The Jing Commandery Prince could not fathom his meaning. He looked at Fang Yun suspiciously, then smiled after several breaths. "Zhang Mingzhou truly possesses great talent. Of all the treasures of your homeland and the hundred sights of Jingzhou, you chose only a single branch of winter plum, bringing your homesickness vividly before our eyes. The imagery is fresh, the phrasing distinctive. These are surely fine lines-at least prefecture-reaching, perhaps even state-ringing."
Gou Bao smiled beside him. "It has been quite some time since the Jing Commandery Prince returned to the Chu Kingdom and then came back to Two Worlds Mountain. The Pearl River Marquis has held himself back all these days and finally found an opportunity to show off. Quite calculating of him. Your Highness, do answer him."
The Jing Commandery Prince smiled. "When I left, the plum blossoms had probably not yet opened. Now that the Chu Kingdom is about to enter the twelfth month, I imagine they are already in full bloom." His answer was ordinary, but inwardly he was deeply puzzled. He kept watching Fang Yun, feeling that there was some profound meaning hidden in this poem.
Others sensed nothing, but the Qishan Army's officers felt their hair stand on end. There was too much coldness in Fang Yun's gaze, and many instinctively drew back.
Fang Yun nodded lightly. "When I return to Jingzhou, I shall behold my old home anew!"
With that, Fang Yun left.
The Qishan Army's seven Grand Academicians exchanged glances and secretly communicated through voice transmissions.
The Jing Commandery Prince looked grave. "My brow keeps twitching. Something is very wrong with Zhang Longxiang's tone and this poem, but I cannot work out why."
Gou Bao said, "This is certainly about more than a poem. There is something he wants to say, but