Chapter 373 - Lack of Blood Color

The current Crown Prince of Qi Country, Jiang Wuhua, is actually the second son of the Qi Monarch and resides in Chang Le Palace.Above him is an older brother, who is the eldest son of the Emperor, named Jiang Wuliang.

Xu Fang, of course, had offended the Crown Prince, but the one he had offended was not Jiang Wuhua, but instead, the deposed Crown Prince, Jiang Wuliang.

Back then, he cursed the heavens and earth, not just the Jubao Business Association; he even cursed the Crown Prince of the time.

Regarding the deposed Crown Prince Jiang Wuliang, Xu Fang naturally didn’t need to ask how he should confess his crimes, for he had plenty of reasons to confess.

Nevertheless, he still slightly lowered his eyelids and asked, “Which crime should I confess to?”

Jiang Wang replied, “You should confess to whatever you cursed most vehemently at the time.”

“…Understood,” Xu Fang said.

Jiang Wang looked at him and said, “After you leave, this inn will close down.

No one besides me and Zhongxuan Sheng have seen you.”

Of course, Xu Fang could understand the meaning of these words.

Eighteen years had passed— from self-loathing, to despair, to a glimmer of hope arising from that despair, and then extinguishing again.

Time and again, a fate worse than death…

What he was waiting for, sometimes he even forgot.

He knew very well that he couldn’t take revenge by himself.

But even as a mere weapon, even just as a tool to be used despite being discarded, who could make good use of him?

After hearing about the Blue Stone Palace, he suddenly saw a glimpse of daylight!

It was as if in the endless darkness, a hand suddenly reached out to him and ripped away the night.

It’s just that…

Using that hoarse voice, as if teeth were grinding slowly across the ground, Xu Fang said, “When I cursed the Jubao Business Association back then, although led on by the old man Qing Xi, it was indeed out of public spirit…”

He never raised his gaze, as if he dared not look at anyone.

“You say…” he asked, “Are they still blaming me?”

Qing Xi was the Alliance Hierarch of the Business Alliance.

The Jubao Business Association, as a latecomer, did not follow fair play in its pursuit to catch up with the Business Alliance.

Of course, it’s not to say that it is any more honorable now, but at least on the surface, they made it look good.

Xu Fang had cursed the Jubao Business Association back then because he knew some of the dirty affairs within it.

These affairs were revealed to him by Qing Xi, intentionally or unintentionally, and they were indeed true.

The reason Xu Fang spoke of Qing Xi with such resentment was that, although his curse against the Jubao Business Association was out of public spirit, in fact, he unwittingly became a pawn for the Business Alliance, aiding their cause.

But in the aftermath, with the Jubao Business Association seeking revenge against Xu Fang, the Business Alliance remained silent from start to finish.

This truly wasn’t something that could be easily overlooked.

And the “they” in Xu Fang’s question, “Are they still blaming me?” referred to his family members who were implicated and to their death by the Jubao Business Association’s revenge…

He had no one left to ask, so he could only inquire of this young man before him, even though he was so unfamiliar.

But Jiang Wang could not answer his question.

He had no right to let Xu Fang forgive anyone, nor did he have the right to forgive Xu Fang on anyone’s behalf.

In the end, all he could do was look deeply at Xu Fang and then turn to leave the place.

The Marquis of Bowang’s residence.

Zhongxuan Zun took nothing with him, just threw on a robe and carefreely went off to Under Jixuegong, as if he had no concerns about his family’s affairs at all.

But as soon as Zhongxuan Zun left, Zhongxuan Sheng moved in and pestered the old master all day long.

Being the legitimate heir, naturally, no one in the Marquis of Bowang’s residence dared to show him any displeasure.

Old Marquis Zhongxuan Yunbo’s children all lived outside on their own.

Only Zhongxuan Zun and Zhongxuan Sheng of the grandchildren generation qualified to move in.

With Zhongxuan Zun gone, Zhongxuan Sheng became the Young Master of this place.

On the next day, the Mid-Autumn Festival, people came one after another in the morning to pay their respects to the old marquis.

During festivals, those uncles and great-uncles invariably had to visit the mansion.

Most of them just left gifts, exchanged a few words, and departed.

In Zhongxuan Sheng’s father’s generation, there were four blood brothers, with his father, Zhongxuan Futu, being the second.

Zhongxuan Zun’s father, Zhongxuan Mingguang, was the eldest.

The third brother had already passed away, and the fourth was serving in another location and not in Linzi.

Zhongxuan Chuliang was a cousin to Zhongxuan Mingguang, Zhongxuan Futu, and others.

After lunch, the family sat together for tea.

With a teasing smile, Zhongxuan Sheng invited the old man to his Xia Mountain villa to see the stunning scene of the maple and sunset.

The old man just smiled, letting Zhongxuan Sheng prattle on without agreeing or disagreeing.

“It’s not that I’m criticizing you, Xiao Sheng, but you’ve gone too far this time,” a voice suddenly said, “The old marquis usually dotes on your brother the most, how could you have the heart to send him to Under Jixuegong for an entire year?”

The only person who could criticize Zhongxuan Sheng in such a tone at this time was naturally Zhongxuan Zun’s father, Zhongxuan Mingguang.

This man had an impressive name and a good appearance.

Otherwise, he couldn’t have produced a handsome son like Zhongxuan Zun.

Although he was in his sixties, his complexion was still ruddy as if he were in his forties.

He looked much younger than his cousin, Zhongxuan Chuliang, who was just over fifty, though of course he was far from his power.

Hearing this, Zhongxuan Sheng just laughed, “Uncle, your words are so unfunny.

I’m giving Zun brother such a great opportunity for the sake of the future of the Zhong Xuan family.

You, as the elder, did not compensate but rather accuse me of excess?”

He turned to Zhongxuan Mingguang, “If you think this is a disadvantage, why don’t you try to send me to Under Jixuegong?

Let me stay for two years!”

Zhongxuan Mingguang was at a loss for words; what capability did he have?

As the direct eldest son of the marquis’ family, if he were capable, the title wouldn’t be contested by Zhongxuan Zun and Zhongxuan Sheng.

Zhongxuan Sheng was not the type to forgive and forget once he had the upper hand and he turned to the old man, “Grandfather, won’t you give me your fair judgment?”

Zhongxuan Yunbo was a hundred and five years old this year, his hair and beard all white, but his spirit was still good.

He just glanced at Zhongxuan Mingguang, “If you’ve got nothing good to say, then shut your mouth.”

Zhongxuan Mingguang sulked silently.

This was also why he was reluctant to live in the marquis mansion.

Outside, he was a respected patriarch wherever he went, but in the Bowang Marquis’s house, even at over sixty, he was frequently reprimanded like a grandson.

Since the old marquis had spoken, Zhongxuan Sheng could not keep pressing, so he reverted to the previous topic, “The maple and sunset meld as one, and the sky shares their color.

It’s a rare sight that only occurs once a year; are you truly not going to take a look, Grandfather?”

The old marquis lifted his hand, “I’ve experienced a lifetime of battles, and now in my old age, I’ve grown weary of the sight of blood.”

This was an explicit refusal.

Zhongxuan Sheng sighed rather theatrically, “Grandson has also invited quite a few friends, all of whom greatly admire your renown and wish to hear some of your valiant stories!”

The old marquis simply smiled.

However, Zhongxuan Mingguang came back for another round, his voice cold with a huff, “Xiao Sheng, don’t carelessly flaunt the Bowang Marquis’s banner outside.

I heard you recently hosted a lavish gathering at the Red Sleeve Assembly under the name of the Bowang Marquis’s house?

How does that look?

The old marquis is getting older and cannot afford such disturbances.”

Zhongxuan Yunbo’s white eyebrows twitched instantly.

Look at the level of this talk!

Zhongxuan Sheng simply adored this uncle.

Of course, he seemed very upset on the outside, “I invited a few friends to enjoy the scenery, how is that called carelessly flaunting the marquis’s banner?

If Uncle has an opinion, why don’t you help oversee it?

Let’s see if I’m up to par!”

It sounded very much like an angry retort.

Zhongxuan Mingguang thought about it; with Zhongxuan Zun currently absent, only Zhongxuan Sheng could represent the Bowang Marquis’s house among the younger generation.

He indeed should keep an eye on Zhongxuan Sheng for his son’s sake, and also to prevent this young upstart from gaining influence that could threaten his son’s position as heir.

With these thoughts in mind, he deliberately showed a troubled expression and took the opportunity to say, “Uncle doesn’t have an objection to you, but after all, you are too young.

Some people outside…

well, let’s not discuss it.

In that case, I will make time to visit your Xia Mountain villa and keep an eye out for you!”

“Ahem,” the old marquis coughed at this moment, “What business do you have going there when the younger ones are gathered?”

Zhongxuan Sheng looked sneakily triumphant at Zhongxuan Mingguang, as if watching an exciting show.

Zhongxuan Mingguang, after all, was a man well into his sixties; even if it was his own father who reprimanded him, he couldn’t maintain his dignity.

So, he stiffened his neck and said, “I understand etiquette.

These days, young people’s idea of fun is whatever I have already played out in my youth.

How could I not know how to preside?”