The moon rose to its zenith as the Emperor specifically held an evening banquet in Xiandu Palace. This was Li Weiyang’s first time stepping into this newly completed palace. She had heard it was specially built by the Emperor for Consort Geli’s birthday. The interior was decorated with extravagant luxury, magnificent and beautiful, like a paradise on earth. Beautiful palace lanterns hung everywhere, and even the small corners displayed calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. The palace maids serving back and forth wore gorgeous palace gowns, appearing resplendent with gold and jade, extraordinarily extravagant.

Li Weiyang observed the palace’s decorations and couldn’t help but be quite surprised. Everyone said the Emperor’s lavish favor toward Consort Geli remained undiminished—now it seemed the rumors were true. However, how much of this favor was truly directed at Lady Geli herself was hard to say.

At this moment, important ministers of third rank and above from the court and their female family members had already taken their seats. Everyone heard music and songs playing in unison, then saw palace maids gracefully enter as various delicacies and fine wines were brought forth like flowing water.

Princess Ali whispered to Li Weiyang: “The palace has already held two banquets this month. The Yuexi imperial family is truly extravagant.”

Li Weiyang smiled lightly. This Emperor now greatly enjoyed entertaining guests at court. Although his temperament was moody and unpredictable and he was rather fond of grandiose achievements, who would dare openly raise objections? Moreover, Yuexi was extremely prosperous, the people lived in peace and worked happily, and national strength was very powerful. If the imperial family wished, they could sing and dance day and night without rest—who could say much about it?

Seeing all this, Princess Ali was even more amazed. On the grasslands, even as Great Khan, one had to worry about many problems every day. Especially during the barren winter when vegetation stopped growing, they had to lead large numbers of cattle, sheep, and herders to migrate everywhere, seeking fertile grasslands. It was precisely because she had seen the Great Khan toiling day and night that Princess Ali disapproved of the Yuexi Emperor’s extravagant and pleasure-seeking behavior.

Not far away, Lady Guo’s expression was solemn. Her gaze didn’t fall on the songs and dances but only looked down at the glass cup before her, clearly long accustomed to such scenes and uninterested.

Li Weiyang’s gaze fell on the Emperor. At this moment, he had already drunk several cups of wine in succession, his eyes very hazy, his expression also very calm—completely different from the harsh severity she’d seen in the study last time. If she weren’t certain that the person who had wanted to execute her last time was indeed this Yuexi Emperor, Li Weiyang would have doubted whether that day’s events were just an illusion. Even today, she found it very strange—given this person’s temperament, whatever he wanted to do, he would definitely accomplish. Now he kept delaying action. Was it really out of consideration for Yuan Lie, or did he have other plans, or had he thought of some new idea?

The songs and dances were at their peak when they heard the Crown Prince stand and say to the Emperor: “Father Emperor, during this inspection tour of Cangzhou, local officials specifically sent a beauty and asked your son to present her to Father Emperor on their behalf.”

As soon as his words fell, the Emperor’s gaze fell on his face, seemingly very interested: “Then present her.”

Local officials presenting beauties was not uncommon. If she had ordinary looks, she would never have such an opportunity. Hearing this, everyone perked up, craning their necks wanting to see this beauty’s appearance. Only Consort Geli, who had been constantly by the Emperor’s side, changed expression slightly, but quickly regained her composure.

The Crown Prince smiled slightly on his face and clapped lightly. They saw a woman draped in silver gauze standing at the palace hall entrance. Although she merely stood quietly, she carried graceful charm. As she walked forward step by step, ornaments jingled at her movements, as if celestial music accompanied her. Walking to the steps, she lowered herself, her movements flowing like clouds and water as she knelt on the ground, her exquisite long dress spreading around her. Li Weiyang had been too far away to see clearly earlier. Now that she had knelt down, at a glance she only saw hair black as ink, skin exposed at her neck white as snow—even she couldn’t help but become curious about this woman’s appearance.

The Emperor smiled slightly: “Raise your head.”

Hearing this, the woman raised her head, revealing a beautiful face. She truly had extraordinary beauty, her glances full of charm, with a trace of peerless independence.

Seeing those autumn-water beautiful eyes, the Emperor’s eyes suddenly shot forth cold light. Instantly, Li Weiyang felt a murderous intent envelope her. Such an aura—only the Emperor, who commanded with sweeping authority and decisive killing, would possess it… For a moment, even the Crown Prince became somewhat panicked and uneasy. He was very puzzled—what was happening? Didn’t Father Emperor always favor Consort Geli’s beautiful appearance? He had long vaguely understood that Father Emperor was thinking of that person from years ago… So these past days, he had searched by every means to find a woman five parts similar to Princess Qixia from back then. Why did Father Emperor show such an expression upon seeing her?

Empress Pei frowned slightly, her gaze falling coldly on the woman.

After a long while, no one in the great hall dared speak. The Emperor’s gaze revealed a trace of killing intent, but his face said coldly: “Truly a beauty. I wonder what talents she possesses?”

The Crown Prince forced a smile: “Father Emperor, she excels at dance. Why not have her dance for Father Emperor?”

The Emperor sat lazily, his eyes looking at the Crown Prince with a half-smile, but remained silent for a moment. The Crown Prince immediately grew tense, a strong sense of unease passing through his heart. Unable to help himself, he turned and glared fiercely at Consort Lu. Consort Lu immediately lowered her head. This idea had come from her, and this beautiful woman before them had been found by Lu Zhen through her every effort—yet it hadn’t achieved the expected effect.

Li Weiyang glanced at Yuan Lie across from her, seeing his gaze also fall on the woman, but his expression was very indifferent. A faint smile appeared in Li Weiyang’s eyes. The Crown Prince had now rather lost his composure, otherwise he wouldn’t use such tactics—though risky, if it could please the Emperor, it would also be a useful move.

Just as the Crown Prince was about to kneel and voluntarily apologize, the Emperor suddenly laughed loudly: “Good! Since you say she excels at song and dance, then dance one piece. If the dancing isn’t good, we’ll punish her afterward!”

The woman breathed out in relief, lightly flicked her sleeves, and began dancing gracefully. At this moment, there wasn’t a single sound in the great hall. Consort Geli looked at this woman with a complex expression, a trace of mockery flashing through her eyes. The Crown Prince was right—this woman was indeed very unique. Her whirling dance seemed to contain natural rhythm. The bells on her feet rang softly, replacing musical instruments with continuous pleasing sounds that seemed to the audience’s ears to become the melody of the dance. She danced passionately. Even those who didn’t understand song and dance could feel the tender affection overflowing from that soundless dance. When the dance finally ended, she lowered her hands and gathered her robes, her wide sleeves drooping as she bowed gracefully, hiding the glistening tears in her eyes.

Her dance skill wasn’t particularly outstanding, but watching it, Li Weiyang felt a soul-stirring power. As if having some realization, she glanced at the Emperor’s expression and saw his face also showed bewilderment. She immediately understood in her heart—so that was it. Such a dance must have been performed by Princess Qixia back then.

This time the Crown Prince had truly worked hard—not only was the appearance similar, but the bearing was unparalleled. It seemed he was determined to fight for and secure this woman a position by the Emperor’s side. Li Weiyang’s gaze then fell on Consort Geli’s unpleasant expression nearby. She smiled lightly, raised her wine cup, and took a light sip.

At this moment, the Emperor’s eyes became even more hazy. He beckoned and ordered the woman: “Come forward.”

The woman walked up gracefully. The Emperor gathered her in his arms, carefully looked at her face, suppressed the cold laugh in his eyes, but his voice boomed like a bell as he laughed loudly: “Good! The Crown Prince is truly filial. Reward him!” With that, a eunuch received the decree and went out, rewarding the Crown Prince with a jade ruyi scepter with crabapple pattern.

The Crown Prince’s heart calmed slightly. This scene today he had performed very anxiously, truly taking great risk. Originally this woman should have been presented by someone else to avoid implicating himself, but after thinking left and right, he decided to do it himself—perhaps in others’ eyes, sending such a woman to the Emperor’s side was a foolish move, but for him it had another purpose. This woman would be of great use in the future!

His smile was still on his face when he heard the Emperor say to a nearby eunuch: “Go, summon Lu Zhen.”

Consort Lu’s heart jumped. She had asked Lu Zhen to find this woman. Could the Emperor be giving another reward? But how did His Majesty know this woman was related to the Lu family? But she quickly thought that the Emperor’s mind was unfathomable, his emotions hard to discern—there were probably few things in this world not within his grasp. Fortunately, this woman also had a clean background with not a single flaw to be found. The Lu family had merit in presenting her and should only receive rewards, not punishment. Thinking of this, her heart settled slightly.

The Crown Princess stared at Consort Lu with extremely resentful eyes, hating her to the extreme in her heart, yet remained expressionless, using a cup of wine to conceal the cold light in her eyes.

Lu Zhen was also in the hall today. Hearing the Emperor’s summons, he hurriedly stood and came forward, bowing respectfully to await orders.

The Emperor personally picked up a cup of wine and had a eunuch give it to Lu Zhen, then smiled: “I bestow one cup of wine.”

Lu Zhen quickly kowtowed: “This subject thanks His Majesty for the wine.” Then with joy on his face, he decisively drank it all.

The Emperor’s smile became even warmer: “This time you handled the assignment in Cangzhou well, and specifically brought back this beauty for the Crown Prince to present to me. I must properly reward you.”

Consort Lu’s heart jumped—the Emperor truly knew everything!

It was already past the hour of zi. Many people sitting in the back rows were somewhat drowsy. Now hearing the Emperor would reward Lu Zhen, they all perked up, summoned their spirits, and listened for what would follow.

Princess Ali quietly tugged Li Weiyang’s sleeve: “Why would His Majesty reward Lu Zhen?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Because previously His Majesty had ordered him to go to Cangzhou to build a merit shrine. He handled the assignment well and specifically brought back a beautiful woman from Cangzhou, presenting her to His Majesty through the Crown Prince’s hands. This way, His Majesty naturally must give him some reward.” As soon as Li Weiyang finished speaking, Princess Ali nodded as if understanding but not quite.

Then they heard the Emperor say: “I heard you haven’t yet married and have no one to serve you at home. How can you maintain a household like this? I’m worried for you and want to find you a good wife in the capital. Today is an excellent opportunity—in front of all the ministers, I’ll grant you a marriage!”

Hearing the Emperor personally grant him marriage, Lu Zhen was overjoyed. Other Lu family members also stood together and immediately prostrated themselves thanking the Emperor’s grace. Lu Zhen said with a smile all over his face: “Many thanks for His Majesty’s reward. Lu Zhen has no merit or virtue, yet receives His Majesty’s favor—truly most fortunate.”

Everyone present couldn’t help but show envious expressions, thinking that last time Lu Zhen wanted to marry Princess Shouchun but failed and was well mocked for it. The Lu family had no choice but to request an assignment to Cangzhou for him. After establishing merit and returning, he was about to be promoted. Now he could even receive a marriage grant from His Majesty. You must know that all the official daughters present were from famous families, one in a hundred. Obtaining any one of them would be a beautiful match, and it was His Majesty personally granting the marriage—such good fortune was truly rare. It seemed Lu Zhen’s luck was turning!

Empress Pei smiled quietly beside him, but her eyes remained expressionless, not knowing what she was thinking.

The Emperor paused briefly, then continued: “Ruler and subject are one body. I cannot wrong anyone. As long as you serve well, I will naturally reward according to merit.” With that, the Emperor whispered several words to a nearby eunuch. That eunuch’s expression showed shock, clearly very surprised, then immediately knelt: “Yes, Your Majesty.” Afterward, he withdrew.

Everyone watching this scene felt somewhat strange but all waited quietly, knowing the person His Majesty was granting in marriage would soon appear.

Lu Zhen stood in the hall, truly beaming with joy, his emotions surging. This time he was truly very fortunate. His original anger at being unable to marry Princess Shouchun had diminished by three parts. His face naturally bore a pair of eyes as clear as morning dew and was very handsome. At this moment, because of His Majesty’s marriage grant, he was even more radiantly happy and high-spirited. He thought to himself that since His Majesty hadn’t specified who the marriage was to, could it be Princess Shouchun who had closed her palace doors in great anger over the Pei Hui incident and refused to come out? This was extremely possible—surely His Majesty wanted to make up for the last mistake!

Watching this, Li Weiyang only smiled coldly. She didn’t know why, but she always felt this Emperor wasn’t planning anything good.

Just then, everyone suddenly heard music rise. A eunuch led a group of people entering the hall from a side door. Walking at the very front were four palace maids, each holding large red lanterns. The candlelight in the lanterns lit up the entire hall in red—truly radiantly joyful. Then two more palace maids entered from within the hall doors. Finally, a woman walked in gracefully, but her face was covered with a round fan. Everyone couldn’t see her expression and could only vaguely see she wore dignified and elegant clothing, her head full of gold, silver, and glass hairpins of obviously considerable value. Everyone couldn’t help but be greatly surprised, beginning to guess which family’s noble daughter this woman was, or could she truly be Princess Shouchun?

The Crown Prince also thought it was Shouchun and smiled: “Lu Zhen, this time His Majesty grants you marriage—won’t you go see your bride!”

Lu Zhen couldn’t help but laugh, eagerly stepping forward. Then timely awakening, he turned back to again thank the Emperor and Empress for their grace before turning toward the bride. Suppressing his full heart of joy, he bowed twice to the bride: “Please let me see Miss’s true appearance.” He said this three times before the round fan slowly opened.

Everyone held their breath, all wanting to see what this young lady granted in marriage by the Emperor looked like. When the face behind the round fan was revealed, everyone was stunned. Behind the round fan wasn’t some flower-like beautiful young lady, but a chicken-skinned, crane-haired old woman fully sixty or seventy years old. After people’s shock, they suddenly erupted in commotion.

Lu Zhen stood frozen in place, almost stupefied. He hadn’t expected that the Emperor’s marriage grant would give him an old woman nearly seventy years old. Looking at this age, she would be more than adequate as his grandmother!

The Emperor’s voice laughed most heartily as he said loudly: “Beloved Lu, why don’t you go support your new wife? What are you standing there for!”

Empress Pei’s expression didn’t change at all. She had already recognized that this so-called new wife was Kang Shi, the Emperor’s wet nurse from years ago. This Kang Shi had served as the Emperor’s wet nurse for half a month. At forty she became a widow and had been living in retirement in the palace ever since. Now the Emperor inexplicably granted her to Lu Zhen—this was truly a great wonder of the world! She glanced at the Emperor, her expression indecipherable.

The Emperor smiled slightly and turned to her: “Empress, don’t you think my decree is very wise?”

Empress Pei’s gaze turned lightly on his face, her tone already calm: “Whatever decisions Your Majesty makes, this subject will not find strange. Moreover, this is a very well-matched marriage.” As she said this, her eyes had already looked toward the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince was suddenly startled and immediately said: “Lu Zhen, why don’t you go support your new wife!”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but laugh. The Emperor was truly nasty enough to do such a thing—having a black-haired young man marry an old woman was simply—unimaginable!

From the wild joy just now to the current feeling of falling into an ice cellar, Lu Zhen looked at the chicken-skinned, crane-haired old woman before him and wished he could bash his head to death on the threshold. To be honest, just now everyone had thought the Emperor was using this opportunity to grant Princess Shouchun to Lu Zhen again. No one had ever imagined such a scene would appear. The one granted in marriage wasn’t the delicate beautiful princess, nor the noble ladies as elegant as orchids and jades, but a chicken-skinned, crane-haired old woman.

Everyone looked at this scene in disbelief. Yuan Lie raised his eyebrows with a half-smiling expression, clearly having seen through the Emperor’s thoughts.

Lu Zhen stood frozen there, not moving at all. Consort Lu’s heart was anxious. In this situation, if Lu Zhen refused to marry this woman, he would be disobeying the decree.

Sure enough, the Emperor’s expression darkened slightly as he said coldly to the Crown Prince: “I arranged everything with such care, yet he seems unwilling to receive the decree. Could it be he dislikes the beauty I granted him as not good enough?” As the Emperor said this, a trace of displeasure had already appeared in his eyes.

The Crown Prince quickly knelt: “Father Emperor, Lu Zhen is momentarily stunned with joy. Let your son go remind him, and he’ll surely come to his senses.” With that, he had already risen and quickly walked toward Lu Zhen, grabbing his arm and saying in a low voice: “Won’t you receive the decree? Do you want to disobey the imperial order?!”

Lu Zhen’s teeth were trembling. He pointed at the old woman: “Your Highness, look… she… she…”

The Crown Prince said coldly: “I see it, everyone sees it. This is the Son of Heaven’s decree—you must accept it.”

Lu Zhen suppressed the huge disappointment in his heart, his face showing an expression of wanting to cry but having no tears.

The Crown Prince’s gaze was icy: “Smile, then lead your bride together to give thanks!”

Lu Zhen gritted his teeth. With great difficulty, a smile finally returned to his face. He quickly walked over, supported the old woman to before the Emperor: “This humble subject kowtows in thanks for the Emperor’s grace.”

The Emperor smiled slightly: “This is my wet nurse Kang Shi. Today she marries Beloved Lu and should have some status. I’ll confer on Kang Shi the title of Lady of First Rank. From now on, you must treat her well—husband and wife should be harmonious and loving till your hair turns white.”

One party already had white hair. Li Weiyang smiled watching this farce, thinking that Lu Zhen marrying such an old woman as his wife—though it seemed His Majesty granted the marriage, in reality after he married her home, he would have to worship this woman like a deity. Moreover, observing this woman’s expression, perhaps having lived in comfort for so long, she had a somewhat imperious manner. The Lu family probably wouldn’t have any good days ahead.

Princess Ali watched this scene dumbfounded: “Your Emperor is truly strange. He can actually do such a thing—a twenty-year-old young man marrying a sixty or seventy-year-old old woman. This is too terrible, a wonder of the world!”

Li Weiyang’s expression was composed: “As the Son of Heaven, he should naturally enforce orders and prohibitions, saying one thing and not another. If Lu Zhen dared disobey the decree, that would be a crime worthy of exterminating his entire clan. He’s the Crown Princess’s younger brother and the elite the Lu family worked hard to cultivate—he naturally knows what choice he should make.”

Princess Ali couldn’t help but shake her head. She knew Li Weiyang before her understood every move in the capital clearly, but seeing she showed no surprise even at such a strange matter, she also secretly sighed: “I can never understand you people. What kind of matters are these… too absurd.”

A trace of mockery passed through Li Weiyang’s expression. The more absurd something was, the more easily it occurred in this imperial palace. The Emperor’s actions today were probably performed for the Crown Prince to see, for Consort Lu to see, and also for Empress Pei to see. However, she vaguely felt the Emperor’s purpose didn’t stop there.

At this moment, they heard the Emperor smile as he embraced the beauty beside him: “I heard the daughter of General Zhendong has come down from the mountain and returned. Is she at the banquet today?”

General Zhendong Wang Qiong, whom the Emperor mentioned, immediately stood up and prostrated himself: “Yes, Your Majesty. My daughter also came today.”

Li Weiyang couldn’t help but take notice of this Miss Wang the Emperor suddenly mentioned. Seeing her puzzled expression, Lady Guo said in a low voice: “This young lady is named Zijin. She’s the youngest daughter of the Wang family. In the past, she always followed a great master studying and rarely came down the mountain. All these years, she’s only been heard to have come down twice, both times to assist her father, General Zhendong. Outsiders don’t know the details, only that this woman is versed in astronomy and geography above, knows the various schools of thought below, and is thoroughly familiar with all strategic planning methods. Though a woman, she has a reputation for wisdom, yet even I have never seen her with my own eyes.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but smile slightly: “Then what did this Miss Wang come down the mountain for this time?”

Lady Guo fell into thought. She didn’t know why recently all the great families in the capital had successively recalled their elite children from various places. There seemed to be some unusual activity. In her view, all of this was inseparably related to the current political situation.

The Emperor’s gaze searched through the great hall as he said: “Oh, which one is she? Come out and let me see.”

Then they saw a woman walk out from among the female family members. She had snow-white skin, bright elongated eyes with rarely seen upturned corners, a pair of dark brows disappearing into crow-blue temples. As she raised her wrist and focused her gaze, her manner was graceful and charming. Her stunning beauty wasn’t aggressive but made people feel ashamed and not dare look directly at her. Walking slowly forward, she eclipsed all the hall’s splendor—only she shone brilliantly.

The Emperor was rarely amiable: “You’ve studied for many years. I wonder what you’ve gained?”

Wang Zijin bowed respectfully, her movements graceful, her spirit like brocade, beautiful beyond measure: “Your Majesty, this subject’s daughter has shallow knowledge and limited learning. I dare not make a fool of myself.”

At the banquet, many had already been staring at her beauty. Before their eyes remained only her lovely figure as they completely forgot about drinking and conversation.

The Emperor smiled: “No matter. I’ve long heard the Wang family’s daughter excels in both talent and art, but don’t know what’s special about it. Don’t bring out those poems and songs—do you have anything fresh to add some fun?”

The Emperor said this, and they saw Wang Zijin smile slightly: “This subject’s daughter only has rough knowledge of music and composed a piece of breaking formation music. Performed with instruments and accompanied by song and dance, I believe Your Majesty will enjoy it.”

The Emperor was quite interested: “Breaking formation music—that does sound rather interesting.”

Wang Zijin’s eyes glimmered: “Please grant permission, Your Majesty. If there are musical instruments accompanied by forty-nine people practicing military formations, the scene will be even better.”

The Emperor thought about it and found it very novel: “I approve. You may have people go prepare. I’ll wait to see.”

Wang Zijin smiled in agreement and immediately went to prepare. Soon, the candles in the great hall were extinguished.

Li Weiyang gazed searchingly, but that graceful figure had already disappeared from sight. When she left, she also took many people’s souls with her. They only heard someone begin playing first. The sound of a flute drifted over from far to near, as if a wandering minstrel was playing stirringly across vast rivers and seas. Soon, different instruments joined in. Listening carefully, pipa, qin, se, and konghou all mixed together, presenting a scene of prosperous luxury like bells and cauldrons. Eighteen dancers in red clothes entered the vast open square outside the hall. As they danced gracefully, they seemed to bring groups of flames along. Immediately after, sheng, xiao, zheng, bronze bells, and stone chimes also successively joined in, making the entire orchestra’s performance even more magnificent and imposing.

Suddenly festival drums sounded. Forty-nine men appeared outside the hall, each frozen there motionless like stone statues. The originally harmonious sounds from all the instruments suddenly stopped. When they erupted again, the atmosphere had completely changed, emitting an aura of iron horses and killing intent. As the pipa and drum sounds grew increasingly urgent, the music was like apes crying in Witch Gorge, also like ghosts weeping. Before everyone’s eyes, the original scene of peaceful prosperity had completely vanished, clearly intending to show rebel invasion destroying the original prosperous, peaceful scene.

Hearing this, Li Weiyang could already see this Miss Wang had actually contained military matters within the music, using the pipa to simulate horn and hoof sounds, using drums and bronze bells to depict mutual combat and chaotic killing on the battlefield. Those dancers were the common people of peaceful times, while the forty-nine men charging in were arrogant soldiers. The entire breaking formation piece displayed the battlefield’s tense atmosphere and magnificent, magnificent scene.

They only heard someone let out a cry. The music’s rhythm immediately changed accordingly. The pipa sound changed tune, like a suona playing, making people think of armies marching to war. All the dancers suddenly tore open their red clothes, revealing white short robes underneath, and charged into the enemy army.

Li Weiyang watched intently, as if seeing a conquest war. She couldn’t help but have a complex expression. In the great hall, all the generals who had been on battlefields also watched very attentively, clearly having many thoughts stirred by this breaking formation music. Those ordinary noble ladies and young misses wore expressions of novelty. Though they couldn’t fully understand, they knew the music arrangement was clever and magnificent—this was undoubtedly an excellent performance.

Li Weiyang watched this breaking-formation music from beginning to end. The dance troupe’s left side formed a circle, the right side a square. The front imitated war chariots, the rear arranged in formation. The deployment was like an eagle spreading its two wings, resembling twin vanguard forces and forming a battle posture. The dancers’ main movements were advancing and retreating, striking and stabbing. Their bodies followed the music to display shifting formations, the sound shaking for a hundred li. Not only did it possess a dense battlefield atmosphere, it also carried an awe-inspiring, intimidating force that left the audience solemnly shaken.

But if it were only this, Li Weiyang wouldn’t think it particularly outstanding—it would merely be ordinary ceremonial music. Most importantly, this Wang Zijin had incorporated various different formations into this performance, such as the Eight Formation Diagram, Scattered Star Formation, Mandarin Duck Formation, Single Line Snake Formation, Two Dragons Emerging from Water Formation, Heaven Earth Three Talents Formation, Four Gates Enclosing Formation, Five Tigers and Sheep Formation, Six Ding Six Jia Formation, Seven Star Big Dipper Formation, Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation, Nine Character Linked Formation, and Ten Ambush Formation. These ten great strange formations, each formation type contained profound changes, yet she had borrowed the dancers’ movements and formation arrangements to quietly break them all one by one.

Li Weiyang’s gaze once again fell on Wang Zijin, and she looked at her with new eyes. Such a woman could truly be called a genius!

The drum music had seven iterations, each iteration twelve formations, taking more than a shichen. At the end, the forty-nine people successively withdrew, symbolizing successful breaking of formations. The music returned to the beginning’s tune. With a round of bells and chimes ringing together, the sound descended from high to low. Surroundings gradually returned to peace. The dancers spiraled back to the ground, prostrating themselves, as if returning to the original tranquility.

Before the Emperor spoke, a general couldn’t restrain himself: “Excellent! This dance speaks of warfare, the evolution of formations is extremely exquisite. Miss Wang’s talent—there’s absolutely no second person in this world!”

Wang Zijin stood alone in brocade robes, bowing to the Emperor: “Your Majesty’s martial prowess and strategic wisdom are renowned throughout the world. This subject’s daughter merely used this performance to display Your Majesty’s magnanimous heroism, to shock and awe the world, and to pray for peace and prosperity for the nation, so that the common people may live and work in peace.”

The Emperor stood up and said in a resounding voice: “Hearing this piece, I am greatly pleased. Miss Wang’s ingenious craftsmanship is truly rare! In the future, this piece must be carefully refined. Currently there are only forty-nine dancers—the spirit isn’t grand enough. It can be increased to four hundred ninety people! Yes, such talent and wisdom must be rewarded! Come, bestow on Wang Zijin a jade Guanyin statue and one hundred taels of gold!”

As soon as the Emperor said this, everyone immediately cast envious looks at Wang Zijin. Yet the person herself had a calm expression, her beautiful brows like distant green mountains, smile playing at her lips, as if the bestowed rewards had nothing whatsoever to do with her. People watching her saw those beautiful eyes were deep and unfathomable, thick eyelashes adding a trace of mystery to these phoenix eyes.

She only lightly knelt and again thanked the Emperor’s grace before returning among the female family members. Not knowing why, such an outstanding person who stood out—if she didn’t want others to notice her, no one could discover she had been sitting there all along. If not for the Emperor calling her name, everyone absolutely wouldn’t have noticed she had been sitting there.

The Emperor smiled and said loudly: “Has the Wang family’s daughter been betrothed to anyone?”

Everyone’s hearts jumped, thinking this Emperor wouldn’t be randomly matching couples again. Just now that Lu Zhen inexplicably married an old woman—could it be the Emperor also wants to grant Wang Zijin to a widower? Such waste of natural resources! This Emperor has truly gone mad!

Hearing this, General Zhendong Wang Qiong seemed to understand something and quickly bowed: “Replying to Your Majesty, my daughter has indeed not been betrothed.”

The Emperor laughed heartily, his gaze carrying a trace of amusement: “Such a beauty is perfectly matched with Prince Xu.”

At these words, Li Weiyang’s eyes turned suddenly cold. As expected, it had come—so the Emperor was waiting here! From the very beginning of granting Lu Zhen marriage, it wasn’t just to intimidate Empress Pei and the Crown Prince. Most importantly, it was to make Yuan Lie understand that no one in this world could violate his will. He could lift you to the heavens or trample you underfoot!

Now if Yuan Lie were sensible, he should immediately stand up and kowtow thanks for His Majesty’s grace. But Yuan Lie only sat there with a calm gaze, not a trace of emotion in his expression.

Li Weiyang noticed that Wang Zijin’s face remained constantly calm. Only those uniquely charming eyes lightly swept over Yuan Lie without the slightest shyness—only an observing, assessing attitude—before lowering her eyes. Li Weiyang suppressed a trace of displeasure in her heart, her gaze looking straight at Yuan Lie. She very much wanted to know—at this moment, what choice would he make!

The Emperor looked at Yuan Lie. Empress Pei also looked at Yuan Lie. Everyone present had their gazes on Prince Xu. After a long while, the entire great hall was deathly silent.

Everyone in the Guo family was startled. The Emperor wanted to grant Prince Xu marriage to the Wang family’s daughter—what about Jia’er then? Lady Guo’s heart was tense. Unable to help herself, she turned her head to look at Li Weiyang with worry, but saw her expression was indifferent, sitting there appearing completely composed, as if not affected by external matters at all. Lady Guo’s heart became even more uneasy. She understood Jia’er’s temperament—the more her heart stirred up tremendous waves, the more composed she appeared on the surface. No one could guess a single trace of what was in this daughter’s heart. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help but worry even more.

If someone should be happy about this marriage, it was Prince Jing Yuan Ying. His pair of eyes fell on Yuan Lie, gradually revealing a trace of mockery. So what if you’re devoted to Guo Jia? Can you still go against Father Emperor’s wishes? No one under heaven dares refuse this Yuexi Emperor’s marriage grant! If you refuse today, your head will roll.

Empress Pei smiled faintly. It seemed this Miss Wang was the wife the Emperor had chosen for Yuan Lie. Her gaze fell on Wang Zijin’s face, a trace of gloom flashing through her eyes.

The Wang family was as illustrious as the Guo family. Above there was Wang Gong who served as Grand Preceptor and also held the position of Grand General. Below there was Minister Wang Yu. Within the court there was Huagai Hall Grand Scholar Wang Jun. Outside there was General Zhendong Wang Qiong. These people were all shrewd and capable, and moreover never participated in factional struggles, always valued by the imperial family. More importantly, years ago Empress Pei had wanted the Crown Prince to marry the Wang clan’s eldest daughter, but had been tactfully declined by the Wang family. Now it was the Wang family’s youngest daughter, and the Emperor actually wanted to grant her to Prince Xu Yuan Lie. Good! This was truly too good! Under Empress Pei’s long sleeves, her hands clenched tightly, fingernails almost digging into her palms. Yet in everyone’s eyes, her expression remained calm, even faintly smiling, as if she were happy to see this happen.

However, everyone was waiting for Prince Xu Yuan Lie to stand up and give thanks, yet he sat there as if he hadn’t heard at all.

The Emperor grew impatient and said loudly: “Prince Xu, what do you think of Miss Wang?”

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Yuan Lie rose to his feet. His expression darkened, his brows carrying killing intent that inspired fear: “Your Majesty, though Miss Wang is excellent, she is unfortunately not my good match!”

As soon as these words came out, the entire hall was shocked. Everyone’s faces showed extreme indignation. This Prince Xu was too bold—he dared publicly refuse the Emperor’s marriage arrangement! Some meddlesome censors were about to come forward to impeach him, but Yuan Lie’s cold eyes swept over and everyone shrank their necks. Though such a handsome man, his aura was aggressive and intimidating. No one dared speak presumptuously before him.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. If he didn’t act willfully and recklessly, he wouldn’t be Yuan Lie.

At this moment, the Emperor’s composure almost instantly collapsed. His eyes bulging with rage, he glared at Yuan Lie: “Are you trying to disobey the decree!”

Yuan Lie raised his brows and smiled slightly: “When did Your Majesty issue a decree saying you would grant Miss Wang to me? Just now you clearly only said Miss Wang could match Prince Xu—weren’t you asking my opinion? Could it be I misunderstood? Alas, this is difficult now. Just now I already refused—spilled water is hard to retrieve.”

The Emperor’s heart filled with resentment. In court he could summon wind and rain, omnipotent. Yet every time before this son, he couldn’t help but suffer setbacks. Now everyone had clearly heard his intent to grant marriage, yet he deliberately pretended not to understand. This cursed creature—might as well beat him to death on the spot!

His heart’s fury burned hotter, but the angrier he became, the less he could deal with Prince Xu Yuan Lie. This son was one he had personally sent away, personally cultivated with care. But once raised, he turned out to be a wolf cub whose heart and mind only thought of Li Weiyang, never having room for himself as a father! Last time he had wanted to execute her before him to give him a warning. Now he still didn’t take it seriously and even dared publicly refuse the marriage!

This Wang Zijin was proficient in both civil and military matters, magnanimous and elegant with extraordinary bearing—not the kind of woman confined to inner courtyard struggles. She was also the best helpmate who could definitely assist him in the future. Not to mention the Wang family’s power behind her! Didn’t he understand his painstaking efforts at all? What good was marrying Li Weiyang? The Guo family was too moderate and self-preserving. Li Weiyang was someone with deep schemes, full of resentment. Marrying her would only bring Yuan Lie endless troubles.

But this Wang Zijin was completely different. When General Zhendong went to Jizhou to suppress rebellion, his wife was detained by rebel forces as a hostage. At that time, Wang Zijin was only thirteen years old, yet secretly escaped. Along the way she provided disaster relief, recruited a force of several hundred people, and contacted armies everywhere. With her superhuman courage and wisdom, within over three months she incorporated local bandits and formed a considerably sized force that eventually reached over ten thousand people. For a woman to accomplish this was simply a miracle. She led this army, sweeping forward irresistibly, capturing Jizhou and rescuing her own mother. For a woman to serve as commander should have been quite laughable, not to mention her age was so young she fundamentally couldn’t command respect. Yet in her force, military discipline was strict, orders were followed without question, and everyone held her in solemn respect. Through investigation, the Emperor discovered this woman’s military instincts and insights were truly genius-level. Even General Zhendong’s opponents had suffered many defeats at her hands.

She appeared weak on the surface but was actually a woman accomplished in both civil and military arts. It could be said General Zhendong depended on her to repeatedly overcome strong enemies.

In the Emperor’s view, Yuan Lie wasn’t yet a sufficiently powerful soaring dragon, while this Wang Zijin was dignified and magnanimous, a jade phoenix crying proudly in the vast sky. In today’s world, all the great families wanted a share of the pie. If the Wang family and Prince Xu connected, they would definitely hold up a piece of sky, stabilizing his imperial position.

Such a woman—how could Li Weiyang compare? If Yuan Lie were clever, he should know what choice to make.

Seeing Yuan Lie’s attitude, everyone knew he was determined to refuse the marriage. They couldn’t help but look at Miss Wang, only to see she remained neither servile nor overbearing, her expression indifferent, as if she didn’t care at all.

The Emperor stared at Yuan Lie. Seeing he still appeared completely unconcerned, he couldn’t help but forcefully push the beautiful woman in his arms down from the imperial seat. The woman cried out in alarm and fell down the steps, immediately striking her forehead, which immediately bled profusely. She covered her head but dared not speak, tears streaming down her face.

Seeing this scene, everyone’s hearts were greatly shocked. It seemed His Majesty was going to punish Prince Xu this time. The Crown Prince sneered coldly. Good! Prince Xu, you’re so audacious—let me see if Father Emperor will spare you this time!

Who knew the next moment, the Emperor unexpectedly laughed loudly beyond everyone’s expectations, his voice very loud: “Forget it, forget it! Whatever kind of girl you like, in the future just ask me to grant you marriage. I’m magnanimous toward you—this can be considered worthy of my imperial brother!” As he said this, he brought up the old generation Prince Xu. Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed His Majesty was being lenient with Yuan Lie for the sake of the old Prince Xu.

Yuan Lie smiled faintly, noncommittal.

The Emperor appeared indifferent on the surface, but inwardly he was furious. He wished he could go up and give this boy a hard kick. But before everyone, he had to pretend to be composed and magnanimous, enduring until his head ached.

General Zhendong Wang Qiong looked at his daughter Zijin with great worry, thinking that being publicly refused in marriage—he didn’t know if she could bear such a humiliation. Wang Yan couldn’t help but clench his fists, almost about to stand up and cause trouble for Yuan Lie, when he was suddenly grabbed by Wang Guang beside him.

Wang Guang said in a low voice: “Wang Yan, don’t be impulsive!”

Wang Yan was very angry: “What’s wrong with my sister? How is she unworthy of Prince Xu? He actually publicly refused the marriage, making my sister so embarrassed!”

Wang Guang was a gentle-natured person. He said quietly: “Regardless, don’t lose your temper here, or you’ll only let others see the Wang family’s joke.” Prince Xu had always been chasing after the Guo family’s daughter Guo Jia everywhere—this was already known to all. But they absolutely hadn’t expected Yuan Lie would have such courage to actually dare refuse the murderous Emperor. This was probably the first time since the founding of the nation!

No one else dared persist before the Emperor. Only Yuan Lie—he actually used such merciless words to refuse Wang Zijin. Refused their talented, beautiful sister who was unrivaled under heaven. In Wang Yan’s view, his own sister was far more outstanding than that Guo Jia. Not to mention appearance, not to mention those things women knew like music, chess, calligraphy and painting—his own sister was accomplished in both civil and military arts, versed in astronomy above and geography below, and understood military matters. She was a true genius even they men couldn’t match. What was Yuan Lie dissatisfied with! He even said his sister wasn’t his good match—simply laughable. What was that Guo Jia anyway? What right did she have to compare with Zijin! The more Wang Yan thought, the angrier he became. With a bang, he actually crushed the wine cup in his hand.

Wang Guang quickly reminded him not to go overboard, but sighed in his heart. Love was the hardest thing to unravel. Prince Xu Yuan Lie had always favored the Guo family’s daughter; his devotion was such that Wang Guang could actually understand it. Thinking of this, Wang Guang couldn’t help but look toward Guo Jia, only to see her midnight-dark eyes resting on Prince Xu Yuan Lie, her lips curved in a quiet smile, betraying none of her thoughts. Wang Guang sighed softly. In his mind suddenly arose the scene of Li Weiyang playing blind chess with Pei Bi at Cijisi Temple—her confident air, commanding with sweeping authority, pointing at rivers and mountains; it remained unforgettable. One could imagine that this Guo family’s daughter was certainly no ordinary woman either. However, measured against his own sister, what were the odds of victory…

Li Weiyang sensed a gaze fall upon her. She turned her head and happened to meet Wang Zijin’s eyes, glimpsing within them a trace of complex emotion. Li Weiyang smiled faintly, calm and unruffled, without the slightest hint of feeling. Wang Zijin returned the smile, yet a fire-like, lingering passion flared briefly in her eyes, before she quickly turned her gaze away.

Li Weiyang lowered her eyes, her long lashes concealing the unusual glint within them. What this Miss Wang—who had been publicly rejected in marriage—felt in her heart, she did not know… However, the one who belonged to her, Li Weiyang, she would never yield. Whether Emperor or deity, no one would snatch from her hands the person she desired.