You're the one who wants to marry a mistress, and I'm marrying someone else, yet you still

Xuancheng Imperial Palace.

Xiao Yan and Lou Li walked out of the imperial study one after the other. The emperor had summoned them to inquire about the progress of Xiao Yan's marriage to Lou Yao in half a month.

"Now that Xie Yanting has returned to the Northern Territory, we have missed the best opportunity. We must find a way to break up the alliance between the father and son before we have a chance."

Lou Li said in a low voice.

They originally planned to use the matter of the supplies to frame Crown Prince Xiao Long in order to achieve their goals, but their people were all eliminated, and Xie Yanting personally took charge of escorting the supplies, so this path was no longer viable.

"As I have said, this move should never be used unless absolutely necessary. If we contact the Northern Barbarians and negotiate with them, what would we be?"

Xiao Yan's expression was solemn, and he looked into the distance with a deep gaze. "Throughout my life, I, Xiao Yan, have always acted with integrity and uprightness. How can I associate with the Northern Barbarians and earn a lasting infamy? Furthermore, if we were to take action against the Xie family army now, could the Wu family hold up half the sky of the Great Zhou?"

The Xie family army has guarded the northern border for many years, and its deterrent power is evident to all. If the Xie family army is brought down without a countermeasure, the world will surely be in chaos.

Lou Li frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. I was too eager for quick success. However, since His Highness the Crown Prince has made meritorious contributions in disaster relief, it will be even more difficult for us to shake his position."

Xiao Yan's lips curled into a cold smile: "So what if it's difficult? I, Your Highness, have never believed that there is an unsolvable problem in this world. No matter how powerful Xiao Long is, he will eventually let his guard down."

If once doesn't work, try twice. He has plenty of time to plan, but can his elder brother evade him every time?

Mount Emptiness.

Because Xie Wanru had returned, Mount Xuwu became much more lively, and several familiar fellow disciples gathered together to discuss a competition.

She used to be highly skilled in martial arts, and her senior brothers always defered to her. She was like a local tyrant on the mountain. But things are different now. Her master said he would make her suffer a bit and not let her get away with it.

"Junior sister, Master said we can't go easy on you, so you can't blame your senior brother."

The second senior brother, Xu Wu, was the first to issue a challenge with a grin.

Xie Wanru was speechless. She had just returned and was already being used as a punching bag. She couldn't even withstand ten moves from her third brother, so how could she possibly beat her second senior brother?

She looked to her senior brother, Xu Ning, for help, but he pretended not to see her and started cleaning his weapon. Even Dong Zhu and Xu Jing showed no intention of helping.

"Ugh!"

Xie Wanru could only sigh and prepare for the storm.

Xie Wanru was agile and had a good foundation. Although she knew she was no match for him, she was not afraid at all. Her footwork was nimble, and she avoided her second senior brother's attacks.

The two exchanged blows, their fists whistling through the air, and for a moment it was difficult to determine who was superior. However, it was clear that the second senior brother was still holding back some of his strength.

However, Xie Wanru had not practiced martial arts for a long time, and her physical strength and moves gradually showed flaws.

"Junior Sister, watch out!"

The eldest brother reminded him from the side.

The second senior brother suddenly unleashed a fierce palm strike, aiming straight for Xie Wanru's face.

In a moment of quick thinking, Xie Wanru dodged to the side and rolled on the ground, narrowly avoiding the attack.

She stood up, her hair slightly disheveled, but her eyes were firm, as if she had made up her mind.

"Hmph, you bunch of stinky senior brothers, all you do is bully me!" Xie Wanru complained, but a fighting spirit ignited in her heart.

She took a deep breath and activated the internal energy cultivation method taught by her master. She felt a warm current rising from her dantian, making her feel comfortable all over.

When faced with her second senior brother's attack again, her movements became more agile, and her counterattacks became more powerful.

Master Xufeng watched from the side, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

This competition was not only to test whether Xie Wanru's martial arts skills had declined, but also to help her regain confidence after setbacks, to let her know her potential and abilities, and to not be bound by worldly affairs or dwell on the past.

"Not bad, Junior Sister, keep it up." Xu Ning's voice was gentle yet powerful, like a clear spring, nourishing Xie Wanru's heart.

Encouraged, Xie Wanru's momentum grew even stronger, and her contest with her second senior brother became increasingly exciting.

However, she was ultimately defeated by her second senior brother and captured by him, but a satisfied smile was on her face.

Xu Jing and Dong Zhu also gathered around.

"Miss, are you okay?"

Dongzhu handed over a warm, damp handkerchief and went to straighten Xie Wanru's clothes.

"Dongzhu." Xie Wanru called her name softly, "I've told you so many times, we're no longer master and servant on the mountain. Sigh, you silly girl."

Xie Wanru flicked Dongzhu's forehead.

"Sister Dongzhu is used to it. She only learned these ridiculous rules because she followed you down the mountain."

After Xu Jing finished speaking, he looked at Xie Wanru.

"Alright, alright, my mistake. Junior brother, would you like to have a match with me?"

Xie Wanru didn't care about the dust on her body at all. They had traveled for most of the day from Xuancheng and were already covered in dust, so she didn't care about a little more.

Xu Jing waved her hand, "Hehe, I don't want to compete with you, I want to compete with Sister Dongzhu." Her gaze fell on Dongzhu.

Dongzhu gave an awkward smile. She had hidden it so well, how could she have been discovered?

"What are you comparing yourself to Dongzhu for? She's not a disciple of Xuwu Mountain, she's just seen us practice martial arts. You can't bully her. I'll compete with you."

Xie Wanru walked up to Xu Jing without thinking of anything else.

"You are called stupid, but you still don't admit it."

Master Xufeng glanced at her, then kicked a pebble at his feet and threw it at Dongzhu.

Dongzhu dodged with a quick movement, and then Xujing made his move, which Dongzhu parried one by one.

Xie Wanru then realized that Dongzhu's movements were so light and agile. Judging from her movements just now, it was not hard to see that Dongzhu had an excellent foundation.

"Dongzhu...you..."

Xie Wanru looked surprised.

Dongzhu, who followed her around like a little chick, actually had such high combat skills.

Master Xufeng silently approached Xie Wanru's side. "She should be someone your father personally trained. She would never expose herself unless absolutely necessary. If it weren't for the few of us here today, she wouldn't have exposed herself so easily."

Xie Wanru was amazed, but felt mostly heartache.

In her previous life, Dongzhu was beaten to death, but her martial arts skills were not exposed for fear of bringing trouble upon her. However, she was unworthy and was deceived.

"General Xie is so farsighted because he is afraid that you will be wronged, but you have done the opposite and let him slap you."

Seeing that Xie Wanru remained silent, Master Xufeng teased her again, saying, "We've treasured this disciple so much all these years, but look what she's become after getting married."

They all looked down on Shen Nian'an and resented his mistreatment of Xie Wanru, but what angered them even more was Xie Wanru's submissive nature, which was not in her character.

"Don't worry, Master, it won't happen again, it won't happen again in this lifetime."

Xie Wanru raised her face.

She played a trick on the Shen family, making Fu Rou and Shen Nian'an, this adulterous couple, infamous throughout Xuancheng. Doesn't Master know about this?