Chapter 90: Chapter 41: Pulling Strings for Registration

“Jue, what brilliant strategy do you have for this matter?” Duchess Xu asked with concern.

Lan Jue smiled reassuringly, “Grandmother, you need not worry too much. Empress Dowager An will certainly not agree, and the ministers will also step in to block it. His Majesty cannot make such a decision arbitrarily.”

“But I still fear that His Majesty might stubbornly stick to his views and act willfully,” Duchess Xu’s brows remained furrowed.

Shen Ruoxi appeared indifferent, “If I do not agree, would His Majesty dare to force me? Everyone, please be at ease.”

She had already calculated her upcoming trip to the border city in her heart, so she did not worry too much about this matter.

Duchess Xu suggested, “If you could marry soon, having a husband would naturally deter His Majesty from coveting a married woman. Otherwise, everything remains uncertain.

I think Wu An is quite suitable. You two were born on the same day of the same month and year; such a fate is rare indeed. Moreover, I think his character is rather commendable.”

Shen Ruoxi chuckled softly and said to her grandmother, “Grandmother, please let me be, will you? I really don’t have the mind to look for a husband right now; how about we wait a little while?”

Duchess Xu suddenly covered her face with a sigh, her voice filled with endless sorrow, “I’m almost seventy years old; how many more years do I have? It’s truly a bitter fate! I fear that I might not get to hold my great-grandson before I pass away.”

What Shen Ruoxi feared most was this. Knowing her grandmother was doing it on purpose, she still chose to compromise, “Grandmother, I promise I’ll look for someone, but it has to be someone I approve of. I really don’t think Prince Wu An is suitable.”

Duchess Xu frowned, “Where is he lacking compared to Xiao Chengyi? He’s proficient in both literature and martial arts, comes from a reputable family, and has an excellent character, with none of those messy concubines at home. Why don’t you fancy him?”

Shen Ruoxi sighed lightly, “Grandmother, I know Prince Wu is indeed excellent, but between him and me… there’s just a lack of feeling.”

“Is there such a thing as lack of feeling or not? Ruoxi, you’re not young anymore; you can’t be too picky,” Duchess Xu said earnestly.

“Grandmother, rest assured, we’re all diligently selecting for Ruoxi, surely we’ll find someone satisfactory for her.

This is not something to be rushed. What if there’s another Xiao Chengyi? We need to carefully observe and understand, don’t we?

With our cousin’s grace and talent, what kind of person couldn’t she find?” Lan Jue said with a warm smile.

“If that’s the case, I won’t interfere anymore. You all should put in more effort and take your time,” Duchess Xu finally relented, with a tone carrying a bit of trust in Lan Jue.

Shen Ruoxi gave Lan Jue a secret thumbs-up, to which Lan Jue responded with a gentle smile.

He still had his private thoughts, always feeling one must first pass his test, while Wu An was good, there was always something missing, which did not satisfy him.

In his mind, Ruoxi’s husband should, at the very least, surpass Lan Jue himself.

Shen Ruoxi finally managed to send her grandmother and her party away. She breathed a sigh of relief.

With only seven days left until the tournament, she must quickly recover her inner strength and fully strive to capture the first place to go to the border city as a Vanguard Officer.

Thinking of the weapons, Shen Ruoxi’s eyes inadvertently dimmed.

Her father and brother’s bodies were sent back to the Capital City, along with their weapons, now solemnly placed in the Hero Hall.

Since returning home, she hadn’t set foot in this place. Now she walked slowly towards it.

Pushing open the heavy door, the atmosphere inside the Hero Hall was solemn.

The mottled walls were adorned with various weapons, resembling a dense forest, shining brilliantly.

Among them, a Divine Power Tyrant Spear stood out notably; it was her father’s weapon, standing proudly with its red tassel vivid and lifelike, seemingly ever-ready to charge into battle;

A Yanling Saber belonged to her elder brother, the blade heavy, exuding a unique aura of dominance and might from the battlefield…

A treasure sword hung among the multitude of weapons, it was her

Dragon Roar Sword.

A precious gift from her master, it cleaved through iron as though it were mud, incredibly sharp.

She gently took down her treasured sword.

When the sharp blade was drawn, a sound echoing like a dragon’s roar reverberated through the entire Hero Hall.

The tip of the sword glinted with a chilling light, revealing its extraordinary edge.

Shen Ruoxi gripped the treasure sword tightly, her swordsmanship fluid and graceful like clouds and flowing water, unfolded effortlessly.

The flashing sword light and radiating cold brilliance enveloped her as if in a silvery-white mist, her movements agile and graceful, like a dragon swimming freely in the water, so beautiful it was enchanting.

This set of sword moves, Shen Ruoxi had practiced countless times. After each practice, her mother would appear to gently wipe away the sweat on her forehead and praise, “My Ruoxi is the most amazing, unmatched, come rest a bit.”

However, at this moment, despite her sweating profusely, she could no longer hear her mother’s gentle voice.

As she sheathed her sword, she panted slightly, striving to hide the tears in her eyes.

She put the treasure sword back into its sheath and turned to leave the Hero Hall.

The next morning, Shen Ruoxi, after a light dress-up, put on a hat with a veil and quietly left the Shen Mansion alone.

The registration was managed by Gu Mao, Assistant Minister of the Ministry of War, who used to be her father’s subordinate and whom Shen Ruoxi had met several times.

This time, she could only seek his help.

When Shen Ruoxi appeared at the registration place with her veiled hat, the guards saw her simple attire and kindly reminded, “Miss, if you want to inquire about the registration details, we can provide the answers without disturbing the Vice Minister.”

Shen Ruoxi responded with a smile, “I am from the Shen Family, here to pay respects to Vice Minister Gu on behalf of our Marquis, please announce my arrival.”

Upon hearing that someone from the Shen Mansion had come, the guards dared not neglect and immediately reported to Gu Mao.

Upon learning that someone from the Shen Mansion had come to visit, Gu Mao hastily had Shen Ruoxi invited inside.

However, when he saw Shen Ruoxi, he did not immediately recognize her and asked in confusion, “Who are you?”

Shen Ruoxi softly said, “May I ask the minister to dismiss everyone?”

Gu Mao waved his hand for everyone to withdraw. Shen Ruoxi gently removed her veil, revealing a delicate face, “Uncle Gu.”

Gu Mao was taken aback for a moment; though he hadn’t seen her for over two years, he still recognized Shen Ruoxi, “Ruoxi?”

Shen Ruoxi smiled faintly, “It’s me.”

Gu Mao instantly speculated about her intentions, replying coldly, “No way, His Majesty has decreed that women are not accepted in this tournament selection.”

“Uncle Gu,” Shen Ruoxi softly pleaded, attempting to melt his determination.

Unmoved, Gu Mao’s attitude remained firm, “No way! You must quickly return to the Shen Mansion.”

He knew well, as the only bloodline of the Loyalty Marquis Mansion, Shen Ruoxi must not be allowed any missteps.

However, Shen Ruoxi’s eyes gleamed with steadfast resolve. She stared directly at Gu Mao, resolutely saying, “Uncle Gu, you know me well. If I want to go to the border city, naturally, I can find a way to go.

But I want to rely on my own true talent and learning to lead the troops to the border city openly and uprightly.

This tournament selection is not only for me to serve the country with loyalty but also to avenge my father, brother, and uncle!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep