At the mention of Jiang Zhihuai's name from Yang Qing's lips, a strange expression flickered across Jiang Zhizhou's face.
"The news from Bei Chen—are you certain it was him?"
Yang Qing reached out and pushed the plate of deboned meat before him toward Jiang Zhizhou. "If the information came from Bei Chen, there should be no mistake."
"I do find it rather puzzling that this second young master would send someone to investigate your whereabouts at a time like this."
Jiang Zhizhou's expression darkened, and the hand holding his wine cup paused. "I suspect he already knows I've returned to Northern Liang. He wants confirmation before deciding how to respond."
Yang Qing glanced at him. Knowing Jiang Zhizhou still had something left unsaid, he did not rush to expose it, but simply kept him company as he slowly drank a small cup of wine.
By the time Jiang Zhizhou came back to himself, Yang Qing had already drained the little cup.
"What are you doing? Who said you could drink?" Jiang Zhizhou demanded, somewhat agitated.
He knew better than anyone what condition Yang Qing's body was in.
Yang Qing merely set the cup on the table with a soft chuckle. "It's fine. It was only a mouthful of wine."
"You're troubled, and I'm at a loss for how to ease your mind. All I can do is drink with you until we're drunk, and together wash away the sorrows of ten thousand ages."
At Yang Qing's words, Jiang Zhizhou's tightly drawn face finally broke into a smile.
"You think you can drink yourself drunk? Could your body withstand such indulgence?"
Seeing Yang Qing about to speak, Jiang Zhizhou continued, "All right. I know what you're trying to say."
"I know perfectly well what Jiang Zhihuai wants. He merely covets the