Lingxu Kui Gang

Li Li was straightforward by nature and fond of his reputation. Afraid that Meng Zhao might look down on him, he leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"Fine. Since you have your own plans, Nephew Meng, I will not say more. But if you need anything, send someone to find me. So long as Li Li can do it, I will never refuse."

Though Zhai Hao said nothing, he gave Meng Zhao a reassuring look, his meaning much the same as Li Li's.

Meng Zhao naturally thanked them repeatedly. At the same time, he asked the two about the recent shifts in the city's situation. Their two factions stood behind the Thirteen Families and held an extraordinary status, so they might have different insights...

By Mingxiu Lake, the crowds were thick. Every household had brought not only their masters but also many servants to attend them, making the place somewhat noisy and disorderly.

Fortunately, stewards arranged by several great aristocratic families kept things in check, so no major trouble arose.

The southwestern outer bank of Mingxiu Lake had already been occupied by an alliance of several great families within the city, mainly families such as the Wu, Song, and Beilin Family, whose interests were intertwined or whose friendship spanned generations. The elders spoke with elders, while the younger generation mingled among themselves.

Among the young people, Song Zhiwen's looks and bearing stood head and shoulders above the rest. Yet he carried himself rather coolly, and within the Song Family he seemed to have little presence, so no one paid him much attention. Only a scattered few pretty young maidens found their hearts stirred, but restrained by propriety, they did not dare take the initiative.

Song Zhiwen had no interest in these people. Accompanied only by a servant boy, he wandered