They all knew about the feud between Chu Zhiyao and Song Tianhai.
The two men belonged to the same unit in the army, under the command of the same general. Both were guerrilla generals, each with over a hundred subordinates.
A mountain cannot harbor two tigers. One was the son of a Prince, and the other was the young master of a Duke's mansion. Neither would submit to the other, leading to constant open and hidden struggles.
To make matters worse, the two were also brothers-in-law.
Eventually, Song Tianhai was transferred back to Yujing half a year ago, becoming a fifth-rank Imperial Guard with a saber.
This was also the path to promotion for young masters: first gain experience in the army, then return to Yujing to become an Imperial Guard, train by the Emperor's side for a few years, and then lead troops after inheriting the title of Duke.
The two had never been able to determine a clear victor, and neither was convinced by the other's abilities, disliking each other immensely.
Now that Chu Zhiyao had returned, the two would finally meet and start fighting.
They wished they could pull up chairs, sit back, drink tea, and eat melon seeds and snacks while watching the excitement unfold.
Song Tianhai's gaze, however, swept past Chu Zhiyao and landed on Chu Zhiyuan's face. He clasped his fist and said, "Young Master Yuan, I have long heard of your esteemed name."
Chu Zhiyuan clasped his fist in return, saying indifferently, "I wonder what instructions the Young Master has for me?"
Song Tianhai's hostility was evident, and he clearly came with ill intentions, not targeting Chu Zhiyao, but himself.
This was truly strange.
However, since he was arrogant, there was no need for him, as a Prince's son, to be polite.
In terms of status, his position as a Prince's son was more esteemed. Showing weakness would only disgrace the royal family.
"I have heard that the Fourth Prince is an unparalleled genius, breaking through to the Innate Realm in a short period of time, even surpassing the Third Prince."
"Does the Young Master want to exchange a few moves?" Chu Zhiyuan asked, "However, this is Fourth Uncle's birthday banquet. Perhaps in a few days."
"Why wait a few days? There's no time like the present," Song Tianhai said, "Rest assured, Fourth Prince, no blood will be shed to spoil the Prince's birthday."
"Song Tianhai, why bother?" Chu Mingxuan chuckled, "Don't overestimate yourself and bring disgrace upon yourself!"
Song Tianhai said calmly, "How can a martial artist fear bringing disgrace upon himself?"
He turned to look at Chu Zhiyuan, "Fourth Prince, please enlighten me!"
Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Zhiyao.
Chu Zhiyao said coldly, "Since he insists on bringing disgrace upon himself, then grant his wish! Fourth Brother, feel free to attack without holding back. Let him know that there are people beyond people, and it might be a good thing for him to curb his arrogance!"
"Haha," Chu Mingxuan clapped his hands and laughed, "As expected of a family, such good intentions, Third Brother!"
Everyone chuckled.
Chu Zhiyao glared at Chu Mingxuan, "Eighteenth Uncle, stop stirring up trouble!"
Faced with the laughter of the crowd, Song Tianhai remained unmoved, only looking coldly at Chu Zhiyuan.
Chu Zhiyuan, however, did not look at him, but said to Chu Zhiyao, "Third Brother, sparring can happen anytime, why insist on today? Perhaps ten days from now, or at least after five days."
"Could it be that the Fourth Prince is afraid?" Song Tianhai suddenly let out a soft laugh, saying lightly, "Hesitating and shrinking back, this is not the style of the royal family!"
Chu Mingxuan widened his eyes and was about to curse.
Chu Zhiyao snorted, "Afraid of you? I'm just too lazy to bother with you. Do you really think you're that great?"
"Then why hesitate and shrink back?" Song Tianhai said calmly.
Chu Zhiyao snorted, "Then let's exchange a few moves. Beat me first before fighting Fourth Brother!"
The matter of Chu Zhiyuan replacing Chu Zhiyao to face the Prince of Great Zhen had been kept secret. Apart from the people in the Hall of Martial Brilliance, no one else knew.
The Princes and Princes' sons of the Hall of Martial Brilliance had been instructed by Chu Qingfeng to keep it a secret.
This was to avoid the leakage of information, allowing Great Zhen's spies to understand the situation and make more targeted arrangements.
Perhaps after learning Chu Zhiyuan's true strength, Great Zhen would find a way to create an accident, preventing him from having the opportunity to fight Cheng Tianfeng.
"You...? Never mind then." Song Tianhai shook his head, revealing a look of disdain.
Since returning, he had focused on cultivation and made rapid progress. Chu Zhiyao was no longer his opponent.
Chu Mingxuan said, "Song Tianhai, today is Fourth Brother's birthday after all. Let it go, don't spoil everyone's mood."
"Old Song, forget it." Ye Baitao patted Song Tianhai.
Ye Baichuan also nodded vigorously, indicating "forget it."
Chu Zhiyuan glanced at Ye Baitao and Ye Baichuan. Although the two did not show hostility towards him, they were definitely not friendly.
If all three were like this, it would be a bit troublesome.
He suddenly had a flash of inspiration: Could it be because of Xiao Ruoling?
The Eight Duke Mansions were the pillars of the nation, hereditary and irreplaceable, sharing weal and woe with Great Jing, holding an extraordinary position.
Xiao Ruoling's appearance was stunning, and her character was excellent. It was not strange for the young masters of other Duke Mansions to develop affection for her.
If the woman they liked was going to marry someone else, and they couldn't snatch her away because he was a Prince's son, then taking the opportunity to spar and beat him up to vent their anger would be a good thing.
As young dukes, they had the courage to do so.
Song Tianhai glanced at Chu Mingxuan's darkened face, as well as Chu Zhiyao's expression, and suddenly laughed a few times, clasping his fist. "Since the Fourth Prince refuses, then so be it. I'll toast the Fourth Prince!"
As he spoke, he raised his wine cup towards Chu Zhiyuan, then drank it all in one gulp, clasping his fist dashingly. "Farewell."
Chu Zhiyuan smiled as he watched them, but did not raise his cup, only watching them turn and leave dashingly.
If he really raised his cup and gave him face, others would really think he had no temper and everyone would dare to come up to him.
Besides the Duke of Kang's Mansion and the Duke of Shou's Mansion, there were six other Duke Mansions. Would their young masters all dare to provoke him?
"That Song Tianhai has such a bad temper, ignore him," Chu Mingxuan laughed, "He's been fighting with Third Brother for so long."
Chu Zhiyao said embarrassedly, "Fourth Brother, I--"
Chu Zhiyuan waved his hand with a smile, "Third Brother, there's no need to say more. I just like those who are full of arrogance, it's especially satisfying to deal with them."
"Haha," Chu Mingxuan laughed, "That kid really needs to be dealt with! Fourth Brother, you must deal with him harshly!"
Chu Zhiyuan looked at Chu Zhiyao, "I'm just afraid that Third Brother will stop me when the time comes."
"I'd be happy to see it, I definitely won't stop you!"
"What if Third Sister-in-law speaks up?" Chu Zhiyuan asked with a smile.
"Hehe--" Everyone chuckled strangely.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room returned to liveliness.
"Dang dang dang dang--"
"Dong dong dong--"
As everyone was drinking and chatting merrily, the sound of gongs and drums came from outside.
Chu Zhiyao laughed, "The play is about to begin, let's go, everyone, let's go see the play!"
"See the play, see the play!"
"What plays are there? Didn't they bring the playbill in advance to take a look?"
"What are you looking at? It's not our turn to choose the play yet."
Everyone hurriedly put down their wine glasses and chopsticks, got up and walked outside, encountering guests pouring out of other rooms as well, mixing together and heading towards the back garden in a mighty procession.
The Xuan Prince's Mansion's back garden had a special opera house, a circular three-story building.
The stage was built in the central patio, and all three floors could see the stage below and hear the voices from the stage clearly.
At this time, when seated, men and women did not have to sit separately, they could sit together.
At the same time, Chu Zhiyuan saw the women tonight.
Colorful clothes fluttered, the garments were gorgeous, and the beautiful faces made people's eyes dazzled.
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to one woman.
A light purple palace dress wrapped around her slender and graceful figure, her hair was like clouds, and her face was like white jade, with long and narrow phoenix eyes that flowed with brilliance, deep and
bewitching.
Those long and narrow phoenix eyes seemed to be shrouded in mist and smoke, as if one could never fully understand her heart.
Her appearance was absolutely stunning, her demeanor elegant and graceful, generous and natural, possessing a natural composure, which was the so-called grand manner.
This kind of manner and demeanor was extremely rare in young women, born from a combination of talent and cultivation.
Chu Zhiyuan guessed that this should be Xiao Ruoling.
Super-sense took in all the women in the entire Prince's Mansion, and this woman was the most beautiful, suppressing all the other beauties alone, making many beauties pale in comparison.
What's more, Bai Ning霜 and Chu Yi were accompanying her.
Seeing her, Chu Zhiyuan finally understood why she had won the name of the most beautiful woman in Yujing, even though she rarely showed her face in public.
She could be called a national beauty, surpassing all others in the world.
No wonder that Song Tianhai and Ye Baitao and Ye Baichuan insisted on beating him up.
