Chapter 227 Lu Zhaoruo Dances with a Spear at the Banquet
Before she could finish speaking, Madam Xiao burst into laughter, her eyes filled with admiration and support. She exclaimed, "Good! That's exactly right! Go to my room and fetch the 'Surprising Cloud Spear' that the old general forged for me back then!"
Before long, Granny Zhang, with a solemn expression, presented a long spear with both hands.
The shaft was made of the finest dragon-subduing wood, its color like sinking water, and its texture warm to the touch; the spearhead was forged from tempered cold iron, with a subtle blue luster and an imposing sharpness; the tassel was a cluster of bright red horse mane, as red as blood.
It is a weapon that has truly seen combat.
Lu Zhaoruo stepped forward steadily and solemnly accepted the gift with both hands.
The spear felt solid in her hand, and her heart settled accordingly.
She held her breath, gun in hand, her gaze fixed on the tip of the gun, and her aura suddenly became calm.
The next instant, the spear shot out like a dragon! Her footwork was steady, and she used her waist to deliver the spear strikes with both stability and precision—pointing, thrusting, blocking, seizing, chopping, and striking. Each move was clearly the foundation of battlefield spear techniques, swift and fierce, with a gust of wind blowing.
What's remarkable is that she incorporated fluid movements and rhythmic control into this fierce power, making the spear seem alive in her hands. Sometimes it moved like a dragon soaring through the air, creating a gust of wind; other times it coiled like a serpent, guarding against every obstacle.
This is not just a simple dance, but a dance that infuses a fierce and powerful spirit into a rhythm full of strength and beauty, making people feel heroic and captivated!
The guests watched with bated breath, their previous speculations and disdain instantly turning into genuine awe.
Prince Li watched with his beard bristling, and couldn't help but clap his hands in praise: "Excellent! Powerful yet not chaotic, graceful and measured! Madam Xiao has taught her well, and Madam Lu is even more gifted!"
Madam Xiao drank a large bowl of wine with a smug look on her face.
Madam Xiao's face was ashen, clearly displeased.
The more the Duchess of Di looked at it, the more she liked it, and the more admiring she became.
Princess Yongfu watched intently, exclaiming to the young lady beside her, "Look! Sister Lu is even more majestic than the generals in the opera!"
Xiao Yeming gazed at the familiar yet unfamiliar dashing figure in the arena, his eyes revealing a gentleness and pride that he himself was unaware of.
The young women present all looked on with amazement and longing.
These women lived the kind of life that others dared not aspire to.
However, He's face turned pale and then red, and the forced smile she gave was very strained.
Wang Miaoyin, standing beside her, was so ashamed that her eyes reddened, and she clutched her handkerchief tightly to hold back the tears that were about to spill from her eyes.
She had initially thought Lu Zhaoruo was just a shrewd businesswoman, but she never expected that the other party would have such real skills, instantly outshining her years of hard-earned gentle dance.
Stealing another glance at Xiao Yeming's completely captivated gaze, she felt as if her heart was being torn apart.
The emperor's brother-in-law still wore a smile, but his eyes suddenly became deep and unfathomable, his lingering gaze unabashedly fixed on Lu Zhaoruo's figure, which appeared even more graceful and exquisite as she wielded her spear.
His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily as he recalled their first meeting at the Empress Dowager's palace banquet, and that greedy desire burned even more intensely at that moment.
Such a stunning beauty, yet she has thorns... She is a million times better than the utterly unpresentable Li Nian'er beside me!
If I could have this woman by my side, what a wonderful feeling that would be...
The more he thought about it, the more it itched to get his hands on it.
Li Nian'er stared intently at Lu Zhaoruo, who was the center of attention, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
Jealousy and resentment burned in her heart.
How could a lowly merchant's daughter, a murderer, live such a glamorous life? She wanted nothing more than to rush up and tear that dazzling composure apart!
As Lu Zhaoruo's spear dance reached its climax, she suddenly spun around with a sharp turn, her steps seemingly coming to an end, but then she suddenly thrust forward.
The tip of the "Surprising Cloud Spear" pierced Li Nian'er's nose with unparalleled precision, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue!
A sharp killing intent swept over us!
Li Nian'er was lost in jealousy and resentment when, caught off guard, she felt a cold glint of light aimed directly at her face, which terrified her!
"ah!"
A scream escaped her lips as she sprang up from the mat, wildly waving her arms and violently overturning the table in front of her!
"Crash!"
The cups, plates, and bowls were smashed to pieces, and soup, tea, and fruit were splashed all over her body and face. Her clothes were disheveled, her hair was in disarray, and she looked utterly wretched.
The entire audience was shocked, followed by suppressed whispers and low laughter.
Lu Zhaoruo seemed to suddenly wake up, and with a flick of her wrist, the "Jingyun Spear" was steadily withdrawn.
With just the right amount of "panic" and "apology" on her face, she said breathlessly, "Oh dear! I'm so sorry! Madam Li, I didn't frighten you, did I?"
She paused slightly before explaining, "This move, 'The Frightened Bird,' is all about surprise and catching the opponent off guard. I was so engrossed in it that I forgot I was almost at the table when I finished. I hope Madam Li will forgive me."
Her words were sincere, but the phrase "a bird startled by the twang of a bow," coupled with Li Nian'er's current state of shock and loss of composure, made the sarcasm almost palpable!
The low laughter around them suddenly became more noticeable.
The emperor's brother-in-law's face instantly turned ashen. Looking at Li Nian'er, who had made a fool of herself and become the laughingstock of the entire audience, his eyes were filled with undisguised disgust and anger.
He brought her here today to embarrass the Xiao family and Lu Zhaoruo, but now he has become the biggest joke!
Li Nian'er trembled with rage, overwhelmed by shame, fear, and boundless hatred, nearly driving her to the brink of collapse.
She pointed at Lu Zhaoruo, her voice shrill and piercing, uttering incoherent words: "You...you did it on purpose! You must have done it on purpose! Lu Zhaoruo, you poisonous woman! You harmed my brother, and now you're trying to harm me! You'll die a horrible death!"
Lu Zhaoruo: "Madam Li, I really didn't mean it, why are you scolding me?"
The emperor's brother-in-law's face was so gloomy it could drip water.
He suddenly stood up!
He didn't look at Li Nian'er, as if even glancing at her would offend his eyes. Instead, he forced an extremely awkward smile at General Xiao and his wife, who were seated at the head of the table, and said quickly and stiffly, "General Xiao, Madam Xiao, I am truly sorry! Nian'er... suddenly felt unwell and has acted so improperly, disturbing your enjoyment. I, your uncle, am extremely ashamed! I will take her back to the manor for treatment now and will come to apologize again another day!"
Before he finished speaking, he roughly grabbed Li Nian'er's arm, who was still crying and shouting, and practically dragged her away from her seat.
The atmosphere at the banquet was momentarily stagnant, but then it livened up again with Madam Xiao's hearty laughter.
The conversation naturally returned to Lu Zhaoruo, who had just shone brightly, praising her for her extraordinary courage and superb marksmanship.
Lady Di, taking advantage of the situation, gently nudged Duke Di beside her, winked at Lu Zhaoruo, and whispered, "See that? That's the Lady Lu I often mention to you. With such looks and bearing, isn't she a good match for our Xi-ge'er?"
Duke Di stroked his beard and examined Lu Zhaoruo closely. Seeing that Lu Zhaoruo was composed and handled matters appropriately, he showed satisfaction in his eyes and nodded with a smile: "Hmm, calm demeanor, and composed in the face of adversity, she is indeed a good match for Xi'er."
On the other side, Princess Yongfu could no longer contain herself. She affectionately took Lu Zhaoruo's arm and chattered, "Sister Lu! You were amazing just now! Your spear technique was so good! I want to learn from you, you must teach me!"
Lu Zhaoruo smiled and agreed, but her gaze involuntarily swept across the entire venue, passing over the noisy crowd, and she discovered that the familiar figure who should have been joking around in the most lively place—Gu Xian—had quietly left at some point.
Yongfu followed her gaze and looked around.
She is also looking for Gu Xian!
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