Mistakenly Connected to the Jade Flower Branch

Chapter 159 Duel

The daughter of Prince Ming was made a concubine of the Crown Prince upon her arrival in Bianjing and stayed overnight in the Eastern Palace, gaining his favor. Although it was an affair within the inner palace, it became the talk of the town in Bianjing.

An Liangchen provided the Prince Ming's mansion with plenty of servants and maids. With his daughter's support, the Prince Ming thrived in Bianjing.

Although the nobles and officials from Beirou in the separate palace did not hold official positions, their monthly stipends remained unchanged, while the stipends for maids and servants were halved, which satisfied them. After all, Dongyang was known for its frugality, unlike the extravagance of Beirou.

The envoys from the northern desert were detained in the meeting hall. They were told that they would spend the Spring Festival with the hostage in Dongyang and then return to the northern desert with Duoyi after the festival.

An Liangchen transferred Wang Du and Yin Jing to Fengzhou, ready to reinforce them should the northern deserts advance south. Yuan Feng and Yan Zeyu incorporated the soldiers of Fengyuan City, recruiting troops and supplies along the way, and by the time they reached Xifu, they had added nearly 20,000 men.

Yuan Feng dispersed all these people into the army, and then separated 20,000 men from the army and assigned them to Yan Zeyu as the Northern Army.

With nothing to do, Nanfei would stay at the Nan residence at night and come to Xizhai during the day. With plenty of free time, Nanfei asked Luo An for a room, initially naming it Fengfei Pavilion, then changing it to Feifeng Pavilion.

Nanfei sat in his room, spreading out paper to write a letter. The pen hovered above the paper, but for a moment he didn't know what to write. Saying he missed her seemed cheesy, and saying he was gossiping was boring…

Winter was cold, and according to Yuan Feng's usual habits, he would probably be confined to the West Mansion. Nan Fei thought for a moment, then decided to set off after the Spring Festival; perhaps he would arrive before the letter.

Nanfei put down his pen and went to the warm pavilion. Luo An and Duan Mingzhu were playing chess, while Qin Jiu and Xue Yunting watched the game from opposite sides. Nianyao was flipping through military books.

Yuan Feng had studied military strategy since childhood, following in her mother's footsteps. Nian Yao's interest in military strategy was purely a hobby. Nan Fei glanced at the chessboard and sat down opposite Nian Yao: "Does Madam want to wage war?"

Nianyao didn't even lift her eyelids: "Sect Master, I was just flipping through it casually."

Nanfei said, "The Art of War of Guiguzi is not something that ordinary people can understand. To be honest, theoretical discussions are the least interesting. Madam, why don't you come with me to the army after the New Year and keep Yuan Feng company, so you can experience the real battlefield?"

Before Nianyao could answer, Luo An said, "Young Madam is incredibly intelligent; I concede defeat."

Nianyao looked at Luo An in surprise: "You lost?"

Qin Jiu said, "A draw."

Nianyao said, "When you told me about the rules of winning and losing last time, you didn't mention that there was a draw."

Qin Jiu explained: "A cyclical ko is considered a draw, but this is mostly due to coincidence and is not necessarily related to skill level."

Not necessarily related? Nanfei said, "Ninth Brother, don't beat around the bush. It's not shameful to admit that Madam Xue is more capable than you."

Qin Jiu said, "Young Master Nan is right, Madam Xue's level is indeed above mine."

Nanfei said, "I've long heard that Duan Yi's daughter was pampered since childhood and is a sickly beauty, but I didn't expect her to be so insightful. Brother Xue, there's something I can't figure out. Please enlighten me."

Xue Yunting said, "Brother Nan is a few months older than me, so I really don't deserve to be called Brother Xue."

Nianyao said impatiently, "Speak up if you have something to say, or shut up. Stop dawdling like a grown man."

Xue Yunting immediately said, "Brother Nan, do you really want to know?"

Nanfei nodded emphatically.

Xue Yunting said, "Brother Nan, you have to pay for tea when you go to a teahouse to listen to storytelling. Since we're the same age, I'll give you a discount and charge you two hundred taels."

Nanfei was very disappointed and said to Nianyao, "Madam, I wanted to ask General Xue and his wife if they were getting used to living in Bianjing, but he wanted to charge me two hundred taels of silver. I was sincere and honest, but the general was setting traps for me at every turn."

My mother taught me from a young age that people aren't necessarily related by blood. You should be careful with a brother like this who only cares about money and not friendship.

Nianyao had previously hinted to Xue Yunting not to have any designs on her, and now that Nanfei had stirred things up, Xue Yunting was immediately embarrassed.

Duan Mingzhu held a cup of hot tea and said softly, "Bi Gan had a brilliant mind; if he met Young Master Nan, he would probably feel ashamed of himself."

Nianyao was annoyed by their roundabout way of speaking: "Give me the money quickly, I want to hear it."

Nan Fei asked curiously, "You want me to give you money? Are you my wife or my sister?"

Luo An, who was playing with the chess pieces, suddenly stopped and looked up.

Nanfei immediately backed down: "Madam, we've spent several years together on Chongming Island, you know me well. A man like me, upright, honest, and virtuous, uses all his money to support his wife..."

Nianyao shoved the book in Nanfei's mouth: "Shut up."

Nanfei patted the book in his hand and said, "Only those with little knowledge would eat books. It would be a waste for someone as learned as me to eat them. Here you go, madam."

Nianyao instinctively reached out to catch it, but Nanfei twirled his hand in front of her, sending the book flying directly towards Duan Mingzhu. Nanfei used eighty percent of his strength, and the two were only two or three zhang apart.

This turn of events came so suddenly that Xue Yunting didn't have time to think it through. He grabbed the book and flipped his wrist to release the force.

He realized he had been tricked when he grabbed the book, and his gaze toward Nanfei turned somewhat sinister.

Nanfei smiled and said, "The young general said he would take on the entire field in a one-on-one fight. Let's go outside and give it a try."

Duan Mingzhu took the book: "Yunting, Brother Nan is sincere and genuine. It would be petty of you to refuse. Let's go."

Duan Mingzhu went out first, and the others stood in the courtyard. Nian Yao asked Luo An in a low voice, "Did you give him the antidote?"

Luo An shook his head.

In the blink of an eye, Xue Yunting and Nan Fei were already fighting. Xue Yunting's longsword was still sheathed, while Nan Fei's soft sword moved like a snake. Nan Fei was agile, while Xue Yunting was steady. The two exchanged blows, their figures clashing, and after about a hundred moves, the fight became increasingly dangerous.

Nianyao became increasingly alarmed as she watched, and said to Luo An, "Tell them to stop fighting, or something bad will happen."

Luo An said, "You think they'll listen to me?"

As soon as Luo An finished speaking, Nan Fei's soft sword entangled with Xue Yunting's longsword. Xue Yunting's longsword remained still, and his left palm struck towards Nan Fei's chest. Nan Fei did not dodge; with a slight flick of his wrist, his soft sword snaked towards Xue Yunting's neck.

Is this going to result in mutual destruction? Nianyao couldn't help but exclaim, about to leap forward: "Stop..."

Luo An grabbed her. Before Nian Yao could finish saying "Stop," the situation changed again. Xue Yunting leaned back, withdrew his palm, drew his sword, and pushed the scabbard forward forcefully, following the direction of the whip's wrapping.

Nanfei's soft sword was tangled in its scabbard, forcing him to retreat. Before he could regain his footing, Xue Yunting's longsword was already at his doorstep. Nanfei heard a soft clang as the longsword was deflected, its chilling edge brushing past his nose.

Xue Yunting withdrew his sword and cupped his hands, saying, "Young Master Nan, you flatter me."

Nanfei tossed the scabbard back to him: "Young General, if the young master doesn't make a move, are you really going to kill me?"

Xue Yunting sheathed his sword with great elegance: "Young Master Nan is blessed by the heavens. How could I be so presumptuous?"

Nan Fei curled his lip, noticing An Liangchen and Yu Shuxian standing next to Luo An. Had An Liangchen just saved him? Given Luo An's strength and the pieces he used, defeating Xue Yunting would indeed be difficult.

Nanfei bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. Greetings to Consort Yu."