Chapter 22

Spring in the Arms

The candlelight flickered in the room, accompanied by fine wine and delicious food, filling the space with luxury. Xie Que Shan had his hair tied with a jade crown and was dressed in a wide robe for the banquet. The robe was white with cloud patterns, and the collar and cuffs were embroidered with green bamboo, making him appear even more handsome and upright, his demeanor open and expansive.

Nanyi, who was accustomed to seeing Xie Que Shan in dark, formal attire, stern and serious, now saw him at the banquet, smiling and chatting, as though he were just a graceful young nobleman, making her a little dazed.

Their gazes met unexpectedly.

Nanyi was so startled that she almost trembled and spilled the wine from the tray. Thankfully, she quickly regained her composure and made no noise.

Xie Que Shan’s gaze lingered on the courtesans for only a moment, without any further reaction.

Chapter 23: Spring in the Arms

Nanyi thought to herself that, since her tassel veil covered most of her face, she might still hide her appearance. She felt a flicker of hope and lowered her head, hiding behind the colorful courtesans. She glanced briefly at the banquet.

At the table were Xie Que Shan, Gu Sha, and several Qi military officers. Xie Zhu was seated a little farther from the others, his hands bound behind his back. His back was straight, and his eyes were wide with anger, but he couldn’t speak; he had likely been drugged to prevent him from doing so.

Earlier, she had heard many rumors about Xie Zhu, claiming that he had joined Qi. Nanyi couldn’t be sure of their truth, but now, seeing him in this situation, she realized that even scholars could possess a backbone. Despite being in a dangerous position, he was unafraid, unlike herself, who would have knelt instantly under such pressure.

What Qi had done to her uncle was a move to dishonor him, a cruel psychological attack, and it angered Nanyi. However, Qi held absolute power in Lidou Prefecture, and despite her desire to save her uncle, now was not the right time.

Xie Zhu’s position was very delicate. He sat near an open window, and if someone were to rescue him, this position would provide the easiest escape route. However, in Nanyi’s eyes, it seemed more like a trap to lure people in.

If Xie Sui’an was prepared, she could be hiding outside the window, waiting for the right moment to act.

But Qi’s ambushes must be nearby too!

Gu Sha waved his hand and signaled the courtesans to take their seats, laughing, “Make sure you serve Xie Zhi Jian well. Let all the corrupt scholars in the city see that with our Qi’s care, Zhi Jian is living a luxurious life, eating and drinking well, carefree.”

Xie Zhu’s expression was full of rage, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

The courtesans, in groups of two or three, skillfully took their seats next to the guests. Nanyi was about to approach Xie Zhu to take the seat by the window, but she was called out.

“Come here—” Xie Que Shan casually called for a courtesan, and coincidentally, he pointed to Nanyi. He lowered his eyes and indicated with his wine glass, “Pour the wine.”

Nanyi had planned to move toward the window to pass a message to Xie Sui’an, but Xie Que Shan’s interruption made that impossible. She had no doubt that she had been recognized. Her life was likely in danger, and rescuing Xie Sui’an seemed impossible.

Reluctantly, she moved to sit next to Xie Que Shan and poured wine for him.

When the cup was filled, Xie Que Shan didn’t take the wine but gave her a cold, subtle glance.

Nanyi was confused. She scanned the room and saw that the other courtesans had already nearly leaned into the guests, feeding wine and serving food with great attention.

Feeling out of place, Nanyi reluctantly picked up the wine cup and, trying to blend in, awkwardly brought it to Xie Que Shan’s mouth.

Xie Que Shan cooperated and opened his mouth to drink, his expression still calm.

Drink, and drink to death—Nanyi sensed he was mocking her, feeling both angry and helpless. She decided to give up and put more force into her hand, pushing the cup closer to his mouth.

Xie Que Shan was suddenly overwhelmed by the wine, choking and coughing several times.

Seeing him in such a state, Nanyi felt a small sense of revenge. Just as she was about to pull back her hand, Xie Que Shan grabbed her wrist and coldly stared at her, “Little miss, are you afraid of me? Your hand is shaking so much.”

Nanyi struggled to pull her hand away, putting on a pitiful expression, “Sir, please don’t tease me. I just feel a little cold... It’s winter, can I go close the window?”

Xie Que Shan stared at the jade bracelet on her wrist. He didn’t let go but instead used his strength to pull her toward him, causing her to fall into his arms.

“Little miss, are you upset with me for not cherishing you?”

Laughter echoed in the hall. Nanyi felt herself crashing into a warm embrace, his breath enveloping her. Her mind went blank, and when she looked up, she found his face only inches away.

It looked like a recently shaved face, with a barely visible shadow of stubble on his chin. At this close range, she could see every detail clearly. She felt a strange awkwardness, but at the same time, he seemed more real, more human.

His long fingers loosely held her waist, and she could feel his warmth through his palm. Nanyi was in a daze, her thoughts scattered, with colorful flashes racing through her mind. Even her breath became irregular.

Sitting on his lap, she felt like she might fall at any moment. She instinctively grabbed his sleeve to steady herself.

Xie Que Shan remained composed, a hint of mockery on his face. He lifted his chin toward the dishes on the table.

“Feed me,” he ordered, adopting the attitude of someone accustomed to such situations.

Since she had to play along, Nanyi threw herself into it. She picked up the chopsticks, grabbing whatever was on the table and placing it into his mouth. Only then did she notice the table was full of all sorts of rare and exotic foods, honey-roasted delicacies, so many she couldn’t keep track of. Despite the awkwardness, she couldn’t help but swallow her own saliva.

Every little reaction she had was noticed by him, though he showed no outward reaction.

One of the courtesans teased, “Why is it that you’re so biased, sir? I’m sitting at the windy side, and I’m cold too.”

Xie Que Shan raised his eyebrows, indifferent, “Then go close the window.”

The courtesan, feeling embarrassed, got up to close the window, but in that instant, Nanyi became clear-headed—if someone else closed the window, she would lose her only chance to communicate with Xie Sui’an.

At that moment, Xie Sui’an was hiding just outside the eaves, observing the situation inside the room.

With the Qi people and Xie Que Shan inside, though it would be difficult, if she acted quickly to take her uncle, she could still handle it.

Her inside informant at Huachao Pavilion had already put something in the wine, and once the wine had passed through three rounds, it would be the moment to act.

But she didn’t know that the informant had already been subdued by Qi, and there was no drug in the wine. The situation was more dangerous than she imagined—there were ambushes everywhere in Huachao Pavilion.

If Nanyi didn’t pass the message to Xie Sui’an soon, she would be trapped like a fish in a net.

Just as the courtesan was about to close the window, Nanyi suddenly screamed in panic, “Ah—someone’s outside the window!”

While crying out, Nanyi quickly threw her arms around Xie Que Shan’s neck, pretending to be scared as she buried her head in his chest, all the while making sure he couldn’t move, giving the person outside more time to escape.

Besides Xie Zhu, Xie Queshan was nearest the window. Hu Sha, who had been sitting by the door, immediately went to the window and peered out. There was no one to be seen outside.