“Chuntao, pull it tighter.”
Layer after layer of long chest-binding cloth was wrapped around her until her proud curves were completely flattened.
Others dressed up to look as beautiful as possible, but Jiang Ning currently only aimed for the word “plain.” She couldn’t make herself look too ugly either, lest she embarrass Gu Jianshen and displease him.
Once the complete disguise and styling were finished, Chuntao’s mouth hung wide open in disbelief. She lamented, “Concubine Jiang, your makeup skills are truly terrible. What have you turned yourself into? You’ve gone from a great beauty to an inconspicuous little bean. Let this maidservant help you…”
“Hey, leave it like this. It’s fine. We aren’t going to a beauty pageant.”
Jiang Ning looked at herself in the mirror and felt quite satisfied. She was an ordinary, flat-chested woman. The high-ranking officials and nobles, accustomed to great beauties, would certainly not take a fancy to her, and thus they wouldn’t cast any unwanted thoughts her way.
After pondering for a moment, Chuntao realized it made sense. “Right, just like this. This is quite good.”
As night fell, Gu Jianshen returned and instructed Jiang Ning to head to the main entrance to board the carriage.
With a heart full of anxiety, Jiang Ning climbed into the carriage.
Inside the carriage, Gu Jianshen took a long look at Jiang Ning, paused slightly, and then sized her up from top to bottom. His brows furrowed with suspicion, and he leaned in closer to inspect her, looking every bit like a curious child.
Just as Gu Jianshen was about to reach out and poke Jiang Ning’s face, she finally couldn’t help but blurt out, “I am Jiang Ning.”
Gu Jianshen raised an eyebrow, sheepishly retracted his hand, and sat back in his original spot. He gave a light cough to dispel the awkwardness and said, “I know.”
The carriage moved forward, its wheels rolling steadily.
After a short while, Gu Jianshen spoke up, “Where did you learn this disguise technique?”
A disguise technique?
Fine, it really wasn’t much different from changing one’s head and turning into a completely different person.
Remaining entirely unfazed, Jiang Ning said, “It’s self-taught. If the Master thinks favorably of my craft, I can teach you all about it after we return from the banquet.”
The priority was to make it out of the banquet safely and soundly.
Gu Jianshen nodded slightly. “Very well.”
Jiang Ning’s eyes lit up. “Really?”
Gu Jianshen explained, “Some of my subordinates need to conceal their whereabouts. If they possessed such a lifelike disguise technique, it would certainly be a great asset.”
“Easy, easy! Once we return, I will definitely be a thorough and dedicated instructor.”
Inside, Jiang Ning had already started cheering, though her emotions couldn’t break through the disguised face she wore.
Gu Jianshen spoke again, “When we get to the banquet later, you must stay close to me and not wander around on your own. If you see any women you recognize, let me know immediately.”
Jiang Ning nodded. As long as Gu Jianshen didn’t push her away, she was willing to cling to him for the entire night. In this den of wolves, Gu Jianshen’s sturdy frame was the only safe haven.
Among the Six Ministries, the Minister of Rites ranked third, handling rituals, imperial examinations, and diplomacy. While it carried a high symbolic status, its actual political power was limited compared to the Ministry of Personnel or the Ministry of Revenue.
Yet, despite occupying the post of Minister of Rites, this Lord Zhao was lawless to the extreme, presiding over a thoroughly degenerate and corrupt private domain.
In front of the Minister’s mansion, Jiang Ning stepped down from the carriage alongside Gu Jianshen.
The steward welcoming guests stood at the main entrance, checking invitation cards from arriving guests. Anyone without an invitation could not enter at this time.
“Remember, do not leave my side later.”
“Mm.”
Gu Jianshen repeated his instruction before leading Jiang Ning forward.
Jiang Ning walked just a step away from Gu Jianshen, sticking close to him. Leaving was out of the question; if necessary, she was prepared to glue herself to Gu Jianshen until they walked back out through this very gate.
A maidservant was assigned to guide them, leading the way toward the banquet grounds.
As they walked along the covered corridor, Jiang Ning saw a man dressed in brocade robes ahead embracing a beauty by his side. He even reached out to playfully harass the guiding maidservant, causing the poor girl to tremble violently without daring to resist.
Scumbag!
Such a waste of such a handsome face.
Jiang Ning cursed inwardly.
Whether the man had some sort of sixth sense or not, he suddenly sneezed. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of something, spun around immediately, and stared straight at them.
Startled, Jiang Ning quickly hid behind Gu Jianshen’s back.
When the man saw Gu Jianshen, his eyes widened slightly. As Gu Jianshen walked closer, the man teased, “Well, well, if it isn’t my good brother-in-law! Have you finally seen the light? Have you learned how to enjoy yourself too?”
Gu Jianshen’s expression remained indifferent. “Not as adept at enjoying life as the Marquis’s Heir.”
Holy cow!
This scumbag was Wenya’s older brother!
Wen Qizheng’s gaze sized up Jiang Ning hiding behind Gu Jianshen, and he frowned. “My brother-in-law doesn’t have a very good eye, does he? Why did you bring such a plain woman along? Look at mine.”
He pushed the beauty in his arms forward—endowed with an hourglass figure and a willow-thin waist—and said smugly, “Now this is what I call proper.”
Curious, Jiang Ning peeked out to look at the beauty. Draped in light, translucent silk with an exquisite figure, her partially hidden breasts looked as though they were about to pop right out.
Truly a stunner.
Seeing that beauty smiling brightly and oozing charm without a shred of panic or fear, Jiang Ning noted the contrast.
Wen Qizheng leaned a bit closer to Gu Jianshen, full of gossip. “I heard that concubine of yours has looks that could sink fish and shame the blossoms. You didn’t bring her today because you were afraid someone would snatch her away, right?”
No, the concubine whose looks could sink fish and shame the blossoms is standing right in front of you.
Jiang Ning muttered silently to herself.
Wen Qizheng continued, “Brother-in-law, if you ever don’t want her anymore, remember your buddy here and send her over to my place so I can dote on her properly, too.”
Gu Jianshen didn’t slow his pace by even a fraction. Ignoring the remarks entirely, he walked right past Wen Qizheng.
Jiang Ning hurried along right behind him.
This ill-fated wretch was actually eyeing her too!
“My Lord, this is the place.”
Having arrived at the Peach Blossom Banquet venue, Jiang Ning’s heart jumped into her throat.
Inside the spacious hall, dancers were performing in the central open space, every single one of them dressed in revealing attire, their swaying bodies radiating flirtatious charm.
The seating arrangement formed a square “回” shape, presumably ordered by status and rank. Many guests had already taken their seats, each accompanied by various beauties.
In the front row, there was only a single seat reserved for the host of the banquet, Lord Zhao; it remained empty, as he had yet to arrive.
Gu Jianshen’s assigned seat was the second one in the front row on the left side, right next to Wen Qizheng, who occupied the first seat.
“Brother-in-law, why didn’t you wait for me? You’re in quite a rush, aren’t you?”
Wen Qizheng struck up a conversation with Gu Jianshen again.
Gu Jianshen gave a few perfunctory replies, and finding it uninteresting, Wen Qizheng turned to chat with someone else instead.
Sitting by Gu Jianshen’s side, Jiang Ning felt as though she were sitting on pins and needles. From the moment they entered, any gaze cast toward Gu Jianshen would invariably sweep over Jiang Ning as well, only to lose interest and drift away. However, one fat man kept staring at her fixedly.
He even continuously shot flirtatious winks her way, apparently quite satisfied with Jiang Ning’s “plain Jane” aesthetic.
Oh, good lord.
Jiang Ning pressed a bit closer to Gu Jianshen’s side, gently tugging at his sleeve beneath the table. “You absolutely must bring me back safely.”
Gu Jianshen’s gaze swept over the fat man.
The fat man’s rolls of flesh quivered in response. He immediately averted his gaze, no longer daring to stare so lewdly at Jiang Ning.
Gu Jianshen withdrew his glance and murmured, “Don’t worry. With me here, no one dares touch you.”
Only then did Jiang Ning feel somewhat at ease.
The music suddenly shifted keys, and the dancers dropped to their knees in unison facing the entrance. Several officials also stood up.
As it turned out, the fat-eared Lord Zhao had arrived.