546: Chapter 546 Insult to the Prince of Zhenbei

The hall fell into silence.

Xiao Qingxuan looked at Princess Lanyi with an expressionless face.

Although she had admired Princess Lanti in her youth, it was merely a sentiment.

Of course, chatting idly with an idol and reminiscing about one's own youthful years was quite pleasant.

But when it came to truly serious and sensitive topics, she would not be confused in the slightest.

Watching the "sincere and earnest" appearance of Princess Lanyi, Xiao Qingxuan felt insulted!

What did she take her for? A three-year-old child?

In a trance, Xiao Qingxuan had a moment of reflection...

Perhaps it was because she had been by her husband's side for so long; since the uprising at the Stone Fortress, she had learned to view the world with a positive and optimistic mindset.

No matter how difficult or dark the times, because of Lin Xiao's presence, everything would turn out fine.

Under Lin Xiao's governance, the Northern Territory was thriving, with orderly administration and harmonious people.

As a result, Xiao Qingxuan did not need to engage in scheming; she only needed to follow Lin Xiao's footsteps and strive for their common goals.

But precisely because of this, she had almost forgotten the darkness behind the light.

Most people in this world were merely selfish, mediocre individuals.

The higher your expectations of them, the greater the disappointment...

"Princess... what are you saying? I don't quite understand."

Xiao Qingxuan intended to play along to see how many "surprises" Princess Lanyi could give her.

Seeing Xiao Qingxuan's "hypocritical" appearance, Princess Lanyi inwardly chuckled.

Still trying to probe her? The fox's tail was about to be exposed, wasn't it?

"Princess Consort, when I first entered the Academy, although I was the daughter of the Prince of Wu, I was heavily suppressed due to my status as a woman."

"I know deeply how difficult it is for a woman to carve out her own achievements in these chaotic times."

"The Princess Consort was able to quell the rebellion of Prince Qing single-handedly, and with the bloodline of the Xiao Imperial Family, who in the world would not be convinced?"

"If, after the world is unified, the Princess Consort were to retire behind the scenes, would that not be a great pity?"

Princess Lanyi sighed, "I know the Princess Consort and the Prince share a deep affection, but as a fellow woman, I want to fight for the situation of women in the world just this once!"

Her words, both explicitly and implicitly, were framed as being "for the women of the world," not for the Prince Wus Mansion of Baiyue.

Xiao Qingxuan showed an admiring look, "As expected of Princess Lanti, truly a role model for women of the world; the 'Three Pearls of the Academy' title is well-deserved."

"But the Princess should know that the Xiao Imperial Family has long since declined; even with some grassroots support, it is not enough to restore the Great Zheng Dynasty."

"I accept the Princess's good intentions, but asking me to discuss this with the Prince... I fear that would be somewhat difficult."

Seeing the other party "take the bait," Princess Lanyi immediately pressed on, "If Your Majesty has the heart for it, I am willing to offer up all the power I have accumulated over the years to assist Your Majesty in ascending the throne again!"

She intentionally displayed a hint of loss of composure and blurted out "Your Majesty."

Xiao Qingxuan smiled, "Princess, if you are referring to the Baiyue army of the Prince of Wu, I dare not trust that easily..."

"Naturally, that is not it!"

Princess Lanyi smiled confidently; she had long since thought of how to give Xiao Qingxuan a "grand gift."

"Does Your Majesty know who my mentor in the Academy is?"

Xiao Qingxuan nodded, "I remember it is the head of the Baiyue literary circles, Master of Yuzhou Academy, Qi Songyuan, Master Qi, right?"

"Correct. My teacher has cultivated the Baiyue region for decades, and his students are all over the world."

"And my teacher is also a rare master of Buddhist studies in the Academy, the reason being that he was a disciple of the Buddhist Sect in his youth."

"Later, because he admired the Confucian way of educating the world, he returned to secular life and joined the Academy."

"Most Masters of the Academy primarily study literature and have mediocre martial arts, but my teacher is a rare Martial Arts Grandmaster."

"Moreover, my teacher possesses a domineering cultivation, with power approaching that of a Great Grandmaster; he is the number one expert in the Academy."

"Therefore, the world calls my teacher 'Martial Master'..."

Princess Lanyi smiled, "There is actually a secret in the middle of this that most people do not know."

Xiao Qingxuan put on an expectant look, "What secret?"

Princess Lanyi teased a bit before lowering her voice, "My teacher... his master in the Buddhist Sect is the Sweeping Monk!"

"What?"

This time, Xiao Qingxuan was not pretending; she was genuinely surprised, "Master Qi is a disciple of the Sweeping Monk?"

"Correct. In terms of lineage, I can also be considered a grand-disciple of the Sweeping Monk."

"Because most of my Great Grandmaster's early disciples have already passed away, my teacher is currently the highest-ranking disciple under the Sweeping Monk."

Princess Lanyi showed a hint of pride, "Your Majesty, as long as you nod, the Buddhist Sect and the Academy can all lend you a hand."

Xiao Qingxuan wore a "struggling and hesitant" expression, appearing to consider the credibility of these words.

"The Princess has said so much, but it is all empty words without proof."

Xiao Qingxuan showed a hint of suspicion, "This is no small matter; how am I to believe you?"

Princess Lanyi sneered inwardly. Her ambition, finally, is not hidden anymore?

Behind her, the Haitang and Old Man Wu also exchanged glances, their eyes revealing a look of mockery.

This Empress of Western Shu was still too young; this level of shrewdness was simply no match for their Princess!

"Your Majesty, please look at this person I brought today."

Princess Lanyi gestured for Old Man Wu to step forward and introduced him, "This Uncle Wu, whose real name is Wu Chuanqiong, is the leader of the 'Four Vajras' of the Buddhist Sect!"

"What? He is Wu Chuanqiong?"

Xiao Qingxuan stood up and said, "One of the four lay disciples of the Buddhist Sect, a high disciple of the Sweeping Monk?"

"I am Wu Chuanqiong, greetings, Your Majesty the Empress."

Wu Chuanqiong grinned, "I wouldn't call myself a high disciple; I am just the Princess's carriage driver."

"Your Majesty, Uncle Wu has already been at the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster for over a decade, and his Buddhist internal energy is unfathomably deep."

Princess Lanyi said proudly, "I brought him here to tell Your Majesty that everything I have said is not empty talk."

"As long as Your Majesty gives me a chance, I am willing to go back and tell the teachers of the Academy and the Buddhist Sect to support Your Majesty with all their might!"

The hall fell into silence once again.

Princess Lanyi watched as Xiao Qingxuan paced back and forth, appearing to be deep in thought, and she knew the plan had succeeded!

Suddenly, Xiao Qingxuan looked at her again and said, "That's not right, Princess Lanti. I have never met Wu Chuanqiong before. Based solely on your word, how do I know he is truly a high disciple of the Sweeping Monk?"

Princess Lanti was speechless. With this brain, how could she still be by the side of the Prince of Zhenbei? It was simply an insult to the Prince of Zhenbei!

Other things could be fabricated, but could martial arts be faked?

"If Your Majesty is worried, you can send someone you trust to exchange a few moves with Uncle Wu," Princess Lanyi said, restraining her patience.

Xiao Qingxuan nodded, "Very well, then I will make a few moves to test this senior, how about that?"

"Your Majesty wants to test him personally?" Princess Lanyi was stunned.

Although there were rumors in the outside world that Xiao Qingxuan's martial arts were extremely high, and even rumors that she was a Great Grandmaster.

But such words were not believed by anyone at all; when they reached outside the Northern Territory, they were treated as a joke.

What a joke? If the Empress had such strong martial arts, could she have been easily expelled from Western Shu?

"What, does the Princess look down on me?"

Xiao Qingxuan frowned, "Although my martial arts are not as good as the Prince's, they are not bad either."

Princess Lanyi thought to herself, if one is not a top-tier expert, how can one test the cultivation of a Martial Arts Grandmaster?

But she couldn't be bothered to explain further; anyway, as long as she could make Xiao Qingxuan feel impressed, that was enough.

"It is my honor to spar with Your Majesty. Please!"

Seeing Princess Lanyi nod secretly, Wu Chuanqiong didn't care anymore; he would just consider it playing with a little girl.