14: Otherwise, what can we do?

In the Plum Garden, vibrant plum blossoms bloomed, their red and pink hues blending to outshine all other flowers, their delicate fragrance permeating the air, making the flawless white snow seem like a mere backdrop, losing all its luster.

Within a grand pavilion, numerous tables and chairs were set, laden with delicious food, while beautiful women danced gracefully and musicians played melodious tunes.

Many talented scholars and beautiful women gathered together, enjoying the snow and admiring the plums—truly an ideal setting.

When Xie Weilou and Lin Qinghuang entered the pavilion, everyone's gaze turned towards them; some were mocking, some scoffing, some curious, and some wore expressions of contemplation.

Evidently, their combination was a source of disbelief.

Didn't Xie Weilou wipe out Lin Qinghuang's entire family?

Why would Lin Qinghuang come here with him?

One young man in a grey robe immediately stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting to the two, saying, "Greetings, Heir, greetings, Commander Lin."

This grey-robed man was Cao Huaian, the eldest young master of the Cao Family, a smooth and clever individual.

Xie Weilou smiled and said, "Young Master Cao, is there anything interesting today?"

Cao Huaian seemed to understand Xie Weilou well; he whispered, "For this Plum Appreciation Poetry Gathering, I specifically invited Mei Sheng, the courtesan from Wansha House."

Xie Weilou's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but give Cao Huaian a thumbs-up, saying, "As expected of Young Master Cao, you truly understand This Young Master!"

Cao Huaian deeply bowed, cupping his hands, "Of course. Heir, please take a seat for a moment. Once everyone has arrived, this poetry gathering can begin."

"Then This Young Master will eagerly await."

Xie Weilou nodded slightly and sat down with Lin Qinghuang at a nearby spot.

Not long after.

Many more people arrived.

Among them were Su Muxue and Xiao Ce. Su Muxue, as always, wore a white downy dress, looking lively and charming.

"Xie Weilou..."

When Su Muxue saw Xie Weilou, she raised an eyebrow. A plum appreciation gathering was an elegant affair; what was this scoundrel doing here?

Some people present watched Su Muxue and Xie Weilou with playful expressions.

It was well known that Su Muxue previously had an engagement with Xie Weilou, but when Xie Weilou was imprisoned, Su Muxue proactively went to the Xie Family to break off the engagement, leaving the Xie Family with no dignity whatsoever.

Now that Su Muxue was close to Xiao Ce, what would this Xie Weilou do when he saw them?

When a good-for-nothing young master sees his former fiancée suddenly walking with another man, he's probably going to be very angry, and a good show is likely to follow.

After all, Xiao Ce was no pushover. In terms of status, position, and strength, he was in no way inferior to Xie Weilou. If Xie Weilou truly provoked Xiao Ce, he would likely be severely taught a lesson.

When Xie Weilou saw Su Muxue, he smiled and waved, saying, "Mu Xue, you're even more beautiful today. Come quickly to This Young Master. I'll show you my big treasure."

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Su Muxue's expression froze, and a hint of disgust flickered deep in her eyes.

Everyone present also paused for a second, their expressions somewhat strange. He immediately offered to show Su Muxue his 'big treasure'?

What 'big treasure'?

This couldn't help but lead to wild imaginations!

Xiao Ce glared coldly at Xie Weilou, "You don't seem to have taken my words to heart!"

"What kind of a thing are you? And what kind of nonsense are your words?"

Xie Weilou's smile grew even wider.

"..."

The scene instantly fell into dead silence; no one dared to interject.

After all, one was the Heir of Marquis Zhenxi Manor, and the other was the son of Wu'an Marquis. Their statuses and positions were not low. They didn't even have the qualifications to participate in the confrontation between these two.

Although Xie Weilou's title as Heir might be somewhat undeserved now, no one still dared to underestimate him.

Before his title as Heir was revoked, he was still the Heir of Marquis Zhenxi Manor, and only the Emperor could revoke his title!

Boom!

A cold glint flashed in Xiao Ce's eyes, and a powerful aura erupted, directly pressing down on Xie Weilou.

Lin Qinghuang indifferently glanced at Xiao Ce, casually gripping her long sword. Xiao Ce's aura was instantly dispelled.

"Hmm?"

Xiao Ce looked at Lin Qinghuang, raising an eyebrow.

Lin Qinghuang calmly said, "Xie Weilou is already a member of my Tianquan Division. Who dares to touch him?"

"What? Xie Weilou is a member of the Tianquan Division?"

"I've heard something about this. I heard that Zhenxi Marquis Manor pulled some strings to get him into the Tianquan Division, supposedly to gain some experience."

"After all, he just got out of prison, and his reputation isn't good. It's understandable that he'd want to gain some experience and clean up his image."

"No wonder he appeared with Lin Qinghuang; it turns out he's already joined the Tianquan Division."

Upon hearing this, everyone's pupils constricted.

This fellow, as a member of the Zhenxi Marquis Manor, was already arrogant and overbearing. Now that he had joined the Tianquan Division, he would probably become even more arrogant, given the special authority wielded by members of the Tianquan Division.

"So what if he's from the Tianquan Division? He'd better not fall into my hands, otherwise..."

Xiao Ce's tone was chilling, and a terrifying killing intent permeated the air.

"Otherwise, what can you do?"

Lin Qinghuang glared coldly at Xiao Ce, and a powerful sword qi permeated the air, her killing intent even more intense.

Seeing Lin Qinghuang protect Xie Weilou so fiercely, Su Muxue was also a little confused, but she still said to Xiao Ce, "Forget it!"

Lin Qinghuang's strength was not inferior to Xiao Ce's. If they truly clashed, Xiao Ce probably wouldn't gain any advantage, and it wasn't necessary to make a scene over Xie Weilou.

"..."

Xiao Ce took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart, and walked away with Su Muxue.

Among the crowd, Gu Mingya walked with a young man.

That man was Yan Zhixiao, the son of the Minister of War. At this moment, both of them looked at Xie Weilou with cold eyes.

"Miss Mei Sheng has arrived."

At this moment, a voice sounded.

Everyone immediately looked over, only to see a woman dressed in a long plum blossom dress appear. She wore a veil, her figure was graceful, with a prominent bust and shapely hips, fully showcasing her curves.

Beside her, a maidservant held an umbrella.

Cao Huaian immediately stepped forward to greet her, "Miss Mei Sheng, you've finally arrived."

Mei Sheng softly said, "Young Master Cao invited me, so Mei Sheng naturally dared not refuse."

Cao Huaian smiled and said, "Your presence here is a blessing to my Plum Garden. Please, quickly take a seat."

"Mm!"

Mei Sheng nodded slightly, entered the pavilion, and found a seat.

Lin Qinghuang and Xie Weilou stared at Mei Sheng.

"This woman is not simple!"

Lin Qinghuang thought to herself.

"What shapely hips."

Xie Weilou, on the other hand, exclaimed.

Everyone present heard this remark.

One could faintly see Mei Sheng slightly furrow her brow.

Some of the women present, however, showed expressions of disdain towards Xie Weilou. He truly lived up to his reputation as a good-for-nothing, utterly vulgar, simply disgracing the Zhenxi Marquis Manor.

"Cough, cough!"

Cao Huaian lightly coughed, then cupped his hands to everyone, saying, "Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. Today, Cao is hosting this Plum Appreciation Gathering primarily to make friends through poetry. This time, I've found an unparalleled divine weapon. Whoever wins first place will receive that divine weapon."

As he said this, he lightly clapped his hands.

A guard immediately came up, carrying a box. The box opened, revealing a long sword with a green scabbard inside.

"Tianya!"

When Lin Qinghuang saw the long sword in the box, she instantly confirmed that it was Tianya Sword.

Many people also stared at the sword. Before coming here, they had heard some rumors that this Tianya Sword seemed to be an item of the Lin Family.

Cao Huaian looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Many of you are probably curious about the origin of this sword. I can tell you all that I obtained this sword from the black market."

This sentence seemed to be directed at Lin Qinghuang, the meaning clear: your Lin Family's Tianya Sword was not taken by me, but bought by me.

At the same time, it also implied that if they wanted to investigate the sword's information, they should go to the black market!

"..."

Lin Qinghuang remained silent, naturally understanding the implication in Cao Huaian's words.

"Since it's a gathering for friends through poetry, let's begin."

Xie Weilou toyed with his wine cup.

"So eager, as if you understand poetry."

Su Muxue sneered.

Xie Weilou smiled and said, "I don't understand poetry, but I understand beautiful women. Reciting poetry and composing couplets, to put it plainly, is like praising a woman's beauty. The difference is that now we have to praise flowers and plants. With This Young Master's talent, it's more than enough."

"Heh heh!"

Su Muxue's smile was mocking. "Easily? How dare you say that?"

Cao Huaian said with a serious expression, "Since it's a Plum Appreciation Gathering, then today's theme will be plum blossoms. Everyone has half an incense stick's time to compose poems to their heart's content. Finally, Miss Mei Sheng will review everyone's poems, and whoever's poem is the best will take this Tianya Sword."

A guard immediately stepped forward, bringing up an incense burner, while some maidservants distributed brushes and ink to everyone present.

"Does anyone have any questions?"

Cao Huaian looked at the crowd.

"..."

Everyone shook their heads.

"Good! Then let's begin! I look forward to everyone's excellent works."

Cao Huaian said with a smile.

The guard immediately lit half an incense stick.

Everyone stared at the surrounding plum blossoms, their faces showing expressions of contemplation.

Some seemed to have prepared in advance, immediately putting pen to paper. A plum appreciation poetry gathering, as the name suggested, was related to plums, so preparing beforehand was quite normal...