The grandfather and grandson exchanged glances. Wan Qingtao’s temper quietly vanished. He scratched his beard, clearly somewhat puzzled. “Where did that old Wen find him? Someone like that should not be swayed by money. Could that old Wen really have such great face?”
Yin Jizhen: “Grandfather, there is no mistake. It is him. I met him not long ago and just spoke with him.”
Wan Shengqun on the side suddenly understood and hurriedly asked, “Is it that ‘Brother Lin’ we met on the Jade Bridge earlier?”
Yin Jizhen smiled bitterly. “He called me ‘Brother Wang’, and I called him ‘Brother Lin’. There is nothing improper about it.”
Wan Shengqun sighed with emotion. “No wonder you said he is an unparalleled master. From his demeanour, you really cannot tell he is that Tanhua scholar. Truly low-key.”
Wan Qingtao: “That is not right. Only the children of the various families can participate. On what basis is he meddling in this matter? Even if he is more talented, he cannot break the rules and intervene!”
Yin Jizhen: “He said, since the Wan family could take an unconventional approach and find me, the Wen family could also be shameless. The Wen family has numerous descendants, so finding a few daughters to make do would be easy.”
Wan Qingtao stroked his beard and frowned. “That old Wen is too sinister. He has remained calm and composed until now. He is deliberately trying to make me lose face in public.” He suddenly took a deep breath, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth for a while. “Grandson-in-law, do not be afraid. You may not necessarily lose to him. Go and compete with confidence and boldness.”
Yin Jizhen sighed. “Grandfather, there are some people we must admit are truly endowed with heavenly talent. Talent has a spiritual quality. Even if you worked yourself to death, you would find it hard to match. I have seen his work. I am indeed inferior to him.”
Wan Qingtao glared. “Why boost others’ morale and diminish your own? We are all men. What is there to fear? We will talk about life or death after the competition. If you lose, so be it. There is no principle of surrendering before the fight even begins.”
Yin Jizhen sighed again. “Grandfather, was the imperial examination in the capital not a competition? It was likewise setting questions and answering them. This time is merely a different topic. The victor was already decided in the capital. Why should I go on stage again to invite humiliation upon myself?
He is different from others. If I lose, everyone will think me laughable, laughing at my overestimation of my own abilities, laughing at my self-inflicted humiliation.
If he loses, do you think the people of the world would easily believe it? They would certainly feel there was some problem, and even suspect that the court had exerted pressure.
Grandfather, you should have heard something of his background. He was once the favourite of the Vice Censor-in-Chief. The Vice Censor-in-Chief still mentions him from time to time. I am currently benefiting from the Censorate, so there is really no need to cause the Vice Censor-in-Chief to ‘view me differently’.
As soon as I compete with him, regardless of win or loss, I will immediately be wrapped in gossip and slander from all under heaven. This is very disadvantageous for me. Grandfather, for both reason and sentiment, I cannot compete with him. Withdrawing is my best choice.”
Hearing all this, Wan Shengqun also nodded. “Grandfather, these are Jizhen’s heartfelt words, and they are indeed reasonable. Since even if he went on stage he would still lose, there is really no need to gamble Jizhen’s reputation on an attempt. If things get too big, I am afraid it will not only be Jizhen who attracts the attention of the world. The Wan family will likely find it hard to avoid as well.”
“Alas!” Wan Qingtao sighed helplessly, finally showing an expression of yielding. “Forget it. If we are to blame anyone, blame us for not being as sinister as that old Wen. We should not have revealed our move too early and been outmanoeuvred by him. Go, have them remove Jizhen’s plaque outside.”
Immediately, his brows shot up, and he regained a fighting spirit like a gamecock. He strode to the table, pulled out the dagger in one move, held it upside down in his hand, and left shouting, “I want to see what that Tanhua scholar looks like. I must remind him to be careful of that sinister scoundrel, that old Wen.”
The meaning was obvious. Even if they lost, they had to go and cause some trouble for the Wen family’s side.
He went out the door and walked with large strides in the corridor.
Wan Shengqun hurriedly went out. First, he found the steward to have him remove Yin Jizhen’s competition plaque. Then he brought people to chase after the old master…
On one side below the stage, the Wan family people came out of the building. After some communication with the staff managing the literary gathering, the latter showed a surprised expression.
After confirming the situation repeatedly, the staff member went on stage, took a pole, walked to the backdrop wall, and under the watchful eyes of all, removed Yin Jizhen’s plaque. Then he walked to the front of the stage, held up the plaque and showed it around for everyone to see, and announced loudly, “Yin Jizhen withdraws!”
“What?”
“Withdraws?”
“What the hell? How did he withdraw?”
“No way? I came from far away and arrived early to secure a spot just for him. Why withdraw for no reason!”
“Could it be that he feels there is no opponent?”
“His status is what it is. A proper official competing with a group of commoners in this is inherently inappropriate.”
“Could it be that the Wan family signed him up without his consent at all?”
Behind him, the surging tide of discussion rose like waves. Yu Qing remained calm and unflustered, not surprised in the least. This was his masterpiece, helping the Wen family block Yin Jizhen.
Among his group, what surprised them were the three people from the Wen family in male disguise, including Wen Xin. Perhaps because they had some suspicions, the three pretended to turn back to look at the discussion behind them, but were actually quietly observing Yu Qing’s reaction. In the end, they saw no reaction at all.
In fact, all three suspected that this matter might be related to Yu Qing.
On the Wen family terrace, Wen Mao was stunned for a moment, then turned back and asked, “Kuizi, what is this situation? Why did the Wan family let Yin Jizhen withdraw?”
Wen Kui shook his head. “I am not clear. I will send more people to investigate.” He turned to leave.
“Wait.” Wen Mao stopped him. “Since Yin Jizhen has withdrawn, we can put Yan An up on our side. Quickly send someone to summon Yan An.”
To avoid people making strange remarks, such as saying he was afraid of Yin Jizhen and dared not compete for the Wen family, Wen Yan An simply did not come to witness this grand occasion. Out of sight, out of mind.
“Good.” Wen Kui acknowledged and quickly went to make arrangements.
But just at this moment, a sudden commotion broke out in the outside corridor, causing them to turn back one after another.
Wan Qingtao had arrived with his people, but was stopped by the Wen family guards. They would not let him pass, nor could they allow him to barge in.
He held out the dagger in his hand and gestured in warning. “Step aside, all of you get out of my way. If anyone injures me, let us see who can afford the responsibility!” He then charged forward. When the guards blocked him, he actually used the dagger to slash at himself, tearing a cut in his clothes with a ripping sound.
He had only cut the clothes, not harmed the skin. He had measured his strike against himself, but it still startled the Wen family guards who were blocking him.
If he really injured himself during the collision, it would be impossible to explain. If the Wan family patriarch were injured, how could that be tolerated? The background capable of challenging the Wen family was no trivial matter. The Wen family would likely have to give an account, otherwise it could lead to direct war between the two great families.
One person’s recklessness forced a group of Wen family guards to retreat.
Fortunately, Wen Kui stepped forward in time to resolve the situation with one sentence. “Patriarch Wan, you may only see our master after putting down your weapon.”
Click! Wan Qingtao swung the dagger and directly stabbed it into the wall. He pointed at the dagger with a cold laugh. “The item is placed here. Let anyone try to steal my things!”
Then he brought a few people and swaggered through.
They did not let him bring more people past. He waved his hand with his back to them to indicate it was fine, and had the others wait outside.
Wen Mao and the others on the terrace had already stood up and returned inside to wait.
Seeing the old fellow who had barged in so brazenly, Wen Mao’s old face darkened. “Old scoundrel, here to play the shrew again?”
“Ha, ptooey!” Wan Qingtao spat on the ground. He looked around the room and said with a cold laugh, “I have no interest in you, this sinister old thief. Where is the Tanhua scholar whose fame fills the world? Where is A Shiheng? Wan has come to pay a visit, and requests to meet him!”
A Shiheng? The group exchanged glances, all unable to understand what this old man was making a fuss about.
Wen Mao frowned. “Old scoundrel, are you drunk and running here to talk nonsense?”
“See this? This is what you call playing dumb!” Wan Qingtao pointed at Wen Mao’s nose and said to his grandson through gritted teeth, “This kind of person is the most sinister, and also the most despicable. A petty person who acts like a whore and still wants to erect a memorial arch!”
Wen Mao was furious. “Old scoundrel, spewing filth from your mouth. You are clearly here to make trouble, are you not?”
Wan Shengqun: “Patriarch Wen, forgive this junior for speaking disrespectfully, but this is meaningless of you. Yin Jizhen has already given the Tanhua scholar enough face by withdrawing from the competition. The two of them meeting on the Jade Bridge not long ago was also witnessed by my own eyes. That he is on the Wen family’s side was also said by the Tanhua scholar himself to Yin Jizhen. A person of his stature would hardly lie about such a matter, would he? My grandfather has no other intention, he has merely come to pay a visit out of admiration. Taking a step back, whether to meet or not should be the Tanhua scholar’s own decision. What business is it of yours to refuse guests on his behalf?”
“Well said!” Wan Qingtao patted his grandson’s shoulder with a large hand, his face full of appreciation.
The Wen family members exchanged glances, shocked and uncertain.
Wen Mao narrowed his eyes slightly, then took a deep breath and suddenly shouted, “Send the guest away!”
Wan Qingtao was furious. He pointed at him and rebuked angrily, “Old thief! You have no right to make decisions for the Tanhua scholar!”
Wen Mao said decisively, “Kuizi, someone has brought people here to seek wealth and take lives. Report to the authorities!”
“Yes.” Wen Kui acknowledged.
“You…” Wan Qingtao was incensed beyond measure. He pointed at the other party for a good while with a look of “you win”, then let out an angry humph and turned around. “Let’s go!”
Several attendants immediately followed him away. In the corridor, he pulled out the dagger from the wall and repeatedly scraped the blade against his palm, hating with gritted teeth as he left.
Inside the room, Wen Mao looked at the clan elder who wanted to speak but hesitated. When Wen Kui, who had gone to “send the guest away”, returned, he asked, “Do you think what they said is true or false?”
Wen Kui hesitated. “It does not seem false. There is no need to drag that world-famous Tanhua scholar into a disturbance. Moreover, Yin Jizhen’s withdrawal from the competition just now was indeed very suspicious. But how could that number one talent under heaven help us force Yin Jizhen back for no reason?”
Wen Mao: “Investigate. Immediately, as soon as possible!”
Downstairs.
After going downstairs, Wan Qingtao suddenly said to his grandson beside him, “Pass the word. All our Wan family children participating in the literary gathering are to withdraw. Let them play by themselves. We are going to lose anyway, so we might as well give the Wen family a good show of face!”
Wan Shengqun was stunned, then his eyes lit up. After that, he nodded repeatedly, extended his hand to ask his grandfather to turn ahead.
But Wan Qingtao pushed his hand away and looked at the competition stage set up outside. He did not turn to go back. Instead, he cut straight across and swaggered onto the competition stage under the watchful eyes of all.
The people on and below the stage stared in shock at this group of people walking onto the stage with swagger. The various families on the terraces on both sides were also baffled, not knowing what the Wan family was up to.
Clang!
The incense burner placed on the stage, along with its stand, was kicked over by the passing Patriarch Wan. He waved his hand and shouted, “Withdrawing, the Wan family is withdrawing. Let you lot compete.”
He dropped these words and left with his group, having lost the battle but not the war.
The scene suddenly fell into dead silence. Wen Mao on the terrace stared below, his face darkening completely.