The visitor was Xiang Song. He clasped his hands and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty. The messengers we sent out have not yet sent back any news. The heavy snow last night will likely hinder our progress. Even if we send messages by carrier pigeon, it will still be delayed by a few days."
"Hmm, the climate in the capital is rather cold, so the envoys from neighboring countries probably won't arrive in the capital so soon. Let's continue the search."
As Xiao Jingzhao spoke, his gaze fell upon the heavy snow piled on the treetops.
Winters in the southern border region of Yan and the Heilongtan area are characterized by heavy snow and strong winds.
In Laiyang City, it rarely snows in winter. Looking at the garden full of white snow, Xiao Jingzhao felt an urge to dance with his sword in the snow.
Xiang Song seemed to see through his master's thoughts, and touched the sword at his waist, saying, "Master has been busy reviewing memorials all day long, and hasn't had a good time practicing martial arts for a long time, has he?"
"I haven't missed my daily internal energy cultivation practice, but I really haven't had time to practice swordsmanship." Xiao Jingzhao nodded slightly, his right hand unconsciously reaching for the jade belt at his waist.
In the past, swords were always hung at the waist, but now the place where swords used to hang is empty.
Following the belt forward, he grasped the jade pendant hanging from his waist and twirled it in his hand.
The jade pendant gleamed with a soft green light and had a warm, smooth texture.
Xiang Song immediately recognized where the jade pendant came from.
"Your Majesty, since we have nothing to do today, shall I accompany you to stretch your muscles?" Xiang Song said, unfastening the sword from his waist and handing it over.
"No need, I'll just use a tree branch."
Xiao Jingzhao took off the jade pendant from his waist and carefully hung it on the plum blossom branch closest to him.
The pink plum blossoms, adorned with snowflakes, stand alongside the green jade pendant, making the pendant appear even more translucent and crystalline.
The emperor gestured with a tree branch, and Xiang Song dared not use a sword, for that would be a grave disrespect.
Just as he was looking down for a branch, Xiangyang rushed into the Imperial Garden in a great hurry.
"Your Majesty, great news! Fantastic news!"
Xiang Song straightened up and gave Xiang Yang a wink.
Xiangyang: "Don't glare at me, it really is good news."
"No need for formalities, please tell me."
Xiao Jingzhao waved his hand, his phoenix eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at Xiang Yang.
Xiang Yang said with a grin, "Your Majesty, Miss Jiang's greenhouse vegetables are successfully grown!"
Xiao Jingzhao's lips curled slightly, and a smile spread across his eyes; everything was exactly as he had expected.
Xiang Song was overjoyed: "Really?"
"Of course it's true. Gao Mu just led the headman's son to deliver vegetables into the palace, and I just happened to be returning from outside the palace."
As Xiang Yang bowed to Xiao Jingzhao, a green light flashed in the corner of his eye.
He turned his head slightly and saw the jade pendant hanging on the plum branch.
"Your Majesty, is this jade pendant carved from the jade that Miss Jiang sold to Biyuxuan? Tsk tsk tsk! The jade is truly exquisite."
"You've come at the perfect time. Come and spar with me." Xiao Jingzhao said, extending his hand and handing the sword hilt to Xiang Song with perfect understanding.
Xiang Yang looked completely bewildered: "Your Majesty, Xiang Song's swordsmanship is better than mine, this matter..."
"Take this!"
Before he could finish speaking, a whooshing sound rang in his ears, a flash of light streaked past his eyes, and a chilling aura, carrying the sword light, forced Xiang Yang into the air.
Xiao Jingzhao did not chase after him; he deliberately slowed down his attack to allow Xiangyang to draw his sword.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, you're really practicing!" Xiang Yang turned around and reached for his waist with his right hand.
"Stop talking nonsense. You'll get rusty if you don't practice for three days. It's been a long time since I've had a proper workout." Xiao Jingzhao saw Xiang Yang draw his longsword, twirl it, and unleash a move called "Immortal Points the Way" straight at him.
Back in the military camp, Xiangyang often accompanied his master in sword practice. But today is different; his master is now the emperor.
In the distance, there was also Eunuch Ma leading a group of eunuchs and palace maids to serve them.
They are all people who don't know kung fu and can't distinguish between truth and falsehood. If they are misunderstood as trying to kill the emperor, the misunderstanding will become a huge disaster.
Xiao Jingzhao seemed to see through his thoughts and said, "They won't come without my order."
Having received confirmation, Xiangyang swiftly drew his sword and used the "Wind Sweeping Plum Blossoms" move to narrowly deflect the oncoming attack.
Taking advantage of the moment when his opponent finished his move, Xiang Yang stepped forward, crouched down, and unleashed a backswinging sword strike. He leaped to the left, causing the snow on the leaves to fly up along with the sword's edge.
Xiao Jingzhao seemed to have anticipated the opponent's move, and he flicked his sword upwards and to the left with great agility and in one smooth motion.
Xiang Song watched as the two figures moved up and down, their swords flashing with cold light. Sometimes they were separated, and sometimes they were enveloped together by the shadows of their swords.
The Imperial Garden was filled with swirling snow mist, a truly magnificent sight.
Before long, even the hidden guards were drawn to the scene in the Imperial Garden.
Several guards huddled together and whispered among themselves.
"Wow! The Emperor is amazing."
"The deputy commander is not bad either. He wasn't completely defeated by the emperor. He seems to still have the ability to put up a fight."
"Look, the president is standing to the side, suppressing a laugh, as if he's gloating."
Beneath the artificial hill, Eunuch Ma craned his neck to watch the Emperor and Xiangyang exchange words.
His heart was in his throat, and his eyes followed the movement of the sword light with nervous anticipation.
He rubbed his hands together and muttered to himself, "Oh dear! Swords have no eyes, God help me, Amitabha."
Seeing Eunuch Ma's comical appearance, some of the eunuchs and palace maids covered their mouths and turned away to chuckle, while others, struggling to hold it in, simply coughed.
After a while, Xiao Jingzhao and Xiang Yang were gesturing enthusiastically.
A bright yellow figure soared into the air and landed steadily five steps away from Xiang Song.
Xiao Jingzhao tossed the sword in his hand over and said calmly, "Continue. That's enough for today's training."
When Xiangyang saw the emperor stop, he followed him as if he had been granted a pardon.
The Emperor's offensive was so intense that he was panting heavily, his cheeks flushed.
After receiving the sword, Xiang Song sheathed it and then hurriedly took the jade pendant from the plum branch and handed it over with both hands.
Xiao Jingzhao took the jade pendant and carefully tied it, then headed straight for the Imperial Study.
Xiang Yang dragged his sword to Xiang Song's side, watching the departing bright yellow figure and said, "His Majesty hasn't practiced swordsmanship for a long time, but his skill has become more and more profound. His moves are still so fast that I can hardly keep up."
He then pounded the ground with his sword, panting, and asked, "What did His Majesty just say to you?"
"Ahem, His Majesty says that's all for today."
"Huh? You mean we'll continue tomorrow?" Xiangyang's legs went weak, and he almost lost his balance.
Xiang Song smiled and reached out to help, while Xiang Yang belatedly asked:
"No, you arrived before me, so why is Master making me practice martial arts?"
"It is a great honor for you that the Emperor is willing to have you practice martial arts. What is there to doubt? Look at the western suburban camp. Every time the Emperor goes to inspect it, how many generals flock to his side? There must be at least eight or ten, right?"
Seeing the mischievous smile flash across Song's eyes, Xiang Yang's eyes widened: "I don't believe you!"
"Really, with our relationship, when have I ever lied to you, brother?"
Xiang Yang quickly straightened up, twirled his sword, and sheathed it, looking at Xiang Song with a suspicious look: "Really!"
"Really, you're a puppy if you're lying."
Xiang Yang recalled how Xiang Song had repeatedly reminded him, which saved him from being punished.
He nodded. "I naturally trust you, but I have something else to report to the Emperor. I was so nervous when the Emperor pulled me to practice swordsmanship that I forgot."
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