Shen Qingfeng didn't like socializing, but it didn't mean he was bad at it.
Back then, to help Xia Chuli seize the throne, he had investigated many of the people present. For example, who liked what, who disliked what, who loved gossiping the most, and who had grudges or favors with whom.
With He Jiu's approval, the others were sensible enough to give Shen Qingfeng and Qi Siyu face, so no negative topics related to them were mentioned.
Shen Qingfeng chatted with others as if a fish in water. Although he was originally ostracized by everyone, he always seemed to be able to grasp the key points of the topic at once and talk directly about what someone was interested in. Before long, the table where Shen Qingfeng and Qi Siyu were sitting became lively. Seeing Shen Qingfeng so at ease, which was far from the embarrassing image of someone who had made a fool of himself for resisting a marriage as people had said, everyone couldn't help but become curious and stepped forward to talk to him. After a while of high - falutin conversation, they were easily convinced by Shen Qingfeng, and even the way they looked at him changed a lot.
The maids came and went, serving food and drinks. As everyone clinked glasses, they began to talk freely. As the organizer of this banquet, He Jiu was the first to speak. "Do you know that for this New Year's sacrifice, the king invited those five feudal lords to come to the capital, but in the end, only three showed up."
Some people who hadn't been to the Winter Solstice Festival sacrifice asked, "Which three came?"
He Jiu replied, "Who else could it be? Lu Yan, the Marquis of Dingbei, Chen Luo, the Marquis of the Southwest, and Su Huanyu, the Marquis of Dongxiang."
"Didn't the other two come?"
He Jiu shook his head.
Everyone sighed. Then someone said, "Speaking of the other two marquises, it's understandable that the Marquis of Qimen, Chu Zihou, was busy suppressing the long - standing wars in his area. But as for Cen Wenhou of Yushan, who has a large expanse of fertile land in Yushan, not only did he offer less tribute, but he didn't even come this time?"
Someone chimed in, "Wasn't this inevitable? Haven't you noticed that since the death of the former queen, Cen Shuning has been opposing the king?"
Everyone seemed to suddenly become interested in the gossip and all turned their heads. Someone urged, "The former queen? You mean Princess Liuli? What's going on?"
The person continued, "Yushan borders the Xirong Kingdom. It is said that when Princess Liuli was sent here for the marriage alliance, Cen Wenhou's troops escorted her all the way to Lige!"
Everyone gasped in surprise and chattered, "But Princess Liuli still married the king. She gave birth to the crown prince and then passed away a few years later."
"That doesn't stop Cen Wenhou from still missing Princess Liuli."
"You're saying that the reason Cen Wenhou didn't come to Lige is because of love?"
"Maybe. After all, in history, generals often fell for beautiful women..."
Shen Qingfeng had been silent since this topic started. Then, as everyone's conversation led to the topic of love, a few people who were drunk from drinking improvised a few poems, and the conversation in the room reached a climax.
As the night deepened, the moon formed a bright crescent in the sky, hanging faintly in the star - dotted night sky. Everyone was getting carried away with the conversation. Someone called for some girls. The door opened, and girls in scanty clothes filed in one by one. Those who wanted to let off steam stayed in the gentle embrace of these girls, changing the venue. Those who were eager to go back to their rooms got up, excused themselves, and left in a hurry. Even He Jiu got drunk and directly dragged a girl off to a private room.
Shen Qingfeng blocked a girl's soft hand as she came to cling to him. He smiled faintly and refused her. Then he turned to nudge Qi Siyu, who was already drunk and snoring on the table. "Siyu, do you want to go back or rest here?"
Qi Siyu grunted a few times but didn't move.
Shen Qingfeng felt a bit headache. He nudged him again. "If you want to sleep, I'll ask someone to carry you to the inner room."
Just as he finished speaking, a shadow suddenly fell beside him. Shen Qingfeng was startled and quickly looked up. He saw a gloomy - faced man suddenly standing in front of them. Dressed in luxury, he was obviously also a guest at the banquet, but there was an air about him that seemed out of place with the others.
Shen Qingfeng stared at him for a while and felt that this man looked very familiar. He asked, "Are you... Mo Yunchen?"
The man named Mo Yunchen glanced at Shen Qingfeng indifferently. Ignoring him, he squatted down on his own and nudged Qi Siyu.
Qi Siyu still slept like a log.
"He's in a deep sleep," Shen Qingfeng said.
Mo Yunchen looked up at him after hearing this and pursed his lips without saying a word.
Yes, how could he not recognize this man? Mo Yunchen was a man not to be trifled with. It was said that in his early years, because of an inauspicious fate, he was sent to the martial - arts world to learn some skills. He was only brought back home after he reached adulthood. He was well - versed in both the martial - arts world and the officialdom.
But Shen Qingfeng's knowledge of him only went this far. After all, Mo Yunchen was highly skilled in martial arts and came and went like a ghost. Although he was from a noble family, he didn't like to get involved in court affairs. Shen Qingfeng had had very little contact with him in his past life.
Mo Yunchen moved. He put his hands under Qi Siyu's armpits and lifted him up without saying a word. Shen Qingfeng was so startled that he quickly stood up and asked, "What are you doing?"
Mo Yunchen said in a flat voice, "Taking him home."
Shen Qingfeng said, "He's in this state. Can he go back?"
"He'll be scolded if he doesn't go back," Mo Yunchen didn't seem to want to say more.
Shen Qingfeng was stunned. Thinking of the chaotic Qi family and the insidious Qi family head, Qi Shuhuan, Shen Qingfeng pursed his lips and said nothing.
Mo Yunchen carried Qi Siyu on his back and was about to leave when Shen Qingfeng stopped him. "What's your relationship with him?"
Mo Yunchen looked down at him and said, "Friends."
"Will you really take him back?"
"Yeah."
Shen Qingfeng looked at him for a while longer before putting down his blocking hand. Mo Yunchen, although a man of few words, was known to be an upright person. Because he had a background in the martial - arts world, he had a bit of the air of a chivalrous hero. So Shen Qingfeng felt relieved and made way for him.
Mo Yunchen carried Qi Siyu on his back and walked away from him. Shen Qingfeng had also drunk some wine. He covered his head and thought for a while. Finally, he decided not to stay here for the night.
"Hey, you." Just as Shen Qingfeng was feeling dizzy from the alcohol, Mo Yunchen behind him seemed to stop again and called out to him.
Shen Qingfeng turned around in confusion and saw Mo Yunchen's dark eyes staring directly at him.
"You're different from what they said."
Shen Qingfeng was taken aback. He didn't expect Mo Yunchen to say this to him. After all, if he really had to count, his interaction with Mo Yunchen was only this one night and just a few words.
"Okay," Shen Qingfeng replied with a faint smile.
Mo Yunchen glanced at him and then turned around and carried Qi Siyu away.
Shen Qingfeng stood there, looking at the messy room and a few guys still lying unconscious in the corner. He sighed softly with a smile and said to himself, "Let's go back."