Chapter Sixty-Four: The Cai Family, Liu Biao in His Cups

Just as Chu Feng was puzzled, a figure appeared outside the hall.

A woman dressed in a green gown entered, her slender waist accentuated perfectly by a dark green sash. Her hair was pinned up in a married woman’s bun. To be honest, her looks and figure were only above average, but there was a cold, venomous allure about her—like a beautiful scorpion—that aroused a certain desire to conquer.

When Madame Cai saw Chu Feng still present, she was a little surprised, as she had come only after the other guests had left.

“Madam, you’re just in time. This is the young hero I mentioned, my virtuous nephew, Chu Feng,” Liu Biao said, his cheeks flushed with drink.

A trace of contempt flickered in Madame Cai’s eyes—directed at Liu Biao—but she managed to force a gentle smile. “I greet you, General. I have long heard of your great name. It is truly my good fortune to meet you today.”

“Madam, there’s no need for such courtesy,” Chu Feng replied, rising quickly to take her arm and help her up.

Madame Cai’s beautiful eyes trembled with a flash of sharpness. This young man was bold indeed, actually reaching out to support her arm himself. More intriguingly, there was a deep, enigmatic look in his eyes.

“Since my husband has a guest, I won’t intrude,” Madame Cai smiled. At such receptions, wives would not usually be present unless specifically required.

“No need to hurry, Madame. Pour a drink for Yunqing on my behalf,” Liu Biao said, clearly tipsy—or perhaps fully aware and deliberately ordering Madame Cai about.

Madame Cai’s gaze turned colder.

“Congratulations, host! You have triggered the ‘Cao Thief’ options!”

“1. Get Liu Biao drunk, take liberties with Madame Cai. [You know?] Reward: Top-tier papermaking technique!”

“2. Don’t get Liu Biao drunk. Use force against Liu Biao. Reward: Top-tier steelmaking technique.”

“3. Pretend to see nothing. Reward: 99,999 units of Wei Xiao-ge.”

“Please choose!”

“What???”

“What???”

“What???”

Chu Feng was speechless.

Damn it, if I had known, I wouldn’t have helped her.

This was the rear courtyard of Liu’s residence—no matter how brave, no one could fight their way out of here! And this woman was no simpleton like Lady Zou. She was clearly ruthless and cunning.

Damn this system! Even though... to be honest... the reward was tempting, still!

After a moment’s thought, Chu Feng decided to give it a try. If he could “win over” Madame Cai, he might secure her help in getting a boat. He could also lay the groundwork in advance.

At that moment, Madame Cai bit her silver teeth and said, “Husband, you’ve had enough. Why not invite General Chu another day?”

“I’m not drunk! Tonight I told Yunqing, we won’t stop until we’re drunk!” Liu Biao declared, emboldened by wine.

Chu Feng stood and brought over two bottles of Maotai he’d prepared, presenting them with a clear voice, “My lord, why not try this fine wine I’ve brought!”

“This wine jar is exquisite indeed!” Liu Biao exclaimed, surprised by the white jade-like bottle—such things were rare. He caressed the smooth surface, admiring it. “Yunqing, this must be valuable?”

Chu Feng smiled warmly but thought to himself, For victory’s sake, I brought you two bottles of strong sauce-flavored wine. You’d better appreciate it—quite a bargain!

He uncorked the bottle.

Clear liquor, pure as water, was poured into the cup.

“Such clear wine exists in this world?” Liu Biao’s voice trembled with astonishment as he clicked his tongue in wonder.

“Please!”

Chu Feng withdrew to his seat.

Liu Biao fondled the bottle in one hand, gazing at the clear wine in his cup, and without looking up, said, “Madam, fill my virtuous nephew’s cup—fill it to the brim!”

Madame Cai suppressed her anger. Was she to perform the work of a mere maid? But she had no choice and stepped forward, kneeling by Chu Feng’s side, lifting her sleeve with one hand and pouring the wine with the other. She picked up the cup with a forced smile, “Please, General.”

Chu Feng reached out deliberately, clasping her fingers, leaning in as if drunk and murmuring in her ear, “Madam... you are so beautiful.”

Madame Cai said nothing.

With her half-turned back to Liu Biao, who was absorbed in his wine and the jade bottle, he saw nothing.

Her eyes grew cold, but her heart chilled further. In all these years, no one had dared take such liberties, yet she was no naive country girl to make a scene.

“Madam, wait a moment. Once I get him drunk, you and I can discuss important matters!” Chu Feng said, feigning a flippant tone as Madame Cai stayed silent.

Hearing such indecent words, Madame Cai was furious, her voice icy but low, “General Chu, this is Jingzhou, not Shouchun. Mind your words, or else...!”

Yet, despite her anger, she felt an unfamiliar thrill in her heart, making her brow furrow in confusion.

“You misunderstand, Madam. The important matter I speak of is who will control the Jingzhou snowflake salt trade,” Chu Feng said with a hearty laugh, raising his cup. “My lord, please!”

“Haha, nephew, please!”

Liu Biao downed the cup in one go, thoroughly enjoying it. This sauce-flavored liquor, over forty degrees strong, was incomparable to the usual weak brew—three cups would do in most men, and Liu Biao had already had several.

Madame Cai felt both ashamed and angry—ashamed at her own misunderstanding, angry at Chu Feng’s teasing, yet deep inside, she was oddly disappointed.

She could not accept her own reaction. How had she become like this? Clearly this scoundrel’s words...

But if the snowflake salt trade was to go to the Jingzhou gentry, she had to secure it for the Cai family to cement their status.

“Madam, more wine!” Chu Feng said with a suppressed smile.

Sure enough, men and women alike were similar—her fretful expression showed she was in his grasp.

“My lord, your wisdom and valor are truly admirable. You entered Jingzhou alone, pacified the eight commanderies—a feat worthy of respect! Come, let me toast you again!” Chu Feng declared, raising his cup.

Liu Biao grew sentimental and raised his cup to drink. After just two cups, already drunk, his senses began to blur.

“My lord, as the saying goes, ‘When friends meet, a thousand cups are too few; when words fail, even half a sentence is too much.’ We’re kindred spirits—let’s say no more, it’s all in the wine. Cheers!”

Chu Feng gave Liu Biao no chance to rest, drinking first each time.

Liu Biao swallowed, his hands trembling as he half-leaned on the table, “N-nephew, perhaps we should eat some food and take a break?”

“What’s the meaning of this, my lord? If you don’t enjoy my company, just say so. I’ll take my leave!”

Chu Feng feigned offense.

“No, no, I’ll drink, I’ll drink!”

Liu Biao, hands and legs shaking, downed another cup.

“My lord, you have a fine capacity for drink. Come, let’s have another!”

“A-another?”

Liu Biao, slurring his words, clung to the table in fear.

“My lord, as the old saying goes, ‘Deep friendship, one shot; shallow friendship, a mere sip.’ I’ll drink first to show respect—it’s your choice what to do.” Chu Feng said earnestly.

Liu Biao: “???”

What ancient sage ever said that?

Was he too drunk to remember?

Even Madame Cai’s lips twitched—this man’s drinking tricks ran deep.

But as Liu Biao grew more intoxicated, Madame Cai found her fingers entwined, a strange tension and anticipation rising in her she could not suppress.

“My virtuous nephew is right. Come, I, I, I—thud!”

Before the cup reached his lips, Liu Biao collapsed, snoring loudly.

“Husband? Husband?” Madame Cai called, but he did not move.

“Forgive the embarrassment, General. If you have urgent matters, please wait here. I will help my lord to his room, and then we can discuss the snowflake salt business in detail,” Madame Cai said, bowing.

“Ah, Lord Liu, really—if you can’t handle your liquor, why drink so much? Madam, let me help you—no, let me help you,” Chu Feng said, eager to assist.

…

Next chapter: Madame Cai!

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