"Yes, yes, yes. How could I not know that I'd offended your lordly authority? I've come to apologize. Please, my lord, consider that I may still be of some use and spare me this once."
Xu Yi begged for mercy over and over, without a shred of dignity.
"Of some use? You really know how to flatter yourself. Put away those petty schemes of yours. Others may respect you as a man of letters and be willing to promote you, but that only shows how base they are. I won't fall for that act."
Yuwen Tuo sneered.
"My lord, you misunderstand," Xu Yi said. "My sour poems and rotten verses could never catch your eye. What I mean is, if you'd take me in, then Xu Yanzhi, Director Yu, and those other blind fools would be yours to handle as you pleased, wouldn't they?"
Yuwen Tuo froze. Old Fan sent him a thought: I never even considered that. If that's the case, this could be very promising indeed. Xu Yanzhi is a woman of formidable means; she'll surely become a top cultivator one day. As for Director Yu, if this fellow is willing to act as a go-between, Young Master might be able to win her over in no time.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Yuwen Tuo glared at Xu Yi. "Tell me everything. I want to hear what you have in mind. If it's good, I might well find you a decent post. If it isn't, don't blame me for settling both old and new scores at once."
Xu Yi dragged over a table and chairs and sat down in front of Yuwen Tuo. He invited Yuwen Tuo and Old Fan to sit as well, then casually took out a wine gourd and pulled the stopper. The aroma