Mu Rong's visit

"I won't marry him! Whoever wants to can marry him!"

In the Ninth Princess's courtyard in the imperial palace, Mu Rong heard the news from outside. Even her usually calm disposition could no longer suppress her anger, and she flew into a rage.

Beside her, Fourth Prince Mubai sat at the table, drinking tea as he watched his younger sister lose her temper.

"Brother!"

Seeing how composed he was, Mu Rong could not help saying angrily, "How can you still sit there so calmly?"

"Don't worry. Father won't let you marry into the Divine Oracle Hall."

Mubai said evenly, "You are the mistress of Fengyang. Father understands the stakes better than anyone. He certainly won't compromise lightly."

"But what if Great Shang can't answer the Divine Oracle Hall's three questions?"

Mu Rong forcibly suppressed her agitation and sat down beside him. "I've heard that the ministers at court haven't made any progress at all."

"We still have the Imperial Academy and the Head of the Confucians, don't we?"

Mubai said calmly, "You may not trust those ministers, but surely you trust the Head of the Confucians? With his wisdom, he will certainly find a solution."

"I'm just afraid the Head of the Confucians won't concern himself with this."

Mu Rong was rather distraught. After all, the Head of the Confucians rarely concerned himself with court affairs. If he refused to step forward this time as well, she really would have to marry far away in the Western Regions.

Beside her, Mubai put down his teacup. "If you truly can't stop worrying, I suggest you go ask someone."

"Who?" Mu Rong asked.

"The Confucian School's eldest disciple, Bai Wangyu," Mubai replied calmly.

"Bai Wangyu?"

An odd look crossed Mu Rong's face at his words. "I've heard he's been staying at Li Garden."

"Aren't you on somewhat friendly terms with the Li Family's eldest daughter? You could use that connection to visit and ask," Mubai reminded her.

A glimmer flashed through Mu Rong's eyes. After a moment, she nodded. "You're right, Brother. As it happens, I've been wanting to visit Li Garden anyway, to see just what sort of mighty figure this legitimate son of the Li Family is, to give Aunt Nanqiao such a headache."

"Would you like me to accompany you?" Mubai asked.

"You want to come along?"

A wary look appeared on Mu Rong's face. "I think you have another purpose besides keeping me company, don't you?"

"Bai Wangyu and the Li Family's legitimate son are both at Li Garden. They're rare sword experts among the younger generation. Even if we can't have a proper match, exchanging martial insights would be worthwhile." Mubai made no attempt to conceal his purpose and answered honestly.

"I knew you wouldn't rest until you'd met the Li Family's legitimate son."

Mu Rong responded helplessly, then said, "Fine, I can take you along. But let's agree beforehand: you mustn't get into a full-blown fight with anyone at Li Garden. A few exchanges at most, stopping once the point is made."

"Mm."

Mubai nodded and agreed calmly.

At Li Garden, in the west wing.

After a round of open struggles and covert maneuvering between Li Ziye and Little Red Riding Hood over whether to help the Great Shang court solve its problem, Little Red Riding Hood had won an overwhelming victory.

Li Ziye had compromised after barely putting up a fight for a few rounds. The Confucian School was simply too powerful. Without compromising, he had no way to get the Water-Fire Pearl.

"Brother Li, aren't you practicing your sword anymore?"

On the steps, Bai Wangyu looked at the youth beside him and asked.

"Not in the mood."

Li Ziye propped his chin in both hands. "I feel like I've been threatened, and I've even bowed to the forces of evil. My integrity lies shattered all over the floor."

"Did you ever have any integrity?" Bai Wangyu asked with a puzzled expression.

"Get lost!"

Li Ziye said irritably, "Before I met you and the Confucian School, I always fought bravely against the forces of evil, neither servile nor overbearing-a true man!"

"Heh."

Bai Wangyu gave a smile that did not reach his eyes. "I'm afraid you misunderstand what 'neither servile nor overbearing' means, Brother Li."

"Old Bai, it's only because I can't beat you right now. Otherwise, you'd already be flat on your back."

Li Ziye turned his head and said this very seriously.

"What a shame."

Bai Wangyu smiled brilliantly. "At your current cultivation speed, Brother Li, you may never get that chance in this lifetime."

"Cough!"

Li Ziye clutched his chest, feeling as though his anger had caused an internal injury.

Was that something a human being would say?!

"Young Master!"

Just then, a servant hurried over from outside the west wing and said urgently, "The Fourth Prince and Ninth Princess request an audience."

"Not seeing them."

In a foul mood, Li Ziye answered instinctively. Then he suddenly registered the words and asked in surprise, "Who did you say wanted to see me?"

"His Highness the Fourth Prince and the Ninth Princess."

The servant wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and repeated himself.

"What are they here for?"

An odd look appeared on Li Ziye's face. "Show them to the front hall."

"Yes!"

The servant accepted the order, then turned and left.

"Perhaps it's about the Divine Oracle Hall," Bai Wangyu said.

"But they don't know I have a way to solve the questions."

Li Ziye replied, then asked doubtfully, "Could my intelligence and talent already be that famous in the capital?"

"..."

Suppressing his nausea, Bai Wangyu said, "Perhaps the four presiding masters sent someone to inform Their Highnesses and asked them to persuade you to help."

"Ah, talent really does make you popular wherever you go."

Pretending not to have heard Little Red Riding Hood, Li Ziye stood and swaggered toward the main hall.

Bai Wangyu hesitated, then followed.

Fourth Prince Mubai was a martial fanatic. Moreover, to outsiders, Brother Li was the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal's disciple, someone whose martial talent must be extraordinary-precisely the sort of opponent the Fourth Prince longed for.

He had better follow, lest something go wrong.

Others might not know how little Brother Li had up his sleeve, but he certainly did.

In the front hall, Mubai and Mu Rong arrived. After Li Garden's pretty young maid came in to serve tea, she withdrew.

Before long, Li Ziye and Bai Wangyu approached the front hall, one behind the other.

"Your Highnesses, Fourth Prince, Ninth Princess, forgive me for failing to welcome your distinguished arrival from afar."

With his signature brilliant smile, Li Ziye exchanged pleasantries and bowed.

"You're too courteous, Young Master Li. My brother and I arrived unannounced. Sorry for the intrusion."

Mu Rong stepped forward and helped him straighten, smiling sweetly.

Behind her, Mubai calmly studied the youth before him, a peculiar glint passing through his eyes.

So this was the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal's disciple? His bearing truly was extraordinary. His reputation was well deserved.

Behind Li Ziye, Bai Wangyu noticed the appreciation in Mubai's eyes, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Sure enough, Mubai had been fooled by Brother Li's appearance too.

He had to admit that anyone unaware of the truth would never doubt those rumors upon meeting Brother Li for the first time.

Looking convincing was an advantage too.

"Brother Bai."

After examining the Li Family's legitimate son, Mubai shifted his gaze to Bai Wangyu behind Li Ziye and nodded in greeting.

"Your Highness."

Bai Wangyu cupped his hands in return, then quietly sat down beside Li Ziye.

"May I ask what brings Your Highnesses here?"

Looking at the two opposite him, Li Ziye took the initiative to ask.

"I met Sister Li once and greatly admired her talent. I've always wanted to pay her a visit, but never found the opportunity. Today, I accompanied my brother out of the palace on business, and we happened to stop by to see her," Mu Rong said with a smile.

"You came to see Sister Youwei, Ninth Princess?"

At her words, Li Ziye said regretfully, "What unfortunate timing. Sister Youwei left early this morning on business. She may not be back until sunset."

After speaking, Li Ziye imperceptibly curled his lip. Go on, keep spinning your tale. I'm in no hurry anyway. You can keep it up until dark.

"That really is unfortunate."

Regret likewise appeared on Mu Rong's beautiful face. She looked at her brother beside her. "Brother, was there anything you wanted?"

"Yes."

Mubai looked at the two before him. "Young Master Li, Brother Bai, we are all swordsmen. Why don't we take this opportunity to exchange martial insights?"

Li Ziye was briefly taken aback. He had long heard that the Fourth Prince was a martial fanatic. Seeing him today, it certainly proved true.

But what the hell did he know about martial arts? He had only been learning for a few days. Wasn't this forcing Zhang Fei to embroider?!

Besides, exchanging martial insights inevitably meant trading a few moves. With his meager cultivation, how could he withstand either of these two?

So Li Ziye gave Little Red Riding Hood beside him a look that meant, You handle it.

Bai Wangyu understood at once. "Your Highness, Brother Li has been feeling unwell lately. How about I exchange martial insights with you instead?"

Hearing the meaning behind Bai Wangyu's words, Mubai frowned slightly. Still, he could hardly insist too much, so he nodded. "Very well. It's too cramped here. Let's go outside."

"All right."

Bai Wangyu agreed.

The two stood, and from her seat, Mu Rong immediately shot her brother a warning look.

Remember to ask about the important matter. Also, no full-blown fighting.

Mubai nodded lightly, then strode outside.

Bai Wangyu followed. Before leaving, he also gave Li Ziye a warning look.

Brother Li, she's a princess. Don't do anything rash while we're gone.

Reading the meaning in Little Red Riding Hood's eyes, Li Ziye was so angry he nearly threw his teacup at him. He parted his lips and elegantly mouthed:

"G-et l-ost!"

"Heh."

Bai Wangyu smiled placidly and walked out.

"Please forgive him, Young Master Li. My brother is obsessed with martial arts. Whenever he meets an expert of his generation, he can't resist exchanging a few moves. I'm afraid he's made a spectacle of himself."

Inside the hall, Mu Rong spoke with an apologetic expression.

"You're too courteous, Your Highness."

Li Ziye was just about to speak when a clanging, clattering fight broke out outside.

Li Ziye froze. That quick?

Opposite him, Mu Rong also froze. After a moment, she recovered and secretly gritted her teeth in anger.

Her brother had let her warning blow past his ears again!

Outside the front hall, Sword Qi crisscrossed as the two figures repeatedly passed one another in a fierce fight.

Inside, Mu Rong looked increasingly embarrassed, no longer knowing how to explain.

Coming to someone's home and launching into a full-blown fight was impossible to excuse, no matter how much she used his martial obsession as a shield.

"Ninth Princess, have some tea."

Opposite her, Li Ziye raised his tea from the table in a toast and smiled. "Li Garden's tea is quite good."

Come on, keep up your performance. This young master enjoys watching.

Mu Rong awkwardly lifted her cup and took a sip, truly in no mood to savor the tea anymore.

A moment later, Mu Rong put down her cup and secretly gritted her teeth. Knowing she could not keep sitting there like this, she volunteered, "Young Master Li, actually, my brother and I came today with another question."

"Oh?"

At her words, Li Ziye feigned surprise. "What is it?"

Mu Rong looked at the two fighting outside and sighed softly. "Young Master Li, you must have heard that the Divine Oracle Hall has proposed a wager to our Great Shang court. It concerns Great Shang's dignity and my lifelong happiness, so I wanted to come to Li Garden and ask Bai Wangyu, the Confucian School's eldest senior brother, whether the Head of the Confucians would step forward to resolve this."

"So that's it. Then there's no need to ask him, Your Highness. I can answer that."

Li Ziye grinned, a brilliant smile spreading over his face. "The Head of the Confucians won't step forward over this, but I will!"