Chapter 1747: Chapter 938: Listening to Hearts (Filler Chapter)

An hour later, a carriage came from the end of the street and finally stopped in front of a luxurious six-story restaurant.

The driver held the reins, then turned around, eagerly lifted the curtain, and said with a fawning smile, "Young Master, we have arrived at the Mingyu Pavilion."

Inside the carriage, Zhang Xusheng adjusted his attire, then got up and exited the carriage, not forgetting to express his thanks to the driver.

Just as he was about to enter the restaurant, he suddenly heard a voice by his ear: "Pah, looking all dignified and neat, yet unwilling to even spare a copper coin as a tip!"

Zhang Xusheng paused briefly, seemingly casually took a piece of silver coin from his sleeve, and then turned to stuff it into the driver’s hand while smiling, "Almost forgot, thank you for the ride, here is the carriage fare, please accept it."

The driver was flattered and repeatedly declined, saying, "How can this be? Someone has already paid for you in advance, Young Master. How would I dare accept a second time?"

Zhang Xusheng forcibly pressed the silver coin into his hand while saying, "Just take it. Consider it my tip for you."

The driver was overjoyed and quickly nodded and bowed, flattering, "Thank you for the reward, Young Master! May you soon make the honor roll and your prestige last for generations!"

Zhang Xusheng nodded and turned to walk into the Mingyu Pavilion.

As he crossed the threshold, Zhang Xusheng felt extremely conflicted.

Because he was horrified to discover that everything had changed since he awoke.

He found himself able to "hear" the thoughts of others and was incredibly sensitive to their emotional and mental changes.

At the same time, countless colorful "Light Points" suddenly appeared between heaven and earth, sparsely scattered across the sky and ground, and deeper into the profound night.

While Zhang Xusheng was in a daze, a voice, familiar to the extreme, suddenly interrupted his chaotic thoughts.

"You’re finally here, in this world."

Zhang Xusheng looked towards the voice and immediately saw his mentor, Lord Huaiyuan.

Xu Huaiyuan was a renowned scholar in the Jiangbei region, dedicated to teaching and nurturing students, earning widespread praise for his efforts.

Three years ago, Xu Huaiyuan personally accepted Zhang Xusheng as his final disciple. Since then, he has taught him diligently and cared for him deeply.

When Zhang Xusheng came of age, Xu Huaiyuan personally bestowed upon him the courtesy name "Current Generation," with deep meaning implied!

Despite his old age, Lord Huaiyuan took a few steps forward, grabbed Zhang Xusheng’s arm, and led him upstairs.

"Mentor—" Zhang Xusheng, caught off guard, managed to hurriedly call out but was abruptly interrupted by his teacher before he could finish.

"Current Generation, you must listen carefully. This banquet is unlike any other. The Lord Prefect personally invited all the young talents of the city. Not only is the Lord Prefect here, but also the Deputy Magistrate, Great Grandmaster, and Family Heads of many prominent families.

I heard this banquet is specially held by the Prefecture for a ’distinguished guest.’ That guest has already been seated, and when you meet later, you must not..." Xu Huaiyuan, pulling his disciple upstairs, meticulously and tirelessly advised.

Zhang Xusheng was deeply moved, as he could clearly feel his mentor’s genuine care for him.

But at the same time, he could also sense his mentor’s complex emotions, filled with an unspoken longing for political power, fear of old age and frailty, along with a hint of envy and admiration.

As Zhang Xusheng carefully savored his mentor’s emotional state, the two of them had already reached the sixth floor of the Mingyu Pavilion.

Lord Prefect, seated at the top of the hall, laughed heartily upon their arrival, "Haha, Mr. Huaiyuan, you are late, you should be fined a drink!"

Xu Huaiyuan took a few steps to the center of the hall, bowed with cupped hands towards the Prefect and said, "This old man has quit drinking and lust due to my frail health. How about letting my disciple drink this cup on my behalf?"

With this statement, Xu Huaiyuan immediately drew the attention of everyone to his own disciple.

Zhang Xusheng instantly felt dozens of gazes fixed upon him, causing him discomfort.

Because these gazes were filled with various emotions, not lacking malice, greed, contempt, and other dark sentiments.

"Hmph, looks decent, but who knows if he’s all show and no substance."

"How could there be such a charming ’darling’ in this world? I must taste his ’flavor.’

"Haha! Yet another pretty face. All appearance with no utility."

"...Heard this fellow is versed in ’poetry, chess, calligraphy, and painting.’ As this Young Master doesn’t believe it, later I’ll find a chance to test him, and best to make him disgrace himself in public once."

"Hmph, Zhang Xusheng, just wait, I will definitely then cause your utter downfall."

"Just looking at that face makes me sick. Sooner or later, I’ll scratch it up..."

"...I wonder if this fellow is married yet. My third sister is still waiting in the boudoir..."

Listening to everyone’s "inner voices," Zhang Xusheng kept a calm facade, though his heart was already surging with tumultuous waves.

They say you can know a person’s face, but never their heart!

He never imagined that among the people present, so many harbored "evil intentions" toward him.

Zhang Xusheng glanced around, instantly spotting seven or eight "friends," as well as quite a few schoolmates from the academy.

These peers sat in the lower seats, each with different expressions as they looked over, most offering a slight smile, while a few strangers wore solemn expressions.

In a brief moment, countless thoughts flashed through Zhang Xusheng’s mind, and his thinking became exceptionally clear.

Upon hearing, Lord Prefect immediately directed his gaze onto Zhang Xusheng, which quickly shifted from scrutinizing to appreciating.

"Very good! My office has long heard that Lord Huaiyuan accepted a disciple with outstanding talents. Today, seeing you in person, you certainly have a remarkable presence.

Someone, bring wine for Young Master Zhang."

As soon as Lord Prefect spoke, a neat maid immediately approached Zhang Xusheng, holding a cup. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Zhang Xusheng reached out to take the cup, first raising it to gesture to everyone, then silently drained it in one go.

"Good!" Lord Prefect exclaimed, and immediately, dozens of influential figures in Chaozhou City echoed his sentiment.

"Mr. Huaiyuan, please take your seat quickly." After praising him, Lord Prefect promptly invited Xu Huaiyuan to sit down.

Xu Huaiyuan expressed his thanks again, then continued to greet the Deputy Magistrate, Great Grandmaster, and others one by one.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Huaiyuan led Zhang Xusheng into the middle seats; the two sat one behind the other, perfectly positioned, not too close or far from the main seat.

Nearby were some wealthy figures and influential families, and on the secondary seats sat a group of young masters.

As soon as they sat down, Zhang Xusheng immediately sensed the subtle gazes around him, along with whispers reaching his ears.

"Tsk, a man looking more attractive than a courtesan, surely has a penchant for ’the sleeves.’"

"With talent overflowing, today bro will certainly shine spectacularly."

"Zhang Xusheng, you snatch what I love! I, Liu Fangyan, cannot coexist with you."

"Damn, with this lad here, I will never rise. I must find a way to ruin him..."

Zhang Xusheng turned a deaf ear, maintaining a calm and composed expression, seemingly attentively listening to the conversation between the Prefect, Deputy Magistrate, Great Grandmaster, and others.

At the same time, music began to play amidst the seats, with twelve graceful dancers starting to dance publicly.

Zhang Xusheng quickly shifted his gaze, seemingly enjoying the dance.

However, beneath his smiling face, his inner self gradually turned empty, as if something were missing.

This hollow and losing feeling had been there since he woke up; initially, it wasn’t much, but as time passed, this empty feeling grew stronger and stronger.

Just as Zhang Xusheng began to feel agitated, he suddenly caught a faint stench in the air.

Before he could trace the origin of this smell, it abruptly intensified, flooding the entire hall.

Zhang Xusheng felt a surge of nausea, suddenly having the urge to gag.

Yet, considering the occasion, he forcibly suppressed the impulse, maintaining a gentle and refined demeanor on the surface.

At that moment, everyone glanced around, their noses twitching as they seemed to perceive something.

"So fragrant!" someone suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"Hmm, where is this peculiar fragrance coming from?" Lord Prefect also looked around curiously, a spark clearly flickering deep within his eyes.

As everyone searched for the source of the fragrance, a woman appeared in the center of the hall out of nowhere.

The woman wore a pink long dress, with her hair ornately styled, exuding an elegant charm, evidently a sophisticated beauty.

Lord Prefect, upon seeing the woman, was so startled he stood up immediately.

Seeing this, the Deputy Magistrate, Great Grandmaster, and others also rose to their feet in respect.

The Prefect hurried down, bowing deeply to the woman, respectfully saying, "Chaozhou Prefect Zhao Yidi, pays homage to the Fairy of Qiushui Palace."

The woman smiled gracefully and, with a wave of her sleeve, helped him up: "Our Palace had an affair that caused delay. The Prefect won’t mind, will he?"

Upon hearing these words, cold sweat immediately started to roll down from the Prefect’s forehead.