The grass grew long and orioles flew, the autumn air was refreshing. Fan Li wore a black Confucian robe and lazily sat in the Grand Tutor's chair, holding a lone ancient book in his hand.
"Leisurely days without bullying the little emperor." Ever since Fan Li learned Xiang Ning's true gender, he subconsciously avoided seeing her.
After all, it wasn't a very honorable thing for a tall, grown man like him to make a disguised little girl cry every day.
But most importantly, the [Treacherous Minister System] seemed to have shut down, with no new missions issued for many consecutive days.
Fan Li's clone was still in secluded cultivation, tirelessly cultivating day and night.
By now, he had reached the 3rd grade of the Body Refinement Realm.
Dragon God Palace would be completed in less than ten days, followed soon after by the [Three Emperors' Alliance].
"With my Body Refinement Realm 3rd grade cultivation, following the little Empress to the alliance, wouldn't that be a bit too embarrassing?"
Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard light footsteps approaching from behind.
Without turning back, Fan Li already guessed the newcomer was Fan Yuehua.
This fourth young lady of the Fan clan, known as the Fairy Maiden, was the only idle person in the Fan family. She spent her days roaming the mountains and rivers.
Coincidentally, Fan Yuehua had extremely high innate talent for cultivation. Occasionally going into seclusion, she could also steadily increase her strength.
"I'm reading, go play somewhere else," Fan Li said with a smile as he turned around.
Hearing this, Fan Yuehua instead revealed a disdainful expression.
She grabbed the ancient scroll from Fan Li's hand and loudly read out the title.
"'The Records of Secondary Ministers'? Hehehe, second brother, have you not been to court for days, and not heard the little emperor scolding you, so you're reading books to get scolded?"
Fan Li's old face turned red as he reached out to flick her forehead.
"Your brother is at most a powerful minister, but has never betrayed his lord or defected, how can the Records scold me?"
Fan Yuehua nodded repeatedly at his words. "That's right, second brother will sooner or later rebel and become emperor, how could you be a secondary minister!"
Fan Li sighed. He sometimes really wondered if his fourth sister was a troublemaking sprite, always chatting about rebelling as if it was her catchphrase.
"Second brother, I'm actually here because I have something to discuss."
"Oh, I'm too busy with court affairs recently and can't get away. Go find our eldest brother or third brother." Fan Li rejected without even thinking, lying without hesitation.
Fan Yuehua angrily stomped her feet! She had clearly seen with her own eyes Fan Li not going to court for many days, reading leisure books at home every day. Yet he actually claimed to be too busy with politics?!
"Second brother! Tomorrow is the Luo Lake Literary Gathering, and Dong Zhong the number one talent of Jiangbei has invited me to go sightseeing. I was thinking of experiencing Great Chu's literary splendor, but I don't want to go alone. Why don't you accompany me there?"
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Fan Li was confused. "Since a Jiangbei talent has invited you, you should naturally go together with him. Why drag me along?"
"Aiyaya, Dong Zhong is just providing the entry ticket. He doesn't actually want to go with a bookworm. Second brother is the Duke of Jin, if he goes out with me... it'll look more impressive!"
After hearing Fan Yuehua's words, Fan Li was completely speechless. Was he being treated as a Chanel, LV handbag?
Going out together was impressive?
Fan Li wanted to refuse, but couldn't withstand Fan Yuehua's repeated pleading. He indeed had nothing to do tomorrow, and finally agreed.
"I've also invited Sister Wu Gang to come along," Fan Yuehua laughed.
Before Dragon God Palace was built, Wu Gang had stayed at the Fan manor. Because Wu Gang transformed into a female form, Fan Yuehua immediately went to befriend her, and the two surprisingly got along well.
Fan Li was very speechless about this. "You're going to a literary gathering with an entourage more extravagant than the Emperor, even needing me the esteemed Duke of Jin and Guardian Deity Beast to add to the flair..."
The next day, Luo Lake.
The expansive lake surface was like an inner sea. Its crescent shape divided north and south.
South of Luo Lake was Great Chu's domain, while north of Luo Lake was Great Han's territory.
The Great Chu imperial clan had previously funded construction of pavilions and towers along the southern bank of Luo Lake, forming a scenic garden.
Later, for unknown reasons, holding a literary gathering at Luo Lake's southern bank every year became convention for Great Chu's scholars.
"Second brother, Sister Wu Gang, we've arrived!" Fan Yuehua excitedly said.
The three of them disembarked from the carriage. Because they deliberately kept a low profile, their attire was that of ordinary rich young masters and ladies. No one recognized them.
The Luo Lake Literary Gathering only attracted readers and scholars. Great Chu was established through military might, so among the court officials, only those from the Hanlin Academy were willing to participate. The remainder were mostly famous scholars not serving in office, as well as talented youths yet to be appointed.
"Miss Yuehua!" Suddenly someone joyfully called out, rapidly striding over to Fan Li's group.
Looking over, Fan Li saw the newcomer wore ornate clothing, with silver and gold threads on his collar and sleeves.
Fan Li felt this person was likely not truly from a wealthy family, but at least loved maintaining appearances. He could even faintly smell a fragrance from afar, probably emanating from this person.
Fan Li couldn't help frowning. Although scholars were refined, only those going on blind dates or secretly meeting lovers would use perfume and cosmetics.
"Is this brat here for the literary gathering or to find a date?" Fan Li muttered to himself. His first impression of the newcomer was poor.
"Master Dong has arrived." Fan Yuehua smiled.
"This humble Dong Zhong pays his respects to the Fairy Maiden." Dong Zhong was extremely courteous, even obsequious. But his eyes only seemed to see Fan Yuehua, completely ignoring Fan Li and Wu Gang. Occasionally, Dong Zhong's sidelong glance towards Fan Li even contained hostility.
"This brat has his eyes on my sister Yuehua, yet doesn't recognize me?" Fan Li saw through the other's thoughts, finding it very laughable.
These scholars not serving in office rarely had the chance to see Great Chu's Chancellor and leader of civil officials.
Dong Zhong wanted to pursue Fan Yuehua, but mistakenly thought Fan Li was his rival. Especially since all four Fan siblings had appearances rivaling the finest men and women.
Today, Fan Li also wore a blue scholar's robe, dressed as a scholar. Although his bearing was not as stern as when wearing court dress, it added a touch of carefree grace.
Dong Zhong vaguely sensed he was inferior to Fan Li, even feeling resentment in his heart. As for Wu Gang, although her beauty was peerless, Dong Zhong saw at a glance she was no lady of a prestigious clan.
Dong Zhong harbored intentions of currying favor with someone of high status, and could name all the eligible young ladies of Chu's prominent families. Wu Gang clearly wasn't one of them. So he truly looked down on Wu Gang.
"Master Dong, these two are..."
"Ordinary friends, nameless nobodies." Fan Li indifferently cut off Fan Yuehua's introductions.
Fan Yuehua looked at Fan Li in surprise, but her face gradually revealed an expression of hidden delight. She was the sort who loved chaos.
"Oh?" Hearing this, Dong Zhong instead became very smug.
The Luo Lake Literary Gathering was a good opportunity to display talent and make a name for oneself. Everyone who came here hoped to stand out from the rest. The person before him actually didn't even dare say his name, he must really be a nobody.
"This humble Dong Zhong is from Jiangbei, studied under famous scholar Huangfu Song, cultivating the [Vast Spirit Qi] for many years, already reaching the 7th grade of Golden Core Realm... and--”
Dong Zhong, full of himself, swept his gaze over Fan Li and Wu Gang, and then fixed his eyes on the enchanting face of Fan Yuehua. Finally, he added, "And I have never been married."