Chapter 152
Book 14 Chapter 06 – Campfire Banquet
The east sh.o.r.e of River Jing is an unending wilderness for hundreds of miles. With occasional hills, thick forests and small streams, it is a hunter’s dream come true.
Even with ten thousand hunters threading on the plains, they looked like small animals from the bird’s eye view. In an instant, everyone was split apart as they began hunting for animals.
Xiao Pan’s hunting party is the largest as it includes Zhu Ji’s party as well as other members of the royal family. They did not partic.i.p.ate in the hunt directly but were leisurely standing near the river bank and admiring the activities.
Lu Buwei led Xiang Shaolong up a small hill and they looked down at the hunting dogs chasing and barking at a prey while Xiao Pan, w.a.n.g Ben, the Changping Brothers and a group of palace guards chasing behind them. He joyfully remarked: "I have spoken to Empress. During the campfire banquet later, she will personally announce the marriage of you and Niang Rong."
Xiang Shaolong is full of admiration at his convincing acting skills.
Lu Buwei asked: "You should be agreeable, right?"
Xiang Shaolong plainly replied: "I am only concerned that I am not good enough for her."
Lu Buwei chortled: "I have always been appreciative of your humbleness. When I move into the new Premier Residence, I will see to the marriage immediately and fulfil one of my greatest wishes."
Xiang Shaolong secretly sn.i.g.g.e.red that he will instead have a big headache when that really happens. Visioning their future troubles, he was jumping for joy inside.
Lu Buwei asked again: "Has there been any news about Lord Gaoling?"
Xiang Shaolong pretended to be worried: "I have sent someone to spy on him but we have yet to detect any ambus.h.i.+ng army. We may have been overly suspicious."
Lu Buwei agreed: "Well, it is better to be safe than sorry. I shall put you fully in charge of this."
He then softly sighed: "Shaolong! Are you still suspicious of my sincerity?"
Xiang Shaolong was caught unaware and he was speechless for a while. He stuttered: "Why does Premier Lu say so?"
Lu Buwei bitterly smiled: "Shaolong need not deceive me. When Zhongxie invited you for drinks at Drunken Wind Brothel last night, he saw you discarding the wine Dan Meimei poured for you. Ai! Do you think the wine is poisonous?"
Xiang Shaolong took his hat off him. He knew he must give a reply and smiled bitterly in return: "As what Premier Lu says, it is better to be safe than sorry."
They exchanged a glance and burst out laughing at the same time.
Lu Buwei clapped Xiang Shaolong’s shoulder and mentioned between his laughs: "When Niang Rong marries you, you will be my son-in-law. By then, you can drink all the wine you want with peace of mind."
Xiang Shaolong has to acknowledge his prowess. Lu Buwei’s words is trying to convince him that he has been overly suspicious with Dan Meimei and gain his loyalty even at the last moment before his death. This brainwave must have come from Mo Ao to prevent Xiang Shaolong from working with Xu Xian to attack them before the third hunting day.
Thinking about this, he laughed happily.
Under the s.h.i.+mmering stars and the bright moon, the camp is in a celebratory mood.
The animals that were hunted were being promptly roasted over fire spits. Different campfires scattered around the campsite has made the entire camping ground glowing with a beautiful red.
The ten best hunters have been invited to the royal tent to be rewarded by Zhu Ji and Xiao Pan and will join their table at the Campfire Banquet.
Wu Tingfang is the best hunter among the girls and is busying cleaning her catch with Zhao Zhi and the Tian sisters. Ji Yanran and Qin Qing are seated on one side and are in deep conversation.
Xiang Shaolong and the Lord Changping brothers have just come back from their patrol. They reminded the soldiers not to neglect their duties despite the festive mood and keep their guard up at all times. Teng Yi and Jing Jun came back shortly after them.
Both men had just led the Wu Family Elite Army into battle positions and they are now spying on Lord Gaoling’s men. Xiang Shaolong can finally relieve this burden of ambush from his mind. After some discussion with them, he left to find Xu Xian. Just as he crossed the defending gates, he was detained by Ying Ying.
This la.s.s has an unfriendly expression on her face and she coldly state: "Xiang Shaolong! Come with me!"
Puzzled, he followed her down the slope and they advanced deeply into a group of tents. Compared to the lights and sounds of the a.s.sembly grounds, they are now in a place where it is much more quiet, dark and serene.
Ying Ying leaned against a tent and stared at him viciously.
Her long hair was let down and it is still wet in some areas. She carries a fragrance that is a.s.sociated with a woman’s scent after a shower. Needless to say, she must have had a nice shower in the nearby river.
Out of a sudden, his mind is filled with various questions.
Since he got to know Ying Ying, he has been troubled with her and it is hard to establish their relations.h.i.+p properly. Moreover, he was busy with work and countering Lu Buwei. Thus, he did not spend much time to think about her.
Now that Mo Ao is going to die, he has some room to think about the future.
Since he is opposing Lu Buwei, he should ruthlessly s.n.a.t.c.h her from the hands of Guan Zhongxie. Additionally, it is common for men in this era to have multiple wives. After all, she is a rare beauty too. When they are married, he will share a closer relations.h.i.+p with the Lord Changping brothers. The Qin military and the royal family will see him as their own family. At the same time, it will deal a blow to Guan Zhongxie.
If Lu Gong is not going to die, the Lord Changping brothers will keep their jobs. Guan Zhongxie will then try to woo Ying Ying to secure his position in Xianyang City.
For Lu Dan’er, Lu Gong has opposed their relations.h.i.+p and Guan Zhongxie cannot disregard this powerful general. Even if Zhu Ji interferes, Lu Gong will not budge. Ying Ying, on the other hand, does not have this issue.
Whoever marries Ying Ying will only stand to benefit. Thinking about this, he cannot help but smile bitterly. There is a price to pay for marrying this stubborn girl. He wonders if he should harden his heart.
If he wants to woo Ying Ying, the hunting fair would be his best opportunity as Guan Zhongxie will be disregarding her. After the hunting fair, he will have to contend with Guan Zhongxie for her attention. Frankly speaking, he could not be bothered about Guan Zhongxie’s antics.
As these thoughts ran through his mind like a shooting meteor, Ying Ying hatefully exclaimed: "Xiang Shaolong! Do you hate me a lot? Whenever I look for you, you are always so apprehensive and even use your leg injury as an excuse. Now, you can even perform your flying needles stunt in front of the Crown Prince. Now, the whole camp thinks that you are out to annoy me. How are we going to settle this debt?"
Xiang Shaolong realised that she had seen his exceptional flying needles and is now full of admiration for him.
She may be putting on an aggressive front but is actually trying to mend fences with him. Thus, she came to find him alone without the rest of the female warriors.
Xiang Shaolong took two steps forward and reached an intimate distance with her. They are now so close he can hear her breathing. He smiled: "Fine! It is my fault. But my leg is really injured! If you don’t believe me, I can take off my pants and show you!"
Ying Ying’s face reddened immediately and she stomped her feet: "Who wants to see you without your pants? I want you to throw the flying needles again."
Xiang Shaolong was agonized and knew that he cannot match up to his earlier performance. He bitterly smiled: "When I threw the flying needles earlier, my wound reopened. Can we find some other things to do instead?"
Ying Ying’s att.i.tude to him has indeed improved. She innocently asked: "What shall we do?"
Xiang Shaolong was inspired as he recalled her brother saying that the people of Qin are uncivilised barbarians who are more open minded. His eyes cannot help but strayed to her full bosom. He asked: "Where is your tent?"
Ying Ying’s face is burning red and she wailed: "What are you looking at?" She retreated half a step and her back is fully up against the tent.
Xiang Shaolong mocked: "Every man loves to look at the figure of a beautiful woman and Miss Ying need not over react! At dawn, I am going to your tent to seek your forgiveness and this should give you enough face already."
Ying Ying was delighted and stretched out her pinkie, smiling: "You promise?"
Xiang Shaolong stretched out his own pinkie and hook onto hers. Admiring her large and attractive eyes, he cautioned: "You must not ambush me in your tent. Hng!"
Ying Ying knows that this man is eyeing her chest and yet she props her chest up even more and hissed: "Who wants to ambush you? Remember! If you do not show up, I will hate you for the rest of my life."
Using his pinkie, Xiang Shaolong pulled Ying Ying towards him. Ying Ying let out a shrill cry and fell on him and her pert b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against his muscular chest without any reservations. She was shocked and moved away hastily out of his bosom but did not appear to be annoyed. She shot him a look and described: "My tent is to the west of the Royal Tent with a purple flag. There is a purple flower sewn on the door of the tent door. Do not forget." Smiling sweetly, she skipped away like a child.
Xiang Shaolong did not antic.i.p.ate that their grievances can be so easily settled and was pleased. He guessed that the people of Qin love hunting fairs because it is also a good time to date as well.
The main a.s.sembly ground is used for the campfire banquet. It is an outdoor dining concept with tents, defending gates and defending walls surrounding it.
Xiao Pan and Zhu Ji were the hosts of the banquet and took the northern seats. In front of them are three rows of sixty odd tables and each table can seat four to six men. Torches were placed between each table which adds to the atmosphere of the banquet.
Wine was free flowing and food is naturally their hunting prey. There are all kinds of barbequed and fragrant fowl meat and animal meat.
Except for Lord Gaoling and Tian Dan who excused themselves, everyone from the royal family is present. Besides some special guests like Lu Dan’er, Ying Ying, Ji Yanran, etc,