting request sent by Jian Kingdom’s envoys arrived. The important officials tasked with negotiating the purchase of Duanshen ore all had pleased expressions filled with anticipation.

Nearly two weeks later, the Yi clan’s large cargo ship returned to Long Yu Island—a large, isolated island surrounded by endless ocean on all sides.

Zi hour, along the banks of the Liu Li River—a major waterway running through the capital of Jian Kingdom, flowing through many cities before eventually emptying into the Long Tao Sea to the south. The surroundings were pitch black and deserted, with only a few shadowy figures standing about, and one young woman being forcibly stuffed into a cage just large enough to fit her body by male servants, preparing to throw her into the river.