Chapter 383

Xi Que patted her shoulder with a cheerful grin, her words crisp and lively: "Don’t worry, just focus on learning cooking from Chief Steward Gao. The Empress has high hopes for you."0

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have specifically sent Xi Que to find Zhang Xiuzhu today, just to reassure her and prevent her from being frightened.0

Zhang Xiuzhu pouted, wiping away her tears: "Thank you, Empress. I will definitely make an even more delicious soy sauce chicken to repay her kindness."0

But did the Empress really want her soy sauce chicken?0

No, it was clearly a way to tell her that she wouldn’t have to be buried as a sacrificial offering and that she could rest assured while learning her craft in the imperial kitchen.0

The Empress trusted her so much and treated her so well. Zhang Xiuzhu was determined to repay her by creating even more delicious dishes.0

Many, many years later, when Zhang Xiuzhu became a renowned master chef with countless disciples, she still felt deeply grateful for the opportunity the Empress had given her to showcase her talents.0

By then, the Empress no longer needed her gratitude, for in thousands of industries, thousands of women had risen to prominence.0

But that was all in the future. For now, Zhang Xiuzhu was just a fifteen-year-old girl who could be scared to the point of her legs giving way.0

Her journey was still long, and so was Jiang Xinyue’s.0

One day, they would meet at the pinnacle, alongside countless other women like them, standing tall and gazing up at their shared beacon of hope.0

For now, Zhang Xiuzhu had to go help Chief Steward Gao prepare ingredients.0

"You’re too timid. If you keep being this weak, don’t you dare call yourself my disciple when you step outside."0

"Master, if you’re not afraid of me being executed, why are your hands trembling?"0

"Daring to talk back to your master? Cut carrots twenty times, each slice as thin as a cicada’s wing."0

Xi Que wiped her mouth and turned to leave the imperial kitchen. With the culprit behind the Crown Prince’s injury brought to justice, she was in high spirits, practically skipping as she walked.0

"Hey! Ha! Hey—Ha!"0

The sound of a staff cutting through the air echoed, and a slender figure in black martial attire twirled gracefully beneath a large tree. The spear in her hands moved like a swift dragon, swift and fierce, exuding an aura of lethal precision.0

The ground around her was littered with fallen leaves, yet the area where she wielded her spear remained spotless, not a single leaf in sight.0

Such mastery of the spear was truly remarkable.0

It was exhilarating! Absolutely thrilling!0

Xi Que watched with delight. She, too, had a fondness for martial arts and weaponry.0

"What are you looking at?"0

Someone tapped her shoulder. Xi Que turned around, but no one was there. Then, her other shoulder was tapped, and this time, she was greeted by a large bouquet of roses.0

Xi Que took the flowers and playfully punched Qing Yu’s shoulder. "You! These were planted by the Emperor for the Empress. How dare you pick so many? I’m going to tell Her Majesty and have you punished."0

Qing Yu, with his youthful charm, flashed a confident smile, drew the sword from his waist, and charged forward, his face radiating boldness and vigor.0

"Hey!"0

Xi Que couldn’t stop him and could only watch as Qing Yu engaged in a fierce duel with the young woman.0

He knew she liked watching, so he let her enjoy the spectacle to her heart’s content, making sure it was thrilling and exciting.0

The spear-wielding girl’s eyes sparkled with surprise, clearly not expecting someone to step up and spar with her. The two fought intensely, neither willing to back down.0

Xi Que’s initial worry soon turned into admiration as the two exchanged over a hundred moves.0

Finally, she shouted to Qing Yu, "You two keep fighting. I’m heading back to Kunning Palace."0

No matter how vast the world was, her Empress came first.0

Having already delayed for so long, it was time for her to return.0

Qing Yu held back no longer. With a swift upward motion of his sword, he disarmed the girl, sending her spear flying.0

Without a hint of arrogance, he caught the spear and tossed it back to the stunned girl, then hurried after Xi Que’s retreating figure. "Xi Que, wait for me!"0

Shi Ruojun grabbed Qing Yu’s collar. "Hey! What’s your name? Which palace do you serve? I come here every day to train. The instructors the Empress hired for me have all been defeated by me. You’re good. Can you be my teacher from now on?"0

Qing Yu, eager to catch up with Xi Que, flicked his scabbard to shake off her hand and hurried away.0

Teach her?0

He had no interest in taking on a female disciple. Being an imperial guard was already demanding enough.0

Shi Ruojun, who revered martial prowess, was captivated by Qing Yu’s strength. Her eyes gleamed as she muttered to herself, "Xi Que? She must be one of the Empress’s maids."0

That made things easier.0

The Empress had promised her that if she loved martial arts, she would find her a skilled instructor. She thought the young man from earlier would be perfect.0

As for Xi Que, she could easily inquire about her. She’d just have to ask the Empress, and the matter would be settled.0

Pleased with having found a potential mentor, Shi Ruojun felt her decision to enter the palace was the right one. Her father had said the Empress was highly favored, and by joining the palace, she wouldn’t have to serve men and could even resolve her marital prospects, sparing her from the endless gossip at home about her being unmarriageable.0

Now, not only was she married, but she was wed to the most powerful man in the world, becoming a mistress of the palace with countless servants at her disposal. Her superior, the Empress, even appreciated her talents and allowed her to pursue martial arts. Which other lady of the house would be so open-minded?0

It was safe to say that entering the palace had plunged her into a world of happiness.0

Dreaming big, she might even achieve her ambition of becoming a female general who defends the nation!0

Her maid shook her head helplessly. Having a mistress who only aspired to be a female general was both a blessing and a curse in the palace. Weren’t concubines supposed to compete for favor?0

Didn’t they say that in the palace, if you didn’t fight, you’d perish?0

In Kunning Palace, the Crown Prince placed his tiny hand on Jiang Xinyue’s slightly rounded belly and chanted, "Brother, brother, brother, brother…"0

The Xuanwu Emperor glared and countered, "Sister, sister, sister, sister…"0

The Crown Prince frowned, then shouted even louder, "Brother, brother, brother, brother…"0

The Fourth Prince glanced at his father, then at his younger brother, and whispered into Jiang Xinyue’s ear, "Mother, Father is so childish!"0

To think he was competing with the Crown Prince, who didn’t even understand what they were arguing about.0

The Emperor cleared his throat. "You can say that a little louder so everyone outside can hear you calling your father childish."0

The Fourth Prince stuck out his tongue, grabbed the Crown Prince’s hand, and ran inside. "Crown Prince, let’s go play whack-a-mole."0

"Ah ah ah ah ah…"0

The Crown Prince roared excitedly, "Hit, hit, hit, hit, hit…"0

As the Emperor and Empress chatted, the servants naturally withdrew. The Emperor frowned with concern. "Children’s words often come true. It seems there’s an eighty percent chance that the child in your belly is another prince."0

He already had many sons, but not a single sweet, delicate princess born from Jiang Xinyue.0

Jiang Xinyue swatted his hand away. "What? If I give birth to a prince, will Your Majesty no longer love them?"0

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‍Shen family had a throne to inherit. The ministers, unable to persuade the Emperor to distribute his affections evenly, could only pray that the Empress would bear more princes to ensure the royal lineage wouldn’t dwindle.