Meanwhile, the Tang family's banquet was still ongoing.

The Xie family didn't come, but they sent a message to Xie Yunyu well in advance.

Xie Mingting and the others originally wanted to come, but Xie Yunyu refused.

There are still some things to figure out, so it's not appropriate for the Xie family to appear.

However, the Xie family already knew about Xie Yunyu and Shen Juanqing's affair, and Xie's older brothers were all clamoring to come and see Shen Juanqing.

The older generation is pretty much the same.

Xie Yunyu relayed the message directly to Shen Juanqing himself.

Shen Juanqing then indicated that he would definitely pay a personal visit.

Tang Ruozheng walked over to Xie Yunyu's side. "What's wrong? You got the top score in the exam, but why don't you seem happy, Sister Yu?"

Tang Ruozheng originally had business in France, but he rushed back overnight for Xie Yunyu.

Xie Yunyu shook her head, somewhat lazily, and teased, "It's nothing, brother, your dark circles are a bit heavy."

"Who am I doing this for?" Tang Ruozheng reached out and gently ruffled Xie Yunyu's hair. "Don't worry about Mom and Dad. Actually, they don't have that much affection for Ruowei. They just thought that Ruowei was able to marry into the Chu family back then."

Tang Ruozheng has a very clear understanding of her parents.

"Take what Grandpa has. Don't bother with those two. I reckon once you get the top score in the imperial examination, they'll start caring about you instead."

Tang Ruozheng sneered.

He's twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old this year, and among the kids in his batch, he's not exactly outstanding.

Below average.

There are too many geniuses in this generation.

How many of them had already completed their advanced studies at Peking University before they even reached adulthood?

Even in the eyes of the world, it is already very difficult to get into Peking University.

But in their eyes, getting into Peking University?

It's the guaranteed admission that's real.

Especially those who are younger and admitted through special admission programs.

Xie Yunyu knew that her blood-related brother genuinely cared about her. "I know, brother, don't worry. Be careful while you're abroad."

"Um."

He Enqi leaned against a pillar, holding a bottle of wine in his hand, his eyes somewhat glazed over, while Tang Ruowei walked towards him step by step.

She raised her hand to cover his wine glass, "Fifth Young Master, drink less, you're drunk."

Her docile demeanor used to fit the standards of a prominent family seeking a principal wife, but times have changed.

Nowadays, more large families are looking for partners who can stand shoulder to shoulder with them, rather than those who will only cling to them like parasites.

"Why is Young Master Tang San not showing filial piety to Master Tang and Madam Tang here?" He Enqi dodged him. "This young master likes to play, but I'm underage, so I dare not. Young Master Tang San should give up this idea and find someone else."

Although He Enqi's eyes were glazed over, he was not drunk.

The alcohol at these banquets is usually not very strong, let alone the fact that He Enqi is a man who can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

"If Miss Tang San wants to find someone to rely on, there are plenty of people in the capital. I am not suitable."

Because of the financial ruin caused by the New Year, the He family suffered a huge loss and became the laughingstock of many people, which greatly diminished their status in the capital.

I don't know what this young lady Tang San is thinking. She started before the New Year and she's still bothering me now.

Tang Ruowei feigned sadness, her face pitiful, as she twisted a handkerchief in her hands. "What do you mean by this, Fifth Young Master He? I am not one of those who seek profit and avoid harm. I have only truly fallen in love with you. If I have done anything to displease you, I hope you will forgive me."

He Enqi put his wine glass aside. His upbringing prevented him from saying anything too outrageous to the young lady, nor from doing anything too outrageous.

But this Tang San Gongzi is just too annoying!

He rubbed his temples, but his eyes were darting around.

Got it!

"Young Master Tang, I'll say it again, you really don't need to focus your attention on me. I've met my elders, so I'll pay them a visit first!" With that, he didn't give Tang Ruowei any time to react and darted to the "elders."

This elder is no stranger.

It's none other than Master Shen, one of the F4 of Beijing!

"I've met Uncle Shen. I hope Uncle Shen is well." He bowed with his hands clasped.

Shen Bei'an was still eating lotus flower pastries when he suddenly heard someone call him "Uncle Shen" and almost choked.

"Uncle Shen, have some water. Are you alright?" He Enqi offered him water repeatedly.

Shen Bei'an took the water, drank several mouthfuls before swallowing, and looked at the newcomer, "Fifth Young Master He, cough cough."

Oh my god, that was terrifying!

Don't you know you can't just call out to people from behind?

This... is still as flamboyant as ever.

"I'm so sorry, I startled Uncle Shen just now." He Enqi quickly apologized. "Sixth Young Master Sheng, Ninth Sister Fu, and Twelfth Young Master Ye, are you well?" He then looked at the other three and gave them a greeting as equals.

The other three returned the greeting, saying, "May the Fifth Young Master be well."

"Wasn't Fifth Brother He just with Third Young Master Tang? Why did he come over? Aren't you enjoying the company of the beauty?" Fu Mutian teased.

He Enqi wasn't embarrassed at all and immediately said, "What Sister Fu Jiu said is true. No matter how beautiful a woman is, she still has to be safe, right? A woman is like a rose, she may be beautiful, but she always has thorns!" He looked meaningfully at Fu Mutian's high collar.

Fu Mutian and He Enqi became acquainted at the Zouwu Mutual Series launch event, and later they went out together many times.

Fu Mutian just smiled and said, "Although there are different varieties of roses, don't mistake a rose for a hybrid tea rose. Fifth Brother He, don't you agree?"

"Of course, of course! It's been a long time, and Sister Fu Jiu's mouth is still as sharp as ever." He Enqi had also witnessed Fu Mutian's sharp tongue before.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shen Bei'an slowly spoke, "Didn't you say that Young Master Tang and Young Master Chu were childhood sweethearts and deeply in love? How could you change your mind so quickly?"

Shen Beian remembered that in the original book, Chu Si did not die, Chu San did not join the Emperor's army, and Tang San and Chu San were never separated.

Where has the plot gone off track now?

Could it be that his transmigration into the book caused a butterfly effect?

He Enqi took the wine from Fu Mutian and said casually, "Uncle Shen, you don't know this. Chu San is now focused on his studies and wants to go to the Southwest War Zone to avenge Chu Si Gongzi. He has long lost interest in romance."

"As for this Young Master Tang, he was just using Chu San. Where did he get any real feelings from him?"

"But I just don't know how she got her eye on me. I'm getting so annoyed with her."

He Enqi originally enjoyed the feeling of being surrounded by beautiful women, but he was attracted to women who were only after his money and power, not this poisonous beauty.

Shen Beian looked He Enqi up and down. He was indeed good-looking; otherwise, he wouldn't be ranked first among the four playboys of the capital.

He's probably not stupid; his wife told him that besides his second brother-in-law, the only other person in the He family is this fifth young master He.

He Enqi felt like trembling under Shen Beian's gaze.

——

Fifth Young Master He said that roses are nice, but they're no good if they have thorns.