Chapter 57: A Formal Meeting

The elderly storyteller was momentarily taken aback, his expression turning somewhat displeased.

Qin Jinghao also gazed intently at the sharp, aloof young nobleman, his face mirroring the storyteller’s unease. In a low voice, he asked with concern, “Someone is speaking to you—why do you look like this? Are you feeling unwell?”

Aware of her earlier rudeness, Luo Yunyao withdrew her gaze and shook her head. She had no intention of saying more, but seeing General Qin’s concern, she spoke up: “This man isn’t really friendly toward me. It’s odd that he’s speaking on my behalf.”

Among the people here, whether they supported or pitied Luo Yunyao, all addressed her respectfully as “Minister of War, Lord Luo.” Yet this man had called her by her name, Luo Yao.

At least that proved he was not one of her fanboys.

Luo Yunyao felt a bit disappointed at the absence of any devoted admirers. More troubling was the uneasy premonition she had about this sharp young noble’s presence. Still, she considered that she might be overthinking and chose not to say this to Qin Jinghao.

Having traveled far and wide, Qin Jinghao merely paused briefly upon hearing the noble’s words before responding tactfully and with a hint of irony: “This young master’s remarks hardly consider the maidservants as people. True, Minister Luo is talented, handsome, influential, and powerful. But does that mean every woman in the world must fall for him? What if a maidservant already has a suitable gentleman?”

Feigning a sigh, he added, “In the end, none of that matters—only good character makes a suitable gentleman!”

This mention of character seemed to imply a critique both of Minister Luo’s conduct and of the sharp young nobleman himself.

The nobleman showed no sign of anger, only casting a faint glance at the elderly storyteller.

That very glance made the storyteller tremble involuntarily, though inwardly he thought it was just the look he needed to scold the young nobleman who had dared to contradict him, perhaps even to strike him.

The aloof young nobleman leisurely sipped his wine, his brows knitting with mild disdain, before finally addressing the storyteller: “If Luo Yao is indeed clever, why force a few maidservants? Are there not enough places in this world for men’s amusement? Luo Yao stands at the peak of his power—where would he find the audacity to do such a thing?”

The storyteller was momentarily at a loss for words, lips trembling, before he stammered, “Then, according to you, what is the true situation?”

Frowning, the sharp young noble set down his cup, deliberately avoiding a glance at the storyteller on the stage. He spoke slowly and deliberately: “Forcible killing of maidservants, whipping of female servants, trafficking of official titles, theft of military secrets, framing a great general of the dynasty.” Though these were grave accusations, he spoke as if discussing a serene moonlit night, casual yet precise.

Luo Yunyao's heart tightened with every word. She thought to herself, luckily this formidable person was not one of her fanboys; otherwise, Minister Luo would certainly disappoint him.

The nobleman continued with an air of nonchalance: “Each of these incidents seems unrelated yet closely connected. Politics must not be spoken of lightly—do you understand?” He finally gave the storyteller a look devoid of any emotion but charged with clear meaning: “How many heads can you afford to lose discussing politics?”

Under that gaze, the storyteller nearly trembled off his high seat.

All the audience present changed expression.

Some, confused, glanced around before lowering their heads.

Luo Yunyao observed their puzzled yet respectful demeanor and felt deeply guilty toward them.

This was hardly political affairs—at most, matters of the heart. If Crown Prince Xiao Limo were responsible, calling it politics might carry some weight. But if it were Yue Liuxi, then... it was nothing more than simple framing.

Suddenly, Luo Yunyao felt she had wronged her party, her country, her people, and those who cared for her. She had at least served her nation and been beloved by the people as a good official. How could she be so easily undone by the petty schemes of a powerless woman like Yue Liuxi?

Lost in thought, Luo Yunyao resolved to clear her name as soon as possible. In her reverie, she forgot to withdraw her gaze from the sharp nobleman.

The nobleman, growing impatient, shot a sharp look at Luo Yunyao. She snapped out of her daze, still bewildered, locking eyes with him in quiet confusion.

He had intended to question her but was struck by her innocent, puzzled expression, which dampened his mood. Just as he was about to look away, his attention was drawn to the man beside Luo Yunyao.

That man was like a gentle breeze under a bright moon—an ordinary exile, yet carrying a hint of resolute vigor.

The sharp young nobleman seemed to recognize Qin Jinghao. Indifferently, he poured himself another cup of wine and raised it toward Qin Jinghao in a distant salute.

Luo Yunyao did not understand what had transpired between the two. Feeling guilty for not withdrawing her gaze earlier, she lowered her head to reflect.

While the Minister of War was in self-reflection, she noticed General Qin reaching for the wine pot.

Naturally, Luo Yunyao did not approve of Qin Jinghao drinking without reason. She promptly tapped his hand with the other end of her chopsticks.

Qin Jinghao was startled. Though the tap caused no pain, he wondered why Luo Yunyao prevented him from drinking with the sharp young nobleman. He presumed she must have some grievance against the nobleman.

After tapping him, Luo Yunyao regretted it—not because she was worried, for her touch had been light—but because she had interrupted a friendly exchange between Qin Jinghao and the nobleman.

How to remedy this?

Meeting Qin Jinghao’s puzzled gaze, Luo Yunyao subtly gestured with a wink in the nobleman’s unseen direction, silently pleading, “I had no idea you two were drinking. How do we fix this? How do we fix this?”

General Qin understood instantly without effort. Though exasperated by the careless young lady, he was helpless. A man like Qin Jinghao rarely encountered such awkward situations and was even less equipped to handle them.

At times like this, Luo Yunyao deeply questioned the usefulness of this distant, aloof nobleman as her ideal gentleman.

Somehow, that person seemed fully aware that this trouble was of his own making.

Luo Yunyao could not drink on behalf of Qin Jinghao—she had a reputation to uphold for not falling over after one cup! Most importantly, last time when she drank with Xiao Limo, her female disguise was nearly discovered! This left her with little fondness for alcohol.

Allowing Qin Jinghao to continue drinking while the nobleman ignored her? That would only make Luo Yunyao look foolish. But using her own face like this—she felt nothing. Only that it would lose face for Qin Jinghao was absolutely unacceptable!

After exchanging a glance with Qin Jinghao and rolling her eyes after much thought, Luo Yunyao suddenly had a bright idea and quietly summoned a waiter.

“Bring a pot of the finest wine from the Drunken Immortal Tavern each for that young master who spoke earlier and for our table. Also, deliver this message to that young master.” Luo Yunyao whispered her instructions.

The waiter, initially sulky and thinking, “Why do I have to serve this pauper? Can I just pretend not to see him calling me?” instantly brightened, beaming with a fawning smile as he eagerly went to fulfill the order, repeatedly thanking Luo Yunyao with “my lord” and such.

Luo Yunyao was deeply hurt by this servile behavior and couldn’t help but lament to Qin Jinghao, “Truly, the world is in decline, the world is in decline.” She almost couldn’t believe this was the true face of the world, as she was a good child raised under socialism and universal harmony. She comforted herself repeatedly, “This must be just your Western Qin. When I restore my country, Biluo, I refuse to teach my people to be like this.”

Qin Jinghao listened quietly to her words, his jade-like face faintly touched by a smile.

As Luo Yunyao spoke passionately, she suddenly remembered her own predicament—still trapped within prison walls. She bowed her head in self-abandonment, murmuring, “How laughable. I’m still a murder suspect, yet I’m thinking about guiding my people. Restoring the kingdom, Biluo—so far away. What am I even saying?”

Realizing her mood was amiss, she slowly lifted her head, smiling proudly at Qin Jinghao. “Though it was awkward just now, I still handled the matter quite well!” She looked at him with a pleading expression, silently begging for praise.

Qin Jinghao was already accustomed to the Minister of War’s ever-shifting moods and played along with her rhythm, joking, “Isn’t General Qin’s wife forbidding me from wasting money? So who’s really the spendthrift now?”

Seeing Luo Yunyao momentarily speechless, his expression became more vivid and genuine. He was not trying to embarrass his beloved, but spoke softly and tenderly: “Yunyao will restore the kingdom. Biluo will be the utopia you envision. I will accompany you, I will help you.”

If not for the public setting, Luo Yunyao would have surely leaned in, grasped Qin Jinghao’s head, and kissed him with deep passion.

Meanwhile, the aloof young nobleman, puzzled as he watched the interaction between General Qin and Luo Yunyao, only saw the two men speaking quietly and intimately. Though his profound inner strength could not catch their words, he raised an amused brow. It gave him the impression of a pair whispering sweet nothings.

Whispering sweet nothings? The aloof nobleman chuckled, amused at himself for imagining such a phrase applied to two men.