The news that Lou Mu Yan had fallen in the Glacial Mountain Range was widely spread by those who schemed. In addition, she hadn’t appeared for more than a month, so the entire Yan’zhou Kingdom thought that she was already dead.
Many of the Lou Clan’s political enemies were secretly watching a joke. However, it was just that in the more than a month, the Lou Clan hadn’t hung any white silk, nor announced Lou Mu Yan’s death, which made them all feel that the Lou Clan was just deceiving themselves.
The Lou Clan’s father and son constantly had a gloomy expression every time they went to the imperial court. Whoever they pointed to, the person would immediately be ‘shelled1’—wasn’t this precisely the reaction of having lost a granddaughter/daughter?
On this day, the Martial Hall of the Empire’s Imperial Palace, was filled with officials, together with some pupils from distinguished clans and some students from the Empire Academy.
Today was a very important day. The list of entries for the Tian’ling Continent Tournament for Hegemony was announced today. The younger generation of pupils were all bright-eyed. Even if they couldn’t participate, they were very much looking forward to such a grand event.
The students who participated in the Glacial Mountain Range Trials were all looking forward to it. If they could represent Yan’zhou Kingdom to participate in the Continental Tournament for Hegemony, it would not only place light on their Clan’s face, but their opportunities would also be infinite.
As an Emperor, Yun Tian Chen naturally wanted to express his compliments and encouragements first.
“The Tian’ling Continent Tournament for Hegemony is held every twenty years. In another two months, the Tournament will begin. This time, our Yan’zhou Kingdom has obtained six entry quotas. These…”
Yun Tian Chen said a bunch, then finally said: “Now, let the Imperial Teacher announce the six participants for the Continental Tournament for Hegemony.”
Imperial Teacher Yun Cang stood up in the main position with a serious face, and didn’t say any nonsense either, directly announcing the list of participants.
“The participants of the Continental Tournament for Hegemony this time are Yun Zi Mo, Yun Lan, Fu Chen, Lou Mu Bai, Chi Yi Xuan, and Lou Mu Yan.”
[WOW!!]
Everyone present was stunned. The first five people participating in the Tournament for Hegemony, they felt that it was deserving, but what was this about Lou Mu Yan?
How could a dead person participate in a Tournament? What’s more, even if she wasn’t dead yet, wasn’t she trash, she shouldn’t even be qualified to participate in such a grand event right?
“Imperial Teacher, isn’t Lou Mu Yan dead? Why is her name on the list of participants?” An official took a step out at Gu Yan Kai’s signal.
Except, before Yun Cang even spoke, a strong palm of wind swept in from the Hall’s gate and slapped the official straight on the face.
[PA!]
Before anyone could figure out the situation, a clear and pleasant female voice sounded.
“Who said This Young Miss was dead?
“A dog can’t spit out ivory2, you deserve a beating!”
Immediately, they saw a light purple-clothed, peerlessly beautiful, and otherworldly Lou Mu Yan walk into the Martial Hall with Yun Lan.
“You— You’re presumptuous!” The official who was slapped by Lou Mu Yan covered his face as he stood up and pointed to her while glaring.
Lou Mu Yan sneered: “If you don’t put away your claws, then This Young Miss will break it.”
During this period of time, the Lou Clan had always kept a low profile and these damned things often provoked them, especially this Gu Yuan Kai’s dog who would bark from time to time. She didn’t mind being arrogant and trash him.
“You wildly arrogant child.”
The official originally wanted to point at Lou Mu Yan and curse her, but after being swept over by her cold and stern gaze, he withdrew his hand unconsciously. With resentment in his eyes, he knelt down in front of Yun Tian Chen and burst into tears on the spot.
“Your Majesty! This old official was slapped in public by an ignorant little girl, losing all face. This old official won’t live anymore!”
The official who was still complaining tearfully chocked for a moment, then howled again: “Rebelling, she’s also rebelling.”
But his words only just fell when Lou Zhan Tian twisted his collar and threw him out the hall, “Too loud!”
The behaviour of the two made everyone here unable to resist wiping their sweat and sigh inwardly—the behaviour of the grandfather and granddaughter was a bit too domineering and arrogant.
“Your Majesty, how can Lou Mu Yan’s arrogant and domineering behaviour qualify to participate in the Tian’ling Continent Tournament for Hegemony? What if she provoked people who shouldn’t be provoked and bring infinite trouble to the Empire.” A sly smile flashed by Gu Yuan Kai’s lips as he stood up respectfully to persuade Yun Tian Chen.
Hearing his words, many people’s minds also began thinking. Lou Mu Yan indeed offended people too easily, and if they were able to ‘pull her down the horse’ then maybe their own pupils could obtain an entry position, so they all agreed.
Gu Yuan Kai’s chubby face maintained a smile, but his eyes were cold and grim. The Lou Clan’s girl actually came back alive. He absolutely couldn’t let her participate in the Continental Tournament for Hegemony.
Lou Mu Yan didn’t hide the ridicule on her lips, and merely just looked around at the people in the higher positions. If they defended Gu Yuan Kai, then don’t expect her to take out anything good to subsidise.
The reason why she was so arrogant today was actually to test the Imperial Family. She was going to participate in the Tian’ling Continent’s Tournament for Hegemony soon, so she sure didn’t want to help an Empire that couldn’t protect her family.
Yun Tian Chen naturally also saw Lou Mu Yan’s expression of ridicule and his heart skipped a beat. This girl’s temper sure was big. But such arrogance and domineering were better than the insidious cunning of Gu Yuan Kai’s entire family.
“Zhen is not responsible for selecting the list of participants. If you have any questions, go ask Imperial Teacher.” Yun Tian Chen smiled gently and immediately pushed the matter out.
Lou Mu Yan rolled her eyes. This paternal uncle-in-law really was a slippery head, but as an Emperor, him stepping forth was indeed not better than the Imperial Teacher coming forward.
“Lou Mu Yan is a participant personally listed by Imperial Ancestor. If you have any objections, go to the Imperial Pavilion Hall.” Yun Cang sneered, and his gaze swept over the few people who had hopped out and was jumping about, noting them down.
He naturally knew that Imperial Noble Concubine Gu secretly poisoned Emperor and he abhorred them bitterly. If it weren’t that they had some reasons to keep them alive, then the Imperial Family probably would’ve long searched and confiscated the Gu Clan’s property. Yet they still dared to take the lead in causing trouble—they truly were vermin of the Empire.
“…” No one expected Lou Mu Yan to actually be a person chosen specifically by the Imperial Ancestor. The faces of those who jumped about changed a few times and they didn’t dare to make a sound anymore.
Gu Yuan Kai’s eyes were filled with gloom, but he didn’t say much more. The Ancestor was a very ruthless person who wouldn’t allow anyone to refute him. If they ruined their whole plan simply for this girl, Lou Mu Yan, then the loss outweighed the gains.
But even if they didn’t dare to object again, there were a lot of people who were unwilling to accept Lou Mu Yan—especially the younger generation who didn’t obtain a place. Many felt that Lou Mu Yan had only obtained this place by relying on her family background, and they were terribly sour about it.
Lou Mu Yan took all these people’s gazes in, then said leisurely: “I know that some people refuse to accept that I was selected to participate in the Tian’ling Continent Tournament for Hegemony, and I don’t want the Lou Clan to be gossiped about, so right now, I accept any challenge from those who satisfy the requirements to participate in the Tournament for Hegemony. Whoever wins me, then my place will be yours.”
She wanted a just and honourable place and didn’t want the Lou Clan to be slandered after she left.
[WOW!!]
This little girl from the Lou Clan really was too arrogant. This was the feeling that many people had at this time. But those who watched the show naturally hoped that it would continue to develop in such a way.
While the people who were friends with the Lou Clan kept signalling with their eyes to Lou Zhan Tian and Lou Mo Yu—wasn’t your family’s girl a bit too stupid, her place was already set, so what was she doing accepting challenges!
Lou Zhan Tian revealed gratification in his eyes and laughed loudly: “Good! As expected of my granddaughter. Yan’er, beat all those who have poor eyesight flat to the ground, just don’t toy them to death.”
“…” The crowd was in utter chaos from the storm3.
At this time, they also understood why Lou Mu Yan was so bold and arrogant—so it turned out that it was all learnt from her grandfather.
Translated product by May Our 梦 Come True
1more colloquial, meaning that someone is bombarded with curses or criticisms or anything negative. Usually used comedically.
2an idiom. so basically, a filthy mouth can’t utter decent language. Or, what do you expect from a dog but bark? They wouldn’t be able to produce expensive ivory.
3more a colloquial saying meaning they were so shocked and confused by the development it was like they a storm had passed through and everyone is disoriented.