Strange Tales: You're an Official, but you're raising a bunch of Demonessess? - Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Bai Yu? It’s him! Lan Xi’s astonishment!

“To fulfil the king’s worldly duties, gain posthumous fame, pity the white hair that was in vain…”

In the martial arts arena of General Zhenyuan’s residence, an aged general with silver hair tightly gripped a lengthy spear, gazing at the worn-out armour before him, lost in contemplation.

Zhenyuan Marquis, General Wang Piyue, a seasoned warrior for fifty years, a veteran of three dynasties, renowned for his military exploits. As the Zhenyuan Marquis, he held great esteem in the military, and his descendants held crucial positions within the armed forces. The Wang family served as a significant support for the imperial court. In times of war, no one could match his prowess.

“Great talent…”

“Is this new literary talent prioritising military strength?”

At this moment, the elderly general murmured softly, asking his grandchildren attending to him, “What is this era called?”

“Bai Yu.”

“How old is he?”

“Rumors say sixteen.”

“Sixteen?”

Wang Piyue paused, his aged eyes clouded, lost in thought.

Then he gestured, “I understand. Go about your tasks; this old man won’t die yet.”

The onlookers exchanged glances. Wang Qingfeng, his second son, stepped forward, saying, “Father, Prince Lan Xi has sent another letter wishing to meet you.”

The old man still fixated on his spear dance, replied, “Tell him this old man is frail, plagued by illness, and cannot receive guests.”

“Uh…”

The others exchanged puzzled looks.

“Understood!”

Nevertheless, they comprehended, nodded, and withdrew. Like a swift wind, the spear whizzed through the air, embedding itself into the stone floor, vibrating faintly.

“Tell him I am old, weak, and ailing, unable to entertain visitors.” The old man waved his hand, speaking coldly.

Several people: …

You call that weak?

“Yes!”

However, they also understood, nodded, and retreated.

“Poor white hair… poor white hair…”

The courtyard regained its tranquillity as the old man stood silently in the middle of the martial arts arena. A gentle breeze brushed his face, ruffling a few strands of white hair.

He lowered his gaze, chuckling and murmuring the same words repeatedly, “It happened in vain…”

…

“My son pays homage to Father Emperor.”

The elegantly dressed young man bowed respectfully before his father, who held supreme authority. Lan Su frowned at his son’s attire but waved his hands, “No need to be polite!”

“Why did the Father Emperor summon his son?”

Lan Su pointed to the test paper on the desk, saying calmly, “Lan Xi, take a look at this.”

“Hmm? Exam questions?”

“Father, I’ve been too busy lately!”

Lan Xi smiled, picked up the exam paper, and asked Lan Su, “Who is the top scholar, and where is he from?”

“I went to inspect the examination room on the Imperial Examination Day and saw a few candidates who left a deep impression on me. They will surely contribute greatly to our Qianyuan…”

“Um?”

Before she could finish her sentence, she froze suddenly when she looked at the verses in the test questions.

“To finish the king’s world affairs…”

“Colorful!”

“Good poetry! Good poetry! Eternal quatrains!”

“As your humble child, I will invite this person to our poetry gathering and have a gathering together!” Her eyes were clear, but she couldn’t help clapping her hands and exclaiming.

Lan Su frowned when he heard the words and said in a deep voice, “Keep watching!”

“Uh…”

Lan Xi froze for a moment, put out the thought of continuing to savor the poem, and continued to read.

“Great talent, great talent…”

“Is this the meeting element for this meeting?”

The more she looked down, Lan Xi’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but exclaim. However, after seeing the end, the most important turning point at the end… She paused suddenly as if she had seen something frightening.

His eyes shrank suddenly, and he raised his head instantly and combined the papers in his hands with a sound of “snapping” as if there were evil spirits in them. The relaxed and soothing smile just now was also restrained.

“Father, who is this person?”

“My son wants to see him now!”

With a serious face, she asked Lan Su in a deep voice.

“Do you want to kill him?” Lan Su didn’t answer her question but just looked into her eyes and asked.

Lan Xi subconsciously shook her head and replied, “No, I want to ask him for advice…”

However, Lan Su seemed very disappointed and couldn’t help asking persistently: “Why don’t you want to?!”

“Oh…”

Lan Xi hesitated, wanting to answer, but didn’t know what to say.

Lan Su waved his hand, stopped asking questions, and replied flatly, “His name is Bai Yu. He is sixteen years old, and he was born in Liuzhou.”

“Bai Yu?”

Lan Xi was stunned again when she heard the words. She felt that this name… seemed to have been heard somewhere!

“Bai Yu, from Liuzhou.”

“If you are seen through when you are deceiving, you will lose your favorability.”

“If you must cover up your identity, chatting will be boring.”

“Your Highness, you might as well be a franker next time we meet!”

“Don’t be so harsh on it! It will hurt…”

Suddenly, the past turned around, and frivolous words echoed in my ears. The face of that young and handsome scholar, the face of that casual prodigal son, suddenly appeared in his mind.

She raised her head suddenly and couldn’t help but exclaim, “Bai Yu!”

“It’s him!”

That miraculous person, once met, cannot be forgotten.