Chaos of Ming 1628

Song Xian stood before him, completely different from Lao Yu.

Old Yu was just a down-on-his-luck, mad old man who mingled in the streets, his breath light and disordered. His clothes were sloppy, and his behavior was unkempt and careless.

If Sun Qing and Lao Yu hadn't seen each other every day, they probably wouldn't have recognized the person in front of them.

The madman who had once shouted and clung to his wine gourd had instantly shed his eccentric demeanor. His once-weathered eyes were no longer clouded.

Instead, he became clear-headed, all his madness and frivolity faded away, and in an instant he became calm and dignified.

At this moment, he stood with his hands behind his back, his posture refined, and just by standing there quietly, he commanded respect.

This is no longer just one person.

Everyone who came to the literary gathering today is looking this way.

Sun Qing had been on guard against Yang Qingqing, but she never expected that Yang Qingqing would actually catch him off guard.

Those attending the literary gathering all come from privileged backgrounds or are destined for greatness. Asking them this way will only make things more ridiculous.

Sun Qing's smile vanished, his expression turning displeased as he stared at Yang Qingqing. He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "Since Miss Yang doesn't welcome me, I'll take my leave. Why humiliate me?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Qing turned and left.

Everyone was completely bewildered, but Yang Qingqing remained standing there, her eyes gleaming with cunning.

Yang Qingqing didn't speak, but several students rushed forward and flanked Sun Qing on both sides.

"Young Master Sun, you are being unreasonable. If Miss Yang didn't welcome you, why would she have introduced you to her?"

"What kind of treatment is this? Look at us, we don't even have this opportunity."

Some people around him echoed his sentiments, while others remained detached and spectator-like.

Sun Qing's gaze fell on the two people talking, and he chuckled.

Then I asked Yang Qingqing, "The Analects says that only women and petty men are difficult to deal with. Is this really true?"

"I have no grudge against you, young lady, yet you deliberately humiliate me, and everyone else still criticizes me. It's truly frustrating!"

Song Xian did not speak, but stood aside with his face remaining calm.

Yang Qingqing frowned, her voice slightly aggrieved: "Young Master Sun, I have long admired your name, but I just wanted to do you a favor."

"Indeed! Young Master Sun, you underestimate me."

"It seems that seeing is believing, which is truly disappointing."

Sun Qing looked around: "You think I'm making things difficult for Miss Yang? Then tell me, who am I?"

"Don't worry, we're not deaf, Sun family of Gaoyang." Someone snorted in dissatisfaction.

Sun Qing's smile didn't reach his eyes; his gaze was icy cold: "And who is Song Xian?"

The man who had spoken earlier sounded rather impatient: "Didn't I just say it was Grand Secretary Sun's..."

The man's voice grew weaker and weaker. He glanced at Sun Qing guiltily, and his face instantly turned red.

"Heh," Sun Qing let out a bitter, cold laugh, tilting his head slightly, looking both sorrowful and stubborn: "I know that I am of little influence in the Sun family, and I dare not tarnish the family's good name. Since arriving in Jiaohe, I have always been trembling with fear."

"How could Mr. Song and I not be? And Mr. Song is not the kind of person who flatters the powerful and belittles the weak!"

Sun Qing's self-deprecating remark caused almost everyone's expression to change.

Those who have come to this literary gathering today, apart from a very few sons of wealthy families, are mostly frustrated scholars or students from impoverished backgrounds.

One sentence resonated with so many people!

Who hasn't been given that kind of disdain?

The way everyone looked at Sun Qing changed, from disdain and doubt to empathy. Looking at Yang Qingqing again, they couldn't help but sigh.

Some even said, "Miss Yang is rich and powerful, but even though you organized this cultural event, you still don't understand its meaning."

"Miss Yang is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting; her talent is beyond doubt. However, she is ultimately a bit narrow-minded."

"Although Young Master Sun has only recently gained some fame, everything he has done has been for the benefit of the people. Such virtue should not be underestimated."

The crowd that had been surrounding Yang Qingqing suddenly stepped back a few paces.

The most principled and noble people are the scholars, for we scholars would rather starve than bow down to corruption.

No matter how rich you are, even if you hold a literary gathering, you will not be recognized if you are of bad character. In fact, if you are morally corrupt, you will not be able to attract any people to your literary gathering.

The situation instantly became awkward.

They all shouted, "Young Master Sun, don't go! We'll stay as long as you're here!"

"Yes, if you want to leave, we'll go with you."

Yang Qingqing stood there, utterly embarrassed. Even with her intelligence and cunning, she was caught completely off guard.

"Haha," Song Xian laughed, stroking his beard, and put his arm around Sun Qing's shoulder. "Nephew, Miss Yang was just joking with you. Why get angry?"

"It's good that you've arrived, my dear nephew. Let's begin the literary gathering now! I'd also like to test you and see if you've made any progress in your studies."

The address of "Dear Nephew" dispelled the crisis of questioning his identity. Song Xian was originally a trusted confidant and former advisor of Sun Chengzong, and also associated with the Sun family's sons of the same generation.

Addressing a grandchild who has assisted in a career as a nephew is the safest and most appropriate way to address them. Similarly, this was the most respectable way for families of advisors in the Ming Dynasty to address their grandchildren.

It is both gentle and dignified.

These two words left Yang Qingqing speechless.

The scholars quickly came to their senses and stopped dwelling on the topic.

The main reason is still saving face; aside from the lack of money, everyone is there because of him as a person.

The crisis was resolved, but Yang Qingqing was more worried than happy.

Just from these few words, they acknowledged Ma Yu's identity.

With the title "Dear Nephew" and further learning, the two became much closer. Sun Qing's identity was confirmed by Sun Chengzong's trust in him.

Yang Qingqing's eyes were dark and unfathomable. She stepped forward, gave a graceful bow, and said in a gentle voice, "Young Master Sun, I was truly offended just now."

"I was just thinking that since Lord Song has lived in the capital for so long, you two probably wouldn't know him. It seems that I was just ignorant."

That's what she said, but Yang Qingqing's eyes showed a hint of coldness and doubt.

Sun Qing sneered inwardly. Wasn't she clearly trying to expose him just now? Although he didn't know why she did that, he knew he should be careful.

Looking into those eyes, Sun Qing felt as if a needle had pierced his heart. That face always knew how to exploit his weaknesses.

The two exchanged a glance, and then separated in an instant.

Yang Qingqing sat back in her previous seat, as if nothing had happened, and gently plucked the strings of her instrument.

With the gentle strains of the piano music, the little incident from earlier had passed.

Only Sun Qing remained terrified. This woman always acted unexpectedly; if he hadn't already seen through Song Xian's identity, today would have been the day his own identity was exposed.

How could a deputy county magistrate possibly save his life in the hands of this pack of wolves and tigers?

This literary gathering was even more extraordinary.

Sun Qing found a place to sit down, carefully considering his words and actions before acting, daring not to be careless in the slightest.

Song Xian, as the first author, set several topics in succession, which were nothing more than poetry, lyrics, and prose.

Before long, someone recited it. While it wasn't particularly brilliant, it was certainly well-structured and parallel.

Throughout history, Tang poetry and Song lyrics have been the most classic. The Book of Songs, when recited, is a captivating and engaging narrative. Compared to these, the lyrics of these scholars seem somewhat superficial.

"Not bad, all of them are pretty good."

Song Xian didn't comment much, but instead asked Sun Qing, who hadn't spoken, "Speaking of which, when you sent your visiting card, my dear nephew, you also wrote a short poem."

"Why don't we all give our opinions?"

Sun Qing looked slightly embarrassed.

Song Xian had already read those few words aloud.

Quietly I left

Just as I came quietly

I waved my sleeves

Without taking away a single cloud.