Chaos of Ming 1628

As the last sentence fell, Sun Qing walked out of the venue.

In film and television dramas, works by great figures are sure to be met with thunderous applause and utmost respect.

However, there was no such reaction.

Even after Sun Qing left, the disdain remained.

This group of pedantic people will continue to emphasize style and wording repeatedly. They will never break out of their existing framework.

"Hmph, no matter how good one's writing skills are, a person who speaks for the eunuch faction cannot produce good words. The style, wording, and meaning all violate ancient taboos."

"Such people only have passion; they are completely devoid of true understanding."

"This must not be circulated, lest it mislead future generations of students."

Did they carefully consider the deeper meaning behind it, or were they simply unwilling to understand it at all?

After listening to the lyrics, Yang Qingqing's eyes were fixed on Sun Qing. She no longer cared about the others at the literary gathering, and simply followed Sun Qing.

Song Xian's displeasure deepened; ever since they started talking about Wei Zhongxian, the atmosphere had become awkward.

In fact, Song Xian believed that the eunuch faction was utterly wicked, and he wished he could be demoted and eliminated as soon as possible.

At the beginning of the discussion, Song Xian agreed with everyone's views and was even emotionally moved by everyone's opinions.

But after Sun Qing spoke, his words were truly enlightening, giving Song Xian a completely new understanding of the fate of the eunuch faction.

He traveled all over the country, sometimes even disguising himself as a beggar, so he knew the hardships of ordinary people and what they were like.

What Sun Qing said was all true.

They couldn't accept Sun Qing's views, and even rejected the man himself. Finally, as he left, he composed the magnificent poem "Nian Nu Jiao."

It even made Song Xian feel a deep respect for the person before him, and gave rise to the feeling of insignificance that a sparrow cannot comprehend the ambitions of a swan.

"Enough!" Song Xian finally lost his temper. "To be fair, this article has a broad vision and a grand perspective. Among you, who can write with such spirit?"

"You are the little birds he's talking about, no, me too."

He lowered his head, feeling ashamed: "He has the world in his heart, while we cowards can only hide from the world and dream."

Another self-deprecating laugh.

This literary gathering was absolutely a disaster.

Song Xian had no desire to linger there any longer. He picked up the unfinished teapot, disregarded scholarly etiquette, and walked outside.

As for the people inside, their reactions—whether they reflect on their actions or continue their rambling conversation—are no longer important.

Even if they talked themselves hoarse, it wouldn't affect Wei Zhongxian's fate in the slightest.

A private room.

Sun Qing had just published his collection of writings when he was invited to a private room in the teahouse next door.

Sun Quan had been waiting for a long time, and the tea on the table had grown slightly cold.

Yang Qingqing chased after her all the way and stopped downstairs. Looking up at the tightly closed doors and windows upstairs, An'an lowered her head.

"Sis, why are you out? Is the literary gathering over?" Yang Zuochang jogged up to her. "I could still hear people talking inside."

"No," Yang Qingqing said with a disappointed look and a bitter smile, "Little brother, we've probably already found the person we're looking for."

Yang Zuochang was puzzled, but with cars and people bustling around, he dared not ask any further questions.

"Prepare the carriage, let's return to the post station."

A private room in a teahouse.

Sun Qing had just entered the door when Song Xian arrived shortly after.

Sun Quan slowly rose, straightened his belt, stared at the person before him, and no longer showed anger: "I am Sun Quan, the eldest son of Sun Wenzheng, Duke of Gaoyang."

"I know," Sun Qing said with a bitter smile.

"Good to know." Sun Quan glared at him fiercely. How could he face anyone after that shout just now!

He emphasized, "The entire clan's register of descendants is kept in the ancestral hall. I know every branch, whether near or far, male or female, young or old."

"Since you claim to be from the Sun family of Gaoyang, then tell me, who exactly are you?"

The man before him was the eldest son of the Sun family; even if he recited the order of their ancestors, he wouldn't be able to fool anyone. Just now, Sun Qing had addressed this man as "father."

Where in the world is there a father who doesn't even recognize his own son?

Sun Qing was speechless and lowered his head in silence.

Sun Qing snorted coldly again: "Now that the eunuch faction is everywhere, so many people are watching my Sun family and fabricating charges against them. Yet you are using my father's name to run around everywhere."

"Others will only say that the Sun family members are colluding with the eunuch faction in private. I'm afraid it won't be long before a memorial impeaching my father for secretly harboring his own faction members is sent to the palace."

"Are you trying to ruin my entire Gaoyang clan? Because of your own selfish desires, you want to use my whole family of loyal martyrs as a sacrifice?"

Sun Quan slammed his hand heavily on the table: "If you were just an ordinary swindler, I would have sent you directly to the government office according to the law."

"And who exactly are you?"

Song Xian stood aside without making a sound.

The worst thing happened.

Sun Qing's palms were covered in cold sweat. Any sophistry seemed futile and pale in the face of the person in question.

He simply smiled and frankly admitted, "You're right, I'm not a member of the Sun family."

"But I had no choice but to do this, and the reasons are really inconvenient to explain. You only need to know that I will never dishonor the Sun family."

"It will certainly not harm the Sun family."

Sun Quan was not in a hurry to answer.

Although he had left the collection, people still kept informed of what had happened to the other party.

What the people said at the literary gathering was not important; the key point was Sun Quan's analysis of the current literary works, especially his rendition of the poem "Nian Nu Jiao," which impressed him greatly.

Such lofty ambitions are quite characteristic of the Sun family.

The Sun family members do not participate in any partisan struggles and have no partisan biases. On the contrary, they are able to view everything Sun Qing said more rationally.

Before Sun Qing arrived, he couldn't help but sigh: if he really had such an outstanding son, his ancestors' graves would be emitting auspicious smoke.

In the seventh year of the Tianqi reign, the situation was extremely tense. Anyone who dared to impersonate the Sun family was either an opportunist or a spy planted by the secret police.

We must not put the Sun family in danger simply because we admire their talent.

Sun Quan clenched his fist slightly.

"Sigh!" Song Xian stood aside and sighed softly, his sharp gaze fixed on the man: "I have been by your side ever since you arrived in Jiaohe County."

"It's been more than half a month now, and I really don't understand what you're trying to do."

"The relationship with the eunuch faction is even more perplexing."

Song Xian understood the situation better, which only made him more suspicious. If they were members of the eunuch faction, why would they plot against Madam Ke?

If not, why help Tian Ergeng and Wei Zhongxian?

Song Xian asked solemnly, "Are you someone close to the Emperor?"

Sun Quan suddenly stood up; he began to feel nervous.

Sun Qing sighed, "That's a really clever question. Right now, all the power in the palace is in the hands of Wei Zhongxian and his eunuch faction. Most of the people around the current emperor are actually members of the Eastern Depot's Embroidered Uniform Guard."

This alone is enough to worry Sun Quan.

But it's a good thing that Song Xian asked that question. At least it shows that Shen Junru has conveyed what he wanted her to see.

Sun Qing's heart, which had been in her throat, actually calmed down, and she said in a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant: "Among all the subjects under heaven, who is not one of His Majesty's people?"

"I am also a descendant of the Ming Dynasty!"

Sun Quan was taken aback upon hearing this and wanted to question the other party about why he was impersonating his son. But he saw Song Xian gently shake his head.

He suppressed his doubts, turned his head to the side, and stopped looking at him.

Song Xian smiled and said, "Young master, I have a few words to say, but please excuse me for a moment."

Sun Qing nodded: "I have some business to attend to at the yamen, so I'll take my leave first."