The First Marquis of Leisure

After returning from the Zhang residence, Bai Heng was filled with doubts, and he had many questions he wanted to ask Bai Xinghe.

As a confidant of the Marquis of Zhenguo, Bai Heng had watched Bai Xinghe grow up.

Although he wasn't inherently a bad person, he was a typical playboy who only knew how to eat, drink, have fun, and squander money.

However, in less than a month, Bai Xinghe not only showed great courage but also acted decisively.

The princess who broke off her engagement, killed Li Yuan, confronted Li Taibei head-on, and coerced a group of noble families.

It seems he can even foresee border wars thousands of miles away, and today he has created a masterpiece within seven steps that even Zhang Chunqiu would be ashamed of and envious of.

Everything overturned his understanding, and he thought about the things he hadn't explained to himself during the day.

He found it somewhat laughable and ridiculous.

"Uncle Heng, don't look at me like that. I know what you want to ask, and you'll know when the time comes."

Bai Xinghe remained calm; of course, he couldn't tell Bai Heng that this Bai Xinghe was not the same Bai Xinghe.

Seeing this, Bai Heng didn't ask anything more. On the contrary, he liked and even respected the current young master Bai Xinghe more.

Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister's residence

Li Taibei has been claiming illness for two days and has not attended court, and has also instructed his servants to close the door to visitors.

The tragic death of his son, Li Yuan, drove this most important official of the Great Zhao Dynasty into madness.

At this moment, inside the secret room.

After hearing the secret report from the man in black, Li Taibei finally burst into laughter.

"Bai Tianque, if I don't completely exterminate your Zhenguo Marquis's lineage and tear Bai Xinghe to pieces, I swear I'm not human!"

The man in black paused, then said, "Lord Li, we will help you capture Bai Tianque, but please do not forget the agreement between you and my king!"

"Hmph!" Li Taibei stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes filled with malice. "As long as one person dies during the day, no one in the court can rival my power, and there will be no one else in Great Zhao who can lead the army!"

"As for Zhang Chunqiu's head, I will find a way to take it."

"Lord Li, don't forget, Zhang Chunqiu is the tutor of three generations of emperors of your Great Zhao, and his name is known throughout the world. How can you bring him down so easily?"

"You need not worry about these things. I have a brilliant plan. Soon, a delegation from your Great Yan will be visiting. When scholars from both countries compete, Zhang Chunqiu, as the foremost Confucian scholar of Great Zhao, will inevitably take part. I will use this opportunity to make Zhang Chunqiu feel ashamed and bring about his own destruction."

.......

The next day, in the morning

Bai Xinghe was woken up early by the servants of the Marquis's mansion. It turned out that Zhao Sisi had come in person to invite him to a banquet at the Prince's mansion.

Upon hearing that Zhao Sisi had arrived, Bai Xinghe jumped up.

"Princess, how could we trouble you to come in person? Just send a servant to inform us."

Upon seeing Zhao Sisi, Bai Xinghe's heart raced; he knew this was the feeling of falling in love and his heart fluttering.

Zhao Sisi wore a long dress, looking absolutely stunning; everything about her was just right.

"Young Master Bai, my father has invited many talented scholars to discuss how to deal with the Great Yan delegation. Elder Zhang has other matters to attend to and specifically asked me to invite you ahead."

"How could I refuse a beautiful lady's invitation? Let's go, lest we keep the prince waiting." Bai Xinghe was very happy and said as he walked.

At this time, many guests arrived at the Eighth Prince's mansion.

They were all scholars and literati, including many celebrities.

The Eighth Prince was a man of great wisdom and learning in his youth, but he failed in his struggle for the throne.

He thus completely withdrew from the court, spending his days composing poems and making friends with talented people from all over the world.

Seeing that the banquet had not started yet, it seemed that they were waiting for some important figure.

Tang Wannian, the greatest scholar in Jiangnan, was somewhat dissatisfied.

He had been invited a few days ago and had traveled to the capital by water, for no other reason than that.

Because in just a few days, a delegation from Great Yan will be visiting Great Zhao.

The Great Yan region has been known for producing talented men and beautiful women since ancient times, and its literary tradition is very strong.

This delegation's visit will inevitably lead to a contest among intellectuals.

Zhao Tianhe had already issued an imperial decree entrusting the matter to the Eighth Prince.

"May I ask, Eighth Prince, are we waiting for some important figure?"

The Eighth Prince smiled but remained silent, unsure how to respond.

The guest they were waiting for was none other than Bai Gongzi, the renowned Marquis of Zhenguo, whose name had recently become famous throughout the capital.

The Eighth Prince had long heard about Bai Xinghe's various deeds, but he couldn't resist his daughter's enthusiastic praise after returning from the Zhang residence yesterday.

He even boasted that if one does not know Bai Xinghe, then reading all his poems is in vain!

Unable to resist his beloved daughter, the Eighth Prince finally agreed.

"Could it be that we're waiting for the venerable Mr. Zhang Chunqiu?"

At this moment, another talented scholar shared his conjecture.

The Eighth Prince shook his head and said with a wry smile, "Gentlemen, Elder Zhang may not be coming today; someone else will."

"Oh, who is it?"

"Who has such great influence that they make me wait, and even Your Highness the Eighth Prince, wait for them here?"

Tang Wannian and other talented scholars expressed their dissatisfaction and curiosity.

The Eighth Prince coughed awkwardly a few times and said, "It's Bai Xinghe, the heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion!"

Bai Xinghe!

Upon hearing this name, everyone at the table paused for a moment, then showed strange expressions, wanting to laugh but having to consider the Eighth Prince's feelings.

"Eighth Prince, please forgive my rudeness. Even in Jiangnan, we have heard of Bai Xinghe's behavior."

"What good are these ignorant and incompetent people doing at a banquet for us literary figures?"

"Well, let's give them face, even if we don't respect the Buddha. After all, he has a powerful father. General Bai is a national war god, so we should be more careful with our words later."

The Eighth Prince sighed helplessly. He didn't want to invite her either, but his precious daughter had personally gone to invite her not long ago.

However, these talented men soon stopped saying anything.

After all, news of Bai Tianque's great victory at the border had already spread, and the reputation of this war god had reached its peak.

No matter how dissolute their sons are, the current emperor still has to give them some face, let alone them.

After a while, Bai Xinghe and Zhao Sisi finally arrived.

The talented men, led by Tang Wannian, all stood up and stared at Zhao Sisi with wide eyes, but as if they had planned beforehand, they all ignored Bai Xinghe.

"Princess, I am Tang Wannian, the foremost scholar in Jiangnan. It is our first meeting. I would like to present you with a poem."

Out of politeness, Zhao Sisi forced a smile at the many talented men, but declined their invitations.

However, Tang Wannian persisted relentlessly, sticking to the issue like a stubborn plaster.

"Such a beautiful lady as the princess is a perfect match for my poem; they complement each other perfectly."

Zhao Sisi had no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

Seeing this, the Eighth Prince stepped forward to smooth things over. He first gave Bai Xinghe a lukewarm greeting.

"Young Master Bai is now quite famous in the capital. My small palace can't withstand your antics."

"Father." Zhao Sisi sensed the sarcasm in her father's words and was quite dissatisfied.

"Young Master Bai is my friend!"

The Eighth Prince simply smiled, too lazy to even greet him, and chose to ignore Bai Xinghe.

This greatly displeased Bai Xinghe, especially since these talented men from the south treated him like he was invisible, and not one of them had even glanced at him since he entered the room.

What annoyed him most was Tang Wannian's undisguised stare, as if Zhao Sisi was already his woman.

"It seems you all don't welcome this young master!"

Bai Xinghe chuckled and sat down, crossing his legs arrogantly.

"Truly a vulgar and ignorant person, a disgrace to culture!"

"Bai Xinghe, what are you doing here, a spoiled brat, at this gathering of refined scholars?"

Several talented men took turns firing off insults, their words full of sarcasm.

"How should I address you, brother?" Bai Xinghe asked casually.

"I am Tang Wannian, the number one scholar in Jiangnan!" Tang Wannian stood up, head held high, quite confident.

"Oh, so it's the great Tang scholar! My apologies for not recognizing you sooner," Bai Xinghe said sarcastically.

Tang Wannian, however, failed to grasp the implication and arrogantly stated, "Bai Xinghe, if it weren't for your father's influence, what right do you have to attend our banquet?"

"Is that so?" Bai Xinghe said somewhat displeased. "If Elder Zhang hadn't specifically sent the princess to invite me, I wouldn't have bothered associating with such half-baked people."

"Hahaha!"

"Bai Xinghe, I've long heard of your eccentric words and reckless actions, and seeing you today confirms it. You just said that Elder Zhang instructed the Princess to invite you? Are you trying to make us laugh to death?"

"That's right, who do you think you are? You just rely on your father's power to act recklessly. Old Master Zhang is the tutor of three emperors and a model for all scholars in the world. Even your father would have to bow to him."