Vol 8 Chapter 90 (2/2)

“Yes, it seems like someone was calling for Lord Liu Qi.” Cai Mao said and turned over to where I was and walked over.

When I saw this, I retracted from the wall and crept under a small table without caring for proprieties and image whatsoever,

As I made my way inside, I found that the long skirt was a hindrance and pulled it up to my waist and hugged it, somehow managing to squeeze inside whilst sitting on the floor with my bare b.u.t.tocks.

To my back was the wall with the mirror above it. Though the table was in the blind spot of the room, I can’t say for sure that I won’t be found out. I didn’t even dare to breathe, and I could almost feel like I could sense Cai Mao’s searching gaze from the window.

In my heart, I prayed that Xiang Lang wouldn’t call out to me again. It felt like time had stopped, and only after an eternity pa.s.sed did I hear Cai Mao move.

“Was it a misconception of mine…”

“You’re being too sensitive.”

“… I hope so. If Lord Liu Qi had heard our exchange, I might have taken her out then and there.”

Wu!

“Don’t spout nonsense. If you do that, Jin Sheng will slaughter us personally.”

“That makes things easier… Forget it, I’ll leave it at that.”

Cai Mao and Lady Cai continued talking, but I couldn’t hear much of their conversation thereafter as they’d begun to walk away.

I slid out from under the table and peeked at the window. Only when I saw that Cai Mao was nowhere to be seen did I heave a sigh of relief.

Hu… I crawled out and stood up before putting down my skirt and tidying up my clothes. But soon after, I became tense again.

I walked over to the door quickly and yanked it open.

“Ah, young mistress.”

The sight of Xiang Lang sitting on the stone steps playing with wild gra.s.s greeted me. When she heard me, she got up, dusted herself and bowed.

“Young mistress was really slow so I couldn’t help but to call out to you. Please forgive me for that.” Xiang Lang apologised. She would never know what kind of terror she made me go through because of that.

I did my best to feign nonchalance. I still wasn’t used to this clothing and acted like I was sleepy and stretched my neck while covering it with my palm.

If it were before, I might have grown suspicious of Xiang Lang and think that she was an underling of the Cai sisters and that this was an elaborate ruse. This possibility was minute but I would still hold on to it.

“Un, it’s fine.”

But the me of now doesn’t think of such things. Compared to such minor things, I have bigger things to worry about.

“Xiang Lang, do you know if uncle has arrived?”

“Uncle… Ah, you mean Imperial Uncle Liu huh?” She was stunned for a moment but soon understood who I meant, “If you mean Imperial Uncle Liu, then he just arrived,”

… No good. I gave a long sigh as anxiety filled my heart and I looked up to the heaven helplessly.

Only I know of this, and if I don’t save uncle, then he will be in peril. When I realised this, I breathed in deeply and looked at Xiang Lang, “Xiang Lang, can you do me a favour?”

“Well yes, I suppose I can, but the banquet is about to start soon so I hope the young mistress will hurry and join.”

It’s just the Feast at Hong Gate, it’ll be terrible if I join them. I thought, and suppressed my anger as I nodded, “Alright, but do me a favour. Go to the alternative banquet and bring me the command seal from Wen Ping. Then send an attendant to tell Yi Ji to look for me as soon as possible.”

“But Lord Yi Ji should still be busy with the preparations for the negotiations with Jiangdong and will be unable to make it here.”

“She must come. Tell her that I, Liu Qi, have matters of paramount importance for her to handle.”

I, the representative for Jing state, am well aware of how busy Yi Ji is but the events that are about to happen take precedence over the negotiations.

“But…”

“It’s fine, just do as I say. Don’t worry, if father blames you for s.h.i.+rking your responsibilities, I’ll take the blame.” I did my best to allay her concerns and coax her to be at ease as I know full well that a newcomer like herself will be anxious.

“Un… Alright.” After a long while, Xiang Lang finally nodded.

“Good, thank you very much. When Yi Ji arrives, tell her to come and find me. I will be waiting here for her and the command seal.”

“But what about the banquet?”

“… It’s fine to be a little late to this banquet.” I said softly.

If it were any later, I wouldn’t be able to make this Feast at Hong Gate end well.

I just hope that I’m good enough to fill the shoes of Zhang Liang.

(TL: Read the Wikipedia link before to understand this reference.)

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