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Wei Tingyu lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. Yang Xian, who had been waiting at the gate, immediately scampered forward with eye
Wei Tingyu lifted the carriage curtain and stepped down. Yang Xian, who had been waiting at the gate, immediately scampered forward with eyes gleaming, a servile, fawning look on his face, rushing to the front of the carriage.
"Brother-in-law! You've arrived!" he whispered to Wei Tingyu. Of course, this was only when he was certain no one else could hear him.
"Has Senior Sun from Wu State arrived?" Wei Tingyu nodded. Yang Xian seemed to have matured quite a bit these past few days, at least not as impetuous as before.
"He's here, he's here!" Yang Xian quickly replied, "He's already seated in the banquet hall!"
"This is my first time hosting a foreign envoy, and I'm a little nervous!"
"My parents are also very cautious, afraid of making any mistakes that would make us a laughingstock to the Wu State envoy!"
"It's also thanks to Sister's foresight, inviting you, brother-in-law, to our home to oversee things! Otherwise, our Yang family truly wouldn't know what to do today!"
"But now that you're here, brother-in-law, I feel so much more at ease!"
Yang Xian's words tumbled out like a machine gun, subtly flattering Wei Tingyu without a trace. Wei Tingyu's eyelids twitched. He hadn't expected this kid to improve so quickly in just a few days! Regardless of how much truth was in his words, at least he knew what to say to whom!
Soon, Wei Tingyu arrived at the banquet hall under Yang Xian's guidance. The hall was indeed sumptuously decorated, showing that the Yang family had put in some effort. Sitting beside the Yang family patriarch at the head table was a middle-aged man dressed in a brown brocade robe. His features were proper, and there was a hint of majesty in his eyes. He must be today's guest of honor, the envoy from Wu State, Sun Shiyi! He truly was imposing and talented, no wonder he could represent a nation as an envoy! Wei Tingyu thought to himself, then stepped into the banquet hall.
"Marquis Wei!" Seeing Wei Tingyu's arrival, the Yang family members all rose in unison to bow and greet him, which somewhat puzzled Wei Tingyu. It seemed that Yang Xian wasn't the only one who had made rapid progress; the entire Yang family was quite adaptable!
"Brother-in-law!" Yang Xian naturally noticed Wei Tingyu's confusion and quickly explained in a low voice, "These past two days, Sister has been sending messages daily, repeatedly urging our parents to be respectful to the Marquis and absolutely not to neglect him! Otherwise, she would disown them as her parents!"
Good heavens! Wei Tingyu was startled upon hearing this. Now he finally understood. Yang Yue Niang was threatening her parents with their familial bond, demanding that they show him respect! Of course, what she said about parents disowning their daughter, actually should be interpreted in reverse. If the Yang family elders didn't agree, then she, their daughter, would disown them! It seemed that his two nights of tender moments with Yang Yue Niang had indeed had some effect; this woman's heart was increasingly bound to him! Of course, Yang Yue Niang hadn't been completely swayed by emotion. She also knew not to write letters that could leave a potential handle for others, so she had sent the two female Golden Shadow Guards disguised as female officials to deliver verbal messages! The Yang family's honor depended entirely on Yang Yue Niang, so her parents naturally dared not defy her openly or secretly!
"Senior Sun! This is Marquis Wei, Marquis Jining of our dynasty!" The Yang family patriarch even took the initiative to introduce Wei Tingyu and Sun Shiyi to each other!
"Marquis Wei! This is Senior Sun Shiyi, the envoy from Wu State!"
Wei Tingyu naturally greeted him with aristocratic etiquette and also learned that besides Sun Shiyi, he had brought many attendants and lower-ranking officials. These people were all seated at the lower end of the guest tables, and as members of a foreign delegation, none of them were neglected. Especially important was a well-featured young man among the delegation, referred to as Prince Han! His position was also significant, seated just below Sun Shiyi! Such a second-generation noble should be accompanying the delegation to broaden his horizons and accumulate some achievements, to aid his future development in the Wu State court. Everyone present naturally understood the unspoken rules here, but only Wei Tingyu took a second glance at Prince Han. After all, he was the important figure who would lead to the appearance of Ren Ruyi! He hadn't expected him to be in this delegation! In that case, there was a ninety percent chance that Ren Ruyi would appear!
"Since the Marquis has arrived, let's begin our banquet!" Seeing Wei Tingyu seated, the Yang family patriarch smiled and spoke to the others present. Then, the sounds of silk and bamboo arose, and several beautiful dancers in enchanting costumes entered from outside the hall, beginning to perform a magnificent dance. These beauties were all graceful, with elegant figures, and their makeup and hair ornaments were exquisitely alluring. Coupled with their graceful dancing, they immediately captured the attention of all the noble guests.
And Wei Tingyu's gaze involuntarily fell upon the most special woman among them! If words were to describe her, this woman's beauty was like a poem condensed from Lehua! As she danced, she was like standing in the wind, her long dark hair like spreading ink-colored smoke! When it fell, her black hair brushed her sheep-fat jade-like neck, the tips of her hair stained with starlight-like scattered light! Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, yet her eyes were breathtakingly striking! Her pupils seemed like ink-black jade soaked in a cold pool, and her slightly upturned eye corners were like peach blossoms blown by the wind! She danced gracefully to the sound of silk and bamboo!
When this woman lowered her gaze, she was like a frozen lake covered in snowflakes; when she raised her eyes, she was like a spring sword breaking through thin ice! The shifting of her gaze could shatter moonlight, making her unforgettable! Her red lips were not the rich crimson of a peony, but rather like a blooming begonia! A subtle, almost imperceptible smile always played at the corners of her mouth! Her crimson and white robe brushed her jade arms, making her seem like a butterfly embroidered with gold thread, ready to take flight! The other beauties dancing with her on the stage completely lost their luster in comparison! No need for more words! Such an exceptional, peerless beauty... she could only be Ren Ruyi! Moreover, Wei Tingyu, having watched the show, naturally couldn't forget her appearance! Good heavens! He thought she was stunning enough when he watched the show, but only now, seeing her up close, did he understand what peerless radiance truly meant!
At this moment, Ren Ruyi, while dancing gracefully, was also reviewing her upcoming plan! Her purpose for this trip was to feign seduction of Prince Han and then smoothly infiltrate his residence! So, she deliberately cast a few more glances in Prince Han's direction, feigning unintentionality. And these simple two exchanges of glances completely ignited Prince Han's lust!
"This beauty is interested in me!" Prince Han, who had already been captivated to the point of forgetting himself, immediately felt his heart itch when he saw that this beauty seemed to be interested in him! His gaze towards Ren Ruyi was filled with possessive desire! Ren Ruyi, still dancing in the hall, naturally noticed Prince Han's expression and sneered inwardly. Indeed, when I take action, none of these men are my match! What could a high-ranking noble like Prince Han do? Didn't he just fall obediently into the trap with a single glance? Ren Ruyi, who had never failed a mission, felt quite proud. However, the next second, her senses suddenly became alert.
Because Ren Ruyi faintly perceived an extremely sharp gaze secretly watching her in the banquet hall! Although she didn't know where it came from, as a top assassin, she could clearly sense the presence of danger. Thinking this, Ren Ruyi immediately composed herself, not daring to be careless in the slightest. Then, using the flow of the dance, her beautiful eyes darted among the surrounding guests, trying to find the true source of this gaze! She knew that there must be a very dangerous person in the banquet hall at this moment! And who exactly was this person? What was his purpose?
However, as Ren Ruyi's gaze swept over each of the guests, she still couldn't find the source of that gaze. These people were nothing more than looking at her with lustful or appreciative eyes, yet they couldn't hide the empty minds within them. It wasn't until her gaze met Wei Tingyu's, and at the instant their eyes met, Ren Ruyi felt as if her heartbeat had skipped a beat! Because she, a top assassin, had never encountered such a gaze before! Cold? Deep? Such simple words were utterly insufficient to describe how Ren Ruyi felt about this man's eyes at this moment! She even felt that when his gaze fell upon her, it was like a confident hunter staring at prey with no escape! This feeling made Ren Ruyi feel extremely uncomfortable. Because for a long time, she had been the hunter! Who would have thought that at this moment, in the banquet hall of a prestigious family mansion, a noble from the capital would actually completely reverse her role?!
Fortunately, Ren Ruyi was not an ordinary woman, so after her initial surprise, she quickly adjusted her mindset and didn't reveal any flaws in her actions. Even the expression on her face barely changed. And among everyone present, only Wei Tingyu keenly captured the fleeting surprise and panic in her eyes. As expected of Ren Ruyi! Panic is inevitable, but she can quickly adjust and continue with her original plan and mission. This is exactly the talent I need by my side right now! Thinking this, Wei Tingyu's desire for her talent grew even stronger!
Soon, the dance ended, and Ren Ruyi, along with the other accompanying dancers, respectfully retreated to the center of the banquet hall and bowed to the noble guests.
"Good!" Sun Shiyi, the protagonist of today's banquet, immediately laughed and applauded! And with his applause, the other guests naturally followed suit, all looking cheerful.
"Gentlemen!" Seeing that everyone present was giving him face, Sun Shiyi directly raised his wine cup and toasted the people in the hall, "May this wine remotely wish our Emperor victory! And a great defeat for the An army!" After speaking, Sun Shiyi drained the wine in his cup, and the other Wu State envoys present also cheered in agreement!
"May our Emperor achieve victory! And a great defeat for the An army!" The dancers, including Ren Ruyi, all bowed in unison and said in chorus. They had all come with the Wu State delegation; after all, cultural and artistic exchange was a very important initial component of relations between nations. It was clear that this had been rehearsed beforehand! Since the An people had abandoned the peace talks and recalled their envoy halfway, their Wu State naturally had to demonstrate their integrity here! Of course, these matters had nothing to do with the Yang family or Wei Tingyu, as this was a war between Wu State and An State.
However, according to the plot's development... Wei Tingyu briefly recalled that Wu State would be defeated, and very badly! He estimated that in no time, these people present would no longer be smiling... But for him, it was just a matter of continuing to drink and observe! In fact, this matter was less important in Wei Tingyu's mind than Ren Ruyi's current actions. He saw that this young woman, standing among the dancers, kept glancing in Prince Han's direction. And Prince Han had long been so captivated by Ren Ruyi that he had lost all sense of direction. He nodded slightly at Ren Ruyi, then mouthed quietly, "Later... outside..."
This scene was naturally noticed by Wei Tingyu, and also by another young man in green robes sitting next to Prince Han, also a member of the Wu State envoy delegation. This fellow's eyes immediately darted around, and he began to plot. Wei Tingyu was seated opposite them, taking in the expressions and gazes of both men. It seemed that the internal affairs of Wu State were not a monolithic block of unity; the power struggles between noble officials were no better than in his own land.
In the dancers' resting room, Linglong, the slightly older lead dancer, winked at Ren Ruyi, who was sitting opposite her, tidying her hair ornaments. The meaning was simple: hurry to the courtyard, don't miss the appointment with Prince Han. However, Ren Ruyi sighed helplessly. She was a top-tier assassin! Yet now she had to perform such a low-level task of seducing men. She was originally reluctant and unwilling. Although the plan was going very successfully, and it also proved her charm! But thinking that Prince Han might try to lay his hands on her later, she was worried that she might not be able to resist tearing off his head! If that happened, it would ruin everything!
And most importantly, she involuntarily thought of the noble man she had seen at the banquet just now... She seemed to have heard that he was the Marquis of Jining?! A second-generation noble inheriting a hereditary title, yet he could possess such a gaze and murderous aura? Even she, a top assassin, felt the hairs on her skin stand on end when recalling it. This person might bring about significant changes!
However, Linglong didn't know what Ren Ruyi was worried about. She thought Ren Ruyi was throwing a tantrum and was unwilling, so she quickly frowned and said in a serious whisper, "Go quickly!" Ren Ruyi's true identity was unknown to the other dancers, including Linglong, so she had to continue her disguise. She could only suppress her temper, stood up reluctantly, and walked out.
But looking at Ren Ruyi's back, Linglong's brows furrowed deeper. At this moment, her sixth sense seemed to be working; she felt as if something was about to happen. No! To ensure the plan is completed smoothly, I still need to follow and see. If necessary, I can even lend a hand! Thinking this, Linglong also lifted her skirt and quietly followed Ren Ruyi...
Ren Ruyi walked worriedly through the covered walkway. The gaze of that Marquis of Jining constantly lingered in her mind, like a huge dark cloud covering it! After walking dozens more steps, Ren Ruyi saw the end of the covered walkway, where Prince Han was standing, waiting for her. What a man consumed by lust! He didn't even attend the banquet anymore, just secretly slipped out like this! Ren Ruyi disdained him inwardly, then sighed secretly. Soon, she would have to play along with him! The thought made her feel sick!
However, then a large hand suddenly reached out from behind, covered Ren Ruyi's mouth, and pulled her into a gap in the nearby rock garden. Ren Ruyi's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a surge of anger! If it weren't for her constantly thinking about the Marquis of Jining, whose true intentions and background she couldn't fathom, and her distaste for the upcoming plan, she would never have been ambushed so easily! However, she wasn't anxious, because she knew she could handle such a minor situation! Ren Ruyi leaned against the rock garden and now clearly saw the person who had pulled her in: it was precisely the young man in green robes who had been sitting next to Prince Han earlier.
"Beautiful lady! Don't be in such a hurry to serve Prince Han, serve me first!" This young man in green robes stared intently at Ren Ruyi, his eyes completely fixated. Overwhelmed by lust, he disregarded everything and leaned in to try and kiss her!