“I refuse to marry; let whoever wishes to marry do so!”

In the imperial palace, upon hearing the news from outside, the Ninth Princess Murong, who was usually calm, could no longer suppress the anger in her heart and burst out in rage.

Beside her, the Fourth Prince Mu Bai sat at the table, sipping tea while watching his sister lose her temper.

“Brother!”

Seeing his composed demeanor, Murong couldn’t help but express her irritation, “How can you remain so calm?”

“Don’t worry, Father won’t force you to marry into the Tianyu Hall.”

Mu Bai spoke indifferently, “You are the master of Fengyang, and Father is more aware of the stakes in this matter than anyone else; he will certainly not compromise easily.”

“But what if Great Shang cannot answer the three questions from Tianyu Hall?”

Murong suppressed the restlessness in her heart, sat down, and said, “I’ve heard that so far, the court ministers have made no progress.”

“Isn’t there still the Imperial Academy and the Confucian Scholar?”

Mu Bai calmly said, “If you don’t trust the court ministers, don’t you trust the Confucian Scholar? With his wisdom, he will surely find a solution.”

“I’m afraid the Confucian Scholar won’t bother with this matter.”

Murong spoke with some frustration, knowing that the Confucian Scholar rarely interfered in court affairs. If he also refused to intervene this time, she would truly have to marry far away to the Western Regions.

Beside her, Mu Bai put down his teacup and said, “If you really can’t rest assured, brother suggests you could ask someone.”

“Who?” Murong asked.

“The top disciple of the Confucian School, Bai Wangyu,” Mu Bai replied calmly.

“Bai Wangyu?”

Murong’s face showed surprise, “I heard he’s been staying in the Li Garden.”

“Aren’t you somewhat acquainted with the eldest daughter of the Li Family? You could use that connection to inquire,” Mu Bai reminded her.

A glint passed through Murong’s eyes, and after a moment, she nodded, “Brother’s reminder is timely. Indeed, I’ve been wanting to visit Li Garden to see for myself what kind of divine being the legitimate son of the Li Family is, the one who has been troubling Aunt Nan Qiao.”

“May I accompany you?” Mu Bai asked.

“Brother wants to come along?”

Murong’s face showed a hint of wariness, “I think, brother, you have another purpose, don’t you?”

“In Li Garden, there’s Bai Wangyu and the legitimate son of the Li Family, both rare swordsmanship experts among the younger generation. Even if we can’t truly spar, exchanging martial arts experiences would be beneficial,” Mu Bai did not hide his intentions and replied honestly.

“I knew brother wouldn’t be content until meeting that legitimate son of the Li Family.”

Murong responded helplessly, “Fine, I can take brother with me, but let me be clear, you must not engage in a serious fight in Li Garden, at most exchange a few moves and stop at the right moment.”

“Mm.”

Mu Bai nodded, his expression calm as he agreed.

In the Li Garden, west wing.

Regarding whether to help the Great Shang Dynasty court solve their troubles, Li Ziye and Little Red Riding Hood had a fierce covert struggle, ending with Little Red Riding Hood’s overwhelming victory.

Li Ziye gave in after only a few rounds of resistance; after all, with the Confucian School’s influence, he had no choice but to compromise if he wanted to obtain the Water-Fire Pearl.

“Brother Li, not practicing swordsmanship anymore?”

On the steps, Bai Wangyu looked at the young man beside him and asked.

“Not in the mood.”

Li Ziye propped his chin with both hands, “I feel threatened and even bowed to evil forces; my integrity is shattered.”

“Did you ever have integrity?” Bai Wangyu asked with a puzzled face.

“Get lost!”

Li Ziye replied irritably, “Before I met you and the Confucian School, I always bravely resisted evil forces, neither servile nor overbearing, a true man’s nature!”

“Heh.”

Bai Wangyu gave a half-smile, “Brother Li seems to have a misunderstanding about being neither servile nor overbearing.”

“Old Bai, it’s just that I can’t beat you right now, otherwise, you’d already be lying down.”

Li Ziye turned his head and spoke very seriously.

“That’s a pity.”

Bai Wangyu smiled brilliantly, “With Brother Li’s current pace of cultivation, you might never have the chance in this lifetime.”

“Cough!”

Li Ziye clutched his chest, feeling like he had been wounded by the words.

Is this something a person would say?

“Young Master!”

Just then, outside the west wing, a servant boy came running in haste, “Fourth Royal Highness and Ninth Princess request an audience.”

“Not seeing them.”

Li Ziye replied subconsciously in a bad mood, then suddenly realized what he had said and asked in surprise, “Who did you say is requesting an audience?”

“Fourth Prince and Ninth Princess.”

The servant boy wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and repeated.

“What are they here for?”

Li Ziye’s face showed a curious expression, “Please invite them to the front hall.”

“Yes!”

The servant boy took the order and quickly left.

“It might be about the Tianyu Hall matter,” Bai Wangyu said.

“They don’t know I have a way to solve the riddles.”

Li Ziye replied, suspiciously, “Could it be that my brilliance is already so famous in the Capital City?”

“…”

Bai Wangyu, struggling to suppress his disgust, said, “Perhaps the four masters informed the two Highnesses, asking them to persuade Brother Li to help.”

“Ah, being talented really does make one popular wherever they go.”

Li Ziye pretended not to hear Little Red Riding Hood’s words, stood up, and swaggered towards the main hall.

Bai Wangyu hesitated for a moment, then followed.

The Fourth Prince Mu Bai was a martial arts fanatic, and to outsiders, Brother Li was the disciple of the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal, with an extraordinary martial arts talent, exactly the kind of opponent the Fourth Prince longed for.

He’d better follow, to prevent any trouble.

Brother Li’s skills were unknown to others, but he knew them well.

In the front hall, Mu Bai and Murong arrived, and after the beautiful maidservant of Li Garden served tea and left, it wasn’t long before Li Ziye and Bai Wangyu walked in one after the other.

“Fourth Royal Highness, Ninth Princess, your esteemed visit honors us. I apologize for not greeting you from afar; please forgive me.”

Li Ziye’s face showed his trademark radiant smile as he greeted them.

“Young Master Li is too courteous; it is my brother and I who have intruded upon you so suddenly,” Murong stepped forward, helped him up, and smiled sweetly.

Behind her, Mu Bai watched the young man before him with a calm gaze, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.Is this the disciple of the Plum Blossom Sword Immortal? Truly extraordinary in bearing, living up to her reputation.

Behind Li Ziye, Bai Wangyu noticed the admiration in Mu Bai’s eyes and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.

Indeed, Mu Bai was also deceived by Brother Li’s appearance.

It must be said, for those unaware of the truth, no one would doubt the rumors upon their first meeting with Brother Li.

Being intimidating can also be an advantage.

“Bai Brother.”

After observing the direct descendant of the Li Family, Mu Bai shifted his gaze to Bai Wangyu standing behind Li Ziye and nodded in greeting.

“Your Highness.”

Bai Wangyu returned the gesture with a cupped fist salute and then quietly sat down next to Li Ziye.

“May I know the purpose of the two Highnesses’ visit?”

Li Ziye looked at the two opposite him and took the initiative to ask.

“I had the fortune of meeting Sister Li once and have always admired her talent. I’ve long wished to pay a visit but never found the opportunity. Today, as I accompanied my elder brother on his errands from the palace, I took the chance to come and see Sister Li,” Murong said with a smile on his face.

“Is the Ninth Princess here to see Sister Youwei?”

Upon hearing this, Li Ziye expressed his regret, “Unfortunately, Sister Youwei left early this morning for errands and may not return until sunset.”

After speaking, Li Ziye’s mouth twitched imperceptibly, thinking to himself, keep talking, I’m not in a hurry, you can keep it up until it gets dark.

“That really is unfortunate.”

Murong’s beautiful face also showed a hint of regret as she looked at her elder brother and asked, “Brother, do you have any matters to attend to?”

“Yes.”

Mu Bai looked at the two in front of him and said, “Young Master Li, Bai Brother, we are all swordsmen. Why not take this opportunity to exchange some insights on the martial arts?”

Li Ziye was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. He had long heard that the Fourth Prince was obsessed with martial arts, and seeing him today confirmed it.

But what did he know about the martial arts? He had only been practicing for a few days; this was like forcing Zhang Fei to do embroidery!

Moreover, exchanging insights on martial arts would inevitably lead to a few moves, and his cultivation was not enough to withstand their sparring.

Thus, Li Ziye gave a look to the little red cap beside him, signaling, “Your turn.”

Bai Wangyu got the hint and responded, “Fourth Royal Highness, Brother Li has not been feeling well lately. How about I accompany Your Highness in exchanging martial insights?”

Mu Bai caught the implication in Bai Wangyu’s words, his brow furrowed slightly, but it was not appropriate to insist too much, so he nodded, “That’s fine, this place is too cramped, let’s go outside.”

“Alright.”

Bai Wangyu agreed.

As the two stood up, Murong immediately gave her brother a warning look.

Remember to ask about the important matter, and no serious fighting.

Mu Bai nodded slightly and then stepped towards the outside.

Bai Wangyu followed, and before leaving, he also gave Li Ziye a warning look.

Brother Li, she is a princess, don’t act rashly while we’re gone.

Li Ziye understood the meaning behind the little red cap’s look and was so irritated he almost threw his teacup, but instead, he elegantly mouthed:

“Get lost!”

“Heh.”

Bai Wangyu smiled faintly and stepped out.

“Young Master Li, please forgive my brother’s obsession with martial arts. He can’t help but spar with a peer when he meets one, causing you amusement,” Murong said apologetically in the hall.

“Princess, you are too kind.”

Just as Li Ziye was about to speak, a clanging of weapons could be heard from outside.

Li Ziye was taken aback. That was quick?

Murong’s expression also froze, and after a moment, she clenched her teeth in frustration.

Her brother had ignored her warning again!

Outside the hall, sword qi crisscrossed as the two figures intertwined fiercely in battle.

Inside the hall, Murong’s face grew increasingly embarrassed, unsure of how to explain.

It was one thing to spar, but to fight in someone else’s home was beyond excusable, even for a martial fanatic.

“Ninth Princess, please have some tea.”

Li Ziye lifted his cup from the table and offered a toast with a smile, “The tea from Li Garden is quite good.”

Come on, continue with your performance, I love watching.

Murong awkwardly picked up the teacup and took a sip, truly no longer in the mood to enjoy the tea.

After a moment, Murong set down the cup, clenched her teeth, and knew she couldn’t just sit there. She took the initiative to say, “Young Master Li, actually, my brother and I came today to inquire about something.”

“Oh?”

Li Ziye feigned surprise, “What is it?”

Murong looked towards the fierce battle outside and sighed lightly, “Young Master Li must have heard about the wager proposed by the Heavenly Mandate Hall to our Great Shang Dynasty, concerning the face of Great Shang and my lifelong happiness. Therefore, I wanted to ask the Confucian School’s eldest disciple, Bai Wangyu, if the Confucian Scholar would intervene to resolve this matter?”

“I see, then Princess, you need not ask him. I can answer that for you.”

Li Ziye grinned, his face beaming with a bright smile, “The Confucian Scholar will not intervene, but I will!”