Chapter 74: The Super Socialite

As soon as Zhao Han vomited, an unpleasant stench immediately filled the air. In an instant, everyone lost their appetite. After summoning Zhao Han's servant to care for him, Xu Mo and the others left the room.

Initially, Xu Mo intended to depart, but Li Changsi stopped him, saying there were some things he wished to discuss. Thus, the three of them found a table in the first-floor hall, ordered a pot of tea, and began to chat as they drank.

Li Changsi had downed six bowls of mixed wine. Though now slightly tipsy, neither his speech nor his gait showed any sign of impairment. Xu Mo could not help but silently admire the man's capacity for drink.

At that moment, several lightly clad girls danced gracefully to melodious music on the stage. Each one was exquisitely adorned, charming in every way, their swaying, alluring figures making Qin Muto's face flush a deep red. Heart pounding, he kept his head down, not daring to so much as glance up.

Ning Yongqiang, noticing Qin Muto's embarrassment, leaned over and whispered something in his ear. At once, Qin Muto grew flustered and exclaimed loudly, “You—you… what nonsense are you spouting? Who—who… who says I like them? I don’t like any of them!”

Ning Yongqiang burst into hearty laughter. Qin Muto, his face now red and neck stiff with anger, would certainly have given Ning Yongqiang a piece of his mind were he not the younger brother of Ning Yaxin and a friend of their host.

Xu Mo gave Ning Yongqiang a light slap and frowned, “Muto is still a child. What indecent things are you saying to him?”

Holding back his laughter, Ning Yongqiang replied, “Mr. Xu, I was merely asking if he fancied any of the girls on stage. If he did, I’d pay to have her serve him tonight!”

With that, Ning Yongqiang laughed again. Flustered, Qin Muto protested, “Master, don’t listen to him! I—I… I don’t like them, not a single one!”

Xu Mo smiled, “I know, Muto. He’s just teasing you. Don’t mind him.”

Qin Muto’s nostrils flared with anger as he glared at Ning Yongqiang, who only laughed all the more. Observing this, Xu Mo said, “Muto, why don’t you go wait outside and get some fresh air?”

Qin Muto nodded, shot Ning Yongqiang a fierce look, and stomped off in a huff. Ning Yongqiang also stood up and said, “Mr. Xu, I’ll step out to the back for a moment and be right back.”

With that, he headed toward the rear of the hall.

Li Changsi then moved his chair closer to Xu Mo and said, “Mr. Xu, I may have offended you earlier. Please accept my apologies once again.”

Xu Mo shook his head lightly. “Young Master Li, if there’s something you wish to say, just say it plainly.”

After a moment’s thought, Li Changsi leaned in and asked, “Mr. Xu, aren’t you curious why, upon our first meeting, we seemed intent on making things difficult for you?”

Xu Mo smiled. “If I’m not mistaken, today’s arrangement must have been Wang Shunyang’s idea, wasn’t it?”

“Exactly!” Li Changsi nodded emphatically. But then he shook his head just as vigorously. “And yet, not entirely!”

Xu Mo asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Li Changsi took a breath. “Meeting someone like you today is truly my great fortune, so I won’t hide anything from you…”

He then confessed, “Today’s arrangement was half on Young Master Wang’s account and half my own doing.”

That Wang Shunyang wanted to embarrass him, Xu Mo could entirely understand. But why Li Changsi would go along, he could not fathom.

Xu Mo was somewhat surprised. “Young Master Li, what was your reason for doing so?”

With utmost seriousness, Li Changsi replied, “Mr. Xu, you may not believe me, but I meant no harm. I simply wanted the opportunity to observe your character. After all, your past… well…” He left his sentence unfinished, ending with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Xu Mo pondered the meaning behind these words. “You were worried I might try to sway Young Master Ning?”

Li Changsi made no effort to hide it and nodded. “That’s right! Previously, I did worry about that. But after witnessing what just transpired, I realize I was mistaken. I apologize, Mr. Xu…”

With that, Li Changsi cupped his hands in apology once more.

Xu Mo did not reply. Li Changsi explained, “Mr. Xu, I’ve known Young Master Ning for many years, and we’ve always been close. I simply didn’t wish to see him fall prey to someone with dubious intentions. I hope you understand.”

Xu Mo could not entirely fault him. If it were he whose good friend was being entangled by some unsavory companion, he too would not stand idly by.

Xu Mo smiled and asked, “Young Master Li, do you really judge me harmless based solely on my answers to your two little questions? Isn’t that a bit hasty?”

Li Changsi shook his head. “In fact, when you calmly answered Young Master Wu, I already sensed you were not an ordinary man.”

“Oh?” Xu Mo’s interest was piqued. “And why is that?”

Li Changsi’s tone turned solemn. “Because few people can face their past so directly, and admit their mistakes so frankly—especially something as humiliating as being expelled from the academy.”

Xu Mo was slightly taken aback. Was expulsion really so shameful? He could not quite understand.

Yet, had Xu Mo inherited all the memories of his predecessor, his thoughts would have been different. In the Liang Kingdom, education was highly valued, as was the moral conduct of scholars. Only those with upright character, vetted and approved by the local magistrate, could attend academies.

Therefore, anyone expelled from an academy was immediately reported to the county yamen, who would then notify the prefectural yamen and all subordinate counties, as well as dispatch notices to academies in neighboring counties and prefectures. The purpose was to prevent anyone from exploiting loopholes to enroll elsewhere.

In short, in Liang, expulsion from an academy meant the end of one’s prospects in the imperial examinations. Worse, the county yamen would publicly inform neighbors and friends, ensuring the individual suffered scorn and ostracism—a kind of social death, as it would be called today.

Looking back, Wu Boyi had aimed straight for Xu Mo’s sore spot earlier, unleashing his strongest attack. But as Xu Mo was a transmigrator, such tactics were entirely ineffective.

Li Changsi went on, “As for the questions Zhao posed later, they were merely to gauge your ability. As expected, your reputation is well deserved!”

Xu Mo shook his head, rolled his eyes, and smiled helplessly.

Li Changsi burst out laughing.

Just then, Ning Yongqiang returned. “What are you two talking about that’s got you laughing so hard?”

Li Changsi chuckled, “Young Master Ning, while you stepped away, Mr. Xu and I cleared the air between us and are now friends. That’s why I’m so pleased.”

Xu Mo frowned inwardly: You certainly have a way with words. Who said we’re friends?

At the same time, he found himself admiring Li Changsi. Not only was the man clever and shrewd, he was also a consummate socialite. Mere moments ago, Xu Mo had felt only antipathy towards him, and yet after this exchange, his hostility had nearly vanished.