"Happy," Tang Xingyu said, her little cheeks flushed pink.
"Why are you happy?" Cheng Junyi asked.
"I got a gift," Tang Xingyu replied. "Chengcheng gave me candied hawthorn and said it was a welcome gift."
"A welcome gift, candied hawthorn?" Noble Consort Zhuang laughed out loud. "His Highness the crown prince is truly amusing. A stick of candied hawthorn only costs a few copper coins, yet he gave it as a gift. Xiu'er prepared a bottle of spirit marrow as a welcome gift for Miss Tang."
At this moment, she was full of confidence, certain everything was under control. She believed anyone with half a brain would know which was more valuable: spirit marrow or candied hawthorn.
The people around them buzzed with chatter. Spirit marrow? Noble Consort Zhuang was really being generous.
Yun Liyue's eyes narrowed slightly. Noble Consort Zhuang had prepared a gift for Tang Xingyu in advance? That meant she'd known Tang Xingyu was with Cheng Junyi long before this, while both she and His Majesty had been completely unaware.
Cheng Junyi gave Noble Consort Zhuang a long, meaningful look, but her face revealed neither anger nor joy. She lowered her gaze to Tang Xingyu and asked softly, "Tangtang, whose gift do you like more?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Tang Xingyu said, "I like the candied hawthorn! Tangtang goes perfectly with tanghulu!"
Hearing that, Cheng Junyi's eyes overflowed with warmth and affection. Yun Liyue couldn't help but smile. Noble Consort Zhuang's face changed slightly. "Miss Tang, the value of spirit marrow is countless times greater than candied hawthorn…"
"I don't want to hear it, I don't want to hear it!" Tang Xingyu shouted, covering her ears.
Cheng Junyi's eyes turned cold as she looked at Noble Consort Zhuang. "Noble Consort Zhuang, I hope Tangtang's decision comes from her own heart. I don't want anyone trying to influence her."
A flash of humiliation crossed Noble Consort Zhuang's face, but she had to force herself to stay quiet. She clearly knew Cheng Junyi wasn't someone she could afford to offend.
"Tangtang, if you had to pick one as your junior brother between the crown prince and the sixth prince, who would you choose?" Cheng Junyi asked.
Tang Xingyu answered seriously, "Teacher, choosing a junior brother is your right. Your disciple shouldn't overstep."
Cheng Junyi patted her little head. "My Tangtang is so thoughtful. Then tell your teacher—do you like the crown prince or the sixth prince more?"
Without any hesitation, Tang Xingyu blurted out, "Of course Chengcheng! He gave me candied hawthorn as a welcome gift and even said that if I didn't pick him as my junior brother, we could still be friends. The sixth prince kept acting like he was so amazing and said he'd only give me the spirit marrow if I chose him as my junior brother."
"I understand," Cheng Junyi said with a small smile. Then she looked at everyone else. "My second disciple has been decided. Your Highness the crown prince, are you willing to take me as your teacher?"
Yang Cheng was quick-witted. He bent low and bowed deeply. "Disciple Yang Cheng greets Teacher."
"It seems we really were fated to meet," Cheng Junyi said.
As her words fell, a "ding" suddenly rang in Yang Cheng's ears.
[Congratulations, host, task complete.]
Yang Cheng looked into the air with joy.
[Cheng Junyi is a Refining God expert who has seen countless geniuses. Winning her approval is unimaginably difficult.]
[Yet not only did the host gain her recognition, you were accepted as her disciple—truly incredible.]
[Congratulations, host, task completed.]
[Bodhi Fruit has been issued. Would you like to claim it now?]
Yang Cheng chose to delay claiming it.
In stark contrast to Yang Cheng's joy, Noble Consort Zhuang was trembling with rage. She'd spent nearly half her fortune to buy that bottle of spirit marrow, only for it to lose to a stick of candied hawthorn?
But she refused to give up. She shouted, "Wait!"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Gritting her teeth, Noble Consort Zhuang said, "Lady Cheng, there's one more thing I haven't mentioned. Once you hear it, I believe you'll definitely change your mind."
Cheng Junyi looked at her calmly. "Please speak, Noble Consort."
Standing tall, Noble Consort Zhuang swept her gaze over the crowd. "Seven days ago, my son Yang Xiu comprehended Sword Intent."
"What?"
"That's impossible!"
Everyone around them gasped in shock. Comprehending Sword Intent at one year old? That was simply unbelievable. Even Cheng Junyi looked slightly moved. "Is that true?" she asked. Something like this was rare even across all the worlds.
"Xiu'er, quickly show Lady Cheng," Noble Consort Zhuang said. She couldn't wait to see Lady Cheng's attitude change. Once it was confirmed that Yang Xiu had grasped Sword Intent, she was sure Lady Cheng would beg to take Yang Xiu as her disciple.
"Yes, Mother," Yang Xiu replied. He puffed out his chest and stood up straight. Then, using his finger as a sword, he slashed forward through the air. The slash carried no real power, but Yang Xiu's aura changed instantly. Everyone around felt a powerful pressure coming from him, like the tip of a sword was aimed right at their foreheads.
Whoosh!
The hall burst into a frenzy. "Sword Intent! That really is Sword Intent!"
"To master Sword Intent at just one year old—what kind of monstrous talent is that?" People couldn't stay calm. Yun Liyue felt a tremor in her heart as well. Even she had to admit Yang Xiu was truly exceptional.
Tang Xingyu jumped in surprise, and a round, shiny object tumbled out of her sleeve. Everyone else was so focused on Yang Xiu they didn't notice. But Yang Cheng did and couldn't help laughing silently. He hadn't expected Tang Xingyu had stashed another candied hawthorn in her sleeve. The sticky candy rolled across the floor until it came to rest at Yang Xiu's feet.
With everyone staring at him in awe, Yang Xiu felt an overwhelming sense of pride, like he ruled the world. He couldn't resist glancing at Yang Cheng. "Crown Prince Brother, what do you think of my Sword Intent?"
Yang Cheng answered calmly, "Sixth Brother, you must not take another step forward."
His warning only made things worse. The moment Yang Cheng spoke, Yang Xiu reflexively stepped forward. At once, his foot landed on the round candied hawthorn, and he lost his balance completely.
Thud!
Yang Xiu fell flat on his face, arms and legs sprawled. Yang Cheng clapped his hands and teased, "Sixth Brother, your Sword Intent is amazing—are you bowing so low to show me respect?"
Yang Xiu's face turned beet red with embarrassment. "Xiu'er!" Noble Consort Zhuang rushed over, picking him up and shouting furiously, "Who did this? Who's plotting against my son?"
Cheng Junyi's voice was calm and cold. "Noble Consort Zhuang, you overthink things. No one plotted against the sixth prince—he tripped on his own."
"Impossible!" Noble Consort Zhuang snapped, face flushed with rage. But before she could finish, she noticed everyone's expressions shifting oddly. They were all staring at the floor. Following their gaze, she saw the candied hawthorn lying there. Her face changed colors like a dye shop, growing more and more awkward.
Cheng Junyi spoke up. "Tangtang, what's with the candied hawthorn?"
Tang Xingyu looked guilty. "Teacher, the candied hawthorn was just too tasty. I didn't want to finish it all at once, so I hid one in my sleeve. I didn't expect it would fall out."
The truth came out instantly. Noble Consort Zhuang felt even more humiliated.
"Noble Consort Zhuang, I made it clear before: whoever Tangtang likes will be my disciple," Cheng Junyi said firmly. "Since Tangtang likes the crown prince, he will be my second disciple. Please, take the sixth prince and leave."
Noble Consort Zhuang's eyes widened in disbelief. "Lady Cheng, my son has comprehended Sword Intent!"
"I believe I made myself very clear from the start: talent isn't what I'm looking at in this recruitment," Cheng Junyi replied coldly.
Noble Consort Zhuang's teeth ground together in frustration. Cheng Junyi looked away from her and turned to Yun Liyue. "Your Majesty the Empress, why not take the crown prince home for now so he can rest? Tomorrow, you can bring him back, and I'll begin his martial arts initiation."
"Alright," Yun Liyue agreed. Today's events had been so surreal that she felt she needed time to process everything herself.
Yang Xiu felt like he'd been struck by lightning. He couldn't believe he'd been rejected by Cheng Junyi—worse still, she'd chosen Yang Cheng instead.
"Blind to true worth," a voice echoed in Yang Xiu's mind. It was Lin Xinglan's voice. "Choosing disciples based on the preference of a two-year-old girl—this Lady Cheng is being ridiculous. Don't take it to heart. If she won't take you as her disciple, it's because she lacks vision. Comprehending Sword Intent at one year old is extraordinary, yet she fails to grasp how significant that is. There's nothing to regret about not being her disciple."