In the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era: I became Yang Guozhong's eldest son.

That afternoon, a bright red invitation card with gold lettering was personally delivered to the main gate of the county government office by Tian Chengyi, the head steward of the Tian family.

When the invitation arrived, Yang Xuan was in his study in the backyard, listening to Cui Shen report on the installation progress of the new equipment at Qing'ao Well.

"My lord, that old fox Tian Boyong has finally lost his patience." Cui Shen frowned slightly as he looked at the invitation on the table. "Wangjiang Tower is the largest restaurant in Yaozhou, backed by the Nanhe River, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Tian Boyong chose that location; he definitely has ill intentions. This is clearly a trap."

"It's not just a trap, it's a showdown."

Yang Xuan gently stroked the gold-embossed character "田" on the invitation with his slender fingers, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"He lost power at Qing'ao Well and suffered heavy losses at Heifeng Gorge. He's exhausted all means of assassination and interception. Now he has no choice but to bring things out into the open. He's trying to use the power of the local tyrant in Yaozhou, or even pressure from the prefecture, to force me to compromise."

"So, will you go or not, my lord?" Pei Zhao asked in a deep voice, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"Go. Why not?" Yang Xuan smiled faintly. "Since he's set up the stage, if I don't go, wouldn't it make me, the county magistrate, look like I'm afraid of the Tian family?"

"But my lord, a man of noble birth should not risk his life," Cui Shen anxiously advised. "Your safety is now crucial to the entire situation in Yaozhou. What if Tian Boyong, in desperation, sets up an ambush at Wangjiang Tower..."

"He wouldn't dare kill me." Yang Xuan interrupted Cui Shen, his tone brimming with absolute confidence. "I am an official of the imperial court, the son of the prime minister. No matter how arrogant Tian Boyong is, he wouldn't dare openly murder an official of the imperial court. He set up this scheme to subdue me, not to kill me."

Yang Xuan stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the sky outside, which was gradually darkening.

"Besides, it's about time I met the guests at the Yaozhou card table. I want to see who the powerful figures behind Tian Boyong really are."

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open.

Yanhe walked in carrying a bowl of freshly cooked bird's nest porridge.

She had changed out of her plain ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and put on a dignified and elegant dark purple double-breasted long dress. Her hair was also styled into a formal Lingyun bun, making her look graceful and noble with a powerful aura.

"Are you going to a banquet?" Yanhe placed the bird's nest porridge on the table and asked Yang Xuan.

"Yes." Yang Xuan nodded, not hiding anything from her, "Tian Boyong set a trap at Wangjiang Tower."

"I'll go with you." Yanhe's tone was calm, yet firm.

Upon hearing this, the three people in the study were stunned.

"Princess, this is absolutely forbidden!" Cui Shen exclaimed in alarm. "Wangjiang Tower is a place teeming with all sorts of people. Not to mention the possibility that the Tian family might have set an ambush, how could someone of your noble birth risk such a place?"

"Yes, Madam, it's enough that your subordinates are protecting your husband," Pei Zhao added, offering his advice.

Yang Xuan looked at Yan He, his brows furrowing slightly: "Yan He, this is no child's play. There's danger lurking in the shadows at this banquet; you don't need to take that risk."

Ignoring Cui Shen and Pei Zhao's advice, Yan He walked straight up to Yang Xuan and met his gaze without flinching.

"Yang Xuan, have you forgotten what we said when we left Chang'an?"

Yanhe's voice was crisp and powerful.

"We're in the same boat. If you capsize up ahead, and I'm left behind in the back, we'll both die anyway."

She pointed to the invitation on the table.

"Since Tian Boyong dared to host this banquet in such a grand manner, it means that he intends to use not only underworld methods but also officialdom rules. Although you are a county magistrate, you are, after all, the son of a disgraced official. In front of those local tyrants and the possible prefectural officials, your status cannot suppress them."

Yanhe slightly raised her chin, revealing a hint of pride unique to noblewomen of the royal family.

"But I can."

"I am Princess Yanhe of the Great Tang Dynasty. As long as I sit at this table, whether it's Tian Boyong or any other official in the prefecture, anyone who dares to openly lay a finger on you is committing treason and rebellion!"

"You go and fight your battles, I'll handle the shady officialdom rules for you. That's what makes a complete scheme!"

Looking at the determined woman before him, Yang Xuan felt a surge of intense shock.

He knew Yanhe was right.

Tian Boyong's biggest trump card in setting up this trap must be a powerful figure who can suppress Yang Xuan's official rank.

Although Yanhe's status as a princess did not grant her real power, in such a hierarchical setting, it served as an insurmountable shield against death.

"it is good."

Yang Xuan took a deep breath, a resolute smile flashing in his eyes.

"Since Tian Boyong wants to watch a show, then my wife and I will accompany him to the very end!"

He turned to look at Pei Zhao.

"Pei Zhao!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Gather ten of your most elite salt guards, equip them with new armor and swords. Tonight, they will accompany me to the banquet!"

"Your subordinate obeys!" Pei Zhao replied loudly, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

......

Wangjiang Tower, the tallest building in the south of Yaozhou City, is located next to the Nanhe River.

The Tian family has booked the entire Wangjiang Tower tonight.

Outside the building, there were guards every three steps and sentries every five steps, all of them elite retainers raised by the Tian and Hu families, each with bulging waistbands that revealed the cold, hard outline of weapons.

Further out in the dark alleys, Lei Laohu's gang of mulemen lurked, ready to deal with any emergencies.

The entire Wangjiang Tower resembles a monster with its jaws wide open, quietly waiting for its prey to arrive.

Inside the private rooms on the top floor, the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments filled the air, and several scantily clad women were dancing gracefully.

But none of the guests sitting around the banquet were paying attention to any of this.

Tian Boyong sat to the left of the main seat, opposite Hu Rong, Manager Song, and Lei Laohu.

In the very center, in the most prestigious seat, sat a middle-aged official dressed in a scarlet robe and sporting a long, three-strand beard.

He closed his eyes slightly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table in rhythm with the music, as if the tense atmosphere around him had nothing to do with him.

This man was Zheng Yuan, the Sima of Yaozhou Prefecture in Jiannan Circuit.

The Prefectural Magistrate was a fifth-rank official, three or four ranks higher than Yang Xuan, the demoted magistrate of a lower county.

More importantly, Sima was in charge of the military and political affairs of a province, and in this remote Jiannan Road, he held great power.

He is Tian Boyong's biggest trump card tonight.

"Lord Zheng, that brat Yang Xuan is utterly arrogant. He has killed many gentry members of Yaozhou, and now he has gone even further, forcibly seizing government-owned salt wells and illegally withholding salt taxes. We implore you, Lord Zheng, to avenge us!"

Tian Boyong raised his wine glass and respectfully toasted Zheng Yuan, his tone filled with grief and indignation.

Zheng Yuan slowly opened his eyes, picked up his wine glass and took a sip, but did not immediately respond.

He came this time because Tian Boyong promised in his letter that the salt profits would double this year as a tribute, and also because the sudden appearance of the Zhechongfu military token made the prefecture feel uneasy.

"Old Master Tian, ​​please calm down." Zheng Yuan put down his wine cup, speaking slowly and deliberately. "Now that I'm here, I will naturally restore the rules of Yaozhou. However, Yang Xuan is, after all, the son of the Prime Minister. Although he has been demoted, as long as he hasn't committed a capital crime of treason, I can't arrest him directly. Tonight, let's probe his intentions first. If he's sensible and hands over the Qing'ao Well, I'll guarantee he can live a peaceful and prosperous life as a wealthy man in Yaozhou. If he's not sensible..."

A cold glint flashed in Zheng Yuan's eyes, and he didn't finish his sentence.

But everyone present understood that if they didn't know their place, there would probably be two more unidentified corpses floating in the Nanhe River tonight.