A portly eunuch appeared on the topmost steps of the main hall entrance, his face drooping, the very picture of a castrated man’s misery. His high, strange voice warped into a singsong call, “The hour is upon us! I bid all esteemed sirs, talented scholars, and young masters to proceed to the Hall of Fragrant Clouds and await audience!”

Jun Moxie gagged. That voice was truly ***, *** awful.

It was even more grating than the ones on television, which was hardly surprising. TV shows were merely imitations; how often did one see a real eunuch giving a performance? But the one standing here now was the genuine article—a being who gained much yet lost so much.

The old-timers exchanged knowing glances. The Hall of Fragrant Clouds was the largest palace hall in the entire Imperial City, spacious enough to seat a thousand people for a banquet with room to spare. It seemed the scale of this Scholars’ Banquet had reached unprecedented levels. Why hadn't they been notified a few days earlier? Many excellent young talents would be unable to rush back in time!

Just as Young Master Jun and his entourage prepared to move, the eunuch’s sharp voice cut through the air: “By Imperial Decree! The Marquis of Loyal Valor, Tang Wanli, is commanded to present himself and his grandson, Tang Yuan, for audience!”

Tang Yuan jumped, looking miserably at the great master Jun, “Damn, what’s going on here?”

Great Master Jun rolled his eyes, turning away from Tang Yuan. Did he really think this brother was some immortal who knew everything? The great rake, Jun, sauntered toward the Hall of Fragrant Clouds, his head tilted, shoulders shrugged, hips swaying in light, cat-like steps. Everyone stared.

Old Master Jun Zhantian, standing on the steps watching his grandson below, now looking utterly dashing and ***, felt a throbbing in his head. I told you to conceal your talents, but I didn’t tell you to “conceal” them like this! This was too conspicuous, too outstanding. No, this was more like a crane standing out amongst chickens! It’s over, it’s over. My entire lifetime of good reputation will be ruined by the way this brat swings his backside!

Old Master Dugu Wudi waddled over, his hairy face practically touching the other. His eyes were fixed on Jun Moxie’s swaying, graceful backside, and he clicked his tongue repeatedly. “Old Jun Head, I reckon this is the first time I’ve seen this boy since he grew up, right? Truly, seeing is believing, and seeing in person surpasses the rumors. Remarkable, truly remarkable, so unique, so above the common herd! Haha!” Though his mouth was full of forced pleasantries, his tone was utterly bizarre!

Jun Zhantian snorted, his thick brows knitting together, and suddenly stopped walking. “Old Dugu, I seem to recall your Dugu family owes our Jun family ninety million taels of silver. And you act as if nothing has happened? When will you pay? Give me a definite answer.”

Old Master Jun was famously robust for his age, and he and Old Master Dugu had been rivals their entire lives. How could he allow himself to be mocked like this, especially when he held such leverage? Seeing this old rascal dare to tease him now, Old Master Jun was not one to be trifled with. He immediately demanded repayment!

Dugu Zongheng froze instantly, his eyes wide, unable to speak. After a long pause, he spat forcefully, “Damn it! Just kill me then! Ninety million taels... Blast it, do you think my Dugu Manor is the Imperial Treasury? Even the Imperial Treasury couldn't scrape that together right now!”

“Then you old coot plans to default on the debt?” Old Master Jun glared. “This was admitted personally by your Dugu Clan. You must compensate based on the auction price of those wines. What, now you want to backtrack? I’m telling you, this is no small sum. Settling this account has put our Jun family through utter turmoil. Even if we took the lawsuit straight to the Emperor, your Dugu family wouldn’t escape paying this debt! Justice still prevails in this world! Dugu Zongheng, know this: Man does what he does, Heaven watches...”

Old Master Dugu was instantly choked with anger. The barrage of his words—veiled insults mixed with pointed accusations—sent him through stages of exasperation: one Buddha ascending, two Buddhas ascending, three Buddhas achieving Nirvana, four Buddhas entering final rest.

But though he was stubborn, he wasn't a deadbeat. Moreover, the entire Xiang City knew about this affair now; trying to default was impossible.

But... this account can’t be settled like this, either. And his descriptions are completely out of line! How did the Jun family suffer such turmoil? Why are they threatening an imperial appeal? What kind of language is this? He took a few ragged breaths, already cursing his own son hundreds of times in his mind: Look at the mess your profligate son has dragged me into! I wonder if you can ever repay this debt in your lifetime!

Thinking of this, his eyes suddenly darted, and an idea struck him. “That’s right, our Dugu family does owe your Jun family money. I am fair-minded about grievances; I value righteousness above all! A life for a life, and repayment for a debt—these are matters of heavenly justice. Do you think I am so base as to default on a mere few tens of millions of taels? Do you think everyone is like you, treating such a large sum as pocket change? Jun Zhantian, can you take silver with you to the coffin? I look down on your Jun family, such hoarders!”

Old Master Jun was nearly infuriated to death. That old rogue spoke of it so casually—a mere few tens of millions? That sum was nearly equivalent to three years of the Heavenly Fragrant Empire’s military budget! He firmly held his ground. “Since you don’t care about it, then hurry up and pay me back! Why are you delaying over such a ‘small sum’?! I’ll tell you, our Jun family is waiting on this ‘small sum’ just to eat! So what if we’re hoarders? It’s better than some people defaulting on their debts!”

“When did I say I wouldn’t pay!” Dugu Zongheng rolled his eyes. “We admit the debt exists, but Old Master is temporarily short on funds, so naturally, I’m not rushing to pay. Especially since no specific deadline was set at the time, wouldn't you agree? If we can't pay this year, aren’t there next year and the year after? Even if this lifetime isn't enough, aren't there future generations? As an old saying goes, the debt remains even if the person dies, and future generations will remember what a certain official once said: ‘When one is impoverished, his descendants will be numerous; but a debt surpasses the old.’ How can it not be repaid?!”

A burst of wild laughter erupted nearby.

Since the two old men had started whispering together, some people had been watching. As soon as the conversation turned to that enormous debt, a crowd of white-haired heads leaned in to listen.

It was the elders from the various great families, each wearing expressions full of gossip, eager to see Dugu Zongheng embarrassed.

And when they heard Dugu Zongheng shamelessly concoct such an utterly shameless, classic excuse, the circle of old men erupted in uproarious laughter. This old rogue was too talented! It was merely a debt, and he instantly pushed it off onto the next life, spouting nonsense about descendants! This was the absolute pinnacle of shamelessness!

A tree without bark surely dies. A person without shame is invincible! Today, they had truly seen something new!

“Talk your mother’s ass!” Old Master Jun flared up. “Who said anything about the next life with you? How shameless!” Suddenly, his eyes darted, and he said, “Dugu, this matter isn't entirely impossible to compromise on. If you truly have no money to repay, you can use your granddaughter to settle the debt. If you give your granddaughter to my grandson as a wife, then our two families will become in-laws!”

“In that case, would I still haggle with my in-laws over this amount of money? Naturally, I would waive your family’s debt. How about it? I'm telling you, you’re getting a huge bargain! Ninety million silver taels! Converted to gold, that’s at least ninety thousand taels—enough to cast a thousand statues of equivalent size! What do you say?”

“Talk your mother’s ass! You damned old Jun devil!” Dugu Zongheng exploded in anger, bristling his beard and glaring, cursing without restraint. “My granddaughter is a fairy-like being! And look at your unfortunate grandson! Look at him!”

Saying this, he pointed his finger toward the back of the ill-mannered, slovenly Young Master Jun, seething with rage. “This brat? He’s worthy of my granddaughter? Ask everyone in the world—are they a suitable match?”

“That makes some sense. I also know your granddaughter is unworthy of my grandson. To tell you the truth, my grandson wanting your granddaughter is the greatest fortune your granddaughter could ask for!”

Old Master Jun squinted his eyes. “Old Dugu, if you don’t agree now, when the deed is done and the raw rice is cooked, you’ll regret it too late. At that time, you’ll have lost both money and person, so don’t blame this old man for not warning you!”

“He dares! I’ll castrate him!”

Dugu Zongheng roared in fury and started to rush forward to fight. Old Master Jun didn't care about him; he immediately adopted a fighting stance! The other old officials saw the situation escalating—these two old rogues were genuinely about to start a brawl! They quickly organized themselves into groups of three or five and rushed to restrain the pair, thus averting a world-shaking farce!

If the elders of the two great families, the two great pillars of the military, were to clash inside the Imperial Palace, that spectacle would truly be something to behold...

Both old men struggled fiercely, twisting around, glaring as if to devour each other, their fists and kicks falling entirely into empty space.

“Zhantian, control your grandson!” Dugu Zongheng screamed, spittle flying, “If my patience is tested, I’ll rip his *** off and feed it to the birds! Then your Jun family will truly be without an heir!”

“Hmph, you think you old coot has the ability! Do you think because this old man has been cultivating virtue and practicing restraint in recent years, I’ve forgotten how to fight? Have I forgotten to teach you all these years? You old thing are getting too ambitious! Today, I’ll make an exception and teach you a lesson, you ungrateful old brute!”

Old Master Jun was also in a furious rage. ***, this old man pities your granddaughter’s sheer infatuation! Otherwise, given my grandson’s qualities, even the Emperor’s princess would not be good enough for him! To think you’re benefiting and still acting high and mighty—what is this shamelessness?!

Except for the few elders desperately holding them back, the other civil and military officials hurried past, eyes fixed straight ahead, not daring to look askance.

These two old devils were not people one could afford to provoke casually.

Dugu Zongheng was somewhat better off; though unreasonable, he didn't pose an immediate threat to life. But the old man from the Jun family, who usually appeared harmless and prided himself on "cultivating virtue," had, without blinking or twitching a muscle, once summarily executed one-third of the court ministers—a typical, silent executioner!

Now, with these two arguing, this place was fraught with danger; they couldn't linger!

“Tang Yuan?” In the Hall of Heavenly Virtue, the gentle Emperor looked at the fat man before him. Even though His Majesty possessed extreme composure, his eyebrows couldn't help but twitch violently.

The pressure exerted by Tang Wanli’s grandson was truly overwhelming! Back in the Noble Hall, the distance had lessened the effect, but up close now, His Majesty instantly felt that this mound of fat was overwhelmingly enormous—it provided such a sense of security! Tang Yuan perfectly embodied the superiority of the Empire’s economic system.

Seeing Tang Yuan, one immediately felt the happiness of a populace whose food and clothing were secure!

“Yes! Tang Yuan greets Your Majesty.” Tang Yuan knelt with difficulty. His belly spread flat against the ground before him like a carpet. He tried to kowtow, but ended up bumping his head directly into his own stomach.

(Today was wonderful, thank you to all my brothers and sisters! Gentlemen, step aside for a moment... I’ll kiss every one of you, smack, smack.) (To be continued)