"With all due respect, Young Master Ximen Qing, you are not unsullied yourself. The entire city is well acquainted with your voracious talents." Shan's immediately puts his eloquence to work. "In the humble opinion of yours truly, an uninvited guest is among the most disagreeable of visitors, and a master unable to restrain his own pet is perhaps even less deserving of trust."
Among all present, be they scions of the Upper Ring or city officials, Shan's own boldness alone could match Ximen Qing's brazen shamelessness. Celebrated for his calligraphy and paintings, he nonetheless cared little for the deference other scholars afforded the major families.
In a move that surprised everyone, including Shan to a small extent, Ximen Qing actually performed offered a small bow, even if it's done in a smirking manner. The incident with Jin Lian at the scholar's home is still fresh.
"It is an honor to be in the presence of an esteemed Zhuangyuan," Ximen Qing said, though lacking the prior tone of mockery. "I also wish to extend apologies for the conduct of my Jin Lian."
"As you should," Shan replied coldly. "A courtesan who oversteps her station brings only misfortune. At least when yours truly hired a retainer, she is here to solely fulfill a professional purpose."
Some eyes quietly drifted to the third floor, where the brown-haired swordswoman, rumored to have bested Jin Lian's guards, observed quietly. It was both impressive and perhaps dangerously foolish to provoke the most powerful clan in such a manner. Yet undeniably, it is a remarkable feat. Everything unfolded precisely as the scholar had intended.
Unlike the other guests, Shan paid little heed to trivial formalities. The patriarch had indeed played his cards with audacious strategy by inviting a scholar unafraid to offend the preeminent Upper Ring households. No matter how influential or opulent Ximen Qing's family might be, the prestige of having topped the Civil Service Examination could not be dismissed. It would serve the Ximen family well to maintain at least a veneer of civility toward a future high-ranking official.
With a crisp snap, Shan closed his fan, directing Ximen Qing to retreat with dignity from the estate. Bolstered by the unforgiving glares of the assembled guests, the young heir seemingly acquiesced.
"Oh, you are right, Shan. Perhaps I have intruded." Ximen Qing delivered another bow of courtesy to the scholar. "This is hardly the place for our discourse. Yet, I hope you do not take my presence as a slight that might forestall future dealings. After all, you are not the only young scholar who dislikes the Earth Sages."
"It is unwise to juxtapose the philosophy endorsed by yours truly with your carnal impulses," Shan replied, devoid of amusement.
"I understand," Ximen Qing said, the devilish curve of his lips undiminished. "Yet even I can perceive that you are destined for far greater exploits than this tiresome circus you are compelled to attend. It is a pity Gong Zi shall enjoy a woman who is already—"
"That is enough!" the patriarch thundered, his voice reverberating through the courtyard. Once more, he waged a war of words. "Ximen Qing, your audacious insinuations against Lady Qian Jin's honor are not only baseless but a disgrace to your family. Have you no shame in humiliating yourself so?"
General Sun Bin lent his weight to the patriarch's indignation. Yet, it soon became apparent that Ximen Qing wielded more than idle words. One must never underestimate the subtle potency of language, capable of shaping life and death alike.
Shan, convinced the farce had ended, began to return to his seat. But no one could anticipate the next declaration.
"Well, it is unfortunate that you all do not believe me," Ximen Qing said, eyes swept over to the married couple, then rested on Sun Bin and the Gan Jin patriarch. "If my recollection serves me, Lady Qian Jin bears a unique birthmark on her right thigh in the shape of a crescent moon, is it not?"
Shan stopped walking, noting the precision of this description.
Everyone else seemed equally perplexed. Perhaps it was merely another baseless claim, lacking even the faintest proof to lend it weight. It is common knowledge that General Sun Bin never permitted the untrustworthy to enter his home. Fewer still ever earned the privilege of meeting his daughter in person. The young lady's quarters, secluded and well-guarded, were watched day and night by the general's most trusted guards.
"Hmph! I expected more sophistication from the heir to the Ximen legacy," the patriarch said, resting a hand on Sun Bin's shoulder, a gesture of both reassurance and rebuke. "It is lamentable that you must resort to such childish stratagems, crude and shallow."
Shan's attention shifted to Sun Bin, whose silence now spoke volumes. The commander's gaze is fixed upon the stone pavement, posture rigid with mortification and offering no refutation of the scandalous accusation.
Just as the patriarch opened his mouth for another volley, the crippled general coughed violently. Sun Bin clutched his chest, a crimson smear appearing on his palm.
"G-General Sun Bin?" the patriarch asked, alarmed. the other guests are horrified as the coughing persisted, more blood spurt out.
"Oh, do not take my words too harshly, General," Ximen Qing said with perverse glee. "A woman's choice is sacred to me, despite my obvious reputation. Unlike most of you, I never compel a maiden to act against her will."
Sun Bin's body convulsed, blood pooling at his lips. The guests recoiled in horror, yet a murmur of speculation rippled immediately. Had Ximen Qing and Qian Jin indeed committed indiscretions prior to this union? If not, why else would Sun Bin react so?
Lady Qian Jin abandoned Gong Zi and rushed to her father's side. The veil concealed her expression, yet the humiliation was unmistakable. It is an affront to both family honor and the general's health. The seeds of gossip, whether founded or fabricated, would spread like venom.
Shan observed the unfolding scene with a composed detachment. Meanwhile, the Gan Jin patriarch wavered, unsure how to salvage the situation. Any attempt to punish Ximen Qing publicly risked the ire of the admiral himself, especially given the existence of the Ximen clan's private army.
At last, the civilized gentry suppressed their indignation. But another group, the more brutish guests made their disdain for Upper Ring subtlety abundantly clear. To them, the unwanted guest appeared vulnerable, and conflicts are best resolved with force rather than florid language.
"Well, it seems he is still here," the Zhang tribal chief rumbled, discarding a fur coat to reveal sinewed strength beneath, a silent display of solidarity with the Gan Jin family. "Wise man!" the chief demands. Soon, an older, plump scholar in green robes scurried forward, his demeanor one of deferential urgency. "How shall we handle this eyesore within our hosts' home?"
The wise man chuckled slyly, sizing up Ximen Qing as an opportunity to curry favor. He acted in ways the prominent households dared not, condescension wielded as a weapon, daring the Ximen clan before the assembled witnesses. "I doubt he even merits the honor of a strike from you, my dear Tribal Chief," the wise man blurted, heedless of Ximen Qing's presence. "After all, why trouble ourselves over a man whose deficiencies are so glaring?"
The words rippled through the assembled crowd like a stone cast into still water. Ximen Qing himself stiffened. The patriarch urged the Zhang guests to temper their tongues, warning that provoking the Ximen clan could invite misfortune and long-lasting inconvenience. Yet his counsel fell on deaf ears.
"Perhaps you might enlighten me, wise man," Ximen Qing challenged, trying to maintain the smirk.
"Behold!" the Zhang advisor jabbed a finger at the delinquent. Such audacity would be unthinkable to most, but fear had never curbed the Zhang Tribe's tongue. "Your frame is so frail, even a whisper of our Tribal Chief's strength could shatter you! As a man of wisdom, I often dispense counsel sparingly. But it struck me if the heir of the Ximen family were to lie vanquished beneath the Tribal Chief's boots, would it not glorify the Zhangs?" He stepped closer, emphasizing the gulf of raw power. "Our Tribal Chief, the undisputed champion, need not lift a finger to fell an ineffectual creature such as yourself. Words of the Upper Ring may prefer elegance, yet I will speak plainly without eloquence. You, are nothing but a WUSS. And, tiny is your WANG!"