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Chapter 445 - Chapter 445: A toast
Chapter 445 - Chapter 445: A toast
Chapter 445: A toast
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xiao Juan briefly introduced Cheng Qi’s situation.
This person was the legitimate son of the famous Cheng family in Jingzhou.
His grandfather was the famous cabinet minister, Ye Zhaohai.
Yu Niaoniao had a deep impression of Ye Zhaohai. He was the oldest, most senior, and most irritable in the cabinet.
Back then, Xiao Juan was ordered to investigate the anti-government poetry case. Although he had already found out the truth, he was questioned by Ye Zhaohai.
This elder had a deep prejudice against Xiao Juan. He often impeached Xiao Juan and strongly advocated the abolition of the Justice Department and all the Eagle Guards.
For this, he had won the support of many people in the court.
Yu Niaoniao frowned at the thought of that old man.
“Could Cheng Qi be as difficult to deal with as his grandfather?”
Xiao Juan said calmly, “No, Cheng Qi has been pampered since he was young. He’s a playboy who only knows how to eat, drink, and have fun. He never cares about politics. Although he’s the consort, he doesn’t have an official position. Don’t worry too much about him.” Yu Niaoniao did not understand.
“Why did Princess Ni Yang marry such a person?”
Xiao Juan explained, “This is a marriage arranged by the emperor. Moreover,
Cheng Qi’s appearance is very outstanding and suits Princess Ni Yang’s taste.”
Realization dawned on Yu Niaoniao. As long as his face was good-looking, nothing else mattered.
After dinner, the group found an inn in the town.
Because there were many of them, they booked the entire inn.
Yu Niaoniao specially chose a suite. There were two small bedrooms in the suite. She and Xiao Juan occupied one each. This way, Xiao Juan did not have to sleep on the floor at night.
When the local gentry heard that Duke Lang was here, they came to visit. They even held a banquet in the best restaurant in the town and warmly invited Duke Lang and the others to the banquet.
Xiao Juan had never liked to socialize, but he was here with a mission this time.
He had to find out where the stolen silver had gone.
These squires had lived here for a long time and should be very familiar with the situation here. Perhaps he could uncover some clues from them.
Hence, Xiao Juan accepted the invitation.
In the evening, he brought Yu Niaoniao to the banquet.
Yu Niaoniao heard footsteps behind her and turned around. When she saw that it was Wei Liao, she could not help but ask, “What are you doing here?”
Wei Liao pulled an invitation from his sleeve and waved it in front of her with a smug smile.
“That group of squires invited me too. I was bored, so I went to join in the fun.”
Yu Niaoniao was suspicious, but she did not ask further.
After getting into the carriage, Yu Niaoniao said to Xiao Juan.
“Why do I feel like Wei Liao is following us?”
Along the way, no matter where she and Xiao Juan went, Wei Liao would follow them.
At first, she thought that he had nothing better to do and deliberately came to argue with her to kill time. However, as time passed, she could not help but suspect something.
Previously, when she had asked Wei Liao in person if he was following them, Wei Liao mocked and denied it.
This time, she did not ask directly, but the suspicion in her heart did not dissipate.
Xiao Juan’s expression was indifferent. “This should be his mission.”
Yu Niaoniao said, “Is his mission to follow us? Who gave him the mission?”
“There’s only one person in this world who can give the Sky Wolf Guards a mission.”
Hearing this, the old emperor’s face immediately appeared in Yu Niaoniao’s mind and she could not help but blurt out. “It’s the emperor! But why?”
Xiao Juan slowly explained his guess.
“Back then, the emperor sent me to escort Prince Min and his son to Liaodong
County. He hinted that I would get rid of Prince Min and his son on the way.”
“However, in the end, Prince Min and his son arrived in Liaodong safely. I did not do as the emperor expected.”
This matter must have left a knot in his heart.
“The emperor was afraid that I would be disobedient like last time, so he specially asked Wei Liao to keep an eye on me.”
Realization dawned on Yu Niaoniao.
What did he mean by asking Wei Liao to protect Duke Lang? It turned out that he wanted Wei Liao to monitor Duke Lang.
This old emperor’s need for control was really abnormally strong!
Seeing Xiao Juan’s calm expression, Yu Niaoniao could not help but ask, “Did you already guess Wei Liao’s true motive?”
Xiao Juan nodded slightly. “Yes.”
Yu Niaoniao gritted her teeth. “Wei Liao is indeed up to no good. To think he still has the cheek to say that he’s here to protect us. Shameless liar!”
The carriage stopped at the entrance of the restaurant. Xiao Juan and Yu Niaoniao alighted one after another.
The squires had already prepared the food and wine. They even carefully arranged a song and dance performance.
There was fine wine and delicacies, and the sound of music. Beauties danced.
The scene could be said to be very lively.
The squires raised their glasses and toasted Duke Lang.
Xiao Juan’s stomach was not good. Usually, if it was not necessary, he would not drink at all. However, at the dining table, drinking was the best way to let people relax.
He picked up his glass and drained it.
Everyone cheered in unison and praised Duke Lang for his amiable personality.
Yu Niaoniao looked worried.
She picked up some food and placed it in Xiao Juan’s bowl, letting him eat something to fill his stomach.
Drinking on an empty stomach was bad for the body.
In the eyes of the squires, they immediately seized the opportunity and began to praise the love between Duke Lang and the Princess Consort crazily. Then, they toasted again.
Seeing that Xiao Juan was about to drink again, Yu Niaoniao was anxious.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Wei Liao eating and watching a good show. An idea came to her and she immediately said in an exaggerated tone, “Don’t just toast my Duke Lang. Don’t leave Vice General Wei behind! Not only is he the adopted son of Eunuch Wei, but he is also a popular person in front of the emperor. Because he is capable and loyal, he is very important to the emperor.”
“Previously, the Chen Nation’s diplomatic mission had come to the capital and sent many beauties. The emperor had even specially chosen two beauties to give to Vice General Wei. It’s obvious how much the emperor liked him.
Everyone, why aren’t you toasting him?”
Wei Liao, who was gloating, was speechless.
He saw everyone’s gazes on him, and the smile on his face stiffened.
Why were they looking at him? He was not interested in drinking with a group of men!
The squires had originally thought that Wei Liao was just an ordinary official from the capital. They did not expect him to be the emperor’s trusted aide.
They immediately gathered around Wei Liao like dogs seeing bones and fought to toast him.
Wei Liao tried to lie that he was not feeling well and could not drink.
Yu Niaoniao immediately exposed his lie.
“Vice General Wei has always been in good health. I saw you drink during lunch today. How can you not drink? Don’t stand on ceremony. Don’t let down everyone’s kindness.”
Wei Liao deliberately spoke in a meaningful tone, “The County Princess even saw that I drank at noon. It seems that you’re very concerned about me. You’re actually secretly paying attention to me.”
Yu Niaoniao replied generously, “That’s right. After all, you were specially sent by the emperor to protect us. The emperor trusts you so much. Your status is so important, so His Highness and I are naturally very concerned about you.” Her words also had a deeper meaning. Only Wei Liao and Xiao Juan understood what she meant..