Chapter 24: The Foundation of the Xiao Family

"It's broken, it's broken!"

He Zixuan's pancake-like face wrinkled together, his fat body pacing back and forth in the room, just like an ant on a hot pan.

Lu Fang, who was calm and composed in front of the desk, formed a sharp contrast with He Zixuan.

"Don't you worry?"

He Zixuan looked at Lu Fang somewhat puzzled. It should be Lu Fang who was anxious; how could this person be even calmer than him?

Upon learning that Xiao Wanlin had invited the powerful people of the capital immediately after coming out of seclusion, He Zixuan, who knew the grudge between Lu Fang and the Xiao family, immediately came to pass the message.

Generally, banquets had a reason, such as wedding banquets, birthday banquets, promotion banquets...

However, there was no reason written on the invitation for the Xiao family's banquet this time, which was obviously abnormal.

Combined with the previous death of Xiao Jinchen, anyone with a discerning eye knew that this banquet of the Xiao family was aimed at Lu Fang.

"What's the use of worrying?"

Lu Fang shrugged and smiled:

"The Xiao family is organizing a banquet; I can't stop others from holding one. Taking a step back, even if Xiao Wanlin really wants to avenge Xiao Jinchen, what can he do?"

Not to mention the killing of Xiao Jinchen, Lu Fang was occupying the reason for self-defense.

This matter had already been closed by the Zhou Emperor. Could a retired former Prime Minister force the Emperor to change his words?

Even if the Xiao family had students and descendants all over the court, it was impossible to do so.

"Not so, not so!"

He Zixuan shook his head repeatedly, as if seeing through Lu Fang's reliance, and smiled bitterly:

"Xiao Wanlin naturally won't make trouble under the banner of avenging Xiao Jinchen. He might make an issue from... for example, 'Dream of the Red Chamber'."

Lu Fang didn't take it seriously, "Didn't the Prime Minister show the 'Dream of the Red Chamber' I wrote to the Emperor? The Emperor felt it was fine. How can Xiao Wanlin make an issue of it?"

He Zixuan sneakily leaned into Lu Fang's ear and lowered his voice:

"The Emperor didn't say there was a problem, but he didn't say there wasn't a problem either. Whether there is a problem depends on Xiao Wanlin's determination. If this determination makes the Emperor unable to ignore..."

The words behind were not said, but Lu Fang understood.

In some situations, right and wrong are not distinguished. Abandoning a pawn to protect the army is an unspoken rule.

Even the Zhou Emperor cannot do whatever he wants. The interests in the court also need to be carefully weighed by the Emperor.

In plain language, who is more useful to the Zhou Emperor.

Lu Fang fell into deep thought for a while. The best solution at this time must be to find the master sect, but as far as he knew, Semi-Sage Xu Xu Han Yi only accepted four disciples.

The eldest senior brother is the Third Rank Great Confucian Su Li. In order to break through to the Semi-Sage realm, he has been traveling all over the Great Zhou.

The second senior brother is the Southern King of a different surname, who has spent his whole life in the Southern Frontier suppressing the barbarian army of the Ten Thousand Demon Palace from invading the Great Zhou.

The third senior brother, Great Confucian Wang Fu, is outside dealing with the mountain spirits and wild monsters that collude with the demon race to assassinate the prophecy person.

The fourth senior sister's identity is mysterious. Everyone only knows that such a person exists, but what her cultivation realm is, what she looks like, and where she lives are all mysteries.

Counting it up, Lu Fang currently couldn't find a rescue force.

If Xiao Wanlin relied on his old age and acted shamelessly, it was really hard to say whether the Zhou Emperor would treat Lu Fang as that small pawn that could be abandoned.

Xiao Qi is still the Minister of Justice. If the Zhou Emperor really loosened his mouth slightly, as long as Lu Fang entered the prison...

Lu Fang calculated for a while, and unknowingly broke out in a cold sweat. His current situation could be described as dangerous, which was not an exaggeration at all.

Twenty-ninth year of Tianfeng.

September 21st.

At dusk.

Luxurious carriages drove toward the Xiao Mansion, causing a short traffic jam on "Xiande Street" in the east of the capital.

Officials of the top three ranks were not affected. The carriages they took were mostly changed from "official techniques" and could soar into the air as they pleased.

These powerful people in the capital came after receiving the Xiao family's invitation, and some came without an invitation, just to climb the relationship.

Even if some people smelled a trace of unusualness and didn't want to choose a side between Semi-Sage Xu Xu Han Yi and Xiao Wanlin, they had to come.

After all, it was not yet certain what Xiao Wanlin wanted to do!

The Xiao family sent you an invitation; do you dare to offend the Xiao family and not go?

City Guard Colonel Xiao Zhan personally welcomed guests in front of the Xiao Mansion. As the second son of Xiao Wanlin, his status and position were more than enough to represent the Xiao family in welcoming guests.

The banquet went very smoothly, eating, drinking, talking, and listening to plays.

A famous "lead female role" of the Lark clan on the stage, wearing a black drama robe dotted with colors, appeared with small steps. Before she even opened her mouth, she attracted applause from the people at the banquet.

The front yard was bustling with applause, but the backyard was exceptionally quiet.

In a flower hall in the backyard.

Xiao Wanlin sat in the main seat, blowing on the tea with an expressionless face, sighed, and placed it heavily on the table.

The two rows of chairs were filled with students and former officials of the Xiao family. Those who could be invited here all held important positions in the court and were all people with exquisite hearts.

Seeing Xiao Wanlin like this, everyone couldn't help but look at each other.

"Lu Fang relied on Semi-Sage Xu Xu Han Yi's support to be lawless and rampant, daring to kill Young Master Xiao Jinchen. This child should be executed!"

A Xiao family student stood up and said angrily.

This opening immediately gained approval, and most people spoke up to crusade.

"Absurd!"

Xiao Wanlin slapped the table, and the noisy sound in the hall quieted down. Everyone looked at this former Prime Minister in confusion, not knowing what he meant.

"Everyone, stop mentioning the matter of that rebellious grandson Xiao Jinchen. The Emperor has already closed the case. If anyone dares to say another word here, I will be the first one not to spare him."

Xiao Wanlin said in a deep voice.

"Yes, yes, yes."

"The Prime Minister is right."

"Teacher Xiao is right, it is us who are too ignorant."

Everyone echoed.

This Prime Minister Xiao Wanlin had indeed retired, but the people here were either descendants of the Xiao family or students and former officials, basically all surviving by relying on the Xiao family.

Now, even if Xiao Wanlin pointed at a deer and called it a horse, most people would nod.

This is the foundation of the Xiao family!

As long as the three Semi-Sages of the Xiao family's ancestors are still alive, the Xiao family will always be at the center of power in the Great Zhou.

"Calling everyone here today has no other meaning, just to drink tea and talk about the past together. I am deeply gratified that you can give this old fellow a few points of thin face to come."

Xiao Wanlin showed a smile and looked at Fan Sheng, who was sitting beside him:

"When I first saw you, I knew that you would definitely become a pillar of the Great Zhou in the future. Now you are already the Minister of Revenue. It seems my vision is not bad."

"Thanks to Teacher Xiao's cultivation."

Fan Sheng stood up and bowed.

Xiao Wanlin smiled and signaled Fan Sheng to sit down. He looked at the student on the other side, "You were the most..."

Just like this, Xiao Wanlin comforted everyone from beginning to end, and talked about national policy and the prosperity of the Great Zhou, as if calling these students and former officials here was just to talk about the past.

Until the banquet dispersed and luxurious carriages left the Xiao Mansion, everyone didn't know what medicine Xiao Wanlin was selling in his gourd.

"What do you think Elder Xiao means?"

Fan Sheng asked in the carriage returning to the mansion.

A "septuagenarian" strategist on the side stroked his beard and pondered for a while, then shook his head:

"My lord, no need to worry too much. The former Prime Minister's move is nothing more than wanting to get your support. No matter what he wants to do, it will be clear within three days. He walks in front, and my lord pushing from behind will have advantages and no disadvantages." ===== CHAPTER 25 =====