Chapter 1 The First Day
The first night Ye Qingcheng took a cold bath, she felt listless the entire next day. Elder Jun, noticing Ye Qingcheng’s frail constitution, decided to adjust his approach.
So, on the second night, Ye Qingcheng switched to a medicinal bath. She sniffed the water; it contained thirty-two types of herbs, all formulated to enhance the body.
Ye Qingcheng nodded. Good. Her cheap master was treating her much better this time.
However, she hadn't anticipated that a simple horse stance would last half a month before Elder Jun moved on to the next step.
“Today, we will cultivate internal energy.”
Ye Qingcheng was very excited. Finally, they were getting to the weighty stuff. She had previously witnessed Xiao Wangye using internal energy, and it was incredibly powerful. In this novel’s world, internal energy represented boundless potential.
“The first step is to close your eyes and achieve a calm state of mind, like still water. Imagine yourself in a secret realm…”
There, you are completely alone. Relax and raise your hands, letting them move with the wind. Slowly, you will feel your meridians converging at a single point in your dantian. You will discover that as internal energy circulates, it gathers in your eight extraordinary meridians. Your ears will pick up the sounds of the surrounding wind… the rustling of leaves in the wind, the sound of leaves falling… the sound of birds flapping their wings and flying away from the trees. You will find a person standing before you…
Ye Qingcheng struck out with a palm. The figure dodged sideways.
Ye Qingcheng tilted her head, listening, and heard the sound of fabric brushing against fabric. The brushing sound moved from near to far, pausing in the air for a few seconds. That must be… Qinggong.
Suddenly, Ye Qingcheng’s ear twitched. A figure appeared behind her and attacked her.
Judging by the speed of the sound, Ye Qingcheng sensed the attacker's strength was considerable, but their speed needed improvement…
Just as the person was about to touch Ye Qingcheng, she spun around, evading gracefully.
She then intercepted the opponent’s arm. The other party, unwilling to yield, engaged in a direct fight. However, Ye Qingcheng had no martial arts skills and could only judge the opponent’s next move based on sound. It was evident that the opponent's force was immense and powerful, forcing Ye Qingcheng to retreat step by step.
As the opponent's fist aimed for her face, Ye Qingcheng abruptly opened her eyes. The fist stopped directly in front of her eyes, the strong gust of wind scattering her loose hair.
Upon seeing, she exclaimed, “Good heavens, it’s Lin Xiao!” A hundred feet behind him sat Xiao Wangye.
Ye Qingcheng looked at them speechlessly.
And also Elder Jun, who was watching the spectacle.
Ye Qingcheng suddenly opening her eyes displeased Lin Xiao: “Why did you suddenly open your eyes?”
Ye Qingcheng rolled her eyes at him: “Did you really want to continue fighting me?”
Lin Xiao nodded: “You were doing great just now!”
Ye Qingcheng was speechless: “I don’t know any martial arts; you were just too slow.”
Lin Xiao steadied himself. Was he truly too slow?
Elder Jun walked forward with a smile: “Haha, this girl of yours is extraordinary! You grasped the Dinghai realm instantly. You are a very promising seedling!”
Receiving praise, Ye Qingcheng was naturally pleased: “Then can I learn the next step?”
Elder Jun stroked his beard: “Don’t be in a hurry! Haste makes waste. Take it slow. Although you started learning late, your foundation is good, and your comprehension is high. You will surely learn my teachings.”
Ye Qingcheng understood. It was fine; she could take her time.
Lin Xiao pushed Xiao Wangye forward, interrupting their conversation. Xiao Wangye looked at Ye Qingcheng and handed her an invitation: “This is an invitation from Duke Yingguo. Please attend.”
Ye Qingcheng immediately refused: “Why me? I don’t want to go. I’d rather practice martial arts at home with this time. You should go instead of me!”
“You are the Princess Consort.” Xiao Wangye was always like this. Being looked at by his expressionless face made Ye Qingcheng uncomfortable. It was as if he thought himself exceptionally aloof and serious; she had never seen him smile, nor did his speech change, as if he were bestowing great status upon her.
However, it was helpless. Since Ye Qingcheng held the position of Princess Consort, she had to fulfill the responsibilities that came with it.
Faced with these unavoidable banquets, Ye Qingcheng could only accept.
The next day, Ye Qingcheng overslept. After half a month of strenuous martial arts training, she had fallen into bed exhausted and even snored at night. She couldn’t get up in the morning. But today, she was supposed to visit Duke Yingguo’s residence. Early in the morning, Bixi woke her up: “Princess Consort, aren’t you going to Duke Yingguo’s residence today? Please get up quickly.”
However, even if Bixi forcibly pulled her up, Ye Qingcheng’s body was awake, but her soul was still asleep.
“Princess Consort, please wake up. Don’t sleep any longer. Today is your first banquet as Princess Consort; you cannot be late.”
Ye Qingcheng was uninterested in this banquet: “Then I’d rather be late. Aren’t all those noble youths just sitting around gossiping? It’s boring.”
Bixi twitched the corner of her mouth, unable to refute: “While that may be true, Princess Consort, when you go out, you must not disgrace our Prince’s Mansion.”
Ye Qingcheng felt that this made sense. She splashed cold water on her eyes and rallied her spirits: “Then, apply makeup for me!”
“Yes!”
In the carriage, Xiao Wangye introduced Duke Yingguo.
“Duke Yingguo was originally a military man, but he has served three dynasties as a veteran official.”
Ye Qingcheng nodded, indicating she was listening, and asked: “Does that include this current dynasty?”
“Yes!” Xiao Wangye looked at her. “The Emperor is the third generation, so he holds considerable prestige in the court.”
Ye Qingcheng opened the invitation. It stated… a Horse Meet banquet. “This is a horse race!”
Xiao Wangye gave her a disdainful look before turning away: “It’s not a horse race, it’s a polo match.”
Ye Qingcheng shook her head and placed the invitation on the small table: “Boring. I’d rather practice martial arts at home.”
Suddenly, she heard the sizzling sound of boiling water.
Ye Qingcheng quickly used the hot water to make tea.
Xiao Wangye folded the invitation and put it away.
“Duke Yingguo has always had a good reputation in the capital, so many prominent families will be attending. It will be beneficial for you to learn some things.”
Ye Qingcheng took a sip of tea: “I understand. ‘When walking with two others, one must be my teacher.’ I will observe carefully.”
Bored, Ye Qingcheng lifted the curtain and watched as the carriage entered a large gate. Inside the gate was a vast lawn; if calculated carefully, it was about the size of a national stadium.
It presented as a fenced rectangle.
“This was originally a racecourse, used by the Grand Emperor to entertain foreign envoys. However, it has gradually been used by noble youths for playing polo. The leftmost side upon entering is where carriages are parked. Carriages are arranged according to the power of each noble family. Those with higher positions have fewer steps to walk.”
Ye Qingcheng understood: “Survival of the fittest, right?”
Fortunately, the Regent held supreme authority at this time, so their carriage was parked in the innermost area. Ye Qingcheng alighted from the carriage, sighing at the noticeable difference in the fewer steps.
Xiao Wangye, in his wheelchair pushed by Lin Xiao, came to Ye Qingcheng’s side.
Ye Qingcheng pointed ahead with a speechless expression: “Is this what you meant by ‘fewer steps’?”
Xiao Wangye looked at the distant main seating area, then at Ye Qingcheng, catching her mournful gaze. A slight smile touched his lips: “For me, it certainly is!”
Ye Qingcheng was speechless and exasperated: “Yes, you are in a wheelchair, being pushed by Lin Xiao. Of course, you can say that. I’m not going. I’m going home.”