At the same time Cui Buqu was observing someone, he was being observed as well.
Most of the people's attention was on Rong Qing since, after all, he is the main character of the theatre. In fact, Cui Buqu's presence was far too unnoticeable. He looked like a normal literary official who rarely showed up and rarely encountered such a huge scene, that this is the first time he is situated in such a banquet and not knowing what to do. He was even a little shy, a man of few words, and looked uneasy when he was speaking to someone else. Even when the spoiled son of a distinguished family like Li Shisi flirted with him, he was at a loss of what to do.
Rong Qing did not explain for this aide of his on his behalf; very few words were exchanged between them both and they did not care to hide the look in their gazes that signified they did not know each other well. This only proved that Rong Qing and his aide were not close, and furthermore proved that there was no one beside Rong Qing that could be of use to him, that he was left with no choice but to recruit such a person to make the numbers.
Imperial Censor Rong was truly as the rumours made him out to be: freshly out of the thatched cottage and unclear of everything he knew. Such a person could only be led on by the nose like a fool when he came to Guangqian County.
Some people were deep in thought and some of them felt relieved, letting out a breath.
Rong Qing did notice the gazes of those who watched him, but he couldn't slap the table and rise to his feet to question them, because he would be regarded as even more of a joke that way.
The wine in the cup brought a linger of sweetness. It should be special from the locals. One cup into the stomach and there was a sweet aftertaste. He looked at the ripples of the wine swaying and felt his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.
Cui Buqu would only watch from the sidelines, but Master Cui was with Rong Qing, so it would be unusual for him not to advise him.
"My Lord, care not to drink too much. County Magistrate Huang is looking at you!" He advised against it in a soft, timid and overcautious tone.
"No need to bother yourself with me!" Truly, wine amplifies one's daringness. Previously, Rong Qing was still careful about himself around Cui Buqu, but now, that was completely gone.
Cui Buqu gave a look that looked like he didn't know what to do; his face paled as he coughed twice.
At his side, a maidservant couldn't help but bend down next to his ear, saying gently: "My Lord, there is lime wine in the manor. It will reduce the intoxication. Should I bring it here?"
Cui Buqu raised his head in surprise, meeting the maid servant's beautiful and delicate looks. The latter's face heated up and smiled gently.
"Please do, little miss."
The maidservant said softly: "It is no trouble."
In her heart, she said: Although this Master is a little elderly, he is very gentle and considerate. She was just a common citizen currently being employed as a maid for a short term, helping out with serving in the bureau's back courtyard. Roughly two years later, she would need to marry. If she could marry a husband like Master Cui, who knew better how to dote on people with age, wouldn't that be great?
As she thought of this, the maid servant's face reddened even more. She quickly dropped a, "My name is Ju'er," before leaving to fetch the wine.
Cui Buqu couldn't have guessed that even after turning into an aide of an Imperial Censor who was frustrated with his life, he could still draw the interest of a lady. However, he didn't pay it much attention, for County Magistrate Guang had already come here with his cup raised.
"Imperial Censor Rong came from a long journey. This lowly subject should have organized this banquet to wash away the dust, even if a sudden calamity had befallen us and Guangqian County is in a difficult situation, for as you see, even this banquet had to look shabby. Please understand us, Imperial Censor Rong."
Rong Qing rose to his feet slowly; his consciousness was still vaguely intact, only the hand that raised a cup was shaking slightly.
"May I know… when will Governor Yang1 be arriving?" The one he was asking after was the Prefecture Magistrate of Guangqian Prefecture, Yang Yun.
Huang Lue looked very apologetic: "The number of affected places in the Prefecture were too many in number. Governor Yang is busy with official matters, just now he has sent someone here to deliver a word that he will not be able to come today."
Rong Qing was very angry.
One of the reasons he came to the banquet tonight was because Huang Lue had mentioned before that Yang Yun would certainly show up.
However, he did not.
Not only was Yang Yun absent, he had not even sent a Sima or Registrar or any other subject to explain himself. He had just allowed a servant to casually give a word to Huang Lue, and be done with it.
This show of a cold-shoulder was obvious without a doubt.
In the entire Guangqian Prefecture, no one took this Imperial Censor seriously.
It also meant that they were not worried that Rong Qing would file a report once he returned.
Because Yang Yun is a relative of the royal family, the cousin of the Emperor. He still shared a good relationship with the Crown Prince Yang Yong. Thus, he was fearless.
Rong Qing also could not prove the misfeasance of the officials. As the calamity progressed, the officers were giving their full efforts in saving it; the ration's storage has been emptied because of this, and the waters outside the city haven't quelled. The County Magistrate of Guangqian County had also sheltered many victims. If Rong Qing spoke carelessly, ill luck would only befall upon him.
"If I were you, I would not have attended the banquet tonight." Next to his ear, Cui Buqu spoke suddenly.
Rong Qing's heart was in frustrating disarray, he unknowingly turned his ears away.
"You have not found out anything before asking them to contribute. Wouldn't that be the same as robbing someone else on the street? Yang Yun's absence was also within reason. Before this expedition, I have already sent people out to investigate; although Guangqian County experienced calamities frequently, including the flood two years ago, it has never been like this: with water filling up every corner in the rise of explosive waves."
Rong Qing's heart quivered, he couldn't help saying: "This also meant that two years ago, it had never reached this situation, but Yang Yun and Huang Lue filed false reports?"
Cui Buqu watched the banquet, his expression unmoving.
"From what I know, in the first year of Kaihuang, Guangqian collected five thousand shi2 of grains. Last year, another three thousand shi. After the flood this year, the Imperial Court delivered more grains. However, right now, Huang Lue claims the storage has been exhausted; would you believe it?"
Rong Qing murmured: "I hadn't been wrong. Something is amiss here!"
Cui Buqu: "If I were you, I would not act rashly and alert the enemy, but I would leave the discussion for further plans after everything has been investigated. If there is evidence, even if we threatened them with the lives of their families, killing family after family and sending heads rolling down, the entire scene would unfold on its own. Whether it was Yang Yun or Huang Lue, if they dared to make a ruckus of it, then let them give it their biggest shot."
His voice became softer and softer, only Rong Qing could hear it. Although his voice was slow and soft, coming in pleasant waves of sounds, Rong Qing was startled by the sheer killing intent his words brought, even his entire person was woken up by it.
This Commander of the Zuoyue Bureau truly kills without blinking. Rong Qing recalled all the rumours that were related to Cui Buqu, and among them, the one revolving around the Thousand Lantern Banquet had been the most reputable. If he dared to even touch the most beloved person of Princess Leping, who wouldn't he dare to kill?
Rong Qing felt his heart grow cold, couldn't help but furrow his eyebrows: "Using your method, surely there would be those who were innocent or wrongly accused among them. We came here to cast out the wicked and cherish the virtuous, not to unleash a killing spree!"
Cui Buqu gave an astonished look: "Then dare I ask how many of the wicked has Imperial Censor Rong cast out as of now?"
Rong Qing suppressed his fury: "There is no need for you to provoke me. I would never heed your advice! Otherwise, how could I, an Imperial Censor, be any different from the dogs of the Zuoyue Bureau?"
Without waiting for the maidservant Ju'er to deliver the lime wine over, the alcohol had reached Rong Qing's head. These words that were spoken to Cui Buqu were equivalent to depleting any soberness he had left. His body shook and fell headfirst onto the wine table.
Cui Buqu shook him worriedly: "My Lord! My Lord!"
Assistant Magistrate Li Yan sighed when he saw it: "Imperial Censor Rong truly exhausted himself with the calamity; only due to running about endlessly and accumulating these feelings in his heart, he got himself drunk so easily!"
Huang Lue immediately ordered someone to help Rong Qing to rest. Cui Buqu followed after them when he saw it, yet Huang Lue laughed and said: "Master Cui, you too are exhausted from running errands for Imperial Censor Rong these days, so let yourself relax tonight! Imperial Censor Rong is an honoured guest, yet he has fallen down before the banquet ends. For the sake of your master, you should give in and drink a few more cups!"
Cui Buqu could not fight him over it, so he really drank two cups, before he reddened in a way that could be seen with the naked eye. He immediately waved his hand as he coughed and said: "Truly, I cannot hold it any longer!"
Watching his embarrassed look, Li Yan, Wu Yi and the others all laughed.
"Master Cui truly is sincere, drinking as he was told!"
"Isn't this it? The subject is like his master!"
"I wager Master Cui is more forthright than Imperial Censor Rong. Does Imperial Censor Rong have any plans for this expedition?"
Among the jokes, it was unknown who had asked such a question.
Cui Buqu shook his head, supporting his head with a palm as if he was thoroughly beaten by the wine.
"I do not know. It doesn't matter where my Lord goes, he refuses to bring me. He—he doesn't trust me!"
There was a complaining undertone as well as a feeling of being wronged; both Master Cui's eyes have turned red, there was also a glint of tears, looking like he was truly drunk.
Since they couldn't ask anything from him, everyone lost interest.
All but Li Shisi who went about toasting wine to everyone sauntered here. In his hand was a cup brimmed with wine, doing all he could to push it into Cui Buqu's hands and ask him to drink.
Cui Buqu wanted to push it away, but the other's mood darkened.
"Why is Master Cui willing to drink someone else's wine, but not mine? Is my wine poisoned, or what?"
Cui Buqu squinted his eyes at him, giving off a look of innocence and confusion.
Li Shisi giggled as he caught Cui Buqu's hand, half-heartedly forcing him to drink that cup of wine.
"Master Cui, since you are so unhappy and unwilling here, why don't you find another host?"
"What… What host?" Cui Buqu blinked, slower than he was before like he didn't understand.
Li Shisi: "Imperial Censor Rong is old-fashioned and stubborn. You cannot benefit yourself with someone like him; surely Master Cui finds it difficult to even sustain himself? Imperial Censor Rong wanted to pull off something big since he came to Guangqian, but he has never asked whether others were willing to. He's young, yet fearless. There is no need for Master Cui to ride on the same sinking ship with him. Why don't you take the chance and seek out a new host?"
Cui Buqu gave a doleful frown: "I am just a humble scholar; after failing my studies, I could only write to earn a living. Other than Imperial Censor Rong, why would any new host have me?"
"The Li family is one of the largest distinguished families in this county. Coincidentally, I need someone who can write. If you decide to follow me, I guarantee you would not live in poverty as you do now. Regardless of how much Imperial Censor Rong pays you, I will double it!" Li Shisi said heroically.
Cui Buqu furrowed his brows and said nothing as if he was profoundly deep in thought.
Li Shisi did not hurry him to give a reply; instead, he made use of the opportunity while his back was against the audience as they drank wine and chatted, not paying them any attention, he used his thumb to caress the tender flesh atop the other's wrist. The roughness made Cui Buqu shiver slightly, deepening the layer of redness on his face.
Even if Master Cui is a muddle-head, he would know that Li Shisi was taking liberties with him.
Seeing there was fury on his face, Li Shisi laughed as he got closer: "Master Cui, I truly am serious about liking you, as well as serious about giving you a better life. Let alone remaining at Imperial Censor Rong's side where your days are bitter, you might even endanger your own life. Think about it yourself. If you truly find an answer, then come to XiangJi Restaurant and say my name. The manager will send your word."
His warm breath inched even closer. Cui Buqu flung him away before leaning back.
"Lord Li."
Li Sisi grinned: "How pleasant it would be if you were to remove the last character3!"
Cui Buqu coughed twice; it was doubtful whether he was furious or ill.
"Dare I ask whether Lord Li knows someone surnamed Feng?"
"Feng4?" Cui Buqu's voice was soft and inaudible. Perhaps Li Shisi heard it wrongly, thus curiously said, "Eight generations throughout my ancestors there was no one whose surname was "Feng". Why are you asking this?"
Cui Buqu said in disinterest: "Perhaps I'm mistaken. He looks a lot like you, Lord Li."
Li Shisi immediately took advantage of it and laughed: "Haha! Couldn't have guessed that Master Cui liked to play these sort of games. Alright, alright! Then when we interact with each other in private, you may call me Feng Shisi!"
Cui Buqu jumped to his feet.
"Lord Huang, this humble one can no longer digest more wine. Please allow me to excuse myself."
Huang Lue waved his hand like he understood: "Ju'er, help Master Cui to rest."
Li Shisi did not continue harassing him. He returned to his cousin's side, before hearing him lecturing himself: "You are too ridiculous. Even more so than normal days. Why did you tease Rong Qing's aide today?!"
"I am just helping out my cousin to inquire about Rong Qing's background?!" Li Shisi shamelessly and intimately stated, "If Rong Qing brought such a person with him, then he will definitely know what he's up to. Maybe if we start from him, we could chase Rong Qing out quicker!"
The eldest son of the Li family snorted: "Take care of yourself first. It's not your place to interfere in such big matters!"
Li Shisi lowered his head in an awkward smile, accepting his lecture, no longer having the frivolous behaviour when he was with Cui Buqu.
"Aren't I just helping? Otherwise, after being driven out by my old home, I will be driven back into it! How embarrassing!"
"You!" The eldest son of the Li family was caught between being furious and laughing, exasperated at him not meeting the expectations.
Rong Qing's headache shattered his mind.
He held his head as he sat up, shooting a glance at the half-naked woman who had fallen unconscious next to him, his jaw couldn't help but fall, quickly lowering his head to inspect his own clothes, feeling up and down, checking left and right, as nervous as a virgin woman.
"I still thought that Imperial Censor Rong would want to have a night. Who could have guessed that he would look like this: a common womenfolk who was kidnapped to the fortified mountains?"
Rong Qing immediately raised his head.
There was someone standing next to the door, giving him a half-hearted smile. It was the one who wobbled as he walked, seemingly as if he was seriously drunk just now, Cui Buqu.
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[1] 使君 (shi-jun) honorific title of civil governor of a province in ancient China.
[2] 石 (shi) Chinese unit of measurement which equals to around 60kg.
[3] 李郎君 "Li Langjun" taking away the last word would be "Li-Lang", similar to "Er-lang", "San-lang".
[4] "Feng" from Feng Xiao means "Phoenix", Li Shisi mistakes it with the word "Wind", which is also pronounced as "Feng".