bestfiction Chapter 377 Lü Zhi's Awakening 7
Chapter 377 Lü Zhi's Awakening 7
Empress Lü Zhi embarked on her journey to Xianyang with her entourage. The journey was arduous and challenging, involving traversing mountains and rivers.
At first, the carriage moved slowly, its swaying and rocking creating a unique and pleasant experience. The young and lively Lü Zhi sat inside, eagerly gazing out the window at the scenery. The rolling mountains, bathed in sunlight, were a vibrant green, shrouded in mist, creating a scene of ethereal beauty. Wildflowers bloomed in profusion along the roadside, their vibrant colors releasing enchanting fragrances. In the distance, wisps of smoke rose from the villages, adding a touch of life to the tranquil scene. Lü Zhi's eyes sparkled with excitement; she frequently exclaimed in wonder, filled with curiosity and delight at the beautiful scenery along the way.
However, as time ticked by, and the prolonged sitting in the bumpy carriage took its toll, Lü Zhi's body gradually gave way. She felt as if every bone in her body was about to fall apart, aching unbearably. Each sway of the carriage felt like sharp needles piercing her skin. Her mood worsened with her physical discomfort, and she lost all interest in appreciating the scenery. She leaned against the corner of the carriage, closed her eyes, and tried to alleviate her fatigue, but the endless aches and pains clung to her relentlessly, preventing her from finding peace.
As time passed, the carriage drew ever closer to Xianyang. The road smoothed out, and the bumpy ride gradually subsided. Lü Zhi, who had kept her eyes tightly closed, sensed this subtle change. She slowly opened them, a sense of anticipation rising within her. She gently lifted the curtain, and the sight before her made her gasp. A winding, wide cement road appeared before her, like a black dragon stretching into the distance. The surface was smooth and glossy, shimmering softly in the sunlight. Neatly arranged trees lined both sides of the road, like loyal guards protecting this avenue leading to Xianyang. Lü Zhi was deeply moved. She murmured to herself, "Truly a masterpiece! What wisdom and skill could have created such a magnificent road?"
The carriage continued its journey, gradually approaching Xianyang City. From afar, Lü Zhi could see scenes of people working in the fields. People were busy in twos and threes, or in small groups. Some wielded hoes, vigorously turning the soil; others bent over, sowing seeds of hope in the fertile earth; still others weeded, carefully tending to each seedling. Their faces were adorned with the sweat of their hard work, yet they radiated a sense of satisfaction and hope.
Empress Lü's gaze fell upon the farming tools used by the people. She was surprised to find that these tools were quite different from those used in the Chu state. Chu's farming tools were mostly heavy, rudimentary, and very laborious to use. The tools here, however, were ingeniously designed, uniquely shaped, and appeared both lightweight and practical. Empress Lü's curiosity was immediately piqued, and she couldn't help but ask, "What kind of farming tools are they using?"
When Chunhua, who was sitting to the side, heard Lü Zhi's question, she smiled and said, "I heard it's called the curved plow, and it was invented by Princess Jiayang."
Empress Lü's eyes lit up upon hearing Chunhua's words. Her heart was filled with admiration and curiosity; she hadn't expected Princess Jiayang to be not only of noble birth but also so knowledgeable about agriculture. Her ability to invent such practical farming tools suggested she was a woman deeply concerned for the people.
The image of Princess Jiayang involuntarily surfaced in Lü Zhi's mind. She imagined Princess Jiayang standing in the fields, personally instructing the people on how to use the curved plow, and her heart was filled with respect for this princess she had never met. She secretly resolved that after arriving in Xianyang, she must find an opportunity to meet Princess Jiayang and learn how this magical curved plow was invented.
On the slightly bumpy yet smooth-moving carriage, Lü Zhi sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the gradually bustling scene outside the window. The carriage slowly made its way towards the city gate of Xianyang. Before the gate stood rows of solemn-faced Qin soldiers in black armor, holding long spears and with piercing eyes, meticulously inspecting every vehicle entering the city.
Time passed slowly amidst the methodical inspection, the air around them seeming to grow heavy with the soldiers' imposing presence. Fortunately, the carriage eventually passed through the inspection smoothly and slowly drove into the tall and imposing city gates of Xianyang. As soon as they entered the city, Lü Zhi's keen eyes spotted the renowned First Tower of the Qin Dynasty in the distance.
Amidst a cluster of low, well-arranged houses, the towering building stood out like a solitary swan among a flock of chicks, its presence striking and unique. It seemed to be a landmark beacon of Xianyang, exuding unparalleled majesty and nobility against the backdrop of numerous ordinary buildings. A surge of intense curiosity welled up within Lü Zhi; she eagerly wanted to experience the building's allure up close. So, she gently raised her hand, signaling the coachman to take the carriage to the First Building of the Qin Dynasty.
As the carriage slowly approached, the entire layout of the First Building of the Qin Dynasty gradually came into view before Lü Zhi's eyes. The building had three floors, each like a meticulously crafted work of art. The pillars were adorned with exquisite carvings, the patterns so lifelike they seemed to tell ancient stories. The eaves and brackets on the roof were ingeniously designed, resembling birds poised for flight, conveying a sense of both dynamism and grandeur. The entire building was magnificent, as if showcasing the strength and prosperity of the Qin Empire to the world.
The street in front of the building was bustling with people. There were high-ranking officials in magnificent robes, peddlers carrying their wares, and children playing and laughing. Inside the building, the scene was even more lively, with laughter and conversation rising and falling in waves. Surrounded by her maids, Lü Zhi entered the building with light and elegant steps. The moment she stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere and magnificent scene deeply impressed her. She stood there, listening quietly to the surrounding chatter, feeling the prosperity of the Qin Dynasty, her heart profoundly moved and unable to calm down for a long time.
At this moment, Lü Zhi turned to look at her maid Chunhua beside her and said softly, "Chunhua, go and check in."
Chunhua nodded obediently and hurried towards the counter. However, she returned shortly afterward with a helpless expression. Lü Zhi was slightly taken aback and asked in surprise, "It's done? So fast?"
Chunhua gently shook her head, a troubled look on her face, and said, "Miss, no, they said that to stay at the First Building of Qin, you need to be approved."
"Being criticized? What's that?" Lü Zhi frowned, asking in confusion. She pondered this strange word repeatedly in her mind, but couldn't figure it out.
Chunhua hurriedly explained, "They said that you can only check in after you've gone through a certain process, but I'm not quite sure what that means. Miss, should I go and ask them again?"
Lü Zhi nodded slightly, her doubts growing stronger. She was determined to find out exactly what this so-called "being criticized" meant.