"Student Lin Su pays his respects to Grand Scholar!" Lin Su bowed deeply.
A gentle smile appeared on Xie Dong's face. "Scholar Lin, upon the arena yesterday, the light of your Literary Way was unstoppable, truly bearing the air of an outstanding hero beneath heaven! I watched from afar and was deeply impressed."
"I dare not accept Grand Scholar's excessive praise!" Lin Su offered his thanks. "I had also heard of Grand Scholar's elegance. Back in the day, the purple-robed figure of the Immortal Capital made his name known throughout the world. Though the years have grown longer today, your bearing has not diminished in the least."
"Haha, Scholar Lin, do not stand on ceremony! Sit!" Xie Dong gave a light wave of his hand.
Lin Su bowed. "Thank you for the seat!"
He sat facing Xie Dong.
"Serve tea!" Xie Dong spoke again.
A scholar at the side bowed and brought over tea.
Lin Su lightly tapped the tabletop with his fingers. "Thank you for the tea!"
"You may all withdraw!" Xie Dong said.
The two literary scholars bowed and withdrew.
The door closed softly, and the room fell silent.
Xie Dong lifted his teacup. "Scholar Lin, you had a slight dispute with the Crown Prince last night?"
Lin Su smiled. "Grand Scholar calls it a slight dispute, but in the Crown Prince's eyes, I fear it was not slight at all."
Xie Dong smiled. "You knew it was no small matter, yet you still do not know why you had to provoke him?"
"Because..." His voice abruptly stopped.
"Speak freely!" Xie Dong said.
"This student did not wish to displease the Crown Prince, but neither did I wish to become one of his chess pieces. After weighing it again and again, I could only offend him."
Xie Dong's