Chapter 632: Observe Quietly—Is Xie Guan Not Worth It?

"Brother Guan seems to have gone up to the third floor!"

When Xie Yuan and the others arrived on the second floor, they heard a few nearby people whispering that Xie Guan had already gone up to the third floor.

On the first and second floors of Yaoxian Tower, Xie Yuan, Zhang Yunzhi, and Li Shuwan—being scions of the Nine Surnames—could enter and exit freely.

But the third floor was different; even favored younger members of the Nine Surnames could not ascend casually, unless they had first reported to their elders and received permission.

Xie Yuan felt anxious.

The only elders from the Xie family on the third floor were the matriarch and the mistresses of the first and second courtyards—none of whom was his mother, so he had little influence there.

His father, Xie Hong, was not in Bianjing, and he had no idea what to do.

At that moment, Zhang Yunzhi reminded him: "Xie Yuan, isn't your uncle, Master Jinghu, on the third floor?"

Xie Yuan's eyes suddenly lit up—his uncle, Zhuge Jian, was a high-ranking official in court, and he was indeed on the third floor today.

Li Shuwan also remembered that the family matriarch was on the third floor, so she prepared to instruct a servant to rush and report the matter.

Xie Qiyue immediately thought of her father, Xie Hong, and felt no worry about troubling him—instead, she felt a faint joy at the thought of being by his side.

Xue Hong, as the legitimate son, had elders on the third floor as well, so he had no need to worry.

The group gathered on the second floor to discuss their strategy and wait.

Xie Yuan watched this scene and couldn't help but chuckle: "I never thought Brother Guan would get there first, climbing even higher, while we're still stuck downstairs."

Li Shuwan had asked around and learned that the poetry challenge given to Xie Guan by Su Xiang and the Third Master was themed around immortals and Yaoxian Tower.

She couldn't help but imagine poems about immortals, yet shook her head.

After all, to gain the approval of the Third Master, who was learned beyond measure, and Su Xiang, it would be nearly impossible.

Just then!

A familiar mocking voice rang out:

"I advise you not to go up. Xie Guan probably won't be able to walk down from the third floor."

Xie Qiyue heard this and rolled her eyes, silently sighing—today was truly unlucky; she'd run into Zhao Yang again.

Xie Yuan and the others simply pretended not to hear him, too lazy to respond.

Zhao Yang strolled over, seeing the group ignore him, yet showed no concern.

Behind him, Xie Renfeng walked slowly, wearing a smile as warm as spring breeze.

Gan Zhi followed silently behind Xie Renfeng, her expression calm, but her eyes dull and lifeless, like a walking corpse.

Xie Renfeng's gaze swept over the group, and he felt a flicker of surprise.

He clearly remembered Xie Guan was just a lowly bastard who read in a back courtyard—when had he gained so many friends?

Especially Zhang Yunzhi, whose face betrayed unmistakable panic and worry.

Zhao Yang, seeing the silence, continued: "You don't know yet? Xie Guan has conspired with the Great Sui's Three Truths Cult, even has ties to their Heavenly Master."

"With this charge alone, he should be rotting in jail today, not parading around here."

Xie Yuan frowned slightly, a doubt forming in his mind.

The Three Truths Sect of Mount Zhongnan?

He had never heard Xie Guan had any connection to the Three Truths Cult.

Xie Yuan scoffed, "Zhao Yang, what the hell do you know?"

"You, a degenerate who likes men, what could you possibly understand? You just loiter outside Sima's mansion all day."

Zhao Yang's face flushed crimson with rage, unable to speak, only stammering.

"Y-you…"

Xie Yuan snorted, "What? Did I say something wrong?"

Zhao Yang, furious, shouted, "Xie Yuan, I'll tear out your tongue!"

If not for Xie Renfeng holding him back, Zhao Yang would have lunged forward already.

Xie Renfeng smiled, "Cousin Xie Yuan, don't rely only on your tongue."

"Xie Guan nearly dragged the entire Xie family into disaster—the matriarch is furious."

Seeing Xie Renfeng speak so confidently, Xie Yuan wondered inwardly—could it be true that Brother Guan had ties to the Three Truths Cult?

As for whether Xie Guan had endangered the family, he had already dismissed that thought.

All he felt was bitter resentment: You bastard Xie Guan, you've made friends with people from the martial world and didn't even tell me a word!

Zhang Yunzhi's face was etched with deep worry.

Connection to the Three Truths Sect was treason—punishable by execution of nine clans!

Xie Guan had just risen to fame, and now he was suddenly caught in this storm.

If the charge proved true, and with no one to defend him, he would indeed be "doomed to die," as Xie Renfeng said.

Worse still, the Xie family would likely cut ties to protect itself—sacrifice the pawn to save the king.

Li Shuwan, seeing Zhang Yunzhi's panic, softly reassured her: "If it were truly such a grave charge, Master Guan wouldn't have been invited to the third floor to compose poetry for the Gathering of Beauties."

"Yunzhi, don't worry too much."

Xie Renfeng calmly reminded, "If it weren't for the Third Master defending the Xie family, Xie Guan would already be in prison. If he fails to write an excellent poem today, he won't escape being dragged off to jail."

Zhang Yunzhi breathed slightly easier, yet her heart tightened again.

Only seven or eight courtesans remained to perform—the time left was running out.

To compose a poem worthy of the Third Master and Su Xiang in such a short time—how could it be done?

Especially after such a shock!

Anyone else would be in utter disarray—how could Xie Guan possibly calm his mind to write?

She furrowed her brow, filled with worry, yet powerless to act.

Li Shuwan watched her friend Zhang Yunzhi—normally so composed and calm—now utterly flustered over Xie Guan's plight.

She gently took Zhang Yunzhi's hand and whispered, "Yunzhi, don't panic yet—there may still be a way out."

Li Shuwan organized her thoughts: "I'll go see my matriarch and try to mediate. You, Brother Yuan, go find your uncle, Master Jinghu."

"Qiyue, can you ask Master Xie Hong to intervene?"

Xie Qiyue nodded. Though she wasn't close to Xie Guan, he was Zhang Yunzhi's friend—and Zhang Yunzhi was her dearest friend.

Morally and emotionally, she was willing to help.

Xue Hong also looked at Xie Qiyue and said gravely, "Qiyue, I can ask Grandfather to intervene as well."

Hearing this, Li Shuwan felt slightly reassured.

As the eldest legitimate grandson of the Xie family's main branch, if the Xue family lent support, matters would surely improve.

The group divided their tasks.

Xie Renfeng spoke solemnly, his tone warning: "Qiyue, Xie Guan's affair has already tainted the Xie family—don't drag your father into it."

Xie Qiyue remained calm, replying indifferently: "I'm only doing what I must. Father always taught us not to betray our conscience. As for the weight of matters, that's his decision alone."

"It's not our place to judge his choices."

Xie Renfeng's face darkened. Though annoyed, he knew Xie Qiyue's stubborn nature—further words would be useless.

He clenched his teeth inwardly—how could one Xie Guan stir up so much concern, even making Xie Qiyue willing to run errands for him?

Zhao Yang sneered, "No matter how hard you try, it's useless—it's a wager between the Third Master and Su Xiang."

"If Xie Guan doesn't write a good poem today, it's his death sentence. No one can save him!"

His words doused their hopes like ice water—the atmosphere grew heavy.

After all, Su Xiang's name loomed like a mountain.

Li Shuwan urged, "Time is short—don't delay any longer. Go, each of you."

Just then!

A dignified, elegant voice rang out, carrying authority.

"You young ones, don't act rashly."

Everyone turned to look.

Sima Muqing supported a middle-aged woman as she walked forward.

The woman wore a blue embroidered long robe, gold hairpins adorning her black hair, coiled into a phoenix crown—regal and noble.

Her face was beautiful and refined, her high nose and elegant brows radiating both compassion and the quiet authority of long-standing power.

She was Lady Xu of the Sima family—the sister of the Demon Master Xu Jiangxian—Xu Yuexi.

Li Shuwan and Zhang Yunzhi hurried forward to pay their respects.

"Lady Xu."

Xie Renfeng also bowed respectfully.

As the second lady of the Sima family, she naturally had the right to ascend Yaoxian Tower.

Li Shuwan frowned slightly, asking, "Lady Xu, what do you mean?"

She suddenly recalled—earlier, in the carriage pavilion of the Gathering of Beauties, this Lady Xu had shown unusual attention to Xie Guan.

Xu Yuexi's expression was calm, her tone quiet yet layered with meaning:

"Your hasty actions won't save Master Guan—they might doom him."

"If you rush in blindly, whether your elders wish to help or not, even if they try, they might only make things worse."

Li Shuwan's heart stirred.

She understood—this Lady Xu knew the intricate politics of the Nine Surnames and the court better than anyone. Her words were no empty flattery.

Li Shuwan bowed respectfully: "Please, Lady Xu, guide us."

Xu Yuexi gave a slight nod, a flicker of approval in her eyes.

She had expected to spend considerable effort persuading these hot-headed young scions of the Nine Surnames, but was surprised that Li Shuwan was so reasonable and understood the situation.

Xie Renfeng's face darkened like water; it had merely been Xie Yuan and a few other young ones causing trouble, yet now the Lady of the Sima family had come here.

Intending to aid Xie Guan!

What right does Xie Guan have!

In his memory, when had Xie Guan ever become acquainted with this Lady of the Sima family?

A bastard son who never left his courtyard—how could he have so many "close friends and kin"?

Xie Yuan could no longer contain his anxiety and urged, "Lady Xu, please speak quickly—what should we do?"

Xu Xiyi smiled faintly, her tone calm: "It's simply one word—wait."

"Wait?"

Zhang Yunzhi frowned, her expression puzzled.

Xie Yuan's face stiffened, and he blurted out: "Isn't that abandoning him to die?"

Xu Xiyi's gaze swept over them all, her expression still as tranquil as still water, her voice carrying subtle weight.

"If you rush in now, you'll only add fuel to the fire. A bastard of the Xie family accused of colluding with the Three Truths Sect—even if baseless—is not without cause."

"By acting so hastily, aren't you confirming the accusation?"

Therefore, the best course now is—wait."

She lifted her eyes slightly, gazing toward the fourth floor of Yaoxian Tower—the highest point in the area—where only two figures sat facing each other.

Her gaze was subtle, as if it could pierce through layers of floors and reach that hidden place.

"If Grand Secretary Su truly wished to kill Master Guan, why make him compose poetry? Why let the news spread so widely?"

Xu Xiyi's tone was light, yet each word struck like a needle: "If Master Guan truly produces an excellent verse, and Grand Secretary Su then reneges, won't he be lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot?"

Her words quelled the restlessness in their hearts.

Xie Yuan and the others exchanged glances; though still doubtful, they could not deny Xu Xiyi's logic.

Zhang Yunzhi loosened her clenched hands slightly, a glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes: "So you mean… we simply wait and see?"

Xu Xiyi gave a slight nod: "Precisely. Some things cannot be rushed."

Zhang Yunzhi murmured, her brow still furrowed with worry: "I only fear that Master Guan, caught in this turmoil, will be flustered and unable to compose calmly."

Xu Xiyi smiled gently, her tone certain: "Don't worry—Master Guan's nature will see him through this."

Hearing this, Zhang Yunzhi recalled every moment since she first met Xie Guan.

No matter the circumstance, Xie Guan always remained composed and unruffled, as if even heaven falling could not shake him.

Thinking of this, her unease eased slightly.

Xie Yuan nodded in agreement, his tone relaxed: "Brother Guan still has to see me off on my journey through the Jianghu. This little matter means nothing."

Seeing Xu Xiyi so certain, the others calmed down and sat to wait.

Sima Muqing walked slowly over to Xue Hong's side.

Li Shuwan noticed sharply that Sima Muqing's expression seemed unusual—especially when she looked at Xue Hong, her eyes now holding a warmth she had never shown before.

She stirred inwardly; she had long known Sima Muqing harbored affection for Xue Hong, yet Xue Hong's heart belonged to Qi Yue.

Sima Muqing had always concealed this feeling deep within—why was she so "open" today?

Li Shuwan wondered: what had happened on the way to the Qunfang Banquet?

And why did this Lady Xu treat Xie Guan with such special attention?

She felt vaguely that today's affair was far more complex than it appeared.

～

～

"Sixth brother, what do you think of Xie Guan's situation?"

Chen Feng's voice sounded cool as he stood with his hands behind his back.

"The Three Truths Sect is our Great Qi's mortal enemy. This report comes from the Divine Concealment and Demon Extermination Offices—it's likely true."

In a corner of Yaoxian Tower, the Second Prince Chen Feng, Prince Yan Chen Ting, the Eleventh Prince Chen Yong, and the Thirteenth Prince Chen Mu gathered together.

Prince Yan Chen Ting lifted his eyes slightly, a sly smile curling at his lips.

"Are you thinking of saving him, Second Brother? I'd be delighted—but if you do, don't blame me for submitting a memorial. I guarantee you'll have twenty or thirty impeachment petitions on the Censorate's desk by tomorrow."

His tone was flippant, yet each word cut like a blade: "Then rumors will spread through court that 'the Second Prince is secretly colluding with the Three Truths Sect.' Second Brother, think thrice before you act."

Hearing this, Chen Feng's expression remained calm, though a flash of coldness passed through his eyes.

The Censorate, responsible for investigating officials, adjudicating criminal cases, overseeing the imperial granaries and treasuries, inspecting lawlessness, and monitoring all ministers, held immense power.

In court, the Censorate was largely composed of Prince Yan's allies, while the Six Ministries were under the Second Prince's control.

The brothers' rivalry had long been an open secret; the tension in court had grown increasingly fierce.

Yet to rescue Xie Guan now would be like offering charcoal in the snow.

Offering charcoal in the snow is hard; offering flowers on silk is easy.

Court ministers and even the Nine Great Clans remained silent, weighed down by caution.

Yet these two princes, both potential heirs to the throne, if they offered aid in this crisis, might find a sliver of opportunity amid the chaos.

By showing appreciation for Xie Guan's talent, they might maneuver and find room to negotiate.

Chen Feng fell silent for a moment, then shook his head, his tone indifferent: "It's not worth saving Xie Guan."

Chen Mu's lips curled into a cold smile: "I'd like to see how long Xie Guan can enjoy his moment."

Beside them, Chen Yong cradled a lynx, his fingers gently stroking its fluffy back, his gaze deep as he observed the three without uttering a word.

Yet in his mind, he wondered: what exquisite verse will Xie Guan compose at the Qunfang Banquet, with the Immortals as his theme? He waited with anticipation.

(End of Chapter)