Along the Qin Huai River, the scenery was picturesque.
The Jiangnan Spring Banquet was held as scheduled, lasting up to three days, with the first day being the liveliest.
As the foremost grand gathering for scholars and connoisseurs in the Jiangnan region, it was a place where both talented young men and beautiful ladies, as well as the powerful and wealthy, vied for invitations.
However, only those who received an invitation or accompanied members of prominent families were qualified to attend the Jiangnan Spring Banquet.
Early in the morning, the banks of the Qin Huai River were already thronged with people, though most could only watch from the periphery.
Talented young men and beautiful ladies entered in a procession, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
The women came to catch a glimpse of the scholars they admired, while the men could feast their eyes on the renowned beauties.
He Qiushui, the eldest daughter of the He family, and Gu Pingtang, the second daughter of the Gu family, sat in an open carriage. Their elegance and beauty drew cheers and howls.
The two talented women merely waved their hands in acknowledgment, surrounded by the heavy protection of family guards.
"After all, they are merely commoners..." the two mused inwardly.
A moment later, officials appeared, dispersing the idle crowd and prohibiting them from approaching the Jiangnan Spring Banquet to prevent any disturbance.
Scholars, beauties, and dignitaries from all over entered in groups of three to five.
Inside the venue, exquisite flowers were already on display, with candied fruits and delicacies laid out on tables for anyone to partake.
However, all attendees maintained a dignified demeanor.
The Zhuo family's carriages, ten in all, drove into the venue.
Accompanying Liang Xiao were three young ladies, along with Qin Xin and Yu Qingchuan, among others.
"Zhuo Lingjun, I trust you are well!"
An elder with white hair at the entrance bowed respectfully to Zhuo Zifang.
Zhuo Zifang returned the bow and said, "I have brought members of my household to attend."
"We understand! Zhuo Lingjun's influence is widespread, so bringing any number of people is acceptable. The Jiangnan Spring Banquet would indeed lose some of its luster without Zhuo Lingjun!" the elder said with a smile.
After thanking him, Zhuo Zifang led Liang Xiao, Zhuo Xiong, and others inside.
Having chosen a quiet corner, Zhuo Zifang instructed Liang Xiao, "I need to find Governor He first. You are free to move about and see if any scholars catch your eye."
After Zhuo Zifang departed, Liang Xiao surveyed his surroundings with satisfaction.
There were many people, but it wasn't as boisterous as a market. Most were engaged in quiet conversation with their companions.
The atmosphere here was somewhat better than that of the Imperial Academy in the capital.
"A fine poem!"
A moment later, applause erupted from a distance. All eyes turned towards a fair-faced young man in white, beaming with pride, who cupped his hands in thanks, "You are too kind, too kind!"
Zhuo Xiong explained, "This man is Gongyang Long, the second son of the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor's disciples are said to number eight hundred scholars, all of whom are talented. This man is the foremost among them."
Liang Xiao observed Gongyang Long and nodded, then turned his attention to Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian.
"What are you looking at? I'm only here because of you!" Jian Qinwan huffed.
Liang Xiao smiled faintly, "Then this flower-picking rogue should thank this Bodhisattva for gracing us with her presence."
He naturally remembered Jian Qinwan's general disdain for scholars.
Yue Lian, on the other hand, paid little mind to these matters of literati and merely attended to her young master diligently.
Only Zhuo Xun showed some enthusiasm for the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, but having attended a few times with her family, she was not overly surprised.
"Hmph~" Jian Qinwan merely leaned against Liang Xiao, no longer disturbing his thoughts, a look of joy on her face.
What could be more satisfying than being inseparable from her flower-picking rogue?
Liang Xiao observed his surroundings. There wasn't only Gongyang Long's faction; many other scholars were gathered in twos and threes, engaged in lively discussions.
With his superior hearing, Liang Xiao could catch fragments of their conversations, which ranged from poetry and prose to matters of state and the nation.
Yu Qingchuan and his companions kept a watchful eye on the surroundings, lest anyone try to harm Liang Xiao and his group.
However, as Yu Qingchuan's gaze swept over Gongyang Long in the distance, a rare hint of bitterness flickered across his face.
To Liang Xiao's relief, it seemed no one recognized him here, which greatly facilitated his actions for the time being.
Zhuo Xiong had already gone to mingle, engaging in animated conversations with acquaintances.
Following Zhuo Zifang's instructions, Zhuo Xiong did not rush to introduce his friends to Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao silently noted a few outstanding young men in the distance before sitting down and looking around.
Jian Qinwan, seeing this, whispered, "You could let Senior Brother Six and the others accompany you to look around. We can stay here and rest..."
"Young Master, Qin Wan sister is worried that if we follow you, we might attract unnecessary attention, causing you to miss opportunities to discover talented individuals," Yue Lian added.
Liang Xiao did not object. He left Qin Xin and the others to guard the young ladies, and set off with only Yu Qingchuan.
The venue was situated by the Qin Huai River. Besides the riverbanks, there were also numerous boats, adding to the charm of the Jiangnan Spring Banquet.
Willow trees swayed gently by the river, while beneath them, laughter mingled with music. Several pleasure boats swayed gracefully to the music, creating a scene of human prosperity.
At this moment, Ye Qingyi, He Qiushui, and Gu Pingtang were seated opposite each other at the bow of a pleasure boat docked at the shore. Leaning on the railing, they surveyed the scholars and beauties below from the elevated vantage point.
Suddenly, a figure appeared within their sight.
"This scoundrel, he actually managed to sneak in!" Gu Pingtang exclaimed indignantly.
Ye Qingyi blinked and said, "Wouldn't it be more unusual if he didn't come?"
"That's true!" the two talented women echoed in unison.
"I am Liu Feng, from Suzhou Academy. Your discourse is extraordinary. May I know your esteemed name?" a scholar asked, cupping his hands towards Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao pondered for a moment and smiled, "Mr. Liu, for now, you may call me Zhang Yang."
Zhang Yang?
Upon hearing Liang Xiao's reply, the three women on the boat exchanged surprised glances.
"Sister Qingyi, look, he's changed his name again. I wonder who he intends to trick this time!" He Qiushui said, looking at Liang Xiao with disdain.
Ye Qingyi recovered her composure, a smile gracing her lips.
She had naturally inquired about Liang Xiao's background and knew he had several important friends.
Now, impersonating his friend Zhang Yang, he was as shameless as ever...
"Isn't someone like this more interesting?" Ye Qingyi said softly.
Scholar Liu Feng chuckled, "Judging by your accent, you must be from the north. Previously, a northern scoundrel named Lü Changhe offended Miss Gu and Miss He. Do you know this person?"
Liang Xiao replied without hesitation, "No, I study the Spring and Autumn Annals."
Ye Qingyi and the other two women were stunned. Ye Qingyi was the first to recover, covering her mouth with her hands, lest she burst into laughter.
Unimaginably shameless, how could such an interesting eccentric exist in this world...
She restrained herself and did not reveal Liang Xiao's identity.
"Sister Qingyi, you see? After framing someone, he washes his hands of it completely!" Gu Pingtang grew even more indignant.
"He is, after all, still a young man," Ye Qingyi replied.
"But that doesn't mean we should let him off! Sister Qingyi, let's expose him together!"
The two talented women, filled with righteous indignation, pulled the helpless Ye Qingyi off the boat.