Chapter 561: Xie Hong Delivers a Calligraphy Scroll, Invitations from Several Houses!

You returned to the west garden of Xie Fu, back to your small courtyard.

It was already afternoon.

In the courtyard were Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, and Xie Qiyue.

Wu Tong had just returned from the Fourth Young Lady's quarters; the usually quiet place had grown unusually lively.

As you stepped in.

Xie Yuan looked surprised, "Brother Guan, you're back so soon?"

"Uncle, what did you need me for?"

You saw Xie Yuan and Xie Qiyue playing weiqi, while Zhang Yunzhi read nearby.

"Just serving as a scribe attendant."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunzhi nodded silently—Xie Guan's calligraphy had begun to show the aura of a master.

Xie Qiyue placed her stone and conceded defeat, then asked, "Xie Guan, did my third brother meet Father?"

You merely shook your head.

Xie Qiyue frowned in confusion—normally, Father would allow her third brother to enter Dengchun Tower for a chat after waiting three days; why not this time?

She also felt something strange: Father's return seemed different. His attitude toward Madam Zhao, her "nominal" mother of the Second Courtyard, had grown peculiar.

Wu Tong brought out pastries from inside—the gift from the Fourth Young Lady and Lu Ya—and laid them on the stone table.

Xie Yuan teased, "Good Wu Tong, you only bring out the good stuff when your young master returns."

"I've given you so much already."

Over the past year, many items in the courtyard had come from Xie Yuan—tea, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone—all left behind by him whenever he visited.

Wu Tong considered it perfectly natural—things should only be brought out when the young master returned.

Xie Yuan glanced at the dilapidated courtyard and said, "Brother Guan, why not move to the Second Courtyard? The mansions there are spacious and mostly empty—why settle for these servant's quarters?"

Know that the Main Courtyard held many residences; Xie Guan's former residence here was deliberately assigned by Lady Yuan.

Now, with your friendship with Xie Yuan and the Second Courtyard's promotion of your name, this secluded courtyard has drawn visits from many young ladies and young masters—your reputation is rising.

Liu the steward's changes over the past two years have been dramatic. At first, his monthly stipend arrived days late; then it came on time; later, he personally delivered it; today, he arrives half a month early to hand it to you himself.

Today's summons from Xie Hong adds another layer to your standing in the household.

The stewards of Xie Fu are all shrewd men; regarding you, the young master neglected by the Lady, they neither draw close nor provoke enmity, maintaining a delicate distance.

Xie Qiyue surveyed the humble courtyard; though spotlessly clean, her eyes betrayed faint disdain.

Had it not been for the Fourth Cousin and Xie Yuan here, she would never have stepped inside—not until today did she realize a Xie Fu young master could live in such a ruin.

Wu Tong looked at you.

You gently shook your head and declined, "Thank you, Sixth Brother, but I've grown used to this courtyard—I don't wish to move."

"It's simple, but fully functional, perfectly adequate. I read here in peace."

Xie Yuan nodded reluctantly.

Zhang Yunzhi suddenly remembered something and asked anxiously, "What plans does the household have for your studies, Young Master Guan?"

"Next year, when you come of age, you may take the Scholar's Exam; with your talent, you'll surely pass with ease."

Wu Tong, indignant, summarized Madam Zhao's arrangements.

Xie Yuan frowned, his face darkening with anger. "Xie Academy has many halls, filled with scholars—how could there be no room for one student to study? This is clearly bullying!"

"I'll go confront Lady Zhao!"

Zhang Yunzhi's face also darkened—sending a Xie family scion to study at the Li family's academy was a humiliation, a stain on Xie Guan's reputation.

You remained calm and said, "Sixth Brother, no need for this."

"It's a parent's command—likely Grandmother's will too."

Xie Yuan sighed. Grandmother had always been that way—she disliked Brother Guan.

Just then!

Footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

All turned to see the green-clad servant returning—Xie Hong's personal attendant.

After bowing to the young masters and young ladies, he spoke plainly.

From his bosom, he carefully withdrew a scroll of calligraphy, as if holding a priceless treasure.

"Master ordered me to deliver this personally to Young Master Guan."

You reached out slowly and took it; your gaze sharpened instantly—the scroll was heavy, densely filled with over five thousand characters, each stroke revealing the writer's devotion and sincerity—written by Xie Hong himself.

"This…"

You murmured softly, startled. Not only was the Second Master's brushwork priceless, but Xie Erye's original calligraphy was sought after by all, worth a fortune.

This complete set of scrolls, to any connoisseur, was beyond valuation.

"Father… how?"

Most stunned was Xie Qiyue—her father's calligraphy was the very art her three brothers had all strived to inherit.

Once, her eldest brother had practiced for years, proudly presented his finest piece for Father's appraisal, and received only a cold verdict: "Too poor. The characters reflect the man—restless and shallow."

Those words shattered his spirit; he abandoned the family and left to seek his fortune.

Among the three brothers, none had ever received such a precious gift—a complete scroll of calligraphy.

Any one of them, had they received this, would have been overjoyed.

Xie Qiyue sighed softly—Father's shadow loomed too large; her brothers could never catch up.

Her complex emotions had not yet settled when the green-clad servant spoke again, like thunder in her ears.

"Master also asked me to deliver a message to Young Master Guan."

The servant cleared his throat and mimicked Xie Hong's tone.

"After you've seen the Second Master's characters, you'll find mine no worse."

"Those who plant trees let others rest under their shade—your hands won't disgrace them."

Then the green-clad servant took his leave.

Xie Qiyue stood stunned, lips slightly parted, disbelief etched on her face: "'Those who plant trees let others rest under their shade'—Father's words… does this mean he sees Xie Guan as his heir?"

What merit does Xie Guan have? Why does Father favor him so?

Xie Yuan smiled. "Master Mingshan truly holds you in high regard, Brother Guan."

Zhang Yunzhi smiled warmly and congratulated, "Congratulations, Young Master Guan—Master Mingshan never formally took a disciple, nor has anyone inherited his calligraphic essence."

You looked down at the scroll in your hand, and the Second Master's calligraphy gifted by Xie Hong—one in regular script, one in cursive—both extraordinary.

You solemnly tucked it into your sleeve; within the room lay another scroll—the one gifted by Master Yuan, copying the Second Master's hand—you had carefully preserved it as a treasure.

Xie Qiyue sat silently to the side, her heart a storm of conflicting emotions—she felt the family's treasure had been casually given to an outsider, and she could not accept it.

Yet it was the decision of the father she revered.

Xie Yuan, hearing this, felt a pang of reflection and sighed, "Then Brother Guan's studies must be addressed soon. If Grandmother permits him to study in the Second Courtyard, I'll have a companion."

Zhang Yunzhi shook her head, her tone grave: "Doing so will only make his studies harder—it will backfire."

In this Xie Fu, Grandmother Xie's authority was absolute; she held total control over every soul within.

To defy her or displease her meant severe punishment—even death. In Da Qi, defying the Lady was deemed unfilial, condemned by all.

You spoke: "This matter does not require your concern, Sixth Brother."

Just then!

You turned toward the courtyard gate; with your heightened hearing and third-stage spiritual sense, you had long sensed a powerful, steady presence approaching—someone with surging blood qi.

You deliberately delayed noticing the arrival until after Zhang Yunzhi had turned—then, as if just sensing it, you looked toward the gate.

"Young Master Guan, are you in?" came a deep voice.

Wu Tong stepped forward to meet him—a burly middle-aged man stood at the courtyard gate, politely asking, "Miss Wu Tong, is Young Master Guan here?"

This man was Sima Pan, sent by Sima Ting to deliver the "Taizu Holy Monkey Stance."

You rose and greeted with a smile, "Brother Sima!"

Sima Pan was a martial cultivator of the Middle Third Realm—powerful enough to dominate a prefecture across the Thirteen Continents.

He bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Young Master Guan! My master has sent me with an invitation—to the Qunfang Banquet at Xixianglou."

You took the lacquered red invitation; it bore the bold characters "Zixiao Pavilion," and beneath, a smaller line: "Yi, Twenty-Six."

Zixiao Pavilion was one of the three most renowned light-song courtesan houses of Xixianglou, famed for its elegance, rivaling Yuehua Pavilion.

After delivering his message, Sima Pan left without delay, bowing and departing.

Xie Yuan, watching, noticed the characters "Yi, Ninety-Eight."

"Heh, General Sima really knows how to spend—this Zixiao Pavilion invitation is now worth more than gold in Bianjing!"

You, however, did not understand "Yi, Ninety-Eight."

Xie Yuan explained: "The Qunfang Banquet is held every year at Zixiao Pavilion in Xixianglou. That pavilion is a paradise—nestled in the heart of the district, with a river flowing beneath, a grand bridge built, and a towering ten-story pavilion rising like a fairyland."

"When the banquet begins, the bridge becomes the venue—no invitation, no entry."

"The banquet has two parts: outer and inner."

Xie Yuan continued, "The outer part is on both banks of the river—crowds press shoulder to shoulder; the short can only see the backs of heads."

"The inner part is on the bridge itself—the VIP seats, divided into four tiers: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding—only nine hundred seats total. Your Yi, Ninety-Eight is near the front—you may enter the pavilion and watch the three courtesan houses' top courtesans compete in splendor on the bridge." His voice held a touch of envy.

"If you sold this invitation now, you'd make a fortune."

"The other two courtesan houses each have one hundred ten seats."

Xie Qiyue also felt envy—last year, she had only attended Bing-tier; she had never been to Yi-tier.

Yi-tier guests were the elite of Bianjing—second only to the highest Jia-tier.

You stared at the invitation in your hand, returned to the stone table in the courtyard, and pondered silently.

Outside, footsteps approached—a group of seven or eight people walking along the gravel path.

Wu Tong went to greet them, puzzled by how many visitors had come today.

A well-groomed servant stood respectfully at the gate and asked softly, "May I ask if Master Guan is in the courtyard?"

Wu Tong's eyes brightened—he recognized this man as the servant who had once accompanied Su Yun of the Su family, the one who had delivered money before. He wondered why he had returned.

Wu Tong glanced behind the servant and saw four or five others holding trays covered with bright red cloth.

Wu Tong guessed the purpose and led the servant quickly into the courtyard.

The lead servant, seeing you, beamed with joy and bowed in unison: "We pay our respects to Master Guan!"

"My master has come specially to present a gift: three hundred taels of silver. Please accept them with kindness."

Before he finished speaking, the others swiftly pulled away the red cloth, revealing piles of gleaming silver on the trays.

Your confusion deepened—hadn't they already sent one hundred taels when you joined the poetry gathering?

Why this sudden gift of three hundred taels? What was the reason?

The well-groomed servant hurried to explain: "Master Guan, you may not know—when you spontaneously composed that unfinished poem at Yuehua Pavilion, it brought honor to the Caotang Poetry Gathering. My master was delighted."

"According to the gathering's rules, the author of the top poem receives three hundred taels as reward. This is yours by right."

He then pulled from his sleeve a vermilion invitation, clearly inscribed: "Yuehua Pavilion, Yi, One Hundred Ninety-Seven."

The servant offered it with both hands, bowing deeply: "This is the invitation to the Qunfang Banquet, specially prepared for you by Master Su Yun. We beg you to grace us with your presence."

Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, and the third person nearby all reacted with slight surprise. How had Su Yun also sent you an invitation to the Qunfang Banquet?

This invitation was a precious thing indeed.

Faced with this matter… you decide.

1. Refuse all invitations. (Hint: May fail to avoid disaster, risking death.)

2. Accept Sima Ting's invitation, refuse Su Yun's. (Hint: May avert misfortune, lead to favorable outcomes.)

3. Accept Su Yun's invitation, refuse Sima Ting's. (Hint: May fail to avoid disaster, forcing you to flee afar.)

4. Participate personally. (0/3)

The characters on the great tripod slowly solidified into place.

Yu Ke stared at the four options.

From the hints, only one choice—Option 2, accepting Sima Ting's invitation—offered a path toward favorable outcomes.

He did not hesitate and selected it immediately.

2. Accept Sima Ting's invitation, refuse Su Yun's. (Hint: May avert misfortune, lead to favorable outcomes.)

(End of Chapter)