Soon, the carriage swayed and rattled into the city. The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, making a soft "creaking" sound.
The carriage came to a steady stop in front of the government office. The officials of Yanzhou were already lined up to wait for them, each dressed in official robes, their expressions solemn yet eager.
Zhou Huanzhi, who was at the head of the group, smiled broadly, his eyes gleaming with shrewdness. He bowed respectfully and said in a loud and respectful voice, "Lord Shen, Lord Siyan, we have been waiting for you for a long time!"
Shen Huaixu nodded slightly, his expression calm and composed, his every move exuding composure.
Shen Jintang, however, remained indifferent and walked straight inside.
The banquet was held in the back garden of the government office. The garden was lush with flowers and trees and had a pleasant scenery, but at this moment it was filled with a different atmosphere.
During the banquet, toasts were exchanged and officials took turns offering drinks, saying flattering things like "Lord Shen has made great contributions" and "Lord Siyan is a woman who is just as capable as any man." Their voices rose and fell, but they seemed somewhat deliberate.
Shen Huaixu responded to each question meticulously, his words never leaving room for error, and his face always bearing a gentle smile.
Shen Jintang remained silent throughout, only occasionally glancing at his surroundings with sharp, piercing eyes. He didn't even touch his wine cup, showing no interest in these hypocritical flatteries.
Zhou Huanzhi narrowed his eyes, a barely perceptible glint of shrewdness flashing in them. He personally carried the wine pot to Shen Huaixu and said with a beaming smile, "Lord Shen, this humble official toasts you. This flood control and epidemic prevention effort is all thanks to your and Lord Siyan's great assistance!"
All eyes were focused on Shen Huaixu's hand, or more precisely, on the wine cup. Everyone craned their necks, waiting for Shen Huaixu to drink it.
The air seemed to freeze, waiting for this glass of wine to be drunk so that this hypocritical feast could continue.
"You flatter me." Shen Huaixu smiled slightly, picked up his wine glass, but did not drink it in a hurry. He just gently stroked the rim of the glass with his fingertips, his eyes flickering slightly.
These people are acting strangely today; the familiarity of the past seems to be overshadowed by this deliberate flattery.
The atmosphere was off, the people were off, and the alcohol...
Shen Huaixu looked at the wine glass; something was wrong with the wine.
The liquor swayed slightly in the glass, reflecting an eerie luster, as if concealing some unknown secret.
Shen Jintang suddenly spoke, her voice clear and firm: "He can't hold his liquor and can't drink."
Zhou Huanzhi's smile froze instantly, and the muscles on his face twitched slightly: "Lord Siyan, isn't this against the rules?"
Shen Jintang gave him a cold glance, her eyes as sharp as frost, showing them no mercy whatsoever, and said, "What rules are you breaking?"
In an instant, the atmosphere froze, and the surrounding noise seemed to be frozen in time.
The officials' smiles froze on their faces, and the entire garden became deathly silent.
The smile on Zhou Huanzhi's face gradually faded, replaced by a cold expression.
He slowly put down the wine pot, a mocking smile curving his lips, and sighed, "My lords, this is disrespecting me."
Shen Jintang smiled, but the smile didn't reach her eyes, and she ignored their convoluted arguments.
Instead, Shen Huaixu put down his wine cup and said in a calm tone, "The celebration banquet has arrived, and the words have been spoken. If there is nothing urgent, I will take my leave."
"Farewell?" Zhou Huanzhi suddenly sneered, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Lord Shen, you've come all the way to Yanzhou, and you think you can just leave?"
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly smashed the wine glass on the ground!
"Smack—"
A crisp cracking sound rang out, and dozens of guards wielding knives instantly surged out from all sides, surrounding the banquet!
Amidst the flashing swords and the palpable killing intent, the once bustling garden instantly transformed into a battlefield of carnage.
"Protect the master!" Shi Shu shouted, drawing his long sword from its sheath. With a flash of cold light, he directly cut down two guards who rushed forward.
The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistling sound, and blood splattered instantly.
Shen Huaixu grabbed Shen Jintang's wrist, his voice urgent: "Let's go!"
Shen Jintang grabbed his wrist with her other hand and whispered, "Stay close to me!"
There was a resolute look in her eyes, as if she was prepared to face anything.
The two quickly retreated towards the outside of the government office, with Shishu leading men to cover their retreat. Amidst the flashing swords and splattering blood, the scene was chaotic.
However, there were too many enemies, and their objectives were very clear.
They were fearless, but determined to kill Shen Huaixu!
"Be careful, sir!"
Shi Shu roared and blocked a hidden arrow, but was slashed in the shoulder by another person's knife, and blood instantly soaked through her clothes.
He swayed, but gritted his teeth and persevered, swinging his sword at the enemy.
Shen Huaixu's pupils contracted, and he was about to step forward when Shen Jintang suddenly grabbed him: "Don't turn around! Run!"
Her voice carried an undeniable determination; at this moment, escape was the only chance of survival.
The two rushed out of the government office, pursued relentlessly by the soldiers behind them. The sounds of footsteps, shouts, and clashing swords mingled together, like the pursuit of death itself.
Shen Jintang led Shen Huaixu on a desperate escape, passing through narrow streets and alleys, and finally disappearing into the woods outside the city.
Trees whizzed past them, and the night wind howled.
The light in the forest was dim, and the shadows of the trees were long and swaying.
Shen Jintang grabbed Shen Huaixu's wrist and ran swiftly through the dense forest, the withered branches and fallen leaves making a soft cracking sound under their feet.
The pursuers behind them were getting closer and closer, and the light from the torches could already shine through the shadows of the trees, casting menacing patterns of light and shadow.
Shen Huaixu's breathing grew heavier and heavier, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, shimmering faintly in the moonlight.
He stumbled and nearly tripped over a protruding tree root.
Shen Jintang immediately turned around to support him, only to find that his face was frighteningly pale and he was severely exhausted.
“You…” Shen Jintang had just opened her mouth when Shen Huaixu interrupted her.
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