Chapter 835
The first court meeting!
Imperial Prefecture.
Inside the bamboo house.
The sleeping girl seemed to sense someone's arrival in the room. Her long eyelashes trembled, and she slowly opened her eyes, revealing a pair of clear, cold eyes.
In Wanru Qinghong's eyes, he saw the bright moonlight shining in, and his own reflection in those eyes.
Upon seeing Jiang Ning's appearance, Su Qingying was stunned for a moment, then slowly stood up.
As she stood up, the straps hanging on her shoulders naturally slipped down, revealing a large expanse of fair, jade-like skin.
But there was no temptation from the opposite sex, because it was a smooth road.
"Are you coming to sleep with me tonight?" A melodious, ethereal voice rang out.
sweat!
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately lost his composure.
He reached out and reattached the ribbon that had slipped off Su Qingying's shoulder to her thin, knife-like shoulder.
It feels rough to the touch.
He couldn't understand why the Grand Preceptor of the Great Xia Dynasty would look like an underdeveloped young girl.
He was short and thin, with hardly any flesh on his body.
"I need to talk to you about something," Jiang Ning said.
"What is it?" Su Qingying asked.
"Take a look!" Jiang Ning took out the invitation he had just received from Qing He and handed it to Su Qingying.
Su Qingying took the invitation, tilted her head slightly, and as her elbow fell, the ribbon slipped off her smooth, jade-like skin, revealing a large expanse of her skin.
Jiang Ning: "..."
He silently reached out and straightened her clothes.
He was already used to this situation.
Su Qingying wasn't embarrassed, and neither was he.
Su Qingying always appeared so unguarded in front of him, seemingly oblivious to matters of the heart.
"Is Your Excellency going?" Su Qingying looked up at Jiang Ning and asked.
“I didn’t attend the previous court assemblies, but it’s necessary to attend this one,” Jiang Ning said.
“Then I will go with you, sir. I just sensed the aura of Ji Xuanhuang’s ultimate technique. Once he emerges from seclusion, he will surely know what happened to Sister Qingyi,” Su Qingying said calmly.
"Do you know about Lin Qingyi?" Jiang Ning asked, slightly taken aback.
"I know!" Su Qingying nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Then, she shook her head calmly: "It's a pity that Sister Qingyi didn't get pregnant."
Jiang Ning: "..."
He broke out in a cold sweat, feeling somewhat overwhelmed by his conversation with Su Qingying.
"Then I'll come find you again before 3 AM. You should rest for a while." With that, Jiang Ning fled in panic.
Watching Jiang Ning's disappearing figure, Su Qingying tilted her head, seemingly puzzled.
……
Back in the courtyard.
Jiang Ning looked up at the sky.
The moon was exceptionally clear and bright at that moment, brighter than ever before.
The moon is about to reach its zenith.
"There is still a little over an hour and a half until the quarter-hour of Yin."
He looked back.
This timing completely dissuaded him from going to Yanghu.
The journey from the capital to Yanghu is long and arduous, involving high mountains and a long road.
Even at his current speed, it would still take him about an hour.
The round trip would take two hours.
The time spent just going back and forth made him miss the court assembly.
Not to mention that he still has to try, to see if his current abilities can allow him to tear through space and enter Yanghu Cave Heaven, or rather, squeeze into Yanghu Cave Heaven.
"This matter can only be put on hold for now; let's try something else first!" he thought to himself.
His gaze swept quickly across the panel.
Now, in an hour and a half, there's not much he can do; he can either sleep or practice his skills.
But he couldn't sleep at that moment.
For him now, not sleeping or working for a certain number of days has little impact.
Only prolonged periods of sleeplessness and exhaustion can affect one's physical condition and the efficiency of one's spiritual practice.
His gaze then fell on the Taixu Yin Yang Sword section.
[Skill]: Taixu Yin Yang Sword (Perfect 181/100000)
He had come to understand that the reason he was able to inherit the Yin-Yang Dao Embryo and become the Yin-Yang Nine Profound Immortal was probably because of the perfectly perfected Taixu Yin-Yang Sword.
The Taixu Yin-Yang Sword has reached perfection, allowing one to attain enlightenment through the sword.
This gave him a remarkable grasp of space and yin and yang.
The Yin-Yang Qi mastered after perfecting the sword technique is an even more powerful killing move.
A thought popped into my mind.
He raised his hand and a sword embryo appeared in his hand without revealing its sharpness.
The original spirit within the sword had long been erased by him, leaving only the effect of the material itself.
next moment.
With a flick of his longsword, the sword light rolled like a tide, and countless sword lights spread out like waves.
The surrounding darkness and light began to intertwine.
The courtyard was sometimes as bright as day, and sometimes as dark as night.
The void distorted before him, reflecting figures and sword shadows.
In just a moment, an endless killing intent filled every corner of the courtyard.
A moth flew in from outside the wall, and just as it climbed over the wall, it was instantly shredded into dust by the spreading sword light, leaving not a trace behind.
[Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword Experience Points +17]
[Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword Experience Points +16]
[Tai Xu Yin Yang Sword Experience Points +17]
【…】
Seeing the prompts appearing in front of him, he remained completely unmoved.
Even after his last breakthrough in this sword technique, when he was in a state of transcendence, the experience points he gained were only a mere hundred.
In normal circumstances, efficiency naturally drops sharply again.
He understood that this was only due to his comprehension and various efficiency advantages; otherwise, the efficiency of gaining experience points would be drastically reduced, and each experience point gained would be reduced to just one.
Compared to gaining one experience point at a time, gaining more than ten experience points at a time is now ten times more efficient.
However, if one were to achieve a breakthrough based on the current foundation and forge their own path in the Taixu Yin Yang Sword Technique, the efficiency of gaining experience points would likely still be reduced to gaining one experience point at a time.
Through repeated sword practice, the sword techniques flowed freely in his hands, with no fixed form.
His swordsmanship was perfected; the moves were completely integrated into his hands, without the slightest hesitation.
The divine power within his body was also being continuously depleted.
However, in the void, countless free-floating energy particles converged into his body with each breath.
It was then absorbed and refined by his body.
The constant replenishment of external energy particles also made him exceptionally enduring.
His abundant energy made him feel no fatigue.
……
The sky was cloudless.
The brighter and clearer moon overhead than usual slowly sank towards the east, and the time was gradually approaching the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
Hearing two footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard, Jiang Ning abruptly sheathed his sword.
Countless sword shadows and human figures converged and merged into one as he moved.
The distorted spacetime and distinct light and dark in the courtyard quickly returned to normal.
After a while.
Three figures had already appeared in Jiang Ning's courtyard.
The newcomers were Su Qingying and Qinghe and Hongmian, who were by her side.
Su Qingying wore a white palace-style long dress, her face was exquisite, and her long hair was tied up. She looked more aloof and noble than usual, like a goddess from heaven, not a woman from the mortal world.
Qinghe and Hongmian were wearing light green and red dresses, respectively.
"Isn't it about time?" Jiang Ning asked naturally as he looked at the three people who had appeared. "Yes, Lord Marquis!" Hong Mian replied, her voice clear and melodious, like a harp or a nightingale.
"Let's go then!" Jiang Ning sheathed his longsword.
Su Qingying, whose gaze had been fixed on the longsword in Jiang Ning's hand, finally looked away.
"My lord, normally one should wear official robes to court assemblies," Hongmian whispered a reminder.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning suddenly realized what was happening and instantly came to his senses.
Since assuming the post of Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture and since being granted the title of Marquis of Dongling, he has never attended a single court assembly.
This caused him to overlook the problem.
He glanced down and saw that he was wearing his usual training clothes, which were soaked with sweat from practicing.
"I really should change my clothes!" he thought to himself.
"Please wait a moment, I'll go back to my room and change my clothes," Jiang Ning said.
"My lord, please take a bath first. I have already prepared the bathwater for you!" Hongmian said.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"Sister Qinghe, go to the Marquis's room and bring him both of his official robes. I'll help him take a bath first," Hongmian said to Qinghe beside her.
Upon hearing this, Qinghe nodded.
……
After a while.
Inside the bamboo house.
Hongmian pressed her head against Jiangning's chest, wrapped her arms around his waist, and tied the belt of Jiangning's inner shirt.
When she looked up, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes held a deep shyness.
But at the same time, there was also a hint of excitement.
"What a great figure! I'm in for a treat!" She looked at Jiang Ning with a satisfied expression in her eyes.
"My lord, shall we wear the python robe or the official uniform of the governor?" Qinghe brought over a tray with two sets of formal attire on it.
One set was a marquis's robe, a purple python robe.
One set is the official robes of the governor of Zeshan Prefecture.
"Official robes," Jiang Ning said.
"Yes!" Qinghe replied.
Then he placed the tray in his hand aside.
Then she called Hongmian to help her, and the two of them worked together to help Jiang Ning put on his elaborate official robes.
This is also why Jiang Ning doesn't usually wear official robes or python robes.
Such clothing is extremely troublesome for one person to put on; it requires at least two people to help put on the official robes properly.
"My lord, it's time to set off. There's less than a quarter of an hour until 3 AM!" Su Qingying, who had been silently watching from inside the room, finally spoke up.
"Okay!" Jiang Ning nodded.
……
A moment later, the two walked out of the Imperial Preceptor's residence.
The bright moonlight shone down on the empty and desolate streets.
The last moment of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) is when people are most tired during the day.
Night raids, which are often used in military campaigns, also take place at this time.
The sound of their footsteps echoed through the empty, desolate streets.
"My lord, if Ji Xuan attacks you later, I will protect you!" Su Qingying said.
Hearing this, Jiang Ning smiled and said, "You call me that! Shouldn't I be the one protecting you?"
Su Qingying shook her head: "It's different. The Lord has broken free from his shackles and regained his freedom, but the Lord has not yet returned to his peak and is in need of assistance. Moreover, the Lord helped me break free from the shackles of divinity and now possesses humanity. I also want to be a living person, not a sword that only knows how to kill."
Hearing Su Qingying's words, Jiang Ning patted her head.
"We need to hurry, it's quite a distance!"
Su Qingying nodded.
The next moment, the two of them darted across the street like fleeting shadows.
The last quarter of the hour of Chou (1-3 AM) and the first quarter of the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
Vermilion Bird Gate.
"Greetings, Imperial Preceptor!"
"Greetings, Marquis of Dongling!"
When Jiang Ning and Su Qingying appeared at the Vermilion Bird Gate, the Imperial Guards at the brightly lit gate of Vermilion Bird City all saluted the two of them.
Subsequently, two imperial guards from the Imperial Guards stepped forward and bowed again to Jiang Ning and Su Qingying.
"Grand Preceptor, Marquis of Dongling, please follow me. All the civil and military officials are waiting in the Taiji Hall."
Jiang Ning nodded.
"Please lead the way, gentlemen."
"You're too kind, Lord Marquis!" the two said.
Then, the two led Jiang Ning and Su Qingying through the Vermilion Bird Gate.
The wide palace road stretched forward under the moonlight and the glow of palace lanterns.
The Imperial Guards stood at attention, halberds in hand, their eyes piercing, creating an atmosphere even more solemn than usual.
The palace guard leading the way hurried along and explained in a low voice, "Today's court assembly is extraordinary. His Majesty will hold court at 1:15 AM. Almost all the officials have arrived and are waiting outside the Taiji Hall."
Jiang Ning nodded slightly and walked side by side with Su Qingying.
thump—
From deep within the palace walls, the faint sound of bells could be heard.
"My lords, it's past 3 AM!" the palace guard leading the way whispered.
Jiang Ning nodded again.
Then, the two palace guards leading the way hurried even faster.
There is a considerable distance between the Vermilion Bird Gate and the Taiji Hall.
And then it was the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).
With the two palace guards leading the way quickening their pace, Jiang Ning and Su Qingying also quickened their pace.
Along the way, there were imperial guards in full armor and carrying halberds on both sides.
After a while.
Upon arriving at the square in front of the Taiji Hall, one sees it brightly lit, with civil and military officials standing in orderly rows, completely silent.
When footsteps were heard behind them, half of the students turned around to look.
Upon seeing the newcomer's face, most officials were filled with astonishment.
Since Jiang Ning was granted the title of Marquis of Dongling, he has never attended court. Even when he later served as a local official, such as the Inspector of Zeshan Prefecture, he still did not attend court to meet the emperor.
This was the first time they had seen Jiang Ning attend a court assembly.
In addition, there was the appearance of the Imperial Advisor.
They hadn't expected that the Imperial Preceptor, who had long neglected court meetings, would make an unprecedented appearance this time.
Among the officials, Jiang Ning instantly noticed the emotions conveyed in several of their gazes.
His gaze swept across the scene, taking in each and every detail.
The Third Prince Ji Mingyu, the Fifth Prince Ji Mingyuan, and the Eighth Prince Ji Minghao were all princes he could hand over.
There were also several princes whose names I didn't know, as well as the gaze of the second princess, Ji Mingya.
In addition, those present included the Northern Cang King, King Xiang Yuan, King Li Tianwen, and Xiao Wuque, the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate.
There is Shen Mengyun's father, Shen Xiao, the Grand General and Supreme Military Commander. There is also Prime Minister Li, an Imperial Censor, and the heads of the Nine Ministers and Three Offices, all of whom hold the highest rank.
His gaze swept across the capital and found that almost all the important figures in the city had arrived.
"My lord, please follow me. This is your first time attending court, and you may not yet know your position among the officials." The imperial guard leading the way for Jiang Ning explained this to him.
"Thank you for your trouble!" Jiang Ning said.
"You're too kind, Lord Marquis!" said the palace guard who led the way.
Then, he led Jiang Ning toward the ranks of civil and military officials, heading toward the ranks of military officers.
The Inspector General of Kyushu was a military officer.
The title of Marquis of Dongling was an additional honorary title, regardless of whether one was a civil or military official.
Under the watchful eyes of numerous officials, the imperial guards led Jiang Ning to the front row of the military officers.
“My lord, you hold the title of marquis and are a second-rank official, which, according to the ranking, is only below the first rank.”
At this moment, Jiang Ning looked at the dozen or so heads in front of him.
"So, among all the civil and military officials, I'm ranked outside the top twenties or thirties!" he thought to himself. (End of Chapter)