Dusk deepened. A breeze swept through, making the lanterns sway, and the shifting light trembled across everyone's faces.

Before the main table on the square of the Holy Temple, Fang Yun and Hong Ming stood facing each other, tension sharp as drawn blades.

The medical family people naturally leaned more toward Yang Zijian, so when they heard Hong Ming speak like that, they immediately took a dislike to him.

"A dignified state governor making things difficult for a young county magistrate at a literary gathering—more overbearing than even a Great Scholar. Impressive, truly impressive!" The speaker was none other than Hua Yuqing, who had fought through life and death alongside Fang Yun in the Holy Land and the Imperial Scholars' hunting ground.