“Number one beauty of the four northern provinces… who is that?”
Xiao Yang was stunned.
The original host had spent most of his life cooped up in the royal residence, cut off from the outside world, so naturally he had no recollection of this.
“That would be Yan Ruyu of the Jixia Academy!”
Qiu Ya was slightly surprised that Xiao Yang was so ignorant, then took it upon herself to explain.
“Yan Ruyu isn’t just a peerless beauty—she’s also a master of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She’s memorized the Four Books and Five Classics and, at only twenty, is already renowned throughout the land.”
“On top of that, she’s the first female Confucian scholar in Jixia Academy’s thousand-year history. She has more suitors than there are fish in the river.”
“But none of them can compare to our Second Prince. Not long ago, he spent a fortune acquiring a 7th stage Grand Scholar’s ‘True Name Glyph’ and gifted it to Miss Yan. She even returned the favor with a scented sachet!”
Hearing this, Xiao Yang’s expression turned strange.
Looked like his cheap second brother was just a hopeless romantic getting played like a fiddle.
A True Name Glyph from a 7th stage Grand Scholar contained fragments of Dao principles. It was an invaluable treasure that couldn’t be bought with mere gold or silver.
And she repaid it with a worthless sachet? Not even a personal item like worn stockings, and yet Xiao Ziwen was head over heels?
Wasn’t this just a textbook gold-digger?
Still, Xiao Yang was curious. What kind of breathtaking woman could she be?
How would she compare to Ning Hongye?
…
By dusk, at Orchid Pavilion.
Orchid Pavilion wasn’t within the city, but nestled over ten li away in a secluded garden.
With elegant scenery, winding streams, and rare trees arranged in picturesque disorder, the place was refined and tranquil.
“The Sword Province Governor’s son, Wei Wuji, has arrived!”
“The grandson of the Qing Province Inspector, Gongsun Ming, has arrived!”
“Disciple of the Calligraphy Sage, Wang Xizhi, has arrived!”
“Langya Academy’s Lord Hollow has arrived!”
“Poetry Champion, Liu Changqing, has arrived!”
The Second Prince Xiao Ziwen’s poetry gathering was packed with distinguished guests, bathed in lamplight and luxury.
Countless ornate carriages rolled in from every direction.
The four northern provinces—Jianzhou, Qingzhou, Cangzhou, and Jingzhou—were all under the nominal jurisdiction of the Northern War King. But in truth, each was ruled by different powers.
Tonight, attendees included both noble heirs and famed scholars from these regions.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
At that moment, Xiao Yang arrived alone, without any attendants, walking quietly into the gathering.
Since it was his first time attending such an event, no one recognized him. Get faster updates on g.com.
However, his refined looks, graceful presence, and the transformation from taking the Yin-Yang Genesis Pill made him shine like a firefly in the dark.
“What a handsome young man!”
“Such a shame he’s wearing an eyepatch. Was he injured?”
“Whose son is he? Is he married yet?”
Whispers buzzed around him. Many noble young ladies blushed, exchanging flirtatious glances his way.
But Xiao Yang had no interest in any of them.
Women… only slow down the speed at which I draw my blade!
“You, my good fellow! I’ve never seen someone so dazzling—more handsome than me even after a fresh bath!”
Suddenly, a chubby young man in luxurious robes dashed up beside Xiao Yang.
He wore a goofy smile, but it was endearing rather than greasy. He radiated a sense of friendliness.
“And you are?” Xiao Yang asked.
“I’m Ma Wencai, from the Ma family of Cangzhou,” the young man introduced himself.
Oh?
Xiao Yang raised his brow in mild surprise.
The Ma family was the wealthiest in Cangzhou, controlling salt, iron, and canal transport. Their wealth was immense.
It was said half of Cangzhou’s military funding came from the Ma family.
Although merchants held a low status in the Grand Xia Empire, the Ma family had risen high enough to be called “Ma Half-Province.”
As the son of the richest family in Cangzhou, Ma Wencai was no ordinary figure.
“So it’s Brother Ma. But Cangzhou is over a thousand li from Xuelong Pass. What brings you all the way here?” Xiao Yang asked.
Ma Wencai leaned in and whispered mysteriously, “Naturally, I received a secret letter from the Second Prince, summoning us to teach the Ninth Prince a good lesson!”
“I set out before dawn, switched horses three times, and my butt’s practically falling apart from the ride. But I made it just in time!”
Xiao Yang remained expressionless but prodded subtly, “What do you mean?”
“It’s not just me. Many of these honored guests and scholars have received instructions from the Second Prince!”
“Word is the Ninth Prince has sided with that demon woman from the Vermilion Bird Army, showing no respect for his brothers and acting lawlessly!”
“Someone that arrogant surely knows nothing of poetry. Tonight, we’ll make him embarrass himself at the poetry gathering. Haha!”
Ma Wencai burst into laughter.
Damn.
These pen-wielding scholars really played dirty!
Xiao Yang cursed inwardly. So this was a banquet designed to shame him.
“Brother, judging by your bearing, you must come from an extraordinary family. May I know your name?” Ma Wencai asked.
“Hmm…”
“Huh?”
Ma Wencai looked surprised.
Being from a merchant background, he was well-informed, but he had never heard of any ‘Nine Luminaries Sect,’ nor did he know its members or disciples.
While he was still puzzling it out, a stir rippled through the crowd.
“Look! Miss Yan is here!”
“Don’t call her Miss. She’s the Female Scholar of Jixia Academy!”
“She’s stunning! Just seeing her from afar makes this trip worth it!”
…
Xiao Yang followed their gaze.
A celestial-looking woman appeared in his line of sight.
She seemed just over twenty, dressed in flowing robes embroidered with sage patterns that moved as if stirred by invisible wind. She wore a starry crown and rode in atop a white deer.
Her entrance was flashier than a Ferrari in his past life.
Her face was enchanting, with alluring eyes and peach-blossom cheeks. Every movement brimmed with irresistible charm.
Yet she exuded both sanctity and seductiveness—an impossible blend, somehow in perfect harmony.
Beneath her gauzy skirt, her feet were bare, ten translucent toes gleaming like a string of grapes.
Exquisite!
Absolutely exquisite!
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp…
The sound of countless men swallowing echoed across the venue.
Even those refined and dignified scholars were bending slightly forward, desperately restraining themselves to avoid embarrassment in public.
“This… this isn’t some Confucian scholar. She’s a top-tier succubus!” Xiao Yang blurted out.
“You don’t understand, Brother!”
Ma Wencai wiped the drool from his chin and explained eagerly.
“It’s said that Miss Yan was born with a naturally enchanting body. She was destined to become a royal consort, but instead joined the Wen Temple from a young age, studying the sages and walking the path of Dao. She’s never been involved in any scandals!”
“But there are also rumors… her physique is unique. Anyone who bonds with her can drastically enhance their cultivation. That’s why she’s so sought after!”
“I see,” Xiao Yang nodded thoughtfully, then secretly activated the See Through Illusions ability of his Unrivaled Dual-Pupils to inspect Yan Ruyu from afar.
[Target: Yan Ruyu]
[Innate Yin-Yang Sacred Body (Yin): +100 attraction to the opposite sex. Born with charm bones. A true beauty disaster.]
[Weakness 1: Pure Sound]
[Weakness 2: Soft Body]
[Weakness 3: Easily Pushed Down]