Chapter 95: Hosting a Banquet

Besides Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s two wives, Sun Ce was also invited.

Sun Ce hadn’t expected Liu Xie to cozy up to Guan Yu like this. Hesitant, he sought out Zhang Hong.

Ever since Zhang Hong single-handedly brought Liu Xie back to Wu Commandery, his already high status there had risen even further, subtly surpassing Zhang Zhao and Cheng Pu.

Although Sun Ce’s most trusted confidant remained Zhou Yu, whenever there were doubts or issues requiring experience, Sun Ce was always willing to consult Zhang Hong.

“Sir, His Majesty is hosting a banquet for Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s two wives. Ostensibly it’s a farewell, but in reality, it’s an attempt to win them over. I’ve already failed to sway Guan Yu before; is it wise to try again now?”

Sun Ce recognized Guan Yu’s pride and capability, but he himself was no less proud.

When two proud men meet, the outcome is often disastrous unless it leads to mutual delight. Sun Ce was unsure whether he should attend such an occasion.

“Whether you go or not depends on yourself: can you endure solitude? Do you trust His Majesty?”

What Sun Ce admired about Zhang Hong was that, unlike the overbearing Zhang Zhao, he never pressured others but treated them as juniors, always leaving decisions to them while merely helping clarify their thoughts.

“I understand. Thank you, sir.”

With just those brief words, Zhang Hong was sent out of Sun Ce’s residence.

After leaving, Zhang Hong sighed deeply, his expression conflicted. As the most prominent figure in Jiangdong recently, he too was filled with uncertainty.

What troubled him was known only to himself.

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By midday, Liu Xie was still lingering in his bedchamber when a maid reported outside, “Your Majesty, the Grand Commandant says he has military affairs and will not attend the banquet. His Majesty may send a deputy general in his stead.”

After dismissing the maid, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Liu Xie’s mouth. Some matters must follow proper procedure—each step may seem insignificant alone, but combined, their impact on the outcome is immeasurable.

From that afternoon onward, the once quiet palace gradually grew lively.

Though Liu Xie was merely hosting a banquet with the Empress and the two Qiao sisters to entertain Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wives—just seven people in total—the emperor’s banquet required ceremony and grandeur. Cao Cao had never given him such opportunities back in Xuchang, but now, the splendor had to be restored.

One advantage of consulting Sun Ce was that Sun Ce believed this banquet was a personal favor from Liu Xie, going so far as to provide Jiangdong’s finest chefs and dishes. After all, warriors like Guan Yu were rare.

Furthermore, Sun Ce supplied a troupe of beautiful dancers for Liu Xie and Guan Yu to enjoy during the feast—a significant show of support.

Liu Xie, somewhat detached until informed by a maid that the time had come and Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s two wives were seated and waiting, leisurely summoned Fu Shou and proceeded from his chamber to the main hall.

Upon arrival, not only were Guan Yu and Liu Bei’s wives present, but the Qiao sisters had also arrived. Qiao Feng was engaging the two ladies in conversation, while Qiao Shuang sat idly by, evidently arranged by her sister. She was not the focus today but merely a shield for Qiao Feng.

Aside from Qiao Shuang and Qiao Feng, the others were somewhat acquainted, and with Liu Xie seated on the throne, everyone felt more at ease.

Guan Yu, having been confined in a modest residence these days, was quite pleased with this larger gathering. Encouraged by Liu Xie, he immediately raised his cup and drank a few rounds with the emperor.

Meanwhile, Lady Mi and Lady Gan, persuaded by Qiao Feng, began to partake in the wine as well.

Though uncommon in this era, Liu Xie was emperor and host; according to him, he intended to let Guan Yu and the two ladies relax thoroughly. After all, their journey from Xuchang to Wu Commandery, and Guan Yu’s solo perilous travel, had been fraught with danger.

Thus, the two ladies, who rarely touched wine, finally shed their inhibitions.

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In fact, Liu Xie owed thanks to this era. Since the great Han dynasty, the status and freedom of women had made remarkable progress.

Wine, once scarcely touched by women, had become commonplace. Usually, women avoided it for fear of low tolerance or losing composure.

Wine is a mystical essence; even two millennia later, many matters could only be settled over a drink, showing its immense weight and influence.

Liu Xie, in later times, could drink one or two jin of sixty-degree white liquor without faltering. Compared to that, the wine of this era seemed mild. Thus, a few bowls posed no challenge to him.

As the drinking progressed, relationships relaxed. Guan Yu, previously reserved out of respect for his sisters-in-law, began toasting the two wives of Liu Bei, emboldened by the wine.

During this, Liu Xie quietly withdrew, leaving Fu Shou and Qiao Feng to keep company.

Fu Shou earnestly sought to entertain Liu Bei’s wives, but Qiao Feng had a secret task from Liu Xie before the banquet: to stir a certain atmosphere—one that, in this era, was unspeakable.

At this moment, Liu Xie slowly approached Qiao Shuang, who was struggling with the feast before her. Seeing him, she quickly rose to salute, though her well-fed face revealed a faint, obvious annoyance.

Liu Xie found her reproach unsurprising. He had kept her sister out late many times; no matter how innocent she seemed, she understood perfectly well. Her grievance was clear—she felt neglected in favor of others.