Chapter 21: No Matter, Continue Eating
“Master…”
“Are there really monsters here?”
Chichi Su asked, biting her finger.
When the word “monster” was mentioned, her expression did not show the fear of children her age, but rather excitement.
“Yes.”
Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Chichi Su’s eyes lit up, “Who is it? Is it that sister’s older sister? Or that sister’s mother?”
Chen An looked over and shook his head, “Neither.”
Just as **Chichi Su** was about to continue asking, her little nose twitched, and tears flowed down from the corner of her mouth.
“So fragrant…”
“Hungry?”
“Yes!”
Chichi Su responded heartily.
What heavenly immortal sister, at this moment, was not as real to her as a mouthful of food.
Moreover, she had heard the conversation between her master and that sister. Although she didn’t fully understand it, she had noticed the other party’s impatience with her master.
Coupled with what happened at the main gate earlier, **Chichi Su** had actually been a bit angry.
These people simply didn’t know how powerful her master was!
And they were here spouting nonsense, calling her master a con artist…
Thinking this, **Chichi Su** tugged at her master’s sleeve.
“Master, perhaps we shouldn’t eat anymore, let’s go out.”
“What’s wrong?”
Chichi Su tilted her little head and whimpered.
“They are all big idiots, and they look down on master. Chichi doesn’t want to eat with them.”
Chen An patted her head.
“But we came here to return things, eating is just a side activity.”
Hearing this, **Chichi Su** lowered her head, her two fingers twirling, somewhat annoyed, “I wish I hadn’t eaten that pastry!”
She couldn’t understand, “Besides, didn’t that sister willingly give it to us? Why do we have to return it to her?”
Chen An smiled and led her towards the hall.
“To put it nicely, this is fate.”
“What kind of rubbish fate!”
The little girl pouted her cheeks, looking very disdainful.
However, she then became curious, “Then what about putting it not so nicely?”
“Not so nicely…”
Chen An pondered for a moment, “Hmm, let’s just say we had too much free time.”
…
…
Arriving at the hall where the banquet was held, looking around, behind countless tables, a sea of heads swayed.
Whether they were esteemed scholars or high-ranking officials, everyone was gathered together. As they conversed, they clinked glasses and flattered each other.
“I’ve long admired you,” one would say, and “I dare not,” another would reply.
Everyone wore smiles, exuding warmth.
This was the City Lord’s Mansion in Luoyang.
“They converse with learned scholars and associate with no commoners.”
Unfortunately, this incredibly harmonious scene was disrupted by a pair of foodies, one large and one small.
In an inconspicuous corner of the hall, Chen An picked up a piece of preserved fruit, made of who-knows-what, and offered it to his obedient disciple’s mouth.
“Ah.”
Chichi Su took a bite without hesitation, and a satisfied dimple immediately appeared on her cute little face.
“Thank you, Master!”
She swayed her head and picked up a piece of pastry that looked very tempting.
Perhaps the only ones in the entire hall who were truly in the mood to eat were this master and disciple.
…
…
While the two ate happily, they were unaware that all of this happened to fall into someone’s eyes.
Young Master Wang, Shaoze Wang, beckoned, and the sycophant who had been waiting beside him quickly scurried over.
“Er Gou, look. Isn’t that the con artist who was stopped at the gate earlier? How did he manage to sneak in?”
Er Gou followed the direction of his master’s finger and said, “That’s right, it’s him!”
Looking at the master and disciple, heads bowed and solely focused on eating and drinking, Shaoze Wang’s lips curled into a sneer.
“Truly useless. With so many important figures present, he doesn’t even try to curry favor, and instead can only see the food in front of him.”
Shaoze Wang clicked his tongue, “Ridiculous, truly ridiculous.”
Er Gou quickly chimed in, “Young Master is right. This kind of hick from who-knows-where only has such a limited perspective. How can he grasp opportunities?”
He said, gesturing, “How about I go and kick them out?”
Upon hearing this, Shaoze Wang waved his hand. He picked up his crescent-shaped cup and took a sip, smiling, “Why bother?”
“He’s just a good-for-nothing who goes around freeloading. If you were to specifically target him, it would simply lower your status.”
Er Gou listened and repeatedly bowed in agreement.
“Young Master is truly broad-minded and elegant, able to tolerate such an insignificant wretch.”
“Alright, go stand aside.”
Shaoze Wang waved his hand. After Er Gou retreated behind him, he picked up his crescent cup and walked towards the adjacent table.
There, a group of scholars who considered themselves elegant gentlemen were conversing.
Seeing Shaoze Wang approach, they immediately broke into smiles and playfully teased, “Young Master Wang, how have you been? I heard you recently took in two new concubines. They say their figures are as graceful as flowing water. You must be enjoying yourself!”
“Scholar Qi, you jest. If you’re interested, I’ll arrange for someone to send them to you tonight. How about that?”
Shaoze Wang replied with a smile, and after a few more familiar pleasantries, he easily blended into the small group.
Finally, he even took the time to glance at the Taoist in the corner.
When he saw the other party still wholeheartedly eating, he felt even more contempt, and a sense of superiority arose.
Indeed, there was a gap between people.
Just like wild animals, what king of the mountain and a village dog could possibly be compared?
Chen An, of course, was unaware of the many thoughts racing through Young Master Wang’s mind. He had now transformed into a soulless tool for feeding snacks.
Chichi Su was responsible for eating, and he was responsible for feeding.
Time slowly passed until night arrived.
The lively banquet gradually quieted down.
Because everyone seemed to have noticed something was amiss.
The banquet was almost over, yet there was still no sign of the bride and groom.
And City Lord Ji, the Second Miss Ji, who was rumored to be able to use immortal magic, hadn’t shown herself to greet anyone since the banquet began.
Some people in the hall were already showing signs of dissatisfaction.
Although Ji Ping was the City Lord, none of them were ordinary people.
Who among those present was not a leader in their respective fields?
There were guild presidents, high-ranking officials in the court, and talented scholars and poets.
When had they ever been treated with such neglect?
“What’s going on with City Lord Ji? He’s kept us waiting here for so long?”
“Hmph! If you ask me, it’s better to just go home. Ji Ping puts on airs, but I don’t buy into it!”
“Brother Li is absolutely right. I think this Ji Manor isn’t worth visiting!”
“Hey, hey, hey, everyone, don’t get agitated. This old man has already sent someone to inquire. We should get a reply soon.”
Following these fiery remarks, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
Everyone’s expression turned grim.
They thought that if Ji Ping couldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation later, they wouldn’t be blamed for turning their backs and leaving.
For a moment, the entire hall was silent.
Suddenly, a crunching sound echoed, exceptionally loud at this moment.
Everyone couldn’t help but turn their heads towards the source of the sound. They saw a little girl with puffed-out cheeks, holding a piece of crispy wafer larger than her head in both hands, crunching away with gusto.
Feeling the gazes of everyone on her, the little girl instinctively hunched her shoulders, even her chewing sounds became softer.
At this moment, a gentle voice sounded from beside her.
“It’s nothing, continue eating.”
(End of this chapter)
