Chapter Eleven: Southern Fury

  The hero saves the beauty, and the beauty rewards the hero with her body, which has been a favorite episode of Jianghu girls since ancient times.

  But for Ji Qingchen, he didn't have time for romantic entanglements now. It wasn't that he was averse to women, but rather he knew his limits and what should or shouldn't be done. Just like now, he only expressed his gratitude to Jiang Rou with a simple phrase of repayment before turning his gaze towards the scholar in common attire drinking wine on the jade table not far away.

  Just now, the middle-aged gentleman arrived at the second floor of the elegant room. The expressions on the faces of the diners when they saw the middle-aged gentleman were enough to explain that his life was not simple. Thinking back to when the middle-aged gentleman left after being injured by Guo Lin, and how the diners fled the second floor in a hurry, he guessed that the middle-aged gentleman would not let things go easily and would definitely come back to Tian Zui Ju looking for trouble. In this situation, who would still want to stay on the second floor? When the middle-aged gentleman returns to the second floor, he may be implicated and dragged into the mess. However, the scholar at the jade table nearby seemed completely unbothered by the danger that was about to befall him. This wasn't because he didn't know what kind of situation he would soon face; it's just that he wasn't afraid of the middle-aged gentleman's power, or perhaps he had the ability to extricate himself from the situation. A person like this, if not a sycophant trying to curry favor, must be a man of great talent.

  It can be seen that the scholar in plain clothes in front of the Jade Case is a man of great integrity, with an air of brightness and openness about him that suggests he is not one to fawn or flatter. This causes Ji Qingchen to look at him with newfound respect, and she begins to think it would be good to get acquainted with him. "Sir, I fear there may soon be a fierce battle here, which could put your life in danger. Please leave quickly, lest you harm yourself."

  The scholar in casual attire, with his hair disheveled, heard Ji Qingchen's advice and reluctantly put down the wine cup in his hand. He smiled faintly at Ji Qingchen and said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, but compared to the fine wine before me, what significance does risking one's life have?"

  Ji Qingchen was taken aback, he had never heard such a statement from a scholar in common attire before. He thought that fine wine was more important than one's own life, and was somewhat stunned by this unexpected response. However, he also felt that the other person seemed like a true gentleman, worthy of his acquaintance, so he sincerely invited him, "Since sir is not afraid of danger, why not come and have a drink with Qingchen?"

  "As the young master has sincerely invited me, how could I dare not to follow?" The scholar in ordinary clothes spoke fluently and did not decline Ji Qingchen's invitation. Guo Lin immediately walked over and moved the scholar's wine set to Ji Qingchen's jade table, and the scholar also came over and sat down opposite Ji Qingchen. Guo Lin promptly filled their cups with wine, and Ji Qingchen raised his cup in a toast to the scholar, "Please!" The scholar lifted his wine cup and similarly said "please". The two smiled at each other frankly and then drank up in one gulp.

  "Forty years of Fen wine!" A scholar in plain clothes said with a hint of intoxication after finishing a cup, "I drank two cups of Fen Qing and advised you to drink two cups at Ye. The Ming Emperor of my great Yan dynasty wrote an evaluation of Fen wine in a letter to King Kang after drinking it. Later, many documents and poems also praised the 'Gan Lu Tang' wine of Fen State, 'Gan Zha Wine', and 'Gan He Wine'. It can be seen that Fen wine is pure, fragrant, and famous. Today, I drank Fen wine at Tianxu Residence, and it's indeed not a false reputation! It's really a top-notch fine wine!"

  "I never thought that sir was also a connoisseur of wine, with just a sip he could tell the age of the Fen liquor. Today, I, Qingchen, am able to meet sir here, it's both an accidental encounter and a destined reunion." Ji Qingchen smiled slightly and raised her cup towards the scholar in linen clothes, "Please!"

  The man in the plain clothes and the scholar raised their cups and they both took another sip.

  After finishing this cup of wine, the scholar in ordinary attire put down his wine cup on the jade table and let out a long sigh before asking Ji Qingchen, "Young Master, did you know the true identity of that middle-aged man who was just injured by your guard?"

  The young lady Qingchen was also curious about the identity of the middle-aged gentleman. Now, hearing Bu Yiweng's question, she turned to ask him, "Does sir know?"

  Before, Bu Yi Wenshi thought that Ji Qingchen was so calm and composed, he must have already known the other person's identity, which is why he wasn't afraid of the other person's illustrious background and let his guards teach him a lesson. Now, after hearing Ji Qingchen's answer, he realized that Ji Qingchen didn't know what kind of person he had just taught a lesson to either. His expression suddenly became a bit serious. "His name is Zhao Cheng, he's the second son of Ningzhou City's Taishou Zhao Xianglin. He usually relies on his father being the Taishou and does nothing but idle around, bullying men and women, and is a tyrant in Ningzhou City. Earlier, your guard injured him, making him lose face and suffer humiliation. He's also a vengeful person who won't let things go easily. In my opinion, it's best for you to hide for now!"

  She lightly smiled, without speaking. In his eyes, what's the big deal about Ningzhou City Governor? Wasn't Huaxi Xiong, the deputy general of Ningzhou General Manor, also beheaded on the spot because of his own displeasure? Not to mention just a humble son of Ningzhou City Governor Zhao Shanlin? However, he still appreciated the good intentions of the scholar in plain clothes and slightly bowed his head, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. But as you said earlier, compared to the fine wine in front of us, what's the harm in risking one's life?"

  Ji Qingchen turned to Jiang Rou and said, "Miss Jiang Rou, today I'd like to drink a few more cups with the gentleman. Would you be willing to sing a few more songs to add to the festive atmosphere?"

  Jiang Rou was just cold-shouldered by Ji Qingchen, making her neither willing to leave nor stay. Now hearing Ji Qingchen say this, she knew the young master in front of her didn't dislike her, so she happily agreed and immediately picked up the huqin, its beautiful high-pitched sound once again filling the great hall.

  Bu Yi Wenshi saw Ji Qingchen's straightforward and generous response, he was originally a fearless person, now encountering another fearless person, his heroic spirit was inspired, so he didn't persuade him anymore. They drank cup after cup, and soon the remaining half tank of wine was also drunk dry. At this time, the two had already become slightly intoxicated. Ji Qingchen then asked Bu Yi Wenshi, "By the way, I still don't know how to address you, sir?"

  "Gu Qi, Gu Kai Zhi." The scholar in plain clothes seemed extremely reluctant to say his own name, and replied briefly. His answer was very ordinary, but it startled Ji Qingchen, who didn't dare to believe his eyes, didn't dare to believe that the scholar in front of him with a simple dress and hair tied up was actually Gu Qi. He opened his eyes wide and looked carefully at Gu Qi for a long time, whose age had just passed thirty but already had white hair on both sides of his temples. After a long while, he confirmed that the other's answer was not deceiving himself, so he immediately stood up and bowed to the scholar in plain clothes, saying: "So you are Mr. Gu Kai Zhi, the famous Southern Crazy, I apologize for my offense earlier."

  Gu Qi was also stunned.

  The name Gu Qi Gu Kai Zhi is indeed familiar to the people of Da Yan, but it's not because of his talent that this name has become well-known. Ten years ago, he failed the imperial examination multiple times and was dissatisfied with the corrupt practices of the officials in charge of the exam. In a moment of despair, he made a bold statement: "In a world without heroes, mediocre people become famous. Can such writings be passed down through the ages?" This remark offended scholars across the land, who then ridiculed and rejected him. Moreover, the officials in charge of that year's imperial examination included the current Prime Minister of Da Yan, Pei Wen Ju, and several other high-ranking officials. As a result, Gu Qi not only offended scholars everywhere but also the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials, which blocked his path to becoming an official. With no outlet for his talents, he can now only drown his sorrows in wine.

  Because of this, for over a decade, no matter where he went, as long as someone heard it was him, they would be like mice seeing a cat, not to the point of everyone shouting and beating him, but also not giving him a good face. Even in these ten years or more, whenever he went somewhere and said his name, he would either receive cold ridicule or scolding, so much so that he hadn't spoken those words for a long time. Today, when he spoke his own name, he had already prepared himself to bear the usual ridicule and scolding, but didn't expect to be treated with courtesy instead.

  Gu Qi could also see that Ji Qingchen was not an ordinary young master, and from their conversation, he knew that the other was well-read in poetry and books. Yet this scholar did not treat him with courtesy because of his own arrogance in the past, nor did he fear offending the current Yan Prime Minister by associating with Gu Qi.

  Suddenly, he thought of the cold treatment he had received for ten years, and the experience he had ten years ago. He also thought of the courtesy shown to him by Ji Qingchen at present, and Gu Qi was somewhat moved. He immediately stood up and supported Qingchen with one hand, saying: "Gu Qi is just a madman who has been despised by scholars all over the world. How can he bear the grand ceremony of the young master? I dare not! I dare not!"

  "Mr. Gu is a true gentleman, how could he have such audacity?" Ji Qingchen said sincerely.

  "Your Excellency!" Gu Qi was deeply moved. "I am grateful for your kindness, and I will do my best to repay it if you need me in the future."

  Gu Qi seemed very excited, and thus made a solemn promise just like that.

  Ji Qingchen was overjoyed when he heard the words, and immediately pulled Gu Qi to ask him to sit down. He also asked Guo Yun to add wine and dishes, and the two continued to drink and talk enthusiastically.

  Just then, a sudden burst of urgent and crisp footsteps came from downstairs, followed by the sound of voices entering the second-floor hall before anyone arrived. "Surround Tianzui Residence, don't let these two thieves escape!" Then the urgent and crisp footsteps slowly approached, and in an instant, a young captain with a sturdy build led thirty armored soldiers who were full of murderous intent and rushed up to the second floor.

  The captain stepped up to the second floor, his piercing gaze fell on Ji Qingchen and Gu Qi in an instant, as if he had confirmed something, nodded slightly, and gave a command.

  Thirty men led by Xia Shi received orders and immediately surrounded Ji Qingchen, Gu Qi, Guo Hong, and Jiang Rou, leaving no gaps.

  Thirty men of the Forbidden Army were not many, but they all belonged to Ningzhou's border army, and were veterans who had experienced the baptism of blood and fire on the battlefield. With their sharp long guns gleaming with a faint chill, the hall was tightly surrounded by them, and a faint killing aura began to permeate the hall.