Chapter 560: The Welcoming Feast |
"Please."
After Li Xiangrou agreed, she let down the carriage curtain.
"Let's move out!"
Wang Mang then signaled for everyone to depart.
Immediately, the large force headed back toward the city.
"Ning Qi, it seems our recent battle was effective."
"The people you just released obviously went to inform them."
Li Xiangrou said to Ning Qi.
"Exactly, that's precisely the effect I wanted, to let them know how formidable we are!"
"Yes, Ning Qi, thank you so much this time."
Li Xiangrou thanked him again, "In the future, whatever you need, just say the word. Even if it means climbing a mountain of swords or crossing a sea of fire, I will definitely help you."
"Oh? Having your word is enough. I'm afraid I won't be coming back."
Hearing her words, Ning Qi couldn't help but smile, "However, it's not that absolute. If you ever want to catch up with me, you can contact me through the jade pendant I gave you."
"Though, if we are too far apart, I might receive your message a bit later."
"Good, I definitely will!"
Hearing his words, Li Xiangrou said earnestly.
"Your Highness, we have arrived."
It was at this moment that Wang Mang's voice came.
"Alright!"
Li Xiangrou stepped directly down from the carriage.
She looked at the City Lord's Mansion before her.
In front of the vermilion lacquered gate, many guards were already stationed, and even more officials from the city were also present.
"We respectfully welcome Her Highness the Princess!"
"..."
After everyone saw her descend from the carriage, they all knelt on the ground.
Their faces were full of reverence.
"Rise!"
Unmoved, Li Xiangrou just said lightly.
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"..."
Everyone responded again, then finally rose to their feet one after another.
"Princess, we have prepared a welcoming feast at the mansion. Please don't disdain our humble fare!"
Wang Mang stepped forward again, speaking respectfully.
"How could I? City Lord Wang, you worry too much. Let's go!"
Li Xiangrou waved her hand and then followed him into the City Lord's Mansion.
Along the way, the other officials all trailed behind them.
Only Ning Qi and Li Xiangrou stood and walked together.
Wang Mang glanced at Ning Qi but said nothing.
He had long known that Ning Qi was Li Xiangrou's guard.
Someone capable of being her personal bodyguard was not to be underestimated.
They arrived in the courtyard like this and saw it was already filled with banquet tables.
Many dishes had already been placed on them.
They were all made from spirit meat and spirit vegetables. Not only was there the aroma of the food, but the misty spiritual energy also surged around it.
It made one's mouth water just looking at it.
"Master, they are being too extravagant."
"But I like it."
On his shoulder, the Pill Spirit licked his lips.
He already looked eager and impatient.
"Princess, please!"
They reached the center of the courtyard, and then Wang Mang actively invited Li Xiangrou to take the seat of honor at the front.
"Alright!"
Li Xiangrou didn't stand on ceremony either and directly followed him to sit down.
Seeing the people behind her following over one by one, all standing, clearly waiting for her instruction.
"You all may sit as well!"
Only then did Li Xiangrou press her hand down slightly, signaling for everyone to sit down together.
"Thank you, Princess!"
"..."
After everyone respectfully expressed their thanks, they finally sat down one after another.
Li Xiangrou looked at everyone and nodded with satisfaction, "Everyone has worked hard. No need to be reserved! Eat to your heart's content."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Many responded again, but no one started eating.
Because Li Xiangrou hadn't moved yet.
Seeing everyone secretly watching her actions, she proactively picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the greens.
Putting it in her mouth, she showed a satisfied expression, "Not bad! Everyone, let's all have a taste."
"Thank you, Princess!"
Everyone thanked her again, then finally began carefully sampling the delicacies of the General's Mansion.
"Princess, you must be tired from the journey. How about resting at the mansion for a few days before setting off again?"
Seeing everyone had started eating, Wang Mang then spoke up.
He had also judged the timing well, knowing Li Xiangrou was in a good mood now.
That's why he dared to say this.
"No, after tonight, I will set off!"
Li Xiangrou shook her head, "Otherwise, someone in the Imperial Capital is thinking of me. If I don't go back and show my face, they won't be able to sleep."
Her words were also meant for Wang Mang's ears.
She understood very clearly who Wang Mang belonged to and what this meal meant.
It was obviously Li Fengrou, after learning the news, intentionally coming to show goodwill.
Well, if she knew this would happen, why did she act that way in the beginning?
When I didn't want to be this sovereign, she tried every possible way to harm me. Now that I'm interested, she comes to show weakness.
All of this happened because I possess absolute strength.
This is all thanks to Ning Qi; otherwise, I would never have had this opportunity in my lifetime.
Perhaps in the last battle, I would have already been killed by my elder sister.
"That's fine too, reuniting with His Majesty sooner."
Wang Mang pretended not to have caught her meaning and sighed with emotion, "Princess, we have also prepared some entertainment for tonight. How about Your Highness enjoys it properly?"
"Oh? What kind of entertainment?"
Li Xiangrou was still quite interested in these things.
"Just some things prepared by people from the mansion, singing, dancing, and some acrobatics!"
Seeing her interest, Wang Mang quickly said.
"Good, not bad, you've been thoughtful!"
Hearing him say this, Li Xiangrou couldn't help but become interested, "It's rare that you have this intention. Then I'll see how your preparations are."
"Princess, rest assured, we have everything arranged properly. As long as Your Highness participates, you will be so delighted you won't think of home!"
Wang Mang quickly agreed, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
However, Li Xiangrou didn't care about this. With Ning Qi by her side, she feared nothing.
"Your Highness, we toast you. You've worked hard on your journey back!"
"Your Highness, I toast you..."
It was at this moment that people came forward to propose toasts one after another.
Each one wore a respectful expression, afraid of angering Li Xiangrou.
"Alright!"
"Please!"
Li Xiangrou responded to each one.
She gave everyone some face, so no one was left embarrassed.
She had grievances with her elder sister, but not much enmity or entanglement with so many others.
Therefore, there was no need to drive them all to extinction.
After she ascends the throne, she just needs to purge one batch, discipline another, and finally keep one batch.
Let this last batch hold on first. After she cultivates her own people, she can also suppress them all.
Li Xiangrou thought to herself while continuing to savor the fine wine with these people.
With her current strength, this wine couldn't possibly intoxicate her.
There was no need to worry about being drunk.
Thus, the atmosphere at the scene gradually became lively.
Many people were also drinking merrily.
Ning Qi also sampled the delicacies here, especially the Pill Spirit, who was eating wolfishly.
He even held a small cup of wine, drinking with great relish.
"Master, the food here is really good."
While eating, the Pill Spirit didn't forget to say to Ning Qi, "You should eat more. Once we leave this place, there won't be another shop like it."
"Once we embark on the return journey, we'll be drinking the northwest wind again."
"You just eat yours!"
Ning Qi said with feigned annoyance.
The Pill Spirit paid no heed and began sampling the food on his own again.
It was only in front of food that he would disregard Ning Qi.
"Your Highness, are you setting off tomorrow?"
Wang Mang asked another question.
"That's right. Does City Lord Wang have something to say?"
Li Xiangrou asked with a smile.
"Your Highness, I see your guards are few. How about letting this subordinate escort you to the Imperial Capital?"
Hearing this, Wang Mang quickly said.
"No need. It's only two days' journey left. No need for such a grand production, having a city lord like you escort me back."
Without even thinking, Li Xiangrou directly refused.
A hint of indifference flashed in her eyes.
It was unclear whether this was her elder sister's arrangement or if he was acting on his own initiative here.
In any case, this matter could not be agreed to.
"This... Alright then. How about this subordinate sends a squad to escort Your Highness?"
Wang Mang paused, then continued.
"Troops aren't necessary either. This princess has people she can use."
Li Xiangrou shook her head again, once more refusing his goodwill, "City Lord Wang's kindness, this princess appreciates it. You can rest easy."
"This princess has been fine all the way here. What harm can a mere two-day journey do?"
"This... Then this subordinate won't make arrangements."
"But if Your Highness needs anything, this subordinate can arrange it at any time."
Wang Mang knew Li Xiangrou wouldn't use his people, but he still left a final remark.
"Alright!"
Li Xiangrou gave a simple acknowledgment.
"Your Highness, this subordinate also toasts you!"
Only then did Wang Mang raise his wine cup, inviting Li Xiangrou to drink together.
"Please!"
Li Xiangrou also clinked cups again and drank it down in one go.
The welcoming feast lasted until the afternoon. Only then did the officials in the courtyard come to bid farewell to Li Xiangrou one after another.
Many people left.
By evening, Wang Mang looked at the sky and turned to speak respectfully to Li Xiangrou, "Your Highness, the time is about right. We can go out now."
"Oh? Isn't it at the mansion?"
Li Xiangrou asked curiously.
"Your Highness, this subordinate knows you love liveliness. How would I dare to host it in such a quiet place as the mansion?"
"We are going to the lakeside outside the city, to the Pleasure House to watch their performance."
Wang Mang had clearly made preparations long ago, first piquing Li Xiangrou's interest.
Then he revealed their destination.
It turned out to be at the lakeside outside the city.
"Alright then. This princess sees your area is picturesque with clear waters and green mountains, a fine place indeed!"
"Then let's go. We shouldn't keep everyone waiting."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangrou directly stood up.
"Your Highness, please!"
Wang Mang also stood up and actively invited.
"Please!"
Li Xiangrou also agreed and followed him as they set off.
Ning Qi followed her from beginning to end. Commander Li also followed them out after seeing her prepare to move.
After they exited, Wang Mang had long prepared carriages.
Under his arrangement, they boarded the carriages and headed for the lakeside outside the city.
"Princess, it seems City Lord Wang is determined to switch sides."
"What are your plans?"
Ning Qi and Li Xiangrou were still sitting in the same carriage.
"Use him first. After I have my own people, I'll deal with him anew."
"I won't keep my elder sister's people for my use. It's just that to stabilize the situation now, some people need to be settled with later."
Hearing his words, Li Xiangrou responded without hesitation.
"It seems I worried for nothing."
Hearing her words, Ning Qi immediately felt relieved.
He obviously hadn't expected Li Xiangrou to mature so quickly.
"Without going through these experiences, I wouldn't have grown this fast either."
"Ning Qi, the most important thing is your support. Thank you!"
Li Xiangrou also understood Ning Qi's intention, so she smiled and thanked him.
"How many times have I said it? Don't thank me."
Ning Qi waved his hand, "This is all because you have talent yourself. I just protected you a bit."
"But without your protection, I couldn't have come this far either."
"So, I still have to thank you!"
Li Xiangrou shook her head, showing a solemn expression, "You are my great benefactor! I will remember it for a lifetime."
"Fine, as you wish."
Ning Qi couldn't win against her and could only let it be.
He was about to leave soon. In the future, she probably wouldn't have this chance again.
"Master, I feel this girl has taken a liking to you!"
On his shoulder, the Pill Spirit communicated using their secret method.
"In your eyes, every woman takes a liking to me!"
Hearing his words, Ning Qi said with feigned annoyance, "You ate so much food, yet it didn't shut your mouth."
"Master, you can't say that. I judge people too!"
The Pill Spirit spread his hands, putting on an innocent, harmless look.
"Your Highness, we have arrived!"
It was at this moment that Wang Mang's voice came from outside the carriage.
"Oh? We arrived so quickly!"
Hearing this, Li Xiangrou couldn't help but smile, then stepped down from the carriage.
Ning Qi followed closely behind, stepping down as well.
Seeing the scene here, he couldn't help but sigh.
There were already many people by the lakeside; it was like a small town.
The shore was lined with bamboo buildings and paved roads.
On the lake surface, there were over a dozen pleasure boats, brightly lit, with many singing girls on them.
It made the atmosphere here extraordinarily lively. In the distance, a pleasure boat much larger than any other swayed gently.
There was also the sound of gongs and drums coming from it.
"Your Highness, let's board the boat."
Wang Mang actively invited, "We'll take this small boat first, then go to that large boat in the middle later. That's where the real excitement is."
"Alright!"
Li Xiangrou agreed and followed Wang Mang toward the boat.
Lin Fan followed again. This time, Commander Li did not follow.
He just led his guards, starting to move toward the bamboo buildings and pleasure boats.
Clearly, they also knew there would absolutely be no problems here.
Moreover, with Ning Qi protecting the princess, there was even less need to worry about anything going wrong.
The strength Ning Qi had displayed all along put everyone at ease.
And at this moment, Li Xiangrou had already boarded the small boat, approaching the largest pleasure boat.
"Your Highness, please!"
After the two boats were secured together, Wang Mang invited Li Xiangrou aboard again.
"Alright!"
After Li Xiangrou agreed, she followed him onto the pleasure boat.