Chapter 979

That man was no ordinary figure either; he was the beloved son of Governor Yang Daoquan, Yang Yuanjie. Yang Daoquan could also be considered a prominent figure in Xichuan, having once helped support Li Tianheng, and he still bears the responsibility of guarding Xiezhou. This time, for Li Tianheng's birthday celebration, he specially brought his son along to offer congratulations. Yang Yuanjie, like all aristocratic heirs, has the same flaw: hearing of the fame of Zhong Xiang Lou, he came to see it. Just then he and a few of his subordinates were drinking upstairs, but the sound of Hu Xiaotian and Xiang Qin's finger-guessing disturbed him. In a moment of displeasure he came over to pick a quarrel, never expecting that Xiang Qin would be even more domineering—she actually opened her mouth and cursed. Such a fierce courtesan is truly rare.

Yang Yuanjie, relying on his father's status, had grown accustomed to bullying in Xiezhou; although he had somewhat restrained himself upon arriving in Xizhou, it did not mean he would yield three points of courtesy to a courtesan. Hearing Xiang Qin's insult and seeing her stride toward him with a menacing aura, he was furious to the extreme.

Although the few people in the pavilion felt no fondness for Xiang Qin, let alone any pity or tenderness toward her, seeing someone deliberately come over to provoke them still aroused their anger, especially someone as hot-tempered as Geg. However, since the host today was Xue Shengjing and Xiang Qin's patron was Hu Xiaotian, if they did not step forward, others would naturally find it inconvenient to intervene at this moment. There were originally martial guards around, but they also had to watch the host's expression; if the host remained silent, they would not step forward to intercept.

Xue Shengjing was clearly waiting for Hu Xiaotian's reaction; seeing that Hu Xiaotian seemed as if nothing had happened, sitting steady as a mountain, his expression calm and unchanging.

Seeing this plump lass stride toward him with sleeves rolled up to her elbows, a posture of demanding an explanation, Yang Yuanjie's anger flared even higher. He never expected that a courtesan of Zhong Xiang Lou would dare openly oppose him. He shouted, 'Slut! Asking for a beating!' and raised his right fist to smash it at Xiang Qin's face.

Xiang Qin would not yield either; she likewise threw out a punch to meet his. The two fists collided, emitting only a muffled 'Peng!' Then came a miserable scream; one of them flew backward like a severed paper kite, crashing into the flowerbed behind, where branches and thorns pierced him, causing unbearable pain.

Xiang Qin stood firm where she was; the one sent flying was naturally Yang Yuanjie. She planted her hands on her hips, face full of pride, gritted her teeth and said, 'Your grandmother's, blind as a bat, daring to seek ill fortune with me!' Her aura was mighty and overbearing, leaving everyone stunned.

Hu Xiaotian had long anticipated Xiang Qin's ferocity, so he was the only one among the crowd who felt no surprise. He leisurely took a sip of wine and said to Xue Shengjing, 'Brother, this kind of fist-fight is more exciting.'

Xue Shengjing smiled: 'Your taste is truly unique. This lady's appearance is unlike any other, and her temperament is even more so; she truly deserves to be…' He momentarily could not find a suitable word to describe Xiang Qin.

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Rare delicacies are hard to come by!'

'Haha, not bad. Rare delicacies are hard to come by!' Xue Shengjing laughed heartily.

Only then did Yang Yuanjie's four lackeys come to their senses, seeing their master knocked flying by this woman. If they remained indifferent, they would likely lose their livelihoods, so each rushed forward in fear and haste. Xiang Qin let out a cold snort: 'Courting death!' She charged like a tiger descending the mountain. Her plump, white fists flew up and down, bang bang bang—after just four punches the fight was swiftly over: one was sent flying and caught on a tree branch, another landed on the roof, a third fell into the flowerbed alongside his master, and the fourth plunged with a splash into the pond.

All onlookers stared wide-eyed; this woman was indeed too fierce. The first to react were the musicians, who, as Xiang Qin displayed her divine might and defeated four men in succession, timely accompanied the scene with a rising melody, making the atmosphere lively and celebratory.

Hu Xiaotian raised his cup to the others at the table and said: 'Given this situation, we ought to all drink together!'

Following Hu Xiaotian's urging, everyone drank a cup. At this moment no one still regarded Xiang Qin as an ordinary courtesan. Wanyan Tianyue gazed at her and said: 'Miss, your strength is impressive!'

Xiang Qin laughed: 'You look not bad either! With such a big frame, your strength ought to be considerable.'

Hu Xiaotian urged from the side: 'How about a match?'

Xiang Qin spat: 'Scoundrel, are you just wanting to see me make a fool of myself in public?'

Hu Xiaotian laughed: 'Nowhere, nowhere. When friends gather, it's not easy; we naturally seek some joy. Brother, you agree, right?' He glanced at Xue Shengjing as he spoke.

Xue Shengjing smiled: 'Brother speaks rightly.'

Wanyan Tianyue originally did not want to test strength against a woman; even if he won, it would bring little glory. Yet Xue Shengjing and Hu Xiaotian's back-and-forth left him somewhat torn. Just then Xiang Qin added: 'Hey, big guy, dare you? If not, drink three cups as a forfeit.'

Wanyan Tianyue suddenly rose and said: 'How shall we compete?'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Wrist-wrestling is the fairest!'

After hearing Hu Xiaotian explain the rules, Wanyan Tianyue and Xiang Qin went to a small stone table nearby. Wanyan Tianyue also rolled up his sleeves like Xiang Qin, revealing a black, iron‑cast‑like arm, and said in a deep voice: 'If I lose, what penalty?'

Xiang Qin's small eyes rolled; this was somewhat similar to Xue Shengjing. She pointed to the wine jar on the ground and said: 'The loser shall drink this jar dry.'

Wanyan Tianyue readily nodded: 'Good! One word, set.'

Xiang Qin shook her neck toward Hu Xiaotian and said: 'If I lose, will you drink for me?' She acted coquettish, and everyone nearby got goosebumps.

Hu Xiaotian generously replied: 'Of course!'

At this point Xue Shengjing's interest was fully aroused; he whispered to Hu Xiaotian: 'This woman is truly interesting.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Brother, I see she looks a lot like you—could she be your long‑lost daughter?'

Xue Shengjing was momentarily speechless, cursing inwardly: 'Damn brat, how could I father such a beauty? You're clearly insulting me!' Thinking of his daughter far away in Bohai State, a sudden longing rose in his heart; after learning his daughter was still alive, he began to miss her.

Wanyan Tianyue and Xiang Qin clasped hands; Hu Xiaotian placed their hands in the middle and said: 'I'll give everyone a chance to bet—place your stakes, no take‑backs, using wine as the wager: the winner drinks nothing, the loser must drink.'

Geg laughed heartily: 'Refreshing, little brother Tian, I'll bet one jar of wine on Prince Wanyan's victory!' Although Xiang Qin had just shown extraordinary strength, Wanyan Tianyue was Bohai's famed strongman, and, judging by innate endowment, men generally possess greater strength, so Geg made this choice. This shows he is not a reckless man; he knows how to weigh pros and cons and will not side with Hu Xiaotian merely out of sworn brotherhood.

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed Geg for lacking loyalty, then turned his gaze to the Prince of Nan Yue, Hong Yingtai. Hong Yingtai said: 'I'll pass…' The beauty beside him, clasping his arm and swaying coquettishly, whispered: 'Go on, my lord, place your bet, I want you to bet…' Her soft, alluring words truly stirred imagination, drawing the gazes of all the men present. Hu Xiaotian sighed inwardly, for after all she is a veteran of this trade; her words inevitably invite fantasy.

Hong Yingtai eventually could not resist her urging and also bet on Wanyan Tianyue, three cups of wine, naturally lacking Geg's generous enthusiasm.

When it came to Xue Shengjing's turn, his small eyes shifted; although Wanyan Tianyue's reputation was widespread, this woman seemed even more unfathomable. Seeing how she had cleanly felled five sturdy men earlier, her strength was certainly not ordinary; moreover, Hu Xiaotian had placed his bet on her, and this kid Hu Xiaotian was always crafty, never engaging in a losing trade. Following his lead should therefore be sound. For this reason, Xue Shengjing also placed his bet on Xiang Qin, likewise one jar of wine.

Hu Xiaotian also bet one jar of wine, naturally on Xiang Qin's side. He shouted loudly: 'Bets locked! Begin!' He released the hands of Wanyan Tianyue and Xiang Qin, and the two instantly plunged into a contest where sparks flew.

The muscles on Wanyan Tianyue's arm bulged one by one, clearly he had exerted all his strength. Although Xiang Qin also began to exert force, her plump white arm, thick with fat, showed no visible muscle bulge.

From the outset Wanyan Tianyue had set aside his contempt, knowing Xiang Qin was no easy opponent; yet once they truly clashed, he realized her strength far exceeded his imagination—her arm was like forged iron; no matter how he exerted himself, he could not budge it even a fraction.

Wanyan Tianyue's left hand rested on the stone table for support, allowing him to focus his full strength on his right arm. He turned his wrist, finally pressing Xiang Qin's wrist down a little, but Xiang Qin merely twitched her wrist and immediately returned it to its original position.

Hu Xiaotian delighted, fetched a folding fan and stood behind Xiang Qin to fan her and cheer her on. From the scene, Wanyan Tianyue did not have the upper hand; at this moment his forehead was already beaded with sweat the size of soybeans. Xiang Qin's large, chubby face remained calm and composed, just as usual; she murmured: 'Whether I win or lose makes no difference to me; anyway, if I lose, the gentleman will drink.'

Hu Xiaotian said: 'Such an attitude won't do; we must win, we must win!' Not counting others' bets, if Xiang Qin loses, I will have to drink two jars of wine.

Xiang Qin said: 'Rest assured, with the gentleman's high expectations of me, how could I disappoint!' She exerted a little more force, and her wrist pressed down Wanyan Tianyue's large hand.

Wanyan Tianyue strained against it; the veins on his forehead bulged, and from congestion his face turned crimson.

Hu Xiaotian saw that Wanyan Tianyue was already spent, and could not help laughing heartily. Geg blinked his eyes; only now did he realize how formidable Xiang Qin was, regretting his choice over and over—how could he have placed his bet on Wanyan Tianyue? It turns out Wanyan Tianyue is not so lacking; rather, Xiang Qin's strength is simply too great. (To be continued~^~)