Chapter 63 - How Is She a Lady?
Chapter 63: How Is She a Lady?
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Nangong Shu saw the man, and his gaze became respectful. Nangong Shu was about to introduce him when the man looked over, grinned, and shook his head subtly. The two had known each other for a long time. Each understood the other’s meaning just by looking at his expression. Nangong Shu introduced the man to Su Jiu, “This is Young Master Xiao!”
Su Jiu avoided eye contact and nodded slightly. Her voice was a little weak. “Greetings, Young Master Xiao!”
The man’s expression was cold as he stared unblinking at Su Jiu. He remarked nonchalantly, “Young Master Su, how have you been?”
Nangong Shu froze. “Do you know each other?”
Xiao Lie pursed his thin lips and said suggestively, “We are beyond ‘just knowing each other,’ aren’t we?”
His Highness Liang stepped forward, looking impressed with Su Jiu. He chuckled and said, “Young Master Su is really handsome!”
Nangong Bi took a step forward to block Su Jiu, snorting coldly at His Highness Liang, “Young Master Su is my friend. Keep your filthy thoughts to yourself!”
Liang Wenzhuo was a famous playboy in Shengjing, and he seduced men and women indiscriminately. He had many concubines and male playthings in his manor. If young boys or girls without much of a background caught his eye, it was generally impossible to escape his claws.
At Nangong Bi’s blunt words, embarrassment flashed across Liang Wenzhuo’s face. He chuckled awkwardly and said, “Miss Bi’er has misunderstood. Why would I bully your friend?” Hurriedly, he changed the subject. “Since everyone is here, waiter, serve the food and wine, quickly!”
“Yes!” the waiter answered from outside the door and ran downstairs.
When the crowd was seated, Su Jiu saw that the group, including His Highness Liang, was very respectful to the man with the last name Xiao. They let him sit first.
“Young Master Su, come and sit next to me!”
Liang Wenzhuo pulled Su Jiu over, motioning to sit down. Su Jiu did not know who His Highness Liang was, and she wondered why he was so enthusiastic about her. Nangong Bi’s eyebrows knit together, and she raised his hand to slap Liang Wenzhuo’s hand away. Suddenly, Xiao Lie’s arm crossed over and pulled Su Jiu toward the seat to his left.
He declared firmly, “Sit here!”
Nangong Bi took the chance to sit on Su Jiu’s left, saying with a smile, “I’ll sit next to Young Master Su!”
The three of them squeezed out Liang Wenzhuo. Liang Wenzhuo smiled awkwardly but didn’t dare sit next to Nangong Bi. He hurriedly gave way to Nangong Shu and sat on Xiao Lie’s right. Several others also sat down, one after another.
“Although we are all in Shengjing, it’s rare to get together. First, a toast to Rui, Young Master!” said Liang Wenzhuo.
Although Liang Wenzhuo was lecherous, he was also a thoughtful person. Knowing that Xiao Lie did not want to reveal his identity, he immediately changed his way of addressing him. Everyone understood and raised their glasses. Su Jiu also raised her glass but was blocked by Xiao Lie’s hand.
He remarked casually, “If you can’t drink it, don’t!”
“Who says I can’t drink!” Su Jiu smiled. She could drink this group under the table, so she gulped it down.
“Bravo, Young Master Su!” His Highness Liang smiled and praised. He then ordered, “Hurry up and refill Young Master Su’s cup!”
The waitress immediately came forward and filled Su Jiu’s cup. Subsequently, everyone’s cups were filled with wine. Xiao Lie peeked at the woman out of the corner of his eye and frowned slightly at her wine-colored pink lips. Liang Wenzhuo could not help but glance at Su Jiu. Nangong Bi glared at him a few times before he restrained himself.
“Since I have made Young Master Su’s acquaintance, this must be the date. Let me toast you again, Young Master Su!” Liang Wenzhuo raised his glass to Su Jiu.
Nangong Bi giggled gently, but when she spoke, there were thorns in her words. “Your Highness Liang has always been arrogant. When did you become so polite to the common people?”
Liang Wenzhuo exasperatedly raised his eyebrows. “Miss Bi’er, I haven’t offended you lately, have I? Why are you always after me?”
“So long as you provoke my friend, I don’t want anything to do with you!” Nangong Bi snorted indignantly.
“Bi’er!” Nangong Shu reprimanded. “Don’t be rude to His Highness!”
“Oh well! Since I can’t afford to offend you, I can avoid you!” Liang Wenzhuo laughed and looked at Nangong Shu. “Brother Nangong, I’ll be honest. I invited you to today’s banquet to ask you for something.”
Finally, he’s revealing his crafty fox tail and giving himself away! Nangong Bi snorted coldly, then put some food in Su Jiu’s bowl. “Ignore them!”
Nangong Shu looked up, his expression was cold and calm. “Your Highness Liang, what’s the matter?” he asked.
“It’s not a big deal!” Liang Wenzhuo chuckled. “My third wife’s second brother, who is in the Imperial Army and happens to be under Brother Nangong’s command, made a little mistake a few days ago. He was detained in prison and caned. Can I ask Brother Nangong to show mercy and give the order to release my brother-in-law?”
Nangong Shu’s expression remained unchanged; it was as if he had expected this. He replied casually, “I’m afraid to disappoint Your Highness. My deputy general has acted according to military law. Even I can’t do anything about it!”
Deputy General Mu Jingyun had told him two days ago that the second brother of Liang Wenzhuo’s third concubine was a somewhat higher-ranked soldier in the Imperial Army. He’d gone out a few days ago on a mission, and, on his way back, got drunk and raped a girl. The girl’s parents had come to the barracks looking for him. However, he’d wanted to kill them so no one would find out. Fortunately, Mu Jingyun had found him first and given him five blows of the cane then thrown him into the army’s prison.
Then, suddenly, Liang Wenzhuo had invited him to a banquet. He’d even said that His Highness Prince Rui would be there. Nangong Shu had guessed immediately that the invitation was extended because of the incident. Sure enough, they hadn’t even drunk three rounds of wine before Liang Wenzhuo lost his patience and mentioned it.
Hearing Nangong Shu’s refusal, Liang Wenzhuo’s expression turned dark, but he didn’t dare lose his temper on the spot. Although his father was a second-grade Marquis, the Nangong family had VIP status in Daliang Country—they came from generations of generals. The West Guard Great General was renowned for his firm and cold-blooded personality. If the general refused to accommodate, even intervention from Nangong Shu’s father would be useless.
Thinking of his concubine sobbing daintily, Liang Wenzhuo was unwilling to give up. He looked at Xiao Lie and pleaded, “Your Highness Rui, please put in a good word for me!”
Xiao Lie’s handsome face was solemn, and it was difficult to distinguish his emotions. He only remarked indifferently, “We will not talk about business today.”
This is a refusal! Liang Wenzhuo didn’t bring it up again. He just smiled stiffly and said, “Yes, yes. Today, we drink! Come on, fill the young masters’ cups!”
Instruments played in the room, ringing with melodious music. Servant girls came forward to pour the wine, restoring the relaxing atmosphere. The other two men Liang Wenzhuo had invited coaxed people to drink and make merry. Su Jiu drank a few glasses of wine but did not feel intoxicated. However, she had an urge to pee. Just as she was about to get up, someone suddenly caught her wrist.
In profile, the man looked cold and elegant. He glanced at the wine glass in his hand, then swept his gaze to Su Jiu and whispered, “What are you going to do? Want to run again?”
Liang Wenzhuo was toasting Nangong Shu, while Nangong Bi was watching the ladies sing with interest. The others were talking and laughing, so no one noticed the two’s movements. Su Jiu tried to twist her wrist out of his grasp but didn’t succeed. She had to pretend to be calm as she insisted, “I have to pee!”
Xiao Lie gripped his glass tighter, almost crushing the white jade cup. His gaze softly moved over the girl’s calm face, and his eyes could not help falling on her chest. He wondered whether he’d sensed something wrong with her last time. She drank wine in large gulps and was full of profanity. She behaved very much like a man. How is she a lady?
However, as soon as Su Jiu mentioned peeing, the man remembered: Last time he’d been tricked! The expression on his handsome face clouded, and he exerted more force on the hand holding Su Jiu’s wrist. He gritted his teeth, then spat on the ground.
“Should we settle the score?”
Su Jiu raised her eyebrows, innocently, and answered, “How do you want to settle it? Otherwise, you can go to the toilet and ask me to wait for you outside. Then you can sneak away.”
Xiao Lie said, “…”
“Don’t be cheeky!” retorted Su Jiu.
The man’s expression was frustrated as he stole a side-eyed glance at her. Su Jiu shut up and looked down, silent.