Yang Hong could no longer go out after watching Yang Zixuan's Prodigy Invitational Tournament.
The semifinals and finals were all decided in one day, and then another day was used for the imperial representatives of the Five Dynasties and the martial sect representatives to award prizes to the top three in the four competitions.
The overt Five Dynasties Prodigy Competition thus concluded.
However, in places unknown to ordinary martial artists and common people, the true purpose of the Five Dynasties Prodigy Competition was just beginning.
All the prodigy competition contestants were blindfolded and led into a stone chamber lit by torchlight.
They all knew there was torchlight nearby, but they were not allowed to remove their blindfolds.
The contestants were led one by one onto a special stone platform.
"This second-grade, three-spirit root has no cultivation value."
"This one is a third-grade earth-wood spirit root; it can be taken back and cultivated as a spiritual planter."
"Hiss~ This oddball is actually a seventh-grade five-attribute spirit root. Who wants it?"
"Can't afford it~ Can't afford it~ Small sects like ours can't afford the resources required for five-spirit root cultivation."
"Hmm~ A fifth-grade gold-attribute Heavenly Spirit Root. Our Qingyun Sword Sect will take this one."
"This one..."
Amidst the confusion, excitement, and disappointment of the contestants, the major sects quickly completed their selections.
Some might never know what they experienced or what they lost in their lives, living in a daze, thinking it was all just a dream.
Others, through this, leaped over the dragon gate, gaining an opportunity to cultivate to immortality and live an everlasting life.
...
One morning, Yang Hong's courtyard received another guest.
Princess Li Lizhi, the sixth princess of the Great Tang.
In the living room of the small building, Li Lizhi walked around the main hall with a teacup. She sipped her tea elegantly while observing the small building.
She never imagined that Yang Hong's living environment would be so pleasant, not at all like someone who was confined.
Moreover, she saw Yang Hong leading a group of concubines and maids in farming.
"A prince from the cold palace farming like a peasant, and he even seems to enjoy it.
How interesting."
She walked to the window and looked at Yang Hong, who was hoeing in the distance. A beautiful smile curved Li Lizhi's lips.
"Since my rebirth, I have been extremely cautious, not daring to reveal any flaws. I even deliberately suppressed my cultivation, waiting for this opportunity to enter the Qingyun Sword Sect."
"Now that I've been accepted by the Qingyun Sword Sect, some matters can begin to be put into motion.
I don't want to be cultivated as a cauldron anymore."
As she spoke, a ruthlessness and coldness, unbefitting her age, flickered in Li Lizhi's eyes.
"And that b*tch!"
The temperature in the living room suddenly dropped several degrees. The palace maid serving nearby shivered and looked up at the sky outside the living room in confusion.
'There's no wind, and it's sunny.'
She muttered to herself, planning to add a layer of clothing later.
Li Lizhi glanced at the palace maid, withdrew her anger and aura.
"This fiancé can be put to good use.
In my previous life, I never paid attention to when this fiancé died or when our engagement was dissolved. Since I've been reborn, this fiancé must be utilized well."
Looking at Yang Hong, who was skillfully working like an old farmer, Li Lizhi's eyes shone brighter. She had long had a plan, and now with Yang Hong's existence, she could execute it even better.
Just as she was continuously refining her plan, Yang Hong finished his morning tasks and walked over.
Noticing the somewhat familiar figure, Yang Hong merely nodded and walked past her, heading straight for the tea table. He picked up a large tea bowl and poured himself a cup of tea.
After drinking it, he turned to look at Li Lizhi and examined her carefully.
She was tall, around 1.70 meters. At 18 years old, she was already gracefully mature. Her appearance, though not stunningly beautiful, was still of heavenly beauty.
Most importantly, up close, Yang Hong confirmed that Li Lizhi was a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. He could clearly sense the fluctuations of her true qi.
Therefore, this woman was not here with good intentions.
"Sixth Princess of the Great Tang? What business do you have with me?"
"I heard I'm your wife. I've come to see my husband."
Li Lizhi tilted her small head, looking at Yang Hong with a curious gaze, a hint of amusement in her expression.
"Oh~ Then please leave.
Your husband is not here, and our engagement was dissolved long ago."
Yang Hong's brows furrowed. What was Li Lizhi up to?
"Hehe~ Look, the [Marriage Contract] is here. Our engagement is not dissolved."
Li Lizhi produced a marriage contract with a red background and gold border as if by magic. Yang Hong's eyes narrowed.
Li Lizhi even deliberately opened the contract to display its contents.
"Yang Jian respectfully bows twice. We have been admiring each other for a long time and deeply cherish our feelings, yet we have not had the opportunity to meet. I hope you are well. Since Yang Hong is young and has not yet been able to formally present himself, I can only express my longing for you. I respectfully send this letter, without further ado. Yang Jian respectfully bows twice."
This was the marriage contract written by Yang Jian, so it couldn't be wrong.
But, didn't Old Wang and the others say the engagement was dissolved?
"Hehe, I'm here to exchange marriage contracts."
Saying that, Li Lizhi pushed the [Marriage Contract] into Yang Hong's hand and took out a [Reply Marriage Contract].
"Li Lizhi, the sixth daughter, is still young and unmarried. Hearing that the sixth son of the esteemed brother is unmarried and seeking a spouse, we wish to form a marital alliance and seek your esteemed support. I respectfully send the matchmaker, Fang Xuanling, to convey my wishes. I dare not refuse. Li Shimin writes."
This [Reply Marriage Contract] was personally written by Li Shimin.
Yang Hong was even more astonished.
Generally, the [Reply Marriage Contract] was written by the birth mother of the bride. For it to be written by the father, and moreover, the Emperor, it indicated the great importance placed on the matter by the bride's side.
"Do you believe me now?"
"Right! Exchange."
Li Lizhi slyly shoved the [Reply Marriage Contract] in her hand into Yang Hong's hand; then, she snatched the [Marriage Contract] back.
"All done~ Our engagement is officially established."
Li Lizhi proudly waved the [Marriage Contract], her smile looking undeniably mischievous.
Although Yang Hong was surprised, he wasn't foolish. He turned and shouted towards the door.
"Old Wang, come here."
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
Old Wang, who was on guard outside, immediately entered.
"Old Wang, go ask Grandpa Emperor and Father Emperor about this matter."
Yang Hong directly threw the [Reply Marriage Contract] to Old Wang as if it were trash.
"This old servant will go immediately."
Old Wang carefully put away the [Reply Marriage Contract] and rushed off.
He was also panicking. Not long ago, he had told Yang Hong that his engagement with Li Lizhi had been dissolved, and now Princess Li Lizhi had shown up to slap him in the face.
Li Lizhi's expression turned grim at Yang Hong's action. You, a prince from the cold palace, are getting a great advantage by marrying me.
How dare you be so ungrateful.
Li Lizhi's true qi slowly surged, about to teach Yang Hong a lesson.
Yang Hong sensed the surge of true qi, turned his head, and cast a faint, mocking glance at Li Lizhi, a sneer playing on his lips.
"You want to hit me? I haven't practiced martial arts, so I'm quite fragile."
"You~ You're shameless!"
Li Lizhi clenched her small fists tightly, but she dared not strike. She was afraid of actually harming Yang Hong.
Her beautiful little face contorted, appearing somewhat cute.
She didn't know that she, who considered herself highly skilled in martial arts, could be easily killed by Yang Hong with a single blow.