The next morning, at the Purple Marquis’ Mansion.
"Xiao Xiaoxiao, never do such dangerous things again!"
"How dare you hide this from your mother? Have you grown wings?"
"I don't care! Woo... Xiaoxiao, you don't know how scared I was last night..."
"If anything happens to Xiao Xiaoxiao, I won't live any longer!"
"Where's that damn assassin? Hurry and hand him over to me! What? Xiao Xiaoxiao, you'll handle it? How can a cute and kind Xiao Xiaoxiao handle such a bloody matter? Come, hand him over to me. I promise to find ways to vent your anger!"
"Wow... Xiaoxiaoxiao doesn't listen to her again..."
Early in the morning, Chu Tianxiao had just finished washing up when he was dragged to the main hall by Fan, who gave him a good scolding in front of everyone - although he had been coaxed last night, it seemed that the effect had worn off after a night.
Chu Tianxiao knew he was in the wrong, so he just smiled, kept apologizing, and tried to coax this funny girl again and again...
After solemnly swearing three times, who knows if they would work, Chu Tianxiao finally let the matter go. He felt exhausted physically and mentally. Even the fierce battle and interrogation last night did not give him the headache he had now...
Just as he was wiping his sweat, a report suddenly came from outside.
"Master, Madam, His Royal Highness the Seventh Prince has arrived. I wonder..."
It is said that the Seventh Prince Lu Xianyuan and the little Princess Lu Meir had arrived in Tianjue City last night, but it was already late then, so they did not come to visit. Instead, they chose to come at this time, which is also considered the etiquette of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
But Chu Tianxiao had a vague idea of another consideration, so he smiled without saying anything. However, Fan said calmly, "Please come in, Seventh Prince."
This is the privilege of the Divine Marquis Family. If it were an ordinary family, they would naturally welcome the royal family with open arms, but for the Divine Marquis Family, that is a courtesy only for the crown prince, and some unfavored princes have even been turned away by the Divine Marquis Family many times.
Not long after, Lu Xianyuan walked into the hall. At his signal, the two guards behind him took off their swords and handed them to the Purple Robe Marquis's mansion for safekeeping. However, Lu Meir did not seem to come with him...
Seeing this, Chu Tianxiao was basically certain of his purpose, and a smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth. Fan also saw some contempt in Chu Tianxiao's expression. After the formalities were completed, she arranged an empty room for him to rest for a while.
Such behavior is tantamount to covering one's ears and stealing the bell. Lu Xianyuan knew what they meant very well, so he did not hesitate to lead the servants of the Purple Robe Marquis' Mansion to a room.
The room was not very spacious, but it was elegant and quiet. It was located in a remote part of the mansion, and was rarely visited. The room was divided into two beds. On the table, there were two white jade wine glasses, exquisitely crafted. Under the table, a small red clay stove was warming a pot of wine. Just by smelling the wine, one could tell that it was a good product. Lu Xianyuan couldn't help but take a deep sniff, revealing an intoxicated look, and sat on the bed with a tilted body.
Not long after, Chu Tianxiao pushed the door open, closed it, sat down opposite the Seventh Prince, took the wine, and poured a glass for each of them.
The two looked at each other for a moment, and Lu Xianyuan spoke first.
"The matter of the Wasteland Guild earlier... was caused by my suddenness. I apologize."
Such a straightforward statement made Chu Tianxiao's eyes narrow slightly, and he said leisurely: "Your Highness is too polite. Liang Qiu is dead, and the hatred is gone. Besides, I knew from the beginning to the end that this was not your true thought, and I never blamed you. Why do you need to apologize?"
Lu Xianyuan smiled when he heard this, picked up the wine glass and drank it all: "No matter what, this glass is my apology."
After drinking the cup, he couldn't help licking his tongue: "Good wine!"
Chu Tianxiao smiled slightly: "It's just okay... Since the Seventh Prince has given me such a big gift, this little bit of wine is just a token of his appreciation."
"oh?"
As Chu Tianxiao spoke, he took out an account book and seven thin wooden sticks from his arms. He placed the account book on the table, spread out the wooden sticks, and first used his left hand to mark two of them to Lu Xianyuan: "These are for the Wasteland Guild."
Then, he broke off a small wooden stick and handed it to Lu Xianyuan: "These are for you, Your Highness."
Hearing this, Lu Xianyuan stared into his eyes for a long time before taking a deep breath: "Before coming here, I tried my best not to think of you as you were back then. Who would have thought that I still underestimated you..."
After a pause, he closed his palms and smiled: "It seems that I have to learn your way of squandering money when I have time. To be honest, I can't refuse the way you use your hands..."
Chu Tianxiao shook his head and said, "Spending money is a technical job. Ordinary people can't do it. I advise Your Highness not to learn it."
"Haha, that's right! It's enough for the whole Great Zhou to have a prodigal son like you." Lu Xianyuan smiled and said, "Then next... I have three pieces of news to tell you."
Chu Tianxiao's expression condensed, knowing that the stage of goodwill between the two sides had barely passed. What was to be said next would be very crucial information. With a thought, he listened attentively.
"First, the situation in Kyoto is very troublesome right now, as troublesome as a quagmire... But don't worry, the Purple-Robed Marquis is not in danger in the short term, but don't expect your father to give you much help."
Chu Tianxiao nodded, looking a little solemn.
"Second, never underestimate Chu He. If nothing unexpected happens, he will participate in the Autumn Exam this year. His goal is to 'retain the top spot', which no one has ever achieved."
Chu Tianxiao thought for a moment after hearing this and asked, "Seventh Prince, I was still very young when the Tianjue Chu family and the Jingdu Chu family separated. I really don't have much impression of this cousin. Could you please tell me a little bit? No need to go into details, just let me know what he has done in recent years."
Lu Xianyuan paused after hearing this, but still slowly recounted several major events that Chu He had accomplished in recent years, including cross-border battles, and even cross-border battles, as well as many seemingly difficult tasks, which Chu He was able to complete alone... By the way, Lu Xianyuan also mentioned some of Chu He's combat methods, including mental shock methods, and it was rumored that someone had heard his painful roars in the dead of night, but it was unknown whether it was true or not...
After listening, Chu Tianxiao fell silent.
"I have a guess... But we have to wait for the arrival of 'Chu Huang', who was sent by him to replace me, before we can finally confirm it... Logically speaking, Chu He should have thought carefully about choosing this person to replace me. In this case, it should be inevitable to get an invitation for him to come..."
However, Chu Tianxiao put aside this thought after only a moment, and signaled the Seventh Prince to continue speaking with his eyes.
"Well... Thirdly, there is something wrong with this Autumn Night Banquet. I advise you not to attend."
As soon as these words came out, Chu Tianxiao's eyes suddenly narrowed: "What do you mean by this, Your Highness?"
Lu Xianyuan looked at him and said, "You are too impatient in this matter... Think about it carefully. You have done so many things during this period, and each of them is aimed at one side. Chu He can naturally see the clues, so... he plans to support Qin Yun."
"Support? Haha..." Chu Tianxiao sneered with contempt. The true meaning behind this was not something that could be revealed to outsiders. "He wants to go against my ways and use Qin Yun to check my performance at the Autumn Night Banquet?"
"good."
"So... how far did he go?"
"First, he gave Qin Yun two top-grade elixirs, the Nine Spirit Pills. Qin Yun should have taken them. If he is still alive after three days, his cultivation level cannot be estimated, but it will definitely not be lower than the sixth level of the True Refining Reality! Second... Chu He used his personal connections to invite an old Hanlin to write a policy paper for Qin Yun to respond to the policy paper competition at the Autumn Night Banquet. Third, Chu He specially sent experts this time. It is still unknown what they intend to do now, but one thing is certain, they are all here to serve as a foil for Qin Yun."
"… You didn't care about what happened?"
"How can we manage it? Without any evidence, it's useless to know the truth... Besides, you don't really think the Autumn Night Banquet is glamorous, do you? The subsequent Autumn Examination will be similar."
"That means it's all unspoken rules..."
"Unspoken rules? Hmm... this word is quite appropriate..."
"Hmm... So I roughly understand. Your Highness feels that I have no chance of winning in this situation. Rather than being a target, why not retreat bravely?"
"... Actually, I don't want you to give up the Autumn Night Banquet." Lu Xianyuan looked at him and said, "I've already told you the situation. I hope you will attend, but I also advise you not to attend. It's up to you to decide."
Chu Tianxiao said calmly: "Of course I have to go to the Autumn Night Banquet."
Lu Xianyuan's eyes flashed with admiration, and he nodded and said, "Then... at least give me a little confidence. We are now grasshoppers tied to the same rope."
"A literary competition or a physical competition, how do you choose?"
Chu Tianxiao said: "Together."
"Together?"
"Yes."
"... Let's talk about the martial arts first. I can easily tell that your realm is only the fourth level of the True Refining Realization ...
"Both hopes are slim, and you're still holding on to them?"
Chu Tianxiao replied calmly: "In terms of essays, it's not that difficult to win over the old Hanlin. It's just a policy paper. During those years in private school, I learned all the characters and could write."
After hearing these words, Lu Xianyuan almost collapsed.
Chu Tianxiao hesitated for a moment and continued, "As for fighting..."
"The fourth level of the True Refining Realm is low? It will naturally improve when it is time to improve."
"No martial arts? Then don't fight, don't use any moves, and make them surrender. You can defeat them without fighting."
After hearing these words, Lu Xianyuan had only one thought - is there water in my ears or is there water in this prodigal son's brain