Fairies Are Fierce

Chapter 16: Going Down Together!

Zuo Lingquan continued to raise his gun and stab forward, but his mind instantly wandered and his heart sank to the bottom. How could this be...

The esteemed princess, wandering around the ruins in the middle of the night, is she crazy?

Zuo Lingquan had exceptional hearing and was 100% certain that the woman behind the bead curtain was the girl he had encountered in Linhefang. Regardless of why this situation had occurred, the current situation was extremely dangerous.

Since it was her, she must have already realized that he was acting.

Why was he acting? Because he didn't want to become the princess's husband.

A young and beautiful woman, desired by men, would satisfy her vanity.

But if a man could have her without asking, showing no interest, the consequences would be severe!

Moreover, he had even spanked the princess...

This is bad, this is bad...

In an instant, Zuo Lingquan's thoughts raced, knowing that this act couldn't continue like this!

Bang!

Almost immediately after Jiang Yi spoke, there was a muffled sound from the stage.

Thousands of people on the platform were focused on the stage, but they were stunned to see that the white-clad young man, who had been panting heavily, had turned into a white blur and left behind two broken wooden boards in his original position.

The clearest view was from Li Cang, who was also standing on the stage.

Li Cang had intended to strike his opponent with his long sword, but his expression suddenly changed halfway. Just by seeing Zuo Lingquan's slightly bending knees as he ran, he knew that something was wrong and raised his sword to defend in advance.

But Li Cang underestimated Zuo Lingquan's explosive power, no matter how fast his reaction was.

Zuo Lingquan had been practicing swordsmanship for fourteen years, focusing only on one move, a very simple one - to stab at the most accurate spot with the fastest speed.

Because all martial arts techniques in the world are meant to kill, and to kill, mastering this move is enough!

Zuo Lingquan didn't use his full strength, nor did he need to, but Li Cang couldn't defend against it.

Zuo Lingquan held a two-foot-long silver gun and in the blink of an eye, he was already close to Li Cang. Afraid of killing Li Cang, he abandoned the gun and struck him with a palm strike aimed at his chest.

Bang!

Li Cang's robe suddenly swelled on his back, and then his feet left the ground, his whole body bent like a shrimp.

Before his body could fully rise, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

Everything happened in an instant.

The crowd in the arena felt their vision blur, and the Li Cang, who had just avoided any harm, turned into a torn sack and flew horizontally off the stage, landing more than two zhang away.

The eight people on the stage, who were in the Low Grade, were shocked to see this scene, their scalps tingling and their faces turning pale.

"This guy actually pretended to be weak and then struck like a tiger!"

Jiang Yi, who had just stood up to scold, suddenly silenced herself, realizing that she had been exposed.

But she quickly put her hand down, stared with her eyes, and had a fierce look as if saying, "You're finished! Keep acting!"

Before Li Cang could land, Zuo Lingquan had already stopped and stood still.

In order to smoothly enter the Qihuang Valley to apprentice and avoid being harassed by the princess, he really had to continue acting.

Zuo Lingquan stood with his hands behind his back, assuming a defiant posture, and looked at the eight opponents below the stage.

"A group of mediocre people, dare to compete with me. Just now, I was just playing around with you. Today, I have decided to become the princess's husband. If you don't agree, come at me together."

He said this naturally to salvage the situation.

But Jiang Yi wasn't stupid!

One place connects to all places. She had just realized that Zuo Lingquan didn't want to become the princess's husband and had intentionally let her win. Now, she naturally could see that Zuo Lingquan was trying to salvage the situation to avoid her resentment.

Don't want to become a prince consort?

Jiang Yi's eyes turned cold, she got up and lifted the bead curtain, appearing on the edge of the terrace in a red palace dress.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Princess!"

Everyone on the Yun Tai, both civil and military, stood up and bowed.

Zuo Lingquan raised an eyebrow, pretending to be surprised and said, "Why is it you?"

But Jiang Yi had already seen through Zuo Lingquan. She placed her hands on the carved railing, looking down from a high position, gritting her teeth and saying, "Young Master Zuo is quite skilled! Since you want to become a prince consort so badly, then..."

No, sister! This is not fun...

Zuo Lingquan quickly raised his head, his eyes signaling for Jiang Yi not to act impulsively and joke about such a serious matter.

But Jiang Yi didn't care about Zuo Lingquan's feelings. Today, she had to choose a prince consort to satisfy the royal family, and she knew that the nobles who were not on her side had surely arranged many people inside to get close to her and control her.

So, the prince consort she chose today was destined to be someone she didn't like. The only criteria she could consider was someone relatively reliable, without a strong background, and someone who wouldn't stab her in the back as a "husband."

Zuo Lingquan's family background was exceptionally clean, which met the primary condition.

He had a good reputation, good looks, and decent martial arts skills, which met the secondary criteria.

Most importantly, Zuo Lingquan didn't want to become a prince consort!

If he didn't want to, then that's perfect.

If you want to, I'll still choose you. Wouldn't that be too easy for you?

If you don't want to, I'll make you!

Considering all these reasons, did Jiang Yi still need to choose?

As long as Zuo Lingquan became the prince consort, she could do whatever she wanted with him, and he wouldn't dare to resist. Especially now, seeing the helpless look in Zuo Lingquan's eyes that seemed to say "I was wrong, please don't do anything rash," Jiang Yi felt that half of the anger that had been weighing on her for the past few days had dissipated, and she felt almost relieved.

Jiang Yi looked at Zuo Lingquan with a sinister gaze, deliberately pausing before speaking, teasing him for a while, making him think there was a chance for a turnaround. Then, her eyes turned cold as she said, "It's you. There's no need for further comparison. All of you, my dear ministers, may leave."

"Wow!"

With these words, the whole court was in an uproar.

Of course, they weren't surprised that the princess chose Zuo Lingquan as the prince consort, but rather that the princess had made the decision so quickly and decisively.

They thought the princess would find excuses to avoid getting married and delegate the decision. They had even prepared a script for persuading her earnestly, but they didn't expect her to be so direct.

For a moment, the courtiers felt relieved.

The noble sons who had participated in the selection of the prince consort looked at Zuo Lingquan with envy.

And the expression on Zuo Lingquan's face instantly turned stiff. He stood up straight, opened his hands, and looked up at the eldest princess, clearly expressing his thoughts:

Are you crazy?

What are you trying to achieve?

Jiang Yi leaned against the railing, not showing any weakness as she locked eyes with her future husband, implying:

What can you do to me?

If you don't want to become mine, I'll choose you. Are you angry or not?

Zuo Lingquan was helpless.

Not only could he not get angry, but he also had to be grateful and shed tears!

After a moment of affectionate eye contact, Zuo Lingquan took a deep breath and respectfully bowed:

"Princess Xie, your kindness is greatly appreciated."

Jiang Yi looked at Zuo Lingquan's unwilling expression and felt extremely pleased. She was about to raise her hand to signal him to dispense with the formalities when a untimely voice came from below:

"Princess, I have an objection!"

Jiang Yi frowned and turned her gaze towards the Minister of Revenue, Wang Zheng, who was sitting at the banquet.

The noisy Cloud Platform quieted down and all eyes turned towards Wang Zheng.

Jiang Yi's face remained calm. "Minister Wang, do you have any objections to the husband I have chosen?"

Wang Zheng bowed respectfully. "I dare not question the Princess's decision. I am just afraid that the Princess may be deceived by unscrupulous individuals. This Zuo Lingquan, my subordinates have had contact with him and his private conduct is lacking. He is not suitable to be a husband."

Jiang Yi narrowed her eyes slightly. Being pressed down and humiliated by him, lacking the demeanor of a gentleman, how could his private conduct not be lacking?

But this matter was a personal grudge and didn't amount to much when placed on the table. As long as Zuo Lingquan had not lost his virtue, it was fine.

Based solely on Zuo Lingquan's assistance in Linqi Alley and his daring rescue on the field, Jiang Yi could tell that his character was not bad, and he was actually quite outstanding, just a bit fierce.

Jiang Yi knew that there were people who were dissatisfied with her not choosing the pre-arranged candidate, so they were finding fault at this moment. She spoke in a deep voice:

"Oh, is that so?"

Assistant Minister Zuo Hanchou had a lower official position than Wang Zheng, but he didn't show any mercy and poured dirty water on him. He also looked angry:

"Minister Wang, you can't speak recklessly. Lingquan only arrived in the capital the day before yesterday and has been keeping a low profile in Qinghe County. How could your subordinates know about his private conduct?"

Wang Zheng's expression turned serious as he looked behind him:

"Mao De, explain the situation to the Princess."

Imperial Censor Chen Maode quickly stood up and walked forward:

"Princess, I have a granddaughter named Tang Jingrong who has been living in Linqi Alley. Yesterday morning, before dawn, when it was still dark, the concubine of my son's servant saw Zuo Lingquan, Young Master Zuo, coming out of Jingrong's house and even closed the door for her. A night spent together between an unmarried man and woman..."

"Minister Chen!"

Before Chen Maode could finish speaking, Zuo Lingquan on the platform interrupted in a cold voice:

"Tang Jingrong is the granddaughter of the late Minister's older brother. It is inappropriate to defame her innocence with rumors, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Maode not only didn't feel guilty, but even laughed:

"You know so much about Jingrong's affairs, let me ask you, did you come out of Jingrong's house yesterday morning?"

Jiang Yi's eyebrows slightly furrowed. She was the one who was beaten in Linqi Alley the night before yesterday, and Zuo Lingquan said he was drinking nearby at the time...

Jiang Yi looked at Zuo Lingquan, wanting to see how he would answer.

Zuo Lingquan's face remained calm:

"There was a ferocious beast causing trouble in Linqi Alley the day before yesterday. I assisted the Capture and Kill Division in hunting it down. I was worried that the beast would strike again at night, so I stayed at the Tang family's tavern in Linqi Alley for the night and left early yesterday morning."

Minister of Revenue Wang Zheng said solemnly, "So you did indeed spend the night with the Imperial Censor's granddaughter?"

Zuo Lingquan nodded. "That's right. The doors and windows were not closed, and I sat by the window the whole time. The people on the street can testify."

Wang Zheng shook his head. "You were just chosen as a husband. For the sake of your future, of course you would find excuses to explain. But let me ask you, if there is no other relationship, would an unfamiliar woman spend the night with a man?"

"The fact is just like that. I can refuse to be a husband, but I won't let rumors tarnish the innocence of that girl."

Wang Zheng snorted lightly. "The Grand Princess has chosen you as a husband. Can you refuse just because you don't want to? By saying this, aren't you just trying to appear uninterested in power and absolve yourself? Do you have any real evidence?"

Real evidence?

Where would the real evidence come from?

Zuo Lingquan furrowed his brows tightly, unable to say anything. What's the harm in adding more accusations when there's no way to defend against them?

Jiang Yi didn't know the specific situation, but she knew that Zuo Lingquan didn't want to be a husband, so there was no need for him to find excuses to prove his innocence.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yi's face darkened:

"Enough! The person chosen by this palace is naturally aware of their character. If they say they don't have it, then they don't have it."

Wang Zheng bowed and advised, "Your Highness, choosing a husband is a lifelong matter. As court officials, we must wholeheartedly serve the princess. Now that he has admitted to staying overnight at a woman's house, how can we..."

Jiang Yi's eyes turned cold. "This palace said to trust him. If he says he is innocent, then he is innocent. Furthermore, even if he stayed overnight at a woman's house, so what? This princess is choosing a husband, not the emperor selecting a concubine. We don't require a flawless beauty. What's so rare about a man having a confidante? Wang Zheng, tell me, how many wives and concubines do you have?"

As these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent, even the noble sons who were participating in the selection lowered their heads, only Zuo Lingquan's gaze remained calm.

Wang Zheng's face stiffened. He hadn't expected the princess to say such a thing. He turned his eyes and continued, "According to the rules, a husband cannot take concubines and abandoning a wife is even more disgraceful..."

Jiang Yi frowned, "Whether my husband can take concubines or not is up to me. Do I need you to set the rules? Or should you, Wang Zheng, make the decision for me and choose another husband here?"

"I dare not," Wang Zheng quickly lowered his head, his expression embarrassed. "It's just that, the choice of this person is indeed inappropriate..."

Seeing that these court officials were persisting, Jiang Yi had to lightly tap the railing to stop their words and then turned her gaze to Zuo Lingquan.

"Zuo Lingquan, this palace grants you a special permission today. If that Miss Tang is truly your confidante, you may take her as a concubine and the entire court can bear witness. In the future, this palace will treat her as a sister and not mistreat her in the slightest. Are you willing?"

Upon hearing these words, the entire court was in an uproar.

Even the Jiang family relatives felt it was inappropriate. This was too easy for that boy. How could there be such a comfortable husband who would allow two princesses to serve him?

But what surprised them even more was Zuo Lingquan's reaction.

Zuo Lingquan hadn't expected Jiang Yi to say such a thing, but upon careful consideration, he understood that Jiang Yi believed in his words and was allowing him to prove himself. He was innocent, so he naturally replied seriously, "I met that Miss Tang by chance, completely unrelated and innocent. I cannot agree to this."

With these words, there was no need for further explanation.

Yes means yes, no means no.

Even with a fortune in front of them and a beauty on the bed, they would not change their stance.

The entire court nodded in agreement, their eyes no longer filled with doubt and speculation, only approval remained.

Jiang Yi almost found herself a sister. In reality, she was quite nervous, afraid that this shameless boy would agree without hesitation. But upon hearing Zuo Lingquan's response, Jiang Yi completely let go of her worries. She looked at Wang Zheng with cold eyes.

"Wang Shangshu, do you have any more dirty water to pour on Zuo Lingquan?"

At this point, what else could Wang Zheng say? He quickly bowed and apologized, then raised his hand to salute Zuo Lingquan.

"Master Zuo, I heard rumors and misunderstood. Please forgive me."

"It's alright. Lord Wang was also thinking of the princess's well-being. Just clarify the matter."

Zuo Lingquan had no favorable impression of Wang Zheng and the others, but since his third uncle held a position in the court, he still had to give them a way out. After speaking, he bid farewell with a cupped fist salute and turned to leave the platform, preparing to return to Zuo Han Chou's side.

However, just as Jiang Yi had scolded her ministers and saw Zuo Lingquan trying to leave, she spoke again.

"Stop, where are you going?"

Zuo Lingquan paused in his steps and turned to look at Jiang Yi, slightly confused.

I'm going home, where else would I go? Do I have to stand here forever?

Jiang Yi beckoned with her hand, "Come here, this palace has something to say to you."

Her tone was very domineering.

Zuo Lingquan sighed inwardly, feeling that the word "freedom" was gradually becoming distant.

As the saying goes, "When the ruler wants the subject to die, the subject has no choice but to die." The princess was equivalent to the empress of the Great Dan Dynasty. He couldn't just ignore her and walk away. He could only turn around and come to the foot of the high tower, waiting for the princess to come down...

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9,000 characters, four chapters to pay off the debt...

(End of this chapter)