tallest building

Chapter 231 Hosting

The Crown Prince of Chu recovered slightly from his illness, and Chang'an came to visit him.

"It's only been a few days since we left the house, but the weather already feels much cooler," Ying Bai and Gong Chang'an sighed as they stepped outside.

"Your Highness has indeed been ill for some time, but now that you are much better, it is time for you to come out and relax," Gong Chang'an said with a smile. "Since there is nothing to do in the palace, I would like to be a small host and invite you and Your Highness to the Liuxian Tower outside the palace to relieve your boredom. I wonder if Your Highness would do me the honor?"

Ying Bai laughed and said, "Of course I'll go if you invite me, but it would be a bit lonely with just the three of us."

“I had anticipated that,” Gong Chang’an said. “I have a few good brothers outside the palace. I can ask them to accompany me. They are only a year or two older than me.”

"It doesn't matter if it's big or small, the more people, the more lively it will be." Ying Bai had been feeling really stifled staying indoors these days and just wanted to have some fun.

However, they couldn't act on their own in the palace; it was much more carefree and enjoyable outside.

The next morning, the three of them left the palace, and Gong Chang'an asked the two princes to stroll around the area near the restaurant.

He then went to the private school of Feng Tianzhu and others to greet the young men.

They weren't here to study properly anyway, and upon seeing Gong Chang'an, they jumped up and down, asking for leave.

Gong Baoan was also there, but he was very well-behaved and dared not ask for leave easily. He also hesitated because he was young and others did not like to take him along.

“Come on, Fifth Brother,” Gong Chang’an stepped forward and affectionately put his arm around him, “I’ll ask for leave for you.”

A short, chubby man with a short chin next to him curled his lip in disapproval.

Gong Baoan glanced at him furtively, then pulled Gong Changan away quickly.

Gong Chang'an glanced at the man slowly, noticing that he was dressed very elegantly and had an arrogant expression on his face.

"Fourth Brother, he is Liu Chuanbin from the Prince of Shoushan's Mansion," Gong Baoan whispered to Gong Chang'an.

Gong Chang'an naturally remembered the name Liu Chuanbin; he was the one who always bullied Gong Bao'an.

Gong Chang'an's gaze clearly displeased Liu Chuanbin, who was also twelve or thirteen years old this year, older than both Gong Chang'an and Gong Bao'an.

In addition, his family was of a much higher social standing than the Gong family, so even though everyone said that Gong Chang'an was a child prodigy, he didn't think it was anything special.

"What are you staring at with those dog eyes?!" Liu Chuanbin grinned at Gong Chang'an.

"Let's see who's better, you or me," Gong Chang'an replied with a smile, not annoyed at all.

“Nonsense! Of course I’m superior to you!” Liu Chuanbin said. “Is that even a question?”

"No wonder people say that dogs look down on people." Gong Chang'an laughed. "I see."

"You're talking nonsense!" Liu Chuanbin roared. "How dare you mock me?! Don't think you're so great just because you've entered the Sanjing Academy."

"No, no, it's really nothing special. How could I possibly have the talent of Prince Liu?" Gong Chang'an chuckled mischievously. "I've heard that your poem about snow has made you famous throughout the capital!"

Those around couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle. This Liu Chuanbin had no talent whatsoever, yet he insisted on being praised for his literary talent.

One day, it snowed, and he was inspired to write a poem about snow:

Large, fluffy snowflakes fell in abundance.
No one is seen traveling between north and south.

Nine celestial maidens, clad in silver,
She descended to earth to find her lover.

Such vulgar language, yet there's a bunch of sycophants. They say his poems are elegant yet accessible, profound yet sincere. "Hmph, I don't need your praise; everyone knows my literary talent," Liu Chuanbin said, his nostrils practically flaring to the sky.

Gong Chang'an said with a smile, "I have also composed a poem for Young Master Liu."

Then, without waiting for him to reply, he began to recite:

What tree, swaying gracefully like a green ribbon?
People with expertise naturally have lofty aspirations.

The phrase "possessing both literary and martial talents" carries auspicious connotations.
The two insects are not lonely in spring.

"You, you dare to call me stupid?!" Although Liu Chuanbin's literary talent was average, he was not an idiot. He realized that his name was embedded in the poem that Gong Chang'an had composed. Each word in the poem, when put together, meant "Liu Chuanbin is stupid."

Gong Chang'an smiled but said nothing, and continued walking out with Gong Bao'an in his arms.

When had Liu Chuanbin ever suffered such a loss? He immediately flew into a rage, cursing without restraint: "You little beast! Your mother is unfaithful, and you don't know any manners either!"

Liu Chuanbin had already heard from his aunt and grandmother that Gong Chang'an's mother, Wen Mingqian, was a shameless and despicable woman who did not uphold the virtues of womanhood.

This kind of shameless woman should be drowned. Why does she have to live in this world with no shame?
"You're talking nonsense! Mother Wen is a good person!" Before Gong Chang'an could retort, Gong Bao'an jumped up.

He was originally afraid of Liu Chuanbin, but he couldn't stand Liu Chuanbin publicly slandering Wen Mingqian like that.

"What are you doing, you illegitimate son of a bitch, jumping around like that?" Liu Chuanbin cursed Gong Baoan with practiced ease. "Do you even know? Your concubine's mother was killed by that woman. You still recognize a thief as your mother, how shameless!"

At this moment, Qiao Ziyu and the others also came in from outside. Seeing this situation, they quickly stepped forward to mediate the fight.

Gong Chang'an didn't want too many people to get involved, nor did he want to engage in any more verbal disputes, so he said, "The two princes are still waiting outside, let's not delay too long."

After saying that, he took Gong Baoan's hand and went out.

Liu Chuanbin was extremely pleased with himself, convinced that Gong Chang'an was afraid.

"Go, ask for leave for me too," he ordered his page. "I'm going to catch up with him and teach him a lesson! He thinks he's climbed the social ladder, I'll let the two princes know what kind of scoundrel this little brat really is!"

It has to be said that the Liu family members are all somewhat eccentric; Liu Huanchun is one example, and her own nephew is no less so.

People say you should know when to advance and when to retreat, but the Liu family only knows how to push their luck.

"Fourth Brother, Liu Chuanbin is catching up." Gong Baoan turned around and saw Liu Chuanbin riding a tall horse, following behind at a leisurely pace, with seven or eight attendants behind him. His heart couldn't help but jump.

"This guy surnamed Liu has really gone too far. We've been trying to mediate between him at school so he doesn't bully Bao'an as much, but who would have thought he'd act up again today?" Qiao Ziyu said helplessly.

"If you ask me, let's lure him to a secluded place and give him a good beating, then we'll call it a day," said Feng Tianzhu, who had a fiery temper. "Let's see if he behaves himself then."

“That won’t work,” Qiao Ziyu stopped him. “The Liu family is notoriously protective of their own, and that will surely cause unrest in every household.”

Gong Chang'an smiled. He had already made up his mind to teach Liu Chuanbin a lesson, but since he was hosting the event today, he couldn't neglect the guests.

I originally planned to settle accounts with that guy surnamed Liu after today's meal, but who would have thought he would follow me like that, which saves me trouble.

They arrived at Liuxianlou and had reserved a private room by the window on the second floor, but the two princes were not there.

Gong Chang'an smiled and said, "I suppose those two haven't finished sightseeing yet. You two sit here for now, I'll go out and look for them."

When Liu Chuanbin arrived, he immediately called over the shopkeeper: "Which room are those people who went up earlier in? Clear out the room next to them for me."