Chapter 956 – The Old Lady Has Gone Low, So What? (Part 6)
Back in the day at the Qishan Hot Springs in the capital, Jiang Pengji stepped in to defend Feng Jin, but Wu Libai showed up at a critical moment to stop her.
But Jiang Pengji, with that fiery temper of hers, wasn’t about to back down easily!
Right in front of Wu Libai, she hacked off the arm of a troublemaker from the Northern Border and slapped him in the face in public.
Wu Libai might still remember that incident, but how could he recall that that arrogant young boy was now Jiang Pengji?
He pondered Jiang Pengji’s words carefully and chose a rather vague response.
“I have been doing quite well these years, thanks for your concern, Liu Xi.”
Jiang Pengji smirked slightly, saying, “As long as you’re doing well, that’s good.”
She wouldn’t dare say it out loud, but when it came to holding grudges, she was second to none.
Back at the Qishan Hot Springs, she had wanted to pin Wu Libai down and give him a proper beating, landing fist after fist on his face!
She had kept that score in mind ever since.
Previously, due to the circumstances, she had to watch Wu Libai act all high and mighty, but now the tides had turned— it was her turn to take charge.
Wu Libai noticed Jiang Pengji was smiling at him, inquiring about his well-being, not revealing a hint of malice.
He felt puzzled and even doubted whether the “gift” he received earlier was truly Jiang Pengji’s intention.
Could it have been something done secretly by her underlings?
If that were the case, it indicated that Jiang Pengji still leaned toward neutrality regarding the Northern Border; perhaps there was still room for persuasion.
Thinking this, Wu Libai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a bit lighter.
As long as there was still a chance, everything could be discussed.
Little did he know, Jiang Pengji’s pleasant demeanor was merely a testament to her acting chops.
As the chief of a troupe of performers, she undoubtedly played the leading role, a one-woman show winning all the Oscars.
Wu Libai was organizing his thoughts when Jiang Pengji interrupted him, inviting him to dine together.
Even if Wu Libai hadn’t paid much attention, he knew the dishes at the Wanzhou’s Zhi Ke Zhai were famous, thanks to Jiang Pengji’s efforts.
“Respectfully, I submit to your invitation.” He swallowed the words he was about to say.
As the dishes were served, the aroma of meat wafted through the air, making his mouth water and his fingers twitch.
Just the smell was appetizing enough.
“General Wu Libai hails from the Northern Border; you must be used to eating horse meat, right?”
Jiang Pengji smiled as she ordered someone to pour him wine.
Horse meat?
Wu Libai took a bite, not knowing how the chef handled it, but it melted in his mouth, and the rich meaty flavor burst on his tongue.
Even someone like Wu Libai, who didn’t usually care much for food, couldn’t help but indulge a little more.
“What a rare delicacy! Liu Xi is truly fortunate. A rustic man like me surely doesn’t deserve to enjoy such a feast.”
It was indeed delicious!
The meat was chewy, tender, and perfectly marbled. From Wu Libai’s experience, this horse meat had to come from an excellent steed.
However— the stables in Dongqing were under the thumb of the Cangzhou Meng Clan, and the home of the Meng Clan had clearly stated their unresolvable hatred towards Liu Xi, so there was no way they would supply her with horses. In other words, the fare here must be precious treasure— how could they possibly be slaughtered for food?
In an instant, various thoughts flashed through Wu Libai’s mind, adding a sense of foreboding.
“General Wu Libai, how’s the taste?” Jiang Pengji asked with a smile.
Wu Libai replied, “The meat is firm and delicious; must be some top-quality horse.”
Jiang Pengji readily agreed, “Of course! These are indeed excellent horses from the Northern Border. I was worried you might not be accustomed to it, so I specifically had my people slaughtered an injured war horse. Though it’s injured, it has a strong build and a noble lineage, so it’s still a good horse.”
She spoke so casually, but the more Wu Libai listened, the darker his expression grew.
The flavorful meat in his mouth seemed to turn into nauseating poison, impossible to swallow.
This war horse was brought by the Second Prince! Liu Xi intentionally slaughtered their Northern Border’s prized horses to host him— the malice was glaring!
A flash of anger flickered in Wu Libai’s eyes before it vanished.
Jiang Pengji asked, “Why aren’t you eating, General?”
He replied, “I’m getting on in years; my teeth are loose, so I can’t eat too much. I don’t want to waste Liu Xi’s good intentions.”
Wu Libai set his food aside, sitting up straight as he asked, “I heard my lord’s second son offended Liu Xi?”
Jiang Pengji continued smiling, “Didn’t you notice when you entered town, General Wu Libai?”
Wu Libai looked puzzled and unsure, and Jiang Pengji continued, “Oh, I forgot! My memory isn’t great. In preparing to welcome you, I was racking my brains for a good gift. Considering the Second Prince’s longing for his homeland, I permitted part of him to return home. But with his injuries, losing hands and feet means he probably won’t last long—so we just severed his tongue instead. The Second Prince had his tongue cut just recently and is still recuperating, so I refrained from hanging him on the city wall to dry out these past few days…”
Working eight hours a day is hard work for the Second Prince, after all.
Now that the Second Prince was injured, Jiang Pengji naturally wouldn’t force him to work while hurt.
Wu Libai’s eagle-like eyes widened, brimming with rage and ferocity.
“Liu Xi!”
Jiang Pengji lazily lifted her eyelids and replied, “Yes, I’m here; listening, my lord.”
Wu Libai said, “Liu Xi, do you really have to be this ruthless?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “Ruthless? I don’t think I’ve been ruthless at all. Your Northern Border prince led twenty to thirty thousand troops to ambush my Chongzhou, trying to steal grain and burn the granaries. I would like to ask, is this not ruthless? If the granaries at Chaowu, Lijiang, and Sangmo were destroyed, then the hundred thousand elite troops in Chongzhou would starve to death. To be blunt, if your lord indulges his son’s reckless behavior and fails to teach him that stealing is wrong, then I can’t be blamed for teaching him a lesson on how to be a person! General Wu Libai, is your visit merely to plead on his behalf?”
A hundred thousand elite troops?
Three granaries could feed a hundred thousand elite troops?
Wu Libai gleaned crucial information from Jiang Pengji’s words, his face growing even darker.
Jiang Pengji’s statements were utterly unapologetic, and upon deeper scrutiny, they grew more terrifying.
A blatant threat!
Wu Libai’s mind raced with countless thoughts, yet he maintained an impassive exterior.
“Liu Xi, there seems to be a misunderstanding. My lord is furious upon learning of this. The Second Prince secretly recruited two thousand men, showing signs of treachery. Speaking of which, your actions not only help my lord clear out the troublemaker but also prevent more conflict.” Wu Libai maintained his calm demeanor as he continued, “The Northern Border and Dongqing are connected through marriage; the two nations live in peace. The Second Prince’s attempt to provoke war between our two nations is truly diabolical. Liu Xi’s discipline of him is indeed a blessing for the Second Prince. My lord sent me here not only to explain but also for the welfare of the border citizens.”
“I didn’t expect General Wu Libai to be so wise,” Jiang Pengji replied.
Wu Libai was nearly choked up with rage at Jiang Pengji’s blatant admission.
Jiang Pengji smiled and stated, “I’ve heard your explanation, but as for the welfare of the border citizens… that I’m not quite understanding.”
