stand back, let me come

Chapter 1563 Extra: Mandarin Ducks Weave a Pair for Flight (Part 1)

The sixteenth year of Yanhuang.

Qianzhou is completely absorbed in building the hometown IP of Gongxi Chou.

Learn to design and sell various merchandise items without a teacher; limited time and quantity available.

Throughout history, no martial artist has ever been so popular, and his fanbase is remarkably consistent: the younger, more idealistic, and more passionate they are, the more easily they are swayed by him. The Qianzhou prefecture even petitioned the royal court to change his name.

What name should I change it to?

Shen Tang swiped open the memorial and snapped it shut.

[Junhou Township, have you no shame at all?]

Wei Chengluo San and Gongyang Yongye, along with several other rank-20 marquises, somehow heard rumors and wrote letters to hurl insults. Judging from the vulgarity of their words, these old guards were quite vulnerable. The world only knew of Gongxi Chou, the newly promoted marquis, and was unaware of them.

Qianzhou renamed its own territory Junhou Township, but what about the ancestral homes of these people? Why does Gongxi Chou have the right to monopolize the title?

Therefore, Shen Tang refused.

Qianzhou would naturally not let this go.

The following year, they continued their persistent efforts, sending people to paint Gong Xi Chou's portrait and requesting his calligraphy to be taken back. Qianzhou planned to develop a themed tourist area within its borders, with Gong Xi Chou's hometown as its selling point. Once completed, they intended to have Gong Xi Chou cut the ribbon, leaving behind traces of his martial arts and insights, which would cause an explosive increase in the number of wandering martial artists who came to visit. In addition, they used their connections with high-ranking members of the Gong Xi Chou Conservation Association to acquire exclusive firsthand information, which, after being compiled, outlined Gong Xi Chou's life trajectory.

Shen Tang didn't even know where to begin her rant.

[...This method must have been guided by a master.]

What puzzled Shen Tang even more was that Kangguo also had no shortage of powerful and courageous martial artists, and other places had tried to create similar IPs, but none of them had made a splash. Only Gong Xichou was like an evergreen tree, enjoying great popularity for over thirty years. After investigation, it was discovered that this was inseparable from a certain fanatical fan—Xu Quan not only had passion, but also a wealthy cousin who supported his idol-chasing.

With him at the helm, the organization initially attracted many children of Kangguo court officials. Li Wan, one of the association's top leaders, even went on to achieve a high-ranking position. With such people around, it would be difficult for Gongxi Chou's fan base to be small.

Gong Xichou: [The most important thing is that I'm strong.]

His strength is the key to Qianzhou's success.

Shen Tang could only roll her eyes at this and retort: ​​"You're getting all high and mighty just because I said you're fat. It's not like there weren't people who could beat you up back then."

No one more capable than Gong Xi Chou is as arrogant and high-profile as him, and no one more arrogant and high-profile than him has his strength. No one more arrogant and stronger than him has the thick skin to ask for a pair of trousers as a trophy... In addition, Xu Quan, a rich and die-hard fan whom Gong Xi Chou unexpectedly captured, is willing to spend his own money to support him on the rankings... There is a reason why Gong Xi Chou is so highly praised by the wandering knights.

Emmm, plus Qianzhou's years of aiding and abetting evil... no, fueling the flames, it would be an injustice if he didn't become famous.

Gong Xichou sat on the roof beam of the main hall, swinging his legs, his eyes brimming with smugness: "Oh, isn't Mama envious?"

Shen Tang points at Gong Xi Chou: "Shao Bai, take him down!"

Gongxi Chou's butt is burning with anger: [Mama, you can't take this!]

"...Big brother, don't hit someone in the face!" He wasn't surprised to have both eyes bruised. Disliking how this appearance marred his handsome features, he simply transformed into a martial arts totem and coiled around the screen behind Shen Tang, chattering away, "Mama, if you're so envious, my brother and I can help you spread our teachings. We'll be even more impressive than me."

Ji Moqiu, the one who was causing the Gu poison, stopped what he was doing.

He lifted his eyelids, and a glimmer of light appeared in his eyes.

As the person directly involved, Shen Tang's single sentence thwarted their plans before they even began: "Gongxi Feng'en, don't cause me any trouble."

Qianzhou openly fabricated counterfeits and used Gong Xichou to embezzle money from wandering knights. Shen Tang could turn a blind eye to this, since cultural businesses are still businesses, and if developed well, they could continuously create wealth for Qianzhou. But Shen Tang is not one to do that.

She was the founding monarch of Kangguo. If she really wanted to do that, she could allow Ji Moqiu to spread his teachings among the people, and she was sure that more than half of Kangguo would become his fanatical followers. However, this would easily break the rules and create a "god" to interfere with the government.

As Gong Xichou shrank his python body, he swam down from the screen, stealing a couple of bites of the Gu pills that Ji Moqiu had refined along the way. Finally, he swam up Shen Tang's arm to her shoulder and coiled up on her head. He looked down at the memorial sent by Qianzhou on the table.

Wagging its tail, it continued to be stubborn.

[Where have I ever caused trouble?] Gong Xichou's eyesight wasn't very good in his Martial Courage Totem state; even at this close range, he could only see a dark blob of ink. He leaned closer and discovered that Shen Tang had drawn something at the end of the memorial. [Mama, what did you draw?]

Gongxi Chou examined it carefully: "My totem?"

[It's not just you, it's Shao Bai too.] In order to further expand the IP's influence, Qianzhou petitioned Shen Tang to design a tribal emblem for the Gongxi tribe's ancestral homeland. She naturally agreed to this request, secretly thinking that the officials of Qianzhou knew how to handle people; they had made the right choice in asking her.

Ji Moqiu may not be well-known, but his medical skills are exceptional.

If you pray for a son, you will get a son; if you pray for a daughter, you will get a daughter.

Whether it's male infertility or female infertility, his methods always bear fruit. He can even help men who have been trying to conceive for decades to get pregnant—Gongyang Yongye, the father of the Marquis of Che, is willing to endorse him—his fan base is even larger than that of Gongxi Chou.

One of his specialist appointments can even sell for a fortune.

Gong Xichou: [Where is my elder brother?]

Why did he only see a coiled fat snake?
Shen Tang pointed to the fat snake's open mouth.

The snake is carrying a pearl in its mouth.

[The eldest brother's martial arts totem is not a bead.]

Shen Tang: [Well, we'll find out later.]

Gong Xichou muttered to himself, "Another riddle teller."

Shen Tang grabbed him, coiled him up, and threw him into Ji Moqiu's arms. Gong Xichou then transformed into a streak of light and darted out of the main hall in mid-air.

[Your Highness's painting skills are even better than they were back then.]

Shen Tang said smugly, "Right? I think so too."

Just then, a bluebird with a gradient color flew in through the window.

The bluebird hovered on Ji Moqiu's fingertip. He listened intently for a moment, then said, "[The young princess said that the Imperial Academy is tentatively scheduled to hold its study tour in Qianzhou this year. She also wants to go abroad and asked me to speak to His Highness on her behalf.]"

Why didn't she send me the message herself?

【This is because we fear His Highness's anger has not yet subsided.】

A few days ago, a fight broke out among the students at the Imperial Academy, and the situation was so serious that it alarmed the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy and two Vice-Chancellors.

Both sides in the fight were children of officials.

On a small scale, it was just students fooling around; on a larger scale, it might have been orchestrated and directed by someone. Her Highness has always disliked the interference of court officials in the Imperial Academy. Students should behave like students and enjoy all the privileges that students are entitled to. No schemes or plots should be used against students. What troubles her even more is that Ru Gui has also been dragged into it; this is the first time Ru Gui has been impeached by court officials.

It simply means that the crown prince should have the demeanor of a crown prince.

Shen Tang ordered an investigation and only then did he learn the whole story.

The good news is that neither side involved in the conflict, Shen De or Ru Gui, only came to help after receiving the news. The bad news is that her arrival didn't calm the situation; instead, it escalated the conflict further. Shen Tang wasn't surprised at all when he saw the backgrounds of the two sides involved.

One of them is surnamed He.

His father was the brothers He Shu and He Xin.

He Shu was a lone minister in the court, rarely associating with officials from aristocratic families. Over the years, he had also threatened the interests of these families, and many heads of these families had died at their hands during the chaotic end of the dynasty. Old and new grudges had accumulated, but they had never openly broken off relations. The trigger for this brawl at the Imperial Academy was the execution of an official from an aristocratic family in a case that He Shu was overseeing.

The culprit in this case could be killed or spared.

But if it falls into He Shu's hands, it can only mean death.

There were many intermarriages among prominent families, resulting in a complex network of relationships.

Some people, already feeling guilty, couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow and worry. When the adults' conflicts were overheard by the children—and these children weren't just little kids, but teenagers with basic judgment—in times of chaos, they would have countless lives on their hands—the conflicts naturally escalated. The He family children also had a small social circle and were considered the weaker party at school.

The weaker party is easier to bully. Shen De knew the influence of the He Shu brothers in the court.

Therefore, they sided with the He family's children during the fight.

It is conceivable how many officials from aristocratic families were among those who impeached Shen De this time. Some neutral officials also felt that the Crown Prince's behavior was reckless and erratic, and joined the army of accusers, and were thus placed under house arrest.

The ban has not been lifted yet.

So, pitifully, he asked the high priest to plead for him.

She really wanted to participate in this study tour.

Shen Tang gave her permission.

He also assigned a task to Shen De.

Going to Qianzhou is fine; I can deal with a few officials while I'm at it. But if I don't handle it well, who knows when I'll be able to go out again.

Shen De reluctantly agreed.

The other party involved in the fight was also locked up by his parents and two others.

At this time, at the He residence.

The maidservant returned the food table untouched with a troubled expression: "Master, Second Master, Madam, the young lady still refuses to eat."

He Shu's forehead veins throbbed.

He Xin quickly grabbed the man's shoulder before he could lose his temper.

He looked at his wife, who sighed, "If she doesn't want to eat, then she doesn't have to. If she's really starving, she'll open the door and find food herself."

Known daughter Moruomu.

Her daughter is not one to suffer injustice.

Spoiled rotten by their family, He Shu and his brother were treated like royalty, developing increasingly unruly personalities. Remembering the information He Shu had uncovered, she felt a chill run down her spine, and surprisingly, she didn't interfere in disciplining the brothers.

If Prince Rugui hadn't intervened...

Those people were secretly aiming for an "accidental killing."

It was all to get some interest back for the elders in the clan.

He Shu and the others couldn't tell whether these actions were taken arbitrarily by the students or instigated by their elders. Regardless, they were determined to kill them; if they couldn't harm the children, they would kill the elders. Unless the elders were completely innocent, they wouldn't let them go!

The lady opened her mouth as if to speak.

She actually hoped her husband would show mercy.

At least don't make such a big enemy.

However, she also knew that if her husband wanted to protect their family, he had no choice but to rely entirely on his lord—and only his lord could protect them from the encirclement and suppression by the powerful clans. After so many years, it wasn't a situation they could simply back down from…

The key point is that they never wanted to back down.

Especially those who are not prone to arrogance, their antiquarian nature is somewhat better. The way of the scholar who is not prone to arrogance is to oppose the aristocratic families and even the ruler. If you ask him to give it up, it would be tantamount to asking him to destroy his own way.

"Don't worry." He Xin was more popular in the court than He Shu, and he also had some public relations with Qi Shan. So he was much less of a worry than He Shu. He poured tea for his wife. "My brother and I are planning to take half a year's annual leave next year to avoid the storm."

Should we learn from Gu Chi and Luan Xin and take two years of annual leave at once?
It's unlikely, and too dangerous.

But it's still okay for the whole family to go out and relax for six months.

Before that, we must completely eliminate the potential dangers at hand.

After saying that, He Xin gave his brother a wink.

He Shu coughed twice: "That's right, hasn't Madam always wanted to paint landscapes? I've heard that the Northern State is vast, the Desert State is desolate, and the Ugly State has a unique charm... Madam will surely be delighted to see them."

The lady's expression shifted.

"Ke Art Academy..."

He Shudao said, "The painting academy is fine. Let Qi Yuanliang help out for a while. Anyway, he can do the work of a hundred people."

The brothers are very busy and are often away from home.

The lady joined the painting academy as its director.

The duties of the Imperial Painting Academy were to paint portraits and other pictures for the royal family, collect and organize paintings, train students, and draw maps. At the emperor's suggestion, they were also given the task of creating illustrations for the inner pages of historical books. Compared to the He Shu brothers, their job was relatively leisurely.

However, that is only relatively speaking.

"Aren't you afraid he'll curse you three times a day if he hears this?"

What does it mean that Qi Yuanliang is capable of doing the work of a hundred people?

He Xin suppressed a laugh: "It's a good opportunity to see the children too."

This reason is a killer move.

The lady was persuaded.

She has many children.

Several of her older grandchildren had already started their own families and careers, and her eldest grandchildren were all living in the family compound. As the grandmother, she always had endless worries. The He brothers, not wanting their political enemies to focus on their offspring, sent their mediocre children away to develop their own businesses, only exchanging letters during holidays. How could she not miss them? It was just that she had the affairs of the painting academy to attend to on a regular basis, which left her with little energy to think about her children whom she hadn't seen in years. Since her husbands wanted to take a break and enjoy some family time, she naturally agreed.

However, before that, we need to appease our youngest daughter.

This child is one of only two of her children who are talented.

He is the most talented and insightful of the two.

With the doting love of her three parents and the care of her many older siblings, she had developed a somewhat unruly personality. If she wasn't disciplined, she feared she might cause a terrible disaster one day. Just as she was about to speak, a maid from the backyard suddenly rushed in: "The young lady is missing!"

"what?"

After checking, it was discovered that some items were missing.

Two sets of clothes, some loose silver coins to keep him company, and a note on the table, the flamboyant handwriting filled with the boy's anger.

"So, you ran away from home?"

Shen De looked at his companion who had been captured as an assassin.

He Wu grabbed a chicken leg without any regard for appearances and devoured it with gusto, looking like a starving ghost: "I just want to make Father and the others anxious."

Shen De: "There aren't many places you can go."

I reckon they'll be caught and taken back before dawn.

After all this commotion, he's bound to get a beating with bamboo shoots and pork.

　(σ)σ:*☆

　　The original title I wanted to write was "Mandarin Ducks Weave a Pair for Flight (Part Three)"...

　　(End of this chapter)