Do you like stats? I like stats. (I was curious okay? It wasnt wasting ti. >: Its likescratching an itch!)
i Changsu arrived before the Phoenix Building the next day as promised. He took a seat within the Marquess of Nings tent, with Xie Bi accompanying him at his side. Sure enough, before the tournant began, a eunuch in green robes appeared, a Royal Edict in hand, and announced the new addition to the tournant. It was a Royal Edict, and there was sufficient justification, so nobody voiced any opposition. The announcent quickly concluded and did not delay the start of the tournant.
Xiao Jingrui and Yan Yujin had matches towards the beginning of the tournant and both entered the stage before long. Regardless of how weak the group was, it was impossible for a diocre man to enter the last round, so their opponents were rather impressive. Xiao Jingrui entered the stage first to compete against a young swordsman in his twenties. The two were of similar age and used the sa weapons, and went head-to-head as soon as the match began. They returned speed with agility, and strength with power. Their fight was a dazzling display, but it was completely lacking in ingenuity. However, such a battle would certainly show a swift outco. Xiao Jingrui was the superior in techniques, so his opponent admitted his defeat briskly and left the stage without further ado. He seed to be a rather forthright person by his actions and temperant. i Changsu saw from a distance that ng Zhi had ordered soone to summon the young swordsman to him. Presumably, ng Zhi liked his temper and wanted to gather him under his command.
Once Yan Yujins opponent entered the stage, it was apparent that he was a worldly martial artists rich in battle experiences. His steps were firm and his gaze was steady. His square face was weathered by the elents, and he had high bloated temples. His two palms were thick with callouses, showing his diligence in training. He was a sharp contrast with the handso and delicate nephew of the Empress, who was ruffling his fan upon the stage. This was going to be interesting.
Speaking of which, this is my first ti seeing Yujin in combat, said i Changsu. He switched his gaze back and forth between the battle upon the stage and Xiao Jingrui, who had just entered the tent and settled into his seat. Ive always found it a bit strange. You have a background with Heavens Spring, and your father here possesses military decorations, so it is only natural for you to be skilled in martial arts. However, the Yan family has had civil officials in every generation, and it is a noble family without any ties to the martial arts world. Yet, you guys have always claid that his skills are on par with yours in your conversations. I finally figured it out today. So, Yujin is actually a disciple of the Kun Sect. Ive underestimated him.
Xiao Jingrui explained hastily, Yujin has not entered the Kun Sect, nor is he a recognized disciple. Due to a severe illness during his youth, he needed a high-level mantra to protect his body. The Master of the Kun Sect was old friends with his grandpa, the deceased Grand Preceptor Yan, so he accepted Yujin as a disciple in na only. This was never publicized, so we did not especially ntion it to you.
i Changsu smiled. He did not respond, and instead focused his eyes upon the stage. The martial art style of the Kun Sect was famous for its maneuvers and techniques. The sect was very strict with the aptitude of their disciples, and was less concerned with whether or not they were diligent in their practise. It fitted Yan Yujins personality perfectly. His robes fluttered as he whisked around the stage, a light breeze flowing from his fan. The degree of his damage was yet to be seen, but his dashing handsoness was certainly first rate.
It appears that I was not the only one to underestimate him. The Langya Hall Master had been imprecise in his ranking as well. i Changsu gave a clap and laughed. The mont his two palms touched, an attack sent a grey streak flying out from the stage. Yan Yujin pranced gracefully to the middle of the stage in his fine clothes and fragrant fan. He lifted his chin up slightly, his big eyes appearing to sweep every angle below the stage.
I dont think theres any imprecision, said Xie Bi, tilting his head. Look at that frivolous air. Its pretty generous to let him be tenth!
Xiao Jingrui was already used to the ways of his good friend, and he simply pretended to not have noticed. He leaned closer to i Changsu and spoke by his ear, Baili Qi will be in the next match.
i Changsu inclined his head slightly and raised his cup to sip so tea. Right then, Yan Yujin sauntered in proudly, and loudly asked if they had paid attention to his awe-inspiring performance upon the stage.
You call that awe-inspiring? Xiao Jingrui couldnt resist, and began to tease, I think your opponent was actually blinded by your fluttering fan and slipped off the stage himself.
Youre just jealous of , pouted Yan Yujin, and ignored him. He walked straight to i Changsus side and squeezed Xie Bi away. What do you think, Su? I have better aptitude than Jingrui, right?
Thats true, chuckled i Changsu, But you like to fool around a bit too much. It clearly couldve ended in fifty moves, but you had to drag it to sixty-three. Was it for to see your Falling Petals technique?
Yan Yujin froze for a mont, and a hint of admiration flashed in his eyes. You have sharp eyes, Su. Its unfortunate that my opponent isnt so flower-like beauty, or the attack would really make her flutter to the ground like falling petals.
Xiao Jingrui snorted, If your opponent was actually so beautiful lady, the one fluttering to the ground would be you!
Stop ssing around, the next people are out. Is that Baili Qi? asked Xie Bi, knocking on the table.
Everyone raised their heads. The contestants for the next match were indeed already standing upon the stage. One of them had a pleasing figure with broad shoulders, long limbs, and a narrow waist. He was dressed neatly in a blue outfit, light armor circling his waist. He held a fang lance in his hand. By his weapon, he seed to be a military man suited for cavalry battles. Clearly, he must be rather exceptional to qualify for the last round. The person he was facing was exceedingly stocky. He had bulging muscles from head to toe, which could be seen from even underneath his clothes. His huge hands were empty. It was, of course, the person who had astounded everybody yesterday through a single battleBaili Qi.
Such a boorish and ugly person definitely cannot be a good match for the Princess, said Xie Bi. It was his first ti seeing Baili Qi, and he was more roused than the others. Besides, he is a foreigner from the Yan empire. We need to think of a way to drive him off, no matter what.
Who is that person?
Let check, said Xie Bi, flipping through the program in his hands. He is a Lieutenant General of the Divine Might Battalion. His na is Fang Lance Eh? He actually has the sa na as his weapon
Brother, thats not what Sus asking. Xiao Jingrui gave Xie Bi a shove, and turned to i Changsu, That is the little Prince Mu who had just recently succeeded the title of the Prince of Yunnan. I suppose he heard the news yesterday and is worried about his sister, and decided to sit outside to get a clearer view.
Jingrui, thats not what Sus asking either, snickered Yan Yujin. Hes wearing robes embroidered with silver dragons, and hes sitting underneath a magnificent tent with the character of Mu. Anybody with eyes can see that he is the little Prince Mu. Su is asking about the person standing behind the little Prince.
Do you know who he is? asked i Changsu, tilting his head over.
I dont know.
If you dont know, then whatre you blabbering on about? Xiao Jingrui stood up, Ill go ask around.
i Changsu reached out and stopped him. Thered no need. I only asked out of curiosity as the person possesses an impressive aura about him. I suppose he ought to be so important officer in the Manor of Mu. Theres no need to inquire into the details.
He is our manors General Zhangsun, said a sudden voice at the tents entrance. Xiao Jingrui shot up imdiately to shield everyone behind him.
A middle-aged person appeared. He was dressed in the crimson uniform of officials, and had three strands of whiskers flowing from his chin. He bowed in greeting, I have been presumptuous in my visit. Please forgive if I have startled anyone.
So it is the esteed Guidepost of the Manor of Mu. Even though Xie Bi did not recognize the visitor, he could still guess his identity from his outfit. He stood up and returned the greeting, To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit, sir?
Before the visitor had a chance to reply, Yan Yujin shouted suddenly, Ah! He lost!
i Changsu looked at Baili Qi, who had already defeated his opponent during their idle chatter, and was now standing upon the stage expressionlessly. i Changsu shook his head and sighed. Even though the battle today was not decided in a single move, the match was still completely one-sided. There was nothing mysterious to Baili Qis techniques. He was simply sturdy and strong. His opponent attempted in vain to battle strength with technique, and was defeated during a slip in his defence.
The middle-aged man in crimson took this opportunity to say, I am Guidepost Wei Jingan of the Manor of Mu. I ca to request an audience with Mr. Su regarding precisely this matter.
Theres no need to be so polite. Whats the need for requesting an audience when youre already here? A visitor is a guest. Sit, sit, said Yan Yujin with ease, as if he was the master within this tent of the Marquess of Ning. He dragged a chair over.
Many thanks, said Wei Jingan. He actually dropped the pleasantries as suggested, and went straight to the point, Nobody is as anxious about this tournant for Princess Nihuangs husband as our people in the Manor of Mu. Baili Qi astonished everyone with his performance yesterday. Even though our Princess is as calm as usual, our little Prince is very anxious. Thus, he especially ordered to co see Mr. Su and make an inquiry as to whether or not any actions should be placed in motion.
Once he finished, even i Changsu himself couldnt hide his incredulous expression, not to ntion the others.
The group gathered in the tent had certainly been discussing the matter of Baili Qi. However, that was only due to a feeling of concern that arose from their respect for Princess Nihuang as a citizen of Liang. Yet, going by the words of Wei Jingan, it sounded like this problem was supposed to be i Changsus responsibility right from the start.
Guidepost Wei, said i Changsu carefully after so consideration, Could it be that the little Prince is under the impression that I should take so sort of action?
Is there no need for action still? Wei Jingan raised his brows. Or could it be that Mr. Su does not believe that Baili Qi could pose a viable threat?
I do not dare to make such claims at present. However, what I find odd iswhy would the little Prince want to ask ?
Wei Jingan was a bit shocked as well. His eyes widened, Didnt Mr. Su already have an agreent with our Princess that this tournant is only held to obey the orders of His Majesty, and that nobody will be chosen in actuality?
These words were even more mind-blowing than the ones before. The young n were dumbfounded. They all stared stupefied at i Changsu.
Since he entered the capital, i Changsu had only ever been alone with Princess Nihuang for that little while. Who couldve imagined that he moves so swiftly? Even such a promise has been pledged, and he didnt make a peep even when he watched everyone run around in circles for the tournant. He really knew how to keep his calm.
Of course, i Changsu himself was also flabbergasted. He was just about to defend himself, but he began to cough from breathing in so cold air. Xiao Jingrui looked on from the side with a long face. However, he still softened after a little bit and ca over to pat i Changsus back to ease his coughs.
Guidepost Wei, I do not know how such claims ca to be. However, I must still trouble you to give a reply to the little Prince. i Changsu drank so hot tea to moisten his throat and continued, The Princess had indeed instructed to complete a task for her, but the matter is very different than what you spoke of. Im afraid that the little Prince is probably misunderstanding sothing.
Misunderstanding sothing? Wei Jingan froze. Then what matter did the Princess entrust to you?
The Princess was only worried about the Emperor feeling fatigued, and entrusted to assist with the literary tournant of the top ten candidates and help her arrange their rankings sowhat. There was no ntion of anything else.
He didnt appear to be lying to Wei Jingan. Besides, i Changsu did not have any reason to lie to him. Wei Jingan was at a loss for what to do. He did not know what sort of miscommunication occurred between the Princess and the little Prince, but going by the little Princes instructions today, this Su Zhe should be soone the Princess holds in high trust and great fondness. i Changsu appeared graceful when Wei Jingan first laid eyes upon him, but he was sickly and weak, and did not seem to be a good match for his heroic Princess. It works out fine if he denies those claims.
Please forgive my rashness then, Mr. Su. Wei Jingan bowed politely. But even so, the Princess must already view you has a friend to entrust to you a matter of such importance as the literary tournant. May I suppose that you will not stand idle in the matter of Baili Qi either?
I dare not do anything but try my hardest. I must urge the little Prince to refrain from being overly troubled as well. The Princess had cald many storms and settled many predicants in her days. She would not make a mistake in her marriage. I believe that this matter will be promptly resolved as well.
I hope it goes according to your auspicious words. Wei Jingan was a straightforward person. Once he had finished, there was no need for more courteous exchange. He bowed to everyone in the tent and left.
Feilius not here today? asked Yan Yujin, watching his disappearing figure. We didnt notice since theres always people coming and going, but he actually ca to straight to our entrance and heard us talk
Theres a fair at East Market today, so I let Feiliu go there to play, answered i Changsu, smiling. However, the Guidepost is a civil office, and yet he possesses such skills in the lightfooted arts. Look at the air of that General Zhangsun serving next to the little Prince as well. The Manor of Mu is truly filled with talents, and Yunnan is certainly worthy of its fa as the worlds greatest principality.
Also, no one from Yunnan signed up for such a large-scale tournant. One can see that to them, the Princess is truly soone to be worshipped but never touched, added Xie Bi.
Jingrui, why are you upset? asked i Changsu, who had found an unusual expression on the young man beside him.
Xiao Jingrui mumbled with a rigid expression, Why didnt you tell that the Princess had asked you to oversee the literary tournant?
What, was Su supposed to report it to you? asked Xie Bi incredulously.
i Changsu did not mock him, but rather explained patiently and warmly, Jingrui, of course I must agree to such a request from the Princess. However, overseeing the literary tournant is such an important matter. It cant be decided with just the Princesss invitation, and would require the Emperors royal permission. I have not received any Royal Edicts in these days, so I supposed that His Majesty has not given permission. Because of that, I did not ntion it to you guys.
Its normal to not have ntioned it. Su is such a responsible person, so he naturally wouldnt jabber about sothing still undecided. Xie Bi laughed out loud. What Im finding strange is why youre so upset, brother.
Xiao Jingrui also thought that he was being unreasonable after thinking it over a bit, and blushed slightly.
Yan Yujin covered his mouth and laughed for awhile too. He said mockingly, Its because Jingrui likes Su, of course. Hes always thinking that since he was the one to invite Su to Jinling, he should be the closest with Su. Now he discovered soone else being close with Su too, who he didnt know about, of course hed be jealous.
W-Whos jealous?!
My brother has been stingy like this since he was young. He clings on to anything he likes, and wouldnt let touch them at all. How co youre still like this when youre all grown up?
Whatre you babbling about, you brat? What did I cling on to and not give you?
That chestnut stallion!
That horse was too spirited. You fell whenever you tried to ride him, so of course I didnt dare to let you ride him anymore. What if you were knocked silly?
And Lin Shu! exclaid Yan Yujin, adding to the chaos. You were happy as a clam when Lin Shu taught you archery, but then you discovered the next day that he taught too. You ended up not talking to for days!
i Changsu felt his heart freeze, as if all the blood in his body gathered and congealed there. His face suddenly turned pale.
Whats wrong? Xiao Jingrui rushed over and asked anxiously, Do you feel unwell again? Youre like this a lot these days. Are Dr. Xuns pills ineffective?
An elixir of life does not exist. i Changsu managed a smile, Im already much better than before. Theres only a short pain with an attack, and I would recover soon after.
Its too cold here inside the tent, said Yan Yujin, bringing over a fur cloak, Ill tell them to add another firepit.
Its not even winter yet. Theres no need. i Changsu looked at Yan Yujin and Xie Bi and grinned, Do you two usually gang up like this to bully Jingrui?
Thats right, answered Yan Yujin happily. Its really fun to bully him. Do you want to join, Su?
Oy, you
i Changsu turned and pressed Xiao Jingrui as he spoke quietly, Youve been friends with him for so long. Dont you know him yet? The more riled up you are, the happier he gets. Just ignore him, and he wouldnt be able to have fun by himself.
Hmph. Su really is biased towards Jingrui, protested Yan Yujin. But its no big deal even if you teach him, since I can always think up a new way to bully him. Are you scared, Jingrui?
Xiao Jingrui was a smart person and a fast learner. He ignored Yan Yujin this ti, and focused on chatting quietly with i Changsu. The Empresss nephew saw that his attack had fallen through, and found it really boring. He circled around in the tent for a bit, then ran outside again to entertain himself with who knows what.
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