Chapter 223

Chapter 223: His Territory

“Then forget it,” Shang Hang Yu said without disappointment.

Shang Xiu Yuan saw that his younger brother truly meant it. He actually decided not to go.

Tonight was the Flower Morning Literary Gathering. Scholars from the Hanlin Academy and renowned Great Scholars would come to the inner court of the Gathering Worthies Teahouse to speak and debate. Countless scholars were willing to pay a fortune just for a seat, yet Shang Hang Yu chose not to attend!

[Useless trash is indeed useless trash—unable to recognize good fortune!]

Normally, Shang Xiu Yuan wouldn’t care if his brother didn’t go, but today was different. He stood rooted in place, his expression shifting.

Ignoring him entirely, Shang Hang Yu chatted leisurely with the craftsmen about demolishing the Charming Melody Courtyard.

That courtyard had belonged to their mother, yet Shang Hang Yu was demolishing it as if it were nothing!

Shang Xiu Yuan’s eyes grew cold.

[Didn’t he want the red coral? Then I’ll give it to him. Too bad he’ll never get to use it.]

“Fine,” Shang Xiu Yuan suppressed his anger and said with feigned helplessness, “I’ll send the red coral tomorrow as your betrothal gift. But tonight’s gathering—you must attend.”

He spoke as if he was an elder brother deeply worried about his younger sibling’s lack of ambition. He stepped forward and offered the invitation again.

Still, Shang Hang Yu didn’t take it. He eyed Shang Xiu Yuan suspiciously. “Brother insists I attend? Perhaps you know my poetry skills are lacking and you want me to embarrass myself?”

Shang Xiu Yuan was speechless.

[Did Shang Hang Yu really think he still needed to embarrass himself? His bad reputation was already known throughout the Capital City!]

Seeming to realize this truth himself, Shang Hang Yu curled his lips, saying, “Alright, since Brother cares for me sincerely, I’ll attend tonight’s gathering.”

Joy flashed through Shang Xiu Yuan’s heart.

Then Shang Hang Yu continued, “However, that red coral—Brother, please deliver it first. I’d feel better inspecting it beforehand.”

Shang Xiu Yuan: “…”

Shang Xiu Yuan had never intended to hand over the coral at all. After tonight’s gathering, Shang Hang Yu would be accused of deceiving the emperor. Not only would he lose his title as a future consort, but he might also lose his life.

Seeing Shang Xiu Yuan hesitate, Shang Hang Yu accused him, “Brother won’t give it? You really were tricking me!”

Shang Hang Yu threw the golden-inlaid invitation at Shang Xiu Yuan’s face. Despite its majestic appearance, being struck by it hurt badly.

Covering his stinging nose, Shang Xiu Yuan had no choice but to personally retrieve the red coral from the storehouse. After tonight, when Shang Hang Yu had lost everything, he could easily return it.

Seeing the red coral, Shang Hang Yu’s face lit up. “Rest assured, Brother, I’ll certainly attend the gathering tonight.”

Indeed, he had planned to go anyway. Missing it would ruin Princess Sheng Zhi Wan’s careful arrangement.

As for those who plotted against him tonight…

The Flower Morning Literary Gathering had always been a money-making scheme he devised himself. The invitations for the inner and outer courts—including the first, second, and third floors—were all arranged by him. Who received free invitations or how many were released—everything was under his control.

Yet these people had the audacity to scheme against him on his own territory.

Tsk…

The rules of the teahouse were clear: Scholars who held the rank of Juren could sit on the first floor, Gongshi on the second, and Jinshi on the third. For those without titles or invitations yet wishing to enter, there was still a way—they just needed enough silver.

Thirty taels for the first floor, a hundred for the second, and three hundred for the third. And that was just the outer teahouse. To enter the inner court and learn from Great Scholar Lin and other esteemed officials required even more silver.

Many guests tonight had privately spent thousands of taels just for an inner court invitation.

Thinking of this, Shang Hang Yu looked at everyone with gentle warmth, smiling continuously. Yet others regarded him differently—either frowning in disdain or avoiding him entirely.

Any other person would feel humiliated, but Shang Hang Yu’s heart was strong; he felt no embarrassment at all.

He took his seat according to the invitation. Soon, others gradually arrived.

At that moment, cries of astonishment rose:

“The Crown Prince!”

“It really is the Crown Prince! I never expected him at tonight’s gathering!”

“Who are those beside the Crown Prince? That handsome young man speaking to him—which official’s son is he?”

“I don’t know, but anyone favored by the Crown Prince must be extraordinary!”

The scholars murmured excitedly, all hoping the Crown Prince might sit at their table.

Shang Hang Yu heard it all clearly. Feeling a gaze pierce through the crowd directly at him, he smiled slightly.

To please Commandery Princess Ming Jia, the Crown Prince had truly put in great effort. Not only did he bring the princess herself, but also two of her personal guards.

Soon, as the Headmaster Great Scholar from Azure Cloud Academy and the Hanlin Scholars arrived, the gathering’s atmosphere soared. Everyone discussed classics, poetry, and philosophy passionately.

Some, knowing Shang Hang Yu was to become the Princess’s consort, approached politely. Shang Hang Yu courteously returned their greetings.

But most came to mock and ridicule him, and Shang Hang Yu faced these insults calmly.

“Only the mediocre are never envied. Your jealousy proves my talent.”

Shang Hang Yu’s sharp tongue and shameless attitude drove his critics away with darkened expressions.

Turning back with a satisfied smile, Shang Hang Yu noticed someone brush closely past him. His fingers twitched subtly, his expression unchanged.

Soon after, he felt a wave of heat rising from his abdomen.

Shang Hang Yu picked up his tea cup and drank several cups rapidly, yet his face flushed even redder.

He rose unsteadily, heading toward a quieter pavilion.

[Such a fitting drug to spice up the evening—]

They’d given him such a potion, hoping to humiliate him publicly tonight in front of countless ministers and scholars. If he embarrassed himself here, how could he still marry the Princess?