Chapter 86

Xun Kun and Xun Sheng were originally staying overnight at the old house in Baishan, but in the middle of the night, they were knocked unconscious, put into a sack, and forcibly taken from the old house in Baishan to the Xun family's small building.

After a bumpy ride, Xun Yi deliberately did not have anyone prepare sedatives, so the two were in the carriage, feeling uneasy as they arrived at the Xun family's small building.

Seeing the Xun family's small building, the two were furious. After Li Lan helped them tidy up and wash, she "invited" them to the academy to participate in the Jin Yun Dian ceremony.

If they did not want to participate, Liu Ziming would be there with a stick to make sure they did.

Seeing Xun Yi suddenly change his usual style, using strong measures and a cold attitude, the two brothers felt uneasy.

"Let's go and see," Xun Sheng wanted to know what Xun Yi was up to, so he went to the academy with his brother.

The wind blew over the lotus pond, and the dew fell on the lotus leaves. On the winding lotus pond, many people stood on the wooden bridge, reciting poems and admiring the lotuses.

Xun Yi accompanied Li Taishou and Zhang Laofuzi, surrounded by a large group of people pointing at the golden lotus pond. The pond was full of golden lotuses, but in the center, there was a dark patch, with the lotus petals dark and golden stripes between them.

"This dark-patterned golden-clawed lotus is elegant and is indeed a rare treasure among lotuses," a family head said to Xun Yi, "I wonder where the Jieyuan obtained it from."

"I had someone make a trip to Bayang County and picked it from the Thousand-Leaf Lake."

"Bayang County's Thousand-Leaf Lake is hundreds of miles away from here." Zhang Laofuzi was surprised, "You were asked to prepare for the Jin Yun Dian yesterday. Calculating the distance, that's quite fast."

"When the Dean speaks, how can I not be thorough?" Xun Yi flattered, and Zhang Laofuzi understood, smiling at the various scholars and talents he had invited, "Our Lingfeng Academy has such a talented student, saving me a lot of trouble. Every time I just mention something, it's immediately taken care of."

"Not at all, it's all thanks to the help of my classmates. Speaking of which, Yuqi has been very helpful these past two days."

Upon hearing this, the head of the Zhang family understood Xun Yi's meaning and returned the favor, praising, "Yuqi often says that he gets your care at the academy. I even tell him to learn more from you. If he could have just a fraction of your talent, I would be very satisfied."

Zhang Miao, standing nearby, secretly spat at them and led Hu Xiaoman and other female classmates to another lotus pond to admire the flowers. "A bunch of shameless old men, shamelessly flattering each other."

"Why did Xun Dashaon suddenly change his personality and start socializing with the heads of various families?" A woman saw Xun Yi chatting and laughing with her old man and was surprised, "He never did this before. Moreover, he even invited the governor and the priests of several temples. What is he up to, just for the graduation ceremony of these classmates?"

"Graduation doesn't require inviting all these wealthy merchants, and look, even the managers and owners of gambling houses and teahouses are here. Even if it's to congratulate the juren, this is too much."

Zhang Miao, seeing her female companions whispering, laughed, "Who cares what he's thinking. We're benefiting today. Look at this pond full of lotuses. So many rare and extraordinary ones. We can recite poems and paint, and have fun with our sisters. Who cares what those men think."

The other classmates nodded and commented on the white lotuses in the pond.

At that moment, some male classmates from Lingfeng Academy came over to invite them, and the relationships among the students were harmonious.

When Xun Kun and Xun Sheng arrived, they saw this lively scene.

A local gentry who usually did business with Xun Kun came over to greet him, but before he could speak, Xun Yi quickly came over, "The two elder brothers are so slow."

He introduced the gentry to the two, "This is Mr. Liu, the owner of Furong Shop. I believe it's the first time you've met."

Xun Yi's sharp gaze swept over, and Mr. Liu's face changed, quickly saying, "Yes, yes, this is the first time I've met the two of you." Then he hurriedly excused himself, leaving the three brothers to catch up.

Xun Kun's face darkened, sensing Xun Yi's intentions. This was to isolate him and cut off all his connections.

Xun Yi smiled and pulled the two, introducing them to many gentry and merchants. Most of these people had business dealings with Xun Kun. However, now, with Li Taishou clearly supporting Xun Yi, they dared not contact Xun Kun.

The Xun family's headship struggle was something they had heard about. Now, with Xun Yi summoning everyone as the head of the Xun family, everyone knew his intentions.

Xun Yi invited three types of people: those related to the academy, scholars, and talented individuals, as well as male and female classmates, who were placed on the platform above the Qinglian Pond, hosted by Zhang Laofuzi. The second type were the gentry and officials, placed on the Jinlian Pond, hosted by Li Taishou. The third type were the local gentry and merchants, hosted by the city god temple's priest, placed on the Bai Lian Pond. After all, Xun Yi was the acting city god, and he could use the temple's influence in the human world.

Xun Yi invited the two Xun family members to meet a group of family heads on the Jinlian Pond.

Seeing Xun Yi and Li Taishou chatting and laughing, Xun Kun and Xun Sheng's faces were grim. Xun Yi's grand display seemed to be targeting them.

Through this Jin Yun Dian, Xun Yi's network of connections in Qinglong City over the past few years was fully revealed.

The head of the Zhang family smiled at Xun Yi, thanking him for taking care of Zhang Yuxi and his sister over the past few years.

And Mr. Qiu, who brought a large group of local gentry to congratulate, although he had a bit of a gangster air, was still a significant force in Qinglong City.

The official Li Taishou and several other officials were enough to make many gentry who had connections with Xun Sheng reconsider their positions.

"This is a display of his hidden power," Xun Sheng thought, "This is a warning to us. Why did he suddenly burst out?"

Due to his heart condition, Xun Yi, although wary of the Xun Kun brothers, always left a bit of face. After all, if Xun Yi died and did not want his lineage to end, he would have to find someone from the second house to adopt.

Because of this, Xun Yi did not use gangsters to kill the Xun Kun brothers.

But now that Xun Yi's heart condition was cured and he had a new heart, he felt different from before. He no longer needed to hold back.

"Xun family, I will inherit it."

Through the Jin Yun Dian, Xun Yi used his network to declare to the Xun family brothers. The two understood, their eyes scanning the family heads and gentry at the Jin Yun Dian.

Seeing those people avoid their gaze, Xun Kun felt a chill. These people who called him brother in the past would not foolishly show Xun Yi their true colors when it came to the family's fate.

As the city's governor, Li Taishou, the head of the highest academy, Zhang Laofuzi, and local figures like Mr. Qiu were present. Everyone understood Xun Yi's hidden threats and warnings.

They all decided to return and observe the situation. The struggle within the Xun family would be decided internally.

The banquet began, and Xun Tan, sitting next to Xun Yi, smiled and secretly used the "Clear Lotus Dew" from the Twelve Flower Laws. This technique, corresponding to the lotus, was the June flower sequence.

Drops of dew fell into the clear water, and all the lotuses in the pond exhaled fragrance, with golden mist rising, creating a heavenly scene.

Xun Yi displayed his network, and Xun Tan showed her mystical abilities. The family heads, who had some knowledge of mysticism, were even more in awe of the Xun siblings' background. Throughout the banquet, no one dared to cause trouble.

Yuan Shixiao yawned, "I thought there would be a few troublemakers to show off in front of this big brother-in-law, but it seems there's no chance."

"Big brother-in-law, you're eyeing his sister. Be careful, this young master might slap you to death," Tang Shiyuan whispered, "Didn't you notice, this young master practices the Maolin Sword, one of the three great techniques of the Qingyuan Hall."

At this, Xun Yi glanced over, and the two obediently sat in the secondary seats, eating quietly.

"By the way, after this imperial examination, what are your plans?" Li Taishou asked casually.

"I and Sheng will win the imperial examination and need to return home for the ancestral worship. We will leave this afternoon."

Returning home for ancestral worship, Xun Sheng almost dropped his wine glass. Over the years, Xun Yi rarely returned home. This sudden request to return for ancestral worship was to officially inherit the headship.

"Ancestral worship... Junde has been idle at home. Why don't you let him come and see if he can help?"

Help in the struggle for the headship.

The family heads and officials understood. Li Taishou had recently been impeached due to the Miaoxian incident, and it was the current prime minister, Ying Xiu's father, who helped him. It seemed Li Taishou was also preparing to take sides in the capital.

The Xun Kun brothers' faces were grim. If Xun Yi was not competing, it was one thing, but if he was serious, the network he could pull out was truly impressive.

After the noon banquet, the Xun brothers hurriedly left to find their father and discuss.

This Jin Yun Dian was well-prepared by Xun Yi. From the morning, after the noon banquet, he kept the guests to admire the lotuses and drink tea. At this point, someone pointed to the "Seven Stars Inviting the Moon" in the western lotus pond and asked, "May I ask, Jieyuan, can this flower be given to me?"

The Seven Stars Inviting the Moon was a special lotus, with a moon-shaped lotus pod and seven lotus seeds arranged like the Big Dipper, and a crescent moon on the other side. It was said that this required a specific technique to "point the lotus," blocking the lotus holes to form a crescent moon and prevent the growth of lotus seeds.

When this was said, many people perked up their ears. Many lotus enthusiasts in the room had decided to ask Xun Yi for the flower but were too embarrassed to speak up. Now that the first person spoke, a crowd quickly gathered around.

"This Seven Stars Inviting the Moon will be sent to the Ruiwang Palace for my aunt's birthday. The Phoenix Flying Together will be sent to the Ying family. The Tianbao Three Pure Lotus will be taken home for ancestral worship."

Xun Yi pointed out the five most precious lotuses, leaving the rest to be packed in water basins and taken home by the guests. Some lotuses were left in the academy, and the other hundred were given to Li Taishou to be planted in the city's inner river.

From morning to afternoon, Xun Yi dealt with the family heads and returned to the Xun family's small building, sinking into a chair and closing his eyes to rest.

Xun Tan used the "Clear Lotus Dew" to create dew to refresh Xun Yi.

Xun Yi closed his eyes and asked Aunt Xue, "Did Li Lan go out today?"

"Master had someone pack his luggage and said he was going home today. Li Lan helped Master pack and did not go out."

Xun Yi quietly checked the destiny web, finding Li Lan's fate more stable, and felt relieved.

"Xun Yi," someone suddenly shouted outside the Xun family's small building.

Hearing the voice, Xun Yi immediately opened his eyes, surprised, "Meng Han!" He jumped up and saw Meng Han, dusty and tired, running in from the door.

Meng Han was directionally challenged, and even with Yuan Zai's guidance, he took a long detour, arriving in Qinglong City when the flowers were already wilting.

Seeing the young wanderer, Xun Yi's heart suddenly raced, feeling surprised. Meng Han also felt something strange when he saw Xun Yi, and his inner war soul shouted, "Kid, prepare to defend. This guy has a war soul, and it's my old rival."

Xun Tan, seeing the two standing in the yard without moving, frowned and stepped forward, hugging Xun Yi's arm, "Brother, is this your friend? Why don't you introduce him quickly?"

Putting aside her doubts, Xun Yi stepped forward to introduce them.

At this moment, Liu Ziming drove up in a carriage, "Master, it's time to go home."

"Understood," Xun Yi suddenly turned to Meng Han, "Do you have time to come to my house today?"

Directly inviting him to stay at home, Xun Tan was surprised. According to her brother's attitude, although he seemed热情,他对人际关系有自己的特定范围。

这种前往老家的邀请，从小到大她就没见过荀易邀请谁回家。唯一的一个，就是李兴鸿了。

这次李兴鸿也不准备去荀家老宅，参加完金芸典后带着七星邀月莲返回瑞王府。

就连刘振英和李俊德都是今天上午才和荀易约好，准备去荀易老家看看。

“这人到底是谁，居然和哥哥关系这么好”荀昙有些吃醋：“才认识几天啊，居然就带他回家”

“好啊。”孟翰大笑起来，拍了拍荀易的肩膀：“正好找你商量点事。”

两人目光接触，荀易心中明白。应该就是小时候上元节那件事。关于博阳，关于自己二人小时候的经历。

走出门，荀易扭头看向背后荀家小楼的匾额。

“多亏这一个月的神道经历，一切都已经重新走上正轨，接下来就是找当年的仇家来算算旧账了”

夏风吹过，日头渐渐入西，荀易嘴角挂着笑意，期待着这次回家之旅。

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(Translation of the last part:)

"Thanks to this month's divine experience, everything has returned to its normal course. Next, it's time to find the old enemies and settle old scores."

The summer breeze blew, and the sun gradually set in the west. Xun Yi's lips curled into a smile, looking forward to this trip home.

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