Like Chu Jingsong, Qiu Kangning had originally been a scion of a third-rate aristocratic lineage in the Imperial Capital.
They had known each other since childhood and had been rivals throughout their cultivation.
In other words, the two shared a bond forged through opposition.
Among ordinary cultivators, they were both minor celebrities.
Later, each inherited his family estate and began leading his lineage forward.
After more than ten years of effort, both lineages had risen to second-rate status. Yet neither man would concede to the other, and both wanted to climb even higher.
A few years earlier, Qiu Kangning's son had married into a prince's household, taking an elderly prince's mentally impaired daughter, a Commandery Princess, as his wife. The Qiu Lineage had leaped into the ranks of the Imperial Capital's first-rate lineages and moved into the Second Ring.
Back then, Qiu Kangning had even specially invited Chu Jingsong to his family banquet. Chu Jingsong had attended with a dark expression. After all, wouldn't refusing to go make him look cowardly?
As it turned out, going had only made him lose more face.
Now that Chu Jingsong's daughter had married the emperor, the Chu Lineage had vaulted into the ranks of the Imperial Capital's imperial relatives. They had even received an estate as a reward and moved into a luxurious part of the First Ring.
Unlike the Qiu Lineage, whose estate stood near the outer edge of the Second Ring.
Naturally, Chu Jingsong had specially invited Qiu Kangning over as well. Wasn't the whole point to savor a little superiority in front of his old rival?
However you showed off to me back then, I'll show off to you today.
Qiu Kangning shook hands with Chu Jingsong, his smile never reaching his eyes. After exchanging pleasantries, he said, "The Chu