Discuss with you

Chapter 248 Walls have ears

Zhu Ning had been trying to find various reasons to see Yan Daoxin more often for several days, but unfortunately, apart from going to check her father's pulse in the morning, Yan Daoxin spent the rest of his time in the Chestnut Garden and rarely went outside, making it impossible for her to "bump into" him.

Today was an unexpected delight. The handsome, almost otherworldly, divine physician was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard. His movements were unhurried and graceful, and with the swaying of his robes and wide sleeves, he seemed ethereal. Zhu Ning wished she could nail her feet to the outside of the latticed window.

Logically speaking, peeking from outside the flower wall of someone else's courtyard is not a respectable act. If her parents caught her, she would be lectured. However, Zhu Ning was not worried. At this time, her father was probably already off to get his weapon.

There was no way her mother could have come to Chestnut Garden to wander around.

No one else in the family dared to say anything in front of her.

Just as she was engrossed in watching, Zhu Ning suddenly heard Zhu Yu's voice. It seemed to be not too far away, inside the courtyard wall, but the location was a bit off. She could only hear the voice, but could not see the other person.

She was startled and instinctively squatted down. Just as she was thinking of sneaking away, she heard Zhu Yu on the other side of the wall say to another person with a puzzled look: "You clearly know that in a few years it will be the Emperor's birthday, and there will be a Fengshan ceremony. At the latest, the Emperor will issue an edict to arrange the casting of the Fengshan Cauldron."

Although those golden seals and imperial seals were not something that Shuo was good at making, Shuo still had an advantage in terms of the tripods and wine vessels used for the grand ceremony, right?

Why won't you let me tell Father about this, and instead tell him to prepare in advance?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ning immediately became interested and quickly shrank back against the wall to avoid being discovered by the people inside. She pricked up her ears and continued to listen, thinking about how she had made a big joke and been scolded that day because she mistakenly thought her father was keeping a mistress. Meanwhile, her little half-sister Zhu Yu had become the Princess Consort of Xiaoyao and was shining brightly. This feeling of resentment was really hard to swallow.

Today she must hear the whole story clearly and tell her father about it, so that he can see who is truly a good daughter who is wholeheartedly devoted to the Zhu family.

Then she heard the carefree prince's voice: "It's not that I don't want your father to prepare in advance, but His Majesty has already given instructions on this matter. This Fengshan ceremony is a major event with the right time, place, and people. At that time, petitions will be sent to the whole world to select the most skilled craftsmen to make it. Everything will be based on skill, regardless of background or qualifications."

Your Shuo region already possesses black iron and many skilled craftsmen. If this matter were told to your father in advance, he, as the King of Shuo, would be too embarrassed to personally intervene and would secretly inform the Pang family beforehand. This would allow the Pang family to begin preparations earlier and inevitably produce even more exquisite finished products.

This would be unfair to others and would not be in accordance with the Emperor's wishes.

Only I know about this; no one else knows anything about it. If the news gets out, wouldn't I be in big trouble?
Although you are a daughter of the Zhu family, you are also my wife. In this matter, the interests of the Xiaoyao Prince's Mansion must be considered first.

Zhu Yu seemed to have been persuaded, and said somewhat hesitantly, "My father is the most honest and timid person. Since this matter was secretly leaked to him, how could he possibly risk trouble by telling the Pang family!"

But...you're right...

Since that's the case, let's not talk about it for now..."

Zhu Ning listened to the conversation between the two people outside the courtyard wall. After hearing them finish their story, they started chatting about random things. Zhu Ning then quietly crouched down and slipped away along the base of the wall. After taking a few steps toward the front courtyard, Zhu Ning slowed her pace, thought for a moment, and then turned and hurried toward the Zhu Garden where her mother lived.

Looking out through the lattice window through which Zhu Ning had been peeking, Zhu Yu saw her hesitate and then change her mind, deciding to go and inform Madam Pang. He finally felt at ease.

"Alright, she really didn't go to her father, but went to her mother instead. So all our charade wasn't for nothing." She patted her chest. She had been a little worried that Zhu Ning wouldn't take the bait and would go to Zhu Cheng to tell on her.

While that would explain everything later, it's still annoying that the hook wasn't cast out successfully.

Seeing that everything was proceeding smoothly as he had predicted, Zhu Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's wrong? Your eldest sister is gone?" Yan Daoxin's ears were also very sharp. Hearing Zhu Yu's words, she stopped what she was doing and hurriedly asked, her expectant expression as if she were asking if a plague had been sent away.

Zhu Yu nodded at him, suppressing a smile.

Yan Daoxin was indeed very happy to hear this, and in a great mood, he waved to Lu Qing: "Perfect timing, I've already practiced my sword today, and you're free right now, how about we spar a few times?"

“You should practice on your own.” Lu Qing glanced at him and pulled Zhu Yu into the courtyard. “My wife told me before that she wanted me to teach her some self-defense moves. I happen to have some free time today, and I was just about to fulfill that promise.”

Yan Daoxin's eyes were filled with mockery, and he clicked his tongue as he shook his head and went to the side to continue practicing his swordsmanship alone.

“Although you are physically strong compared to many women in Jin Kingdom, you are still weak compared to ordinary men. So I don’t plan to teach you those routines and techniques that require years of practice to achieve any results.” Lu Qing pulled Zhu Yu into the courtyard and said to her, “You were right the other day. For you, the most important thing is to learn some emergency escape techniques that can be used in critical moments. That’s more effective than practicing horse stance for a long time.”

Zhu Yu thought that after she said it that day, Lu Qing would just tease her and give her a perfunctory response. She didn't expect him to actually have such a plan, so she was naturally very happy and quickly perked up to learn properly.

"If you lack strength, you must know how to use your size to defeat your opponent. If your opponent is taller and stronger than you, then if he attacks you with his arm, you must use your shoulder or leg to fight back effectively. Otherwise, it will backfire."

As Lu Qing spoke, she gestured for Zhu Yu to stand closer and reached out to pull herself closer.

Zhu Yu reached out her right hand to grab Lu Qing's arm, but before her fingers could even touch his sleeve, Lu Qing twisted his left wrist and grabbed Zhu Yu's hand. In the instant he pulled her forward, he twisted her arm behind her back, trapping it around his waist so she couldn't move.

At the same time, his right hand lashed forward, pressing against Zhu Yu's chin with the base of his thumb, pushing her head back.

Zhu Yu subconsciously tried to tilt her head back to reduce the force from her chin, and her whole body leaned backward uncontrollably. Lu Qing then supported her with his hand that was across her lower back, and she was pulled into his arms.