Who Doesn't Know You in the World!

"Where did this wild horse come from, daring to defile Fairy Yan's White Deer?"

"In broad daylight, committing such a depraved act, it's simply beastly!"

"It's too much for the eyes! We must slay this beast today to avenge Fairy Yan... ah no, to avenge Fairy Yan's mount, the White Deer!"

For a moment, the scholars and talents were incensed.

Seeing this, Xiao Yang was somewhat speechless.

He had summoned the Big Black Horse before, and it was listless and lazy. He hadn't expected it to be so wild now!

Dragon nature is lustful!

This Cloud-Treading Black Dragon Colt, possessing the bloodline of an ancient black dragon, naturally inherited its powerful reproductive capabilities.

"Vile beast, die!"

Several lackeys of the Second Prince drew their swords and charged, slashing at the Big Black Horse.

The disturbed Big Black Horse was very displeased and directly kicked out with its hind legs.

"Bang! Bang! Bang..."

Those men were sent flying as if hit by a high-speed truck, their chests shattered, and they vomited blood on the spot.

"How is this possible?"

"A wild horse actually managed to heavily injure scholars of the Second and Third-Rank cultivation realms?!"

"Could it be some kind of spirit beast?"

Everyone present was shocked.

"Fairy Yan, don't panic. I am a Fifth-Rank Gentleman Realm cultivator, I will subdue this vile beast!"

Xiao Ziwen wanted to show off in front of Yan Ruyu, hoping to win her heart.

"Wait!"

At this moment, Xiao Yang stepped forward and said, "Second Brother, this Big Black Horse is my mount!"

What?!

Hearing this, Xiao Ziwen felt like he had caught Xiao Yang red-handed and gritted his teeth.

"A mount's mistake is the owner's fault!"

"Ninth Brother, you failed to discipline your mount, committing such an evil act in broad daylight!"

"It's a disgrace to scholars and an insult to Fairy Yan, truly unforgivable!!!"

He directly leveled a severe accusation.

But Xiao Yang didn't care at all and retorted, "The four prefectures of the Northern Territory are the King's land! All living beings are the King's subjects!"

"This horse is not only my mount but also Father King's subject. Second Brother, are you questioning Father King's poor governance?"

"As a son, to defy your father is great disrespect. According to the Great Xia's Law, you should be caned one hundred times!"

"I... I certainly didn't mean that!"

Xiao Ziwen was stunned.

He had clearly intended to hold Ninth Brother accountable, but he hadn't expected Ninth Brother's words to turn the tables, accusing him of disrespecting Father King and even demanding punishment for him!

"Second Prince!"

At this moment, Yan Ruyu suddenly stepped forward and said with slightly parted lips, "The procreation of living beings follows the Way of Heaven! I do not blame Ninth Brother for this matter. Why don't we just let it go?"

"Alright then."

Xiao Ziwen was unwilling, but he couldn't refuse the goddess.

Since Yan Ruyu, the owner, didn't mind, he, as her protector, couldn't say anything more.

"Ninth Brother!"

At this moment, Yan Ruyu saw the Big Black Horse still mounting the White Deer. Her pretty face flushed, and she shyly looked at Xiao Yang, "I need to go back. Could you please help me..."

"Okay."

In fact, Xiao Yang was also embarrassed. He hadn't expected the Big Black Horse to cause such a huge mess.

He immediately went over and patted the horse's flank forcefully.

"Roar..."

The Big Black Horse snorted unhappily, but it had just finished anyway. It then trotted away and disappeared into the night, much like a heartless scumbag.

Only the little White Deer was to be pitied...

"Ninth Brother, I will be staying in Xuelong Pass for a few more days. I'm residing at the Academy Annex in the west of the city. If you have time, you can come and discuss poetry with me!"

Yan Ruyu proactively extended an invitation.

For anyone else, receiving an invitation from this stunning female teacher would likely have made them overjoyed.

But Xiao Yang, appearing indifferent to women, shook his head.

"Miss Yan, I already have a fiancée, and you're not married yet! If we were to associate privately, even if our intentions were pure, rumors would likely spread. So, it's best we don't."

What if I wanted rumors to spread about us?

Yan Ruyu almost blurted out the words, but she eventually bit her tongue. She shot him a resentful glance before mounting her White Deer and leaving.

"Fairy Yan, allow me to escort you!"

Xiao Ziwen jogged to catch up.

With the main attraction gone, the Lanting Poetry Gathering naturally concluded, and the other scholars and talents departed.

Xiao Yang also prepared to return to the Prince's Estate.

"Ninth Young Master, would you do me the honor of accompanying me?"

Suddenly, the portly Ma Wencai scurried over, a wide, fawning smile plastered on his face, his tone incredibly respectful.

"Certainly."

Xiao Yang nodded, not putting on any airs befitting a Prince.

After all, when he had been writing earlier, among the many people present, Ma Wencai was the only one who had come to pour him wine.

For that alone, this person was worth befriending.

"My Lord, please board the carriage!"

Ma Wencai led Xiao Yang into a luxurious carriage. The interior was lined with top-grade carpets from the Western Regions and inlaid with various gemstones.

The carriage was pulled by four fine, tall horses, the kind that only a Centurion would be qualified to ride in the army.

As expected of the Ma Family from Cangzhou!

This carriage alone is probably worth over ten thousand taels of silver!

Xiao Yang even felt a twinge of envy.

Although he was a Prince's heir, his monthly stipend was only five hundred taels of silver.

Other Princes weren't short of money because they had the support of their maternal families' influence and were wealthy.

But he had been a mere "nobody" in the Prince's Estate before. Fortunately, he only kept Huangli as his maidservant, along with the Guard Zhao Changkong. Otherwise, he would likely have been struggling to make ends meet.

Even the betrothal gifts for Ning Hongye had to come from his brothers!

"Rumble!"

At this moment, the carriage began to move towards the Prince's Estate.

"Your Highness..."

Ma Wencai opened his mouth, appearing hesitant to speak.

"Brother Ma, I'm a straightforward person. If you have something to say, don't hold back. Just speak your mind!" Xiao Yang said.

"Thump!"

Suddenly, Ma Wencai knelt on one knee and said solemnly, "If Your Highness does not despise me, I wish to pledge my allegiance to you and obey your every command!"

Seeing this, Xiao Yang was somewhat taken aback.

He didn't think he possessed any kingly aura that would cause a subordinate to pledge loyalty with a mere shake of his body.

Moreover, he had only written a few poems at the Orchid Pavilion.

Poetry was a trivial art; it couldn't help one achieve great deeds or bring any real benefits to Ma Wencai.

"What is your purpose in seeking my allegiance?"

Xiao Yang's gaze was sharp.

Ma Wencai dared not conceal anything and answered truthfully, "I don't fear Your Highness laughing, but I have too many brothers, dozens of them!"

"I am not the eldest legitimate son and am not valued within the family. I previously tried to curry favor with the Second Prince, but I was also met with cold indifference and could only act as a clown!"

He gave a self-deprecating laugh as he spoke.

Xiao Yang recalled how Ma Wencai had deliberately been the first to compose a poem at the gathering earlier, causing widespread laughter.

"But even though my status is humble and my position low, I am unwilling to degenerate. I wish to find a wise lord to serve! May I ask if Your Highness would accept this unworthy subordinate?"

Ma Wencai remained kneeling on one knee, but he looked up at Xiao Yang, awaiting his reply.

"Brother Ma, you are mistaken!"

Xiao Yang shook his head.

Upon hearing this, Ma Wencai's heart sank, and his face was filled with bitterness.

As expected...

The Ninth Young Master also looks down on me, a merchant's son?

To his surprise, Xiao Yang continued, "You say your status is humble and your position low, and that you are not accomplished. I will not allow you to think so little of yourself!"

"What's wrong with being a merchant? Great merchants connect the four seas, and their wealth rivals that of the highest officials. The Great..."

"Xia is able to prosper as it does today, with every household living good lives. Besides the soldiers guarding the borders, isn't there also merit from the merchants?"

Hearing this, Ma Wencai's body trembled violently. His heart was filled with emotion, and he was even on the verge of tears.

In all his years, this was the first time he had ever heard such words.

He never expected that the noble Prince, not only would he not look down on him, but would praise him so highly!

"Brother Ma, since fate has brought us together today, I shall gift you a poem. Let us encourage each other!" Xiao Yang spoke again.

"What poem?"

Ma Wencai's face was filled with anticipation.

Xiao Yang took a deep breath and recited a line from a poem well-known in his past life.

"Do not worry about having no confidants on the road ahead,"

"Who in this world does not know you!!!"