A Mystery Hidden in the Sandalwood Box

"Wen Zhizhen loves to preach and is always trying to instill her own views in others."

A few feet away, Luo Jiayun, Zhou Guan, Gao Jing, Gu Yanzhi and others watched the scene in front of the door. Zhou Guan couldn't help but say something.

These people all came from Jiannan Circuit, had connections with Qiu Yan, and had all received invitations; they just happened to run into each other on the way.

"From the moment I met Wen Zhizhen, he would hold a sermon every time. For example, Metropolitan Examination this imperial examination, he talked about it over and over again. If you didn't know better, you would think that he was going to start his own school of thought." Zhou Guan seemed to be very dissatisfied with Wen Zhizhen.

"It's wrong to gossip behind someone's back." Luo Jiayun was familiar with Zhou Guan and was a few years older than him, so he had the air of an older brother and spoke up to remind him.

Zhou Guan knew that too many people would talk too much, so he kept quiet for the time being. Although he was also a scholar who had passed the Metropolitan Examination and even participated in the metropolitan examination, he was still young. After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but say again, "Recently, Wen Zhizhen has mentioned Brother Qiu several times in our guesthouse, seemingly unintentionally, but with ulterior motives. If he does this in the inn, he'll probably do the same elsewhere. I've heard that he's often seen in several taverns in the city. Spreading this around like this is bound to make people dissatisfied with Brother Qiu."

As they spoke, Wen Zhizhen, surrounded by the crowd, entered the Anyang Estate.

Watching the man's retreating figure, Luo Jiayun shook his head. "This is something we can't control. We can only wait and see how Brother Qiu handles it. Didn't Hu Qi just say that Brother Qiu had already arrived ahead of time? I believe that with Brother Qiu's abilities, this rumor will surely be dispelled."

Before attending the banquet, Qiu Yan asked Hu Qi to inform Luo Jiayun and the others.

Zhou Guan looked into the courtyard and whispered, "I wonder how Brother Qiu is doing inside. These days, there have been many rumors that are unfavorable to him. After all, he was inexplicably linked with that Wen Zhizhen, and this Wen fellow likes to show off and harbors malicious intentions. It's inevitable that people will compare him to Brother Qiu, but Brother Qiu has been keeping a low profile..."

As they spoke, the group entered through the gate, walked around the screen wall, handed over the invitations, and then looked towards the courtyard, only to be stunned—

At the end of the line of sight, there is a picture of Wen Zhizhen smiling and bowing to Qiu Yan.

Wen Zhizhen was surrounded by a number of Confucian scholars, who seemed to be in charge of him, subtly confronting Qiu Yan. This was not surprising, as Wen Zhizhen now had a considerable following.

What truly astonished Luo Jiayun and the others was that Qiu Yan was also surrounded by a number of Confucian scholars, almost like a star being fawned over, clearly trying to stabilize Qiu Yan's momentum and ensure he was not outdone by others.

"Judging from this, are those people behind Brother Qiu protecting him?" Zhou Guan said, voicing his thoughts.

Gao Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Qiu Yan, a barely perceptible glint in his eyes, and said, "I have some impression of the man next to Brother Qiu. He is a talented scholar from Huainan Circuit named Gao Mian. He is humble, but he doesn't easily make friends with others. Judging from his expression now, he seems to admire Brother Qiu quite a bit."

Gu Yanzhi also spotted a familiar figure and said, "The person behind Brother Qiu is Ye Yun, the top scholar from Southern Ridges Circuit. His father and my master Yan Wu are old friends."

Gu Yanzhi's teacher, Yan Wu, was a renowned calligrapher who settled in Shu Region. Although he failed the Imperial Examinations, he had a remarkable network of connections.

After listening to what the two men said, Luo Jiayun was completely confused. "When did Brother Qiu become acquainted with these people? These past few days, except for the day of the imperial Metropolitan Examination, he has not left his house. How could he know the candidates from Southern Ridges Circuit and Huainan Circuit?"

The same question arose in Wen Zhizhen's mind, but he was shrewd and wouldn't easily show it, casually chatting with Qi Yan.

"Two days ago, I visited Brother Qiu at the inn where he was staying, but I was unable to meet him. I have been regretting this ever since, wishing I could have a long talk with Brother Qiu. Now, at Miss Pang's banquet, I have finally fulfilled my wish, and I am overjoyed." These words were spoken with True Intention.

Qiu Yan replied with a smile, "It is an honor to have you think of me, Brother Wen. I have long heard of your reputation, and I am eager to learn from you today."

"Not at all," Wen Zhizhen shook his head and smiled faintly. "Speaking of asking for advice, regarding the policy essays for this imperial Metropolitan Examination, I wonder what insights Brother Qiu has?" He asked aloud, but in his mind he was organizing his thoughts, preparing to combine his own knowledge and start from the policy essay aspect to suppress Qiu Yan first.

Wen Zhizhen came here intending to take advantage of the situation. In recent days, he has gone to great lengths to showcase his talent and has made a great name for himself in Prosperity Capital, which is a good thing. However, some people have tied his name together with Qiu Yan's, saying that the two are equally famous. In the end, Qiu Yan has benefited from the success.

Such a thing can only happen once, and Wen Zhizhen naturally didn't want to. She had long wanted to settle things with Qiu Yan, and tonight's banquet was the perfect opportunity.

However, for some reason, the scholars in the courtyard sided with Qiu Yan, giving him more influence. Wen Zhizhen had an idea and decided to suppress them directly.

He had already guessed the content of the imperial Metropolitan Examination essay before the exam, and now he knew it by heart. He could cite classical texts to prove his point of view, and with his own Mind Horse cards, he was not afraid even if he faced Heart Ape.

This question was precisely meant to use one's strengths to address Qiu Yan's weaknesses.

However, Qiu Yan simply shook his head and replied, "The Metropolitan Examination is over, the dust has settled, and the policy essays are just on the exam papers anyway, so what's there to think about?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhizhen's expression froze, and she couldn't utter the words she had prepared, as if she had punched a cotton ball.

Fortunately, he was a man of deep thought and quickly recovered from his discomfort, laughing and saying, "Brother Qiu is joking. Policy essays concern the affairs of the court. Although they are written in the examination hall, they can demonstrate one's ambitions. If the essay is well-written and comprehensive, and is recognized by the examiner, wouldn't we have a direction when we enter the court as officials in the future?"

Qiu Yan nodded in agreement, then said, "Brother Wen has a long-term vision and thinks ten steps ahead, which is admirable. However, what is written on paper is what we believe in our hearts, and may not be in line with the well-being of others. It can be a strategy, but it should not be implemented rashly, otherwise it will affect more than just one person's future."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhizhen's eyes flashed with a cold light. He knew that Qiu Yan was implying that he was thinking too much, too far ahead, and engaging in unrealistic and impractical talk. However, he remained outwardly calm. "Oh? Brother Qiu's words are indeed thought-provoking, but they are somewhat biased..."

He was about to speak again when a maidservant approached, gave a slight curtsy, and said, "Gentlemen, my young lady knew of your esteemed presence and specially sent me to invite you into the hall."

The maid knew there were other scholars nearby, so she didn't say anything to provoke them.

"Did your young lady send someone to invite you again?" Qiu Yan asked, turning her head to look at the young servant in blue not far away. The servant was still standing there, and when he saw the maid, he was shocked and realized that he had messed things up. But when he recalled what had happened, he felt wronged.

The maid glanced at the servant boy, but showed no sign of surprise. She simply urged Qiu Yan and Wen Zhizhen.

Her personal invitation made Qiu Yan and Wen Zhizhen stand out from the crowd. The Confucian scholars who accompanied Wen Zhizhen to the hospital had not witnessed Qiu Yan's abilities, so how could they Qi Ingestion? Some even whispered their opinions.

Before the man could finish speaking, Gao Mian and a few others spoke up to defend him. This left the newcomers bewildered and uncertain. After meeting Wen Zhizhen and hearing her speech, they were unconsciously influenced and naturally developed a dislike for Qiu Yan.

Upon hearing Gao Mian and the others' words, they pondered, and their thoughts, unconsciously influenced, gradually changed. They subtly reflected on their words and actions, and faint fluctuations of their consciousness began to emanate from them.

"Oh?" A strange light flashed in Qiu Yan's eyes. He glanced at Wen Zhizhen and noticed that her expression had changed slightly and become stiff.

"This Wen Zhizhen seems to be more than just a simple scholar. I didn't realize it before, but after what I've experienced since coming here, I can clearly feel that everyone is quite hostile towards me. They've studied for many years and should have some Qi Nurturing- control; they can't possibly be completely without cunning. Yet now, someone is openly slandering me to my face. This is truly strange, as if they're inexperienced in the ways of the world!"

Looking around, Qiu Yan felt a surge of emotion, and the City Will fluctuated as he tried to detect those subtle changes in intent.

"Reading cultivates the mind; even if one harbors discontent, it's impossible to easily reveal it. Why then are all those present acting with such single-minded focus? Yet, after being spoken to, their thoughts shift, and strange phenomena arise. And that Pang Qianru, her setup of this scheme also shows deliberate intent. However, when I saw her before, I vaguely sensed that this woman was infatuated; I wonder if that's why her behavior is abnormal..."

With this in mind, the two were led into the main hall by a maid.

The furnishings inside the lobby were quite exquisite, but the layout was no different from the outside, with several low tables arranged in a row. However, there weren't many of them, suggesting that only a minority could enter the lobby.

Scholars have always been prone to belittling each other, and they are most averse to being looked down upon. Tonight's guests are mostly the best among the many candidates. Although they differ in reputation, they are all successful candidates in terms of status. It would be fine if some of them were allowed in the hall, but if there were differences in the size of the tables and chairs, that would offend people.

Even if Pang Qianru didn't understand this principle, the steward of the Marquis's mansion would certainly be aware of it and would naturally have made arrangements accordingly.

After Qiu Yan entered the lobby, he was led to a table and sat down opposite Wen Zhizhen. This was clearly a carefully planned arrangement. Next to him sat an acquaintance.

"Brother Qiu, it's been a long time." Qi Jiulian looked at Qiu Yan with an awkward expression, then glanced at Wen Zhizhen, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

Qiu Yan returned the greeting with a nod. He was aware that Qi Jiulian had used his name to duel with Wen Zhizhen, and since they had met today, he felt he should discuss it, but not now.

As soon as Qiu Yan entered the hall, several spiritual entities within him became eager to try, subtly connecting with something in the hall.

Following his senses, he turned his gaze over and saw a sandalwood box on the innermost table. At the same time, Wen Zhizhen also looked at the box, a strange light flashing in her eyes.

The box doesn't look particularly novel, and there are no unusual carvings on its surface, but it is smooth all over and looks like jade at first glance. You can smell a faint fragrance from a distance.

In Qiu Yan's perception, something seemed to be hidden inside the box, giving it a mysterious and unpredictable feel, and stirring the Sage Spirit.

"Inside this box..." He slowly narrowed his eyes, somewhat surprised. (To be continued. Please search for the novel for better and faster updates!)