On the second floor of a city tavern, Wen Ningwan warily eyed General Kana, who sat across from her with a friendly expression.
General Kana glanced at the table laden with fine wine and delicacies, then back at Wen Ningwan, who hadn’t touched her chopsticks. “Does the food not suit Young Master Wen’s taste?” she asked, puzzled.
Wen Ningwan shook her head and hesitantly picked up her chopsticks, unsure of the other’s intentions. After all, unnecessary flattery often hid ulterior motives especially when it came from someone as cunning as this.
After taking a bite, Wen Ningwan heard General Kana chuckle lightly. “Young Master Wen, there’s no need to be nervous. I merely wished to get to know you. Nothing more.”
Wen Ningwan offered an awkward smile before looking at her earnestly. “I, too, deeply admire the great general. Your strategic brilliance and decisive command on the battlefield are truly awe-inspiring, having led to many famous victories.”
“Then, who do you think is more formidable me or the Grand Preceptor?”
Wen Ningwan paused briefly before laughing. “Had the Grand Preceptor lived in your era, General, he likely wouldn’t have achieved half of what you have.”
“Hahahahaha!” General Kana burst into hearty laughter. “You’re quite the character, young man. But aren’t you afraid the Grand Preceptor might take offense if he heard this?”
“The Grand Preceptor isn’t that petty,” Wen Ningwan replied with forced nonchalance, lowering her head to eat.
When General Kana poured wine, Wen Ningwan hurriedly declined. “No, no, I still have official duties to attend to. I can’t drink.”
“Nonsense! Just one cup. Didn’t Young Master Wen outdrink even You Ran? What’s the matter?” General Kana pouted in mock disappointment. “Or do you not wish to drink with me?”
Wen Ningwan hesitated. Offending a villain was the last thing she wanted. Immediately, she poured herself a cup with a bright smile. “Of course not! If the general insists, I’ll gladly drink.”
“Now that’s more like it!” General Kana beamed, and the two drank together like old friends.
After several rounds, Wen Ningwan remained unfazed, occasionally nibbling on meat, while General Kana’s cheeks flushed pink from the alcohol. Gazing at Wen Ningwan with a tipsy grin, she declared, “I like you, young man!”
“Many thanks,” Wen Ningwan replied without modesty, refilling her cup.
General Kana lifted her wine cup and studied Wen Ningwan’s smiling face. “Young Master Wen, you’re not yet married, are you?”
“No,” Wen Ningwan answered absentmindedly, taking a sip.
“I have a daughter around your age. How about I arrange for her to marry you?”
“Pfft! Cough, cough!” Wen Ningwan choked on her wine, her face turning crimson as she coughed violently.
General Kana frowned, her expression darkening. “What? Is my daughter not good enough for you?”
“No, no, no!” Wen Ningwan patted her chest, still recovering. “The general’s treasured daughter is someone many could only dream of. It’s just that I’m still young and not ready to marry so soon.”
“Hmph!” General Kana glared. “You youngsters these days are so immature. What’s wrong with settling down early?”
“Nothing’s wrong with it, but I still have ambitions to pursue. I wouldn’t want my spouse to be left alone while I’m away.”
“You!” General Kana sighed in resignation. “Fine, I can’t argue with you. But don’t regret it, my daughter is renowned throughout the capital for her beauty!”
“Of course, of course. The young lady’s grace is unparalleled. It’s simply that I’m unworthy of her.”
“You!” Kana shook her head, took a sip of wine, and said, “Never mind, never mind. I’ll introduce you to my daughter another day. Who knows, you might end up begging me to marry her to you, and I might just refuse.”
Wen Ningwan laughed, while Kana looked at her with a smug smile.
Wen Ningwan quickly poured her another drink. “Let me toast the great general first.”
The two continued drinking. A guard nearby watched the already drunk general with concern and glared disapprovingly at Wen Ningwan. “Chief Minister Wen, how could you keep plying the general with alcohol?”
Wen Ningwan spread her hands innocently and glanced at General Kana, who was pouring her own drink. “The general is in high spirits and drinking more. How can you say I’m forcing her?”
“You!”
“State Preceptor?” Wen Ningwan looked curiously at the State Preceptor descending the stairs.
The guard turned around and eyed the newcomer warily, cupping his hands in greeting. “Greetings, State Preceptor.”
The State Preceptor walked straight over and sat down beside them. Kana smiled and poured wine without even glancing at the newcomer.
“How rare! The State Preceptor actually deigns to sit and drink at the same table as me?”
As she spoke, she handed over a filled cup. The State Preceptor lowered her gaze to look at the offered wine but made no move to take it, her expression cool as she regarded the drunken General Kana.
Wen Ningwan immediately tensed up, hurriedly standing to take the cup and placing it cheerfully in front of the State Preceptor. “Since you’re here, let’s all have a drink together.”
Kana glanced at Wen Ningwan, then straightened up with a smile before turning her gaze back to the State Preceptor, her expression darkening. “Seems the State Preceptor isn’t here to drink with us.”
Wen Ningwan watched the tension between them nervously. The State Preceptor hadn’t brought any attendants, if a fight broke out, whose side should she take?
“Three years ago, there was unrest at the border. Some refugees flooded into the city, and the great general was responsible for their resettlement. The wife of Zou Yun from my household was among those who came to the capital during that turmoil.”
Wen Ningwan looked puzzledly at the State Preceptor, who was calmly staring at the general.
The general suddenly laughed, sobering up slightly as she smirked at the State Preceptor. “So? What are you trying to say?”
“After her family arrived in the capital, they survived thanks to the aid of your household’s steward. Surely, you’re not going to tell me your steward was so selflessly charitable that he just happened to help someone connected to my household?”
Wen Ningwan was startled. Was this something she was even supposed to hear? She hastily interjected with a smile, “Drink, drink! I don’t understand a word of what you’re saying.”
Kana gave her an amused look before turning back to the composed State Preceptor. “And what if it is?”
The State Preceptor’s gaze turned icy as she stared at the woman before her. “The great general would do well to stay in her lane. It’s best not to meddle with those close to me.”
“Including her?” The general glanced at Chief Minister Wen with a half-smile.
Chief Minister Wen frantically shook her head in protest.
The State Preceptor picked up the wine in front of her, swirling it idly in her hand. “Yes.”