A large garden was planted with many precious flowers. In the center of the garden, a tall platform was built. A woman dressed in alluring and sexy clothing was dancing on the platform, as if dancing with a hundred flowers.
It was truly ingenious and had a certain flavor. Another group of dancers circled the flower beds, making it seem as if the flowers were more beautiful and the people even more so, with fragrant breezes passing by.
Feng Jiu led Liu Liu and others over, and the music of strings and flutes immediately stopped. Those who had been chatting in groups of three or five also ceased their conversations. Holding their wine cups, they stood on both sides, looking up at Feng Jiu on the high platform.
Feng Jiu had always enjoyed making friends. These people included the wealthy households of Fengyue City and friends from the martial world, as well as many important officials from Fengyue City. Seeing everyone looking at him eagerly, Feng Jiu let out a hearty laugh and spoke loudly.
"Tonight's banquet is to welcome my sworn brother, Qi Ye. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence."
As soon as Feng Jiu finished speaking, everyone's eyes unanimously turned towards the youth wearing a butterfly mask beside Feng Jiu. Was this the rumored Qi Ye?
Elegant and refined, dressed in simple plain clothes, he seemed to float like an immortal in the night. His dark hair was tied up with a crown. Although his face was hidden, his brilliant star-like eyes could be seen, shining like the brightest stars in the night sky, making people believe that this Qi Ye must be exceptionally beautiful.
Perhaps he wore a mask because he found it troublesome. Everyone speculated. Liu Liu nodded with aloofness, her expression extremely indifferent.
In such situations, she disliked speaking much. Disaster always stemmed from excessive talk. Although her voice was somewhat low, it was not without its sharp edges. Not everyone in the world was as careless as Feng Jiu.
After Feng Jiu introduced Liu Liu and saw his sworn brother merely nod in acknowledgement, indicating he had met them, Feng Jiu, who knew his young brother's eccentric personality, did not mind. He waved his hand, signaling everyone to sit.
"Everyone, please be seated. No need to stand."
The sound of strings and flutes filled the air once more. Everyone, led by the young maids, took their seats. Feng Jiu sat at the head, with Liu Liu and Dai Mei seated in the main guest positions. The rest were arranged below, with over a dozen tables and chairs set out in order.
Once everyone was seated, a line of beautiful maids began serving the dishes. The aroma of wine, meat, and flowers intertwined, creating an atmosphere of indulgence.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the dancers in the center. Every time the enchanting dancer on the high platform made a seductive and alluring move, the men would let out a cheer.
Liu Liu and Dai Mei, with disdain, cast cold glares at these men wallowing in debauchery, their eyes lit up at the sight of women, losing all sense of direction.
Seeing everyone enjoying themselves, Feng Jiu happily raised his wine cup and toasted them.
Everyone drank the toast together. The others looked at Qi Ye, who was eating his food slowly. It was rumored that Qi Ye killed without blinking. Even if he were to kill you, he would do so calmly, without any visible symptoms.
Therefore, at this moment, everyone wanted to toast Liu Liu. However, seeing that she seemed to pay them no mind, they felt annoyed but dared not provoke her. They could only toast Feng Jiu at the head table.
As Feng Jiu became more animated, he called out for Liu Liu to drink with him. Liu Liu accompanied him for a couple of cups, but she didn't want to drink anymore. She wasn't one to drink excessively, and she didn't want to get drunk and reveal any clues.
Just then, Steward Lu walked up to Feng Jiu and whispered something into his ear. Feng Jiu's expression turned somewhat unpleasant. Liu Liu frowned and glanced over.
She saw several tall men following behind the steward. The leader was none other than the Martial Alliance Leader, Zhan Yun, and behind him stood Feng Xie, whom they had rescued some time ago.
Liu Liu was surprised to encounter acquaintances in this place. She quickly lowered her head. Although her face was covered by a mask, she didn't know if they could recognize her from her eyes.
However, even if they felt a sense of familiarity, no one would dare to think in that direction because she had died in front of Feng Xie.
Thinking of this, Liu Liu calmly raised her head. Clearly, Dai Mei beside her had also spotted Feng Xie. She turned her head to look at Liu Liu and reached out, clasping her hand under the dining table. The two exchanged smiles.
Zhao Mei stood up, cupped her fists, and looked towards the newcomers, laughing heartily, "So it's Alliance Leader Zhan gracing Wanfeng Villa. Welcome, welcome. Someone, arrange tables and chairs for Alliance Leader Zhan and his party."
As soon as Feng Jiu finished speaking, beautiful maids moved among them, adding another set of tables and chairs in the main guest position next to Liu Liu and her companions. They were personally invited to sit down.
The martial artists at the banquet all stood up to greet Zhan Yun. Naturally, given the noble status of the Martial Alliance Leader, who wouldn't try to curry favor?
Liu Liu let out a cold laugh, a mocking smile playing on her lips. However, she found it strange that Zhan Yun and Feng Xie would appear at Wanfeng Villa. She had never heard Feng Jiu mention any acquaintance with Zhan Yun. If there was no relationship, why were they here?
Liu Liu suddenly remembered the incident where their tea was seized at Zhun River. It was evident that Feng Xie had found out about the cooperation between the Seven Star Tower and Wanfeng Tea House, and thus, someone had been watching Wanfeng Tea House.
The moment she appeared, someone must have notified Zhan Yun, and they had rushed over. Their main purpose, therefore, was to meet her, or perhaps to deal with her.
Liu Liu thought about this and raised her head. She saw that at the opposite table, Zhan Yun and Feng Xie's sharp eyes were fixed on them, as cold as ice. However, when their gazes fell upon her, they both paused for a moment.
These eyes resemble someone familiar. Just as the two men were about to look closer, Liu Liu had already turned her head away, avoiding their gaze.
The evening banquet continued, and with Zhan Yun's arrival, the banquet reached a climax.
The martial artists came in waves to toast them. Liu Liu noticed that Feng Xie kept observing their table and didn't drink much. Drinking seemed to be Zhan Yun's domain, as he downed cup after cup, as if he could withstand any amount of alcohol.
The Alliance Leader's wife, sitting beside him, appeared somewhat worried. She reached out and tugged at his robe, but he repelled her with a sharp glance.
Liu Liu saw Lin Cai Xue lower her head, her face filled with endless sorrow. It seemed to be another woman heartbroken by love.
As Liu Liu was thinking, Feng Xie actually picked up his wine cup and walked directly towards their table. Liu Liu quickly looked elsewhere, not daring to meet the man's gaze directly. He wouldn't be toasting them, would he? Just as she thought this, a chilling voice sounded by her ear.
"I have long admired the reputation of the Seven Star Tower's Master Qi Ye. Meeting you today indeed proves your fame. I've come to offer you a humble drink, Master Qi Ye. You won't refuse my courtesy, will you?"
A self-mocking smile flickered on Liu Liu's lips. She hadn't expected their reunion after five years to be like this. He came to offer her a drink, acting so inscrutable.
His pair of dark pupils held a hidden calculation. It seemed the Seven Star Tower had attracted the attention of the court. Therefore, that batch of tea was also seized by the court. It had nothing to do with that general, who was merely following orders.
"You are too kind."
With an equally cold tone, she slowly stood up. Her silver mask flashed in the light and then disappeared into darkness.
Raising her cup and looking at the man opposite her, she felt no fear of him. In his eyes, the Empress was already dead. Even if she bore some resemblance, he would never think in that direction. Liu Liu drank the cup with him.
"May I know how to address this esteemed companion?" Liu Liu deliberately asked, a sneer playing on her lips.
Feng Xie paused for a moment, raising an eyebrow. A chilling expression enveloped him. If there was any change in him over the past five years, it was that he seemed to have become even colder, with an aura of chill emanating from within three feet of him, devoid of any warmth.