"Very well, go inform Father that we're heading in now!" Ye Tianqing nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness!" Steward Lu swiftly turned and hurried back inside.
Yun Qianyue, Ye Qingran, Rongjing, and Ye Tianqing followed in succession and entered the training grounds.
The training grounds were vast, spanning several miles in area, with a broad and level landscape. To the east was a pavilion, where a row of tables and chairs had already been set up. Figures in luxurious attire moved about, with two bright yellow flags fluttering in the wind, signifying the royal presence. At the center of it all sat a figure in imperial yellow, positioned most prominently, surrounded by attendants, eunuchs, and guards, unmistakably the old Emperor of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty.
Due to the distance, Yun Qianyue couldn't make out the Emperor's features clearly.
To the Emperor's side, either standing or seated, were over a dozen people. Yun Qianyue vaguely recognized her father, Prince Yun, as well as the Fourth Prince Ye Tianyu in his princely attire, and Yun Muhan in a simple green robe. Though she couldn't see their expressions, she could feel their gazes directed toward the four of them.
Turning her attention away, Yun Qianyue surveyed the training ground. About a hundred meters from the pavilion stood a high platform, roughly thirty feet across and elevated about ten feet off the ground by sturdy columns. Guardrails encircled the stage, giving it the appearance of a traditional arena. Various weapons—swords, spears, halberds, lances, staves, and more—lay arranged on it, unmistakably marking the place where the tournament would take place.
Yun Qianyue's eyes lit up at the sight of the ancient weapons. She turned to Ye Qingran, "Hey, does the Military Intelligence Camp have weapons like these too?"
Ye Qingran snorted dismissively. "This is just a flashy training ground used by princes and noble heirs for mock battles and competitions. Occasionally, the Emperor comes here to test the princes' martial and archery skills. Other than the yearly Imperial Military Examinations, it's barely used. How could it compare to the Military Intelligence Camp?"
Yun Qianyue nodded, her gaze fixed on the weapons. "Those weapons look pretty good!"
"These are only a few weapons. Little girl, don't act like a frog at the bottom of a well. If you ever visit the weaponry room at the Military Intelligence Camp, you'll see what real weapons look like," Ye Qingran scoffed again.
"Qingran! Mind your words. The Military Intelligence Camp is a sensitive place; how could Sister Lan, a mere girl, be allowed in?" Ye Tianqing, seeing Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran standing close and seemingly getting along, rebuked sternly from behind.
The "okay" that Yun Qianyue was about to say immediately got stuck in her throat.
"I was only saying it casually. Of course, I know the Military Intelligence Camp is a secure location," Ye Qingran replied without looking at Ye Tianqing. He turned to Yun Qianyue, "No need to visit the camp. When you come to Prince De's Mansion someday, I'll let you see my treasure trove. I have a collection of excellent weapons there."
Yun Qianyue's eyes brightened, intrigued by the mention of a weapons room at Ye Qingran's house. She glanced at him, and he winked at her. She immediately smiled and nodded, "Great! I'll come by sometime to see your treasure trove."
Ye Tianqing's expression darkened as he fell silent. He knew that Ye Qingran had been fond of collecting weapons and peculiar items since childhood, and it was no surprise that Prince De's Mansion held his personal collection. He had no right to stop Yun Qianyue from visiting.
Ye Qingran raised his eyebrows in delight.
From behind, Rongjing's calm gaze swept lightly over Yun Qianyue and Ye Qingran before he lowered his eyes.
The four of them then proceeded towards the pavilion in silence.
As they drew closer, Yun Qianyue finally caught sight of the Emperor's face, feeling a slight wave of disappointment. He was just a somewhat dignified old man. The descriptions in ancient texts of emperors being awe-inspiring, with dragon-like majesty, were far off the mark. His ample dragon robes hung loosely on his thin frame, and aside from his deep, penetrating gaze, there was nothing particularly remarkable about him. If he were stripped of his dragon robes and dressed in rags, she felt he could pass for a beggar rather than the ruler of the vast Heavenly Saint Dynasty.
But, as the saying goes, "Appearances can be deceiving, just as the ocean cannot be measured with a bucket." Yun Qianyue knew the truth of this well. Judging people solely by appearance was foolish. If the Emperor were truly as ordinary as he seemed, he would never have held the Heavenly Saint Dynasty together for over twenty years without being swallowed up by surrounding nations. Her disappointment was fleeting, and she quickly bowed her head and followed Ye Qingran up the pavilion.
"Haha, Little Yue, why are you acting so ladylike today? Normally, at a gathering like this, you'd be bouncing up to greet me with enthusiasm. Has Young Master Rong been such an excellent tutor that he's managed to change the character of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty's most willful young lady?" The Emperor's warm voice reached her just as she was about to step onto the pavilion.
Her steps halted. She realized that she had been overly cautious. With this body's history of feigned disinterest, how could she act subdued in a setting like this? Steadying herself, she was about to speak.
Just then, Ye Qingran, who was a step ahead of her, chuckled and replied, "Uncle Emperor, don't you know? This little girl has lost her martial skills and is likely frustrated that she can't join the men of the Heavenly Saint Dynasty in a competition. Otherwise, how could she be so quiet?"
"Oh? Is that so, Little Yue?" The Emperor turned his gaze to Yun Qianyue, raising an eyebrow as a flash of sharpness filled his eyes, his deep, discerning gaze locking onto her.
Yun Qianyue felt a pang of tension in her chest, reminded once again that appearances could be deceiving. She pursed her lips, allowing a look of grievance to fill her eyes, then raised her head slowly and pouted at Ye Qingran in annoyance, "You knew how upset I was about this, yet you had to bring it up." Turning to the Emperor, she added in a dissatisfied tone, "Isn't it because my royal uncle doesn't care for me, making my grandfather force me to study instead? Every day, I'm subjected to the strict teaching of that brute... um, I mean, Young Master Rong. 'Excellent tutor'? It's more like abuse! My hands are swollen from his ruler."
At her words, Rongjing's steps faltered briefly, a flash of expression crossing his usually serene eyes.
Ye Qingran also paused, the playful smile vanishing from his face. He turned back and asked, "Did he actually hit your hands? Let me see—how swollen are they?" With that, he reached out to grab Yun Qianyue's hands.
Tips：I'm very sorry, but since Wattpad cannot publish novels with more than 200 chapters, please check out the remaining exciting parts on Inkitt or Scribble. More legendary stories await your exploration!
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The Dandy's Duchess
Chick-Lit"The Dandy's Duchess" tells the story of the youngest and most talented general of the National Security Bureau, who sacrifices his life for his country and finds his soul transported to another world, where he is reborn as Yun Qianyue, the only leg...
