Upon seeing that the Prince of Yunwu did not penalize Zhang Ruyi, but instead punished Princess Xiao, Princess Lin breathed a sigh of relief and promptly drew Zhang Ruyi aside.

Still finding it somewhat unbelievable, Princess Lin inquired, "Ruochen, have you truly become a genuine warrior?"

"Yes," Zhang Ruyi nodded, no longer concealing the truth.

"You've just become a warrior and you're already participating in the year-end assessment. What if you encounter danger?" Princess Lin voiced her concern.

"Even if I do nothing, does that mean I won't encounter danger? Mother, you need not worry. I will do my best within my capabilities," Zhang Ruyi reassured.

Only young warriors under the age of twenty were eligible to participate in the year-end assessment.

The Prince of Yunwu had a total of nine sons and thirteen daughters.

The ages of the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Princes were all under twenty. Aside from the Seventh Prince who was not in the royal city, the other four princes would all participate in the assessment.

In addition to the direct royal princes and princesses, the families of the royal relatives also selected three of their most outstanding young warriors to participate in the year-end assessment, such as the Lin family.

These royal relatives had all hurried over and gathered around the perimeter of the royal martial arts field, forming various camps.

Within the royal city, some important figures, such as the martial arts masters of the Earthly Boundary, sect leaders, and heads of major families, had also received invitations to attend the assessment at the royal martial arts field.

"Madam, in previous years, the royal invitations were also sent to the Qingxuan Pavilion, yet you have never attended. How do you plan to attend this year's event?" Following behind Qin Ya, Mo Hanlin asked, somewhat perplexed.

Despite the winter chill, Qin Ya was clad in a scarlet gown, baring her snow-white arms and alluring collarbone as if completely impervious to the cold.

With a suggestive smile in her eyes, Qin Ya replied, "When one encounters someone of interest, it's only natural to want to learn more about them."

"Madam, are you referring to the Ninth Prince?" Mo Hanlin inquired.

"Hehe! Besides him, is there anyone else?" Qin Ya chuckled.

Two months ago, after Zhang Ruyi visited the Qingxuan Pavilion, Qin Ya had dispatched people to investigate him.

To her surprise, the resolute young man had not activated his martial mark in the past sixteen years and had been nothing more than an ordinary person. Furthermore, he had been chronically ill and bedridden.

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She even learned of Zhang Ruyi's dire situation within the palace, as well as the grievances between Princess Lin and the Lin family, among other things.

Yet, this young man had managed to purchase a large quantity of elixirs and two genuine martial treasures from the Qingxuan Pavilion for a hefty sum of one hundred thousand silver coins.

Where did he acquire such a vast amount of silver coins?

What secrets did he harbor?

In Qin Ya's eyes, the much-derided Ninth Prince was shrouded in mystery, leaving her utterly perplexed.

Driven by curiosity, she had decided to personally attend the year-end assessment in order to uncover how many more secrets Zhang Ruyi held.

"Madam, you've actually come to the royal martial arts field? That's quite unexpected," Lin Fengxian greeted the woman in the scarlet gown from a distance.

In Lin Fengxian's eyes, Qin Ya was also a remarkably enigmatic woman.

Although he had only seen Qin Ya from afar once and was not very familiar with her, he knew she wielded considerable financial power capable of influencing the entire economic operation of the royal city. She was by no means a simple woman.

It was said that five out of ten shopkeepers in the martial market were working for her.

However, the elusive Madame was rarely seen, and even a patriarch of a large family would find it quite difficult to meet her.

For the Lin family, befriending her would only bring benefits and no harm.

Glancing at Lin Fengxian, Qin Ya raised an eyebrow and remarked, "And you are?"

Mo Hanlin whispered, "Madam, he is the head of the Lin family, Lin Fengxian."

"The Lin family? Ah, quite interesting!" Qin Ya's eyes lit up as she gracefully smiled and said, "So you're the head of the Lin family. My apologies for being impolite."

Lin Fengxian did not expect Qin Ya to be so approachable and chuckled, "Two years ago, when I purchased a batch of elixirs from the Qingxuan Pavilion, I sought an audience with Madam. Unfortunately, Madam had urgent matters to attend to and I only caught a glimpse of her from afar. Two years have passed, and Madam has become even more beautiful!"

"Two years ago..." Qin Ya had no recollection, but maintained her amiable demeanor.

She glanced at the Lin family's warriors behind Lin Fengxian and fixed her gaze on Lin Ningshan, remarking, "This should be Miss Lin Ningshan, right? She truly is a charming young lady, making me feel inadequate."

Standing behind Lin Fengxian, Lin Ningshan wore a snow-white attire, her slender figure swaying and her delicate face exuding grace and refinement, the epitome of a standard beauty.

However, it could not be said that Madame's beauty was inferior to hers; they each possessed their own unique charm.

"Madam, you know our young lady?" Lin Fengxian was somewhat surprised.

Qin Ya naturally did not know Lin Ningshan, but she had investigated Zhang Ruyi. Among those who had the greatest influence on Zhang Ruyi, this young lady was one of them.

Consequently, she had taken note of the name Lin Ningshan.

Qin Ya smiled and said, "One of the four great beauties of Yunwu County, I naturally have heard of her. It is said that even His Highness, the Ninth Prince, with his distinguished status, has been pursuing Miss Lin. It's truly enviable!"

A young Lin family warrior, aged sixteen or seventeen, sneered, "The Ninth Prince is simply deluding himself. With his aptitude, even if he practiced for a hundred years, he would never be worthy of our Sister Shan."

Another slightly older Lin family warrior laughed, "After the year-end assessment, Sister Shan will be engaged to His Highness, the Seventh Prince. The Ninth Prince is merely like a toad lusting after a swan, not only foolish but also laughable."

These two young warriors of the Lin family were named Lin Chengwu and Lin Tianwu.

Lin Ningshan, Lin Chengwu, and Lin Tianwu were the three most outstanding young talents selected by the Lin family to represent them in the year-end assessment.