Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

The main hall of the Prince of Qin's residence.

Princess Nangong Ya sat in the main seat, performing her routine of being greeted and paid respects every five days.

"When will this wretched life ever end?"

Nangong Ya kicked her feet, looking utterly hopeless.

"Oh dear, my princess, that's not fair."

Her head maidservant quickly offered disapproving advice.

Princess Qin has a chance to become Empress in the future.

This greeting is something I'll probably have to do for the rest of my life.

"Didn't we discuss with Brother Hao before that we would change it to twice a month? Why is it once every five days again?"

"Isn't this because the young master is back and wants you and your son to get closer? Although you and the young master are blood relatives, there have been ten years between you."

The old woman who was pouring tea also smiled and offered her advice.

"Then let Qing-ge do it himself. My son and I are quite familiar with each other now."

Since returning to the Prince's Mansion, she has met Li Changqing three times.

Nangong Ya believed that she and her son were already very familiar with each other, and there was no need for others to smooth things over.

The maid and the old woman exchanged glances, not daring to say anything more, and instead smiled and changed the subject.

"The concubine, the young masters and ladies have all arrived. Shall we let them in?"

"Where is Qing'er?"

A maidservant standing guard at the door quickly said, "The young prince is at the manor today and should be coming over."

As for when you'll come?

In the Qin Prince's mansion today, no one dares to speak.

Those who accompanied the princess to the Nangong family returned to the Qin Prince's residence a year later, and felt as if the sky had fallen.

Although the Prince's Mansion has not changed owners, the heir has already been determined.

In the Qin Prince's mansion, Li Changqing's words were equivalent to the Qin Prince's words, and no one dared to question them.

Several young masters who had originally hoped to compete for the title of heir were even more confused upon their return.

The junior manager, who had originally been won over by them, has now been transferred from his post.

Even the master who taught them martial arts was replaced.

The palace where they had lived for more than a decade suddenly felt unfamiliar to them.

Neither of the two imperial grandsons spoke after they got together.

They then understood that the princess had taken them to the Nangong family this time, claiming it was to avoid trouble.

But it seems that's not the case at all.

Even before Li Changqing returned to his residence, the two owners of the Prince's Mansion had clearly already decided to have them move out to make room for Li Changqing.

If they had remained in the Prince's mansion, it certainly wouldn't have been so easy for Li Changqing to secure the position of heir.

of course.

News of Li Changqing confronting the Crown Prince and founding the World Society arrived.

The two young masters' thoughts also took a complete 180-degree turn.

They were considered outstanding among the younger generation in Kyoto. But they could never compare to the Crown Prince's sons, especially the eldest grandson of the Emperor, Li Longjing.

If it weren't for the King of Qin's exceptional personal abilities, the immense power behind him, and the support of the Empress, he would have been able to achieve such success.

Compared to the Crown Prince's residence, the Prince of Qin's residence not only has no advantage, but is probably at a disadvantage.

The Crown Prince's residence has just as many resources as theirs, but the key difference is that his sons are more promising.

Now that Li Changqing has appeared, the Qin Prince's Mansion has lost its biggest disadvantage and has suddenly become the future crown prince favored by everyone.

If Li Changqing were mediocre, that would be one thing.

Li Changqing's talent was so extraordinary that he did not back down even when facing his uncle, the Crown Prince.

The two grandsons of the Prince of Qin immediately gave up their plans.

They were even a little grateful to the Prince of Qin and his wife, if it weren't for these two big bosses of the Prince of Qin's mansion bringing them to the Nangong family in advance.

If they had dared to cause trouble in front of Li Changqing, they might actually be dead by now...

"Let the others in!"

There was a whooshing sound outside, and more than a dozen people came in.

Besides the master, everyone was accompanied by either a servant or a maid.

"Greetings to the Princess!"

"Greetings to my mother, may she stay young forever."

"Greetings to my mother..."

Nangong Ya raised her hand and said with graceful poise, "Please sit down. I've been very busy lately, so there may be things I haven't been able to attend to. If you need anything, just go to Madam Fang, and she'll take care of it for you."

Fang Mama was the nanny who served Nangong Ya from a young age and was a trusted confidante who accompanied Nangong Ya to the Qin Prince's mansion as part of her dowry.

"Yes."

As was customary, the two concubines and the young ladies began to make witty remarks to the princess in an attempt to amuse her.

Unfortunately, Princess Qin was clearly not in the right state of mind today.

Although she was talking to the others, her eyes kept glancing at the door.

Just then, a young maidservant came running in, shouting, "The young prince has arrived!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the princess smiled.

Only one stunningly beautiful girl of seventeen or eighteen years old seemed a little unhappy.

"Everyone's waiting for him; he's really busy!"

Upon hearing this, everyone, including the Princess of Qin, simply let it go in one ear and out the other.

No one dared to provoke them.

"Mother, your son greets you!"

Li Changqing entered the room and respectfully bowed to Nangong Ya.

He felt utterly helpless with his mother.

Speaking of which, she is thirty-eight years old, which in this day and age would definitely be considered a middle-aged lady of high society.

But if you just look at his appearance, he looks to be in his early twenties, with no signs of aging.

Not just in appearance, but also in personality.

Princess Qin was very intelligent and knowledgeable about everything. Li Changqing found his conversations with her very beneficial.

She didn't give off the impression of a princess, let alone an empress.

But there was nothing she could do; Nangong Ya was the Princess Consort of Qin, the woman whom the King of Qin cherished and loved.

For the sake of the King of Qin's wife, apart from his two concubines in his early years, the King of Qin never married a concubine or secondary wife.

In fact, if it weren't for the protection of the Queen Consort of Qin, the King of Qin wouldn't even have any illegitimate children.

Li Changqing specifically asked her why she allowed two concubines and illegitimate children to exist. Given the extent of the King of Qin's love-struck nature, he was absolutely capable of doting on only one person.

Nangong Ya's answer left Li Changqing speechless: "Because your father wants to be emperor? To be emperor, you need sons. I gave birth to your eldest sister, but I haven't been able to conceive. I can only have someone give birth to a son born out of wedlock. I can't just cut off your father's path, can I?"

When Nangong Ya heard that Li Changqing only wanted to marry Luo Qingqing, she opposed it without hesitation.

"Even if you don't become emperor but regent, you still need a succession. A jealous regent's wife will not only not be an asset, but will also be an obstacle and a weakness. Don't forget, you have two positions to pass on."

Li Changqing is back, and neither the throne nor the royal throne can be given to anyone else.

Nangong Ya understood this very clearly.

Those in positions of power cannot have weaknesses, nor can they have someone who is indispensable to them.

Unless Li Changqing can protect Luo Qingqing at all times.

Li Changqing was convinced almost instantly.

But he didn't agree; he wanted to ask Luo Qingqing's opinion first.

Because of this, Nangong Ya never proposed marriage.

She said she would wait for Li Changqing to truly understand before making a decision.

……