After Ye Wang left the hall, others followed suit one after another. By this point, the banquet was half-over, and guests no longer confined themselves to their seats, instead gathering in small groups with acquaintances they’d found around them. Quite a few took advantage of the opportunity to seek out Li Fengqi for a toast.
Qi Shao, the head of the Ministry of War, walked over holding a jar of wine and called out loudly, “Wangye, how about a cup together?”
He was in his thirties, with a beard and had a somewhat fierce expression on his face; however, his eyes glowed with righteousness.
“Minister Qi, haven’t you finished drinking with the guests yet?” Li Fengqi raised his cup in greeting before downing it in one gulp.
Qi Shao humphed. “How could those people’s alcohol tolerance compare to Wangye’s? They gave up after two jars. It’s boring.” He picked up the jar again to top up Li Fengqi’s cup, but Li Fengqi held out a hand to stop him, smiling faintly. “I’m afraid I won’t have time to drinking with the Minister today.”
Qi Shao was puzzled. “If Wangye invites us here, why not partake in some wine? Surely that would be unreasonable.”
As someone serving in the Ministry of War, he interacted often with the Protectorate of the Northern Border, and moreover, he was quite familiar with Li Fengqi, so he spoke without many reservations. Seeing Li Fengqi’s reaction, he smiled and set down his cup, replacing it with a bowl. “Does Your Highness find the small cup lacking in flavor? Would you prefer a larger bowl?”
Li Fengqi’s brows furrowed at this suggestion. “I truly do not have time to accompany Minister Qi; my Wangfei has gone outside to sober up from too much wine and hasn’t returned yet. I need to go and check on him.”
With that, he summoned Zhu Lie and pushed him toward Qi Shao, smiling. “So, Zhu Lie will keep you company while I’m away. He just happens to have some matters to discuss with you.”
As he secretly squeezed Zhu Lie’s shoulder, he lowered his voice and whispered, “The northern border military budget, it’s overdue by eighty thousand taels.”
Zhu Lie had been enjoying himself quite merrily when these words struck him like a bolt of lightning, sobering instantly.
He looked at Qi Shao before him, rubbing his hands together gleefully, eyes shining brightly. He called for the servants to bring out another jar of wine, then handed one to Qi Shao. “Minister Qi, it’s been a long time since we last met. Old Zhu will accompany you in a good drink!”
With Zhu Lie dealing with Qi Shao, Li Fengqi turned to search for Ye Yunting.
Ye Yunting said he’d take a stroll outside, but he still hadn’t returned even now. Worried about his low alcohol tolerance, Li Fengqi decided to go look for him after all.
When Yue Changgou saw Li Fengqi leave, he hurriedly called Chang Yu’an over, who followed them out as well.
Li Zong sat at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping across everyone present until it landed on Han Chan. With a smile, he extended an invitation. “I have arranged a good show. Teacher, what do you say we go watch together?”
Han Chan looked at him but showed no intention of getting up. “Why does Your Majesty feel the need to provoke Prince Yong’an with such petty tricks? This will serve no purpose under current circumstances.”
“I haven’t said anything yet; how can Teacher know what I intend to do?” Li Zong asked, puzzled. He continued to smile as he watched Han Chan. On the surface, it was an invitation, but his tone was forceful. “Teacher, you should come along with me; perhaps there will be some pleasant surprises waiting for us.”
Han Chan set down his cup and met Li Zong’s gaze for a few seconds, sighed softly, before finally standing. “Then I shall follow His Majesty’s lead and go take a look.”
Li Zong smiled. “Shall we?”
*
At the Zhanran Pavilion, Ye Yunting swiftly dodged Commander Pan’s hand, using the pavilion’s pillars for cover as they circled each other.
As he missed his target multiple times, Commander Pan’s eyes grew increasingly fierce, his expression growing more serious with every failed attempt.
Ye Yunting kept careful watch on his movements and noticed that despite the flush on his face, his eyes were clear. Ye Yunting’s heart skipped a beat—something clicked within him.
Perhaps Commander Pan’s drunkenness was merely a facade, concealing his true intent to deliberately cause trouble for Ye Yunting.
Commander Pan was a brawler and held no high position within the military. Ye Yunting didn’t believe he had the guts to cause trouble for him inside Prince Yong’an’s estate—unless someone else behind him could back him up.
The only ones who might provide such support were Han Chan, the Taifu, or Li Zong, the emperor himself.
Yet considering their personalities, Han Chan disdained stooping down to such petty schemes; it was far more likely that Li Zong would employ some underhanded method harmful to others but advantageous to himself.
Ye Yunting had his suspicions, and his gaze grew colder as he studied Commander Pan’s expression. “Commander Pan, regardless of what promises your instigators have made you, I must remind you that the people behind you would not be able to shield you from Prince Yong’an’s wrath.”
Commander Pan hesitated momentarily, then lifted his eyes and rushed toward Ye Yunting with unsteady steps. “Even if the heavens themselves descend, today, this master will take you down!”
He seemed to be taking matters seriously this time around. Though his gait was unsteady, his pace was swift, and he blocked off any avenue of escape Ye Yunting might attempt.
Ye Yunting had nowhere to run, and was hesitating to jump down from the pavilion when a voice roared, “Ye Yunting! Step back!”
His movements paused, and he looked up to see Ye Wang charging toward him.
Commander Pan hadn’t expected anyone to suddenly come from behind; his expression shifted as well. The person who had ordered him to carry out this task had specifically told him that they would clear the area beforehand, so no one would be around to interrupt.
He turned to look at the newcomer but was met instead by Ye Wang’s furious fist.
After receiving the message from the servant, Ye Wang immediately rushed over to find Ye Yunting, bursting with excitement. Yet before he reached the base of the fake mountain, he saw Commander Pan approaching Ye Yunting with a ferocious expression, while Ye Yunting seemed to have already been pushed to the edge and seemed ready to jump off the cliff.
Ye Wang let out a furious roar, anger consuming his mind. His body reacted faster than his brain, and he charged forward and threw a punch right onto Commander Pan’s face.
Commander Yue was tall and burly: he swayed slightly after being punched head-on, yet did not fall. Instead, it was Ye Wang who let out a hiss, grinding his teeth together tightly as he endured the pain, barely managing to maintain his composure. He hid his injured hand within his sleeve, then stuck his neck out and snapped, “Who do you think you are?! How dare you disrespect the Wangfei within the Prince’s estate? Are you tired of living?”
He didn’t know Commander Pan, but Commander Pan knew him well enough to recognize the Duke of Qi’s second son on sight, and cursed in his heart.
This young man was a little tyrant with the backing of both the Duke of Qi estate and Yunrong Yi’s Clan; he shouldn’t be easily provoked. However, rumor had it that the Yong’an Wangfei had been treated coldly during his time at the Duke of Qi’s Estate. Yet now, this second son was saving him. He didn’t know what this meant.
Wiping the dripping blood from beneath his nose, Commander Pan could only grit his teeth and continue his act. He swayed slightly, feigning drunkenness, cursing the whole while, “Where did this thief come from? How dare you provoke your grandfather!” With that, he made to grab Ye Wang.
As long as he could capture Ye Wang temporarily, he could buy some time until he completed the task assigned by his superiors. The Duke of Qi likely wouldn’t blame him afterward by then.
But although he thought optimistically, Ye Wang would not obediently stand still for him to apprehend. He shouted loudly that there was an assassin, rushed forward and grabbed Commander Pan, then turned his head and said to Ye Yunting, “Go call someone! Hurry!”
On his way over, Ye Wang noticed that Zhanran Pavilion was somewhat remote, with no servants around. His shout was merely meant to intimidate Commander Pan. In truth, he could only stall for time and give Ye Yunting the opportunity to call for help.
Ye Yunting watched him with a complicated gaze, but did not move.
“Are you stupid?” Ye Wang yelled. “Hurry up, go!”
“There’s no need to call anyone.” Ye Yunting regained his composure, and his gaze softened as he looked at him. “Someone has already arrived; let him go.”
He had spent so much time circling Commander Pan precisely to buy time until Ji Lian returned.
Ye Wang scanned the area but saw not even a single ghostly figure. Just as he was about to lose his temper, someone jogged over from around the corner—Ji Lian.
“?”
If the circumstances allowed it, Ye Wang would have very foolishly checked whether he had really become scared out of his mind.
What use was Ji Lian?! He was so fat that running took all his effort—was he trying to be a burden? But before Ye Wang could say anything, Commander Pan shoved him aside. He didn’t care if the mission failed; upon hearing Ye Yunting say reinforcements were on their way, he immediately wanted to flee.
And he went straight toward Ji Lian.
“Ji Lian, stop him,” Ye Yunting called out loudly.
At these words, Jilian set down the bamboo basket he held and rushed Commander Pan.
When Commander Pan realized this newcomer was merely a chubby servant boy, his expression calmed considerably. His steps paused, and he reached out to shove Ji Lian aside. The latter did not dodge, allowing himself to be grabbed by the collar while using the opportunity to seize hold of Commander Pan’s waistband with both hands.
Commander Pan saw that Jilian was still resisting and attempted to push him down the steps with more force, but unexpectedly, his shove had no effect—instead, it was Ji Lianwho grinned at him, catching Commander Pan’s arms and lifting him overhead before tossing him back inside the pavilion, making him fall right onto Ye Yunting’s feet.
This fall was not light. Commander Pan’s head spun dizzily as he swayed slightly before regaining his senses, then propped himself up on his elbows to crawl to his feet.
Ji Lian clapped his hands upon seeing this, picked up the bamboo basket, and rushed forward once again, delivering several heavy kicks until Commander Pan lay unmoving on the ground. He finally turned toward Ye Yunting and asked for credit. “Young master, I’ve stopped him!”
“…” Ye Wang slowly opened his mouth.
Ye Yunting patted his head gently. “Good job.”
He was about to send Ji Lian to call for reinforcements when a surprised voice rang out, “Isn’t that Commander Pan? What has happened?”
Following the sound, Ye Yunting spotted Li Zong and Han Chan standing atop the steps, with Cui Xi half a step behind them. The one who had spoken earlier was indeed Cui Xi.
Li Zong’s expression darkened, and he shot Cui Xi a meaningful glance.
Cui Xin hurried forward, examined Commander Pan’s condition, then stood up and reported back to Li Zong. “He fainted; he only has minor injuries.”
“Pan Yue is commander of the Shence Army. For a servant to dare attack an appointed official of the court—this is punishable by death.” Li Zong reached for his jade pendant at his waist as he spoke coldly. “Arrest him!”
He was rather displeased with this turn of events. He had brought Han Chan here hoping to witness something entertaining, but upon arrival, he had instead witnessed Pan Yue being beaten into submission, leaving him no choice but to intervene.
Since the initial plan did not go as expected, it was time to try another tactic; after all, he was only looking to test whether these rumors were true or false.
Li Zong’s sudden appearance and unjustified accusations made Ye Yunting even more certain that his theory was correct.
He stepped forward, shielding Ji Lian behind himself, and faced off against the unsheathed blade of the Shence Army. “Pan Yue was disrespectful to me because of alcohol. Ji Lian merely followed my instructions to sober up Commander Pan.”
Li Zong narrowed his eyes. “Is Wangfei openly siding with him now?”
Ye Yunting assumed a stern expression as he met Li Zong’s gaze head-on. “I am simply informing His Majesty of the truth.”
“I have witnessed this with my own eyes—what need is there for Wangfei to add anything?” Li Yuan’s expression darkened as he shouted, “Arrest them!”
The guard was about to close in when a flying knife pierced through the air and precisely stabbed into the his palm, making him drop his weapon. His long blade clattered to the ground.
“Your Majesty, why are you arresting people before we’ve even determined who is right or wrong? It’s rather too hasty.” Despite standing at the bottom of the steps, Li Fengqi’s voice was unmistakably forceful.
Li Zong turned sharply, the guards at his side drawing their weapons and forming a protective circle around him.
The captain of the guard bellowed angrily, “Insolent! How dare you use a knife before His Majesty!”
Li Zong stared at the flying knife in Li Fengqi’s hand and said in a deep voice. “What does Prince Yong’an mean?”
Li Fengqi sheathed the knife, smiling casually. “Please do not blame me, Your Majesty, I’m merely protecting my wife.”
===Author’s Notes===
The author has something to say about this chapter.
Second Young Master Ye: ???? (No wonder my brother doesn’t like me QwQ)
===Translator’s Notes===
Good job, Ye Wang! Good job, everyone! (Except for you, Li Zong.)
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