The First Marquis of Leisure

Everyone thought Bai Xinghe was talking nonsense. How could Zhang Chunqiu possibly have the princess invite Bai to the banquet?

Even the Eighth Prince didn't believe it. Although Zhao Sisi told him what happened at the Zhang residence last night, he didn't believe it at all.

They believed there must be something fishy about it. How could Bai Xinghe, a playboy who only knew how to indulge in pleasure, have such talent?

He was a scholar himself, and therefore held Zhang Chunqiu in high esteem.

Hearing Bai Xinghe mention Zhang Chunqiu made him even more dissatisfied.

"Young Master Bai, your father, General Bai, is an upright and honorable man. Your actions disgrace the prestige of the Marquis's mansion."

"Eighth Prince, I don't understand what you mean by that?"

"Hmph!" The Eighth Prince said coldly, "What I mean is, out of respect for your father, since you're here, that's fine, but you mustn't use Old Master Zhang's name to flaunt your arrival!"

Bai Xinghe waved his hand: "Eighth Prince, everything I've said is true. You can disbelieve me if you wish!"

"You!" The Eighth Prince already disliked Bai Xinghe, and now seeing his attitude, he became even more furious.

"Your Highness, I suggest you throw him out immediately!"

"Indeed, we are all scholars, rich in poetry and literature. It is an insult to our culture to gather with such people."

Tang Wannian led a large group of talented men to stand up, shouting that they would kick Bai Xinghe out.

"Father!" Zhao Sisi couldn't hold back any longer.

"What Young Master Bai said is true, and what I said last night was also true."

"Sisi, don't say anything more." The Eighth Prince was helpless and puzzled.

"You should avoid associating with such ignorant and incompetent people in the future!"

"Father, you, you've gone too far! I won't allow you to speak of Young Master Bai like that."

Zhao Sisi was also angry. The two poems Bai Xinghe wrote yesterday had given her a strange feeling.

Especially for a noblewoman like her, who is very particular about etiquette, Bai Xinghe is unrestrained, carefree, and unconventional, which fascinates her.

"Princess, the Prince is doing this for your own good. Bai Xinghe's behavior has already become well-known throughout the Great Zhao."

"Yes, this person is not only illiterate, but also ruthless and vulgar. As a princess, how can you associate with such a person?"

Tang Wannian stood up. As the leader of the talented scholars, he was quite arrogant.

"Your Highness, since no one else is willing to be the villain, I am willing to be it."

As he spoke, Tang Wannian pointed at Bai Xinghe and scolded, "Bai Xinghe, others may fear the majesty of your father, General Bai, but I, Tang, am not."

"If you want to save face, you'd better leave now, or we'll kick you out!"

"You're not allowed to do this, you'll regret it." Zhao Sisi was anxious and very angry, trying to protect Bai Xinghe.

This made Bai Xinghe very happy, but he was not flustered at all.

Just then, a servant from the Prince's residence came to announce that Zhang Chunqiu had arrived with Zhang Zhi!

Upon hearing that Zhang Chunqiu had arrived, the Eighth Prince, Tang Wannian, and the others all stood up and went out to greet him.

As soon as Zhang Chunqiu entered, he saw Bai Xinghe sitting there with his legs crossed.

He immediately walked over quickly.

However, others mistakenly interpreted this as Zhang Chunqiu disliking Bai Xinghe.

"Master Zhang, I am Tang Wannian, the most talented scholar in Jiangnan. It is my great honor to meet you today."

"Mr. Zhang, you are a role model in the hearts of us scholars."

Tang Wannian and the others crowded around and offered various forms of greetings and flattery.

However, Zhang Chunqiu completely ignored him, his mind filled with thoughts of Bai Xinghe.

After Bai Xinghe left yesterday, he didn't sleep all night, constantly reciting the two poems Bai Xinghe had written.

The more carefully you read, the more amazed you become, and the more it touches your soul.

"Mr. Zhang, I didn't expect you to actually come in person."

"Please forgive my lack of hospitality, for having such an unruly person as Bai Xinghe here has spoiled your enjoyment."

The Eighth Prince was extremely respectful to Zhang Chunqiu, setting aside his status as a member of the imperial family and taking the initiative to gesture for him to enter.

"Elder Zhang, we'll drive Bai Xinghe out right away, please wait a moment!"

Tang Wannian thought he had found an opportunity to show his abilities to Zhang Chunqiu, so he volunteered.

Completely unaware that Zhang Chunqiu's forehead had turned into a black line.

"If any of you dare to disrespect Mr. Bai again today, or drive him away, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Zhang Chunqiu was furious, a rare outburst of anger. He then ignored everyone and walked directly toward Bai Xinghe.

"Young Master Bai, I had some urgent business to attend to and arrived a little late. Please forgive me."

What!

Old Zhang actually called Bai Xinghe "Mr. Bai," showing such respect?

Everyone in the entire palace was stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing!

"Mr. Zhang, you flatter me. I just arrived, but I am not welcome here. I think I should leave."

As he spoke, Bai Xinghe stood up, pretending to leave.

Zhang Chunqiu was furious. He turned around and glanced at the crowd who were already dumbfounded.

"Eighth Prince, don't you know that Young Master Bai is a distinguished guest whom I specifically asked Sisi to invite?"

"Could this be the Prince's way of treating guests?"

The Eighth Prince's face turned grim when Zhang Chunqiu questioned him.

His reaction was exactly the same as everyone else's; he couldn't understand why Zhang Chunqiu would respect a spoiled brat so much.

Could everything his daughter said be true? Is there nothing suspicious about it?

Could it be that this famous playboy in the capital is deliberately hiding his true abilities?

"And you, I invited you here to discuss important matters and counter the approaching Great Yan delegation. You've only learned a little bit; you don't realize there are always mountains beyond mountains, and people more capable than you!"

"Now I'm giving you a choice. No matter who's behind you, apologize to Young Master Bai immediately. Unless Young Master Bai forgives you, don't blame me for being impolite."

Zhang Chunqiu flew into a rage, and his words were extremely forceful.

Although Tang Wannian and the other talented scholars were completely baffled, they had no choice but to swallow their anger in the face of Zhang Chunqiu's outburst and bow their heads to apologize to Bai Xinghe.

Bai Xinghe didn't care. He knew that these people were only outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful, and were only being restrained by Zhang Chunqiu's status.

"So, you're the talented Tang, aren't you? Did I just tell you that Elder Zhang invited me here?"

"Didn't you just say you were going to kick me out?"

Tang Wannian lowered his head, looking quite displeased. He was highly respected in the South.

Moreover, they have a deep-rooted influence in the capital.

"Bai Xinghe, without your father, you'd be nothing but trash in the Great Zhao Dynasty!"

Even now, Tang Wannian and the others still believe that Zhang Chunqiu's polite and respectful attitude towards Bai Xinghe is entirely due to the lack of daytime factors.

"Tang Wannian, I'm giving you a chance. Get out of here right now, or my patience will run out!"

"Heh, Bai Xinghe, what's wrong? Do you think I'm a spineless coward like Young Master Li and his group of aristocratic scions, someone you can bully at will?"

Unexpectedly, these words made Zhang Chunqiu tremble with anger.

"You bastard!"

Zhang Chunqiu pointed at Tang Wannian's nose and angrily rebuked, "Do you really think you're the so-called number one talent in the South? Let me tell you, I possess at most one-tenth of the talent in the world, everyone else has one-tenth, while Young Master Bai possesses eight-tenths!"

"With your meager talents, you're not even worthy to carry Young Master Bai's shoes!"

"Get out! I don't want to see you!"

Tang Wannian was completely dumbfounded and stammered, "Old Zhang, you, I..."

"Get out of here right now!" Zhang Chunqiu showed no mercy.

Seeing this, the Eighth Prince wanted to say something nice. After all, he was in charge of the Great Yan delegation, and he was the one who invited Tang Wannian and his group of talented scholars.

"Elder Zhang, Young Master Tang is quite talented, and the literary talent of Great Yan far surpasses that of Great Zhao, so we are in dire need of capable people..."

"Hmph!" Zhang Chunqiu sneered, "Eighth Prince, I know what you're trying to say. But just now, Young Master Bai said to tell Tang Wannian to get out. Young Master Bai's intention is also my intention. You decide what to do!"