Chapter 126 He was drugged
After Shen Zongji took his seat, he clapped his hands and the dancers left in order.
"Thank you all for coming to this banquet. It's a banquet for heroes. All of you here are heroes from Liuli City and friends of mine. Today, we won't discuss great undertakings, but simply make friends. Please forgive us if we haven't been able to entertain you well enough."
"No, no, City Lord Shen, you're welcome."
Shen Zongji raised a wine jar and scanned the hall, finally landing on Pei Xingju. "I heard that Master Shen came from Anzhou and in just a few days he became the most outstanding hero in Liuli City. He is truly extraordinary."
Zhuang Wan glanced at the prodigal Pei and asked him what he was busy with for so many days. It turned out that he was spending money, and he spent 50,000 taels.
Pei Xingju also raised his wine cup and smiled faintly: "City Lord Shen, you are too kind. If you ask who is the most outstanding person in Liuli City, it must be the City Lord."
Shen Zongji also smiled and gestured to everyone: "Please, I, Shen, will toast you all a glass."
After a glass of wine, the atmosphere became more relaxed. Shen Zongji continued, "Everyone has come from afar. I am honored to have invited Miss Ningyan from Zuishenglou to perform a dance for you. I have also prepared some light wine and delicious food. Just enjoy yourself tonight."
Some people were surprised: "Miss Ningyan is a talented woman of her time. We have only heard her play the zither, but have never seen her dance. Today, thanks to the city lord, we are able to feast our eyes."
Shen Zongji curled his lips and clapped his hands towards the door.
Suddenly, the door closed, and the light inside dimmed. Just as everyone was confused as to what was happening, a few strands of silk suddenly fell from the center of the hall. But it didn't look like silk at all. It was unknown what the fabric was made of. It flowed down like a waterfall, wisps of silk, and a dazzling light.
The waterfall flowed faster and faster, piling up on the ground like mist, and gradually a graceful figure emerged from the mist.
Someone shouted in shock: "There's someone else in there? When did they get in?"
The figure keeps spinning, holding the long waterfall in her hands, like Chang'e landing on the moon, or like the goddess of the sky descending to earth. It is like a dream, ethereal and hazy.
Even Zhuang Wan was stunned.
This dance is a stunning masterpiece even in modern times. Liu Ningyan is worthy of being Liu Ningyan, and she is worthy of being the woman that the male protagonist of the political intrigue novel likes.
She suddenly turned to look at Pei Xingju.
Pei Xingju was also quietly appreciating the dance, but unlike the others, there was no surprise or admiration on his face, and he remained emotionless as always.
Zhuang Wan was secretly impressed. Just wait and see how long he can remain reserved.
Noticing her gaze, Pei Xingju remained expressionless: "If you're not looking at my dancing skills, why are you looking at me?"
Zhuang Wan mumbled, "You look good."
These words seemed to have touched a nerve in Pei Xingju. The corners of his lips gradually curled up and he was in a good mood.
The commotion here attracted the attention of Shen Zongji, who was sitting at the head of the group. Meeting Zhuang Wan's gaze, he gave a refined smile and silently uttered two words: "Latiao."
“.......”
Zhuang Wan was speechless, wondering why the dignified Lord of Liuli City was so obsessed with eating spicy snacks. She smiled politely in return, but when she turned to look at Pei Xingju, she saw that the corners of his lips were straightened, and he was suddenly angry again.
“........”
It’s so weird, each and every one of them looks weird and doesn’t look like a normal person.
Soon, Liu Ningyan finished her dance, and thunderous applause rang out in the hall. Liu Ningyan bowed in thanks, thought for a moment, and walked towards Shen Zongji.
"Wait!" She was halfway there when Shen Zongji suddenly spoke up, "Mr. Shen is the most honored guest in Liuli City. Guests are more respected than hosts. If Miss Ningyan doesn't mind, how about entertaining Mr. Shen well tonight on my behalf?"
After the words were spoken, the people around began to whisper.
Some people envied Pei Xingju, while others were eager to see what decision he would make next. After all, Pei Xingju had a concubine by his side, and since he could bring his concubine to such an occasion, it seemed that this concubine was deeply favored by him.
If Miss Ningyan went to serve him, wouldn't that annoy her? But Miss Ningyan was both talented and beautiful, and I would be willing to live ten years less just to have her serve me for one night.
It all depends on what Mr. Shen chooses.
Liu Ningyan also hesitated.
Shen Zongji, however, smiled gently and asked Zhuang Wan, "Miss Ruyi, you don't mind, do you?"
Zhuang Wan was stunned. She hadn't expected Shen Zongji to know her name. She looked at Liu Ningyan again, feeling a little guilty. She was afraid that Liu Ningyan also knew that she had lied to her.
Alas, why would she mind? Not to mention that Liu Ningyan and Pei Xingju were originally a couple, she felt very embarrassed for having deceived them.
She quickly waved her hand: "I don't mind, I don't mind."
After she finished speaking, she didn't know if it was her illusion, but Pei Xingju's whole body became cold, and she shivered with cold.
Shen Zongji smiled and said, "Miss Ruyi is truly virtuous and generous. To be honest, I have invited a troupe tonight to perform operas that you women like. Come on..."
He shouted, the door opened immediately, and a man came in.
Shen Zongji ordered: "Take Miss Ruyi to watch the opera."
Zhuang Wan was a little confused and went to see Pei Xingju to ask what to do, but Pei Xingju had a blank expression and didn't even look at her.
After hesitating for a while, Zhuang Wan had no choice but to bow and follow the man out.
After Zhuang Wan left, Liu Ningyan followed Shen Zongji's instructions and walked slowly to Pei Xingju's side, sitting down in the seat where Zhuang Wan had just sat.
She raised a glass of wine and said to Pei Xingju, "Master Chen, this is a toast to you."
The others in the hall laughed out loud: "Mr. Shen is so lucky, I am really envious of him."
Pei Xingju didn't respond, nor did he look at her, but looked at Shen Zongji who was sitting above him.
After a moment, he slowly raised his glass to Shen Zongji and drank it in one gulp.
Shen Zongji also raised his wine glass, drank it all, then turned the glass upside down and smiled.
.
Zhuang Wan was led forward by a maid. They walked out of the corridor and turned into the garden but still did not reach their destination.
She stopped.
The maid turned around and asked: "Why don't you leave, young lady?"
Zhuang Wan asked, "Aren't you taking me to the theater? Where is it?"
"Miss Ruyi," the maid said, "the city lord has placed the troupe in Chunying Tower, which is in the West Garden, a little far away."
Zhuang Wan frowned: "It's such a long way, forget it, I won't go."
"This..." the maid was embarrassed.
"I'd better go back."
"Miss Ruyi wants to return to the banquet?"
"No need, just stroll around the area, but don't go to Xiyuan."
"In that case, why don't you take the young lady to the side rooms to rest? The city lord has prepared elegant rooms for guests, right in the front yard."
Zhuang Wan thought about it and decided it was fine. Shen Zongji had sent her away simply to bring Pei Xingju and Liu Ningyan together, and she certainly didn't want to bother him by hanging around, so she decided to go back and rest.
"Thank you." She nodded.
Over here, there was singing and dancing at the banquet, and the guests were toasting each other, it was very lively.
Compared to the other seats, Pei Xingju's place seemed a bit deserted. While the others were all bustling with beautiful waitresses, he sat quietly, his eyes occasionally darting to the singing and dancing, and occasionally raising his glass to chat with the others.
Liu Ningyan didn't say anything either, but just sat quietly with a smile on her face, as if enjoying the singing and dancing.
As the city lord, Shen Zongji was naturally the busiest, with people frequently offering him toasts. Shen Zongji seemed to be very easy to talk to, accepting all offers and treating everyone politely and courteously.
After a few bottles of wine, the two songs and dances were over. He personally carried the wine pot and signaled the servants to push the wheelchair, then came to Pei Xing's residence.
"Master Shen doesn't seem very happy tonight. Could it be that our Miss Ningyan didn't serve him attentively?"
Liu Ningyan lowered her head.
Pei Xingju said, "City Lord Shen is overly concerned. I am just worried."
"Oh? What are you worried about?"
Pei Xingju pretended to be helpless: "To be honest, my concubine is very spoiled. I didn't want to take her with me on this trip, but she insisted on pestering me. What happened today..."
The meaning of what is left unsaid is obvious.
Shen Zongji let out a long "Oh." "I see. I understand. Women, though generous on the surface, can be incredibly jealous in private. Master Shen, are you worried that Miss Ruyi will quarrel with you when you return?"
He laughed: “In this case, I can’t keep Master Shen for long.”
"Come," he raised the wine pot: "I toast Mr. Shen with one last drink, Mr. Shen, and go back to coax your Jiaojiao."
Pei Xingju stared at the wine jug in his hand without saying a word.
"What? Is it because Mr. Shen doesn't have enough face?"
The atmosphere suddenly became a little stiff.
Liu Ningyan's hands were clenched tightly in her sleeves.
She knew exactly what Shen Zongji was up to. Her mission tonight was to trap Master Shen. But thinking about what was going to happen next, she couldn't help but get nervous.
Shen Zongji and Pei Xingju stared at each other for a while. After a few breaths of confrontation, he slowly raised his lips and said, "Or is it that Master Shen is afraid that the wine is poisonous?"
"Someone!" he called. "Bring me a glass."
The servant immediately handed over the wine glass. Shen Zongji poured himself a glass and drank it slowly, saying, "Now, are you relieved, Master Shen?"
Pei Xingju pondered for a moment, then picked up the empty wine glass on the table and said, "Thank you, City Lord Shen."
Shen Zongji laughed again, tilted the wine pot, and the finest white flower dew flowed out, dripping into the wine glass with a soft sound.
Pei Xingju stared at the wine cup for a moment, then slowly drank it all.
When Shen Zongji saw this, he burst into laughter.
.
After leaving the room, Pei Xingju strode away. However, the heat in his body gradually intensified, as if countless blood vessels were churning and roaring.
At this time, a man caught up.
"Master Shen? Where is Master Shen going?"
A woman's fragrance came over, like the rope of a burning firework. Pei Xingju turned around abruptly and grabbed the wrist of the person who came.
Liu Ningyan's heart skipped a beat, but she frowned in pain.
Pei Xingju tried his best to endure the discomfort in his body. His whole body was hot, but his deep eyes were as cold as a cold pond.
After a moment, he let go of Liu Ningyan's wrist.
"Miss Ningyan, I know what you are planning. Can we discuss it in detail tonight?"
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