Chapter 191 Welcome-Home Feast

Xie Sangning suddenly closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then slowly exhaled.

No, rushing out now would only expose us and cause everyone else to perish—it would be pointless!

She walked to the copper basin and repeatedly splashed her cheeks with the cold water to wash away the bloodstains and tear stains from the corners of her lips.

She picked up the face powder from the dressing table and carefully concealed the paleness on her lips, drawing out a soft curve.

Finally, she looked into the bronze mirror and slowly gave a gentle and graceful smile.

Pushing open the door, the sounds of bustling people, the music of string and wind instruments, and the aroma of food and wine rushed in. Xie Sangning straightened her back and walked calmly through the corridor, stepping back into the brightly lit flower hall.

The atmosphere inside the flower hall remained lively.

Lady Wei, the wife of the Marquis of Yongning, was chatting and laughing quietly with several familiar ladies, but her eyes kept glancing at Xie Sangyu, who was surrounded by several young men not far away.

Beside her, her daughter Wei Yan, dressed in a delicate pale yellow dress and with her hair styled in an exquisite lily bun, was secretly gazing in Xie Sangyu's direction. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were filled with the shyness of a young girl in love and her determination to win her over.

The news that the Empress Dowager intended to bestow a marriage upon Xie Zhenting a few days ago really frightened Wei Yan.

If it really happens, once she marries in, she'll have a stepmother-in-law of similar age on her head. How can she then be the sole mistress of the General's Mansion, a position she's always dreamed of? Just thinking about it makes her feel so frustrated!

Fortunately, the General Zhenguo refused!

Wei Yan secretly rejoiced, and her gaze toward Xie Sangyu became even more ardent.

The eldest son of the Xie family is young, handsome, and has a bright future. The key issue is that the General's Mansion currently has no proper mistress!

Once Xie Sangyu is won over, she will be the rightful and undisputed mistress of this vast general's mansion!

The thought of this honor and power made her heart race.

Lady Wei naturally understood her daughter's thoughts and was more than willing to agree.

If they could marry into the Zhenguo General's Mansion, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion's status in the court would surely rise accordingly.

The look in her eyes as she gazed at Xie Sangyu held an undisguised satisfaction and eagerness, as if she were looking at something already in her grasp.

Xie Sangyu, who was being so coveted, was completely unaware that she had become the prey.

He was surrounded by several old friends from his childhood in Beijing. After a few cups of warm wine, the atmosphere was lively.

He changed into a moon-white brocade robe with cloud patterns, and tied his hair with a jade crown. He looked less like a battlefield warrior and more like a dashing young master from a noble family.

With a lazy smile on his lips, he was vividly telling a story about the border, making everyone laugh.

"Hahaha, Sang Yu, it's a real shame you're not a storyteller in a teahouse with that silver tongue!" A young man in a royal blue robe laughed, slapping the table.

“Exactly! This is much more interesting than listening to those pedantic scholars spouting off their knowledge!” another chimed in.

Xie Sangyu picked up her wine glass, about to make a few more jokes, when a voice filled with obvious sarcasm and provocation abruptly interrupted the harmonious atmosphere:

"Tsk, General Xie, you've returned from your border training trip even more impressive than before! But I wonder..."

The voice was deliberately raised, carrying a strange and sarcastic tone, instantly attracting the attention of most of the flower hall.

"Is the ranking of the four most notorious playboys in the capital going to change because of Brother Xie's return? In my opinion, the top spot now belongs to Brother Xie! Our Ninth Prince will probably have to settle for second place, right? What do you all think?"

The speaker was Gu Ziqi, the second young master of the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion.

He was dressed in a luxurious crimson brocade robe, with a jade belt around his waist, and held a gilded folding fan, fanning himself with an air of nonchalance, while his face wore an undisguised mocking smile.

The ancestors of the Marquis of Ningyuan were once military generals with great military achievements. Unfortunately, in this generation, the descendants were unworthy and indulged in pleasure. They had long lost their former glory and could not even obtain a decent military position.

The sons were only good at fighting amongst themselves, openly and secretly vying for the position of heir apparent.

Gu Ziqi, being the second son, was ambitious but lacked ability, and he couldn't stand seeing others do well.

Especially Xie Sangyu, who was once a playboy but has now transformed into the highly sought-after eldest son of the Zhenguo General's Mansion!

On what grounds?

Why should he be able to trample on me after he spent a few years on military merits at the border?

Gu Ziqi was consumed by jealousy.

He deliberately brought up the four纨绔 (playboys) to publicly humiliate Xie Sangyu and drag him back into his worthless quagmire.

Upon hearing this, the once noisy flower hall instantly fell into an eerie silence!

The laughter and chatter ceased.

All eyes turned to scan back and forth between Gu Ziqi and Xie Sangyu.

The shyness on Wei Yan's face vanished instantly, replaced by astonishment and anger. She glared fiercely at Gu Ziqi: "Idiot! How dare you insult the person she has her eye on!"

The smiles on Xie Sangyu's old friends' faces froze, and they glared at Gu Ziqi.

In the silence, Xie Sangyu, the protagonist who was mentioned, laughed.

It wasn't a laugh born of extreme anger, but rather a laugh tinged with amusement.

He even leisurely poured himself another glass of wine, showing no embarrassment or anger at being publicly humiliated.

He held his wine glass, turned around, and leaned back lazily in his chair. His almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Gu Ziqi with a half-smile, as if he were watching a monkey jumping around and performing a comical act.

"Oh, who do we have here?"

Xie Sangyu spoke, her voice magnetic.

"Isn't this the Second Young Master Gu from the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion? It's been years, and your mouth still..." He clicked his tongue twice and shook his head, "Still so unique."

"What did Second Young Master Gu just say?"

Xie Sangyu seemed genuinely not to have heard clearly, tilting her head with a puzzled expression, "What four纨绔 (playboys)? What? The Ninth Prince is ranked second? Hmm..."

"Gu Ziqi, are you comparing me to His Highness the Ninth Prince?"

His voice suddenly turned cold: "His Highness the Ninth Prince is a member of the imperial family, a golden branch and jade leaf! I, Xie Sangyu, am but a mere brute. I have been fortunate enough to serve in the army with His Majesty's grace, doing my utmost in the military. I am barely able to fulfill my duty, let alone dare to compare myself to His Highness! Are you flattering me or harming me? Are you showing me respect, or are you... humiliating His Highness the Ninth Prince?!"

With his last sentence, he raised his voice and slammed his wine glass heavily on the table!

"Crack!"

A crisp sound

He actually crushed that exquisite white jade wine cup with his bare hands!

The entire flower hall fell silent instantly! Looking at Xie Sangyu's imposing presence, there was no trace of the languidness of a spoiled young master!

Xie Sangyu stared intently at Gu Ziqi, whose face was deathly pale and who had instinctively taken a step back in shock at the imposing aura.

"You, Second Young Master Gu, are quite the smooth talker. With just a few words, you can put my Xie family on the fire! What?" He took a step closer, and the murderous aura he had honed in the midst of mountains of corpses and seas of blood pressed heavily on Gu Ziqi's heart, making it almost impossible for him to breathe!

"Do you think my father's cleaver is too dull to cut through certain spineless cowards who only know how to gossip behind people's backs?!"