Chapter 173: Chapter 173: As If They Were Enemies
"The Heir handles countless affairs; how would he have time to come here? After all, this isn’t exactly the banquet of an important figure," Yao Xing said with a smile.
To be precise, she was forcing a smile.
Because she did not expect Prince An and his companions to attend the small banquet hosted by Qu Fulan.
Who is Qu Fulan?
A former maid who, even now after redeeming herself, is just an ordinary citizen with a humble status.
And who are Prince An and his companions? Even if the Yao Family held an event, inviting them might not guarantee their attendance. Even if one showed up, it would be remarkable. So why are they all attending Qu Fulan’s banquet now?
However, Yao Xing quickly found a reason in her heart; they must have come because of Heir Pei.
Otherwise, a single Qu Fulan wouldn’t warrant such attention.
Still, Yao Xing was uncomfortable, feeling that Heir Pei was meddling too much. She’s not even his maid anymore, so why stand up for her?
As Yao Xing spoke, Pei Lian’s face darkened.
If it were just the two of them, he would certainly argue with Yao Xing, but with so many people around, he merely said lightly, "Why say such things? Second brother may already be on his way."
Yao Xing’s smile froze, meeting Pei Lian’s eyes with a gaze like enmity between enemies.
No woman wants to be distant from her husband; marriage is meant to be harmonious and loving. However, Pei Lian is too heartless, no matter what Yao Xing does, he doesn’t like it. Especially now, looking at her like an enemy, Yao Xing felt a pang in her heart, mixed with hatred and anger, trying to hold back, feeling even more pained.
Their distant relationship was obvious to others, but everyone pretended not to see it, unwilling to get involved.
Especially people like Prince An, who found it unlucky. If not to give face to Miss Qu and avoid ruining her event, they wouldn’t bother speaking; otherwise, on their own turf, they would have thrown out the tactless ones long ago.
Qu Fulan pretended not to hear Yao Xing’s words, warmly inviting everyone in; as for those unexpected guests, since they were already here, there was no reason to turn them away.
As for Heir Pei not coming, she hadn’t anticipated it, but thinking he might be too busy, whether he came or not, she didn’t dwell on it much, planning to save him some good food later.
Everyone first toured the house, then discussed what to play. With many people gathered, there had to be some fun entertainment to pass the time.
After some discussion, someone suggested playing finger-guessing games where the loser drinks.
But that was deemed too mundane.
Someone else suggested making rhyming couplets, others said telling stories to see who told the best, with the loser drinking.
Prince An and his companions said they weren’t interested in such highbrow stuff; it was no fun.
Going back and forth, they couldn’t agree, finally unanimously allowing Qu Fulan, the host, to decide.
This really tested a person’s capability; a single misstep making anyone unhappy wouldn’t do.
Qu Fulan thought briefly and came up with an idea.
"We could play Truth or Dare."
"What kind of game is that? I’ve never heard of it," Fang Yuan asked.
Qu Fulan explained, "It’s a little game spread among common folks, decided by a game like passing the flower while drumming, rolling dice, or rock-paper-scissors, where the loser chooses between Truth and Dare as punishment. For truth, you must answer any question honestly; for dare, you do whatever you’re told, no matter how tough. What do you all think?"
This was a good idea; it sounded fresh and exciting, so no one opposed it.
They decided to divide winners and losers by passing a flower while a blindfolded maid faced away from everyone drumming. She wouldn’t know who had the flower, just focused on drumming, with everyone quickly passing the flower to the next until the drumming stopped.
The flower landed in someone’s hands.
"Oh no, it’s me first; how unlucky," Fang Yuan said.
"Do you choose Truth or Dare?" someone asked.
Fang Yuan thought for a moment and said, "I don’t have anything for Truth, so I’ll play Dare."
Everyone quickly discussed what her dare would be. Prince An and his companions, not wanting to trouble a girl, left it to Cheng Ru to suggest, "How about you compose a poem, since it’s a home banquet, create one about the event."
This posed no problem for Fang Yuan, who quickly delivered.
Coming from a great family, their daughters are generally taught by tutors from a young age, so impromptu poetry didn’t faze them.
Yao Xing watched Qu Fulan, smirking inwardly. When the flower landed in her hands, Qu Fulan surely couldn’t compose a poem.
If she chose Truth, she’d be asked how much savings she had, or even a secret recipe, if she lost multiple times, who knows what could be asked.
If she chose Dare, even better, Yao Xing wouldn’t spare her, punishing her with many drinks to embarrass herself.
No loss either way.
After all, with Dare, the more daring, the better. With rules like this, anything goes as long as it’s not killing or committing crimes.
Another rule to the game: if you choose Truth first, you must choose Dare the second time.
So if Qu Fulan received the flower twice, Yao Xing would get her wish.
Yao Xing had calculated well,
Her plan working because her neighbor in the game was Qu Fulan. By passing the flower a bit slower, she could ensure Qu Fulan got caught.
Sure enough, during the next drumming, Yao Xing received the flower, and deliberately sneezed, delaying just enough that when the flower landed in Qu Fulan’s hands, the drumming stopped.
"Fulan, you’re unlucky; do you choose Truth or Dare?" Fang Yuan asked.
Qu Fulan thought and said, "Dare."
Yao Xing’s eyes lit up immediately, announcing the dare to drink over a dozen cups of wine.
But this was opposed, "Drinking that much right away, we’ll finish the game drunk! At least wait until halfway through the game."
"Exactly! Miss Qu needs to prepare the food later; if she’s drunk, then who will cook?" Prince An and his companions were vocal.
With their disagreement, it couldn’t proceed, and Yao Xing turned green.
Finally, Cheng Ru intervened with consideration, "Starting so big leaves nothing for later; maybe composing a poem would be better."
Yao Xing’s face softened, agreeing with the suggestion, and maliciously said to Qu Fulan, "A poem it is then; it’s simple, you won’t find it hard, will you? If you can’t, you can concede, but the penalty will be doubled."
Conceding meant severe punishment; otherwise, the game would be no fun.
If drinking wasn’t an option, other things could be done,
Like dumping night soil?
Qu Fulan did find it challenging, not being an ancient scholar who could immediately compose, but she didn’t let others see through her, calmly asking, "What should the poem be about?"
Yao Xing, not waiting for others, said, "The theme should be ’Longing’!"
Longing?
Qu Fulan racked her brains for poems she learned in modern times.
Cheng Ru kept his eyes fixed on Qu Fulan the whole time.