Volume One: Femme Fatale Chapter 66: Polite Refusal

"(1/3)"
"Nangong Yingying?"
On the bed, Jiang Hao slowly opened his eyes and looked at Nangong Yingying, who was fast asleep leaning against him, a trace of doubt instantly welling up in his heart.
Hearing this, Nangong Yingying woke up with a start. Seeing that Jiang Hao had regained consciousness, her face beamed with excitement and she blurted out, "Jiang Hao! You guy have finally woken up!"
"..." Slightly dazed, Jiang Hao looked around and asked softly, "Nangong Yingying, why are you in my cave mansion?"
"Ah? I... I didn't..." Nangong Yingying stammered in a panic, finding herself unable to make any sense of it.
At this moment, Feng Ling'er's teasing voice rang in his ears: "You brat really have quite the fortune with women. This princess kept vigil by your side the entire night."
"Master? No way?" Flattered and somewhat incredulous, Jiang Hao looked at Nangong Yingying.
"Your master has no reason to deceive you," Feng Ling'er snorted softly, sounding slightly displeased. "Consider yourself lucky. In your previous duel, Zhang Chen did not use his full strength; otherwise, you might have even missed the Azure Cloud Assembly."
"Hehe! Master, didn't your disciple just figure that after winning the challenge, I'd be able to go to the Dragon Gate Academy's scripture pavilion to select a Tier 4 sword-cultivation technique!" Jiang Hao chuckled honestly.
"Your thought process is fine, but there are only two days left now. Even if you genuinely find a suitable Tier 4 sword-cultivation technique by then, it will probably be too late to practice it," Feng Ling'er analyzed objectively.
"It's fine, Master. There will always be a time when it comes in useful," Jiang Hao replied with a smile.
"Very well," Feng Ling'er responded softly.
Just as Jiang Hao finished conversing with Feng Ling'er through that mysterious pendant, Nangong Yingying on the other end gradually regained her composure and proactively shifted the topic.
"That's right, Jiang Hao, Vice President Sun asked me to let you know that once you wake up, you should go to the Elder Hall of Dragon Gate Academy to see my elder sister," Nangong Yingying said.
"Her Majesty the Queen?" Jiang Hao furrowed his brows slightly and pressed further, "Nangong Yingying, did Vice President Sun say anything else?"
"No, just that you'll understand once you arrive," Nangong Yingying shook her head and replied softly.
"In that case, lead the way at once!" Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Hao sat up from the bed, urgency burning in his heart.
Seeing this, Nangong Yingying hurriedly stepped forward to stop him, "Jiang Hao, are your injuries completely fine?"
"Just some minor wounds, they're no obstacle." At this moment, Jiang Hao had only one thought in mind: to find Vice President Sun as quickly as possible and head to the scripture pavilion to acquire the Tier 4 sword-cultivation technique. How could he possibly afford to waste any time?
"Even if you're fine, there's no need to be in such a rush, is there?" Nangong Yingying glanced at him and couldn't help saying, "You really are hot-headed, you guy!"
"..." Jiang Hao paused slightly and urged, "Alright, hurry up and lead the way."
"(1/3)"

"(2/3)"
Seeing Jiang Hao's burning impatience, Nangong Yingying had no choice but to yield to his wishes and led him toward the Elder Hall.
......
When the two of them arrived at the Elder Hall, Elder Lin Feng had been waiting outside for quite some time.
"Elder Lin Feng!" Jiang Hao cupped his fists in a salute and said respectfully.
"Mm, Jiang Hao, go on in," Lin Feng gestured for him to proceed.
"Yes!" Jiang Hao nodded in acknowledgment, stepped forward, gently pushed open the hall doors, and walked inside.
Just as Nangong Yingying prepared to follow right behind him, Lin Feng hurriedly blocked her path and said respectfully, "Princess, please stay your steps!"
"Why?" Nangong Yingying looked at Lin Feng in confusion.
Lin Feng explained with a smile, "Her Majesty the Queen has given orders that she needs to discuss some private matters with Jiang Hao. The Princess must not enter the hall!"
"What? Private matters?" Nangong Yingying wore a bewildered expression as she stepped forward to question him, "What private matters could my sister possibly have with Jiang Hao?"
"Princess, that is beyond my knowledge," Lin Feng replied with a smile. "I must ask the Princess to wait here for a moment and not make things difficult for me."
"Fine! Anyway, private matters never produce anything out of the ordinary!" Nangong Yingying feigned indifference, while secretly pondering to herself, "Why would my sister want to discuss private matters with Jiang Hao? What on earth is going on..."
......
"Jiang Hao pays his respects to Her Majesty the Queen, and to Vice President Sun!"
At this moment, Jiang Hao had already stepped into the Elder Hall. Inside the hall were only Nangong Xue and Sun Ping. Nangong Xue sat regally in the primary seat, while Sun Ping stood respectfully by her side.
"Jiang Hao, your name now resonates proudly across the Dragon Gate Roll!" Nangong Xue said with a smile. "For all these years, you are the very first academy disciple to successfully challenge Zhang Chen!"
"Her Majesty flatters me. Jiang Hao merely seized the initiative when Commander Zhang suffered a momentary lapse in focus, thus managing to exploit an opening," Jiang Hao replied with a modest expression.
"Hehe, to possess such glory and yet remain devoid of arrogance—truly a dragon amongst men!" Nangong Xue smiled slightly, showing considerable appreciation.
"Your Majesty is too kind!" Jiang Hao cupped his fists in response, thinking inwardly, "What has gotten into Her Majesty today? She's practically praising me to the heavens."
The next moment, Nangong Xue slowly rose from the primary seat and addressed Jiang Hao with an inviting expression: "Jiang Hao, I shall make no secret of it. Calling you here today is actually to inquire whether you have any thoughts of serving the imperial court?"
As soon as these words fell, Jiang Hao froze visibly, a sudden wave of realization dawning upon him: "So that was it..."
"(2/3)"

"(3/3)"
Seeing that Jiang Hao was temporarily at a loss for words, Nangong Xue cast a meaningful glance at Sun Ping. The latter immediately stepped forward with a smile and said, "Jiang Hao, it is truly a rare occurrence for Her Majesty the Queen to extend a personal invitation!"
After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Hao smiled and declined politely, "Replying to Her Majesty, Jiang Hao has long been accustomed to a life of leisure and adores freedom without restraint. I am afraid I am unable to share burdens for Her Majesty."
"Oh?" Nangong Xue's gaze was sharp and piercing as she inquired, "What if I were to betroth Nangong Yingying to you? How does that sound?"
"What!" Jiang Hao was greatly startled. Struggling to compose himself, he waved his hands in refusal, "Your Majesty, that is absolutely out of the question!"
"Your Majesty, as you know, I already have a family. I must beg Your Majesty not to jest with me." Jiang Hao wiped the cold sweat from his brow, his expression somewhat nervous.
Nangong Xue smiled faintly, her tone carrying a hint of seriousness: "I am not joking. It is quite clear that my younger sister holds deep affection for you. As long as you agree, I will personally convince Pavilion Master Qin."
"Furthermore, you have already offended the Prince Consort of the Prince of Zhenbei. With Murong Hai's unforgiving and vengeful nature, you will likely find it difficult to guard against hidden arrows. Should you become the Prince Consort of our Southern Xia Kingdom, Murong Hai might exercise some restraint," Nangong Xue continued to persuade.
"Nangong Yingying, she does seem rather pleasant..."
Jiang Hao fell deep into thought, but the moment he thought of Feng Ling'er, a sharp jolt shook his heart, and he firmly declined once again: "I fear Jiang Hao must disappoint Her Majesty's kind intentions! My sole purpose in coming here was to participate in the Azure Cloud Assembly; I have not considered other matters. I beg Your Majesty's understanding."
"Then what if I were to grant you the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard, the very post currently held by Zhang Chen? Would you be willing to reconsider?" Nangong Xue attempted one last retainment.
"Your Majesty, my mind is made up. I beg your continued understanding." Jiang Hao refused once more, his tone brimming with unwavering resolve.
"Very well! As long as you do not regret it!" Nangong Xue gently waved her hand, reseated herself in the primary seat, and instructed, "Vice President Sun, take Jiang Hao to the scripture pavilion to select his technique."
"Your Majesty, this..." Hesitation flickered across Sun Ping's face, daring not to step forward rashly as he sought confirmation once more.
"Take him," Nangong Xue said softly, her tone carrying a trace of finality.
"This old subject obeys the command!" Sun Ping bowed respectfully, then slowly stepped back and walked toward Jiang Hao.
"Jiang Hao, let us go." Sun Ping's voice was gentle as he passed by Jiang Hao.
"My deepest thanks to Her Majesty for her grace!" Jiang Hao bowed slightly to Nangong Xue on the primary seat, then turned to follow Sun Ping's pace, saying, "Then I must trouble Vice President Sun to lead the way."
"(3/3)"