TCN: Mei Gongqing

Chapters 82-88 summary

Chen Rong couldn't give her the answer to this matter, or did she want to.

She only looked to Ran Min's side and was disappointed when she did not see Sun Yan among the men who came with him.

With all notable guests gathered by this time, the prettily dressed servants entered and began to place food and drinks on the guests' tables.

When food was brought to Chen Rong's and Chen Wei's tables, the screens had to be moved.

The moment Chen Rong looked up, she and Chen Wei both received Ran Min's gaze. In the bright lights, his blade-sharp eyes caused Chen Wei to subconsciously shrink back, her face reddening from embarrasment. Chen Rong was also made to shudder at his stare.

In an instant, the screens shielded them once more, and the man also looked away.

Wang Hong suddenly left his seat and brought wine to Ran Min's table. He unceremoniously waved his hand and bade: "Prepare my table."

"Aye."

Two servants moved his table and placed it opposite Ran Min.

After he had sat down, Wang Hong raised his cup and smilingly said, "I would've died in Mo'yang if it hadn't been for your two thousand knights. I'll never forget your life-saving grace. Please accept this toast."

Then he threw his head back and emptied the drink.

Ran Min laughed. He took his cup and also emptied it in one swig.

Afterwards, Ran Min regarded Wang Hong and suddenly asked, "But I don't know why Murong Ke must have your head at all costs."

He hadn't spoken very softly. Within a short time, numerous heads turned toward them and the noisy hall returned to silence. Everyone was now listening to their dialogues.

"He was just petty, that's all. He couldn't accept his defeat," Wang Hong blithely replied.

Murmurs arose at his words.

Ran Min, too, asked in surprise: "Couldn't accept his defeat? When have you made his acquaintance?"

Wang Hong smiled but did not give a response.

Seeing that he did not want to answer, Ran Min again laughed and poured the two of them more wine. "Come, let's have another drink."

As they drank, Wang Yi scowled from his seat. He disdainfully glanced at Ran Min and asked his nearby peers: "Why does Qilang befriend this commoner who goes by two surnames?"

The servants kept quiet. At length, the middle-aged scholar who often accompanied Wang Hong softly replied, "Qilang has always liked to do as he pleases. Why concern yourself, sir?"

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."