Joy of Life: Invincible Starting from Basic Swordsmanship

Chapter 20: The End of the "Secret Meeting"

In the original novel, one of Fan Xian's missions when he went to Northern Qi was to discuss a marriage alliance between Southern Qing and Northern Qi.

However, this matter was not handled by Fan Xian, but by the envoy of the delegation.

The reason Ye Chengfeng dared to come to the capital before Fan Xian and the delegation was precisely because of this.

Some might think that Ye Chengfeng had developed lustful thoughts and had taken a liking to the eldest princess of Northern Qi.

This is really unfair to Ye Chengfeng; he had no choice.

Your perspective is determined by your position; Ye Chengfeng used to live in Dongyi City.

Practicing swordsmanship every day, teasing Xiaolan, and spending this life with Xiaolan like this wouldn't be so bad.

It is even possible that in the future, he may break through to the Grandmaster level, or even surpass the Grandmaster level.

At that time, you can live as carefree as you want.

However, Si Gu Jian actually wanted him to take over Dongyi City.

Then Ye Chengfeng would have to make some careful plans.

At least when Emperor Qing and Fan Xian are "battling it out," don't let him, an innocent bystander, get caught in the crossfire.

This is also the reason why they abandoned their efforts to subdue Guo Baokun and instead killed Yan Xiaoyi.

"What benefits would agreeing to this marriage alliance bring to Northern Qi?"

"Hehe, young emperor, you may not know this yet, but Emperor Qing has betrothed the beloved daughter of the Marquis of Nanqing to me."

Ye Chengfeng's smile was sly.

Upon hearing this, Zhan Doudou's eyes widened immediately.

"Do you know what you're saying? Are you trying to get my Northern Qi princess to be your concubine?"

Zhan Doudou certainly knew who Si Nanbo was. The one who sent them to Northern Qi this time was Fan Xian, the son of Si Nanbo.

Given Fan Xian's current status in Nanqing, his future achievements are limitless.

His sister's status naturally rose accordingly.

Although Fan Ruoruo was a famous talented woman in the capital of Nanqing, she was not worthy of Zhan Doudou's attention at all.

"Don't be hasty. Can't you see that this is Emperor Qing's scheme to sow discord?"

Ye Chengfeng started spouting nonsense, claiming that his marriage to Fan Ruoruo was clearly a deal between Si Gu Jian and Emperor Qing.

There's no such thing as a "divide and conquer" tactic!

But Zhan Doudou didn't know that, given the situation in Northern Qi, it would be extremely difficult to find out about the deal between the two grandmasters.

"Hmph, of course I can see through it. And stop calling me 'Little Emperor' all the time. Do you really think I have no temper?"

After being teased by Ye Chengfeng, Zhan Doudou retorted angrily.

"That's right, that's right! Your Majesty is a man of great talent and strategy. How could that old fox Emperor Qing's tricks possibly stump Your Majesty!"

Seeing Zhan Doudou's answer, Ye Chengfeng knew what was going on; clearly, the young emperor had wavered.

"I wonder what Your Majesty thinks. If our two families were to form a marriage alliance, it would be a much stronger bond than the marriage bestowed by Emperor Qing. After all, Fan Ruoruo is just the daughter of a court official, while the eldest princess is a member of the Northern Qi royal family."

"Hmph, even so, I haven't seen my Great Qi gain anything."

Seeing that Zhan Doudou was still hesitant, Ye Chengfeng prepared to add the final push.

"Does Your Majesty not know?"

"Should I know?"

"It seems you really don't know that I am already the successor of Dongyi City. Sigh, your Northern Qi's Embroidered Uniform Guard is really not as good as the Southern Qing's Supervisory Council."

"Hmph, I thought it was something serious. Of course I know about this."

Ye Chengfeng's provocation tactic was quite effective.

Next, Zhan Doudou will have to fill in the blanks herself.

What did he mean by that?

"Wait a minute, if he and his sister have a child in the future, that child could very well be the next ruler of Dongyi City!"

"No, this guy has been leading me in this direction the whole time!"

By this time, Zhan Doudou realized it was too late, because she had already come up with the idea.

Then this thought will linger in her mind.

He only had to sacrifice his own sister, but what he could gain was the entire Dongyi City!

Zhan Doudou hesitated for only a moment before agreeing!

"Alright, I can agree to your request. Not only that, but when you become the city lord of Dongyi City in the future, my Great Qi will also provide assistance. We will grant you whatever you need, whether it's money or manpower."

"What a convenient phrase, 'Nothing is forbidden'! Why does that sound so familiar?"

Why would Zhan Doudou be so kind?

Even though she was still young, the ruthlessness of an emperor was already deeply ingrained in her bones.

"A wise choice. Since that's the case, I can't remain inactive. How about this: I'll keep the Eight Swordsmen by your side, at your beck and call, what do you say?"

As he spoke, Ye Chengfeng waved his hand, signaling the eight swordsmen to step forward.

He then introduced, "Each of them is at the eighth rank, and the one with the highest cultivation level has already reached the upper eighth rank."

Although there are countless eighth-rank martial artists in the original work.

There's a big difference between an eighth-rank martial artist and a ninth-rank one, but they're not exactly commonplace either.

In the original novel, Li Chengze, the second prince of Nanqing, spent countless resources to cultivate eight generals, all of whom were of the eighth rank.

Although Ye Chengfeng transmigrated to the TV series version, Xie Bi'an became a ninth-rank swordsman.

But the other seven people remained at the eighth rank.

The situation in Dongyi City was different. Of Si Gu Jian's thirteen disciples, only one was an eighth-rank disciple, while the other twelve were all ninth-rank disciples.

Seeing eight rank eight experts, how could Zhan Doudou not be envious?

"That bastard, he's so blatantly placing people around me?"

Zhan Doudou naturally knew that Ye Chengfeng was retaliating against her earlier scheme.

"Since Brother Ye is so generous, then I shall accept it without being impolite."

Zhan Doudou squinted, scrutinizing Ye Chengfeng.

"We've already cooperated so much, how could I be stingy?"

Seeing that Ye Chengfeng still spoke like that, Zhan Doudou snorted coldly and said, "Hmph, I'm taking him away."

He turned and was about to leave.

"Wait, I forgot to tell you, Fan Xian, the poet from Nanqing, is about to arrive in the capital."

"Hmph, I know, you don't need to tell me."

"Um, what I meant was, I think I might have caused you some trouble."

Ye Chengfeng said awkwardly.

Before parting ways with Fan Xian, he gave Fan Xian a letter, telling him not to hand over Xiao En.

Ye Chengfeng's idea at the time was very simple: to curry favor with Fan Xian.

However, Fan Ruoruo was also partly to blame.

Although he genuinely wanted to form an alliance with Zhan Doudou during this meeting, he did so out of a desire to meet with her.

But before coming, Ye Chengfeng wasn't very confident.

Unexpectedly, the young emperor of Northern Qi was so unable to resist temptation.

"What trouble?" Zhan Doudou said through gritted teeth.

"It's nothing major, just that Fan Xian shouldn't hand Xiao En over to Shen Zhong. I just don't know if he'll listen to me."

Zhan Doudou remained silent for a moment after hearing this.

He thought to himself, "This seems to be to my advantage; it might be an excuse to attack Shen Zhong."

Of course, she couldn't personally hold Shen Zhong accountable, as he was part of the Empress Dowager's faction.

Although she and the Empress Dowager appeared to be at odds, it was actually the Empress Dowager of Northern Qi who was paving the way for Zhan Doudou.

"Hmph, I know."

Zhan Doudou said she understood, then ignored Ye Chengfeng and left.

Ye Chengfeng watched her retreating figure and suddenly said something.

"Your acting with your mother is a bit fake. Be more careful next time. I reckon Shen Zhong saw through your act, that's why he's targeting you like this!"

Zhan Doudou, who hadn't gone far, suddenly heard Ye Chengfeng's voice.

But these words are rather shocking!

The eight swordsmen following behind him had their expressions frozen, and they almost couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"That damned bastard!"

Zhan Doudou returned to the palace with a dark expression.