Vincent let out a short, meaningful breath before speaking with a cryptic smile. "I remember when our father was ordered to travel west. The officials of the Capital competed with each other just to hold a farewell banquet in his honor."He continued, his eyes narrowing as if recollecting a distant memory. "The atmosphere was bustling and loud, but to our father, it was nothing more than a mundane and tedious formality. He would offer a few polite words and leave it at that. Yet, I don’t know what possessed Caelum that day. In front of all those prominent elders and dignitaries, he had the audacity to write that poem, 'Farewell to the Capital', for our father."Vincent laughed as if the scene were unfolding before him once more. "While the poem itself was undeniably brilliant, I knew our father didn't appreciate it. Most of the guests praised his talent with their lips, but in their hearts, they were likely mocking his ignorance of proper etiquette and social standing."A genuine laug

The setting sun bled across the horizon, casting long, dramatic shadows that stretched like dark fingers across the estate. Golden clouds drifted lazily, fading into a hazy violet as twilight took hold. Outside the heavy gates of the Xiao residence, the air was thick with the sound of clattering hooves and the rhythmic grinding of carriage wheels. An endless stream of guests, dignitaries, and distant relatives continued to pour in, all drawn by the gravity of the upcoming celebration.Deep within the House of Serenity, where the air was scented with aged sandalwood, the Old Marquis received his visitors. Though his body was frail and his breath often came in shallow draws, he forced himself to maintain a posture of regal dignity. He spoke to each guest, his eyes sharp despite his age, inquiring about their families and offering words of calculated encouragement. This was more than a birthday; it was a strategic gathering. He was presenting the future of the house—Evangeline, Celeste,

Chapter 55: Poetry and ScriptButterfly couldn’t win the argument against the stubborn girl, so she ended up recounting the details of the meeting between Caelum and his brother, Julian, that had taken place at noon. After listening intently, Beatrice’s eyes spun with a mischievous light. "Don’t you want to go take a look at the poetry gathering?" she asked.Butterfly glanced at the dimming night outside the carriage window, hesitation clear on her face. "Miss Beatrice, it is already the first watch of the night...""We’ll just take one look at the Academy and head straight back," Beatrice insisted."But if we return late, I fear Master Caelum and Lady Celeste will be displeased.""Don’t worry! I’ll handle Caelum and Sister Celeste myself," Beatrice promised, patting her chest so hard that the bells around her neck jingled and chimed in a frantic rhythm.Butterfly looked at her uncertainty, still wavering. "Really? Just one look?""Exactly! Just a peek.""Then... would it be alright

"An Earth-grade opportunity, the birthday banquet of Duke Xiao will be shaken by a coming storm."For the first time in months, Caelum saw a piece of daily intelligence with such a high rating. According to his past experience, he only needed to stand by and observe as a spectator to obtain basic rewards like cultivation techniques or scholarly knowledge. However, he realized that if he took an active role, as he did when greeting Victor, he might earn additional rewards.Caelum smiled to himself. "The distance is short, and there is virtually no risk. Perhaps I can try to show a bit of my hand. But I must be careful with the measure of it; after all, it is the Old Master’s birthday. Standing out too much would be unsightly."With his decision made, Caelum left his study and walked out into the courtyard, gazing at the moon and the stars. Summer had arrived in Shuzhou, and the weather was somewhat stifling. Even in the middle of the night, the breeze carried a humid heat, along with t

The farcical scene that had just unfolded in the grand courtyard left the gathered nobility hovering between suppressed laughter and stark disbelief. Once the initial shock of the confrontation settled and the heavy air began to clear, the guests found themselves viewing Caelum in a fundamentally different light. In their collective memory, he had always been relegated to the very bottom of the social hierarchy—a man whose reputation was so meager it was considered a rarity even within the boundaries of the Southern Province, let alone within the formidable walls of the Xiao household.Yet, to witness him confronting a powerful, high-ranking general with such sharp, unyielding words was a revelation. It was the kind of reckless bravery one might only expect from someone who felt he truly had nothing left to lose. Even the stern Sebastian, known for his rigid adherence to family discipline and tradition, found himself momentarily paralyzed. He could not bring himself to act against the