Chapter 98: The Evening Banquet (Part One)

Page 1/3

Although Shangguan Lian’s appearance and demeanor were exceptional, Fang Xu truly had no leisure to appreciate them at the moment. After all, he could not understand why Shangguan Lian and Zhuge Jun would be here. Could it really be just a coincidence? That seemed impossible. There was only one plausible explanation.

Fang Xu’s lips twitched into a faint, awkward smile. Little did he know that he had just locked eyes with Zhuge Jun. Fang Xu had to admit that both Qin Suwen and the Shangguan Lian before him were breathtakingly beautiful, far from ordinary. However, neither could match the captivating gaze of Zhuge Jun, which instantly drew his attention away.

He patted his chest discreetly—this Zhuge Jun was not someone to underestimate. If even Murong Fu was cautious around him, then Zhuge Jun must be formidable indeed.

“Since fate has brought us together, Brother Fang Xu, would you honor us with your presence?” Zhuge Jun seemed to have figured something out and asked with a smile.

“Honor us?” Fang Xu blinked in confusion at Zhuge Jun, who simply smiled more broadly.

“Of course, at the banquet~ I wonder if you, Young Master Fang, would grace us with your presence~” Shangguan Lian leaned lazily against Fang Xu and whispered softly in his ear.

“Miss Shangguan, please maintain your propriety! As for the banquet, am I even qualified to attend?” Fang Xu asked humbly after stepping away, bowing slightly to both Shangguan Lian and Zhuge Jun. Given his status, he felt hardly worthy in their presence.

“Naturally! Why would that be a problem? You are a close friend of mine, Zhuge Jun! Let’s see who dares to slight you!” Zhuge Jun laughed, causing Fang Xu’s lips to twitch involuntarily.

Clearly, Zhuge Jun’s words were meant for him. In Fang Xu’s eyes, the banquet tonight was likely Zhuge Jun’s way of publicly establishing his own position.

Page 2/3

But what could Fang Xu say? He could only suppress the twitch at his lips and nod respectfully.

“In that case, we will come to find you later,” Zhuge Jun said before turning to leave. Fang Xu was curious—wouldn’t Zhuge Jun ask where he lived?

“No need to worry. Since you traveled south, Brother Jun has known your every move,” Shangguan Lian whispered in Fang Xu’s ear when she noticed his perplexed expression.

“So it seems!” Fang Xu thought to himself. The timing of Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian’s appearance was suspiciously convenient. To be so unfortunate as to run into them here, right opposite the county government’s tea house? Was that all just a coincidence? Fang Xu doubted it.

Yet he could say nothing now and only wore a look of trepidation mixed with a sense of being flattered.

“In the presence of others, these things must be kept in check. It really means nothing, does it, Young Master Fang?” Before Fang Xu could respond, Shangguan Lian had already followed Zhuge Jun out of the county government office.

“Clean this place up!” Fang Xu instructed Gu Bei and Old Wu behind him. They tidied the scene as if no crime had ever occurred.

The villagers understood well what they should say and what they should keep silent about.

“Young Master, do you know the eldest son of the Zhuge family and the young lady of the Shangguan family?” Old Wu whispered curiously at Fang Xu.

From their earlier tone, it seemed they did not intend to harm Fang Xu; otherwise, they wouldn’t have stood up for him against Murong Fu.

“Impossible! It’s my first time meeting them,” Fang Xu replied with a helpless smile. Old Wu’s mouth opened slightly, clearly finding it hard to believe.

“If you just met them, why would they side with you?” Old Wu murmured, clearly puzzled.

“They probably want you to take sides,” Gu Bei, who had been silent, spoke softly.

Page 3/3

“Take sides?” Old Wu looked at Gu Bei in confusion. Fang Xu’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“Old Gu, tell me what you think,” Fang Xu said, appreciating that Gu Bei seemed somewhat insightful.

“Reporting to Young Master, I am somewhat familiar with the four great landowning families. The Zhuge and Shangguan families have been intermarried for generations, making their alliance as solid as a fortress. More importantly, the Zhuge family controls Yingchuan and other counties, boasting fertile lands and abundant resources...” Gu Bei began his detailed explanation.

“I know all that. Tell me why you think they want me to take sides,” Fang Xu interrupted. What he needed to know was why Zhuge Jun and Shangguan Lian wanted him on their side.

“This is simple: because your status makes you worth courting,” Gu Bei said with a smile, looking at Fang Xu.

“Your status? You mean as a Yan Wei officer? But didn’t they just find out? Judging by their demeanor, they must have been watching you for quite some time!” Old Wu muttered.

“Exactly! They’ve been watching you because of your relentless decisiveness in battle. Such traits inevitably catch the attention of people like them. Given Shangguan Lian’s talents, it’s not hard for her to guess your identity,” Gu Bei explained with a smile.

“Old Gu, it seems you admire Miss Shangguan quite a bit, don’t you?” Old Wu teased. Gu Bei nodded.

“Compared to Miss Shangguan, I am but a flickering light, while she shines like the bright moon—there’s no comparison,” Gu Bei said reverently, leaving Fang Xu and Old Wu momentarily speechless.

“In that case, Young Master, perhaps you should skip the banquet tonight?” Old Wu fretted, worried it might be a trap.

“No matter what, as Old Gu said, since they have been watching me for so long, there’s no escaping it now. Besides, I still need their protection,” Fang Xu replied with a faint smile. He glanced up at the old, yellowed characters above the county office: “Open and Honest.”

It was somewhat ironic. With that thought, Fang Xu led Old Wu and Gu Bei to the inn where Qiu Chuji was staying.