The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 644 - 444. His Majesty’s Swordsmanship

The Empress has arrived?

In front of the Martial Arts Hall, both sides ready for confrontation simultaneously paused. Without needing Zhao Douan’s command, Tang Jinzhong and a group of tributors swiftly sheathed their drawn swords, lowered their heads, and stepped forward to greet the arrival.

With his strength already circulating through his limbs and body, ready to break through the door, Chai Keqiao’s expression halted as he forcibly calmed his energy and blood, and put away his axe — he did not have the courage to strike before a "Fake Celestial".

"We (humble subjects)... respectfully welcome Your Majesty!"

Then, under the watchful eyes of Zhao Douan and others, the Emperor’s carriage traveling along the long street slowly came to a stop. The luxurious imperial palanquin accompanied by lantern-holding female officials lifted its silk curtain of bright yellow hue, revealing the imposing and dignified face of Xu Zhenguan.

The Empress stepped down from the carriage, glanced at both sides under the night lights, and calmly said: "Rise."

Once everyone raised their heads, she furrowed her brows and asked: "What has happened?"

Chai Keqiao hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to explain. Should he report an accusation? But Xiao Ran indeed intruded into the inner palace... This was also why, upon receiving the news, he neither looked for Eunuch Hai nor reported to Mo Chou.

"To inform Your Majesty, it’s merely a misunderstanding." Zhao Douan laughed as he spoke.

Then, under Chai Keqiao’s surprised gaze, he explained:

"I am intrigued by Qingshan’s martial arts, thus previously sparred with Miss Xiao of Qingshan alone and gained much. Later, I invited her to the Martial Arts Hall to exchange martial arts insights. Brother Chai misunderstood and came to demand her presence, leading to this misunderstanding. Wouldn’t you say so?"

After saying this, he cast a questioning look towards the other tributors.

"..." All the eunuchs responded in unison: "Junior Guardian speaks truthfully."

Chai Keqiao found himself speechless, unsure of how to proceed.

Xu Zhenguan glanced at him indifferently, as if not recognizing the absurdity in Zhao Douan’s words, and said: frёewebnoѵēl.com

"The night is deep, Xiao Ran being female, it’s inappropriate for her to remain outdoors."

Zhao Douan flattered:

"Your Majesty is right; we intended to have Miss Xiao stay for dinner before sending her back. Someone, why are you not bringing Miss Xiao out?"

Immediately, a spirited tributor returned to the courtyard, and shortly, Xiao Ran was released from her bindings, and her weapons such as a bamboo hat, dagger, and soft sword were returned to her.

Initially surprised at Chai Keqiao’s wrist technique, she paused when she saw the Empress outside.

"Since it is a misunderstanding and the day is late, let’s disperse," Xu Zhenguan declared solemnly.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Chai Keqiao bowed with a dazed Xiao Ran and then hastily left.

The sibling pair walked lightly, distancing themselves quickly from the crowd.

Only then did they recount the situation to each other.

"...So, that guy wanted to imprison me for a night? He only released me because of the Empress’s visit?" Xiao Ran said, unable to conceal her surprise.

Chai Keqiao showed a relieved expression: "I assume Zhao didn’t want to leave a bad impression for the Empress, especially... as he is her gigolo."

Implied meaning: the Zhao thief undoubtedly had to consider the impact and firmly severed ties with Xiao Ran to prevent the Empress from misunderstanding.

Xiao Ran thoughtfully nodded.

Chai Keqiao pondered and asked: "You fought with that Zhao, how was his strength?"

Xiao Ran assessed fairly: "Much stronger than rumored, but still far behind us."

Chai Keqiao was unsurprised, smiling he said:

"Right, this person has not been in this rank for long and is often on the move, much less pure in martial arts heart compared to us, it’s reasonable. Thus, this person is not worth too much fear. In upcoming contests, those like Tang Jinzhong and Song Jinxi are the ones to focus on, senior sister should not act impulsively, Zhao’s methods are scheming, playing underhanded tactics, you can’t compete with him. Better to wait for the rightful competition to defeat him openly and vent this grievance; such a deceitful person fears the most straightforward confrontation."

Xiao Ran nodded, then in the night wind looked back at the glowing lights behind her, nodding forcefully:

"Today’s humiliation shall be avenged in half a month!"

...

...

Martial Arts Hall.

The eunuchs dispersed, and Xu Zhenguan left those lantern-carrying women outside, giving Zhao Douan a look as the emperor and minister walked towards the courtyard.

Once inside the inner hall, the door closed, the emperor and minister sat by the light of the candles.

Only then did Zhao Douan eagerly lift the teapot: "Why has Your Majesty come?"

Xu Zhenguan sat at the head seat, her beautiful eyes containing an indiscernible emotion: "Didn’t you call me here?"

Zhao Douan chuckled, not refuting, he hadn’t directly sent word to the Empress, only instructed to report the Cold Palace incident to Mo Zhaorong.

Yet he had surely anticipated, once Mo Chou knew, the Empress would surely learn too?

Hence, Xu Zhenguan’s seemingly coincidental arrival was indeed the result of his hinting.

"Your Majesty and this humble servant truly share a deep connection." Zhao Douan sighed.

As expected, he received a huge eye roll from Zhenbao.

Xu Zhenguan gently sighed, sipped a mouthful of water, resignedly saying:

"So, you orchestrated this to play the bad cop and let me be the good cop?"

"Your Majesty’s wisdom is blazing like a torch; even the smallest schemes can’t hide." Zhao Douan set aside his playful manner and seriously explained:

"The Qingshan people are rebellious, evidenced by their behavior in the daytime Martial Arts Arena. Without a disciplinary action, they won’t be peaceful for the next half month, and having seen Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s madness, Xiao Ran surely holds resentment towards Your Majesty... Hence, I decided to play the villain, the one who disciplines, while Your Majesty comes to the rescue, showing kindness and mercy. Such a balance of leniency and sternness ensures these few individuals will behave more properly soon."

The two gazed at each other across the table’s red candles.

Xu Zhenguan listened silently, then suddenly said: "You didn’t need to go to this extent."

Zhao Douan smiled and said, "Is there any need for family to distinguish between yours and mine?"

Who’s family with you... Xu Zhenguan spat, not bothering to respond to him.

The orange warm light of the candle illuminated her fair face, like gentle soft jade.

The room suddenly fell silent, neither the ruler nor the subject spoke, and the atmosphere turned somewhat strange.

"It’s suddenly quite hot," Zhao Douan looked at the Empress’s rather conservative dress, perfectly covering her body curves, and earnestly suggested, "Does Your Majesty not feel hot?"

"My cultivation has long made me impervious to heat and cold," Xu Zhenguan said blandly, seeing through his little intentions but not exposing them.

Yes, you’re impervious to heat and cold, but fairies still have to use the restroom... Zhao Douan recalled his overnight stay in the palace last time and got a bit distracted.

"How did you feel when you sparred with that Xiao Ran?" Xu Zhenguan cleared her throat lightly, deliberately changing the subject.

Zhao Douan, without hesitation, said seriously, "I have no impression of that woman at all, I don’t remember."

"..." Xu Zhenguan said irritably, "I am talking serious business with you, not eating..."

Zhao Douan’s eyes were sharp, "Eating what?"

"...Nothing."

You’re jealous, aren’t you? That’s definitely the case, right? Zhao Douan mused, negotiating, "Does Your Majesty want to know? Tell me what you’re eating, and I’ll tell Your Majesty."

The appropriate act of teasing and aggressive tactics is an indispensable part of flirting because almost all women have a passive mindset, hoping to be conquered—Zhao Douan lacked experience but was rich in theoretical knowledge.

Xu Zhenguan coldly stared at the Little Forbidden Army, "Say that again?"

Oh dear, the theory has fallen apart in practice. Zhenbao truly is a remarkable woman, different from those mundane women... Zhao Douan said seriously:

"When I deliberately sparred with that Xiao Ran, although I deliberately hid and suppressed my martial arts level, it was clear to see that the three from Qingshan are indeed not simple characters. Among the Tributors in the Martial Arts Hall, there is no lack of those similar in cultivation level, but in terms of understanding and comprehension of martial arts, their foundation is solid but much inferior. Even if my cultivation were completely equivalent, and I didn’t intentionally hide my strength, fighting recklessly with them at most would have a fifty-fifty chance."

Xu Zhenguan was a bit stunned by his rapid shift in tone. After listening to his battle recap, she secretly nodded and then said, "In fact, even if you hadn’t implied it tonight, I would have come over."

"Huh?"

"During the day, you released all the inner strength you’ve accumulated for a month; how do you feel now?"

Zhao Douan thought for a moment and said earnestly, "It feels expanded. Uh, I mean the Qi Sea and meridians."

Why do you have to add that extra explanation... Xu Zhenguan felt slightly puzzled, but still nodded lightly and said, "That’s the benefit. Next, you should first recover from the slight damage to your meridians caused by releasing that strike..."

"Already recovered," Zhao Douan said, "Not long after I was injured, the Green Lotus in my body helped me nourish my body."

Yes, I almost forgot... You’ve been gifted a Green Lotus by the "Worldly Venerate," and your ability to recover from injuries far exceeds others... Xu Zhenguan bit her lip, feeling a tinge of jealousy suddenly, her delicate jade-like hand in her sleeve clenched as she said sternly, "Do not interrupt me while I’m speaking."

After saying this, she was belatedly aware that for some reason, her emotions were more volatile tonight.

It’s all this guy’s fault, yes, that’s it.

Zhao Douan quietly shut his mouth.

Xu Zhenguan paused angrily for a moment, then stood up and said, "Next, just practice normally. Within half a month, it will be logical for you to reach the High Grade. For small realms, this is enough. In the past, your foundation in martial arts was too shallow. Now, as you say, entering the ’Six Chapters Scripture’ nightly, battling with the female sorcerer in the Grand Ancestor Painting, and even being able to match Xiao Ran equally, shows your foundation is solid enough, but you still lack control over Qi Mechanism. If you could have controlled the Qi Mechanism in that strike during the day, as concentrated as in the case of Qi Ye, its power wouldn’t just be ’fifty-six armor’. Come out, tonight I’m in a good mood, and will personally teach you martial arts."

Zhao Douan’s eyes lit up, quickly following her out.

...

The Martial Arts Hall is composed of several nested courtyards. The ruler and subject came alone to the backyard, where it was quiet and empty, with only the lanterns hanging around the courtyard.

Illuminating the entire courtyard.

In the courtyard, there was also a hundred-year-old peach tree. The trunk was extremely thick, its crown enormous, and under the night sky, the full blossom of pink peach flowers was extremely beautiful. The Empress walked under the tree like a flower fairy.

"In past years, the Grand Ancestor Emperor’s legitimate wife, the first-generation Empress of our Xu Royal Family, liked peach blossoms, so many peach trees were planted in the palace." The Empress stood under the splendid tree, suddenly feeling nostalgic.

Tsk, Father Xu’s wife? I’ve never heard Father Xu mention it. I don’t know what she’s like... Zhao Douan’s gossip-loving heart sparked.

However, as the wife of the founding Emperor, she mustn’t be simple.

"What flowers does Your Majesty like?" he suddenly asked.

Xu Zhenguan said irritably, "Focus on learning martial arts, stop thinking about pointless things!"

"Oh..."

Xu Zhenguan took a deep breath, calming her mood, then suddenly lifted her right hand. The sleeve slipped down, revealing a section of her fair jade-like forearm, and her delicate fingers gently made a cut.

A straight peach branch fell into her palm, and she said softly, "It’s not easy to concentrate Qi Mechanism, but in past years the Grand Ancestor Emperor created a swordsmanship that can refine this technique. You come and stand behind me, and I will guide you in mastering it."

"Yes."

Zhao Douan moved closer, using a throwing knife to cut a straight peach blossom branch into his hand.

"A little closer, you need to carefully observe the changes when I operate the Qi Mechanism."

"How close?"

"...Just like... the day when I taught you to paint."

"Oh." Zhao Douan blinked, stepping forward to align his chest with the Empress’s back, his arm parallel to hers: "Is this okay?"

"..." Xu Zhenguan felt his familiar warm breath brushing against her neck, as if being embraced, her body stiffened: "You..."

Zhao Douan said aggrievedly, "I can’t get any closer, if I do, it’ll exceed..."

"Shut up!"

"Oh."

One teaches swordsmanship, the other learns swordsmanship, like poetry and painting.

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