nyslfriends Chapter 39 Princess Xie
Chapter 39 Princess Xie
Zheng Wanqing glanced at Wang Dao's increasingly serious expression, a fleeting look of admiration in her eyes.
She slowly rose to her feet, and at that moment, she seemed like a magnificent peony lazily unfurling in the spring breeze. Her bright red phoenix robe flowed like ripples with her movements, outlining a graceful undulation that could eclipse the world.
She walked barefoot on the snow-white fox fur coat, her jade feet crystal clear, like works of art carved from jade. Every step she took seemed to touch one's heart.
She walked to the window, but instead of opening it, she raised her hand and cast a soundproof barrier. Her delicate and dignified face appeared solemn and mysterious in the flickering candlelight.
She turned around, looked directly into Wang Dao's eyes, and spoke in a very low voice, as if each word weighed a ton:
"Dao'er, you just need to remember that in this dog-eat-dog world, the vortex of power is enough to crush any genius without a foundation."
"The master I'm looking for for you is right here in this palace, but everyone has forgotten him."
"In the Prince's mansion?" Wang Dao frowned slightly, his mind quickly flashing through the minds of several retainers in the mansion, but he rejected them all.
"No need to guess." Zheng Wanqing moved gracefully to Wang Dao's side, her breath sweet as orchids. "It's the old man who guards the armory. His real name is Martial Madman."
"Elder Wu?" Wang Dao's pupils suddenly contracted.
That strange old man, who always wore a gray robe, had messy hair, and sat in the sun at the entrance of the armory, was said to have a foul and stubborn temper, and wouldn't even give face to the king.
"Indeed." A hint of reminiscence and awe flashed in Zheng Wanqing's eyes. "The people of the Prince's Mansion only know him as the old martial arts master who guards the armory, but they have long forgotten that fifty years ago, he was a sword saint whose sword light chilled nineteen provinces."
"The sword and martial arts are two sides of the same coin; a profound swordsmanship is also the ultimate manifestation of martial arts."
"But later, he encountered some unforeseen events that damaged his mental state, which led him to retire here."
She paused, a subtle, underlying meaning in her voice:
"By sheer coincidence, your father did him a great favor, and he stayed on, willingly guarding the armory."
"Although he no longer wields his sword, his name as the Sword Saint still resounds throughout the world."
At this point, Zheng Wanqing's expression became unusually serious. She placed her slender hand on Wang Dao's shoulder, her tone carrying an undeniable warning:
"This matter is known only to Heaven, Earth, you, and me."
"Elder Wu's identity is sensitive, and too many people are watching him. If it weren't for your amazing talent recently, I would never have dared to even consider this idea."
As she spoke, she took out a rusty piece of iron from her sleeve and stuffed it into Wang Dao's hand.
The piece of iron looked ordinary, but it was warm to the touch and faintly exuded a chillingly sharp aura.
"Tonight, take this to the armory to see him. Whether you can catch his eye or not depends on your own fate."
Zheng Wanqing gave Wang Dao a deep look, then waved her hand, reverting to her languid and charming demeanor.
"Go on, don't keep the Sword Saint waiting."
Wang Dao gripped the metal piece tightly, feeling a slight stinging pain in his palm. He took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Zheng Wanqing, and strode away.
Stepping out of the Wutong Courtyard, the night breeze was slightly cool, but it couldn't dispel the burning passion in Wang Dao's heart.
"The former Sword Saint, now the Martial Elder..." Wang Dao stroked the iron plate in his hand, a smug smile curving his lips. "Interesting."
"Old man, since you're so powerful, then I, Wang Dao, am determined to have this master-disciple relationship!"
After Wang Dao's figure disappeared through the moon gate of Wutong Courtyard, Zheng Wanqing slowly withdrew her gaze.
She stood with her back to the empty room, not turning around, but her deep, clear eyes reflected the hazy moonlight outside the window.
"Elder Wu, you jest." Zheng Wanqing's cool voice echoed in the quiet room, as if she were speaking to the air, yet it carried an indescribable respect. "Dao'er's ability to gain your approval is a blessing he has accumulated over many lifetimes."
An aged and slightly hoarse voice echoed in the room, tinged with self-mockery: "Good fortune? Isn't this also my good fortune?"
The owner of the voice did not appear, as if blending into the night. Only a long sigh slowly dissipated in the air, and then the room fell into complete silence.
Zheng Wanqing remained facing the window, a faint smile curving her lips.
Long before the Kingly Sword Technique was perfected and Wang Ming's sword momentum was deflected with a single strike, the Martial Madman had already contacted her through a secret method.
This former swordsman, now the gatekeeper of the armory, has been in seclusion for many years, but his insight is still sharp.
He needed Zheng Wanqing to step forward and present Wang Dao, this unpolished gem, to him.
"That kid might be in an awkward situation if he doesn't respect me, the Sword Saint."
These are Wu Kuangren's original words, which still make Zheng Wanqing's lips unconsciously curl upwards when she thinks about them.
Meanwhile, Wang Dao had already arrived at Tingfeng Pavilion.
In the courtyard, Ji Mingyue, dressed in a moon-white long dress, sat at a stone table, her slender fingers gently tossing the teacup. Steam rose from the celadon teapot, filling the air with the aroma of tea; clearly, the tea was still warm, and she was waiting for him.
Wang Dao entered the courtyard, first bowing with clasped hands, and said sincerely, "Thank you, Your Highness."
Ji Mingyue raised her eyes, her clear, cold eyes shimmering with delicate light under the moonlight. A faint smile curved her lips, like melting snow or blooming plum blossoms, instantly illuminating the entire night sky and making the surrounding bamboo shadows seem to pale in comparison.
"Oh?" She parted her lips slightly, her voice like pearls falling on a plate, tinged with a hint of amusement, "Thank me for what?"
Wang Dao walked unhurriedly to the stone table, sat down, picked up a cup of still-warm tea, and drank it all in one gulp.
Then he wiped his mouth and said with a kind expression:
"Of course, I'm thanking Your Highness for disgusting Wang Ming on my behalf."
"That guy was so angry today, his face turned green. He probably won't be able to sleep tonight."
Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyue chuckled softly, her laughter clear and melodious, like the sound of jade bells tinkling in the wind. Her beautiful eyes sparkled with a hint of mischievousness.
"I've never really liked Wang Ming since I was a kid."
"I still prefer to talk to someone as straightforward as Seventh Young Master."
"Your Highness flatters me," Wang Dao replied sincerely, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes. "I, Wang Dao, have no other merits, except that I am an honest man."
Ji Mingyue's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, but she didn't say anything. She gently raised her hand and pointed to a house on the west side:
"The west wing has been prepared; Seventh Young Master, please rest there tonight."
Wang Dao clasped his hands in a fist salute again, put down the teacup, and walked straight to the west wing.
After Wang Dao's figure disappeared behind the door, in the courtyard, the maid who had been standing by Ji Mingyue's side whispered in her ear:
"Princess, if the Seventh Prince knew that the reason the Eldest Prince went to cause trouble for him was because you, Princess, were behind it all..."
Ji Mingyue narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly, looking towards the west wing. The moonlight cast a cool shadow on her exquisite face. The corners of her lips curled up slightly, and her tone carried a hint of amusement:
"By then, he probably won't thank me."
Upon hearing this, the maid smiled knowingly. The mistress and servant exchanged a glance, and the entire Listening Wind Pavilion seemed to gain an indescribable vibrancy in the night.