Chapter 1601 – Conquering Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Fifteen)
Yang Tao, however, found nothing unacceptable.
While lurking safely under a title of nobility with no real power, his family simply lived off the scraps and awaited their demise—this might seem secure, but when push comes to shove, they would still be slaughtered like sheep.
What sense of security could come from an empty title?
If one feared overshadowing their lord, it was wiser to appear mediocre, with a military rank that hovered between lowly and respectable, keeping things nice and safe.
Anyway, even if he held real power, Jiang Pengji would still need to grant him that titular nobility, providing him with double the assurance.
Most importantly, being accustomed to a life filled with war and danger made it impossible to return to peace and idleness; Yang Tao was not one to sit around doing nothing.
Yan Lin sighed, “Zheng Ze, take your time to think. Whether you agree or refuse, just remember to delay a bit longer and keep her curious.”
Yang Tao looked utterly bewildered and asked, “Keep Liu Xi curious?”
Yan Lin replied, “Whether man or woman, when things come too easily, they often don’t know how to cherish them.”
Keeping someone on edge isn’t just for them to learn to value you; it’s also a way to subtly raise your own worth.
Yang Tao’s temperament was well known to Yan Lin. To put it bluntly, the moment someone squirms, he knew exactly what their intentions were.
Acting decisively and swiftly, once he makes a decision, Yang Tao would never dawdle. Yan Lin was teaching him the art of “reserve”—how to create presence.
After all, if you don’t set yourself apart now, you might not get a chance later.
With a complex expression, Yang Tao said, “I am a married man.”
Yan Lin’s words were loaded with meaning.
Especially since Jiang Pengji was a striking woman, one marked by charm and authority.
Although humanity had shed the ignorance of its beastly past, some things remained universal. When it came to mate selection, capable males were generally more favored by females. Setting aside gender, those with power indeed attracted more attention.
There was plenty of gossip among the common folk regarding this female lord and her rumored affairs with her subordinates.
Just like how citizens would speculate about male rulers surrounded by women.
Yan Lin shot a glance at Yang Tao, a rare snicker escaping him.
“Shaoyang, what kind of look is that?”
Yan Lin chuckled, “Zheng Ze is indeed handsome, but he wouldn’t qualify as a breathtaking beauty. That fellow Lan Ting wouldn’t be pining for your aesthetics.”
Yang Tao was always confident in his looks and retorted, “How could I not be breathtaking?”
Yan Lin asked, “What do you think about that Wei Ci working under Liu Xi?”
Qian Su and Yang Tao both looked puzzled, wondering how the conversation had shifted to Wei Ci.
Qian Su recalled Wei Ci’s face, as Yang Tao said, “A gentleman of great elegance and distinction.”
Yan Lin asked, “But what about his looks?”
Elegant and distinguished—praises regarding character, but Yan Lin was talking about looks!
Yang Tao racked his brain for most of the afternoon, feeling that no words suited Wei Ci without sounding tacky.
In the end, all he could muster was, “He’s a tad better looking than Shaoyang.”
Qian Su nearly laughed out loud, trying desperately not to burst.
“Why did Shaoyang suddenly bring up Wei Ci’s looks?”
With a blank stare, Yan Lin casually shared a tantalizing piece of gossip.
“Liu Xi’s accessory is switched with Wei Ci’s… so tell me, under what circumstance would a man and a woman swap their ornaments?”
Being an adult, Yang Tao was quick to reply, “Of course, if they were in a romantic entanglement…”
He seemed to be choked into silence, and both Qian Su and he stared at Yan Lin in shock.
Yang Tao said, “I recall Liu Xi had quite some accessories—why did you notice this one?”
Qian Su understood what was happening.
When he first met Yan Lin, the latter had pointed out errors in his accessories like a hawk, as if he had a compulsion.
Clothing accessories aren’t to be worn loosely; they must fit one’s status, occasion, and even age—there are rules! Mistakes could lead to mockery for lacking decorum.
No matter how carefree Jiang Pengji might be, she was still a lord of a region.
Today was the day she and Yang Tao would swear their alliance; such small details couldn’t be overlooked.
If there was a mistake…
It likely wasn’t due to negligence, but because…
The three exchanged glances, feelings complicated.
Yan Lin said quietly, “Let’s keep this under wraps.”
Yang Tao assured, “Got it, got it. Absolutely won’t spill a word.”
He once thought the gossip spread by peasants was just slander, but it turned out Jiang Pengji really was involved with her subordinates.
Yan Lin lightly added, “Don’t let your imagination run wild.”
Those two may genuinely have feelings for each other; if she as a lord dallied with multiple subordinates, she wouldn’t have come this far.
He could sense the atmosphere of power dynamics. Yan Lin’s first impression of Jiang Pengji was one of “integrity,” and he noticed that aside from that Wei Ci, no one else viewed their leader as just a woman.
Yang Tao was the most obedient; whatever his companions said was gospel.
Before long, lunch was served. Jiang Pengji invited Yang Tao and the others to dine, where various delicious dishes left them in awe.
With abundant seafood from Zhangzhou, Jiang Pengji expanded the culinary offerings under the guidance of the “idle fish.”
All of them, having grown up by the water, were unfamiliar with delicacies like scallops and oysters being prepared like this.
It’s worth noting that before Jiang Pengji’s arrival, culinary practices were limited to simple boiling, with few spices—mostly just salt.
Noble families ate a bit more refined, yet cooking methods were scarce; even the finest ingredients couldn’t save a bland meal.
Now, Yang Tao understood why the guesthouse’s chefs under Jiang Pengji could perform wonders in the kitchen, producing dishes that truly delighted.
Thus, Yang Tao boldly requested a top-notch chef from Jiang Pengji.
Since Shaoyang said it, it was clear Jiang Pengji had a need for him, and he could afford to be a bit demanding.
Sure enough, Jiang Pengji agreed and even allocated the second-best chef in the kitchen, making Yang Si’s eyes boil with envy.
He had coveted the lord’s personal chef for years, yet never saw a hint of reward for his loyalty until Yang Tao showed up and snagged it!
Wei Ci, seeing Yang Si’s frustrated expression, kindly offered him an untouched plate of grilled oysters.
To his surprise, Yang Si rolled his eyes at Wei Ci.
Realizing this, Wei Ci muttered, “Once the battles are over, shall I gift you a chef from my household?”
Yang Si felt satisfied, “That’s what you said; don’t go back on it.”
The chefs from Wei Ci’s household weren’t any less skilled than those at the lord’s place, pursuing finer dining due to Wei Ci’s health needs. If he couldn’t secure the lord’s chef, getting one from Wei Ci would do, as long as his palate was pleased.
Wei Ci smiled, “But don’t indulge too much.”
Noticing Yang Si’s fondness for oysters, Wei Ci added a warning.
Yang Si asked, “Why not?”
Wei Ci answered, “They are both invigorating and nourishing.”
Yang Si: “……”
