Chapter 427: When Scholars Are Enraged (1)

rimary focus.The feat is truly amazing, as even master musicians tend to overshadow the accompaniment, drawing attention to themselves rather than the singer's voice.The flowery word "Splendidly, Dong...Chapter 427: When a Scholar Is Enraged, Heaven and Earth Change!

Earlier, when discussing the matter of Xianyao, Wu Xu Lingxiao was still defending him, thinking that Shang Lingjian had fabricated this out of thin air. However, upon hearing about Xianyao's connection with the Wei family, she could only give up.

Why did she have to give up

To explain the relationship between the Wei family and Wu Xu Clan, they were not friendly neighbors but rather long-standing enemies for generations. This has been going on for hundreds of years since the first generation of the Wei family.

Why were they always at odds There's a story behind this!

In the past, the first generation of the Wei family was just an unruly youth, a poor scholar with no prospects. However, he was also a prodigy; his talents were evident from a young age. He was expected to study hard and become a high-ranking official to bring honor to his ancestors.

That year, he met a girl whom they fell in love with. But her family broke them up because of their mismatched social status. Despite being turned away countless times, due to his determination, he was finally able to meet the head of her household.

The head of the household didn't care much and simply said that when he had the capability to match their status one day, they would marry off their daughter to him.

Consequently, he studied diligently and passed his examinations with flying colors. He became a top-ranking scholar (Zhuangyuan) and felt qualified enough to propose to her. But again, he was rejected, this time with the words: "You're just a mere Zhuangyuan; don't think you're someone important!"

This is reality. The girl's family was very powerful, so even a top scholar like him held no weight in their eyes. Her parents still looked down on him and arranged another marriage for her.

As a result, the girl chose a path with no return; he lost her forever. That day, he cried for three days straight until his tears ran dry and swore never to shed another tear again!

He vowed that he would prove himself worthy of her by matching their status someday and would marry her even if she was gone, making her a ghost in his family.

Moreover, he promised to make them pay for what they did; they'd never have peace again!

A Scholar's Anger Can Change the World!

This poor scholar brought about incredible changes across the empire. He eventually became a chancellor with significant power and built his mansion facing that family's gate, truly matching their status.

His presence led to unprecedented political failures for that family; other families took over much of their influence while he seized some himself. The poor scholar now has established his own powerful clan.

In his calculated scheme, the girl’s parents were executed due to certain matters, and it was done personally by him without giving any opportunity for protection or prior warning.

No one dared to provoke this poor scholar at that time, not even the opposing family. His wisdom had reached an appalling level. Consequently, he founded a scholarly clan that lasted hundreds of years with successive generations holding high positions in court. Even the major clans were wary of his family.

Ultimately, he married the girl who was no longer alive and kept her position as wife vacant for her while taking other women to continue their lineage but none ever became official wives!

This made everyone realize that even in a world where strength speaks louder than anything else, scholars still have a place; they are very formidable indeed!

The Wei family is his clan, and the girl's family was the Wu Xu Clan.

The first ancestral rule of the Wei family states: All members of the Wu Xu Clan are enemies!

Several centuries ago, the Wu Xu Clan wasn't at the bottom among the Four Symbols Clans; they could still compete with other clans. But due to that first generation of the Wei family, the Wu Xu lost much strength and became one of the weaker branches.

This made the Wu Xu Clan realize the danger posed by scholars while also treating the Wei family as archenemies. Their grudges deepened over time, with their political views never aligning in court.

Now that Xianyao has ties to the Wei family, if it were revealed, he would naturally be expelled by the Wu Xu Clan; this is a given!

Shang Lingjian understands this well. So after learning of Xianyao's connection with Wang Yanyu, he didn't disclose it because he wanted Xianyao to stay rather than be kicked out.

Now that he reached his limit, he exposed the matter only to find out that his uncle already knew and had simply turned a blind eye to it all along.

After several centuries of animosity, though they still don’t get along, their conflicts aren't as intense. Xianyao's case isn't significant enough to warrant immediate action!

But if it is dug up now, then some action needs to be taken.

"You can't just leave now!" Shang Lingjian chimed in again.

"Why do you talk like such a lowlife Moments ago, you clearly said I must leave; now, you say it's not easy for me to leave. Xuanwu Family Head, what are you up to" Free-and-Easy no longer minced his words and even changed the way he addressed them, indicating that he was no longer a lackey of the Xuanwu family and needn't show the same level of respect.

Of course, this doesn’t mean he wasn’t respectful; he simply didn’t owe those who didn’t deserve it any respect!

"Do you think your little tricks can fool me" Shang Lingjian said coolly and arrogantly, looking at Free-and-Easy as if to say, "No matter how much you pretend, I’ve seen through you."

"What did I do Did I trick you or mock you Or are you saying that you already figured out what I did" Free-and-Easy looked at Shang Lingjian in surprise, like a child who was caught doing something wrong.

"Look, he’s slipped up. He’s the one," Shang Lingjian said.

"Shang Lingjian, this is impossible. Do you think that if he had such abilities, he would still be here as a lackey" Xuanwu Lingxiao interjected. She knew what Shang Lingjian was implying but found it too unbelievable.

She believed the matter Free-and-Easy mentioned was not what Shang Lingjian was talking about!

Xuanwu Wenyuan looked at Free-and-Easy from head to toe, seemingly deep in thought.

"He might have had other purposes. Perhaps this is one of them," Shang Lingjian said with a flattering smile, his default expression when speaking to Xuanwu Lingxiao.

"If he could move around stealthily among us, why would he still take on the job of lackey and do it for over a year He just needed to come directly," Xuanwu Lingxiao said with a bad mood.

"This… this…" Shang Lingjian couldn’t think of an explanation. This was indeed the hardest part to explain.

“Can you guys please clear things up for me Why is it so confusing” Free-and-Easy felt confused and wondered if they were talking about something else, as what sounded like yesterday’s matter didn't require him to admit anything since there wouldn’t be any evidence.

"He’s saying that the event from yesterday was done by you," Xuanwu Lingxiao said.

“Yesterday's matter” Free-and-Easy acted confused, showing no hint of knowing what he was accused of. As a lowly lackey, there was no way he could know about something so quickly; if he admitted to it, it would be suspicious.

"You may not know this, but a thief came yesterday," Xuanwu Lingxiao replied.

“A thief What does that have to do with me” Free-and-Easy didn’t show any surprise; if he had, it might appear too staged. He no longer cared about the Xuanwu family’s affairs since he was no longer a part of them, and theft in such a large clan wasn't unusual.

"It originally isn’t related to you, but your movements match up with when the thief appeared. Tell us where you were last night," Xuanwu Lingxiao said.

“My whereabouts” Free-and-Easy was taken aback for a moment.

"Correct, don't think that being careful makes everything go unnoticed; normally, you meet with Wei Family ladies before midnight. Last night, however, you appeared after midnight and exactly when the thief disappeared. It couldn’t be a coincidence," Shang Lingjian said.

“Why can't it be a coincidence There are many coincidences in this world. I was busy doing something last night that made me late,” Free-and-Easy replied, indeed referring to stealing books and being delayed because of that.

"What were you up to, and who could verify your actions" Shang Lingjian pressed.

“I spent time in the alchemy room, blacksmith workshop, kitchen, cleaning the sewers in Western Courtyard, and even reciting scriptures at Tranquil Heart Hall…,” Free-and-Easy mentioned all the places he visited yesterday. There were so many that it would be difficult for them to verify any of it.

Free-and-Easy did work late into the night when no one was around. This allowed him to do certain tasks without being noticed, and people got used to seeing him working alone at night, with many believing he had been busy elsewhere.

"..."

Xuanwu Lingxiao looked at Free-and-Easy; she found him more intriguing than ever. It was hard to believe that one person could do so much in a day, not only because of time constraints but also due to the various skills required for each task.

The Xuanwu family members now believed Free-and-Easy’s earlier statement wasn't joking; he genuinely learned all the lackey's skills and could fit into any lackey position seamlessly.

“If you want proof, just ask them. I don’t remember this schedule,” Free-and-Easy waved his hand dismissively.

(To be continued)o wonder Yan Chihua’s descendants didn’t continue serving in the Tang Empire. It turns out to be this way! You guys chose to assassinate Ning Zhiyuan first because you wanted your people to take over...