Chapter 41

Xiaoxi Village.

Si Fang Winehouse.

Due to the Daxia Academy, Xiaoxi Village was bustling with activity.

Although the assessment was extremely difficult, the sheer number of participants meant that even if only one in a hundred passed, it would still be a significant number for Xiaoxi Village.

Si Fang Winehouse was the best in Xiaoxi Village, naturally filled with a crowd of guests.

"Two young masters, the winehouse is already full, and we can't find any more space."

"Please understand, two young masters."

As Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu arrived, the waiter immediately ran over, his face showing difficulty, and politely refused them entry.

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged glances.

Gu Jinnian didn't mind, as the winehouse was indeed packed. A quick glance revealed that many extra seats had been added.

"Alright."

Su Huaiyu spoke calmly, appearing somewhat aloof, without making things difficult for the waiter.

Just as the two were about to leave, a voice suddenly came from upstairs.

"Two young masters."

"Would you honor us by coming upstairs?"

The voice echoed.

Gu Jinnian looked up.

The voice came from a private room on the third floor. A young man with a simple and honest face, exuding a wealthy aura, was not much older than sixteen or seventeen, though his chubby face made him look older.

He smiled warmly, his eyes sincere, inviting Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu upstairs.

His intention was simple: to make friends.

Those who could enter Xiaoxi Village were no ordinary people. Moreover, Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu had extraordinary appearances and a commanding presence, naturally making them desirable acquaintances.

Gu Jinnian instantly understood the young man's intention.

But he did not refuse.

"Brother Su, what do you think?"

Gu Jinnian asked Su Huaiyu.

"Let's go."

Su Huaiyu didn't hesitate, heading straight for the stairs.

"He is the eldest son of the Wang family from Suzhou, if I'm not mistaken, his name is Wang Fugui."

"His family is extremely wealthy, so don't be too frugal when ordering dishes later."

Su Huaiyu's voice echoed.

It was unclear whether he was speaking to Gu Jinnian or to himself.

But these words made Gu Jinnian somewhat silent.

"Brother Su, as a government official, do you lack the silver for a meal?"

However, since the other party had spoken, Gu Jinnian felt it necessary to respond.

But as soon as he spoke, Su Huaiyu's voice immediately followed.

"Does His Highness the Prince know what the best meal in the world is?"

Su Huaiyu asked seriously, with a solemn expression.

The best meal?

"Free meals?"

Gu Jinnian thought for a moment and gave this answer.

Upon hearing this, Su Huaiyu was momentarily stunned.

He turned to look at Gu Jinnian, his eyes filled with surprise, seemingly not expecting such an answer, or perhaps not expecting Gu Jinnian to be correct.

"His Highness the Prince is indeed different from ordinary people."

"Very good."

However, Su Huaiyu didn't say much more, heading upstairs.

Before long, the two arrived on the third floor.

Wang Fugui personally came to greet them, showing no sign of neglect.

"I am the eldest son of the Wang family from Suzhou, Wang Fugui. I greet the two of you."

"I have yet to learn your esteemed names."

Wang Fugui bowed to the two, also inquiring about their identities.

"Gu Jinnian."

"Su Huaiyu."

The two spoke, revealing their names.

Upon hearing this, Wang Fugui's eyes instantly changed.

"The eldest grandson of the State Protector, Gu Jinnian? Your Highness the Prince?"

"The chosen one of the Heavenly Mandate, Su Huaiyu?"

Wang Fugui's chubby face instantly showed great surprise, seemingly unable to believe that he could summon these two with a simple call.

Gu Jinnian, the eldest grandson of the State Protector, son of the Linyang Marquis, and His Highness the Prince.

Su Huaiyu was the key, one of the nine chosen ones of the Heavenly Mandate in the Daxia Dynasty.

Either of these two could walk with impunity in the capital.

"Indeed."

Gu Jinnian's expression was gentle, nodding.

Su Huaiyu, however, was a bit more aloof.

Perhaps due to his background in the Ministry of Justice, he was strict and did not smile easily.

"I greet the two of you."

"Truly, I am blessed to have the honor of your presence."

"Please, please, please."

Upon receiving a clear answer, Wang Fugui became visibly excited.

He was sturdy, not particularly tall but very fat, though not purely fat, looking rather solid.

In armor, he looked like a charging general, but in silk, his refined speech seemed somewhat out of place.

However, Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu didn't mind, following Wang Fugui into the private room.

Inside the private room.

Several people were already seated, each appearing refined and well-dressed, likely invited by Wang Fugui earlier.

As Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu arrived, the others stood up, their faces showing smiles and curiosity about the two's identities.

"Gentlemen, we have honored guests."

"This is the eldest grandson of the State Protector, Gu Jinnian."

"And this is the chosen one of the Heavenly Mandate, Su Huaiyu."

Wang Fugui spoke from behind, smiling and introducing Gu Jinnian and Su Huaiyu to the group.

Upon hearing this introduction, the faces of the four others instantly changed.

They had been smiling and courteous, but upon hearing Gu Jinnian's name, their expressions fell.

Especially the man on the left, dressed in a scholar's robe, his face changed dramatically.

"Who would have thought, the illustrious grandson of the State Protector, the heir of the Gu family."

"Never did I think I would share a room with the Prince one day."

"Unfortunately, I am from a humble background, and the Prince's noble aura and the air of power around him make me uncomfortable and tarnish the Prince's glory."

The man spoke, his tone no longer gentle, filled with disdain.

His words were sarcastic.

Instantly, the atmosphere in the private room became tense.

The other three remained silent, their faces devoid of smiles. They didn't dare offend Gu Jinnian, but their silence spoke volumes.

Gu Jinnian frowned, his gentle expression gradually fading.

What did I do?

Why the sarcasm?

Is he sick?

Does he want to die?

Feeling Gu Jinnian's puzzled gaze, the man spoke directly.

"I am Xu Yunxin, a friend of Zhang Yun."

"I have long heard of the Prince's great achievements."

Gu Jinnian understood the situation upon hearing this.

Oh.

So he's a friend of Zhang Yun.

That makes sense.

Like attracts like.

Gu Jinnian understood why the villains were all the same, because they were all equally stupid, which made sense.

"I see."

"So you're a friend of Brother Zhang."

"No wonder you're barking here."

"Indeed, like attracts like. I greet Brother Xu."

Gu Jinnian smiled and retorted.

"Gu Jinnian, what did you say?"

Upon hearing this, the man became furious, though he looked down on Gu Jinnian, he hadn't directly insulted him, only being sarcastic.

But Gu Jinnian directly called him out, which made him extremely displeased.

"I said you're barking."

"Are you不服 (not convinced)?"

"Brother Su, show him the skills of the top detective of the Ministry of Justice, beat him up."

Gu Jinnian was not intimidated.

He was the illustrious grandson of the State Protector, son of the Linyang Marquis, and the Prince of Daxia.

Not some nobody, why should he not directly insult someone who dared to speak ill of him?

Why be polite?

Polite my ass.

Since they saw him as a rich brat, he would show them what a rich brat could do.

"No need."

However, Su Huaiyu shook his head, looking at Xu Yunxin with a calm expression.

"Xu Yunxin, third generation of the Xu family from Tianhe County, his father Xu Xinzhi is the magistrate of Tianhe County, his mother Lady Wang runs a private school and a textile business."

"If the Prince is displeased with this person, I can have the Xuan Deng Agency investigate the magistrate for corruption and the Wang family's business for collusion with officials. If such issues are found:"

"According to the Daxia Criminal Code, Article 17, if a Daxia official embezzles 500 taels of silver, they will be stripped of their position and exiled to the border, with no political involvement for three generations. If the embezzlement exceeds 3,000 taels of silver, they will be beheaded in public. If it exceeds 10,000 taels of silver, their entire family will be executed."

"The silk robe he is wearing is custom-made by the Silk Workshop, costing no less than 300 taels of silver."

"The jade pendant on his waist, if I'm not mistaken, is of the highest quality, costing no less than 1,000 taels of silver."

"Executing the entire family might be excessive, but beheading him in public is not a problem."

"If the Prince is not satisfied, I can help the Prince send the Xu family to the execution ground without much trouble."

"How about that?"

Su Huaiyu's expression was emotionless.

Not only did he reveal Xu Yunxin's background, but he also recited the Daxia laws.

Gu Jinnian was speechless upon hearing this.

Good guy.

Good guy.

What a good guy.

This is a devil.

Gu Jinnian never expected Su Huaiyu to be so terrifying.

If he were a bit more merciful, Xu Yunxin had only been sarcastic.

But because of the sarcasm, Su Huaiyu had already arranged for the entire family to be dealt with.

And what does it mean to send the Xu family to the execution ground with normal performance?

"What if it's not normal?"

Gu Jinnian couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"Then his neighbor's dog will also be executed."

Su Huaiyu said seriously, without a hint of joking.

Gu Jinnian: "......"

Wang Fugui: "......"

The others: "......"

The atmosphere became extremely tense.

Xu Yunxin's face turned pale.

He had only been sarcastic, never expecting to cause such trouble.

Although he didn't know if the other party was telling the truth, he knew that Gu Jinnian was the eldest grandson of the State Protector, and Su Huaiyu was the top detective of the Daxia Ministry of Justice.

If they really wanted to, executing the entire family might be exaggerated, but ruining his life was not a problem.

Xu Yunxin's forehead was drenched in cold sweat.

"Your Highness the Prince."

"Brother Su."

"Brother Xu was just speaking out of turn, please don't take it to heart."

"I apologize to the two of you."

At this moment, Wang Fugui spoke, his voice low, bowing to the two. Since he had organized the gathering, he felt responsible for the incident.

"Brother Wang, you are too kind."

"This has nothing to do with you."

"I, Gu Jinnian, am also a scholar. If someone treats me with respect, I will return it. But if someone dares to insult me, I will not back down."

Gu Jinnian spoke, the first part gentle, giving Wang Fugui face, but the second part icy cold.

Upon hearing this, Xu Yunxin's face turned even paler.

"Brother Xu, quickly apologize to the Prince."

"What are you waiting for?"

Someone immediately urged Xu Yunxin to apologize.

"Your Highness the Prince."

"Xu was out of line earlier, please forgive me."

"I have realized my mistake."

Upon hearing someone mediate, Xu Yunxin immediately spoke, his voice trembling.

He never expected the other party to play this card.

It wasn't that he was stupid, but he thought that as the Prince, Gu Jinnian would be like the others, all scholars.

Scholars insult each other, but not to the point of exterminating families.

Was it really necessary to be so extreme?

"Leave Xiaoxi Village, and this matter will be over. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."

Upon hearing the apology, Gu Jinnian was not satisfied.

The other party was afraid, not because they recognized their mistake, but because of the power.

Gu Jinnian couldn't make the other party truly recognize their mistake, but he could make them regret it.

Leaving Xiaoxi Village meant giving up the chance to enter the Daxia Academy.

This lesson would be enough to last a lifetime.

"Your Highness, this is too much, isn't it?"

Xu Yunxin was reluctant upon hearing this.

He could leave, but leaving Xiaoxi Village was too much for him.

"Too much?"

"Do you know what the crime is for insulting a Confucian scholar?"

Gu Jinnian spoke.

Instantly, a surge of righteous energy formed, making the private room even more oppressive.

The others' faces changed dramatically.

"Condensing Qi through reading."

"You actually condensed Qi?"

"This is impossible."

Almost everyone's face changed, except for Su Huaiyu.

Scholars have two identities.

One is the Confucian identity, the other is the government identity.

The government identity is for those who pass the imperial exams, even without condensing Qi, talent is enough, and they can improve over time.

The Confucian identity is a realm, recognized by all scholars, as it is recognized by heaven and earth.

Therefore, the Daxia laws clearly state that those with a Confucian realm enjoy the same privileges as officials, and cannot be arrested by the government.

Insulting such a scholar is a serious crime.

But most importantly, in the scholar community, the Confucian realm is paramount.

No matter who you are, you cannot disrespect a superior, as recognized by heaven and earth, meaning the other party is more talented and capable, and recognized by heaven and