Chapter 35 Rhino Horn Cup
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Yuwen Chu calmly said, “It’s only natural. The Min clan is related to His Majesty, so their increased influence means His Majesty gains another loyal supporter. This is a blessing for the nation. We should be happy for His Majesty.”
Zhu Changsheng and Jing Song remained silent for a moment before joining his laughter. “Indeed, it’s a blessing for the nation.”
Yuwen Chu didn’t mind their somewhat forced laughter. He waved for someone to come over. “Bring two casks of 50-year-old pear blossom wine and prepare a table of fine dishes.” Turning back to Zhu Changsheng and Jing Song, he smiled, “We’ll return to the capital the day after tomorrow.”
There’s food and drink, so Zhu Changsheng and Jing Song naturally wouldn’t object. However, Zhu Changsheng, always cunning and scheming, liked to speculate on his master’s thoughts in secret. Unable to resist, he asked Yuwen Chu with a smile, “Your Highness, have you encountered something joyful?” First, Yuwen Chu acted unusually by making things difficult for Fu Mingzhu, then he met her late at night, and just now he sent him to find the shoe Fu Mingzhu had thrown away. Now he heard that the Fu family had called off the engagement, and Linan Wang was in trouble. He was so happy that he wanted to treat them to food and drink. Did this mean he had some thoughts about that fierce Fu Mingzhu, who was like a female wolf? After all, young men loved beauty, and Fu Mingzhu was one of the most beautiful. In this way, the poor Second Young Miss Jiang, who had plotted to marry Yuwen Chu, would be in trouble.
Yuwen Chu gave him a disdainful glance and said seriously, “When the late Emperor passed away, he entrusted me to take care of Linan Wang. Unfortunately, Linan Wang has been ignorant and disobedient these years, and I couldn’t help him even if I wanted to. But now, he finally understands, knows how to seek benefits and avoid harm, and has gained the favor of Empress Dowager Min and the Emperor, so his life is worry-free. I’m very relieved. Even if I meet the late Emperor in the underworld someday, I won’t be ashamed. Zhu Changsheng, do you think this reason is sufficient?”
This reason was certainly more than sufficient! Zhu Changsheng flattered, “Your Highness, your brotherly affection is truly admirable. Later, I must toast Your Highness with three big cups. Please don’t refuse, and give me this little face.”
Yuwen Chu snorted, “When did I ever drink with you? Are you worthy?”
Zhu Changsheng was stunned. If he spoke too much, he would miss out on a meal. What was this? Wasn’t he digging his own grave? But he didn’t dare to say more and retreated to diligently prepare the banquet. Jing Song followed him out and whispered, “You’re getting more and more foolish. Do you think we can easily speculate and inquire about His Highness’s intentions?”
Zhu Changsheng wiped away a cold sweat and asked Jing Song in a low voice, “Have you noticed that His Highness has been rather unusual lately?”
Jing Song gave him a glare, “Seems like you didn’t listen to what I said. If you want to court death, I won’t stop you, but don’t drag me down with you.” With that, he left on his own, leaving Zhu Changsheng to ponder alone.
Meanwhile, Mingzhu had been lying in bed for two days straight, feeling like her whole body was rusting. When she heard that the paperwork for Ban Jian had been completed, she hurried to see him.
Ban Jian was placed in the quiet northeast corner by Mingzhu, where few people lived, and those who came and went were trusted old servants. Of course, there was no fear of information leaking out. Ban Jian was sitting alone in the house eating when he heard the door creak. Seeing it was Mingzhu, he frowned and turned his head away.
Mingzhu sat down beside him very consciously, pointing at the dishes on the table and smiling, “Cold cucumber salad, baby greens, sugar-coated pork trotters, seafood soup, drunken shrimp, roasted lamb leg, and wine. Does this suit your taste?”
Ban Jian didn’t answer, just stuffed his mouth full and chewed bitterly.
“Ouch! It hurts so much.” Mingzhu pretended to cover her face and cried out, glancing sneakily at Ban Jian. Catching his eye, she immediately grinned provocatively. Ban Jian was angry and embarrassed, glaring at her fiercely and muttering, “Ugly people cause trouble! With such an ugly face, don’t you know you should hide it instead of scaring people away?”
Mingzhu said disdainfully, “Do you also know that my face is unsightly? Do you know who it’s for?”
Ban Jian grunted, “I don’t know!”
Mingzhu sat down opposite him, propping up her chin and staring at him. “You really don’t know? Did Yuwen You’s beating knock your brains out? Do you only know how to eat meat and drink wine, and nothing else? You poor thing.”
Ban Jian couldn’t help it and slammed the bowl down, glaring, “What do you want?”
“Why are you so fierce?” Mingzhu glanced around at the furnishings and smiled at Su Lan, “The servants in our house live well and eat well, and they can even cook separately.”
Ban Jian’s face darkened immediately, and Su Lan pretended not to know, saying softly, “Miss, you’re mistaken. Our servants don’t have the privilege of living in such a place or eating such food. Unless it’s the master’s grace, they all eat from the main kitchen, and it’s impossible to eat from such a separate kitchen.”
Mingzhu pointed at Ban Jian and asked, “Then what about him?”
Su Lan smiled, “Fourth Master ordered it. Ban Jian is different from others. He’s a lay disciple of the temple master. He’s just temporarily staying in our house and must be treated as an honored guest. Anyone who dares to neglect him will be punished.”
“Got it?” Mingzhu poked Ban Jian, “A small person who can afford to gamble but not lose.”
“Who can afford to gamble but not lose? Who are you talking about?” Ban Jian straightened his chest, his face no longer as ugly as before.
Mingzhu sneered, “Whoever stutters is guilty. Is it you? Why are you so excited?”
“Good men don’t argue with women!” Ban Jian turned away, pouting.
Mingzhu smiled and gestured for Su Lan to bring out what she had brought, a large round gourd, purple-red like lacquer on the outside. After pulling out the cork, a mellow and fragrant aroma of wine wafted out. She then took out a finely crafted lotus leaf rhinoceros horn cup and poured the wine into it, saying to herself, “People say that the rhinoceros horn cup can enhance the fragrance of the wine, and the medicinal ingredients of the rhinoceros horn can dissolve in the wine, promoting health when drunk regularly. This cup is not easy to come by, and I haven’t been willing to use it yet. This time, let’s taste it.”
Ban Jian couldn’t help but sneak a glance over. Mingzhu pretended not to notice, just holding the cup up to the light and admiring, continuing to exclaim, “This precious cup was passed down from the previous dynasty. It’s truly a valuable treasure.”
Ban Jian coldly remarked, “Who knows how many people have used it. It’s filthy.”
Mingzhu ignored him, and he continued, “Even if it has medicinal properties, with so much wine poured into it, it would have lost its efficacy long ago.”
Raising an eyebrow, Mingzhu said, “Is that so? I originally intended to give it to you, but now I feel embarrassed to do so.” With that, she poured the wine onto the ground, signaling Su Lan to put the things away.
As the wine splashed onto the ground, its sweet fragrance filled the air. Ban Jian couldn’t help but sniff deeply, a look of regret on his face. Su Lan complained, “Miss, this is the Great Empress Dowager’s gift of royal wine, Rose Dew. There are only a few barrels in the mansion, and Master hardly drinks any. How can you waste it like this? If anyone finds out, Madam and Master will be upset.”
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