The ace special forces who dominated the Sui Dynasty's late period

  The beauties of the Sixteen Institutes were all personally selected by the two Chen Niangniangs, but as for who would take on the role of Mistress, they had never proactively recommended anyone before. This bit of face, Empress Xiao always had to give, and she couldn't help but smile: "Oh, let me take a closer look."

  Gao Xiuer didn't dare to disobey, slowly lifted her head, and saw that Empress Xiao had a delicate face and skin as white as jade, extremely beautiful, looking like she was only in her twenties. She also didn't know how she took care of herself every day, nearing forty years old, yet her appearance showed no signs of aging. Gao Xiuer didn't dare to look more, hurriedly lowered her head again.

  "What a lovely young woman." Empress Xiao nodded in satisfaction, but then said, "If you have any talents, present them before us."

  Gao Xiuer said softly: "I am a daughter of a common family, I don't know anything."

  Xiao Huanghou felt somewhat disappointed and turned to Chen Xiang and Chen Yun, saying: "You two sisters must understand the emperor's temperament, let's observe others first."

  Yuan Ziyen did not want to compete with Gao Xiuer, and hastily saluted: "Concubine, I also know nothing."

  The Empress Xiao turned her gaze to Xie Xiangyun, who curtsied and said: "I wish to present a song for Your Majesty."

  A palace maid presented a jade qin, and Xiangyun's slender fingers gently stroked it. The sound of the qin was melodious and changing, sometimes clear and bright, sometimes solemn and dignified, yet sometimes soft and crisp. It was actually a piece of "High Mountain and Flowing Water", with such high skills that even the musicians in the palace couldn't match.

  Xiao Huanghou clapped her hands and laughed: "No need to argue, you can be in charge of this temple."

  Returning to the courtyard, all the beauties gathered together to congratulate Xie Xiangyun. Yuan Ziyuan quietly walked to Gao Xiuer's side and asked in a low voice: "Sister, are you really not good at anything?"

  Gao Xiuer retorted: "Little sister, why don't you show off your stargazing skills?"

  Yuan Ziyanyan sighed: "Not knowing the emperor's temperament, I fear it will bring about a fatal disaster."

  One night without incident, Gao Xiuer got up early as usual and went to the lake. Although Gao Xiuer had lost to Xie Xiangyun, Chen Fanghong still respectfully served her on both sides. Gao Xiuer secretly sighed that this maid was indeed loyal, but feared that her own plans would eventually drag her down, so she had to find an opportunity to let her clear herself.

  Yesterday's queen was fixed, several families were happy and several families were worried. Under the big willow tree by the lake, Xue Ye'er danced wildly with her double swords, the sword light flashing between the willow branches, and the willow leaves fell, covering the grass under her feet.

  Gao Xiuer watched for a while, then suddenly had an epiphany and exclaimed loudly: "Sister, why is your swordplay so disorganized today? Is your heart also in disarray?"

  Xue Ye'er sheathed her sword and turned around to see Gao Xiuer, and couldn't help but smile wryly: "Sister, you're here too. I may not be the most beautiful, but it's okay, sister, you've lost unjustly."

  "It's actually not unjust." Gao Xiuer sighed, "It's just a pity that I don't know anything, I wonder if sister would be willing to teach me how to dance with a sword?"

  Xue Ye'er furrowed her brow and said: "I heard that the two Chen Niangniangs are quite concerned about their younger sister, could it be that she has a way to turn back time?"

  Gao Xiuer smiled and said: "How can we know if we don't try? If Huiniang gets what she wants, I'll definitely share wealth and nobility with my sister!"

  Xue Ye'er thought for a moment, "Perhaps someone in the 'Shi Hui Niang' palace can turn things around," and nodded, saying: "Alright, I'll teach you this set of sword dances. Practice diligently morning and night, don't forget what I said today!"

  The sky was getting late, Liu Ziqiu buried his head and renovated the two Emei thorns. The door was suddenly pushed open. It turned out that the "hoho" sound of grinding the knife had brought Li Jing who was strolling in the courtyard.

  "Big brother, you're here." Liu Ziqiu didn't even turn his head, continuing with the work in his hands.

  Li Jing walked forward and curiously asked: "Younger brother, what are you doing?"

  Liu Ziqiu handed Li Jing a spear and said, "This is called a three-edged spear. Unfortunately, it's a bit short. However, it can still be used temporarily."

  Li Jing observed for a while and said: "It looks a bit like the legendary Huán."

  Liu Ziqiu had never seen a guandao before, but he could guess that it was an ancient weapon. He couldn't help but praise: "Brother is indeed knowledgeable and experienced. This thing can only be used for thrusting and not chopping, but it also has its own advantages."

  After being stabbed by the triangular thorn, a square wound will be formed, which is difficult to bandage and heal. Even if no vital part is stabbed, the wounded person will gradually lose combat effectiveness due to excessive blood loss. More importantly, the triangular thorn has extremely strong penetrating power, which can easily pierce armor.

  Liu Ziqiu was to enter the palace to assassinate Yang Guang, it is impossible to carry large-scale weapons. This miniature version of the three-edged dagger, both convenient for hiding and having enough lethality, is his best choice at present.

  Another day passed, and suddenly the city of Luoyang was heavily guarded. Civil and military officials gathered outside the North Gate, and the streets from the North Gate to the palace were lined with guards. Yang Guang had returned to the capital. The grand procession slowly entered the city, with officials and civilians burning incense and paying homage, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" Yang Guang sat upright in a huge and luxurious dragon carriage, surrounded by hundreds of guards. Underneath the carriage was installed an axle, which was pushed by hundreds of people, rotating smoothly and mysteriously.

  Liu Ziqiu and Li Jing were also among the onlookers in the crowd.

  Li Jing said in a low voice: "Younger brother, look, that is Guanfeng Xingdian."

  Liu Ziqiu secretly loosened his grip on the three-edged dagger, nodded slightly. This chariot's body was massive, with thick wooden walls all around that could block arrows. The canopy inside was layered and complex, probably with other mechanisms as well; now wasn't the time for an assassination attempt.

  The emperor's carriage drove away quickly and soon disappeared at the other end of the road. The officials and civilians at the city gate also dispersed in a hurry, while Li Jing and Liu Ziqiu returned home without mentioning it again.

  But Yang Guang arrived at the rear palace and saw all the concubines, then pulled Xiao Huanghou's hand and said: "The leader of the sixteen courtyards' beauties, can you decide on a winner?"

  Empress Xiao smiled and said: "The Emperor has ordered, how dare I not do my best? Only fear that the Emperor will be so enamored with the new concubines in the future that he will forget about Shu."

  Yang Guang's thoughts had long since flown to the Western Garden, but upon hearing Empress Xiao say this, he found it inconvenient to go immediately, so he spent the night in Empress Xiao's palace.

  One night of revelry, Empress Xiao was naturally delighted. She knew Yang Guang's thoughts and waited until dawn before proactively urging: "The new imperial garden is complete, I dare to invite Your Majesty to visit, the five lakes and sixteen courtyards, humbly requesting a name be bestowed."

  The Empress Xiao was gentle and not jealous. When Lady Xuanhua was sent to Chang'an, it was the Empress Xiao who welcomed her back to the palace. This time, selecting the imperial concubines was also the Empress Xiao's idea. Yesterday, she stayed overnight with Yang Guang, also in order to prevent Yang Guang from going to the Eastern Capital and then visiting the Western Park, which would have caused public criticism. Her actions often coincided with Yang Guang's intentions, so she deeply gained Yang Guang's respect and imperial favor did not decline.

  Yang Guang immediately agreed and opened the west gate of the palace city, entering directly into Shanglin Garden.

  This time visiting the imperial garden was different from entering the city. This is the imperial palace, outsiders are difficult to enter, and there are many young and beautiful women in the garden, it's also inconvenient to let those guards follow around. So Yang Guang only brought Xiang Empress and three close attendants. In addition to Xu Tingfu, there were Ma Zhong and Wang Hong. Although these two were also eunuchs, they were both highly skilled in martial arts, always staying by Yang Guang's side, actually being Yang Guang's two personal bodyguards.

  In the West Garden, preparations had been made in advance. The palace attendants were driving dragon boats and waiting by the lake shore. On the bow of the boat was a banner with five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on it. Yang Guang and Empress Xiao boarded the dragon boat, sitting under the banner, and the palace attendants had already set out melons, fruits, pastries, and jade-like liquor.

  The Empress Xiao raised her wine cup and said: "I humbly invite Your Majesty to take a stroll around East Lake first."

  Yang Guang burst out laughing and said: "Very well, as you wish."

  The two banks of Donghu Lake are lined with willows, swaying in the wind, as if bowing to welcome the emperor. It's already deep autumn, but the leaves are still green. The sun has just risen, and its rays spread across the lake, creating a vast expanse of ripples. The color of the willows is reflected in the ripples, forming a dense green layer.

  Yang Guang said with a sigh: "This lake has waves of green light, why don't we just call it Emerald Light Lake?"

  Xiao Huanghou and Xu Tingfu both claimed to be good friends.

  The five lakes of Xiyuan are connected by long canals, and the 16 temples are distributed along the banks. Yang Guang rode a dragon boat, following the canal downstream, touring all five lakes and 16 temples, each giving them names. The five lakes were named Cuiguang, Yingyang, Yinguang, Jieshui, and Guangming. The 16 temples were Jingming, Yinghui, Qilin, Chen Guang, Mingxia, Cuihua, Wen'an, Jizhen, Yingwen, Yifeng, Renzhi, Qingxiu, Baolin, Hemin, Qinyin, and Jiangyang.

  Every time they arrived at a courtyard, the lady of the house would lead twenty beauties to welcome them by the water's edge, with endless peach blossoms and willows, thousands of charming smiles, making Yang Guang's heart flutter, wishing he could immediately disembark.

  Unconsciously, it was already dusk. Empress Xiao saw the situation and smiled: "The palace gate is about to close, why doesn't Your Majesty go back to the palace to rest for a while? I will ask to return to the palace first."

  Yang Guang was overjoyed and saw off Empress Xiao with a smile, bringing Xu Tingfang, Ma Zhong, and Wang Hong to ascend the Long Di, not knowing which palace they were heading to.

  But then Xu Tingfu spoke up and said: "Your Majesty just takes a step forward, whichever courtyard you turn to will be the one, isn't that interesting?"

  Yang Guang indeed followed his words, haha laughed and walked along the long canal with excitement.

  A gentle breeze came, and all that could be heard was the clear and elegant sound of a guqin. Yang Guang followed the sound and arrived at the entrance of the Qieyin courtyard, where the music seemed to be coming from. He stood by the door, listening carefully with his ear tilted to one side. At first, he only felt the faint sound of the wind, as if it were pushing away clouds, but then he began to make out a gentle, whispery melody, like a lover's soft words, which gradually grew into a lively and joyful tune, full of the sounds of spring. Finally, the music trailed off into a lingering, ethereal refrain that seemed to carry the listener far away.

  Just as the music reached its climax, a loud "crack" was heard, and the strings snapped, bringing the music to an abrupt halt. A beautiful young woman of 28 years old emerged: "Your humble servant Xiang Yun welcomes Your Majesty."

  Yang Guang said: "How did you know I was coming?"

  Xie Xiang smiled and said: "Just now, the jade qin broke your string, it must be someone eavesdropping. Who in this courtyard would dare to come here? I know the Emperor is coming."

  Yang Guang had already heard Xiao Huanghou introduce her and knew she was the master of Qi Yin Institute, so he asked: "Madam, what piece did you just play? I have never heard it before."

  "The name of the melody I just played is called 'Xiang Wang Meng' (The Dream of King Xiang)."

  Yang Guang burst out laughing: "What a wonderful tune of Xiang Wang's Dream! Yet it has led me to the Wu Mountain, to meet this goddess, my wife!"

  Xie Xiangyun's face turned red after hearing this, and she hastily welcomed Yang Guang into the courtyard. The beautiful woman who understood the situation had already prepared a banquet, with fine wine and delicious dishes.

  Yang Guang pulled Xie Xiangyun into his seat and took the opportunity to pull her into his arms, wanting to drink a toast with her.

  Xie Xiangyun saw that all the beauties were in front of her, and there were three unfamiliar inner attendants, which made her even more shy, but she didn't dare to refuse, so she pretended to say: "Sisters, why don't you hurry up and offer songs and dances!"

  Many beautiful women laugh and play, singing and dancing together.

  Yuan Ziyen looked at Yang Guang and then at Gao Xiuer, and couldn't help but let out a "hmm".

  But then Gao Xiuer had already stepped forward and saluted, saying: "Your Majesty, Mrs. Xie, I have just learned a new sword dance, please allow me to present it before you."