The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2282 - 2257: Teasing

He halted the music and dance, without waiting for Bai Shan and the others to explain, pointed at them, and laughed to the dancers, "Serve them well tonight. If you succeed in pleasing them, I’ll allow you to leave with them."

The dancers perked up upon hearing this and immediately rushed towards them...

They were already handsome to begin with, and being noble sons from the Central Plains, if they could leave with them, their lifetime would be worthwhile.

Bai Shan saw them approaching and was startled. In his panic, he pulled Manbao over to shield him from the dancers who were trying to grab him and said, "This is my future wife, ladies, please don’t be disrespectful."

The four dancers initially rushed towards Bai Shan. Seeing him cower behind Zhou Man and act timid, they were somewhat disappointed, but dared not be forceful. Instead, they turned to Bai Erlang and others.

Bai Erlang was also startled and stammered for a while, only managing to say "I," watching as his clothes were nearly pulled away. He anxiously announced, "I, I’m a groom, this can’t happen."

A groom, that was even better. The dancers didn’t mind serving the princess together.

But Bai Erlang cared; seeing them unwilling to let go, he tried forcefully to pull his sleeve back, "Princess, have you heard, the emperor favors the princess greatly. If you cling to me, the emperor will chop you all up!"

The threat of the Heavenly Khan was substantial, and hearing this, the dancers immediately released his sleeve and turned to entangle the pale-looking Yin Huo.

Yin Huo ignored the dancers but directly looked up at General Guo, "General Guo’s kindness overwhelms, yet I have been frail since childhood, and wouldn’t be able to handle such generosity."

Guo Zhao hurriedly whispered to his father, "Father, this is Commander Yin’s only son, Yin Huo!"

General Guo’s eyebrows twitched; he had been focused on Zhou Man and Liu Huan, the envoys, and hadn’t paid attention to the others, furrowing his brows, "Yin Li’s sickly son?"

Guo Zhao nodded repeatedly, seeing the dancers already trying to grab Yin Huo, feeling a bit anxious, "Father—"

General Guo immediately lightened his demeanor, calling off the dancers and kindly saying to Yin Huo, "No issue, dear nephew, if beauties are too much to handle, how about trying some of our Western Regions’ fine wine?"

Then, instead of Yicheng wine, he had someone bring up a bottle of fruit wine.

Bai Shan and the others saw this, suddenly growing red-eyed with envy, eager for some fruit wine themselves.

Liu Huan, engulfed by beauties and unable to even show his eyes, was completely oblivious to the happenings, having been entangled ever since General Guo issued the order. The three ladies rushing at him, two squeezed into his arms, and another hugged him from behind...

After Bai Shan and the others had each refused, the rest of the beauties also turned towards him, and finally, the two beauties who moved from Yin Huo could only grab onto a corner of his clothing, leaving him entirely obscured.

Liu Huan: ...

Friendship still existed among them. Manbao lightly coughed and knocked on the table, drawing the gaze of the adults who were watching the scene to Zhou Man.

Even the beauties pressing on Liu Huan fell quiet, momentarily still.

Evidently, beauties able to serve in this hall were no ordinary presence.

Manbao slightly smiled at General Guo, "General Guo’s intention is indeed kind, but such chaos isn’t ideal. Why not give us these beauties, and we can slowly enjoy their company back home."

General Guo paused, narrowing his eyes slightly, "Does Lord Zhou also fancy beauties?"

Manbao chuckled, "Who doesn’t like beauties? They don’t need to do anything, just their presence is pleasing. If General Guo is willing, send them all to us later."

After saying this, she turned to the dancers, "Let him go quickly, or he’ll suffocate soon."

She joked playfully, "Liu Huan has always been well-behaved in the capital, this is his first time facing such a scene."

General Guo’s smile was faint, "This General finds Lord Zhou even younger than my nephew, yet unexpectedly knowledgeable."

"General Guo misunderstood me; though I’ve frequented the court and witnessed many palace banquets, no dance like this have I ever seen. Today is indeed eye-opening." She raised her hand to pour herself a cup of wine, with a smile toasted, "This cup is to honor General Guo."

The meaning was clear.

General Guo returned the smile, lifted his cup to signify, and drank it all, finally not troubling Liu Huan further.

The Anxi officials, who had been laughing almost to tears, immediately restrained their expressions, no longer as brazen as before.

Mr. Zhuang and Bai Shan smiled slightly, the master and disciple simultaneously lowering their heads to sip wine, both feeling quite pleased.

Liu Huan remained somewhat angry even upon leaving, the lipstick still on his face not yet wiped off. Once outside the Protectorate, he kicked a stone lion at the gate annoyed, only to painfully cradle his foot afterward.

Zhou Liru thought he was foolish, "Why didn’t you smash a cup inside earlier? Kicking a stone lion now is just courting pain."

"Easy for you to say. If I had smashed a cup inside, wouldn’t we offend everyone?"

Zhou Liru, "You two families’ relations were already strained, wasn’t everyone already offended?"

Bai Erlang also thought he overthought, saying, "I don’t know what grudge your grandfather and General Guo hold, but treating a junior like you doesn’t need you maintaining superficial harmony."

Since there was no harmony anyway.

"Being so, better express yourself freely if you’re upset."

Bai Shan nodded, "As long as it’s not disrespectful, it’s fine. Even if you smash a cup, think of a reason, you can say it slipped, a flimsily believable excuse no one can argue against. He targeted you, why not target back, what’s to fear?"

Liu Huan was taken aback, asking, "But, but this is Xizhou, and his Anxi Protectorate’s territory. If they target us..."

"What’s to fear?" Manbao glanced at him, proud, "We come under imperial decree, and don’t meddle in local affairs, fear him for what?"

Liu Huan: ...

Liu Huan was on the verge of tears.

Mr. Zhuang just laughed, "Alright, let’s head back first, save the tears for when we’re home."

Liu Huan asked fiercely, "Would he send the beauties tomorrow?"

"Probably?" Manbao said, "He didn’t seem reluctant to let them go."

Liu Huan gritted his teeth, "Then tomorrow I..."

"You can’t send them back," Manbao said, "If you reject them, wouldn’t they face death?"

Assistant General Nie also said, "Young Master Liu, if you dislike them, gift them to me. Even gifting to someone else defaces him."

Liu Huan rolled his eyes.

Manbao didn’t intervene but curiously asked Assistant General Nie, "Wouldn’t your wife be upset? Would she still allow you to enter the house upon returning to the capital?"

Assistant General Nie: ...