Chapter 406: The Crown Prince of Great Sui, a scholar for a soulmate, Sister Wu Tong

【The object in Su Yun's hand is a gilded invitation, with the four words "Crown Prince Chongwen" engraved on it, appearing exceptionally solemn.】

【She smiles slightly and says solemnly: "Coming to Young Master Guan's place this time, there is another main business, which is for this invitation from the Crown Prince of Great Sui."】

【"Crown Prince of Great Sui?"】

【You are somewhat surprised in your heart, your brows furrowing. In Bianjing, how could there be a Crown Prince of Great Sui? And he is inviting you?】

【Su Yun sees your confusion and explains softly: "Young Master Guan may not know, but in Bianjing, there is indeed a genuine Crown Prince of Great Sui."】

【She pauses and continues: "The current Holy Emperor of Sui has three sons, among whom this Crown Prince Chongwen is the eldest son and also the legitimate eldest son of the Empress. He was sent by Great Sui to be a hostage at the age of seventeen; this matter also has to do with the Master."】

【Your heart becomes increasingly strange. Great Sui and Great Qi are at war, and they are like water and fire. Even if he is a hostage, how could they let a Crown Prince of a country be a hostage?】

【Xie Yuan takes up the conversation, his face overflowing with pride: "I know a little about this matter. In the past, Great Qi shook the four seas; the Master resided in the Academy, while the four teachers traveled the world. When mentioning Great Qi, the world only had the word 'fear'."】

【"The Eternal Heaven, the Southern Buddhist Kingdom, and Great Sui all feared our Great Qi's power to swallow ten thousand miles like a tiger, so they sent their Crown Princes to the Bianjing Academy to study, but in reality, they were hostages. Other small countries, seeing this, followed suit, sending their Crown Princes to be imprisoned in Bianjing."】

【"The residences of those foreign Crown Princes were named 'Chufeng Terrace'; in the past, they could be viewed by the common people, but they contained a hint of humiliation."】

【"This rule has been used until now. But now..."】

【Xie Yuan sighs, somewhat emotionally: "The Master of Great Qi has already sought immortality, and the four teachers have also fallen apart; the intention of the three countries to form an alliance is gradually becoming apparent. The Chufeng Terrace of the past, with the passage of time, has now become a heavy place for the imperial court. Although those Crown Princes are hostages, there are few in Bianjing who dare to provoke them easily."】

【Yun Wan, hearing this, has her brows furrowed slightly: "These Crown Princes run rampant in Bianjing, especially the son of that Khan of the Eternal Heaven. Many sisters of Yuehua Pavilion have been bullied by him. If it weren't for the teachers of the Academy being present at the time, the consequences would be unimaginable."】

【You stare down at the gilded invitation in your hand. The current power of Great Sui is no longer weaker than Great Qi, and plus the intention of the other three countries to form an alliance, it is actually disadvantageous to Great Qi.】

【Great Qi has gradually lost control of the world over these years, beginning to decline from its peak.】

【Zhou Yuner pats her chest, her face carrying a bit of worry, and says in a low voice: "Yes, that Buddhist son of the Southern Buddhist Kingdom is even more excessive; he even teased Sister Nihuang. If it weren't for the teachers of the Academy being present at the time, the consequences would be unimaginable."】

【Her tone reveals lingering fear, clearly having a lingering fear of the actions of these Crown Princes.】

【Su Yun, seeing this, comforts: "Young Master Guan, no need to worry too much. Crown Prince Chongwen is a person who admires Confucianism; my grandfather also praised him, saying he should have been born in the Great Qi of the Confucian school. Among the group of Crown Princes, he is the most low-key and never associates with other Crown Princes."】

【Mentioning this Crown Prince Chongwen, Lady Gongsun Niangzi also interjects: "This Crown Prince Chongwen is indeed different and has a good reputation in Bianjing. He once studied at the Academy and was praised by the old master Jin Zitan: 'His articles are naturally made by a master; he loves articles more than the country,' and he is good at contemporary prose."】

【"He is very good at calligraphy; his flower-and-bird style is quite popular among the sisters of the West Chamber Building. He admires the brush and ink of the Second Teacher and has visited the Xiushen Building of the Academy many times, but has been turned away."】

【Su Yun nods with a smile, his tone having a bit of pride: "This invitation, Young Master Guan, no need to think too much. Your talent has long been famous throughout Bianjing; who does not know that the person who wrote 'The white jade capital in the sky, twelve towers and five cities' is the person of the Caotang Poetry Gathering."】

【"Young Master Guan, you can rest assured; this Crown Prince Chongwen is an elegant person worth meeting."】

【"I have associated with him for many years and know that his character is upright. If it weren't for the fact that he didn't want to show off at the Qunfang Banquet and cause gossip in Bianjing, I would have wanted to find him to write the poems for the Caotang Poetry Gathering."】

【"Young Master Guan, he appreciates the poems you wrote at the Qunfang Banquet very much, especially that sentence: 'Who recognizes me in the chest of a vulgar person? A hero at the end of the road should be ground and broken. Where can I find a soulmate in the vast red dust?' He even copied it many times and hung it in his home."】

【Lady Gongsun Niangzi laughs: "It seems this Crown Prince Yuan and I have similar interests!"】

【Li Shuwan thinks after a while: "This Crown Prince of Great Sui is indeed a rare wonderful person, gentle and elegant, and has quite a reputation among the Nine Great Surnames."】

【You nodded, gaining a bit more understanding of this Crown Prince Chongwen. Putting aside whether his character is upright, at the very least, his shrewdness and his methods for cultivating a reputation are absolutely that of an expert among experts.】

【After all, being able to win such a reputation in Bianjing as a Crown Prince of an enemy country, and being so highly praised by the grandson of Prime Minister Su, and even being on good terms with the Nine Great Surnames, is definitely not a simple person.】

【Su Yun looks at you, his eyes carrying a look of expectation, and asks softly: "Young Master Guan, what do you think?"】

【She pauses and adds: "If Young Master Guan agrees, I will give him an answer. Young Master Guan does not need to look at my face, but this Crown Prince Yuan is indeed a person worth associating with."】

【Facing this matter, you decide...】

1. Agree to this matter, accept the invitation, and attend the appointment. (Hint: Possibly advantageous to the future.)

2. Disagree with this matter, refuse to attend the appointment. (Hint: Possibly disadvantageous to the future.)

3. Ignore this matter. (Hint: Possibly disadvantageous to the future.)

4. Participate personally. (1/3)

The Great Tripod rings, revealing ten thousand rays of rosy light, and the words above slowly freeze.

Yu Ke looks at the four options above.

It seems this invitation from the Crown Prince of Great Sui is of critical importance.

Without hesitation, he chooses directly.

1. Agree to this matter, accept the invitation, and attend the appointment. (Hint: Possibly advantageous to the future.)

【You nod with a smile and accept the invitation, your tone calm: "Since Young Master Su has invited me, naturally there is no reason to refuse. I will go and meet this Crown Prince Chongwen."】

【Su Yun is overjoyed: "I will definitely not let Young Master Guan down! The time is set for the fifteenth of next month, and the location is at the Qimo Chunfang of the West Chamber Building."】

【Yun Wan, hearing the four words "Qimo Chunfang," feels a stir in her heart. Qimo Chunfang is where the Qingyin Small Class, one of the three brothels of the West Chamber Building, is located, and it is also where the first beauty of Bianjing, Su Shishi, is; Su Shishi is the head of the courtesans at this Qunfang Banquet.】

【Qimo Chunfang, unlike Yuehua Pavilion and Zi Xiao Pavilion, is located in a royal garden; the environment is quiet and elegant, and although not as lively as the two, it is a place that scholars of the Academy yearn for.】

【Xie Yuan, hearing the location, flashes a look of interest and says: "Young Master Yun, I will also go with Brother Guan; it doesn't matter, right?"】

【Su Yun nods with a smile: "Naturally, it is fine."】

【Xie Qiyue, hearing this, pouts and mutters in a low voice: "Dogs love to go out; they really like to join in the fun."】

【Su Yun seems to have completed a major event, his face full of joy, and says softly: "This Crown Prince Yuan is a rare soulmate of mine, and Young Master Guan is my good friend; being able to facilitate this today can be considered fulfilling a wish."】

【Su Yun says with a smile: "That place, Qimo Chunfang, has lush bamboo, incense burning in the bamboo stream, murmuring streams, flowing wine, and reciting poems; it is naturally happy!"】

【He looks at the sky; the sun is already at noon, so he stands up to take his leave: "I must quickly tell Crown Prince Yuan this news, so I won't disturb you anymore."】

【Xie Xuan has a look of unhappiness hidden on his face. He has naturally met this Crown Prince Chongwen, but he did not expect that he would also value Xie Guan so much.】

【However, Xie Guan going to this banquet is probably not that simple; the other Crown Princes are not easy to deal with.】

【Su Yun, when leaving, says: "I have another gift to send to Young Master Guan. This time, fighting for fame at the Caotang Poetry Gathering, if I sent some vulgar things of gold and silver, I fear it would stain Young Master Guan's eyes. In the future, whenever there is an order, Su Yun will never refuse."】

【Sister Wu Tong, hearing this, tilts her head, her face revealing a look of regret.】

【You see this and smile, personally seeing him to the door.】

【After Su Yun leaves in a hurry, the crowd at Yuehua Pavilion does not leave but stays in the small courtyard, waiting for Zhang Yuanlai and the others to return.】

【In the small courtyard, the parasol tree sways gently in the wind, the sunlight spilling onto the blue stone ground, reflecting a piece of mottled light and shadow; the original cold air is also dispelled.】

【You find melons and fruits from the room, light charcoal fire, and the small courtyard is suddenly warm.】

【Everyone sits together, laughing and talking; from time to time, silver-bell-like laughter drifts over the wall, attracting the servants of the West Garden to stop and look into the courtyard intentionally or unintentionally, wanting to catch a glimpse of these graceful women.】

【Not long after, Zhang Yuanlai, Feng Yaya, and Li Xiangjun walk into the small courtyard.】

【Zhang Yuanlai's face is full of joy, his hands tightly holding Feng Yaya.】

【You see this scene and know in your heart that Feng Yaya's redemption matter has been perfectly resolved.】

【Li Xiangjun follows behind the two, her eyes carrying a bit of surprise, examining this simple yet lively small courtyard.】

【Zhang Yuanlai walks slowly, pulls Feng Yaya to bow to Xie Yuan, his tone full of gratitude: "This time, thanks to Young Master Yuan's help."】

【Feng Yaya's guarantee has Madam Zhuge's personal signature; ordinary servants naturally do not have this treatment. Zhang Yuanlai's situation is special; he is both a disciple of the Academy and has received Xie Yuan's care many times, which is why he is valued.】

【Xie Yuan sits on a chair, breaking open an orange, and waves his hand indifferently upon hearing this.】

【Zhang Yuanlai turns to you again, his expression solemn, and just as he is about to bend down to bow, a pair of hands supports him.】

【You have a gentle smile on your face and say softly: "An old horse in the stable still aspires to gallop a thousand miles."】

【"Mr. Zhang, this is what you deserve; why thank me? A life's ambition, throwing a stone into the water, the head is already white, but the heart is still red. Today, I should congratulate Mr. Zhang on unfolding his ambitions and getting what he wished for."】

【Zhang Yuanlai is stunned, cannot help but cover the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, tears and snot flowing.】

【His voice is choked with sobs, and he says in a low voice: "Young Master Guan's great kindness, Yuanlai will never forget."】

【The small courtyard is silent for a moment; everyone looks at this scene, and their hearts are all moved.】

【Chen Xiang and the others know clearly that Zhang Yuanlai being able to enter the Academy is mostly because of you.】

【Li Shuwan looks at your reaction, which is completely different from Xie Yuan's, and is lost in thought. She seems to see the figure of her grandfather, who is one of the Three Excellencies, in you.】

【Regardless of the matter, even if he has kindness to others, grandfather is always sincere and often makes people feel moved.】

【The young man in the courtyard also has such bearing!】

【Feng Yaya understands the weight of Zhang Yuanlai's words even more. For Xie Yuan, Zhang Yuanlai is mostly grateful; but for you, it is true kindness of meeting, even carrying the intention of "a scholar dying for his soulmate," to be shattered to pieces.】

【After Zhang Yuanlai and the others take their seats, the small courtyard becomes a bit more lively. Sister Wu Tong finds Luya, and the two work together in the back kitchen to prepare food for everyone.】

【Laughter continues in the small courtyard!】

【By the afternoon, the sun gradually sets in the west, and after everyone has finished dinner, they take their leave one after another.】

【The head courtesans of Yuehua Pavilion say goodbye one by one, but Zhou Yuner is reluctant to leave, her gaze frequently falling on you, as if she has thousands of words left unsaid.】

【Lady Gongsun Niangzi and Li Shuwan also leave one after another, and the small courtyard gradually becomes quiet.】

【In the end, only Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, and Xie Qiyue remain in the courtyard.】

【The sunset's afterglow spills into the small courtyard, plating this simple courtyard with a layer of golden radiance.】

【Xie Qiyue recalls the crowd in the small courtyard just now; there were the young master of the Su family and a group of head courtesans.】

【Today, everywhere outside, there is discussion about the poems of this illegitimate son of the Xie family.】

【"Famous throughout Bianjing" is truly not an exaggeration!】

【This cousin I met at Hongjing Courtyard seems to be a truly capable person.】

【Zhang Yunzhi mentions one thing, her face carrying a smile: "Young Master Guan, my father returned from Jiannan Road a few days ago and said he wanted to see Young Master Guan."】

【Xie Yuan is surprised: "Uncle Zhang has also returned? My father is also returning to Bianjing recently; they have all caught up."】

【Zhang Yunzhi nods slightly: "Last time I asked Young Master Guan for advice on the matter of Deze Lake, just as the Young Master predicted, the imperial court sent troops to Zhu Yajun. Because my father was prepared, he made a great contribution this time, and Prime Minister Su has ordered him to return to the capital to report on his duties."】

【Zhang Yunzhi feels somewhat helpless in her heart. In the letter to her father, she did not mention that this suggestion came from whom; if she explained that it was a young man who had not yet reached the age of twenty, she feared it would not be taken seriously, so she vaguely said it was a guest of the Xie family.】

【Father insisted on seeing this guest, saying that this person is mostly a great talent living in seclusion.】

【I wonder what reaction Father will have when he returns to the capital and sees that this great talent is such a young person?】

【The sky gradually darkens.】

【Zhang Yunzhi and the others say goodbye and leave, but Xie Yuan quietly stays behind, gently stuffing the "Grass Lamp and Kindness" in his hand into yours, and laughs: "Brother Guan, read it at night. Leaving, leaving."】

【You look at the book in your hand, feeling quite helpless, place it on the table, and then tidy up the small courtyard.】

【The originally lively small courtyard now only has you and Sister Wu Tong left.】

【You walk into the room, and when you come out again, you see Sister Wu Tong holding the book Xie Yuan just gave you, flipping through a few pages, a shy blush appearing on her face. She is clutching her skirt, the whole person looking delicate and pretty.】

【Sister Wu Tong's waist is slender, and her front is also quite spectacular.】

【"Young Master, do you also want this kind of thing? Actually, Sister Wu Tong can also do it."】

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 407 =====