“That’s not engraving, it’s not stripes, it’s a totem, a symbol representing a family.”

Seeing that his beloved didn't understand, Yongqi carefully explained.

"They seem to be from a prestigious family. I'm a little curious."

Er Kang, who was sitting next to Benjamin, also spoke up quietly.

Because he was no longer entangled with Ziwei, Erkang returned to normal, and gradually people stopped rejecting him and became more willing to talk to him.

"He always carries a sword; he must be a master."

"He carries a flute and a sword; he has an extraordinary air about him. He must be a remarkable person."

Yongqi, naturally, followed suit and echoed Xiaoyanzi's words.

“I’m not interested in those six things he mentioned, but I am very interested in his swords.”

The moment Xiao Jian finished his poem, everyone was drawn to it. No one knew who started it, but everyone walked over. When they came to their senses after being engrossed in their poems, they looked up and found that only Ertai, Qing'er, Yongxuan, and Cailian were around.

Everyone else left.

Listening to the conversation on the other end, Shen Nian shook her head; she didn't want to listen to that awkward chatter.

Chatting is nothing compared to the pleasure of eating.

Why not just enjoy the food in peace and quiet?

The other four weren't the type to join in the fun, and since the people they cared about most weren't going, what would they do there? They had no interest in Xiao Jian.

They all contentedly served as laborers.

As in the original drama, while Benjamin was talking to Xiao Jian, Xiao Yanzi, influenced by the plot, snatched Xiao Jian's sword. Xiao Jian chased after her, but before leaving, he glanced at Chen Nian.

The emperors and nobles sitting on the other side watched their actions.

“These young masters and girls are out of control as soon as they leave the house; they’re all like wild horses that have broken free.”

The Emperor spoke helplessly, shaking his head, but his eyes were full of tolerance.

"They seem to have discovered someone."

Master Ji looked at the situation on the other side and spoke up.

He had clearly heard Xiao Jian's poem as well.

"Um."

The Emperor responded calmly, picked up the tea on the table, took a sip, and before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, he saw the small commotion caused by Xiao Yanzi snatching the sword across from him. He frowned, sighed, and said as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

"Looks like Little Swallow is in trouble again."

"Don't worry about it, sir. She has people protecting her anyway. Eat your food."

Master Ji spoke up to smooth things over for Xiao Yanzi.

...

"I raise a toast to everyone. I never expected to meet you all here. This little Xiushui City is full of hidden talents."

After a brief but unexpected encounter, the group moved to a larger table and continued eating and drinking. Through conversation, they gained a deeper understanding of each other.

As for Shen Nian and the others, Shen Nian was still worried about the impact on the plot, so he urged them to finish eating quickly before bidding farewell to the Emperor, saying that they wanted to go out for a stroll again.

Since Shen Nian had spoken, the Emperor naturally agreed and let them leave.

"Qing'er, what do you think of that Xiao Jian?"

Chen Nian turned his head and casually asked Qing'er beside him.

Ertai Yongxuan had already been sent by them to prepare some snacks for the journey. Cailian didn't know what to buy. Perhaps she noticed that she and Qing'er were talking, so she took the initiative to make an excuse to leave. So now it was just her and Qing'er.

She absolutely mustn't fall for her senior brother, Xiao Jian, or she'll cry. She's already trying her best to avoid seeing or interacting with him.