As fate would have it, the timing couldn't have been worse.
Though Wen Qingxiao had recently agreed to Gu Yanshu's proposal to establish a newspaper office, the venture was still in its preparatory stages. His responsibilities currently only involved delegating tasks to subordinates, making this his first venture outside his secluded courtyard since the broken engagement two years prior.
Who could have anticipated that his very first outing would meet with misfortune?
Mid-journey, the carriage's axle abruptly snapped.
Had the driver not been specially selected by Gu Yanshu from the Prince of Li's household—a martial arts practitioner assigned to assist Wen Qingxiao with the newspaper office—who stabilized the compartment during the accident, Wen Qingxiao might have been thrown violently from the vehicle.
Though disaster was averted, the broken axle rendered the carriage unusable.
With Wen Qingxiao's mobility already impaired and his transportation now crippled, he found himself truly stranded.
Ultimately, it was only through the kindness of a passing stranger offering him a ride that Wen Qingxiao managed to reach the Prince's residence.
Had he not departed an hour early precisely to accommodate unforeseen delays, this mishap might have caused him to miss the banquet entirely.
Despite his composed demeanor and measured apology, Wen Qingxiao hadn't participated in such gatherings for years.
Facing an assembly where every attendee held exalted status, even he couldn't suppress a flutter of unease.
Meanwhile, many guests had already retrieved memories of Wen Qingxiao from their mental archives.
His early brilliance and subsequent attainment of the Tanhua title three years ago had left indelible impressions.
Among those present sat two former imperial examination supervisors who had personally witnessed his meteoric rise.
Following his accident, numerous elder statesmen had lamented the tragedy—
Not merely for Academician Wen's family, but for the Tianqi Dynasty itself.
None understood better than these veterans how rare and painstakingly cultivated such extraordinary talent truly was.
That such a luminary should be barred from officialdom represented catastrophic losses for both his clan and the empire.
Seeing Wen Qingxiao reappear in this setting evoked poignant reflections on life's vicissitudes, mingled with inevitable pity.
How could they possibly censure him for this minor lapse?
Some instinctively glanced toward Academician Wen at the head table, only to discover the father far more emotionally overwhelmed than anticipated—
His trembling lips and barely contained agitation clearly indicating he'd been unaware of his son's planned attendance.
"Qingxiao? Can it truly be Qingxiao?"
This emotional outburst shattered the hall's stillness—
Not from Wen Xuefei, but from Chief Grand Secretary Pei, who until now had maintained stoic silence since arrival, his expression revealing nothing.
At this address, Wen Qingxiao's lashes fluttered faintly, his throat working momentarily before responding:
"...Your student greets you."
Suddenly, everyone remembered—
Wen Qingxiao wasn't merely the Hanlin Academician's sixth son, but also the Chief Grand Secretary's personally closed-door disciple.
When first encountering the five-year-old prodigy, Pei had been so captivated by his genius that after mere minutes of conversation, he'd insisted on taking the child as his sole pupil.
Never had the Chief Grand Secretary concealed his partiality for this student.
On multiple occasions he'd openly declared Wen Qingxiao alone sufficed as his lifetime's disciple.
Fourteen years since accepting him, even after the tragedy three years prior, Pei had kept his word—admitting no other students.
Any observer could see the Chief Grand Secretary had been grooming Wen Qingxiao as his successor.
Some had even overheard Pei vow to petition the emperor for retirement once his protégé completed his training.
This very expectation had led many to predict Wen Qingxiao would become Tianqi's youngest-ever Chief Grand Secretary following his Tanhua achievement.
After the riding accident, none had campaigned more tirelessly for him than his father and mentor.
When Wen Qingxiao's official career became impossible, the blow had visibly aged the Chief Grand Secretary, his health declining markedly.
Remembering this context made Pei's current emotional state perfectly comprehensible.
"Your Excellency, please slow down—"
An attendant's worried cry drew all eyes as the septuagenarian Chief Grand Secretary scrambled up from his seat toward Wen Qingxiao—
Nearly stumbling in his haste had quick hands not steadied him.
Abandoning protocol, Wen Qingxiao urgently gestured his attendant forward:
"Teacher, please be careful!"
The wheelchair's mobility proved advantageous as they met halfway, Wen Qingxiao's hands rising to support his mentor's arms.
Yet what happened next utterly defied all expectations.
The Chief Grand Secretary steadied himself slightly, studying Wen Qingxiao intently for a long moment—
Then abruptly raised his hand:
Slap!
The crisp sound echoed through the hall. On Wen Qingxiao's abnormally pale complexion—a pallor born of prolonged seclusion—a rosy flush immediately bloomed across his cheek.
The force behind that strike left no room for doubt.
Savoring the sting, Wen Qingxiao remained silent for a beat before speaking again:
"Teacher..."
But before he could continue, the Chief Grand Secretary's trembling voice lashed out:
"You still remember you're my student? Have you forgotten everything I taught you? What kind of disciple refuses to see his own master?"
Whether from fury, distress, or the unprecedented act of striking his beloved pupil, the elderly statesman swayed perilously—
Sending bystanders' hearts into their throats, terrified he might collapse.
Fortunately, Wen Qingxiao reached out to steady him, his manner humbly deferential:
"This unworthy student acknowledges his faults."
When wrong, Wen Qingxiao never shied from admission.
He understood perfectly—this outburst stemmed from years of pent-up frustration over his post-betrothal collapse.
After the broken engagement, devastated Wen Qingxiao had wallowed in despair.
Not only had he repeatedly rejected his teacher's invitations, but when the Chief Grand Secretary personally visited, he'd barred the door.
Though he'd gradually regained his footing, the shame of those actions bred avoidance—
The deeper the affection, the greater the fear of facing it.
Wen Qingxiao knew he owed his teacher an apology, yet each drafted letter of repentance went undelivered—
Terrified of confronting potential rejection, paralyzed by imagined disappointment.
Always postponing until "fully prepared" to seek forgiveness.
This preparation had stretched to the present day.
Learning of his teacher's attendance today, Wen Qingxiao had wavered.
But he also knew—if he skipped this banquet and avoided contact until the newspaper's launch—
Should they later meet elsewhere after publication, his teacher's temperament would never permit reconciliation.
After weighing the scales, he'd accepted Gu Yanshu's invitation.
Ironically, that resounding slap finally released the tension coiled in his chest.
As the Chief Grand Secretary's personally nurtured disciple, none understood the old man better.
True disappointment would have warranted icy indifference—why bother with strikes and rebukes otherwise?
"Knowing your fault suffices."
Facing his cherished pupil's contrition, the Chief Grand Secretary's resolve crumbled instantly.
His sternness lasted precisely three seconds.
Anger dissipated, he now eyed Wen Qingxiao's flushed cheek with remorse:
"Did that... hurt much?"
Recognizing the softened tone, Wen Qingxiao's lashes fluttered faintly:
"It did."
???
Watching from the head table, Gu Yanshu nearly choked on his own saliva!
It did?
How could Wen Qingxiao say such things aloud?
That faintly aggrieved, subtly coaxing tone shattered Gu Yanshu's entire perception of the man!
This aloof celestial-being-come-to-earth actually knew how to... pout?
But considering their past rapport and future collaboration, Gu Yanshu forcibly suppressed his urge to expose Wen Qingxiao's true nature.
Remarkably, the famously sharp-eyed and unapproachable Chief Grand Secretary proved utterly susceptible to this tactic.
Hearing Wen Qingxiao admit pain, his remorse became palpable:
"This teacher should not have struck so harshly."
Wen Qingxiao's lush lashes fluttered again:
"The fault lies not with Teacher, but with this unworthy student."
This response only deepened the old statesman's regret.
Where moments ago he'd condemned his disciple's thoughtlessness, now his mind overflowed with remorse—
How could he have struck so severely when his exemplary pupil had merely faltered after devastating misfortune?
His gaze now brimmed with contrition.
Preparing to speak further, he suddenly registered their audience—
Remembering they stood amidst the Prince of Li's banquet hall.
Swiftly composing himself, he turned to offer apologies:
"Forgive this old subject's undignified display before Your Highnesses. Reuniting unexpectedly with my student overwhelmed propriety. I beg your judgment."
Gu Yanshu hastily set aside his metaphorical popcorn, clearing his throat:
Ahem. "Chief Grand Secretary exaggerates. Emotional reunion after long separation is only human—especially between mentor and pupil. No offense exists to pardon."
"Your Highness's mercy humbles me. Yet I dare make one further request—might Qingxiao be permitted to sit beside this old man? We've much yet to discuss."
Pei gestured toward the distant lower seat where protocol dictated the unranked Wen Qingxiao properly belonged—
An intolerable separation now that his reemerged pupil stood within reach.
Though unexpected, the request aligned perfectly with Gu Yanshu's plans.
This being an informal gathering, he glanced at Wen Qingxiao's expression—
Finding no reluctance, he granted permission.
Delight illuminated the Chief Grand Secretary's features as he guided his treasured disciple to sit beside him.
Across the table, Academician Wen—finally processing his son's reappearance—
Blinked in confusion at finding his son suddenly seated opposite him beside the Chief Grand Secretary.
What just happened?
Where's my son?
How did my full-grown child get whisked away in an eyeblink?
But with seating settled and Gu Yanshu announcing the banquet's commencement, he could only reluctantly accept this arrangement.
Throughout the meal, Wen Xuefei's attention kept drifting toward his son—
Met each time by subtle reassuring glances from across the table.
After interrogating Wen Qingxiao about his wellbeing, readings, and writings during their separation—
The Chief Grand Secretary inevitably inquired:
"Why attend the Prince of Li's banquet today?"
Even before his accident, Wen Qingxiao had avoided aristocratic gatherings. What made this occasion different?
From the head table, Gu Yanshu's ears practically perked up.
Perfect question!
He'd been wondering how to naturally introduce the newspaper topic!
This was sheer serendipity.
Tapping his teacup lid to create a faint chime, he caught Wen Qingxiao's eye—
Their shared understanding requiring no words.
Wen Qingxiao smiled at his teacher:
"The Prince of Li's residence is establishing a newspaper office. Through Chongshan's recommendation, I've undertaken its management."
As anticipated, the Chief Grand Secretary seized the key term:
"Newspaper?"