Chapter 701 - A Badger Game (I)

Chapter 701: A Badger Game (I)

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Jiang Pengji temporarily shut down the live stream. She quickly washed up before changing into her home wear.
“Jing Rong, help me get a painting. It’s on the table, behind the screen in the commander’s tent. Please bring it along to the banquet.”
Yang Si did as he was told.
No matter how Yang Si saw it, his lord was obviously an incomparably handsome youth.
Her youthful complexion was filled with the unique vitality that suited her age. Moreover, she was endowed with a maturity that her peers lacked.
How could any normal person discover her identity as a woman?
But the fact remained — she was undoubtedly a legitimate woman.
Rumor had it that she’d be going to the banquet by herself. She rejected Feng Zhen’s company and Yang Si approved of her decision.
Feng Zhen, that punk, had no sense of what’s important. His wastrel ways had no boundaries. He went wayward whenever wine and beauties were before him. As such, it was likely he’d ruin everything.
How could a fellow like him help share the lord’s burden at the banquet?
If she were a man, it’d be fine if he was forced to drink until drunk. Perhaps he’d be in luck with finding love. When he awoke the next day, there’d be a fragrant and tender beauty by his side. When someone offers themself to you, it is an advantage that you might as well take.
However, his lord was a lady, so it would be inappropriate for her to drink so much in that setting. The people around her would need to be cautious. Yang Si took this responsibility seriously.
But Yang Si had carelessly forgotten one matter…
Jiang Pengji could drink them all under the table.
“Although the artist of this painting didn’t sign it, from the strokes and style… was this drawn by Zixiao?”
When Yang Si picked the painting, it was already half unfolded.
He casually took a glance at it and could instantly guess who’d drawn it.
“Yes. Before the army departed, I requested a painting to use it for publicity.” Jiang Pengji walked forward to admire the drawing on the scroll. Then she said humorously, “Of all the people I know, Zixiao’s artistic skills are the best. I also appreciate his drawing style. Jing Rong, if you’d never been to Xiangyang district and you saw the prosperous sight in the painting, would your heart be moved?”
Yang Si’s expression was rather strange. He seemed to be troubled by something.
But the words that proceeded from his mouth were indifferent. “A place where peace reigns… that is the heart’s desire of everyone.”
Judging only the contents of the painting, those who were ignorant would have such futuristic thoughts when they saw it.
Nonetheless…when Wei Ci’s drawing skills were mentioned, he suddenly remembered something.
He remembered that Wei Ci had once drawn a painting of a woman. Strangely, it was his prized possession. As he recalled the woman in the painting now, it made him terribly afraid.
From the start, Yang Si had been unaware of Jiang Pengji’s true identity. But after he saw that painting, thoughts arose in his head that Wei Ci might have hidden intentions.
Now that the truth was out, he realized that the woman in the painting was obviously the lord herself.
Couldn’t it be that the lord had wanted Wei Ci to keep it a secret, but as a gentleman (and pervert), Wei Ci had felt other feelings for the lord?
Jiang Pengji noticed that there was something wrong with Yang Si’s expression. However, she didn’t probe, she just put the painting away carefully.
“This is a treasure to expand our business. I intend to honor it as our god of fortune. Perhaps we can earn a hefty amount of money from this.”
She turned on the livestream and 150,000 viewers instantly filled the room.
When the time for the banquet came, the sky was already quite dark and countless torches were lit in the alliance army’s tents. They appeared as red spots that matched the dark skies.
She wore her usual garments and covered herself with a thick cloak made from rabbit fur.
Her juvenile aura was enhanced while her valiant spirit was downplayed. This made her appear more scholarly.
When one looked at her, she didn’t appear like one who stayed in the army. Instead, she seemed more like a rich master from a certain family who was out on holiday.
She was surrounded by her personal guards, while Yang Si rode his horse unhurriedly and followed behind.
Xu Bei’s campsite was at the center of the alliance army. Military camps were scattered everywhere while the commander’s tent was in the center, like stars surrounding the moon.
She looked around, discovering that Xu Bei certainly liked to display his wealth. He was undoubtedly worthy of being a descendant of the Xu family.
Every soldier was armored and carried weapons that were uniformly made. Their quality was high-end, and each set demanded an exorbitant cost.
Then she thought of the many soldiers and generals under Xu Bei’s command. If every one of them was equipped with a set, how wealthy must they be to equip all of them completely?
She was left speechless and in awe of these aristocrats who were so wealthy and willful.
Within the tent, a youth adorned with luxurious garments sat on the esteemed seat of honor, frowning as he conversed with his confidante.
When they heard a commotion from outside, everyone went silent. They turned their gaze outside the tent as they awaited Jiang Pengji’s arrival.
Shortly after, the entrance to the tent was lifted from the center. Xu Bei stood up from his seat and stepped forward to receive his important guest.
An elegant youth adorned with a cloak made from rabbit fur entered the camp. Her stoic features seemed devoid of emotions. She totally dissipated the happening atmosphere of the tent. Xu Bei’s subordinate surveyed her dressing, feeling doubt in his heart…
This person had worn her home wear. This attire seemed inappropriate for the banquet. She looked more like a friend who had come to visit.
Although it wasn’t rude, her choice of clothes was inappropriate.
“Is this the son of Magistrate Liu? Indeed, he is an outstanding and accomplished youth.”
Xu Bei’s appearance was somewhat handsome. Coupled with his scholarly aura, it made him very attractive.
The viewers who watched the live stream were up in arms. It was an uproar from those judges. As Xu Bei led Jiang Pengji into the tent, he made an ardent speech.
“When I saw you enter just now, a sense of familiarity suddenly dawned on me as if we’ve known each other for a long time. If I remember correctly, we are of similar age and we belong to the same generation. If Magistrate Liu doesn’t mind my average aptitude, why don’t we address each other as brothers?”
Jiang Pengji smiled and praised him. “The honor is all mine to call County Chief Xu my brother. How could I not accept your invitation?”
Xu Bei was accustomed to pleasing others since he was the elder in the family. Inevitably, this brought both them closer.
Yang Si’s seat was designated by Jiang Pengji’s side but to the back. During the banquet, the others scrutinized her discreetly.
Even though she was young, none one present dared to belittle her. Even Xu Bei himself, who flaunted his honorable status at every opportunity, had to accord her respect.
Putting aside her relationship with Liu She, Jiang Pengji did not rely on her family background nor her father to occupy Wanzhou. At such a tender age, she had already far surpassed the masses. If they added on Liu She’s powers, who would dare to offend her in the alliance army? They need not worship her, but they would not want to be her enemy.
If not for the lack of military strength Liu She and Jiang Pengji possessed, even if the Xu brothers aspired to take the position of alliance chief, they’d be helpless.
The most important guest had taken her seat. Xu Bei ordered his servants to serve the wine and sumptuous meal.
Then he turned to ask her again. “Younger brother, do you enjoy music and dance?”
As she was about to reject, the bullet screen in the live streaming room flooded with comments.
Absolutely!!!
We absolutely enjoy it!!!
Let go of the beautiful songstress and dancer, let me have them!!!
Jiang Pengji swallowed back her words and kept silent. With her usual expression, she replied, “I’m alright.”
Her reply reached Xu Bei’s ears and was interpreted as a reserved answer. He translated it as “I love it.”
He revealed a profound smile, then he raised his brows somewhat and said, “Elder brother understands. What hero could resist beauties?”
In the background, Yang Si lowered his head with embarrassment.
The audience voiced his inner thoughts. They made known what he felt in his heart and translated it as “what an idiot!”