The Emperor had not visited for a long time. The Empress Dowager urged Nanny Dian, "Quickly send someone to inform the Emperor. Prince Xuan and Prince He are both waiting."
Nanny Dian quickly dispatched someone to invite him.
The Empress Dowager then collected her thoughts.
Her gaze swept across the venue and immediately locked onto Chu Qianli.
This girl, beautiful as she was, had a truly wicked heart.
The dispute between Feiyan and Qianqian just now was instigated by this woman.
Having lived in the harem peacefully for so many years, the Empress Dowager detested troublemakers the most.
Her gaze towards Chu Qianli instantly turned even colder.
"This Miss Chu, I hear she is also from the Dragon Ascending Kingdom?"
When she introduced herself, she had stated she was from the Dragon Ascending Kingdom.
Chu Qianli smiled and replied, "Indeed."
The Empress Dowager said coldly, "I hear that women in your Dragon Ascending Kingdom are as capable as men, and furthermore, the Dragon Ascending Kingdom is currently ruled by an Empress."
"That is correct."
"Then, does Miss Chu possess the same capabilities as the men present?"
Without giving her any chance to react, the Empress Dowager immediately added, "I have a grandson who has loved wielding swords and spears since childhood. I wonder if Miss Chu would be willing to offer some guidance?"
What?
The Empress Dowager was actually asking a young lady to spar with a man at a banquet?
This… was a bit too much to ask of her!
Moreover, Chu Qianli was wearing a magnificent gown today. How could she fight dressed like this?
But the Empress Dowager seemed resolute.
Seeing that Chu Qianli did not respond immediately, she smiled and said, "I have long admired the women of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom and merely wish to broaden my horizons. Miss Chu would not mind, would you?"
Similarly, another young lady from the Dragon Ascending Kingdom, the one from Prince Jing's manor, not only did not cause trouble but had also saved Prince Jing's life.
As for the one before her, she likely relied on her good looks and, upon arriving in our Southern Ming, intended to stir up trouble.
The Empress Dowager detested such seductive women the most.
If she did not curb her arrogance today, the Empress Dowager would not be able to swallow her pride.
"Miss Chu, could it be that you wish to tell me that the women of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom are actually like us ordinary women, possessing no real skills, only knowing how to embroider and play the zither at home?"
"If that is the case, then Her Majesty the Empress of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom…"
"Your Majesty, the women of my Dragon Ascending Kingdom are not all the same. Some stay at home embroidering and playing the zither, while others know how to wield swords and spears."
Chu Qianli stood up. Her magnificent gown made her appear exceptionally beautiful.
But her expression was now solemn.
"However, the empresses of my Dragon Ascending Kingdom throughout the ages have been renowned commanders on the battlefield. I would ask Your Majesty not to doubt this point."
"Since that is the case, why doesn't Miss Chu display the might of the women of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom?"
Nanny Dian knew that the Empress Dowager intended to make things difficult for Chu Qianli and to vent Chu Feiyan's anger.
She could only smile insincerely and say, "Miss Chu, I hear you are also Prince Li of the Dragon Ascending Kingdom. Do not disgrace the dignity of a Dragon Ascending Prince!"
This implied that if she refused to fight, she would be disgracing the entire Dragon Ascending Kingdom.
"Then, may I ask which chivalrous gentleman Your Majesty wishes me to spar with?" Chu Qianli asked, quite composed.
The Empress Dowager hesitated.
In truth, she was merely holding a grudge and did not truly detest the girl that much.
However, this grudge had to be released.
Therefore, after a moment of hesitation, the Empress Dowager said, "My Ao has practiced martial arts since childhood and is very passionate about them. I wonder if Your Highness Prince Li would be willing to offer some guidance?"