At that moment, inside the Seventh Prince's Residence.
In a spacious hall, the gentle strains of strings and flutes drifted through the air as several women with graceful figures danced in the center to the music.
Several low tables stood on either side, laden with wine and delicate pastries.
A few people sat scattered among the seats, occasionally raising their cups and chatting, making for quite a lively scene.
Had Jiang Xiaobai been there, he would certainly have recognized several familiar faces.
One man holding a wine cup was none other than Du Chong, who had once quarreled with Jiang Xiaobai at the Orchid Pavilion Tower and had written Tales of the White-Clad Wanderer.
Seated opposite Du Chong was Xiao Qingxiu, the Young Prince of the Eighth Prince's Residence.
A little farther back sat Zhao Sheng and Zhou Chaomian, along with two green-robed disciples.
Xiao Qingshu occupied the seat of honor.
He, too, held a wine cup, a smile on his face as he occasionally glanced toward the center of the hall.
As the melody gradually drew to a close, one of the green-robed disciples raised his cup and spoke first. "Young Prince, you spent so long at the Southern Pass. Now that you've returned to Capital City, we finally have someone to rally around!"
"Indeed!"
Du Chong chimed in with a smile. "Even while you were at the Southern Pass, Young Prince, word of your poetry, prose, calligraphy, and painting had reached Capital City."
"Now that you've returned, those so-called great talents in Capital City ought to... make some room!"
"Haha, you flatter me!"
Smiling, Xiao Qingshu raised his cup. "The Southern Pass is remote, after all. How could it compare with Capital City, where talents spring forth in abundance?"
"Besides, Brother Du, I read your Tales of the