My Wife Is A Sword Immortal-Chapter 62 - 52 Dinner Party
Chapter 62: Chapter 52 Dinner Party
Honestly and openly take it?
Gui fell silent for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Zhao Rong, you couldn’t possibly be thinking of selling Lin Wenruo, could you?”
As soon as the words were spoken, Gui immediately became excited. “I agree with this idea, I’ve found him displeasing for a long time.”
Zhao Rong asked in surprise, “How did he offend you?”
Gui sneered, “He is not qualified to offend me. I simply can’t stand his ‘when duty calls, one must not refuse’ attitude, as if Zhongnan Country would fall apart without him. Him, or rather, all of you sour Confucian Scholars, and those stubborn Mo Xia with their single-minded brains, always clinging to some savior complex, arrogantly taking the salvation of the world as their personal responsibility. Please, look at your own positions.”
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“Doesn’t your Confucianism have a saying, ‘Do not concern yourself with matters outside your station’? You lack the ability but possess a sense of unyielding courage, constantly pointing fingers and instructing those in high positions on what to do, as if others are far inferior to yourselves. You think if it were you in charge, you could do it better. Ha, I would have taken down anyone like that back in the day.”
Zhao Rong fell silent, lifted the curtain, and glanced out the window.
Gui continued, “Lin Wenruo’s current identity is the Family Head of the Lanxi Lin family. Yet, he bears no cautious heart, failing to prioritize the prosperity and survival of his family. Instead, he uses his entire family as a gambling chip, wagering it on an uncertain future. It would be bearable if he won, but what if he lost?”
“An ancestral legacy built over centuries could be destroyed in an instant, a grave sin against the natural order!”
Zhao Rong did not bother to argue or debate with it; he knew that what Gui had said was its path, and what Lin Wenruo had done was his path. Each person’s path is different; aside from the truly wicked, where is the clear-cut line between black and white?
And in this Xuanhuang Realm, isn’t what all these philosophers, scholars, cultivators on the mountains strive for, to make their path the universally recognized Great Dao?
As for his own path, perhaps he already had one, but he still did not know, still questioning himself…
Gui, the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. “If my family had such an unworthy descendant, I would definitely go back and break his dog legs!”
Zhao Rong said helplessly, “Alright, alright, breaking dog legs, breaking dog legs, don’t get angry anymore. If it’s inconvenient for you, I’ll go break his dog legs for you.”
Gui snorted coldly, “At least you have a bit of conscience.”
Zhao Rong spoke seriously, “What are you saying? Who are we? Brothers who share a bath and bed every night. If I don’t help you, who will I help?”
Zhao Rong coughed lightly, “Right, you first say which family it is, so I can get ready. Otherwise, I might go there and get my own dog legs broken.”
Gui did not take the bait, pulling the habitually drifting topic back, “So you’re not selling Lin Wenruo? Then how will you take it openly and legitimately?”
After thinking for a moment, it said earnestly, “You couldn’t be planning to buy or trade for it, could you? I advise you not to do that. Don’t treat others like fools. The moment you make such a request, they will become alert. The Thunder and Rainbow Purple Gold Furnace, an artifact of the Seventh Realm, to have remained hidden in the dust until now, giving you a chance to find it, that itself is a miracle. Do you still expect them to not discover its mystical properties after inspecting it?”
Having said that, it sounded doubtful, “I also don’t understand why it would be forgotten here, always obscured. Hmm, first we can rule out the possibility that it’s bait; no one in this small place, let alone the Wangque Continent, would use such a high-level treasure to set up a trap. So there’s no need to worry about it being a fishing scheme. Specifically, it’s better to see what happens after you actually get your hands on it.”
Zhao Rong pondered for a moment and then said slowly, “I’m not that foolish, to remind them of the extraordinary nature of that furnace. I do have some ideas, but they’re not fully fleshed out yet. I need to observe a bit longer. However, if nothing goes wrong, we can just walk in during the day and openly carry out the Thunder and Rainbow Purple Gold Furnace right in front of them.”
Gui wanted to ask more, but Zhao Rong just smiled and said nothing.
It wasn’t long before the carriage bumbled into the southern gate of Luojing. Zhao Rong hopped down from the carriage, paid the fare, and returned to the inn with a light step. First, he exchanged a few words with the shopkeeper, took out some silver, and extended his room for another ten days. Afterwards, Zhao Rong returned to his room, changed back into his own clothes, organized his belongings, and left.
Zhao Rong bought some pastries for Su Xiaoxiao on the street. Seeing that the day was getting late, he thought things over as he made his way back to the Lanxi Lin family estate.
About an hour later, as Zhao Rong stepped into his quiet courtyard, catching the last rays of the setting sun, he lifted his head from his thoughts only to see Lin Wenruo holding a piece of jade, standing in the center of the courtyard.
“Wenruo, how long have you been waiting?” Zhao Rong joked as he fetched a bucket of water by the well to clean his face and hands.
Lin Wenruo’s smile was warm and gentle. He did not inquire about Zhao Rong’s activities during the day. “Only a short while. Have you eaten, Ziyu? I happen to have a banquet tonight and would like to introduce a friend to you.”
Zhao Rong paused momentarily in his actions, wiped his face with a towel, and turned to look at Lin Wenruo.
Since Zhao Rong had entered the Lin estate, apart from a few household servants, he had not seen many people. As a family renowned for its poetic and scholarly heritage, as the leading house of Confucianism in Zhongnan Country, one might expect a constant stream of great scholars and distinguished officials to visit. Yet, the mansion remained eerily quiet, with no trace of sumptuous banquets or melodious music; and their own quarters were even more still and secluded.
This is probably to prevent the selection of participants for this debate on Confucianism and Daoism from being leaked again, as happened last time.
As for leaving the house twice today, there’s no need to worry too much, because the Lanxi Lin family usually provides accommodation for passing scholars and Confucian scholars, letting them stay in the specially designated guest houses outside the estate.
Therefore, there were quite a few comings and goings, so Zhao Rong was not conspicuous among them.
And since Lin Wenruo specifically came to invite him to the banquet and introduce a friend, it could only be related to the debate between Confucianism and Daoism, and the identity of that friend was becoming evident.
“I haven’t eaten, let’s go,” Zhao Rong put down the silk handkerchief and, carrying the pastries, left with Lin Wenruo.
As they passed by Su Xiaoxiao’s courtyard, the two of them stopped, and Zhao Rong knocked on the door. After waiting for a while and finding that the young girl was not there and had no idea where she had run off to, he hung the pastries on her door and the two of them left.
The banquet was held on the open-air top floor of a three-story building located in the southern corner of the estate.
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The crescent moon hung like a hook, and the evening breeze was pleasant.
By the time Zhao Rong and Lin Wenruo ascended to the floor, there was already a scholar waiting at the table.
This man was dressed in a large cloak, wore a ceremonial cap, and held a feather fan in his hand, with a handsome and upright appearance, sporting a mustache, and an apt expression, appearing to be around thirty years old.
Lin Wenruo explained to Zhao Rong.
This man was named Chen Muzhi, a native of Zhongshan Country, located thousands of miles away from Zhongnan Country.
Chen Muzhi was a renowned Great Scholar in Zhongshan Country, a child prodigy who had passed the imperial examinations with top honors three times, but he had refused official service to roam freely through mountains and rivers and the sea of literature instead.
Chen Muzhi was adept at writing regulated verse poetry and engaging in philosophic discussions. Having heard of the prevalence of such scholarly debates in Zhongnan Country, he had made a special trip to visit, and since his family had old ties with the Lanxi Lin family, he had taken up residence in their estate.
After the Confucian and Daoist debate was scheduled, Lin Wenruo recalled the philosophical master in his household and invited him to assist the Lanxi Lin family, to which the latter gladly agreed.
Moreover, as Chen Muzhi had not been in Zhongnan Country for long and had relatively few interactions with the local literati, he was virtually unknown there, which was also the reason why Lin Wenruo had chosen him, as Chongxu Temple was unaware of Chen Muzhi’s presence.
The three met.
Lin Wenruo smiled as he introduced the two to each other, but Chen Muzhi’s brow slightly furrowed upon realizing that Zhao Rong was merely a young scholar who was on his way to study at Linlu Academy.
Zhao Rong greeted him, and Chen Muzhi nodded his head, his expression quite reserved.
Zhao Rong smiled, unruffled.
During the banquet, the three of them drank and chatted merrily, with mainly Lin Wenruo livening up the atmosphere, while Zhao Rong and Chen Muzhi, seated to his left and right, conversed little.
While Chen Muzhi was indeed proud, he also possessed true talent and knowledge; for instance, during a drinking game, he effortlessly composed responses, prompting Zhao Rong to take a few more glances at him. However, Zhao Rong did not participate much himself; mainly he was playing with Lin Wenruo.
But with Lin Wenruo at the table, the atmosphere did not become awkward, and it could be considered a hospitable gathering.
Soon, the banquet was nearing its end. Lin Wenruo looked up at the bright moon above, and upon seeing this, Zhao Rong and Chen Muzhi set down their chopsticks and wine cups.
After all, it was getting late, and there were serious matters to discuss.
The three stood up and walked to the railing.
Zhao Rong reached out to gently pat the railing and gazed into the distance.
Chen Muzhi slowly fanned himself, his expression serene.
Lin Wenruo glanced at the two, exhaled softly, and with a serious face, began to outline the specific arrangements for the debate between Confucianism and Daoism set for nine days later.
