Chapter 18: Returning and Still Being Brother-Con
Upon hearing the result of the eighth game, Xiao Aodang sneered on the spot.
"Young Master Yan is truly lucky. He won the first match because his opponents were all too weak and couldn't even take down the number cards, so he won without a fight.
But Master Yan is different. Those who don’t get a number card can’t play, and those who get a number card can’t play either.”
Xiao Aodang spoke slowly.
Every word and sentence was full of sarcasm, and it was just short of directly saying that Yan Beibi was playing dirty tricks behind the competition.
In response to Xiao Aodang's sarcasm, Yan Beibi was neither ashamed nor annoyed, but smiled in response.
"I can't do anything about it. Good luck just keeps coming to me. Even if I want to hide, I can't.
If you are envious, Master Xiao, I can give you the victory of this match so that you can enjoy this luck."
Xiao Aodang sneered and responded, "No need for that. It's not yours. Even if you get it, you'll probably have to let it go because it's too hot. I hope Master Yan will take care of himself."
"Yan thanks Young Master Xiao for his concern. I hope that Young Master Xiao will gain a lot in the next competition."
Yan Beibi's lips curved in a perfect arc, and he waved his sleeves and bowed to Xiao Aodang.
Xiao Aodang was choked by Yan Beibi's calm and composed face. It was really uncomfortable to stretch out your fist but it felt like hitting cotton. He could only snort coldly and said no more.
Xiao Aodang's personality is inconsistent with his weird appearance. He wears a dark purple robe, has a pair of evil peach blossom eyes, three light moles at the corners of his eyes, and exudes a gloomy temperament.
At first glance, you would think he is a ruthless man who will do anything to achieve his goals.
But in fact, he is a proud person with an upright character. From birth to now, he has been upright and open to others.
He deeply loves martial arts and hates people who don't respect martial arts the most. People like Yan Beibi who use underhanded tricks to win in private are exactly the type of people he dislikes and hates the most.
Yan Beibi can be said to be his complete opposite. He has a handsome appearance and is dressed in a gorgeous blue and white brocade robe. His round eyes are clear and clean, and his temperament gives people a feeling of being upright and incorruptible. However, his behavior is very unconventional.
Both of them are natives of Jiucai Country and come from prominent families. They have known each other for a long time. Xiao Aodang really dislikes him more and more every time he sees him.
Well, Xiao Aodang thought, by the time the second round comes, he will be able to deal with Yan Beibi with his own hands sooner or later.
→
Today's competition ended with Yan Beibi, and the crowd left in an orderly manner under the evacuation of the soldiers.
It was still early, so Xu Ren'er and his group, along with Shangguan Jieshu and Mu Shuangyan, went to a nearby ordinary teahouse, ordered their famous signature tea, and started chatting.
"Ren'er, I didn't expect your inner strength to be so profound. It really shocked me."
As soon as Shangguan Jieshu sat down, he praised Xu Ren'er.
Hearing this, Xu Ren'er looked around. Shangguan Jieshu was a friend recognized by Tang Beiju, and Mu Shuangyan was a friend recognized by Tang Qiuyue, so they were all family.
Since everyone around him was his own people, Xu Ren'er boldly told the truth.
She took off a white boot from her left front paw. The sole was clean, as if it had never stepped on the ground.
She mobilized her inner strength and pressed lightly on both sides of the soles of her shoes. Suddenly, a small, uncovered rectangular iron box popped out, filled with a large amount of finely crushed ice cubes.
“My body is not very heat-resistant, so after getting this pair of shoes, I found that although they look ordinary, they are actually very special and have many places to hide items.
So I put some ice cubes in the space on the sole of my shoe to keep my body temperature at a comfortable level."
I see!
Everyone present suddenly realized that, that is, during the game, although the thin ice that came out of Xu Rener's shoes did utilize his internal force, it was not because his internal force was deep.
She used her inner strength and the existing ice to catalyze the ice inside the soles of her shoes to rush outward, and then thin ice appeared in front of everyone.
"Ren'er, you are so smart!"
After getting the answer, Tang Qiuyue sighed from the bottom of her heart.
Shangguan Jieshu nodded in agreement and commented, "Although your internal energy isn't particularly strong, if you were to encounter a stronger opponent, your ingenuity and quick thinking would be extremely helpful in escaping danger."
You know, a so-called battle is not entirely a competition of the depth of internal strength, the complexity of moves, or the level of experience.
If it were simply this case, there wouldn't be so many examples of the weak defeating the strong in the world.
A real fight also tests one's mental state, the advantages and disadvantages of the surrounding environment, and how to use martial arts better, more flexibly and skillfully.
Xu Ren'er, no, Xu Ren'er, this dog, will definitely grow into a powerful and awe-inspiring person in his future martial arts career, Shangguan Jieshu thought.
"I have a question. Will other people really believe Ren'er's nonsense on the arena?" Mo Youli recalled the expressions of the people present at the time and expressed his doubts.
"I don't believe it, but I'm afraid of it." Tang Beiju answered.
They didn't know that Xu Ren'er's shoes were unique in design, and their body structure was a huge barrier to Xu Ren'er. When it came to tampering with his shoes, they would at most think of stuffing razor blades, silver needles, or poison into them, but rarely would they think of stuffing ice cubes into them.
The reason why Shangguan Jieshu was willing to believe it was because he believed that Xu Ren'er was Tang Beiju's friend, and he voluntarily believed in Xu Ren'er's abilities.
Most people would not believe it, but would guess that Xu Ren'er must have some backup plan to temporarily increase his internal strength, and thus become wary of Xu Ren'er and dare not act rashly.
Xu Ren'er naturally thought of this as well, but what she wanted was this fear, even if it was only a little bit of fear, insignificant, but maybe it could make her next game easier.
However, just for this "maybe", she decided to lie. After all, it was just a matter of talking.
"Speaking of which, tomorrow is Qiuyue's match. Qiuyue, how are you feeling?"
Xu Ren'er stopped thinking about this question, changed the subject, turned his gaze to Tang Qiuyue, and asked.
Hearing this, Tang Qiuyue drank the tea in front of her, smiled confidently, and her eyes were full of fanaticism.
"I can't wait!"
-
The Imperial Palace of Jiucai Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, Prince Feng Yun is here."
"Xuan."
Ai Fengdou was received by the eunuch and slowly entered the hall. He saluted Ai Xiangshou and directly stated the purpose of his visit today.
"Your Majesty, are you satisfied with what you've witnessed during the martial arts tournament these past two days?"
After hearing this, Ai Xiangshou held his forehead helplessly.
Today, Ai Fengdou came to visit the martial arts competition. When he saw him, the surprise in his eyes made Ai Xiangshou instantly realize that he had been exposed.
He was the man wearing a silver mask standing behind Ai Wanle.
"Your Majesty, as the ruler of a country, how can you be so negligent in your duties? How can you be so unworthy of the people of Jiucai Country?"
Ai Fengdou asked the surrounding palace maids and eunuchs to retreat and criticized.
He particularly hated this point about the father and son. He was busy with state affairs and was overwhelmed every day, but they lived a very comfortable life.
It's okay for Ai Wanle, after all, he has abdicated, and he also devoted himself to the country in his early years. He wants to relax and rest in his old age. Ai Fengdou can be understood. He turned a blind eye to the establishment of the martial arts competition and let it go.
"I am not neglecting my duties. In order to make the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne, better accept the entire empire, I have sent most of the memorials to the Crown Prince's residence, and let the Crown Prince handle state affairs." Ai Xiangshou defended himself.
"His Majesty!!!"
Ai Feng was furious and shouted:
"Your Majesty is now in the prime of his life, the most energetic period of his life. Although the Crown Prince is intelligent, he is still young. How can we let him handle so many affairs?!"
Seeing Ai Fengdou's rage, Ai Xiangshou knew in his heart that he had gone too far. He said in a soft tone:
"I have heard my father talk about the martial arts tournament many times, and every time he mentioned it, his eyes always lit up.
It's rare for my father to invite me along this year, and I simply wanted to learn more about his life and hobbies over the years, so I could get closer to him."
Ai Fengdou choked.
If Ai Xiangshou had been tough, Ai Fengdou could have continued to argue with him, but Ai Xiangshou chose to play the sympathetic card. If he continued to criticize, it would have made him seem too unreasonable.
"A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, and this humble servant is acting for the good of Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty's love for his father truly touches me.
I hope that once the tournament is over, Your Majesty can focus on state affairs in peace."
Ai Xiangshou was instantly delighted, but his expression remained expressionless. Ai Fengdou's words meant that he was allowed to watch the entire match from beginning to end?!
"But..." Ai Fengdou changed the subject, and Ai Xiangshou's heart skipped a beat. He then changed his words and said, "For the safety of Your Majesty, I must be present and watch the event with Your Majesty."
Ai Xiangshou was a little unhappy. With Ai Fengdou present at the scene, he was being monitored all the time, which made him very uncomfortable.
But he didn't dare to say more. Ai Fengdou was his elder after all, so he could only politely refuse, "Uncle, the martial arts competition was organized by my father. I'm afraid I have to ask him about this."
"I will be heading to the Emperor's palace shortly, so please don't worry about me, Your Majesty."
As soon as these words were spoken, Ai Xiangshou immediately became alert.
"Speaking of which, Uncle Imperial, why did you come to watch the martial arts competition today? Logically, Uncle Imperial has a lot of things to deal with."
Doctor Mu used to treat Ai Wanle. Now that Doctor Mu is dead, Ai Fengdou is the biggest suspect in the investigation of Doctor Mu's murder. He does not want Ai Fengdou to have any contact with Ai Wanle alone for the time being.
Ai Fengdou was silent. He actually missed Ai Wanle a little and simply wanted to go and see him.
But he certainly wouldn't tell Ai Xiangshou the truth. Even in his old age, he still had a crush on his brother.
"Of course, because I received news that Your Majesty was going incognito to this competition, I came here specifically to check and confirm a few things."
Ai Fengdou lied calmly.
At the same time, he glared at him, silently condemning Ai Xiangshou's irresponsibility and throwing the conflict back to Ai Xiangshou.
If Ai Xiangshou had really believed Ai Fengdou's lies so easily, then all his years as emperor would have been in vain.
He stared at Ai Fengdou steadily, his eyes full of meaning. The next second, he smiled, without exposing Ai Fengdou's lies to his face. He smiled and said:
"The Imperial Uncle wants to see the Emperor, but the Emperor may not be so easy to talk to. I will accompany the Imperial Uncle and perhaps I can help him."
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