The five of them stood watching the two men's retreating backs.
Only after the two men had gone far off, arms draped over each other's shoulders, did Ji A-Fu say, "Let's go downstairs."
Lou Yushan took another look and recognized one of them as Li Qingxian, but he had no idea who the other was. Li Qingxian certainly could not be the distinguished person the steward from the Prince of Chu's Residence had mentioned.
Once they left Flower Sea Tower, Lou Yushan asked quietly, "Steward Ji, who was that distinguished person?"
The others turned curious gazes toward him as well.
Ji A-Fu smiled. "The heir's son from the Dingnan Prince's Residence, Nanxiang Marquis Meng Huaichuan. I met him a few times years ago. He probably had a few too many drinks with his good friend today, so I didn't greet him, lest I offend him."
"But I heard the Dingnan Prince's Residence is very close to the Prince of Jin," Lou Yushan said.
Ji A-Fu glanced at Lou Yushan, remembered the brocade pouch he had given him, and said as he walked, "Precisely because he's close to the Prince of Jin, our Prince of Chu's Residence has all the more reason to win him over. Head Steward Yu once said that when lightning flashes and thunder rolls up in the heavens, who are little blades of grass and seedlings like us to meddle? We must honor them all like immortals and gods. Unless the Prince of Chu gives the word, no one is allowed to go biting at people."
Cold sweat broke out down Lou Yushan's back. He hurriedly said, "You're right, Steward Ji. I've learned my lesson."
"You seem a clever sort, or I wouldn't tell you this. How many servants have recklessly thrust themselves forward and brought disaster