The servants brought in freshly brewed tea. The tea that Marshal Li Xiao had brought out to entertain his guests today was of the finest quality. Wisps of steam curled from the exquisite teacups, filling the room with a rich tea fragrance.
Shen Xiong took a sip and couldn’t help praising it. “Excellent tea! Marshal Li, whenever I come to Beiping, the things I look forward to most are your tea and wine. The wine down south is far too light. It simply can’t compare to yours—it has much more kick and is far more satisfying to drink!”
Li Xiao burst into hearty laughter upon hearing this and waved his hand generously. “No problem! Since Brother Shen likes it, I’ll have a whole cart loaded up for you when you leave!”
Li Juechen immediately understood what his father meant and hurriedly instructed the servants to pack up some tea.
Meng Yong, who had been sitting quietly beside them, suddenly spoke. “Marshal Li, your third son is at the age when he should be getting married, isn’t he? Your son is so outstanding, so how is it that he still hasn’t taken a wife?”
A proud smile appeared in Li Xiao’s eyes. “There’s no rush. A man should establish his career before starting a family. There’s nothing wrong with waiting.”
Meng Yong nodded in agreement. “Marshal Li is absolutely right. However, in my opinion, starting a family and establishing a career aren’t necessarily at odds with each other. My eldest daughter, Meng Ling, could recognize a thousand characters by the age of five and had read extensively by eight. She was personally educated by my wife. I wonder… would she be worthy of becoming your Third Young Master’s wife?”
Before Li Xiao could respond, Shen Xiong let out a cold laugh. He set down his teacup and said with a hint of mockery, “Brother Meng, aren’t you being a little too eager? We’ve only just sat down, and we haven’t even had more than a few sips of this hot tea. How did you already jump straight to discussing marriage between our children?”
Li Xiao’s expression became rather complicated.
Meng Xi covered his mouth with his fist and coughed lightly. The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Seeing everyone fall quiet, Meng Yong realized that perhaps he had been too forward. He gave an awkward laugh. “Well… it’s just that Brother Li’s son is so outstanding that I got a little anxious. Let’s not talk about this for now!”
Just then, a servant came in to announce that dinner was ready, finally putting an end to the awkward atmosphere.
Since Li Xiao’s several concubines were women of his household and had no standing to entertain distinguished guests, the dining arrangements were handled entirely by the main household.
After the meal, the four Li brothers personally escorted the Shen and Meng families to the Longjiang Hotel.
Just as Li Juechen was about to turn around and leave, Meng Yong stopped him with a broad smile.
“Dear nephew, several of my daughters are about the same age as you. This is their first time in Beiping, and it’s still early. Why don’t you take them out and show them around?”
He sighed dramatically before adding with emotion, “The world will belong to you young people in the future. Old fellows like us simply can’t keep up anymore!”
A faint blush spread across Meng Ling’s cheeks. She shyly asked in a soft voice, “I wonder… would it be too much trouble for Brother Juechen?”
Her voice was so soft it was barely audible.
Li Juechen gave a disdainful smile and replied without the slightest hesitation, “Marshal Meng, it’s not that I don’t want to do you a favor. It’s just that there are far too many women looking for me. Before I left home, my most beloved darling was still clinging to me. If I don’t hurry back to keep her company, with that spoiled and willful temper of hers, she’ll turn the whole place upside down. It’s giving me a headache! We’re both men, so surely you understand, right?”
Meng Yong was rendered completely speechless. He stood there in shock for quite some time, unable to recover.
Li Yuanzhou desperately tried to suppress his laughter, his body trembling uncontrollably.
Li Juechen glanced at him and immediately made arrangements. “My fifth and sixth brothers are both free, so let them accompany the young ladies. There are plenty of interesting places in Beiping. As for my fourth brother, he’s already engaged, so it wouldn’t be convenient for him to accompany the ladies. He can take Brother Shen and Brother Meng out for a few drinks instead!”
Then he turned to his three brothers and instructed them, “Fourth, fifth, sixth, make sure you take good care of our distinguished guests. Your third brother is leaving first!”
The moment he heard this, Li Yuanzhou, who had been secretly laughing, froze.
The smile on his face stiffened as he stared wide-eyed at Li Juechen’s retreating figure, utterly dumbfounded.
His beloved Third Brother had just sold him out like that?!
After Li Juechen left, Shen Xiong burst out laughing and patted Meng Yong on the shoulder.
“Old Meng, give it up already. Don’t bother recommending your daughter who could read a thousand characters at five. Can’t you tell that Li Xiao’s third son has absolutely no interest in a political marriage?”
Meng Yong’s brows furrowed at those words, and his expression turned extremely unpleasant.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Li Zhenting’s lips. Looking at the younger generation from the Shen and Meng families, he said, “Since Third Brother gave us our orders, shall we?”
Meng Ling looked toward her father.
Meng Yong gave a slight nod, while Shen Xiong turned to Shen Chang’an and Shen Xianyue. “Go ahead. Chang’an, take good care of Xianyue. Don’t stay out too late.”
The group then headed to the lively and bustling Paramount Ballroom.
Once the drinks were served, everyone began chatting casually.
Shen Chang’an took a small sip of his drink, his face full of disdain. “What’s so fun about a ballroom? Nanchang is full of them. I’ve gotten sick of them already!”
He lazily swirled the drink in his glass.
Li Yuanzhou cast him a sideways glance, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Oh? Then what exactly are you interested in, Young Master Shen?”
Shen Chang’an immediately perked up. He set his glass down heavily and said animatedly, “Leaf cards, pai gow, mahjong—any of those will do! A little gambling is just harmless fun. What do you say, Sixth Young Master Li? Interested?”
Li Yuanzhou smiled faintly and slowly replied, “Sorry, Young Master Shen. I’m not interested. But if we’re talking about those games, my Third Brother is the one who’s truly good at them. I’ve never seen him lose. Unfortunately, he’s gone to accompany his darling. Looks like he’s destined to disappoint Young Master Shen tonight!”
Shen Chang’an raised an eyebrow.
He had never met someone so arrogant before.
He had been gambling since he was young and had encountered all kinds of experts. Never lost?
There was no way he believed that!
“A darling can be accompanied anytime. Sixth Young Master Li, you’ve got my blood boiling. If I don’t play a few rounds now, I’ll be itching all night. Why don’t we send someone to invite Third Young Master Li?”
Meng Ling had already been disappointed that Li Juechen hadn’t come along. Hearing this, her eyes immediately lit up.
“Exactly! We’ve come all the way here. Since Third Young Master wants to accompany a woman, just call him over and let her join us. It’ll be the perfect opportunity for us to see what kind of woman could possibly make Third Young Master care so much about her!”
Li Yuanzhou gently shook his head. “Seeing her is impossible. None of us have even met my Third Brother’s woman. He keeps her very carefully guarded. She’s precious to him.”
Meng Ling refused to give up. “The more you say that, the more curious I become. How about I ask Marshal Li myself and see if I might have the honor?”
Li Yuanzhou secretly ground his teeth.
Why had he been so careless?
Of all things, why had he brought up his Third Brother?
If Third Brother found out about this, wouldn’t he skin him alive?
For some reason, Li Zhenting unexpectedly joined in. “Sixth Brother, since Miss Meng and Young Master Shen both want to invite Third Brother, you might as well agree. You’re the only one who knows where Third Brother lives. Otherwise, I can make the trip myself!”