Chapter 45

Two days passed in a flash.

Under the night sky.

Chang'an city gate.

Song Qingqing stood at the city gate with a group of maidservants, attracting the eyes of many commoners.

She wore a green long dress, her face was beautiful, and her whole body was shrouded in a noble aura.

"The eldest daughter of the Song family is too beautiful. I heard that the Song family has a marriage contract with Gao Yang, the eldest young master of the Dingguo Duke Prefecture. It's really cheap for him."

"Where did you get that news? The Song family went to the Dingguo Duke Prefecture to break off the engagement long ago. This matter has spread throughout Chang'an; don't you know?"

"Hiss! I haven't been in Chang'an for a while, so how would I know such a big event? Then who is the eldest daughter of the Song family waiting for?"

Among the crowd, some commoners discussed.

Outside the city, beside a carriage, over a dozen guards walked toward Chang'an City. Song Qingqing stepped forward to welcome them.

A smile bloomed on her face, and then she bowed beside the carriage, "Qingqing, by the order of Father, is here to welcome you!"

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing a handsome face.

Instantly, the onlookers discussed.

"It's Young Master Cui!"

"I heard that Scholar Cui went to Qingshui City and suppressed the grain price with thunderous means, making the grain price in Qingshui City drop from one hundred wen per dou to eighty-two wen per dou in just a few days!"

"The Song family lady is actually here to welcome him; it seems the Song family and the Cui clan intend to marry!"

"This is not caring about the Dingguo Duke Prefecture at all."

Cui Xinghe got off the carriage. When he saw Song Qingqing, a smile appeared on his face, "It is a great honor for Cui that Miss Song came to welcome me."

Song Qingqing smiled and said, "Father has already set up a welcome banquet for Young Master Cui, and Uncle Cui is also at the prefecture, specially to welcome Young Master Cui."

Cui Xinghe nodded, "After I report to the Empress, I will go immediately."

At the city gate, the two stepped into Chang'an City together.

Soon, in the eyes of interested parties, the news of Cui Xinghe's return to Chang'an spread throughout Chang'an.

General's Prefecture.

Wang Zhong laughed heartily, "Scholar Cui has returned to Chang'an. In tomorrow's morning court, even you, Gao Tianlong, cannot stop this court trend!"

"I will definitely impeach you!"

For a time, undercurrents surged in Chang'an.

Over the years, there have been too many people who wanted the Dingguo Duke Prefecture to fall.

"..."

Dingguo Duke Prefecture.

Candlelight illuminated the room.

"This Song family doesn't put my Dingguo Duke Prefecture in their eyes at all, actually letting that Song Qingqing welcome Cui Xinghe in public!"

"Too much!"

Gao Feng was full of anger and slammed his fist on the table.

Gao Tianlong had gray hair, and his old face was full of majesty.

He examined the chessboard and said very calmly, "The Song family is opportunistic. Cui Xinghe did a good job, and he is a young talent, and the Empress lacks confidants. It is not difficult to understand that the Song family is betting on Cui Xinghe."

"It is a fortunate thing that such a woman failed to marry into my Dingguo Duke Prefecture."

Gao Feng sighed, "But Cui Xinghe returned to Chang'an early, which means the overall situation in Qingshui City is set, at least eighty-two wen per dou. Tomorrow in the Jin Luan Hall, I fear it will not be peaceful."

"This beast! Before he left, I told him that he would rather do nothing than do wrong, otherwise how could he cause such a disaster?"

Gao Feng thought of Gao Yang and couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Gao Tianlong wiped the chessboard in front of him and said indifferently, "I am gratified."

"Gratified?" Gao Feng was stunned.

"Even the stupidest playboy, even a fool, wouldn't do such an absurd act, which means Yang'er is thinking of a strange move. The entire court knows this, but no one believes it."

"I don't quite believe it either, but I appreciate this heart. Otherwise, how could he win against the well-read Scholar Cui?"

"My Dingguo Duke Prefecture would rather die standing than live kneeling!"

Gao Feng's body stiffened, and he was stunned.

He only heard Gao Tianlong's calm voice echoing in the room, "Rather than perishing in mediocrity, it is better to fight hard and strike the sky like an eagle."

"As long as I don't die, I can eventually protect the Gao family. If I don't toss about now, how many more years can I live? Besides, my intuition of several decades tells me that Yang'er is not a mediocre person. The pieces have not been placed on the chessboard yet, so how can we easily talk about victory or defeat?"