You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 136 Martial Arts Competition to Select the Prince Consort

Without a second thought, Shanyu Beixiong shook his head and said, "Although our Western Liang people are civilized and our princess is not as secluded as your Princess Chang'an, the opportunity for you two to see her and have a private conversation is rare and hard to come by."

Moreover, the princess is weak and powerless; how could she possibly have the authority to oppose Huyan Chao?

Liang Jiang, however, was very persistent: "The fact that this princess was able to postpone the marriage for two years shows that she certainly has a place in the eyes of the King of Xiliang."

She must also deeply despise this Huyan Chao. If I could get her help and have a voice with the King of Xiliang, it would be twice as effective with half the effort.

Seeing that the two men were resolute and quick-witted, Shanyu Beixiong hesitated for a moment before agreeing immediately.

"I will return to Yecheng tomorrow and mobilize all my connections and resources. Whether I succeed or not will depend on your luck."

A young child, like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, is truly naive.

However, Liang Jiang dared to risk her life alone to travel to Xiliang in order to avenge her father. Shanyu Beixiong admired and sympathized with her courage.

As long as I don't infringe on the interests of Xiliang, I can't be considered to be colluding with foreign enemies, right?

The next day, Shanyu Beixiong returned to Ye City. Liang Jiang and Gu Xizhi were not idle either. They familiarized themselves with the terrain of Ye City, understood the situation, investigated various clues about Huyan Chao, and looked for other opportunities.

For several days in a row, Shanyu Beixiong was unable to find a way to get close to Princess Mumin.

However, it brought news about Princess Mumin.

Princess Mumin was extremely strong-willed. Seeing that there was no hope of resisting, and that her father insisted on marrying her off to Huyan Chao, she even threatened to hang herself.

Fortunately, the palace maid discovered it in time and saved his life.

The King of Xiliang was truly heartbroken for his daughter. After repeatedly comforting her, he made a three-point agreement with the princess.

Nine days later, he will hold a public selection of a husband for Princess Mumin in the square in front of the palace.

Regardless of birth wealth or social status, or official position, anyone who is unmarried and possesses both literary and martial skills can apply. They must first pass the imperial examination and then undergo further selection through various competitions.

Those who ultimately make it into the top sixteen will have the opportunity to compete in a final contest, witnessed by Princess Mumin. Whoever emerges victorious will become Princess Mumin's son-in-law.

As long as Huyan Chao is around, how many people in the entire Western Liang region can rival him?
This was merely a way of forcing the eldest princess to accept this reality.

Even so, people still flocked to sign up in droves.

The people of Xiliang are a nomadic people who value martial arts over literature. They are not interested in the honor of becoming the emperor's son-in-law. The emperor is eager to find talented people, hoping that they can showcase their abilities in front of him and have the opportunity to advance their careers and serve Xiliang.

Upon receiving this news, Liang Jiang immediately took action without consulting anyone and went to register without hesitation.

Gu Xizhi never expected that she would have such courage.

"That Huyan Chao is incredibly strong, capable of lifting a thousand pounds. His reputation as the number one fierce general of Xiliang is well-deserved."

"You're so thin and weak, for him to beat you is no different than crushing an ant."

Liang Jiang said nonchalantly, "I'm not really vying for the title of princess consort; I just want a chance to speak with the princess."

"As long as I can contact the Princess, I can easily feign an opening and then surrender."

Gu Xizhi said helplessly, "But with your petite figure, even if you dress as a man, you'll still look like a child who hasn't grown up. I'm afraid you'll be exposed and charged with deceiving the emperor. If all else fails, I'll just have to do it myself."

“That won’t do,” Liang Jiang immediately objected. “What if that princess really takes a liking to you at first sight and insists on marrying you no matter what?”

She straightened up, slightly tiptoed, and looked at Gu Xizhi, who was half a head taller than her and had an imposing presence, with a bit of annoyance: "Besides, I'm not short, it's just that you're too tall."

Gu Xizhi chuckled, touching his face covered in a thick beard: "Looking like this now, I'm afraid I'm no better than Huyan Chao. How could the Princess possibly be interested in me?"

Liang Jiang blurted out, "Even with a scruffy beard, you're still better looking than others." As soon as she said it, she wanted to slap herself.

I was just being polite; he shouldn't think too much of it, right? Besides, what I said was the truth.

She glanced at Gu Xizhi shyly. Gu Xizhi's face was slightly red, and her eyes were shimmering with tears. She coughed lightly, feeling awkward.

"I'll take it as what you really think."

Liang Jiang hurriedly changed the subject: "Deputy General He said that you once clashed head-on with Huyan Chao, so you should try to avoid appearing in front of him. I think I can handle it on my own."

“You are no match for him.” Gu Xizhi said with certainty, “His reputation as the number one warrior in Xiliang is well-deserved. In terms of strength, you are already at a disadvantage.”

"Don't worry, I will try my best to avoid fighting him in the training ground. If it is unavoidable, I will not be reckless. You must not reveal your identity unless absolutely necessary."

Gu Xizhi smiled slightly: "Even if my identity is exposed, Xiliang will not dare to lay a finger on me. Therefore, in times of crisis, my identity will be your last protection. You don't need to have too many concerns. Otherwise, it would be meaningless for me to accompany you to Xiliang."

Liangjiang finally couldn't hold back any longer: "In order to clear my father's name, Your Highness accompanied me all the way to Xiliang, risking your life. I really don't know how to repay you. If anything happens to you, I will have no choice but to atone with my death."

Gu Xizhi's gaze darkened, and she pursed her thin lips, seemingly harboring a hint of anger.

"Atone with your death? Then tell me, why did I go through all that trouble, risking my life alongside you?"

Isn't it all so that you can be safe and sound?

"To seek justice for my father," Liang Jiang said matter-of-factly.

Gu Xizhi glared at her for a long time before finally giving in.

"Stupid! You're hopeless!"

He turned around and went back to his room in the inn in a huff.

Liang Jiang was scolded for no reason again. After thinking it over, she still couldn't figure out what she had said wrong.

Did you try to flatter someone but ended up making a fool of yourself?

This man is really boring, like a piece of wood.

Three days later, registration closed and the test began.

The written test was not very difficult. It was not a rigid essay or a poetry or lyric writing test. It was just some simple strategies and tactics.

These are all easy for Liang Jiang. After all, she comes from a family of military generals and grew up in Yuhua Mountain. She can handle most of them with ease.

However, she didn't want to draw too much attention and cause any unnecessary trouble. After all, not only the Emperor and Princess Mumin were watching this competition, but also Huyan Chao.

I have heard that Huyan Chao has been suppressing dissent and other outstanding generals, which is why Xiliang is now suffering from a shortage of capable generals and a lack of successors.

What is easy for Liang Jiang is not so simple for others.

Reading and writing were not something that poor children could hope to achieve, let alone military strategy and tactics.
However, when the results of the written exam came out, Liang Jiang went to check the list and found that she had failed and was eliminated.

This surprised her greatly. Was Xiliang really such a place where hidden talents and brilliant minds emerged?
This is a martial arts test, not a test for becoming a top scholar. How could someone of my skill level be among those eliminated?
Or was I just too arrogant?

Liang Jiang turned away in disappointment. It seemed she would have to think of another way.

Before I could leave, I heard a commotion behind me. Someone had torn down the notice that had just been posted.

"This is utterly absurd! What kind of ridiculous examination is this? Talented people are being eliminated, while those who can barely read and write, spouting nonsense, are on the list! Call the examiner out!"

(End of this chapter)