Little Sorcerer, Divine Doctor-Chapter 893 - 45: Provocation

The soul crystal earrings, Empress Qing naturally recognized them.

Empress Qing also had a pair of similar earrings, but in terms of color and the preciousness of the soul crystal, they were not as good as Donghuang Sheng’s pair.

Empress Qing thought that at the azalea banquet, she didn’t wear her soul crystal earrings, yet Donghuang Sheng, a princess who hadn’t even married yet, dared to be so ostentatious, clearly flaunting them to her and to the Qing Residence.

Furthermore, she had just seen that her nephew Qing Meng’s right hand was still disabled, and when he tried to go forward to toast Dugu Xiu, Dugu Xiu’s cold stare scared him back.

Her most cherished niece, Qing Qiang, was also just sitting aggrieved under Donghuang Sheng, looking at Dugu Xiu with a face full of admiration.

Seeing this made Empress Qing’s dissatisfaction grow stronger.

After admiring the flowers, a group of male and female warriors came forward and put on a display of swordplay, showcasing the unique customs and traditions of Hou Qin. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Your Majesty, the wine has already passed three rounds, and everyone has enjoyed the flowers enough, why not add some color to the azalea banquet like in previous years?" Empress Qing took a sip of wine, her beautiful eyes sparkling with indescribable charm.

"Hehe, well said. Then let’s do as we always have and compete in combat skills this time as well. A year has passed, and I want to see what new skills the brave men of Hou Qin have acquired," Emperor Dugu Sheng nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

Yun Sheng noticed the people around her, all showing expressions of both anxiety and excitement, as if not surprised by what was about to happen.

The residents of Hou Qin were fierce and brave; if a palace banquet only involved viewing flowers and dances, it would be too commonplace.

In previous years, there had always been some rivalry at the azalea banquet.

The men would each perform their best combat skills, and the one who lost, or rather the weakest, would be dragged out and beheaded to fertilize the flowers.

But with every disadvantage comes an advantage; some martial artists and soldiers gained the Emperor’s favor for their outstanding performance at the banquet, leading to promotions and rewards, catapulting them to success.

This rule had been in place since ancient times in Hou Qin, so every time, the noble warriors invited to the azalea banquet felt both terrified and secretly delighted.

"Will you also go up to showcase your skills later?" Yun Sheng asked after hearing this, glancing at Dugu Xiu.

"According to tradition, I am always the last to go up. Why, are you worried about me?" Dugu Xiu stared at Yun Sheng.

Yun Sheng had just taken a few sips of wine, a slight flush covering her face, adding a touch more charm. Her eyes sparkled with a different kind of allure than usual.

Dugu Xiu couldn’t help but watch, entranced.

"I just want to know if you lose, would you be directly turned into flower fertilizer," Yun Sheng rolled her eyes slightly.

Dugu Xiu’s handsome face evidently froze, his mouth twitching as he restrained his anger, "Rest assured, there is no one in all of Hou Qin who could surpass me. But the azalea banquet has always been fair; three years ago, my fourteenth brother lost in combat skills and was executed the same way."

"That’s good, the more fair the competition, the more exciting," Yun Sheng grabbed a sour plum fruit, enjoying it heartily, thinking mischievously to herself, cut down one is one less.

While Yun Sheng was enjoying her snack, she suddenly detected a hostile gaze. She looked up slightly and saw Empress Qing glaring coldly at her.

An unsettling feeling arose within her.

As expected, Empress Qing suddenly smiled brightly: "Your Majesty, why don’t we change the rules for this azalea banquet? Watching you men compete year after year is rather dull, why not let the women present also show what they’re made of?"

"Her Majesty is right, year after year, it’s just us men competing, sweating profusely, and it’s become tiresome. Everyone knows that Hou Qin women are as good as men, and a competition would enlighten us men," Qing Meng, having held his anger a stomachful, was just waiting for his sister’s prior talk of revenge.

Once Empress Qing spoke, Qing Meng immediately realized that the opportunity for revenge had arrived.

He and the Young Madam Qing by his side quickly chimed in agreement.

The other factions aligned with Empress Qing also followed suit, jeering in agreement.

Dugu Xiu’s gaze turned freezing cold. What act were they putting on? The Empress knew long ago that Yun Sheng didn’t know fighting spirit nor "could" use magic. Suddenly suggesting a competition — the intention couldn’t be more obvious.

Today, among the noblewomen present at the azalea banquet, either they knew magic or fighting spirit, and if there was anyone who knew nothing, it could only be Yun Sheng.

"Father, I’m afraid this isn’t very suitable," Dugu Xiu still wanted to refuse the matter.

"Xiu’er, the battlefield is for you men to command, but in the harem, you have to listen to your mother. Men govern the country, while women govern the harem. If you can’t even participate in a small contest at the azalea banquet, how can you win everyone’s respect?" Empress Qing glanced at Dugu Xiu, clearly displeased in her words.

Donghuang Sheng hadn’t even entered the door, yet Xiu’er openly defied her in front of everyone. In the future, once that woman entered and bore offspring, would she not climb over her head?

Dugu Xiu and Empress Qing confronted each other with a strong sense of discord filling the air.

"Empress, Crown Prince, why must the two of you quarrel? Let me decide: let’s continue the competition, but not in the usual combat skills manner. As there are also female guests from other countries present, why not choose something that mages, martial artists, or ordinary people can all compete in?"

Emperor Dugu Sheng saw the stalemate between Empress Qing and Dugu Xiu and quickly stepped in to mediate.

The entire palace knew about Donghuang Sheng’s lack of fighting spirit and magic ability.

Empress Qing’s targeting of Donghuang Sheng was clearly due to Qing Qiang. However, the marriage to the Donghuang Dynasty was something Emperor Dugu Sheng himself had orchestrated. Weighing the pros and cons, it was a delicate situation where he couldn’t afford to offend either side but wanted to protect both.

"The Holy Emperor is wise; Qing Qiang has an idea. Why don’t we compete in archery?" Qing Qiang suggested at this point.

Archery is a skill that focuses on technique and vision, completely unrelated to fighting spirit and magic.

Dugu Xiu glanced again at Yun Sheng after hearing this.

Yun Sheng remained composed, making a nonchalant gesture: "Compete if you wish, I don’t mind. However, should the rules of the competition change, shouldn’t the consequences be clearly stated beforehand?"

"Of course, that’s necessary. While the content of the contest can adjust, there’s no changing the outcome for the last place," Empress Qing’s eyes flickered with cruelty.

Traditionally, the last place at the azalea banquet was indeed turned into flower fertilizer.

Among the female guests, except for Qing Qiang, some reluctance was beginning to show.

Yun Sheng noticed this, a cold smile forming within her heart.

"When in Rome, we do as the Romans do. How Her Majesty sees fit is how it shall be," Yun Sheng smiled brightly.

It seems Empress Qing was determined to turn her into flower fertilizer. Well, if they don’t give these people a color to see, they truly wouldn’t understand why the "flowers are so red."