The long walk from the Li Residence had taken a toll on Lin Ce’s body. His face had remained pale throughout. Now that Wang Gui noticed it, he seized the chance to mock him.
Li Jiayin wasn’t good at handling such situations. She rarely went out and had social anxiety. Seeing her cousin ridiculed like this left her flustered and helpless. If only she had brought Li’er along—she was an expert at arguing. Just yesterday, she’d silenced Fu Er with her sharp tongue.
“The Prime Minister’s eldest grandson has such little courage? Scared pale just by seeing me? How pitiful for Prime Minister Lin. Who would’ve thought the Lin family would end up with no worthy heirs—only trash like you.”
Wang Gui unleashed his ridicule without restraint. Lin Ce, once someone he could only look up to, now stood before him being mocked—it felt incredibly satisfying.
“Wang Gui, you’ve gone too far!”
Li Jiayin couldn’t bring herself to curse. She was a gifted scholar, but not skilled at insults.
Lin Ce shook his head and held her back, preventing her from stepping forward.
“A biting dog doesn’t bark. The ones who bark don’t bite. Cousin, there’s no point arguing with a dog. If it bares its teeth at you, just walk away. What are you going to do—bite it back?” Lin Ce said, pulling her away.
“You’re right, Brother. If a dog barks, we just walk away.” Li Jiayin nodded repeatedly.
They weren’t even on the same level—it wasn’t worth wasting breath.
Wang Gui’s pupils contracted. He was used to being arrogant, but now he’d just been called a dog? “Lin Ce, how dare you insult me like that?”
“Stop right there! If I don’t kill you today, I’ll change my surname!”
Such a reckless outburst only made Lin Ce look down on him more. He couldn’t understand how Wang Nian had raised a son like this.
“Young Master Wang, so impressive. Are you really planning to commit murder in public, ignoring the law?” Lin Ce sneered. “One would think you outrank even the Emperor.”
The people on the street immediately changed their expressions as they looked at Wang Gui.
“Even the Emperor has to go through the court to execute someone, with a formal charge and justification.”
“But Wang Gui? He just says he’ll kill someone and does it?”
“Maybe he’s the real Emperor of Bianjing?”
The murmurs spread, and Wang Gui’s face froze.
Who in Bianjing dared to claim they were mightier than the Emperor?
If someone accused him of surpassing imperial authority, that would be a grave offense. If word reached the Emperor’s ears, Wang Gui would be doomed.
“What nonsense are you spouting!” Wang Gui growled, his expression dark and twisted as he glared at Lin Ce.
Lin Ce smirked contemptuously and continued, “Young Master Wang, the royal family’s spies are everywhere in Bianjing. Being this arrogant isn’t wise. What if the Emperor hears about you? What do you think will happen?” Find the original chapter at novelping(.)com.
“What… what would happen?” Wang Gui faltered, stumbling back a step and bumping into his carriage.
The Emperor was fickle—no one could predict his thoughts. If he heard about Wang Gui’s behavior on a bad day, the man might die without even knowing why.
In that moment, Wang Gui’s face turned ghostly pale. He stared at Lin Ce, waiting to hear what he would say next.
But Lin Ce simply smiled faintly and ignored him.
This man was brainless—he wasn’t even operating on the same level.
“Brother, his face really turned pale,” Li Jiayin said, pointing at Wang Gui. The surrounding bystanders all wore mocking expressions.
Wang Gui was the type who bullied the weak and feared the strong.
“That’s good. Look at his delicate face—now that it’s pale, he really does look like a pretty boy.” Lin Ce laughed loudly and turned to enter Moonview Tower.
Wang Gui’s lips twitched. He realized he’d just been played.
Why would the Emperor bother with a small fry like him? Even if someone reported it, it would have to go through his father’s hands first.
So the Emperor would never hear about it.
“Hmph! You bumpkin—how dare you toy with me?” Wang Gui roared in anger.
But Lin Ce and Li Jiayin ignored him completely and walked into Moonview Tower.
Moonview Tower had three levels, each decorated with extreme luxury. The first-floor hall was like stepping into a celestial palace. Its pillars were made from golden-thread nanmu wood, painted in red lacquer.
On the floor was a massive carved mural depicting the candle dragon splitting the heavens. A stream flowed from a fake mountain in the center, winding across the floor like a river.
Li Jiayin had been here before, so she remained calm.
But Lin Ce showed a hint of surprise. He quickly realized the liquid flowing from the fake mountain wasn’t water—but wine. Likely some kind of exquisite Immortal Jade Dew.
Such extravagance was truly jaw-dropping.
“Miss Li, His Highness the Prince of the Southwest is already waiting on the third floor. Once you arrive, the poetry gathering can begin,” a maid in plain clothes came over with a beaming smile.
“Take us up then,” Li Jiayin nodded, then took Lin Ce’s arm and followed her.
As they walked through the corridor, silvery laughter drifted from one of the private rooms, accompanied by pipa and zither melodies and faint whispers that Lin Ce couldn’t make out. Read this novel at novelping.com for the best experience.
“Is Moonview Tower a brothel too?” Lin Ce’s expression was a little strange. He had never visited Moonview Tower in his past life—this was his first time.
Soon, they reached the third floor.
The wooden door opened to reveal a wide, open space. There were no walls, only eight carved dragon pillars supporting the structure. From here, all of Xunan Ward was visible at a glance.
Four rows of seats had already been arranged, and many people were seated.
At the head of the room was a golden sandalwood table, behind which sat the Prince of the Southwest’s son.
The Prince of the Southwest, Wu Hong, was a feudal prince and a senior official from the previous dynasty. Dissatisfied with the former regime, he had greatly aided the royal family of Great Zhou, leading to the fall of the old dynasty.
After the founding of the Great Zhou Empire, the Emperor granted Wu Hong the title of Prince of the Southwest and sent him to guard the region.
But to prevent future rebellion, the imperial court had sent Wu Hong’s son, Wu Sheng’an, to Bianjing as a political hostage.
Now, after ten years, it was time for Wu Sheng’an to return and inherit the title. Today’s poetry gathering would be his last in Bianjing before his departure in a few days.
“Miss Li has arrived.”
As she entered, everyone on the third floor stood up. They were all young and talented scholars. Some were dressed plainly, but each one wore a composed and confident expression.
Most of them were candidates who had failed the Spring Imperial Examination. Staying in Bianjing now was a chance to connect with influential officials who might recommend them for office.
Li Jiayin, famed as a talented woman, was admired by many scholars. On top of that, her uncle was Grand Academician Li Jingchun of the Imperial Library Pavilion. Winning his favor could make entering the court effortless.
So, as soon as Li Jiayin arrived, everyone greeted her with flattery.
At this moment, Wu Sheng’an, the Prince of the Southwest’s son, also stood up. He walked over with a bright smile, his eyes burning with eagerness.
“Jiayin, you’re finally here. Today we drink and compose poetry—without you, the joy would be greatly diminished.” Wu Sheng’an’s appearance was average, but he exuded wealth and nobility.
He wore a purple robe that looked quite prestigious, adorned with many jade ornaments that jingled as he walked.
“Huh?”
Wu Sheng’an was about to invite her to sit down when he noticed she was holding Lin Ce’s arm. The two of them looked very close.