I am the Clear Capital's keeper of hills and streams, charged by Heaven to be wild and free.

Wei Nisheng watched Shen Duan disappear beyond the gates of the residence.

Only then did he withdraw his gaze and turn, casting an indifferent glance at Wei Mingde, who still stood stiffly beside him.

"From the day of my Lineage Separation, I, Wei Nisheng, became a member of the Capital Wei."

"Your Wei family, Second Uncle, is too lofty for me to claim kinship with."

"From now on, do not speak of our family's honor again."

"Since you have changed your allegiance, you had best conduct yourself accordingly."

That casually delivered "conduct yourself accordingly" made Wei Mingde's expression turn ugly.

He wanted to say something, but in the end, not a single word escaped him. Cui Shi, standing beside him, was no different.

Finally, husband and wife exchanged a glance, knowing they no longer had the face to remain.

They hurriedly bowed to Feng Yan and quietly asked leave to depart.

Feng Yan made no attempt to keep them, merely giving a slight nod of assent.

As for Wei Shouzheng, Qin Yan was still at the banquet, so he, as Qin Yan's disciple, could not leave.

Besides, this great scholar of Neo-Confucianism had become the focus of the entire hall after his bout of "martial debate." No one dared casually leave their seat.

Wei Shouzheng could only help Qin Yan back into his seat, then lower his head and continue pretending to be invisible.

Qin Yan, however, still had his sleeves rolled up and half his hair hanging loose. Even after being pressed back into his seat, he remained huffy.

"Hahaha, Ziye." Feng Yan personally poured him a cup of tea and handed it over, laughing. "More than ten years, and that temper of yours hasn't changed."

Qin Yan took the tea, drained it in one gulp, and set the