Generally speaking, the contingents from various countries traveling to the River-Watching Platform are split into two groups.

One group is for participation in the upcoming event, spearheaded by the chosen elites who will be competing, guided by powerful figures, and accompanied by a small retinue of soldiers. This group typically sets out first.

The other group is for observation and ceremony, mostly composed of high-ranking officials and nobles from the homeland. They might be there to gain experience, or to participate in negotiations… the reasons vary.

The former can be considered a military expedition, while the latter is merely for sightseeing, so they do not depart together.

Of course, the so-called “freedom to observe” is limited to the six great hegemonic nations under the heavens.

While the River-Watching Platform is vast, the number of viewing spots is limited.

Apart from the six most powerful nations, the quotas are quite restricted.

Compared to many nations with clearly divided contingents, the Shepherd Nation’s group is somewhat different.

Those going to participate and those going to observe are departing simultaneously, with the rear group almost directly following the front.

Leading the way is the contingent heading to the Yellow River Meeting.

The three chosen elite youths are escorted by the Divine Cavalry of the Azure Mural, riding giant wolves.

The nimble and imposing divine wolves are enough to strike fear into the heart of anyone who sees them.

And not far behind this group…

Some are riding horses, some are in carriages, and some are walking, forming a group that appears to be on a leisurely excursion.

The nobles have brought a considerable number of servants and slaves, busying themselves with service, making the entire contingent appear quite cumbersome.

In other words, it is quite grand.

Namoda, the Golden-Crowned Priest of the Divine Palace leading the group, has no objections to this. In fact, this esteemed figure rarely shows his face, spending the entire journey in his carriage in prayer.

Thus, there is nothing more for the others to say.

Zhao Rucheng, wearing a bronze mask, is blended in with the Yuwen family’s observation contingent.

Yuwen Duo was originally unwilling to go to the River-Watching Platform, as he couldn’t stand the arrogant demeanor of the Jin family. However, since Yi Gai wanted to attend the Yellow River Meeting as an observer, he simply assigned a few clansmen to accompany them, but he wasn’t entirely at ease.

If anyone on the road were to cross swords with Rucheng and Yi Gai, though Rucheng and Yi Gai are strong, within the Great Shepherd Empire’s contingent, they would inevitably suffer. While it’s not to say that all the nobles who can attend the River-Watching Platform dare to disregard the Yuwen family, few would actually show him, Yuwen Duo, any deference…

But to squeeze into the ranks of the escorting cavalry, even if only nominally to protect the three chosen youths, he was unwilling.

So in the end, he mingled with the observation contingent.

Riding alongside Rucheng and Yi Gai throughout the journey, admiring the vast rivers and mountains, was indeed invigorating.

The only regret was… this fellow absolutely refused to step onto the stage to fight.

In order to smoothly get Jin Ge replaced, he had made countless preparations and spent considerable effort in the dark to temporarily swap the names.

Unfortunately, Rucheng and Yi Gai refused to participate, rendering all his efforts in vain.

“Hey.” As the contingent was moving, Yuwen Duo suddenly elbowed Zhao Rucheng, winking and saying, “They’re here!”

His tone was cheerful, but unfortunately, Rucheng and Yi Gai were wearing heavy bronze masks, making it impossible to discern their expressions. It was probably quite amusing.

Zhao Rucheng held the reins and did not speak.

A snow-colored steed, like a drifting cloud, floated over, free and unrestrained, passing many noble carriages, and arriving at the Yuwen family’s contingent.

Sitting on the horse’s back was a beautiful woman wearing a silver摇冠 (a kind of headdress with tassels) and a red jade band on her forehead.

A blue grassland ceremonial robe did not hinder her graceful horsemanship.

She seemed to have arrived on a cloud, her face radiating a brilliant smile, revealing neat and snow-white teeth.

The most striking feature was her pair of sky-like, azure-green eyes.

Compared to their beauty, the meaning they represented was even more profound.

Azure-green eyes are the unique mark of the true blood descendants of the Helian family, the royal family of the Shepherd Nation.

In other words, the person riding on horseback was at least a princess. And a princess of the Great Shepherd Empire, one of the six great powers under heaven.

It would not be an exaggeration to call her the most noble woman in the world.

“What a coincidence?” This woman showed no trace of shyness, being open and generous, she rode directly to Zhao Rucheng, her voice filled with joy: “We meet again!”

Yuwen Duo on the side wanted to turn his head away.

My Princess Highness, since you saw the face of my Rucheng and Yi Gai last time, you’ve come to our Yuwen family four times in three days! Wherever we go, you’re sure to be there. We came to the Yellow River Meeting, and you came to the Yellow River Meeting too… how could it not be a “coincidence”?

Of course, he dared not say this out loud.

The Helian family is not to be provoked, and Helian Yunyun even less so.

Everyone knows that she is the apple of the current Emperor’s eye, extremely doted upon. She is even affectionately called “Heaven’s Treasure.” You can offend anyone but not her.

However, if Rucheng and Yi Gai could truly enter the royal court, that would also be an excellent path. In the future, they would rise rapidly, and the Yi Gais would ascend…

Unfortunately… this Rucheng and Yi Gai have only a good appearance, but when it comes to matters of the heart… they are inexperienced!

Yuwen Duo glanced at Zhao Rucheng with regret and reproach, and said to Helian Yunyun with a beaming smile: “It is a great honor for my Yuwen clan that Princess Yun can favor us with her presence!”

The bronze mask concealed all expressions, and Zhao Rucheng’s beautiful eyes were also calm.

He rode his horse slowly, bowing his head slightly in greeting: “Greetings, Your Royal Highness.”

Helian Yunyun nodded towards Yuwen Duo, considering it a response. She turned her horse around, allowing her Snowflake Steed to ride alongside Zhao Rucheng’s Azure-Mane Horse.

Tilting her head, she examined the bronze mask on Zhao Rucheng’s face, as if she could see through the heavy mask to the extremely handsome face beneath.

“Meeting is fate. We’ve met so many times, we should get to know each other properly!”

Her voice was radiant and pure, making people feel as if sunlight was streaming into their hearts, warm and comfortable.

Yuwen Duo rode slowly on Zhao Rucheng’s other side, and upon hearing this, he laughed heartily: “Hahaha, the Princess is right! As the saying goes, heroes cherish heroes, we should all get to know each other well.”

Just thinking about myself, Yuwen Duo, with my handsome appearance, I have also captured the hearts of many beautiful women. Although not as handsome as our Rucheng and Yi Gai, I can still be called imposing and帅气 (handsome)?

It’s not appropriate for you to treat me as air.

After all, I am eight feet tall, a big man!

But Helian Yunyun looked at him with her azure-green eyes: “Yuwen Duo, do you still have something important to attend to?”

“Hahaha.” Yuwen Duo laughed heartily again, slapping his forehead: “Look at my memory, I forgot such an important matter! I’ll go attend to it first, don’t mind me, you two chat!”

Without even having time to greet Zhao Rucheng, he turned his horse and galloped away in a hurry.

As for what important matter it was… there will always be one.

Helian Yunyun looked back at Zhao Rucheng, her eyes filled with a smile: “What is your name?”

As the dignified Princess of the Great Shepherd, she certainly hadn’t failed to find out Zhao Rucheng’s name by now. She already knew how Zhao Rucheng and Yuwen Duo had met, and what Zhao Rucheng had done in the borderlands.

But even though she already knew, the formalities still had to be observed.

This was for the sake of romance.

Zhao Rucheng said in a soft voice: “This humble one, Zhao Rucheng.”

Neither too close, nor too distant.

After all, he still needed to blend in with the Shepherd Nation’s contingent to observe the Yellow River Meeting, and offending the Princess of the Shepherd Nation would do him no good.

Helian Yunyun smiled: “My name is interesting. My mother said that people in the world will always say, ‘how the Helian family is this way, how they are that way,’ and so on and so forth. Let them talk! I am her daughter, and I am the Helian family. My life is Helian Yunyun. That’s why I have this name.”

She looked at Zhao Rucheng: “You can just call me Ayun!”