Liyanghou Mansion, in front of the main gate.
The leading woman was wearing a long purple dress with golden patterns embroidered on the wide hem. She wore a jade necklace around her neck, which made her collarbone look even clearer.
Coupled with the cold and noble make-up on her face, she seems to be otherworldly, like a goddess high above who cannot be desecrated.
Now, eight years have passed. Zhao Ziqiong holds the Zhao Imperial Seal of the Yanzhao royal family, and she practices with the energy of humanity day and night. The imperial power on her body has become more and more powerful.
Now, as the Ewang army entered the Huaizhou area and eyed the twelve states of Southern Yan, she also stepped out from behind the scenes.
The twelve great families of Southern Yan are equivalent to the powerful forces that hold real power in this land.
If they are willing to give in or surrender, then all the power will be concentrated on Zhao Ziqiong alone.
Therefore, when coming to the Liyang Marquis Mansion today, Zhao Ziqiong had already made sufficient preparations.
But even so, she still had some worries.
Seeing the purple-clothed woman stop moving forward, Ji Qiu, who was following closely behind her, couldn't help but say:
"Why, are you a little nervous?"
Hearing the slightly teasing and gentle words from behind, Zhao Ziqiong's originally somewhat aggrieved mood slowly calmed down, and then she shook her head slightly:
“Not really.”
"I was just thinking, if these people are willing to meet me today due to the situation, what will happen when I lose power in the future?"
"When you think about it this way, you can't help but sigh."
Listening to the woman's words, Ji Qiu smiled and raised his hand to pat her shoulder twice:
"Then try your best to be the best you can be, so that you will never lose your position. Isn't that good enough?"
"As long as you remain the strongest, you will always be strong, and it will never end."
"And today, if you can obtain the human destiny of half of the twelve states and reunite them in the Zhao Emperor's Seal, you will be the legitimate monarch of Yan and Zhao. At that time, who would not submit to you?"
"Besides, we are behind you."
"Don't think too much. The master of the temple has now broken through the realm of the Golden Core, and is a genuine real person. In addition, you have my father and the huge Prince E's Palace behind you as a deterrent. Who in the world can make things difficult for you?"
"Just keep moving forward."
"The sky won't fall."
The young man's tone was firm, and seemed to contain great confidence.
Zhao Ziqiong was somewhat touched when she heard this. She then turned her head slightly and looked at Ji Qiu and Qingweizi who nodded in agreement with a smile. She couldn't help but feel a warm current flowing through her heart.
After more than ten years of living together, both Uncle Prince of E and the Crown Prince have always treated her well and never owed her anything.
There is also the abbot of Qingweizi Temple who has been teaching her the method of Qi training wholeheartedly, and Mr. Zhang, her father's teacher. They have all been working hard to pave the way for her.
If she hadn't had so much help along the way, I'm afraid Zhao Ziqiong would never have been able to get to where she is today.
Those who are righteous have many supporters, while those who are unrighteous have few supporters.
"Keep working hard, Zhao Ziqiong."
The woman raised her white head slightly, looked forward with her brown eyes, and muttered silently in her heart.
Even if it's not for myself.
Relying solely on my father's blood feud and the expectations of you all.
I can't stop here and move forward!
The thoughts in her mind were sorted out in an instant, and she became completely determined. Then Zhao Ziqiong said "hmm" lightly in response.
The next moment, the slight trace of uneasiness on the woman's face was instantly wiped away.
Gently lifting up the pair of cloud-patterned crane-adorned shoes, the purple-clothed woman moved as gracefully as a startled swan with swift movements. Without the slightest hesitation, she strode into the magnificent Li Yang Marquis Mansion!
And when she took a step.
The people from Liyang Mansion who received the news along the way, whether they were the guards in front of the door or the servants on the left and right of the long corridor, all those who saw him and those who looked at him, lowered their heads slightly at this moment, not daring to look him in the face.
Now I look back, and I finally realize that I had...
She was no longer the same person she was when she escaped from the palace many years ago, hiding from place to place and living in fear of her own death.
At this moment, she, Zhao Ziqiong, is only one step away from the most supreme and honorable position in the world!
Even if we are about to face the twelve wealthy families of Southern Yan, all of whom are the top figures in their respective fields, so what
If I were the emperor.
But they are all subjects!
Wait until the visiting card is presented.
The owner of the Marquisate, Liyang Marquis Zhao Jing, had already stepped out of the hall and was walking quickly outside the door, ready to go and greet Zhao Ziqiong.
And when Zhao Jing just stepped into the corridor.
He ran into her head-on and saw the noble woman in a gorgeous purple dress basking in the sun walking towards him.
For a moment, the Marquis of Liyang, who had held a high position for a long time, was dazed for a moment.
At first glance, what he saw was not the woman's appearance, although her appearance was indeed the most beautiful in the world.
but...
What is even more amazing than her appearance is her indescribable temperament!
Zhao Ziqiong was refining the Emperor's Seal every day. Even though she was not on the throne, Zhao Ziqiong really put on airs at this time.
These great men who had been granted the title of Marquis of Yan, or had inherited some official title or nobility in a certain place, were actually no different from ordinary ministers in front of her!
"It is truly destiny. No wonder Prince Yue Hongtu of Hubei values him so much!"
"In the past, I thought she was just a pawn supported by the Prince of E... But now, considering this woman and the identity behind her, maybe the stubborn Prince of E really wants to help Zhao Ziqiong ascend to the throne!"
"I hold the title of Marquis of Liyang and the official seal of Liyang Prefecture. There is no other person who can make me feel intimidated at the first sight except the one holding the Emperor Zhao's seal!"
Retracting his mind, Liyang Hou Zhao Jingtong shrank slightly.
But the next moment, the man returned to normal, opened his arms, smiled boldly and said:
"Marquis Liyang, welcome His Highness!"
"I have long heard that Your Highness is very graceful. Seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed extraordinary!"
"You and your colleagues have been eagerly waiting for Your Highness for a long time!"
"Come in quickly!"
As the legitimate daughter of Prince Hui, Yue Hongtu regarded her as the legitimate heir apparent, so calling her Princess was naturally inappropriate. Therefore, Marquis Liyang simply addressed her as Her Highness, and other members of the wealthy families did not object.
Zhao Ziqiong naturally would not offend Zhao Jing for his behavior, and nodded slightly:
"Excuse me."
After saying that, he walked into the main hall.
When Zhao Ziqiong and Ji Qiu and their companions entered the inner hall, the inner court, which had been occupied by only a few words of conversation, suddenly became silent for a moment, and most eyes were fixed on Zhao Ziqiong, with a look of scrutiny.
After Liyang Marquis Zhao Jing finished his introduction and consciously arranged Zhao Ziqiong to sit in the main seat.
Today's feast has just begun.
"Wang Yanzhou, the military commander of Taixing Prefecture, has come to pay respect to Your Highness at the request of Marquis Wu!"
"Zhang Youming of the Hengqu Zhang family pays homage to His Highness!"
"Su Ting, the governor of Weishui Prefecture, Deng Zun, the governor of Longshan Prefecture, and Luo Xiao, a member of the Nanling noble family... greet His Highness!"
Following the lead of Taixinghou and Zhang Zihou's men in paying respects to Zhao Ziqiong, the remaining major forces also showed no mercy.
Whether they were nobles in fine clothes and tall hats, or generals in armor, they all stood up and greeted Zhao Ziqiong one by one.
In response to this, Zhao Ziqiong also responded one by one.
Ji Qiu was watching this scene happening on the side. When Marquis Li Yang asked about his identity, the noble generals present finally confirmed his identity, and then there was another round of greetings.
The event had just begun, but they were just chatting about polite things, which sounded boring.
But when Ji Qiu's identity was revealed.
In the corridor outside the door, Du Bai, carrying a sword case on his back, was leaning against the wall with his hands folded. He paused slightly, then looked up and looked towards the inner hall.
Few people know that Du Bai, the last swordsman of the Nanyue Sword Pool, and Master Nanhai of the Kurong Temple are actually old acquaintances.
In the past period of time, Du Bai had met the monk from Nanhai several times by chance, and learned from him that Yue Wushuang, the prince of Prince E's Mansion, was the successor of the Zixiao Sect.
Moreover, he was the successor of the Zixiao Taoist Seal passed down by Huayangdu, the last Zixiao Immortal!
This means that, if nothing unexpected happens, this boy will be the next headmaster of Zixiao, or he may have already taken over as the headmaster.
It would be strange if the combination of these two identities failed to shock the world in the future, and it would not be in vain for his efforts back then.
"So, this is what it looks like..."
"take note of it."
The man thought about it in his mind, but did not move or show any other expression.
But his gaze just now was keenly caught by Ji Qiu.
Ji Qiu looked past the crowd in the hall and looked outside the gate. He saw the figure in green clothes leaning against the wall of the corridor. Even though he was far away, he could sense the sharp sword energy coming towards him. His eyes suddenly narrowed slightly.
"Such a strong sword intent and oppressive feeling!"
It's like... facing an extremely sharp sword.
Du Bai
The last swordsman of the Nanyue Sword Pool, he is steady and resolute, loyal, determined, and taciturn. He started learning swordsmanship at the age of three, tempered his body in the Sword Pool at the age of seven, and tempered his body with sword energy. At the age of thirteen, he refined his own magic sword and embarked on the path of Taoism.
He has a very high talent in swordsmanship and was praised by the previous master of the Nanyue Sword Pool as having the style of a patriarch. After the Puppet Sect destroyed the Nanyue Sword Pool and the sect was in turmoil, he inherited the Nanyue Sword Box and took control of the sect's magic weapon, the Taihe Sword.
After that, he wandered around the states in this area for more than a hundred years, and finally he realized the meaning of Tao with the sword, engraved it on the foundation of Tao, and achieved the golden elixir of sword!
Follow-up:
Simulation evaluation: If you are obsessed with swords, you will eventually achieve success.
Nanyue Sword Pond, Du Bai!
Ji Qiu had heard of this name.
When the Nanyue Sword Pool was destroyed by the Puppet Sect, the Puppet Sect Leader, with the help of others, used his skills to refine the last sword master of his lineage into a golden corpse, and locked up his soul to gain the combat power of a golden elixir. His strength was indeed very strong.
But even so, this Nanyue Sword Pool still has endless heritage.
Before Ji Qiu died in the simulation, he had heard that there was a sword master named Du Bai in Nanyue Sword Pool. He found the Thousand Corpse Forest where the Puppet Sect nurtured puppets, and then asked the ancestor's sword to completely wipe out all the bronze and silver corpse puppets nurtured by his sect.
Even when the Puppet Master personally took action and controlled two golden corpses, he was still unable to take it down. It shows how capable he was.
Therefore, Ji Qiu was deeply impressed.
It was said that in his early years, Li Yang Hou had sought swords in Nanyue and learned the method of refining qi, and later he entered the Nanyan sect and practiced martial arts. Now it seems that this matter should be true.
Otherwise, this person should not appear here.
Thinking of this, Ji Qiu, who was sitting at the head of the gate, nodded towards the figure from a distance, as a friendly gesture.
Ji Qiu still wanted to make friends with this kind of person.
At this moment, the two of them looked at each other and interacted across the crowd for only a moment.
The conversation on the field started to get to the point, and Ji Qiu's attention was drawn back to his original position.
"Your Highness, Prince."
After a round of toasts, Wang Yanzhou, the military commander from the direct line of Taixing Marquis Han Changwen, stood up first. Without further ado, he immediately addressed Zhao Ziqiong and Ji Qiu, saying:
"There is nothing secretive about our meeting today, and my Wu Hou is not a scholar who is good at twisting and turning."
"When I came here, the Marquis had already told me, so I won't say much and will just speak directly."
Having said this, the rough general paused and said:
"Now, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the current Emperor of Yan has no interest in government affairs, and he does not have the legitimate imperial seal of the Yan and Zhao lineage. Therefore, the destiny is on your side."
"This is also the reason why you all can meet in Liyangzhou today."
"My Wu Hou has said that if Your Highness needs the official seal of Taixing Prefecture, we can present it to Your Highness right now!"
After saying this, Sima took out an official jade seal from the package he was carrying, which immediately shocked everyone.
An official seal of a state, especially the seal of the governor, is a treasure of fortune comparable to a Taoist spiritual weapon!
Anyone who carries it can be protected from all evil. If the dynasty is strong, it can even suppress all methods below the Taoism, and it is also said to gather luck!
Back then, since the rise of Emperor Taizu of the Yan Dynasty, he had dominated 27 states and almost unified the world. A total of 27 official seals for the states were forged and distributed to various places. The Zhao Emperor's seal was used to control the central government, making the dynasty prosperous and solid as a rock.
Although a lot has changed since then, what this seal represents is still extraordinary!
And this Taixing Hou offered it without hesitation, this decisiveness...
For a moment, someone's expression slowly changed.
"However, Taixing Province will not raise troops to participate in this fight for the tripod."
"Whether it's Your Highness or the Emperor Yan, no matter who wins or loses, we in Taixing Prefecture will not send a single soldier to this, but we will not make things difficult for you either."
"If necessary, the passages to all prefectures and counties can be unobstructed!"
"I wonder if Your Highness can agree to this condition?"
Holding the Taixing official seal in both hands, Wang Yanzhou spoke with great force.
The air was silent for a moment.
After a while, a woman laughed:
"Marquis Taixing is quite courageous. He even asked Sima Lian to bring his official seal with him."
The graceful figure in purple slowly stood up from the main seat. Even though she looked young, for some reason, everyone who saw her felt that she was a real dragon that was about to rise and soar into the sky.
Zhao Ziqiong stroked the back of the chair with one hand, and then stretched out her other slender arm forward. Suddenly, the Taixing official seal held by Taixing Sima Wang Yanzhou flew out of her palm and flew in front of the woman in purple.
The slender jade fingers stroked the python and crane patterns on the jade seal, and Zhao Ziqiong's words continued:
"Of course I can agree to your conditions, and Uncle Prince E will also understand."
"But standing by and watching won't get you into trouble, but you may not be able to gain any benefit when the time comes."
"Have you informed Sima of these matters?"
The woman's careless words immediately made many people feel a chill in their hearts.
Obviously the tone is normal.
However, Zhao Ziqiong's unintentional touching of their heartstrings still made them think too much.
Even though... this prince is so young, he should not be underestimated.
This is what Wang Yanzhou was thinking at this time.
Although the words and tone were perfectly normal, they made him, a veteran of many battles, feel a sinking feeling in his heart.
However, this person was determined and after a moment of confusion, he forced himself to calm down and then clasped his fists and said:
"Your Highness, Wu Hou knows what you said."
"Your Highness, please understand the difficulties faced by Wu Hou. After all, given his status, it is not easy for him to make rash decisions. Please understand."
Wang Yanzhou forced himself to finish what was in his mind despite Zhao Ziqiong's pressure, and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing that the conversation had come to this point, Zhao Ziqiong did not comment, took the seal, and said to comfort him:
"In that case, we should follow the will of Marquis Taixing."
Then, the woman glanced around and said:
"At the same time, please wait and see who will be the last one standing between me and my good uncle!"
"But before that..."
"Since everyone is standing here, would you like to do the same as Marquis Taixing and express your gratitude?"
After these words were spoken, the various forces looked at each other and smiled bitterly.
They came here for this purpose.
But no one expected that this young prince could have such an aura. Before he knew it, he had become the host and took the initiative.
Even the face of Marquis Taixing is of little use.
Looking at Zhao Ziqiong, who had a raised brow, a radiant look, and was wearing a purple dress with gold patterns on the sleeves, exuding a royal aura, Ji Qiu, who was sitting in the guest seat, could not help but nod secretly in his heart.
It seems that he was worrying too much this time.
Given Zhao Ziqiong's current level, why does she need others to take the lead for her
More than ten years of hardships have made her as solid as a rock and impeccable. She has learned the imperial mentality without any teacher and can use it freely.
At this point, why would she need a pillar to support her
The woman in purple in front of him is already his backer!
It can be said that the trend is set!