Marshal Zhang’s banquet for welcoming his fifth mistress was organized pretty extravagantly. Renowned officials and wealthy merchants all across the entire Zhi Li suddenly received their invitation letters. Because of this, many people made private conjectures that Marshal Zhang must treasure and dote on this fifth mistress to the utmost.

“Zhang Chong must’ve wanted to use this opportunity to win over some of his connections,” In the car on their way to the banquet, Yan Zhan analyzed the situation with Chu Jiao. “Having been in Jin Di for too long, maybe he isn’t satisfied with his domain being one-third of an acre¹One-third of an acre(一畝三分): A Chinese expression with historical origins that means he isn’t satisfied with his current circumstances. More info here https://kknews.cc/zh-hk/history/v2q8r32.html anymore… “

“Then, what’s the use of him coming to Zhi Li?” Chu Jiao wondered out loud, “Zhi Li is clearly your territory.”

Yan Zhan hooked his lips into a smile upon hearing the girl’s exclamation of unshakeable trust in his abilities.

“You can’t say it like that,” He kneaded the girl’s fingers for pleasure, “Even though Zhi Li is under my rule, there are still some crooks mixed amongst the foreign concessions. Moreover, every national force is competing for the opportunity to turn this into a breakthrough to ascend to Beiping.”

“Then, are you implying that him marrying Du Xiruo….” Chu Jiao’s eyes instantly grew wider, “was for another purpose?”

At Chu Jiao’s reminder, Yan Zhan had already dispatched people to secretly investigate Du Shourong and the Du Family Theater. At this time, the intel that they had gathered was already nearing its completion.

“It’s not impossible,” he nodded as he immersed himself in his thoughts, “Although Zhang Chong is a lecherous person, to become a high-ranking military leader means that he isn’t easily led astray by beauties.”

“To marry Du Xiruo at this juncture could only mean that he has a hidden motive! We can’t say for certain what it is exactly right now, but it should be no different to the Japanese, which is to obtain more information about the dragon seal.”

Chu Jiao stroked her chin lightly.

With that being said, the female lead was still a bit pitiful… Chu Jiao didn’t know if the female lead was aware that she was merely an insignificant chess piece on the game board, while the actual chess players were making their move.

But, only the person that knew of the sweet joy or the painful bitterness from the experience in one’s life was oneself.

Chu Jiao took Yan Zhan by the hand and walked into the banquet hall together.

Since the female lead made such a decision by herself, she must have been prepared to bear all the consequences.

Just like she was.

※

“Marshal Zhang, congratulations on your new marriage.”

Adjutant Li politely handed him a congratulatory gift as Yan Zhan greeted the smiling groom.

“Governor Yan, thank you. Thank you.”

Zhang Chong wore a bright red Tang garment² that matched his face, which was glowing in delight. Standing next to him was Du Xiruo, who was wearing a red cheongsam³ with heavy make-up, making her look like a beauty beyond comparison.

After Zhang Chong exchanged pleasant greetings with Yan Zhan, upon spotting a lovely young woman in a silk cheongsam next to Yan Zhan, his eyes immediately lit up, “And this is…?”

“My fiancée.” Yan Zhan said lightly, yet he quickly snaked his arm around Chu Jiao’s waist and put on an expression that declared sovereignty over her.

“Ahaha, as expected. A talented man and a beautiful woman make an ideal couple!”

Zhang Chong also snaked his hand around Du Xiruo, as if to match Yan Zhan’s possessiveness.

After exchanging some more compliments, he led Chu Jiao and Yan Zhan into the hall.

“What’s wrong? Aren’t you satisfied with what I have given you?” Zhang Chong turned his head and found that his mistress was staring deeply at Yan Zhan’s back, spellbound, making his face immediately collapse out of disappointment.

“My Lord~ how could I not be~” Du Xiruo snapped back to her senses and followed up with a smile. She took this opening and affectionately snuggled her body closer into Zhang Chong’s arms, however, her eyebrows remained narrowed, causing her expression to look indiscernible.

“You shouldn’t have worn this dress.”

Yan Zhan lowered his head and tugged on the part of the dress that revealed a large part of the girl’s legs every time she took a step due to the long slit, his tone a bit gloomy.

“You especially ordered to have it made for me, why wouldn’t I wear it?” Chu Jiao felt that her dress was extremely appropriate along with the man’s garments today.

Both of them wore matching black attires. Although Yan Zhan had on his usual white shirt and black suit, her cheongsam and pearl jewelry sent by Mother Yan from the Southwest complimented her very well.

“I…”

Seeing people who wanted to greet him come one after another, Yan Zhan painfully swallowed back the words, ‘I only wanted to see you wear it for me,’ that he wanted to say.

As the official of Zhi Li, Yan Zhan was always surrounded by crowds no matter what kind of event he attended. This was one of the reasons why he was so reluctant to participate in any of the social activities he was invited to.

Chu Jiao cruelly left Yan Zhan alone in the face of flattery and social niceties while she slipped to the side to start eating.

The banquet was held in the current most fashionable trend of ‘buffet-style dinner,’ so all the guests were holding a plate and busy choosing what to eat. Chu Jiao calmly chose a few desserts and was planning to find a secluded place to fill her stomach with these delicacies.

“Miss Chu, today you is purty.”⁴The original text says ‘今天的泥很飄,’ which when translated literally means, ‘Today’s mud is floating,’ but obviously, the speaker was intending to say ‘今天的你很漂亮’ (almost the same pronunciation), which means “Miss Chu, you’re very pretty today.” I botched the English to deliver the intended effect. But in any case, from now on, I’ll be pretending he speaks in perfect Chinese.

Chu Jiao was just minding her own business and eating cake when an awkward man’s voice suddenly came from behind her.

Chu Jiao slowly turned around and narrowed her eyes slightly.

The approaching person was Yoshida Hideaki, the senior official the Japanese sent to be stationed in Zhi Li. He was elegantly holding a glass of red wine and raising it to toast to Chu Jiao.

Chu Jiao calmly swallowed the food in her mouth, picked up the glass of juice by her side, and wet her throat.

“Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Yoshida.”

“I see that Miss Chu actually recognizes this humble one? It is a great honor.”

Yoshida Hideaki gazed at the girl with pearly white skin and rosy lips in front of him and couldn’t help but swallow the big lump stuck in his throat.

“I still like to visit the Japanese Concession.” Some of the handicraft shops inside were pretty good.

Chu Jiao politely praised, leading Yoshida Hideaki to smile with joy, “If Miss Chu likes, this humble one can accompany you and give you a tour next time. The culture of our Great Japanese Empire…”

“Ahh, we’ll see.” Chu Jiao quickly put down her cup and abruptly said, “Please excuse me, I’ll be heading to the restroom.”

She didn’t want to waste time chatting with this little mung bean-eyed Japanese.

Yoshida Hideaki watched Chu Jiao’s graceful back turn to the corridor before someone else approached him.

“Master Yoshida seems to like Miss Chu very much…”

“Don’t you have a saying in Chinese…what is it called…’A sweet virtuous woman and a ge-gentleman’……”

“-a gentleman make a good match.”

“Yes, yes, that’s it. Miss Chu and Miss Du are both beauties. I, Yoshida, also admire beauties.”

“Haha! My apologies. I’m already married,” the person smiled sweetly, “But… Miss Chu on the other hand hasn’t become Governor Yan’s wife yet. Doesn’t Master Yoshida want to fight for her?”

“Oh? Fight? How do I do so?”

[Completed]