Chapter 377: What if one has talent, bow down and salute!

Invitation Immortal Tower, second floor.

Xie Yuan and the others had already learned that Xie Guan had ascended the fourth floor to meet Su Xiang and the Third Master.

Their originally slightly settled hearts were suspended once again.

If Xie Guan's answer failed to satisfy the two, I fear no one could save him today.

Everyone felt uneasy, wondering if Xie Guan's poetry could move Su Xiang and the Third Master.

Zhang Zhang Yunzhi had already stood up, her gaze locked on the fourth floor, her expression nervous.

The people on the third floor also looked up one after another, their gazes burning as they looked toward the fourth floor.

The Invitation Immortal Tower was silent for a time, as if everyone had forgotten the flower queen performances on the four stages at the Flower Banquet.

Xu Xu Xiyue was also looking at the fourth floor.

Following Xie Guan's ascent to the fourth floor, the eunuch dressed in red python robes slowly retreated, and the copied poetry began to be passed down level by level.

"Sixth Brother, what do you think Xie Guan will be like today?"

The Second Prince Chen Feng spoke slowly, "Can he walk down the fourth floor alive?"

Chen Feng smiled bitterly, "It is laughable to say, but even now, when I see Su Xiang, I still feel an unconscious fear in my heart."

"My mother once told me that when my Imperial Grandfather was born, it was Su Xiang who held him in his arms from the swaddling clothes. Then to my father, and even to me..."

"My mother always told me to call him 'Father-in-Law,' but I have always called him Su Xiang."

Upon hearing this, the Yan King saw in his mind the gray-haired old man sitting behind the curtain in the imperial court.

Su Xiang had been entrenched in the Great Qi court for nearly two hundred years, with overwhelming power, and everyone feared him like a tiger.

Even the nine great surnames dared not openly refute Su Xiang in the Mingtang Hall.

The true cabinet was a one-man show, and the weight of the prime minister's power pressed so hard that the Chen family imperial clan of these two hundred years could barely breathe.

Of course, this oppressive air had long been pent up in the hearts of these generations of princes, turning into an unspeakable unwillingness.

However, even if they were resentful in their hearts, they dared not show the slightest bit, instead having to be respectful to this Su Xiang.

The dignified master of a nation, the one holding the divine vessel, actually had to look at the face of the Su family to act.

But even so, what could be done?

Tracing back two generations of emperors, they had all secretly united with several of the nine great surnames to launch a palace coup, yet no one dared to raise the banner of "clearing the monarch's side," instead aiming their spears at the Empress Dowager of the Empress Zhuge family in the name of punishing the "demon husband."

However, all ended in failure, and the power of the imperial clan declined further as a result.

The princesses and princes of the Chen family had long lost their former privileges.

The princesses were sent to intermarry with the nine great surnames, and the princes were repeatedly bullied by the disciples of the nine great surnames.

Until this generation, the situation had a slight turn for the better.

The Second Prince relied on the Academy, and the Yan King relied on the support of the nine great surnames, finally giving the imperial clan a bit of the aura of imperial heirs.

Perhaps it was because Su Xiang had shifted his focus to Great Sui in the west for nearly twenty years, seemingly intending to shift his gaze slightly away from the imperial court.

Only then did the imperial clan and the nine great surnames have a chance to catch their breath.

The Yan King Chen Ting lowered his eyes, his tone low: "Second Brother, how am I any different? Every time Su Xiang's gaze sweeps over, I dare not look directly, always feeling that his eyes are like a beast choosing people to devour."

He paused, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness, "He has been in the court for too long..."

Chen Feng nodded slowly, his expression solemn: "Before the autumn examinations next year, according to convention, the position of the Crown Prince must be decided."

He looked up at Chen Ting, his tone carrying a hint of probing, "Sixth Brother, are you not afraid that I will seize this position of the master of the nation?"

Chen Ting smiled mockingly upon hearing this: "Master of the nation?"

He shook his head, his gaze revealing a trace of disdain, "Second Brother, look for yourself, can the royal order leave the capital circuit now? You have the nerve to say the words 'master of the nation'?"

"A handwritten note from the Su residence is more useful than the imperial decree of the current dynasty."

He raised his hand to stroke his wide dragon-patterned sleeve, his tone indifferent: "Of course, if you, Second Brother, sit on the throne, let me go north to build merit and establish a career, if..."

Before he finished speaking, Chen Feng already understood his meaning.

The north is the place bordering the Eternal Heaven, and also where the two pillars of Great Qi are located.

Chen Ting was on good terms with the Li family, the Xie family, and the General Sima family; if he went north, perhaps he could accumulate strength.

If Chen Feng were just a puppet emperor, once there was a change in the palace, Chen Ting would respond from the outside.

The two looked at each other, understanding without words. Everyone in the court knew that the two princes were fighting openly and secretly, competing for superiority in everything.

However, for the past three or four years, those with a heart would find that although the two were not in harmony on the surface, and even clashed several times in the court, drawing swords against each other.

But strangely!

The forces of the two princes had never canceled each other out like "soldiers and pawns," but instead grew stronger.

There was naturally a tacit understanding in this.

Just as Chen Feng was pondering, he heard the Yan King change the subject.

"Do you think Xie Guan will escape death today?"

"He has also shown off today; such a brilliant young man, it is a pity that he is too prominent in the forest; I have long had a heart to cherish talent."

The Yan King paused, his gaze distant, smiling but not smiling: "If in the imperial court, all the officials were such pleasing and talented people, it would not be a bad thing."

"All the talents of the world, gathered in the hub."

Chen Feng looked up toward the fourth floor, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and regret: "If there were no constraints today, how could I be reluctant to show my face and facilitate a good story of thirsting for talent?"

As he was speaking, the two saw the chief eunuch dressed in red python robes holding the copied poetry walking down slowly.

A group of little eunuchs bowed and distributed the paper to everyone.

Chen Feng took the paper, his gaze falling on the poem above:

"White Jade Capital in the sky, twelve towers and five cities."

"The immortal strokes my head, I receive longevity by binding my hair."

"Who else can sweep the Golden Terrace? The road is difficult, return!"

His eyes froze, he quickly finished reading the poem, then carefully put the paper away.

The Yan King also finished reading the poem; although he was not proficient in literature, he could also feel the heroic spirit of laughing at kings and nobles between the lines.

He looked up and scanned the expressions of the people on the third floor, only to see the teachers of the Academy pondering or shaking their heads, as if savoring it carefully, or as if weighing the deep meaning within.

Inside the Invitation Immortal Tower, it was silent for a time.

Only the charm in the poem echoed faintly in the air, as if it had captured everyone's heart and soul.

It seems this poem is truly extremely brilliant!

Only heard!

Chen Feng sighed in a low voice: "After today, Xie Guan's name will move Above Bianjing."

He shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of admiration and surprise, "It seems I underestimated this Young Master Guan today."

"Not yet twenty, yet he has suppressed the Flower Banquet with one poem."

Upon hearing this, the Yan King did not agree.

He secretly thought in his heart, what if one has talent?

This Xie Guan, although talented, is almost twenty, yet still has not practiced martial arts or cultivated the Yang Spirit, spending his days only reading books in a small courtyard.

Can one read a clear world out of books?

This kind of weak scholar who cannot even truss a chicken is, in his eyes, nothing more than an existence that can be destroyed with a flick of a finger.

His gaze was cold.

What if one has talent in this world? If one has no strength to rely on, it is ultimately just a flash in the pan.

In this great world, only strength is the true foundation for standing.

～

～

Yu Ke walked down the third floor slowly, and the chief eunuch was still waiting in place.

Seeing Yu Ke approach, the eunuch bowed slightly, his tone respectful.

"Young Master Guan, regarding the matter of the Invitation Immortal Tower today, Su Xiang has already given instructions."

"Regarding these four floors, Young Master Guan may come and go as he pleases."

After speaking, he rose and took his leave.

Yu Ke nodded, his gaze sweeping across the third floor, only to see quite a few people from the nine great surnames of Above Bianjing casting their gazes toward him, among whom were not a few from the Academy, their eyes full of appreciation.

He also saw the old matriarch of the Xie family and the four of Xie Hong, but when the old matriarch saw him go downstairs, her eyes were gloomy, she snorted coldly, and took the four of them and turned to leave.

Yu Ke saw this situation and had no intention of going up to greet them.

At this time, the Flower Banquet was nearing its end.

There was no one he knew upstairs, and if he were to rush to make friends now, he would only fear getting a cold shoulder.

There is no need to force one's way into a circle one cannot fit into.

Yu Ke was just about to go downstairs when he suddenly heard a kind voice from behind.

"Young Master Guan, after today, I fear there will be no one in Above Bianjing who does not know you."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke turned to look.

A middle-aged man in Confucian robes stood not far away.

He looked upright, with a beautiful beard, and although his complexion was slightly sickly, his eyes were gentle, and he was smiling at himself.

This person was Xie Yuan's uncle—Empress Zhuge Jian.

Yu Ke followed his memory and bowed respectfully: "Xie Guan, I have met Master Jingyue."

His tone was humble, bowing his head slightly, "Master Jingyue, I dare not accept these words. It is just a few empty names, not worth mentioning."

Empress Zhuge Jian looked at Xie Guan, seeing that he still had a calm expression, neither humble nor arrogant, just as he was at the Hongjing Courtyard, neither proud of today's fame nor uneasy because of everyone's attention.

He had the demeanor of a gentleman!

He smiled slightly, his tone gentle: "Young Master Guan, if you come to the Academy for further studies in the future, it will definitely be excellent. At the very least, you won't have to worry about entering the school hall."

"One can also cultivate in the Academy, and the future will definitely be smooth."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke felt slightly surprised.

He had just come down from the fourth floor, and Empress Zhuge Jian already knew that he had joined the Academy, which was truly unexpected.

He was about to speak, but saw Empress Zhuge Jian explain with a smile: "I am originally an incompetent disciple under the Third Master. The Third Master liked your interpretation of 'benevolent people' very much at the time."

"Today, the Third Master specifically came downstairs, also because that sentence of yours comforted his heart."

Empress Zhuge Jian's expression was solemn, "The Third Master has had many knots in his heart, and his body is getting worse day by day. Having obtained Young Master Guan's insights."

"It has been many years since I have seen the Master so happy."

Upon hearing this, Yu Ke couldn't help but be shocked.

It was not because of Empress Zhuge Jian's words, but because so much time had passed since the matter at Hongjing Courtyard.

At the time, he had chosen according to the "Kunxu Cauldron's" prompt.

Who would have thought!

It didn't react at the time, and it was only after so long that it happened at this Flower Banquet.

The depth of the plan!

"Ah Ding, it is truly comprehensive."

Speaking of this!

Empress Zhuge Jian's expression straightened, and he actually bowed solemnly, his tone sincere:

"As a disciple, I thank Young Master Guan here."

Yu Ke hurriedly reached out to support him, but found that with his own strength, he could not shake this Master Jingyue at all.

He was secretly shocked in his heart; it seems that high-ranking officials in the court, besides having learning, also need to have extraordinary cultivation to rely on.

Helpless, he had to wait for Empress Zhuge Jian to finish his salute.

The people around had already cast their gazes over, and Empress Zhuge Jian's voice was not deliberately lowered, so many people heard it clearly.

Everyone's eyes flickered, each with their own thoughts.

It seems that the Third Master coming forward to protect Xie Guan today was not without reason, and the fact that Xie Guan was about to join the Academy was even more eye-catching.

Many people from the Academy present had their eyes light up; Xie Guan was actually appreciated by the Third Master and was going to cultivate in the Academy.

Yu Ke smiled helplessly, "Master Jingyue, this act is truly making Xie Guan feel ashamed."

Just then!

Xie Guan noticed that more than a dozen Academy disciples in Confucian robes on the third floor were all bowing to him just like Empress Zhuge Jian.

The third floor fell silent, all looking over slowly.

Xie Hong's eyes also moved; those who saluted were all disciples of the Third Master.

The old matriarch Xie's face became even uglier.

Yu Ke had no choice but to return the salute.

Empress Zhuge Jian straightened up, his smile undiminished.

He did not say much, just patted Yu Ke on the shoulder lightly.

Originally, the Third Master had the intention of taking him as a disciple, but today at the Flower Banquet, with Xie Guan's talent, he did not take him into the sect.

It was truly a pity, otherwise he would have had one more little junior brother.

After Empress Zhuge Jian told Yu Ke about the busy and worried matters of Xie Yuan, Zhang Zhang Yunzhi, and others, he said: "I won't disturb you young people; they are on the second floor."

After saying this, Empress Zhuge Jian turned and left.

Yu Ke thanked him and went down to the third floor.

Strangely!

Until Xie Guan went down the fourth floor, no one on it came to greet him.

Just after going down the fourth floor, Yu Ke saw Xie Yuan and the others waiting downstairs.

His gaze swept over, and he saw quite a few familiar faces.

Xie Xie Renfeng, Zhao Yang, and others, although they did not walk over, were also closely watching every move here not far away.

Xie Yuan did not avoid it at all, immediately walked up, hooked Yu Ke's shoulder, leaned into his ear and whispered:

"Brother Guan, you are not authentic! When did you become sworn brothers with the heroes of the Three Truths Sect?

"And you didn't bring your brother along!"

A black line appeared between Yu Ke's brows.

This Xie Yuan, truly as in the simulation, faced with the crime of exterminating the family, his mind was only filled with chivalry.

"Sixth Brother, there are too many eyes and ears here, let's discuss it later."

"Brother Guan, truly righteous!"

Yu Ke turned around, his gaze sweeping over everyone, finally landing on Zhang Zhang Yunzhi, thanking her sincerely:

"Thanks to everyone's help this time."

Zhang Zhang Yunzhi's cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head without speaking.

Yu Ke turned to Xu Xu Xiyue on the side, bowed and said: "Madam Xu, you have put in a lot of effort this time."

Xu Xu Xiyue nodded lightly, then took her leave and smiled, "Young Master Guan, it's lively today, so I won't disturb you."

After saying this, she also turned and left.

Xie Xie Renfeng only then noticed that on the third floor, the great Confucian Empress Zhuge Jian of Above Bianjing was bowing to Xie Guan.

This was no ordinary act; these people were all high disciples of the Third Master, all great Confucians of the world, or famous scholars.

Moreover, their cultivation was profound.

This salute represented the recognition of the Third Master's literary lineage.

It was equivalent to Xie Guan having a true protective talisman in Above Bianjing.

Damn it!

Xie Xie Renfeng tore the poem Xie Guan had just made, which the little eunuch had just passed around, into pieces.

I fear that after tomorrow, the streets and alleys of Above Bianjing will be discussing this Xie family concubine's son.

Xie Guan must die!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 378 =====

(End of Chapter)