Accidentally dressed as an empress

Wufeng City, inside the prefect's mansion

A table full of delicacies was laid out on a round table. Prefect Xu Lian sat at it, but she couldn't taste the food. Her brows were furrowed, and she kept tapping the table with her chopsticks, her droopy eyes filled with anxiety.

Xu Lian asked his subordinates, "Has His Highness arrived?"

The subordinate lowered his head and replied, "No news yet, but according to reliable sources, His Highness has passed Xifeng Village and should be arriving soon."

Xu Lian took a deep breath. She knew that His Highness liked to go on incognito visits to understand the people's sentiments.

The story of Guo Yu in Bailicheng had spread throughout the various prefects of Xiling. That blind bastard had provoked the Grand Prince, nearly causing a huge scandal. It was rumored that after the counterfeit silver was exposed, Guo Yu had even planned to murder the Grand Prince. Naturally, his death was the worst possible outcome.

Now, the governors of these cities are all worried, fearing that His Highness will come and investigate all the bad things they have done.

As if to die, His Highness was heading towards Wufeng City, akin to the King of Hell hasting death. If he wasn't careful, the Xu family would likely follow in the footsteps of the Guo family.

"Hurry up and go down to prepare to welcome His Highness!" Xu Lian ordered.

"Yes."

"Those that shouldn't be there are all hidden for me."

"Please don't worry, sir."

Meanwhile, Xu Lian was still anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Grand Prince. According to the news, the Grand Prince and her husband were in love, inseparable, and always traveling together. Seeing a divine couple, one in yellow and one in purple, was a sure bet.

The city gates have been checked over the past two days, but no luxurious carriages, women in yellow clothes, or men in purple clothes have been seen.

This made Xu Lian very worried. He lost his appetite and couldn't sleep at night.

She didn't know that Yunxiu had already quietly entered the city wearing old clothes that were washed so much that they looked white, and Zhong Yi was also wearing an old sky-blue skirt.

It will take five days for Lu Bing to make the sword. Yun Xiu is not a passive person. She plans to take the initiative and visit the Lu family with the token that Yun Ji gave her last night.

The Lu family's mansion stood majestically in the heart of the city. The iron lintel, engraved with the characters "Lu Mansion," gleamed coldly in the sunlight. Yunxiu took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

The door slowly opened, and a wave of heat mixed with the smell of rust hit us. After a moment, the door opened. A middle-aged woman in gray cloth poked her head out and looked at Yunxiu and the others.

"Excuse me, is this the Lu family?" Yunxiu asked politely. The middle-aged woman nodded and said, "Yes, I am. What can I do for you, young lady?" Yunxiu smiled slightly and pulled out a red sword tassel from her bosom. The tassel was wrapped around a round piece of silver-white metal with the word "Lu" engraved on it.

Yunxiu handed the sword tassel to the middle-aged woman and said, "I am a friend of Miss Lu, and I came here specially to visit." The middle-aged woman took the sword tassel, and a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes.

She looked at Yunxiu carefully, then said, "So you're the eldest lady's friend. My apologies. Please wait a moment, young lady. I'll go and report to the eldest lady." With that, the middle-aged woman turned and walked into the mansion. Yunxiu and the others waited outside the door.

Under her guidance, Yunxiu and her group entered the Lu family mansion. Inside the mansion, pavilions and towers were scattered in an orderly manner, and lush flowers and trees created a unique scenery.

After passing through the winding corridor, we arrived at the lobby of the Lu family. The lobby was decorated elegantly yet solemnly, with several calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, exuding a scholarly atmosphere.

Yunxiu couldn't help but secretly admire that although the Lu family lived in a rough place like Wufeng City, they were still able to maintain such an elegant style, which showed the profound family heritage.

As Yunxiu and the others sat down, a guard came over and served them fragrant tea. Yunxiu took a sip and was delighted by the rich aroma of the tea.

After sitting in the main room for a while and drinking two sips of tea, I saw Lu Bing, dressed in a red dress, enter the room.

Lu Bing followed behind a middle-aged woman in brocade clothes, who was the head of the Lu family, Lu Zhen.

When Lu Bing saw Yunxiu, a glint flashed in her eyes. She stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Miss Xiuyun has arrived. I'm sorry for not welcoming you. Mother, this is the Miss Xiuyun I told you about, the one with the sharpest eye for talent."

"Miss Xiuyun has a very good eye. I wonder if I could invite you to our blacksmith shop to take a look."

Yunxiu bowed and smiled, "Of course, as long as you need it."

Suddenly, hurried footsteps could be heard outside the hall. A young guard in black hurried in, her face filled with anxiety. "Master, this is bad!" the young guard gasped.

Lu Zhen frowned and asked, "Why are you so flustered?"

The guard took a deep breath and leaned close to Lu Zhen's ear.

Lu Zhen frowned upon hearing this, a sense of foreboding welling up in his heart. He said to Lu Bing, "You two go ahead and talk first. I have something to do, so I'll excuse myself. Bing'er, please greet the guests well."

Yunxiu bowed and replied, "Master Lu, you are too polite."

Lu Bing didn't have to be so polite. He pulled Yun Xiu and said, "Miss Xiu Yun, I didn't expect you to come to see me."

"I just came here to visit. To be honest, I'm also very curious about the number one iron smelting family in Yun Country."

The two exchanged a few pleasantries, and as they were talking, Lu Bing took Yunxiu to the blacksmith shop in the back mountain. The fire in the furnace was blazing, the heat was rolling, and the blacksmiths were busy working, sweating profusely.

Lu Bing took her place. She first carefully observed and tested the meteorite, determining its hardness and toughness. Then, she began to place the meteorite in the furnace, melting it under the intense heat. Other blacksmiths helped adjust the temperature and observed the melting process.

As the fire burned fiercely, the meteorite gradually melted into a fiery liquid. Lu Bing deftly manipulated the tongs, pouring the melted meteorite into the prepared mold. Then, she began meticulously polishing and carving the blade, gradually revealing its sharp outline.

Yunxiu looked at Lu Bing's skillful technique and couldn't help but admire him.