Can a Scholar Be Called a Villain

Tonight, the imperial palace emanated a resplendent glow, illuminating the aftermath of the recent battle that had besieged its grounds just a day prior. Remarkably, the palace stood unscathed, a testament to the swift and decisive suppression of the rebellion.

Within the palace, Murong Tong orchestrated a lavish feast set amidst a serene bamboo forest. Delicate bamboo leaves descended gracefully from the heavens, adorning the expansive, polished stone flooring. Small tables punctuated the space, creating an inviting tableau.

The ambience was a tapestry of bamboo, gently rustling in the breeze as the radiant moon held its celestial vigil. Moonlight danced upon the ground, fractured by the quivering leaves of the bamboo trees.

At the heart of this idyllic setting lay a feast, where beautiful female attendants glided to and fro, tending to the needs of the guests.

Seated atop the pinnacle of the arrangement was Murong Ding, flanked by two female servants, he presided over a lavish spread of delectable dishes and spirits. 

To the left was Murong Ding’s table, flanked by the third prince, Murong Lin, and further down, the sixth princess, Murong Liu. Nearby, Murong Ran, due to his youth, found his place beside Murong Tong.

On the right, sat the Poisonous Old Ghost and his disciple, Tang Can.

While Murong Ding basked in the glory, Murong Tong recognized that it was Tang Can who had unravelled the truth. In a hushed revelation, the Poisonous Old Ghost disclosed Tang Can’s true identity – the son of the great general, Tang Tian Hao.

For Murong Tong, securing Tang Can was pivotal. He believed it could sway the allegiance of three loyal generals, sworn to Tang Tian Hao, to his side, thereby giving him control over the nation’s military.

This rationale prompted his invitation to both the Poisonous Old Ghost and Tang Can for the banquet.

Once all had settled into their respective seats, Emperor Murong Tong sat down slowly with an air of dignity. His gaze swept over the gathering before he raised his cup, a sense of contentment evident on his features.

“Everyone, your recent aid has been invaluable. Tonight, I can finally lay to rest the burden that has weighed upon my heart. So, let us raise our glasses and enjoy this evening together!”

In unison, the assembled company lifted their cups.

A spectrum of emotions played across the faces of those present: Murong Ding’s expression reflected shock and elation, Murong Lin appeared pale, Murong Liu maintained an air of detachment, the Poisonous Old Ghost wore a knowing smile, and Tang Can exuded a calm composure.

Even young Murong Ran, a mere ten years old, proudly elevated his little wine glass in celebration.

“Drink!”

With swift swigs, the wine coursed through their veins, lending a rosy hue to their complexions and infusing the atmosphere with an air of ease.

In the wake of the toast, Murong Tong and the Poisonous Old Ghost engaged in relaxed conversation, unbefitting of their esteemed statuses as practitioners of the Sky Reaching realm.

On the contrary, Murong Ding scooped up the slightly dazed Murong Ran, who occupied a seat near the emperor, and took it upon himself to feed the young child.

Beside them, Murong Lin continued his facade of weakness, eating slowly with an unmistakably pallid complexion.

Murong Liu and Tang Can remained silent, keeping to themselves.

“Haha, it seems the realm of Yan is brimming with emerging talents this year. Our internal tournament will indeed be a stiffer competition than five years prior, with a host of remarkable prodigies vying for recognition. Yet, none can hold a candle to your disciple, Poisonous Old Ghost!”

Raising his cup with a touch of pride, the Poisonous Old Ghost continued, “Your words are too kind. My disciple is but an unremarkable individual, albeit possessing a touch of acumen.”

The exchange continued, with mutual compliments flowing freely.

“Truth be told,” the Poisonous Old Ghost quipped, “I’ve scarcely contributed to his tutelage, he has forged his own path in the realm of cultivation. Alas, he may find the competition among the princes a formidable challenge.”

“Heh, those guys have truly put me to shame this time. Oh well, let it pass. By the way, I’ve been wondering, is Tang Can perhaps already married?”

A subtle shift rippled across the faces of those present.

Murong Ding registered astonishment, Murong Liu appeared ashen, while Tang Can bore an expression of helplessness.

Tang Can cupped his hands to speak, only to halt upon noticing the gaze of the sixth princess. With a wistful smile, he found his voice, “Your Majesty, there’s someone I hold dear in my heart.”

Murong Tong waved dismissively, albeit with a hint of awkwardness, “Why make such a fuss? After all, aren’t men naturally inclined toward polygamy? What are your thoughts on my daughter, Liu’er?”

The implication behind Murong Tong’s words was glaringly apparent.

Clearly, Murong Tong’s interest in Tang Can extended beyond mere curiosity; he was contemplating the prospect of welcoming Tang Can into the family as his son-in-law.

However, his actions only served to rattle Murong Liu, her emotions surging like a tempest. Never had she anticipated her father’s brazen suggestion, especially in the wake of her recent separation from Sheng Yi.

What did he consider her? 

A mere pawn, a bargaining chip to be exchanged at will?

She, the sixth princess of the country, didn’t even have the right to decide her own love and marriage?

As the tide of emotions coursed through her, her countenance morphed from red to pallid, and then to a muted shade of green.

Tang Can, too, stood stunned by Murong Tong’s unexpected proposal. The banquet, as he saw it, was nothing more than a simple gathering, rendering the topic of marriage entirely unforeseen.

Observing Murong Liu’s swiftly shifting complexion, a tide of awkwardness swelled within him. He hastened to interject, “While the sixth princess is indeed a paragon of beauty and allure, I, a commoner of modest origins, dare not entertain the notion of such a connection.”

“Hahaha! If I proclaim you worthy, then worthy you shall be!

Murong Liu’s temper is far from serene, and her temper ignites like wildfire. Finding a willing suitor for her seems like an insurmountable task. How about this, I’ll entrust her to you!” Murong Ding’s laughter reverberated as he approached Tang Can.

“Enough of this!” Springing to her feet, Murong Liu shot a venomous glare at her own father, her words dripping with indignation, “I have finished eating, I shall take my leave first.”

With her proclamation still hanging in the air, she moved to depart.

Yet, her intentions were swiftly thwarted by Murong Tong’s piercing command, his voice laced with fury. “Halt right there!”

The potent energy of a Sky Reaching realm expert surged forth, coercing Murong Liu to freeze in her tracks. Her expression betrayed a mix of anxiety and helplessness, an unfamiliar sensation considering her father’s prior indulgence.

In moments past, her father had never raised his voice, let alone unleashed his ire upon her. And she, the treasured sixth princess, had basked in his affection. However, the dynamics had shifted since her engagement to Sheng Yi, revealing a stark truth she was forced to reckon with: her father’s apparent love had been a mere façade all along.

In truth, her imperial father, Murong Tong, held a deeper allegiance to the prosperity of the imperial lineage. 

If a union promised gain, he was prepared to barter her off to anyone!

This reality had held true in the past, and it retained its grip on the present.

Tears traced their sorrowful paths down her cheeks, silently bearing witness to her anguish. Inwardly, she longed to seek solace in her mother’s embrace and unburden her grievances, yet the weight of her father’s seething anger paralyzed her every step.

Murong Tong’s fury appeared boundless, amplified by the suppressive expanse of his Sky Reaching realm aura that pervaded the surroundings. The very air seemed to shimmer with his wrath, a tempest that even those seated nearby, such as Murong Ding and Murong Lin, couldn’t escape unscathed.

Swiftly, Murong Ding encircled Murong Ran, shielding the young boy. With a sense of security, Murong Ran nestled into the protective embrace of his seemingly benevolent elder brother.

While Murong Lin outwardly feigned to be pale, his gaze secretly lingered on Tang Can. 

As for Tang Can, he found himself caught in a whirlwind of bewilderment. The intensity of Murong Tong’s reaction had caught him entirely off-guard. Had he foreseen this, he would have firmly declined the proposition, thereby sparing himself the current predicament.

In the current juncture, Murong Tong’s primary focus was on delivering a firm lesson to Murong Liu, a bid to quell her pride and insubordination.

“Imperial father…” Murong Liu’s smile bore a tinge of bitterness, her tears intermingling with the taste of her own sorrow.

Within her eyes, a glimmer of desperation flickered momentarily. Yet, pinned beneath the weight of Murong Tong’s overbearing aura, her actions were stifled.

Tears blurred her vision, casting a haze upon the world around her.

Then, an abrupt intrusion shattered the scene – sharp, high-pitched noises that wormed their way into her ears. In tandem, luminous masses materialized above, emitting a blinding radiance akin to a cascade of fireworks.

“Ping!” “Ping!” “Ping!”

A multitude of these radiant spectacles adorned the sky above the capital.

“What!”

A collective astonishment gripped the assembly, prompting swift turns of heads toward the display unfolding above the capital.

What swiftly ensued was a cacophony of unrest and the echoes of slaughter!
Murong Tong’s expression contorted, his rage reverberating through a bellowed cry,

“The imperial palace is under attack!”