Mu Hanyan guessed correctly. When Wu Tianxiong saw Lu Nianxin's provocative behavior before, he was indeed suspicious, so he suppressed his anger. But when he heard Lu Nianxin's words of taking the initiative to back down, his thoughts immediately changed: It seems that this damn old woman provoked him just now, just out of her arrogant nature, and not because she was fearless. Maybe she is now regretting that she shouldn't have angered him, so she took the initiative to back down.
Thinking this in his mind, Wu Tianxiong's ambition swelled again.
"What the Queen Mother said is inappropriate. The path of cultivation is extremely dangerous. Zifeng himself said that swords and guns have no eyes. Not to mention being injured, even losing one's life is not surprising. How could it hurt the harmony between our Yue and Wu families? The competition and exchanges at the Jinlan Palace banquet are the rules passed down by our ancestors. Let's continue according to the old rules." Wu Tianxiong said.
"Uncle Wu, why don't you listen to the Queen Mother and call it a day? It's a happy day. If any accidents happen again, it will ruin everyone's mood." Yue Fanyi frowned, hesitated for a moment, and also advised.
In terms of seniority, Yue Fanyi was one generation younger than Wu Tianxiong. Furthermore, the Jinlan Palace Banquet was originally a family banquet between the Yue and Wu families, so he threw aside the etiquette between the monarch and his subjects and addressed Wu Tianxiong as his uncle. However, the customs of Shangyue were different, and the same might not be true for An Yun.
Mu Hanyan felt happy. Seeing Yue Fanyi's hesitation and reluctance to speak, her acting skills were not inferior to her grandmother's. It turned out that all the children of the Yue family had a talent for acting, even the emperor was no exception.
"How can we just abolish the rules passed down by our ancestors?" After seeing Yue Fanyi's superb performance, Wu Tianxiong confirmed his previous judgment and said firmly.
"Yes, Lord Wu is right. How can we just abolish the rules passed down by our ancestors?"
"It's just a competition. We've been doing it this way for years. Why should we change the rules today just for a small incident?"
"Just think of it as a way to help with the drinking. Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, don't mind."
...Several other officials also echoed Wu Tianxiong.
Mu Hanyan's eyes lit up slightly. These few people must be the big fish that grandma was waiting for. Grandma and uncle's good show was not in vain. They really took the bait.
"In that case, let's have two more matches, Brother Wu. I wonder who from the Wu family will compete in the next match?" Seeing that he insisted again and again, other officials also echoed him. Lu Nianxin could only agree "reluctantly".
"These past few years, these youngsters have just been fighting and having fun, which doesn't show my Shangyue martial arts style. Today, why don't I ask the Queen Mother for a few lessons?" Wu Tianxiong said in a resounding voice.
The last time he was beaten by the Queen Mother at the palace gate, he had actually wanted to attack several times. When Jing Jianjue was crippled by Mu Hanyan's sword, he had also wanted to attack. When Wu Zifeng was severely injured by Mu Hanyan just now, he wanted to attack even more, but out of caution, he held back. After holding back for so long, he could finally take action. Wu Tianxiong's face was filled with unconcealable excitement.
As soon as Wu Tianxiong said this, there was dead silence all around, and many officials looked surprised.
Wu Tianxiong had actually challenged Lu Nianxin. This wasn't just a simple drinking match between younger generations; in a sense, it was a competition between the heads of two families. After all, Lu Nianxin had always protected the Yue clan, and now that the Emperor was in seclusion, Lu Nianxin was effectively the head of the Yue clan. Putting aside imperial power, in terms of family status alone, even Yue Fanyi was inferior to her.
The result of the competition between her and Wu Tianxiong will undoubtedly reflect the strength of the Yue family and the Wu family.
"Could it be that Wu Tianxiong actually has ambitions to lay his hands on the throne?" Thinking of this, many people's faces changed drastically.
In fact, the ancestors of the Wu family worked side by side with the ancestors of the Yue family to end the rebellion and conquer the Shangyue Kingdom. They were also qualified to ascend the throne, but they believed that their strength was not as good as the ancestors of the Yue family. The Yue family established its country through military force, so they humbly gave the throne to the Yue family.
If Wu Tianxiong wants to get his hands on the throne, he must prove that his strength is superior to Lu Nianxin, otherwise all officials and hundreds of millions of subjects will not be convinced.
"What!" Lu Nianxin was also "shocked" and looked at Wu Tianxiong, remaining silent.
"What? The Queen Mother doesn't dare?" Wu Tianxiong said with a sneer. He had already made up his mind to give it a try, so naturally he would not be as respectful as before. What's more, Lu Nianxin's silence at this time once again verified his judgment.
Other officials also noticed Lu Nianxin's abnormality. Logically speaking, with her temper, she should have taken out her sword and chopped people down in the face of such provocation. But she remained silent at this moment. Could it be that there was something wrong with her cultivation?
"It's rare that uncle has such a refined interest. I think it would be better for me to have a discussion with him." Yue Fanyi said in a deep voice.
His words were like a huge rock falling into a lake, once again stirring up a storm in the hearts of the ministers.
Although this was a family dinner between the Yue and Wu families, and although Yue Xiuming was dressed in casual clothes and addressed Wu Tianxiong as uncle, not observing the etiquette between monarch and subject, he was still the king of a country after all. What did it mean that he was actually going to accept Wu Tianxiong's challenge on his mother's behalf? Apart from the fact that there was something wrong with Lu Nianxin's cultivation, they could not think of any other reason.
"Your strength is still a little lacking, and you are not qualified to fight with me." Wu Tianxiong pressed on step by step.
What did he say? He actually dared to say that the king of a country had no right to fight him. This was clearly a contempt for the imperial power. Almost everyone was shocked.
Wu Tianxiong's ambition was completely exposed. He really had the intention of usurping the throne!
Those officials who spoke in agreement with Wu Tianxiong smiled knowingly, almost celebrating.
"Since you insist on fighting me, then let's fight." Lu Nianxin slowly stood up, but his feet felt a little unsteady. He no longer had the domineering aura of a sword, but rather a sense of helplessness, having been forced into a desperate situation.
"Mother..." Yue Fanyi and Yue Fanchen both had worried expressions on their faces, wanting to get ahead of her.
Mu Hanyan almost laughed out loud. This family was indeed more skilled in acting than the other. Just look at Yue Fanchen, holding the hilt of the sword with red eyes. Even she was moved by it.
"You are not strong enough, retreat." Lu Nianxin said with a frosty face.
Although Yue Fanyi and Yue Fanchen were worried, they had been in awe of her since childhood and did not dare to argue. They retreated with clenched fists.
"Brother Wu, please." Lu Nianxin walked to the middle of the open space with light steps.
Two maids brought the broadsword. Lu Nianxin took it and slammed it down heavily on the ground. Her movements were as steady, heroic, and domineering as ever. But a careful observer would notice that she no longer had the effortless ease she once had.
Many of the ministers also looked worried.
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