Chapter 205: Backfire

A gentleman is like a bamboo, with an elegant and proud posture, a clear mind and a thin body.

Dew soaks the joints in lead powder, and wind sways the jade-green branches.

Lu Yao was wrapped in a spotless white cloak, just like the light snow in winter lightly covering the tall green bamboo.

Xu Qingxing stood opposite him, gesticulating and scratching his ears, and from time to time he reached out to grab Lu Yao's war cape, as if he was telling him something extremely important.

From a distance, it looked like a twisted earthworm.

Lu Yao had an indifferent expression, and when his eyes accidentally met Lu Mingchao, his eyes flashed subtly.

"Shut up."

Lu Yao immediately interrupted Xu Qingxing's chattering.

Xu Qingxing refused and climbed up the pole. "If you agree, I'll shut up."

"Lu Santu, please be merciful and agree to my request."

As they talked, Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan became closer.

"Second brother, Mr. Xu."

The sudden greeting startled Xu Qingxing, who quickly put his hands behind his back and coughed twice to cover up his mistake. "As the saying goes, an invitation is not as good as an accidental encounter. It is fate that I can meet Sister Lu and her husband here."

Sister Lu?

Brother-in-law?

Lu Mingchao stared at Xu Qingxing for a long time, but finally looked away.

Either Xu Qingxing was possessed by evil spirits, or his relationship with Lu Yao was progressing at a rapid pace.

"I didn't know that my second brother and Master Xu were here..."

Xu Qingxing smiled brightly, his eyes narrowed into a slit, and he said in a clear and crisp voice, "It's obvious that I'm begging him."

Lu Yao was helpless and spoke in a low voice. Is it an honorable thing to ask for help from others?

In the past few days, Xu Qingxing has returned to his old ways, and his clingy and frivolous behavior is even better than when he directed and acted out his own show to show his gratitude for a favor.

The ghost is still around, just like a dog-skin plaster.

"He wants me to sign up for the debate at Shouzhan Pavilion in seven days." Lu Yao explained softly.

Xu Qingxing added enthusiastically, "Shouzhan Pavilion is the most elegant place in Daqian where the literary style flourished. It first flourished in the south of the Yangtze River. It is said that Yu Shanchang of Baopu Academy became famous for winning the Shouzhan Pavilion contest when he was young. After winning the championship and resigning from his official position, he entered Baopu Academy to teach and educate people. Today, his students are all over the world."

"Shouzhan Pavilion's reputation is growing, and it is no longer limited to Jiangnan."

"A few months ago, a Shouzhan Tower was also completed in Yicheng."

"The one who has won the championship three times in a row is Chu Hanyu from the Chu family in Ningcheng."

"It is said that when the evening clouds have all gone, the sky will be bright and clear, with a round jade-like moon. Therefore, people call him Prince Mingyue."

"The students in Ningcheng look down on others and laugh at the lack of people in Yicheng. The debate in seven days will be the last competition before the New Year. With Lu Yao's talent and knowledge, he will surely be able to compete with Chu Hanyu."

"By then, Lu Yao's talent and reputation will surely spread throughout Ning and Yi cities, which will be of great benefit to Lu Yao's future."

"I've talked him so much that his lips are worn out, but Lu Yao remains unmoved."

Hearing this, Lu Mingchao had a rough idea in his mind.

The reason was to let Lu Yao compete with Chu Hanyu, but in fact, he wanted Lu Yao to get slapped in the face.

Chu Hanyu won the championship three times in a row and was at the peak of his powers.

This time, if Lu Yao doesn't win well enough, he will become a stepping stone for Chu Hanyu.

But if Lu Yao interrupted Chu Hanyu's winning streak and defeated Chu Hanyu's aggressiveness...

Mr. Mingyue's name is as his character suggests, and perhaps he and Lu Yao will feel sorry for meeting each other too late and appreciate each other. However, if his name does not live up to his character, they may become enemies because of this.

"The Chu family of Ningcheng was originally a wealthy family, but unfortunately they had a favored concubine." Xie Yan reminded in a deep voice.

"Last year, Chu Hanyu's sister entered the palace and won the emperor's favor. In just one year, she was promoted to Concubine Chu. Now there seems to be a rumor that Concubine Chu is pregnant. The emperor is very happy and has repeatedly rewarded the Chu family. The Chu family has risen to prominence."

"When a royal heir is born, regardless of whether it is a boy or a girl, Concubine Chu's rank will be adjusted."

"Chu Hanyu's talent has been revealed. Perhaps the Chu family is building momentum for him. Next year, he will be able to enter the government smoothly through the Yinfeng, without having to squeeze on the same single-plank bridge with other students in the world."

"After all, if the Chu family wants to survive, it is far from enough to rely solely on Concubine Chu's connections."

Lu Mingchao frowned, his eyes scrutinizing, and asked suspiciously, "Master Xu, do you have a grudge against my second brother?"

Xu Qingxing was surprised by Xie Yan's understanding of the matter of Shangjing, and when he heard Lu Mingchao's questioning, he waved his hands repeatedly, "How is it possible!"

"Chu Hanyu is a young talent with a noble character and flawless temperament. He will never get angry with Lu Yao even if he loses."

"Given Chu Hanyu's personality, there is a high probability that he and Lu Yao will become close friends, and they will appreciate each other and share the same spirit."

The corner of Lu Mingchao's mouth twitched slightly. County Magistrate Xu was quite good at dealing with people, so how could he have raised Xu Qingxing to be so simple and harmless?

It's really puzzling!

The meaning of "clear conduct" is to have a true heart that is solid inside and to manifest it externally, with the clear and chaotic world as white as snow and frost inside and out.

"Mr. Xu really lives up to his name." Lu Mingchao's tone was hard to describe.

"Sun Zhiye was known as the upright and dignified Master Yuxian. What happened?"

"Let's take a step back. Even if Master Mingyue Chu Hanyu is as elegant as snow and not narrow-minded, can the elders of the Chu family who have high hopes for Chu Hanyu turn a blind eye to him?"

"The Chu family has taken great pains for Chu Hanyu. To kill someone is like to kill their parents. Anyone who has anything to do with the royal family is a deadly threat to ordinary people. Why would Second Brother make enemies with others for no reason?"

"Mr. Xu, my second brother is not giving you face without any consideration for our old friendship."

"If Second Brother wants to become famous, there is no rush."

Xu Qingxing pursed his lips, rubbed his fingers anxiously, and said honestly, "I was inconsiderate. I only thought that the students in Yicheng were very angry at the moment, and Lu Yao's sudden appearance would maximize the admiration of the students in Yicheng, but I ignored the unstable factors behind it."

He was eager to make friends with Lu Yao, but something went wrong.

Lu Yao said lightly, "It was just an unintentional mistake."

Xu Qingxing had a worried look on his face and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Seeing this, Lu Mingchao's heart skipped a beat and he thought to himself that something was wrong.

Xu Qingxing wouldn't have done it first and then reported it, would he?

What you fear is what will come to you.

Xu Qingxing took a deep breath and said with a guilty conscience, "I took the initiative to sign up for Lu Yao, and told my friends in Yicheng about Lu Yao's talent and fame in recent years."

"Shouzhan Pavilion has sent an invitation."

Xu Qingxing took out a gold-stamped invitation card from his wide sleeves.

The indifference on Lu Yao's face cracked inch by inch.

It was confirmed that he and Xu Qingxing were incompatible.

To put it more bluntly, Xu Qingxing is the best at defeating him!

If he had known this would happen, he should have been more blunt with Xu Qingxing in the past few days!

Xu Qingxing lowered his head and frowned, muttering, "How about saying he's sick?"

Lu Mingchao glanced at the invitation and felt unhappy.

Don't talk about good intentions. It's also frustrating when good intentions backfire!

No wonder it has been said for thousands of years that one is not afraid of enemies who are like gods, but is afraid of teammates who are like pigs.

She thought she had ended her feud with Sun Zhiye, but in an instant she let Gu Huai suffer a loss. She could now spend the New Year in peace and happiness.

Who knew...

It would be a lie to say I'm not angry.

Seeing a hint of anger between Lu Mingchao's eyebrows, Xie Yan's expression became quietly cold.

"Mr. Xu, once the invitation to Shouzhan Tower comes out, there is no reason to refuse it."

"Calling sick will weaken Lu Yao's influence."

Xie Yan's Cunning