The two rested for a while in the main tent before heading to the archery range to the west.
After the New Year, winter passed and spring came, the weather warmed up, and the mountains and forests were covered in a blanket of white.
Ayu was still asleep, nestled on her father's shoulder with her little mouth pouting.
Chu Changning wanted to hug him, but Yan Beimo wouldn't let her, saying something like, "He's too round to hug."
She rolled her eyes inwardly, too lazy to pay him any attention, glanced at the drowsy Ayu, and spoke.
"Or you could take him back to the palace to sleep?"
Yan Beimo lowered his eyes, "Then let someone send him back?"
"---"
To the north lies a dark realm, with eighteen levels of hell, dedicated to training assassins and secret guards who "live for their master and die for their master."
Those who can break through from underground to the first level are all highly skilled in martial arts. They are either good at light footwork, have high internal strength, or are intelligent and proficient in traps, escape techniques, and tracking.
Zhuque is a top-tier female martial artist in both lightness skill and internal strength. After receiving Ye Ying's letter a few days ago, she rushed to Jiankang overnight.
Inside the archery range, Shuangyue saw His Majesty carrying his wife and son from afar under the corridor and quickly nudged her.
"That's the madam. She has some martial arts skills, but she doesn't know internal energy cultivation or lightness skills. The main thing is to teach her self-defense."
Suzaku was trained in the Dark Domain; his blood is cold to the bone, and his mind is only focused on obeying his master's orders, without any other emotions mixed in.
"yes."
The people around the archery range had all left, leaving only two figures standing at the foot of the range.
Chu Changning noticed it immediately and raised an eyebrow when he saw that there was a woman standing next to Shuangyue.
Last night she said she wanted to train with Qilin and the others, but Yan Beimo kept dawdling and ignoring her. It was only after she talked to him for a long time that he finally agreed, and then he found her a female mentor.
Zhuque walked over and bowed in greeting.
"This servant greets Your Majesty and Your Highness."
Chu Changning smiled and helped her up. "Get up."
Zhuque stood up, glanced at her master, and after receiving a signal, led Chu Changning to the arena.
Yan Beimo carried his son up the stone steps and stood on the high platform, where he could see the entire arena.
His gaze fell on Chu Changning, who was making sharp moves on the field, and his eyes deepened slightly.
Holding a gleaming dagger, she moved swiftly across the wooden humanoid figures posed in various positions, her eyes filled with chilling killing intent.
He kept a close watch, and a faint smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yuzhang and the Duke of Nanjun request an audience."
He Xing's voice came from behind.
Yan Beimo replied calmly, "I'm busy."
He Xing pursed his lips. They were all members of the Yan clan. If he refused them like this, the previous dynasty would cause trouble again.
He was about to speak when a group of people walked in noisily from the back garden.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty---"
Yan Beimo heard the noise, but remained motionless, a barely perceptible killing intent flashing in his eyes.
"His Majesty---"
A group of people dressed in official robes came up the steps, but seeing that His Majesty's eyes were fixed on the arena, they couldn't help but follow his gaze and were all surprised.
She's a princess, after all. How could she be so cruel, showing no grace or elegance befitting a lady from a respectable family?
Hmph, a princess from a commoner family, truly barbaric, rude, and utterly uncultured.
"I heard that His Majesty is going to hold a investiture ceremony for Princess Jinling, whose country has been destroyed?"
The words "the country has perished" were uttered almost through gritted teeth, and the generals who followed all lowered their heads silently.
This is a matter for the Yan clan; they really have no say in it.
Seeing that the man in front of him was dressed in plain clothes and completely ignored him, the Duke of Yuzhang was furious.
"Your Majesty, look at her behavior! How can she be worthy of the position of Queen Mother of Great Qi? Has Your Majesty lost your mind?"
Yu Zhang Gong was the third uncle of Yan Bei Mo, and because of his high seniority, he spoke boldly.
But the emperor is the emperor; how could he tolerate such reckless words?
Apart from the Duke of Yuzhang, almost everyone was so frightened by his words that they knelt on the ground, not daring to interrupt.
"What business is it of yours, my Empress?"
Yan Beimo's voice was indifferent, revealing no change in emotion.
His Majesty is born into a noble family and has a gentle temperament, never showing his emotions.
The Duke of Yuzhang, of course, did not notice his displeasure. He glanced around and, seeing that they were all from the Yan family, immediately frowned and began to spout nonsense.
"The Langya Wang clan are descendants of the Crown Prince Ji, and they have always stood on equal footing with my Lanling Yan clan."
"When the Great Jin Emperor was alive, Wang Dao colluded with him, and the Langya Wang clan began to show signs of surpassing our Yan family. During the War of the Eight Princes, Wang Dun plotted rebellion but was protected. Now he is serving as prime minister and his momentum is fierce."
"There are also the Xie family of Chenjun and the Cui family of Qinghe, both of which are full of talented people and hold military power. As soon as His Majesty took the throne, he moved against the Li family of Longxi and opposed the powerful families, which made people's hearts unstable."
"If His Majesty's Empress does not come from a prominent family, how can he command respect from the people?"
The Duke of Yuzhang's voice was quite loud, and Ayu was awakened by his noisy noise. She looked around in confusion, leaning on her father's shoulder.
Yan Beimo glanced down at his son, wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief, and spoke indifferently.
"According to what you've said, are the aristocratic families planning a rebellion?"
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Yuzhang felt a lump in his throat and angrily flung his robe aside.
"The Great Qi was conquered by Your Majesty. With the Yan family in power, which of the powerful families in the world dares to challenge us? But Your Majesty must also consider the overall situation."
The interests of powerful families are intertwined, and the four major clans of Yandu have been closely linked for hundreds of years. If a daughter of a powerful family gives birth to an imperial heir, the aristocratic family will be able to control the government and monopolize the court forever.
To put it bluntly, it was a collusion between powerful families. The members of the Yan family clan were only after their own interests, and the only ones in the imperial family who dared to speak up were the elders, who dared to put on airs in front of the emperor.
Yan Beimo could easily see through their thoughts, but he said nothing.
"I have my reasons. You may leave."
The Duke of Yuzhang wanted to say something, but when he looked up and saw the Emperor's gaze, which carried a strong sense of oppression, he was rendered speechless.
Chu Changning naturally heard the commotion. She wiped her hands with a clean handkerchief and slowly walked towards the platform.
She glanced at the Yan family members kneeling on the ground, then walked straight towards Yan Bei Mo, wrapped her arm around his, and spoke softly.
"Didn't His Majesty say he would personally teach me archery? Let's go now."
A vixen, a source of trouble.
The members of the Yan family clan all looked displeased upon seeing this scene, but dared not say anything in front of His Majesty.
Yan Beimo, holding his son in one arm and wrapping his other arm around her waist, was about to head towards the arena.
The Duke of Yuzhang couldn't stand Chu Changning's sly manner. Remembering what his sister, the old lady of the Yan family, had said in private, he spoke up directly.
"Princess Jinling has been back in the palace for so long, yet she hasn't even gone to the Grand Palace to pay her respects to your grandmother?"
Chu Changning paused and turned around.
She glanced at Yan's group of people and chuckled.
"The Duke of Yuzhang is indeed getting old. I am His Majesty's first wife from his time as a prince. You keep referring to me as Princess Jinling. Do you not acknowledge me as His Majesty's wife?"
The Duke of Yuzhang was speechless, his eyes widening in surprise.
Chu Changning ignored Yan Beimo's attitude and arrogantly said.
"At such an advanced age, he should return to Yandu to enjoy his retirement. He has to worry about everything, so that he won't die a peaceful death."
"you---"
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