Chapter 99: Fighting Over Friends

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Wang Daoling had always been boastful, claiming to be a disciple of a prestigious sect and a legitimate member of the mysterious Dao. He looked down upon all the cultivators from the Ru Wang Mansion.

Yet, despite his disdain, he was well aware of his own limitations. His combat skills were only sufficient to handle a handful of minor guards.

If a real fight broke out, losing would be utterly humiliating!

While he was still hesitating, messengers from the Ru Nan Wang Mansion found him.

“Immortal Master, the prince requests your presence.”

“Very well! Friends, our good fortune ends here.” Wang Daoling ordered his disciples to take the merit box and left without even noticing Shen Shi’s departure.

Shen Shi smiled quietly and said nothing. After bidding farewell to Kong Xueli, he went home to change into the official robes of a ninth-rank civil officer. Unlike his father, who wore the military uniform, Shen Shi’s official duties were civil, so his attire was different.

Father and son, accompanied by ten retainers, set out for the harbor. The banquet was to be held on a docked pleasure boat.

Upon arriving at the dock, they saw many sedan chairs, horses, and carriages from a distance. Sedan chairs belonged to civil officials, horses to military officers, and carriages to local gentry and merchants.

So many people had arrived at once; clearly, some had gotten there before them.

At the dock, Shen Shi and his father dismounted and announced their ranks. The guards allowed them passage, but their retainers were told to stay behind and were forbidden from boarding the boat.

Shen’s father boarded first, arranged for the retainers to wait at a nearby teahouse, and then Shen Shi himself went aboard.

The pleasure boat was lavishly decorated, with exquisite craftsmanship everywhere, bearing no resemblance to a warship. Inside the main hall, brilliant lights illuminated the space, filled with well-dressed members of high society. Some were from Jinhua, others from distant counties.

There were also many young gentlemen around Shen Shi’s age, likely brought by their parents to broaden their horizons. Everyone seemed to know each other, forming small groups engaged in lively conversation. Among them were the Qian brothers.

Few young men as young as Shen Shi wore official robes; he seemed unique and attracted many admiring glances.

Soon, Shen Shi spotted his father.

“Father, why are you here alone?”

In a corner, there were a few people, but they all shared the same trait: each was alone.

“Alas! After so many years away, I hardly recognize anyone from home anymore,” Shen Liang sighed deeply.

The family had spent years moving from post to post, rarely together. Today’s reunion was so unfamiliar they barely recognized one another.

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“Father, if you don’t recognize them, you can chat with these people here,” Shen Shi suggested, pointing to those nearby.

As they spoke, a familiar voice suddenly called out with surprise: “Shen Shi?”

The voice was unmistakably familiar, seemingly unique.

Shen Shi turned to see Cao Jinhua, still dressed like a young noble, her face full of surprise. He smiled and teased, “How come you can come but I can’t?”

“Hmph! How could I miss out on all the fun?”

Cao Jinhua was a playful spirit. Wherever there was excitement, she would find her way there. Having escorted a ship back to the capital and unable to stay idle, she had secretly boarded the Ru Nan Wang Mansion’s boat again. But she didn’t want others to know and blushed slightly, quickly changing the subject: “You say you practice the Dao. Are the Taoists from Ru Nan Wang Mansion really that powerful? Their treasures are fascinating, full of magical artifacts.”

After speaking, she blinked her large eyes at Shen Shi. “Young Master Shen, do you have any magical treasures?”

“Miss, don’t be fooled by him. He’s not a Taoist at all—he doesn’t even have a talisman to ward off evil,” said Shen Shi’s maid with a wary look, afraid her mistress might be deceived.

Last time they returned to the capital, she had already inquired and confirmed that Shen Shi was not officially listed as a Taoist.

“Do you have any treasures?” the maid asked with disdain. Taoists always had some kind of magical item, whether a peachwood sword or a Bagua mirror, there was always something. She had done her homework on this trip; there was no way to fool her mistress.

Seeing the loyal girl protecting her mistress so devotedly,

Shen Shi’s smile faded. He said calmly, “You’re right, I don’t have any magical treasures. I’m here simply because I was invited.”

The treasures Shen Shi spoke of were different from those the maid imagined; at least they would be of the flying sword level.

“Really?” Cao Jinhua smiled coyly. Shen Shi claimed to have no treasures, yet her curiosity was piqued; she wanted to see his magical items.

Noticing Shen Shi and Cao Jinhua chatting happily, the maid snorted coldly, her vigilance growing stronger.

Her mistress was hopeless; even without magical treasures, she was so joyful.

...

In a side chamber, the ladies gathered together—officials’ wives, merchants’ spouses. The most splendid among them was the princess consort of the commandery prince. Zhao Zongyong had come south not to take command of the Ningjiang army—the military commander was not him—but under the pretext of a family visit.

“Is that a friend of the Cao family? Why not call her over and introduce her?”

In the small town of Jinhua, few could catch the eye of the princess consort, but if the person was a friend of the Guojiu Mansion, that was a different matter.

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“That official looks unfamiliar. Whose son is he, exactly?”

“He’s not particularly handsome either. Could it be that he’s exceptionally talented?” The question was fair enough. Among a group of gentry ladies, in front of the princess consort, they had to at least pretend to value talent above all else.

As for their true feelings...

Women were naturally fond of gossip, but Shen Shi had a poor reputation in the past and had risen too quickly. For the ladies, not having heard gossip about him was already a source of dissatisfaction. Moreover, the moment they boarded the boat, they saw Cao Jinhua and the princess consort chatting closely. It was clear they were from a prominent family with an extraordinary background. Many ladies hoped their daughters or nieces might find favor with Cao’s family. Yet Cao Jinhua abandoned them as soon as she saw Shen Shi, which inevitably bred resentment.

“Talent, my foot. He first offered a gift to get close to the Cao family. Not long ago, he published some papers and only then got a literary appointment,” said a female attendant of the mansion.

The ladies gossiped, but the mansion had reliable intelligence. Moreover, for someone so young to have gained favor with the emperor was naturally a source of envy, jealousy, and hate.

“Who knows what luck he’s had to walk the path of the Guojiu Mansion?”

“A friend of the Guojiu Mansion!” Others were shocked by the mention.

The Guojiu Mansion was a place many aspired to attach themselves to, not only in Jinhua but even in the capital. Shen Shi was indeed good-looking. Though he didn’t quite fit the image of a delicate scholar, his martial training gave his fair face sharp, handsome features. They were certainly intrigued, but the more attracted they were, the more they wanted to suppress him!

Besides, Jinhua was their territory, and they had no idea that someone had already connected with the Guojiu Mansion. It was utterly unacceptable. As wives of officials and gentry ladies, they felt it was their duty to gossip more thoroughly.

Some were already shaking their heads and sighing.

“Young Master Cao is still inexperienced in the world. Being deceived by such a person will only lead to misfortune.”

In truth, what they really wanted was to let go of the Guojiu Mansion and claim it for themselves.

They had not realized Cao Jinhua was a woman, but they wanted to marry their daughters into the mansion and opposed any outsider who got there first.

Those who did realize Cao Jinhua’s true gender wished they could push Shen Shi aside and take her place.

Of course, whether they recognized it or not, none would expose Cao Jinhua’s secret.