Spreading Rumors

Treating Huo Qubing was a minor matter.

Presenting the treasure was Zhang Xuezhou's real priority.

Zhang Xuezhou felt extremely pleased with himself, having handled both big and small matters exceptionally well.

Zhang Xuezhou saved Huo Qubing three times in a row, Wei Shao'er almost wanted to press Huo Qubing's head down and make Zhang Xuezhou his godfather.

Zhang Xuezhou repeatedly waved his hand in refusal.

He couldn't be the adoptive father of the painting demon, nor could he afford to offend Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds and the unreasonable Nezha.

If the painting demon wins the battle for consciousness, that's fine. But if the opponent loses and the clues are investigated by Primordial Lord Golden Rosy Clouds and others, it will be a disaster that is difficult to resist.

Zhang Xuezhou is used to using his mouth, while Nezha is least used to using his mouth and is also Zhang Xuezhou's least favorite type of opponent.

He shouldn't risk his life for the sake of a godfather's name.

"You are from a noble Aristocratic Clan, while I am just an ordinary person. I truly cannot accept the title of godfather," Zhang Xuezhou declined, then added fuel to the fire, "Instead of having me as your godfather, you might as well have Huo Qubing become the godfather of the Marquis!"

"Ah!"

"Um?"

Chen Zhang and Wei Shao'er dared to kowtow to Zhang Xuezhou while carrying Huo Qubing, but to ask them to go overboard and have their child pay respects to the Marquis of Pingyang as their godfather was something that not only Chen Zhang wouldn't dare to think about, but even Wei Shao'er felt it was inappropriate.

Ultimately, social status brings about a change in mindset. Zhang Xuezhou's low social status makes things easier to discuss, but it would be awkward if he were to try to use his child to climb the social ladder.

"I'll be the godfather... Wow, is that even possible?!"

The new emperor didn't really care. King Wen of Zhou had a hundred sons, of whom more than ninety were adopted sons. The new emperor felt that it wouldn't be a big deal for him to adopt a son.

"Come, come, just kowtow, and our relationship will be settled!"

The new emperor is overjoyed today, and he thinks it's good to have double the joy.

He pointed at Huo Qubing, which made Chen Zhang quickly stick his head out, and then he pressed Huo Qubing's head, which was twisting and turning, down.

After all that, Zhang Xuezhou noticed that Huo Qubing's eyes had become much dimmer.

After struggling for nearly two years, today's chaotic worship not only added parents and uncles, but also a godfather. This kind of pre-arranged title is undoubtedly extremely disheartening.

Zhang Xuezhou watched in amazement, feeling that even if the painting demon was arrogant, it would be extremely difficult for it to have so many elders around.

"Be grateful you're still alive!"

Zhang Xuezhou muttered something under his breath and ignored Huo Qubing.

His trip went smoothly. After making some arrangements at home, and when the next cycle arrives, Zhang Xuezhou will fly to the Western Kunlun Holy Land to seek the Nine Treasures Wine.

"It's getting late, everyone please continue. I'll go home and rest for a bit!"

The group consisted of sons, parents, uncles, and godfathers; Zhang Xuezhou was the only outsider. He stood there for a few minutes before quickly taking his leave.

"Would you like me to give you a ride?" the new emperor asked happily.

"No need, no need!"

Zhang Xuezhou waved his hands repeatedly, but Wei Qing took his word for it and escorted Zhang Xuezhou out of the Marquis's residence regardless of whether Zhang Xuezhou had any needs.

"I really don't know how to thank you enough," Wei Qing said. "If it weren't for your help in the diagnosis, our Qu Bing would be crying and making a scene, and wouldn't even be able to call for help. That would have been a huge problem!"

"If it weren't me, someone else would have diagnosed me," Zhang Xuezhou laughed. "I just happened to be there!"

"Grateful!"

Wei Qing bowed slightly and then led out the carriage to invite Zhang Xuezhou get in.

This made Zhang Xuezhou, who originally intended to fly back to Old Tree Alley, give up his insistence and get into the carriage instead.

"His Majesty told me you possess Divine Ability abilities, and I hope Lord Dongfang will take good care of you in the future!"

The carriage sped along, and Wei Qing exchanged polite pleasantries with Zhang Xuezhou.

There are very few powerful cultivators around the new emperor; currently, only Wei Qing and Zhang Xuezhou have emerged.

Although Zhang Xuezhou would not pursue a career in the Ministry of War, Wei Qing was still willing to maintain a good relationship with him.

Even if the court doesn't care about the monks, it cares about the Buddha. If you have more interaction with him, even if it doesn't mean you can help each other, at least you'll avoid someone stabbing you in the back.

"I heard that your third sister has entered the palace. You will surely become a member of the royal family in the future. I will need Lord Wei to take good care of me," Zhang Xuezhou said with a smile.

In the imperial court, it was difficult for any official to hold office for long, but only members of the imperial family and relatives of the emperor remained in power.

No matter how much the new emperor trusts Wei Qing, this trust will never extend beyond the realm of family. However, once he marries the new emperor, this relationship will become incredibly reliable. No matter how hard Zhang Xuezhou and others try, they can never catch up with the trust that Wei Qing has gained.

As long as he didn't do anything treasonous, Zhang Xuezhou felt that Wei Qing's relationship with the new emperor would be so strong that no matter how much he tried to present treasures, he couldn't catch up.

He wasn't joking when he asked Wei Qing for help.

Zhang Xuezhou would not form cliques for personal gain, but he would undoubtedly be willing to maintain good relationships with some high-ranking officials or future high-ranking officials.

"My third sister... sigh, it's a good thing that my third sister married into the royal family, but now the Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager and the Empress are in charge of the harem. My third sister has no place here. His Majesty hasn't visited my third sister all year," Wei Qing sighed.

"That's definitely a tough road to success!"

Zhang Xuezhou nodded.

The Empress Dowager alone tormented the new emperor to the point of losing all his arrogance. Even Zhang Xuezhou and others were left looking disheveled. It was almost impossible for Wei Qing's third sister to win the new emperor's favor by overcoming all obstacles.

Just like Zhang Xuezhou's desire to obtain the prestigious title of "Governor-General," it would be almost impossible to achieve his goal without prioritizing smaller, more important positions.

"Why does His Majesty come to the Marquis of Pingyang so often?" Zhang Xuezhou asked with a smile. "He comes every night, but surely it can't be that often?"

"Your Majesty... it seems the Empress is constantly begging for sex to have a child, and Your Majesty can't bear such daily demands," Wei Qing said in a low voice after glancing around.

Wei Qing wasn't one to gossip, but Zhang Xuezhou's current relationship with them was too good, and since the other party had inquired about it again, Wei Qing was willing to exchange a few words within their small circle.

"Women are indeed more resilient than men, especially older women. His Majesty is probably terrified!"

Some are dying of drought while others are drowning in floods. Zhang Xuezhou couldn't help but sigh when he thought about his own family and the women in the new emperor's harem.

However, not choosing a good match also caused a lot of trouble. For example, the new emperor's nightlife was not very harmonious. The young man in his twenties was made to act like an old man in his forties who was no longer able to perform.

Zhang Xuezhou overheard some private matters, which made him and Wei Qing chat animatedly.

The Grand Historian Sima Tan was right; talking about personal matters can indeed bring men closer, even when talking about other people.

Wei Qing was originally a serious and earnest person. Except when he was pulling the carriage, he was not very lively. But now, once he started talking to Zhang Xuezhou, he couldn't stop.

"The gossip at Palace of Peace and Happiness goes that the newly arrived Daoist priest Li has been spending the night Palace of Peace and Happiness, and it's very likely that he's caught the eye of the Empress Dowager, and perhaps even received her favor!"

As Wei Qing chatted, the conversation drifted to the Empress Dowager, and he mentioned some unreliable things.

"Master Li is Daoist School, and the Empress Dowager is also of a pure and desireless nature. These two shouldn't be like that, right?" Zhang Xuezhou said.

"Who knows? They say old tinder is easy to ignite, but I don't think it's reliable to say that," Wei Qing said.

"These gossipers should have their tongues pulled out. Spreading rumors about the Empress Dowager, they really don't know what death means," Zhang Xuezhou said.

"That's true. It's wrong to gossip behind people's backs like that. We can't believe these baseless rumors!"

Zhang Xuezhou, who had been chatting idly the whole way, suddenly became serious, and Wei Qing couldn't help but feel guilty and quickly adjusted his state.

He was serious at this moment, nodding repeatedly, while Zhang Xuezhou occasionally criticized such behavior.

Wei Qing nodded repeatedly until he dropped Zhang Xuezhou off at his doorstep.

"Don't say anything careless when you go back!"

Zhang Xuezhou pushed open the door and entered the house, while Wei Qing did not stop to drink water, but instead whipped the horse and drove the carriage back.

Zhang Xuezhou glanced at the departing carriage and felt that the risk of gossiping in Chang'an City was too high.

Perhaps the Empress Dowager was still tracking Li Shaojun. They ran into him on their way back in the carriage, and the Empress Dowager also allowed Yang Corporeal Soul to eavesdrop for a while.

If it hadn't been discovered quickly enough, Zhang Xuezhou felt that forget about receiving the title of "Governor-General" in the imperial court in the future; he would have been summoned to Palace of Peace and Happiness and given dozens of lashes for gossiping, and if he had been beaten to death, there would have been no way to seek justice.