"Miss Liangyue, is there a problem?" Shen Muxun's gentle voice immediately pulled Liangyue back from her wandering thoughts.
Liang Yue shook her head and took the invitation. "No, since it's an invitation from Huisheng Hall, I will definitely be there that day."
If she continues to refuse, it's hard to guarantee that Shen Muxun won't become suspicious.
There are still three days until the date on the invitation, so she can find another way to decline.
Having received Liang Yue's confirmation, Shen Muxun smiled with pleasure, "Miss Liang Yue, I'll leave my fourth brother's situation to you for now."
He had already begun preparing for the Resurrection Competition, and was unable to attend to Shen Yanxi at the same time.
"Okay." Liang Yue readily agreed, but as soon as Shen Muxun walked away, she couldn't wait to go straight to Shen Jinshu's courtyard, intending to discuss a plan with him.
But she came up empty-handed; Shen Jinshu had left the manor early in the morning and hadn't returned yet.
Liangyue turned away helplessly, and even though she was anxious, she could only wait quietly for him to return.
*
Leaving the Prince's Mansion, to the study.
"Your Highness, this is a weapon that Wenren made according to your orders. It is said to be able to cut through iron like mud." The confidant handed over a long sword that gleamed with silver light with both hands, his words filled with undisguised amazement.
The Wen family truly lives up to its reputation as the premier weapon-making family of the Lintian Dynasty. In just a few days, they forged the weapon the prince requested, and its power is so formidable.
Li Wang took the longsword, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. With just one glance, he could tell that this sword was extraordinary. Whether it was the craftsmanship or the material, it was top-notch, even surpassing the Xuan Tie that the Northern Kingdom's royal family praised to the heavens.
His expression hardened, and with a flick of his wrist, the desk beside him was cleaved open, sending splinters flying everywhere.
"Hahaha, it is indeed a fine sword, it has not disappointed me." King Li laughed heartily, feeling that his efforts to seize the mine from Song Zhiyu had not been in vain.
With these weapons, his carefully trained private army became even more formidable.
Seeing this, the confidants were also excited and their eyes turned red. Were their prince's long-cherished wish finally about to be fulfilled?
"Your Highness, I will give the order immediately to have the weapons forged as soon as possible."
But after the initial excitement, he remembered the cooperation between the King of Li and the Emperor of the Northern Kingdom, and his brows furrowed into a deep frown.
This longsword is just the tip of the iceberg; the weapon that Wenren is forging is the real highlight.
If they were to sell some of the weapons to the Northern Kingdom as agreed, wouldn't that just be creating trouble for themselves?
After thinking for a moment, the confidant couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, what about the Northern Kingdom..."
Li Wang was shrewd and calculating; if even his subordinates could think of something, he could naturally think of it too.
In order to gain the support of the Northern Emperor, he had to sacrifice his own interests to cooperate with them, and there was always the risk of being exposed.
But now that he has gained enough power, he naturally does not want to be controlled by others anymore.
Cooperation is one thing, but how to cooperate is up to him.
With war imminent between the two countries, and given the Northern Kingdom's long-standing wolfish ambitions, if they were to win the battle, their next step would be to storm the capital, which was something he did not want to see.
Li Wang carefully wiped the sword's edge and said softly, "Forging these weapons must have been quite difficult; failures are to be expected."
The confidant, having served Prince Li for many years, understood Prince Li's meaning almost instantly.
His Highness does not want to antagonize the Northern Kingdom at present, so this cooperation must continue, but he does not want the Northern Kingdom to win.
Selling the failed-forged weapons back to the Northern Kingdom would not only bring in a large sum of money, but also prevent the Northern Kingdom from attacking the capital, making it a win-win situation.
Most importantly, those weapons that failed to be forged may appear flawless on the outside, but they are far from being able to cut through iron like mud, and are even inferior to ordinary weapons.
That's a brilliant move.
"Understood, I will take care of it immediately." Seeing the Prince of Li nod, the confidant hurriedly got up and left.
Just before leaving, he bumped into Su Ying, who had come to his study to deliver soup.
"Madam." The man lowered his head and spoke respectfully. The woman before him was His Highness's most beloved concubine, and she was gentle in nature. His Highness doted on her, and he was sensible enough to not show the slightest disrespect in his behavior.
"Lord Cheng." Su Ying smiled and nodded, walking over the man's shoulder into the study.
Su Ying pushed open the door with a smile, her charming voice audible from outside, "Your Highness, I've come to bring you some soup."
Seeing this, Li Wang put down the long sword he was wiping and summoned servants to clean up the broken table.
As Su Ying was being led by the hand to the main seat, she glanced at the long sword out of the corner of her eye, seemingly unintentionally. She was horrified, but remained outwardly calm.
*
On the other side, at Songkei-in.
After reading the entire letter, Song Zhiyu lowered her eyes, placed the white paper in her hand on the candle flame, and watched as the flames devoured the letter into ashes. Her face flickered between light and shadow, becoming even more obscure and difficult to discern under the reflection of the flames.
In just a few days, they successfully forged weapons that could cut through iron like mud. There were truly many talented people under the command of the King.
Song Zhiyu rested her elbow on the table, propped her chin on her hand in deep thought, and lightly tapped the side of her cup with her other hand, producing a clear, crisp sound that echoed throughout the room.
Let her guess who the capable person under the King is.
Is it the Wen family? Or the Nangong family?
The two major weapon-making families of the Lintian Dynasty are highly accomplished in the forging and development of weapons.
Only the two great families could create such a powerful weapon in such a short time.
As for who it is, that remains to be discussed.
If it were the Wen family, she would happen to have some connection with the head of the Wen family.
I wonder how the preparations are going on Third Brother's side?
Song Zhiyu thought for a moment, then got up, walked to the table by the window, and began to write.
*
The next day.
As soon as Song Zhiyu stepped out of the room, Lu Bai came over with a gold-embossed invitation. "Miss, this is an invitation from Huisheng Hall, inviting you to attend the Huisheng Competition the day after tomorrow."
A resurrection competition?
Song Zhiyu did have some memory of it. This Resurrection Competition was supported by the royal family and organized by the Resurrection Hall. It invited famous doctors from all over the country to compete and learn from each other. Whoever could cure the patients would win the championship and receive a generous reward.
It is said to be held every three years, attracting many highly skilled doctors each year.
Seeing that Song Zhiyu was interested, Lu Bai continued, "I heard that the Second Young Master and Physician Liangyue also received invitations. Everyone says that Physician Liangyue's medical skills are superb, but she couldn't even cure the Fourth Young Master. I think that your medical skills are much better than hers, Miss."
Lu Bai's words were not an exaggeration at all; she simply felt that her young mistress's medical skills were no less than those of the so-called miracle doctor.
"That's quite interesting. Since they've sincerely invited us, let's go."
Song Zhiyu held the invitation in his hand and examined it. He already had a plan in mind. "Lu Bai, go to Lishan and deliver a letter to someone for me."
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