Chapter 33: Solitary Lonely

Chapter 33: Solitary Lonely

Arriving at the training ground, after a brief warm-up, Meng Yuan decided to test the power of his Unicorn Arm.

With the four acupoints on his right arm now open, the infusion of True Energy made his strength even greater.

He took a horse stance, sinking his power into his waist, and pressed down on the lifting point of the stone mill with both hands, then slowly lifted it.

After a brief pause, the True Energy from his Dantian surged into his right arm, and Meng Yuan slowly released his left hand, supporting the stone mill with just his right arm for over thirty breaths.

Setting down the stone mill and taking a moment to catch his breath, Meng Yuan estimated that the strength of his right arm alone was probably around two hundred jin, and if he infused it with True Energy, it could reach close to three hundred jin.

The increase was not huge, but it was not insignificant either.

While it was said that after entering the ranks, one's strength could be enhanced, the concept of strength was not quantifiable. It wasn't as simple as opening an acupoint and gaining a hundred jin of strength; instead, it varied from person to person.

After opening the acupoints, the strength gained was still dependent on the individual's original strength, the robustness of their muscles and bones, and the amount of True Energy their acupoints could accommodate. Some people gained more strength, while others gained less.

Even those who had entered the ranks might not be as strong as those who hadn't.

To put it bluntly, the difference between the nine ranks and ordinary people wasn't significant, and they might not even be guaranteed to win in a fight with a regular person.

However, after entering the ranks, their bodies became more coordinated, and their reactions faster. The special aspect was that they were more coordinated, reacted faster, and their unique abilities were superior to ordinary people.

If they could also grasp the eight-character method of combining energy and strength, as well as mind and energy, as taught by Nie Shi, they would be considered outstanding among their peers.

After another morning of training, as noon approached, there was still no sign of Nie Shi! "He's always up to no good! I can't even find anyone to borrow money from!" Meng Yuan muttered to himself.

Taking advantage of the break, Wu Changsheng and Hu Qian also came to inquire, and the other students, curious, gathered around, eagerly asking about Nie Shi's whereabouts.

"Recently, Nie Shi has been incredibly lazy and doesn't act like a leader at all!" Meng Yuan criticized in his mind, but when he opened his mouth, he said, "What are you all doing?"

Meng Yuan frowned, his expression stern, and said discontentedly, "Nie Shi hasn't been around for several days. Does that mean we're without a leader? You should know that this is Nie Shi's test for us, as well as his acknowledgment of our abilities! Because Nie Shi knows that even if he's not here to supervise, everyone will still work hard, never slack off, and even increase their training! Am I right?"

"Yes!" The group of teenagers couldn't bear this encouragement and responded loudly.

Meng Yuan was very pleased, and just as he was about to pat his buttocks and leave, he saw that Hu Qian also seemed to agree, so he put on a serious expression.

"We all come from different backgrounds. Some are from slave families, some are from migrant families, and I myself am from a castrator family!"

Meng Yuan shouted, "I was once a person close to freezing and starving to death, and it was the Princess who gave me food, drink, and a place to live! Although we work hard every day, we are well-fed and warmly clothed! In the future, we will be like me, or even better than me! As for loyalty, it is not limited by time or place."

"The Princess!" The teenagers responded.

"Who gives us food?" Meng Yuan repeated the question.

"The Princess!" Their voices grew louder.

"Who gives us clothes?" Meng Yuan asked again.

"The Princess!"

"Who do we serve?" Meng Yuan inquired.

"The Princess!" The teenagers shouted, straining their throats.

Meng Yuan was pleased to see that their unity and enthusiasm had returned, and he felt relieved.

Hey, Meng Yuan suddenly realized that these words sounded like they were training dead soldiers.

"Remember these words in your hearts, and be sincere! Don't go around talking about it!" Meng Yuan wiped the sweat from his forehead and added.

"Yes!" The teenagers shouted.

"Alright, alright, keep it down," Meng Yuan said, not daring to linger, and left the training ground, heading straight for the Intoxicating Moon Tower.

Upon arriving at the tower, Meng Yuan met Nie Qingqing and directly said, "Sister, I'm out of money."

Nie Qingqing, seeing Meng Yuan's straightforwardness, couldn't help but smile and shake her head, "Didn't you ask my father for it?"

"Nie Shi has been busy with something for several days and hasn't been to the training ground," Meng Yuan explained.

"He's probably busy with Martial Services," Nie Qingqing smiled, "Come on, I'll keep my word, and I won't let you go hungry."

She called over a waiter and whispered a few instructions. Then, she slowly climbed the stairs.

The Intoxicating Moon Tower was located in the bustling southern part of the city, built alongside the river.

Just based on its location, Meng Yuan felt that the tower was not solely Nie Qingqing's business and suspected that there might be someone backing her from behind.

Now, with the warmth of spring and the approaching noon, the second floor was bustling with refined guests.

Most of the people here were dressed as scholars, literati, and wealthy young masters. Some discussed poetry, while others chatted softly, creating a sense of tranquility despite the crowd.

Nie Qingqing invited Meng Yuan to sit in a corner, and soon a young servant brought various snacks, fruits, and a pot of honey.

"Qingqing, I heard you mention that Nie Shi was busy with martial services. Does he also do business in martial services?" Meng Yuan had already figured it out; with Nie Shi's temperament, he would never simply stay put in the Imperial Mansion.

Moreover, Nie Shi had mentioned that he had once teamed up with the Empress Dowager's brother, and they had even risked their lives together. That was why the Empress Dowager didn't restrict Nie Shi, and Xun Mei also treated Nie Shi with respect as a junior.

So, it was not unusual for Nie Shi to do some business outside.

"He's doing it with Uncle Zhang, and they've been at it for a few years now. The business is doing quite well," Nie Qingqing explained, adding, "Martial services mostly recruit people with some financial backing. Their approach is different from yours; they focus on medicinal baths as the main method and endurance training as a supplement."

Meng Yuan understood. Nie Shi didn't earn money from the poor; martial services attracted those with some spare cash who couldn't endure day and night of hard training, hence the focus on medicinal baths.

Seeing this, Meng Yuan thought, Nie Shi must be making a fortune! Meng Yuan felt a bit disappointed that Nie Shi never thought of including him in his ventures.

"Does Nie Shi need any help? I need to support my family, and I'm really short on money. Please show me a way, sister," Meng Yuan asked sincerely without any pretense.

Hearing this straightforward request, Nie Qingqing smiled and poured some wine, "Don't rush, let's drink first."

Meng Yuan took the wine cup and drained it in one go. Just as he was about to ask more questions, a group of people surrounded a young man in luxurious clothes and led him to the upper floor.

The young man was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a plump face and large ears, exuding an aura of prosperity. He casually waved a folding fan, seemingly trying to show off his literary and romantic side.

Among them, two people had sharp eyes and carried swords at their waists, likely ranked martial artists, but only of the ninth rank.

There were also four scholars who seemed to be there to add to the fun as guest performers. Behind them were several servant boys, one of whom was a familiar face—Liu He, who had been expelled from the training ground.

The receptionist of the Intoxicating Moon Tower led them to a private suite, but the young master refused and insisted on sitting in the main hall by the river, claiming that the view would inspire poetic thoughts.

Liu He was clearly observant, immediately clearing the tables and being more diligent than the restaurant staff.

Meng Yuan glanced over and saw Liu He trying hard to please, but the young master barely spared him a glance.

"Do you know them, sister? Are they regular customers?" Meng Yuan asked from the corner, unnoticed by Liu He.

"You don't know them?" Nie Qingqing smiled.

Hearing this, Meng Yuan immediately understood and whispered, "Is he the Prince of Trust's son?"

Nie Qingqing smiled and nodded.

The royal family of Qingguo was surnamed Solitary Lonely. It was rumored that the founding emperor had no parents and was born and raised by nature, hence the surname Solitary Lonely.

Another rumor claimed that the founding emperor was born in a monk's temple and took the surname Solitary Lonely after leaving the monastic life.

Of course, the official version was that he was a descendant of a great scholar from the previous dynasty.

The Prince of Trust was the current emperor's uncle, in his forties. Years ago, after his first wife passed away, the Prince of Trust was sent to Songhe City for unknown reasons. It was here that he received an imperial marriage decree, but even after remarrying, he had no children.

The current prince was the only child of the Prince of Trust's first wife, and his only blood relative.

Meng Yuan had been in the Imperial Mansion for nearly two months, but he knew very little about the affairs of the mansion. On one hand, he was busy training day and night, and on the other, he couldn't find anyone to ask.

"The prince's name is Solitary Loneliness. This generation of the royal family names their children after constellations. The prince is known for his kindness, and outsiders all praise him for his pure and simple nature," Nie Qingqing explained with a low laugh.

Pure and simple usually referred to a simple and honest personality.

"Pure and simple?" Meng Yuan was puzzled.

Nie Qingqing smiled and nodded.

Meng Yuan understood that pure and simple wasn't necessarily a compliment; it probably meant someone who wasn't very bright.

However, as a member of the royal family, even a foolish person could have good fortune.

Seeing that Nie Qingqing was willing to talk, Meng Yuan poured more wine and asked, "Does the Empress Dowager not get along with the Prince of Trust? Is Liu, the Overseer, trying to curry favor with her?"

Nie Qingqing seemed to agree that the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Trust didn't get along. She smiled and said, "Liu, the Overseer, is just a figurehead. He only handles matters that Xun Mei and others find inconvenient to deal with directly. There are countless people in this world who want to climb the social ladder but don't know their place. It's not surprising."

So, the Empress Dowager and the Prince of Trust really didn't get along! And from Nie Qingqing's words, the Empress Dowager was indeed the higher branch.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end