Chapter 428: If You Don't Accept a Toast, You Will Be Punished

In the elegant pavilion of Zuixianlou.

Murong Yan bowed and saluted, "Miss."

After saying that, he realized something was wrong. Just as he was about to change his words to "Princess," Xie Zhuoning waved him over and said, "Okay, stop being so empty-headed. Come and sit down."

He walked to the table, lifted his robe and sat down, then asked anxiously, "What happened? If there is anything you need me to do, just tell me!"

As he spoke, he was breathing heavily and even his forehead was covered with beads of sweat. It was obvious that he had hurried over after receiving the news.

It's no wonder that he thought too much. In order to avoid suspicion, the two of them usually communicated through letters as much as possible. Unless it was an emergency, why would she come to see him in person?

Xie Zhuoning's mouth twitched, "Why? Can't I come to you for a drink and reminisce if I have nothing else to do?"

Seeing that she looked calm and didn't seem to be in a hurry, Murong Yan felt relieved and said with a big smile, "If the young lady invites you, I will risk my life to accompany you."

"Come on, come on, come on. Who wants to kill you? You still need to keep your life and move up the career ladder. Eat quickly or the food will get cold."

Xie Zhuoning personally poured a glass of wine for Murong Yan and kept staring at him.

The look in his eyes, like that of a lamb being slaughtered, made Murong Yan feel uneasy throughout his meal.

After finally finishing his meal and putting down his bowl and chopsticks, he gritted his teeth and said, "Miss, why don't you just tell me straight away? I can handle anything."

Xie Zhuoning patted his shoulder and said, "You don't have to be so nervous. I just want you to worship Shen Xiang as your teacher."

Oh, it's OK, I just worship Mr. Shen as my teacher...

Wait, you want to worship Mr. Shen Xiang?!

The disciples of Prime Minister Shen were either high-ranking officials or important ministers. They were everywhere, and all of them were famous and high-ranking officials. How could a mere student like him be able to reach such heights?

"It's fine for me to become his disciple, but will he agree?"

"If he doesn't agree, can't we just find a way to make him agree?"

Xie Zhuoning winked at Xia Ju, who immediately came over with a few gold boxes and lined them up in a row.

The boxes are filled with calligraphy and paintings by famous artists, as well as antique treasures.

"I have inquired about it. Prime Minister Shen regards money as dirt and hates gold and jade the most. So I specially asked someone to collect some calligraphy and antiques. I also bribed a few servants in Prime Minister Shen's mansion. When the time comes, I will create an opportunity for you to meet Prime Minister Shen by chance. Then you can take these things to become his disciple."

"My Zhenyang Marquis Mansion has no relationship with the Xiang Mansion. Elder Shen Xiang still has some misunderstandings about me, so I can't show up here. Whether it succeeds or not will depend on you."

Hearing that every word she said was for his consideration, Murong Yan's eyelashes trembled and his voice became a little hoarse, "Actually, you don't have to do so much for me."

He probably would never be able to repay what he owed her even if he spent his entire life on it.

Xie Zhuoning shook his head, "Not much, not at all."

He chose himself in this life and did not receive the recognition of the Crown Prince, so his career as an official will be much more difficult in the future.

And there was so little she could do, and ultimately success or failure would depend on him.

Murong Yanzheng nodded heavily, "Okay, no matter what the result is, I will try my best."

Xie Zhuoning was about to explain some details he had found out when there was a sudden knock on the door.

Her face suddenly froze, "I specifically told the waiter not to disturb us."

Who could be knocking on the door at this time?

Murong Yan lowered his voice and said, "Don't make any noise. I'll go take a look."

After saying that, he stood up and walked to the door, raised his voice and said, "Our dishes are all ready, there is no need to add anything else."

The person outside the door immediately responded, "Master Murong, you misunderstood. I am not the waiter in the store. My master appreciates your talent and would like to invite you to move over and have a talk."

Murong Yan frowned, "Who is your young master?"

"Mr. Murong will know when he sees it."

In fact, there is no need to see it, I can guess it just through the door.

The deliberately suppressed but distinctive duck voice is a characteristic of the eunuchs in the palace.

Now, the only legitimate master in the palace, apart from Emperor Zhaowen who is lying on the sickbed, is the Crown Prince.

Although Xie Zhuoning's face showed no expression, his jade-like knuckles were clenching the handkerchief tightly.

The person you are destined to meet will eventually meet you. Even though she snatched Murong Yan away one step ahead, Xiao Bicheng still discovered this unpolished gem in the end.

Murong Yan turned his head to look at Xie Zhuoning. Seeing that she looked unhappy, he could not help but feel a little worried, so he refused decisively, "I'm sorry, I'm with a good friend for a long time and it's not convenient for me to leave. Please tell the noble young master to understand."

Since the other party refused to reveal his identity, even if he refused, it would at most be considered as ignorance and innocence, so it would not be a big deal.

When the outsider heard that he dared to refuse, his tone suddenly became bad, "Mr. Murong, don't refuse a toast. It's your blessing that my master likes you. If you don't know how to behave, don't blame me for being rude!"

Judging from the tone of his voice, he might be preparing to use hard tactics if the soft approach doesn't work.

Murong Yan himself was not afraid, but considering Xie Zhuoning's presence, he thought for a moment and whispered to the people in the room, "I'll go for a while and will be back soon. Please, Miss Xia Ju, take good care of your young lady."

Seeing Xia Ju nodded, he turned around, opened the door, walked out, and closed the door behind him.

Outside the door, Eunuch Hai, who was dressed in casual clothes, looked into the room through the gap and said, "Mr. Murong's friend is probably also a talented and famous person. Why not invite him as well?"

Murong Yan glanced at him and said calmly, "Does your master want to see me or someone else? If he wants to see someone else, then I will go back."

Eunuch Hai was so angry that he had to speak in a gentle manner, "My master is here in the name of Master Murong. Master Murong, please come this way."

After everyone left, Xie Zhuoning in the room immediately asked Xia Ju, "Can you take me to eavesdrop on what they are talking about?"

Of course, she was not worried that Murong Yan would betray her, but she was afraid that Xiao Bicheng would do whatever it takes to achieve his goal.

Murong Yan was just a weak scholar who was powerless and could easily suffer losses.

Xia Ju shook her head. "There are experts who can take you. If you can't, I can go."

She could breathe secretly. Although her young lady knew martial arts, she was not a master after all. She would be discovered if she got close.

Xie Zhuoning said, "Then go and eavesdrop, and come back and tell me what they said."

Xia Ju rarely stared at me, "I"

She couldn't utter a word for a long time. Are you sure you want her to eavesdrop and come back to report?

Xie Zhuoning: "...when the time comes, just keep your speech brief and get to the point."

Xia Ju nodded, then leapt up and flew out of the window like a ghost.

Private room, Yunyi Pavilion.

When Murong Yan saw the sitting figure, his eyes darkened and he stepped forward to salute, "I didn't know that Your Highness the Crown Prince was here. Please forgive me, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

"Oh? You know me?" Xiao Bicheng suddenly smiled happily.

It seems that he, as the crown prince, is quite popular among the people.

Murong Yan said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "I had the honor of meeting the Crown Prince before at the gate of Prince Xuan's mansion."

Xiao Bicheng's face fell visibly.

At that time he wanted to find an opportunity to suppress Xiao Jinxuan, but he didn't expect to humiliate himself in the end.

But that most embarrassing and disgraceful scene was seen by so many people!