Chapter 50

Liu Feng exclaimed excitedly, "Brother Zhang, you have great talent! I wonder where you studied?"

"Brother Liu, you're too modest," Zhang Xungui replied hastily, clasping his hands, "I'm merely a reading companion; today I'm only accompanying the young lady from my household. If the lady hadn't insisted I show off, I truly wouldn't dare disturb your refined gathering."

The surrounding scholars were stunned, never expecting that Zhang Xungui was merely a reading companion.

Following the direction Zhang Xungui pointed, they saw a quiet spot where a veiled girl sat, with a maid pouring wine for her.

Seeing her bearing, which was not that of an ordinary person, Liu Feng glanced and exclaimed in shock:

"It's actually the Commandery Princess of Fengcheng right before me? How rude of me!"

Fengcheng Commandery Princess?!

The daughter of the surname‑different King Zhang Baitian?!

Speaking of how difficult it is to hold office in the Kun Dao dynasty, princes are all imperial relatives; that someone could become a surname‑different king shows how formidable their background must be!

In short, although most scholars had only heard of this different‑surname king, they never imagined they would be fortunate enough to see his daughter today, Fengcheng Commandery Princess Zhang Yirong!

Zhang Yirong rose, smiling, "This Commandery Princess is just here to drink; please enjoy yourselves, no need to pay attention."

"Thank you, Commandery Princess; please trouble yourself to move forward, don't sit over there in the corner—it would truly be a waste for us!"

Several senior scholars and officials hastily rose to greet her, but Zhang Yirong waved her hand: "No need... forget it."

Zhang Yirong originally didn't want so much ceremony, but noticing the scholars' gazes were somewhat fiery, she felt disdain inside.

It seems finding a good place to drink is truly hard; if I had known, I wouldn't have let Guigu write poetry!

Who knew this guy could write poetry so well?

Zhang Yirong glared at Zhang Xungui, who shrugged, as if saying this wasn't something he wanted to do—weren't you the one who asked for it?

As a mere book boy, I dare to contradict my master's face?

Zhang Yirong, with her maids, walked onto the high platform and went deeper into the valley by herself, seemingly preferring a quiet spot to drink.

Zhang Xungui also hurriedly followed, his eyes turning to look around.

Where is that place...?

"What are you looking at, Guigu? Which young lady has stolen your soul!" Zhang Yirong's expression changed instantly as she demanded.

"No... nothing... just curious..."

Several officials and scholars exchanged glances, then hurried over to see what was happening.

After all, with a Commandery Princess appearing, even if they couldn't curry favor, if anything went wrong they couldn't bear the responsibility!

Liu Feng furrowed his brow, originally wanting to follow, but then thought perhaps someone like him shouldn't go there.

"Mr. Liu, come over and chat with Guigu," Zhang Yirong called out. Liu Feng exclaimed in surprise, clasped his hands, and said, "Thank you, Commandery Princess!"

The scholars present could only watch enviously and jealously as the people on the high platform left; the gathering, which began with drinking and merriment, turned into talk about that Commandery Princess.

As for Lingyan nearby, a bad feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

He, could it be that he came for the Commandery Princess!

Up to this moment, Lingyan still hadn't noticed Yan Buji's presence.

Deep in the valley, beneath the flowering trees.

Zhang Yirong sat on the ground, drinking.

Beside her, several officials and scholars smiled apologetically and said:

"Your Highness Commandery Princess, what wind blew you here?"

"How? I'm not allowed to come?"

"No, no, no—I mean, you should have let us know beforehand so we could prepare; otherwise, if others saw, they'd think we don't respect the Commandery Princess."

Zhang Yirong laughed: "Fine, fine, fine—I was just bored staying at home, came out for a drink. You go about your business, be off."

"This..."

"Huh? You still have something to do?"

"No, no... then we'll take our leave."

After seeing the old men leave, Zhang Yirong then turned her head, watching Zhang Xungui chatting and laughing with Liu Feng; a hint of warmth flashed in her eyes, but she quickly hid it.

The maid beside her dared not speak, and from some point onward, the Commandery Princess's eyes seemed unable to leave Zhang Xungui, this reading companion.

I really don't know what the prince was thinking, arranging a young man to be beside the Commandery Princess; for a princess who has had little contact with men, she naturally looks at him differently!

But whether to say it or not, Zhang Xungui's talent is truly outstanding~

The maid gave a slight smile.

"Brother Zhang, we hit it off at first sight—why not become sworn brothers today!" Liu Feng laughed heartily as he spoke, pleased.

Zhang Xungui's eyes lit up: "Great, great! I'm twenty this year; how old are you?"

"Then I'm three years older than you in age reckoning, so I'll call you worthy younger brother!" Liu Feng said happily.

"Older brother!"

"Worthy younger brother!"

The two then began the brotherhood oath on the spot; perhaps it's because both have a disposition indifferent to worldly etiquette, or maybe just because on first meeting they felt like fellow villagers meeting, excited beyond measure.

"All right, all right, you've talked long enough—now it's my turn to speak."

Liu Feng and Zhang Xungui hastily clasped their hands: "Yes, Commandery Princess, we were rude."

They spoke in unison, then stared at each other in surprise, barely able to keep from laughing.

Zhang Yirong rolled her eyes: "Sit down, drink, drink."

Although I don't understand men's romance, these two really hit it off, their temperaments and personalities being very similar.

"Thank you, Commandery Princess!"

Having drunk a little, the several people felt some intoxication, but Zhang Xungui looked around and remained quite clear‑minded.

Where exactly is that place?

Zhang Yirong, sipping wine, asked nonchalantly, "Zhang Xungui, what exactly are you looking for? You've been glancing around everywhere?"

Zhang Xungui's face changed, and he immediately said, "Commandery Princess, I only..."

"Fine, I still don't know your temperament? I haven't seen you leave the house many times before. This time I came to attend the cultural gathering, and you followed without a word; if it's not for something, I won't believe it."

Liu Feng, standing nearby, was also somewhat surprised: "Esteemed junior brother, could you be here to seek immortals?"

Zhang Xungui's face was embarrassed: "This... indeed. I've heard that within Yingchun Gu, immortal figures occasionally appear; although it's rumor upon rumor, I've never seen one in my life, so it might be true."

"It's true; deep in Yingchun Gu there's a gathering place for immortals, and by the count the time should also be when the Yangchun Trading Hall opens," Zhang Yirong said nonchalantly.

Zhang Xungui's heart jumped!

She... how did she know?

"Hmph, I'm the Commandery Princess, I know far more than you. So you want to meet immortals; could it be that you still haven't succeeded in cultivation? A mere page, you can't look down on common folk; wouldn't it be fine to stay with me and enjoy fine food and drink?" Zhang Yirong glanced at Zhang Xungui, tapping with some displeasure.

Although she was indeed curious about Zhang Xungui, after all he is her page, her possession!

Without her permission, she would never let Zhang Xungui leave!