It was a crimson robe that no one had ever seen Lord Chu wear before. Intricate gold threads were embroidered across it, accentuating his physique. The luminous pearl atop his head made him appear like jade, handsome beyond measure. The sparkling light dancing within his smiling eyes seemed to ripple with a mesmerizing, intoxicating luster.
In the midst of the falling snow, he approached against the light, resembling a deity atop the highest, most majestic, and unconquerable snowy peak.
Chu Xunsheng walked in slowly and scanned the crowd, feeling a sense of satisfaction when he noticed a certain stunned expression on their faces.
It seemed this red attire was indeed flashy and displeasing to some, even though everyone else’s dress appeared quite unique as well.
Someone seemed to be waving in greeting, their eyes full of smiles, walking toward him as if intending to meet him halfway.
However, Chu Xunsheng possessed enough self-awareness: he was merely a useless official who had climbed his way up through nepotism, so why would anyone welcome him? They must be trying to get close to Prince Jing behind him and were simply annoyed that he was blocking the path.
Chu Xunsheng quickened his pace, brushed past the hand extended toward him, and walked behind the person.
The man’s hand stiffened in mid-air, and Chu Xunsheng felt a surge of intense hostility.
It didn’t seem directed at him, though.
It had nothing to do with him, surely.
Chu Xunsheng left Ji Jing behind and found a seat in an unoccupied corner.
Ji Jing had been blocked for a moment by that outstretched hand and cursed inwardly. When he looked up, he saw that the seats on either side of his uncle were already taken.
Speechless for a moment, he cursed again, shoved his way over, and squeezed himself into the middle.
He dared not squeeze his uncle, so he shoved the minor official sitting next to his uncle straight onto the floor.
The minor official rubbed his arm in annoyance, about to curse, but lost his nerve when he met Ji Jing’s gaze. Muttering, he walked further away.
Chu Xunsheng did not notice the treacherous and unpredictable atmosphere. He opened his system panel; the gorgeous attire task was lit up, and the next one was to be ridiculed.
Just as he was lost in thought, someone leaned in and whispered: “Lord Chu…”
Chu Xunsheng’s eyes brightened. That’s it! Tell me my clothes are truly ugly!
The minor civil official squirmed a bit and asked: “Lord Chu, what do you think of my attire?”
Chu Xunsheng remained silent for a moment, but out of politeness, he looked the man up and down.
It was a pretty outfit that made the person look gentle and jade-like, but…
Chu Xunsheng’s gaze lingered on the minor official’s waistband.
The belt was tied way too tight. It felt like one could grip it with a single hand.
Lord Chu’s eyes were lowered, his long eyelashes fluttering slightly. The minor official could feel that gaze glued to his waist. In that instant, he had even imagined what posture to strike later. Just as he was about to speak, a deep voice cut him off.
“That outfit is far too gaudy.”
The minor official looked toward the sound to find it was Zhang Ye, the official from the Court of Judicial Review. Although this man possessed an alluring beauty, he was notoriously cruel and ruthless. Rumor had it his past was so tragic it had left him psychologically warped; hundreds of innocent souls had been tortured to death under his watch.
Zhang Ye glared coldly, and the ghostly, venomous malice contained in that gaze scared the minor official’s legs into shaking. He hurriedly lowered his head and left the spot, clearly reluctant to do so.
Chu Xunsheng was completely oblivious to their clash of gazes. Zhang Ye’s comment about the clothes being too gaudy had lit up the be ridiculed plot point, filling him with delight.
Just then, a commotion broke out at the entrance as people rose to greet someone. Voices murmured: “Lord Su.”
Grand Academician Su Yun was the son of three generations of meritorious officials; his father was the current Prime Minister, and he himself was the model civil official, destined to be the next Prime Minister. Naturally, he was treated with sycophancy.
Chu Xunsheng looked toward the door and saw a noble gentleman in a white cape walking slowly forward. He truly embodied the upright character of a gentleman, gentle and jade-like, yet his smile did not reach his eyes, the very demeanor of an eldest son of a prestigious family.
The system poked him secretly: “Time to offer some flattery!”
Chu Xunsheng stood up and looked at him with a smile: “Lord Su is truly radiant today.”
Su Yun was stunned, and only then did a genuine smile reach his eyes. However, because he was standing in the shadows, his expression was unclear. Chu Xunsheng only heard his soft response: “Lord Chu is the true embodiment of a glorious era.”
It was a sight to behold, refreshing to the heart.
After their mutual commercial praise, Task Three turned green, so Chu Xunsheng smiled and sat back down.
Suddenly, a cold snort emanated from a throat. Chu Xunsheng looked toward the source to find it was Lord Zhang, his alluring face cold and stern.
Right, Lord Zhang was the head of the military officials and had always been at odds with Grand Academician Su. Seeing him receive such praise must have displeased him.
But in the original plot, Lord Zhang did not attend this banquet. Chu Xunsheng felt no need to pay him any mind, so he glanced at him indifferently and lowered his head.
Wei Qi watched in trepidation as Lord Zhang curled his lips into a sneer, his expression becoming increasingly cold. He hurriedly urged everyone to sit, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and announced loudly: “Do any of the lords have an interest in participating in a game of passing the flower while the drum beats? The person chosen must recite a poem.”
Chu Xunsheng’s expression hardened as he looked up. It seemed another plot point had arrived.
At this moment, he was supposed to get dead drunk.
Although Chu Xunsheng hadn’t really drunk before, he was confident in his tolerance.
He quickly poured a cup, gulped it down, and felt nothing, just bitterness.
It seems I have the potential to become a wine god after all.
Chu Xunsheng poured another cup and stared at it for a long time.
The flower was passed quickly. Chu Xunsheng, feeling sober, clumsily grabbed the flower and tossed it away quickly.
His movements were a bit rushed, so he felt dizzy and didn’t notice the deliberate fingertip contact of the person next to him; he just thought it felt cool.
Cool?
Chu Xunsheng poured another cup of wine. It was indeed cool.
The drum beats were rapid, and the flower passed by quickly. In just a short time, three rounds had passed.
Finally, the flower landed right in front of Chu Xunsheng, and the drum beat abruptly stopped.
Ji Jing had long noticed his uncle drinking a few cups of light wine today. But since the wine wasn’t strong, more like fruit wine, he hadn’t discouraged him further.
However, he suddenly realized that his uncle really seemed drunk. The ocean in his eyes had shattered into countless rippling waves, hazy and ethereal, and a tipsy flush had spread across his face, making him look exceptionally sexy.
As the flower reached Chu Xunsheng, everyone looked over. The drumming had stopped, and the scene was deathly quiet.
Someone asked in a low voice: “Lord Chu, are you drunk?”
Chu Xunsheng was already dizzy, but upon hearing the exact line from the script, he reflexively sat up straight.
He didn’t say a word, just pursed his lips slightly.
The gesture carried an inexplicable cuteness. Su Yun’s heart itched, and he stood up: “Lord Chu is drunk; let me act on his behalf.”
Ji Jing jumped up from his table: “I arrived with my uncle; if anyone is to act on his behalf, it should be me!”
A chill laced Su Yun’s smile: “Doesn’t Prince Jing usually prefer horse riding and archery? Could it be you are also accomplished in composing poetry?”
Ji Jing sneered and was about to speak when he heard his uncle’s clear voice, tinged with drunkenness: “I am going out for a stroll. Xiao Jing, wait for me here.”
Guided by the system, Chu Xunsheng sauntered out toward a secluded area behind the estate.
Ji Jing frowned and followed him, but after a few twists and turns, he lost sight of him.
Wei Qi had considered following as well, but as the host, he couldn’t leave his seat. He could only watch in profound sorrow as Ji Jing, Su Yun, Zhang Ye, and a minor official followed one after another.
At this moment, Chu Xunsheng had no idea that several people had followed him out. He was still diligently searching for the beauty.
For some reason, a tiny bit of guilt rose in his heart; he felt as though he were letting A-Yan down.
Chu Xunsheng shook his head, ridding himself of the thought. What was he saying? He hadn’t even established a relationship with A-Yan, so there was no question of letting anyone down.
Besides, a bit of verbal flirting wasn’t a big deal.
He did, however, need to pay attention to the upcoming bloody beating. He should protect his head, he didn’t want to get beaten stupid.
Chu Xunsheng walked deep into the bamboo grove and vaguely caught sight of a human silhouette.
In the dim night, he couldn’t see the face, only the broad shoulders, narrow waist, and powerful long legs.
This must be a beauty.
Chu Xunsheng walked up. The beauty didn’t speak, just watched him quietly.
The system pulled out the script and began cheering: “Lift his chin, wrap your arms around his waist, get beaten up. Don’t be afraid, host, I’ll protect you!”
Chu Xunsheng twitched his mouth and shut it off. After a moment’s hesitation, he used his fingertips to lift the beauty’s chin.
The beauty’s face was lifted gently. Shadows from the tree branches swayed, obscuring the features, and only the waist, held tight by a sash, was visible.
Chu Xunsheng thought in a daze, why are all these people’s waists so thin? It felt like one could grip it with a single hand.
Thinking this, he did exactly that, reaching out to touch the lean, taut waist.
It was exactly as narrow and firm as he imagined, containing hidden power.
Chu Xunsheng thought fuzzily, such a powerful waist could probably pull off many high-difficulty movements.
He gave it another squeeze.
The beauty paused, then suddenly grabbed his lapels.
Ah, ah, ah! Is the beating starting? Little System, come quickly and protect me!
Before he could react, Chu Xunsheng was slammed hard against a tree trunk. The cold sensation brought him back to reality, but he saw the man pressing in, one hand firmly pinning him down.
Chu Xunsheng hurriedly closed his eyes, waiting for the fist to arrive.
What touched him first were lips. Something soft probed inside, but in an extremely wild, beast-like conquest of the city. The force was so great that Chu Xunsheng even felt as if this person wanted to devour him whole.
Chu Xunsheng was shocked. He was about to open his eyes when his vision was covered by the man’s other hand.
His eyelashes fluttered lightly; the palm covering them could feel the faint tickle.
The man kissed him with such force that it felt as if he wanted to suffocate them both. In this near-death suffocation, he tasted a pinnacle of pleasure.
When the kiss ended, Chu Xunsheng gasped with his mouth half-open, and he could hear the other man’s ragged, labored breathing as well.
Taking advantage of the moonlight, the man looked at Lord Chu, pinned tightly against the tree trunk. His clothes were disheveled, stripping away his usual aloof, distant demeanor, and adding a touch of mortal desire that made one’s heart itch. He craved to see this person sink even deeper into carnal desire.
He kissed him fiercely again. The fragile lips were bitten open, and he licked lightly at the taste of blood.
Hmm? Was this the so-called seeing blood from the original script?
Chu Xunsheng remained speechless for a moment and tried to push the man away, but he heard someone’s voice in the distance: “Lord Chu… where are you?”
Chu Xunsheng was startled, his strength waning. The man took the opportunity to press against him, his fingertips sliding downward and triggering an unconscious shiver.
The man lowered his voice to a whisper:
“Lord Chu, you wouldn’t want them to come over and see you looking like this, would you?”