Chapter 201
Book 18 Chapter 07 – Peak Condition
Everyone heard the words "Crown Prince" and looked towards their table. Before half a second pa.s.sed, Huan Yi stood up and bellowed: "Generals are right. It is indeed Crown Prince who asked us to accompany Official Xiang tonight. Will Generals please take a seat?"
When everyone heard his comment, they realised it was just a careless remark and resumed their activities.
w.a.n.g Ci and w.a.n.g He noticed Xiao Pan’s fake moustache and ordinary warrior suit dressing and could guess what is going on. They sat down without another word.
Suddenly they heard sounds of teeth chattering. It is Wu Fu whose face has turned entirely green and his lips completely white. He appears to have seen through their cover and identified this Qin s.h.i.+ as the Crown Prince. He looks as if he wanted to kneel down and pay his respects.
Just as everyone was panicking a second time tonight, Wu Fu’s legs softened and he kneeled down.
Teng Yi was quicker than the rest. His hand quickly shot out and supported him, preventing Wu Fu from completely kneeling down and pulling him towards himself. From afar, it looks as if Wu Fu is sitting down besides Teng Yi.
Lord Changping leaned forward and whispered to him: "If Brothel Owner Wu lets anyone know that Crown Prince is here, I will close down your Drunken Wind Brothel and sentence your whole family to death. Are you clear? Hng! You are not allowed to kowtow."
Wu Fu was frightened beyond words. His whole body became limp and he did not even have the energy to nod in agreement.
Xiao Pan lightly praised: "Seeing that everyone acted with wisdom and creativity, I am certain that our country is in good hands and the days of prosperity is near."
With Wu Fu around, Xiang Shaolong cannot say what he truly wants. He warmly warned: "As long as Brothel Owner Wu acts accordingly, I will guarantee your safety. Get moving and you must not warn the four beauties that Crown Prince is here."
Wu Fu clumsily got up and paid his respects before slipping away.
w.a.n.g Ci raised his cup and wanted to toast Xiao Pan when he recalled something. "Has the wine been tested for poison?" he questioned.
Behind him, a Palace Guard reported: "Great General, all the wine has been tested and they are safe."
w.a.n.g Ci toasted Xiao Pan.
Everyone does not dare to raise their cups yet until Xiao Pan gave the indication. After Xiao Pan’s approval, they drank to their heart’s content.
After the two close encounters, the atmosphere began to return to normal.
Xiao Pan started to speak to w.a.n.g Ci and w.a.n.g He and learnt that they are here on Po Hu’s invitation.
w.a.n.g He coldly state: "This Po Hu is unpredictable. The moment we met, he pa.s.sed negative comments about Lu Buwei and hinted at Empress’s misbehaviour. It was a waste of time talking to him. We spotted Wu Fu and overheard him telling an attendant to inform Yang Yu and Bailei that Official Xiang is here. Using this opportunity, we excused ourselves."
Xiao Pan gave a cold snort but did not reply.
w.a.n.g Ci laughed: "Shaolong is really charming. When the two ladies heard that you are here, they both wanted to come immediately but were stopped by Wu Fu. Due to the busy crowd, they can only take turns to come. Yang Yu is presently getting a change of clothes and should be here in a while."
Xiao Pan was amazed: "Are generals mistaken? I thought they are Lu Buwei’s followers?"
w.a.n.g Ci explained: "At the end of the day, they do not have a real owner. They will belong to whoever that is more powerful. Besides, women adore heroes and Shaolong is our foremost hero of Qin and even Talented Lady Ji has submitted to him. Under the sky, who would not want to be close to him?"
Pleased, Xiao Pan toasted Xiang Shaolong for his success and Xiang Shaolong hurriedly accepted the toast.
Everyone is full of respect for Xiao Pan’s magnanimity.
The twinkling sounds of accessories can be heard. With Wu Fu guiding the way, Yang Yu appeared and she is accompanied by two maids. Her steps were delicate and her figure is alluring, captivating the attention of everyone.
Xiao Pan was thrilled: "She truly lives up to her reputation!"
Out of the blue, someone called out: "Miss Yang, please hold your step!"
As everyone turned to look at the speaker with surprise, he turned out to be Shangcai number one swordsman, the young and handsome new recruit of Lu Buwei, Xu Shang.
With a look of displeasure, he walked over.
Yang Yu stopped walking and frowned heavily. She stole a glance at Xiang Shaolong and looked back at Xu Shang who is striding towards her. She was in a difficult position.
Wu Fu is the most anxious and signalled to the two maids to bring Yang Yu to Xiao Pan’s table but Yang Yu waved the two maids away.
Instead, Xiao Pan finds it interesting and smiled: "No wonder this place has such good business. Everyone is here to fight over these beauties."
Xu Shang has the coldest expression on his face. He icily interrogated Wu Fu: "Brothel Owner Wu told me earlier that Miss Yang has been reserved by General Du. Why is she able to come out and serve another table now?"
Yang Yu seems to have good intentions towards Xu Shang. Leaning towards him, she mentioned some words and pointed at Xiang Shaolong’s table.
w.a.n.g Ci is currently the most important military leader in Qin. He coldly dismissed: "Who is this kid? Is he tired of living? Even if Guan Zhongxie is here, he will still have to give me face."
Xiang Shaolong laughed: "Great General need not bother yourself with these men. Lu Buwei’s men are known to be insolent and arrogant. I will make sure they suffer in the future."
w.a.n.g Ci sighed with boredom and did not reply.
Wu Fu quickly came up to their table to seek forgiveness. Before he can say a single word, Xiao Pan stated upfront: "This is not your fault and Brothel Owner Wu need not feel bad about it. If Miss Yang wants to come over, so be it. If not, it is ok too."
Not expecting the Crown Prince to be so accommodating, Wu Fu is momentarily stunned.
Lord Changping pulled him over and whispered something to him. Wu Fu left quickly after hearing his words.
Xu Shang looks as if he is going to come to their table but was detained by Yang Yu. She seems to have mentioned w.a.n.g Ci’s name while talking to Xu Shang.
Yang Duanhe is w.a.n.g Ci’s most capable general. His expression turning very ugly; he stood up and was about to scold Xu Shang when Li Si dragged him down to his seat. Seated beside him, Li Si smiled: "Why waste your energy over such a man like him?"
Xu Shang stared fiercely once at Xiang Shaolong before returning to his seat. Yang Yu maintained a cheerful expression and the aura of anger is the air quickly dissipated.
As pointed out by Xiang Shaolong, a mystified Yang Yu sat down besides Xiao Pan. She only knew that Xiao Pan is named Qin s.h.i.+ but does not know his background. But since this person can hang around with Lord Changping, w.a.n.g Ci and Xiang Shaolong, he must be someone important. Wu Fu also reminded her many times to offer her best service so she naturally dare not be negligent. She did her best to toast wine, make jokes and flatter everyone. Xiao Pan is delighted with her services and the atmosphere became livelier as if nothing has happened before.
After a while, Guiyan came to their table too. None of the other guests felt uncomfortable. Based on w.a.n.g Ci’s standing in Qin, he alone is qualified to ask for the company of these two top beauties.
Guiyan intimately sat down besides Xiang Shaolong and toasted everyone first. Toasting Xiang Shaolong last, she whispered: "Official Xiang is powerful and successful. Please do not bear grudges with a weak woman like me."
After their previous encounter, there is no way Xiang Shaolong can ever trust her again but on the surface, he naturally accepted her apology.
Yang Yu took her leave and she looked once at Xiang Shaolong with deep emotions before turning around. Soon after, Bailei showed up and only the top beauty Dan Meimei has yet to appear.
Among the four beauties, Bailei is the only one who hasn’t interacted with Xiang Shaolong before. She treated Xiao Pan well and their communication is quite amiable.
Guiyan whispered into Xiang Shaolong’s ears: "Will you stay back tonight? I will do my best to service you." And batted her eyes at him seductively.
Xiang Shaolong wanted to say: "Others say that wild flowers smell better than home grown flowers but my feelings are the exact opposite. How would I know you will not try to kill me again?"
He rejected her on the spot.
With a look of