The Immortal Empress, Unrivaled Through Eternity

The carriage sped along, with pedestrians and trees on the official road rushing past.

Even so, Li Yunqing did not feel much of a jolt.

Before long, she saw a mountain range covered in red, like a fire dragon lying dormant on the earth, stretching to the horizon, with almost no end in sight.

"Thump!"

The melodious sound of the morning bell could still be heard clearly from miles away.

That is Arashiyama-ji Temple on Arashiyama, located on the mountainside. Ladies and young ladies from the city often go there to worship Buddha.

Even today, Li Yunqing can still see many carriages heading towards Lanshan Temple.

Watching Li Yunqing intently admiring the scenery outside the car, her eyes occasionally flashing with surprise.

Jiang Yu didn't say anything more to disturb her, but her eyes kept falling on Li Yunqing, intentionally or unintentionally.

Suddenly, these common landscapes became extremely beautiful.

"My mother is right. The beauty and scenery of this world are only truly appreciated and meaningful when shared with the people we cherish in our hearts."

Thinking of her mother's words, Jiang Yu felt that the air around her became sweet.

Especially the delicate fragrance emanating from Li Yunqing, like milk mixed with a hint of apple, was something you could never get enough of.

Noticing the gazes directed at her, Li Yunqing didn't pay much attention to them.

He approached it like a formality, just wanting it to end quickly so he could go home and practice martial arts.

The carriage suddenly stopped in front of Arashiyama Temple.

As soon as Li Yunqing and Jiang Yu stepped off the carriage, several monks dressed in kasaya robes approached them.

"Amitabha, the rooms have been prepared. Benefactor Jiang and Benefactor Li, please rest for a while before heading to the mountains for sightseeing."

"Thank you for your presiding!"

Jiang Yu clasped his hands slightly and instructed the accompanying guards and servants to tidy up the rooms before guiding Li Yunqing into the Buddhist temple.

The air was filled with the scent of incense, swirling around the fiery red trees. The pagodas, temples, and side rooms all exuded an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere.

It was as if the moment I stepped through the gate, I had entered the celestial realm and the sacred mountain.

"The scenery is indeed beautiful."

After touring Lanshan Temple, Li Yunqing felt a sense of wonder and interest, and said, "Let's go take a look in the mountains."

"good!"

Jiang Yu nodded and waved to someone not far away.

Before long, two servants arrived, leading horses.

"The mountain road is quite long, so riding a horse is more convenient," Jiang Yu said, taking the reins of the white horse and placing them in Li Yunqing's hand.

"Horseback riding in the mountains?"

Li Yunqing glanced at the white horse in front of her, her eyes brightening slightly, and looked at Jiang Yu with some surprise.

This idea was great, which made her even more interested.

Although I've never ridden a horse, who doesn't love riding one?

If she weren't riding at full speed, she should be able to adapt.

Thinking this, Li Yunqing blinked her clear eyes, stroked the white horse's neck, then stepped into the stirrups and mounted the horse.

Pulling on the reins and gently squeezing the horse's flanks with my legs, the white horse trotted forward at a leisurely pace.

Seeing this, Jiang Yu did not hesitate, mounted his horse, and followed.

The mountain path wasn't wide, but it was wide enough for two horses to walk side by side.

The fiery red leaves all around rustled in the wind, and melodious birdsong echoed through the mountain streams.

A gentle breeze caressed my face, my dress and hair danced in the air, and the sunlight was just right.

Two figures, riding horses, leisurely and aimlessly traveled along the path, like an extremely beautiful painting.

However, the room was rather quiet.

Li Yunqing was riding a horse for the first time, enjoying the scenery as she went. Jiang Yu didn't say anything, and she was happy to be at ease.

Moreover, she wasn't a talkative person to begin with.

Jiang Yu's gaze often lingered on Li Yunqing, hesitant to speak, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin.

Instead, he would occasionally look up at the sun in the sky.

As the sun began to set, Jiang Yu finally spoke, "Junior Sister Yunqing, it's past noon. Why don't we find a sheltered spot and have some snacks?"

Li Yunqing turned her head and noticed that there were many things hanging on one side of Jiang Yu's horse.

There was a food box, a water bottle, a knife, and even a long, narrow box.

Clearly, this was prepared in advance.

"Yes!" Li Yunqing readily agreed.

Along the way, she could also sense that Jiang Yu was not like those spoiled brats; on the contrary, he was very well-mannered and never made any frivolous or inappropriate remarks.

They are very easy to get along with, and even though they don't talk much, it's not too awkward.

The two dismounted and drove their horses to a meadow. Then, carrying their belongings, they walked through the forest and arrived at a secluded valley.

They stopped on a blue stone near the mountain.

Jiang Yu opened the food box, laid out the snacks and fruits one by one, and then took out the water bottle and poured two cups of water.

They even wiped the bluestone clean.

Li Yunqing didn't have to do anything throughout the whole process, yet she was extremely thoughtful and meticulous.

"If she were a normal woman, such a man would indeed be a good match for her."

Looking at Jiang Yu, who was so virtuous, Li Yunqing couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

"Junior Sister Yunqing, please!"

Jiang Yu raised his hand in greeting, and then sat down directly on the bluestone.

Li Yunqing didn't stand on ceremony. She sat opposite Jiang Yu, picked up her water glass, took a sip to moisten her throat, and then began to eat her snacks.

These are all top-quality pastries from Qingzhou City, sweet but not greasy, and perfectly soft and crumbly. There's also water chestnut cake, which Li Yunqing particularly likes.

It has the fresh scent of water chestnuts and a smooth, jelly-like texture.

As soon as Li Yunqing finished eating and looked up, she saw Jiang Yu holding the long, rectangular box and placing it in front of her.

"This is the 'Listening to the Melody' on a Famous Zither."

Jiang Yu spoke softly, her tone surprisingly serious: "I know that my father's abrupt marriage proposal has caused great trouble for Junior Sister Yunqing."

"I apologize for the intrusion when I climbed over the wall. I would like to give this to Junior Sister Yunqing as a token of my remorse."

Upon hearing this, Li Yunqing looked down at the box in front of her, and seemed to realize something.

This is probably Jiang Yuyue's purpose in coming out.

However, she also understood that she was already fifteen years old and the age for marriage was approaching.

Even if she didn't want to, her father would find a way to put her in the public eye.

Even if Jiang Yu isn't there, there will be someone else.

"Actually, you didn't have to do that!" Li Yunqing said. "I don't blame you."

She did have prejudices at first, but she was at peace with them when she realized that this was the fate of women in this era.

However, she still resisted in her heart and would not talk about love or get married.

Jiang Yu's existence might be the reason she was able to have peace and quiet, acting as a shield to block out more people and things.

This allows her to focus on martial arts training.

Logically, she should be the one expressing gratitude.

"Junior Sister Yunqing, please don't blame me, but I was still in the wrong!"

Jiang Yu looked completely sincere.

He should have stopped his father from proposing marriage, and instead spent more time with Li Yunqing to obtain her consent before taking any action.

Moreover, from the moment Li Yunqing accepted Hongyan, the future of her was destined to be his wife.

He naturally couldn't let Li Yunqing suffer any injustice, and he was even less willing to let this matter create an irreconcilable knot in Li Yunqing's heart.

"I won't accept the zither, but I can use it as a gift!"

Li Yunqing opened the box, took out the Tingyou Qin (a type of zither), and whispered, "Today, I will play a tune for you."

Let bygones be bygones!

"Really?" Jiang Yu's expression lit up with joy, her eyes brimming with excitement.

Li Yunqing nodded gently and said, "Of course!"

After saying that, she added in her heart, "Let the future go with the wind."

"bite……"

The melodious sound of the zither suddenly rose up from the mountain stream.

Like a breeze caressing a mountain ridge, or a flowing stream meandering by.

The enchanting music attracted countless birds from the mountains to circle above their heads.

The birdsong blended beautifully with the music, creating a truly delightful sound.

With the added advantage of her ability to connect with the soul through eight tones, her music can penetrate the heart and stir the emotions.

She felt that if one possessed magical powers, one could probably manipulate people's hearts.

Upon hearing the beautiful music again, Jiang Yu was completely captivated.

The emotions flowing through my heart, sometimes joyful, sometimes sorrowful, were as if I were there, experiencing a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.

"Tap tap tap..."

Just as the music was coming to an end, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed through the valley.

Fifteen or sixteen masked figures, wielding sharp blades, quickly surged into the mountain stream.

The leader's gaze was fixed on Li Yunqing from afar, filled with intense greed.

"Truly a peerless spirit, its single song has drawn the adoration of a hundred birds!"