Conflict

Outside the manor, the carriage moved at a slow pace.

After reaching the city gates, it traveled east for about an hour before coming to a stop in a place of lush mountains and clear waters.

Before them, built against the mountain, stood a manor with massive vermilion gates guarded by two imposing stone lions, with dozens of luxurious carriages parked at the entrance.

Numerous stewards from the Wu Clan were coordinating and directing the coachmen.

The number of people attending this Heyang Elegant Banquet was quite large, consisting mostly of the younger generation from the high-end family factions active in Green Rock City.

Feng Xiu stepped down from the carriage, presented his invitation, and was respectfully ushered inside by the attendant.

Inside the manor.

Rockeries, flowing water, pavilions, and towers—everywhere exuded elegance.

A short walk inward led to an open lawn, where dozens of rosewood tables were arranged, accompanied by chairs carved with intricate patterns and tables laden with exquisite dishes.

Steamed sea bass, braised deer tendon, grilled lamb chops, cold-dressed magnolia petals, and plate after plate of pastries and fruits whose names were unknown.

On the other side lay a flower garden.

The garden was planted with many rare and exotic flowers, their petals layered and overlapping, currently in full bloom.

"This is the Three-Colored Coptis, which only blooms once every three years."

A young man in brocade robes pointed at a pale yellow flower, clicking his tongue in wonder.

"It is said to have been brought from the Southern Border; there is only this one plant in the entire Cloud Province."

The youths nearby pointed and gestured, their words filled with admiration for the Wu Clan's immense wealth.

On the other side of the flower garden stood a group of young ladies.

Dressed in various light, elegant gowns and holding round fans or folding fans, they gathered in twos and threes, whispering to one another.

Occasionally, they would steal a glance toward the many talented young men, erupting into bursts of silver-bell-like laughter with their companions.

On the stone platforms in front of the women were displayed many items: ink-wash landscape paintings and calligraphy scrolls.

There were also dozens of lifelike jade carvings and various rare curiosities.

"Brother Li, so many people have come to the banquet this time~"

Under a pavilion, a youth scanned the area, his tone filled with surprise.

"Of course, look at who organized it. I had to go to great lengths to pull strings just to bring you here. So, how about it? See any young ladies you fancy?"

The man beside him, possessing a scholarly air, watched as the youth's gaze lingered a bit too long on the women, then asked with a smile.

"If you could catch their eye, your Cheng Clan could save ten years of struggle."

The youth's face flushed red, and he quickly waved his hands. "Brother Li, please, do not joke. Who are they, and how could they possibly look upon someone like me?"

"That's hard to say. Once fate arrives, there is no stopping it."

The youth still shook his head; his own family was but a minor clan, and had it not been for his friend's recommendation, he likely wouldn't have even been able to enter the front gate.

Despite saying this, both men turned their gazes back toward the rare treasure section, focusing on the fair-skinned, jade-like, and delicately featured young ladies.

The Heyang Elegant Banquet was intended for socializing and networking, yet even so.

Facing a group of noble ladies, no one dared to step forward.

They could only steal occasional glances.

In front of the flower garden, several young men were admiring the flowers when a man in long robes glanced over, his expression freezing.

"Hey, why is someone heading over to the women's side?"

Hearing this, others followed his gaze and were also stunned.

At this moment.

Feng Xiu had stopped in his tracks, his attention instantly captured by the curiosities on the stone platform.

On a circular tray sat two translucent walnuts carved from jade beads.

The two jade walnuts were carved with such vivid detail that even the surface textures were clearly visible; they fit perfectly in the hand, one for each.

He hadn't played much with the two he bought at the Wild Market last time.

These two walnuts, however, were clearly high-quality goods.

The noble ladies had been busy observing the various family scions, hiding their smiles behind round fans as they whispered to each other.

Seeing Feng Xiu walk over, they suddenly forgot to speak.

Compared to those young masters who only knew how to recite poetry and admire flowers, this man seemed quite different.

"Is that the eldest young master of the Feng Clan?"

"Feng Xiu?"

"Is that the Young Master Feng from the Sweet Dew Grand Festival, the Benevolent Master Feng who opened a porridge stall to provide relief to the refugees?"

"Yes, that's him!"

The eyes of several young women brightened even further.

They had long heard the name Feng Xiu, but had never seen him in the flesh.

Yet, seeing him today, he was not at all as they had imagined.

His gaze held no restraint regarding romantic sentiment; instead, it was filled with a genuine fondness for the jade walnuts.

At this moment, a young man dressed in white brocade robes walked over and said with a smile, "Brother Feng, do you like this?"

Feng Xiu looked up to see a familiar face.

It was the second young master of the Wu Clan, Wu Ming.

Wu Ming pointed to the two jade walnuts and introduced them:

"This is the work of the jade carver Gu Erniang. She used Chicken Blood Seed Material to carve the Twin Dragons Play with Pearl. Look at these dragon whiskers and scales; the craftsmanship is truly exquisite."

Feng Xiu nodded. "No wonder it is so refined."

Wu Ming laughed, "If Brother Feng likes it, just take it."

Just as Feng Xiu was about to express his thanks, two more voices came from behind him.

"Brother Feng."

Feng Xiu turned his head to see Fan Ling and Lin Che leading the way.

The two walked over, and Fan Ling, with a face full of smiles, patted Feng Xiu on the shoulder. "It's been many days, Brother Feng. Have you grown taller again?"

"Brother Wenzheng, your complexion is much better than before." Lin Che also looked him over from the side, his eyes filled with a hint of surprise.

As he spoke, his gaze swept toward the women not far away who were stealing glances at Feng Xiu, and he laughed, "Look at that, how many people over there are watching you."

Feng Xiu shook his head helplessly. "It's from the sun. I'm running around in the fields every day; how could I not be tanned?"

Fan Ling burst into laughter.

At this moment, a young man walked out from behind Lin Che.

He wore a moon-white long robe, possessed delicate features, and carried a gentle temperament. After walking over, he cupped his hands toward Feng Xiu: "Brother Feng, I have long admired you."

Feng Xiu looked at him.

Fan Ling introduced him, "This is the eldest young master of the Chu family, Chu Yun, who manages several pharmacy businesses in the city."

Chu Yun of the Chu Family Pharmacy?

He had only heard the name before, but looking closely, Chu Yun's aura was long and steady, his posture composed.

Thinking of the chain of Chu Family Pharmacy businesses, Feng Xiu felt a sense of surprise, though it was only natural.

Immediately, Feng Xiu smiled and cupped his hands, "Brother Chu, I have long admired you as well."

Chu Yun nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Feng Xiu for a moment, as if he had discerned something.

Feng Xiu's eyes were full of vitality; clearly, he was not merely the simple laborer he claimed to be.

Two days ago, the steward of the Feng Clan had gone to his pharmacy to purchase a batch of medicinal herbs for breaking through to Blood Burning. Now it seemed they were prepared for Feng Xiu.

After these thoughts flashed through his mind, Chu Yun smiled and stepped back slightly.

The group exchanged a few pleasantries before heading toward the other side.

On the grass, a group of young people were sitting in a circle, with a handsome man in deep purple brocade robes in the center.

It was the host of this elegant banquet, the eldest young master of the Wu Clan, Wu Yuanheng.

Seeing them approach, Wu Yuanheng stood up and walked over with a smile.

"Brother Feng, Brother Fan, Brother Lin, Brother Chu, please, take a seat."

As they sat down, maids had already stepped forward to pour wine. The fragrance was rich, and one could tell at a sniff that it was a fine vintage.

Wu Yuanheng raised his wine cup and smiled, "This is thirty-year-old Bamboo Leaf Green. It was cellar-aged underground for twenty years and then stored in bamboo tubes for another ten—a total of thirty years of effort. Please, everyone, have a taste."

Feng Xiu took a sip.

The liquid slid down his throat, sweet and mellow, yet the aftertaste was potent, and a wave of warmth rose from his stomach.

Good wine.

He couldn't help but take another drink.

After a few cups, the atmosphere gradually grew lively.

As they chatted, the topic turned to recent business.

With war in Jin Province and refugees pouring in, the price of grain in Cloud Province was rising again and again.

Many clan disciples had come, but only a dozen or so could truly participate in the core seating; they were the pillars of their respective major powers.

Every family was involved in the grain business to some degree.

"I heard that over in Jin Province, a catty of Golden Ear Wheat has already risen to five taels of silver."

"Five taels? It's only eight qian over here."

"That is the official price; over in Jin Province, you can't buy any even with money. Those rebel armies seize grain the moment they see it."

"The Grain Constitution Bureau hasn't set the grain collection quotas for this year yet. Who knows if they'll be lower than previous years?"

Just as they were speaking, someone shifted the topic and looked toward Feng Xiu.

"Brother Feng, I hear your Feng Clan only has three farms, yet you manage to sustain the consumption of your porridge stalls. Such financial strength is truly admirable."

As soon as these words were spoken, Wu Yuanheng's brows furrowed slightly.

Lin Che and the others didn't look too pleased either, and Feng Xiu raised his eyes to look over.

The speaker was a young man dressed in dark brown robes with an ordinary face and a hint of provocation in his eyes.

Lin Che leaned in and whispered, "That's the second son of the Sun family, Sun Fulai. His family deals in textiles, but they've been trying to get into the grain business lately and have been blocked at every turn."

Seeing that he didn't respond, Sun Fulai laughed again, "Brother Feng, why is your complexion so dark? Could it be that you're spending every day wallowing in the dirt with those miserable tenant farmers?"

A few people nearby chuckled, but after glancing at the expressionless Wu Yuanheng, they forced themselves to stop.

Feng Xiu's reputation was now known to everyone in the city, and the common folk didn't have much else to talk about over their tea and meals.

Coincidentally, the Sweet Dew Grand Festival and the increase in refugees, along with the opening of the porridge stalls, were all matters related to Feng Xiu.

Although these scions of noble families didn't care about the opinions of the commoners.

Feng Xiu's radiance was simply too bright, overshadowing the luster of many others.

Being suppressed by someone else was, in the end, an uncomfortable feeling.

Feng Xiu picked up his wine cup, took another sip, then set it down, his gaze landing on Sun Fulai.

"Sun Family Cloth Shop, is it?"

Feng Xiu said indifferently, "I recall that according to the documents released by the Bureau of Revenue and Cloth last year, the Qingyan Cloth Shop had over four hundred branches, yet their highest annual revenue was only three thousand two hundred taels, with a profit of eight hundred taels."

"With the increase in refugees this year, cloth isn't selling. By now, I'm afraid the Sun family is operating at a loss, aren't they?"

Sun Fulai's expression changed.

Feng Xiu paused, looked at Sun Fulai, and smiled faintly.

Sun Fulai's face flushed bright red.

Feng Xiu continued, "As for why I am dark, it is because I worry about agricultural affairs and go down to the fields every day to work alongside the tenant farmers. Is there a problem with that?"

He leaned back against his chair, his tone flat yet carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

"It is still better than some waste who relies on the shade of their family's legacy, can't even afford to eat Golden Ear Wheat, and only knows how to spout sarcastic nonsense here."