Chapter 221 Why didn't you bring the Five Great Workshops to welcome me, Prideful Sun?
"They're calling us." Feng Shisan grinned, putting his hands on his hips. "Feng Jian? That name sounds a bit strange coming from someone else."
“You have to get used to this name.” Mei Shiyu took out a handkerchief from his sleeve, unfolded it to reveal a few pieces of Eight Treasure Cake. These were made by Mei Xiaojing herself before she left. She ate two pieces a day. Coincidentally, there were four pieces left in the handkerchief. “Here.” Mei Shiyu handed them to Feng Shisan, “Try one.”
Feng Shisan took a bite and swallowed it whole. "Young Master Mei must eat very nourishing food every day. You are lucky enough to taste it today. It will surely strengthen your body, prolong your life, and allow you to live to ninety-nine years old."
"You two have some too." Mei Shiyu turned to Guan Ye, holding a handkerchief.
"—They've already summoned you to the palace for an audience, what are you dawdling for?" Luo Yichen strode over, opened his eyes to see Mu Chenbi, wiped his beard, grabbed Mei Shiyu's handkerchief, saw two pieces of pastry inside, tucked them into his bosom, and hurriedly said, "His Majesty is already in the palace, please don't keep him waiting."
Mu Chenbi nodded to him, "Thank you for leading the way, Chief Luo."
"Your subordinate..." Luo Yichen wished he could slap himself, "Pah, pah, pah, I'm leaving."
"How has the Crown Prince been these past few days?" Mu Chenbi asked in a low voice.
Luo Yichen lowered his voice, "His Highness is very discreet in his actions, and he has done a good job."
Mu Chenbi took a deep breath and stepped onto the white jade steps. "Before entering the Zetian Hall, you must find a way to switch our identities and go our separate ways."
Luo Yichen looked troubled, glanced at Mu Chenbi dressed in Ajiu's clothes, and said slowly, "His Majesty has been waiting in the palace for a long time, and there are so many people guarding him. I'm afraid it's not easy."
"Do you think he's like you?" Mu Chenbi said with exasperation. "He thinks three steps ahead for every one step he takes. Since he can be outside the palace, he must have already thought of a way to switch places."
Luo Yichen hesitated, unsure how to continue. Seeing that they had already walked halfway up the jade steps, he could only brace himself and say, "He's standing outside the hall. Could it be that he's telling others that he will continue on this path, in the body of the Crown Prince, to walk it for you...?"
"Absurd!" Mu Chenbi retorted. "What does he want to do? How can he... help me... continue on this path?"
Luo Yichen glanced at Guan Ye and the others several steps away, and said in a low voice, "Not only him, but my subordinate and the Black Hawk Guards... have also..."
"He's not me." Mu Chenbi clenched his fists, glancing outside the hall again. A-Jiu, with her twin swords at her waist, was nowhere to be seen. "He's not me...he is..."
“He is the Crown Prince.” Luo Yichen recalled what Ajiu had told him about what to pursue. “If you don’t want to commit the serious crime of deceiving the emperor, you can only stick to your current identity. He is the Crown Prince, and you… are Ajiu, the Ajiu who is by Miss Guan’s side.”
At the palace gate, Lou Cangyu heard the familiar sound of carriage wheels. The sound was suppressed and heavy. He had heard the same sound not long ago. It was during the imperial sword test before the New Year. Xiao Ma saw the red flag with the jade seal pattern fluttering on the top of the carriage. Xiao Ma said that the people in the carriage were from the inner palace. Then Wushuang stepped down from the carriage, wearing a white fox fur coat and a blue long robe underneath. Snowflakes were falling. She raised her face and slowly lowered her eyebrows. She stood proudly in the palace like a plum blossom in winter, making everything in the world lose its color.
Lou Cangyu was lost in thought and didn't even notice that the carriage had stopped. The curtain was lifted, revealing Wan Qixi's gloomy, narrow eyes. He stared at Lou Cangyu, who was staring blankly at him, and snorted disdainfully.
"You're here too?" Lou Cangyu frowned. Although he was displeased, he dared not be rude because of his relationship with Wushuang.
Wan Qixi snorted, "How could the Imperial Palace be without me when it comes to presenting swords? I forgot that last time, the Imperial Advisor also asked me to come to the palace to serve as a court attendant."
Lou Cangyu didn't bother to say anything more to him and walked towards the carriage road: "Wushuang, have you brought all your weapons? The Ministry of War and the Salt and Iron Bureau will be here today to inspect your swords..."
"You don't believe me? Why don't you test it yourself first?" Wushuang's cold voice came from inside the carriage.
Lou Cangyu quickly stepped back, not daring to say anything more. Wan Qixi pointed one finger to the sky and the other to the ground, shaking his head at Lou Cangyu with a mocking smile. Lou Cangyu knew that he was mocking the vast difference between himself and Wushuang. He was indignant but helpless against this person.
"Let's go." Wushuang urged in a low voice, "Guan Ye and the others should have arrived by now." Lou Cangyu followed behind the car, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"She's here." Outside the Zetian Hall, Mu Lexiu's eyes lit up.
The peerless beauty of the inner quarters? A-Jiu followed the gaze, then looked at Mu Lexiu, who was beaming with joy, with some confusion. "You... like her?"
Mu Lexiu's face revealed a disgust for worldly people and their mundane thoughts. "How many times do I have to say it? There is more than just vulgar love between men and women in the world. Wushuang is a unique existence, and she deserves more sincere feelings." Mu Lexiu shook his head. "Brother, you are trapped in worldly love and will never understand."
During their conversation, Guan Ye and the others had already ascended the jade steps. Feng Shisan was seriously injured, and Mei Shiyu was weak. The long jade steps seemed like an insurmountable treacherous obstacle. They struggled to climb the steps but still managed to reach the palace gate. Feng Shisan, panting heavily, raised his thick eyebrows and looked at Ajiu waiting outside the palace with his large eyes. Although he did not speak, he had already said everything.
“Guan Ye.” Ajiu remembered the way Mu Chenbi always looked at Guan Ye, a restrained yet burning gaze. Ajiu had mocked Mu Chenbi more than once for his unrequited love. He had also thought about how he should portray that feeling. But when Guan Ye appeared before him, Ajiu mocked himself. This kind of emotion didn’t need to be acted out. His beloved was so close, yet it felt like they were separated by thousands of miles. If no one else was around, he would have rushed up and embraced her. But now, he could only gaze at Guan Ye quietly, unable to cross that line.
"Guan Ye." A-Jiu called out again, wanting to say and ask so many things, but for a moment, A-Jiu suddenly choked up and couldn't say a word.
Just as Guan Ye was about to step forward, her wrist was suddenly grabbed tightly by Mu Chenbi. He was not Ajiu, he was Crown Prince Chenbi. Guan Ye's mind suddenly cleared, and she took a deep breath and said, "Guan Ye greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"Seeing that you're alright..." Ajiu managed to say, "I'm relieved. From now on, you must never put yourself in danger again, understand?"
Guan Ye's blood surged, and she raised her wrist, which was being held by Mu Chenbi, and handed it to Ajiu, nodding and saying, "With Ajiu here, he can protect me even in the most dangerous places, so there is no need for the Crown Prince to worry."
"Hahahaha." Mu Lexiu laughed out loud and clicked his tongue, "The beauty already has a protector by her side, Your Majesty is overthinking it. Why not ask the Imperial Preceptor to teach you a secret incantation and give it a try?"
Chang Lu beckoned everyone into the hall to talk. A Jiu turned away with a flick of her sleeve, but couldn't help looking back at Guan Ye. Seeing her and Mu Chenbi holding hands tightly, a pang of sadness welled up in her heart.
“Eunuch Chang,” Mu Lexiu glanced at Wushuang and the others on the jade steps, “Today the inner workshop is presenting swords, and the people from the inner workshop have also arrived. Why don’t we ask Father Emperor to let us do it together?”
Chang Lu's eyes darted around, and he was about to politely decline when Wushuang, holding a sword box, was already in front of him. Wushuang raised the sword box above his head and called out loudly into the hall: "Wushuang from the Inner Workshop, having been ordered to forge swords, has delivered a thousand Xuan Tie swords on time today, along with the best sword among those he has made. This sword has been forged by Wushuang through countless hammerings and is far superior to ordinary fine steel. I humbly request Your Majesty to appraise this sword."
Inside the main hall, Mu You's heart stirred slightly. He wanted to quickly settle the old matters of Guan Ye and the others, but why was he also torn between Wu Shuang's presentation of the sword? He wanted Wu Shuang to wait, but he couldn't contain himself. What kind of sword was the best Wu Shuang spoke of? Mu You was already impatient.
"Your Majesty," Cui Jin said from the side, "we must quickly resolve the old case of the Blood Crossbow to avoid any further complications."
Mu You remained silent, seemingly still struggling with his decision.
After waiting for a long time without receiving a response from the person in the hall, Wushuang said again: "Wushuang knows that the Emperor is half-believing and half-doubting about this sword. After all, it is only Wushuang's opinion and is not enough to be completely believed. However, Guan Ye from Xingguofang is also here today. Guan Ye is a disciple of a famous master and her forging skills are among the best in the time. Since she is here, why don't we..." Wushuang raised her voice, "summon her to come and inspect this sword with the Emperor."
Mu Lexiu was filled with excitement and, disregarding everything else, hurriedly added, "Father, Guan Ye from Xingguo Ward is here. Why not... let her shine once more? I also want to witness the brilliance of these two beauties in a contest."
Before Ajiu could speak, Mu Chenbi shook his head and interrupted, "Your Majesty, Ajiu is also curious about what kind of sword Wushuang presented. Whether it's good or bad, why don't we let Guan Ye take a look as well?"
Ajiu… Mu You opened his drowsy eyes. He had been holding the Meteor Sword for several days without closing his eyes. In his delirium, he had thought many times to have someone throw the sword away, but for some reason, as long as someone touched the sword, he felt as if he had been possessed. Every day he spent with the Meteor Sword felt as if his flesh and blood were intertwined with it, seeping into his bones and blood.
This Meteor Sword… was forged in the Heavenly Furnace of Canglang Island and then reforged by Guan Ye. Guan Ye is the blacksmith of Meteorite; if she could forge this sword, she could certainly melt it down… Destroying this sword might… save her from the nightmare…
Guan Ye… it’s Guan Ye… Mu You sat upright, put down the Meteor Sword, coughed, and said, “Everyone outside the hall, come in.”
Chang Lu was somewhat incredulous at his ears. He squatted down for a moment before hurriedly saying, "The Emperor has summoned... everyone outside the hall to come before him."
The Eagle Guards searched everyone's bodies, and apart from the sword box held by Wushou, all their belongings were removed one by one.
After several days apart, Mu You appeared listless and dejected. He forced himself to maintain his imperial demeanor, his pale eyes gleaming with a sharp light as he scanned the various expressions on everyone's faces, finally settling on Guan Ye's face.
"Guan Ye," Mu You murmured, "No wonder you could forge the Meteor Sword. You are Guan Xiaotian's daughter, which makes sense."
Mu You gripped the armrests of his chair, leaning forward to get a better look at Guan Ye. Many years ago, he had met Guan Ye's father, though only a few times. But the awe-inspiring power of Guan Xiaotian's hammer swings had left a deep impression on him. At Guan Xiaotian's wedding banquet, Lu Nian, the owner of Tianhu Workshop, called Guan Xiaotian the number one blacksmith in the world. As the name spread, Mu You even asked Lu Chaoge: "Does this person deserve the title of number one in the world?" Shouldn't the number one in the world be you?
Lu Chaoge laughed heartily. When it comes to blacksmithing skills, Guan Xiaotian deserves to be called the best in the world. However, the art of blacksmithing is profound and extensive, and it is not just about the hammer in one's hand. Why not let him be the best in the world? The real best in the world should just be a legend.
Mu You remembered pressing Lu Chaoge's brow with his finger. He closed his eyes, and in his mind, Chaoge was still the fiery young woman she had been years ago. Time flies like a white horse galloping past a crack in the wall. Those who are alive are growing old, while she left at the height of her beauty, becoming an unsolved legend in everyone's hearts.
"If the world is at peace, we are willing to forge swords and spread our skills, aiming high; if the prosperous age is about to collapse, we will do our best to protect the country, even at the cost of our lives."
Suddenly, a sound rang in Mu You's ears, as if a spirit was lingering around her. She said: When you return in triumph, I will bring the five major wards of Rongdu to welcome you at the city gate.
The Fourth Prince of the Great Jin Dynasty returned in triumph with his army. Crowds thronged the Vermilion Bird Gate in Rongdu, with people flocking to catch a glimpse of the Great Jin's savior. Pointing at the young prince in armor on horseback, the people exclaimed in amazement, "Look, the Fourth Prince! Three thousand archers perished, and he was just a hundred meters above Eagle's Ridge!"
Among the faces filled with worship and joy, Mu You did not see the face he longed for. "I have returned in triumph, why haven't you come to welcome me? Chaoge…why didn't you bring the five great wards to greet me?"
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