Chapter 370

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

"Ah!"

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

The 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 with his foot, 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 usually on good terms with him saw this, knowing the temper of this legitimate second son of the Zhao family, and found excuses to say goodbye 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 Xie Renfeng in a moon-white brocade robe, handsome and handsome, showing the demeanor of a gentleman in every move.

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

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 compared to years ago.

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

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

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

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

Xie Xie Renfeng's expression was indifferent, and he followed closely after learning the news that Xie Guan had climbed to the Invitation to Immortals Building.

Although he was not qualified to have a seat in the Invitation to Immortals Building, he could walk around the building at will.

This time he came to the Flower Banquet, his father Xie Hong actually asked him for the first time if he needed a seat in the Invitation to Immortals Building.

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

For many years, when had his father ever cared about their mother and son like this?

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

Xie Xie Renfeng did not want to worry his father, so he declined the seat in the Invitation to Immortals Building 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 Teacher have already set a topic, asking him to write a poem with the theme of immortals and the Flower Banquet. If he cannot write a poem that satisfies them..."

Zhao Yang raised his eyebrows: "What do you mean?"

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

Although there was the Third Teacher's guarantee, he made an agreement with Su Xiang that if Xie Guan's poetry was not satisfactory, he would be imprisoned 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 passed through Zhao Yang's eyes: "The Flower Banquet is nearing its end, with only ten flower beauties left to perform on stage; where does he have time to write a poem that satisfies Su Xiang?"

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

He paused: "The Xie family has already decided to hold an ancestral meeting tomorrow to expel Xie Guan from the Xie mansion."

"At that time, once he loses the protection of the Xie mansion, 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 must make him unable to seek life or death."

Xie Xie Renfeng smiled without saying a word.

Zhao Yang frowned suddenly, doubting in his heart: Why hasn't the personal expert Shen Kuan, who was sent to ambush Xie Guan today, returned yet? Could it be that something went wrong?

Xie Xie Renfeng noticed Zhao Yang's doubt: "I think something unexpected happened on the way. I heard that Lady Xu of the General Sima family also met with misfortune. Why should we delve into it? Regarding the Nine Great Clans, the Suspended Mirror Division will naturally turn a blind eye."

Zhao Yang nodded casually.

To him, it was just one less capable "servant," not worth making a big fuss to investigate, and it would only cause trouble.

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

"What are you doing standing there? Didn't you see Cousin Xie Renfeng is here? Why don't you hurry up and clean the floor!"

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

"Young lady, wait."

Xie Xie Renfeng called her gently and took her blood-stained hand.

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

"Your hand is still bleeding."

Xie Xie Renfeng's tone was gentle, and he bandaged her with meticulous movements.

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 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 Xie Renfeng and the maid, but instead cast his gaze toward Gan Zhi.

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

Below her waist was full and plump.

"Hehe." Zhao Yang laughed lightly.

"Slap—"

A big hand touched Gan Zhi's waist unscrupulously.

She had long since noticed Zhao Yang approaching, and at this moment her whole body was trembling, but she 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 Xie Renfeng focusing on bandaging the maid's wound, as if he hadn't noticed at all.

Zhao Yang saw this and 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 sincere joy on his face.

The flower beauties left one after another.

The Prince of Yan, Chen Ting, the Second Imperial Prince, Chen Feng, and several other Imperial Princes were long gone, and Zhang Zhang Yunzhi, Xie Yuan, and others also hurried to the Invitation to Immortals Building.

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

He Xiao looked disappointed: "Brother Zhang, why be happy? The glory today is not yours."

Zhang Yuanlai smiled: "Is it not 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 Zhou Yuner was curious in her eyes: "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 Li Xiangjun could not help but listen intently.

By the time Zhang Yuanlai finished speaking, Zhou 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 Young Master Yuan in a chess game, which allowed him to invite me and Brother He 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 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 lightly.

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

"Old Master Luo Jing!"

I don't know when.

An old man with a tall figure had already stood behind the crowd.

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

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

Several people had different titles, and there were reasons for this.

He Xiao and Zhang Yuanlai, although they passed the Licentiate examination, had never studied hard in any academy, so they respectfully called the old man "Teacher"—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 Chief of the Uncle Chongshan Academy, a great Confucian famous throughout the world.

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

He was also a disciple of the Third Teacher.

These heavy and prominent identities made everyone even more restrained.

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

Luo Jing smiled: "Don't pay attention to this old man; weren't you just talking about Xie Guan and Master Hong?"

Zhang Yuanlai was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to answer.

The old man knew his identity was special, so he didn't make things difficult for him, 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 upon hearing this; how could this big shot know his plans?

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

"Is it a sincere idea, or a last resort?" Luo Jing smiled meaningfully.

Zhang Yuanlai could only nod in agreement.

Luo Jing stroked his beard and smiled: "The Third Teacher said you study diligently, treat people sincerely, and have a discerning eye. 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 Teacher actually knew his name and even personally recommended him to enter 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 up and answer Old Master Luo?"

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

The tall old man nodded with a smile: "Come earlier tomorrow; the plan for the day lies in the morning."

Jia Yu and the other three had looks of envy.

Being able to enter the academy to study, the future will naturally be smooth.

He Xiao was even more shocked.

Luo Jing was about to leave, but suddenly remembered something and turned to Zhou Zhou Yuner: "Young lady, can this old man take a look at your 'Cloud and Mist Exploring the Dragon Head Painting'?"

Zhou Zhou Yuner hurriedly unfolded the painting.

Luo Jing looked at it intently, showing appreciation in his eyes:

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

"This painting is enough to pass down to the family; unless it is a last resort, do not sell it."

Zhou Zhou Yuner bowed 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 painfully."

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

He could not figure out why the Third Teacher of the academy would know his name and let a great Confucian like Luo Jing come personally?

Li Li Xiangjun thought deeply, but was also happy for Feng Yaya—now that Zhang Yuanlai had the status of an academy student, he didn't have to go to Longxi and could stand firm in Above Bianjing.

Feng Yaya, as a bystander, reminded 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 an academy student.

Career established, family established!

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

He Xiao felt bitter in his heart.

Yu Ke sat alone in the quiet room of the Invitation to Immortals Building, deep in thought.

Suddenly!

The room door was pushed open, and a lame 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 Flower Banquet, who had retreated unscathed from the Demon Teacher and Master Master Lianchi.

The lame old man grinned: "Xie Guan, long time no see."

"Su Xiang also has a sentence that this old slave must bring—if the poem written by Young Master Guan today cannot satisfy him..."

The words stopped abruptly!

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

The lame old man's tone suddenly turned cold, as cold as ice, making people shudder:

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

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

(End of chapter)