Pei Jianzhi wanted to call a halt, but no sound could escape his throat. Mu Zian continued to unleash the Mountain-Shaking Fist he had just learned, pounding Pei Jianzhi without restraint.
“Ah, the State-Stabilizing Duke’s fists are vigorous and powerful! It must be the result of at least ten years of diligent practice.”
“Who would have thought the State-Stabilizing Duke, who always appeared to be a frivolous playboy, actually possessed such perseverance? Truly shameful for us men of martial valor.”
“Clearly, the State-Stabilizing Duke is not the wastrel the world believes him to be. We were blinded by mere appearances.”
In the eyes of the outside world, Mu Zian was known for nothing but shamelessly clinging to Lu Yunxue. Yet now, with such seasoned technique, it was obvious he had dedicated himself to rigorous training. In an instant, the minds of the military officers present were filled with the image of a man who licked boots by day and trained fists bitterly by night.
Just as it seemed things might turn fatal, Xiao Xiuning, seated at the head, coughed lightly, “State-Stabilizing Duke, a bout should be measured and restrained.”
Hearing this, Mu Zian finally withdrew his fists. Pei Jianzhi lay sprawled on the ground, his face a bloody mess, barely recognizable. Mu Zian spread his hands innocently and said, “Everyone saw it. General Pei begged me to hit him. I just obliged. Honestly, it’s the first time in my life I’ve heard such a strange request.”
Lu Yunxue rushed forward to help Pei Jianzhi up. Seeing her beloved in such a miserable state, she angrily pointed at Mu Zian and shouted, “Mu Zian! How could you be so ruthless? All this just to take revenge on me? Why vent your anger on others!”
Her words stirred a thousand waves. Xiao Xiuning frowned and said coldly, “Heroine Marquis! You are being far too insolent! Mu Zian is the State-Stabilizing Duke, a pillar of the Great Li Empire.”
“And you, a mere lower-ranking Heroine Marquis, dare address him by name? I once thought you were only heartless and ungrateful. Now it seems you lack even the basic respect for hierarchy!”
The entire hall fell silent. In that moment, all the officials felt as though they saw the shadow of the Emperor himself through her.
Mu Zian now fully understood why, among so many imperial children, the Emperor doted solely on Xiao Xiuning.
Lu Yunxue, shaken by her voice, quickly knelt down, “This minister was inconsiderate. I beg Your Highness for forgiveness.”
Xiao Xiuning snorted coldly, “Today, as I act on behalf of my royal father, the duel between the State-Stabilizing Duke and General Pei was fair and just, witnessed by all. Yet you, without discerning right from wrong, offended your superiors. Seeing your sincere admission, I will be lenient. You are hereby fined three years of your salary as a warning.”
Lu Yunxue’s face turned ugly. Unlike those noble families in the capital who had shops and lands, the Lu family, without Mu Zian’s support, lived solely off her salary. Losing three years’ pay was a disastrous blow to their already impoverished household.
“Thank you, Ninth Princess, for your mercy.”
Lu Yunxue sat back down, her face growing increasingly grim. It seemed like nothing had gone right these past few days.
First, the Heroine Residence’s construction was halted due to debts.
Then her brother was expelled from his sect by Li Jiuxuan, and she herself was turned away when she went to plead.
Now she was not only relegated to the last seat at the banquet but was also publicly scolded by the Ninth Princess.
Her luck was abysmal.
As she brooded, Lu Yunxue’s gaze landed on Mu Zian, sitting there in his black and gold python robe, drinking leisurely.
Could it be that all her past successes had been thanks to Mu Zian?
The thought, once surfaced, was immediately suppressed by Lu Yunxue.
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
She had earned her status through her own efforts!
Mu Zian was just a capital wastrel. He had never helped her with anything.
She had climbed to the summit through her own perseverance, with no one’s support.
She was the model for all women under the heavens, the Great Li Empire’s first Heroine Marquis!
Yes, all her achievements were her own!
Meanwhile, Mu Zian sat sipping wine, boldly admiring Xiao Xiuning at the head seat, paying no attention to the strange look Lu Yunxue cast him from the corner.
Mu Zian was even less interested in her internal struggles and conflicts.
At the same time, Pei Jianzhi, who had finally recovered a bit, was on the verge of collapse. If fury could kill, Mu Zian would have been dead hundreds of times over.
In just one duel, Pei Jianzhi had become the laughingstock of the entire court.
“Mu Zian is so insidious! His fists are the strongest I’ve ever seen, yet there was never a hint of this in public! If I hadn’t underestimated him today, how could he have exploited an opening?”
Even now, Pei Jianzhi could only comfort himself with stubbornness.
Lu Yunxue tried to console him, “Don’t worry. You are a general commanding thousands. Your talent lies in leading armies, not in petty brawling. If it came to real battlefields, Mu Zian would be no match for you.”
It had to be said, Lu Yunxue knew exactly what to say to comfort him.
Pei Jianzhi immediately felt capable again.
“Exactly! So what if Mu Zian is strong? He’s only a reckless brute. We are destined for greatness on the battlefield.”
“Even though he holds the title of State-Stabilizing Duke, he has no military authority. A general without command is no different from a toothless tiger—just an empty title.” Read the latest chapters at novelping.com.
“The Emperor merely reinstated his title to quiet the critics. There’s nothing to fear.”
The two encouraged each other and rekindled their spirits.
But at that moment, Xiao Xiuning stood up from the head seat, “Today, while gathered here, I have an announcement to make on behalf of my royal father.”
“Convey the Emperor’s decree!”
At the mention of an imperial decree, everyone knelt at once.
Xiao Xiuning spoke in a clear, resonant voice.
“Mu Zian, State-Stabilizing Duke, has demonstrated unparalleled valor, defeating the assassins of Liu Zang Hall, hanging their heads at the East Gate, upholding the Mu family’s legacy, and glorifying our Great Li Empire. Henceforth, he shall be granted command of the Vanguard Battalion, serving the nation above and the people below.”
As her words fell, a eunuch hurried in, carrying a lacquered wooden tray upon which lay a black tiger tally inscribed with intricate characters.
Mu Zian hadn’t expected to not only vent his anger tonight but also gain an unexpected reward.
In contrast to Mu Zian’s delight, Lu Yunxue was stricken with shock and despair.
The Vanguard Battalion was the elite force of the Great Li Empire. Lu Yunxue’s achievements over the past three years had depended entirely on the fearless charges of the Vanguard Battalion.
Without it, she would never have become the Heroine Marquis.
Yet now, the Emperor had bypassed her, the battalion’s former commander, and handed the tally directly to Mu Zian.
The implication was clear.
Xiao Xiuning picked up the tiger tally from the tray and handed it to Mu Zian with a smile.
“May the State-Stabilizing Duke live up to my father’s expectations and lead the Vanguard Battalion to once again become invincible across the land.”
Mu Zian solemnly accepted the tally from Xiao Xiuning. From this moment, his position as the State-Stabilizing Duke was truly complete.
Holding supreme authority over life and death—this was the moment of ultimate glory and favor.
In stark contrast, Lu Yunxue had been reduced to a clown, standing in the shadow of Mu Zian’s newfound splendor.
At this moment, a thought involuntarily surfaced in Lu Yunxue’s heart.
If she hadn’t severed ties with Mu Zian back then, would things have turned out differently?