In the Liu family courtyard, Shao Meiyun was entertaining a visitor from Longcheng. This person, in appearance, seemed to be in their mid-thirties, tall and graceful, with delicate features exuding the charm of a mature woman. She was none other than the current empress's younger sister—Zhao Qingqing.
"The Crown Prince wants to marry me?" Shao Meiyun was surprised to hear the news brought by Zhao Qingqing.
Zhao Qingqing smiled warmly. "Yes, indeed. With all the recent events in the Zhao family these months, despite the regrets, your reputation has spread throughout the country. Long Zongheng, upon hearing about you, greatly admires you. He believes you have the qualities of a queen mother and insists on marrying you. However, due to his recent injury from an assassination attempt, he cannot come personally. So, I, as his aunt, was entrusted to come as a matchmaker. What do you think, Meiyun?"
Surprised by the idea that the Crown Prince would have affection for her, Shao Meiyun was unusually bashful. "Aunt Zhao, I'm older than the Crown Prince, and besides, I am from the Shao family. I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate."
"Hehe, Zongheng doesn't care about your family background. He admires your abilities and your strength in facing crises. During his recovery these days, he has been constantly praising you. Both his mother and I are tired of hearing about it."
With a smile, Zhao Qingqing looked at Shao Meiyun and said, "When I came, I thought Zongheng's infatuation with you was absurd. But now that I've met you, I realize he has a keen eye. Although you're a bit older, your beauty, maturity, and stability are remarkable. You've managed the affairs of the Liu family efficiently at a young age. In the future, when Zongheng ascends to the throne, you'll surely handle the affairs of the Long family well. You're really outstanding, and Zongheng didn't misjudge."
Shao Meiyun had heard many compliments over the years, but coming from the younger sister of the current empress, the wife of the Nanlan family's head, and the younger sister of the Zhao family's head, her praise carried more weight than anything Shao Meiyun had ever heard before.
With a hint of shyness, Shao Meiyun softly replied, "Aunt Zhao, you flatter me. I'm just an ordinary woman. Marriage is a serious matter, not a game. Let me discuss it with my parents before giving you an answer, alright?"
"Alright. Since the scenery in Tianfu is beautiful, I plan to tour around for a few days. Meiyun, you can discuss it with your parents, and I hope to receive good news before I leave," Zhao Qingqing said with a smile.
Shao Meiyun nodded lightly. "Aunt Zhao, do you have a place to stay? Why not stay at the Liu Mansion these days? It would also allow me to extend the hospitality of the Liu family."
"That's a good idea," Zhao Qingqing agreed. After chatting for a while longer, Shao Meiyun excused herself to attend to some matters, and the servants of the Liu Mansion escorted Zhao Qingqing to her guest room.
After Zhao Qingqing left, Shao Meiyun immediately went to find the old master of the Liu family.
"The Dragon Crown Prince wants to marry you?" Upon hearing this news, the old master furrowed his brows. "So it's Zhao Qingqing who came to act as a matchmaker. It seems that Long Zongheng really values you."
Shao Meiyun sat aside and asked softly, "Grandfather, do you think this is appropriate?"
"Appropriate?" The old master sneered. "Long Zongheng has a plan. With the Liu family currently without a head, relying solely on you, Meiyun, if you become part of the Long family, the Liu family will have to rely on the Long family."
The news of the old master's 'serious illness' was well known to everyone. Zhao Qingqing's visit to inquire about him was declined under the pretext of the old master needing rest. Everyone believed that Shao Meiyun was currently the one in control of the Liu family. Long Zongheng didn't propose earlier or later, but chose this time to propose. It was clear to everyone.
Feeling the old master's killing intent, Shao Meiyun smiled faintly. "Grandfather, are you implying that the Long family is the hidden hand behind the assassination of our Liu family?"
The old master pondered for a moment before shaking his head. "It's still too early to tell. But regardless of who the hidden hand is, the Long family trying to take advantage of our weakened state to take a bite is not something our Liu family will tolerate."
"Does that mean...?"
"If the Long family is willing to back off, then it's fine. But if they insist on making a move, our Liu family is not to be trifled with."
Feeling the old master's determination, Shao Meiyun smiled faintly. "Grandfather, don't be angry. As you said, if the Long family backs off, then it's fine. If they continue, we can cut off their hands."
The old master laughed heartily. "Well said. If the Long family thinks our Liu family is easy to bully, they'll have to pay the price in blood."
Shao Meiyun nodded with a smile. They discussed some specific details, and when the discussion was over, she asked, "Grandfather, has Menglong arrived?"
"He's already in the secret chamber," the old master said, sitting back at his desk. Seeing Shao Meiyun's eagerness, he chuckled. "You're anxious, aren't you? Go on then!"
Shao Meiyun chuckled lightly. "Thank you, Grandfather," and hurried to the backyard.
Seeing her, the old master shook his head, but couldn't help but smile faintly. "This child has finally recovered."
The past few months had really been a torment for Shao Meiyun, but with the pills provided by Li Nianlong and the old master's recovery to his peak, the pressure on the Liu family had lessened considerably. Shao Meiyun had also gradually regained her previous relaxed attitude, which was a good thing for her and for the Liu Mansion.
In the Liu Mansion's secret chamber, Li Nianlong had been practicing for over two hours, and the proficiency of his acupressure had reached an advanced level of 73%. At this rate, another two hours would elevate him to the level of a grandmaster. Improving from intermediate to grandmaster in one day was indeed the most cost-effective with the help of the dead soldiers.
"Menglong, how's the training going?" Shao Meiyun entered the secret chamber and saw the dead soldiers lying in all directions on the ground. If their chests weren't still rising and falling, she would have thought they had been played to death by Li Nianlong.
Li Nianlong was still pinpointing acupoints on the last two standing dead soldiers as he replied without turning around, "Bring me ten more in a while. They can barely hold on."
Shao Meiyun broke into a cold sweat. "Menglong, your acupuncture technique is too extreme! It's only been two hours, and you've worn out ten strong men."
"Don't say it so suggestively. What do you mean by 'worn out ten strong men'?" Li Nianlong's face darkened as he glanced at her. "Are you a fujoshi, as the rumors say?"
Shao Meiyun chuckled awkwardly. "No, I just think that there's a certain vibe between men."
Still not admitting it? You're definitely a fujoshi!
Li Nianlong couldn't be bothered to argue. With a few swift moves, he incapacitated the remaining two soldiers and addressed the group of ten, "You can leave now."
"Yes." The ten strong men, looking worse for wear, supported each other as they stumbled out of the chamber. Shao Meiyun promptly called for another ten dead soldiers for Li Nianlong to toy with.
After another two hours passed...
"The host has made relentless efforts. The acupuncturist's level has been elevated to grandmaster, with a special reward of +5 intelligence, +5000 experience points, and +5000 gold."
Li Nianlong immediately stopped and checked the abilities of the grandmaster-level acupuncturist.
Acupuncturist (Grandmaster level 0%): By stimulating acupoints, one can instantly unleash the body's potential, increasing overall strength fivefold for three minutes. Afterward, there will be a month-long period of weakness.
To be able to unlock the body's potential! Although it was only for three minutes, followed by a month of weakness, the fivefold increase in overall strength was definitely the rhythm of a three-minute superhero.
Li Nianlong's face lit up with excitement. "Sis, I suddenly thought of a way to unlock the body's potential through acupuncture."
What the!?
Shao Meiyun was astonished. "Menglong, did you say you can unlock the body's potential?"
"Yes." Li Nianlong nodded, pondering for a moment. "If all goes well, I should be able to increase a person's overall strength by about fivefold."
"Fivefold!?" Shao Meiyun was nearly ecstatic. Fivefold! If all the Liu Mansion guards' strengths were increased fivefold, what would the Liu family have to fear? They'd be unstoppable, like chickens defeating roosters!
"Well..."
"Alas!" Li Nianlong suddenly shook his head with a sigh. "Unfortunately, the time is too short. It's about three minutes, and afterward, there will be a relatively long period of weakness, probably at least a month."
"Um..." Shao Meiyun felt a chill wash over her. She sighed softly with a wry smile. "What's the use of this? Sacrificing a month for three minutes of superhuman abilities is just not worth it."
"In normal circumstances, it's indeed not worth it," Li Nianlong said. "But if the Liu family faces a huge crisis, this method can immediately boost combat power. Three minutes may seem short, but in a life-or-death battle, it's enough to kill the opponent a hundred times."
Shao Meiyun pondered for a moment before nodding. "You're right." She smiled faintly. "You're much better than me in matters of combat. I usually only focus on political affairs and don't know much about combat."
Li Nianlong waved his hand. "It's still theoretical at the moment. It needs to be tested in practice."
"That's easy!" Shao Meiyun smiled faintly. "The Liu Mansion may not have much else, but it has plenty of people. If necessary, there are plenty of death row inmates in the prison. You can play with them however you want."