The early summer sun in Shu State was strong. Combined with the overcast rain of the past few days, the city felt a bit muggy.
But outside the Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion, a hundred Personal Guards still stood ramrod straight, their armor gleaming in the sunlight.
Long lines of people were queued up on both sides.
There were local officials and nobles from Shu State, wealthy merchants and gentry, and even soldiers of the Dingyuan Army.
Most of them gathered in small groups of two or three; very few came alone.
「Just past the Hour of the Serpent.」
The two dragon-like queues began to slowly enter the Marquis's Mansion.
Chen Yi and Xiao Jinghong stood just inside the main gate. Whether viewed from afar or up close, they could truly be called a perfect pair.
Chen Yi was dressed in a long, cyan robe, fastened at the waist with a sash from which hung a round Jade Pendant.
