Before helping Xiao Jinyu out of the carriage, the guard frowned and whispered, "Wang Ye, should we find a place to secretly protect you... I fear there might be a trap."
If he were alone, he would have undoubtedly ordered all the guards to return without hesitation. But now... Xiao Jinyu glanced at Chu Chu, who was curiously peering out the window, and hesitated for a moment. "Leave one person waiting in the carriage... Do not act rashly without my signal."
"Yes."
Although the tent was temporarily set up, the furnishings inside—both practical and decorative—were complete, all in the Central Plains style. Even the two men sitting face-to-face at the table were dressed as Central Plains nobles.
A man with deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge sat facing the tent entrance, one hand propping up his chin while the other toyed with the wine cup in front of him. Another man, with his back to the entrance, was slumped over the table. As soon as someone entered, both men turned their gaze toward the tent entrance. Their expressions were polite but not polite enough to rise in greeting.
Xiao Jinyu gave a slight nod to the man with deep-set eyes and a high nose bridge. "Prince Su Wu."
The other party returned a nod of equal depth and smiled. "Prince An."
Xiao Jinyu then turned to the young man with rosy lips, pearly teeth, a plump face, and sparkling eyes. "Mr. Du Li."
The other blinked at him, bared his white teeth in an innocent and harmless smile, and remained silent.
Chu Chu’s gaze remained fixed on Ashina Suwu. This Turkic man was nothing like the terrifying figure Mr. Dong had described. Instead, he was more like what her master had said: his eyes were as deep and bright as a wolf’s, his eyelashes as dense and long as small fans, his nose bridge as tall and straight as a small mountain, and his skin a healthy wheat color, wrapped around sturdy and well-proportioned bones and muscles. He truly resembled a wolf in its prime—so beautiful it was hard to look away, yet intimidating enough to make one afraid to approach.
Ashina Suwu narrowed his eyes slightly, studying Chu Chu like a wolf eyeing a dazed lamb wandering into its territory. "This must be the Imperial Concubine, right?"
Chu Chu, still lost in thought, didn’t respond immediately. Xiao Jinyu’s voice deepened as he said, "Indeed... Chu Chu, greet the Turkic Prince Su Wu."
Ashina Suwu waved his hand dismissively with a laugh. "No need, no need! You Han people have too many formalities. I wouldn’t want to trouble such a beautiful Imperial Concubine..." He then curled his lips into a slightly roguish smile, staring directly at Chu Chu’s slender waist. "Even if Prince An doesn’t feel distressed, I certainly do."
Before Xiao Jinyu’s expression could darken further and he could speak, someone else had already reacted first.
Du Li sprang up in an instant, spreading his arms to shield Chu Chu. His sparkling eyes were filled with anger as he glared at Ashina Suwu, his face puffed up in fury like a freshly steamed meat bun.
Startled by the sudden appearance of someone in front of her, Chu Chu instinctively shrank closer to Xiao Jinyu. To her surprise, Du Li shifted along with her, still blocking her view completely.
"Alright, alright..." Ashina Suwu waved his hand impatiently. "I get it, I get it..."
Only then did Du Li sit back down, not forgetting to turn his head and shoot a warning glare at Chu Chu. Frightened, Chu Chu hid behind Xiao Jinyu, and only then did Du Li turn back, satisfied.Ashina Suwu rubbed his temple with a bitter chuckle. "My apologies, this lad is young and foolish—he must have frightened you... Prince An, Imperial Concubine, please take your seats."
The square table had four seats. Ashina Suwu and Du Li sat opposite each other, while the chair at the head position to Ashina Suwu's left had been removed, clearly reserved for Xiao Jin Yu.
Having seats prearranged by others in such an ambiguous banquet—neither clearly hostile nor friendly—was never a good sign.
Before Xiao Jin Yu could ponder further, Chu Chu had already taken the seat to Ashina Suwu's right, even shifting her chair closer to him.
Compared to this Turkic prince who looked valiant yet spoke gently, she'd much rather sit beside him than next to that fierce, silent round-faced man!
With no alternative, Xiao Jin Yu took the seat to Ashina Suwu's left.
Ashina Suwu seemed quite pleased with Chu Chu's choice. Before pouring wine for Xiao Jin Yu, he first filled Chu Chu's cup, then turned to Xiao Jin Yu's visibly darkening expression and smiled. "I've always heard Prince An is an open-minded gentleman who doesn't stand on ceremony. Surely you don't adhere to those archaic rituals of male superiority with your own Imperial Concubine?"
"Of course not..." Xiao Jin Yu's cool gaze fell upon Chu Chu across the table. "She doesn't drink. I'll drink on her behalf."
Ashina Suwu raised his thick brows and turned to Chu Chu. "Imperial Concubine, are you willing to accept this?"
Chu Chu pursed her lips, observing Xiao Jin Yu's slightly pale complexion, and shook her head. "No."
He simply couldn't handle alcohol—how could she let him drink for her...
Ashina Suwu curled his lips and shrugged at Xiao Jin Yu. "Turkic men never force women. What does Prince An think?"
Xiao Jin Yu faintly frowned before composing his expression into calm neutrality. "Very well."
The smile on Ashina Suwu's face grew even more pronounced than his sword-like brows. "Prince An is indeed a true gentleman."
After pouring wine for Chu Chu and Xiao Jin Yu, Ashina Suwu acted as if Du Li didn't exist, raising his cup directly to the couple. "I've long heard of Prince An's reputation, and today I'm fortunate to meet you in the flesh... I must also thank you for your consideration in bringing such a beautiful Imperial Concubine along..." He sighed. "Surely Prince An can understand—at our age, going half a year or more without seeing a woman is worse than losing one's head... But enough of this idle talk. Drink! Drink!"
Ashina Suwu threw his head back and drained the large cup in one go. Just as Chu Chu was about to taste the Turkic wine, Xiao Jin Yu shot her a warning glance, making her reluctantly set down her cup.
Xiao Jin Yu didn't even touch his cup, his frosty gaze fixed on Ashina Suwu who was savoring his drink. "Prince Su Wu went through such pains to extend a sincere written invitation, even at the cost of a temporary ceasefire, just to invite me for a drink?"
Ashina Suwu nodded earnestly. "Indeed, though my Chinese characters may be poorly written... the meaning should have been clear enough—I simply invited you for a drink. Otherwise, why would I come alone..." He glanced at Du Li, who was staring fixedly at the table full of food and wine. "He doesn't count."
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