Qi Qingyao asked, “What were their expressions like when they learned that you’re still alive?”
“Some were pleasantly surprised, but some were also disappointed.” Heir Pei would not say that much to anyone else normally, but he somehow really wanted to tell Qi Qingyao the truth. He said, “Someone also asked me indirectly about the heavenly physician who healed me.”
“Did you tell them who it was?” Qi Qingyao asked.
Heir Pei could not help but laugh. “Why would I? They wouldn’t believe me if I told them, anyway.”
“Oh.”
Heir Pei left after visiting for a short while. Before he left, he looked at the man who was wearing the Ox-head mask. Curiosity filled him, but he did not force the man to remove his mask.
Everyone was too tired, so they did not go out that afternoon. They sat down and drank tea before Li Qing called Qi Qingyao over.
He said that the Heir wanted to tell her something.
When Qi Qingyao went over, Heir Pei said, “The Jiang family in Qingzhou City is related to Master Jiang, the Minister helming the Ministry of Punishments—Old Man Jiang is Master Jiang’s uncle. The Jiang family will be entertaining guests tomorrow. Half of Qingzhou City will be attending, including me. Do you want to go? We can go together if you want, have a meal together before the event.”
“Which Jiang? Jiang as in “river”, or Jiang as in “ginger”?” Jiang Bai’s name, or rather Jiang Chenye’s, surfaced in Qi Qingyao’s mind.
“The latter!” Was that supposed to be what she focused on? What in the world did she devote her attention to?
Attending a party at the Jiang family house?
About that…
Qi Qingyao gestured for Heir Pei to pause awhile. “Wait a second, I gotta discuss this with the kids first.”
“What’s there to discuss?” Heir Pei was bemused.
He found banquets like this boring and tiring. With his current condition, he should be resting in his home despite the fact that he had arrived in Qingzhou City. Banquets and social events like this were extremely taxing. However, if Qi Qingyao went with him, he would have someone he knew with him, and he could while his time away in a more favorable way. If she did not want to go, Heir Pei did not want to, either. He thought, ‘I should just refuse the invitation.’
“Just wait for me,” Qi Qingyao said, as she dashed back to the guest room.
After she closed the door, she had Jiang Yeqian and Si Jin sit down before asking, “The Heir invited us to a banquet held at the Jiang family estate. Do you think we should go?”
“You’re asking me?” Jiang Yeqian raised a brow. He had not expected her to ask.
Qi Qingyao said humbly, “You know more than me, so I asked you. If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine.”
Si Jin appeared to listen attentively as well.
When stared at by two pairs of eyes, Jiang Yeqian said slowly, “This banquet the Jiang family holds will definitely be attended by half of the powerful and wealthy in Qingzhou. Everyone will attend not for the food, but to meet and get to know some friends at the banquet. If you want to go just for the food, that’s fine too. But you have to think carefully. We entered Qingzhou together with the Heir, and now we’re living in his home. Tomorrow morning, if you go together with him, how will he introduce you?”
“As a friend?” Qi Qingyao ventured.
Jiang Yeqian said derisively, “So Heir Pei will bring a friend with him, and this female friend has three children. This alone is enough for them.”
“So something will definitely happen then,” Qi Qingyao said moodily.
“More than just ‘happen’,” Jiang Yeqian said slowly. “There are some establishments here in Qingzhou City that specialize in gathering information. From what I see, those people who are “concerned” about Heir Pei will have already noticed you. Heir Pei has treated you well recently, and you visited his house once.”
“I’m so ordinary though…” Qi Qingyao’s voice became softer and softer.
