Chapter 2 – Shy maid turns out to be a cold and gorgeous sword immortal
Chapter 2 – Shy maid turns out to be a cold and gorgeous sword immortal
Taiji Hall, the private bedchamber of the Empress' Husband.
Ever since the Empress of Great Jin announced to the world that Meng Qingzhou, a commoner, was to be her husband, Taiji Hall had been transformed into a small house with green tiles, surrounded by a fence, and the courtyard filled with chickens, ducks, and geese, resembling an ordinary household.
Moreover, the Empress instructed the ministers, palace maids, and eunuchs to play their respective roles and not reveal her identity in front of Meng Qingzhou.
From then on, within a few hundred meters of Taiji Hall, the royal buildings with red walls and yellow tiles were leveled, and houses with yellow earth walls and black tiles were built.
This scene was like a blot of bird droppings in the center of the grand and luxurious palace, truly an eyesore.
The Empress named this secluded haven "Present Village".
Her intention was to keep Meng Qingzhou away from national political affairs, fearing he might be exploited by those with ulterior motives, hence the elaborate arrangement.
But now, the once peaceful Present Village was filled with a chilling atmosphere.
All the "villagers" turned their heads in unison, their gazes piercing through the yellow earth houses, fixed on the small house with green tiles.
Occasionally, Jiang Canghai, the current Prime Minister who played the role of village chief out of interest, said gravely:
"What terrifying Sword Sense! It feels like it can ignore spatial distance and cut down the younger version of me."
The leader of the Imperial Guard, who sold wine, felt goosebumps all over his body as he looked up at the Sword Sense of Time and Space piercing the sky, feeling it was close enough to take his life at any moment.
"That is the Empress' Husband's bedchamber. Subjects cannot intrude, but if there is an assassin, wouldn't the Empress' Husband be in danger?" The leader of the Imperial Guard was restless.
Jiang Canghai said, "No worries, I have already informed Her Majesty, and someone will investigate."
Zhao Gou, the heir apparent of the Vassal King of Shu Region, who had an unremarkable appearance, mocked, "A mere outlaw, with no cultivation level, no knowledge, and a cripple at that, how can he bear the title of the Empress' Husband of Great Jin? If there is an assassination, it would save us from the ridicule of other nations."
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Zhao Gou's voice was loud, and such rebellious words went unchallenged. Even Jiang Canghai, the pillar of the state and a veteran of three dynasties, chose to ignore it, as if he hadn't heard.
The Empress had unilaterally appointed a blind man as her husband without the consent of the ministers, which was against ancestral rules and had caused public resentment.
Jiang Canghai also had his reservations.
Choosing a husband for the Empress was a significant matter. The candidate should at least be virtuous, wise, healthy, and beautiful, with a strong family background to help stabilize the throne.
This Meng Qingzhou, who appeared out of nowhere, was just an outlaw from the rivers and lakes, unworthy of being the Empress' Husband from any perspective!
"If I were chosen as the Empress' Husband, the entire Shu Region would be Her Majesty's backing! The 200,000-strong army of Shu Region would be at Her Majesty's command!" Zhao Gou said with jealousy and resentment.
Thinking of the Empress he had long coveted being taken by a blind man, Zhao Gou wished he could kill Meng Qingzhou.
As he spoke, a cold and peerless figure flew through the air and landed in Present Village, hurriedly entering the small house with green tiles.
The leader of the Imperial Guard saw the figure and was amazed: "It's the Empress' sword attendant, the Cold and Gorgeous Sword Immortal Su Qingqiu! So young yet already at the First Rank Realm, given time, she will be a great being in swordsmanship."
Mentioning Su Qingqiu, many ministers had a glimmer in their eyes.
Entering the path of the sword at three, comprehending the heavens and earth to reach the Ninth Rank at four, sweeping through the same rank in the rivers and lakes at ten, being recruited by the top power Heavenly Sword Mountain at twelve, reaching the peak of the First Rank at fourteen, and killing a Cloud Ascension Realm elder of a small sect.
At sixteen, she followed the Empress, becoming famous worldwide and the dream lover of countless young talents.
After a long time, when the leader of the Imperial Guard was anxiously scratching his head, the courtyard door finally opened!
Su Qingqiu, with an indifferent expression, waved to the people on the street, indicating that there was no problem.
"I've long heard of Miss Qingqiu's unparalleled beauty, and seeing is indeed believing," Zhao Gou blocked Su Qingqiu's path, smiling lightly.
Su Qingqiu didn't even spare him a glance, coldly saying, "Move."
"I heard that Miss Qingqiu is extraordinarily talented, reaching the peak of the First Rank at fourteen, but has made no progress in the past two years. I have a rare pill that can help you break through to the Cloud Ascension Realm." Zhao Gou took out an ink jade box and handed it to Su Qingqiu.
Zhao Gou's eyes unabashedly roamed over Su Qingqiu's devilish figure, his Adam's apple bobbing. With the opportunity to break through right in front of her, he didn't believe she could resist.
Zhao Gou's heart burned with desire. Unable to get the Empress for now, the Cold and Gorgeous Sword Immortal in front of him was also a good choice.
"Come on! Take off your cold mask and beg me, and the pill will be yours."
The passersby on the street cast their eyes over, but no one dared to intervene.
"Get lost." Su Qingqiu snorted coldly, her Cloud Ascension Realm aura sweeping towards Zhao Gou.
Zhao Gou's face changed slightly, retreating a few steps. Looking down, he saw the ink jade box in his hand shattered into powder.
"Cloud Ascension Realm!?" Zhao Gou couldn't believe it. "You were just at the peak of the First Rank not long ago, how did you..."
Su Qingqiu glanced back at the tightly closed courtyard door not far away, her eyes complex:"Thanks to the Empress' Husband's guidance, I had an epiphany and broke free from my shackles. Destroying your pill is a slight punishment. If you dare to insult me again, we will settle it on the life-and-death duel stage."
With that, Su Qingqiu left without stopping.
Zhao Gou's eyes widened, his expression twisted: "How is it possible? A blind man with no cultivation level, giving a few words of guidance to help a peak First Rank cultivator break through to the Cloud Ascension Realm?"
The gap between the First Rank Realm and the Cloud Ascension Realm was like a chasm. A Ninth Rank warrior was still a mortal, while a Cloud Ascension Realm cultivator could fly and perform transcendent feats!
Zhao Gou, backed by the Shu Region, had been laying the foundation since birth, spending countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures, and had barely stepped into the first level of the Cloud Ascension Realm after twenty years of cultivation.
The difference was unimaginable!
To give a few words of guidance to help a First Rank sword cultivator break through to the Cloud Ascension Realm, one would have to be a great being in swordsmanship or possess near-sage knowledge and wisdom.
The other ministers eavesdropping were also shocked, unable to believe their ears.
The leader of the Imperial Guard muttered to himself, "Could the Empress' Husband be a sage with profound knowledge?"
Jiang Canghai's old eyes flashed with brilliance: "If it's true, then our Empress' Husband is no ordinary person."
***
In the Imperial Study.
Dongfang Liuli, dressed in a crystal red phoenix robe, couldn't hide her graceful figure. She sat at the desk reviewing memorials, her slender white fingers gently massaging her temples, her stunning face showing a hint of worry.
She was surnamed Qin and also Dongfang, hence she was also called Qin Liuli.
The name "Dongfang" was her own choice, symbolizing the rising sun from the east, representing the hope that the centuries of chaos among the nations would eventually come to an end!
Therefore, no matter how well Meng Qingzhou knew the plot, he could never associate the gentle and virtuous Dongfang Liuli with the decisive and domineering Qin Liuli from the story.
"Your Majesty!"
Su Qingqiu silently stood beside Dongfang Liuli, kneeling on one knee, respectfully saying:"There are no signs of intruders in Taiji Hall, the Empress' Husband is safe, and the source of the soaring Sword Sense cannot be found."
Dongfang Liuli nodded slightly, glancing at her, puzzled: "Cloud Ascension Realm? And it seems you've also comprehended Sword Sense, not bad."
"How did you achieve it?"
Su Qingqiu did not hide anything, recounting the events that had transpired, focusing on the important parts.
Including the swordsmanship scriptures recited by Meng Qingzhou, which Su Qingqiu had memorized and reported.
"Him?" Dongfang Liuli instinctively frowned, puzzled: "Such profound and mysterious swordsmanship insights, where did a mere mortal get them?"
The marriage between Empress Dongfang Liuli and Meng Qingzhou was a transaction.
Many ministers harbored ill intentions, constantly urging Dongfang Liuli to appoint an Empress' Husband, hoping to use a handsome man to corrupt the ruler.
But who was Dongfang Liuli? A rare Empress in history! Her ambition was to conquer the world, leaving no time for men. So, she made a deal with Meng Qingzhou to shut the ministers' mouths.
"Come with me to take a look." Dongfang Liuli suddenly became curious, standing up and walking out.
"Also, continue investigating the source of the soaring Sword Sense, and make sure to find it."
"Yes!" Su Qingqiu lowered her head.
Dongfang Liuli waved her hand, stepping forward, disappearing with a gust of wind, leaving only the curtains swaying.