Huang Yuhe’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What did you say? Say it again!”
Xiao Tao, sweating profusely, replied, “Miss, when we were sheltering from the rain in the mountains, that young master we met, he’s the ruler of Xizhou. His name isn’t Jiang Yu, it’s Yelü Hongge. Today, he openly went to the Sifang Hall and requested an audience with His Majesty. He also said, he also said…”
“Just say it, you’re killing me with suspense.”
Xiao Tao blurted out, “He said he wishes to marry Princess Anning.”
“What?” Huang Yuhe’s mind went blank. “Marry whom?”
“Princess Anning.”
Meanwhile, Li Man’er also received the news. She tossed the peach pit in her hand into a plate, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and said unhurriedly, “I knew he had no good intentions. As expected, he’s here for me.”
“Miss Huang probably knows by now.”
Li Man’er was unconcerned. “So what if she knows! If she becomes distant with me because of this, then there’s no need to force this friendship.”
Ziyan chimed in, “Your servant thinks that while Miss Huang is usually naive, she’s also quite astute and may understand this matter.”
It was merely a ploy to sow discord. Even a servant girl could see through it. Regardless, Huang Yuhe was a lady from a prominent family, and she shouldn’t be so muddle-headed as to fall for someone’s scheme.
“What did His Highness say?”
“His Highness said that Yelü Hongge is just a clown, not worth worrying about. In truth, he understands that by doing this, he’s walking into a trap. However, this inadvertently gives… a very good excuse.”
A very good excuse for His Majesty. Ah Si dared not say it out loud.
“So what did His Majesty say?”
“He said he needs to consider it.”
Li Man’er slammed the table and stood up. “Where is that Yelü fellow now?”
“At the Sifang Hall.”
Li Man’er declared, “Ziyi, find me some men’s clothing. We’re going there now.”
Ah Si was startled. “Your Highness, Yelü Hongge has revealed his identity. It might be more difficult to deal with him.”
Li Man’er patted Ah Si’s shoulder. “I’ll show you how I’ll deal with him without any repercussions. Do you know how my notorious reputation in the capital came about? Learn from me.”
Ah Si’s jaw dropped. While Li Man’er was changing, he quickly sent someone to inform Qi Yihan that the Princess was heading to the Sifang Hall and to ask His Highness for his decision.
Li Man’er, with Ah Si in tow, rode her horse straight to the Sifang Hall. Upon arrival, they were immediately stopped at the entrance. It was understandable; the Sifang Hall was managed by the Court of State Ceremonial and was specifically for hosting guests from all directions and foreign envoys. It was not a place for just anyone to enter.
At this critical moment, the waist token given by Emperor Chenghua proved useful. That token not only allowed easy access to the palace but was even more effective in a minor place like the Sifang Hall.
Upon seeing the token, the guards at the gate dared not stop them. Moreover, although Li Man’er was dressed in men’s attire, she hadn’t altered her appearance, making it clear she was a woman, and she carried no weapons.
The guards felt the probability of her causing trouble was very low.
The first thing Li Man’er did upon entering the Sifang Hall was to look for Yelü Hongge.
“Is the information correct?”
“Your Highness, rest assured, we confirmed it long ago. He hasn’t left since he returned yesterday.”
Li Man’er flourished her soft whip. “Very good.”
With a kick, Li Man’er kicked open the door to the Leisure Hall, her whip whistling through the air. “Yelü Hongge, get out here!”
Those who heard the commotion came to watch, pointing and murmuring at the entrance of the Leisure Hall. Yelü Hongge also emerged, and the displeasure in his eyes was immediately replaced by surprise upon seeing Li Man’er. “Oh, Princess Anning.”
“Hmph, weren’t you pretending to be Jiang Yu? What, are you finally willing to crawl out of your turtle shell?”
Li Man’er’s words infuriated Yelü Hongge and amused the onlookers. The gossip among everyone ignited like wildfire. After all, Princess Anning was about to marry the Ninth Prince, and now this Yelü Hongge suddenly appeared, proposing marriage to Princess Anning. Wasn’t this a classic case of two men vying for one woman?
“Princess Anning came to see me specifically?”
“You flatter yourself!” Li Man’er abandoned her usual gentle smile, her face contorted in a scowl, her eyes filled with chilling frost.
“Does Princess Anning think I’m not good enough for you?”
Li Man’er raised her chin with immense pride. “Under the heavens, only Qi Yihan barely deserves this princess. What are you, to dare to dream of marrying me?”
Yelü Hongge was also a character who could bend and stretch. His position as a ruler was frustrating, and for someone with less mental fortitude, it would have been torture unto death. Yet, he not only saw things optimistically but could also feign a carefree demeanor, which was quite remarkable.
Therefore, Li Man’er’s words did not make him feel humiliated. Perhaps he hadn’t taken them to heart at all.
Wasn’t his purpose in visiting Zun Kingdom to seek allies? Since Qi Yihan was unwilling to support him, he would snatch his woman and see who emerged victorious in the end.
“Princess Anning, don’t speak so definitively. The men of our Xizhou are brave and extraordinary. Compared to the Ninth Prince, I am younger and more handsome. Anyone with eyes can see who you should choose.”
Li Man’er snorted and flicked her whip. “Beat me first, then talk!” With that, she leaped forward, her whip lashing out towards Yelü Hongge.
Yelü Hongge had been prepared. He sidestepped and dodged Li Man’er’s whip. However, as Li Man’er landed, she swept her left leg up and kicked towards Yelü Hongge’s lower back.
Yelü Hongge intended to grab Li Man’er’s foot. He had heard that women in Zun Kingdom were very particular about their reputation. Once a man touched their foot, they could only marry that person. Thus, Yelü Hongge thought that if he could grab Li Man’er’s foot, he could achieve his objective by taking off her shoes and socks.
However, he hadn’t expected Li Man’er’s strength to be so immense. As his hand brushed against Li Man’er’s shoe, he was repelled by an enormous force, causing him to lose his balance and stumble. Immediately after, the whip cut through the air, whistling with wind, and whipped towards his face.
Yelü Hongge flinched and quickly retreated. The whip grazed his chin, drawing a bloodstain.
Cheers erupted from outside the gate. In those times, it was rare to see a woman overpower a man. Everyone knew Princess Anning was a skilled martial artist and had achieved great merits in Mobei, killing many barbarians, but no one had ever seen it. Now, witnessing Li Man’er injure Yelü Hongge within a few moves, they were all impressed.
“A decorative pillow, an empty shell,” Li Man’er declared, then lashed out with her whip again, engaging Yelü Hongge in combat.
At this point, Yelü Hongge’s guards could no longer hold back. They leaped out, drawing their swords and charging forward.
“How dare you!”
“Do not harm our lord!”
Ah Si also stepped forward, confronting them. “A group of grown men bullying our Princess, what kind of skill is that?”