Chapter 40: His behavior was abnormal; even his neighbor's dog had to come along

Little Stream Village.

Four Directions Tavern.

Because of Da Xia Academy, Little Stream Village is also extraordinarily lively.

Although the examination difficulty is extremely high, the sheer number of applicants is overwhelming; even if only one in a hundred miles is chosen, for Little Stream Village it is still a great many.

Four Directions Tavern is the best tavern in Little Stream Village, naturally crowded like clouds.

"Gentlemen, the tavern is already full; we cannot free up any seats."

"Please forgive us, gentlemen."

With the arrival of Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu,

In an instant, the waiter hurried over, his face showing difficulty, politely refusing them entry.

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a glance.

Gu Jin Nian didn't mind; after all, the tavern was indeed overcrowded, and a quick glance revealed that many extra seats had been forced in.

"Good."

Su Huaiyu spoke calmly, appearing somewhat aloof, without making things difficult for the waiter.

But just as the two were about to leave, a voice suddenly came from upstairs.

"Gentlemen."

"May I have the honor of inviting you upstairs for a meeting?"

The voice sounded.

Gu Jin Nian directed his gaze toward it.

It was a voice from a private room on the third floor: a young man with a simple, honest face, full of wealthy appearance, not old, estimated to be about sixteen or seventeen, though his chubby face made him look a bit older.

He wore a full smile, his eyes sincere, inviting Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu upstairs.

His intention was simple: to make friends.

Those who can enter Little Stream Village are no ordinary people; moreover, Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu have extraordinary bearing and outstanding appearance, so naturally someone would want to acquaint themselves.

Gu Jin Nian instantly understood the other's intention.

But he did not refuse.

"What do you think, Brother Su?"

Gu Jin Nian looked at Su Huaiyu and asked.

"Let's go."

Su Huaiyu hesitated not at all, heading straight up the stairs.

"He is the eldest son of the Suzhou Wang family; if I recall correctly, his name is Wang Fugui."

"His family is extremely wealthy, so later when ordering dishes we need not be too frugal."

Su Huaiyu's voice sounded.

It was unclear whether he was speaking to Gu Jin Nian or talking to himself.

But these words left Gu Jin Nian somewhat silent.

"Brother Su, as an official of the court, do you still lack this bit of money for meals?"

However, since the other had spoken, Gu Jin Nian felt it necessary to reply.

But as the words fell,

Su Huaiyu's voice immediately sounded.

"Your Highness the Heir, do you know what the best food in the world is?"

Su Huaiyu spoke seriously, asking in a very solemn tone.

"The best food?"

"Free of charge?"

Gu Jin Nian thought for a moment and gave that answer.

Upon saying that,

In an instant, Su Huaiyu froze.

He turned his body, looking at Gu Jin Nian; his eyes showed surprise, as if he hadn't expected Gu Jin Nian to answer that way, or perhaps he hadn't expected Gu Jin Nian to answer correctly.

"Your Highness the Heir is indeed unlike these ordinary people."

"Very good."

However, Su Huaiyu said nothing more and walked upward.

Not long after.

The two soon arrived at the third floor.

And Wang Fugui himself came out to greet them; it must be said that Wang Fugui excels in interpersonal relations, showing not the slightest negligence.

"I am Wang Fugui, eldest son of the Suzhou Wang family; I have met you two, brothers."

"I do not yet know your esteemed names."

Wang Fugui bowed to the two, while also inquiring about their identities.

"Gu Jin Nian."

"Su Huaiyu."

The two spoke, stating their names.

Upon saying that, in an instant Wang Fugui's gaze changed dramatically.

"The Duke of the State's eldest grandson, Gu Jin Nian? Your Highness the Heir?"

"The chosen one of Heaven's Mandate, Su Huaiyu?"

Wang Fugui's plump face instantly turned utterly astonished, as if he couldn't believe that a simple shout could bring these two.

Gu Jin Nian said nothing further: the grandson of the Duke of the Nation, son of the Marquis of Linyang, Crown Prince.

Su Huaiyu is the focus, the holder of one of the Da Xia Dynasty's nine Heavens' Mandates.

Either of these two alone is a big figure who can walk across the capital with ease.

"Exactly."

Gu Jin Nian's expression was gentle, and he nodded.

Su Huaiyu, however, appeared slightly aloof.

Perhaps because he came from the Ministry of Justice, he is meticulous and never smiles flippantly.

"Greetings, brothers."

"Wang, I am truly fortunate three times over to have been able to invite the two of you."

"Please, please, please."

Receiving a definite answer, Wang Fugui couldn't help but become excited.

He is sturdy, not particularly tall, but very plump; however, not the kind of pure fat, looking rather solid.

Wearing armor, he looks like a charging general, but in brocade clothing and speaking flowery language, it feels somewhat out of place.

Nevertheless, Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu felt nothing and followed Wang Fugui to take their seats.

In the private room.

A few people had already taken seats, each cultured and refined, their attire impeccable, presumably those Wang Fugui had invited earlier.

With Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu's arrival.

The few stood up, smiling, also curious about the two's identities.

"Everyone, we have indeed welcomed distinguished guests."

"This is Gu Jin Nian, the grandson of the Duke of the Nation."

"This is Su Huaiyu, the person of Heaven's Mandate."

Wang Fugui spoke from behind, smiling broadly, introducing Gu Jin Nian and Su Huaiyu to the crowd.

However, after Wang Fugui's introduction.

In an instant, the four's expressions changed.

They had been smiling politely before.

But upon hearing Gu Jin Nian's name, their faces immediately fell.

Especially the man on the far left, dressed in a Confucian robe, whose complexion changed outright.

"I thought who it was, turns out it's the illustrious grandson of the Duke of the Nation, the Gu Family heir."

"Never imagined that one day I could share a room with the heir."

"Regrettably, I am of lowly, filthy origin; the heir exudes unparalleled noble aura, his presence both overwhelms me and tarnishes the heir's brilliance."

The man spoke, lacking the earlier gentleness, replaced by disgust.

His words were even more sarcastic.

In a moment, the atmosphere in the private room grew heavy.

The other three remained silent, without any smile; they dared not offend Gu Jin Nian, yet their silence also signified a stance.

Gu Jin Nian frowned, his gentle expression gradually receded.

Did I perhaps do nothing wrong?

What nonsense sarcasm are you spewing at yourself? Are you ill? Resentful of a long life? Sensing Gu Jin Nian's puzzled gaze, he was unafraid and spoke bluntly.

"I am Xu Yun Xin, and Zhang Yun is my friend."

"I have long heard of the Crown Prince's great achievements."

The reply revealed his identity, letting Gu Jin Nian understand the situation.

"Oh."

"So he is Zhang Yun's friend."

"Then it's fine."

"Birds of a feather flock together."

Gu Jin Nian realized why the villains all follow one template—because they're all equally foolish, which is reasonable.

"Who did I say it was?"

"So it turns out to be Brother Zhang's friend."

"No wonder there's barking here."

"Indeed, birds of a feather, people of the same group; I've met Brother Xu."

Gu Jin Nian smiled faintly and retorted sharply.

"Gu Jin Nian, what did you say?"

Upon hearing that, he erupted in anger; although he despised Gu Jin Nian, at least he didn't directly insult him, but instead was sarcastic.

Yet Gu Jin Nian pointed at his nose and cursed, which greatly displeased him.

"I said you're barking like a dog."

"Not convinced?"

"Brother Su, let him witness the strength of the Ministry of Justice's top constable and beat him."

Gu Jin Nian was not empty‑handed.

He is the illustrious grandson of a duke, son of the Marquis of Linyang, the Da Xia heir.

He's not some petty weakling; even cats and dogs dare to insult him—why not just curse directly? Yet he pretends to be friendly?

Dammit.

If they think I'm a dandy, then I'll be a dandy for them to see.

"No need for that."

But Su Huaiyu shook his head, looked at Xu Xinyun, and said calmly, "Xu Xinyun, third generation of the Xu family of Tianhe County; his father Xu Xinzhi serves as County Magistrate of Tianhe County; his mother, of the Wang clan, runs a private school and cloth business within the clan."

"If His Highness the Crown Prince is displeased with this man, later have the Xuan Deng Department run an investigation to see whether this county magistrate has any corruption, and then examine the Wang clan's business for any collusion between officials and merchants, should such circumstances exist."

"According to the Da Xia Criminal Code, Official Record Section, Article 17, a Da Xia official who embezzles five hundred taels of silver shall be stripped of rank, exiled to the frontier, and barred from office for three generations; if the embezzlement exceeds three thousand taels of silver, execution by beheading in the street; if it exceeds ten thousand taels, the entire family shall be executed."

"The brocade robe he wears is a special piece from the Jinxiang Workshop; this single garment alone is worth no less than three hundred taels of silver."

"And the coiled‑dragon jade pendant at his waist, if I am not mistaken, is a top‑grade sheep jade, worth no less than one thousand taels of silver."

"Executing the whole family might be excessive, but sentencing to beheading in the street poses no problem."

"If the Crown Prince finds this unsatisfying, I, Su, can run the case for the Prince; carrying out the usual procedure to send the entire Xu family to the execution ground is no big issue."

"How about it?"

Su Huaiyu's face remained expressionless.

He not only recited Xu Xinyun's family assets, but also quoted the Da Xia law verbatim.

Just this speech made Gu Jin Nian fall silent.

What a fellow.

What a fellow.

Truly a damn good fellow.

This is literally a devil.

Gu Jin Nian really hadn't expected Su Huaiyu to be so terrifying.

Holy Mother, this Xu Xinyun only made a sarcastic remark.

Just because of that sarcastic remark, Su Huaiyu laid out the whole family's fate crystal clear.

What else is called a normal procedure to send the Xu family en masse to the execution ground?

"What if the procedure is abnormal?"

Gu Jin Nian couldn't help his curiosity and asked.

"Even the neighbor's dog must go together."

Su Huaiyu said with utmost seriousness.

There was not a hint of joking.

Gu Jin Nian: "."

Wang Fu Gui: "."

The others: "."

The atmosphere instantly grew extremely heavy.

As for Xu Xinyun, his complexion turned even more pallid.

He only made a sarcastic comment, never expecting to cause such trouble.

Although he didn't know whether the other side's words were true or false.

But upon careful thought, Gu Jin Nian is the eldest grandson of the Duke of Zhen Guo, and Su Huaiyu was once the First Constable of the Da Xia Ministry of Justice.

If one truly wants to wreak havoc, exterminating the nine clans is a bit extreme, but ruining one's own family should be no big problem.

In an instant, sweat sprang from Xu Xinyun's forehead.

"Crown Prince."

"Brother Su."

"Brother Xu also spoke hastily; I hope you both will not blame him."

"I am here to apologize to both of you."

At this moment, Wang Fu Gui spoke; his voice was low as he bowed to the two, for the situation was organized by him, and he bore some responsibility for this incident, hence his words.

"Brother Wang, your words are weighty."

"This matter does not concern you."

"I, Gu, am also a scholar; if someone treats me with courtesy, I will show three points of deference, but if anyone dares to insult Gu, I will not fear at all."

Gu Jin Nian spoke; the first half was gentle, giving Wang Fu Gui face.

But the second half turned ice‑cold instantly.

His voice fell.

Xu Xinyun's complexion grew even more pallid.

"Brother Xu, why don't you quickly apologize to the Crown Prince?"

"What are you still doing?"

Immediately, someone spoke up and hurriedly pulled Xu Xinyun to make him apologize.

"Crown Prince."

"Earlier it was I, Xu, who spoke disrespectfully; I hope the Crown Prince will pardon me."

"I, Xu, have already realized my mistake."

Hearing someone smooth things over, Xu Xinyun immediately spoke, his voice trembling.

He truly hadn't expected the other side to use this trick.

It's not that he's stupid or trying to challenge Gu Jin Nian; rather, he thinks that since Gu Jin Nian is the Crown Prince and now intends to apply for Da Xia Academy, logically he should be like the big fellows, a scholar.

Among scholars, isn't it just you roast me, I roast you? Where does such whole‑family extermination come from?

Is such exaggeration necessary? "Leave Xiaoxi Village; let this matter end here, otherwise don't blame the Crown Prince for taking harsh action."

He heard the other apologize.

Gu Jin Nian was not satisfied.

The other was afraid, not because they recognized the mistake, but because they were frightened by power.

Gu Jin Nian could not make the other truly realize the error, but he could make them deeply regret it.

Leaving Xiaoxi Village meant voluntarily withdrawing and forfeiting the qualification to enter Da Xia Academy.

This lesson was enough for him to remember for a lifetime.

"His Highness the Crown Prince, isn't this a bit excessive?"

Hearing that, Xu Xinyun was truly unwilling.

I could just roll away myself.

But to let himself leave Xiaoxi Village, he was not willing.

"Excessive?"

"Then do you know what crime it is to humiliate a Confucian‑Daoist scholar?"

Gu Jin Nian spoke.

In an instant, the righteous Qi surged within his body, forming a pressure that made the elegant room even more oppressive.

And the crowd's faces changed dramatically one by one.

"Scholars condense Qi."

"You actually condensed Qi?"

"That's impossible."

In an instant, almost everyone's expression changed; except for Su Huaiyu, everyone turned pale.

Scholars have a dual identity.

One is the Confucian‑Daoist identity, the other is the court identity.

The court identity is obtained by passing the imperial examinations; even without condensing Qi it doesn't matter, talent suffices, and one can advance gradually later.

The Confucian‑Daoist identity, however, is a realm classification; although it carries no official post, all scholars worldwide recognize it.

Because Heaven and Earth acknowledge it.

Therefore, Da Xia law explicitly states that those with a Confucian‑Daoist realm enjoy the same basic official privileges, and the authorities may not arrest them.

Moreover, insulting such scholars violates the law; it is no trivial matter.

But the most important point is that among scholars, the Confucian‑Daoist realm surpasses everything.

No matter who you are, you must not offend your superiors, because Heaven and Earth recognize that a higher Confucian‑Daoist realm proves greater talent and ability, thus receiving Heaven's approval.

If you truly act recklessly, the outcome will be grim; you will be ostracized by all scholars, accused of disrespecting Heaven and Earth, and no one will dare associate with you.

The crowd was astonished.

They truly could not believe that someone like Gu Jin Nian could actually condense Qi.

It was too unbelievable.

But after regaining his senses, Xu Xinyun completely lacked the courage to speak with Gu Jin Nian.

"Please, Crown Prince, calm your anger."

"I, Xu, will leave Xiaoxi Village immediately."

"I hope the Crown Prince will raise your gracious hand."

Seeing this, Xu Xinyun dared not say anything more.

His expression was cramped, and lines of resentment surged within his body.

It seemed he was truly in pain.

"Get out."

Gu Jin Nian was too lazy to bother with such a person; seeing them made him uncomfortable.

Hearing that, Xu Xinyun said no more and left the elegant room directly.

The other three hesitated briefly, then hurried after them, not wanting to stay.

After the few left.

Gu Jin Nian reined in the righteous Qi within and then looked at Wang Fugui, saying.

"Brother Wang, this matter was caused by me, Gu; I hope you will not blame me."

His smile was gentle, modest and courteous; the earlier harshness was fully restrained.

"No problem, no problem; they provoked first. If you say it's Wang's fault, it's just bad luck meeting them. Brother Gu, come, come, quickly take a seat."

Wang Fugui was very clever; although these few were also outstanding talents from various regions, compared with Gu Jin Nian they were insignificant.

He naturally could not offend Gu Jin Nian.

But at that moment.

Su Huaiyu's voice rang out again.

"Theoretically, the enmity has already been established."

"Crown Prince, you may cut the weeds at the root to avoid unnecessary trouble."

He spoke, asking calmly.

In an instant.

The scene fell silent again.

Gu Jin Nian further didn't know what to say.

"What a fellow."

"Could you stop this heavy malice?"

No one reads traditional gratifying novels, ah.

Gu Jin Nian was somewhat depressed, his inner heart started to randomly complain.

He felt that if Su Huaiyu obtained the ancient tree, this resentment would certainly rise layer by layer.

(End of chapter)