Single men are a nuisance

Only then did Gongyi Xiu have time to see the person who had spoken.

Ignoring the numerous noble ladies and women exchanging pleasantries, he hurried to the inner palace, eager to find A-Qiu and inform her that his master was coming that night. To his surprise, he found Crown Prince Xie Tiao and Miss Shangguan Yuqi also there.

Then, upon seeing the elegant and refined Gongye Fusu in his blue robe and jade belt, I felt a sense of awe, as if I had once seen a fleeting glimpse of him.

Gongye Fusu rarely appeared at social gatherings of the powerful and wealthy. Whenever he went out, he would use a silk screen to cover his path, and when he entered a banquet, he would hide behind a screen. Therefore, apart from a few noble people such as the Crown Prince and Shangguan Yuqi, who had seen his true face, Gongyi Xiu had never seen him and did not know him.

Although he had previously asked someone to pass on a message to Gongye Fusu for help, he did not know that the person in front of him was Gongye Fusu. Now, hearing this noble, gentle, humble and peaceful young man speak like this, his ears suddenly turned red, and he lowered his head, saying weakly, "That was them copying, copying."

Seeing Gongyi Xiu's state, A Qiu found it rather strange. The "Marquis of Liu" of Lanling was known for his romantic escapades and numerous affairs; this was nothing to hide. Why was her senior brother so embarrassed at this moment?

Although Crown Prince Xie Tiao's social interactions were restricted by his elders and he had never been to or even commented on places of pleasure, seeing Gongyi Xiu's face turn red to his ears, he knew that Woxia Pavilion was definitely not a good place.

Firstly, Shangguan Yuqi, the most outstanding young lady from a prominent family in the Southern Dynasty, was present. Secondly, although he looked down on lowly courtesans, he still retained a gentlemanly and honest heart. To ease the other party's embarrassment, he changed the subject, saying, "Your Excellency, did Father Emperor send you to see me from the inner palace?"

Gongyi Xiu, who was usually eloquent, was also dumbfounded and did not know how to respond.

Running into the Crown Prince was already unexpected, but having to explain to him why he was there was something he was completely unprepared for.

Moreover, Shangguan Yuqi, dressed in white like snow and looking like a banished immortal, was also in the hall at this moment. Her beautiful eyes were staring at him intently, as if to see how he would respond.

Gongyi Xiu had no choice but to bite the bullet and say with a forced smile, "That's not the case." He didn't have the guts to forge an imperial edict and falsely convey the emperor's decree. He said awkwardly, "This humble official just came..." His hesitant gaze then drifted towards A Qiu, who was also looking at him. He immediately mouthed the words "Master is coming."

After saying those four words, he felt a great sense of relief, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

Xie Tiao asked this question to help him out of an awkward situation. Unexpectedly, Gongyi Xiu remained speechless and extremely embarrassed, which left Xie Tiao completely baffled.

Then Xie Tiao noticed that Gongyi Xiu's gaze was intentionally or unintentionally always lingering on the most beautiful dancer. After taking a few more glances, Xie Tiao thought he understood the reason.

Even though he was dignified and reserved, he couldn't help but think to himself that this Right Chancellor was too shameless. It was one thing for him to indulge in romantic escapades, but he even went so far as to flirt with the courtesans who rarely appeared in the palace.

And it's true that this person is blind to talent; with such a refined and elegant lady as Miss Shangguan right in front of him, he was completely focused on a dancer, and his taste was not very sophisticated.

Gongye Fusu then chimed in with a smile, "It seems that nowadays, when officials' families enter the palace, the ladies and young women who are busy vying for husbands in front of the palace are too enthusiastic. The Left Prime Minister, with his dignified appearance and outstanding demeanor, has been forced to leave with nowhere to go, so he has come to the back palace to temporarily seek peace and quiet."

Xie Tiao suddenly realized, looking as if he understood perfectly, and solemnly said, "I see. However, the Left Prime Minister's marriage is indeed a troublesome matter in the capital, and even Father Emperor has had a headache over it. I hope the Left Prime Minister will not be so preoccupied with youthful romance, and will settle down as soon as possible."

A-Qiu was already on high alert when she heard her master was coming. But she never expected to hear the Crown Prince, on behalf of the Emperor, pressuring her senior brother to get married quickly. Her senior brother must be a notorious "single menace" in the capital. She almost burst out laughing.

Gongyi Xiu, as the third on the Lanling Hall's list of banished immortals and the head of the sect's Yiyan Hall, was known as "Jade-faced Marquis Liu". It was expected that he would inherit his master's position in the future, so it was impossible for him to marry and get engaged in the court.

His reputation for being a womanizer is half true, and half of it is probably something he deliberately created to avoid being pressured to get married.

With this reputation, most families worthy of his current high position would be unwilling to marry their daughters to him; while the daughters who would be interested in him and tolerate his amorous and philandering ways would mostly be unworthy of his status. Caught between two sides, he ended up alone.

Gongyi Xiu successfully delivered the message, feeling a slight relief. He couldn't help but find it amusing that the young Crown Prince, despite his young age, spoke with such earnestness and seemed genuinely worried about him.

He then saw his junior sister, A Qiu, lower her head and purse her lips, clearly trying to suppress a laugh. He thought about how embarrassed he would be if these words were relayed back to Lanling Hall.

He was no pushover in his sect, and now he's constantly on guard in the officialdom, getting lectured by those old men. But now, even a young boy like Crown Prince Xie Tiao, barely twenty, is trying to teach him a lesson.

He casually replied, "Likewise, Your Highness should also hurry up."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's face visibly darkened. Meanwhile, Shangguan Yuqi, standing to the side, gave him a sharp look, the longsword behind her emitting a soft, dragon-like roar.

Gongyi Xiu had barely uttered those words when he realized that Shangguan Yuqi was right beside him; it was too late for regrets.

Everyone knows that the Crown Prince remains unmarried, waiting for a promise from the Shangguan family. And the fact that the Shangguan family is adamant about not giving in is common knowledge throughout the court and the public.

Even this time, Shangguan Yuqi only agreed to enter the palace as a member of the Eastern Palace Flying Phoenix Guard, and did not agree to become the Crown Princess.

Gongyi Xiu originally intended to tease the Crown Prince, but he ended up teasing Shangguan Yuqi as well. And Shangguan Yuqi, the most beautiful woman in the Southern Dynasty, was not one to be easily mocked.

Seeing Shangguan Yuqi's slight anger, both A Qiu and Crown Prince Xie Tiao felt a strange sensation.

This was all because Shangguan Yuqi was aloof and refined, with an extraordinary demeanor, unlike ordinary ladies from noble families, and didn't seem like the type to care about a few words. Her emotional outburst seemed more directed at Gongyi Xiu himself.

If A-Qiu's intuition is correct, Shangguan Yuqi has been paying the most attention to two people since just now. One is herself, A-Qiu, and the other is Gongyi Xiu.

She noticed her probably because she was a white-robed dancer, but what was there to notice about Gongyi Xiu? She had always felt that this senior brother was all show and no substance. Neither Crown Prince Xie Tiao nor Gongye Fusu, who were present, were any worse than him.

But when she focused her gaze and stole a glance... she had to admit that her senior brother, dressed in top-quality moon-colored brocade, with a jade belt around his waist, and a silver crown that covered his hair like snow, was indeed quite handsome and impressive.

Even if he were ranked between the Crown Prince and Gongye Fusu, it would be hard for anyone not to notice him.

Gongye Fusu smiled promptly and said, "The palace banquet should be starting soon, and everyone should have already taken their seats. We won't disturb His Highness, the young lady, or the masters who are preparing for their performance any longer. Right Chancellor, shall we go together?"

Crown Prince Xie Tiao sat back down beside the zither table without any expression, as if he hadn't heard anything. Shangguan Yuqi also turned her back indifferently, as if she hadn't seen anything. The meaning was very clear: Get out of here.

This was certainly not directed at Gongye Fusu.

Only A-Qiu bowed and said with a smile, "Thank you, Young Master Fusu. You can look forward to our performance. 'White Silk' will certainly not disappoint the effort you have put in."

Then, together with the two instructors, they led the dancers, carrying lotus lanterns, slowly to the west side hall.

Gongyi Xiu, however, kept his mouth half-open and, after a long while, managed to say with difficulty, "May I ask this young master... what is your honorable name?"

Gongye Fusu had already turned around and stepped down the stairs, a gentle yet unfathomable smile still lingering on his lips: "I dare not trouble the Left Prime Minister to inquire, my humble name is not worth mentioning, I am Gongye Fusu."

Gongyi Xiu stared at his carefree figure as he led the palace maids away, his jaw dropping in astonishment.

The turmoil that surged in my heart was no less than the shock I felt upon learning that my master would be entering the palace tonight.

Gongyi Xiu never imagined that he would meet Gongye Fusu under such circumstances.

We made a pact then, that we would be together no matter where we were, even in life or death.

However, when Gongyi Xiu took the oath, he did not use his real name; he used the name Duan Shaoan.

How could the Marquis of Lanling easily trust people outside his own sect?

The person who sat behind the screen at that time only left his name: Gongye Fusu. He also said that if he ever needed anything in the capital, he could contact him.

Gongye Fusu, the richest man in the Great Yan Kingdom and ruler of Wanxiang Kingdom. Who doesn't know his name?

Amidst the deafening tremor, he watched as the sandalwood carriage adorned with a hundred-flower family crest sped away.

He emerged from the muddy swamp, covered in mud and looking utterly disheveled.

Therefore, he recognized Gongye Fusu's name, while Gongye Fusu recognized his appearance.

Later, he arrived in the capital, but never thought of going to find Gongye Fusu.

After all, he was first and foremost the Marquis of Lanling.

Just to relay a message for A Qiu, he ultimately decided to use his connection with Gongye Fusu.

A Qiu was quite surprised, wondering what price his senior brother had paid to make the richest man in Dayan personally go to the palace to deliver those three sentences for him, with a buy-one-get-one-free offer as a bonus.

The price was a letter written in Gongyi Xiu's own handwriting. It contained only three words.

Duan Shaoan.

The unwritten message read: "Young Master Fusu, my old friend Duan Shaoan has arrived and needs your help."

When Gongyi Xiu returned to the front hall and took his seat at the brightly lit banquet, he was still in a daze, filled with shock and unease.

Under the flickering candlelight, opposite his seat was a silk screen, exquisitely carved with a hundred flowers in full bloom, from the Gongye family.

Those were the seats for guest ministers and state guests. Gongye Fusu was not a court official, but he was also a guest of honor invited by the court to this palace banquet.

This palace banquet requires the presence of his "precious daughter," and naturally, he himself must also be invited to attend.

Behind the screen, Gongye Fusu's figure, tall and slender like a pine or bamboo, stood gracefully, raising his cup in a gesture of respect towards him.

Gongyi Xiu's heart suddenly skipped a few beats, and he raised his cup in return, tilting his head back to drink the wine in one gulp.

Young Master Fusu, your confidant Duan Shaoan is none other than the Left Chancellor of the court, Gongyi Xiu, and behind Gongyi Xiu lies the secret of our sect. My inability to be open with you is not intentional deception. I wonder if you can accept this.

The biggest mystery surrounding his identity in this incident is that when Duan Shaoan first appeared, he was a young martial arts master wielding the Hundred Flowers Fan, who saved Gongye Fusu's life during a robbery by bandits.

However, Gongye Fusu, as the head of the civil service, was known to be a refined scholar-official who was powerless and could not even kill a chicken.

The imperial court has always been extremely wary of the martial arts world and would never tolerate a martial arts master of unknown origin entering the government as a civil official.