Chapter 201: The Literary Gathering

Zhu Youxiao held high expectations for this literary gathering. The reason was simple—he had never attended such an event before, and had been deeply curious about it in his previous life, so naturally he looked forward to this opportunity.

Soon they arrived at the venue of the gathering—a garden.

The garden was lush and verdant, with a cobblestone path leading deep into dense, secluded bamboo groves. Judging by its scale, this garden was by no means small.

After stepping down from the carriage, Zhu Youxiao looked around, then turned to ask Chen Hong: "This place looks quite sizable. Who is hosting this gathering?"

Such a literary gathering was not something just anyone could host—it cost money. The expenses in a place like this were inevitably considerable. Though someone might sponsor the event, food, drink, lodging, and all other necessities still required funding.

That was precisely what Zhu Youxiao was asking about. Whoever undertook this task would need to provide the venue and cover the costs, and there were few in the capital capable of doing such a thing.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is Wei Dazhong. He is a disciple of Gao Panlong." Chen Hong said hurriedly.

Upon hearing that this man was Gao Panlong's disciple, Zhu Youxiao was taken aback, then turned to glance at Chen Hong, a hint of complexity in his eyes.

But Zhu Youxiao said nothing, turning his head back to continue asking: "It seems quite a few people have been invited this time. Do you know what they intend to discuss?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it is to rescue Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing." Chen Hong said, bowing his body.

Rescue those two?

Hearing Chen Hong's words, Zhu Youxiao smiled faintly.

Come to think of it, he really had forgotten about Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing. The ministers at court had been finding all sorts of excuses to bother him lately, and those two simply didn't have much presence,

as if they were still locked up in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Thinking this, Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong once more and said expressionlessly: "After you return, go receive thirty strokes of the court flogging."

Having said this, Zhu Youxiao strode forward and entered.

Standing behind Zhu Youxiao, a wry smile immediately appeared on Chen Hong's face, followed by a sense of relief.

In fact, this was Chen Hong's little scheme. The matter of Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing had not been raised at court.

The reason was simple—no one wanted to stir up their affair again. If they were locked up in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard, then so be it; no one cared about them.

For the ministers at court, if Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing died in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard just like Zou Yuanbiao had, that would be the best possible outcome.

No interrogation needed, no sentencing needed, and then no one bore any responsibility. Under such circumstances, no one was willing to dig up this matter.

Even if someone wanted to take action, they would be suppressed by the bigwigs at court, such as Xu Guangqi and his lot. Although Xu Guangqi and his group were promoted by Zhu Youxiao himself, Zhu Youxiao did not consider them to be pushovers either.

Even Xu Guangqi was the same—they had plenty of tricks up their sleeves. Though loyal and patriotic, they in fact possessed every single method of officialdom, not one missing.

Even if Xu Guangqi and his group couldn't manage it, there would be people behind them offering counsel and strategies. So Zhu Youxiao was not at all surprised that they would do such a thing.

But the Embroidered Uniform Guard couldn't take it anymore. Last time, one Zou Yuanbiao had already died. If Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing were to die inexplicably in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard as well, it would be hard to account for.

If it were His Majesty's intention, that would be fine—even if Gao Panlong and the others didn't die, the Embroidered Uniform Guard would make them die; there was no great difficulty in that. This blame was worth bearing, because it was borne on His Majesty's behalf.

But right now His Majesty's attitude was unclear—no one knew what His Majesty wanted to do. Under such circumstances, the Embroidered Uniform Guard dared not kill Gao Panlong and the others.

To ensure they didn't die, they would have to be given special treatment. Otherwise, the environment in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard was hardly pleasant, and a death or two was nothing major.

But if they gave them preferential treatment and His Majesty later found out—if His Majesty had actually wanted them dead, yet they had given preferential treatment and let them live—then how would they explain themselves to His Majesty?

So the Embroidered Uniform Guard needed to find a way to let His Majesty know about this matter, and preferably probe out His Majesty's attitude.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard had no way out, so naturally they begged Chen Hong for help.

Chen Hong certainly didn't want to do such a thing, but he had no choice either.

Chen Hong's position was now very high—he was the highest-ranking eunuch in the palace—but his actual power was not that great. Without the support of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Chen Hong could be trampled underfoot at any moment. That was a consequence he could not bear.

If he didn't help the Embroidered Uniform Guard, what if they said, "Whenever there are benefits to be had, you're always there; but when real trouble comes, you wash your hands of it." What would he do then?

So Chen Hong could only steel himself and go through with it, which was how today's arrangement came about.

Zhu Youxiao naturally knew all this, so he only had Chen Hong receive thirty strokes of the court flogging. Otherwise, today's arrangement would have been a capital offense.

He was probing His Majesty's intentions—that was the most taboo thing of all. So even though he was to be beaten, Chen Hong showed an expression of relief.

Now Chen Hong had, in a sense, told His Majesty about this matter. Next, he just had to wait for His Majesty's reaction.

If His Majesty showed no reaction, acting as if he had never known about this matter at all, then Gao Panlong and Sun Shenxing would continue to stay in the Imperial Prison under the Embroidered Uniform Guard just as they were now.

If His Majesty showed some other reaction, then it meant His Majesty would issue an edict to deal with it. Whatever the outcome, at least the Embroidered Uniform Guard would know what to do.

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao had already walked in, Chen Hong hurriedly followed.

After entering the garden, Zhu Youxiao discovered that quite a few people had already arrived, standing in small groups and conversing animatedly—the atmosphere looked quite congenial.

But soon Zhu Youxiao noticed something different: although they stood in groups, there were clear divisions between them, and when their gazes occasionally crossed, a peculiar aura emanated.

To put it in more mystical terms, electric sparks flashed between their gazes. This proved that these people were not all on the same side.

Things were getting quite interesting—Zhu Youxiao laughed inwardly.

In his previous life, Zhu Youxiao had read a passage: the summary of *Critique of Wang Learning* said: "The fall of the Ming was the fall of factions; factions began with cliques; cliques began with lecturing."

Though today's event here was not lecturing but called a literary gathering, Zhu Youxiao felt it was more or less the same.

He rather wanted to see what these people would actually say. Some things were always better heard secondhand with skepticism—he should see for himself.

Zhu Youxiao quickly found a place to sit down.

Soon, people noticed Zhu Youxiao, because he was wearing a set of splendid robes. Just by the look of the clothes, one could tell they were not cheap—few among those present could afford to wear such things.

At the same time, two servants stood behind Zhu Youxiao, and those two servants looked far from ordinary; there was also a person in front of him attending to his tea.

Zhu Youxiao looked exactly like a wealthy young master—it was hard not to attract people's attention.

But for the moment, no one came forward to befriend him. Such a wealthy young master might not be easy to befriend, and moreover, it could invite gossip from others, accusing one of currying favor with the rich and powerful. So no one came to do such a thing.

There were also those who feared nothing of the sort. Looking at Zhu Youxiao with great interest, one person finally walked straight over.

Cupping his fist toward Zhu Youxiao, the newcomer said with a smile: "Greetings, brother."

Zhu Youxiao also stood up, imitating his gesture, and returned the courtesy: "Well met, well met."

As he spoke, he observed the other man.

This was a very young scholar. Judging by his attire, he should hold some scholarly rank—perhaps a juren.

Now this was rather interesting.

The clothes Zhu Youxiao was wearing now didn't really make him look like a scholar; rather, he looked like a wealthy young master.

The other party coming here at this moment to make his acquaintance was something Zhu Youxiao had not expected.

"May I ask how I should address you, brother?" Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

"Well said, well said. I am Song Yingxing. A pleasure to meet you, brother." Song Yingxing said with a smile.

Zhu Youxiao looked at him, a hint of surprise on his face.

He'd run into someone named Song Yingxing just like that?

That really was somewhat coincidental. But this man looked like someone he ought to keep hold of — he couldn't let him get away.

"So you are Brother Song. I am Bai Yu. A pleasure to meet you, Brother Song." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

"A gentleman fair as jade — a fine name you have, young brother." Song Yingxing said with a smile: "Just now I saw you sitting here, standing out from the crowd, and I made a point of coming over to make your acquaintance. Might I join you at your table?"

"Of course, of course. Please, Brother Song." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile.

And so the two of them sat down together.

Zhu Youxiao spoke first: "To be honest with you, Brother Song, I'm really just here for the excitement. I heard there was a literary gathering here, so I came along. But as for what actually goes on here, I haven't the slightest idea. Would Brother Song be willing to tell me?"

Hearing Zhu Youxiao say this, Song Yingxing was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily and said: "It seems I truly came to the right place."

"What does Brother Song mean by that?" Zhu Youxiao asked.

"Just now when I saw you, young brother, I felt you were quite out of the ordinary. But with so many people around taking an interest in you, and them not coming over, it wasn't easy for me to come over either, lest people start gossiping. But in the end, I couldn't hold myself back."

"Now that I see how unrestrained you are, young brother, I know I came to the right place."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Song Yingxing and asked with some hesitation: "People would start gossiping? Wouldn't that make them no different from the gossiping women in the marketplace? How dare such people call themselves scholars? How dare they claim to study the way of the sages?"

Looking at Zhu Youxiao with surprise, Song Yingxing seemed not to have expected him to be so bold, but still he said with a smile: "For that remark of yours about gossiping women, we ought to raise a great cup. But since there's no wine, I'll toast you with tea in its place."

So saying, Song Yingxing raised the teacup in his hand.

Zhu Youxiao drank a sip of tea along with him, then said with a smile: "Brother Song still hasn't told me — what is this literary gathering here today really about? It can't truly be about making friends through literature, can it?"

"Making friends through literature?" A mocking smile curled at the corner of Song Yingxing's mouth, and he said disdainfully: "It's not about making friends through literature at all — it's about forming cliques and factions."

"The man organizing this literary gathering is Wei Dazhong, a disciple of Gao Panlong. These past days he's been the one constantly networking with everyone, tirelessly running about on his teacher's behalf. But in my view, this man is utterly pedantic." Song Yingxing said coldly, with a look of great contempt.

"What do you mean by that?" Zhu Youxiao asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Just that he's read himself stupid, that's all." Song Yingxing said with a laugh.

His laughter was filled with mockery, but even more so with disappointment.