For a normal banquet, the steps were pretty much the same. Welcoming the guests, announcing the ceremony, starting the banquet, music and dance … To put it bluntly, it was just eating, drinking, playing, and chatting.
Cheng Jing was preoccupied with his own thoughts, so how could he have the energy to pay attention to the dishes and wine?
He had already mentally prepared himself to be distracted while watching the song and dance. At least he could muddle through this difficult period of time.
In the end —
The customs of Wanzhou's banquets were very different from those of other places. They were given food and drinks, but they weren't allowed to watch songs and dances. Cheng Jing couldn't just sit there in a daze, could he?
One could say that he was in a daze while watching the song and dance because the song and dance was too beautiful, so he was mesmerized by it.
But now, there was only good food and wine, no singing and dancing beauties. If he was in a daze, what excuse could he use?
The food and wine were too tempting, so he was dumbfounded?
Cheng Jing didn't have much of an appetite. Seeing that Jiang Pengji had no intention of summoning him to dance, he could only lower his eyelids and raise his hand to pick up his chopsticks.
He had thought that he would lose his appetite after eating a few mouthfuls, but he had never expected that the dishes at the banquet would be so delicious and exquisite that his appetite was aroused.
As an honored guest, Cheng Jing sat at the first seat on the right side of the hall. Yuan Chong sat at the table beside him.
Yuan Chong secretly looked around, as if he was looking for traces of the dancers, but the result was disappointing.
More than half of the delicacies on the table had been eaten, but the entertainment program hadn't started yet. Was there a problem with the arrangements?
Yuan Chong said with a smile, "Today, there is fine wine and delicacies. If there are beauties singing and dancing to liven things up, it would truly be a joyous occasion."
Jiang Pengji said, "I don't keep musicians and dancers in my residence."
Yuan Chong would find these words unbelievable if they were said by someone else.
Keeping entertainers and dancers was not only for entertainment, but also for the convenience of entertaining guests.
Those who didn't raise them were mostly stingy or from poor families. They would lose face if they told others about it.
But when Jiang Pengji said it, Yuan Chong felt that it was only natural.
The Liu Prefecture Overseer in front of him was a woman. Why did she keep so many beauties who were more beautiful than her?
Making things difficult for me?
Yuan Chong thought he knew the truth, so he didn't pursue the matter further.
Although there was no singing and dancing to liven things up, the food in Wanzhou was really good. The dishes cooked were exceptionally delicious. Not only did they look, smell, and taste great, but they also had a wide variety of dishes. Even though he was already feeling a little full, he still couldn't help but reach out his chopsticks when he saw the new delicacies that the maidservant had brought over.
"Today's banquet is to welcome the two envoys. If there were no singing and dancing, it would indeed be a little desolate. " Xu Ke, who was standing at the side, stepped forward to smooth things over. He said with a smile, "My Lord and County Chief Huang have a good personal relationship. In private, they address each other as brother and sister. Our two families are naturally as close as one family, so there's no need to be too restrained. If the two envoys don't mind, Ke is willing to play a song. "
It was the "custom" of Wanzhou to prepare their own programs. Yuan Chong and Cheng Jing thought that they were being rude and had forced Xu Ke to come out and smooth things over.
But since Xu Ke had already said it, how could they dare to say no?
Cheng Jing said a few words of praise and complimented him in a tone that was neither too light nor too heavy.
Xu Ke's zither skills were not top-notch, but they were above average. The music he played was cheerful and joyous, so he did not embarrass himself.
Yuan Chong couldn't hear anything, he just felt that the other party was playing very well.
Everyone brushed this matter aside and continued to eat, drink, and chat. When they were drunk, they would practice their swordplay. Very soon, half of the time had passed.
The atmosphere at the banquet was harmonious, causing Cheng Jing's taut nerves to relax slightly.
However, his gaze would always drift to Jiang Pengji's right hand, and there was a strong sense of struggle in his eyes.
He had heard more than once that Liu Xi was good at fighting, and he had also heard Huang Song vividly describe the scene of Liu Xi using a ceremonial tablet to dismember people at court … Even so, Jiang Pengji was still human. Could she really deal with that demon? The demon was obviously plotting against Liu Xi. If he led Liu Xi to the demon, would he really not harm her? Cheng Jing was not afraid of anything else, he was only worried that it would bring disaster to Huang Song!
While he was hesitating, the banquet had already come to an end.
Whether it was the absent-minded Cheng Jing, the gourmet Yuan Chong, or the civil and military talents who were freeloading from Jiang Pengji's tent, they maintained an upright sitting posture while secretly covering their stomachs with their sleeves. They rubbed their bloated bellies with the cover of their sleeves.
In other people's banquets, "listening to songs and watching dances" was the main theme, but in Jiang Pengji's banquet, eating and drinking were the most important things.
Cheng Jing was struggling with himself when Jiang Pengji asked him.
"Youmo said that he had something to tell me during the day. What is it?"
Jiang Pengji winked at him, hinting at him not to spoil things. Cheng Jing was stunned for a moment, but he readily followed her advice.
He bowed and said, "My lord ordered me to pass on a message. If it's convenient, I would like to discuss it in detail with you in private."
Official matters certainly could not be discussed at the banquet. It was normal to ask for the attendants to be dismissed or to discuss it in detail in private.
Jiang Pengji said, "Of course."
The banquet ended, and Cheng Jing let Yuan Chong return to the place where he was staying.
"I have something important to discuss with you in detail. Heng Shu, you don't have to wait outside. Just leave a carriage behind."
After giving instructions, Cheng Jing left with Jiang Pengji.
The two of them walked under the moonlight to a secluded place, avoiding the eyes and ears of others.
From afar, it looked like two friends walking side by side under the moonlight, chatting leisurely.
Because the previous banquet was too boring, the audience watching the livestream was not very interested. There were only two or three comments on the screen.
Zhandao Changkong: "Is there anyone alive in the livestream room?"
Xuanyuan Mingjing: "I'm still hanging in there. I've watched the streamer eat for two to three hours. I'm starving. I'm holding a bucket of instant noodles and gnawing on it."
Sai Pu: "I'm hanging in there too. I haven't noticed anything strange until now, but I don't dare to leave the livestream room. I'm afraid I'll miss something big."
Jiang Pengji's livestream had a certain pattern. If there were no accidents, the livestream time was from nine to five.
If something big happened, she would extend the livestream time or start a livestream at the last minute.
Everyone was a veteran in the livestream room. They knew Jiang Pengji's temper, so they kept waiting and refused to leave.
When the banquet was finally over, they saw the streamer strolling under the moonlight with Cheng Jing in casual clothes. The further they walked, the more remote they became.
Uh … They felt a little flustered.
Could it be that the streamer had finally found her conscience and planned to give the audience some benefits, such as forcing herself against the wall or doing something shameful?
More than one person made such a guess.
Sanzhisongshu Ningshi: "I thought the streamer liked Beauty Ci. It was shown in the previous livestream. Why did they suddenly change their CP?"
Hide and Seek Cat: "I like Beauty Ci too. I'm firmly on the streamer X and Wei Ci's CP."
Mei 'er' niang: "Change their CP? No! Watching the streamer win over Beauty Ci is my motivation to follow the livestream. Don't be so cruel! "
Toudu Feiqiu: "It can't be. Would the streamer fall in love with Cheng Jing? Don't scare me! " You can open your mouth to spread rumors, but you'll break your legs to refute them. Although Cheng Jing looks good, has a good temperament, and has a good family background, he's much older than the streamer. He should be married and have children, right? It's impossible for the streamer to get involved in other people's marriages and families. She and Cheng Jing should really have something to discuss. Don't think too much. "
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