The First Marquis of Leisure

The next day, in the morning

Bai Xinghe had just finished breakfast with Li Chentian when a disciple from the Doctor's Mansion came to report.

"Dr. Li, someone from the Yuan family has arrived!"

Upon hearing that it was someone from the Yuan family, Bai Xinghe and Li Chentian exchanged a glance and then went out together.

The person who came was a steward from the Yuan family. The steward had a smile on his face and seemed very polite.

But Li Chentian clearly didn't give him a friendly look, asking sternly, "What brings you from the Yuan family to my residence, my esteemed home?"

The butler smiled and said, "Dr. Li, please don't take offense. I'm here on my master's orders to invite the top scholar for a chat!"

Bai Xinghe was taken aback, not expecting that the Yuan family had come to invite him.

"Ha!" Before Bai Xinghe could say anything, Li Chentian said coldly, "What good intentions could your Yuan family possibly have? Go back and tell Yuan Aofang that the top scholar is going to the palace tomorrow and has no time!"

"Dr. Li, what's this?" the butler asked, somewhat embarrassed.

"Elder Li," Bai Xinghe stepped forward at this moment, "why don't I go and see what tricks the Yuan family is up to?"

After pondering for a moment, Li Chentian agreed: "Very well, I doubt the Yuan family would dare to harm you!"

......

袁府

Clan Chief Yuan Aofang, along with many high-ranking members, the Yuan brothers (Yuan Benchu ​​and Yuan Yao), had already prepared a sumptuous feast, awaiting Bai Xinghe's arrival.

About half an hour later, the Yuan family steward led Bai Xinghe to the Yuan residence.

Looking at the impressive courtyard, Bai Xinghe, who had seen a lot in his life, couldn't help but sigh in admiration.

This courtyard far surpasses the former residence of the Marquis of Zhenguo and the Prince's Mansion.

"Young Master Bai, this way please. Master and the others are waiting for you inside!"

The butler led Bai Xinghe to the door of a side room, gestured for him to enter, and then bowed and withdrew.

Bai Xinghe didn't think much of it and pushed open the door, walking straight in.

The first thing that caught his eye was the imposing Yuan Aofang, along with several elderly men and several middle-aged men, including the brothers Yuan Benchu ​​and Yuan Yao.

These people are all key figures in the Yuan family and currently hold important positions in the Yan state.

Upon seeing Bai Xinghe push open the door and enter, Yuan Aofang smiled and personally got up to greet him.

"Young Master Bai is indeed a man of exceptional talent, worthy of being the top scholar. I have also read your essay, and it is truly astonishing!"

Yuan Aofang, one of the Three Dukes, holds a very high position. The fact that he personally rose to greet a young man today shows that he has gone to great lengths to do so.

To everyone's surprise, Bai Xinghe remained calm and composed, cupping his hands in a slight gesture and saying, "Elder Yuan, you flatter me!"

"Hehe, young man, there's no need to be modest. Please take a seat." Yuan Aofang personally invited Bai Xinghe to sit down.

Bai Xinghe glanced at the table full of delicacies and went straight to the point.

"Mr. Yuan, there's no need to beat around the bush. Everyone knows about my relationship with your Yuan family."

"Speak freely. You've invited me to this banquet today, so please speak frankly about what you want to say."

No one expected Bai Xinghe to be so direct and straightforward, which made the Yuan family members slightly embarrassed.

However, a member of the Yuan family soon laughed and said, "Young master, you are straightforward and outspoken, so please don't be shy. Our Yuan family has specially invited you to a banquet recently, because we truly admire your talent!"

"Hehe." Bai Xinghe, of course, didn't believe this nonsense.

The Yuan family would love nothing more than to tear him to pieces; how could they possibly appreciate his talent?

"Elder Li is still waiting for me. My time is limited. If Elder Yuan is unwilling to elaborate, please forgive me for not keeping you company any longer!"

Bai Xinghe had never liked the Yuan family, and he didn't want to beat around the bush, so he left after saying that.

At this moment, the faces of several high-ranking members of the Yuan family were already quite grim.

Especially Yuan Benchu ​​and his brother Yuan Yao, who were already gritting their teeth.

"You're really disrespecting the Yuan family, Scholar Yuan! My patriarch personally invited you to the banquet, giving you ample face-saving. Aren't you afraid of making an enemy of the Yuan family by acting like this?"

A senior member of the Yuan family spoke in a cold voice, his words laced with threat.

"Bai Zhen, don't push your luck!"

Bai Xinghe sneered and calmly said, "Do you think I'm a friend of the Yuan family now, instead of an enemy?"

"Not bad!" Yuan Aofang responded, waving his hand.

Soon someone carried out several boxes of gold and silver beads from the inner room and gave them to you.

"It's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester. I think there's no need to hold grudges over squabbles between the younger generation."

"Young Master Bai is unparalleled in talent and is the top scholar of the day. If he could join forces with my Yuan family, he would surely soar to great heights, second only to the emperor!"

Bai Xinghe glanced at the dazzling jewels, feigning surprise, and teased, "Wow, Elder Yuan is truly generous!"

"Young Master Bai, rest assured, this is merely a small gift. We, the Yuan family, have never cared about material possessions."

Yuan Aofang was quite confident because the Wang family, the richest family in Yan, was just a pawn.

"Elder Yuan is very generous, but I have Elder Li and Lord Qiu recommending me. Although the Yuan family is powerful, Lord Qiu and Elder Li are not weak either."

"Hmph!" Yuan Aofang scoffed, "My Yuan family has produced four generations of high-ranking officials, and our disciples and former subordinates are all over the world. How can Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian compare to us?"

"Young Master Yuan is a smart man; he should know how to choose."

"Hahaha!" Bai Xinghe suddenly burst into laughter, his laughter filled with arrogance and disdain.

He never expected that after he made Yuan Benchu ​​kneel in public and humiliated the Yuan family, the Yuan family would still want to win him over.

He had heard Qian Yuan mention the factional struggles in the Yan court, so he knew a little about them.

He had never liked the Yuan family, and he came to the banquet today simply to see what they were really up to.

The objective has been achieved, so there's no need to linger any longer.

"I appreciate Mr. Yuan's kindness, but I have no interest in these gold and silver treasures!"

"You!" Many high-ranking members of the Yuan family couldn't hold back any longer and wanted to reprimand them, but Yuan Aofang stopped them.

The next moment, a fragrant aroma wafted through the air.

Several beautiful and curvaceous young women emerged from the inner room.

"Greetings, Young Master Bai!"

Several stunningly beautiful women shouted at the same time.

"Since Young Master Bai is not fond of money, and these young ladies are all eighteen years old, if Young Master Bai is pleased, then let them stay by your side."

Bai Xinghe glanced at the group of stunning beauties and cursed inwardly.

Putting aside everything else, the Yuan family certainly has a good eye for things.

But he was by no means a lecherous man, and besides, Zhao Sisi was still at the Seventh Prince's residence, so he had no time to think about such things.

"No need. My path is different from that of the Yuan family, and we cannot work together."

Bai Xinghe directly stated his attitude this time.

"It seems Young Master Bai is truly determined to keep this old man at arm's length!"

Yuan Aofang's tone became increasingly forceful and cold.

"Listen up, if you fail to satisfy Young Master Bai, I'll take your heads!"

Upon hearing this, the stunning beauties were immediately terrified and knelt down before Bai Xinghe, begging him to agree.

Bai Xinghe glanced at the indifferent Yuan Aofang and cursed inwardly that the old man was truly despicable.

He hadn't expected that he had underestimated Yuan Aofang, and that the other party would resort to this kind of moral blackmail!

Although he didn't consider himself a good person, he absolutely couldn't bear to watch a group of innocent, stunningly beautiful women die because of him!

But he would never be so easily manipulated by Yuan Aofang.

"Elder Yuan, if this matter gets out, it will probably affect more than just the Yuan family's reputation."

"Kill me if you want, it's none of my business. Farewell!"

Bai Xinghe also appeared quite indifferent, but he knew that only in this way could he save the lives of these stunning beauties.

Having said all that, the Yuan family understood that there was no need to continue.

"Bai Zhen, you'll have to suffer the consequences if you refuse a polite offer!"

"Boy, if my Yuan family wants to harm you, even if Li Chentian and Qiu Qingtian wanted to protect you, it wouldn't matter!"

Bai Xinghe snorted coldly and said, "Whatever!"

Yuan Aofang's face was ashen, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"Bai Zhen, remember this: today you have refused me. In the Yan Kingdom, those who are not friends of the Yuan family are enemies!"