"Oh?" After listening to Jiang Wang’s explanation, the elderly lady held his hand and said, "Have you encountered any difficulties? Don’t worry, I will decide for you."

She turned her head and commanded, "Go and invite the Eldest Master over."

Although it was Li Zhengyan who was the Family Head, Li Zhengshu was older in age, and his strength and status were not inferior. Thus, within the Crushing City Marquis Mansion, when people referred to the Eldest Master, they were talking about Li Zhengshu.

Additionally, even though Li Zhengshu was a son by concubine, and not biologically related to Lady Li, he was raised by her and had a particularly good relationship with her.

He also never moved out to live on his own.

Even though he often rotated duties at Donghua Pavilion and was privately referred to as the "First Donghua Scholar" by many, he had no plans to establish his own branch.

Jiang Wang felt a warmth in his heart.

Whether the old lady was favoring her grandson’s friend or showing care for Jiang Anan’s family out of affection for Jiang Anan himself, this concern was genuine and hard not to touch one’s heart.

"No, Your Grace, I’m not in any trouble. I’m doing well! If I had any problems, I would definitely tell you," Jiang Wang said. "But there is indeed something I need to discuss with Longchuan’s uncle..."

Lady Li had lived to a ripe old age, and seeing Jiang Wang behave in such a manner, she knew that his words were likely not meant for too many ears.

Thus, she whispered softly, "Everyone else may leave."

The living room suddenly emptied, leaving only one close maid to attend to them.

Lady Li, grasping Jiang Wang’s hand: "Come, Qingyang, sit down and talk."

"Please take a seat first."

Jiang Wang quickly helped the elderly lady to sit down, then took a seat next to her, but only perched on the edge.

The elder and the younger exchanged a few words—comprised mostly of the old lady’s complaints about Li Longchuan and her praise for Jiang Wang—before Li Zhengshu stepped into the living room.

At the time of his divine ascension, he was already middle-aged, with a countenance suggesting just over forty.

A theory existed claiming he deliberately suppressed his progress to avoid competing with his brothers and to prevent others from gossiping. Only after Li Zhengyan had ascended to divinity first and secured the position of Family Head did he choose to break through.

However, Li Zhengshu himself dismissed this rumor as absurd.

Although his face bore traces of years unlike the eternally youthful gods like Yin Guan, the marks of time added a certain charm to him.

His cultivation, his demeanor, and his scholarship made him stand out even more.

The name Gentleman Yulang was by no means undeserved; he truly was one of Linzi’s most handsome men.

The Grandpa Zhongxuan of the Zhong Xuan Family, though also blessed with a fine appearance and worry-free maintenance, made him "handsome for his age" even in his sixties. Still, compared to Gentleman Yulang, there was a significant difference.

Upon entering the living room, Li Zhengshu first performed a greeting ritual to Lady Li, then smilingly turned to Jiang Wang, "The nation’s young prodigy, at the prime time for diligent progress, how do you find the time to visit me?"

The title Donghua Scholar was never an official position but rather a term people passed on through word of mouth to refer to those scholars on duty at Donghua Pavilion.

Before the Emperor held court, as he sat in Donghua Pavilion, he could inquire about various matters at any time. Their task was to resolve the Emperor’s doubts.

This was undoubtedly an honor.

They might not hold the position of an Imperial Court Adviser, but they could discuss state affairs and influence the Son of Heaven without necessarily holding high office.

Duty at Donghua Pavilion wasn’t limited by office or cultivation level, but depended on erudition and insight.

Initially, the candidates were nominated by the Political Affairs Hall, but now, the Emperor Qi personally selected the names.

In recent years, Li Zhengshu had been on duty in Donghua Pavilion the most, indicating the deep favor he found with the Emperor.

Li Zhengshu himself came from one of Qi Country’s top distinguished families, but after reaching adulthood, he chose to travel and study abroad, later entering Qingya Academy, one of the Four Great Academies of the World, to become a celebrated scholar.

He didn’t stay to teach at Qingya Academy but returned to Qi Country instead. On this matter, the Four Great Academies were the same as the Triple Punishment Palace; they did not prohibit their disciples or pupils from going to any country.

Whether it was to bide his time or to shun empty fame, Li Zhengshu in Qi Country had held no official post to date.

But riding on the informal title of "Donghua Scholar," no one dared underestimate his influence on court politics.

After Li Zhengshu came in, Lady Li’s close maid also left, and Li Zhengshu personally stood by to serve.

Only Li Zhengshu and Lady Li were present, so with no need for circumspection, Jiang Wang got straight to the point: "Today, during my prayers at The Imperial Ancestral Temple, I encountered something..."

After recounting the "blood poetry" left on the statue of the Marquis of Destroying Cities by Zhang Song, Jiang Wang said, "I heard from Xu Xiangqian that you and Mr. Mo Ya are intimate friends, so I came to give you a heads-up."

The close friendship between Li Zhengshu and Mo Ya was indisputable. It was Li Zhengshu who personally arranged the quotas for Mo Ya’s direct disciples, who traveled the world and, when arriving at Linzi, wished to try and enter the Heavenly Abode Secret Land.

Li Longchuan becoming good friends with Xu Xiangqian was because, long before this, Li Zhengshu had frequently taken Li Longchuan with him to visit friends, and these two young men had become acquainted quite early.

It’s not that Emperor Qi would lash out at Li Zhengshu over this incident, but having some discontent in his heart was human nature, and it was highly likely to happen. If Li Zhengshu was completely unaware, it could be very easy for him to meet with misfortune.

Li Zhengshu, after listening quietly to the entire narrative, smiled warmly, "Uncle is aware now, thank you for making this trip."

At Donghua Pavilion, he had helped relay a message. Regarding Li Longchuan, Zhongxuan Sheng, and Jiang Wang’s friendship, he held a supportive view.

Of course, as of today, befriending Jiang Qingyang was naturally the unquestionably correct choice.

Yet at that time, it was nothing more than a guest from the Zhong Xuan Family with little hope, a guest serving alongside Zhongxuan Sheng.

The friendship formed back then simply cannot compare to what it would be later.

Jiang Wang of today was someone whom the Lord of Heavenly Mansion City actively sought to befriend, whose son, the Capital Commandant, repeatedly showed kindness, and who, when inquiring at the Imperial City Inspection Mansion, was met with smiles throughout by the deputy inspector.

It’s not to say these people weren’t good, but their affability was somewhat influenced by Jiang Wang’s projected future.

He had written in his letter to Jiang Anan that everyone here was very amiable; a line meant to comfort his sister. Since his arrival to Qi Country, he had faced many a cold shoulder and encountered plenty of hostility, yet as he proceeded, standing firm with his sword drawn, indeed, everyone became "amiable."

Now, with Li Zhengshu referring to himself as ’uncle,’ it was clear he was treating Jiang Wang as a member of his own younger generation.

This was the Shimen Li Clan! A top-tier noble family of Qi Country, with ancestral statues prominently displayed in the Guarding the Nation Hall. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Just two years prior, Qi Country knew nothing of Jiang Wang, let alone any family background or heritage.

He did not say much in thanks, merely mentioning casually the effort spent, which precisely reflected their closeness.

Jiang Wang simply replied, "It’s what I should do."

Of course, Lady Li knew the matter Jiang Wang just spoke of would cause quite a stir in Linzi, but that was something for her sons to worry about, which she neither interfered with nor felt should she.

She simply grasped Jiang Wang’s hand once more and said tenderly, "Good child."