Yang Guo travels back in time to become Duan Yu, a different kind of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils.

Chapter 72 Marriage

As the banquet drew to a close, the Empress Dowager, who had been mostly silent, suddenly asked, "Young Master Duan is both learned and skilled in martial arts; I wonder if the Prince of Zhennan has arranged a marriage for you?"

The question immediately silenced the banquet.

Everyone could clearly hear that the Empress Dowager's question likely indicated her intention to arrange a marriage alliance. Dali was a powerful vassal state in the southwest, and a marriage alliance would strengthen the ties between the Song Dynasty and the Duan family. The Empress Dowager only had one legitimate daughter, the Princess of Yan, who was currently residing in the Yaohua Villa.

Many ministers in the hall were already calculating whether their own interests would be harmed or benefited after the marriage alliance.

The old eunuch who had fought Yang Guo before frowned slightly, looked up at the Empress Dowager behind the curtain, and heard her breath hitch slightly as she quietly awaited Yang Guo's reply.

Yang Guo felt a chill run down his spine.

His heart already belonged only to Xiaolongnu, and he was unwilling to marry anyone else, regardless of the time or space. However, she was the Empress Dowager of the Song Dynasty. If he were to refuse her outright in front of the entire court, it would be to defy the Emperor and give him grounds for disrespecting the Song Dynasty's royal family.

He hesitated for a moment, then curtsied deeply, his expression solemn and without a trace of mockery: "Your Majesty, I have already given my heart to someone, and in this life, there is no room for a second person in my heart. I dare not delay the precious daughter of the Song Dynasty, and I hope Your Majesty will forgive me for not being able to obey your command."

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtyard erupted in uproar.

Behind the curtain, the Empress Dowager's smile froze for a moment, somewhat surprised.

She did indeed consider betrothing Zhao Shuhuai to Yang Guo. After her eldest princess suffered a serious illness at the age of twelve, her personality changed drastically. She became cold to everyone, and countless noblemen who proposed marriage were turned away. Time and time again, she dragged it out until she was twenty-five years old. In an era where one could call herself "old woman" at forty, twenty-five was definitely considered an "older single woman."

Last night, upon hearing that Zhao Shuhuai had spoken out in defense of the Crown Prince of Dali, the Empress Dowager thought that her daughter's marriage had finally come true. Now it seems that she had been overthinking things.

She had thought that it was an immense honor for the prince to be favored by the Song Dynasty's imperial family, but she never expected that he would so readily refuse.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager had seen a lot and was able to take things in stride. After a moment, she was not angry, but instead became curious: "Is this really true? I wonder what kind of woman she is that could win the prince's heart so much?"

'

Yang Guo, not wanting to reveal the intricacies of the matter, glanced at the Yaohua Palace and slowly replied, "The reasons behind this are numerous and complex, too many to explain in a few words. When my wish is fulfilled in the future, I will certainly report to the Empress Dowager."

Behind the curtain, the Empress Dowager's fingers gently clenched the corner of her sleeve. Yang Guo's glance just now was extremely faint, but with her seasoned experience, she had already caught the direction of his gaze towards the Yaohua Villa in the inner palace.

Yaohua Biedian was the residence of Princess Zhao Shuhuai.

The Emperor Zhao stepped in to smooth things over: "I see. I didn't expect the Crown Prince to be such a man of character, quite like the Prince of Zhennan. Guards, bestow upon the Crown Prince of Dali two pairs of imperial jade discs and one hundred bolts of brocade as a reward for his service today."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your generous gift." Yang Guo bowed and expressed his gratitude, but inwardly he couldn't help but think: My reputation as a "father" is quite great; even the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, who doesn't even leave the palace, knows about it.

For several days afterward, Yang Guo was summoned to the palace and explained the Quanzhen Health Preservation Technique to Emperor Zhao in the inner hall.

Emperor Zhao was still young at heart. Apart from meditating and comprehending the guiding techniques, he would often pull Yang Guo aside in his spare time and ask him to tell him some strange tales and anecdotes from the martial arts world.

Yang Guo had lived two lives, and his experiences were already extraordinary. He was also eloquent. He didn't need to mention the world-shaking secrets of The Return of the Condor Heroes or the Valley of Heartbreak. He just talked about the chivalrous turmoil of the Central Plains and the scenery of Dali in the Southern Frontier. Zhao Xu was captivated by his story and often listened so intently that he even put aside the memorials on his desk.

The basic mental cultivation method of the Quanzhen School is not written in many words; it focuses on understanding the essence of quiet meditation and breath regulation, without any complicated or obscure tricks. Within a few days, Yang Guo had explained most of the essential points of the method. The remaining aspects, such as the timing of breath regulation and the proper degree of daily meditation, all depended on the official's own daily practice.

Yang Guo secretly estimated that if he could consistently nourish his qi and blood and avoid the depletion and deficiency caused by his past life, he should have a good chance of living to his forties or fifties.

After the explanation of the mental cultivation method was completed, only the emperor and his minister remained in the inner hall, while the eunuchs all retreated to the outer corridor to wait on them.

Zhao Xu had just finished a round of meditation and let out a long breath, feeling completely relaxed. His eyes showed a hint of joy: "Your Highness's method is truly amazing. After practicing it for several days, the fatigue that used to make me feel drowsy when reviewing memorials until midnight has been greatly reduced."

Yang Guo bowed and said, "Your Majesty is busy with countless affairs every day. The key is to persevere. Taoism emphasizes going with the flow. Too much is as bad as too little. If you force progress, it will only damage your vital energy."

Zhao Xu nodded, his expression relaxed.

Seeing that the time was right, Yang Guo stopped beating around the bush and calmly said, "Your Majesty, I have a request to make."

"Please speak freely, Your Highness."

"That day, I mistakenly entered the Yaohua Palace and disturbed the Princess's peace. I have not had the opportunity to apologize to her since then, so I am making this request to Your Majesty."

Emperor Zhao frowned slightly, pondering for a moment: "Yaohua Palace is where the Imperial Sister recuperates, and she has always disliked outsiders visiting. It is against etiquette for men to enter. Prince Duan, why do you insist on seeing the Imperial Sister? Could it be that the person you spoke of so earnestly at the banquet that day is related to the Imperial Sister?"

Yang Guo replied earnestly, "That day, when I mistakenly entered the Yaohua Palace, I happened to find the Princess practicing her swordsmanship. That swordsmanship is related to the whereabouts of someone of great importance to me. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to go to the Yaohua Palace to meet the Princess of Yan and ask her a few questions in person. After asking a few questions, I will leave immediately and will not stay long, nor will I disturb the Princess's daily life."

Upon hearing this, the relaxed atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

The smile on Zhao Xu's face slowly faded. Not many people in the palace knew that the Eldest Princess knew martial arts. Only a handful of people, including himself, his mother, and the Empress Dowager, knew. His mother and the Empress Dowager had asked their personal eunuchs, but they could not tell which school or style the Eldest Princess practiced.

As for how the eldest princess learned this skill, no one knows. Now, Prince Duan claims that his elder sister's skill is of great importance to him, and perhaps he can unlock the secret of his elder sister.

"Young Master Duan, do you know what kind of martial art my elder sister uses?"

Yang Guo did not answer directly, but bowed deeply and said, "This matter is of great importance. I need to confirm with the Princess herself in person before I can answer. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Xu finally couldn't resist the curiosity and trust in his heart and slowly said, "I grant you permission to see him."

He raised his hand to stop the eunuch who was about to speak, and whispered, "I have specially decreed that you go to the Yaohua Annex Hall immediately for questioning."

The allotted time is half an hour. A palace attendant will accompany you throughout, standing guard outside the palace. You must not whisper, linger, or disturb the princess's meditation. Once the task is complete, leave the palace immediately and do not linger.

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