A eunuch, deprived of his manhood, had suffered the ultimate humiliation.
Thus he feared nothing; his heart grew harder, his methods more ruthless.
How could a few verbal barbs make him lose his composure?
"Lord Wei is right, quite right!
I am only a eunuch. What would I know of good wine or bad?
Seeing that you two gentlemen had traveled so far, I merely prepared a little wine as a token of hospitality."
Li Jin clapped twice and called toward the screen.
"Change the wine. Warm a pot of something strong."
Behind the screen, the singing girl answered. Her soft footsteps gradually receded.
Having given his instructions, Li Jin turned back, his smile deepening and his tone growing lighter.
"Lord Wei, Deputy Superintendent Zhang, today let us speak only of pleasant things, not official business.
There will be tomorrow and the day after for official business. There is no need to fight over this brief moment.
Suzhou's charms lie in romance and pleasure.
You are both learned men. Surely you know..."
Li Jin drew out his words, glanced at the graceful silhouette behind the screen, and leisurely recited:
"Soft waters, gentle winds speak of Suzhou, where Wu Beauties bloom sweetest at fifteen.
Now that you have entered Jiangnan, why not climb a tower to gaze upon the jade hook moon?"
No sooner had his recitation ended than the singing girl emerged from behind the screen with fresh wine.
Her steps were graceful, her skirts swaying faintly. Holding the pot in slender hands, she poured a cup for each of the three men.
The wine was clear, its fragrance rich and mellow, utterly unlike the crisp freshness of the Flower Dew served earlier.
Li Jin raised his cup but did not rush to drink.
He merely held it beneath