Chapter 293: Hosting a Banquet

Chapter 293: The Banquet

After finishing his instructions regarding the banquet, Cheng Ge thought for a second and then added:

"Additionally, find a way to contact Song Yunzhi and the Lin family again, and ask for more reliable men."

Having said this, he didn't bother to check their reactions, turned around, and walked slowly back to the inner chamber.

Cheng Ge stood there in a bit of a daze, fingering an arm guard lightly.

Then he paced to the pearwood cabinet against the wall and stood silently for a while.

Slowly, he reached out and took out a long, narrow wooden box from deep inside the cabinet.

The wooden box was old-fashioned, with no ornamentation on its surface, yet it felt heavy and dense.

Cheng Ge's fingers paused on the lid for a moment, then he applied slight pressure with his fingertips, opening it a crack.

Cheng Ge's gaze fell upon the object inside the box, deep and cold as a winter pond, a swirl of hard-to-read emotions.

...

Meanwhile, inside the residence of Lian Wujing, it was a different story.

The core officials of Chengping Province gathered in the flower hall, holding the gold-rimmed invites they'd just gotten.

"Haha, look everyone, our Censor Cheng was hopping mad a few days ago, and now he's buttering us up with invites."

A plump official shook the invitation in his hand, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"He must not dare to jump around anymore. Scared stiff, he's kissing up and begging for mercy, right?"

Another person chimed in, his voice carrying undisguised glee.

"I heard that day in Weixian, he personally witnessed Shen Chongzhuo's end and got so scared he fell sick when he got back.

He lay in bed for several days, almost met the Grim Reaper! Tsk, the kid can't take the heat."

Hearing this, the crowd howled with laughter. They all turned their gazes to Lian Wujing, who was leisurely sipping tea at the head seat, and began scrambling to butter him up.

"Lord Lian's methods are genius. With just a little trick, you put that cocky brat in his place!"

"Exactly! After this, he won't dare cross you from now on, my lord, or us anymore!"

Lian Wujing took in the flattery with a faint smirk of contempt.

He slowly picked up his celadon teacup, blew the foam aside, sipped, and stayed silent.

At this moment, someone cautiously asked, "So... for his banquet, should we go or not?"

As soon as the words fell, an impatient official immediately yelled, "Why go? Perfect chance to show him who's the boss!

Let him wake up and realize he's nobody!"

That got a lot of nods.

Just as everyone thought this was the conclusion, Lian Wujing set his teacup down on the table with a soft clink.

He looked up, scanned the room, and said in a calm but clear tone: "Go. Why the hell not?"

The crowd exchanged confused looks, not getting it.

Lian Wujing casually smoothed his sleeves and said slowly, "Look, Censor Cheng represents the Emperor, after all.

We have to show him respect, after all..." He paused, a meaningful curve forming at the corner of his lips.

"We're all educated men who've read the classics and know what's proper. We put a high value on etiquette and doing things by the book.

If the Censor makes it back safely and the Emperor asks, we can answer without any blame falling on us. Isn't that better?"

After he spelled it out, they froze, then it clicked, and knowing smiles spread across their faces.

"Genius! Absolutely genius!"

"Oh, I get it now! It's a slap followed by a carrot, and reel him in?"

"Show him our strength, then throw him a bone. That punk will have no choice but to kowtow!"

...

The banquet was held in the main hall of the Censorate, all lit up bright.

Strings and flutes filled the air, and with all the clinking glasses, a fake harmony reigned.

At the head seat, Lian Wujing sat calmly, not partying like the rest.

He just lifted his teacup now and then for a sip, a faint, indifferent smirk at the corner of his lips, as if everything was under control.

Cheng Ge, who should have been at the head table, was squeezed into a corner near the door, almost like the lowest seat.

He sat alone, looking scrawny and frail in his oversized official robe.

The food and drink in front of him sat untouched; he just stared down at the clear wine in his cup.

He seemed completely unaware of the sneers, mockery, and glee aimed his way.

After a few rounds of drinks, the vibe grew rowdier with Lian Wujing's silent go-ahead.

A few officials exchanged looks and started needling Cheng Ge, who'd been so quiet he was nearly invisible.

"Censor Cheng," a lanky official said, walking up to Cheng Ge's table with his cup and raising his voice on purpose.

"Today, you are the host of this banquet. Why are you drinking alone here? Could it be... you're still troubled by the affairs in Weixian?"

He stressed the word "Weixian" heavily, his tone dripping with undisguised mockery.

Cheng Ge didn't even blink, as if he were just a buzzing fly.

Just then, a greasy-faced, half-drunk official staggered over, reeking of booze.

He slammed his hand on Cheng Ge's table, making the cups rattle.

His other hand reached for the wine jug in front of Cheng Ge, and he purposely leaned in.

"Hey, Censor Cheng, don't be so cold!" he belched, spitting wine mist onto Cheng Ge's face.

"Come on, let me toast you, to settle your nerves! Heard you were under the weather a few days ago?

Ah, kid, you gotta know when to push and when to pull back..."

As he spoke, that greasy hand moved almost imperceptibly toward Cheng Ge's hand holding his wine cup, the intent unmistakable.

Cheng Ge’s wrist dipped slightly, evading the man's touch, and he remained silent.

This mute resistance only seemed to stoke the other’s arrogance.

The drunken official’s face darkened, and emboldened by the wine, he grew bolder.

He went around the table and plopped himself right next to Cheng Ge, one arm making a big show of familiarity as it reached for Cheng Ge’s shoulder.

His oily face pressed in close, voice lowered, yet the tone dripping with brazen intimacy:

“Censor Cheng, don't be such a spoilsport! Look at that pale little face of yours—I, this official, find it downright cute… Tell me, why must you make things so difficult for us?

A smart man knows when to roll with the punches. Just bow your head, show a little submission, and you’ll have your rewards down the road…” The insinuation in his words was now blunt and impossible to miss.

That restless hand grew even bolder, reaching directly for the side of Cheng Ge’s face. “…Follow us, and I guarantee you…”

Then, just as those repulsive fingers were about to touch his skin—

The white jade wine cup that Cheng Ge had been idly toying with was suddenly slammed hard against the table!

“CRASH—!” The sharp, piercing sound of shattering exploded like a thunderclap.

It instantly drowned out all the music, the laughter, and the flattery as shards of white jade flew in all directions.

Cheng Ge’s wrist snapped outward with a fierce burst of force, and a single piece of broken porcelain embedded itself deep into the back of that man’s hand.