Chapter 370: In the Yao Xian Lou, There Is No Xie Guan in the World!

A beautiful maid beside Zhao Yang hurriedly bent down to clean up the broken porcelain, but her hand was fiercely crushed by his foot.

"Ah!"

The maid cried out in pain, then swallowed it back.

Porcelain shards pierced into her palm, and blood dripped along her trembling fingertips, dripping onto the cold blue brick floor.

Zhao Yang crushed it a few times, and seeing the maid biting her lip to endure the pain, he felt bored instead.

"Something that doesn't even dare to scream, get out!"

Several young masters who were on good terms with him on weekdays knew the temper of this legitimate second son of the Zhao family, who was fickle, and found excuses to leave one after another.

For a time, only Zhao Yang was left nearby.

"Why is Brother Yang angry?"

A gentle voice rang out at the right time.

Zhao Yang raised his eyes, only to see Xie Renfeng in a moon-white brocade robe, handsome and imposing, with every gesture showing the demeanor of a gentleman.

Behind Xie Renfeng followed a maid in her twenties, wearing a precious gauze dark green long skirt, which outlined her tall figure gracefully.

A delicate silver fork was inserted in her hair, and her hands were placed upright on her waist.

It was Gan Zhi, whose face looked a bit more haggard than it had years ago.

"Cousin Renfeng," Zhao Yang snorted coldly, "Tell me, why is Xie Guan still alive and kicking at this Qunfang Banquet?"

"Now he has the favor of the Third Master and Su Xiang, and he is in the limelight."

As the legitimate second son of the Zhao family, Zhao Yang had always been arrogant in front of Xie Renfeng.

At this moment, he leaned on the grandmaster's chair, his tone full of impatience and questioning.

Xie Renfeng's expression was indifferent; he had followed closely after hearing the news of Xie Guan climbing the Yao Xian Lou.

Although he was not qualified to set up a banquet in the Yao Xian Lou, he could walk around the building at will.

This time he came to the Qunfang Banquet, his father Xie Hong had unexpectedly asked him if he needed to go to the Yao Xian Lou.

The trace of apology in his father's eyes made Xie Renfeng's heart tremble.

For many years, when had his father ever cared about them like this?

At that time, Lady Zhao, who was on the side, could not help but wipe her tears with a handkerchief.

Xie Renfeng did not want to worry his father, so he declined the seat at the Yao Xian Lou and went to the A-zone downstairs.

"Brother Yang, don't be impatient."

"Xie Guan won't be proud for long. Su Xiang and the Third Master have already set the topic, asking him to compose a poem with the Immortal and the Qunfang Banquet as the topic. If he cannot compose a poem that satisfies them..."

Zhao Yang raised his brows: "What do you mean by this?"

Xie Renfeng then recounted the inside story of Xie Guan colluding with the Sanzhen Sect of the Great Sui.

Although the Third Master was trying his best to protect him, he had made an agreement with Su Xiang that if Xie Guan's poetry was not satisfactory, he would be sent to prison for interrogation.

Zhao Yang heard this, and the haze on his face dissipated, "Xie Guan is seeking his own death, actually daring to collude with the Sanzhen evil sect."

A flash of gloom crossed Zhao Yang's eyes, "The Qunfang Banquet is nearing its end, with only ten courtesans left to perform on stage; where does he have time to compose a poem that satisfies Su Xiang?"

Xie Renfeng, however, was not as certain as him, "Even if he really composes an excellent work, it is only a moment of pride at the Qunfang Banquet."

He paused, "The Xie family has already decided to convene a clan meeting tomorrow to expel Xie Guan from the Xie mansion genealogy."

"At that time, he will lose the protection of the Xie mansion, and whether he lives or dies will be entirely up to Brother Yang, right?"

Zhao Yang heard this, and a cruel smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "I will definitely make him unable to seek life or death."

Xie Renfeng smiled without saying a word.

Zhao Yang frowned suddenly, feeling puzzled in his heart: Why had the personal retainer Shen Kuan, who was sent to ambush Xie Guan today, not returned yet? Could it be that something went wrong?

Xie Renfeng noticed Zhao Yang's doubt, "It must be that some accident happened on the way. I heard that Lady Xu of the Sima family also met with an accident; why should we delve into it? It concerns the Nine Great Clans, and the Suspension Mirror Division will naturally turn a blind eye."

Zhao Yang nodded indifferently.

To him, it was just losing a capable "servant," not worth the trouble to investigate, which would only invite trouble.

He turned his gaze to the maid just now, and seeing her still clutching her bleeding hand, he was immediately displeased:

"What are you doing? Didn't you see Cousin Renfeng is here? Hurry up and clean the ground!"

The maid hurriedly bowed, but saw Xie Renfeng had already walked over, taking out a plain white handkerchief.

"Wait, girl."

Xie Renfeng called out softly, taking her blood-stained hand.

The maid subconsciously wanted to pull back, but was held firmly by him.

"Your hand is still bleeding."

Xie Renfeng's tone was gentle, and his movements were meticulous as he bandaged her.

The maid lowered her head, her ears slightly red, but she did not dare to struggle.

She thought in her heart that this Xie family young master was truly a humble gentleman.

Xie Renfeng ordered Gan Zhi to clean up the broken porcelain on the ground.

Gan Zhi bent down to pick it up, her dark green long skirt outlining her graceful figure.

Zhao Yang did not care about the intimate actions between Xie Renfeng and the maid, but instead cast his gaze on Gan Zhi.

She was tall, half a head taller than ordinary maids, and her willow waist was looming under her shirt and skirt, with curves that were exquisite.

Below her waist was full and plump.

"Hehe." Zhao Yang laughed lightly.

"Slap—"

A large hand wantonly stroked Gan Zhi's waist.

She had long since sensed Zhao Yang approaching, and at this moment she was trembling all over, but felt the person behind her becoming more and more presumptuous, almost sticking to her.

Gan Zhi looked at her young master for help, but saw Xie Renfeng was focusing on bandaging the maid's wound, as if he were completely unaware.

Seeing this, Zhao Yang became even more presumptuous.

Gan Zhi could not help but burst into tears.

"I am truly happy for Young Master Guan today!"

Zhang Yuanlai sighed, a rare look of genuine joy on his face.

The courtesans left one after another.

The Prince of Yan Chen Ting, Second Imperial Prince Chen Feng, and several princes were long gone, and Zhang Yunzhi, Xie Yuan, and others also hurried to the Yao Xian Lou.

Only Li Xiangjun, Zhou Yuner, Feng Yaya, and Jia Yu remained in the private room.

He Xiao looked disappointed, "Why should Brother Zhang be happy? Today's glory is not yours."

Zhang Yuanlai laughed: "Isn't it right to be happy for a friend? Young Master Guan never gave up on himself in the Xie mansion, which is why he has today's achievements."

Zhou Yuner looked curious, "Brother Zhang, can you tell us about Young Master Guan's past?"

"Why not?"

Zhang Yuanlai sighed lightly, "Young Master Guan is also a bitter person, losing his mother at the age of eight..."

Li Xiangjun also could not help but listen intently.

By the time Zhang Yuanlai finished speaking, Zhou Yuner's eyes were already red.

Zhang Yuanlai narrated, "Young Master Guan cried until he was blind at the age of nine, but he won against Brother Yuan in a chess game, which allowed him to invite He and me to study..."

"How could the people of the Nine Great Clans be so cruel? Does the Marquis of Dingyuan not care about father-son affection?" Zhou Yuner was indignant.

Feng Yaya sighed lightly: "The Marquis's mansion is as deep as the sea, and the struggle for the heir has always been so cruel."

Jia Yu could not help but feel a bit of admiration in his heart.

A blind youth who could study so tirelessly is truly a gentleman who strives for self-improvement.

Zhang Yuanlai was about to talk about the past in the Xie mansion's Hongjing courtyard: "Young Master Guan also often copied for Old Master Xie Hong..."

Suddenly, He Xiao pulled his sleeve gently.

Zhang Yuanlai turned around in confusion, his face changed suddenly, and he hurriedly bowed:

"Old Master Luo Jing!"

I don't know when.

A tall old man stood behind the crowd.

He had a crane-like appearance and a child's face, his face was rosy, his hair was neatly combed, and there was a kind and gentle look between his brows.

Jia Yu and the others did not dare to be negligent and bowed one after another: "Greetings, Dean Luo."

Everyone called him differently, and there was a reason for it.

He Xiao and Zhang Yuanlai had passed the Licentiate exam but had never studied hard in any academy, so they respectfully called the old man "Sir"—because Luo Jing was a teacher at the Academy.

And Jia Yu and the other three called him "Dean," because Luo Jing was also the mountain head of the Chongshan Academy, a great Confucian famous throughout the world.

If he hadn't retired, he would be the Minister of Revenue of Great Qi today.

He was also a disciple of the Third Master.

These prominent identities made everyone even more restrained.

Zhou Yuner and the others learned the old man's identity and hurriedly bowed.

Luo Jing laughed, "Don't mind this old man, weren't you just talking about Xie Guan and Master Hong?"

Zhang Yuanlai was speechless, not knowing how to answer.

The old man knew his identity was special, so he didn't make things difficult for them, and instead asked: "I heard you are going back to your hometown in Longxi? Why, have you seen enough of this Above Bianjing City?"

Zhang Yuanlai was shocked, how could this big shot know his plans?

He dared not hide it and respectfully replied: "The student does have this idea. Having left home for more than twenty years, I want to see the bricks and tiles of my hometown."

"Is it a sincere idea, or a helpless idea," Luo Jing smiled meaningfully.

Zhang Yuanlai could only nod in agreement.

Luo Jing stroked his beard and laughed: "The Third Master said you study diligently, treat people sincerely, and have a good eye for people. If you don't feel aggrieved, would you like to come to the Academy to study tomorrow?"

"This"

Zhang Yuanlai's eyes were full of disbelief.

The Third Master actually knew his name and personally recommended him to the Academy?

He subconsciously looked at Feng Yaya, doubting whether he had heard wrong.

Feng Yaya held his hand, her eyes full of joy: "Brother Zhang, why don't you hurry and answer Old Master Luo?"

Zhang Yuanlai hurriedly bowed: "The student is willing!"

The tall old man nodded with a smile: "Come early tomorrow, the plan of the day lies in the morning."

Jia Yu and the other three showed looks of envy.

Being able to enter the Academy to study, the future would naturally be smooth.

He Xiao was even more shocked.

Luo Jing was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned to Zhou Yuner: "Girl, can this old man see your 'Cloud and Mist Exploring Dragon Head Painting'?"

Zhou Yuner hurriedly unfolded the painting.

Luo Jing looked at it intently, a look of appreciation in his eyes:

"Thunder startles the heaven and earth, dragons and snakes hibernate, rain fills the suburbs, grass and trees are soft. Although this dragon has not been dotted, it already has the momentum of soaring, deeply obtaining the essence of the painting."

"This painting is enough to be passed down, don't sell it unless it's a last resort."

Zhou Yuner respectfully put away the painting and nodded heavily.

Until the old man left, Zhang Yuanlai was still in a trance.

Feng Yaya reminded softly: "Brother Zhang, you pinched my hand until it hurt."

Zhang Yuanlai came back to his senses, hurriedly released Feng Yaya's soft, boneless hand, his eyes full of pity.

He couldn't figure out: Why would the Third Master of the Academy know his name and let a great Confucian like Luo Jing come personally?

Feng Yaya was a bystander who saw clearly, reminding softly: "Brother Zhang, when Old Master Luo Jing came just now, did he mention anyone?"

Zhang Yuanlai suddenly realized: "Young Master Guan!"

He Xiao sat on the chair, looking at the beauty beside Zhang Yuanlai, thinking that Zhang Yuanlai was about to become a student of the Academy.

Career established and family settled!

In the blink of an eye, it was already a difference between clouds and mud.

He Xiao felt bitter in his heart.

Yu Ke sat alone in the quiet room of the Yao Xian Lou, lost in thought.

Suddenly!

The room door was pushed open, and a limping old man walked in slowly.

Yu Ke recognized that this was the old man who claimed to be from Su Xiang's mansion at the Qunfang Banquet, who had retreated unscathed from the Demon Master and Master Lianchi.

The limping old man grinned: "Xie Guan, have you been well?"

"Su Xiang has one more sentence for this old slave to bring—if the poetry composed by Young Master Guan today cannot satisfy him..."

The voice stopped abruptly!

The green smoke in the gilded incense burner curled up, casting flickering shadows on Xie Guan's face.

The limping old man's tone suddenly turned cold, like ice piercing the bone, making people shudder:

"Today, if you cannot satisfy Su Xiang, don't even think about stepping half a step out of this quiet room."

"From now on, there will be no such person as Xie Guan in the world."

(End of Chapter) ===== CHAPTER 371 =====

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