She Became A Downfall Noble Lady

Despite Cheung Wusi’s boorish nature, he couldn’t help but feel embarrassed when Ye Xinyan spoke so candidly. Everyone knew about Guan He’s capabilities. With Guan He still sitting in the East Wing Room, Ye Zi dared to speak of him in such a manner, truly not fearing that Guan He would become angry and leave on a whim.

Cheung Wusi kept making eyes at Ye Xinyan, feigning nonchalance, "Whether it’s a gift or not, Ye Zi isn’t entirely wrong. Master Guan surely doesn’t care for such things. However, to invite Master Guan out for a meal and drinks is permissible. Master Guan is generous and open-hearted, and if you brothers sit together and have a drink and a chat, it wouldn’t only be fulfilling the etiquette of a first meeting, but also bring the brothers closer together."

This suggestion was very much to Zhao Gang’s liking, so he laughed heartily, "That’s a great idea! We coarse folks from the military mostly enjoy drinking and jovial talk. With Old Master Cheung’s word, after we’ve taken a short rest, I’ll invite Righteous Guan to the county town to find a tavern to drink at."

They were chatting so pleasantly that they nearly lost track of time. As the sky began to darken, Nanny Liu came in to remind everyone about dinner, "Young Lady, you don’t take into account Master Zhao’s exhaustion. You’re still chatting here. Hurry and invite Master Zhao and the gentlemen to dinner. They’ve been traveling in the cold winter for so many days; they surely haven’t rested well. It’s proper to let them eat early and rest."

Though she complained about Ye Xinyan, she turned to Zhao Gang and said, "The old woman servant in the kitchen has already heated the brick beds in three rooms, they are nice and warm. After eating, they’re perfect for resting."

Cheung Wusi promptly stood up and laughed, "Don’t blame Ye Zi, it’s the old man’s oversight for only caring about talking with Master Zhao." He then turned to invite Zhao Gang, "Let’s go eat. There’s not enough time today, and the kitchen couldn’t prepare a feast on short notice. We’ll just have a simple dinner to fill our stomachs for now. Tomorrow, we can get up early and arrange some special food, and have the kitchen make a couple of unique soups and dishes for Master Zhao and the young gentlemen to taste."

Although the dinner arranged by Nanny Liu wasn’t very lavish due to time constraints, the dishes, especially the meat and hot soup, were steaming and comforting for those who had traveled in the winter.

At the table of grown men, Ye Xinyan naturally could not sit and accompany them. Zhao Gang, his two subordinates, Cheung Wusi, and Guan He sat at one table, while Zhao Gang’s five attendants sat at another. The two tables managed to have a couple of jugs of alcohol, and the ten men ate jovially in the dining hall of the outer courtyard.