Prime Minister

Chapter 66, Chapter 065: [Bloodshed]

The situation inside the hall was on the verge of exploding, and everyone stared at the other side with solemn expressions.

At this moment, there are only six members of the military family's scions, including Qin Zhang, aged between seventeen and twenty-six.

Although they were outnumbered, they were not afraid. They had often fought with the纨绔 (playboys) in the capital with Qin Zhang, and had killed many of them. Why would they take these weak scholars seriously?

However, they could not help but be wary of the other party's lineage and official status. At present, they could neither fight nor win an argument. These sons of military families were extremely frustrated.

Even Cao Xuan, who was used to ignoring criticism, frowned, let alone Qin Zhang, who was always arrogant and domineering.

He used almost all his strength to suppress the anger in his heart.

Xue Huai's words had just served as a wake-up call for him.

In the end, what happened today was due to his recklessness. Putting aside how good Xue Huai's poem was, his act of throwing money at people right from the start was undoubtedly a great humiliation for a scholar.

If Xue Huai does not retaliate, not only will his own reputation be damaged, but it may even implicate the deceased Xue Mingzhang.

Even if this case goes to the Emperor, Xue Huai will still be in the right.

Thinking of this, Qin Zhang suppressed his agitation and took a deep breath, saying, "I was just joking. How could Xue Shidu be so petty? Never mind, I won't hold this against you. Let's get back to the poem."

Upon hearing this, Cao Xuan felt quite uncomfortable.

He knew that Qin Zhang held a grudge against Xue Huai because his source of income had been cut off. Today, he had been asked to mention Zhanxue Pavilion in front of him. He thought that this guy could at least make Xue Huai suffer a little. Who knew that he had only grown old but not smart. He barged in with a seemingly aggressive manner, but Xue Huai caught him off guard as soon as he opened his mouth.

It's like trying to plaster mud on a wall.

In Cao Xuan's view, it was obvious that he couldn't cause trouble for the other party today, so he might as well say a few harsh words and go home quickly, and find an opportunity to make a move later. However, Qin Zhang obviously couldn't swallow this insult. Even though he knew he couldn't take action, he still stubbornly tried to make Xue Huai bow his head.

"Young Master Qin insulted us first, and now he thinks he can just let it go with a light joke."

Xue Huai sneered, "There's no such thing as a free lunch."

Qin Zhang frowned and said in a deep voice, "What do you intend to do?"

Xue Huai said sarcastically, "If you do something wrong, you should admit it. Didn't Marquis Zhenyuan teach you this principle?"

"You want me to apologize to you?"

A sinister smile appeared on Qin Zhang's face as he slowly said, "Xue Shidu, don't overestimate yourself."

"That's right, I, Xue, cannot force Young Master Qin to apologize. So why are you still standing here? Do you perhaps want us to buy you a drink?"

Xue Huai looked around and said in surprise, "This is the first time I've ever seen someone so shameless."

The young civil servants around him burst into laughter in unison.

"I was careless with my words just now."

Qin Zhang's face was ashen, and he said with resentment, "I apologize to you for this, but shouldn't Xue Shidu also give me an explanation?"

Xue Huai didn't take his vague apology seriously and asked instead, "What explanation?"

Qin Zhang raised his hand and pointed at Qu Zhaoyun, who was standing at a distance and separated from him, and said, "Who in the capital doesn't know that I've spent mountains of gold and silver on this Qu brothel owner, only to have you interfere? Everyone says you're upright and self-disciplined, but now you're doing things that harm others for your own benefit. Why should I swallow my anger? If you don't explain this matter clearly today, I will not let it go."

Just as Cao Xuan had guessed, Qin Zhang came to Zhanxue Pavilion today to cause trouble for Xue Huai; he was not the kind of person who could keep his temper in check.

Qin Zhang had no idea that upon arriving at Zhanxue Pavilion, he would receive news that Qu Zhaoyun had taken the initiative to show goodwill to Xue Huai, which nearly made him furious.

He was determined to have Qu Zhaoyun, not so much because of her talent, but mainly because she was beautiful, had a slender and alluring figure, and more importantly, she had a unique charm that captivated Qin Zhang. He only wanted her to follow him willingly.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have had the patience to argue with Qu Zhaoyun. In the past, he would have resorted to forceful measures long ago.

After two months of struggling, he still hadn't succeeded, and Xue Huai beat him to it. How could Qin Zhang tolerate this?
Qu Zhaoyun was indeed somewhat afraid of Qin Zhang's reckless nature, so even though she disliked him, she could only use tactful means to avoid him. But now, because of her, Qin Zhang was determined to fight Xue Huai to the death. She could only clench her hands and step forward, saying, "Young Marquis, I only admire Xue Shidu's character and talent. Please be kind with your words."

"you shut up."

Qin Zhang coldly uttered three words, staring at Xue Huai as he said, "Xue, I'm giving you two choices today. Either you return the money I've spent on Qu Zhaoyun over the past few months, or you leave your poem behind, take your classmates, and leave Zhanxue Pavilion, and I'll pretend nothing happened. Otherwise—"

He looked at the young civil officials opposite him one by one and said in a cold voice, "I am a muddle-headed man. If I have done anything inappropriate, please do not take offense."

This is a naked threat.

Xue Huai, Gao Tingbi, and even Chen Guanyue might not take it to heart, but others might not have the guts, because Qin Zhang's father was the Marquis of Zhenyuan, who commanded the Five Armies Camp, and the Qin family was one of the top military families in the Great Yan army.

Under the emperor, the Qin family was already a top-tier family.

Silence was spreading, and the atmosphere was shifting.

Xue Huai slowly walked out and stood in front of Qin Zhang, calmly looking at this scion of a military family who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Qin Zhang asked, "Have you thought it through?"

Xue Huai smiled slightly and said calmly, "Third Young Master Qin, do you know what I'm thinking?"

Qin Zhang narrowed his eyes slightly but did not respond.

Xue Huai continued, "I'm wondering what your purpose is in causing this trouble today? This is my first meeting with Qu Xingshou, and we certainly didn't exchange gifts in public. Yet, your aggressive behavior is utterly lacking in manners. You say I'm petty, but in my opinion, you're the one with a mind smaller than the eye of a needle. What I don't understand is that Qu Xingshou and I are having a gentlemanly relationship. What does that have to do with you, Qin Sanshao? By what right do you stand here questioning and interfering?" Qin Zhang felt the anger he had finally managed to suppress surge back to his head.

Outside the crowd, Qu Zhaoyun lowered her head and looked down, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Xue Huai stared at Qin Zhang's changing expression, then suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "You couldn't possibly have known in advance that Qu Xingshou would ask me for the lyrics, so your coming here to interrogate me must be a special trip to cause me trouble. On the surface, we have no enmity, but your hostility towards me is practically written all over your face. Let me guess why."

“I have never impeached the Zhenyuan Marquis’s Mansion before. The only connection between your family and this is probably the recent corruption case in the Ministry of Works.”

"I remember that the Ministry of Works has jurisdiction over a part of the military, such as military farms and armaments. It seems that I have ruined your money-making business, which is why you are so relentless."

"You came here today on the orders of Marquis Zhenyuan? No, Marquis Zhenyuan is not that stupid. This must be your own decision."

"So... Young Master Qin learned to drink soldiers' blood at such a young age?"

"You're incredibly audacious; you don't even know the meaning of death."

His tone was extremely calm, but to Qin Zhang it sounded like the whisper of a demon.

Qin Zhang suddenly raised his hand and grabbed Xue Huai's collar, his eyes blazing with fury, yet deep within them lay a hint of fear.

"Let go! Let go now!"

"How dare you, a mere spoiled brat, be so arrogant? Do you have no respect for the law?"

"Qin Zhang, I will definitely impeach you when I get back!"

"And the Marquis of Zhenyuan! You and your son will not escape unscathed!"

Chen Guanyue and the others were furious, but they were also worried that going forward would further provoke Qin Zhang. What if this guy got carried away and hurt Xue Huai?
All I could do was shout and yell angrily.

Cao Xuan and the others also changed color.

Although they were right next to him, Xue Huai deliberately closed the distance between himself and Qin Zhang and spoke very softly, so they could only vaguely hear a few words. They didn't quite understand why Qin Zhang had suddenly become so dangerous, so they had no way to persuade him and could only repeatedly tell him to calm down.

Qin Zhang grabbed Xue Huai by the collar with both hands, ignoring everyone else, and asked through gritted teeth, "Are you tired of living?"

"Qin Zhang, you are actually quite pathetic."

Xue Huaiqing's clear gaze seemed to pierce through Qin Zhang's heart as he continued in a low voice, "You think you're so powerful, but who in the whole capital truly respects you? Others call you 'Young Marquis' out of respect for the Marquis of Zhenyuan, but behind your back they curse you as a good-for-nothing wastrel."

Everyone looks down on you, and you really are a disappointment.

"Like now, you clearly don't dare to do anything to us weak scholars, yet you insist on putting on a show of arrogance. Don't you realize how ridiculous you are?"

"To put it bluntly, you're just a good-for-nothing spoiled by Old Madam Qin. You should hurry back to your manor and live a life of leisure and wealth. That's what you should be doing."

"If I were you, I would never have come to Zhanxue Pavilion today."

"To avoid bringing shame upon oneself."

Xue Huai's words were like steel knives cutting into Qin Zhang's heart. He suddenly roared fiercely and pushed Xue Huai backward with both hands.

This was because Xue Huai mentioned Qin Wanli and Old Madam Qin, allowing him to retain a last shred of reason.

Qin Zhang turned to leave, but suddenly a panicked shout came from behind him.

"Xue Shidu!"

"Brother Xue!"

"Brother Jing Che!"

Qin Zhang paused, glancing at Cao Xuan and the others beside him, and noticed the look of terror on their faces.

Turning his head, Qin Zhang's pupils suddenly contracted.

Chen Guanyue and the others hurriedly helped Xue Huai up.

Qin Zhang's push caused Xue Huai to stagger backward and fall to the ground. Unexpectedly, he fell near the table, and his forehead accidentally hit the table leg.

A streak of crimson appeared on Xue Huai's forehead, adding a touch of tragic grandeur to his handsome face.

Cao Xuan's heart pounded, and he knew something was wrong. But before he could drag Qin Zhang away, he heard one of the young civil officials roar angrily, "You scoundrels are going too far! I'll fight you to the death today!"

Before he could finish speaking, Wu Jing roared and lunged at them.

"A scholar can be killed but not humiliated!"

"This warrior is so arrogant and ruthless, how can we sit idly by and do nothing!"

"Fight them!"

More than twenty young talents rushed forward and surrounded Qin Zhang and the other six.

Chaos erupted instantly!

(End of this chapter)