The Slender Waist-Chapter 374 - 266: Coercion and Bribery

The north wind howled, and as Feng Yun’s carriage passed through the corridor bridge on the way to Cuiyu, the roof of the carriage flapped loudly, yet at this moment, inside the Cuiyu palace, it was as warm as spring.

Li Sangruo loved luxury, and wherever she went, she paid great attention to her clothing, food, shelter, and transportation, ensuring all were exquisite. To entertain Wen Xingsu, she was even more extravagant.

All the envoys seated were part of the Li Family faction, and on Li Sangruo’s suggestion, they vied with each other to utter words of excessive praise.

Fine wines and delicacies were on the table, along with beautiful women singing and dancing, completely free from the tension of the impending battle.

After three rounds of drinks and halfway through the meal, the men took turns toasting, then urged Wen Xingsu to attend the mathematics competition between Jin and Qi the following day.

Wen Xingsu sat upright in his seat, dressed in a wide robe with big sleeves, gentle and elegant. His face, illuminated by candlelight, had clear contours and a serene and genial expression like the warm sun.

Regardless of appearance, attitude, or behavior, he was respectfully modest, exuding an otherworldly aura.

"It’s not that Wen refuses, but I am truly no match for Mr. Yan. To compete with him would be like showing off my modest skill before an expert, which would only invite ridicule."

"It seems General Wen still has reservations." Li Sangruo narrowed her eyes, sizing up Wen Xingsu from head to toe, her interest in the handsome young man increasing her enjoyment of the wine.

Feng Shi Er Niang is detestable...

But her brother is quite likable.

A true gentleman, sincere and kind-hearted, with what seems to be an amiable disposition; a young man who knows how to cherish others...

Li Sangruo’s thoughts began to drift, and halfway through her speech, she started to laugh.

"Before all you esteemed ministers, I would like to apologize to General Wen for any offense I have caused in the past."

Having said this, she raised her glass in a sign, downed it in one gulp, half-threatening, half-smiling.

"General Wen, if you drink this cup, our past grievances will be forgotten."

Wen Xingsu chuckled, his voice warm yet firm.

"Wen feels alarmed. Your Highness has not offended me."

Li Sangruo smiled coyly, "Then, General Wen, please?"

Surrounded by a room full of officials in ceremonial dress, Wen Xingsu, though reluctant, could not afford to snub the Empress Dowager by rejecting her toast.

"Thank you, Your Highness." He covered his face with his sleeve and tilted his head back to drink.

Li Sangruo noticed that he did not address himself as a subject, and his language was ambiguous; she raised her eyebrows in amusement.

"General Wen is truly a man of spirit. May I ask, where is your ancestral home?"

Wen Xingsu clasped his hands and said, "The Wen family from Jiangdong."

Li Sangruo responded as though suddenly realizing, "No wonder General Wen possesses such gentlemanly grace; you are indeed the descendant of the esteemed Mr. Wen Shouzheng from Jiangdong."

Wen Xingsu: "Your Highness flatters me."

He remained ever so composed, as detached as rocks beneath a clear stream or pines in a forest, outwardly mild but in reality, repelling others from a thousand miles away.

Li Sangruo chuckled twice, her gaze fixed on his dark eyes under the lamp light.

"Does General Wen have any complaints about defecting to Dajin?"

Originally, to save Feng Yun, Wen Xingsu let Pei Jue concoct a scheme and personally signed the defection document; there was no denying it, and he chuckled.

"Wen dares not."

Li Sangruo pressed on relentlessly.

"So does General Wen have reservations about representing Dajin in the competition against Qi?"

Wen Xingsu offered a bow with hands clasped and apologized once more.

"In all the world, in the art of mathematics, no one can match Yan Buxi. I, with shallow talents and virtues, dare not disgrace Dajin."

"Hmph! I think you just refuse and are making excuses," Li Sangruo said, seemingly tipsy, her cheeks rosy and her gaze blurry, staring straight at Wen Xingsu half-jokingly, half-seriously, "I think General Wen, though stationed in the Jin Camp, still harbors a heart loyal to Qi."

Wen Xingsu felt quite uncomfortable under her unabashed, revealing gaze, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"Your Highness worries too much, Wen has no private allegiances with Qi."

Li Sangruo watched him with a smirk, her delicate fingers playing with the cup, her face brimming with a smile.

Song Shou’an and his ilk are really no match for Wen Xingsu...

Song Shou’an appears honest, but at heart, he is just a greedy villain. Wen Xingsu, on the other hand, is a righteous gentleman; just one look and anyone can tell.

Yet Li Sangruo took pleasure in watching a righteous gentleman lose face, succumbing to wicked urges and becoming uncomposed...

"I indeed cannot fully trust General Wen. I imagine General Wen feels the same about me."

As she said this, she glanced lightly at Wei Zheng who was among those present.

"Didn’t the head of the Imperial Cavalry Division mention yesterday that two secret letters sent to Qi were intercepted from Xinzhou..."

Wei Zheng’s eyelids twitched.

Feeling Li Sangruo’s gaze upon him, his heart also began to beat wildly.

This slut!

When Wei Zheng inwardly exclaimed that phrase, he, too, was startled.

This was the woman he had admired for many years...

He was unwilling to insult her in such a manner, yet he couldn’t find the words to describe the complicated emotions in his heart.

For a moment, his expression subtly changed, and it took a long time before he returned the gesture with a cupped-hand salute.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, it is indeed so," he said.

Li Sangruo was very satisfied with his reaction.

"Have you found the suspect?" she asked.

Wei Zheng, with his eyelids drooping, replied, "Your humble servant is in the process of tracing the source."

Li Sangruo’s eyes narrowed, and suddenly her smile vanished, a chilling gaze sweeping towards Wen Xingsu.

"Then perhaps General Wen could step into the inner chamber for a moment and write a few words for comparison?" she suggested.

Suddenly, the room fell silent as the grave.

Was this a direct accusation that Wen Xingsu was the traitor in question?

Wei Zheng glanced at Wen Xingsu.

Wen Xingsu showed no expression, merely sitting still with an inscrutable look in his eyes.

Wei Zheng slowly rose to his feet.

"May I trouble General Wen to accompany me?" he said.

Wen Xingsu raised his head, asked with a slight smile, "Now?"

"Now," Wei Zheng responded with a bow, "My apologies."

"No matter," Wen Xingsu said as he slowly got up and gently brushed his robe, returning the gesture to Wei Zheng.

From beginning to end, his demeanor was extremely calm.

He knew that whether it was the warm hospitality of fine wine and dishes, the company of song, dance, and beautiful women, or the veiled threats and temptations, they were all but means to an end.

These people of Jin would never truly be on his side.

Nor would they ever sincerely consider him one of their own.

He had anticipated that they would turn to force if cordial words failed to persuade.

Yet, the place Wei Zheng took him to was not the interrogation room of the Imperial Cavalry Division but to the inner courtyard of the side chambers.

Wei Zheng ordered someone to fetch ink and brushes, then invited Wen Xingsu to take a seat.

"Why be so obstinate, General Wen? You should know that the General’s lady also hopes that Jin will win this round," he said.

Wen Xingsu’s expression unchanged, he lightly smiled and responded, "It’s not that I refuse to compete, but I know I cannot win. Why humiliate myself?"

Wei Zheng sighed, "The wise man submits to circumstance. Why must you be so stubborn with the Empress Dowager?"

Wen Xingsu just smiled and did not reply.

Wei Zheng didn’t press further. When the servant brought the ink and brushes, he rolled up his sleeves and personally ground the ink for Wen Xingsu, speaking in a lower voice.

"Why not simply agree first? Even if you truly lose, the Empress Dowager cannot blame you, General Wen. But to flatly refuse her highness is... improper..."

Wen Xingsu’s eyelids lifted slightly, "Did the Master of the Imperial Cavalry not also know it was improper, yet still refused?"

Wei Zheng choked up.

He laughed awkwardly twice.

"The Empress Dowager will come by later, General Wen should still prepare..."

Before Wen Xingsu could respond, a maid outside bowed in greeting.

"Her Highness the Empress Dowager."

Li Sangruo walked in slowly, giving Wei Zheng an approving look, though her tone was not so pleasant.

"Has General Wen finished writing?" she asked.

Wei Zheng lowered his gaze, "He is writing."

Ever since Fang Fucai was gone, Li Sangruo indeed treated Wei Zheng much more kindly, sending Chen Xi with tonics for him after he became ill from diving into a pond while drugged, telling him to take good care of himself...

She showered him with grace and favor.

Wen Xingsu pretended not to see the silent exchange between them and wrote down a few lines.

"Empress Dowager, Master Wei, please review," he said.

Li Sangruo signaled to Wei Zheng, "Take it for comparison."

Wei Zheng obeyed and glanced at Wen Xingsu, then silently retreated.

"Before the results come out, General Wen will stay here for a while and wait..."

Li Sangruo settled down in a flurry of grace, noticing that Wen Xingsu wasn’t the least bit perturbed, she gave a cold smile.

"General Wen, do you know what fate awaits you if it’s found you’ve been colluding with Qi Country?"