In the front hall, Hu Yanwang was drinking merrily with everyone. After several rounds of toasting, he summoned the steward, turned his head and whispered, "Go and check on Young Master Rong. He said he was sobering up, so why hasn't he returned yet?"
Today is a welcome dinner for Rong Heng, and if he just lets everyone leave like this, Rong Heng will inevitably be unhappy. But it's already late, and they're not made of iron; they can't just stay here drinking until dawn if he doesn't come back, can they?
The steward responded and went downstairs. Not long after, he returned and told Hu Yanwang, "Yang Da said that Young Master Rong has already gone back to the courtyard to rest."
King Hu ground his back teeth: "I respected his superficial relationship with the lord, and I was careful to please him in every way, but he repeatedly slapped me in the face! He really thinks he's someone important!"
He was born with a refined and scholarly air, and usually acted like a gentleman, though his actions were always ruthless beneath his kind exterior. Those who didn't know him well were often deceived by his appearance upon first meeting him, finding it inconsistent with his reputation in the martial arts world. Today, however, was the first time he had lost his temper in public.
But you can't blame him for that, after all, Rong Heng really didn't give him any face.
"Go and have Suyue serve him in his courtyard." He suppressed his anger and quickly came up with a plan. "A real man is easily swayed by love and affection, and naturally, even heroes have their weaknesses. He came here on business, but he brought a woman with him when he left. If the master finds out, he will surely look down on him."
Su Yue was the most beautiful courtesan he redeemed from Lan Yue Tower last year. She was beautiful, intelligent, and well-versed in literature. He had been raising her in the mountains, intending to present her to the master in the future.
But now, in order to set a trap for Rong Heng, he couldn't care less about all that. After all, even if he lost a beauty, he could find another one in the future. He wasn't really heartbroken.
After giving the instructions, his expression softened, and he raised his wine cup to everyone, saying with a smile, "Gentlemen, Young Master Rong must be tired from his journey and has gone back to rest. But we should still enjoy ourselves, for life is short and good times are fleeting!"
After he finished speaking, someone raised his glass and replied, "Outsiders call you King Yama, but I find you to be very refined, and you speak in a very literary manner, just like a learned scholar."
Although this person said that, there was more of a joking element to it.
The line of work that King Hu does is not something an ordinary person can do. It requires ruthlessness and the extinguishing of conscience. If he were truly a well-read scholar, he would never have been able to succeed in this business.
King Hu laughed heartily: "Lord Liu, you may not know this, but in my younger days I was also a student of the sage, full of ambition to save the country. I studied the scriptures by day and recited the classics by night, never daring to slack off!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the previously quiet room became lively again, with everyone saying, "If you are also a student of the Sage, then I am the Grand Secretary of the current dynasty!"
"Then wouldn't I be a learned and talented person?"
"Mr. Hu, we trust you, that's why we're doing business with you! How can you lie to us like this!"
None of them believed that this utterly depraved, greedy, and lustful King Yama was originally a scholar.
The renowned Grand Tutor Chang was a scholar, the valiant General Yue was a scholar, and even the Dali Temple Minister, who was known for his cruel tortures, was a scholar.
But how could King Yama possibly be a scholar? If word got out, it would be utterly laughable!
Seeing that they didn't believe him, King Hu didn't bother to explain further and simply tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup.
With the moon high in the sky, the banquet in the front hall finally came to an end.
Rong Heng awoke thirstily in the dim light of dawn, and as he groggily opened his eyes, he saw a blurry figure standing at the door.
He reached under his pillow, gripped the dagger tightly, then lit the bedside lamp, asking gently, "Who goes there?"
The man was startled, turned around in a panic, and was holding a pipa diagonally across his body.
Her face, bathed in the soft moonlight behind her, appeared as beautiful as an autumn osmanthus in an empty mountain or a spring orchid in a courtyard.
She lowered her eyes and knelt down in front of Rong Heng's bed, saying softly, "This concubine has come to serve you, young master."
She raised her face and looked directly into Rong Heng's eyes. Her eyebrows were like distant green mountains, and her eyes were like clear autumn waters. She was graceful and gentle, with a delicate charm that made people feel sorry for her.
Under Rong Heng's gaze, she unbuttoned her clothes, revealing her plump, rounded, and fair shoulders. Her soft, slender hands climbed onto Rong Heng's arm, and she said with a blush, "Please be gentle, young master."
Rong Heng chuckled lightly, and the next instant, he kicked her in the chest, coldly shouting, "Get out."
This kick was delivered with all its might, and Su Yue lay on the ground for a long time, still unable to get up.
She stared at Rong Heng in bewilderment, unable to understand why this was happening.
"Someone come here!" Rong Heng raised his voice.
Soon someone entered. Upon seeing Su Yue on the ground, the person hurriedly looked away and asked Rong Heng, "Young Master, why did you summon me?"
Rong Heng said, "Take the woman on the ground away. Tell your Master Hu that I don't need anyone to serve me here, so he can give up his plans."
He came here for two reasons: first, to help the governor of Jiangzhou find his daughter; and second, to find something to use against Chang Beiqiu.
He came into this world clean, and he will leave clean as well. No matter what schemes King Hu may have up his sleeve, he will not let him succeed.
...
After Wei Qinglou returned to the room reeking of alcohol, Zhu Jiayu got up to fetch water for him to wash up.
With Rong Heng here, it's best for Shu Jian to keep his distance if possible, so the tasks that were originally supposed to be done by him have now fallen to Zhu Jiayu.
She didn't think it was a big deal. Normally it would be fine, but now that Wei Qinglou was drunk, it would seem petty of her to make a fuss about it.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she sat up, Wei Qinglou grabbed her hand and said, "You lie down. I'll go get the water myself."
"You..." Zhu Jiayu looked at him, "You're not drunk?"
Wei Qinglou smiled and said, "I have a very high alcohol tolerance, I can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, how could I get drunk?" At this point, he suddenly felt a competitive spirit and added, "On the other hand, those people at the table are already completely drunk and unconscious."
"Alright, alright, I know you're something else." Zhu Jiayu nodded quickly and pushed him out. "Since you're not drunk, go take a shower! You reek of alcohol and the whole house stinks."
Upon hearing this, Wei Qinglou stopped moving and instead snuggled closer to her, then lowered his head to kiss her lips, forcing her to stick out her tongue and entwine with his.
His high, straight nose brushed against Zhu Jiayu's face, their hot breaths mingling together.
After a long while, he released Zhu Jiayu, his voice low and hoarse: "Now you and I both smell of alcohol."
Zhu Jiayu punched his chest, her cheeks flushing slightly: "How childish of you!"
Wei Qinglou looked at her, stretched out his long arm, and pulled her into his arms.
He loved this person so much that he wished he could meld her into his very being, stay with her forever, and never be separated from her again.
"Ayu, Ayu..." he whispered her name in her ear.
Before he met Ayu, he was known for his drunken escapades, whipping famous horses and climbing high towers at night, making him the most dissolute and unrestrained figure in Yujing City.
But now that he has met Zhu Jiayu, he finally understands what it means to have no heart to love the beautiful night and let the bright moon set in the west.
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