At the garden archway, two figures stood.
Steward Qi and the old general, Old Master Qin.
At this moment, Old Master Qin's eyes were a little misty. At his age, he was almost moved to tears by the scene before him.
In the small garden not far away, Chu Qianli stood before Qin Xiao, coaxing him as if he were a child:
"Come, continue, faster, faster, that's right, don't limp, your leg is already healed, relax... yes, more normal, yes, just like that..."
Qin Xiao, who had only dared to take hesitant steps at first, began to quicken his pace.
"A'Li, look, am I not limping anymore? I'm not limping, am I? How is it? A'Li, how do you think I look?"
"Very good, you walk so handsomely, yes, don't limp, yes, very handsome... simply devastatingly handsome, you'll be able to pick up girls as soon as you go out."
"What does 'pick up girls' mean?"
"It means... you can go and flirt with the pretty young ladies."
"Nonsense, I never flirt with young girls, they always flirt with me."
"Tsk!"
"Really!"
...Steward Qi raised his hand and wiped his eyes.
His eyes felt sore, both sour and stinging, and he didn't know if he had shed any tears.
How long had it been since he had seen the third young master smile so happily?
Ever since the battle of Phoenix Mountain, when the third young master returned with a limp, he had never truly smiled.
Every time he smiled at others, it was a forced smile, just to reassure them and prevent them from worrying about him.
But the more he did this, the more those around him felt heartbroken and distressed.
Now, the third young master was finally smiling again!
It took Old Master Qin a while to compose himself before he walked over.
Qin Xiao was still practicing walking.
In fact, he could walk, but he could only do so with a limp.
Every time he tried to straighten that leg, his calf would throb with intense pain.
The pain made it impossible for him to maintain a normal walking posture. Even if he forced himself, he could only take a few steps before reverting to his old way.
But now, it was different. Although he still felt some soreness and fatigue when walking normally, at least it didn't hurt anymore.
"Xiao'er, is it really healed?"
Although the old master was touched, he was still somewhat worried.
Qin Xiao walked towards him slowly, each step deliberate, but at least the posture was correct.
There was no longer the despair-inducing limp.
"Grandfather." He cupped his hands, his face flushed from the sun, casting a radiant glow on his naturally bronzed complexion.
"My leg, it's truly healed."
He couldn't help but glance back at Chu Qianli.
Chu Qianli also walked to the old master and nodded, "It seems to be mostly healed, but you still need to adapt slowly, don't rush it."
"Slowly is fine, slowly is fine."
Old Master Qin's eyes welled up again.
His grandson now had a sunny disposition; this was his bright and optimistic grandson from before.
He had finally returned.
It was truly wonderful, truly wonderful!
That day, Chu Qianli was kept by the old master. While Qin Xiao continued his practice in the courtyard, the old master asked Chu Qianli:
"Little Li'er, what do you want?"
"Anything I want?" Chu Qianli knew that if she didn't ask for something, the old master wouldn't feel at ease.
Since that was the case, it was better to ask for what she truly desired.
"Of course!" The old master readily agreed.
Chu Qianli thought for a moment before saying, "I want a status."
...A few days later, the day for Prince Xuan's concubine selection arrived.
It was said that the first round of the competition was a task temporarily set by Prince Xuan himself.
"Galloping horses over mountains and crossing ridges?"
The Emperor's face immediately showed difficulty.
These young ladies were all delicate and tender. Crossing mountains and ridges was already difficult, let alone riding horses up a mountain. This was practically asking for their lives.
"Xuan'er, this is a concubine selection, not a general selection. Are these requirements not a bit too harsh?" The Empress Dowager was also very concerned.
Today was the day of the first stage of the concubine selection, and both had arrived at the designated location early.
Unexpectedly, the selection criteria proposed by Feng Ye Xuan was this.
This was truly an unprecedented concubine selection method in all the dynasties.
Feng Ye Xuan sat on his chair with a blank expression, gazing at the mountain range in the distance with a calm demeanor.
"Didn't Father Emperor say that the selection method would be decided by this son? Since I am here today, if Father Emperor finds this method unsuitable, I shall leave."
"This concubine selection, Father Emperor and Grandmother Empress can choose."
"No, no, no, this is selecting your royal consort, Xuan'er. Naturally, you should be the one to decide."
The Emperor sighed silently and glanced at Eunuch Qing.
Eunuch Qing quickly ordered tents to be erected to shield the three of them from the scorching sun.
Fortunately, at this season, although the sun was strong, it did not feel hot at all.
Late autumn was already quite cool.
Feng Ye Xuan sat in his chair, sipping tea.
The young ladies participating in the selection arrived one after another.
Yu Linglong arrived, and Chu Feiyan had arrived much earlier.
The Pingyue County Princess of Longteng Kingdom, Long Ziyue, whom Chu Qianli very much wanted to meet, also arrived.
She exuded a heroic aura.
It was unknown what the competition would be today; her attire was her usual style.
Chu Huaiyu arrived by carriage, personally accompanied by Han Zhan and Xiao Ya.
Grand Tutor Chu also arrived, but he waited outside, not daring to intrude.
Han Zhan's eyes lacked much luster. After arriving, he subconsciously scanned his surroundings.
He did not see that particular figure.
It was unclear whether he was disappointed or pleased.
Time was running out, why hadn't Chu Qianli arrived yet?
"It seems someone knows they are bound to fail, so they don't want to come," Xiao Ya said with a smile.
That Chu Qianli dared not even show up. She registered but didn't come; as expected, ugly people are often troublesome.
"Perhaps she simply won't be selected, and can't even pass the Empress's hurdle."
Xiao Ya was truly happy.
Although Chu Qianli, as an abandoned wife, could not compare to their young lady, she always felt a sense of fear towards Chu Qianli.
She couldn't explain why she feared her.
But she was just afraid.
It was best that she didn't come!
Chu Huaiyu glanced at Han Zhan beside her.
His face showed no particular expression, as if Xiao Ya's words had no bearing on him.
Chu Huaiyu felt reassured and then shot Xiao Ya a look: "Mind your own business regarding others."
Xiao Ya nodded, knowing what she was wary of. The name Chu Qianli was best left unmentioned.
Time was drawing near.
Feng Ye Xuan put down his cup, a hint of impatience in his brow.
The Emperor coughed lightly, and Eunuch Qing immediately said, "Today's competition is for the young ladies to..."
"Wait a moment."
Suddenly, an aged but powerful voice reached everyone's ears.
"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, my little girl also wishes to participate in the selection. I wonder if Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager could be accommodating and allow her to register on the spot?"