At these lines, Ma Wencai flushed with excitement and couldn't stop trembling.
"Who in the world... doesn't know you?"
He savored the verse over and over, his whole being igniting in an instant.
Fire burned in his eyes, light shone in his heart.
His father was the richest man in Cangzhou, wealthy beyond measure, but only the people of Cangzhou had heard of him.
For a merchant to become famous throughout the world, what kind of powerful backer would he need?
Could Ninth Young Master be implying that he wanted to...
A bold thought flashed through Ma Wencai's mind.
So that was it!
No wonder Ninth Young Master had been unknown until now. He had such lofty ambitions and refused to live beneath anyone else. He wanted to fight for the throne!
"Your Highness, I never imagined you trusted me so much! I'll gladly brave fire and water for your cause, and spare no effort in helping you claim the throne!"
Ma Wencai's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked ready to die for someone who understood his worth.
"Huh? Don't make things up. When did I ever say I wanted to fight for the throne?"
Xiao Yang was dumbfounded and hurriedly denied it.
"Your Highness, I was careless! Until your great cause is accomplished, this matter must remain secret!"
Ma Wencai wore an expression that said, "I understand."
Xiao Yang was at a complete loss.
No, seriously... what on earth had you imagined?
"Young Master, we've arrived at the manor!"
Just then, the coachman called out.
"Brother Ma, let's leave it here for today. I'm going back!" Xiao Yang stepped down from the carriage.
Ma Wencai got down to see him off as well. He bowed deeply and didn't straighten up even after Xiao Yang had entered the manor.
As it happened, Xiao Yang hadn't taken this new follower on a whim. He had given it careful consideration.
First, he was desperately short of money.
The monthly allowance from the manor was nowhere near enough.
The treasures returned by the system were far too valuable to sell, but Ma Wencai could serve as his "money pouch."
Second, Ma Wencai came from a merchant family and wasn't the eldest legitimate son, so he wasn't favored.
There was no need to question his loyalty. The other young masters certainly hadn't bought him over.
A favor to someone in need meant more than one offered to someone already thriving.
What Xiao Yang had done with a simple gesture might well change Ma Wencai's entire life.
At the manor gates.
"Young Master, His Highness has already gone inside. Why are you still bent over?" the coachman asked, puzzled.
Only then did Ma Wencai straighten up at his words. He felt a blazing fire kindle in his heart.
Years later.
Ma Wencai, now the "richest man in Great Xia, a red-capped merchant, and a First-Class Marquis," still grew so emotional that tears streamed down his face whenever he recalled the night he first met the Great Emperor...
A young man should aspire to soar to the clouds, and once vowed to become the finest person under heaven!
Meanwhile.
After returning to the manor, Xiao Yang didn't go to his own residence. Instead, he went to the courtyard where Ning Hongye lived and knocked on her door.
"Miss Ning, are you asleep?" Xiao Yang asked.
"It's late. What is it?"
Her cool voice came from inside.
"I happened to come across a copy of Yue Wu's Art of War. I'm just a commoner with no troops to command, so I thought I'd give it to you," Xiao Yang said.
"Come in," Ning Hongye replied coolly.
Xiao Yang pushed the door open and saw that she wasn't wearing her Asura Mask. Her stunning, peerless face was revealed, but she looked travel-worn, with a little dust on her clothes.
"Miss Ning, did you just come back from somewhere?" Xiao Yang asked curiously.
Where could she have gone so late at night?
"Military secrets."
Ning Hongye kept her lips sealed.
She would never admit that she had secretly gone to the Lanting Poetry Gathering...
Nor would she mention that she had witnessed Xiao Yang amaze everyone with his talent, turn down Yan Ruyu, and then offer to dedicate that timeless masterpiece to her, his fiancée!
Just then, Xiao Yang noticed her strange expression, but didn't think much of it. He took the book from inside his robe and handed it to her.
"It's a unique copy?!"
Ning Hongye flipped through a few pages, greatly surprised. Then she asked, "This book is extremely precious. It must have been difficult to obtain, right?"
"No trouble at all. It was just a small favor!" Xiao Yang hurriedly replied.
For one thing, he had only recited a few dozen classical poems from his previous life. It had been easy, costing him no more than a little breath.
For another, he was afraid Ning Hongye might feel she owed him too much and refuse the gift.
Then how could he trigger the system's reward?
However, Ning Hongye had misunderstood.
She had been at the Poetry Gathering that night and had witnessed Xiao Yang compose a hundred poems over a jug of wine.
She thought Xiao Yang had always been learned and exceptionally talented, and that he must have been lying low for years while plotting something major.
Yet for her sake, he had been willing to reveal his talents ahead of time...
"He actually went that far for me?"
An unfamiliar feeling stirred in Ning Hongye's heart.
But she was stubbornly proud and wouldn't express her feelings easily.
[Ding! Ning Hongye's Affection +5, total: 30]
Just then, the system's notification sounded in Xiao Yang's ear.
How strange!
She'd never gained Affection from receiving gifts before. Why had it gone up now?
Xiao Yang was puzzled, but decided that since it had, he might as well strike while the iron was hot!
"Miss Ning, I have another treasure here. I'd like to give it to you as well!"
He took the Protective Talisman Yan Ruyu had given him from his pocket and explained.
"This is a Protective Talisman blessed by the abbot of Tianlong Temple. It calms the mind and keeps evil spirits at bay. It'll come in handy for you!" Xiao Yang said.
To his surprise, Ning Hongye frowned slightly when she saw the gift.
She didn't take it, but changed the subject. "By the way, Xiao Yang, the Prince sent word earlier today that the engagement banquet will be held on the eighth of next month! The imperial court will also send an Imperial Envoy to attend!"
"Miss Ning, we're about to be married. Why not stop calling me by my name? You could call me 'husband' or Xiao Lang."
Xiao Yang asked, full of anticipation.
Though he'd just met Yan Ruyu, the epitome of seductive innocence, he still thought Ning Hongye was a little more beautiful, especially with the added appeal of her being a female general!
He wondered what it would feel like if she called him "husband" in a sweet voice.
However, Ning Hongye's lovely face turned stormy. She suddenly picked up the Protective Talisman and sniffed it.
"Why does this Protective Talisman smell of a woman's face powder?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
Xiao Yang was startled and hurriedly denied it. "That can't be right. You must have smelled wrong! Um... It's getting late, so I'll head back now!"
With that, he hurriedly left.
But as soon as he stepped out of the courtyard, he heard the system's notification again.
[Ding! Ning Hongye's Affection -5, total: 25]
What was going on?
Her Affection could actually go down? All his effort had been for nothing!
System bro, you can't play me like this!
Xiao Yang was speechless. He had no idea how he'd offended Ning Hongye.
Sigh...
A woman's heart was as hard to fathom as the sea, and she changed moods faster than the pages of a book!
"Men's words are all lies!"
Inside the courtyard, Ning Hongye picked up the Protective Talisman and shook her head.
But then she recalled how forward Yan Ruyu had been at the Poetry Gathering, practically throwing herself into Xiao Yang's arms...
And yet Xiao Yang had rejected her again and again.
Ning Hongye's heart began to race. Looking in the direction Xiao Yang had gone, she blushed and softly called after him:
"Xiao... Xiao Lang..."
Before you continue