The charming widow of the Marquis's mansion: The stable boy carries the flag and raises the dra

Wang Long was both amused and exasperated.

This girl's mind is always filled with food.

Xu Wanyun stood to the side, watching the interaction between the father and daughter, a gentle smile on her lips.

This is the man she has her eye on.

He was skilled in both literature and martial arts, possessed unparalleled talent, had the world in his heart, yet was gentle and considerate.

Thinking of this, Xu Wanyun's face flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyes, not daring to look any further.

The banquet was held in the square in front of Minglun Hall.

Hundreds of tables were lined up, laden with all sorts of dishes, including various kinds of meat, delicacies from land and sea—everything imaginable.

The wine is a fine aged Shaoxing wine; its fragrance travels for miles as soon as the jar is opened.

Qin Jiaojiao sat next to Wang Long, holding a chicken leg in one hand and a wine glass in the other, enjoying her meal immensely.

The little chick perched on her shoulder and also got a small dish of meat. It buried its head in its food, pecking at it until its feathers were covered in oil.

Xu Wanyun sat on the other side of Wang Long, eating quietly, occasionally putting a piece of food on Wang Long's plate with her chopsticks, her movements natural.

Those around them were filled with envy upon seeing this.

But there was no more jealousy or hatred.

I used to think Wang Long was not good enough for Xu Wanyun, but now I see it.

Xu Wanyun is the one who is marrying above her station.

Wang Long accepted whatever was offered to her, eating it with great relish.

Shen Qianqiu sat in the main seat, holding a wine glass, smiling as he looked at the guests in the room, in a very good mood.

He stood up, picked up his wine glass, scanned the room, and spoke in a loud voice.

"Gentlemen! Let us raise our glasses together to Brother Wang!"

"To Mr. Wang!"

Everyone stood up in unison, raised their glasses, and toasted Wang Long.

Wang Long also stood up, picked up his wine glass, looked around, and smiled.

"Thank you all, I toast you all!"

He drank it all in one gulp.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted.

Ye Yizhou, holding a wine glass, walked up to Wang Long and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Mr. Wang, this old man toasts you."

Wang Long quickly returned the greeting.

"Mr. Ye, you're too kind."

The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.

Ye Yizhou put down his wine glass, looked at Wang Long, and his gaze was sincere.

"Mr. Wang, I have a favor to ask."

"Mr. Ye, please speak."

Ye Yizhou took a deep breath and slowly spoke.

"I would like to ask Mr. Wang to inscribe a name for Qinglu Academy."

"Just write these six characters: 'To continue the lost learning of the past sages'."

"I wish to have it engraved on the gate of Qinglu Academy to inspire the students."

Wang Long was taken aback for a moment, then laughed.

"Mr. Ye, you are too kind. It is my honor."

Ye Yizhou was overjoyed. He quickly took out a roll of blank Xuan paper from his sleeve, spread it on the table, and then took out a pen from his bosom, holding it with both hands and handing it to Wang Long.

"Mr. Wang, please!"

Wang Long took the brush, dipped it in ink, and then lifted it with his wrist suspended.

The pen falls.

The six characters were written in one breath.

The brushstrokes are vigorous and powerful, the literary style is restrained, and it exudes a faint golden light.

Ye Yizhou looked at the six characters, his eyes reddening, his hands trembling as he took the Xuan paper, carefully put it away, and bowed deeply to Wang Long.

"Thank you, Mr. Wang! On behalf of all the students of Qinglu Academy, I express my deepest gratitude for your kindness!"

Wang Long quickly helped him up.

"Mr. Ye, there's no need for such formality. You flatter me."

Seeing this, Li Mo and Wen Yuan also came over and asked Wang Long to write an inscription.

Wang Long agreed to all of them and wrote them down.

The three calligraphy pieces were presented to three great scholars respectively.

The three of them treasured it as if it were a priceless gem, carefully put it away, and bowed deeply to Wang Long, expressing their deepest gratitude.

Qin Jiaojiao sat to the side, watching this scene with pride on her little face.

She secretly tugged at Xu Wanyun's sleeve and lowered her voice.

"Master, look at my father, how amazing he is."

Xu Wanyun nodded gently, her gaze falling on Wang Long, her eyes full of tenderness.

"Hmm~"

Qin Jiaojiao grinned and tugged at her sleeve again, her voice even lower.

"Master, do you like my father more now?"

Xu Wanyun blushed slightly, but did not answer. She simply picked up her wine glass and took a small sip.

Seeing her shy expression, Qin Jiaojiao covered her mouth and chuckled, then stopped asking questions.

The Primordial Holy Palace, a cave dwelling.

Ye Niannu sat cross-legged in the center of the spirit pool, her eyes closed, her body enveloped in a faint golden light.

Her aura was much stronger than it had been a few months ago, but she was still just one step away from breaking through to the Supreme Realm.

The spiritual liquid in the spirit pool has been mostly consumed, and milky white mist permeates the cave, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.

The stone door to the cave slowly opened.

Ye Wushuang, dressed in a long white dress, with her long black hair flowing like a waterfall and a cool expression, walked in from outside the door.

She walked to the edge of the pool, looked down at Ye Niannu in the water, and a trace of heartache flashed in her beautiful eyes.

"Niannu."

Ye Niannu opened her eyes, looked at Ye Wushuang, and forced a smile.

"Master, you've arrived."

Ye Wushuang sat down by the pool and gently touched her head.

"How's your cultivation going?"

"Still a little short."

Ye Niannu's voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a hint of fatigue.

"Without your help, my disciple will likely find it difficult to break through to the Supreme Realm."

Ye Wushuang remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Niannu, I've come today to tell you something."

Ye Niannu raised her head and looked at her.

"What is it?"

Ye Wushuang took out a roll of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Ye Niannu.

"Take a look at this."

Ye Niannu took the paper, unfolded it, and looked down at it.

Her pupils contracted sharply.

There were a few lines of text written on the paper.

"Wang Long, honorary instructor of Wenxin Academy, wrote two poems to commemorate the nation."

"He made a vow in front of the Minglun Hall of Wenxin Academy, which triggered a celestial phenomenon, with literary energy soaring to the sky and golden light obscuring the sun."

The motto reads: "To establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to establish a destiny for the people, to continue the lost learning of the past sages, and to usher in an era of peace for all generations."

"These four lines have spread throughout the Eastern Regions and are regarded as a motto by Confucian scholars throughout the world."

Ye Niannu's hand holding the paper was trembling slightly.

Ye Wushuang looked at her, her voice indifferent.

"Niannu, you haven't misjudged him."

"This Wang Long is even more outstanding than I imagined."

"After only half a month of exposure to Confucianism and Taoism, he was able to write poems that could govern the country, evoke extraordinary phenomena in the heavens and earth, and establish the ambition of a sage."

"Such talent and brilliance are unparalleled in the entire Eastern Region."

Ye Niannu said with great pride.

"Of course! My lord is my destined one. In this lifetime, I have only ever been devoted to him!"

Ye Wushuang reached out and gently pulled her into his arms, patting her back.

"Yes, Master will try to buy you more time!"

Ye Niannu leaned against her, wrapped her arms around her waist, buried her face in her chest, and spoke in a muffled voice.

"Master, I miss him so much..."

"I want to see him... I want to hug him... I want to kiss him..."

Ye Wushuang sighed softly and stroked her hair.

"I know."

"But now is not the time."

"The Tianyan Sect and the elders are keeping a close eye on you. If you leave the Taichu Sacred Palace, they will definitely take action."

Ye Niannu bit her lip and remained silent.

Ye Wushuang released her and reached out to wipe away the tears on her face.

"Niannu, you must believe him."

"If he can get to where he is today, he can definitely go even higher and farther."

"When he is strong enough, he will come to get you."

"At that time, neither the Tianyan Sect nor the Elders' Council can stop you."