Chapter 42

Huan Yuan's words made Liu Ling very unhappy. After hearing Liang Xiao's words, Liu Ling assumed that they had been waiting for her to come to them all along, and all the restraint and refusal were just to elevate their status. Such things were very common. Generally speaking, as long as it wasn't excessive, the inviter would actively cooperate, after all, the more noble the person being invited, the more it would show the inviter's respect for talent.

The story of Prince Xinling and Hou Ying was known to everyone.

She didn't expect that Huan Yuan would still speak in that distant and rejecting tone, which was a bit too much. Although Huan Yuan was a talent for Huainan, wasn't Huainan also a rare opportunity for Huan Yuan?

Mutual flattery was fine, but being overly self-important was boring. Liu Ling was a proud and arrogant person, how could she possibly endure such cold treatment again and again? However, she didn't directly refute him; instead, she smiled even more warmly.

"Today, I came specially to ask Liang Jun a question. Where is Huan Jun going? If you don't mind, I'll see you off."

"No need." Huan Yuan understood the distance in Liu Ling's tone. "A Xiao, I'll wait for you at the front. Some people can't be taught, don't waste your efforts and delay important matters."

Liang Xiao barely suppressed his laughter. Huan Yuan had excellent hearing; he could hear everything clearly from inside the gate, even the conversation between him and Liu Ling in the carriage. He was indeed a skilled archer.

"Master, please walk slowly. I'll be right there after a few words with Liu Jun."

Huan Yuan nodded, leaned on his cane, and walked forward proudly. Liang Xiao gave Tuniuer a look. Tuniuer smacked his lips and quickly followed. Liang Xiao, however, stood in front of the carriage, bowed to Liu Ling, and smiled slightly.

Liu Ling was annoyed. In the competition with Huan Yuan, she had lost again. Looking at Liang Xiao's smug face, she wanted to turn and leave. However, as a noble, especially as a messenger of the King of Huainan, she couldn't be so impolite.

Liu Ling got out of the carriage and said seriously, "What Liang Jun said the other day was indeed enlightening. It turns out that the height of the swing doesn't affect the time it takes. The higher the swing, the faster the speed; the lower the swing, the slower the speed..."

Liang Xiao nodded, looking at Liu Ling expectantly. Liu Ling not only corrected a seemingly correct but actually incorrect common knowledge, but also further derived her own understanding. For someone accustomed to empiricism, this was very difficult. The historical records about Liu Ling and her father being intelligent were indeed true.

After Liu Ling finished speaking, seeing Liang Xiao staring at her without a word, she involuntarily touched her face. "Is what I said wrong?"

"Correct, but there's more."

"More?" Liu Ling was confused. "What else?"

"Is this all your insight?" Liang Xiao was greatly disappointed.

Liu Ling didn't say anything, but she knew she had disappointed Liang Xiao again. Not only did it take longer than Liang Xiao expected, but the answer she gave also didn't satisfy him. For a moment, she felt so disappointed and even a bit inferior, losing her usual confidence.

"Liang Jun, is there... more?"

Liang Xiao frowned slightly. "Since the time is not related to the height of the swing, what is it related to?"

Liu Ling blinked her almond eyes, her face slightly flushed. To confirm whether the time was related to the height, she had already used all her ingenuity, but she didn't expect this to be just the first step. Seeing Liang Xiao's disappointed look, she felt very ashamed. Liang Xiao thought she was smart, and she also thought she was smart, but...

Clearly, she wasn't as smart as she thought, nor as smart as Liang Xiao thought.

Could it be that Huan Jun refused me because I'm too stupid to understand their intentions?

Liang Xiao didn't know that Liu Ling was overthinking. He shook his head regretfully, hesitated, and then bowed, hurriedly catching up with Huan Yuan.

Liu Ling stood by the carriage, watching Liang Xiao's gradually disappearing back, and sighed after a long while.

"Back to Huainan."

Lei responded, turned around, and went to make arrangements. Hu Lai, however, was anxious, covering his bloodied face and bowing to Liu Ling. "Liu Jun, why be angry over a prisoner and a lowly person? The Kingdom of Jiangdu has many talents. If you trust me, I am willing to recommend someone to Liu Ling."

Liu Ling said dejectedly, "Forget it. I've been in Jiangdu for several months and have met many talents. There's no need to rush. Hu Jun, thank you for your hospitality. It's an honor to have the Hu family as a friend, and I will certainly recommend you to the King of Huainan. You've worked hard these days. Do you want to go to Huainan with me or rest for a while?"

Hu Lai was completely focused on Liu Ling and naturally wanted to go with her. But thinking about how Liang Xiao had refused Liu Ling's invitation several times, if he went now, wouldn't it lower his status? Moreover, his face was covered in injuries, and he didn't know how long it would take to recover. If he went to Huainan like this, he would only be ridiculed. It was better to rest at home for a while and recover before going.

Hearing Hu Lai's insincere refusal, Liu Ling didn't say much. Her unconscious coldness made Hu Lai even more jealous.

Liu Ling returned to the Hu family, packed up, and set off for Huainan. Hu Lai and his father Hu Guang escorted Liu Ling out of the county. Watching Liu Ling's carriage disappear into the dense tree shade, Hu Lai felt empty inside.

"Lord Feng, how can we vent this anger?"

Feng Ji turned to look at Hu Lai and smiled. As Hu Lai's confidant, he had long seen through Hu Lai's thoughts and knew he wouldn't let Liang Xiao off. Previously, he had agreed not to pursue Liang Xiao to give Liu Ling face. Now that Liu Ling was gone and Liang Xiao hadn't accepted her invitation, Hu Lai wouldn't give Liang Xiao any face. He would definitely take this opportunity to eliminate Liang Xiao and vent the anger he had been holding for months.

"These are the trials of the Heavenly Kingdom. They might go to see them." Feng Ji lightly kicked his horse's belly, rode alongside Hu Lai, and whispered a few words. Hu Lai nodded repeatedly. "Lord Feng, if we can eliminate Liang Xiao, I will not forget your kindness."

"I dare not. To receive your favor and resolve your worries is the duty of a knight, and it is the right thing to do."

...

North of Guangling City, at the foot of Shugang Peak, a camp of tens of thousands of people was gradually taking shape. Various banners were distributed in different directions, and the tents were neatly arranged and orderly. The fortifications were spaced a bowshot apart, and high fences surrounded the camp.

On the hillside, Huan Yuan sat on the ground, drawing a diagram with his cane.

"The art of war begins with setting up the camp. A well-organized camp, with each unit performing its duties, makes the defense as solid as a rock and the attack as coordinated as a hand and fingers. When the enemy comes, we remain steadfast and repel them at the camp's front; when the enemy leaves, we observe their banners and drums. If their banners are orderly and the drums are in sequence, we should not pursue them to avoid falling into a trap. If their banners are disordered and the drums are chaotic, we should exploit their weaknesses and pursue them. As Sun Tzu said, 'Victory is in our hands, but the opportunity to win is in the enemy's hands.'"

Liang Xiao listened silently, paying close attention to every word Huan Jun said. Now he understood why Huan Jun had brought him to see the trials; this was a living textbook.

About ten steps behind him, Tuniuer yawned, leaned against a tree, and dozed off, drooling from the corner of his mouth.

Zhongli Qi shook his head helplessly.

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Third update, please recommend and collect!

Lao Zhuang needs to get on the list!

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