A grey-robed figure wearing a mask entered, his gaze sweeping across the hall before settling on Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng.
"These two are my confidantes, from the Dugu and Ouyang families respectively. You need not worry about leaks; we will pool our wisdom," Gongyang He said with a smile.
The masked man relaxed slightly, choosing a seat. He paid no mind to the tea, but the hand gripping the chair arm trembled faintly. "Before Nie Yuan identifies me, we must deal with him no matter what. Otherwise, the Grand Tutor should understand the consequences!"
Gongyang He nodded. "Even with He Jingyun and the three old dogs Gongsun Yu and Zhuo Zifang protecting him, if he cannot clear his name, he is doomed!"
The grey-robed man said gravely, "Just as Nie Yuan managed to break through heavy blockades and nearly took my life, who knew he was from the military Nie family… Don't speak too soon. Isn't Liang Xiao already in Jiangnan? Perhaps he has a solution!"
Liang Xiao!
Ouyang Sheng and Dugu Xiao instinctively clenched their fists.
This man had brought too many nightmares to their two families!
"My elite assassins have yet to report back; the assassination of Nie Yuan must have failed. Grand Tutor, do not forget that once I am targeted, they might even inform the Emperor of Da Heng. Then I will not be able to act freely, and they might even trace the connections to capture us all!" the grey-robed man added.
Gongyang He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth. "First, we deal with Nie Yuan. Liang Xiao is secondary."
Secondary?
Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng's hearts grew heavy.
It seemed this "Lord's" identity was exceptionally important!
The grey-robed man departed gracefully.
Only then did Gongyang He speak, "You two prepare yourselves well. Do not let Liang Xiao steal the spotlight. If you can shine at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, and I manipulate public opinion, that foolish emperor will have no choice but to pay attention to you. Be it the Li family, the He family, or the Zhuo family, in Jiangnan, they will all be subordinate to our Gongyang clan!"
"The matter of the female painting immortal will have to be put aside for now. Dealing with Liang Xiao and Nie Yuan remains paramount. I can do nothing to him in the capital, but here in Jiangnan, am I not free to handle him as I please? If Liang Xiao wants to open a bookshop, I can find a way to smash it!" Gongyang He's words were filled with confidence and a cold sneer.
As the three were talking, another dead soldier reported, "Master, the honored guest has arrived!"
In the Zhuo family mansion, Zhuo Zifang repeatedly cautioned Liang Xiao.
"Liang Xiao, the Grand Tutor has eight hundred disciples, known as the eight hundred talented scholars, the eight hundred Confucian scholars. These people are sharp-tongued… Before you are recognized, act with discretion. We don't want them to hinder your assessment of the talented scholars and beauties at the banquet."
Liang Xiao pondered, nodding. "I do feel a little bad for always framing General Lu."
Zhuo Zifang couldn't help but roll her eyes at Liang Xiao, and the three girls behind him couldn't help but suppress their laughter.
*You feel bad too?*
"If I don't meet anyone I know this time, I'll just claim to be the same name as Li Xiuyun, the top talent in Jiangnan," Liang Xiao pouted.
Jian Qinwan, Yue Lian, Zhuo Xun: …
*So shameless…*
After Zhuo Zifang left, Zhuo Xun asked timidly, "Can the little sprite go…"
Liang Xiao nodded. "You are the Painting Immortal of Jinling, so it is only natural for you to go. But remember to wear your veil and absolutely do not take it off."
"Got it! So the big sprite won't get jealous!" Zhuo Xun's eyes crinkled with joy.
Liang Xiao gazed at the clouds in the sky, sighing. "I wonder if the Master of Yunxiu Studio will also appear at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet."
Zhuo Xun teased, "You're still thinking about him! Is it true, as Sister Qinwan says, that you like men~"
Liang Xiao's expression changed as he looked at Jian Qinwan, "Female Rakshasa, you…"
"I didn't!" Jian Qinwan turned her head away, denying it vehemently.
Liang Xiao gave Jian Qinwan a meaningful look. After silently vowing revenge, he said, "That exam paper with ninety points was indeed his work."
Zhuo Xun suddenly understood.
Both Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang had mentioned to her that anyone who could score ninety points must possess the talent of a king's advisor.
Inside the pleasure boat, Ye Qingyi was grooming herself in front of the mirror, murmuring, "I must not hate him because of this…"
"Sister Qingyi!"
He Qiushui and Gu Pingting walked in. Seeing Ye Qingyi there, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Gu Pingting said, "Sister Qingyi, we will definitely help you teach that heartless man a lesson!"
"Heartless man?" Ye Qingyi blinked, then repeatedly shook her head. "I never had any dealings with him, so how can he be heartless?"
"That person impersonated Lu Changhe, he's clearly not a good sort! What is his real name?" He Qiushui asked with displeasure.
"He didn't tell you?" Ye Qingyi looked puzzled.
"He only said his name was Lu Changhe!" He Qiushui replied.
"Oh, he's an immortal…" Ye Qingyi said absently.
The two talented women were bewildered. Gu Pingting chided, "Sister Qingyi, you're lost in delusion. Immortal, immortal, you only know to call him immortal…"
"He truly is an immortal," Ye Qingyi chuckled behind her hand, but a hint of worry lingered in her heart.
Since they met at the wrong time, each serving their own cause, at least he would no longer be an object of her dislike…
"Sister Qingyi, why did you come to Jiangnan from the capital?" Gu Pingting asked again.
"I was just tired. I handed over Bai Chun Lou to Yirou to manage," Ye Qingyi said vaguely.
Gu Pingting nodded and smiled, "Those talents outside have come seeking you; they are just waiting to meet you!"
Ye Qingyi fell silent for a moment, then put on her veil with a wry smile.
The men in the capital and Jiangnan always sought to possess her. Her compatriots only treated her as a comrade or a tool for national restoration. Only he had given her genuine respect as a person.
What comparison could all the countless talents in the world have to him alone…
In a civilian residence in Jinling, within a secret chamber, Zuo Wushang and Hong Qu finally arrived to rejoin the group.
"Liang Xiao will definitely appear at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet, but it's unrealistic to make a move there. You will continue to play along with him," Zuo Wushang said sternly.
"Marshal, Xiao Jing and I have a strange feeling that he has discovered something," Hong Jie sighed.
"What makes you say that?" Zuo Wushang frowned.
He trusted the abilities of Zuo Jing and Hong Jie. They were clearly deeply immersed in their roles; how could they have been discovered?
Hong Jie recounted the events of that day to Zuo Wushang.
Zuo Wushang smiled. "He has no reason to suspect someone who harbors no ill will towards him and has no ambition for an official career. It must be that he was eager to recruit you and casually mentioned Da Heng. Continue your investigation!"
Zuo Jing nodded. "Brother, perhaps we are being overly cautious."
Hong Jie nodded in agreement.
Looking at Zuo Jing, whose acting was so natural, Zuo Wushang felt an inexplicable sorrow.
She was only seventeen years old, yet she had become the leader of the Yun Tian Guard, a machine that outwardly displayed rich emotions but was inwardly devoid of feeling.
Years ago, he and Zuo Wuji had respectively married sisters from a pair of sisters. Zuo Jing and Zhuo Xun were born sequentially.
For the cause of national restoration, he had already lost his beloved daughter. Now, he had to put his niece in danger as well…