Chapter 476: Isn

A boring banquet, vulgar guests, and forced flattery.

Fang Chongyong yawned continuously during this meal.

At this moment Kaifeng City was still not Bianjing of the Northern Song, so it naturally could not compare to Chang'an or Luoyang, and was even inferior to Liangzhou.

From the opening of the feast to the third round of wine, the drums, music, and dance at the Ten Thousand Flowers Pavilion were all very mediocre. For the well‑traveled Fang Chongyong, it was an auditory‑visual torment rather than enjoyment.

"Jiedushi, I will offer you a toast."

Li Jilan, dressed in floating white robes, approached calmly and knelt beside Fang Chongyong.

She dared not say her name was Li Jilan; after all, tonight she pretended there was a dog that would lie on her.

Jiang Wuyan, who was offering a toast to Fang Chongyong, looked stunned, then a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

The little bitch in white right before me, clearly seeing me cuddling with Fang Chongyong, still dared to come forward and toast—what does that mean?

She can't be here to assassinate, can she?

Jiang Wuyan stared at Fang Chongyong with a wary expression, looking jealous but actually hinting whether to find an excuse to drag Li Jilan out and kill her.

She came here today to keep the scene under control.

To protect Fang Chongyong's safety, guarding against poisoning or assassination, and to handle some matters he cannot attend to himself.

"You go and toast the various Inspectors."

Fang Chongyong instructed Jiang Wuyan with a prearranged line.

"Ah Lang, you're so naughty; I want to keep you company."

Jiang Wuyan laughed, scolded, and cooed while calmly nodding; her cuff brushed Fang Chongyong's cup, already laced with a drug.

"If we drug this little bitch and make her dizzy, I'll examine her; surely we'll find something."

Jiang Wuyan kissed Fang Chongyong's ear and whispered. She then lifted her cup, pretended, and toasted Che Guangqian, who sat closest to Fang Chongyong.

The latter tried to speak, but Jiang Wuyan's eyes, full of vigor, stared warningly, causing a wry smile; he hurriedly lifted his cup and just drank.

Seeing Fang Chongyong so greasy, flirting with the beauty in his arms, kissing and touching, Li Jilan suddenly felt as if a swarm of cockroaches were before her and refused to step forward.

"You, songstress, what's the reason? Will you toast the Jiedushi or not?"

Yan Bojun let out a cold snort, his words tinged with displeasure.

Li Jilan turned back in disbelief, seeing Yan Bojun's face anxious; her cold, hard heart softened considerably.

Enough, enough—today's market only has nameless songstresses selling themselves for fame; there's no talented Li Jilan plying her charms.

"Eh? Where did this beauty come from? Come, come, sit by me! The cushion by me is especially soft! Sitting on it is especially comfortable!"

Fang Chongyong, looking inexplicably excited, patted the soft mat where Jiang Wuyan had been sitting and said to Li Jilan.

Li Jilan cast a helpless glance at Yan Bojun, saw he was also looking at her, and reluctantly sat down.

She lifted her cup and said, "Jiedushi, I look up to your civil and military achievements, and toast you."

Li Jilan was about to drain her cup of fine wine when Fang Chongyong waved his hand, "No, drinking yours is boring; if you want to drink, drink mine. Sharing a cup is what's fun."

Fang Chongyong's gaze kept sweeping over Li Jilan's chest, and he placed his left hand on her supple, boneless‑looking shoulder.

His covetous and lewd intent was laid bare!

"Jiedushi, this…"

Li Jilan felt nauseous, wanting to vomit, and shouted loudly in her mind: "How can such a greasy, despicable man exist in the world!"

You're not without a cup; everyone can just drink their own.

If you make me drink your cup, isn't that drinking your saliva?

How disgusting!

"Miss, today our Jiedushi is in a good mood; whatever you ask, even things he normally wouldn't grant, he'll grant today.

But if you toast and then refuse the penalty wine, ruining our Jiedushi's mood, then the misdeeds he normally wouldn't do will also happen today.

Consider it carefully!"

Che Guangqian, standing nearby, added fuel to the fire, threatening:

"What, drinking a cup with this Jiedushi, and you dare insult him?"

"What's your name, what's your status, who do you hang with?"

Fang Chongyong widened his eyes and questioned, his tone already unfriendly.

At that moment, Lu Yu, carrying a wooden tray laden with many small tea bowls, walked up to the third floor; upon arriving, he saw Fang Chongyong forcing Li Jilan to drink.

He thought to himself that something was wrong, quickly lifted a bowl half‑filled with tea and went forward to persuade:

"Jiedushi, please calm down and have a cup of tea first."

"This tea is no ordinary brew; the water comes from Bianzhou's mountain springs, the leaves are from Jiedushi's favorite Kuizhou cloud mist, the charcoal used is oil‑free, and the tea cakes are specially roasted evenly."

"Anyway, please have a cup first."

Lu Yu's speech was steady and a bit fast, without a stutter; the earlier stammer seemed pretended.

"Tea should be sipped slowly; wine should also be sipped slowly.

You agree, miss?"

Fang Chongyong looked half‑smiling, half‑serious at Li Jilan, completely ignoring Lu Yu as if he were invisible.

Lu Yu helplessly glanced at Li Jilan, then at Yan Bojun on the banquet, and at Liu Changqing standing far away like a guard who could never sit at the table, truly unsure what to say.

"Life's path is chosen by oneself!"

He leisurely stepped aside; he had urged what needed urging, helped what needed help, and some people just can't be stopped from courting death.

What else can be done?

Lu Yu didn't want to say anything more.

Li Jilan turned back and glanced at Yan Bojun, noticing he was nodding toward her.

She forced down her revulsion, lifted Fang Chongyong's cup, gulped a large mouthful, and drained the fine wine in one go!

"Eh! That's right!"

"Come, come, have tea! I heard this is good tea!"

"Um, who are you again? Never mind, it doesn't matter. Just come find me at the Bianzhou Prefectural Office tomorrow!"

Fang Chongyong pointed at Lu Yu and said.

"Thanks, Jiedushi."

Lu Yu crossed his hands in a salute and said, silently sighing that Fang Chongyong's heart was like a clear mirror. He hadn't even spoken, yet the other already knew why he had come.

Fang Chongyong's sturdy arm snatched Li Jilan into his embrace, crudely groping her while pointing at the dishes on the table and saying, "Little beauty, what would you like to eat? This Jiedushi will pick dishes for you!"

Hearing such demeaning words, Li Jilan almost vomited. She pushed forcefully, only to find herself held tightly by Fang Chongyong, unable to move, and thus gave up struggling.

Fang Chongyong deliberately crunched the food loudly next to her ear, his mouth smacking, and Li Jilan felt a chill, as if a huge cockroach were crawling over her face.

Amid the terrifying atmosphere, she felt increasingly drowsy, as if the wine's effect rose, and she leaned softly into Fang Chongyong's arms, unable to care about the nausea.

Seeing Li Jilan dazed, Jiang Wuyan stepped forward, supporting her and said, "Jiedushi, this young lady is drunk; I will carry her to the prefectural office to rest."

"Hmm, go ahead."

Fang Chongyong lifted the tea bowl Lu Yu had brought and drank the tea in one gulp.

He gave Lu Yu a thumbs‑up and said, "Indeed, good tea!"

But Lu Yu had no time for that now!

He knew Li Jilan was usually a drunkard with a high tolerance, so how could she be drunk after one cup? It was obvious someone had tampered with the wine!

Lu Yu kept his composure, followed Jiang Wuyan to the second floor, and blocked her path, saying, "Miss, Li Jilan has been my longtime friend; may I take her back to the inn to rest?"

"Hehe!"

Jiang Wuyan sneered, unwilling to waste words, instantly extended a single hand, grabbed Lu Yu's arm and gave a gentle tug toward her chest, then thrust her waist and forcefully pushed him away!

Lu Yu staggered back dozens of steps, retreating until his back pressed against a pillar, releasing all the force before stopping, his muscles aching as if a tiger had slammed him.

Damn! What kind of force was that!

Lu Yu still felt the aftershock! It was only because the woman in front of him had no murderous intent; had she, that move could have killed outright!

He had previously seen the woman snugly held by Fang Chongyong, as if she had no bones. He hadn't expected that, when no one was around, the force could become so great!

"Don't meddle in matters that aren't yours! Otherwise you won't even know how you die in the future!"

Jiang Wuyan tossed a harsh remark, lifted Li Jilan and left, soon disappearing from Lu Yu's sight.

Upstairs, Fang Chongyong saw Jiang Wuyan already carrying Li Jilan away, and said to everyone at the table, "We've had enough wine; this Jiedushi has other business, so I'll take my leave. You all continue drinking at leisure."

He then rose and left; Feng Changqing, Che Guangqian and others followed him out.

The remaining prefects and Simas were left, with only Yan Bojun's expression wavering.

Beside them, Liu Changqing's mouth curled into a cold sneer.

……

In the study of the Bianzhou Prefectural Office, Fang Chongyong stared at Jiang Wuyan, awaiting her reply.

"Songzhou Prefect Li Jiayou is wealthy and powerful, lecherous and arrogant; he probably doesn't take A Lang seriously in his heart.

When I offered him a toast, he kept staring at the gap in my chest clothing.

However, despite his ambition, he's a frail scholar, never practiced martial arts, his wrists weak and feeble, not worth fearing."

"Caozhou Prefect Li Pengnian has a labored breath, his skin waxen yellow, likely won't survive many years. He's very cautious; when I poured him wine, he never averted his gaze, his fear of A Lang genuine.

But Caozhou is on the front line, and the aged, qi‑depleted Li Pengnian may struggle with great responsibilities."

"Chenzhou Prefect Xue Yuan and Yingzhou Prefect Chen Shu have both commanded troops and practiced martial arts; they exude a sanguine aura.

Especially Chen Shu; I observed his steady gaze at the table, he speaks little, his back always upright, a man of resolute will.

As for Xue Yuan, he is already aged; his blood‑bravery likely waned, better not mention him."

Jiang Wuyan evaluated everyone at the table one by one, except for Bozhou Sima Yan Bojun.

"What about Bozhou Sima Yan Bojun?"

Fang Chongyong knew Jiang Wuyan was seasoned in the jianghu and adept at reading the room, so he asked curiously.

"He, throughout the banquet, was jealous. The woman I drugged was the one he presented."

"At the table he exchanged glances with that flirtatious woman, as if I were blind! I don't believe A Lang didn't notice!"

Jiang Wuyan laughed scoldingly, her face full of disdain.

In other words, Yan Bojun didn't even merit a comment!

"I like you being so straightforward!"

Fang Chongyong laughed heartily, causing Jiang Wuyan's pretty face to flush.

He pulled the charming woman into his arms, whispered in her ear, "Go find Che Guangqian and bring Li Jilan here; there's a good show tonight."

"What good show could there be?"

Jiang Wuyan gave Fang Chongyong a resentful stare.

It's so late already; now it's our turn to play the sticky‑note game in bed, right? What's so interesting about Li Jilan!

Mentioning that flirt, Jiang Wuyan boiled with anger.

"Understood, I shall take care of it now."

Jiang Wuyan let out a light sigh, turned and prepared to leave.

"Human joys and sorrows are more entertaining than male‑female love; miss this village and you'll miss that shop. It's a pity not to watch, so go."

From behind came Fang Chongyong's voice; Jiang Wuyan said nothing, turned around and stuck up her middle finger at him!

Soon after, Che Guangqian arrived at the prefectural office study, cradling the unconscious Li Jilan.

"Jiedushi, I heard there's a good show to watch?"

"Jiedushi, I heard there's a good show to watch?"

Che Guangqian had a gossipy expression; if it weren't for Jiang Wuyan saying there was a good show to watch, he would have thought that tonight Fang Chongyong intended to "favor" Li Jilan.

"Did you get the full story?"

Fang Chongyong asked with a half‑smile, half‑serious expression.

Che Guangqian was startled, then suddenly understood and said, "Oh, oh, oh, now that I've heard the full story, it's truly earth‑shaking and makes ghosts weep!"

He placed Li Jilan on the soft couch in the study, then continued speaking to Fang Chongyong:

"Tonight there are only a few people at the banquet, yet Li Jiayou, Yan Bojun, and that Liu Changqing are all involved with Li Jilan. Of course, these three are all exceptionally talented, and their affairs are consensual."

"Anyway, that's all the information I, your servant, have gathered."

"It's easy to obtain a priceless treasure, but hard to find a loving man."

"Who today can be both affectionate and righteous enough to rescue Li Jilan? I will promote that person to inspector."

Fang Chongyong smiled and said.

"Jiedushi, that cannot be ordered!"

"Yes, Ah Lang, I'm not joking!"

Che Guangqian and Jiang Wuyan were both stunned by Fang Chongyong's suggestion and hurried to object.

"Anyone who harms Li Jilan today will inevitably harm me later. The reverse is equally true. Because the world is chaotic, people's hearts must not become chaotic."

Fang Chongyong sighed lightly, looked at Jiang Wuyan and asked, "If someday you are abducted, could I not risk my life to find that person? Do you still not understand this principle?"

Hearing this, Jiang Wuyan felt a sweet thrill inside, but replied coldly, "If real danger arises, I, your humble servant, am willing to die for Ah Lang; what's so surprising about that?"

"So, what do you think? Do you have any desire? Li Jilan is also a rare beauty."

Fang Chongyong pointed at Li Jilan lying on the soft couch and asked Che Guangqian.

"Stop, stop, stop, Jiedushi, a woman like that is beyond what my frail body can handle."

"Perhaps He Laohu is more suitable for her!"

He Laohu recites poetry with her daily, opening with: "The sea, you are all water; the toad, you have four legs—how beautiful!"

Che Guangqian was terrified, quickly clasped fists in salute to Fang Chongyong, and proposed the "Divert Disaster Water Eastward" plan, fearing he would "grant" Li Jilan to himself.

"What if He Laohu were to crush her to death on the bed—what then?"

Jiang Wuyan looked at Che Guangqian with a teasing question, raised an eyebrow at him, speaking while gesturing.

Che Guangqian broke out in a cold sweat, unsure how to answer, wishing to slip away immediately.

At that moment, outside the door, Feng Changqing knocked and said, "Jiedushi, a man claiming to be Lu Yu wishes to see you; he says he is a friend of Li Jilan."

"Bring him in."

Fang Chongyong said in a deep voice.

Che Guangqian and Jiang Wuyan exchanged a glance, both surprised by the newcomer's identity.

Lu Yu—this is certainly not Li Jilan's bedside companion!

Soon, Lu Yu was led into the study; at a glance he saw Li Jilan lying on the soft couch, her clothes intact, and he couldn't help but exhale in relief.

"Mr. Lu, you're no longer stammering—congratulations!"

Fang Chongyong smiled at Lu Yu and said.

"A little trick you use while away from home does not escape the Jiedushi's scrutiny; it's a sin, a sin."

Lu Yu quickly crossed his arms and saluted, saying.

"You've come for Li Jilan, right?"

Fang Chongyong pointed at Li Jilan on the couch and asked.

"Jiedushi actually despises Jilanzi in his heart, and Jilanzi also finds the Jiedushi vulgar; the two of you look at each other with disgust, it's all a performance—why should the Jiedushi make it hard for her?"

"Perhaps you should set her free."

Lu Yu pleaded.

"Very well, you may take her away now, but this Jiedushi has one condition."

Fang Chongyong said solemnly.

"Jiedushi, please speak."

Lu Yu also put away his flattering expression.

"Tomorrow a wedding will be held; I will act as matchmaker, and all expenses will be counted as the Jiedushi's."

"If you marry Li Jilan as your wife, you may now bring her to your residence. A wife is the husband's principle; a husband protects his wife—this is the constant of human relations."

"If you cannot, I can tell you plainly. Li Jilan is now this Jiedushi's plaything; if you wish to take her, it depends on whether your sword is sharp enough!"

"Tell me, can you marry Li Jilan?"

Fang Chongyong looked into Lu Yu's eyes and asked.

After a long silence, Lu Yu sighed deeply and said, "To repay kindness with resentment, how can one repay resentment?"

He knew that for today it could only end here.

"I think you must have a wife who has endured hardships at home."

"You travel abroad while she manages everything at home."

"If you marry Li Jilan, you will betray her deep affection."

"Mr. Lu, you should still be someone who can discern right from wrong, right?"

"The Jiedushi's words are absolutely correct; I, Lu, will visit again tomorrow."

Lu Yu respectfully performed a bow to Fang Chongyong, then turned and left.

After he left, Fang Chongyong looked at Che Guangqian and Jiang Wuyan and asked:

"Did you see? A person lives in this world by a single breath."

"If that breath is gone, demons and monsters will devour you."

Lu Yu's Qi is still present, but Li Jilan and her lovers' Qi has gone.

"Without Qi in the chest, one is no longer a person."

Hearing this, everyone in the study fell silent.