The First Marquis of Leisure

The moment their eyes met, the whole world seemed to fall silent.

My heart was pounding with excitement.

Zhao Sisi almost cried out. For so long, she had thought about it every night, every moment.

Thinking of his father, thinking of everything in the Prince's Mansion, thinking of his father.

Thinking of Zhang Chunqiu and many other students, thinking of Zhang Zhi, thinking of Xiao Changqing.

She was especially thinking of Bai Xinghe, knowing that everyone was dead.

Only Bai Xinghe and Zhao Xing escaped.

But she was under house arrest and had no way of finding out where Bai Xinghe was.

She thought they would never see each other again in this lifetime, but unexpectedly they met again in this situation.

Excitement and joy brought tears to her eyes.

However, Zhao Sisi was extremely intelligent. She understood that Bai Xinghe's arrival in Yan Kingdom and here must have had its reasons.

Bai Xinghe felt the same way; Zhao Sisi was an important reason for his coming to Yan.

After many trials and tribulations, we finally met today.

But now Zhao Sisi is no longer the innocent princess, but a pitiful girl with many scars and hidden worries.

"No need for such formalities, everyone!"

At this moment, the Seventh Prince spoke, breaking their silence.

"Your Highness, I would like to ask you to uphold justice."

Qian Yuan glanced at Yuan Benchu ​​with a cold smile, and then recounted the poetry contest that had just taken place between the two.

And without any attempt to hide it, he recited the poem he had just written.

Upon hearing this, the Seventh Prince was immediately shocked and his body trembled.

"What a wonderful poem! Truly, a poem unlike any I've ever heard of!"

"Young Master Qian, I never knew you possessed such talent!"

Qian Yuan chuckled and said, "Your Highness flatters me."

The Seventh Prince was shocked, but then, in an objective and fair manner, said, "Young Master Yuan, since that's the case, you should accept the loss."

"We are all from prominent families in the Yan state and know each other. There's no need to make things so tense."

Yuan Benchu's face was very ugly. Asking him to admit his mistake and apologize to Qian Yuan and Bai Xinghe was indeed difficult for him to say.

The Seventh Prince was naturally aware of the Yuan family's foundation and Yuan Benchu's status among the scions of many prominent families.

"Young Master Qian, how about I do you the honor of having Young Master Yuan apologize instead?"

Qian Yuan was about to refuse when the Seventh Prince spoke up to Yuan Benchu, saying, "Young Master Yuan, it's best to be forgiving. Since this friend is Young Master Qian's brother, I think we should all try to get along peacefully from now on, what do you say?"

Although the seventh prince was completely crippled in both legs, he was quick-witted.

The suggestion was unanimously approved, but Qian Yuan clearly did not want to miss such a good opportunity.

He was about to speak when Bai Xinghe stopped him.

Bai Xinghe didn't say anything, but gave him a look that said it was time to stop while he was ahead.

Seeing this, Qian Yuan had no choice but to back down, saying, "Since His Highness the Seventh Prince has spoken, we must give him this courtesy."

"However, Yuan Benchu, listen carefully. If you're not satisfied, I'm ready to oblige at any time. Then you can go to the Doctor's residence and ask Doctor Li to judge, hmph!"

Yuan Benchu's face was extremely ugly, but he didn't say anything.

Then the seventh prince instructed the frightened man to invite everyone to sit down.

"I have invited you all here today to announce something very important!"

"Ah, what important matter has Your Highness summoned us for?"

"Yes, Your Highness, you only need to instruct your servants to inform us."

The Seventh Prince smiled and then glanced at Zhao Sisi, who had remained silent beside him.

"As you all surely have heard of my marriage to the Princess of Zhao, I am here today to announce that after the National Competition concludes, Sisi and I will be officially married!"

Upon hearing this, everyone offered their congratulations.

"I see. This Princess of Zhao is indeed quite good, and she is worthy of our Seventh Prince."

"Your Highness, why did you wait until after the national competition to formally marry Princess Sisi?"

The Seventh Prince smiled and looked at Zhao Sisi beside him, saying, "It's simply because Sisi said that her ideal man must be extremely learned, the best in the world."

"Since my legs are weak and I cannot take care of her, my only option is to compete for the title of the world's number one champion!"

Upon hearing this, the crowd once again showered him with praise and cheers.

Only Bai Xinghe felt extremely distressed and his heart was heavy.

He couldn't help but look at Zhao Sisi, only to find that Zhao Sisi was also looking at him.

The two are now only a few steps apart, yet they cannot recognize each other, much less speak.

The banquet went very well, and everyone was happy.

Besides Bai Xinghe and Zhao Sisi!

He wanted to find an excuse to talk to Zhao Sisi alone, but found that he didn't have the opportunity at all.

As evening approached, many of the scions of prominent families, now quite drunk, rose one by one to take their leave.

Bai Xinghe did not drink alcohol because he wanted to stay sober, but Qian Yuan drank quite a bit.

Therefore, he deliberately helped Qian Yuan leave last, when they left the Seventh Prince's residence.

Bai Xinghe couldn't help but turn around and see that Zhao Sisi was also looking at her.

Zhao Sisi bit her lip tightly, tears welling in her eyes, but in the end she still couldn't bring herself to acknowledge him.

It was already very late when they escorted Qian Yuan back to the Qian residence.

As soon as he entered, Bai Xinghe noticed that something was off about the atmosphere in the Qian residence.

All the servants in the mansion were frantically giving him and Qian Yuan meaningful glances, but Qian Yuan was already drunk and didn't notice at all.

"You beast, you dare to come back!"

Just then, an angry and powerful voice rang out from inside the mansion.

A tall, imposing middle-aged man strode out angrily.

"Master!" the servants of the Qian family called out.

This middle-aged man was none other than Qian Guanglu, the Vice Minister of War of the Yan State.

Upon seeing his father's furious expression, Qian Yuanjiu immediately sobered up.

"Father, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

Qian Guanglu snorted coldly and said, "I'm asking you, have you offended the Yuan family?"

"So what if it is?" Qian Yuan cursed, "That son of a bitch Yuan Benchu ​​has no shame. I should have made him apologize in public instead of giving the Seventh Prince face today."

"You bastard, what are you saying?"

Qian Guanglu seemed very angry and grabbed Qian Yuan.

"You unfilial son, you've ruined General Ji's grand plan! I'll beat you to death!"

Without saying a word, Qian Guanglu hung Qian Yuan up and beat him.

This made Bai Xinghe unable to bear it any longer. He thought to himself that Qian Guanglu was really ruthless, actually treating his own son so cruelly.

"Stop hitting me! Stop hitting me! If you kill me, our Qian family line will end. What if you damage my head?"

Qian Yuan screamed in agony, but he was very well-behaved in front of his father.

At this moment, Bai Xinghe sighed and walked over, advising, "Lord Qian, the matter with the Yuan family is not your fault, Brother Qian."

Qian Guanglu snorted coldly before stopping, then stared coldly at Bai Xinghe.

"I know it's all because of you, kid. I, Qian, don't object to Qian Yuan making friends outside, but the Yuan family is not someone you can afford to offend, let alone someone like you who comes from out of town seeking fame and fortune. Even I have to think twice before messing with them."

Bai Xinghe certainly understood this principle; even if he won the top prize in the national competition, he still couldn't afford to offend the deeply entrenched Yuan family.

But his personality has always been such that he will not allow the tyrant to take an inch of land!

"I, Qian, have served as an official for many years and am not unreasonable. Even if the Seventh Prince intervenes today, the Yuan family will not let this go!"

"To tell you the truth, you'd better leave Yan immediately, or you'll be in grave danger!"

Bai Xinghe remained calm; how could he possibly leave Yan at this time!

He was determined to participate in the national competition of Yan, win the top prize, and enter the court of sugar.

Even if it's not for returning to Zhao, it's to prevent the Seventh Prince from marrying Zhao Sisi.

"Lord Qian, if I were to achieve the highest rank in the imperial examination and ascend the Golden Terrace, would the Yuan family still be able to take my life so easily?"

"You, the top scorer in the imperial examination?" Qian Guanglu asked with some disdain.

"Young man, do you know that the Yan Kingdom has gathered all the talented people in the world? This competition will be personally overseen by Dr. Li's son, and many talented scholars from the Dr. Li's mansion will also participate."

"The Seventh Prince will also participate, including Yuan Benchu ​​from the Yuan family. What makes you think you can become the top scholar?"

"Father, I believe Brother Bai will definitely become the top scholar. His talent surpasses even Dr. Li's; he might just be the next Qiu Qingtian!"

"Shut up!" Qian Guanglu scolded, then turned to look at Bai Xinghe.

"Lord Qian, you haven't answered my question yet. If I become the top scholar in the imperial examination, can the Yuan family still easily touch me?"

"Of course not," Qian Guanglu said truthfully.

"If you can truly pass the imperial examination, you will surely be able to reach the Emperor's ears and meet with him. At that time, Lord Qiu and even General Ji will certainly not stand idly by."

Hearing this, Bai Xinghe finally felt relieved.