Chapter 49: The Sinful Soul (Part 1)

  For dinner, Su Yunfeng and others all changed into beautiful and noble attire, walking out of the inner courtyard with elegance.

  Yang Shuangfen's first glance wasn't at Su Yun, but at Cai Bingxue. Cai Bingxue was wearing a small orange and red striped vest, revealing her white arms and fragrant shoulders. Yang Shuangfen had never thought that she would dress so sexily and refreshingly. She paired it with a light blue low-waisted skirt, the skirt tied lightly at the waist with a thin belt, the two overlapping pleats in front covering part of her legs, making them seem to appear and disappear; the hem of the skirt had a circle of tassels, adding a sense of fluttering. Then she put on a pair of orange-yellow beach sandals on her bare feet, and wore a straw hat with a wildflower on it, exuding a lively and youthful atmosphere all over her body. There were no diamond or pearl decorations on her, but she showed off a natural and flawless beauty.

  Su Yunfeng's attire was completely formal for the evening banquet, with a deep black dress as the base, adorned with various diamond decorations, and wearing a deep purple wide-brimmed hat. Her slender eyebrows, shiny black eyes, straight nose, soft and full cherry lips, and smooth, delicate, and radiant cheeks, her powdered face, all perfectly combined on the same pure and elegant beauty, exuding an irresistible charm; her snow-white, soft, and delicate arms, her beautiful, plump, and long legs, her slender and smooth calves, crystal clear and shiny like the moon, her slim yet full figure, shining brightly. Her face was dignified, calm as water, her footsteps light, with a noble and elegant demeanor, causing Monty and Xie Yan to involuntarily take several glances, before reluctantly leaving.

  Su Yunruo's appearance completely overshadowed Cai Fengfeng and Cai Miemi, Yang Shuangfen only glanced at them with a slanted eye to see that they were also dressed in their finest attire, looking equally noble and elegant, stunning and captivating. Unfortunately, next to Su Yunruo, they could only serve as foils.

  However, for some reason, Yang Shuang always felt that his gaze would become very lustful when looking at Su Yunruo. His eyes lingered on her towering chest, imagining the twin peaks that were about to burst out from under her black skirt. Occasionally, when he came to his senses, he would feel guilty and blame himself for being so infatuated, without realizing it was the effect of taking the Sacred Spirit Pill. Su Yunruo's figure was undoubtedly tall and full, seemingly on the verge of bursting out of her tightly bound clothes. In response to Yang Shuang's ogling, she returned a gaze filled with extreme contempt, causing Yang Shuang to lower his head in embarrassment.

  Under the subtle and ambiguous gaze, Yang Suofeng stepped onto the carriage. Tang Zixuan had already arranged everything perfectly, the arranged carriages were luxurious and spacious, with soft woolen cushions inside, making people feel very comfortable. Su Xian'er, Cai Mianmian, Cai Xinyi in one carriage, Yang Suofeng, Tang Zixuan, Cai Bingxiao in another carriage. When getting on the carriage, Yang Suofeng inadvertently caught a glimpse of Cai Bingxiao's eyes, which seemed to have discovered something unusual, but she didn't say anything.

  The dinner venue was at Lingquan Pavilion, one of the most luxurious wine houses in Baoying Prefecture. It had hot springs, and all sorts of restaurants were set up around them, hence the name Lingquan Pavilion. The horse carriage only took a dozen or so minutes to arrive. As soon as they got off the carriage, they attracted many people's attention, but their focus was all on Su Yunjin. Baoying Prefecture was a place where commerce and trade flourished, and it was also a major hub for slave trading, with many wealthy merchants. At this moment, it was dinner time, and there were many horse carriages parked at the entrance, with many men getting off with women of all sorts to attend banquets. Su Yunjin elegantly got off the carriage, holding up her skirt lightly, and disdainfully glanced at the men around her who were attracted by her beauty, as she walked inside surrounded by Cai Fengfeng and Cai Mianmian.

  Yang Shuang felt unwell, and Su Yunfeng was even more radiant and charming. He couldn't bear to look at other men with that kind of gaze full of... . Coincidentally, today's customers were particularly numerous, and many men, even those who had their arms around other women, couldn't help but stare at Su Yunfeng intensely. Su Yunfeng didn't conceal his own charm either, and as he smiled and shone, countless men lost their souls. Just when he was feeling extremely depressed, someone rushed over in a hurry, shouting loudly: "Lord Tang, Lord Tang, is that really you? Your esteemed presence honors our humble shop! Please come in, please come in quickly!"

  Yang Shuang looked sideways and saw a stout middle-aged merchant leaning intimately against Tang Zhi's side, with a flattering expression on his face.

  Tang Zī said calmly: "Boss Dong, you really have a good eye for people. I came here for the first time and you saw right through me at a glance."

  Mr. Dong smiled obsequiously and said: "The last time Lord Tang came to Baoying Prefecture for inspection, I saw you from afar, so I remembered it clearly. I've been thinking about how to invite Lord Tang to condescend to visit my humble shop, but unexpectedly, Lord Tang took the initiative to come today, which really makes me feel honored! Please come in quickly, please come in quickly! Huiniang, prepare the best Junshan Yinzhen tea."

  "Tang Zi said repeatedly: 'No need, no need, Mr. Dong, I've already asked a friend to book the spot for me, don't bother.'"

  Mr. Dong smiled and said, "How could that be? Lord Tang's first visit, I must accompany him properly! You are our patron, how can we not take good care of you? Please come in, please come in!"

  Yang Xuan's heart moved slightly, and he curiously said: "Has Lord Tang never been here before?"

  Mr. Dong said with a bit of embarrassment: "Of course, we want to invite Lord Tang to come here for dinner and get together, but Lord Tang has never given me face. I only found out later that every time Lord Tang comes to Baoying Prefecture for inspection, he eats at the prefectural yamen, and even eats with those attendants. Alas, Lord Tang, why do you have to be so austere?"

  Tang Zixuan said lightly: "This Qingquan Xuan, I really can't afford it! One meal would cost me a month's salary. If I eat one meal here, my wife and children will have to go hungry. Besides, if ordinary people often see me coming in and out of this place, they might keep their distance from me in the future."

  "Impossible!" said Mr. Dong hastily, "How could I let Your Honor spend money? Of course, it's on me! Your Honor is a clean and honest official who loves the people like his own children, we all admire you very much. Only an official like you can make our Baojing Prefecture prosperous and wealthy. However, if everyone were as honest as you, I wouldn't need to open this restaurant either... Are these your family members? The young man is handsome and elegant, the girl looks like a fairy..."

  Tang Zixuan stopped in his tracks and said calmly, "You've misunderstood. They're not my family members. This is Yang Suofeng, the newly appointed Navy Lieutenant General, and these women are all relatives of the newly appointed Army Lieutenant General Cai Yanqi. They're all going to head to the Menis region to take on the heavy responsibilities entrusted by the Empire, facing countless dangers and crises. That's why I'm here to host a farewell dinner for them and wish them victory."

  Mr. Dong said with great respect: "Ah, I'm so sorry, honored guests, it's really an honor to have you here! I'm ashamed, deeply ashamed. You are all the future pillars of the empire, and I admire you all, extremely admire you."

  A group of people passed by a fake mountain waterfall, but saw the waterfall gurgling, water droplets flying high, and unintentionally splashing the clothes of the women. Su Xiangruo's clothes were already very seductive, and at this moment, they were moistened by the mist, making the delicate curves more visible, and the proudly standing chest was even more dynamic. Yang Songfen felt more and more dry in her mouth and tongue, as if there was a flame burning uncontrollably at the bottom of her heart.

  There are more than thirty private dining rooms in Qingquan Xuan. To avoid being seen, Tang Zixuan had booked the one deepest inside. Its location was independent and required going through a small courtyard to reach it. The surroundings were extremely quiet and peaceful. Under Dong's lead, the group entered, only to see that the furniture inside was simple and had an ancient charm. The tables, chairs, and stools were all old items but looked clean and tidy. Only a white silk sofa on the side seemed relatively modern, giving the room a bit of vitality.

  Mr. Dong personally instructed the waiter to operate, and in a short while, all the dishes such as fragrant tea, Kyoto roasted duck, crispy double, scallion lamb, braised chicken wings, stir-fried duck palms, four-sided painting, sautéed yellow vegetables, three non-stick, vinegar pepper fish, sauce stir-fry chicken diced, pickled stir-fry fish slices, honey-like, five willow fish, dragon beard noodles, small steamed buns, minced meat pancakes and so on were served, but they were not particularly expensive dishes.

  "Tang Zilao said with a big smile: "Sorry, I wanted to invite everyone to have a sumptuous feast of mountain delicacies and seafood, but unfortunately my pockets are empty, and at home there's an old lady and children who can't go hungry. So I can only treat you all to some ordinary dishes. If I've offended anyone, please forgive me!"

  Yang Shuang said hastily: "Tang sir, what are you talking about? This meal should have been our treat."

  Tang Zhi waved his hand and said, "I'm the landlord after all! You're just passing by. If I have a chance to go to Menes in the future, you'll be the one inviting me back."

  Yang Shuang nodded and said: "Definitely, definitely."

  Su Ling said with deep feeling: "Although Lord Tang is in Fangchuan Road, his heart has never forgotten Meinis. I, a humble woman, also deeply admire him."

  "Alas, it's all in vain. Even if we remember the past, what's the use? The empire is now beset with crises, people are apathetic, finances are strained, corruption is rampant, and every step forward is a struggle. Just like those poets who lamented, the empire is already on its deathbed, beyond salvation..."

  Her eyes sparkled with a hint of curiosity as she raised an eyebrow and asked softly, "Sir, what makes you say that?"

  Tang Zhi suddenly woke up, coughed softly and said in a low voice: "Sorry, I was too sentimental. As long as we all do our best for the country and the people, even if we sacrifice ourselves, the empire still has hope. Just like you know there are tigers on the mountain but still head towards it. When the boat reaches the bridgehead, it will naturally go straight; when the carriage reaches the mountain, there will be a way. General Yang, I toast to you, the future of Meini is in your hands, these young people, I wish you victory and a triumphant return."

  Yang Shuangfeng hastily stood up and said emotionally: "Thank you, Lord Tang."

  Two men clinked their cups together and laughed as they downed the drink. Just then, Dong Laoban bustled in, carrying a delicate glass wine bottle filled with pink liquid. Su Daqi took one look and saw that it was top-grade grape wine. With great enthusiasm, he said to the crowd: "Lord Tang, this is a carefully brewed fine Yashu red wine from Irena, imported by our Qingquan Xuan. Please, everyone, give it a try."

  Tang Zisu said solemnly, "Boss Dong, the Yashu Red Wine here is beyond my budget. I heard that such a small bottle costs 50 gold coins, which is half of my annual salary. Please take it away, this expensive wine is not for us to taste, let's just drink white wine instead."

  Mr. Dong hastily smiled and said, "Oh no, oh no? This is a humble gift for Lord Tang and General Yang. Lord Tang is visiting for the first time, and General Yang has come from afar with great responsibility. Although I don't understand politics, I also know that General Yang's trip concerns the empire's future and prospects. Lord Tang, I know you've always been incorruptible and won't accept gifts, but this is a gift for General Yang, it doesn't count as an exception, does it?"

  Tang Zhi's face was slightly gloomy, obviously in a tense weighing of pros and cons, finding it very hard to decide.