The Immortal Empress, Unrivaled Through Eternity

"The eldest son of the Jiang family? The rumors are true! Is he going to propose marriage to the Li family's daughter?"

"Two geese as a gift, thirty loads of gifts... this is the highest-level betrothal gift."

"With the marriage alliance with the Jiang family, the Li family is destined for greatness!"

On the street, seeing the long queue, discussions arose.

Many children curiously followed the procession, cheering and creating a lively atmosphere.

"A Li family girl? Completely unknown, yet the Jiang family has taken a liking to her?"

"Who can disagree? The talented daughter of the Qin family and the legitimate daughter of the Zhou family are renowned throughout Qingzhou. Countless men long to meet them but cannot."

"I've heard that the talented daughter of the Qin family and the eldest daughter of the Zhou family have both expressed their admiration for a man like Jiang Yu."

"The Jiang family is actually turning a blind eye?"

"The Qin and Zhou families were well-matched with the Jiang family, but the Jiang family chose the little-known Li family instead."

Countless customers from the surrounding restaurants and teahouses gathered at the windows, discussing the matter animatedly.

The Qin family holds the position of city lord, controlling the people's livelihood and government affairs of Qingzhou City, and their word is law.

The Zhou family controls the city's defenses, security, and criminal justice, and their influence is considerable.

Together with the troops stationed in Qingzhou City under the command of the Jiang family, they can be considered the three top families in Qingzhou City.

Although there are many other small families, almost none of them can match the power of the Qin, Zhou, and Jiang families; the difference is significant.

"Bang!"

In a lavishly decorated restaurant, a table was overturned, and kettles and teacups shattered on the floor.

"Why would he propose to a woman who's completely unknown?"

"The Li family? Does such a small family deserve to be treated like this?"

An angry yet crisp sound echoed throughout the restaurant.

Qin Wan'er raised her foot and kicked over the chair again, angrily saying, "I, Qin Wan'er, am the number one talented woman in Qingzhou. My martial arts have long been mastered, and my talent and appearance are second to none. In what way am I inferior to the Li family woman?"

Her chest heaved, and her face flushed red with anger.

His bright eyes were filled with resentment, as if burning with flames, as he stared intently at the queue on the long street.

Just then, a soft, bell-like laugh rang out, and Zhou Ru appeared, smiling as she said, "As long as Brother Jiang Yu doesn't marry you, I'll be happy."

As she spoke, Zhou Ru looked at the queue on the long street, her eyes revealing a hint of resentment.

But compared to Qin Wan'er, she wasn't as angry or sad.

She even felt a strange sense of relief when she learned that it wasn't Qin Wan'er.

As long as the Jiang family controls the garrison and retains military power, they will never weaken in Qingzhou City.

Both the Qin and Zhou families naturally wanted to form a marriage alliance with the Jiang family, and their parents often gave them advice on this matter.

Therefore, Qin Wan'er and Zhou Ru have been fighting each other since they were young, vying for the title of talented woman and competing to see who is better in martial arts.

All they wanted was to attract the attention and favor of Jiang Yu from the Jiang family.

"you……"

Hearing Zhou Ru's words, Qin Wan'er's eyes burned even brighter.

"What? Want to fight? I'll take it on, whether it's a fight or a battle!"

Zhou Ru wore a smile on her face and a gorgeous light red dress, resembling a dazzling peony in full bloom.

"Hmph! It's not like Brother Jiang Yu is marrying you, so what are you so smug about!"

Seeing the smile on Zhou Ru's face, Qin Wan'er's anger was slowly suppressed.

Wearing a gorgeous red dress, she was no less stunning than Zhou Ru, like a blooming rose covered in thorns.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ru surprisingly did not refute it. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Have you ever seen the Li family's daughter?"

"I'm very curious, what kind of woman did we lose to?"

Upon hearing this, both of them fell silent.

The entire restaurant fell silent.

The thirty palanquins, arranged in a long procession, marched away in a grand and imposing manner until they disappeared from the two women's sight. Only then did they each let out a cold snort and leave.

The gates of the Li residence were already wide open, and servants stood in neat attire, like guards on a battlefield.

Li Yansong stood before everyone, his face beaming with pride, as if he had won a huge lottery prize.

Behind him, Li Shuo stood ramrod straight, his gaze occasionally glancing at Li Yunqing, who stood quietly to the side.

She wanted to speak, but then secretly glanced at Li Yansong and finally held back, looking towards the long street.

"They're here!"

From afar, a large group of people could be seen walking towards this place.

The joyful laughter of children running and jumping, the excited chatter of onlookers, and the rising and falling voices of discussion all blended together.

Li Yansong lowered his head and smoothed his clothes, then looked back at everyone before fixing his gaze on Li Yunqing.

"Yun Qing, you should laugh, not like this!"

A stern voice rang out, causing Li Yunqing to raise her head, and then a gentle smile appeared on her delicate face.

"I understand, Father!" Li Yunqing replied.

As a prominent family in Qingzhou City, the Jiang family had to greet them with a smile, even if they were unwilling and unable to refuse.

In this era, the hierarchy and the law of the jungle are laid bare.

One accident could bring the Li family to ruin.

Her father and brother treated her very well, and she was protected by the family for fifteen years without worry. How could she just stand by and watch everything fall apart?

She smiled as she looked at the approaching crowd.

Leading the group was Jiang Yu, dressed in a dark blue brocade robe embroidered with pale gold patterns that shimmered in the sunlight.

He stood tall and straight, carrying two wild geese in his arms, walking with the stride of a dragon and the gait of a tiger, a gentle smile on his face.

His handsome face made countless women blush.

Seemingly sensing the gaze, Jiang Yu looked up and met Li Yunqing's eyes.

Looking at that radiant smile, Jiang Yu felt a strange sense of calm wash over her: "She truly is extraordinary!"

When other women saw him, they would either giggle or blush shyly.

But Li Yunqing smiled gently and calmly met his gaze.

"Is she happy because I came to propose?"

Jiang Yu's mind was in turmoil, and she quickened her pace, as if she wanted to get closer to Li Yunqing as soon as possible to find out what she was thinking.

Before long, Jiang Yu, carrying two wild geese, stopped in front of the Li residence.

Beside him, Jiang Hong, the solemn-faced head of the Jiang family, now had a smile on his face.

"Master Jiang, my nephew, please!"

Li Yansong clasped his hands in a salute, then stepped aside and gestured with his hand.

"Brother Li, if you don't mind, just call me Brother Jiang!"

Jiang Hong spoke with the firmness of a soldier, yet with remarkable decisiveness and efficiency.

He glanced at Li Yunqing beside him and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Her son had good taste; the girl in front of him had a gentle smile on her face, and was quiet and elegant.

That must be the influence of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, naturally revealing a refined and elegant temperament.

She is neither shy nor afraid of the stage, and exudes an air of elegance from within.

Her appearance was exquisite and delicate; she wore no makeup, yet her skin was as white as jade.

In other words, she doesn't go out and socialize often; otherwise, her beauty would be unmatched in the entire Qingzhou City.

"Brother Jiang!" Li Yansong responded, flattered, and bowed respectfully, "Please come into the mansion."

The group stepped into the Li residence and headed towards the main hall.

Jiang Yu followed behind his father, Jiang Hong, his eyes constantly glancing at Li Yunqing. For some reason, he always felt that Li Yunqing was more interesting when she smiled like this.

The procession carrying the gifts behind them carried the gifts to the main courtyard after the group entered the main hall, where they stood in an orderly fashion.

Just then, the solemnly dressed matchmaker walked out, holding a gift list tied with a red cloth.

He bowed slightly to Li Yansong and Jiang Hong and said, "Men should marry when they come of age, and women should marry when they come of age, so as to serve Heaven, Earth, ancestral temples, and the state."

"With propriety as the guiding principle and affection as the supporting element, the marriage is blessed by the Red Phoenix Star, and the family ancestral hall will be passed down through generations."

"Li Yunqing, a woman of noble character and graceful appearance, is sent by Jiang to convey the sentiments of her son, Jiang, regarding the betrothal ceremony."

As he spoke, the matchmaker bowed to Li Yansong from afar once more.

Li Yansong, with a solemn expression, returned the greeting with clasped hands and said in a loud voice, "Yunqing, a member of the humble Li family, has not yet had the opportunity to be properly instructed, but I dare not refuse to honor the rites of our ancestors."

The matchmaker returned the gift, then looked at Jiang Yu and said, "Holding the goose!"

Jiang Yu picked up the wild goose, bowed slightly, and handed it to Li Yunqing, speaking softly.

May you enjoy lasting happiness and endless blessings.

"I vow to be married to you, until death do us part!"

Listening to Jiang Yu's powerful promise and looking into his pure and determined gaze.

Li Yunqing's calm heart was inexplicably filled with timidity, panic, and even fear and unease.

It was as if an endless, surging wave was sweeping in, and she was a lone boat in that wave, ready to capsize at any moment.

She never wanted to get married, but she was powerless to change it.

At that moment, she had only one thought in her mind.

Should we accept the wild geese?