Chapter 279

As of today, no one dares to call Nine-Thousand Years "Lord Yao" anymore, so when Nine-Thousand Years first heard this address, he was momentarily stunned, then he smiled narrowly and looked at Pei Di: "It's been a while, little master, and you're still as sharp-tongued as ever."

Mu Yuanzhi: "Thank you for having Lord Yao personally come to fetch us."

"" Nine-Thousand Years' smile cracked a little.

After Mu Yuanzhi, Gu Rongjin and Qi Shihuai also addressed Lord Yao, his smile could barely be held, but he still maintained his composure and made an inviting gesture.

Pei Di rarely gets to see this fake eunuch suffer a setback, and he's in high spirits.

Normally, everyone flatters and calls Nine-Thousand Years, not even the little emperor dares to call him Lord Yao, but today Lord Yao heard a refreshing "ahh" before and after.

Mu Yuanzhi and Gu Rongjin exchanged a glance, communicating silently, both realizing that this Nine-Thousand Years indeed appears highly skilled in martial arts.

She casually asked Nine-Thousand Years: "Lord Yao, you look like an expert; may I ask what martial art you practice?"

Perhaps he didn't expect this foreign princess to be so blunt when asking someone she just met; Nine-Thousand Years turned his head, raised an eyebrow intriguingly at Mu Yuanzhi, and smiled: "I only practice some simple fist and foot techniques, just a three-legged cat's skill, nowhere near yours."

"Our palace isn't even as good as a three-legged cat; Lord Yao, you're being too modest."

"Lord Yao is clearly highly skilled in martial arts; why are you being so modest today?" Pei Di said.

"You think too highly of me, little master; my martial arts are ordinary and unremarkable, I'm afraid I couldn't even beat you." Nine-Thousand Years said.

His speech is full of honorifics, yet his behavior shows no trace of respect; when he looks at people, he does so from on high, but observing his majestic bearing and awe-inspiring aura, one would never associate him with a eunuch.

In fact, he is indeed not a eunuch.

Pei Di, however, said: "Really? How about we spar a bit, Lord Yao?"

"Oh?" Lord Yao raised an eyebrow, intrigued: "Little master actually wants to spar with me?"

He then sized up Pei Di from head to toe, then shifted his gaze to Qi Shihuai: "It seems the little master has learned quite a bit from General Qi."

Dare to make such a request to his face—how interesting!

"However, there's no time now; Your Majesty is still waiting to receive several distinguished guests." Nine-Thousand Years said.

Pei Di wouldn't give up: "After seeing Your Majesty, we can still spar."

Nine-Thousand Years' gaze at Pei Di was full of mischief: "All right, since the little master is interested, I'll gladly accompany you to the end."

Mu Yuanzhi furrowed her brows and looked at Gu Rongjin.

Can Pei Di's skills beat Nine-Thousand Years?

This was Pei Di's own suggestion; if anything happens, they won't be able to say anything!

In order to test Nine-Thousand Years, they can't take such a risk.

What can Gu Rongjin do? He can't just cover Pei Di's mouth to stop him from speaking nonsense.

Madame Pei was also nervous; she tugged at her son's sleeve, shook her head at him, and Pei Di nodded at his mother to indicate she should relax.

How could she possibly relax!

She knows exactly how capable her son is; it's not as if studying under a master could instantly make him leap forward!

She then turned her gaze to Qi Shihuai, who seemed completely untroubled, and she wavered again.

Perhaps, Di'er has his own ideas?

Madame Pei could only pray in her heart.

The group walked a distance and arrived at the place where the Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom holds council.

"Please come in, four of you; Your Majesty is waiting inside."

A palace attendant pushed open the hall, Nine-Thousand Years said something to those behind, then walked ahead himself.

"Your Majesty, the Empress of Great Zhou, the Guardian State Princess, the Prince Consort, and General Qi have arrived!" Nine-Thousand Years said, clasping his hands.

Empress?

Madame Pei frowned upon hearing that.

His Majesty has not appointed her as Empress; what does Nine-Thousand Years mean by this?

Mu Yuanzhi discreetly observed the young Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom on the high seat; his headdress resembled that of the Great Zhou's imperial crowns, but much longer, and with more than twelve strands of jade beads, obscuring the young emperor's appearance completely, making it impossible to see at a glance.

The young emperor gave an indistinct hum, then spoke: "Esteemed guests who have come far to my Infant Void Kingdom, I am most pleased; and Empress of Great Zhou, I haven't seen you in a long time."

His voice when he spoke formally sounded not at all young, as if he had weathered many vicissitudes.

After speaking, he coughed a few times, as if he were ill.

Madame Pei pondered briefly, then decided to deny her identity: "Your Majesty is mistaken; I am not the Empress of Great Zhou."

"Even though it hasn't been formally conferred, everyone knows that the Empress of Great Zhou must be you, milady." Nine-Thousand Years said.

Only this Nine-Thousand Years would dare to interject casually between the emperor and the guests.

Madame Pei: "That's mistaken; our sovereign will decide for himself."

Although Pei Di understood what his mother meant, the thought that his father might not actually appoint his mother as empress, and might later take other concubines, made anger well up from his heart.

Nine-Thousand Years gave a noncommittal smile.

The Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom: "Esteemed guests, you've come here to escort the Empress back, right?"

"Your Majesty, our lady has already said she is not yet the Empress; as for the future, that's hard to say." Gu Rongjin said.

The Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom: "No matter; in my eyes, it's all much the same."

The atmosphere grew a bit strange for a moment; no one spoke further. After a brief silence, the Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom began coughing again, unable to catch his breath.

Nine-Thousand Years seemed accustomed to this, showing no reaction at all.

Mu Yuanzhi spoke up: "Your Majesty, could you have caught a wind-cold? I happen to know a little medicine; may I treat you?"

And meanwhile, feel out his condition.

After finally finishing his coughing fit, the Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom waved his hand: "Princess, your thoughtfulness is appreciated; this is just an old ailment of mine, it's nothing serious."

"Your Majesty is mistaken; my wife is a divine doctor with miraculous hands, capable of curing any difficult malady." Gu Rongjin said.

The Emperor of Infant Void Kingdom still replied with the same words: "No need to trouble the guests, Your Majesty; I know my own condition."

How strange? Mu Yuanzhi wondered, does he not trust them, or what?

However, since the other party is unwilling, she also has no way.

Mu Yuanzhi carefully examined this young emperor, feeling that he was full of a sense of incongruity; as to where exactly it was incongruous, she couldn't say.

"Since the honored guests have arrived in my Infant Void, I ought to fulfill the host's duty and let you all stay in the imperial capital to show Infant Void's respect for the Great Zhou." the Emperor of Infant Void said.

Gu Rongjin: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but we already have lodging, so please don't trouble yourself."

"The Crown Prince overthinks things; I am hospitable and also hope to befriend Great Zhou, or perhaps Your Majesty's emperor actually does not wish to be on friendly terms with my Infant Void?" the Emperor of Infant Void's voice sounded somewhat agitated, and he began to cough again.

He appeared quite anxious.