Chapter 3: The Grand Palace of Qin Shaken by the Appearance of "Madame Luxuriance"

The surface of the strange object began to glow, revealing the image of a beautiful woman. The guards standing nearby could see her flowing silver hair, icy blue eyes, and delicate features. Her snow-white left shoulder was bare, yet she carried no air of wantonness; instead, she possessed an aura of cold, noble elegance.

The woman appeared to be seated on the ground, and no further attire was visible in the frame. However, based on her appearance and adornments, she was indeed "strange." The music emanated directly from this object, accompanied by a voice singing along.

"The Wumeng Mountains stretch beyond the mountains, the moonlight sprinkles over the Xiangshui Beach. Can anyone tell me, is this the heavens calling out to you? Crossing a mountain, crossing a river, a thousand mountains and waters, never feeling lonely..."

The melody was resonant and the singing beautiful, yet no one present could understand the lyrics.

Several guards, spears in hand, inched closer to the strange object. Just as one guard was about to prod it with his spear, the voice of Ying Zheng rang out: "Do not damage this item!"

The moment the music had begun, Li Nian had been pinned firmly to the ground; his captor had even increased the pressure.

*Damn it, it’s my alarm!*

It was an alarm he had set for a gaming streamer’s broadcast. Although he had transmigrated and his phone should have lost its signal, the alarm still went off as scheduled. Because Li Nian could not turn it off, the alarm continued for over three minutes, and the song "Madame Shexiang" played in the Great Qin palace for just as long.

Only when the light on the object dimmed and the strange, melodious music faded did Ying Zheng turn his gaze back to Li Nian, who was still pinned to the floor. "Make him lift his head!"

The guard holding Li Nian eased his grip, allowing him to lift his head, though his limbs remained restrained. Several other armed guards stood by, wary of any sudden outburst.

Ying Zheng pointed to the object that had produced the music and asked, "Is this your belonging? What is this item? What is its purpose?"

Relying on his intuition, Li Nian replied, "This is a mobile phone. It is a communication tool, but it can also be used to play games, take photos, watch videos, and play music. The reason it made sound just now was because of an alarm I set..."

Even though he knew the man couldn't understand him, Li Nian explained it honestly. Whether the other party understood was one thing, but whether he answered truthfully was another. The ancients might have had less exposure to modern knowledge, but that did not mean they were foolish. In matters of human sentiment and schemes, they were likely even more cunning than modern people. Li Nian dared not gamble on his ability to lie to these men who appeared to be from antiquity.

Based on years of experience in observing and employing people, Ying Zheng judged that the man was not lying; he was answering the questions honestly. Although he could not understand the words, this attitude pleased him. If this man was not a thief and harbored no malicious intent, then the Great Qin could accommodate him. Furthermore, the man’s mysterious origins and the strange object he carried might prove highly useful to the Great Qin.

In a flash, Ying Zheng decided how to handle him. Since they did not share a language, communication was the primary issue. Why not have him learn the language of the Great Qin?

Glancing at an attendant nearby, Ying Zheng said, "Guo Dian, find a room in the palace for him to stay, and see that he is well cared for. Also, send word to the Erudite Su Xu, ordering him to enter the palace tomorrow to teach this man the script of the Great Qin."

After speaking, Ying Zheng looked at the Qin general: "General Meng, arrange for guards to ensure his safety. There must be no mishaps!"

Both the attendant Guo Dian and the Qin general understood that Ying Zheng was not merely asking them to care for and protect the man; he was also ordering them to monitor his every move. He was not to be allowed any accidents—not even if he wished for death.

Guo Dian and the general replied, "We obey the King’s decree!"

Li Nian did not know how the heroic-looking man would deal with him, but if possible, he wanted to survive and avoid being subjected to torture. Just as he waited in nervous anticipation, a shadow fell over him. Someone had approached!

But Li Nian did not dare to look up at who it was. In a feudal dynasty, there were no human rights to speak of; looking directly at a superior could invite a death sentence. He had assumed it was the heroic man, but when the person spoke, he realized it was someone else.

The man said something, and Li Nian felt the restraints on his hands and feet loosen. Before he could stand up on his own, a pair of hands supported him, lifting him from the ground. "Rise, brave warrior!"

Having been pinned to the floor for so long, his legs were numb, and he nearly stumbled, but the man steadied him. Once Li Nian found his footing, he saw that it was not the heroic man, but one of the attendants who had been standing by his side.

"Brave warrior, please come with me!"

The man smiled at him. Realizing that Li Nian likely could not understand him, he pointed toward the palace gate with one hand, while his other hand, still supporting Li Nian, guided him firmly toward the exit, making his intentions clear.

Understanding the man’s meaning, Li Nian felt a wave of relief. This man had come to help him up, which must have been permitted by the heroic man. It seemed his life was temporarily spared, and he would not be subjected to torture for the time being.

Supported by the man, Li Nian left the hall. Upon stepping outside and seeing the view, his heart sank. The sky was heavy and the night was vast, revealing a sprawling complex of palaces illuminated by lamplight.

The last sliver of hope Li Nian had clung to was shattered. He had truly transmigrated; he had left the modern world and arrived in an ancient one.

The modern world might have had its thousand faults—unaffordable housing, difficult marriages, endless overtime—but Li Nian still wished to live there. Setting aside the superior material comforts of the modern age, personal safety was undoubtedly better. To think that the Republic of China era was romantic and the ancient world was elegant, and that one could just travel back and become a princess or a warlord’s wife? In all likelihood, one would be sold into a brothel with no place even to bury their corpse!

Guo Dian, who was supporting Li Nian, had been observing him closely. Seeing the shift in Li Nian's expression, he felt puzzled: *He seemed disappointed upon seeing the palace. In his eyes, is there something wrong with the royal palace? This must be reported to the King!*

Meanwhile, inside the hall, after Li Nian had left with Guo Dian, the general surnamed Meng looked at the items still on the floor and asked, "My King, how should these items be handled?"

Ying Zheng glanced at the objects. He was very interested in the strange device that could display the portrait of a beautiful woman and play wonderful music. He longed to examine it himself to see how it functioned, but he held back his curiosity, unsure if the item posed a danger.

The only person who understood these things was that youth of mysterious origin, but with the language barrier, he could not ask him yet. He would have to wait until the youth learned the language of the Great Qin.

After a moment of thought, Ying Zheng ordered: "Keep them under strict guard. Deploy elite soldiers to watch over them. Without my command, no one is to approach them or cause them damage! As for that piece of pork the General mentioned, have an ice cellar cleared out and store it there!"

Destroying them was out of the question. If they truly possessed divine or mysterious properties that could be of use to him or the Great Qin, he would regret it deeply if he destroyed them now. Playing with them was also impossible; without determining if they were dangerous, he would not handle them personally. For now, they would be preserved and kept under heavy guard.