Martial Arts Master: The Lin Family Sword God, who swept through the Five Mountains and Four Sects

"Brother Lin Tian, ​​you're here!" Honglian exclaimed excitedly.

"Master," Yan Lingji called softly.

Honglian naturally took Lin Tian's arm, tilted her head to look at Zhao Ji, and said with suspicion, "Brother Lin Tian, ​​is she really the Empress Dowager? She looks even younger than me."

Yan Lingji was also stunned. Her gaze swept over Zhao Ji twice, and she saw that Zhao Ji sat upright like a pine tree, slowly sipping her tea, her brows slightly furrowed, and she murmured softly, "I really didn't expect this..."

Lin Tian was speechless for a moment.

Just as she was wondering how to answer, Zhao Ji put down her celadon cup, looked up at the two women, and said in a gentle but undeniable tone, "In terms of status, I am the Empress Dowager of Qin; in terms of age, I am indeed several generations older than you. To presume to my face like this, do you really think I am gentle and easy to bully?"

Lin Tian quickly interjected, "Your Majesty, please calm down. They are new here and have never seen your face before—why don't you go inside?"

Upon hearing the sound, Yan Lingji and Honglian immediately lowered their eyes, bowed, and turned to retreat back into the house, leaving only Lin Tian and Zhao Ji standing quietly in the courtyard.

Today, Zhao Ji still wore a dazzling phoenix crown and a flowing wedding robe, her hair styled in a high bun, the jade phoenix hairpin adorned with lustrous emeralds that made her face glow. Yet, her face remained clear and youthful, like a peach blossom yet to bloom in early spring. Lin Tian noticed that she wasn't wearing her thick-soled phoenix boots; as her skirt fell, a glimpse of her slender ankles was revealed—exactly as she had looked when they first met, her expression unchanged.

Zhao Ji waved her hand, indicating that it was alright, and gestured for Lin Tian to sit down. He remained seated opposite her.

As soon as she sat down, Zhao Ji smiled and said, "I've long heard that the Grand Preceptor's residence is full of beauties, and seeing them today, it's certainly true. These two young ladies, if placed in the Seven Kingdoms, would each be stunningly beautiful. The Grand Preceptor's good fortune is probably going to attract the envy of the heavens—aren't you afraid of others being jealous and gossiping behind your back?"

She reverted to her old self, her words sharp and barbed, every sentence aimed at Lin Tian's weak points. But Lin Tian breathed a sigh of relief—this was more like it. If one day she suddenly became gentle and obedient, he would truly become suspicious.

Lin Tian scratched the back of his neck and chuckled dryly, "Ahem... Your Majesty, please speak plainly and stop beating around the bush. They're just friends, there's really nothing more to it."

"Prime Minister Lü is seriously ill, and I went to visit him early this morning. While I was at it, I also came to see the Grand Preceptor of my Great Qin." Zhao Ji's tone was calm, but before she finished speaking, Lin Tian could already hear the underlying meaning—she was clearly there to subtly encourage him.

Seeing that her teacup was empty, Lin Tian picked up the teapot and refilled it with water. The hot soup was poured into the celadon cup, and steam rose slightly. He then asked, "I appreciate the Empress Dowager's kindness. However… perhaps you have something else to discuss?"

Zhao Ji gazed at the rising steam, her eyes softening slightly. The gloom she had carried from the Lü residence seemed to have dissipated somewhat with this cup of newly brewed tea. She raised her eyes to Lin Tian: "Zheng'er has already issued the imperial edict, and the whole world knows. This morning, all the old ministers gathered at Xianyang Palace, including many elders of the Ying family who were entrusted with the care of the young king. Zheng'er has ascended the throne at such a young age; how does the Grand Preceptor intend to deal with this?"

"Hasn't the Empress Dowager long since ceased to concern herself with court affairs?" Lin Tian reminded her with a smile. "You personally promised this in front of all the civil and military officials—the Empress Dowager's word is law, how could you go back on your promise?"

Zhao Ji smiled faintly: "They are my and Zheng'er's flesh and blood relatives, and do not belong to the category of 'court politics'. I only hope that the Grand Preceptor will show mercy and refrain from violence."

It turns out they were afraid he would kill someone.

Lin Tian's heart lit up, and he muttered to himself, "When did I become a butcher who goes crazy at the sight of blood?" But then he thought about it again, and realized that the rumors circulating recently had indeed portrayed him as a vengeful ghost, full of malevolence.

He said solemnly, "As long as you gentlemen keep to your duties, do not curry favor with Prime Minister Lü, and do not hinder the King, your lives will be safe."

"That's excellent." Zhao Ji nodded. "When we enter the palace later, I will personally persuade them a few times, and they should disperse."

Taking advantage of the situation, Lin Tian remarked, "The Lu family residence has been unusually quiet lately."

He glanced at Zhao Ji without showing any emotion—her expression remained unchanged, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of her cup, as calm as a deep pool. Lin Tian understood: the relationship between Lü Buwei and her had probably been completely severed long ago.

Zhao Ji suddenly stood up, her phoenix robe fluttering slightly: "Imperial Preceptor, please wait. I will return to the palace now."

"I'll take you there."

As soon as the two stepped out of the threshold of the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Lin Tian glanced around and saw that Yan Dan was already standing by the door.

Upon seeing Lin Tian appear, Yan Dan hurriedly took a few steps to greet him, but his gaze paused for a moment when it swept over Zhao Ji—he had never seen this Empress Dowager before, assuming she was just some noble lady, so he nodded slightly and didn't look at her any further, never considering her to be in that supreme position.

Lin Tian never expected to run into Yan Dan in front of his own door, let alone that she would come to his door in person. He glanced up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by a playful expression.

Yan Dan presented a gold-edged invitation with both hands.

Lin Tian took the parchment and examined it closely. The parchment gleamed softly, its texture delicate. His fingertips paused slightly, and he raised an eyebrow, asking, "Your Highness, what...does this mean?"

"Today, Dan is hosting a banquet at the Bu residence to specially invite the Imperial Preceptor to grace us with his presence." Yan Dan bowed deeply, his tone almost obsequious. "I have prepared everything the Imperial Preceptor needs."

Lin Tian's eyes lit up, and he immediately understood seven or eight parts of the story—it turned out that Yan Fei had indeed handed over the most precious treasure that the Yin Yang School had guarded for generations. Something that more than a dozen generations had risked their lives to protect was willingly given up by a mere Crown Prince of Yan. Although Lin Tian felt that this deal was an outrageous loss, since the other party was willing to give it up, why not accept it? In any case, he would be the one who benefited.

He immediately agreed, and Yan Dan was overjoyed. He quickly bowed and took his leave.

Zhao Ji's phoenix carriage stopped at the street corner diagonally opposite the Grand Preceptor's residence. Her attendants stood quietly, without disturbing the gate of the residence in the slightest.

She deliberately avoided the limelight, not wanting to attract attention. As Yan Dan left, his gaze swept across the street corner, completely unaware of the identity behind the curtain. Only after the figure had disappeared from sight did she lift the curtain, a slight smile playing on her lips: "Crown Prince Dan of Yan? I must attend this banquet. He didn't even recognize me; isn't this a godsend?"

Lin Tian flatly refused: "It's just a meal, Your Majesty, please return to the palace and take your seat."

"Alright." Zhao Ji slowly lowered the curtain, her tone soft yet alluring. "Then I'll return to your residence and tell Honglian and Yanlingji in detail how the Imperial Preceptor 'served' me last night."

Lin Tian was speechless.

Finally, Empress Dowager Zhao Ji actually followed him out! Clothes were a problem, but fortunately Zi Nu was skillful. She took apart Hong Lian's pomegranate skirt, cinched the waist and altered the sleeves, and managed to recreate a pretty little shirt.

Once Zhao Ji donned the robes, she truly resembled a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl in the bloom of youth, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a rosy complexion. Even Zi Nu couldn't help but lean closer for a second look, lowering her voice to Lin Tian, ​​"I still find it strange—is she really the Empress Dowager? Or the King of Qin's biological mother?"

Zi Nu had just turned twenty, while Li Wu was twenty-two.

Apart from those two, almost all the girls in the manor were under twenty. Don't be fooled by Yan Lingji's charming demeanor; she was actually only eighteen, so young and tender she looked like she could be squeezed for water.

Zhao Ji's youthful appearance, seemingly untouched by the passage of time, inevitably evoked a touch of envy in the eyes of other women—who could blame them for having such a deceptive face despite her long life?

Lin Tian then quietly pulled Zi Nu aside and asked, "Zhao Ji is going to the banquet with me. Aren't you jealous? Aren't you afraid?"

Zi Nu smiled faintly: "Lin Tian, ​​you are bad, you like to stare at beautiful women, but you are not so despicable as to become a beast."

Lin Tian understood—it meant that no matter how outrageous he was, he still had a bottom line.

He then turned to Zhao Ji and asked, "Why must we travel together?"

Zhao Ji answered decisively, leaving no room for argument: "I fear the Grand Preceptor is secretly colluding with the State of Yan, plotting to seize the throne of our Great Qin. If someone like you were to be won over by the six states, our Great Qin would be in grave danger."

Okay.

She was there to keep watch. But Lin Tian always felt that what flickered in her eyes wasn't the vigilance of the court, but rather the joy of a young girl sneaking out of the palace.

The banquet was scheduled for the end of Shen Shi (3-5 PM), which is exactly 6 PM today.