Chapter 1238 – Preparing for Battle, Resting and Recuperating (Part 17)
“Naturally, is there something?”
“What on earth is going on?”
Except for Han Yu, everyone else looked absolutely bewildered, as if they couldn’t understand why their Lord suddenly blurted out such a statement.
This bunch was still engrossed in the earlier performance, their faces all smiling while their hearts were secretly tearing each other apart, completely oblivious to the conversation between Han Yu and Qiqi. But Han Yu was drenched in cold sweat, his heart racing, as his face drained of color.
Qiqi was equally taken aback, her usually proud demeanor faltering; she dared not even meet Jiang Pengji’s gaze.
Han Yu’s seat wasn’t too far back, but it wasn’t too close either, placing him over ten paces away from Jiang Pengji.
The couple spoke in hushed tones, purposefully lowering their voices. Other than their obedient and seated Eldest Legitimate Son, no one else was likely to hear.
Although Qiqi had a haughty personality, she wasn’t entirely oblivious.
Talking behind Jiang Pengji’s back and getting caught was one thing; being called out for it was another.
Even with her extensive experience at countless noble banquets, her usual finesse in handling sudden events couldn’t help but fill her with anxiety. Her eloquent tongue seemed to tie itself in knots, rendering her utterly speechless—
Fine beads of sweat broke out on her forehead; even with makeup on, she couldn’t conceal the panic on her face.
She had always been the focus among noble women, adored and catered to, with her head held high. But now, just four unexpected words from another woman had her sweating profusely and shaking in her boots. Fear, resentment, and anger coiled together in her heart.
Alas, no matter how much the aristocratic world looked down on Liu Xi, it wouldn’t change the fact that she had leaped into the role of the strongest lord.
As for her—
No matter how skilled she thought she was, it was nothing compared to facing Jiang Pengji.
“What’s the matter with you all?” Jiang Pengji didn’t bother turning her gaze toward the Han couple, knowing that if she did, the crowd would catch on, making things awkward for Han Yu. Instead, she kindly provided an escape, “I just suddenly remembered Zixiao’s question from the New Year banquet. He just shot me a look a moment ago… sigh, he’s worried I’d go back on my word—”
At this moment, Wei Ci found himself suddenly named. He showed no signs of surprise, instead, he smiled and chimed in.
“Lord, it’s not Wei’s fault for reminding, after all, it’s been eagerly anticipated—”
Today, Wei Ci wore a bright warm-colored coat that softened any previous aloof impressions. As the audience might say, today he was quite relatable and down-to-earth. He didn’t know what was going on, but he managed to play along.
No one suspected anything; Wei Ci and Jiang Pengji’s cooperation was impeccable. Only Han Yu and Qiqi were out of the loop.
On the other hand, a few clever civil servants sitting at the table sensed something off.
After all, even if the Han couple reacted quickly, they still left traces behind.
Qi Guanrang shifted his gaze, subtly furrowing his brow. Just then, he noticed his hand was empty.
He looked down to see his daughter had “stolen” his feather fan, her hand still hovering awkwardly in mid-air.
“Jinghui—”
Qi Guanrang spoke gently, and his daughter recoiled slightly, cautiously returning the fan to him.
“Mother was right; this fan is Father’s lifeline, it can’t be far from him.”
The snow outside hadn’t melted yet, and while the banquet was warm and cozy, his father stood out, holding a fan and fanning the air away from her, making her shiver. If it weren’t so cold, she wouldn’t have had to sneakily “steal” her father’s fan.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Qi Guanrang tucked the fan behind his waist.
After so many years, he felt uneasy without something in his hands.
Qi Guanwei noticed his discomfort and extended her hand out.
The couple, shielded by their voluminous sleeves, held hands unobtrusively, and for a moment, everything felt serene.
Jinghui observed their interaction with an inexplicable feeling stirring within her.
“Jinghui?”
Sun Wen had spent nearly two years in the northern frontier and returned to Wanzhou specifically for the New Year banquet while also reporting back.
His adorable little granddaughter Sun Lan sat beside him, bringing him unprecedented joy.
But—
Sun Lan couldn’t sit still, constantly shifting and glancing at the seats beside her.
When Jinghui heard Sun Lan call for her, she temporarily cast aside her strange emotions and smiled back at her friend.
Sun Wen watched this and registered it in his mind.
“Does Lan Lan like that young girl?”
Sun Lan blushed shyly and replied, “Jinghui is so wonderful, always looking out for me; of course, I like her.”
Sun Wen said, “It’s fine to like her, but Qi Guanrong could be difficult to deal with—”
Sun Lan looked puzzled.
What does liking Jinghui have to do with her father Qi Guanrang?
“You’ll understand later,” Sun Wen chuckled, “If you like her, spend more time with that young girl and don’t bully her.”
Sun Wen also noticed over the past two years his grandson had become much more outgoing and optimistic.
As a doting grandfather, nothing was more important in the world than his grandson.
What his grandson liked was what he liked.
Qi Guanrang might be tough—
But he wasn’t unbeatable!
The grandfather and grandson chatted quietly. Qi Guanrang, sitting at a distance, seemed to sense something and cast a sidelong glance at them.
At this moment, he heard his lord suddenly say—
“I’ll need to borrow something from Zixiao for today’s performance.”
Qi Guanrang’s attention immediately returned to the banquet as his lord stood up, seemingly ready to perform something.
Jiang Pengji requested a borrowed item from Wei Ci; how could he refuse?
With everything going smoothly, Jiang Pengji successfully borrowed Wei Ci’s flute along with his “daughter.”
Everyone was left puzzled—when did Wei Ci have a daughter?
He didn’t even have a wife!
Could it be a secret love child from the battlefield?
Some who knew the details looked at Wei Ci and then at their lord, fearful that the New Year banquet might turn into a battlefield.
The person involved, Wei Ci, first wore a look of disbelief, then quickly shifted to an indescribable expression, his ears turning visibly red.
Wei Ci had previously teased that the Iron-Eating Beast was Jiang Pengji’s daughter; now she teased him back publicly, implying that the Iron-Eating Beast was their child. Others were oblivious to the details and simply enjoyed the spectacle, but as someone in the know, Wei Ci felt incredibly uneasy.
Getting teased in front of everyone made him feel utterly embarrassed.
Before long, a maidservant entered carrying a round black-and-white bundle, its dark eyes gleaming with purity.
Once placed on the ground, it wiggled its bottom and quickly made its way towards someone familiar.
Jiang Pengji smiled as she took a jade flute with grace.
Feng Zhen and the others analyzed the situation and suddenly recalled the earlier battle with the Gaoyue Tribe in Cangzhou; their lord’s flute was truly “heavenly music”! Though she could control beasts, her musical talent left much to be desired—if played in front of everyone…
They already anticipated the outcome.
