However, at present, everyone doesn't seem to care much about it, just thinking that the government has made up its mind to rectify the city's atmosphere. Some people are praising it, while others are criticizing it.

  Most of the ordinary people are saying it's good, they have food to take and are no longer afraid of unscrupulous businessmen. Those who say it's not good are naturally businessmen with ulterior motives.

  Every city is the same, with wealthy merchants having close ties to the government. When there's money to be made, everyone profits; when trouble arises, the government takes the fall. But this time, the government of First Line City was turned upside down by Li Huaiyu, and the new arrivals didn't even bat an eyelid. The three major wealthy merchants of First Line City were dissatisfied, so they closed all the shops on the street in protest.

  "Who wants to do honest business in this city?" Zhao shouted, "No one will buy into that clean and honest nonsense if it's not profitable!"

  "That's right." Liu Zhuang put the tea bowl on the table, "Really think this place is so easy to talk about, newborn calves are not afraid of tigers! Let her see, all the shops on this street are closed, who will be scolded in the end!"

  "What I sell in my shop are all necessities for daily life, just you wait and see, within two days the government office will be surrounded by the common people!" Zheng said with full confidence.

  Just as he was saying this, someone suddenly came in from outside the door.

  Three people simultaneously turned their heads to look, and saw a soft silver silk robe sweep across the threshold. The newcomer held a Nan Yang jade bone fan in her hand, her voice clear and melodious, with a hint of smile: "Good morning, everyone."

  "Who are you?" The shopkeeper of Yī Xiàn City obviously didn't recognize Lù Jǐng Xíng, and Zhao the shopkeeper looked him up and down with a wary expression.

  The fan in his hand made a circle at the tip of his finger, and the tail of the fan rested on the table, light and elegant. Lu Jinghang raised his eyes and looked at them: "I am Lu Ji, the shopkeeper, I heard that you have shops to sell, so I came to ask."

  The government is now in this situation, and every family must indeed come up with a shop. However, Lu's business in the first-tier city is not very big, only one grain store, how much can they eat?

  Zhao thought for a moment, gestured to him to sit down, and had someone pour tea for him: "Manager Lu has big guts to come in at this time. I have five shops under me, all located on the main streets. Before the government got into trouble, business was good. The situation in Lincheng is unpredictable, so naturally, the price can't be too low."

  "What I'm doing down here is also a small business, and the turnover of silver isn't too much." Lu Jinghang smiled with a hint of mischief in his eyes, "You all should spare me some mercy, after all, besides me, there's no one else who dares to collect rent."

  The three shopkeepers looked at each other, Zhao dipped his finger in water and wrote a number on the table.

  Lu Jinghang "brushed" open his fan, covering his face as he smiled: "Boss is joking, with the current situation of this first-tier city, this price can buy three shops. The one next to you has already been transferred to me, Zhao boss shouldn't think I don't understand the market."

  Zhao said with a snort of laughter: "The location of this shop of mine, can that next door compare?"

  Lu Jingxing raised an eyebrow and looked at the two beside him: "What about you two? What's your price?"

  Zheng was indeed eager to collect the silver, so he thought for a moment and wrote down a very sincere price. Liu, who was standing beside him, didn't move, looked at Lu Jinghang for a while, and smiled: "I don't have much to put out, let's talk separately later."

  Lu Jinghang nodded and finalized the deal with Zheng Zhuanggui for five rooms, asking him to go back and get the property deeds.

  Zhao's face didn't look too good: "With such a big handwriting, Lu is also shameless to say that the silver coins are not many?"

  He pinched the tea and took a light sip, then put it down with a look of disdain. Lu Jing said, "It's not too much, just enough to buy half of this line of shops in the city, but if we encounter someone like Zhao Zhanggui who opens his mouth as wide as a lion's, it's a bit precarious."

  "What's your business?" Zhao asked, startled.

  Nowadays, it's clear that there's not much profit to be made here, and the situation is not good either. Which idiot would dare invest so much money in a place like this?

  Liu Zhuanggui sized up Lu Jinghang for a while before suddenly asking: "Sir, are you from the capital?"

  Kyoto? Zhao Zhanggui also reacted belatedly. Lu Ji, isn't it from Kyoto that the business was done everywhere?

  Lu Jinghang smiled: "This shopkeeper's news is indeed well-informed."

  Is this really the first rich merchant of Kyoto?! The two men simultaneously took a deep breath, and Liu Zhang stood up, frowning: "Lu Zhang is here to help the rumored Long Princess? Not afraid to do business at a loss?"

  "Yes." Lu Jinghang said with a smile, "A thousand miles to chase the beauty, deep feelings and heavy righteousness, are the two bosses willing to fulfill me?"

  This sounds like a joke, but both bosses have their own thoughts. They can't get close to the new government relationship, but Lu Jinghang obviously has connections. From his big handwriting, it can be seen that he is very confident in the first-line city. At present, the shops here can only be sold at a low price, but if they hold on, when the first-line city gets better, it will be a big profit!

  Liu Zhuanggui reacted quickly and sat down beside Lu Jinghang to pour him a cup of tea: "The shop I'm going to sell, whatever price you say is the price."

  Zhao's attitude also softened: "I don't dare to accept your kindness, if Lu is willing to take us along for a while, then those few shops can be given to you for free."

  Li Huaiyu was right, a merchant's affairs can only be properly handled by merchants themselves. If the government intervenes, they will always be seen as enemies. He came and it turned out to be good, and he could even get a few shops for free.

  Lu Jinghang thought that this time back, Li Huaiyu would at least add a chicken leg to his meal.

  The shops on the main streets were closed for two days and then reopened. The common people were shocked to find that several merchants who had always been known for their exorbitant prices had uniformly lowered them, with some items now costing only one-tenth of what they had before.

  Those with silver rushed to the streets to grab wildly, those without silver gathered some copper coins to get two bags of salt. The streets of Yicheng were unprecedentedly prosperous, and everyone's face was filled with joy.

  The little kid was being mischievous, holding onto a soy sauce bottle and wanting to go home. Without looking where he was going, he bumped into someone. Lifting his head to look, it was the newly arrived official from the government office, with a fierce and sinister appearance.

  The people around gasped, thinking the child would definitely get scolded. Who would have thought that the officer would bend down and straighten up the soy sauce bottle in the child's hand, saying seriously: "There are many vehicles on the street, watch where you're walking!"

  After finishing speaking, she bypassed him and went to pick up a bamboo pole that was about to fall at the entrance of the front room, and easily helped someone tie it up straight.

  The common people were shocked, is there such an official in the world? Shouldn't officials all have airs? They are actually good, going out without followers is nothing, and they even help with troubles like ordinary people.

  As days went by, people gradually remembered their names.

  That one called Wu, is the newly appointed Dan Yang governor, with extremely high martial arts skills, able to single-handedly knock down five liúmáng on the street. But he's very gentle towards the common people, there's an 80-year-old elderly person in a neighboring street who has no one to take care of him, and Wu goes to deliver food every day.

  The new county magistrate was called Bai Ai, who had good handwriting and was exceptionally decisive in handling cases. He never made a wrong judgment. He did not accept favors from merchants or bully the common people. If someone had a grievance, they only needed to beat the drum at the gate of the government office, and he would ensure that justice was served for them.

  There was also a very handsome man named Qingxuan, who was a Zhonglang official. He had a impulsive personality and whenever he knew someone had committed an offense, he would immediately beat them up. Unlike his gentle appearance, he was ruthless when it came to punishment.

  As for Chi Jin, everyone who passes through the city gate knows him. He is in charge of the city's garrison and often goes to the grain depot. He looks fierce and intimidating, so no one dares to cause trouble in the city, but in fact, he is very considerate.

  The woman who came to pick up the grain and food familiarly greeted Xu Chuyan, looking at her with pity and saying: "Xu Niang, such a good girl like you should have a good ending."

  Xu Chuyi was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and handed her the rice bag: "I've been divorced by my husband's family."

  She spoke lightly, but the people in front of her were shocked and took a deep breath.

  A woman who has been divorced is often the subject of gossip and speculation, with many people assuming that the problem lies with the person being divorced. If you didn't do anything wrong, why would they divorce you?

  However, the one being rested now is Xu Chuyan, their living Bodhisattva.

  "What kind of man is so blind?" The woman holding the rice let out a curse and said, "You don't even want a wife like this, are you muddle-headed?!"

  "Yes, Xu is such a kind girl, whoever marries her will be very lucky!"

  Xu Chuyan smiled slightly and calmly distributed the grain, as if she had put everything down.

  The hand holding the rice bag was slightly trembling.

  Hong Jin came over and said in a low voice: "You go rest, I'll take over for a while."

  "Why doesn't the grown-up patrol the city?" A nearby citizen asked with a smile.

  Chi Jin shook his head: "I've patrolled, now it's time for a rest."

  Xu Chuoyan didn't suspect anything else and thanked him before walking towards the back shed.

  "Does the master like Miss Xu?" Several women came up and asked with raised eyebrows.

  Chi Jin was not good at dealing with these people, scratched his head, and handed the rice bag to them: "Take it."

  "Ah, I thought they were a couple at first, what a pity." The woman muttered as she took over the rice, "Every day, you can see Lord Akakane at the grain outlet."

  "Isn't that so? Xu Niang had a bad body yesterday, and Chi Jin Da Ren discovered it from afar and came over to replace her... You say the commander-in-chief, if he didn't like her, why would he come every day?"

  "Didn't Miss Xū notice?"

  "She has been feeling down lately, her thoughts wandering off somewhere, and nowhere can sense these."

  Others have just been laid off, it's not suitable to mention these things. Everyone just whispers a few words and that's it. This thing called fate is still better left to its natural course.

  Ziyang's document was revealed, and the news of Princess Danyang's rebirth was also confirmed. Li Huailian had originally wanted to sit in the capital and watch a good show of nearby vassals attacking Princess Chang, but unexpectedly, no one made a move.

  Ziyang Jun is not moving, that's fine. He has just pacified Ziyang and it's time to stabilize the interior. But why aren't Changlin Jun and Hepinglei Jun making a move? That's Dan Yang, who has been wreaking havoc on the court for eight years! She's making a comeback, shouldn't the nearby vassal states be on guard against her?

  Li Huaiyu also found it strange that Chang Linjun didn't mention it, and Pingling's grudge against her should be very deep. She had already made preparations to respond, but as a result, two months passed, her belly was getting bigger, the canal from Danyang to Yizheng City was almost completed, and Pingling still hadn't sent troops to pressure Biancheng.

  "What's going on?" she curiously asked Qing Si.

  Qing Si handed the medicine in her hand to her and said calmly, "The news that just came back, a month ago, both Zhang Lin Jun and He Ping Ling Jun went to Zi Yang together. I don't know what they talked about. After Zhang Lin Jun and He Ping Ling Jun returned, they both closed their doors and refused guests, nourishing their spirit and accumulating energy."

  Huai Yu was depressed, she and Jiang Xuanjin had a big fight last time. It's been so long, except for Yufeng coming to deliver a divorce letter to Xu Chuyan, they haven't had any contact with each other. A proud person like Jiang Xuanjin would not help her in any way.

  What's more... I heard he established the Ziyang Mansion and welcomed Bai Xueji in.

  She reached out and touched her slightly bulging belly, Li Huaiyu smiled: "More than four months now."

  It's been more than four months since the rebellion in the imperial study, and Jiang Xuanjin is such a proud person, shouldn't it be easy for him to let go? The two of them are impossible to be together, he's such a rational person, he must be able to start anew. So that meeting, Jiang Xuanjin must have had other considerations, which is why he persuaded the two monarchs.

  Nor did he know whether Bai Xueqi would pluck the moon for him.

  She swallowed the medicine in one gulp, her face scrunched up in distaste. Suddenly remembering that someone had helped her test the medicine a long time ago, she furrowed her brow and said:

  "The trial is to test whether there is toxicity, not to test whether it's bitter or not."

  That serious look was just like the strict teacher in school, his low and solemn voice with a hint of incense lingered by her ears, as if it were a dream she had once had.

  "Wake up from your dream!" She smiled and lowered her eyelids, stroking the Buddhist beads on her wrist.

  She secretly kept it and didn't want to return it to him, so she just kept it as a memento.

  "Master, in half a month it will be Lord Changlin's 50th birthday," said Qing Si. "All the surrounding lords have received their invitations, and yours has also been delivered."

  "Oh?" Hua Yu raised an eyebrow, "You're actually inviting me?"

  "You are indeed the master of Danyang." Qing Si said, "The changes in Yizheng City over the past two months have been so great that people from all sides have seen it."

  Two months ago, the city was flooded with refugees, but now it's more or less a normal place. Once the river is fully connected, this city will be saved. Moreover, judging from the affection of the people here towards them, it wouldn't be bad if the frontline city were to be assigned to Danyang either.

  Hua Yu felt relieved: "After all, it wasn't in vain."

  "Are you ready for your journey?" Qing Si looked at her and said, "Your current attire... needs to be remade again."

  Four months pregnant, the belly is quite big, but strangely, the prince didn't gain any weight, only his stomach protruded, and his arms and legs were still very thin.

  Hua Yu thought for a moment and said: "I won't go, this body is not good at moving around, you prepare the gifts and send them over."

  "Isn't he going?"

  This is a great opportunity to win over the local lords from all regions, and it's not easy to get an invitation...

  "I won't go." Huai Yu shook her head firmly, "There's no way I can go."

  How can Jiang Xuanjin be made to see her belly and how will it be explained? Did she eat too much and get bloated?

  Holding onto Qing Si's hand, they went out for a stroll. Outside, winter had already arrived. Qing Si wrapped her in a thick fox fur cloak, but it still couldn't hide the bulge of her belly.

  The county governor's mansion had a new servant, which scared him from afar. He pulled the person next to him and asked: "What's going on?"

  The older servant looked at her and waved his hand: "What's the big deal? The princess is also a woman, getting pregnant isn't an unusual thing?"

  "But whose child is this?"

  "I heard several adults say that the child will have to call Lu Zhanggui 'father'."

  Lu Zhuanggui? The new servant stuck out his tongue: "Isn't it said that Your Highness previously had a relationship with that Zi Yang Jun..."

  "Don't mention Ziyang Jun in this county government office again." The old servant hastily covered his mouth and glanced at the other end of the hall, lowering his voice to say, "The one person who absolutely cannot be mentioned in this mansion is that noble, if the masters hear you, they will definitely reward you with a slap on the face!"

  For the past two months, Zi Yang has frequently issued documents targeting Dan Yang, causing tensions between the two places. Even if there were any previous grievances between the two lords of the fiefs, now it's a situation where they cannot coexist.

  The new servant was amazed and sighed, these people with noble identities have a lot of stories.

  Ziyang finally welcomed a sunny day. In the main city's Ziyang Prefecture, newly appointed Governor Lu Qing stood in his study, his eyes wide with surprise: "What?"

  "Half a month later, on Changlin Jun's birthday, you'll take my place in Ziyang, I need to make a trip."

  Lü Qing is Jiang Xuanjin's childhood friend and confidant, who has been guarding his territory in Ziyang. He finally waited for his master to return, but saw him frowning every day, making it difficult for him to leave the main courtyard gate. Today, he actually said he wants to go to Changlin?

  He couldn't help but laugh and cry: "Your Highness, considering the current situation, on Changlin's birthday, you can just let someone else go in your place to give a gift as a formality, why do you have to go personally?"

  "Sincerity."

  "What kind of sincerity is this for Zhang Linjun?" Lü Qing was indignant, "How did you threaten him not to make any rash moves last time? Your attitude has become even more arrogant, scaring him into submission for two months without daring to move. What's going on now, slapping him and then giving him a sweet date?"

  Whenever he thought of Lü Qing, he felt inexplicable. He was getting more and more incomprehensible about Jiang Xuanjin. Some things that seemed completely unnecessary to him, he would use great efforts to do, even if it meant going around in circles. And some necessary things, such as submitting documents to the capital or entering the capital to report for duty, he never did.

  There were already voices of doubt on the court that Zi Yang Jun wanted to rebel, and he didn't worry about it.

  "Lord Lü." Cheng Xiao couldn't help but speak up, "Let our master go."

  "Give me a reason!" Lü Qing pressed his temples and said, "Now that he's gone, I'm left with no good outcome!"

  He cast a glance at his master and pulled Lü Qing aside, asking in a low voice: "Have you seen the guest list for Changlin Jun's banquet invitation?"

  The name list was sent together with the invitation letter, how could Lü Qing notice this? Curiously looking at Jiang Xuanjin behind him, he asked: "Is there anyone who must be seen?"

  "There is." The servant nodded slightly, "But the master won't say it clearly, so you arguing again is useless, the master will definitely go."

  Lü Qing furrowed his brow deeply.

  Ziyang had its first snow, delicate and fragmented snowflakes fell, whitening the eaves. Jiang Xuanjin silently gazed out of the window, his dark eyes shining with a hint of excitement.

  "Master, Bai'er's younger sister has decided to return to the capital." Yufeng entered and reported with a bow.

  Since the last incident, Bai Xueqi has been under house arrest. Four guards have been watching her every step of the way, not doing anything else, nor stopping her from eating or sleeping, but no matter where she is, even when resting, the four guards will stand in front of her bed and watch her.

  At first, Bai Xueqi was stubborn and said that as long as she could stay by Jun Shang's side, it didn't matter how. But for the past two months, Jun Shang hadn't even glanced at her once. She had entered the Ziyang Fu with the help of Bai Dechong's face, but could only live in a small courtyard, being watched day and night.

  The horror of seeing four pairs of eyes as soon as she opened her eyes was finally unbearable for Bai Xueji, and she cried out that she wanted to return to Kyoto.

  Jiang Xuanjin returned to his senses and took the wind to visit Bai Xueji's small courtyard.

  Bai Xuanji was crying loudly, but as soon as she saw him coming, she was so scared that she immediately shut her mouth.

  "Want to leave?" Jiang Xuanjin asked expressionlessly from the doorway.

  Bai Xuanji nodded with a look of horror in her eyes.

  "Why?" Jiang Xuanjin said, "But what did I do wrong to Second Miss?"

  How dare he ask this question? Bai Xueji was both angry and flustered, she had used all her tricks to win over the Jiang family's people, to curry favor with the servants, thinking that would secure her position as the madam of the house. But it didn't work! No matter what she did, he always called her Second Young Mistress Bai, never allowing her to enter the main courtyard!

  If he hadn't let her into the Ziyang Mansion from the start, it would have been better. She would have lost hope early on and wouldn't have wasted so much energy. But he had to go and let her in, only to make her watch as all her efforts came to nothing time and again.

  It's like a person striving to climb a mountain. The mountain is high and shouldn't be feared, but when you've climbed halfway up and see that the road ahead is completely cut off, with no way forward, that's when you feel most desperate.

  She didn't react until last night when she was startled awake by the person watching her from beside the bed, breaking out in a cold sweat and then wailing loudly. Only then did she realize that Jiang Xuanjin was taking revenge on her.

  He knew she had made a fool of herself in front of Old Man Jiang, and he also knew she wanted to drive a wedge between him and Bai Zhuji. He hadn't settled the score with her only because of her father's sake, but he remembered everything. Without rushing to confront her or losing his temper, he chose the most ruthless way to deal with her - to ruin all her happiness for the rest of her life.

  "Does Second Miss remember?" Jiang Xuanjin said with half-closed eyes, "You're the one holding the imperial edict."

  The Emperor's gift of marriage, if she were to return to Kyoto like this, her life would be over.

  Her face was pale, and her eyes were red as she said: "Even if I have done something wrong, it's not worth your majesty getting so angry. Old Master Jiang is still in good health and hasn't gotten sick from anger, why can't you spare my life..."

  "Little girl?" He raised an eyebrow in mockery, Jiang Xuanjin glanced at her, "Isn't Second Young Miss accustomed to referring to herself as 'your servant'?"

  Bai Xueyi let out a loud wail and cried even harder.

  Isn't it said that Ziyang Jun has a broad mind? Isn't it said that he has become much gentler? Why is the Ziyang Jun she met so vengeful, and cruel to the point of being heartless?

  If she leaves, she will die; if she stays, her life is worse than death. What else can she do?

  "If Second Young Miss really wants to leave, I won't stop her." With a light flick of his sleeve, Jiang Xuanjin turned and left, his icy voice drifting over on the wind, "Remember to give my regards to Lord Bai."

  Bai Xuan's eyes stared blankly at his back, her body slowly sliding down, as if she had lost her soul and was kneeling down.

  She didn't have a good ending, the Jiang family could finally relax, and Gu Lian immediately ran to find Jiang Shen as soon as she heard the news, wanting to cheer him up.

  "Sir, didn't you see that? The second daughter of the Bai family is so pitiful, wailing and banging her head against the wall!"

  Jiang Shen lay half-reclined on the imperial couch, and upon hearing this, he didn't even lift his head, only responding with a faint "en".

  Seeing him nod, Gu Lian continued: "In this day and age, which abandoned woman has a good life? That White Erxiang is pretending to be pitiful, trying to see if she can get your sympathy. Who knew that after you finished speaking the polite words, you let her leave, but now she doesn't dare to leave, so she's using the tactic of self-pity."

  Abandoned woman, have you never had good days?

  His heart sank, and Jiang Shenshen sat up straight.

  He has been dreaming of Xu Chuyan recently. In his dreams, she always wears a cold face. No matter how he runs towards her, he can't get to her side.

  Is it because her life was not going well that she resented him and wanted to make things difficult for him even in her dreams? Is she regretful now and wants to return to his side?

  His eyes lit up, Jiang Shen lay down, thought for a moment, put on his outer gown and went to Jiang Xuanjin's study.

  "I have a friend in Linchuan," he said. "Today I received an invitation, asking me to go and travel with them through the mountains and waters."

  Jiang Xuanjin looked at him and said, "Yi Xian City has been in a severe drought for three years."

  The mountain is there, where does the water come from?

  Jiang Shen laughed dryly: "In a land ravaged by drought, there should also be wind to harness. Give me a pass to the city, and I'll make a trip."

  Jiang Xuanjin said slowly and deliberately: "It's a lot of trouble to get the city pass, we'll have to wait for half a month."

  His forehead jumped, Jiang Shen couldn't help but angrily say: "Who are you fooling? Don't think I don't know, when Li Huaiyu left Yinping, you gave the letter to Wu Tongcheng, that was less than half a month ago!"

  Are you kidding me? Without a city pass, how could they have arrived at the frontline city so smoothly?

  Jiang Xuanjin fell silent and turned his head to look out of the window.

  Jiang Shen blocked his line of sight and frowned: "You're at least brothers, you can't be so petty!"

  With a somewhat displeased expression, Jiang Xuanjin said: "If you must, then go find Lü Qing and have him take care of it for you."

  With a smile, Jiang Shen joined his hands together and bowed towards him: "Thank you!"

  Then he hurriedly ran away.

  What was originally a good mood was ruined by him. Jiang Xuanjin's face turned gloomy, and he sat in the chair, sulking.

  "Master?" Cheng Xu handed him a cup of tea, "It's a good thing that Second Master wants to go to the first-tier city, who knows, he might even be able to make amends with Second Madam. What are you angry about?"

  He took over the teacup and placed it on the table, pinching the tea lid and lightly tapping the cup rim. Jiang Xuanjin was silent for a long time before saying in a low voice: "He can, I can't."

  Jiang Shenneng can suddenly run to a first-tier city at any time, he cannot. Jiang Shenneng can go find someone in a legitimate and proper manner, he also cannot.

  He has great things to do, documents to read, countless calculations to deal with, and even in his dreams, he is always falling off a cliff with a sense of weightlessness.

  Yesterday, Lü Qing said that once he was back in his position, everything would be as it should be.

  But he opened his hands and looked inside, only to find that there was nothing in them, nothing to grasp.

  He is even worse off than his second brother.

  "Master......" Chu Xū looked at him with some heartache, "The birthday banquet is about to begin, you...you can also go for a walk in Changlin and take a look at the scenery."

  At the mention of the birthday banquet, Jiang Xuanjin's dark eyes finally lit up again, but his mouth still scolded: "Celebrating Changlin Jun's birthday is a serious matter, how can you go sightseeing?"

  "Yes, yes, yes!" Cheng hurriedly bowed his head, "This matter is serious, you must prepare well."

  "Once the gift is ready, that's all. " Jiang Xuanjin hummed softly to himself, thought for a moment, and then had Yu Feng go find two tailors to bring back.

  The local overlords have not slept well in recent months, and everyone is speculating about the actions of the Emperor, Prince Zi Yang, and Princess Chang. Since Purple Sun is not far from the capital, the Emperor has already stationed troops at Linjiang Mountain, revealing his defensive intentions towards Prince Zi Yang.

  Some people think that Ziyang Jun should indeed be prevented, but there are also many who feel that the emperor is heartless and unrighteous. If he treats his former mentor like this, what about other vassals? Is it going to be their turn after they finish dealing with Ziyang, this hard bone?

  With an uneasy heart, the local overlords all arrived early at Changlin, planning to take this opportunity to probe Ziyang Jun thoroughly.

  While waiting, everyone was mentally prepared. After all, Ziyang and his entourage had been extremely busy lately, and it was also rumored that the king's mood was not good, so it was possible that he would come but not show up.

  However, just as the longevity banquet was about to begin, Zi Yang Jun arrived at the scene.

  A cyan-purple python-patterned brocade robe, with a wide and thick cloak wrapped around it, adorned with silver thread and fox fur, high-bundled black hair, and shining black pupils. As soon as Jiang Xuanjin entered the door, everyone was shocked and exclaimed in unison.

  "Welcome, Lord Zi Yang!"

  Standing at the door with hands clasped together in respect, Jiang Xuanjin first bowed to Chang Linjun who was seated in the main seat and said: "Congratulations on your grand birthday, this humble gift is not enough to express my respects."

  Chang Linjun was delighted and ushered him in with a smile: "I thought you weren't coming today."

  "It's nothing." He replied casually, Jiang Xuanjin glanced around with his peripheral vision.

  The gentleman from Pingling across from him said in a low voice to the person beside him, "Is this what you call being in a bad mood?"

  The face I saw before was a thousand-year-old icy face, but now it's so spirited and vigorous, it's as if the one celebrating his birthday today is him.

  The person next to him was also strange, secretly glancing at Ziyang Jun with both eyes, and saw that he was talking to Changlin Jun on one side, while scanning back and forth between the seats, as if looking for someone.

  Didn't see it the first time, Jiang Xuanjin thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, and when he looked again for the second time, he still didn't see it.

  The heart that had been held up suddenly sank, and he asked Zhang Linjun: "Hasn't Dan Yang come?"

  "Here comes someone, over there."

  Following his pointing direction, the person sitting there was Jiu Wu.

  Jiang Xuanjin narrowed his eyes slightly.

  "This..." Suddenly, the atmosphere around Zi Yang Jun's body turned cold. Chang Lin Jun forced himself to explain, "Don't underestimate this person, Your Highness. He is the newly appointed Governor of Dan Yang, with a great reputation and a steady hand in handling affairs. With his arrival..."

  "What about the host?" he asked in a low voice.

  Chang Lin Jun awkwardly said: "The invitation has been sent out, but it's said that Princess Chang is unwell and won't be able to come."

  What a great opportunity, someone like her, as long as she's still alive, how could she not come? Jiang Xuanjin sneered, his index finger lightly tapping the edge of the table, with a hint of anger in his eyes.

  Isn't it because of him that she would rather give up her great undertaking than come?

  Yesterday he finally had a good dream, dreaming that she reached out to him, although in the end he still couldn't catch it, but thought it was at least a good omen.

  What can't be grasped will ultimately remain ungrasped.

  Jiang Xuanyin let out a light snort, feeling stifled in her heart.

  How much she must have hated him, to not even let a single dream come true?