Chapter 1 Xiao Qingyin's Fame

Xiao Qingyin's name had completely resounded in Danyang, not only in the circles of scholars, students, and low-ranking officials but also in Danyang's high society, which was much more selective about status. Even those in the know were astonished by this speed of fame. Although Cao Pojun knew Lei Yin would be useful when he recommended him, he didn't expect that this Lei Yin, after changing his name and identity, and under the guidance of Ye Tao and Tan Weixin, would become a rising star in Danyang in less than a month, soon to be a VIP invited by name by the Crown Princess. As for Tan Xiaopei and others, although they knew the popularity and craze for those psychological tests were related to the fact that this Xiao Qingyin was originally a professional con man, they, including Tan Xiaopei, Chi Xianping, Huang Xuping, and even Zhuo Mang, had also tried them and felt there was something to them… Moreover, Xiao Qingyin, with his talent and sense of vicissitudes, attracted countless noble ladies of Danyang. Xiao Qingyin wasn't a saint in this regard, but he knew that if he stirred up trouble before handling the Crown Princess's matter well, his life would be in danger. Although he was ambiguous in his words and actions with some noble women, he hadn't caused any trouble after all.

Wang Fangpin had, of course, suspected Xiao Qingyin's origins, but after investigating, she didn't get much information. Xiao Qingyin claimed to be a poor scholar who had studied hard in a mountain village and only began traveling after his wife died. Wang Fangpin's power couldn't verify such an experience. It served her right for being fooled.

One month and one day after Xiao Qingyin's sudden appearance in Danyang, he was summoned by Crown Princess Wang Fangpin. Wang Fangpin didn't deliberately invite Xiao Qingyin to the Crown Prince's residence, as that would seem too intentional. At a garden party attended by noble women, Wang Fangpin specially invited Xiao Qingyin. Halfway through the garden party, Wang Fangpin found an excuse to rest in a secluded pavilion. At this time, Qin Shu, who knew Wang Fangpin's true purpose, had already brought Xiao Qingyin to the pavilion. On the surface, Crown Princess Wang Fangpin was the highest-ranking person Xiao Qingyin had ever met, but he had once been Lei Yin, and might be again in the future. Moreover, he had received extensive instructions from Ye Tao and Tan Weixin. Although, purely from a standpoint of nobility, Wang Fangpin should be higher than Ye Tao and Tan Weixin, Wang Fangpin was just a woman with little real power in her hands, relying on the power of her family and exploiting the inconsistencies in people's minds and the greed of others to construct a conspiracy. But Ye Tao and Tan Weixin were truly in control of unimaginable power and wealth. The composure and approachability of Ye Tao and Tan Weixin had long made Xiao Qingyin used to not taking status so seriously. This attitude of Xiao Qingyin's made Wang Fangpin feel even more that this guy's unrestrained nature was real. When she opened her mouth to speak to Xiao Qingyin, Wang Fangpin's tone was somewhat humble.

"Mr. Xiao is very talented. It has been less than a month since you came to Danyang, and you have already won such fame. Such talent has rarely been seen in recent years. It is good to let the envoys of the various countries see the demeanor of the people of Dongping," Wang Fangpin said.

Xiao Qingyin seemed too lazy to be humble. He said indifferently, "The last time someone was able to become famous in the capital in a month seems to have been many years ago with Lord Ye. However, I would never dare to compare myself to Lord Ye. Lord Ye was only a teenager then, while I am already thirty-something. In comparison, I only admire Lord Ye's grace even more."

Wang Fangpin said with a slight smile, "There are indeed very few people who can compare with Ye Tao, but you don't need to belittle yourself. Everyone is very fond of those tests you came up with, Mr. Xiao."

"Alas, mere tricks… If I had today's knowledge and experience many years ago, perhaps I wouldn't be in this situation today. Perhaps I could still do something in the prime of my life. But now, am I not still being made a laughingstock for everyone's after-dinner entertainment?" Xiao Qingyin's words were not very polite. His tone vaguely revealed a sense of unwillingness, meaning that even Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess was only treating him as a court jester to liven things up.

Wang Fangpin chuckled and said, "Mr. Xiao, you are saying that. Thirty years old is a good time to start getting solid and serve the country. Although many young famous generals and capable ministers have emerged in Dongping in recent years, young people lack some stability after all, and they don't do things properly."

The encouragement implied in Wang Fangpin's tone had already begun to convey Wang Fangpin's attitude, but Wang Fangpin wouldn't be so reckless as to start recruiting Xiao Qingyin after only meeting him for the first time and chatting for a few sentences. Xiao Qingyin obviously understood this sense of propriety and cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness… However, Your Highness, you specially asked me to come here for…?"

Wang Fangpin tilted her head and said lightly, "Recently, I have been hearing your name everywhere. It is natural to want to see such an interesting person as Mr. Xiao. I don't know Mr. Xiao's plans, otherwise, I would recommend you to the court to recommend talents."

Xiao Qingyin cupped his hands again and said, "I dare not."

"But… Mr. Xiao, although those test questions of yours are indeed very interesting, do you really think that a person's past and a person's future are hidden in such simple questions?"

"Oh? Your Highness is not the first person to ask this question, and naturally, you will not be the last." Xiao Qingyin raised his eyebrows, showing a high-spirited appearance. "Naturally, I am not so naive as to think that I can bring all living people into the net with dead questions. Moreover, as these questions and options become more and more well-known, smart people probably already know how to hide themselves in front of these naive questions. But, Your Highness, ask yourself, are these things really inaccurate? If these things were inaccurate, I probably wouldn't be so many people's guest, but would be regarded as a liar or a hypocrite seeking fame and reputation. I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to stay in Danyang for so long." Saying this, Xiao Qingyin smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "Of course, it is not accurate and precise to that extent. After all, the paper is dead. If everything about a person could be described clearly with questions, I would probably be someone's prisoner."

Wang Fangpin said with a smile, "In Mr. Xiao's eyes, is my Dongping so intolerant? But, it is true, questions are dead, and people are alive. Since Mr. Xiao is here, do you have any evaluation for me?"

"Does Your Highness need any evaluation?" Xiao Qingyin asked back. "Could it be that… those questions, those categorized answers, are still not… are still not enough to satisfy Your Highness?"

"Impudent!" Qin Shu growled. Daring to tease the Crown Princess with such a frivolous tone in front of everyone, this Xiao Qingyin was too bold.

"Mr. Xiao is really interesting." Wang Fangpin didn't seem to mind. She slightly increased the distance in her light tone and said, "Just as Mr. Xiao said, people always need to have some self-knowledge, but this kind of self-knowledge is not easy to come by. Onlookers see more clearly. Since Mr. Xiao prides himself on his ability to recognize people, don't you dare give me a few evaluations?"

"Since Your Highness says so, then I will accept your order respectfully," Xiao Qingyin said indifferently. He carefully looked at Wang Fangpin and said, "Your Highness… have you wanted to be an Empress for a long time? Have you wanted to be an Empress Dowager for a long time?"

These two sentences were like a bolt from the blue, striking Wang Fangpin's heart. Qin Shu's body also trembled. But at this moment, both of them were so surprised that they didn't react at all. But Xiao Qingyin continued to say, "Your Highness, as the Crown Princess, you will at least be the mother of a country in the future. It is understandable to pay attention to your demeanor. However, Dongping does not advocate the stability of the phoenix, but the hem of Your Highness's skirt is made of phoenix-patterned brocade, of course, only one of the interwoven materials. From top to bottom, Dongping has always advocated naturalness, but Your Highness's sitting, standing, walking, talking, and demeanor have never been relaxed in any way. Although you are approachable, you have not overstepped even a little bit of the strictest etiquette, which is somewhat like trying to integrate into the style of the Dongping royal family… Your Highness asked me to come here, but it is not like those ordinary noble women, who want to answer questions or understand some principles, but a pure curiosity about people… a curiosity about me. It is somewhat like wanting to recruit me. Your Highness, are you recruiting talents for Dongping, or recruiting talents for yourself?"

"Mr. Xiao, you are too presumptuous," Wang Fangpin suppressed the surprise in her heart and continued to say indifferently. "I have good intentions, but you slander me like this." Wang Fangpin picked up her teacup. Xiao Qingyin also knew when to leave and bid farewell, turning to leave after bowing. However, he said before he left, "Your Highness, I apologize for any offense… However, exposing some things may not be a bad thing. I am not young anymore, and time is running out."

Being able to reach this point today has greatly exceeded Xiao Qingyin's expectations, and the progress is a little faster than everyone expected. Even Xiao Qingyin's last sentence, "Time is running out," seemed to have another meaning. In his words, there seemed to be a meaning of recommending himself to become Wang Fangpin's staff, and he also seemed to be reminding Wang Fangpin that her own time was running out, and pursuing too many twists and turns might not have any future. Wang Fangpin's heart moved again.

Xiao Qingyin returned to his courtyard and wrote down the process of meeting the Crown Princess in detail on a piece of paper. He sealed the paper in a small wooden box, and when a special "clatter, clatter" sound rang out outside the courtyard, he casually threw the box out. That night, this document had been clearly transcribed and placed on the desks of Tan Xiaopei and others.