Female martial arts fanatics only love to fight, while men fight for their lives.

54

Lou Xiao breathed a sigh of relief after walking out of the palace. Although she would not be shy just because of taking a look at that thing,

But after all, getting too close in front of so many people always gives people a bad impression...

In her eyes, although Xiao Zhengze looked like an adult, he was still the silly child who was crying with his face buried in fear on the long steps.

She fell behind the team but quickly caught up. The Ministry of Rites helped the empress sit on the sedan chair. Lu Huan followed below and remained calm when he saw her arrival.

Civil and military officials and their relatives bowed and thanked the emperor for the banquet. Because of the assassin's incident, the elderly and young children were allowed to return home first to avoid being frightened.

The empress was not afraid of possible dangers and wanted to tour the capital in a sedan chair as usual. The officials could not persuade her otherwise. However, Xiao Zhengdu was not among them. He was now busy trying the assassin with the Ministry of Justice.

The specially-appointed officials and envoys could accompany the emperor, while Lou Xiao and Lu Huan would ride on tall horses and wait for the team to leave the palace at the auspicious time reported by the Ministry of Rites.

At this time, the horse attendant who was leading the horse was talking.

"Look, Lord Zhenguogong, this is a high-quality stone horse that was sent as tribute from the Fanwan Kingdom. Its fur is as white as silver, its temperament is strong, and its endurance is excellent.

When it first arrived, it broke the legs of three horsemen! No one can touch it! "

Lou Xiao was not surprised. Beautiful creatures generally have bad tempers or are extremely poisonous.

But she didn't say anything before she got on the horse, and now she is talking about it with the horse already sitting down. What does that mean?

"You have a hot temper and you are here to participate in His Majesty's procession. If something goes wrong, you will be in big trouble." Lou Xiao warned the horse servants.

But it's too late to change now.

"Ouch! Damn it, I didn't finish my words." The imperial horse servant bowed and apologized repeatedly, "I suppressed its arrogance and served it well before it became obedient.

Our master Gu from the Imperial Horse Department said that this beast is extremely clever, and ordinary people will not submit to it if they touch it. Only a very lucky and powerful person can completely subdue it. "

Lou Xiao finally came to her senses. This was a roundabout way of flattering her and taking credit for it?

He continued, "Look, it has been so well behaved since you took the horse, Duke of Zhenguo. It's obvious that it obeys you!"

Lou Xiao glanced at the white horse that shook its head. It was indeed a little unruly. She bent down to touch its neck. It turned its head to let her touch it more smoothly.

Then he tapped his feet, as if he was looking forward to walking with her.

Lou Xiao raised the corner of his mouth, which was considered to be a compliment from the imperial horse servant, "Your Lord Gu is bold and careful, and he has done his best for His Majesty's birthday banquet.

But it's a pity to let a rich idler like me ride such a fine horse. A good horse is like a good sword, it should be worthy of a hero."

She turned her head to look at Lu Huan and asked the imperial horse attendant, "What do you think about the horse under the seat of Marquis Wu'an?"

Lu Huan seemed to be aware of her gaze and turned to look at her with questioning eyes.

However, the imperial horse attendant lost his excitement and just said,

"Of course, we have carefully selected the best horses, which are worthy of Marquis Wu'an."

Marquis Wu'an was a general of great reputation, and no one dared to neglect him.

The horse looked very docile, with shiny brown fur and beautifully groomed. Together with the rugged figure of Marquis Wu'an, it highlighted his handsomeness.

Lou Xiao glanced at his saddle, then looked down at her own. She had reason to suspect that the horse was originally prepared for her.

They all thought she was a talentless fool from the common people, and were afraid that she would bring shame to His Majesty, so they chose a horse with a good temper and good looks for her.

In order to please Marquis Wu'an, who came from a military background and was knowledgeable, he sent a tribute of a fine and vigorous horse to highlight his extraordinary bravery.

What happened to make them change their minds immediately? Did they think that she, a favorite of His Majesty who stayed in the capital, was more worthy of being won over than the Great General of the Northern Desert?

Lou Xiao actually didn't care about these details, but when she accidentally peeped into the thoughts behind them, she just felt disgusted.

In the face of power and wealth, countless people try their best to climb up by any means.

As someone who was parachuted into a high position, she was unaware of the difficulties and twists and turns involved, and it was difficult for her to tell what these seemingly respectful people were doing.

Just because she doesn't want to stand on the moral high ground and accuse others doesn't mean she can accept it all.

So she ignored the words of the imperial horse servant until the old voice of the Minister of Rites announced that the auspicious time had arrived and His Majesty boarded the imperial carriage and the ceremonial procession set out.

The ceremonial guards of the imperial carriage stood on both sides of the road, clearing away obstacles. Lu Huan and Lou Xiao rode on horses to clear the way, and would be the first to bear the brunt of any danger.

Behind her came the empress on a three-story sedan chair, sitting upright on a high seat, looking majestic without even getting angry.

Beside the sedan chair, first came the royal sons, supporting the sedan, followed by civil and military officials on both sides, dressed in neat official uniforms, accompanying His Majesty on his tour of the capital.

This was the only time that the common people of the capital could see the emperor, so both sides of the imperial road were filled with people. When his majesty's sedan chair arrived, they all knelt down and saluted, shouting "Long live the emperor".

All the shops and houses were decorated with lights and colorful ribbons flying. Men, women, young and old, merchants and ordinary people were all dressed in their best clothes and had smiles on their faces.

As the pioneers, Lou Xiao and Lu Huan received no less attention than the Queen.

Lu Huan had long been accustomed to it. He would nod occasionally while being secretly on guard. Although there was still no expression on his face, he looked humble overall.

Lou Xiao was not used to it. The empress had already suffered a round of assassination attempts in the palace. Although she was not injured, she was still worried.

There are many common people in the capital city, and the Imperial Road is lined with shops. Who knows if there might be assassins hiding among them, who could give the empress a fatal blow when everyone is off guard?

She was tense and looked cold, not caring about the people around her.

There were only people on the roofs, between the eaves, in the open windows and in the corners.

He was dressed in rich brocade clothes and riding a white horse, but he looked so cold that he seemed ready to draw his sword and kill someone at any time.

The people privately wondered, who were those people in front of His Majesty's sedan chair?

"Lou Xiao, the Duke of Zhenguo, who killed the assassin with one sword, and Lu Huan, the Marquis of Wu'an, who guarded the border."

On Zuixianju beside the Imperial Road, the well-informed Li Huaiqing used the handle of his fan to push open a corner of the window, allowing them to see the magnificence of the Empress's procession on the Imperial Road without being discovered.

"Lou Xiao..." Ai Ying beside him was in a state of confusion, her eyes fixed on the majestic and inviolable woman in brocade clothes riding a white horse.

Li Huaiqing looked at him inquiringly, "Why? Do you know him?"

Ai Ying lowered her eyes and smiled, with a hint of bitterness and self-mockery, "How could we, humble people like me, know the powerful Duke of Zhenguo?"

All he knew was a young girl who claimed to be a knight from the Central Plains.

The girl once told her that the Central Plains Dynasty was a time of peace and prosperity, tranquility and harmony, and the people lived and worked in peace and contentment without worries.

He believed and he came.

But it's all fake.

Even her name is fake.

"Lou Xiao..."