Chapter 229: A Rare Leisure

Patriarch Li smiled slightly, pulled Aunt Hong into his arms, and said softly, "Master, I didn't go out to discuss business this time, but I found a rare and valuable thing."

"That treasure is truly rare in the world. Once I have sorted it out, I will definitely let my matchmaker open her eyes."

As expected, upon hearing the word "treasure," Hong Yi Niang's eyes lit up instantly, and she immediately pestered Patriarch Li with endless questions. "Master, what exactly is this treasure? Tell me quickly."

She said in a delicate voice, her face full of eagerness and desire.

At this moment, she completely forgot about the matter of finding out the whereabouts of the head of the Li family.

Of course, it was mainly because Aunt Hong had always been doing well in the Li family and had never suffered any setbacks. She never thought that the head of the Li family had carefully made up a huge lie to deceive her.

Her mind and eyes were filled with the so-called treasure, and she had no time to care about anything else.

On the other hand, although the face of the head of the Li family was full of smiles, his eyes did not show that there was deep calculation and indifference hidden in that smile.

However, Hong Yi Niang, who was a spy, did not notice this subtle abnormality at all.

She was completely immersed in her fantasy about her baby and completely ignored the flaw in the expression of the head of the Li family.

Perhaps her life in the Li family was too smooth, so she lost her vigilance and sharpness. This negligence of hers doomed her to a tragic end.

Chu Ci, who was lying on the beam above Patriarch Li, lowered his voice carefully and said, "Okay, there's nothing more to see. Let's go."

Fan Jingrui had no objection. He glanced at Chu Ci sharply and could sense that Chu Ci was in a low mood at the moment.

Therefore, after leaving the Li family's area and walking on the somewhat deserted streets, Fan Jingrui finally couldn't help but ask, "Madam, are you worried about that concubine Hong?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Ci stared at Fan Jingrui fiercely as if he were a fool, and said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about! Am I seriously ill for me to worry about a spy whose background I don't know?"

Fan Jingrui didn't get angry either. He kept a gentle expression and asked patiently, "If that's not the case, then why did you become so depressed after seeing how Patriarch Li treated Concubine Hong?"

"Could it be that there is some hidden secret that I have not thought of?"

Chu Ci: Can she say that she saw in Hong Yi Niang many women who ruined their good cards because they fell into love?

Chu Ci shook his head slightly and said slowly, "No, I just suddenly thought, why can't people like Hong Yi Niang live a peaceful and stable life? Why do they have to risk everything on such a tiny one in ten thousand chance?"

Upon hearing this, Fan Jingrui's expression became solemn. He sighed heavily and said with emotion, "Perhaps, they are already deeply trapped in the quagmire of life!"

"Everything I experienced afterwards was beyond my control. In this complex world, how many people can truly control their own destiny?"

Chu Ci was silent for a long time after hearing this, with a look of annoyance on his face, before he slowly said, "Would you like to have a drink when we get home?"

When Fan Jingrui heard this, a smile flashed in his eyes, and then he responded gently: "Okay, my lady, I will accompany you as your husband."

So, under the bright night light, the eldest prince, the fifth prince, Qianxue and Qianyan quietly hid in the corner, staring closely at Chu Ci and Fan Jingrui who were drinking in the yard.

"What did they see when they went out that made them come back to oppose such high-quality wine?" The Fifth Prince smelled the aroma of the fine wine and pulled Qianxue, who had been wanting to go over and persuade him to drink, and asked with a puzzled look on his face.

Qianxue gave a fake smile and said, "Do you think I might know? Your Highness, Prince Qin, instead of asking me, why not ask Fifteen, who is by my sister-in-law's side? Maybe she knows something."

Before the Fifth Prince could respond, the First Prince nodded and said, "That makes sense."

After saying this, he strode forward and walked directly to Chu Ci and his wife. "Princess Yixin always carries such fine wine with her. Would you mind treating me to a few drinks?"

Chu Ci did not answer, then took out a crystal glass with swift movements, slowly filled it with white wine, and then made a gesture of invitation with a smile.

Seeing this, the eldest prince couldn't wait to take a sip. However, a hint of disappointment appeared on his face. He shook his head and said, "This wine is refreshing and fragrant, but not mellow enough. It doesn't suit my taste."

Chu Ci did not respond to the eldest prince's words. Instead, he turned to the three people who were still lingering in the corner and said loudly, "Don't just stand there. Come and have a taste."

After saying this, without waiting for the three to react, Chu Ci poured a glass for each of them.

Seeing this, the three of them no longer hesitated and simply walked from the corner to the stone table, each holding up a wine glass.

"It has a refreshing taste and a citrus aroma. I like it." Qianxue liked it very much after taking a sip.

Qianyan didn't act quite so exaggerated, but she nodded repeatedly in agreement. However, she was concerned: "Sister-in-law, is this a new variety developed by the Women's College, or was it specially prepared for this trip to the Li family?"

Chu Ci heard this and gently tapped Qian Yan's head, scolding her, "You are so young. Why do you always think so much?"

Although Chu Ci said so, Qian Yan still stubbornly wanted an answer, and even Qian Xue stared at Chu Ci with an eager look on her face.

Chu Ci sighed helplessly: "None of that, it's just that my sister-in-law is thinking about the tense nerves these days, and suddenly wants to have a few drinks to relax. Your eldest brother is just risking his life to accompany a gentleman."

After hearing Chu Ci's answer, even the eldest and fifth princes were stunned. The fifth prince asked with a look of suspicion on his face, "Is that all?"

"What else?" Chu Ci saw their obvious disbelief and raised his eyebrows. "I also brought a bottle of fine wine. Would you like to try it?"

Everyone could see that Chu Ci was in high spirits and in high spirits at the moment, so they agreed to Chu Ci's wishes.

This time, Chu Ci took out the famous Maotai from her previous life. She said solemnly, "One cup, or at most two. Otherwise, it's easy to make mistakes."

This really piqued the interest of several people. Even Qianxue and Qianyan were eager to try it, but were stopped by Chu Ci.

"It's easy to get drunk if you mix them together, so don't mess around, you two girls. If you're really interested, I'll give you both a new bottle later."

Qianxue and Qianyan's eyes sparkled as they said in unison, "Okay."

But the fifth prince refused to accept this and shouted, "I want it too."

The eldest prince followed closely behind. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Ci interrupted him: "I don't have much of this wine, and it's a rare treasure in the world. How much silver do you two princes plan to pay?"