Starting with choosing a wife, creating the most powerful Xia

Qi family.

Qi Xiaoluo took a sip of tea before glancing sideways at Qi Feng, who was kneeling below.

His face no longer bore the refined elegance he had displayed when speaking with Chu Xuan; instead, it exuded a chilling aura.

"You know you're wrong?"

"My nephew knows."

Qi Feng rubbed his knees, which were already sore and numb, and couldn't help but groan inwardly.

Upon returning home, he was led to Qi Xialuo's study and made to kneel. Qi Xialuo remained silent for a long time. Not only was his body weak from kneeling, but he also felt considerable psychological pressure.

Within the Qi family, Qi Feng feared no one except his second uncle.

Unlike his father, Qi Chunsheng, this second uncle was truly ruthless; if he said he would punish you, he would punish you without any room for negotiation.

"What's wrong?"

“Nephew shouldn’t have spoken so carelessly and gotten into a conflict with Chu Xuan.”

Hearing this, Qi Xiaoluo sighed and shook her head helplessly.

"You still don't understand. Chu Xuan was right when he said that you shouldn't provoke strangers when you're out. You've suffered such a big loss today, but that's alright. It's hard to say in other places, but in Linyang City, you have the Qi family backing you up, so it's not a big deal."

"Your biggest mistake was giving Chu Xuan a chance to speak. Your uncle is asking you, why did you stand there stunned after being hit? What kind of place is the Talented Scholar's Inn? It's a place for talented people from other places to exchange ideas and discuss things. The people staying there are all treasures from various places and cities."

"And Chu Xuan dared to beat someone just because his wife was criticized. Who can guarantee that he won't attack those talented men in the future? Those people are all precious. If he were injured, how could he bear the consequences? This reason alone is enough to arrest him and send him to the yamen. At that time, no matter what he has to say, he can only say it to the yamen. Are you still worried that he will be able to get out unscathed?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Feng suddenly realized what was happening and lowered his head in shame.

"I'm sorry, Uncle, I made a fool of myself."

"That's all."

Qi Xiaoluo also sighed, waved her hand, and said.

"What's done is done, so let's not do it again. Chu Xuan embarrassed the Qi family in front of so many people today. If he were a direct descendant of the Chu family, we could have just let it go. But he sounds like he's just a collateral descendant. If we back down, who will respect the Qi family in the future?"

"The literary gathering is tomorrow night, so don't go to visit those talented scholars. Stay home and study hard today. When the time comes, you'll have to make up for the loss of face today in the same way you did today, understand?"

"Yes."

A ruthless glint flashed in Qi Feng's eyes.

"Second Uncle, don't worry. That Chu Xuan is just glib-tongued. He's merely a collateral relative. How could he possibly have any talent in poetry and literature? When the time comes, I will make sure that Chu Xuan loses all his dignity in front of everyone and never dares to set foot in Linyang again!"

While the uncle and nephew were talking.

Chu Xuan and his companions had already booked rooms at the inn and were gathered in Chu Xuan's room.

"You mean, Qi Xialuo will sabotage me at the literary gathering?"

Chu Xuan rested his chin on his hand and looked at Liang An, asking a question.

Liang An nodded vigorously.

When Qi Xialuo appeared, he already knew that things would not end well. Since he had already offended the Qi family, Liang An was somewhat resigned to his fate.

"Young master, you may not know this, but the second master of the Qi family is quite famous in Linyang City because he is the head teacher of Baihe Academy. In the south of Daxia, Baihe Academy is a place where Confucianism flourishes and has a very high status, not to mention Qi Xialuo, who is in charge of Baihe Academy."

"Although everyone says he is gentle and easy-going, that is just a facade. I once had a fellow villager who worked for him. Later, he apparently offended him for something and was suppressed by the Qi family. He was falsely accused of murder and exiled three thousand miles away. His wife and children hanged themselves from the roof beams one night."

The man seemed to have a very good relationship with Liang An, and when he mentioned this, a hint of emotion appeared on Liang An's face.

"The literary gathering is where talented scholars compose poems on a given topic. Qi Xialuo, as a senior scholar, will be one of the judges and commentators. I am worried that he might be secretly sabotaged by the young master."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan nodded slightly.

Although he didn't know as much as Liang An, he did know that Qi Xialuo was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

The Qi family's reputation, which was about to plummet because of his questioning, was stabilized with just a few words after Qi Xialuo appeared, minimizing the damage and putting Chu Xuan on a good footing, making it difficult for him to continue causing trouble.

This incident alone shows that he is quite resourceful.

"My lord, my suggestion is that it would be best not to attend this literary gathering."

After a long silence, Chen Xuening suddenly spoke.

She looked at Chu Xuan very seriously, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

"The Qi family can be said to be one of the main forces behind this literary gathering. Today, you have clashed with them, and there will be countless open and covert attacks. If you win, that will be fine, but if you lose, the Qi family will inevitably exaggerate what happened today. At that time, even if you are in the right today, you will have no right to speak."

"Given Qi Xialuo's temperament, she might even use this as an excuse to kick your husband when he's down..."

"At that time, my husband, let alone promoting Ningxue Dew, even if... Anyway, Qi Xialuo's words today have given my husband a way out. Just say that you are tired from the journey and have caught a cold, and that will be the end of it. Even if you temporarily bear a bad reputation, it doesn't matter. As long as you are alive, you can always make a comeback."

Chen Xuening's words were rather tactful. According to Chu Xuan's own estimation, if he really lost at the literary gathering, especially to the Qi family, they would definitely take this opportunity to try to destroy him completely.

If a scholar's reputation is ruined, it's as if he's dead.

At that time, the literary scene in Linyang City was still the territory of the Qi family, and in the end, he was just a homeless dog.

For people of this era, these are indeed unbearable consequences.

But all of this is contingent on them winning.

Chu Xuan turned to look at Liang An, whose expression showed some struggle, but he still agreed with Chen Xuening's words.

After all, Chu Xuan used Lucheng's quota this time. If he feigned illness to avoid the battle and ended up with nothing, Cheng Han wouldn't dare to cause trouble for Chu Xuan after he returned, but Liang An would still have to give him a scolding.

However, compared to this, the price Liang An would pay after Chu Xuan lost would be even greater. Even if he was just a suspected accomplice, the Qi family would not let him go.

Looking at their expressions, Chu Xuan smiled helplessly. He didn't know how to explain the source of his confidence to them.

He decided to use his authority as the head of the family to make the final decision.

"Alright, that's enough. My mind is made up. I'm definitely going to this literary gathering."

"I want to see what tricks the Qi family can pull."