Chapter 490: Xu Weixiong Beats the Dog

The morning court in the Imperial Palace today is very lively.

According to old custom, after the eunuchs initiate the morning court ceremony, the hundred officials inside and outside the great hall must kneel to pay respects to the Emperor, but this court session is vastly different from the past.

First, there is an unprecedented "seven who do not kneel": the Secretariat Chancellor Zhang Julu need not kneel, the Great General Gu Jiantang does not kneel, the Military Saint Chen Zhibao not only does not kneel but may also enter the hall wearing a sword, the Yanchi King Zhao Bing does not kneel, the Left Libationer of the Imperial Academy does not kneel, Yao Baifeng of Xiongzhou does not kneel, and the Beiliang Second Princess Xu Weixiong does not kneel, and she may likewise enter the hall wearing a sword...

These seven people either possess monstrous merits toward the Liyang Dynasty or have received grace inherited from their ancestors.

Among the seven who do not kneel, there is clearly a distinction in weight. Zhang Julu, Gu Jiantang, and the other five do not kneel only during today's court session; in the future, they likely will not have such treatment when facing the Emperor. As for Chen Zhibao and Xu Weixiong, who also come from Beiliang, not to mention whether they will kneel in the future, the privilege of entering the hall wearing a sword alone is glory to the extreme.

After the "do not kneel" announcement, one imperial decree after another is issued.

"Promote Jin Lanting to Right Libationer of the Imperial Academy."

"Gu Jiantang is to step down as Minister of War, be enfeoffed as Great Pillar Kingdom, and oversee the military and political affairs of the northern lands."

"Enfeoff Yan Jiexi as Great Pillar Kingdom Daxueshi."

"Chen Zhibao is to take charge as Minister of War; in the future, if he holds an external post, he may also remotely oversee the Ministry of War."

Many officials who were originally dissatisfied with Xu Weixiong being allowed not to kneel and to enter the hall wearing a sword, and who were preparing to submit memorials, suddenly have their expressions turn intrigued.

Jin Lanting was originally just a small county official in Beiliang, later recommended by the Great Pillar Kingdom to be an Imperial Guard, but because he came from Beiliang, he was greatly ostracized in the Capital and was extremely down-and-out.

But this person soon began to enjoy great success; his speed of promotion could almost rival that of the Prime Minister Zhang Julu, and now he has even sat in the position of Right Libationer.

And the reason for his true rise was not because this person was brimming with talent or had noble character; there was only one very simple reason, and that is—cursing Xu Xiao.

An Imperial Guard personally recommended by the Great Pillar Kingdom Xu Xiao, who turns around and curses Xu Xiao, curses Beiliang, and curses with great delight, naturally makes many Capital officials secretly applaud, including the one sitting on the dragon throne. Thus, the more fiercely he cursed, the more ruthlessly he cursed, the faster his promotion, and the higher his official rank.

It was not promoted to Right Libationer sooner, nor later, but precisely when the Beiliang Second Princess attends court for the first time. One has to say, this Emperor is also quite skilled at disgusting people.

Besides Jin Lanting, the same logic applies to Yan Jiexi, who became a relative of the imperial family after defecting from Beiliang; by marrying off a daughter, he obtained the status of an imperial relative and a solid position in the palace halls.

I fear only many Beiliang civil officials will be restless.

As for Gu Jiantang's Great Pillar Kingdom and Chen Zhibao taking the post of Minister of War, these are likewise solidly aimed at Beiliang.

After a light "nothing else, court dismissed," the officials flow out of the hall like a tide, many of them crowding around the newly promoted Right Libationer Jin Lanting.

As for Xu Weixiong, she is alone.

This world-renowned talented woman has a calm expression, still maintaining her own style and bearing, looking straight ahead, completely unaffected.

Chen Zhibao glances at Xu Weixiong. Rumors in the outside world say that the White-Clad Military Saint has always admired the Second Princess, but for some reason at this moment, he does not crowd forward, instead forming a core circle with Zhang Julu and Gu Jiantang, chatting and laughing as they walk slowly.

Outside the Imperial City gates are the two archways of the Zhaojia Weng. After the court is dismissed, military officials enter Zhenwu, and civil officials enter Fuwen, in orderly fashion, then each goes to their respective offices to handle court affairs. However, they soon return, and even a large number of descendants of the nobility turn their horses around and surge toward the Imperial Road.

Because there is excitement to watch today.

A group of prime-of-life Imperial Academy students blocks the path of the Beiliang Second Princess.

First a few dozen, then a hundred, then a thousand.

They are vast and mighty, like crucian carp crossing a river.

Before long, thousands of Imperial Academy students gather on the Imperial Road; they are all future pillars of the nation, and if nothing goes wrong, the best among them will become the backbone of Liyang.

The Tiance Libationer within the Imperial Academy cannot stop this surging crowd at all, and furthermore, most are happy to see it happen, only lazily mentioning a word of blame.

And this side being powerful makes the other side appear all the more thin and weak.

That is just a lone woman.

When a small half of the Imperial Academy pours onto the Imperial Road, it is truly shoulder to shoulder.

Although this woman has some fame, in the end, she is only a woman. They originally thought that upon seeing their own magnificent momentum, she would be so scared she would wet herself, or at the very least turn pale and flee in a panic. But they did not expect that right now, this Second Princess is standing there holding her sword, her cold face showing not the slightest movement.

That is fine, otherwise this group of Imperial Academy students would have no room to perform. Hearing the Imperial Academy Libationer who returned from court say that this woman actually entered the hall wearing a sword is simply absurd to the extreme.

A mere Beiliang woman—His Majesty letting her enter the hall was already an extra act of grace, yet she actually entered the hall wearing a sword. And that matter of the "seven who do not kneel" makes this group of Imperial Academy students even more furious.

A Confucian scholar takes a step forward and shouts angrily: "Xu Weixiong, what is the intention of your Beiliang, actually sending a mere woman to the palace to pay respects? You are bold and reckless to the extreme; this is disrespectful to His Majesty and disrespectful to the Imperial Court."

Xu Weixiong remains silent.

Under the gaze of everyone, the Confucian scholar only feels the righteous energy in his chest filling the sky: "The Imperial Court respects your Beiliang by a yard at every turn, yet when has Beiliang ever respected the Imperial Court by an inch? Heaven brings disaster upon the petty man, allowing him to get his way."

The newly appointed Right Libationer holds the carriage curtain, a cold sneer on his lips; thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river, your Xu Family also has today.

Back then within Beiliang, the playboy surnamed Xu made me suffer such humiliation; it is deserved that the Xu Family is spurned and looked down upon today. After I enter the Imperial Academy, I will make your Xu Family stink for ten thousand years in the history books. In the future, when I, Jin Sanlang, also have students all over the court like Prime Minister Zhang, and go to compile history books, I will surely make the entire Xu Family become treacherous subjects who have no lord and no father.

The remaining officials also stroke their beards and smile as they watch this scene.

Chen Zhibao's brows furrow slightly; the Second Princess in his impression has never been a person with a good temper.

In the entire Beiliang Prince Mansion, the Great Pillar Kingdom Xu Xiao and the Prince Xu Fengnian have both been chased around by her holding a Chicken Feather Duster.

"Too harsh."

The burly man appears out of nowhere, standing with his hands behind his back, shaking his head.

His remark of "too harsh" is not just about the Imperial Academy, but also about the current Emperor and the entire Liyang Dynasty.

What the superior loves, the inferior will surely love even more.

In the vast and mighty scene before his eyes, not a single civil or military official in the court stops it.

This naturally has to do with that person in the palace; if not for that person's permission, how could thousands of people have arrived in such a mighty throng.

The Xu Family conquered more than half of the empire for Liyang and now guards the Northwest. As long as Beiliang exists, beyond the three prefectures of Beiliang, they do not suffer the disaster of a single hoof of the million-strong iron cavalry of Beimang.

Yet these two generations of emperors of the Zhao Family both have the suspicion of being ungrateful; the White Clothes Case back then was extremely underhanded. If it were him, he would definitely have killed his way back alone, turning the Zhao Family upside down, regardless of whether the world flowed with blood.

Over these years, the Imperial Court has been afraid of Beiliang growing too large and has been intentionally targeting Beiliang, which has almost become common knowledge.

But it is precisely because of this that the rift between Beiliang and the Imperial Court is growing ever larger; I fear that one day, Beiliang and the Zhao Family will completely break apart.

Of course, this has nothing to do with a brute like him.

He originally wanted to see if Murong Tonghuang was here, but now he has gained some interest and wants to see how this Beiliang Second Princess will resolve the crisis before her.

On the Imperial Road, seeing Xu Weixiong silent, the Confucian scholar feels as if he has divine help, his momentum astonishing, and he scolds angrily: "Beiliang claims to have three hundred thousand iron cavalry; is there not a single man? Actually letting a woman come to Taian City. Hehe, or is it that the men of your Xu Family cannot be shown in public? The Prince Xu Fengnian is full of absurd behavior, worthy of being called my Liyang's number one playboy..."

"Shut up!"

Xu Weixiong suddenly raises her head, her entire person instantly radiating a gripping momentum, her eyes like knives.

The Confucian scholar cannot help but step back twice, then immediately feels a surge of annoyance; to be forced back by a woman in front of everyone, his words become increasingly unpleasant.

"Is Xu Fengnian not a good-for-nothing? Not only is Xu Fengnian a good-for-nothing, but among you children of the Xu family, who is worth mentioning? Xu Zhihu has a loose reputation, Xu Longxiang is foolish and simple-minded, and you, Xu Weixiong, are touted as peerless in conversation and literary talent, but who knows if that is fake, a hollow reputation..."

A stir ran through the crowd.

Some also frowned.

These words were too sharp and venomous, lacking the impartiality and peace inherent to Confucianism.

Not to mention the other three of the Xu family, Xu Weixiong was indeed a person of true talent and learning; otherwise, she would not have led the way at Jixia Academy and become the most eye-catching figure.

Of course, there were also those like Jin Lanting who secretly applauded in their hearts.

Xu Weixiong was not as furious as imagined; she just quietly looked at that Confucian scholar.

The Confucian scholar felt his scalp tingle under her gaze, but this time he refused to back down, maintaining his composure, and sneered: "What do you intend to do?"

"Mr. Murong, this person has insulted me, insulted the Xu family, and insulted Beiliang in such a way; what should Weixiong do?" Xu Weixiong suddenly spoke, but she was not talking to the Confucian scholar.

Mr. Murong?

The Confucian scholar frowned.

"Heh, you want to do whatever you want? Why ask me? I don't believe you, Xu Weixiong, would swallow your pride."

An ethereal voice rang out.

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and a person appeared beside Xu Weixiong, standing with hands behind his back, a smile on his face, his whole body exuding an extraordinary aura, as if he were a celestial being.

"Murong Tonghuang!?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Besides Murong Tonghuang, who else could be called Mr. Murong by Xu Weixiong?

Besides Murong Tonghuang, who else could possess such grace, bearing, and beauty that could topple a kingdom?

This person had indeed arrived in Taian City.

Xu Weixiong said: "Although Weixiong does not want to swallow her pride, if the matter blows up, I fear it will not end well. And I am just a young woman; once I stir up the Imperial Court, I will have no place to stand in this Taian City."

"You just want to find me to back you up, right?"

Yu Liancheng laughed heartily, his gaze shifting, and he inadvertently looked toward the direction of the burly man, nodding and smiling.

The burly man also nodded.

Just like that, the World's First and the World's Second exchanged greetings.

"Sir is wise." Xu Weixiong cupped her hands.

"Covering for you is no problem, but what is in it for me?" Yu Liancheng touched his chin and smiled.

Xu Weixiong smiled: "Weixiong invites Sir to eat mutton and drink Green Ant Wine."

"I don't like eating mutton; the gamey smell is too strong," Yu Liancheng shook his head and said.

Xu Weixiong smiled: "I know a mutton shop where the mutton comes from black-headed white sheep from beyond the mountains. They use the meat from the back of the sheep's neck; a single sheep doesn't yield more than a few taels of this meat, and it tastes neither gamey nor greasy. Outside of Taian City, you couldn't buy it even with money. By the way, it is said that the head chef there can slice a catty of meat into eighty-one pieces, so the shop is called Jiujiu Guan."

"Fine, but Wuzhu must go; perhaps there will be other friends by then," Yu Liancheng pondered.

"That is natural; Sister Wuzhu certainly cannot be left out. Sir's friends are also most welcome."

"Very well, then I will cover you in Taian City," Yu Liancheng waved his large sleeve: "As long as you are in Taian City for a day, no one will be able to hurt you."

"Many thanks, Sir." Xu Weixiong bowed again to Murong Tonghuang.

And so, a meal of mutton plus a pot of Green Ant Wine moved this World's First person to provide protection.

Xu Weixiong turned her gaze back to that scholar, her voice returning to its cold clarity: "Actually, I could reason with you, or engage in poetry and conversation. Let alone you, even your entire Imperial Academy, including those so-called Libationers, are in my eyes nothing but hollow reputations."

"What did you say?!" The Confucian scholar's expression changed immediately.

And the crowd of Imperial students behind him were even more indignant, and the Libationers of the Imperial Academy frowned one after another.

"But my Beiliang does not like to reason, and I, Xu Weixiong, do not like to reason either. I cannot control you speaking ill of the Xu family in private, but you cannot do it to my face." Xu Weixiong's tone grew colder.

"The Imperial Court has remonstrance officials; does your Beiliang think it is more sagely than His Majesty, that even a single criticism..." The Confucian scholar was in a state of madness, and before he could finish his sentence, a flash of light appeared, and he felt a pain in his chest.

He looked down with difficulty, and a sword had already been inserted into his chest.

What a fast, what a fast sword.

No blood flowed down.

Because the blood had not yet had time to flow down.

This Second Princess of Beiliang was not a weak woman without the strength to truss a chicken, but a genuine Mysterious Profound Realm expert with first-class swordsmanship.

The Confucian scholar's teeth chattered, and every muscle on his face was trembling. He looked at Xu Weixiong, his eyes still filled with fear and astonishment.

He feared the passing of his life, and he was astonished that this woman had gone mad. In front of so many people, she had killed an Imperial student with a bright future.

"Especially, I do not like to reason with the dead."

Xu Weixiong suddenly pulled out the sword, and fresh blood stained his entire chest.

"You..."

The Confucian scholar pointed at Xu Weixiong with a trembling hand; before he could finish his words, he fell face-first to the ground.

The many Imperial students beside the Confucian scholar were also chilled to the bone by this sword strike. At this moment, Xu Weixiong's cold gaze swept over them, and their faces turned pale as they retreated in unison.

"A bunch of cowards."

Xu Weixiong sheathed her sword; that grace and bearing truly did not lose to any man of the current age.

Suddenly, the Second Princess turned around and, amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, walked toward a carriage on the Imperial Road; inside that carriage was none other than the newly appointed Right Libationer, Jin Sanlang.

The Right Libationer's face was pale, and he said with a fierce expression but a cowardly heart: "Xu Weixiong, you Beiliang brute, I am the newly appointed Right Libationer, what do you intend to do!?"

Xu Weixiong was only four or five steps away from the carriage, and she coldly spat out two words: "Beating a dog!"