Qin Shi Ambitious

Page 86

The moon had just risen, but the sky was still somewhat pale, not completely dark. Lu Wei had been diligently practicing his swordsmanship these past few days, trying to adapt to the vast sword intent of the Devouring Sea Sword.

It was the disciple who reported that the chivalrous Tian Guang requested an audience.

This time, the two met at a small stone table in the bamboo grove in the backyard of Luqiu Pavilion.

Yunmeng bamboo is an evergreen plant that grows mostly in the Chu Kingdom. The climate of Ji City is not suitable for its cultivation, but farmers have managed to transplant it to the northern border using special planting techniques.

"I had arranged to meet with His Highness Crown Prince Dan tonight, but something came up at the last minute." Tian Guang drank a cup of tea, smacked his lips, and found it rather peculiar.

He frequently traveled the lands of Yan, always drinking with those he encountered to display his heroic spirit. Although the local farmers produced several different kinds of tea, these teas were more often sold at relatively high prices to powerful officials and wealthy individuals.

Moreover, those teas tasted quite different from the ones we taste now.

"This tea is Tiangong Yunwu Cui from the Shu Mountains, and its flavor is different from that of tea from the Qi region."

After taking a sip himself, Master Lu smiled and explained to Tian Guang, then added, "As far as I know, this Prince Dan is always respectful and loves scholars. If it weren't for an emergency, he would never postpone the originally agreed-upon plan."

“In some respects, Yan Dan does indeed possess some excellent qualities of a monarch.” Upon hearing that the tea came from Mount Shu, Tian Guang picked it up and took a sip, trying to conjure up the exotic scenery of Mount Shu, a place he had never been to before: “This is also why Lord Changping chose it.”

"The qualities of a monarch are generally not considered good."

Lu Wei shook his head, and as he turned his head, he noticed that Xue Nu was playing with Xiao Yan'er under the eaves in the distance, but her eyes kept glancing in his direction.

“A king is a king, and a knight is a knight.” Tian Guang didn’t deny his statement. Instead, he put down his teacup, crossed his arms, then raised his left hand to touch his chin, and lowered his eyes:

"I recently received information through special channels that some of Crown Prince Dan's actions were reprimanded by Prince Yan Xi. Therefore, in order to seek more allies, Crown Prince Dan somehow approached General Yan Yi."

"Tonight, Yan Yi is hosting a banquet for His Highness the Crown Prince at the Golden Terrace, which is why he postponed his meeting with me."

"Yan Yi is a villain. What price can Yan Dan pay to make this general so clearly take sides?" The hall master's eyes flashed. The premature death of Lord Yanchun seemed to have greatly changed the situation in Yan.

"I don't know either. Both Yan Yi and Crown Prince Dan are keeping this matter extremely secret."

"It must have been a very important exchange of interests."

"A deal that can move Yan Yi cannot be hidden. Before long, this secret will definitely be revealed, and the Xia Kui will know then."

"Aren't you curious?"

"I've always only been curious about things that concern me. The Crown Prince and Yan Yi, no matter what, are none of my business."

"You seem quite philosophical about it." Tian Guang laughed, standing up. "In that case, what I'm about to do involves you..."

"Take your sword and let's have a go."

"The leader of the heroes actually has such thoughts today~" Lu Wei grasped the Devouring Sea and did not refuse the challenge.

"Didn't you say a few days ago that you 'had never fought a real master'? Today, this old man of mine has nothing better to do, so I'll see how well my family's younger generation has mastered martial arts!"

Tian Guang's aura shifted dramatically, and a fierce fighting spirit emanated from him...

...

The Golden Terrace Restaurant was closed off, and the city defense team surrounded the area three times, ensuring that no one could disturb the banquet tonight.

When Yan Dan led Ju Wu down from the carriage and saw this scene, his brows furrowed involuntarily again:

Yan Yi had put on such a grand show, making the entire city of Ji aware that he was inviting him to a banquet. Therefore, if he couldn't give this general a satisfactory answer today, their relationship might completely break down...

Who exactly gave this colleague the idea?

"Your Highness, let's go inside."

Ju Wu supported Yan Dan's arm, his aged face filled with peace.

"Thank you, teacher." Yan Dan nodded slightly, straightened her clothes, and maintained a solemn expression as she stepped into the restaurant amidst the bowing and scraping of the Golden Terrace guard captain.

"His Royal Highness!"

Yan Yi, with shifty eyes and dressed in a pretentious aristocratic robe, greeted them with a reserved half-smile.

The saying "the face reflects the heart" is well exemplified in this general of the Yan state; he was clearly a treacherous minister, and indeed he was.

But this very same treacherous minister controlled the Yan army...

"General!" Yan Dan smiled and returned Yan Yi's greeting. The two walked side by side into the Golden Platform.

Ju Wu, who was a step behind, narrowed his eyes as he watched Yan Yi's behavior, which was unbecoming of a subject, and said nothing more.

Yan Yi wanted to gain greater power in the future through His Highness the Crown Prince, but at present, His Highness the Crown Prince was not his only option, and he had no choice but to give him what he wanted.

Once Your Highness holds absolute power, with your ambition, a single woman will no longer be able to determine your authority...

Because the Golden Terrace had been booked out, it was filled with female musicians and dancers who had been invited in the name of the General's Mansion to perform songs and dances.

Yan Yi personally led Yan Dan to sit in the seat of honor, while he himself unceremoniously sat in the first seat to the left of the Crown Prince, while Ju Wu could only sit in the second-lower right seat.

After the music and dance performance ended and the dancers left, only the three of them remained at the banquet, apart from the servants.

Yan Yi cut to the chase, not bothering with any small talk, and asked directly:

"My daughter has admired Your Highness's handsome appearance since she was a child, and she has been so captivated by it that she has lost her appetite. I pity her heart and wish to offer her to Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to grant my request?"

After saying that, he smiled, raised his glass with both hands, and offered it to the person in the upper seat.

Yan Dan clenched her fist tightly under the table: Yan Yi's attitude made it clear that she could only answer yes or no, and her delaying tactic was to refuse.

As long as she expresses her willingness, even if the other party doesn't mention it, given Yan Yi's status, his daughter will definitely become the Crown Princess and cannot be given any other title.

Then I would have broken a vow...

But to say no in this setting would undoubtedly be an insult to Yan Yi. Having just been reprimanded by his father a few days ago, Yan Dan cannot afford to offend another great general...

"General, I will gladly accept your kind offer."

At the formal banquet, Yan Dan did not hesitate at all. She raised her wine glass with one hand, smiled broadly, and looked at Yan Yi from afar. A different emotion flashed in their eyes at the same time.

"Hahaha, Your Highness is benevolent, I accept!"

Yan Yi got the result he wanted, and laughed as he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp. Yan Dan nodded with a smile, and after the other put down his cup, he covered his face with his sleeve and slowly drank the wine.

When no one could see his expression, his smile vanished, replaced by an utterly cold and stern look. The decision had been made; the next step was to maximize the benefits derived from it!

When the Crown Prince also put down his wine cup, a smile returned to the corners of his mouth, as if it had never disappeared.

"Today, the Crown Prince and the General are getting married, which is truly a joyous occasion!"

Old Man Ju Wu was extremely satisfied to see that the whole thing was going exactly as he had planned: "Although the matter has been settled, we might as well announce it a few days later."

"His Majesty has been in low spirits lately. For the sake of the greater good, it would be a double blessing if Your Highness were to bring it up at the New Year's banquet in the palace!"

Recalling the clever butler's suggestion, Yan Yi realized that the situation was developing exactly as the butler had said, so she nodded brightly and continued reciting her words:

"What the Grand Tutor said is absolutely right. In the days leading up to the New Year, Your Highness might as well visit the General's Mansion a few more times."

"My daughter has just learned a few guqin pieces, and I hope Your Highness will give her your guidance."

Ju Wu's heart stirred, and he looked at his student: Although Yan Yi's line was not in his design, it was not a bad thing to examine it closely.

"I dare not refuse the General's request!"

Yan Dan agreed anyway.

Throughout the entire event, none of the three mentioned the wedding that the Crown Prince's residence had originally planned for next September; it was no longer important.

...

"Miss Yun, His Highness the Crown Prince has gone to a banquet."

The clever butler did not go to the Golden Terrace tonight, but stayed at the General's Mansion, because his status was too low.

"According to the young lady and that Grand Tutor's plan, now that His Highness has gone, the marriage should have been settled by now."

"You've worked hard, Jialing." It was that soft female voice that came out: "His Highness the Crown Prince should be coming to the General's Mansion in the next few days."

"Then I must congratulate the Crown Princess."

Upon hearing the words "Crown Princess," Yan Yun, who was making figurines inside the room, chuckled gently, but her hands were focused on her work: "Your servant might as well go and wait outside the mansion now. When the General returns, he will surely reward you."

"I will obey the Crown Princess's orders!"

The sounds outside the window ceased. After finishing her work, Yan Yun casually lay down on the floor and lifted the little figurine. She stared at the two characters 'Yan Yi' written in cinnabar on the figurine's chest, picked up a small bamboo sword, her eyes bright, and gently plunged it into the figurine's heart...

------

Among the wandering swordsmen, there are many who dedicate their lives to swordsmanship, but Tian Guang is definitely not one of them.

As a leader of a peasant-style martial arts school, Tian Guang's skills were extremely diverse: from unarmed fist techniques, palm techniques, and finger techniques, to weapons such as swords, knives, and staffs...

He's an expert in everything!

This meant that when the enemy fought against Tian Guang, they had to be wary of him in every way.

However, if one can remain calm and composed, the pressure when facing Tian Guang does not seem to be too great.

The greatest characteristic of the Whale Drinking Sword Technique is its inclusiveness, while the greatest characteristic of the Sea Swallowing Sword Qi is its grandeur. When faced with this sword move, Tian Guang suddenly remembered a junior he had once met in the State of Qi.

He was also a gifted genius, and the meaning behind his self-created swordsmanship was very similar to that of Lu Xiaozhi.

"It's extremely rude of the leader to be distracted!"

Lu Wei noticed that his opponent had slowed down, and showed no mercy with his sword. He unleashed a move called "Surging Waves," and his sword energy began to surge violently like a tsunami.

The sea can encompass everything, and it can also destroy everything!

Tian Guang snapped out of his daze, sheathed his longsword behind his back, and red energy emanated from the fingertips of his left hand. Using his acupoint striking technique, he attempted to strike the Devouring Sea Sword Qi in mid-air, but immediately retreated and slid away to avoid the attack.

The Devouring Sea Sword Qi, after being thrust out in that instant, also dissipated on its own, creating a gust of wind in the courtyard.

"This is Five-String Acupressure, one of the highest skills of the peasant family."

Tian Guang took the initiative to explain to him: "Finger techniques are often not powerful enough, so every attack must be aimed at the enemy's weak point."

"Your sword energy is quite good, but it must be newly learned and not yet perfect. The more agitated you are, the harder it is for you to maintain your sword intent."

"Thank you for your guidance, Xia Kui!" Lu Wei brought his index and middle fingers together and stroked the Swallowing Sea Sword. Sword energy condensed again, and he used a different sword move to force his way towards his opponent.

He knew that Tian Guang was helping him make up for his shortcomings, and such an opportunity was extremely rare and could not be wasted!

...

Half an hour later, the backyard of Luqiu Pavilion returned to peace.

The two sat down again at the stone table, looked at the ravaged bamboo forest, and laughed heartily.

"Among the younger generation, you have indeed reached the top tier, but don't be complacent. There are several people in other companies who are no worse than you."

"Moreover, reaching my level is not something that can be achieved simply by spending time."