Chapter 3982 — The Invitation Banquet
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
With Xu Lingchong's face behind it, he would not have to bear the slightest risk and could win back from Wei Zhao the all-important Peak No. 1 cave dwelling—for Kang Jingming, this trade was already a bargain. There was no need to keep haggling, or else provoking Wei Zhao into changing his mind would be the end of it.
"Then I will await Grand Steward Kang's good news," Wei Zhao said with a faint smile. Four sets of spirit herb seeds meant four Devourheart Linglong Grass seeds—already an unexpected delight, rare to come by.
Only then did Xu Lingchong finally speak: "Since the two of you have settled your business, this young master will state the purpose of his visit. Wei Zhao, I hear you once saved Junior Sister Lan'er in the back mountain?"
"Heh. And where did Young Master Xu hear that?" Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback.
A moment later, Wei Zhao cast a meaningful glance at Murong Zhen, who was watching from a distance. He knew the tale must have come from that woman's mouth, and must surely have been twisted beyond recognition—for if she had told the truth, given Xu Lingchong's position, he could never have let this venomous woman, who had tried to murder Shangguan Lan'er, off the hook. He would have slapped her dead long ago.
Xu Lingchong smiled smugly, feigning profundity: "In a little place like the Tri-Layer Pavilion, if this young master wishes to know something, it is naturally easy as turning over my hand. From the way you react, it seems there is indeed such a matter?"
"And what of it?" Wei Zhao countered, neither confirming nor denying.
Though he was minded to rid Shangguan Lan'er of the threat that was Murong Zhen, he had never intended to borrow Xu Lingchong's hand to do it. After all, he still did not know how Shangguan Lan'er had explained the business at Half-Moon Lake; if their accounts clashed and someone seized on the discrepancy, it would only make matters worse.
"By rights, a lowly newcomer like you has no business crossing paths with a lofty little princess like Junior Sister Lan'er. But Junior Sister Lan'er is a person who prizes loyalty and feeling. Because of this, she feels she owes you a favor. Of course, she also did you a good turn at the Enforcement Hall last time, so things should be considered even now," Xu Lingchong said in a tone of lofty condescension.
"And that too was thanks to Young Master Xu. It seems this favor will have to fall on Young Master Xu's head in the end," Wei Zhao replied, eyes half-lidded.
Xu Lingchong pretended not to hear this and carried on: "Wei Zhao, mark this one sentence well. Junior Sister Lan'er is a lofty little princess; she is not something a lowly root-grubber at the bottom like you can lay a finger on. If you wish to keep living well, then the farther you stay from her, the better. Do you understand this young master's meaning?"
Wei Zhao smiled an ambiguous smile, then gave him a look as though at an idiot. Mildly, he said: "Young Master Xu has mustered quite the retinue and come all this way—surely not for the sole purpose of telling me that?"
"Of course not. To sever those pitiful, humble fantasies of yours, so that you do not keep pestering Junior Sister Lan'er with the little favor you did her in the back mountain, this young master has decided to make an exception and issue you, a lowly newcomer, an invitation." Xu Lingchong shot a glance at Kang Jingming beside him, and Kang Jingming promptly handed an invitation into Wei Zhao's hands.
"The eighth of next month, Shangguan Lan'er's birthday banquet?" Wei Zhao scanned it once, and his eyes could not help narrowing slightly.