Hidden in the Shadows and Hidden in Plain Sight (Happy New Year)

Zhang Xuezhou and the King of Huainan met several times.

The King of King of Huainan at the time did not realize that Zhang Xuezhou had practiced the art of fortune-telling; he only thought that Zhang Xuezhou was pursuing the art of changing one's fate.

In all these years, Zhang Xuezhou had not met anyone from the King of Huainan's Household. The only reason he was invited by the King of Huainan's Household was for one matter, which involved 'seeking a connection'.

In the King of Huainan's judgment, he was like a sieve, able to catch certain fortuitous opportunity, but also letting fortuitous opportunity slip away.

The "Horizontal Sword Technique," the "Beast Taming Treasure Book of the Beast Taming Sect," and the Huai River Water Mansion that he presented were all top-tier fortuitous opportunity, but none of these fortuitous opportunity were suitable for Zhang Xuezhou.

Whenever something great happens to Zhang Xuezhou, it's always a good idea to meet up.

"I am Liu Ling, the eldest daughter of the royal family of King of Huainan!"

The luxurious carriage pulled up beside Zhang Xuezhou and came to a stop. The woman who lifted the curtain landed lightly and introduced herself.

"So it's Princess!"

In the Great Han Dynasty, male members of the royal family were called princes, while those designated as heirs were called crown princes, and female members were called princesses.

In the vassal states, there was no distinction in the titles used for men, but women were addressed as "Wengzhu" (翁主).

Zhang Xuezhou politely returned the gift.

"I received the princess's invitation ten days ago, but unfortunately I have been busy with court affairs, which concern serving the emperor, and have not been able to take the time to visit the King of Huainan's Household. I hope the princess will not be offended," Zhang Xuezhou, bowing.

Being busy is a good thing!

Liu Ling did not remove her veil. She nodded in agreement with Zhang Xuezhou, then looked at Zhang Xuezhou with wide, admiring eyes.

According to Liu Ling's intelligence, Grand Master of the Palace Dongfang Shuo was not a diligent official.

If we don't count these few days, this Grand Master of the Palace served for half a year, but only spent one day traveling to the imperial court to attend meetings.

Such behavior is not only forbidden in the imperial court, but it is also rare even in the Huainan Kingdom. Only guest ministers with low levels of discipline can act so freely.

But the other party's position was very secure, and no one impeached them in the past six months.

Liu Ling glanced back and felt that Zhang Xuezhou's luck was too strong, and there was a high probability that he was doing the work for someone else.

This was the prediction made by the King of Huainan for Zhang Xuezhou, and Liu Ling believed it wholeheartedly. He placed his hopes on Zhang Xuezhou, hoping to obtain this excellent fortune for himself.

"Forgive my boldness, but I wonder if Lord Dongfang has been revising ancestral rules and regulations these days, or if new etiquette and regulations have been introduced?" Liu Ling asked with a smile.

"How can these ancestral rules be changed so easily?" Zhang Xuezhou waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "We Grand Masters of the Palace only adapt to the times and appropriately improve the ancestral rituals and regulations according to the current situation. We never make any unauthorized changes!"

"The collapse of rites and music has been going on for quite some time," Liu Ling said with a smile. "If Lord Dongfang were to establish any new regulations, I hope you would give us advance notice so that we can be mentally prepared!"

"No matter how I formulate the plan, it still needs His Majesty's approval!"

Zhang Xuezhou chuckled and cupped his hands in greeting, intending to get rid of Liu Ling. After all, he didn't have much time left, and there was no reason to waste it on a woman like her.

In particular, Zhang Xuezhou learned about the relevant information from Zhang Cigong and knew that Liu Ling was a woman with high-level skills. If she was not careful, she could be entangled with her, and it would be extremely difficult for her to gain any advantage.

"It's not long before nightfall, and Lord Dongfang shouldn't be busy with state affairs tonight. Why not come to the Prince's residence for a chat?" Liu Ling said with a smile. "You'll inevitably need to eat tonight, and the Prince's residence has a wide variety of ingredients for you to choose from. If Lord Dongfang gets tired, you can also choose a room to rest in the Prince's residence. This won't delay Lord Dongfang's busy schedule tomorrow!"

"To be honest, I'm ashamed to say this," Zhang Xuezhou said, bowing slightly. "I'm unwell and my illness flares up from time to time. It's nearing the onset of an attack, and I'm afraid it would be inappropriate to disturb the Princess if I were to have an attack!"

"What a coincidence," Liu Ling said, "A guest advisor who is skilled in alchemy and medicine just happened to arrive at my place. This person's abilities may not be unparalleled in the world, but he is certainly a rare and extraordinary individual!"

"Oh?"

"This man is named Li Shang. He is not well-known in Chang'an City, but he was once the sect leader of the Xuanxuan Creation Sect and has some profound and mysterious abilities," Liu Ling said with a smile. "Oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges, but those grown north of the Huai River are bitter oranges. Your illness cannot be cured in Chang'an City, but there might be some hope in the Huai River region. Why don't you come with me to the Prince's Mansion to have a look?"

"Master Li Shang?"

Zhang Xuezhou pondered for a few seconds and also remembered the cultivator from Wuzhu Mountain who had debated the Dao of Elixir.

Even when Zhang Xuezhou debated with him using the Yin-Yang School's alchemy techniques, the other party held his own, proving himself to be a truly capable person.

His discussion at Wuzhu Mountain was brief and rushed, and the content he explored was limited.

Zhang Xuezhou wasn't interested in what to eat at the King of Huainan's Household, but he was very interested in meeting Li Shang.

"I wonder if the King of Huainan has placed those who practice magic in Chang'an City? What if he catches me red-handed and discovers my existence?"

Dong Zhongshu was in Jiangxia, and as long as he didn't come to Chang'an City to take up an official post, there was little risk of him being exposed. But Zhang Xuezhou's situation in Chang'an City was completely different.

He felt that no matter how he tried to hide, it seemed difficult to escape this kind of identification.

As long as he keeps pestering the new emperor in Chang'an City to promote his magic, he will inevitably be discovered; it's just a matter of time.

If the investigation is conducted early, the King of King of Huainan will inevitably notice and be watched. If the concealment of one's identity is discovered late, there is a possibility of a direct confrontation to determine life or death, or one may be targeted by officials from the King of King of Huainan's faction.

"Should I take advantage of the fact that I haven't yet targeted the King of Huainan and deliberately reveal myself to him, letting him know that I've cultivated a magic technique?"

There are two ways to conceal one's identity: one is to remain completely hidden behind the scenes, without anyone noticing; the other is to appear in the public eye, even openly and honestly, right under the other party's nose.

The former method of concealment is used by many people to act as various behind-the-scenes figures. This method of hiding one's identity is simple and easy to use. The latter method of concealment is extremely sophisticated, with countless failures and very few successes.

Zhang Xuezhou pondered back and forth, feeling that he had been taking the lead and hiding in various ways, but as he continued to dig into the background of the King of Huainan, it seemed that he could only take the retreat route.

The former's approach is naturally to hide as long as possible, while the latter's approach is to reveal themselves as soon as possible.

It would be best if nothing happened at the banquet at the King of Huainan's Household. However, if he were recognized, Zhang Xuezhou would have to be wary of the consequences and take precautions in advance.

"Speaking of which, my good friend Lei Bei has been working at the King of Huainan's Household. I wonder if Lei Bei has come to Chang'an City?" Zhang Xuezhou finally said with a smile.

"Lei Keqing's swordsmanship is extraordinary; he's currently teaching my brother swordsmanship in Shouchun City!"

Liu Ling responded with a smile.

Zhang Xuezhou at this point clearly indicated that he had agreed to go to the banquet at the Prince's residence, prompting her to gesture for Zhang Xuezhou to ride in the carriage with her.

The closer they got, the more she could sense Zhang Xuezhou's extraordinary aura.

Clearly, Zhang Xuezhou either possesses extraordinary abilities or has a cultivation level that surpasses hers.

This is rare among young talents, which makes her gaze all the more intense.