The capital is vast, with four cities, ten streets, and thirty-six neighborhoods.

For ordinary people, setting out from the eastern city gate at dawn and reaching the western city end by sunset is a full day's journey.

Yet, the capital is also small, so small that news can spread throughout the imperial city in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The news of Xu Qingzhou killing Nangong Ningyue and sending the body back to the Nangong mansion spread like a sudden spring breeze, reaching everywhere in an instant.