Did the Seventh Prince attend court today?

Because it was a private outing with few people, Emperor Wulong arranged for a small imperial boat that could accommodate a maximum of twenty people. Although the boat was not as large as Cang Shuyue's boat, it was decorated with a double-eaved hip roof and painted with golden dragons and seals, showcasing the imperial grandeur in every way.

Originally, there were only three people on the boat besides the ten boatmen, but now that the Crown Prince and Su Yan'an have joined them, it has become much more lively.

Emperor Wulong ordered the boatmen to untie the mooring ropes and pull the anchor, but the Empress said, "Wait, there are still people who haven't arrived."

As soon as he finished speaking, the father and son beside him glared and pouted, while only the innocent eldest prince asked excitedly, "Is Uncle coming over?"

Su Yan'an nudged his good friend's shoulder and whispered, "Look at your father and Xiao Lu's expressions. This is all I can do to help you."

The eldest prince stiffly turned his head, meeting two menacing gazes that were not exactly the same, but rather strikingly similar.

The Empress spoke, her tone leaving no room for argument, "They will be heading to Xiangyang soon for disaster relief. It's best to clear up any misunderstandings."

Emperor Wulong nodded reluctantly. Although he couldn't let go of personal grudges, he clearly distinguished what was more important.

Youlu kept quiet, knowing that he would still need Cang Shuyue's protection on the way to disaster relief.

The sun was strong outside, so the five people went inside the cabin to wait.

After sitting for a while without anyone coming, the eldest prince guessed, "My uncle is probably on the pleasure boat ahead. He said he would be traveling with everyone today."

"He won't go since none of you are here," the Queen said firmly.

Emperor Wulong was already very impatient. He took a sip of tea and snorted coldly, "It's better that you didn't come; it saves me the trouble."

Just as he was about to order the boatmen to set sail, a deer rushed to the bow, raised its arms, and shouted, "Let's go! Our goal is the stars and the sea!"

"Let's go!" the eldest prince and Su Yan'an shouted.

Although they didn't know the meaning of the sentence, it didn't stop them from getting fired up.

The Empress shook her head with a helpless smile.

The pleasure boat slowly sailed away from the dock, drifting with the wind.

The afternoon sun was blazing, making it unsuitable to linger outside. Emperor Wulong had fruits, snacks, and tea prepared in the cabin, and led the group to enjoy the river breeze while chatting and drinking tea, admiring the scenery on both banks through the windows. It was quite pleasant.

Just as the painted boat was about to leave the capital, a figure in black lightly skimmed across the river, stepped onto the gunwale, and landed steadily on the deck.

The eldest prince and Su Yan'an couldn't help but exclaim, "What amazing light-footed skills!"

A deer, chin in hand, sneered, "What's so great about that? I can fly too. See how proud I am?"

Pixiu: [But boss, you can't fly anymore.]

After saying that, he grabbed a bunch of grapes and threw them into his mouth when no one was looking.

A deer covered its mouth, saying, "Okay, stop talking."

The Pixiu innocently opened its big eyes and chewed.

The Empress put down her teacup and smiled, "Now everything is complete."

It was Cang Shuyue who arrived.

His tall figure stood on the deck, dressed in black with dark hair, his brows and eyes icy, as if even the most intense sunlight could not diminish the chill emanating from him.

Shaking off the dust of the journey, Cang Shuyue stepped into the cabin and nodded slightly: "Sister." She then sat down next to the Empress.

He didn't even glance at Emperor Wulong opposite him.

The Empress secretly felt a headache coming on.

Emperor Wulong held back and did not lash out. He held the Empress's hand and gave her a reassuring look.

Xiaoqi can endure so much for the sake of their marital harmony, so what's wrong with him suffering a little?

His concession moved the Empress, who then looked at Cang Shuyue with displeasure and reprimanded him, "Even if Ayan is not the Emperor, he is still your brother-in-law. How can you be so rude?"

Cang Shuyue pursed her lips tightly, remaining unmoved.

The Empress grew increasingly angry and slammed her hand on the table, about to get up. Emperor Wulong quickly stopped her and advised, "I'm fine, I'm used to it. Don't get angry, it's not good for your health."

Cang Shuyue scoffed coldly: "Pretentious and despicable."

"Very well!" The Empress slammed her hand down on the tea table, shattering it. "Cang Shuyue, grab your weapon and come with me to the deck. Today, your elder sister will teach you a lesson in manners!"

Cang Shuyue froze, obediently drew the soft sword from his waist, and followed the Empress onto the deck step by step.

Emperor Wulong laughed triumphantly, "Kid, I can't handle you now."

Youlu watched his father's actions unfold and gave him a thumbs-up, praising, "Father, your tea-making skills are superb!"

Emperor Wulong: "Keep a low profile, keep a low profile!"

On the deck, Cang Shuyue and the Empress had already started fighting.

The Empress wielded her red-tasseled spear with fierce power, thrusting, stabbing, slashing, and chopping with each swift and decisive movement, exuding an imposing aura.

The soft sword in Cang Shuyue's hand was like a silver snake, supple and agile, easily deflecting even the fiercest attacks before launching a swift counterattack.

The siblings fought back and forth, showing no mercy whatsoever; an outsider might have thought they were enemies.

Cang Shuyue hadn't had such a satisfying fight in a long time.

Since her elder sister entered the palace, they had never fought again. More than twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the expected decline in her martial arts skills has not materialized. Her elder sister is still the same elder sister. Even though she lives in seclusion in the deep palace and enjoys a life of luxury, she still studies and practices diligently and has not slackened in her martial arts skills in the slightest.

The deep palace did not diminish her will.

He suddenly understood why his elder sister wanted to fight him.

Perhaps he really was wrong.

Four people, including Lu, hid under the eaves, eating melon seeds and watching the commotion.

"We've been fighting for the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, who do you think will win?"

"Is that even a question? Of course, it's our Empress. A spear is a long weapon, capable of both offense and defense. With the Empress's skill in spear fighting, there's no way she could lose."

"But my uncle is not at a disadvantage at all, and his offensive is becoming more and more fierce. It will probably be difficult for Mother to win."

"Winning is easy."

As Lu casually munched on a watermelon, he spoke up, a single sentence that caused Emperor Wulong and the other two to turn their heads in unison.

A gentleman takes his revenge even after ten years, while a petty person seeks revenge in a single day. It's time to show him what a petty person really is.

He raised his chin, seized the opportunity, and threw the watermelon rind at Cang Shuyue's feet.

Pixiu couldn't help but pour cold water on the idea: "[Such a low-level sneak attack, with Cang Shuyue's skills, he definitely couldn't have stepped on it...]"

Before he could finish speaking, Cang Shuyue spun and jumped, landing on a watermelon rind. He immediately slid from one end of the deck to the other and fell into the river with a splash.

The Pixiu was utterly astonished: "This works?!?"

The eldest prince and Su Yan'an gasped in shock.

Emperor Wulong hissed and silently increased the distance between himself and his youngest son.

Lu Maomao was shocked. He only wanted to make Cang Shuyue lose his balance and reveal a weakness. He didn't mean to make him fall into the river!

He immediately rushed over in a panic, hoping to salvage the situation.

"You didn't... Ahhh!!"

Watermelon rind: Successfully re-employed.

With another splash, water sprayed onto the gunwale.

The Pixiu covered its face, [Those who harm others will ultimately harm themselves.]

"Little Seven!"

"Seventh Brother!"

Emperor Wulong and the eldest prince hurriedly ran to the railing, while Su Yan'an turned to look for a rope.

The empress glanced at the melon rinds on the deck, then at her younger brother soaking in the water, and frowned, lost in thought.

It would be best if Cang Shuyue really did accidentally step on a watermelon rind.