"Sister Xiao!"
Since she didn't need to go to the military camp today, Xiao Mingzhu wasn't dressed in her battle uniform. Instead, she wore a suit of bamboo - green tight - fitting clothes, with her smooth black hair tied up in a high ponytail.
She walked in a leisurely manner, exuding an air of valiant heroism all over her body. Her eyes were full of the sharpness of battle. But upon closer inspection, one could detect the softness hidden in her eyes.
"Shanshan!"
Even though they hadn't seen each other for two or three months and had only met two or three times before, when they met again, there was no trace of unfamiliarity.
"Sister Xiao!"
Ling Shan's eyes were brimming with intense surprise as she quickly stepped forward to greet her.
Compared to the Xiao Mingzhu she had seen in the imperial palace last time, at this moment, she was clearly more radiant and unrestrained.
She exuded a strong sense of confidence, flamboyance, and a kind of unfettered pursuit of her desired life. Just looking at her made one feel the exuberant vitality, which was irresistible.
At least, the confidence and the tenacious freedom in Xiao Mingzhu were what Ling Shan yearned for. She knew she couldn't achieve it. This was a fact.
However, Ling Shan was more than happy to see women with the ability to do what they wanted. Just like Xiao Mingzhu.
Ling Shan was truly happy for Xiao Mingzhu.
"Let me take a good look. The first female general of the Great Yan Dynasty is truly majestic and imposing!"
Ling Shan's tone was filled with sincere smiles, and her face showed a proud look as if she was part of Xiao Mingzhu's glory.
Xiao Mingzhu let out a hearty laugh. Looking at Ling Shan's delicate and soft face, she couldn't help but reach out and pinch it.
"Your humble subject pays respects to Concubine Zhao. Your subject will always remember your praise."
After they flattered each other for a while, they couldn't help but look at each other and smile.
Ling Shan took Xiao Mingzhu's arm and led her towards the waterside pavilion, introducing things to her as they walked.
"She must be really good at martial arts, right?"
After hearing Ling Shan's words, Xiao Mingzhu's eyes lit up, as if a spark had been ignited.
Ling Shan: "..."
Don't tell her that Xiao Mingzhu still wanted to have a fight!
Sure enough, as soon as they entered the waterside pavilion, Xiao Mingzhu and Yu Shiwei were like long - separated "lovers", standing still and looking at each other for a long time.
Then, before Ling Shan could introduce them to each other, the two stepped forward, shook hands, and their eyes brightened.
They looked at Ling Shan in unison and said in one voice:
"Shanshan, do you mind if we have a little sparring first?"
Ling Shan: "..."
Could she say she minded? Obviously not.
A fight between masters was such a rare spectacle. How could she not sit back and enjoy it with a bag of melon seeds?
Outside the waterside pavilion, two beautiful women, one valiant and the other cold, stood on the stones in the lake, still against the wind.
Inside the waterside pavilion, Ling Shan sat and watched the show. Melon seeds, pastries, and fruits were already prepared in front of her.
She was so excited that her eyes sparkled, and the speed at which she cracked the melon seeds quickened.
But why were they just standing facing each other without moving?
Could it be that, like in those martial - arts dramas she had watched before, they were going to compete in internal strength first? But how could one watch an internal - strength competition...
They moved!
Just as Ling Shan was pondering, the two still figures finally moved. They didn't draw their swords or knives.
They fought bare - handed, but from afar, one could feel the sharpness of their punches.
The two had different personalities, but they shared the same passion for martial arts.
In just a moment, the two flew across the lake like light swallows, splashing countless water droplets.
Yu Shiwei and Xiao Mingzhu fought on the lake like fairies walking on water, their movements dazzling.
Ling Shan was so engrossed that she didn't even have time to crack melon seeds. Her eyes stared fixedly at the two figures, afraid that if she missed a moment, she would never catch them again.
It was only at this moment that Ling Shan truly appreciated the charm of extreme Oriental martial arts.
Before, during the assassination attempts she had encountered, the dead soldiers were also skilled in martial arts, but all their moves were deadly. How could she watch them as leisurely as this?
Their moves were crisp and neat, with a touch of elegance and agility.
Although Ling Shan didn't understand martial arts and gradually couldn't clearly see their movements, she still watched intently.
She even put down the melon seeds in her hand and clapped from time to time, extremely excited.
I don't know how much time had passed, but the splashing water finally stopped.
The two no longer stood on the stones in the lake but landed on the purple bamboo on one side of the lake.
Ling Shan's eyes sparkled. As soon as the two flew back and sat down, she asked excitedly:
"Sister Xiao, Shiwei, who won?"
As soon as they landed, they saw Ling Shan's bright eyes, showing a rare childishness.
Xiao Mingzhu's eyes also showed a faint smile. She tilted her head and glanced at Yu Shiwei.
She sincerely praised: "Shiwei's martial arts are extraordinary. I can't match her. Naturally, Shiwei is better!"
Yu Shiwei's expression softened. "Mingzhu, don't tease me. Your martial arts are really excellent. I still have a lot to learn."
After saying that, she looked at Ling Shan again. After a hearty fight, she was in a great mood.
Looking at Ling Shan's cute and lively expression at this moment, she couldn't help but hook her lips, reached out and rubbed Ling Shan's little head.
She deliberately joked: "It is said that those involved are often confused while onlookers see clearly. Shanshan has been sitting there watching for so long. You should be the clearest. Why don't you tell us who won just now, your Sister Xiao or me?"
Ling Shan: "..." No, hehe.
Xiao Mingzhu's eyes twinkled. She also said with a smile: "Yes, yes. Shanshan is the most fair. Let you judge. Who is better, me or Shiwei?"
Ling Shan was dumbfounded.
She looked at Yu Shiwei and then at Xiao Mingzhu. For a moment, she felt a bit helpless.
Why did this problem fall on her head?
"Well..."
Ling Shan changed the subject. Her eyes rolled around, and she let out a dry laugh and said:
"As the saying goes, experts see the essence while laymen just watch the fun. I'm just a layman. If you want me to judge, I can only say..."
Ling Shan deliberately lengthened her tone and then said with a mischievous smile:
"Sister Xiao and Shiwei are evenly matched. I think both of you are amazing. I was so fascinated that I couldn't take my eyes off!"
Ling Shan's words made Yu Shiwei and Xiao Mingzhu very satisfied.
One took Ling Shan's arm on each side, and they happily walked into the waterside pavilion.
"Congratulations on General Xiao's promotion. You are the first female general since the founding of the Great Yan Dynasty. I'm really in awe!"
"Yes, oh my. Just thinking that such a majestic general is my good sister makes me feel so proud. I could even laugh myself awake just thinking about it!"
Looking at Ling Shan and Yu Shiwei joking with each other, Xiao Mingzhu couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She pretended to be serious and complained: "Just flattering me with words is no fun. If you want to congratulate me, we have to drink!"