As Luo Qian pondered this, another two hours slipped by, yet no one had called him in. Above Upper Clarity Heaven, the stars shone like a scattered sea, and the night was growing late. Du Lengning climbed out of the carriage and said irritably, "You can keep waiting here like a fool. I'm going to buy a flask of wine." Luo Qian sighed, held down his anger, and continued to wait.
A man came out of the corridor and called to those still waiting, "It's late. The master has gone to bed. If you have business with him, please come early tomorrow." No one dared argue. Disappointed though they were, they obediently left. The gatekeeper picked up Luo Qian's calling card from the chair and tossed it outside.
Crack! The jade calling card shattered. Luo Qian could no longer contain his anger. His face darkened as he considered how to teach the Meng Household a lesson. Among those who had waited all day like him, a few held low-ranking posts but knew a thing or two. As they passed his carriage, they began to talk.
"Brother Zhao, will you come back tomorrow?" "No, no." "Why not?" Brother Zhao's eyes were keen, and his face had a shrewd look. He glanced around before saying quietly, "Didn't you see the calling card on the chair ahead of us? Luo Qian's. The Meng Household thinks its noble lineage lets it treat him this way. I'd say its downfall isn't far off. Why waste effort on a mansion about to topple or an old tree about to wither? If disaster strikes the Meng Household, we might even be dragged down with it..."
"Brother Zhao speaks the truth. I'm deeply impressed!"
Luo Qian sighed. On one hand, their words showed that his standing in the