Chapter Fifty-One: The Birthday Banquet Begins

  Yue Yun and Li Yu Rong chatted for a while longer, then both felt a bit hungry. Seeing that it was already noon, the two walked shoulder to shoulder towards the main hall.

  Yue Yun felt that this Miss Li was very lively and cheerful, and didn't have any of the spoiled and arrogant temperament of a rich girl. When he made some harmless jokes with her, she wouldn't get angry. In his opinion, beautiful women were attractive to him, but gentle, considerate, and understanding women were even more likable. Women who easily got angry and had a bad temper made Yue Yun's heart feel uneasy. This newly met Li Yu Rong not only looked pretty, but was also very easy-going, knowledgeable, and when chatting with her, Yue Yun felt like he had returned to his university days, living the life he had with his ex-girlfriend.

  This time, after borrowing the grain, he will return to Zhuxiantown, and Li Yurou will probably also return to Lin'an. The two places are far apart. It's unknown when they'll meet again, and even how long he can live is a question. So, Yue Yun cherishes this rare fate even more, hoping to spend more time with her.

  Before long, the two of them arrived at the hall. At this time, the hall was already filled with guests, and people were coming and going constantly.

  Just as Yue Yun was looking for an empty seat, a sudden shout came: "Brother Yue, you've finally appeared!"

  Yue Yun turned his head and saw Han Yan rushing over with a look of surprise on his face.

  "I met General Geng and General Liu, they said that you ran away as soon as you heard about drinking, and didn't know where to go. I had to search for you in the mansion for half a day but couldn't find you. It seems like you were with Miss Li instead! I thought you got lost..." Han Yanzhi said while sizing up the two of them, thinking that this Brother Yue was quite something, not only fierce on the battlefield, but also quite skilled in romance. Li Yu Rong was known to have high standards, and even looked down on Qin Gongxiang's son Qin Xi, but she seemed to have a different view of Brother Yue...

  Li Yurou had also been to Chuzhou twice before and was acquainted with Han Yanzhi. The two of them exchanged greetings and chatted for a few sentences.

  Han Yanzhi obviously had Liu Mingcheng arrange the seats, intentionally seating himself and Yue Yun with several grain merchants. Li Yu Rong naturally sat with them as well.

  Through Han Yanzhi's introduction, Yue Yun relied on his experience in dealing with customers in his previous life and naturally mixed well at the banquet, leaving a good impression on several grain merchants. However, these grain merchants were also very astute, and as soon as Yue Yun proposed reducing the deposit when purchasing grain, they immediately changed the subject and glossed over the matter. Only Li Yurou agreed to sell 10,000 stones of grain with a 1% deposit, considering that their impressions of each other were not bad, and also because Qin He had rescued her from his hands.

  This way, the goal of 50,000 stones is still far away from Yue Yun. Just as Yue Yun was feeling depressed in her heart, the host shouted loudly: "Liu Daxian, the Star of Longevity, has arrived!"

  The guests in the hall immediately stood up and welcomed him with folded hands. His eldest son, Liu Tao, was originally chatting and laughing at a table next to Yue Yun, drinking and having fun, but as soon as he heard the sound, he immediately put down his wine glass and quickly came forward to welcome him.

  Liu Mingcheng was seen wearing a red, embroidered jacket with a pine and crane pattern on the chest, his right hand leaning on the new-style cane given by Yue Yun, walking forward one step at a time.

  Liu Tao hastily stepped forward to support his old father, with a reddish face and a hint of drunkenness, saying: "Dad, your legs are not convenient, why didn't you call someone to help you?"

  At this time, he only noticed Liu Mingcheng's crutches and asked in surprise: "Dad, what is this?"

  Liu Mingcheng burst out laughing and said, "This is the 'new-style crutch' sent by General Yue. I tried it out, and this thing is much more convenient than a cane! With this, I can walk on my own without needing anyone to support me! Where's General Yue? I want to thank him in person!"

  This new-style cane was handed over to the housekeeper by Yue Yun as soon as he entered the door, and at that time he felt it inconvenient to carry such a large thing. But unexpectedly, when Liu Mingcheng checked the gift list, he saw that it was marked with auxiliary walking effect, so he took it out and used it in a hurry.

  Liu Tao saw that his father was very pleased and was overjoyed in his heart: "Dad, General Yue Shao is sitting right next to me at the next table!"

  After that, he led Liu Mingcheng to the side of Yue Yun's seat. When Liu Mingcheng saw Yue Yun, he hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, repeatedly praising: "General Yue, I didn't expect you to design such a clever 'crutch', it really makes me admire you! This crutch is indeed easy to use, it has made my walking much easier!"

  Yue Yun hastily returned a courtesy to Liu Mingcheng, but humbly said: "This general has only studied some unusual skills and tricks, and it's laughable for Lord Liu to see."

  At this time, Liu Tao hurriedly introduced to Liu Mingcheng: "Dad, except for General Yue and General Han at this table, they are all local and foreign merchants. Let me introduce you: This is Li Yujiao, the daughter of Li Yuanwai, a big businessman in Hangzhou. Next to her is Wang Yuanwai from our Chu State, who mainly deals with grain trade. This is Sun, the deputy head of the slot guild, this is...

  Liu Mingcheng nodded slightly and was summoned by name. The adults who were called also clasped their hands in congratulations, saying some auspicious birthday wishes.

  After seeing off the guests, Liu Tao supported Liu Mingcheng to the main chair and then began to celebrate his birthday.

  He ordered his servants to present a pair of large peaches, then knelt down and said to Liu Mingcheng: "Today is Father's 50th birthday, Tao'er wishes Father a long life, good health, happiness like the East China Sea, and longevity like Mount Nanshan!"

  Liu Mingcheng smiled and raised his hand to signal his son to get up. Although this eldest son was not interested in official career, he had a good talent for business and was cautious in his thinking, and could handle the major and minor matters of the Liu family very well.

  After Liu Tao finished paying his respects, Mrs. Liu, the second son of the Liu family, their daughter, and her husband all came forward to pay their respects. Then, it was the turn of the officials and scholars who presented their gifts, most of which were gold, silver, and precious jewels, with some people even giving a whole box of silver coins. Liu Ming accepted them all with a smile.

  Before long, a young man in white brocade clothes walked over from the third seat on the right, holding a folding fan in his hand, and presented Liu Mingcheng with a volume of calligraphy with birthday wishes.

  Yue Yun saw this person and couldn't help but be slightly startled, because this person was precisely Qin Xi. He had now changed into a set of dry clothes.

  Liu Mingcheng took over the letter and opened it to take a look. He saw that the words were written with a brush in a natural and free-spirited manner, with a comfortable and smooth flow, and the strokes were smooth and effortless, without any awkwardness or stiffness. The calligraphy was strong and powerful, truly exceptional. He took another close look at the signature, and to his surprise, it was actually Qin Hui, the current Prime Minister. His heart suddenly filled with both shock and joy, and he hastily asked Qin Ye: "This young master, dare I ask if you are Master Qin?"

  Qin Xi put away the folding fan in his hand, smiled slightly and said: "I am Qin Xi. My father has sent me to come here this time, specifically to congratulate Liu Gong on his birthday. Chu State is where my father escaped from the Jin people and returned to the Southern Song Dynasty. My father has always been very concerned about the affairs of Chu State. This calligraphy was written by him last month. He also had a small gift sent to the inner courtyard, I hope Liu Gong will accept it with a smile!"

  The guests around originally didn't know who Qin Xi was, but after hearing the conversation between the two, they were greatly surprised. They did not expect that the current prime minister would send his own son to congratulate Liu Mingcheng, a mere county magistrate, on his birthday. This Liu gentleman has too much face.

  Yue Yun felt that something was not quite right. Originally, he thought Qin Yi was just a lecher who came to Chu State solely to pursue Li Yu Rong, but now it seemed that there was more to it than that. Could Liu Ming Cheng be one of Qin Hui's trusted confidants? But judging from Liu Ming Cheng's reaction earlier, it didn't seem like it either. What exactly was going on here?

  Qin Xi returned to his seat amidst everyone's astonished and admiring gazes.

  As soon as he sat down, a servant next to him whispered in his ear: "Young master, it has been investigated clearly that the young man is called Yue Yun, the eldest son of Yue Fei. It is said that he has extremely high martial arts skills. He seems to have come to Chu State to borrow grain from Han Shizhong."

  "Yue Yun?" Qin Xi muttered Yue Yun's name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He said in a low voice: "The Yue family won't be able to jump around for a few more days. Once this peace negotiation is reached... Hmph, I will definitely make him unable to live or die! Daring to compete with me Qin Xi for a woman! How annoying!"

  The servants behind him naturally echoed in agreement.

  At this moment, one of his servants rushed in and whispered something in Qin Yi's ear.