A vast space, encircled by hundreds of tables, was deliberately left empty in the center. Could there be a performance at this Scholars' Banquet? Would the distinguished gentlemen be putting on a song and dance routine? While typical gentlemen might not, perhaps the sour-faced scholar from the Pi family could... "The Golden Autumn Scholars' Banquet commences! All esteemed guests are invited to take their seats."

Jun Moxie, guided by an attendant, found his way to the Jun family’s designated table. Looking up, he saw Li Youran watching him from across the way. The eldest Young Master Li lacked the casual air of Young Master Jun; his attention had been fixed solely on the notorious Jun wastrel. Seeing Jun Moxie look over, Li Youran offered a slight smile and raised his empty wine cup in a silent toast. Jun Moxie scoffed, dropped into his seat, and casually crossed his legs—the signature move of the great Jun rake.

A faint, delicate fragrance wafted from behind him. Even without turning, he knew it was the scent of a fresh young maiden, rare but not unfamiliar; Young Master Jun had often been graced by it near Dugu Xiaoyi. It seemed the Dugu family had arrived. Though he didn't turn his head, the handsome Jun could distinctly feel a pair of rapt eyes gazing intently at his back.

From the seats above, a pair of eyes, shimmering like autumn water, also looked over. Jun Moxie raised an eyebrow, lifted his gaze, and happened to catch Princess Lingmeng, her cheeks flushed crimson, quickly turning her head away.

What was with this woman? Had she genuinely taken a liking to him? That ridiculous Blood Oath she swore last time, while solemn enough, he never truly took to heart. Just as he was thinking this, a sharp pain suddenly flared at his waist. Ah? Who possessed such skill, masking their killing intent so perfectly, sneaking up beside him without him sensing anything? Turning back, he saw Dugu Xiaoyi approaching to speak with him, but upon seeing him seemingly exchanging meaningful glances with Princess Lingmeng, she delivered a heavy pinch to his side in retribution.

Jun Moxie grimaced. How could he let a woman bully him? Without turning his head, Young Master Jun reached back, blindly groping until he found something, and squeezed hard as retaliation. His hand met only smoothness, soft and yielding like a sponge, yet brimming with resilience. Wow, great feel! "Ah~" Dugu Xiaoyi shrieked. Amidst his admiration, the normally thick-skinned Young Master Jun flushed violently and snatched his hand back with lightning speed. But all eyes had turned toward them; they had clearly witnessed the entire exchange.

The young girl stood with a face as red as beetroot, her posture remarkably awkward. Her small hands hovered, wanting to rub the spot where she’d been pinched, yet too embarrassed to do so. She looked both ashamed and mortified, tears nearly brimming in her eyes.

It turned out Jun Moxie had clamped down squarely on her delicate rear. This was only possible because he was Jun Moxie; any other man, and the girl might have drawn a dagger instantly. In that moment, a flurry of murmurs erupted: gasps, sighs, scornful snorts, and a wave of collective eye-rolls washed over the entire hall. To still be flirting with women in such a serious setting! It truly lived up to his reputation as one of the Four Scourges of the Capital! Moreover, the target was the pearl of the Dugu family—an act of unparalleled audacity and lust.

The young girl had originally approached him full of excitement, only to find him seemingly communicating non-verbally with Princess Lingmeng, which angered her deeply. She pinched him and turned to leave, expecting him to follow and placate her. Little did she know that the moment she turned, the hand of Young Master Jun, the Great Master, had moved silently and impossibly fast, pinching her precisely at the perfect time and location. He grasped her pert derrière firmly, gave it a quick squeeze, as if they had rehearsed the move beforehand. Seeing everyone watching, the girl’s shame made her neck glow red, and she darted back to her seat, burying her head into her chest, covering it with her hands, still feeling intensely hot all over. To be touched so openly in public—it was mortifying! Even if it was that rogue who touched her, they hadn’t… progressed to that stage yet, so why did he…?

The girl’s posture in her seat remained somewhat strained. That pinch hurt intensely; it even made walking difficult. Sitting was painful, forcing her to adjust, but every adjustment only made her posture look stranger. Young Master Jun also broke into a sweat. He never expected that one accidental grab would land so squarely on that spot. The sensation was truly… intoxicating. He hadn't anticipated that this girl, who looked like a crisp green apple, was actually a ripe peach underneath. If I could just take a bite...

He couldn't help but wonder what his hand would have landed on if Dugu Xiaoyi hadn’t turned around. Given the force and position of that pinch, where would it have ended up? The thought made him chuckle darkly. He subtly rubbed his fingertips together, finding the sensation still incredibly smooth, as if the delicate texture lingered. Unable to resist, he brought his fingers to his nose and sniffed—the fragrance was intoxicating. Jun Moxie wore an expression of pure vulgarity.

"Shameless rogue! Truly a blight upon this corrupted age!" The elder scholars present were all flushed with anger, their goatee beards twitching furiously. They loathed this vile behavior of Young Master Jun, who seemed proud rather than ashamed of his indecency, wishing they could chop off the boy’s hands.

The younger generation watched Jun Moxie with utter contempt, silently cursing him. Yet, in their hearts, many thought: How wonderful that would be! That’s the backside of one of Tianxiang City’s two great beauties! Look at his smug look of enjoyment, sniffing his own fingers—he clearly found it very pleasant… and very fragrant. From several tables away, Princess Lingmeng, lost in her own thoughts, suddenly felt a strange tingling in her own hips. Her pretty face flushed, and with a soft huff, she felt a surprising spike of jealousy.

Heavy footsteps sounded outside the door—clearly, figures of great importance were making their entrance. The two instructors from Wenxing Academy, the patriarchs of various great families, all moved with gravity, exuding the air of refined scholars, vigorous despite their age, marching in proper, measured steps with stern expressions.

The hall instantly fell silent.

These old fellows—any one of them was someone not to be trifled with.

Following them came the three Imperial Princes, each beaming kindly, their faces wreathed in spring-like smiles.

With their arrival, the Golden Autumn Scholars' Banquet officially began! All manner of fine dishes were presented, filling the hall with intoxicating aromas. Yet, no one dared to move first; even the incorrigible Young Master Jun remained still.

This was because His Majesty the Emperor had not yet arrived! The truly heavyweight figure always made the last entrance.

Young Master Jun certainly didn't hold the Emperor in high regard, but given the current delicate political climate, provoking unnecessary trouble was unwise. As everyone sat ramrod straight, a slow, weighty sound echoed from outside the hall.

Solemn and dignified, yet surprisingly reserved, everyone craned their necks to look.

A portly gentleman, led by a eunuch, walked slowly toward them—it was Tang Yuan! The crowd gasped, then erupted into booming laughter. Old Master Tang Wanli shot to his feet, his face contorted in fury: "Wretched boy! What madness has seized you!?"

Tang Yuan looked utterly lost, like a walking corpse, moving woodenly step by step. Most ludicrously, he was bent over as he walked, and strapped to his back was a chair—a round-backed armchair, seemingly fused to his backside…

After being questioned by His Majesty the Emperor, although Jun Moxie wasn't directly implicated, the Emperor had cleverly deflected the blame onto Jun Wuyi. In the eyes of Fatty Tang, wasn't that the same thing?

This is serious! That was the only thought occupying the fat man's mind. Upon hearing the Emperor dismiss him, Tang Yuan rose in a daze, forgetting to perform the customary bow of departure. He staggered out, the chair still firmly attached to his rear. Because his backside was slightly too large and the chair slightly too small, as he stood up, the chair stood up with him, adhering tightly to his posterior as he walked. All the way, Tang Yuan was lost in thought, so preoccupied that he failed to notice the chair, which seemed insignificant compared to his own mass, still clinging to him.

Hearing the collective laughter and his grandfather's reprimand, Tang Yuan snapped out of his stupor. Opening his eyes, he realized he had arrived at Hanxiang Hall. Tears welled up, and he looked like a child who had been deeply wronged.

"Haha, Young Master Tang certainly acts with the bearing of an extraordinary man. This move is one of foresight! Fearing there might not be a seat, he brought his own chair—truly remarkable," Meng Haizhou seized the opportunity, speaking first with biting sarcasm. His words only fueled the room's roar of laughter.

Old Master Tang Wanli’s face turned purple. He suddenly leaped down and, with a bang, smashed the round-backed chair into splinters scattered across the floor. His white beard flew as he surveyed the room with piercing eyes. Everyone who met his gaze instinctively stifled their laughter and lowered their heads.

Seeing his grandson so utterly dejected, Tang Wanli sighed, his heart aching.

He realized something must have gone wrong with the Emperor. Had His Majesty truly forgotten decades of friendship and given his grandson such a hard time? But this was hardly the moment to press the issue; he decided to let it pass for now.

Suddenly, a figure swept past him, leaning over lightly. It was none other than the great Master Jun.

"Fatty, lift your head." Jun Moxie’s voice sounded careless, his movements swaying, but only Tang Yuan, from his angle, could see the warmth and resolute determination in Jun Moxie’s eyes. "Even if the heavens collapse, your brother will hold them up! Come drink with me!"

Young Master Jun let out a loud laugh. His first few words—a light command—threaded their way into Tang Yuan’s ear, subtly embedding the calming mantra of the Heaven-Splitting Creation Technique. However, the final sentence was spoken aloud in a normal tone that everyone could hear.

"Even if the heavens collapse, your brother will hold them up!" These ten words thrummed with dominance and fearlessness! Like a stabilizing pill, they pierced straight into the depths of the fat man’s soul. Tang Yuan’s heart jolted, and his confusion suddenly cleared. Color slowly returned to his eyes. Seeing Jun Moxie’s utterly unconcerned expression, a wave of warmth washed over him. He managed a wry smile and replied, "It seems the wine serving the guests today is actually from our Noble Hall auction! Indeed, for such a grand gathering, it would be inappropriate without some genuinely superb liquor... Third Prince hasn't hoarded it all; that's not bad."

The two chuckled in sync and walked forward together.

Old Master Tang Wanli’s mouth fell open in astonishment. A moment ago, his grandson looked utterly broken, a picture of despair, yet after hearing only Jun Moxie’s command—"Come drink with me"—he instantly returned to normal?

What in the world was going on?