Chapter 678
Misjudging
Chapter 678 Misjudging
"With these words from the Marquis of Dingbei, I am at ease."
Princess Fuyun clasped her hands together in front of her chest, unable to hide her excitement.
Lord Gu said, "I have some questions, and I would be grateful if the princess would enlighten me."
Princess Fuyun said, "Please speak."
Lord Gu asked, "I wonder why the princess and noble ladies admire Young Master Nantang so much? Mr. Songshan's poems are also excellent, and even my wife's cousin has received the Emperor's praise."
Hearing this, Lin Ziqi was deeply saddened.
Why not mention me?
He couldn't care about others, but Qin Siyuan was indeed a huge obstacle on his path to success.
Princess Fuyun smiled and said, "It's not that other people's poems are bad, but Young Master Nantang's poems are elegant and moving, with profound meaning. When you recite them, you feel a fragrance on your lips."
We young women in our boudoirs tend to prefer poems like this.
Of course, some of Nantang Gongzi's poems are also quite profound, but within that profundity, one can also feel a gentle and lingering charm, which is even more captivating.
Lord Gu understood.
A hint of pride couldn't help but surface on his face.
King Qi was taken aback and couldn't help but wonder where this arrogance came from.
Even when Lord Gu returned to the capital in triumph, he never showed the slightest arrogance...
Could it be... that this young master of Nantang has a very close personal relationship with Lord Gu?
Lord Gu said, "I see. Thank you, Princess Fuyun, for clearing up my doubts. Although I am not well-read, I have heard that poetry reflects the person. Since everyone likes his poems, they must like him as a person."
“Yes, yes, yes,” Princess Fuyun said as if she had found a kindred spirit: “When I read other people’s poems, I think they are good, but I have never had the thought of meeting them or knowing who they are.”
Ever since I read his poems, I've often wondered what kind of person he was that could write such poems.
He must be incredibly intelligent and insightful, possessing an extraordinary and refined charm. I wonder what kind of scholarly family he came from.
Hearing how enthusiastically she liked and admired Qin Yuan, Lord Gu's feelings towards Princess Fuyun improved considerably.
Then Lin Ziqi seized the opportunity to urge, "Mr. Songshan has been speaking for so long, it's time for him to rest. There will be a grand review later, and Prince Qi and the two princesses have to rush to the Eagle-Calling Terrace in Nanyuan to accompany the emperor. Why don't we invite Young Master Nantang to come out and meet everyone earlier?"
Princess Fuyun didn't speak again, but looked up at Marquis Gu earnestly.
Her almond-shaped eyes, visible through the veil, were filled with longing.
In addition, King Qi sighed softly, "I only have one sister from the same mother. She injured her face a few days ago and has been so upset that she has stayed at home all day. She has been talking about it ever since she heard that Young Master Nantang was coming."
Lord Gu said helplessly, "I will go and take a look, but everything is up to Young Master Nantang to decide."
He naturally wouldn't go straight back to Ranxiang Residence. Instead, he leaped up and landed on the pavilion in front of the residence in no time. Under the lamplight, his elegant figure drew unanimous praise from the crowd: "Well done!"
Mr. Songshan was startled and paused for a moment. He and the others looked up and saw a lithe figure on the top of the pavilion spread its wings and flew away like a peregrine falcon. Sumeru disappeared without a trace.
Mr. Songshan sighed, "Like lightning and an illusion, even the most fleeting and elusive figures are nothing more than this."
This caused the Black Wind Stronghold leader's expression to change several times in an instant.
The Marquis of Dingbei's reputation was indeed well-deserved.
With just this lightness skill, no one in Black Wind Stronghold can match him.
Those around him exclaimed from the bottom of their hearts, "As expected of the God of War of our Great Xing! No wonder he was able to drive the Yelü people out of the northern frontier. With such skills, defeating the enemy is as easy as turning one's hand." The Black Wind Stronghold leader's lips twitched downwards.
"He's just a brave man! Everyone knows that one should support a bandit to maintain one's own prestige, but he insists on undermining the very foundation of his own prosperity."
Grand Commandant Zhou Bo of the Han Dynasty had rendered great service to Emperor Wen, yet he was imprisoned by the emperor for failing to protect himself. Had it not been for the advice of the prison guards and the intercession of his daughter-in-law, the princess, he would likely have lost his life in prison.
It is clear that even with exceptional martial arts skills and military achievements, one cannot guarantee their own safety and wealth.
The people around him fell silent.
The leader of Black Wind Stronghold added, "Only those with shrewdness and strategic thinking can stand firm in the imperial court. I'm afraid the Marquis of Dingbei's days may not be easy in the future."
Those around him asked, "Why?"
The leader of Black Wind Stronghold said, "He has a very secret relationship with the former Crown Prince and Prince Qi. How could the Emperor be at ease? The trouble in the north has been quelled, so there is no need for him anymore."
Those around him said, "When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked."
This suffocating court—if it weren't for this, why would they need to...?
Thinking of all this, the person next to him sighed, "The rabbit mourns the fox's death."
If even someone like the Marquis of Dingbei cannot be tolerated in the court, then is the court still a good place to go?
The leader of Black Wind Stronghold said, "Alright, why should a hero like us put on such a pretentious act? We are not such reckless men. This time we are going to the capital, we must do something big and let people see our abilities so that they will not look down on us."
In everything we do, competence comes first.
Even if it were a grant of amnesty, it would still frighten the old emperor in the Golden Palace so much that he would be restless and unable to sit or lie still.
Otherwise, they would just be given a minor official position and be dismissed.
What good would that do?
The thought that the current prosperity and joy will eventually vanish into nothingness is hard for those around them to bear.
The leader of Black Wind Stronghold said, "Those who accomplish great things do not concern themselves with trifles. One general's fame is built on the bones of ten thousand. We are licking blood from the edge of a knife, how can we be so soft-hearted? However, Marquis Dingbei is highly skilled in martial arts, so we must be careful. If we fall into prison, I'm afraid we won't be able to get out."
Those around him nodded repeatedly: "What you said is true. We entered the city in so many batches, and we didn't stay in one place. We were scattered all over the city. We all kept in mind your warning before you left and were very careful."
Before the leader of Black Wind Stronghold could say anything more, the son-in-law of the chief priest walked towards him. His tone was polite, but his demeanor was subtly disrespectful: "Brother, may I ask your name?"
"My surname is Wang, and my given name is Zichuan."
"My name is Lin Ziqi. I am currently studying at the Imperial Academy and will be taking the imperial examination next spring," Lin Ziqi said with a beaming smile. He briefly explained his situation and then said, "Your Highness, you have just heard what His Highness Prince Qi said. Now I am starting to collect your opinions and submit them to you. I wonder what advice Your Highness has for me?"
Wang Zichuan frowned slightly, and the man beside him was about to tell Lin Ziqi to leave.
Wang Zichuan exclaimed in surprise, stopping the man, and said directly to Lin Ziqi, "I only wish to learn from Mr. Songshan's scholarship. I will be leaving the capital after the Lantern Festival."
Lin Ziqi glanced at Wang Zichuan and the men beside him, and said indifferently, "I see. I will not disturb you any longer, Brother Wang."
His gaze was even more subdued than before.
Wang Zichuan ignored him and only gave a vague nod through his nose.
A silent contest of mutual disdain among intellectuals went on back and forth.
After Lin Ziqi walked toward Qin Siyuan, who was standing at a distance, Wang Zichuan said to the others, "This Scholar Lin must be a commoner from the south. As the saying goes, those who live in the city are often boastful and deceitful, while those who live in the fields are often vulgar. The Chancellor of the Imperial Academy has misjudged him."