Ren Shi Ji Chun Qiu

Chapter 381 The Righteous Way of the Sword

The two renowned talents of the capital in days past, having failed to win Luo Qingxue’s heart, were rendered speechless by anger when facing Liang Xiao.

“Young Master Ouyang, please calm down. They are merely two insignificant fish!” Gongyang Long quickly interjected.

“Insignificant fish?” Ouyang Sheng and Dugu Xiao’s faces changed simultaneously.

“Brother Gongyang, he is not some insignificant fish…” Dugu Xiao said with an embarrassed expression.

“Oh, so they are young masters from families with a bit of prestige?” Gongyang Long raised an eyebrow.

“More than just a bit of prestige, it’s practically…” Dugu Xiao stared at Liang Xiao, his voice trembling with extreme anger.

Everyone was taken aback: “Why is the talented Young Master Dugu speaking up for this person?”

Gongyang Long was also displeased: “I don’t care who he is. If he dares to offend our Gongyang clan for the sake of a stable boy, he’s destined to face dire consequences!”

Ye Qingyi and Yun Xiuzhai’s master looked at Gongyang Long in surprise, unable to believe the Gongyang clan could be so arrogant.

Had their immense power made them lose their senses?

“Brother Gongyang, let me explain…”

Ouyang Sheng tried to speak, but was impatiently interrupted by Gongyang Long: “No need to say more! From today onwards, this Zhang Yang and Yu Qingchuan are my enemies, Gongyang Long! Anyone who wants to take sides, feel free to support them!”

“We are not trying to support him, Brother Gongyang, this person…” Dugu Xiao said anxiously.

Gongyang Long suppressed the urge to slap both of them and said with a frustrated expression, “Enough! He is not the current Emperor, what right does he have to make our Gongyang clan fear him?”

Liang Xiao looked at the three of them in surprise: “I get it. You two came to Jiangnan just to form the ‘Three Fools of Jiangnan’ with this talented Young Master Gongyang?”

Three Fools of Jiangnan?

Liu Feng and the others couldn’t help but chuckle.

However, Liu Feng still cautiously reminded, “Zhang Yang, these people are indeed not to be trifled with. We are alone and fearless, but you have family and friends. It’s best to stop here…”

“No matter, I just came to Jiangnan to forge iron,” Liang Xiao replied with a smile.

Forging iron?

Liu Feng looked bewildered.

Jian Qinwan also returned behind Liang Xiao with Yue Lian and the others: “What happened…”

Upon seeing the three girls wearing veils, everyone was stunned by their beauty.

Their eyes were enchanting, and their figures were graceful; these were undoubtedly three beauties!

Gongyang Long saw the three girls standing behind Liang Xiao and was consumed by jealousy.

To publicly humiliate him was one thing, but even the women with him were more attractive than Gongyang Long’s women?

In comparison, Gongyang Long felt that the concubines by his side were mere commoners, lacking any charm.

“Are you Miss Zhuo San?” someone recognized Zhuo Xun and exclaimed.

“Miss Zhuo San has returned to Jinling?” everyone was surprised and delighted.

“Miss Zhuo San?” Gu Pingting and He Qiushui were astonished.

These two talented ladies had often studied in the capital in the past and had recently gained prominence in Jiangnan. In fact, they had not had direct contact with Zhuo Xun before, hence they did not recognize her. Now, finding Zhuo Xun by Liang Xiao’s side, they were naturally shocked.

“That’s right, I’ve returned to Jinling…” Zhuo Xun replied softly and stopped speaking.

“Xiao Xun, how can you be friends with a madman like Zhang Yang!” Gongyang Long finally became anxious.

“Zhang Yang?” Zhuo Xun blinked, immediately understood, and said with a light laugh, “I’m willing to! Also, you are not allowed to call me by my childhood name. We are not familiar with each other, are we?”

She was merely acting childishly, but in reality, she was incredibly clever and instantly understood that her great demon was deceiving people again!

Ye Qingyi’s heart ached even more as she watched.

This seemed to be another woman even more beautiful than her, who could gain Liang Xiao’s favor with her innocent and naive demeanor.

Ye Qingyi now understood why Lin’er was so innocent and unsullied…

Did the Third Miss Zhuo also have feelings for him?

Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng were both shocked and angry.

They had failed to win Luo Qingxue’s heart from Liang Xiao, left for Jiangnan, and finally met these peerless beauties, only to find that the Painting Immortal of Jinling had also been snatched away by Liang Xiao first!

Jealousy almost contorted their faces!

The scene became deadlocked, with a small portion of the scholars, like Liu Feng, supporting Liang Xiao, half supporting Gongyang Long, and the rest choosing to observe.

At this moment, Gu Pingting and He Qiushui were also somewhat bewildered.

The person who could make Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng lose their composure – how much of a grudge did he have with them?

Who was he?

Just then, a shout from a distance interrupted everyone’s thoughts.

“The Grand Tutor, Zhuo Lingjun, and the Prefect have arrived!”

To everyone, the feud between Liang Xiao and Gongyang Long became insignificant. Even Liu Feng said to Liang Xiao, “Excuse me,” and rushed to welcome Zhuo Zifang.

“I will settle this with you later!”

Gongyang Long glared hatefully at Liang Xiao, then his gaze swept over Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian, filled with renewed longing, and he took his men to welcome his father.

Yu Qingchuan looked apologetically at Liang Xiao.

Liang Xiao simply patted his shoulder: “We are all family. Your business is my business.”

Jian Qinwan’s eyes filled with joy, and she lowered her head shyly, which Ye Qingyi noticed.

Ye Qingyi felt even sadder…

At this moment, Gu Pingting and He Qiushui also began to look at Liang Xiao with admiration, but still harbored resentment towards him because of Ye Qingyi.

“My father will preside over justice, and you had best not be as arrogant as before!” He Qiushui said fiercely, then pulled Ye Qingyi and Gu Pingting to welcome her father, He Jingyun.

On the high platform, Zhuo Zifang sat in the main seat, with Gongyang He and He Jingyun on either side. The three sat upright, nodding in greeting to the talents and beauties below.

“Where is Liang Xiao?”

Zhuo Zifang’s gaze swept over the crowd, and he finally spotted Liang Xiao, who had hurried over from a corner. His brows relaxed.

He Jingyun, as the Prefect, stood up and delivered a speech: “The Jiangnan Spring Banquet, held annually, is such a grand event. I hope everyone enjoys themselves for three days!”

“As you command!” the crowd below responded in unison.

“Father~” He Qiushui proudly walked to the front of the platform and sat beside He Jingyun.

Gongyang Long also sat beside his father, the Grand Tutor Gongyang He, and stared coldly at Liang Xiao in the distance, his heart filled with murderous intent.

If at first this Zhang Yang had merely annoyed him, then after seeing the women around Liang Xiao, this Zhang Yang was as good as dead in his eyes!

He was determined to find a way to get his women!

After a moment, a long case was carried up.

He Jingyun announced loudly: “According to past practice, the Jiangnan Spring Banquet requires a treasure to represent it each year, and people will then compose poems and songs based on it. Last year it was a painting, the year before, chess. This year…”

As soon as he finished speaking, the case was opened by a servant. Everyone looked closely and saw a precious sword.

He Jingyun smiled: “The sword is the king of all weapons, embodying righteousness. Scholars of all dynasties have taken pride in wearing swords. This sword is nameless; it was crafted by a renowned Jiangnan craftsman at my commission a year ago, and I had it sent to Jinling posthaste just to make it in time for the Jiangnan Spring Banquet!”

The crowd applauded: “Righteousness of the sword!”

He Jingyun continued: “Senior Zhuo Lingjun is highly respected. According to the rules, he will repeatedly select young talents to compose poems and lyrics for this sword until the selected works satisfy everyone. This sword has yet to be named, and the person with the best literary talent will give it its name!”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent in unison, their hearts pounding, hoping Zhuo Zifang would glance at them.

Dugu Xiao and Ouyang Sheng clenched their fists, while Liu Feng and the others were also eager to try.

Although the Jiangnan Spring Banquet always selected over a dozen top talents to compose poems, and only then could a satisfactory one be found, being the first to take the stage represented being most valued by Zhuo Zifang.

Gongyang Long could no longer restrain himself and stood up: “Senior Zhuo Lingjun, this junior boldly requests to try…”

“Sit down first.”

Zhuo Zifang merely glanced lightly at Gongyang Long. To the puzzled eyes of the crowd, he walked down from the platform, came before Liang Xiao, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, “Would you like to try first!”