Chapter 205: A Clever Move Backfires

Chapter 205: A Blunder

A gentleman resembles bamboo, noble and upright, with a clear spirit and a lean frame.

Dew purifies the bamboo's joints, and the breeze gently sways its emerald branches.

Lu Yao, draped in a pristine white cloak, looks like a delicate layer of snow dusting the towering bamboo in winter.

Xu Qingxing stands across, fidgeting and occasionally tugging at Lu Yao's cloak, as if discussing something critical.

From afar, he appears to be squirming like a worm.

Lu Yao's face stays impassive, but his eyes flicker subtly when they accidentally meet Lu Mingchao's.

"Enough."

Lu Yao decisively cuts off Xu Qingxing's incessant chatter.

Xu Qingxing persists, "Agree, and I’ll stop talking."

"Lu Santu, have a heart and say yes."

As they speak, Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan approach.

"Brother, Young Master Xu."

The sudden greeting makes Xu Qingxing jerk his hand back, hiding it behind his back and coughing to mask his actions. "As they say, chance encounters are better than planned ones. It's truly fate to meet Sister Lu and my brother-in-law here."

Sister Lu? My brother-in-law?

Lu Mingchao stares at Xu Qingxing for a long time before finally averting her gaze.

Either Xu Qingxing’s lost his mind, or he and Lu Yao have become fast friends.

"What brings you two here?"

Xu Qingxing smiles brightly, his eyes narrowing into slits, and says cheerfully, "It’s clear—I’m begging him."

Lu Yao sighs, “Can’t you keep it down? Is begging really something to brag about?”

Lately, Xu Qingxing’s been back to his old tricks, more clingy and shameless than ever.

He’s like a persistent ghost, or worse, a sticky plaster.

"He’s begging me to join the debate at Shouzhan Pavilion in a week," Lu Yao explains softly.

Xu Qingxing enthusiastically adds, "Shouzhan Pavilion, Daqian’s most refined literary hub, began in the south. They say Yu Shanzhang, headmaster of Baopu Academy, made his name by winning Shouzhan Pavilion’s championship multiple times in his youth. After retiring, he joined Baopu Academy to teach, and now his students are everywhere."

"Shouzhan Pavilion’s fame has spread far beyond the south."

"A Shouzhan Tower opened in Yicheng a few months back."

"Chu Hanyu of the Chu Family in Ningcheng has won three straight championships."

"As the saying goes, ‘When evening clouds part, the bright moon rises,’ earning him the name Young Master Bright Moon."

"Ningcheng students sneer at others, mocking Yicheng for lacking talent. Next week’s debate is the year’s last, and Lu Yao’s wisdom makes him a worthy rival to Chu Hanyu."

By then, Lu Yao's talent and fame will spread across both Ning and Yi cities, significantly boosting his prospects.

I’ve talked myself hoarse, but Lu Yao still won’t budge.

Hearing this, Lu Mingchao had a pretty good idea of what was going on.

On the surface, it was about Lu Yao competing with Chu Hanyu, but really, it was meant to embarrass him.

Chu Hanyu had won three times in a row and was riding high.

If Lu Yao didn’t pull off a stunning victory, he’d just be a stepping stone for Chu Hanyu.

But if Lu Yao broke Chu Hanyu’s streak and shattered his confidence...

Young Master Bright Moon, living up to his name, might feel like he missed out by not meeting Lu Yao sooner and bond with him, but if the name didn’t fit, they could end up bitter enemies.

"The Chu Family of Ning City started as a modestly well-off family, but they’ve got a favored consort now," Xie Yan pointed out seriously.

"Last year, Chu Hanyu’s sister entered the palace and caught the emperor’s eye. Within a year, she was promoted to Consort Chu, and now there’s talk she’s pregnant, which has the emperor overjoyed and showering the Chu Family with rewards, boosting their status."

"Once the royal heir is born, boy or girl, Consort Chu’s rank will go up."

"Chu Hanyu’s rise might just be the Chu Family setting him up to waltz into officialdom next year through family connections, bypassing the usual competition."

"After all, for the Chu Family to stay on top, Consort Chu’s connections alone aren’t enough."

Lu Mingchao frowned, giving him a hard look, and asked, "Young Master Xu, do you have it out for my second brother?"

Xu Qingxing was taken aback by Xie Yan’s inside knowledge of the capital, and at Lu Mingchao’s question, he waved his hands frantically, "No way!"

"Chu Hanyu’s a paragon of virtue; even if he loses, he’d never hold it against Lu Yao."

"With Chu Hanyu’s personality, there’s a ninety percent chance he’d see Lu Yao as a kindred spirit and they’d hit it off."

Lu Mingchao’s mouth twitched. Magistrate Xu’s known for his smooth-talking and adaptability, so how did he end up with such a naive and harmless son?

It’s downright puzzling!

Qingxing’s heart is sincere, and his actions are pure, cutting through the chaos like frost and snow.

"Young Master Xu really lives up to his name," Lu Mingchao said, her tone layered with meaning.

"Sun Zhiye’s called the upright Jade String Gentleman, but what’s he really like?"

"Even if Young Master Bright Moon Chu Hanyu is as pure and tough as his name suggests, not the petty type, can the Chu Family elders, who’ve got big plans for him, just let it slide?"

"The Chu Family’s pulled out all the stops for Chu Hanyu, and messing with their plans is like crossing a line. Anything tied to the royal family is a death sentence for commoners, so why should Second Brother pick a fight for no reason?"

"Young Master Xu, Second Brother’s not brushing off old friends or disrespecting you."

"If Second Brother wants to make his mark, there’s no need to rush."

Xu Qingxing bit his lip, nervously fidgeting with his fingers, and admitted, "I didn’t think it through. I just figured the scholars of Yi City are fired up right now, and Lu Yao’s sudden rise would win their admiration, but I missed the risks behind it."

He was too eager to befriend Lu Yao and ended up messing up.

Lu Yao said casually, "It was just a slip-up."

Xu Qingxing looked uneasy, holding back from saying more.

Seeing this, Lu Mingchao's heart sank, and she thought to herself that something was wrong.

Could Xu Qingxing have acted without consulting first?

Just my luck.

Xu Qingxing took a deep breath, guiltily saying, "I went ahead and signed up Lu Yao and told all my friends in Yicheng about his talents over the years."

"The Shouzhan Pavilion has already issued an invitation."

Xu Qingxing produced a gilded, embossed invitation from his wide sleeve.

Lu Yao's indifferent expression slowly crumbled.

It was confirmed; he and Xu Qingxing just didn't mix.

To put it more bluntly, Xu Qingxing was bad luck for him!

If he'd known, he would've been even harsher with Xu Qingxing lately!

Xu Qingxing lowered his head and frowned, muttering, "Maybe we could say he's sick?"

Lu Mingchao glanced at the invitation, annoyed.

Forget about good intentions; good intentions that backfire are just as frustrating!

No wonder the age-old saying goes, "It's not the god-like opponent you should worry about, but the clueless ally."

She thought she'd resolved things with Sun Zhiye and even got one over on Gu Huai, so she could enjoy a peaceful New Year.

Who would have thought...

She couldn't help but be angry.

Noticing Lu Mingchao's irritation, Xie Yan's expression hardened.

"Mr. Xu, once the Shouzhan Pavilion's invitation is issued, there's no reason to refuse."

"Saying he's sick would make Lu Yao look weak."

Xie Yan's shrewdness...