Translator: Myuu Editor: Myuu
The steeds and carriages of both the Pingxi Prefectural Governor, Ye Tiancheng, and the Military Governor of Pingxi Prefecture arrived outside the Chu Manor almost at the same time: fifteen minutes past seven o’clock at night. Not many people followed the both of them to attend this banquet. Huangfu Qianqi brought only two bodyguards with him while Ye Tiancheng brought a few more people — an entourage of less than six, including the coachman.
Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie were ordered by Sun Bingchen to welcome both guests at the manor’s entrance.
At this hour, the sky had only turned dark.
“Greetings, Prefectural Governor!” Huangfu Qianqi bowed to Ye Tiancheng first as soon as he got off his steed.
“Hahaha, so the Military Governor has arrived too. What good timing, let’s go in together then…!” When Ye Tiancheng who had just exited the horse carriage saw Huangfu Qianqi, he laughed and assumed an amiable expression while making his way toward the manor’s main entrance with Huangfu Qianqi; their entourage following behind them.
Upon seeing both of them stop at the manor’s entrance, Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie who were waiting at the entrance immediately went up to them. After bowing to them both in succession according to the bureau etiquette, both of them led the way inside in front of the two guests.
“You must be Yan Liqiang, whom the Patrol Inspector took a fancy to, right? Not bad, you are indeed an outstanding individual!” When they entered the manor, Ye Tiancheng watched the way Yan Liqiang was leading the way and started praising him loudly. “The Patrol Inspector indeed has a sharp pair of eyes. He has only stayed a few days in Pingxi City and he has already snatched away one of the talented individuals from my Pingxi Prefecture. What a pity! If only I met you earlier, Liqiang, the Patrol Inspector wouldn’t even have had such an opportunity. Don’t you think so too, Military Governor?”
“The people whom the Patrol Inspector have taken a fancy to naturally have promising talent!” Huangfu Qianqi responded humbly.
“I am flattered, sirs. I am only lucky to be given a chance to study by Lord Sun’s side…” Yan Liqiang pretended to be fearful. Being reunited once again with Huangfu Qianqi and Ye Tiancheng in his current position this time felt different for Yan Liqiang. This was the so-called wonders of fate. However, he was still putting on the facade of a naive youth.
“Hmm, serve Lord Sun well from now on. With his support in the future, achieving your goals will be a cinch. However, by that time, do not forget the fact that you grew up in Pingxi Prefecture, Liqiang. Your elders, relatives, and friends in your hometown at Pingxi Prefecture will miss you dearly…” Ye Tiancheng’s heartfelt words were meaningful, filled with expectations, and sounded exactly like the words of a ‘leading figure’. Yan Liqiang naturally nodded earnestly as he listened.
While talking, Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie had already led Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi through a courtyard. A group of Sun Bingchen’s honor guards was busy loading stuff on the horse carriages in the courtyard.
“Liqiang, is Lord Sun leaving soon?” Ye Tiancheng asked casually.
“Yes. He has already informed us to pack up and be prepared to leave tomorrow…” Yan Liqiang cast a glance at Liang Yijie, then responded truthfully.
“Lord Sun has indeed worked hard during his stay in Pingxi Prefecture…” Ye Tiancheng smiled.
After walking some distance, Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi’s entourages were directed to the side hall to take a break and enjoy a meal. Yan Liqiang and Liang Yijie continued guiding both of them toward the main hall in the manor. Not long after that, the four of them finally arrived at the main hall and saw Sun Bingchen standing at the entrance. He was looking in their direction with a smile. Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi quickly walked forward and bowed toward their superior.
“Greetings, Lord Sun!”
“Greetings, Lord Sun!”
“Hahaha, this is not the first time we have met. There’s no need for formalities!” Sun Bingchen waved his hand, then spoke to Liang Yijie indifferently. “There’s no need for you to stay here, Yijie. You may go check up on the rest to make sure that they are properly packing up our things. Just Liqiang alone here will do!”
“Understood, sir!” Liang Yijie bowed to Sun Bingchen before he excused himself.
“This way please!”
“After you, Lord Sun!”
After being courteous with each other, Sun Bingchen, Ye Tiancheng, and Huangfu Qianqi entered the main hall.
Sun Bingchen sat in the main seat inside the main hall while Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi sat on either side of him. As Sun Bingchen’s personal attendant, Yan Liqiang stood two meters behind him, next to a screen. He remained standing respectfully as he waited for Sun Bingchen’s orders that could come at any time.
With the commencement of the banquet, the servants in the manor served the dishes which had been prepared in just the blink of an eye. Standing beside Sun Bingchen, Ye Tiancheng, and Huangfu Qianqi were beautiful maids who were in charge of pouring wine for them. The atmosphere in the hall was relaxing and harmonious.
Sun Bingchen lifted his wine cup, and Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi followed suit.
Sun Bingchen looked emotional. “I recall my last visit to Gan Province was twenty-seven years ago. During the time, I was accompanying Lord Gu Hongzhang, a high official from the Ministry of War who had to visit Gan Province to inspect the armaments of the border military. I didn’t expect that the next time I visit Gan Province would be twenty-seven years later. Over these twenty-seven years, Gan Province underwent great changes. Once a land ravaged by wars, it is now surrounded by city walls with fertile lands which stretch on for thousands of li, while us, the Chinese, has also fully settled down in Gan Province. As a Patrol Inspector, I was truly relieved when I toured around over these days. Please allow me to apologize with this cup of wine for waiting until today to witness such magnificence!”
As soon as Sun Bingchen finished his opening speech, he downed the wine in his wine cup with a single gulp. When Ye Tiancheng and Huangfu Qianqi saw that, both of them also downed the wine in their cups. The banquet today officially commenced with this toast.
After Ye Tiancheng finished the wine in his cup, the maid beside him poured him another cup. He lifted his cup and seized the opportunity to speak. “And of course, the magnificence of Gan Province is inseparable from the great support of everyone in the imperial court, including the blood and sweat of our courageous officers and soldiers in the province. Hence, I would like to propose this second cup of wine as a toast to everyone in the imperial court and the officers and soldiers in the province!”
“Hahaha, that is indeed a good suggestion, Lord Ye! The second cup of wine will be a toast to everyone in the imperial court and also the officers and soldiers in the province!” Sun Bingchen laughed heartily.
…
Although Yan Liqiang was not sitting on the table, he also felt inspired by watching the three of them toast to each other with fervor in the main hall as a spectator at the side.
Among the three of them, Huangfu Qianqi had the lowest rank. Therefore, he spoke the least. If he was not spoken to, he wouldn’t speak up that much on his own accord. He was mostly just responding at the side. Sun Bingchan was controlling the overall situation while Ye Tiancheng followed along. The atmosphere in the hall appeared to be extremely harmonious.
After seven rounds of toasts and three courses of dishes, about an hour had passed and the food on the table had completely cooled down. The sky outside was already completely dark.
Unbeknownst to anyone, Liang Yijie appeared at the main hall’s entrance when the atmosphere in the dining hall was at its peak. He had personally sent people to serve another round of freshly prepared dishes.
“Why have you come, Yijie?” Sun Bingchen asked Liang Yijie.
“Sir, the stuff we will bring with us tomorrow have been packed. I am here to see if you have any other orders for me!” Liang Yijie bowed.
“As long as they are packed, then that’s good. You may leave!” Sun Bingchen smiled at him.
Although others might feel that nothing was out of the ordinary by listening to their conversation, to Yan Liqiang who had stayed many days by Sun Bingchen’s side, he couldn’t shake off the strange feeling of seeing Liang Yijie personally reporting to Sun Bingchen over trivial matters like this. Liang Yijie was a rather aloof person. He was very rarely involved in trivial matters like this, let alone personally coming in to report to Sun Bingchen.
Yan Liqiang carefully observed the expression on Liang Yijie’s face again only to find out that he seemed to be normal. However, his composure was filled with unusual coldness and tenacity.
Yan Liqiang suddenly felt nervous out of the blue while he listened to the conversation between Liang Yijie and Sun Bingchen.
“Understood!”
The moment Liang Yijie turned around and passed by Ye Tiancheng, he suddenly launched a surprise attack. The gleam of his sword suddenly flashed from his waist toward Ye Tiancheng who was at the side…
