After years of lying low, Xu Fang arrived at Green Stone Palace and addressed the Holy Crown Prince, begging Jiang Wuliang's forgiveness. "Xu Fang bares his heart and liver, to prove his sincerity!"
News trickled in like this.
By the time Xu Fang died, the aftermath had not ceased; instead, it grew ever more turbulent!
Regardless of the shifting winds and clouds, the banquet continued.
Because... the sky had not yet darkened, and the beautiful view had not been fully admired.
But although the Maple Glow at Dusk was one of Linzi's Seven Wonders, how many among the guests could truly appreciate it?
Their minds were no longer there.
At the central main table, few people sat. Present were Qing Xi and Li Zhengshu, with Chongxuan Mingguang rightfully occupying the head seat. Two elders from noble families sat as accompaniment, possessing only titles and nothing noteworthy to mention, while Chongxuan Sheng sat respectfully at the lowest seat. After Qing Xi's proactive gesture of goodwill, despite Chongxuan Mingguang's somewhat displeased expression, the atmosphere warmed up.
Li Longchuan, Xu Xiangqian, Yan Fu, and Gao Zhe, the direct heirs of their respective noble families, sat at the secondary table, with Jiang Wang as their host.
Everyone present was sharp; the moment they heard Xu Fang's name, they guessed it had to do with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. The case involving the Xu family years ago, though rarely spoken of, had not vanished from people's memories.
Jiang Wang knew no more than they did.
Xu Fang had to die—this was something he himself had long been prepared for, and Chongxuan Sheng had never shied away from it. This matter, whether great or small, absolutely could not touch Chongxuan Sheng, at least not on the surface.
That was why Chongxuan Sheng had personally gone to Yuli Market to find someone, asking only Jiang Wang to accompany him.
Fourteen was still recovering from injuries, and he had no one else around him whom he could fully trust.
For Xu Fang, if Chongxuan Sheng were also implicated, there would be no one left to help him carry out the subsequent revenge.
His death was merely the clarion call for retaliation against the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce; the subsequent assault would require someone of considerable strength to complete.
Thus, severing Chongxuan Sheng's ties with this matter was not only Chongxuan Sheng's own concern but also something Xu Fang himself had to strive to achieve.
At their final parting in that inn, Jiang Wang had been prepared for Xu Fang's death. Only he had not anticipated that he would do so in such a violent manner—baring his heart and liver!
He seemed to see Xu Fang saying this, asking this.
"I acted out of public interest..."
"Are they... still blaming me?"
By tearing out his heart and liver for the world to see, how upright and open-hearted Xu Fang had been!
But ironically, from now on, the world might indeed acknowledge that Xu Fang, though wild, had lived an upright life. Yet this time... it was, in truth, a confession that was not at all forthright.
He was not confessing guilt; he was framing someone. He was not acting from justice, but from hatred. He did not consider himself wrong, yet he deceived himself and the world.
Perhaps he wanted to be an honest ghost, baring his heart to tell his family—whom he had dared not face for eighteen years—his feelings.
But on the road to the underworld, would anyone truly be waiting? Would anyone truly say to him, "Forget it," or "I will never forgive you"?
At this moment, Gao Zhe, with his broad, square nose, raised his wine cup: "The Seven Wonders of Linzi—indeed, they are more impressive in person than in reputation. Brother Jiang, you are a true young hero; you have won my admiration. I drink this cup, and you may do as you please!"
Watching Gao Zhe drain his cup in one gulp, Jiang Wang also raised his cup and drank it all in one breath.
"Brother Gao is too kind."
"Another day, when you have time, you must come to my Coastal County to see the sea view. It is no less splendid than Linzi's scenery!"
"Of course!"
Then Yan Fu, grandson of Yan Ping, also spoke: "In the past, I buried myself in classics and indeed neglected the scenery. In the future, when I have leisure, I should come out and wander more."
His voice was calm and gentle, lacking any aggression.
Like a gesture of goodwill, it was subtler than Gao Jie's.
Jiang Wang could clearly represent Chongxuan Sheng; it was evident from the fact that he was hosting this table.
Their friendliness toward Jiang Wang was actually a response to Chongxuan Sheng's move.
It signaled that in the future, they could cooperate further, and not just be drinking-and-dining friends.
Chongxuan Zun had been sent to Jixia Academy for a year, merely regaining one round, but Chongxuan Sheng had quickly launched a counterattack with such ferocity. The scales in their hearts had already tipped toward Chongxuan Sheng's side.
As for Xu Xiangqian and Li Longchuan, they were not speaking much at the moment. Their friendship with Jiang Wang was naturally closer, so there was no need to make any declarations at this time.
"Naturally!" Jiang Wang replied. "I am quite unfamiliar with Linzi and will need all of you to look after me. In such a vast city, I might get lost!"
"Of course, we'll look after you!" Xu Xiangqian declared magnanimously. "Later tonight, when the lanterns are lit, we'll go to the Warm Jade Waterside Pavilion to look after you! But, you have to bring money!"
It was unclear whether he misunderstood the term "look after."
"Brother Xu, you're being too formal," Gao Zhe laughed. "With Brother Yan here, why would any of us need to pay?"
The county where the Yan family's old residence was located bore a single-character name: "Bei"!
The character for "wealth" (cái) derived from "bei" (shell), and Bei County was naturally famous throughout the world for its riches.
And as the foremost family in Bei County, the Yan family's wealth went without saying.
There was a subtle, almost intangible depth in Gao Zhe's words, but Yan Fu paid no heed, simply smiling gently: "Let's all go together."
Yan Fu's temperament reminded Jiang Wang of Wang Changxiang from Maple Forest City. But their gentleness was fundamentally different. Wang Changxiang's gentleness was one of non-competition, while Yan Fu's carried a sense of innate pride and self-respect.
In other words, Yan Fu's gentleness was disdain; Wang Changxiang's gentleness was non-competition.
Xu Xiangqian liked those willing to pay. Originally, he had no fondness for the Gao family of Coastal County, and only out of respect for Jiang Wang had he not given Gao Zhe a cold shoulder. As for Yan Fu, who came with Gao Zhe, the scholarly old Xu also looked down upon.
But the moment he saw Yan Fu's extravagant spending style, he suddenly found him much more agreeable, repeatedly saying: "Let's go, let's go!"
Time waits for no one, and good views are hard to keep.
The Maple Glow at Dusk had just ended, and the guests were about to disperse or move to other venues.
Suddenly, a servant came to report that the head of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, Su She, was requesting an audience outside the mansion.
Whether leaving or moving on, everyone halted their steps and sat firmly in their chairs.
How could they miss such a spectacle?
At the main table, Chongxuan Sheng seemed not to hear, drinking and eating meat on his own. The others said nothing, each lost in their thoughts, watching coldly.
It was Chongxuan Mingguang who could not sit still. After all, he knew whose private residence this was, so he asked Chongxuan Sheng: "Is it proper to keep a guest waiting outside?"
Chongxuan Sheng glanced at his uncle, knowing he was considering Chongxuan Zun's cooperation with the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce. However, in front of so many people, if he caused a scene with his uncle, it would shame the Chongxuan family.
Without a doubt, Old Master Chongxuan would hang him from a tree and beat him slowly.
"Let him in," Chongxuan Sheng instructed.
Only then did the servant bow and go out, completely indifferent to Chongxuan Mingguang's attitude throughout the process, demonstrating Chongxuan Sheng's control over his subordinates.
Before long, the elegant Su She strode in, followed by a still-charming woman of mature years—the deputy head of the Treasure Gathering Chamber of Commerce, Cheng Shiyi.