The Lucky Farmgirl

Chapter 2281 - 2256: Beauties

The two had just exchanged a few words when General Guo and his son arrived.

Bai Shan glanced at Manbao, and the two turned around to stand properly, smiling as they looked towards the door.

General Guo entered with Guo Zhao, also wearing a broad smile. As soon as he entered, he clasped his hands to greet everyone. After greeting them one by one, he made his way to Zhou Man, smiling, "This must be Imperial Doctor Zhou. I’ve heard so much about you. Even in the Western Regions, they speak of your miraculous skills."

Manbao immediately protested that the praise was exaggerated and undeserved, and then complimented Guo Zhao behind him, "It’s Junior General Guo’s reputation that truly precedes him; truly, a tiger father begets no dog sons."

Guo Zhao: ... Suddenly feels like I’ve been reduced a generation.

Not only Guo Zhao, but General Guo also felt this and, looking at colleagues younger than his son, felt a bit uneasy and decided to laugh it off, turning to greet Mr. Zhuang.

General Guo lastly greeted Junior General Meng, but unlike with Zhou Man and the others, he seemed much closer to Junior General Meng, even reaching out to emphatically pat his shoulder as a gesture of praise.

Manbao and the others couldn’t help but look at his abdomen with expressions of sympathy.

Junior General Meng responded to the praise without changing his expression, but upon meeting their gaze, felt his stomach, previously only slightly aching, now in considerable pain.

General Guo laughed heartily as he sat back in his seat and then looked at the young men Zhou Man had brought, asking, "I haven’t returned to the capital in years. I don’t recognize my cousin Liu. Which one is it?"

Liu Huan had no choice but to stand and salute, saying, "General Guo, it is I."

"Why call me General Guo? You should be calling me uncle," General Guo said with a hearty laugh, patting the seat beside him. "Come, it’s been years since we, uncle and nephew, have met, and in a place like the Western Regions, no less. Come sit beside your uncle, let’s catch up warmly."

Manbao and the others stared with wide eyes, while Liu Huan looked as if hit by lightning, unsure how to respond.

In the silence, Mr. Zhuang discreetly glared at the kids to get their attention, then smiled and said to General Guo, "Please forgive the child, General Guo. He is young and innocent, and meeting a general for the first time has understandably made him a bit excited and lost in decorum. How dare I let him sit beside the general? Liu Huan, quickly apologize to the general!"

Liu Huan came to his senses and immediately bent over to apologize.

General Guo then turned to Mr. Zhuang, amusingly saying, "Ah, a walker from the Honglu Temple can now manage the grandson of the Chief Counselor?"

The Minister of Revenue has the beautiful title of "Chief Counselor," an indeed lovely title, yet somehow from General Guo’s mouth, it sounded almost sarcastic.

Mr. Zhuang’s expression remained unchanged as he smiled and explained, "Minister Liu has been kind enough not to discard me. I taught Liu Huan for a few days, and I brought him along this time to broaden his horizons."

A teacher is like a parent; with this status, Mr. Zhuang truly can be the principle for Liu Huan, possibly even more legitimate than General Guo as a cousin, in the eyes of those who don’t know their deeper relationship.

General Guo let it go with a laugh, no longer dwelling on the issue, and Guo Zhao timely interjected, "Father, it’s time to start the banquet."

General Guo then laughed and instructed the steward to serve dishes and wine, and of course, also beautiful maidens!

Rows of elegant maidens entered, carrying dishes and wine, moving gracefully with each step, as if dancing, and Manbao and the others were once again spellbound.

Though Manbao, Bai Shan, and Bai Erlang thought they had seen enough at the imperial palace, they realized again they were still country bumpkins, yet to truly witness the world.

Even Yin Huo and Liu Huan were captivated.

Only Zhou Liru looked at their clothes after glancing at them, thinking their attire was quite beautiful.

She thought her experiences were limited, so such things should be normal; probably, affluent families like to serve dishes like this.

Manbao also snapped out from watching their graceful movements, staring at the wine poured into her cup—clear, fragrant, yet despite the pleasant scent, it was unmistakably white wine.

Furthermore, it seemed crafted by Central Plains’ techniques, vaguely familiar in smell, and based on her experience, it was surely bitter; she didn’t want to drink.

Bai Shan also didn’t like alcohol, thinking there was always a stinky smell on those who drank, thus he didn’t touch it, intending only to drink when necessary to toast.

Looking at the wine and dishes on the table, the youngsters couldn’t help but feel lucky. Fortunately, they’d eaten well and long that afternoon, not feeling hungry now; otherwise, arriving at a banquet starving and only having such fare would be frustrating.

Other guests thought otherwise; someone praised the quality after a sip of wine, saying, "Is this Yicheng wine? It’s excellent."

General Guo smiled with satisfaction, "Indeed, it is. It was my collection, only brought out for distinguished guests on an occasion like this. Zhou and nephew, I raise a toast to you, destiny bringing us together from afar!"

Manbao and Liu Huan raised their cups, repeatedly claiming unworthiness, and upon seeing him drain his cup, they could only down their wine too.

Then they had to reciprocate and toast General Guo in return.

Thus, two cups were consumed.

Behind them, Assistant General Nie was sipping with relish, exchanging with Wei Xingren, "This is excellent Yicheng wine, even rare in the capital. Who’d expect to find it in Gaochang?"

Wei Xingren noted the displeasure in a nearby martial officer’s expression, reminding him quietly, "Assistant General Nie, it’s not called Gaochang now, but Xizhou."

Assistant General Nie also noticed the cold face beside him and internally sneered, but outwardly laughed heartily, saying, "Yes, yes, Xizhou."

Sitting in front, Mr. Zhuang was moved, gazing at the wine in his cup.

"Merely drinking isn’t entertaining; let them dance for us."

When Manbao and their group lifted their heads, they saw another group of charming girls giggling as they entered, dancing along with the music. A girl spinning near Bai Shan even winked at him—a testament to his handsome looks.

Bai Erlang and Liu Huan also received many flirtatious glances, even Manbao got two, yet none were directed at Yin Huo.

Manbao counted carefully and found it curious, "Why is no one flirting with Yin Huo?"

Bai Shan: ...

Beside them, Yin Huo: ...

Bai Shan turned to look at Yin Huo, eventually chuckled, "Perhaps because he’s fairer than them?"

Everyone then focused their gaze on him.

Yin Huo glanced at them indifferently, ignoring their jest.

General Guo, after connecting and drinking with many people, turned to see them whispering and often looking at the dancing girls, delightedly, "Enjoying yourselves, nephews? Simple, come—"