Conflict

Outside the residence, the carriage rolled along at a leisurely pace.

After passing through the city gate, it continued east for about another hour before stopping in a place of clear streams and green hills.

Before them stood a manor built against the mountains. Two imposing stone lions flanked its enormous vermilion gate, where dozens of luxurious carriages were parked.

The many stewards of the Wu Clan were coordinating the coachmen.

There were many guests attending the Heyang Elegant Banquet. Most came from the influential families that mingled in Green Rock City's upper circles, and they were all from the younger generation.

Feng Xiu stepped down from the carriage and presented his invitation. The attendant then respectfully ushered him inside.

Inside the manor.

Artificial hills and flowing streams, pavilions and towers—everywhere exuded refined elegance.

A little farther in lay a broad expanse of grass. Dozens of rosewood tables stood on it, with chairs carved in intricate patterns behind them. The tables were laden with exquisite dishes.

Steamed sea bass, braised deer tendon, grilled lamb chops, chilled magnolia slices, and plate after plate of pastries and fruits whose names he didn't know.

On the other side was a flower garden.

It was planted with all manner of rare and unusual blooms. Their petals layered one over another, and the flowers were in full bloom.

"This is Three-Colored Coptis. It only blooms once every three years."

A young man in fine robes pointed to a pale-yellow flower and clicked his tongue in admiration.

"I heard it was brought here from the Southern Border. There's only one plant like this in all of Cloud Province."

Several young men beside him pointed and commented, their words full of admiration for the Wu Clan's wealth.

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

They wore elegant, airy garments of various styles and held round or folding fans. They gathered in little clusters, whispering among themselves.

Now and then, they stole a glance at the many talented young men, then broke into silvery laughter with the ladies beside them.

On the stone platform before the women lay an assortment of things: ink-wash landscapes and calligraphy scrolls.

There were also dozens of lifelike jade carvings, along with all manner of rare and curious treasures.

"Brother Li, there are so many people at this banquet!"

Beneath a pavilion in the tower, a young man glanced around and exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course. Just look at who organized it. It took a great deal of effort to pull some strings and get you in this time. So, see anyone you like?"

The refined-looking man beside him noticed the young man's gaze lingering a little longer on the women and asked with a smile.

"If one of them takes a liking to you, your Cheng Clan could save itself ten years of hard work."

The young man blushed and hurriedly waved his hands. "Brother Li, don't tease me. What sort of people are they? How could they ever take a liking to me?"

"You never know. When fate comes knocking, nothing can stop it."

The young man still shook his head. His family was only a minor clan; without his friend's recommendation, he probably wouldn't even have made it through the gate.

Despite saying so, the two still turned their eyes toward several young women in the treasure display area, their fair complexions and delicate features as beautiful as polished jade.

The Heyang Elegant Banquet was meant to bring people together and help them make connections, but even so,

not one person dared approach those refined young ladies.

They could only sneak the occasional glance.

Before the flower garden, several young men were admiring the blooms. A man in a long robe glanced over and froze.

"Hey, why is someone going over to the ladies' side?"

At that, someone followed his gaze and also looked startled.

At that moment,

Feng Xiu stopped walking, his attention instantly caught by the treasures on the stone platform.

On a round tray sat two lustrous jade walnuts, carved from jade beads.

The pair were carved so lifelike that even the surface grooves were clearly visible. They were just the right size to hold one in each hand.

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

These two walnuts were clearly fine pieces.

The refined young ladies had already been sizing up the sons of the various families, their delicate hands holding fans as they chatted softly.

When they saw Feng Xiu approach, they suddenly forgot what they were saying.

Compared to those young masters who did nothing but compose poems and admire flowers, this man seemed quite different.

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

"Feng Xiu?"

"The Young Master Feng from the Sweet Dew Grand Festival? The Benevolent Master Feng who opened a porridge shop to help the refugees?"

"That's him!"

The young women's eyes lit up even more.

They had heard Feng Xiu's name long ago, but had never seen him in person.

Yet the real man was nothing like they had imagined.

His eyes held none of the awkwardness of someone facing romantic attention. Instead, they were filled with delight at the jade walnuts.

Just then, a young man in a white brocade robe walked over and smiled. "Brother Feng, do you like these?"

Feng Xiu looked up. The face was familiar.

It was the Wu Clan's second young master, Wu Ming.

Wu Ming pointed to the two jade walnuts and explained:

"These are the work of the jade carver Gu Erniang. She used Chicken Blood Seed Material and carved them as Twin Dragons Play with Pearl. Look at the whiskers and scales—aren't the details exquisite?"

Feng Xiu nodded. "No wonder they're so finely made."

Wu Ming smiled. "If you like them, Brother Feng, take them."

Feng Xiu was about to thank him when two voices sounded behind him.

"Brother Feng."

Feng Xiu turned around. Fan Ling and Lin Che were at the front.

Fan Ling walked over with a beaming smile and clapped Feng Xiu on the shoulder. "It's been a while, Brother Feng. Have you grown taller again?"

"Wen Zheng, you look much better than before," Lin Che said, studying him with some surprise.

As he spoke, he glanced at the women stealing looks at Feng Xiu nearby and smiled. "Look how many people over there are watching you."

Feng Xiu shook his head helplessly. "I've been out in the sun every day, working in the fields. Of course I'm dark."

Fan Ling burst out laughing.

Just then, a young man walked over from behind Lin Che.

He wore a moon-white robe. His features were refined, and his manner was gentle. Once he reached Feng Xiu, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Brother Feng, I've heard much about you."

Feng Xiu looked at him.

Fan Ling introduced him. "This is the eldest young master of the Chu Family, Chu Yun. He runs a number of pharmacies in the city."

Chu Yun of the Chu Family Pharmacy?

Feng Xiu had heard of him before, but never met him. Taking a closer look, he saw that Chu Yun's aura was deep and steady, and his bearing composed.

Considering the Chu Family Pharmacy's chain of businesses, Feng Xiu wasn't surprised.

Feng Xiu smiled and cupped his hands. "Brother Chu, I've heard much about you."

Chu Yun gave a slight nod. His gaze lingered on Feng Xiu for a moment, as if he'd noticed something.

Feng Xiu's eyes were bright and full of vigor. He was clearly no simple farmhand, as he claimed.

Just two days ago, a steward from the Feng Clan had bought a batch of medicinal ingredients for breaking through to Blood Burning from his pharmacy. Now it seemed they must have been intended for Feng Xiu.

After the thought crossed his mind, Chu Yun smiled and stepped aside.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the group headed to the other side.

On the lawn, a group of young men sat in a circle around a handsome man in a deep-purple brocade robe.

He was the organizer of this banquet, the Wu Clan's eldest young master, Wu Yuanheng.

When he saw them approaching, Wu Yuanheng stood and greeted them with a smile.

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

They sat down, and a maid came over to pour their wine. Its rich aroma alone told them it was a fine vintage.

Wu Yuanheng lifted his cup and smiled. "This is thirty-year-old Bamboo Leaf Green. It was aged in an underground cellar for twenty years, then kept in bamboo tubes for another ten. Thirty years in all. Please, have a taste."

Feng Xiu took a sip.

The wine went down sweet and smooth, but its strength came on afterward, spreading warmth from his stomach.

Fine wine.

He couldn't help taking another sip.

After a few cups, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

As they chatted, the conversation turned to business.

With war in Jin Province and refugees pouring in, grain prices in Cloud Province had risen again and again.

Many family scions had come, but only about a dozen could join the inner circle at the main seats. They were all pillars of their respective powers.

One way or another, their families were all involved in the grain trade.

"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 mace here."

"That's the official price. Over in Jin Province, you can't buy any even if you have money. Those rebel forces seize every grain shipment they see."

"The Grain Constitution Bureau still hasn't decided how much grain to collect this year. Who knows whether the price will be lower than in previous years?"

As they were speaking, someone abruptly changed the subject and looked at Feng Xiu.

"Brother Feng, I heard the Feng Clan only has three farms, yet it can afford to keep that porridge shop running. Your resources are truly impressive."

At this, Wu Yuanheng's brows knitted slightly.

Lin Che and the others also looked displeased. Feng Xiu raised his eyes toward the speaker.

It was a young man in a dark-brown robe, with an ordinary face and a hint of provocation in his eyes.

Lin Che leaned closer and said quietly, "That's the Sun Clan's second son, Sun Fulai. His family deals in cloth and has recently tried to get into the grain trade, but every path they've tried has been blocked."

Seeing that Feng Xiu didn't respond, Sun Fulai smiled again. "Brother Feng, why are you so tanned? Don't tell me you spend every day mixing with those miserable tenant farmers?"

A few people beside him laughed, but when they noticed Wu Yuanheng's expressionless face, they quickly stifled their laughter.

These days, everyone in the city knew Feng Xiu's name. The common folk didn't have much to talk about over their tea, after all.

As it happened, both the Sweet Dew Grand Festival and the porridge shop opened to help the growing number of refugees were connected to Feng Xiu.

Though these family scions didn't care about the common people's opinions,

Feng Xiu's radiance was simply too dazzling, eclipsing the brilliance of so many others.

Being overshadowed left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Feng Xiu lifted his cup, took another sip, and set it down. His gaze settled on Sun Fulai.

"Sun Family Cloth Shop, right?"

Feng Xiu said coolly, "I remember a notice published by the Bureau of Revenue and Cloth last year. There were more than four hundred cloth shops in Green Rock City. Even in the most profitable year, the highest revenue was only 3,200 taels, with a profit of 800."

"With so many refugees this year, cloth isn't selling. Hasn't the Sun Clan taken a loss by now?"

Sun Fulai's expression changed.

Feng Xiu paused and gave Sun Fulai a faint smile.

Sun Fulai's face turned bright red.

Feng Xiu continued, "As for why I'm dark, it's because I worry about the crops and work in the fields every day, mixing with those hard-working tenant farmers. Is there a problem with that?"

He leaned back in his chair. His tone was calm, yet carried an indescribable weight.

"That's still better than certain good-for-nothings who live off their family's legacy, can't even afford Golden Ear Wheat, and do nothing but make snide remarks here."