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n“Because there is no reason to watch with folded arms.” Shen Miao said.

nXie Jing Xing was silent.

nShen Miao knew it herself that her reason was not justified. In the eyes of others, before cooperating with Pei Lang, she did not have any interaction with Pei Lang even though there was a name of him being a teacher and her a student in Guang Wen Tang, not a few words were passed between them on normal days. When one was not familiar with another but still gave important responsibilities to him and did not have a trace of doubt at all, in another eyes, this was naturally very strange.

nParticularly Xie Jing Xing was not a careless person and paid great attention to details that others neglected, making one feel timid with his acute sense.

nHowever there were many things could not be understood. She could not speak about the things in her previous lifetime. Not only others would not believe, even she was unable to convince herself.

nShen Miao thought that Xie Jing Xing would continue probing but he nodded his head, “Alright.”

nShen Miao was startled and release a sigh of relief.

nThe most satisfying thing about working with Xie Jing Xing was that before he was a friend, Xie Jing Xing would think of ways to learn all the secrets of another but upon becoming friends, he would respect others and not force one to speak of things they did not want to.

nOf course, perhaps he would be able to figure things out through his own methods.

n“However.” Xie Jing Xing muttered, “There are many guards in the residence of Prince Ding. It is not simple to rescue someone under Fu Xiu Yi’s eyes.”

nShen Miao’s heart moved, “You want to personally take action?”

n“Else?” One could not hear anger or happiness in his tone of voice but there was some inexplicable feelings, “The person that you personally request to rescue, how could I dare to make a mistake?”

nShen Miao looked at him hesitantly. Currently Xie Jing Xing’s identity was already a headache because of Princess Rong Xin and Su Ming Feng but fortunately these two people had slight affection for Xie Jing Xing in the past but there was none with Fu Xiu Yi. If Fu Xiu Yi knew of Xie Jing Xing’s identity, if he did not take the opportunity to stir up matters then Shen Miao would have wasted so many years of knowing him.

n“You… Be more careful.” Shen Miao said, “I do not want to become a widow shortly after marriage.”

nXie Jing Xing said, “How could you curse yourself like this?” He then smiled, “Don’t worry. You will not become a widow.”

nShen Miao, “…” Forget about it. This person was definitely playing with her when he said those words. Xie Jing Xing was such a cautious person and would not personally take action. She had thought too much.

nAfter talking for a while more, the servant by Luo Xue Yan’s side came over to inform them that it was time to eat. Shen Miao and Xie Jing Xing walked out and the entire meal was eaten very harmoniously. Xie Jing Xing would even coax the then Princess Rong Xin, who was unwilling to be close to anyone, till she was happy much less the forthright and joyous Luo Xue Yan. He was knowledgeable and eloquent that even Luo Ling was unable to help but be attracted by some of his perspective.

nEven a discerning person like Shen Xin was unable to say anything. Shen Qiu remembered what Shen Xin said to him in the afternoon, to let him exchange blows with Prince Rui for learning purposes, so during midway of the meal, he threw out a sentence loudly, “Today one had eaten too much so MeiFu, later accompany this Eldest Brother and exchange blows. One cannot just sit in the house all day and our family males should always be active.”

nThe chopsticks in Shen Miao’s hands stopped and Luo Xue Yan scolded, “Shen Xiu, your skin is itchy is it? Do you want Mother to exchange some blows with you?”

n“Mother.” Shen Qiu said in grievance, “You better not meddle in matters of us youths.” He then looked at Prince Rui and suddenly remembered something, “Oh. Almost forgotten to ask. MeiFu, do you have martial arts skills?”

n“Have slight knowledge of it.” Xie Jing Xing looked at him and smiled.

nShen Qiu said seriously, “Then that is good. Since you are in the Imperial family, one thinks that the martial arts teacher would not be bad. Don’t worry. Eldest Brother will give in to you. However this Eldest Brother is one that worked in the army and would often exchange blows with soldiers without caring how heavy one’s blows are. If one is careless…” He cupped his hands together, “One hope that MeiFu would forgive this one time.”

nHis words of ‘Eldest Brother’ sounded close but his words were of shame but his tone of voice and expression was joy and eager to try it out. One felt that if this meal was not finished at this moment, he would have immediately dragged Prince Rui to the field to exchange blows.

nLuo Tan and Luo Ling stood by and watched the fight. Luo Tan was very curious as to what level Prince Rui’s martial art skills were at. The common people knew very little about Prince Rui of Great Liang and previously only knew that everyone in the Imperial family of Great Liang had a beautiful appearance and this Prince Rui was of no exception. However as for everything else, he was very mysterious. His martial arts were not specifically mentioned by others so one did not think it was outstanding.

nHowever Luo Tan believed her instincts. The last time when she went to the residence of Prince Rui to request Prince Rui to help, she felt that Prince Rui was a powerful person.

nWhat kind of scenario would it be when Shen Qiu went head to head with Prince Rui? Luo Tan had been a master of being a busybody, which was an ideal onlooker.

nLuo Xue Yan was so angry that she could not wait to go up and beat Shen Qiu up but Prince Rui was present and she need to maintain her air of being a matriarch of the household. She could only look towards Shen Xin and said in a threatening tone, “Don’t you care?”

nWho knew that the usually obedient Shen Xin did not even lift his eyelids and swallowed a mouthful of food before showing a look as though all this were worldly matters, “What is there to care? Matters of the youth should be resolved by themselves.”

nShen Miao could see it in an instant. How would Shen Qiu have such a courage and challenge Luo Xue Yan’s patience for numerous times? It was obvious that he had Shen Xin behind him supporting. Shen Xin wanted to test Xie Jing Xing’s martial arts?

nShen Miao looked up at Xie Jing Xing who was by her side. He seemed to have noticed her gaze as Xie Jing Xing’s head turned to the side as his lips hooked up.

nHow could this person have such skills like this that gifting a wedding dress and lead others to want to give a crushing defeat. Shen Miao really admire it greatly.

nWith Shen Xin’s approval, Luo Xue Yan did not block it this time as it would seem that she was unreasonable. Thus after the meal, Shen Qiy could not wait as he pull Xie Jing Xing to the open space at the Shen mansion’s courtyard.

nLuo Xue Yan feared that something would happen and could only follow on. Naturally Shen Xin wanted to go and since Luo Tan dragged Luo Ling to watch the fun, even if Shen Miao did not want to go, she had to go. The courtyard was surrounded by a circle of people, making it looked like one was watching a competition.

nLuo Xue Yan had already secretly warned not to create any incident and that he should be gentle as Prince Rui was a scholar and the children of the Imperial family did not suffer so he should not treat him like he did to those soldiers and scare him.

nThose words entered Shen Qiu’s left ear and exit from his right ear. He rushed over to lift a roll of weapons and asked, “Which one does MeiFu want? You can choose first.”

nHe said it in an extremely magnanimous manner.

nUpon seeing those weapons that were taken out, there were long spear, halberd, smashing iron bar, daggers, swords, giant hammer… There were even a few large axes.

nAt the first glance, it was extremely heavy and a weapon that was difficult to wave around.

nLuo Xue Yan was so angry that she was not willing to look.

nPrince Rui’s gaze was slightly startled.

nShen Qiu said complacently, “MeiFu, these weapons are extremely balanced. Just pick any weapon you like, in anyways this Eldest Brother will give in to you.”

nShen Miao, “…”

nOne did not know why but Shen Qiu was not one with many thoughts, he had the cold and iron blood of a military person should have on worldly matters. However when competing with Xie Jing Xing, he became clumsy, almost like a child.

nShen Mao could almost guess how funny her own Eldest Brother was in the eyes of Xie Jing Xing.

nXie Jing Xing took a glance at those weapons and picked a short dagger from it.

n“This?” Shen Qiu was startled as he did not expect Xie Jing Xing would pick a short dagger and said profoundly, “MeiFu have a good eye but a chun (1 Chun = 1 inch) shorter means a chun more risk. Not many people would dare to carry this dagger. Do not choose it because it is light. Why not choose this sword? Although it is a little rusty, it is not heavy and you will be able to wield it.”

n“Many thanks to Eldest Brother.” Xie Jing Xing smiled, “I want exactly this.”

nShen Qiu snorted, “Then don’t blame this Eldest Brother for not giving you any face when dealing with you. The weapon you chose is really to inferior.”

nThe corners of Xie Jing Xing’s lips was pulled.

nEven though he was wearing a mask, but the smile on his lips always seemed to carry a little laziness and ridicule, making it easy for one to be angry. Shen Qiu immediately picked up a long spear and pointed its head at Xie Jing Xing.

nLuo Xue Yan hid her face.

n“May Eldest Brother please.” Xie Jing Xing was very polite.

n“Boast without shame.” Shen Qiu attacked with the long spear first.

nAfter so many years has passed, the young Vice Shen General had become a veteran General Shen and was envied by countless number of people in his life. He had won countless of victories and was known as the God of War and respected and worshipped by all martial arts practitioners… But he could clearly remember this afternoon that had a warm sunlight. This had become the memory… And shame that he could never eradicate for the many years in the future.

nEveryone did not see clearly what was going on but Shen Qiu rushed forwards and both of them were up in a bundle. However they quickly parted and Shen Qiu’s spear was on the floor while the dagger that Prince Rui was holding was steadily locked on Shen Qiu’s neck.

nEveryone in the Shen family, “…”

nPrince Rui losen his hand and turned the dagger around before looking at Shen Qiu with a smile but not a smile, “Many thanks to Eldest Brother for letting one win.”

nThose words made Shen Qiu’s face turn purple red instantly.

nEveryone in the Shen family looked at one another as that did not understand what it meant. Luo Tan muttered, “Older Biao Brother… Lost?”

nEveryone was shocked.

nIn the younger generation of Ming Qi, if Shen Qiu’s martial arts was second, no one would dare to call themselves first. Firstly Shen Qiu was personally thought since young and every generation of the Shen family had the experience of war and there were many martial arts books that were kept in the house thus Shen Qiu was considered to have accumulated profound knowledge. Secondly, when Shen Qiu was young, Sen Xin had brought him by his side to the battlefield and recognised the swords and knives. With this two points, Shen Qiu’s martial arts were all of substance and there was no unnecessarily moves.

nBut Shen Qiu’s spear was disarmed by Prince Rui and Prince Rui’s dagger was on Shen Qiu’s neck. No matter how one see, Shen Qiu had no way out.

nShen Qiu gritted his teeth and even though his heart was unwilling, he could only say, “One accept the lost.”

nLuo Tan had already took the led to clap her hands, “MeiFui is so powerful to be able to beat my Older Biao Brother. You are Ming Qi’s number one…”

nLuo Ling quickly covered Luo Tan’s mouth. Luo Tan was after all Shen Qiu’s Younger Biao Sister but for her to encourage outsiders, one feared that Shen Qiu would be more upset when hearing it. He then looked at Luo Xue Yan uneasily. Thinking of her son losing to outsiders, Luo Xue Yan’s heart must not be comfortable but who knew that when one look back, they saw that Luo Xue Yan had quickly walked over to Prince Rui’s side and said, “Jing Xing, your martial arts skill is this good?”

n“One have been practicing martial arts since childhood but it is all stylish moves.” Prince Rui smiled, “It cannot be compared to Eldest Brother strong blows. One is ashamed.”

n“Young people do not need not always be humble.” Luo Xue Yan said, “If one has an ability to be proud of then one should be proud. Then it would be like a youth.”

nShen Miao said silently in her heart. Xie Jing Xing was already the first in terms or pride, if one let him be more prouder of himself then he would have ascended to Heavens…

nThis meal could be said that the guest and host were happy eating. Luo Xue Yan and Luo Tan asked Xie Jing Xing a lot of martial arts questions. Xie Jing Xing had a modest attitude and seemed to know everything which made Luo Xue Yan pleasantly surprised. After Xie Jing Xing left, everyone dispersed while Luo Xue Yan kept on murmuring, “Prince Rui, this child, looked not bad. Don’t mention about his identity, just base on character, courage and character, it is the world’s best.”

n“Who can see what he looked like under the mask?” Shen Qiu said, “Mother is being too bias. What if there is a scar on his face and it looks very ugly? Then again, how could one be able to see one’s character? I see that he is nothing much at all.”

n“What do you know?” Luo Xue Yan said, “One have a stomach full of scholarly literature. Even though I am unable to see the face of this child, his temperament is not bad. Even if one’s face was not that good looking, one’s temperament can make up for it. Besides, the bridges I have walked are more than the roads you have walked. Character can be seen in one’s eyes and cannot be faked.”

nShen Qiu snorted, “This is biasness.”

n“Shen Qiu. It is enough for today.” Luo Xue Yan swept a look at him and remembering of what had happened before, her anger burst out, “What kind of intention do you have of targeting others on everything? Have the time to be jealous of another’s martial art, might as well practice your martial arts skills. Only exchange a few moves and the dagger is on your throat. Aren’t you ashamed when this was spoken out?”

nShen Qiu quickly said, “I know. Mother, I will now look for Father to practice. Immediately. At this moment.” As he said, he quickly fled away.

nLuo Xue Yan stared at the wooden box on the table. Shen Miao’s wedding dress is in it and thinking of how valuable it was, it was better to be locked so that she could be rest assured. She then moved the box to the storeroom but saw that there was a double layer on the cover of the box.

nHer heart became suspicious and she opened it up. A little booklet wrapped in red cloth suddenly fell out.

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