In the palace, amidst the clinking of cups and glasses, shouts and calls were heard everywhere. Ma Lao was once a guest of honor in the palace of Prince Yong of Yanchao, and enjoyed great fame in the world.

Because of the little incident caused by Yuji, in order to appease the people of Yue Country and to save her own face, Ma Lao took the initiative to show off her martial arts skills at the banquet, fighting against four people alone and winning thunderous applause.

Even the eldest son Pei Zhe started to flatter her.

Pei Zhe is the eldest son of the prince and is highly regarded by the prince.

He wasted all the rice.

Pei Zhe has nine wives and concubines. He is extremely ugly, with a head like a sharpened bamboo stick and thick, protruding lips, like an ape. He is a man who extremely advocates the use of force and is brave and aggressive.

He wasn't there when Yuji came before, otherwise it wouldn't be that easy for Yuji to just walk away after making such a fuss, and there would definitely be a fight.

Those who love to fight and be aggressive are often arrogant, and Pei Zhe is no exception. Aside from a few famous wizards in Yue Country, he doesn't care about the rest. But the tiny Ma Lao, using her own strength to defeat four large men, easily won him cheers.

He was just flattering himself when he suddenly heard a song as soft as the night breeze, accompanied by the lingering sound of a piano. The melody sounded like a small hand caressing his heart, making him feel itchy.

"Go and see who is singing outside." He shouted to his followers who were standing behind him with their hands folded.

Soon, Song Qinglian and his daughter were brought in.

Pei Zhe couldn't move his eyes away from Song Qinglian's face, especially when she twisted her slender waist, turned sideways, and opened her red lips, and her little tune spread slowly across the banquet like flowing water.

The sound is low and melodious, and the lingering sound is lingering.

Pei Zhe's scalp felt numb upon hearing this. He was notorious for his debauchery and lechery in the capital. Song Qinglian's eyes passed over him inadvertently, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Her charming look of wanting to say something but not saying it made his eyes widen, and his saliva flowed silently from the corners of his mouth.

After Qinglian finished singing the song, Pei Zhe was the first to cheer.

"Good! The song is good, the people are good, everything is good, hahaha!" He shouted loudly without restraint.

As soon as he called out, everyone at the table followed suit, and the prince sitting at the head of the table also smiled and nodded frequently.

Song Qinglian seemed to be frightened by the tide of cheers, and her pair of autumn-like eyes revealed a little panic. She dodged behind Old Man Song, but raised her eyes and glanced at Pei Zhe quickly, then lowered her head, standing there as pretty as a new lotus after the rain.

"Hurry up and pour wine for me. You sang well. If I appreciate you, you will definitely get benefits." The housekeeper in the palace was a good person. He stepped forward at the right time and threw five hollow coins to Old Man Song, then waved his hand to signal Song Qinglian to pour wine for Pei Zhe.

Old Man Song held the reward money in one hand and the pipa in the other. He stood up tremblingly and bowed to the housekeeper, with a flattering smile on his weathered face.

"Go ahead, just pour the wine, and then sing a few good songs." He pushed Qinglian and spread out the reward money in his hand to show her.

The hollow coins of Yue Kingdom imitated the copper coins of the Central Plains, except that the text and totems were different. Qinglian took a look at it and a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Go ahead. Only when I'm happy can I give you some more money. With the money, I'll buy you some rouge and powder tomorrow."

"I'll buy it myself." Qinglian quickly took two coins from Old Man Song's hand, which made Pei Zhe laugh. "My beauty, come quickly and fill up our glasses. I won't treat you badly. I will buy you the best rouge and powder. Come quickly."

Qinglian blushed slightly, took two steps and then retreated, looking a little scared, and a little shy, with an attitude of wanting to refuse but also to accept. Old Man Song pushed her out again with a look of disappointment, "It's just pouring wine, what are you afraid of?"

The housekeeper also shouted and urged, "Hurry up, don't make me impatient. Do you still want rouge and powder? If you want, hurry up."

Amidst the laughter, Qinglian moved, her movements like the wind blowing through willows, yet her eyes held just the right amount of panic and curiosity. Pei Zhe had never encountered such a charming woman before; those who had met him before were either subservient to him or trembling and crying, which was extremely boring.

The housekeeper led Qinglian to pour wine for Peizhe first. Peizhe's eyes seemed to be fixed on Qinglian's face. In front of everyone, he touched her slender waist while Qinglian was pouring wine. Qinglian's face turned red immediately, which caused everyone to laugh.

It is easiest to relax in the midst of sensual pleasures. After Qinglian finished pouring a round of wine, she walked back and smiled at Old Man Song. She herself did not expect it to be so smooth. Now it all depends on whether Grandma Ma will drink the wine in the glass.

Father Song felt relieved. When the music of the zither resumed, his mind became clear. He used to be afraid of falling leaves hitting his head. After more than ten years of wandering outside the country since the fall of the country, he was tired and exhausted. This was why he brought Qinglian back to his homeland.

Although his country was gone, he had nothing to ask for, as this old man could rest in his homeland. It was a pity for Qinglian, she was still so young. However, when he met Qinglian's gaze, she moved lightly with lotus steps, raised the handkerchief in her hand, her eyes as calm as a mirror, and her face a calm and composed expression. He knew that she, like him, had made up her mind to happily accept death.

He straightened his back unconsciously, and the soothing sound of the piano gradually revealed joy. The father and daughter cooperated with each other with unprecedented tacit understanding, and each regarded this last song as their swan song.

Amidst the rippling clear sounds, Tong Bajin and his party entered Shangjing City. They all disguised themselves as merchants from Yanchao, and with the customs documents, they passed the city gate checkpoint smoothly.

Since following Ding Youtian, Tong Bajin and Xu Dali have developed a habit of leaving their unique marks wherever they go. Based on these marks, he successfully found the inn where Jian Ning and others were staying.

When Tong Bajin and his group arrived outside the inn, Xiong Er received a report from the waiter and hurried over with two of his men.

Xu Dali was still in the lobby, drinking and dining. When he saw them enter, he shouted, "General!" He then stood up, ignoring Tong Bajin who was walking towards him, and bowed to Xiong Er behind him. "My wife has already been informed of this matter. Wait, I'll go up and call her and Master Huo down."

After saying that, he strode upstairs.

When Tong Bajin heard him call General Xiong Er, he understood and asked the people who came with him to sit at two adjacent tables. Without even looking at Xiong Er, he called for the waiter to bring a pot of wine first, and then selected a few dishes to serve on each table.

Xiong Er didn't pay much attention to them. He was feeling annoyed. He came excitedly to report the news but didn't see anyone. Then he came again to hear that Jian Ning already knew about it. He felt very disappointed and regretted not being able to help.