banquet

banquet

Seeing that she was standing outside the yard and hadn't come in, Da Hu stepped forward and asked, "Miss?"

"Hmm?" Fu Huaiying retracted his gaze and turned to look at her, "What's wrong?"

"Why are you standing outside and not coming in?"

"I just got rid of a drowned man," Fu Huaiying followed her into the courtyard. "Summer is almost here. I'll go to the palace in a few days. You should come with me."

Dahu is afraid of heat, and even though the weather hasn't gotten hot these days, she already wants to use ice.

Da Hu patted his chest and said, "Okay, okay, I will protect the girl."

Fu Huaiying chuckled. "Thank you in advance. Do you have enough ice in your room? If not, just go get some."

"Wouldn't that be bad? The young lady's situation in the mansion is already not good..."

"That was in the past. Times are different now. I am always by your side. Who wouldn't want to ask me for favors? Just ask for it. No one dares to refuse."

Da Hu looked at her with bright eyes and felt that the girl was very powerful.

Fu Huaiying went into the house to change clothes. Someone held a banquet at Fangding Tower and invited her to go. For Ji Yuan's sake, she reluctantly agreed to go.

Da Hu stopped at the entrance of Fang Ding Tower and helped Fu Huaiying get off the carriage. "Since this is a banquet for young lady's colleagues, it's not appropriate to bring a maid. I'll wait here for you."

Fu Huaiying nodded, entered the building, and followed the servant upstairs. When she pushed open the door, she was stunned. This banquet was not like a simple meal as Ji Yuan said, but seemed to be specially set up for her. There were people sitting at the table, except for the main seat.

"Fu Zhibi..."

"Fu Zhibi..."

Most people at the table stood up, and Hua Huayi even walked over to her and led her to the main seat. "Please come in, the meal can begin."

Ji Yuan sat next to the main seat. Fu Huaiying raised her eyebrows, looked at him, and sat down tacitly.

Hua Shuyi raised his glass and said, "This is Fu Zhibi. I'm so honored to have you here today. I'd like to offer you a toast."

This attitude is humble and shows that one is willing to sacrifice one's face.

The Hua family is not as lucky as the Wen family. When the empress of the previous dynasty cleared out the aristocratic families, only the Wen family was left, so the Wen family has been prosperous until now. The other three aristocratic families have long since disappeared. The Hua family also had its heyday, but now, the highest official position is only a fifth-rank official.

Fu Huaiying didn't give him any face, and just took a sip as a token of her respect. "I'm not feeling well, and the court doctor said I can't drink alcohol. Do you have any tea?"

"Yes, yes, yes," Hua Shuyi immediately asked someone to prepare it, then turned around and bowed to apologize, "I'm really sorry, I'm a rough person and forgot about this. Now let them prepare some tea for Zhibi to rinse his mouth."

"That's fine."

Looking at this scene, people at the table had different thoughts, but most of them put down their wine glasses tacitly, picked up the tea that had just been served, and complimented Fu Huaiying, saying that the tea was good and nourishing, and praised Fu Huaiying for knowing how to drink.

She didn't say anything, but lowered her eyes to look at the different expressions of the people below, then looked at the teacups they were holding up and chuckled.

Fu Huaiying was more like a specially invited mascot at the banquet. She didn't like to talk and just listened quietly.

Someone below stood up shakily, looking drunk, with a confused and hazy look in his eyes. "Miss Fu... Miss Fu... is truly a natural beauty... The more I look at her, the more beautiful she becomes..."

Hua Zhuyi went downstairs to get something. No one stopped him for a while. I don’t know if he was scared or really wanted to test Fu Huai’s bottom line. I just watched him getting closer and closer to Fu Huaiying, as if he wanted to stick to her.

Seeing that she didn't hide, the man became even more excited and even wanted to reach out and touch her. Ji Yuan stood up and was about to drag the scoundrel out, but a hand was one step faster than him.

"Ah!" Liu Xin screamed, blood gushed out from his hand, a severed hand lay on the ground, he sat down on the ground, covering his hand and howling.

Fu Huaiying took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood off the dagger. She felt that Lin Yan'an's knife was good. It was really sharp and could cut bones like mud.

After wiping the dagger clean and throwing away the blood-stained handkerchief, she stood up and looked at Liu Xinde, who was lying on the ground like a mangy dog. "I think this person..."

Someone beside her reminded her, "It's the young master of the Liu family."

"Oh, I guess Mr. Liu was drunk and talking nonsense. He should be sober now, right?"

After she did this, those who wanted to test her gave up. She looked gentle as jade, but she was so cruel.

Fu Huaiying was no longer in the mood to eat, so she pushed the door open and left. Ji Yuan felt bad about it. Hua Huayi was a relative from his mother's side of the family, and she came to him for help. He just wanted to treat Fu Huaiying to a meal, so he reluctantly agreed.

However, he didn't expect such a thing to happen during the meal. He knew that he had let Fu Huaiying down, so he didn't stay and followed her out.

Hua Zhuyi brought something up and was planning to give it to her personally, but when she came back, the person was gone. Her face instantly darkened and she kicked Liu Xin, feeling even more disgusted with her brother-in-law.

Fu Huaiying left Fangding Tower, and Ji Yuan followed, his face full of guilt. "I'm really sorry, he said he just wanted to treat you to a simple meal, so..."

"Master Ji, there's no need to explain. What happened at the banquet has nothing to do with you. I'm not the type to vent my anger on others, so you don't have to feel guilty."

Ji Yuan understood, but if it weren't for him, Fu Huaiying wouldn't have bothered to come. After all, there must be something wrong with him.

Seeing that he still felt a little guilty, Fu Huaiying smiled and said, "If Master Ji still feels sorry for me, why not treat me to a meal? I didn't come with food, and my mood was ruined just now, so I'm still hungry."

Since she had given him face and a way out, how could Ji Yuan not agree? He was naturally willing.

Because of what happened just now, they did not go to Fangdinglou, but went to Zhenxiuzhai which was not far away. The fish soup there was delicious, and Lin Yanan often brought it to her these days.

"Please come in, gentlemen."

Fu Huaiying took Ji Yuan to the second floor and asked for a small private room. Ji Yuan was not good at ordering food and was not picky, so he left it to her. Fu Huaiying only ordered three dishes.

"Why don't you order more? You don't have to save me money."

Fu Huaiying smiled and said, "Master Ji is very generous, but there are only two of us. It would be a waste if we can't finish it."

Ji Yuan had also heard of Wen Shuangye's reputation for being arrogant and domineering, so he didn't mention the issue of adding more dishes for a while, for fear that she would feel uncomfortable when she recalled the past.

But he didn't expect that Fu Huaiying ordered all fish, a fish soup, a squirrel mandarin fish, and an osmanthus fish cake.

"Isn't Fu Zhibi a cat in his previous life?"

Fu Huaiying smiled and picked up a piece of fish for him. "Zhenxiuzhai's fish is the best. Sir Ji, please try it."

Ji Yuan picked it up and put it in his mouth. The skin was sweet, fragrant and crispy, while the inside was warm and soft. "It's really good. I've been to many restaurants before, but none of them cook fish as well as this one. Do you come here often?"

"Occasionally, someone told me that their fish is delicious, so I come here more often."

"The results of the Spring Examination will be announced soon."

After he reminded her, Fu Huaiying finally remembered this matter. Her hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly, and she inexplicably thought of the stubborn green shadow kneeling in the wind that day.

"No wonder the streets are so busy lately. Are there any candidates taking the exam at home, Master Ji?"

Ji Yuan shook his head, "I'm alone and have no family."

"……Feel sorry……"

Ji Yuan didn't take it to heart. "There are so many people without homes in the world. I am lucky to be appreciated by His Majesty."

He looked at Fu Huaiying and suddenly said, "Fu Zhibi, you must be careful and cautious in everything you do when you are in the presence of the emperor. Don't get too close to others."

Fu Huaiying was a little surprised. She thought about it and thought that it might be because she had been too close to Lin Yan'an these days, and the person above her had also noticed something.

She looked at Ji Yuan, unable to understand his thoughts. He only worked for the emperor, and no news in the entire capital could escape his ears. Why did he specifically remind her?

There were many thoughts in his mind, but at this moment he nodded in agreement, "Thank you for your advice, Master Ji. I will pay attention to it."

Fu Huaiying scooped a spoonful of fish soup and suddenly remembered something, "Oh, right, didn't the master say a few days ago that he would leave Beijing for a trip? It just so happens that I recently learned how to make pastries, so I'd like to bring you some to eat on the road."

Ji Yuan shook his head. "Don't bother. It's a long journey and the weather is hot. I'm afraid it might break down."

Fu Huaiying was just talking, how could she make pastries? However, since the journey was long and he was worried that the food would go bad in the hot weather, the capital hadn't warmed up yet and the north was still cold, so he was probably planning to go south.

His Majesty is quite concerned about the Fourth Prince and even sent a commander to pick him up.

Ji Yuan narrowed his eyes, "Are you trying to trick me?"

Fu Huaiying raised her eyes, a hint of confusion flashing through her eyes. "Ah? What?"

"Nothing." Ji Yuan lowered his eyes and picked up a piece of fish cake.

I hope it is just his illusion. Bringing back the Fourth Prince is an important mission and no details can be revealed.

After leaving Zhenxiuzhai, it was already completely dark. After parting with Ji Yuan, Fu Huaiying walked in the opposite direction. Seeing the person waiting for her by the carriage, she quickly stepped forward and handed the fish cake she had just packed to Dahu.

"I brought this for you. Are you hungry?"

Da Hu shook his head, "When the girl was eating, I also ate something."

"Well...I'll eat it when I'm hungry at night."

"good."

After entering the mansion and seeing the tall figure at the gate, Fu Huai felt a little helpless. The border was stable, and she saw that Wen Chuyan had really been a lot free recently.

"Brother, it's so late, why don't you go and rest?"

"Come to see you."

"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, brother." Fu Huaiying raised her eyes and looked into his eyes. "However, I think you didn't come just to see me. I guess you came for the Crown Prince's selection of a concubine as well."

"Also?" Wen Chuyan simply came to see her, but it seemed like someone asked her something.

Fu Huaiying turned around and said, "Brother just asked me. Go back and tell him that my answer won't change."

"Tingyun has been here?"

"Brother, don't you know? I thought you guys agreed on that."

"I have no idea……"

"Whether you know it or not, the position of Crown Princess is destined to be out of reach for Fu Huairou."

"...I really didn't come here today because of Huairou. I just came to see you."

Fu Huaiying approached him and raised her hand, "Lower."

Wen Chuyan bent down obediently, "Hmm?"

Fu Huaiying leaned her lips against his ear and said, "Brother, I told you that I can only choose between my elder sister and me."

She retreated after she finished speaking, but Wen Chuyan subconsciously pulled her back. He lowered his head and stared at Fu Huaiying, "I choose you. You are the most important person in my heart."

Fu Huaiying didn't believe it at all, "I understand, brother, can you let go now?"

"What do you mean? Why did you suddenly say this and ask this?"

Wen Chuyan's tone was a little anxious. He desperately wanted an answer, a definite answer.

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