Chapter 41: Would I Really Poison the Wine?

Shen Shilang swiftly covered his wine cup and said, “Young Master Ke, it’s not appropriate to use wine from outside here at the Lu Ming Banquet.”

“What? Are you implying I’d poison the wine?” Ke Hongbin responded, clearly displeased.

“Young Master Ke may not have such intentions,” Shen Shilang replied calmly, “but it’s best to prevent others from causing trouble that could implicate you. Moreover, it’s always been a rule at the Lu Ming Banquet to prohibit guests from bringing in outside food and drinks to prevent any mishaps.”

This restriction would make it easier to investigate within the banquet’s scope if an incident occurred. Otherwise, the scope would be too broad.

“If you insist on using your own wine,” Shen Shilang continued, “it would be best to report this to Governor Cheng first. Otherwise, should anything happen, I’m afraid the responsibility would fall on you, Young Master Ke.”

“So you really think I poisoned the wine?” Ke Hongbin retorted, filling his cup to the brim. “I’ll drink it myself. Will that satisfy you?” With that, he downed the entire cup in one gulp.

Zhang Tianran, standing nearby, sneered, “Young Master Shen, you are certainly cautious.”

“Not overly so,” Shen Shilang said coolly. “I’m simply following the rules. Attending the Lu Ming Banquet means adhering to its rules and not causing trouble for Governor Cheng.” He turned to look at Cheng Jianfeng. “Young Master Cheng, don’t you agree?”

Cheng Jianfeng remained silent. As the son of Governor Cheng, he naturally didn’t want any trouble to fall upon his father. If anything went wrong at the Lu Ming Banquet, Governor Cheng would not be able to avoid responsibility.

“Young Master Zhang, since you have no ill intentions, it’s best not to provide opportunities for others to take advantage of you,” Shen Shilang added indifferently.

Seeing that further argument was futile, Shen Shilang took his wine jug and cup, leaving to drink with others. He couldn’t leave the jug behind, lest they discover his trick of diluting the wine.

They hadn’t expected Shen Shilang to be so uncooperative. Their plan to get him drunk through repeated toasts had fallen through.

“Heh!” Liang Shigang laughed angrily. “He sure knows how to put on an act! He played the weakling in your house, but now that he’s the top scorer, he’s dropped the pretence.”

“Now you understand why I despise him,” Wei Jianming said in a low voice.

Meanwhile, Governor Cheng received a report from a servant about Wei Jianming’s group and quickly summoned Cheng Jianfeng.

“Father,” Cheng Jianfeng said upon arriving.

Governor Cheng shot him a stern look. “Come with me.”

Governor Cheng left the banquet area, leading Cheng Jianfeng to a temporary guest room set aside for resting.

“This is ridiculous!” Behind closed doors, Governor Cheng reprimanded, “Wei Jianming might be clueless, but why are you following along with his nonsense? Do you think Ke Hongbin is a good influence? I haven’t scolded you for hanging around with them, trusting you to maintain your own principles. But now you’re joining in their foolishness!”

“With their current standings, Ke Hongbin and the others have little chance of passing the imperial exam next year. You should be focusing on your own preparation instead of mingling with them,” Governor Cheng continued. “Ke Hongbin brought outside wine into the banquet, and you didn’t stop him!”

“I didn’t know—”

“Not knowing isn’t an excuse after spending so much time with them,” Governor Cheng said, exasperated. “Or worse, he deliberately kept you in the dark, treating you as an outsider!”

“Did you notice the expressions of the other three? They weren’t surprised by Ke Hongbin’s actions at all; clearly, they knew in advance,” Governor Cheng pointed out, glaring at Cheng Jianfeng. “You were the only one unaware!”

Cheng Jianfeng hadn’t noticed before, but now that his father mentioned it, his face fell.

Governor Cheng was fuming. His foolish son was being treated like an outsider yet still insisted on getting involved. But seeing Cheng Jianfeng’s unhappy look, Governor Cheng could tell he was also upset with the others.

Initially, Governor Cheng had allowed Cheng Jianfeng to associate with Wei Jianming’s group, mainly due to Wei Zhaoxian’s influence. Despite Wei Jianming’s frivolousness, the Wei family’s strict upbringing was a known fact. Building a connection could even help Governor Cheng gain favor with Wei Zhaoxian.

But recently, Governor Cheng had learned that Wei Zhaoxian had severely punished Wei Jianming, which suggested that Wei Jianming’s future was uncertain. As for the other young men, while their families held some local power, they were limited to Chong’an. Governor Cheng’s ambitions lay in the capital, where the families of Ke Hongbin and the others barely mattered.

Governor Cheng continued, “And Shen Shilang was right. Bringing in wine from outside is risky. Even if Ke Hongbin had no ill intentions, someone else could use the opportunity to spike the drink. What if something happens? Even if the matter is covered up, it would still harm my career.”

Governor Cheng took a deep breath, “This is basic reasoning. How can you not understand it?”

“I was wrong, Father,” Cheng Jianfeng quickly admitted.

Governor Cheng gave him a long, searching look. “Wei Jianming and his friends are of no use to you. From now on, keep your distance from them.”

“Yes,” Cheng Jianfeng agreed without hesitation this time.

“You should be tactful about it; don’t antagonize them outright or completely sever ties. Just maintain a cordial distance,” Governor Cheng’s tone softened slightly.

“Understood,” Cheng Jianfeng replied.

“Have you shown any disrespect toward Shen Shilang?” Governor Cheng asked.

Cheng Jianfeng hesitated for a moment, recalling, “When I was still confused, I did join Wei Jianming and the others in mocking Shen Shilang, but I didn’t say anything too extreme.”

“Then it’s fine. You don’t need to go out of your way to be friendly with him, but don’t target him again,” Governor Cheng said. “He has no special relationship with you, and you’ll both be in the court in the future. Don’t easily make more enemies for yourself.”

“Yes.”

“Moreover, Shen Shilang is talented and clear-headed. Do you remember when your sister wanted to buy a hairpin at Zhenbao Pavilion?”

“I remember. In the end, Ruyu didn’t buy it,” Cheng Jianfeng said.

“It’s because she heard Shen Shilang’s advice to Madam weithat now is not the time to flaunt expensive accessories,” Governor Cheng explained. “Your sister saw that even Wei Ruyan, who’s usually showy, was restrained by Madam Wei from buying, so she felt something was amiss and didn’t buy either.”

“Your sister is attending the flower-viewing party next door today. When it’s over, ask her specifically about what Shen Shilang said and how Madam Wei and Wei Ruyan reacted.”

“With Shen Shilang’s character, as long as he’s not suppressed, he’s bound to have a bright future. Moreover, with Wei Zhaoxian’s backing, he’s unlikely to be suppressed,” Governor Cheng pointed at Cheng Jianfeng. “So, don’t offend him. Instead, pay attention to what he says and does. It will benefit you.”

Cheng Jianfeng hadn’t expected his father to think so highly of Shen Shilang. “But General Wei doesn’t even support his own son.”

“Who says he doesn’t? Hasn’t he supported Wei Jianlang?” Governor Cheng snorted coldly. “Wei Zhaoxian is human, not a god. Everyone has their own interests. He doesn’t support Wei Jianming simply because he sees no point in wasting effort on a fool.”