Chapter 193: The Game at the Wine Table

The Grand Marshal is joking; I'm merely a lowly guard—how dare I meddle in state affairs? Jiang Xiaomu kicked the ball back without changing his expression.

Jiang Xiaomu, you're being too modest; the Bincheng rebellion and the Chancellor's usurpation—you resolved two major threats to His Majesty in a short span, and now His Majesty places even greater trust in you.

Huo Yunsheng still smiled narrowly, as if everything were under his control: 'I don't know whom you would recommend for the Chancellor's post, Lord Jiang.'

You flatter me, sir; how am I qualified to nominate a Chancellor? Such a matter requires the Emperor's decision. Jiang Xiaomu still did not take the bait.

Seeing that Jiang Xiaomu wouldn't budge, Huo Yunsheng stopped beating around the bush.

Lord Jiang, we're both smart—why beat around the bush? You're a favorite of His Majesty; if you were to recommend… Huo Yunsheng gently rubbed the wine cup, his expression thoughtful.

If you help me, I'll guarantee your rise to prominence, endless wealth and honor—how about it?

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly inside; Huo Yunsheng really knows how to make a good calculation.

I appreciate the Grand Marshal's kindness, but I'm too insignificant to be of any help. Jiang Xiaomu politely declined.

Lord Jiang, you need to think this through—this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; miss it, and it's gone forever. Huo Yunsheng's expression finally changed.

My position is only below the Chancellor; I've been loyal to the Emperor all these years, laboring like a dog or horse, and the Chancellorship will likely be mine… All you need to do is whisper a word or two in the Emperor's ear—that wouldn't be meddling in state affairs, would it?

Jiang Xiaomu remained unmoved. 'I understand your good intentions, sir, but I need to consider this carefully; I cannot give an immediate answer.'

Huo Yunsheng's hand clenched tightly under the table, then slowly relaxed; his expression remained unchanged.

Thank you, Lord Jiang; once you've decided, feel free to come to my residence—I'll prepare fine wine and food to welcome you properly.

Seeing that the Grand Marshal intended to see him out, Jiang Xiaomu bowed and said, 'Thank you for tonight's hospitality, Grand Marshal; I'll take my leave now.'

But as Jiang Xiaomu turned to leave, a sudden waft of fragrance came; his vision blurred, and a woman in gauzy attire appeared before him, blocking his path.

'Sir, why rush off? Why not stay and have a drink with me?' the woman cooed, her voice alluring.

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted—when had this woman appeared? He hadn't noticed her at all!

'Who are you?' Jiang Xiaomu asked warily.

The woman covered her mouth and laughed lightly, 'I'm a dancer in this manor, my name is Ru Yan. If you like me, I'll serve you tonight.'

With every smile and frown, a waft of floral scent drifted from her; an ordinary man would surely have sunk into her charms by now.

Saying this, she reached out to take Jiang Xiaomu's hand.

Jiang Xiaomu instinctively tried to dodge, but found his body unable to move!

He was horrified—this woman knew martial arts, and her skill was not low!

'What… what have you done to me?'

The woman smiled even more enchantingly, 'Sir, don't panic—I merely wish to ask you to stay awhile with me.'

'Miss, you jest; I have pressing business and must decline.'

Jiang Xiaomu forced himself to stay calm, struggling to circulate his energy, but felt as helpless as a mud ox in the sea—unable to muster any strength. That fragrance must be a potent poison!

Ru Yan's eyes flickered with a hint of teasing: 'Sir, are you afraid of me? I won't eat you.'

Saying this, she stepped forward, pressing almost against him; a thick perfume of powder and scent assailed him, making his head swim.

'Who… who exactly are you?' Jiang Xiaomu demanded through clenched teeth.

Ru Yan laughed coquettishly, 'Sir, why ask what you already know? Who I am doesn't matter; the important thing is, you won't be leaving tonight.'

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed—Huo Yunsheng, a high-ranking minister of the Imperial Court, actually resorted to such despicable tactics! It seems he has no intention of letting me go easily today.

Just then, a black-clad man rushed in without reporting, hurrying into the guest chamber.

All that could be seen was him whispering something into Huo Yunsheng's ear, after which Huo Yunsheng's expression shifted slightly.

'Ru Yan, release the guest.' Huo Yunsheng waved his hand: 'This is an honored guest of the manor; he must not be slighted!'

Seeing this, the beautiful woman pursed her lips, reluctantly tapped a few points on Jiang Xiaomu's body, unblocking his acupoints; the constraining force on his domineering energy vanished, and his body regained mobility.

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his sore acupoints and coldly stared at Huo Yunsheng: 'Lord Huo, what is the meaning of this?'

Huo Yunsheng put on an apologetic smile, as if nothing had happened: 'Lord Jiang, don't blame me—Miss Ru Yan is headstrong and unaware of etiquette; she offended you, please forgive her.'

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly, 'Headstrong? Unaware of etiquette? I think the Grand Marshal did this on purpose.'

Huo Yunsheng's expression did not change.

'Lord Jiang, you jest; I wouldn't dare. I merely obtained a batch of Western Regions tribute spices recently and wanted you to sample them—who would have thought that this girl Ru Yan would be so rash as to offend you. Bring fine tea to calm Lord Jiang.'

Jiang Xiaomu didn't respond; how quickly Huo Yunsheng changed expression was truly astonishing.

The black-clad man leaned in again to whisper a few words to Huo Yunsheng, and this time Huo Yunsheng's expression turned grim.

'Lord Jiang, today's hospitality was lacking; please forgive me. I still have affairs to attend to in the manor, so I must take my leave.'

Huo Yunsheng bowed with clasped hands, and without waiting for Jiang Xiaomu's reaction, he hastily summoned the steward-like man from earlier: 'You, see Lord Jiang out.'

Before Jiang Xiaomu had gone far, Huo Yunsheng hurried away, and the black-clad man followed close behind, disappearing in a puff of smoke.

Jiang Xiaomu watched the two recede, his doubts deepening. What exactly had happened? It seems the Huo Manor will not be peaceful tonight.

He recalled the System's hint, and felt all the more that he should not linger here.

Thus Jiang Xiaomu hesitated no longer, turned and left.

'How could this be?' Huo Yunsheng's face grew grave; he and the black-clad messenger from earlier had already boarded a carriage, racing through the night.

'Who knows that old traitor Wang Shouren, even after his downfall still wants to bite us—he's trying to drag you down, sir!' the messenger exclaimed urgently.

He is a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and also secretly a retainer of Grand Marshal Huo Yunsheng.

That day he was also part of the squad investigating the Chancellor's residence; Lu Bing led the team searching Wang Shouren's study for a hidden chamber, and amidst many documents he found a statement highly unfavorable to Huo Yunsheng.