He remarried after his mother's death, seized power over the world, and slept on the emperor�

Ji Yunhan's handsome face instantly turned a deep liver color.

Liu Jingyi looked at him with concern, but didn't know what to do.

In the deadly silence, a clear voice broke the deadlock.

"Your Highness, your grand-nephew Ji Ling greets you!"

Ji Ling stepped forward, his voice carrying a hint of the cheerfulness and familiarity typical of a junior.

"I just came down from the battlefield and thought I'd come and kowtow to you."

His words were cleverly worded, carrying a hint of coquetry and flattery.

After a long while, a sigh came from inside the inner hall.

"...Come in, everyone."

Ji Yunhan felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and he looked at Ji Ling with gratitude.

Granny Zhang hurriedly stepped forward and pushed open the heavy palace door, and a faint scent of sandalwood mixed with herbs wafted out.

The interior of the hall was extremely simple, with nothing but a couch and a few chairs.

An old woman sat cross-legged on a couch directly opposite the entrance.

She wore a plain, faded Taoist robe, her silver hair tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, yet her back was ramrod straight.

Her face was etched with the lines of time, but her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, able to see right through people's hearts.

This is the Dowager Princess of Xin, a legendary woman who left behind illustrious military achievements in the history of the Northern Di.

Her gaze passed over Ji Yunhan, who was frozen at the door, and landed directly on Ji Ling. Surprisingly, a hint of gentleness appeared in her sharp eyes.

"You little rascal, you still remember this old woman."

Ji Ling stepped forward and gave a curt bow with a grin.

"How could I forget? I just returned from the campaign with my uncle and came straight here to see you."

The Empress Dowager's lips twitched slightly, but she quickly regained her cold and hard expression, finally turning her gaze to Ji Yunhan.

"What's wrong? The wine in the capital isn't good anymore?"

Her voice was full of undisguised sarcasm.

"He actually went so far as to crawl out of that wine vat and come to the border to 'lead troops into battle'?"

Ji Yunhan's face turned pale and then red, he was so ashamed that he wanted to disappear.

He lowered his head deeply.

"Mother, I was wrong. I was foolish in the past and disappointed you."

He solemnly knelt down in the direction of the Empress Dowager, his forehead touching the ground.

"Your son has come here for two reasons: first, to invite you back to the Prince's Palace to live out your remaining years in peace; and second, to assure you that from this day forward, your son will turn over a new leaf and dedicate himself wholeheartedly to the Northern Di and the Ji family, even unto death!"

After hearing this, the Empress Dowager let out a disdainful snort.

"It's easier said than done."

Her gaze fell on Liu Jingyi beside him.

"who is she?"

Ji Yunhan struggled to his feet, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of tension.

"Mother, she...she is Liu Jingyi."

As soon as Liu Jingyi uttered those three words, the Empress Dowager abruptly stopped her hand from twirling the prayer beads.

"People from the Liu family?"

Ji Yunhan nodded.

The Empress Dowager slowly stood up from the couch and walked towards Liu Jingyi.

Her steps were slow, yet she exuded an intense sense of pressure.

The Empress Dowager stopped in front of her, scrutinizing her closely, a hint of excitement and fighting spirit in her eyes.

"Twenty years..."

She murmured to herself, her voice as soft as a breeze.

"I thought I'd never see him again in this lifetime."

Before she finished speaking, she abruptly flicked her Taoist robe sleeves, turned around, and strode out of the hall.

The group looked at each other, puzzled.

Just then, Granny Zhang came running out of the side hall carrying something.

It was a long spear.

The entire spear is gilded, with a lifelike golden dragon coiled on its shaft, and the tip of the spear gleaming with a bloodthirsty cold light in the morning light.

"The Coiled Dragon Golden Spear!"

Ji Ling exclaimed in surprise.

"Isn't this the weapon that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager used when she was young, during her campaigns in the north and south?"

Everyone then realized what was going on.

The Dowager Consort is going to have a contest with Liu Jingyi!

Ji Yunhan's face turned pale instantly. He rushed out, shouting urgently, "Mother, no!"

Ji Ling quickly followed and stood in front of the Empress Dowager.

"Your Highness, if you're itching to try your hand at it, your grand-nephew will gladly spar with you a few moves!"

The Empress Dowager gave him a cold glance.

"Your rudimentary skills were taught to you by me back in the day. Get out of here!"

She pushed Ji Ling away and stared intently at Liu Jingyi.

"Today, I only want to witness the Liu family's 'Stunning Swan' spear technique!"

Ji Yunhan knew that today's matter was unlikely to end well.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager.

"Mother, Jingyi... doesn't know martial arts."

The expectant look on the Empress Dowager's face froze instantly.

"The descendants of the Liu family don't know martial arts?"

Her face revealed undisguised contempt and disappointment.

"This is... utterly ridiculous!"

Having said that, she tossed the golden dragon spear back onto the weapon rack as if it were a piece of trash.

A loud crash shook the very core of my being.

The Dowager Empress didn't look at Liu Jingyi again and turned to leave.

"Your Highness, please wait."

A clear and steady voice rang out at that moment.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jiang Bingning walk out from behind Liu Jingyi. She bowed to the Dowager Empress.

"My mother was frail from childhood and not skilled in martial arts, which disappointed Her Majesty the Dowager."

"Your daughter is not very talented, but I would like to ask the Dowager Princess for some advice on behalf of my mother."

The Dowager Empress stopped and scrutinized Jiang Bingning from head to toe.

"you?"

Her tone was full of sarcasm.

She scoffed, "Swords have no eyes, little girl, have you thought this through?"

Jiang Bingning showed no fear whatsoever.

"Your Highness is a renowned veteran general of the Northern Barbarians. It is my great honor to receive your guidance."

She changed the subject.

"If I am accidentally injured, I can only blame myself for being less skilled than others, and I cannot blame anyone else."

The Dowager Empress laughed heartily after hearing this.

"Hahaha! What a quick-witted little girl!"

Her laughter was so loud and clear that it made people's eardrums buzz.

"Granny Zhang!"

"This old servant is here!"

"Go to the storeroom and get two ash wood poles!"

Jiang Bingning felt a sense of relief; she knew she had made the right bet.

In her past life, she let her mother die in despair in Beidi; in this life, she will never let the tragedy repeat itself.

This martial arts competition is her first chance to uncover the truth and win the favor of the Dowager Empress!

Two white ash poles, each as thick as an arm, were brought up.

Jiang Bingning took the spear, twirled it, and with a flick of her wrist, the white waxwood shaft emitted a buzzing vibration.

She pushed off with her feet and shot forward like an arrow!

"drink!"

Her moves were wide and sweeping, without a single fancy move; they were pure, unadulterated military tactics.

Faced with this earth-shattering attack, the Dowager Empress neither dodged nor avoided it.

She didn't even move an inch.

Just as the spear tip was about to touch her face, she gently lifted and deflected it with her wrist.

Jiang Bingning felt that her sure-fire shot had been deflected.

In an instant, the courtyard was filled with the flashing of guns and the howling of the wind.

However, no matter how fierce her attacks were, the Dowager Empress remained standing still, without moving an inch.

Calm and composed, handling things with ease.

In the blink of an eye, a hundred moves had passed.

Fine beads of sweat had appeared on Jiang Bingning's forehead, and her breathing had become rapid.

Suddenly, the Dowager Empress's wrist jerked, and a tremendous force came from it.

Jiang Bingning could no longer hold onto the white waxwood staff. The staff drew an arc in the air and landed steadily on the weapon rack.

Jiang Bingning stopped and stood up, bowing respectfully to the Dowager Empress.

"This junior is not as skilled as others, but I thank Your Highness for your guidance."

The Dowager Empress's face was filled with undisguised joy and admiration.

She turned her head and loudly instructed Zhang Mama.

"Go! Tell the kitchen to bring out the 'Burning Clouds' wine that I've treasured for ten years! And prepare a sumptuous dinner!"

The Dowager Empress waved her hand.

"They'll be staying here tonight!"