427: Chapter 427 Wilderness

"Qushui Banquet? Could it be the Winding Stream Party?"

Lin Xiao was not very interested in those gatherings of literati for composing poetry and lyrics.

He was merely a student standing on the shoulders of countless literary giants, not a true literary master; he could barely even be called an amateur, so there was no need for him to pose as a lover of culture.

"Husband, the ancient ritual of the Winding Stream Party is a thing of the distant past."

Su Wansha, standing nearby, clearly knew about it and hurriedly explained, "The Qushui Banquet was popularized during the previous dynasty and represents the highest level of literati gatherings."

"Generally, it requires a Master of the Academy or a great scholar of the age to host it to be worthy of being called a Qushui Banquet."

"In such a banquet, a major feature is that regardless of whether one is a noble or a commoner, as long as their knowledge is recognized by the host, they are qualified to take a seat."

"Conversely, if one's knowledge is insufficient, even if they are a dignitary, they cannot join."

"The Qushui Banquet hasn't been held in the Northern Frontier for a long time; because of the wars, there aren't many opportunities for great scholars and Masters to put effort into preparing a banquet."

"Presumably, it's because of the Worlds Number One Wine Festival that many celebrities have gathered in Lincang, leading to this occurrence."

Lin Xiao realized that it was a tradition of the Great Zheng Dynasty.

This should also be an attitude shown by the high-level officials of the Zheng Dynasty toward breaking class barriers.

"Elder Zhu, is it you who is hosting this Qushui Banquet?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Of course not. I have only just arrived myself; I was invited."

Zhu Ming smiled and said, "The host this time is someone the Prince should have heard of; he is the Master of the Academy responsible for managing the Northern Frontier, Master Li Jingyi."

Lin Xiao had indeed heard of him, mainly because he had looked into the top officials of the Academy when he was determined to rectify it.

This Master Li Jingyi was a Master of the Academy's powerful faction; it was said he was skilled in both the pen and the sword and possessed outstanding ability, which was why he was stationed in the Northern Frontier.

Even during Prince Bai's reign, Master Li Jingyi was able to remain untainted and did not let the Academy get involved in Prince Bai's power struggle.

In terms of capability, this man was quite a figure.

However, Lin Xiao originally had no good feelings toward the Academy, so he naturally didn't want to get too close to them.

"Since it's not a banquet hosted by Elder Zhu, then this Prince won't go. I am just a martial artist after all; there's no point in going to such a place."

Lin Xiao waved his hand.

"Haha..."

Zhu Ming stroked his beard and laughed, "The Prince is indeed a man of true character. I also guessed that the Prince might not be interested."

"It's just that a few old friends of many years have been making hints, all wanting me to invite the Prince, so I had to thicken my skin and come try."

Lin Xiao guessed that those people from the Academy wanted to find a chance to curry favor with him.

After all, he had killed Wu Zike during the Tianwu Grand Tournament and humiliated their geniuses, which meant a formal feud had been established.

With the brains of those Academy people, they certainly wouldn't oppose him openly; they would first find a way to see if they could improve relations.

"If the Prince isn't going, then this old woman isn't going either; I'm also a martial artist."

Ding Cuihua said, "I'll stay behind and chat about sword techniques with Bingyan; I've just had some new insights recently, so I'll go find her!"

Saying that, the old lady ran toward the backyard by herself.

After all, Leng Bingyan had earned her plenty of prestige, and Ding Cuihua couldn't wait to instill all her experience into this last disciple.

"Wife! Wife, you..."

Zhu Ming called out twice and then smiled awkwardly, "Well, not only did I fail to bring the Prince, but I also lost one. It seems I can only attend the banquet alone."

Lin Xiao saw Su Wansha looking like she wanted to speak but hesitated, so he smiled and said, "Su Wansha, why don't you accompany Elder Zhu instead? You are his disciple, so it's only proper for you to go with him."

"Me?"

Su Wansha was first delighted to agree, but then she quickly became conflicted. "But I am a member of the Prince's Mansion after all..."

She knew Lin Xiao didn't like the Academy, so she didn't want to bring him any trouble.

Lin Xiao said indifferently, "Although you are my woman, you also have the right to choose to do what you like."

"I met you because of the poetry rules of the Baiyu Pavilion; there is no fault in loving poetry and lyrics."

"Since you want to see the Qushui Banquet, then go; don't overthink it."

"My Zhenbei Princes Mansion won't be affected by a small Qushui Banquet."

Su Wansha's beautiful eyes rippled with emotion; the feeling of being respected by her man moved her nearly to tears.

If Zhu Ming hadn't been present, she would have wanted to sit on him and have some intimacy.

"The Prince is absolutely right. I also dislike many of those who pose as lovers of culture and curry favor with the powerful at the Qushui Banquet, but if one avoids seeing close friends because of those unimportant people, wouldn't that be like giving up eating for fear of choking?"

Zhu Ming looked gratified. "Su Wansha, come with me. Just treat it as listening to people compose poetry for a bit of entertainment. If we encounter a few talented individuals, perhaps we can recruit them to serve the Prince in the future."

"Teacher is absolutely right. Prince, then I will accompany Teacher to the banquet to broaden my horizons."

"Go ahead, no need to care too much about your identity, have a good time," Lin Xiao said dotingly.

"Yes! Husband!" Su Wansha nodded with a sweet smile.

After Zhu Ming and Su Wansha left, Xiao Qingxuan, who had been silent, suddenly sighed softly.

Lin Xiao asked curiously, "What is it, wife? Do you also want to go to the Qushui Banquet?"

Xiao Qingxuan shook her head. "I don't want to go."

"Then why the sigh?"

"It's precisely because I don't want to go that I'm sighing."

"Huh?" Lin Xiao was confused.

Xiao Qingxuan let out a giggle and gave the man a charming, sidelong glance.

"I'm just reminiscing. I remember when I first met you, I was just like Su Wansha, fond of poetry and lyrics, and I even begged you to write poetry for me."

"But now, I suddenly can't muster much interest in poetry and lyrics; I feel a sense of emptiness in my heart."

Lin Xiao couldn't help but be amused. "Wife, your cultivation is already extremely close to Great Grandmaster; it's perfectly normal for you to lose interest in these things."

"How many people in this world have the chance to break the shackles of their lifespan and glimpse a sliver of the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao?"

"Compared to the vast and boundless universe, poetry and lyrics are naturally dull."

Xiao Qingxuan's eyes lit up, as if she had realized something. "That is indeed true... Husband is right. Thinking of it this way, I feel relieved."

"Besides, if you said you were satisfied, I'd be a bit troubled, but since you say you're empty..."

Lin Xiao smiled mischievously, "Isn't that easy then?"

As Lin Xiao spoke, he pulled the woman into his arms, causing Xiao Qingxuan to let out a soft cry.

It hasn't been long since they finished; is it starting again?

This 'martial arts practice' frequency was a bit too high, although the power was indeed visibly growing...

"Husband, Lady Ding is still in the backyard teaching Bingyan; shall we... wait until later?"

Only then did Lin Xiao remember that a Sword Dao Grandmaster was in the backyard; it was indeed a bit troublesome.

"Wife, let's go out then," Lin Xiao suggested.

"Ah?" Xiao Qingxuan's face flushed crimson. "Husband... are we going to the wilderness again?"