I've Grown Up

Night fell again in the blink of an eye.

In Li Wuxian's bedroom, the young girl was quietly soaking in the Body Tempering Fluid that Qin Yi had specially prepared for her during the day, lost in thought.

Being an emperor is too busy. After a morning break from court, the ministers would chatter endlessly all afternoon, leaving no time to talk to my master. My master, on the other hand, was very diligent, setting up formations and refining elixirs—truly a responsible and dedicated master.

Normally, Li Wuxian would probably be very moved, because the only people in the world who are so pure and selfless in their kindness to her are Qin Yi and Li Qingjun, and among them, they are the only men.

But today I felt less moved and more annoyed.

In fact, Li Wuxian herself was not sure what kind of emotion she was experiencing.

She had reached a certain age, developed curiosity, and had been drawn out by Ba Dan's Mental Spell, so she felt a sense of eager anticipation. The only man she felt a connection with in the world was right here, and she didn't know if these two kinds of feelings were compatible.

The Return of the Condor Heroes told her that they seemed to be interconnected.

I don't mind testing it myself.

My heart was racing, like I was being electrocuted.

As for anything else, she knew nothing more.

No matter Monstrous Fiends she is, she still learned everything from scratch. She is completely clueless about matters of the heart, which are taboo topics for everyone. No matter how high her IQ is, it's useless.

If her mother were there and knew what she was thinking, she would most likely tell her that this really wasn't romantic love, at least not at this stage. She was confused, linking her naive curiosity and confusion about romantic feelings with her filial piety towards her master...

Just like many female students who are just beginning to experience romantic feelings for their instructors, they end up crying a few times after military training and that's it.

Unfortunately, no one will teach her this.

She did know that the court officials had indeed begun to consider the issue of the "Foundation of the Nation".

After the afternoon meeting, someone made this suggestion, but she pretended not to understand and glossed over it.

She is thirteen years old this year, which is indeed not old enough to get married according to the law. The previous Great Qian Law stipulated that she should be sixteen years old. Now the new dynasty has not yet drafted New Laws, and is temporarily continuing the Great Qian Law, so she is also sixteen years old.

However, according to custom, it is quite normal for people to start discussing marriage and getting engaged at the age of thirteen or fourteen.

Right now, it's just hints, but once the 14th is over, people will probably start bringing it up formally. By the 16th, they'll probably start urging it... If it's past the 20th, things will probably explode.

But what if she sees all her peers as useless?

For a Monstrous Fiends who unified the world at the age of thirteen, let alone his peers, ordinary mortals are all useless.

It's rare to find wise ministers, but they're all so old... it's simply impossible.

No matter how much his mind raced, it always landed on his master's handsome face.

Judging by appearances alone, the master looks no more than seventeen or eighteen years old.

They're a perfect match.

Li Wuxian's face turned red again.

Unfortunately, the master had no intention of doing so and had never even considered it.

She sighed softly, scooped up a handful of water with her right hand, and gently poured it down her left arm.

The hot spring water feels like washing over smooth, creamy skin. Arms as smooth and jade-like as jade, long and graceful.

This is clearly not small.

In terms of height, many adult women are not as tall as her.

She has a lithe waist and legs, and a tall, upright figure; standing side-by-side with her aunt, she looks like a sister. Actually, many people don't see her as thirteen years old, so why does her master treat her only as a child?

Perhaps only her master and aunt stubbornly viewed her this way; they even wished she were younger, and their paintings depicted her as a six-year-old with a runny nose.

Li Wuxian smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in her heart.

She was both annoyed that he treated her like a child, yet also felt a little warm.

It's a real contradiction.

Never mind, I'll try again tomorrow.

"Your disciple greets Master."

The next morning, Li Wuxian arrived right on time again.

The door opened, and Li Qingjun appeared before her again. "Your greeting is as early as a rooster's crow."

Li Wuxian could tell that her aunt was cursing under her breath.

She is completely different from the usually spirited Li Qingjun, possessing a unique beauty and a... stunning allure.

It's the kind of thing that makes your heart race, but I didn't even notice it last time.

Aunt is really beautiful. No wonder the guards on the border of the Southern Li Dynasty were amazed by her Celestial Person. She is a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

Hmm... don't I look a lot like my aunt? That means I'm pretty too.

These thoughts raced through his mind, and he said aloud, "Uh, I think that's when the Qianlong Da Qian Emperor used to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager, and then he would go to court..."

Li Qingjun was both amused and exasperated. "Cultivators have no days or nights, why are there so many rules?"

Li Wuxian, "How about next time at night?"

"You dare!" Li Qingjun glared at him.

Li Wuxian hastily pushed through the trees and emerged, only to see a flash of light in the hall, a surge of intense energy, and a majestic and awe-inspiring aura emanating from within.

Li Qingjun turned around and smiled, "Your master has reached the third level of the Huiyang realm."

So it really was a fight? Does sparring mean you've improved?

"Auntie, are you about to break through too?"

"Hmm... I'll be there soon too."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go in and continue fighting with Master!"

Li Qingjun was both amused and exasperated. "If you hadn't come and disturbed me, I would have already broken through to the next level!"

Qin Yi emerged from the hall and immediately spotted Li Wuxian, asking, "How's the body tempering going?"

Li Wuxian sighed, "Not bad, after two more days of soaking, I should be able to get the hang of it."

"That's good." Qin Yi said, "You're dressed casually today, and you're off from court again?"

"There's no court session today," Li Wuxian said helplessly. "There isn't Morning Court every day, Master."

"So... then will Master teach you basic martial arts techniques today? I'm leaving tomorrow, so I'll give you a good foundation first."

Li Qingjun then said, "I can teach you that too, it's alright."

"Well, while I'm still here, I should do as much as I can as possible to fulfill my responsibilities as a master."

"Then you teach me, I'm going to practice for a bit, I feel like I'm about to break through." Li Qingjun turned and went into the hall.

Li Wuxian watched her aunt leave, and couldn't help but whisper, "Master, are you really only thinking about teaching your disciple?"

Qin Yi was taken aback for a moment. "How about we go out and have some fun?"

Li Wuxian had a lot to say but didn't know how to express it. After a long while, he finally said, "Master, before you leave, please paint one more portrait of me... paint me as I am now, not as I was seven years ago."

Qin Yi leaned back and sized her up for a moment, then laughed, "I almost forgot, you need a portrait of an emperor, don't you?"

Li Wuxian, "No, that's not important... any painter can just paint something. What I want is the portrait of my master as he painted it, the one right now."

"Alright." Qin Yi went directly to the stone table outside the hall and spread out paper and pen.

Li Wuxian stood there quietly watching him.

Qin Yi picked up his brush and glanced at it for a moment, his hand trembling slightly. He almost couldn't resist turning around to look at Li Qingjun in the hall.

Today, Li Wuxian is not wearing Dragon Robe, but an ordinary warrior's outfit. Her demeanor is closer to that of her when she swore an oath, but much more casual, giving her the appearance of a chivalrous woman roaming the martial world.

As Qin Yi watched, he kept switching channels, and he remembered Li Qingjun he had just met.

They really look alike.

Even the flat areas look very similar.

"You..." He was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Take out the silver spear that your master once gave you and let me see it."

Li Wuxian took out a silver spear from his ring and planted it on the ground.

A surge of energy flowed gently, and his long hair fluttered in the breeze. He possessed the bearing of an emperor, as profound and imposing as a mountain.

Qin Yi's eyes glazed over for a moment.

"Master..." Li Wuxian said calmly, "I've grown up, haven't I?"

Qin Yi remained silent, his head bowed as he painted.

This young apprentice always gives people a conflicted impression—deep down, she knows she's an empress, and rationally, she does treat her like one, for example, communicating as an equal and not daring to think she knows more than her. However, she never displays any imperial demeanor in front of him; instead, she acts obsequiously and adoringly, leading him to always emotionally treat her like a child.

It feels very disjointed.

In fact, she has really grown up.

I don't know why she emphasized this point.