His blunt words caused Wang Yi to shoot him a glance. Seeing that the scholar did not look afraid though he was bowing, he quietly harrumphed and returned, “He’s only a barbarian. Qilang is degrading his station by befriending him.” Despite uttering these words, his voice was kept low enough for Ran Min not to hear.
The nobles began to make their rounds in the hall. Amid the merry-making, Chen Gongrang remained at his table.
In front of him, Ran Min and Wang Hong were both stepping out.
Chen Gongrang pleasantly smiled at everyone who came to greet him, but still did not go to Wang Yi. An attendant came behind him to remind that: “Master, why don’t you go and talk to Sir Wang?”
Chen Gongrang was drinking with another clan chief when he good-naturedly asked, “About what?”
The man hedged. He glanced at Chen Rong and replied, “Hadn’t you agreed to Chen Yuan’s request last night? Qilang isn’t here right now and no one is by Wang Yi’s side. It’s a good time to mention Miss Rong to him.”
Chen Gongrang placed his wine down, slowly asking: “Wang Suo, how much grains have you received from Chen Yuan?”
Startled, Wang Suo shifted his eyes uncomfortably and stammered: “One bag, sir.”
Chen Gongrang nodded. “Since you’ve recently obtained a concubine, it is expected that you’d have extra expenditures.“
He said this nicely enough, but Wang Suo was dripping with sweat. He blanched and sputtered, “I wouldn’t dare, master, I’d never dare again.”
While he hastily looked at him for forgiveness, Chen Gongrang continued in his gracious way: “Didn’t Wang Qilang just give Miss Rong a basin of water? That meant he is fond of her. In this case, if I mentioned giving Ah Rong to Wang Yi, not only would Wang Yi not accept, but Qilang would also bear a grudge against the Chen house. Chen Yuan is short-sighted; his character is impatient. Don’t listen to his words anymore.”
Upon hearing his words, Wang Suo hurriedly answered, “Aye aye, you’re right, master.”
Wang Yi rose from his seat, at which time everyone surrounded him. Chen Gongrang also took his wine to walk over.
Wang Suo watched him and again wiped the sweat on his temples, his expression still one of nervousness.
Chen Rong and Chen Wei sat in a corner many tables away and thus could not hear their conversation.
Chen Wei was completely immersed in her own thoughts. She again leaned into Chen Rong and asked with worry: “Ah Rong, what do you think I should say when I see General Ran?”
She had, at this time, moved her and Chen Rong’s screens away, and had moved her table a little closer to Chen Rong.
Chen Rong smiled in return of seeing her pleading eyes, a smile that was a little fake.
She dropped her gaze while shaking her head. “I don’t know.”
Chen Wei was slightly riled. “Aren’t you his good friend? How can you not know?” Looking at her, Chen Rong soberly cautioned: “Ah Wei, you can’t casually call us good friends like that. He is a man while I am a woman. Our stations are also different. How can we ever become friends? Your words are detrimental to, not only his, but also my reputation.”
Chen Rong’s voice carried both gravity and conviction, taking Chen Wei by surprise. But soon, her eyes brimmed with tears as she said with chagrin: “Even if you won’t tell me, I know what to say to him.” She turned and irately moved away.
“Ah Wei,” Chen Gongrang’s voice sounded from the side at this time.
Chen Wei quickly turned to answer him: “Aye.”
“Come with me.”
“Aye.”