Outside the Southern Palace, the young students who had been sitting and waiting for three days burst into cheers upon learning that the emperor had awakened.
Before long, Song Dian arrived outside the South Palace with Liu Hong's imperial edict and loudly announced to everyone that the Emperor was preparing to meet with a group of young people outside the South Palace.
The whole of Luoyang was in an uproar, and all the young people spread the news.
After lunch at the Yuan residence, Cui, who was strolling in the front yard, suddenly saw Yuan Shu, dressed in fine clothes, hurriedly walking out from the back yard.
"Shu'er, what are you going to do?"
Seeing Yuan Shu's attire, Cui Shi couldn't help but look at him with curiosity.
"Mother, the Emperor summons a group of young people from Luoyang. Your son is going to pay homage to the Emperor..."
Yuan Shu stepped forward, bowed to Lady Cui, and then respectfully explained what he had done.
"Okay! Good, good, good! Go now!"
Cui smiled and nodded, without saying anything more.
After bidding farewell to his mother, Yuan Shu hurriedly left the Yuan residence.
Outside the Yuan residence, several young scions of prominent families were pacing back and forth anxiously.
"Highway, you're finally out! Hurry up! If you're any later, the good spots ahead will be gone!"
Upon seeing Yuan Shu emerge from the Yuan residence, the group quickly approached him.
"Oh, hurry up...!"
Yuan Shu nodded, and then the group hurriedly headed out of the Southern Palace.
Upon hearing the news, students from the Imperial Academy, students from the three academies, young scholars, passionate knights-errant, and scions of powerful families with patriotic aspirations tidied their appearance, changed into formal attire usually worn only on grand occasions, and left their homes to converge in the direction of the South Palace.
"My God... so many people?!"
Yuan Shu and his companions, who had rushed to the outside of the Southern Palace, were taken aback when they saw the dense crowd in front of them.
"Move aside...move aside!! What are you standing here for? You're getting in my way!!"
While Yuan Shu and his men stood there in a daze, the brothers Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan walked up behind them and pushed them aside without saying a word.
"Which bastard is tired of living...?"
Several young noblemen were pushed aside and turned their heads angrily. When they saw that the newcomers were the Xiahou brothers, the young noblemen who were about to lash out immediately shut their mouths.
In terms of family background, they wouldn't be intimidated even if the Xiahou and Cao families joined forces, but in terms of martial prowess, they really couldn't beat the Xiahou brothers.
Moreover, behind the Xiahou brothers was a boy who was slightly older than them. This boy had dark skin, broad shoulders and a thick waist, and he looked like someone who was not to be trifled with.
This young man was none other than Xu Chu, the nephew of Cao Song's coachman, Old Xu.
Although the Xu family was considered a prominent family in Qiao County, it was still worlds apart from the Cao family.
Even being Cao Song's coachman was not a job that just anyone could do.
In order to get his nephew into the Imperial Guard next year, Old Xu had Xu Chu brought to Luoyang. Cao Song also liked this strong and honest young man very much, so he let him train in martial arts with the Xiahou brothers.
In this way, in addition to practicing martial arts every day, the Xiahou brothers would take Xu Chu to the streets to fight for justice whenever they had free time. Xu Chu's bravery made them fearless and bolder, and they dared to provoke anyone.
For a time, the Xiahou brothers and Xu Chu were known as the three troublemakers.
Seeing Yuan Shu and his men blocking their way, he charged straight at them without a second thought.
"Huh? It's you two bastards...!"
As the saying goes, enemies are bound to be furious when they meet. Upon seeing the Xiahou brothers, Yuan Shu immediately glared at them with hatred.
"Oh ho ho~, who do we have here? It's the second son of the Yuan family. What's wrong...? Your injuries from last time have healed, and now you're ready to get beaten up again...?"
Upon seeing Yuan Shu, Xiahou Dun immediately walked over with disdain, waving his fist as he spoke.
"you....!"
Enraged, Yuan Shu gritted his teeth and glared at Xiahou Dun. However, upon seeing Xu Chu, who was as strong as a calf, standing behind Xiahou Dun, Yuan Shu abandoned his idea of ​​confronting them head-on.
"Tch~, what a genuine product...!"
Seeing Yuan Shu's angry but speechless expression, Xiahou Dun made a sarcastic remark and turned to leave.
"If you've got the guts, do you dare to fight me one-on-one...?"
Seeing Xiahou Dun's insolent words, Yuan Shu could no longer tolerate it.
Although Xiahou Dun was strong and his martial arts skills were far inferior, Yuan Shu believed that he had been practicing diligently every day. Even if he couldn't beat Xiahou Dun, he wouldn't lose too badly. Even if he got a beating, it would be better than being humiliated in public like this.
"Heh~, a one-on-one fight? Interesting, haha~ you actually dare to fight me one-on-one....!"
Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, Xiahou Dun stopped in his tracks, as if he had heard a huge joke, and burst into laughter.
People around couldn't help but turn around and watch.
"Hmph, you arrogant fool, just tell me if you dare...!"
Seeing Xiahou Dun's arrogant demeanor, Yuan Shu couldn't help but snort coldly, then glared angrily at Xiahou Dun.
"Fine! Since you asked for a beating, don't blame me...!"
Xiahou Dun sneered, took off his long robe, rolled up his sleeves, and got into a fighting stance.
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