"I am not in command of the troops. Inviting me is of no use."
Ashina Suwu laughed so hard he nearly toppled from his chair. "Prince An, so you Han people even negotiate battles over drinks? That wasn't my intention at all. I'm simply very interested in Han culture. You're the emperor's son, I'm the Khan's son. Right now, you're the only one in this Han military camp qualified to speak and drink with me. Who else could I possibly invite?"
Xiao Jin Yu curled his lips into a cold smile. "Prince Su Wu, you are mistaken... The current Turkic Khan once negotiated peace with my late emperor, addressing each other as brothers. Therefore, you should be considered of the same generation as our current emperor, making you roughly my nephew. Whether you're qualified to speak or drink with me is for me to decide."
Ashina Suwu choked on his words, then burst into laughter. "I've heard that those who try to take advantage of Prince An will face retribution - how true!" He refilled his own cup and raised it. "Uncle it is then! Uncle, your nephew toasts you!"
Now it was Xiao Jin Yu's turn to be speechless. He had encountered shameless people before, but never anyone this brazen...
Ashina Suwu drained his cup in one gulp, then cheerfully refilled it and turned to Chu Chu. "Nephew toasts auntie."
Chu Chu glanced at Xiao Jin Yu, but seeing he wasn't looking her way, she picked up her cup and took a large sip. The rosy liquid was sweet and sour with a fruity aroma - not bitter or spicy at all, and quite delicious. Unable to resist, she drank several more mouthfuls until the entire cup was empty.
By the time Xiao Jin Yu thought to stop her, it was far too late.
Ashina Suwu watched Chu Chu with a satisfied smile. "How is it? Turkic wine tastes better than Central Plains wine, doesn't it?"
"Delicious!"
Ashina Suwu laughed and refilled her cup, then reached out to pat her head, gazing at her with doting affection. "Drink as much as you want, there's plenty."
Just as Xiao Jin Yu was about to speak, Du Li - who had been intently watching the dishes - suddenly glared at Ashina Suwu, who immediately withdrew his hand in disappointment.
Xiao Jin Yu's expression darkened considerably as he lifted the wine cup before him. "Since Prince Su Wu has invited me to drink, I shall keep you company to the end."
Ashina Suwu curled his lips into a smile and refilled his own cup. "After you, Prince An."
Xiao Jin Yu downed the full cup in one gulp, then immediately frowned. The drink was sweet and sour, without even a hint of alcohol. This was... "Grape juice?"
Ashina Suwu burst out laughing, rocking back and forth until the grape juice in his cup splashed out, staining his clothes. He nearly rolled on the floor laughing, continuing until his voice grew hoarse. Slapping Xiao Jin Yu's shoulder, he gasped, "Who says Prince An never shows emotion? We've barely started and you're already losing composure... Hahaha... Don't worry, Prince An. With your physical condition, if I actually tried to drink you under the table, that person waiting outside would fight me to the death!"
Xiao Jin Yu's face alternated between dark and pale. He unceremoniously shoved aside the laughing Ashina Suwu who was leaning on his shoulder and glared coldly. "What exactly are you trying to accomplish?"Ashina Suwu finally finished laughing heartily before refilling both his and Xiao Jinyu's glasses with grape juice. Curving his lips, he said, "I just wanted to tell you that the incidents of hauntings and deaths in your military camp have absolutely nothing to do with me."
Xiao Jinyu froze momentarily.
Ashina Suwu took a delicate sip of the grape juice as if tasting fine wine, glancing at Duli across the table who was still staring eagerly at the dishes. "This kid doesn't have that capability at all... It's true he's from the Miao tribe, but he's no shaman. He's the younger brother of my jealous woman, specially sent to keep an eye on me so I don't get restless and fool around with other women in the military camp. Follows me everywhere, quite annoying... Rest assured, he doesn't understand Central Plains language or Turkic. Besides stopping me from flirting with women, all he cares about is eating."
Chu Chu watched this round-faced young man with curiosity, experimentally placing a piece of roasted rabbit meat into Duli's empty bowl. Duli lifted his dewy eyes to glance at Chu Chu, then grabbed his chopsticks and buried his head in eating.
The way this person ate wasn't the least bit fierce - he resembled a starving plump rabbit, his fair cheeks puffing up with each bite, utterly amusing.
Chu Chu added several more pieces of meat to Duli's bowl. The look Duli gave Chu Chu finally shifted from full of hostility to full of gratitude.
Ashina Suwu shrugged helplessly at Xiao Jinyu. "See? That's all he's good for."
Xiao Jinyu slightly furrowed his brows. "Why are you telling me this?"
"To save you from taking unnecessary detours."
Xiao Jinyu's frown deepened. With both armies locked in heated battle, it was hard to believe the enemy leader would specially arrange this meeting just to warn him against going in the wrong direction. Even if he wanted to believe it, he simply couldn't.
"Why?"
"I've crossed swords with Xiao Jue, and I respect him... I know he respects you." Ashina Suwu's lips curved slightly, but his gaze sharpened. "With your military camp in such disarray, even if I won, it would be an dishonorable victory - meaningless... I'm also curious about which bastard dares to pin the blame on me."
Xiao Jinyu raised an eyebrow. "If you wish to know the truth of this case, you must agree to one condition."
"Name it."
"Cease hostilities for five days."
"Five days is enough?"
"If not, we'll discuss further."
"...Fine!"
"If Prince Suwu has no other matters, I have official duties to attend to."
Ashina Suwu shrugged. "Prince An should focus on recuperating first. Hopefully next time I won't have to offer you grape juice."
"There won't be a next time."
Ashina Suwu looked toward Chu Chu, who was still happily adding food to Duli's bowl, watching him eat with sparkling eyes.
Hmm, much more satisfying than watching the Prince eat...
Ashina Suwu narrowed his eyes slightly at Chu Chu. "If the Imperial Concubine likes him, you could take him to raise for a few days."
Before Chu Chu could respond, they heard Xiao Jinyu's cool, clear voice: "That won't be necessary..."
One master was already making him feel overwhelmed - if another were added...
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