"On what grounds!?" Xiang Ning suddenly yelled loudly.
Although it was her originally gentle female voice, it still gave the four men a fright! She was truly anxious now.
Great Han's one hundred and eight carriages of gifts shouldn't only consist of Princess Chang Le's dowry that would be handed over entirely to the Han imperial palace, right?
So why were only thirty-six carriages entering the imperial palace while seventy-two carriages were given to Fan Li!?
Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan were also looking at Xiang Ning in surprise, thinking to themselves that this palace maid was quite gutsy to be speaking up now.
"Insolence! Have you forgotten your own status?" Helplessly, Fan Li could only put on a stern face to pretend to admonish her.
Xiang Ning wasn't stupid. She finally realized herself. The gifts were a trivial matter. Exposing her own identity was the bigger issue!
She quickly changed her words, "This slave is asking, on what basis does Duke Fan deserve seventy-two carriages of gifts?"
When Cao Cao heard this, he blanked for a few seconds before looking relieved. As expected, this palace maid was one of Duke Fan's people, biased towards Duke Fan's side in everything.
They already got the bigger share, yet still felt it wasn't enough?
He quickly explained, "The seventy-two carriages of gifts sent to the Fan residence are worth several times more than the thirty-six carriages sent to the imperial palace. Please believe us, Great Han would never dare slight Duke Fan."
Fan Li felt extremely awkward as he scratched his feet.
This f*cking... The sincerity was certainly sufficient, but why did it have to be said right in front of Xiang Ning?
He could clearly sense Xiang Ning's breathing becoming hurried beside him, like she was a pufferfish about to explode!
"Erm... The Han Emperor has shown too much courtesy. Why are there so many gifts for me?" Fan Li randomly asked.
Yet he didn't expect that upon hearing his words, the attitude of all three Han ministers would become serious.
The three of them actually spoke in unison, "Our Emperor hopes that no matter whether the future ruler of Great Chu is surnamed Xiang or surnamed Fan, they will still be Great Han's most steadfast ally."
Damn!
Fan Li almost cursed out loud.
Just what had he done?
Why were there rumors of him usurping the country spreading to Great Han!?
As the three stared at Fan Li expectantly, their gazes were full of anticipation.
Before Fan Li could speak, he heard Xiang Ning slowly say, "The Han Emperor can rest assured this matter will definitely happen as he wishes... Hehe."
Fan Li was rendered speechless. He could only force an awkward laugh.
The three men misunderstood Fan Li and Xiang Ning's relationship. Thinking the gifts had an extremely good effect, Cao Cao seized the chance to say, "Being able to get acquainted with Duke Fan is truly our blessing from three lifetimes. If we could visit Duke Fan's residence for a cup of wine and conversation, that would be an even greater joy in life!"
This was taking the initiative to request paying a visit?
What else could Fan Li say?
There was no point hitting a smiling face. Moreover, his own home was probably filled with Han's gifts right now.
"I also feel a special affinity with the three gentlemen. As long as you don't mind the poor hospitality, please come to my residence."
As Fan Li spoke, he turned and started walking. But he gloomily came to a stop after barely taking a few steps. Fan Li looked at Xiang Ning while Xiang Ning raised her head to look at him.
This woman was actually following along with him!?
The looks of disbelief in the eyes of the six people sitting down as they stared at her were completely ignored by Xiang Ning.
In the end, the five people left the palace together.
At the Fan residence.
When Fan Ming, Fan Chun and Fan Yuehua learned that the God of Wealth was personally paying them a visit, they immediately prepared the highest standard banquet to play host.
People's mouths are soft when eating your food, and their hands short when taking your gifts.
Even if the Fan clan's wealth rivaled that of a nation, Great Han was still an entire country after all. The three siblings were extremely satisfied with the heavy gifts sent!
The Fan residence was spacious and majestic, its specifications differing only slightly from the imperial palace.
The most spectacular building on the premises was Rivers and Mountains Pavilion.
The six-storey pavilion towered high. A large lake was dug out to the west and constantly flowing water was channeled in so that it wouldn't dry out no matter the season.
The excavated earth was mounded to the east of Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, forming an artificial hill.
With water and mountains, Rivers and Mountains Pavilion perfectly lived up to its name. It was publicly recognized as the number one scenic sight in Peng City!
As Fan Li led the group up Rivers and Mountains Pavilion, Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan could only gasp in admiration and praise. Xiang Ning's expression remained gloomy like water however.
Fan Li also felt extremely awkward!
What the f*ck was this hosting guests!?
This was clearly the scene of a crime!
With the host and guests seated—
Fan Li in the central host seat. Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan to his right. Fan Ming, Fan Chun and Fan Yuehua opposite them to his left.
The angry woman was the most fearsome!
Without saying a word, Xiang Ning walked over and sat down directly beside Fan Li. The six people sitting down looked at her with disbelief in their eyes, but were all ignored by Xiang Ning.
In their hearts, Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Quan thought, "If the Fan clan starts a country in the future, could she be the empress?"
The three Fan siblings also wondered to themselves, "Who is she? What relationship does she have with our second brother/second younger brother? When did it start between them? How come we never knew!?"
"Ahem!"
As the servants carried in dishes and poured wine, Fan Li barely managed an opening remark.
"This duke offers congratulations on the prosperity of Chu and Han's national fortunes, and that the three gentlemen enjoy smooth careers."
As the chief envoy of Great Han, Cao Cao raised his cup in return. But he recited a poem instead.
"A song when meeting with wine, life is but fleeting! Like morning dew, more sorrow awaits in the days to come. Sorrow should be faced with pride, worries hard to forget. What dispels worries? Only intoxication. The green, green robe, stirs the heart for long. Merely for your sake, I sigh till now. Deer bleat faintly while eating wild greens. For I have fine guests, strumming the zither and blowing the reedpipe. As bright as the moon, when can we meet again? Worries stem from within, unable to be severed. Crossing trails and paths, struggling to coexist. Pledging affinity while conversing, the heart recalling past kindness. The bright moon lacking stars, crows flying south. Circling the tree thrice, which branch can it depend on?"
"Excellent!"
The three Fan siblings loudly clapped and cheered!
"We have long heard of Prime Minister Cao's literary talent and bold spirit. Seeing it today, we are lost in admiration!" Fan Ming praised.
"A song when meeting wine, life is but fleeting?" Fan Chun repeatedly savored the line, feeling its aftertaste was endless as he downed three consecutive cups.
Fan Yuehua's eyes turned misty as she also softly recited, "The green, green robe, stirs the heart for long. Merely for your sake, I sigh till now..."
Only Fan Li sat there restless.
As a transmigrator, his comprehension and historical knowledge from his past life let him deeply understand the true essence of this "Short Song" poem.
Judging solely from its creator, the final line "Duke Zhou with meaningful words, the world turns their hearts to him" was the true core!
Yet Cao Cao was now reciting "Short Song" to flatter Fan Li.
"Why are you dazing out? They're praising you, praising that the world turns their hearts to you!" Xiang Ning, who had been quietly sitting there the entire time, suddenly whispered softly beside him.
Damn that Duke Zhou with meaningful words, the world turning their hearts to him!
Fan Li felt extremely wronged! He hadn't thought of anything, yet it was as if he had been caught red-handed as a petty thief at a crime scene.
He raised his cup helplessly and said, "Minister Cao is overly praised. How dare I compare myself to Duke Zhou."
However, Cao Cao shook his head repeatedly. "Why should Duke Jin be so modest? In fact, the situation in Great Chu has been observed by everyone."
"Is... is that so?" Fan Li felt embarrassed.
"Cao once imagined, if he were in Duke Jin's position, how would he choose?"
Fan Li almost guessed what he was going to say next, wishing to use the braised beef on the table to shut Cao Cao's mouth!
Unfortunately, it was already too late.
Cao Cao looked at Fan Li with an admiring and worshipful look and said slowly, "If fate is with me, I would be King Wen of Zhou!"