Who among the gangsters wants to fall in love?

Chapter 237 War Letter
The courtyard was covered with wintersweets on the floor tiles. The evening breeze carried raindrops hitting the ground. The golden wintersweets were hidden in the rain, like golden rain. Under the tree were several jars of wine that Mu Lier had drunk, with some rainwater accumulated in them.

The Queen Mother and Zhao Wumian left the palace in a low-key manner and came to Zhuwu Lake to see the tower boats. She was dressed simply, wearing only a crimson palace skirt. She stood outside the window, looking at Mu Lier curiously. Although she was already a 28-year-old girl, her bright and charming beauty could not be hidden.

But when Mu Lier heard this, her face darkened instantly. Why did the Queen Mother's words sound like a mockery of her?

Zhao Wumian would definitely not spread this matter to anyone, and the Queen Mother naturally had no way of knowing the inside story. It was probably just something she said casually.

The Queen Mother was of noble status, but Mu Lier had been friends with her since childhood, so they didn't need to follow so many rules when they met in private. She snorted coldly.
"That's right. Wumian's martial arts and identity are impeccable, and his appearance is the best in the world. It's no problem to say that he is the best young master in the capital. You don't know that just at the gate of my Sword Sect, there are always some ladies looking in, hoping to meet him by chance. There are also countless housekeepers who come here to find me, hoping to discuss his marriage."

This is true. Zhao Wumian doesn't have a Zhao Mansion in the capital. Those people who want to find him have nowhere to go except the Sword Sect branch... After all, they can't go to the Forbidden City or the Su Mansion. Wouldn't that be asking for trouble?
The Queen Mother raised her eyebrows slightly. She really didn't know about this, so she lifted her palace skirt with both hands, walked into the room, and said:
"Discussing with you the marriage of Marquis Weiming?"

Mu Lier hummed, "He currently doesn't know where his parents are. And it's said that once you are a teacher, you are a father for life. Who else but me can decide his marriage?"

Mu Lier's tone was a little arrogant, but it suddenly became a little weird. The more she said this, the more ethically questionable it seemed.

She was uneasy and asked the Queen Mother to sit down at the table, picked up the kettle and made her a cup of tea.

The Queen Mother noticed that Mu Lier's expression was somewhat intriguing, but she didn't expect the master and disciple to have sex. She picked up the teacup and took a sip calmly, "If that's the case, then we should have a good talk... about the marriage of the younger generation."

Hearing this, Mu Lier tilted her head and stared at the Queen Mother. It took her a few seconds to come back to her senses. "What do you mean?"

The Queen Mother frowned slightly. She patiently explained why Mu Lier was so stupid today:

"It's her parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. Xiang Ge's parents doted on her too much and let her do whatever she wanted. That's why she's still unmarried at the age of 25. And based on my recent observations, Wei Ming Hou and Xiang Ge are not that interested in each other, but they definitely have a good impression of each other... If that's the case, why don't you bring them together?"

Matchmaking? Let Zhao Wumian and Shen Xiangge get married? Are you kidding? He and I haven't even settled the matter yet, and suddenly you bring a wild woman to climb into Zhao Wumian's bed?
I'm so annoying.

Mu Lier felt a little upset for a moment. She was already worried about the matter between her and Zhao Wumian, and the Queen Mother's words were obviously adding fuel to the fire.

It’s not necessarily the case that Mu Lier is jealous. After all, she really can’t say for sure whether she has feelings for Zhao Wumian or not. But she just feels upset no matter how she thinks about it.

She felt like her precious baby was about to be snatched away by someone, but as her master, she would let Zhao Wumian get married, as long as the other party was of good condition, then she would bless him... But having said that, it was obviously not the right time to talk about marriage.

At least I have to wait until Mu Li'er and Zhao Wumian have talked things out. Otherwise, it would be like I'm still hesitating and another wild woman would get there first... What a loser.

This made Mu Lier's already confused heart even more confused.

She didn't want to talk more about this topic, so she took a breath of moist air, calmed down, and said calmly: "Young man, why do you want to get married so early? Xiangge is 25 years old, not 35 years old..."

"Twenty-five is not old enough? Look at the Jiang Mansion on Cuimu Street. They have a large family. They all got married and had children when they were teenagers. They have a large population... eh." The Queen Mother thought of the Jiang Mansion, which was full of loyal and brave people. Although they had many children, many died on the battlefield. So she stopped and said:

"This matter should be decided by the younger generation. Logically, I should not interfere. But don't you know about the emperor's situation?"

"Hmm?" Mu Lier frowned, thinking of the look Luo Chaoyan gave Zhao Wumian, and her heart suddenly shuddered. "If His Majesty recruits Zhao Wumian into the harem, then apart from Miss Su, who might be able to keep in touch with Wumian because of their past relationship, the other women will probably never be able to get close to him again."

The Queen Mother clapped her hands and nodded repeatedly like a teenage girl, "That's right, delay any longer? If you delay any further, when Zhao Wumian enters the palace, Xiang Ge will probably be alone for the rest of her life."

Although this is the truth, Mu Lier still wants to delay it a little longer. Anyway, there has been no progress on Zhao Wumian and Luo Chaoyan's side. On the contrary, on her side... there is no way she would take the initiative to help Shen Xiangge climb onto Zhao Wumian's bed, right?
No, no, Mu Lier shook her head repeatedly in her heart and secretly called herself a slut. Why was she still thinking about the harem struggles?

But it was impossible for her to have any result with Zhao Wumian from the beginning, so it was better to push him to another woman and give up on him.

As a master, I should do this, but the hurdle in my heart...

Alas, my heart is too confused. The sword heart of martial arts is clear, but it cannot understand the affairs between men and women. No wonder there is a saying in Wugong Mountain that one can cut off the emotional ties with a sword.

Mu Lier still shook her head, wanting to think about it again. She made herself a cup of tea to calm herself down and whispered:
"Whether it's Wumian or Xiangge, they are both very opinionated people. We, as elders, are here to talk about their marriages. If they don't want to, what can we do? Let's stop talking about this and let them make the decision themselves."

The Queen Mother rolled her eyes adorably. "I know this truth, so I let Xiangge go for ten years. But is there any result? Do I have to wait another ten years?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? It's Wumian who wants to get married, Xiangge who wants to get married, not you who wants to remarry. What's wrong with waiting a few more years?"

The Queen Mother did not like what she heard. Her full skirt rippled, as if it would burst out of her clothes in the next second.

"What do you mean by remarrying or not? I am already 28 years old this year. I have been guarding the palace for ten years. Have you ever heard any gossip? You grew up with me. Don't you also think that I am like those shameless and dissolute empresses in the previous dynasty who kept lovers?"

Mu Lier supported her face with one hand and gently shook the teacup with the other hand. Her face was calm and she was not afraid. She just said calmly:
"Who said there are no gossips? When Wumian entered the palace and held you hostage, there were many rumors in the capital, saying that he had done something to you..."

The Queen Mother's eyes twitched, "Do you think I am happy to be said like this? Wasn't it to save your beloved disciple? You are such a heartless person. If you keep saying this, I would rather not save him and let Zhao Wumian die in the deep palace."

Mu Lier gave in and took a sip of tea. "Yes, I have to thank the Queen Mother. I know Wumian's character best. He has always been a gentleman and polite. He doesn't like women, women..."

Mu Lier's face suddenly became strange. Thinking of the passion of that night, she couldn't help but clamp her plump, snow-white legs tightly together under her skirt.

The Empress Dowager also looked strange. How could she carry such obscene books as "Secret History of the Harem" and "Amorous History of Nuns" with her if she was not interested in women?
Mu Lier felt guilty, so she changed the subject, "It's normal for the capital to have rumors, and the Queen Mother shouldn't take it too seriously. After all, you have been in the palace for ten years, and you have strictly followed the rules of being a woman. You only had unclear interactions with Wumian..."

"There is nothing unclear between me and him!" The Queen Mother was a little angry. Although she liked to play with Zhao Wumian, it was always a joke from an elder to a younger person.

"Okay, okay, there is nothing unclear, but I should act with courtesy, Queen Mother..." Mu Lier looked the Queen Mother up and down. She had a mature figure, delicate face, and a mature and elegant temperament. Even if she was just sitting normally, the curves of her slender waist and hips were extremely eye-catching.

"That night, nothing really happened between the Queen Mother and Wumian? When he carried you out, did he do anything to you?"

Of course there was. I was pressed on the dragon bed. Thinking back now, the Queen Mother felt itchy all over... But she definitely couldn't tell this to Mu Lier.

The Queen Mother raised her teacup unhappily, "Didn't you say that your apprentice is not interested in women? How can he take advantage of me?"

As she spoke, the Queen Mother changed the subject. She remembered that she came here for Mu Lier and Zhao Wumian, so she asked, "You seem unwilling to see Wei Ming Hou recently... Did the master and disciple have a quarrel?"

click-

The teacup in Mu Lier's palm shattered instantly, and the tea slid down her tender white hands. When this matter was mentioned, she became a little out of control and her mentality became unstable.

The Queen Mother was not a fool. Seeing this, she felt a flash of disbelief in her heart and even stuttered a little.

"Li, Li'er, you, the master and the disciple, could it be that you two did something immoral and against human ethics?"

Snapped--

Mu Lier's heart trembled, and then she tapped the wooden table with her hands, her eyebrows raised, and she stood up, and she was immediately anxious, "How is it possible!? How could I be that kind of dissolute woman? You have been in the palace for ten years without any rumors, so has there been gossip in my ten years in the martial arts world?"

The Queen Mother also felt that her guess was too unfair and felt guilty. "Then what happened to the two of you? Why don't you even see each other?"

"It's nothing. He and I are on good terms. It's just that after getting the Blazing Sun Jade, it's obviously inappropriate to hug him late at night, so I didn't let him come... Did the Queen Mother think that I wanted my disciple to see how miserable I was when the poison took effect?"

The Queen Mother thought about it and took out a handkerchief from her bosom, wiped the tea on the wooden table, and asked tentatively: "Then let's continue to talk about the marriage between Wei Ming Hou and Xiang Ge?"

"Don't talk about it!" Mu Lier suddenly became more anxious, her heart was in a mess.

"Why are you so reluctant to talk about Marquis Weiming's marriage?" The Queen Mother was immediately suspicious and narrowed her beautiful eyes like a fox.

"From the beginning I said that this matter should be left to them to decide for themselves."

The Queen Mother did not believe it, so she showed her elder sister's generosity and said softly:
"Li'er, although I have never experienced anything about men and women, I know that sometimes, some feelings will suddenly arise in your heart, like falling in love with someone for no apparent reason... I can understand this kind of thing. Tell me the truth, do you like..."

Mu Lier raised her hand calmly. The Queen Mother's appearance might be enough to coax a teenage girl, but it was impossible for her to let down her guard. She turned from defense to offense and said:

"How come you know so much, sister? Do you have someone you love? As the Queen Mother, it is not easy for you to remarry. This will damage the dignity of the royal family. In addition, the emperor is now known as 'immoral', so sister cannot have an affair with a man... But it is okay to do it privately. At worst, we can wait a few more years until the situation stabilizes... With sister's current social network, it can't be Wumian, right?"

After hearing this, the empress dowager became anxious and stood up suddenly. The collar of her clothes on her chest vibrated several times at a frequency visible to the naked eye.

"Mu Li'er, I am sincerely discussing with you the marriage of my juniors, but why do you always bring this kind of man-woman affair to me? I am telling you, Zhao Wumian is your disciple, the one that His Majesty and Xiang Ge love, and he is also my junior! Even if I stay in the deep palace for another ten years, and am so lonely that I feel like I am holding myself back, I will never have any man-woman affair with him!"

Mu Lier raised her face and looked at the Empress Dowager, whose eyelashes were trembling with anger.

The Queen Mother reacted and felt that her words had damaged the reputation of the royal family, so she sat down, took a sip of tea, regained her usual composure, and smiled faintly at Mu Lier.
"It is my fault... But if one day, I really have something going on with Marquis Weiming, then don't blame me for stealing your precious baby."

The Queen Mother said this purely to anger Mu Lier, not to say that she really had any feelings towards Zhao Wumian.

Mu Lier chuckled, "Queen Mother, please don't be so sarcastic. I won't fall for it."

"Tsk." The Queen Mother curled her lips, then smiled again.
"Marquis Weiming and Princess Xiangzhu will definitely attend the banquet for all nations the day after tomorrow... If I remember correctly, that night was the night when the poison broke out for you. You were alone in the Sword Sect branch with no one to look after you. But could you hold on?"

"Why can't I bear this? I've been traveling around the world and was seriously injured. How many times have I had to hide in a corner to lick my wounds by myself?"

"The injuries on your body are different from the loneliness in your heart." The Queen Mother looked serious. She was a little worried about leaving Mu Lier alone at the Sword Sect branch, so she said, "You can go to the ship with us."

"Will going there cause you trouble? Then I'd rather stay here alone."

"Hey, why are you so stubborn?"

"This is your first day knowing me?" "You should really find a man to marry you."

"Haha, sister, please remarry first. I'm wandering around the world, very free and easy. The only place where the Queen Mother can move around is the deep palace and the capital."

"I can't cure you? I will send a letter to Xiao Xitian later and ask Guan Yunshu to come to Beijing to meet you. It just so happens that Wei Minghou hasn't seen the nun for some time and must miss her."

"You! He wouldn't think of some wild nun popping out of the mountains!"

The two sisters exposed each other's scars. The queen mother came here originally just to be curious about what happened between Mu Lier and Zhao Wumian, but ended up making herself very angry.

And Mu Lier really didn't want to go to some ship to attend the Banquet of All Nations... Mainly because she was poisoned that night, and it was such a good day, but she had to let Zhao Wumian, the Queen Mother and others run around for her. What was this?
The Queen Mother was speechless for a moment, then said, "At the Banquet of All Nations, there are so many people with unknown origins waiting to see us. You are at least one who has achieved unity between man and nature. The poison will take effect in the second half of the night, so why don't you stay for the first half?"

Mu Lier frowned, "Do you have any clues?"

"No." The Queen Mother took a sip of tea, "But you can never have too much security."

Mu Lier was still hesitating, so the Queen Mother continued, "Marquis Weiming is still young, and there are many people at the Banquet of All Nations who intend to challenge him... As a master, shouldn't you take this opportunity to observe and verify his martial arts?"

"My current martial arts skills are probably..." Mu Lier narrowed her eyes slightly, and then remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.

The Queen Mother smiled slightly, but suddenly someone knocked on the door.

She was stunned for a moment, then stood up to open the door, only to see Zhao Wumian resting his arm on the little mute's shoulder, looking weak, covering his forehead.

"The remnants of Dongyan have come out to fight. Their martial arts skills are quite impressive. I am a little injured. Master, you... eh? Queen Mother, you haven't left yet?"

The Queen Mother blinked, "Are you hurt?"

Zhao Wumian nodded.

The Queen Mother looked at Luo Xiangzhu.

The little mute held Zhao Wumian's arms with both hands and turned his eyes away as if he was too embarrassed to speak.

The Queen Mother immediately laughed and scolded: "How many people in this world can hurt you? You kid, are you still pretending to be injured?"

"Hey, the Queen Mother isn't in pain, but the Master is." Zhao Wumian walked into the house and smiled at Mu Li'er who was sitting at the table. "I am indeed a little injured. Master, can you feel my pulse?"

Mu Lier looked at Zhao Wumian, she was actually a little panicked in her heart, but her face remained calm, just following his words that night to 'act as if nothing happened'.

The Queen Mother grabbed Zhao Wumian's wrist and said, "You don't need a master. I also know medical skills. I will take your pulse right away."

Mu Lier raised her eyebrows frivolously and glanced at the Queen Mother's hand that was grasping Zhao Wumian's wrist.

"My Lord's pulse is stable. Where is he injured? You still want to deceive your master with this?"

"… Queen Mother, I'm just playing with Master. Aren't you being too serious?"

"Why do you blame me? I just told your master to go with you to the ship to watch you accept challenges from all sides and test your martial arts... You have been so successful lately that you can beat anyone. If you become arrogant and neglect martial arts because of this, your master will be the first one to not forgive you."

"Really?" Zhao Wumian shook his head slightly. "I never dare to underestimate any enemy, and I certainly won't be arrogant... Well, before the Queen Mother reminded me, I did think they were just a bunch of barbarians, not worth a look, and I could hang them up and beat them with one hand. I was indeed a little arrogant, and I need to let the master teach me a lesson."

Zhao Wumian looked at Mu Lier with a burning gaze, as if he could tolerate any teaching from Mu Lier.

Mu Lier looked at him. Although her heart was still in a mess, she couldn't help but smile from the bottom of her heart.

Zhao Wumian wanted to say that Master looked really good when he smiled, but then he remembered that the Empress Dowager was still there, so he gave up.

Tonight, the streets of the capital were filled with wanderers wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats, filing out of the city, discussing with each other the matter of Marquis Weiming winning the plaque of the sword champion next month.

But at the city gate, his attention was attracted by a group of people, all of whom were court officials wearing crimson official uniforms and holding oil-paper umbrellas.

There was a drizzle, mist rose on the streets, and the evening breeze blew by. A luxurious carriage slowly drove into the city gate and stopped in front of the court officials.

Prince Gao Hongxi of Goguryeo lifted the curtain of the carriage, stepped down from the carriage, and smiled, "Thank you all for waiting for me at this time. The situation in our country is serious recently, so I'm delayed. Please forgive me, please forgive me."

The leader was an important official from the Ministry of Rites. He shook his head slightly and smiled.

This was not the first time that Gao Hongxi came to the capital. The court was well aware of his preferences. After asking him politely, they went straight to the Xianggu Pavilion on Bailu Street at Gao Hongxi's suggestion.

Miao Yixi, one of the three great masters of Goguryeo, the Four Calamities Lone Star, followed Gao Hongxi with a sword in his arms. As a warrior, it was easy for him to hear what the pedestrians on the street were talking about. After listening silently for a while, he asked:
"Does Wei Ming Hou plan to compete for the title of Sword Master next month?"

The imperial court actually didn't care too much about this kind of martial arts, but the person involved was Zhao Wumian, so they couldn't help but pay attention, so they held their head high and said, "Not bad, Wei Minghou just discovered a vicious plot against the imperial court tonight, and took the opportunity to declare that he would go to Shu to seize the martial arts champion plaque next month."

"In my opinion, the so-called Sword Master is nothing but a traitor in front of Marquis Wei Ming. You should know that Marquis Wei Ming has never been defeated since his debut, so there is no way he would lose to the Sword Master."

Miao Yixi nodded calmly, "If I defeat him at the International Banquet the day after tomorrow, does that prove that I am also qualified to fight with the Sword Champion, and I am also capable of competing for the title of Martial Champion?"

This statement simply shows that he does not take Zhao Wumian seriously. Looking down on Zhao Wumian is naturally equivalent to looking down on Dali.

Therefore, the envoys who came to Dali to receive them cursed in their hearts, "You are such a small country, you don't know your own strength!"

Gao Hongxi smiled and said impartially: "The Goguryeo martial arts world has long been fascinated by the Central Plains martial arts world. On the way here, we talked about it. When we wait for the banquet of all nations, we will have a good fight with the rumored Wei Ming Hou and make friends through martial arts... He is a martial arts man and can't speak. If he offended you, I will apologize for him."

The official from the Ministry of Rites smiled faintly, "We don't know much about the affairs of the martial arts world, but does this mean that this person..."

"Miao Yixi."

"Mr. Miao Yixi, have you issued a declaration of war to the Marquis?"

"It's true."

The official from the Ministry of Rites gave a look to the person next to him, and that person immediately understood. He said goodbye and left, preparing to tell the emperor the news first.

There is actually no need to tell Luo Chaoyan specifically about such trivial matters... But the way to be an official is to cater to the preferences of those above you... I believe that His Majesty will be interested in this news.

After Luo Chaoyan knew about this, she didn't say anything, but just asked, "Where is the Marquis?"

"I don't know..."

"..." Luo Chaoyan was silent for a moment, which frightened the official so much that he broke out in a cold sweat. After a moment, Luo Chaoyan raised her hand and asked him to spread the news so that the people in the capital would know about it.

If he wins, he will give Goguryeo a slap in the face. If he loses... Luo Chaoyan doesn't think Zhao Wumian will lose.

Time flies, and it is the night before the International Banquet.

Song Yun brought a fat boy to find Zhao Wumian.

"His code name is 'Tao'." Song Yun pointed at the fat man next to him and explained to Zhao Wumian, "He is one of the top assassins in Wuchang City. His skills are related to how much he eats. He eats whatever he earns. He is a money-grubber."

Tao's eyes were so fat that they were slits. He had a pigtail on his bald head, which made him look very festive and funny. However, as a top assassin, his strength was unquestionable. He nodded repeatedly at Zhao Wumian and said in a buzzing voice, "Hua took me to several feasts thirty years ago. I remember them all."

"Flowers?" Zhao Wumian looked at Song Yun.

"It was my code name in Wuchang City." Song Yun explained, and then said: "According to him, the Lord of Wuchang City also brought two masters, Du and Can, to the capital. They should be in Bailu Street now... Let's go and take a look together?"

Zhao Wumian frowned slightly and glanced at Tao, "Senior Song took you to a big meal before, and you were willing to help... Do you assassins still care about friendship?"

"It's not friendship, it's money." Tao laughed, "Marquis Weiming, it's a pleasure to work with you. After I finish this job, it will be enough for me to eat for a few months."

"As a spy, aren't you afraid that you will have no work in the future?"

Tao patted his belly and said, "With this ability, I can get by anywhere in the martial arts world... and if Ruolan dies, I might be able to become a city lord."

Zhao Wumian did not let down his guard. After asking for specific clues, he planned to act separately from Song Yun to avoid being caught in one fell swoop.

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Thanks to 'S救' for another 10,000 yuan reward, thank you very much.

I owe three chapters.

I'm having a bit of a writer's block when writing another major plot in this volume, so it's a bit difficult to submit. I'll try to submit all three chapters within a week.

Many thanks!

(End of this chapter)