Volume 2: The Phoenix Descends Upon the World, the Swan Goose is Shocked 026 Four Consorts Compete in Arts

  "Hehe, don't worry, I'm here, no one can bully you!"

  Lan Mingxuan's charming voice, with a hint of seduction, was like a promise, loud and clear. He had always done things as he pleased, without regard for etiquette or other people's opinions. As long as it was something he liked, he would do it, regardless of the consequences!

  Ruan Qinchendeng heard the words and only nodded lightly, with trust in her eyes. She believed this man, that his words were true and he would definitely keep his promise!

  "Ah Xiang Tian, see National Master!"

  "We, your subjects, pay our respects to Your Excellency, the National Master!"

  "See the National Master!"

  The crowd took a deep breath and slowly came back to their senses from the shock.

  For a moment, the sound of people paying their respects was like waves rising and falling, echoing through the air. The scene was even more grand than when they had gone to pay their respects in the morning, and even the Empress Dowager, who was normally above such things, couldn't help but bow her head in respect.

  It's just because the man in front of me is a god from the Yunyan Empire.

  Each generation's State Preceptor holds a supreme position in the Yunyan Empire, and those who show disrespect to the State Preceptor will not come to a good end. It would be better to say that the State Preceptors are not divine residences, but rather the most terrifying existence. They make people dare not resist from the bottom of their hearts. When seeing someone more excellent than oneself, one's heart will naturally give rise to a spirit of rivalry. However, when someone has already stood at a height that cannot be reached even if one exhausts his entire life, then all that is left is to look up in admiration.

  "No need for formalities, this time I'm here just for her!"

  Lan Mingxuan's handsome face, with crystal blue eyes that seemed to hold unfathomable depths. His clothes fluttered as he moved, like a celestial being transcending the mundane.

  He casually pulled over a chair and sat down in the grand hall, his posture relaxed. The wide sleeves of his loose robe embroidered with snow-white feathers fluttered even without wind. His lips, as beautiful as cherry blossoms, lightly pursed into an elegant arc, revealing a radiant smile that was reserved only for her.

  "National Master, although I don't know what kind of relationship you have with my queen, but please be clear about your own identity!"

  Yun Qianye's face turned cold and stern as he heard the ambiguous tone in his words. Others may fear the name of Guoshi, but Yun Qianye was not afraid!

  "Oh? Is my identity important? Whatever! I'll protect whoever I want to, no matter what! Isn't that a simple enough truth for Your Majesty the War King to understand?"

  Lan Mingxuan's icy blue eyes locked onto Yun Qianye, the two engaged in a silent stare-down, yet the air was thick with killing intent. Their gazes crackled with electricity, summoning thunder and flames that made the surrounding crowd tremble with fear, hastily wiping away cold sweat.

  "Senya, you mustn't be rude to the State Master!"

  Yun Huang saw that the two men were at odds over a woman and hastily spoke up, lest they provoke Guo Shi and bring about great calamity.

  "Hmmph!"

  Yun Qianye let out a cold snort and didn't continue to insist. He wasn't afraid of the national teacher's majesty, but he had to consider the people of Yunyan Empire.

  Guo Shi Lan Ming Xuan sat in the grand hall, causing all the officials and concubines to tremble with fear in their hearts. They were afraid that if they weren't careful, they would offend this handsome man who was as beautiful as a god, yet had a personality that was as wild and unpredictable as a demon, and was so noble and aloof that people didn't dare get close to him!

  "Guoshi can descend upon Longque Hall, making it flourish. If the War King's Consort is unwell, perhaps we should wait until next time when she has recovered?"

  Yun Huang walked down with a group of concubines, the smile on his face becoming more and more charming. This remark was undoubtedly giving Ruan Qincheng an opportunity to save face, if it were anyone else they would have taken advantage of his words to step down. But he was being deliberately difficult and provocative, not responding would absolutely not be in line with Ruan Qincheng's style!

  "Never mind, I'd be grateful if you could all just give me some advice!"

  Ruan Qinchun smiled proudly, her clear voice ringing out. Her long eyelashes curved upwards, her dark pupils shining with spirit. She narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of mischief sparkling in their depths, revealing a touch of untamed wildness. She was not perfect, no saintly Mother Mary, nor did she possess any grand, benevolent heart that could save the world. She was just a flesh-and-blood woman with a temper, having a stubborn and contrary personality like a child, and also having severe mood swings at the slightest provocation.

  In her past life, she had shouldered too many burdens and never truly lived for herself. In this life, since heaven has given her a new life, why not live freely and unrestrainedly once!

  Since you've already offended her, then just ask for trouble!

  "What! Did I hear that right?!"

  "How dare she say something so outrageous! Is she really an idiot?"

  "There's a road to heaven but you don't take it, hell has no gate yet you insist on coming!"

  "What a shame!"

  "You don't know what's good for you!"

  “……”

  The concubines and imperial consorts heard this and began to discuss it in hushed tones, their eyes filled with disdain. They had been selected to enter the palace after undergoing rigorous screening, and they knew that any one of them could crush her dignity like an ant at will!

  Zhen Fei and the Empress both had a mocking smile on their faces, as if they had already seen her embarrassing appearance. As the saying goes: "There may be several women in this world who don't eat rice, but there isn't even one woman who doesn't eat vinegar." In the harem, those waiting to see Ruan Qinchun lose face were not in the minority.

  "This——"

  Yun Huang was overjoyed in his heart, but hesitated and looked at Lan Mingxuan. He had thought that today would not be an opportunity to let Ruan Qincheng's foolish name be known to all, but unexpectedly the fool actually opened his mouth and delivered himself to his doorstep. If he could use this to humiliate the War King, it would be even better!

  The Yunyan Empire couldn't do without the War King, he watched as his reputation rose to new heights, yet he couldn't bring himself to kill him. Being able to humiliate the War King was enough to satisfy that envious and resentful heart of his.

  "As she said!"

  Lan Mingxuan nodded slightly, his gaze drifting towards Ruan Qincheng like a cloud in the clear sky. He believed she had her own reasons for doing this, and all he needed to do was support her wholeheartedly. This was both Junxiao's request and something he himself wanted to do. He knew he felt an inexplicable closeness to this lively and spirited woman, and seeing her happy smile also made him feel joyful.

  At that time, he was just a bystander outside the embroidered streets and alleys, standing independently in the red dust, with a transcendent posture like a god, shining in the world.

  Never had he imagined that one day, he too would set foot in this mundane world and sink deeply into the mire.

  "The queen of war has such an interest, then let the four concubines with outstanding talents in the harem exchange and interact with you!"

  The queen, Liu Ruyan, spoke with an indescribably smug expression on her face.

  Yunluo Palace's Taifei, Fuhua Palace's Zhēnfeī, Ziyun Palace's Meifei, Mansheng Palace's Mengfei. The four consorts were the most favored in the harem, each exceling in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and were also renowned throughout the Yunyan Empire. Among them, Mengfei Mengxiao Ran was one of the four misses of the imperial palace, with exceptional talent. Unfortunately, she caught the eye of Emperor Yun, and to protect her family's lives, had no choice but to surrender herself to him.

  "Before the contest, let's set the rules for the contest. The four consorts will compete in a competition of skills, each competing against Empress Zhan once. The content of the competition cannot be repeated. As long as Empress Zhan wins over any one of the consorts, she will be considered victorious!"

  Yun Huang loudly declared, his tone filled with excitement.

  "After all, since it's a competition, there must be some surprises!"

  Lan Mingxuan leaned against his cheek with one hand, his soft and charming voice slowly falling.

  "If the Queen of War wins, I'll kneel down and call you 'Auntie'. If I win, then please ask the Queen of War to admit that she's a fool!"

  Zhen Fei sneered and said, her face full of arrogance.

  "Fine, I'll wait for you to kneel down and call me 'Aunt'!"

  Ruan Qincen's sleeves fluttered lightly as she readily agreed. Those who humiliate others will inevitably be humiliated themselves!

  Digression

  I recommend my friend Endymion's ancient article "Idle Wife 'Too' Unkind". Hooligans are not scary, what's scary is hooligans with culture! So I want to be a hooligan with culture, morality and quality! I vow to catch all the beautiful women in the world!