Zhang Qi was taken aback by this young mans cautious and serious warning.

  She was about to respond when a clear voice came, "Xiao Lu, how are you here? Where is your husband Lang Jun?" A stout woman walked towards them, eyeing Zhang Qi up and down as she approached.

  That little fellow furrowed his brow and replied, "This young lady is lost and is asking me to take her out." He pointed eastward and said to Zhang Qi, "Follow that small path and after passing through a garden, turn right and youll be there."

  "Thank you."

  Zhang Qi responded with a sound, saw Xiao Lu walking towards the woman, then lowered his head and walked in the direction he pointed.

  At that time, most of the envoys had arrived, and the sound of flutes and music filled the air in the government office. The Huqin and Pipa played together, and the fragrance of wine mixed with the scent of cosmetics wafted through the air.

  When Zhang Gui arrived, Zhang Jin and others were still scattered in the garden. The girls from various departments gathered together, whispering something to each other. Half a garden away, there was a group of young men, some loudly reciting their own poems, some gathering in groups of three or five drinking wine and discussing literature, and more often, frequently casting glances at the girls.

  Zhang Qi took a look and saw that on the left side, there were several young men wearing ethnic minority costumes sitting together. However, except for their different attire, everything else about them was no different from the local young men of Jiankang, as if they had also come to take a look.

  In this early spring garden, the flowers have not yet bloomed, and the grass has not yet turned a deep green. But the young ladies and gentlemen, each one dressed in their finest attire, with rosy cheeks and lustrous complexions, have taken the place of the spring scenery, making it a breathtaking sight to behold.

  Zhang Jin and several legitimate daughters of the Xiao family were leaning against each other, coincidentally smiling at each other, in that manner, there was no need for her to go forward and add trouble.

  Zhang Qi slowed down her pace.

  In front of the pavilion, a dozen or so elderly men gathered together, drinking wine while appreciating the performances of the concubines. At that time, the sunset was sinking slowly, countless beautifully dressed maidservants were shuttling back and forth in the garden, lighting up the lanterns in the garden, and at the same time igniting one by one bonfires to drive away the chill of early spring.

  As soon as she saw those concubines, Zhang Gui subconsciously lowered her head and hastily walked along another small path towards the direction of the many young ladies of the Zhang family.

  At this moment, a clear voice came over, pressing down on the noisy garden - "The King of Guangling of Qi State has arrived -"

  As soon as this shout came out, all the sounds stopped at once. Swish swish swish, all eyes looked towards the direction of the door.

  In the unspeakable silence, a young man in black clothes and a black hat, under the escort of two black-clad guards, came slowly. The sky had just darkened, and the young man stepped on the night fog, as if he was a person from the fog itself.

  In the midst of an awkward silence, several masters of Xiao Fu, two princes of Chen Guo Huang Shi, and a few dignitaries from Jian Kang stepped forward to welcome them at the same time.

  The one walking in the front was a stout and tall, about thirty-two or three years old, nobleman who was being supported by two handsome young men. He stared at Prince Guangling and said in a sharp, high-pitched voice due to his obesity: "Prince Guangling is really hard to invite! Everyone says that except when facing Your Majesty, Prince Guangling will show his true face, but in other places, he must be hiding something. Xiao didnt believe it, so he made a bet with everyone, but unexpectedly, Prince Guangling did come, yet still wearing this thing."

  He slowly came to a stop, turned his head and stared at Prince Guangling, saying word by word: "Everyone has come to the banquet, but is Prince Guangling still unwilling to give Xiao a bit of face?"

  As soon as the voice fell, laughter erupted from all directions. The dignitaries stood behind the fat man, watching the young man with a hood on his head, waiting for his response.

  Standing at a corner, Zhang Gui heard several low voices coming over, "This Xiao Ce is so arrogant, he even dares to defy the ambassador of Qi State."

  Is this fatty Xiao Ce? Xiao Ce, Zhang Qi has heard of him. Among the four great surnames of Jiangdong, Wang Xie Yuan Xiao, these four families are considered to be of the highest noble birth. But thats all there is to it, just a matter of noble birth.

  For decades, the four highest-ranking families have not produced a single child with the talent to govern the world. In chaotic times, although being an official is "vulgar business" and governing the world is "a trivial matter for ordinary people". However, if a family cannot produce a decent child in several decades, even if they do not admit it themselves, their decline is inevitable.

  Like the Wang and Xie families, although they claim to be top-notch aristocratic families, although they are still unattainable in marriage and socializing, it is an undisputed fact that they have already declined.

  In this case, Xiao Ce, a member of the aristocratic family, is the only one who can take charge and do something in the imperial court. In the situation where no other members of the aristocratic families are available, Xiao Ce was entrusted with important tasks, and the imperial family also showed respect for him by reusing him to win over the various aristocratic families.

  And so, Xiao Ce was often arrogant and uncontrollable at times.

  The boy in black stood quietly in the night wind.

  Under the flickering lantern light, his eyes quietly swept over the crowd.

  Just as everyone thought he wouldnt speak, the young mans clear and elegant voice, with a hint of coldness, slowly rang out, "Xiao Jun Sheng invited Chang Gong to come... Chang Gong is here. As for other things, doesnt Xiao think his request is excessive?"

  The boys voice was pleasant to hear, extremely pleasant, with a few unspoken magnetic qualities.

  As soon as he spoke, a loud buzz erupted all around. The young ladies excitedly pushed forward, their whispers occasionally drifting into Zhang Guis ears, "The voice of the Prince of Guangling is really good to listen to." "Yes, yes." "Listening to his voice and thinking of him, he must be extremely handsome."

  In the midst of joyful cheers, Xiao Ce smiled.

  With a hint of sarcasm, his laughter was slightly shrill, "The Prince of Guangling is truly renowned! What an arrogant and proud demeanor!" As he mocked, Xiao Ces right hand waved, calling out: "Come out!"

  With a wave of her right hand, the music stopped abruptly. The dozen or so maids who had been singing and dancing just moments before turned their waists and walked forward. Before long, they arrived at one side.

  He pointed to the concubine beside him, his chubby face smiling so wide that his eyes were narrowed to slits. He stared at Prince Guangling and said slowly: "These concubines of mine are all stunning beauties, not only skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, but also have their own unique charms in the bedroom... They heard about Prince Guanglings reputation and fell in love with him, begging me to arrange a meeting with Your Highness."

  He smiled and said: "If the Prince of Guangling can take off your hat and let Xiao see your true face, I will give these concubines to the Prince of Guangling."

  Where is the beauty being sent?

  Right on the road, with so many dignitaries blocking him, not even waiting for him to take his seat, and the tone was half- gloomy and half-sunny - it was clear that the hat had to be removed, whether he liked it or not! It was clear that they were giving the other side a warning shot, if accepted, then things would have to proceed according to Xiao Ces plan. If not accepted, this Qi State envoy who came from afar could only flee in defeat, his prestige greatly diminished, losing face for his own country, and perhaps even being punished by the Qi State ruler who didnt think much of him!

  When Xiao Ces words fell to the ground, the young men burst into laughter. This laughter was so delightful and impatient - to be honest, since this King of Guangling arrived in Jiankang, countless sons of aristocratic families have wanted to cut him down a peg!