The moment he heard this, Qi Tuizhi’s expression became cautious, mainly observing the two women by Lu Xingzhou’s side.

The two women’s faces did indeed darken, but they surprisingly didn’t react. Instead, they simultaneously and grumpily poked their rice with their chopsticks, though it was unclear who they truly wanted to stab.

Shen Tang was genuinely in a romantic relationship with Lu Xingzhou. One could say that whether it was Lu Xingzhou’s leg being healed and him standing again, or his mind broadening and moving past his past, it was all because of Shen Tang. She was a major anchor in his life, one that brought about a rebirth.

Anyone else would be a step too late, only able to try to pry them apart, and even those with a bit of decency wouldn’t have much confidence.

And while Shen Tang hadn’t made their relationship public, it wasn’t because she didn’t want to; rather, she was worried Lu Xingzhou would be killed by Gu Zhanting. Now, people trying to steal him away could only exploit this loophole.

If not for this reason, Shen Tang would be the type to want to announce it to the world, and she wouldn’t leave any openings for these little hussies.

Their relationship was too stable, with almost no barriers between them. If there were any barriers, it would only be seen if Lu Xingzhou had the idea of establishing his own family and taking charge, and what Shen Tang’s attitude would be then. Before that, it was almost impossible to break them apart. If it were possible, it would only prove Lu Xingzhou to be disloyal and heartless, which wouldn’t be what they desired anyway.

Pei Chuyun, coming from the Channü Hehuan sect, was relatively more open to such things. But why had Sheng Yuanyao always only been willing to acknowledge him as a brother? Wasn’t it precisely because of this? She couldn’t possibly admit to being a mistress.

Especially since Sheng Yuanyao was truly the first one there… her face was as black as charcoal, making Qi Tuizhi tremble with fear.

Of course, saying “I am a person of Princess Chaohuang” on the surface, just like saying “I am a person of Prince Qi or Prince Jin,” does not imply any romantic meaning; it refers to political allegiance. Qi Tuizhi steadied himself and cautiously replied, “Does Princess Chaohuang… intend to contend for the heir apparent position?”

“Whether she intends to or not is secondary. Whether she is qualified is the most important,” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely. “Before Prince Jin fell, he was the only adult imperial prince appearing in public throughout the royal family, almost giving off the impression of a default crown prince. He reached out further than anyone… No one expected his grand edifice to collapse so quickly, nor did Prince Qi’s resurgence come without warning. And who’s to say Prince Qi won’t be the next Prince Jin? Who else might rise without warning?”

Qi Tuizhi empathized, sighing, “You speak truly.”

Lu Xingzhou said, “Speaking of which, why didn’t you go pledge allegiance to Prince Qi? With your talent, and a major sect following you, would Prince Qi really look down on you just because you associated with Prince Jin? He wouldn’t be that short-sighted, would he?”

Qi Tuizhi shook his head. “It’s probably not a matter of vision… but Prince Qi’s current way of acting seems intentionally contrary to Prince Jin’s. He keeps a low profile, doesn’t collude with forces in the court or society. Forget about me, he won’t take anyone.”

Lu Xingzhou stroked his chin and nodded.

“As for myself… asking for help from old acquaintances is one thing, but to recommend myself as a subordinate? Am I, Qi Tuizhi, so down and out that I have to do that?”

Qi Tuizhi stopped there and continued eating in silence. He had asked if Princess Chaohuang intended to contend for the heir apparent position, wanting to know the prospects of following such a leader. While Lu Xingzhou’s answer was reasonable, it wasn’t what he wanted.

Following a princess who didn’t even know her own prospects, or even had much of a plan, what was the point of that? Moreover, did she have the power to help him achieve his desired path? Qi Tuizhi himself came from a first-rank sect, and his ambitions were high. He wasn’t a poor scholar looking for an ordinary job; if he could only get an average career, he might as well go home and be a young master.

“What, you don’t think highly of it?” Lu Xingzhou knew what he was thinking and chuckled. “You’ve misunderstood. When I said I was a person of Princess Chaohuang, I wasn’t trying to recruit you on her behalf. If Prince Qi doesn’t collude with forces, does Princess Chaohuang? How many fools like Prince Jin are there?”

Qi Tuizhi was stunned by this. “Then, Brother Lu, you’re looking for me…”

“The context of my answer was merely to tell you that, for this reason, others won’t consider me associated with Prince Jin, and I don’t need to worry about such things, that’s all…” Lu Xingzhou said with a smile. “I already said I’m just making a friend. For example, regarding your current job search, the Huo family might not help, but I can. As for whether you’ll be seen as my protégé or part of the Princess’s faction after I help you, that’s up to you. And your future prospects, naturally, are also up to you.”

Qi Tuizhi suddenly realized that this man was not just a superficial viscount; he was also a practical Langzhong, in charge of a department, and naturally had the authority to recruit people.

If it was purely about finding help for a job, rather than pledging allegiance to a faction, just like seeking help from Huo Qi… then Lu Xingzhou could indeed do such a thing himself; what need was there for Princess Chaohuang?

In fact, the starting position might not be low, even better than going to Huo Qi.

Because Lu Xingzhou was also new to the Ministry of Rites’ Department of Guest Affairs, who knew which family the original people in the department belonged to? He would want reliable helpers whom he knew well.

And Qi Tuizhi, a top student from the Imperial Academy, was perfectly suited to be recruited into various departments of the Six Ministries… Following this line of thought, the position Lu Xingzhou would arrange for him would certainly not be low, starting at least as a Section Chief. Even if Huo Qi was willing to help, at most he would arrange an ordinary position; he couldn’t have this kind of leverage, as their roles were different.

This was like catching a favorable wind, precisely at a time when Lu Xingzhou himself was about to make a splash.

If he truly accepted, this would indeed be a form of “former subordinate,” carrying a strong implication of being “Lu Xingzhou’s person,” and possibly even being considered a person of Princess Chaohuang. But as long as Lu Xingzhou didn’t say anything, and Qi Tuizhi didn’t publicize it himself, who would know he was promoted by Lu Xingzhou? After all, on the surface, Qi Tuizhi and Lu Xingzhou had fought before, clearly at odds. Why couldn’t it be someone else placed there to check Lu Xingzhou?

So whether to acknowledge this or not, “that’s up to you.”

Qi Tuizhi thought in a daze, wondering if this step he was about to take would bring fortune or misfortune, his future hazy and uncertain. He even stopped chewing his food.

After a long pause, he said, “Does the Viscount trust me?”

Lu Xingzhou knew he had figured it out and smiled slightly, “Do you think there’s anything about your character that makes you untrustworthy?”

Qi Tuizhi suddenly smiled too. “Abandoning Prince Jin, not sharing his hardships, does that count?”

These words were actually a clear hint: if there was prosperity to share, then Lu Xingzhou was a benefactor, but if it came to shared downfall, then he was sorry.

Lu Xingzhou didn’t mind, instead raising his cup in respect, “Then I hope you will never again have the opportunity to share hardships with anyone.”

Qi Tuizhi laughed heartily and drank his cup dry.

Lu Xingzhou put down his cup. “Report to the Department of Guest Affairs tomorrow.”

“Yes,” Qi Tuizhi stood up, cupped his hands, and smiled, “This subordinate has finished eating and won’t disturb your meal, my lord.”

Watching Qi Tuizhi leave the private room, Sheng Yuanyao stroked the little pig’s head again. “I truly admire this man’s thick skin… I really couldn’t be as adaptable as he is.”

A’nuo glanced at her, thinking, if you had his skill, I might be calling you ‘mother’ by now.

Pei Chuyun, however, said, “He can pick up and put down, with a very firm goal in his heart. He is a remarkable person.”

Sheng Yuanyao said, “But this isn’t pledging allegiance. To put it bluntly, he still has no backing. What’s the use of just securing a position? To waste his life in a minor role?”

Pei Chuyun sighed, “Do you think he’s as foolish as you are? Don’t you think he knows what it signifies, with the two of us sitting here?”

Oh, yes, it represented Pei Qingyan and Sheng Qingfeng.

Although these two weren’t exactly on Lu Xingzhou’s side, and Lu Xingzhou couldn’t really leverage much of their influence, Qi Tuizhi didn’t know that. Even if he did, he could still bet on Lu Xingzhou having a different future.

Sheng Yuanyao was mocked but, unusually, didn’t retort to Pei Chuyun. She turned to look at Lu Xingzhou’s profile, lost in thought.

Lu Xingzhou was truly planning to build his own influence…

Starting from the Department of Guest Affairs, which had little actual power? Sheng Yuanyao couldn’t even imagine how he would do it.

If she herself were a general with real power, she could have helped a bit, but it seemed she was about to be stripped of her position…

Speaking of which, if Lu Xingzhou built his own influence, would there be a conflict with Shen Tang?

Both women thought of this point, exchanged a glance over Lu Xingzhou, and then quickly looked away.

In the south, at Miaoyin Mountain.

There was no earthquake.

Yuan Muyu leaned back quietly in her chair, looking up at the ceiling.

Her mind was empty, not knowing what she was thinking, or perhaps thinking nothing at all.

After an unknown period, her communication jade talisman vibrated. Yuan Muyu numbly answered.

Ye Tinglan’s languid telepathic message came through: “Are you there?”

Yuan Muyu said flatly, “Here to gloat?”

“…You were the one who said to find you when things were done.” Ye Tinglan said, “The issues of the ancient realm are serious matters, and I thought you would also need to exchange what you’ve learned.”

“What? Just finished? Still going at this hour? I can’t tell he’s very impressive.”

Ye Tinglan: “…”

Yuan Muyu suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Actually, it’s pretty good… Isn’t this what I wanted… What am I even angry about?”

Ye Tinglan still didn’t respond.

Yuan Muyu said, “But then again… Sister, has your path of Taishang Wangqing been broken?”

Ye Tinglan finally responded, “I don’t know, I haven’t considered it. Let nature take its course, that is the Dao. Being too deliberate is not cultivation.”

This time, it was Yuan Muyu’s turn to be silent.

“You and I are both merely Huanyang. People say we transcend all living beings, and that is the standard answer… You and I should know that what we understand at this stage is still very early and far from being correct,” Ye Tinglan said. “But I still adhere to my original intention: one must not cling to attachments; attachment leads to delusion, and delusion inevitably brings consequences—no matter what the matter.”

Yuan Muyu clenched her teeth tightly, and after a long while, said, “It’s too early to talk about right and wrong.”

Ye Tinglan said, “Alright, let’s not talk about that.”

Yuan Muyu’s reply this time was more forthright than ever before: “From the remnant soul that possessed Duan Ning, I found a very interesting piece of information.”

“Oh?”

“The ancient realm is actually a prison… or rather, a place of exile. At least, that’s what this remnant soul itself believes.”