He had expected to finally enjoy his meal in peace, but the lively chatter at the table resumed. "Fifth Young Master Meng, with this drink, we're all friends! If you ever need anything, just mention my name—I've got your back!"
"Exactly! You've just returned to the capital, so you probably haven't seen all the delicious food and fun places here. How about I show you around?"
"Hey, Tang Er, he's a proper young man—don't lead him astray! Fifth Young Master Meng, don't listen to him. Be careful, or he might lead you down the wrong path."
"Are you saying I'm not proper? In what way am I not proper?"
...
Meng Shuping's scalp tingled, his smile almost frozen. "Help! Just leave me alone! Why are they all so overly familiar? How am I, a social introvert, supposed to handle this?"
Fortunately, after a few more exchanges, they moved on to other topics. Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief and quickly seized the opportunity to eat his fill while no one was addressing him.
Afraid of drawing attention and having all eyes on him again, he didn't dare reach for dishes farther away, only eating what was directly in front of him. Even so, he spent the meal on edge, worried they might suddenly bring him into the conversation again.
After what felt like an eternity, Meng Shuping couldn't sit any longer and tried to quietly slip out. But as soon as he stood up, Meng Shuyang asked, "Fifth Brother, where are you going?"
Instantly, everyone's gaze turned to him. Meng Shuping stiffened and stammered, "I—I need to use the privy."
"Is he going to suggest coming with me? Ugh, no way! We're not children—does he think I'll fall into the latrine or something?"
Meng Shuyang said expressionlessly, "Go if you must."
Who would want to go with him to the privy? He's the one who'd fall into a pit!
Meng Shuping felt a wave of relief and hurriedly fled the banquet hall as if making a great escape. He'd rather be alone outside than sit there making awkward small talk with so many people.
Sometimes he truly admired these people—how could they handle such situations with such effortless grace?
After leaving the banquet hall, Meng Shuping went outside alone. His two attendants were likely eating at this time, so he didn't call for them.
But after staying outside for a while, he started to feel unusually warm. He fanned himself with his hand, but the heat didn't subside at all.
He tugged at his collar and patted his flushed cheeks. It wasn't even summer—why was it so hot?
It wasn't until he felt an unusual reaction below that he suddenly realized what was happening. His eyes widened in shock. Who would be so heartless as to slip a stimulant to a healthy young man? Don't they have any shame?
And at a banquet like this, who would have the nerve to call a doctor for something like this? It would be utterly humiliating!
Meng Shuping tried to smooth his clothes and stay calm, grateful he had left the banquet hall early. Otherwise, he might have been labeled a pervert on the spot.
What scared him most was that there were so many people there!
He had hoped the discomfort would fade after a while, but instead, the more he sat, the hotter he felt, and the more obvious his condition became. He had to hunch his body as he stood up. Sigh, he'd better quietly ask someone to fetch Second Brother.
Meng Shuping wished desperately that if he could just go home early, that would be for the best.
He cautiously emerged from his hiding spot, trying to find someone to pass along a message.
But when he reached the path and saw a group of servants approaching, he hesitated for a long time, too embarrassed to speak.
He could only watch helplessly as the servants bowed respectfully to him and passed by.
Meng Shuping even noticed that, before leaving, they gave him strange looks, thinking he wouldn't notice, as if wondering why he was standing there in such an odd posture at this time.
Mortified, he fled back to a corner by the roadside. Sigh, they must think he's really strange. Why is it so hard to find someone to help?
Just then, Meng Shuping spotted two people—only two!—by the pond not far away.
His heart jumped. Facing two people would be much less pressure than facing a crowd. He psyched himself up and walked toward them.
Unbeknownst to him, he had already caught the attention of the two by the pond. Ling Feng whispered to Jiang Cihe, puzzled, "Your Highness, what do you think he's doing?"
If he was coming to see them, he should have reached them already in these dozen meters. If not, why was he heading straight for them?
And the way he walked was just too strange.
Jiang Cihe glanced at Meng Shuping and said indifferently, "How should I know?"
Ling Feng took another discreet look and frowned. "He's not like that person from before, pretending to be drugged to ask for Your Highness's help and get close to you, is he? Tsk, Your Highness, your charm knows no bounds!"
If that were the case, he thought, he should try a different trick—this one is old news, and His Highness definitely wouldn't fall for it again.
Jiang Cihe glared at him. "Want me to pass this 'charm' to you?"
Ling Feng quickly waved his hands. "No, thanks!"
As Meng Shuping drew closer, Ling Feng quickly wiped the gossipy expression off his face and became very serious.
Meng Shuping was both nervous and struggling to hide his condition, making it incredibly difficult. When he finally shuffled to a spot not far from Jiang Cihe and Ling Feng, he saw both of them staring at him.
Meng Shuping immediately lost his nerve. He wrung his hands, his face flushing red with embarrassment. But since he needed help, he timidly lifted his head and forced himself to speak calmly to Jiang Cihe. "Could you please help—help me..."
Fetch my Second Brother.
He had already secretly observed them: one of them looked stern and aloof, clearly not someone to mess with, while the other was not only extremely handsome but also seemed kind and would likely be willing to help.
So he decisively chose the one who looked more approachable.
Seeing Meng Shuping's shy (or so he thought) expression, Jiang Cihe raised an eyebrow and agreed readily before even hearing the full request. "Certainly."
Meng Shuping was almost overjoyed. His judgment was right—this gentleman was as good-hearted as he was good-looking, and so helpful! He hadn't even said what he needed, and the man agreed immediately.
He was about to explain his request when, just as he opened his mouth, a powerful kick hit his waist, and he fell into the pond beside him with a splash.
Luckily, the pond wasn't deep, only reaching his chest. After flailing for a moment, Meng Shuping steadied himself. Wiping the water from his face, he stared in confusion, furious at Jiang Cihe's actions. "Pah! Looks human but acts like a beast! What a scoundrel!"
"If he didn't want to help, he should've just said so. I wasn't forcing him. Kicking someone into the water? Who does that? And I thought he was a good guy. Pah! I misjudged him!"
Jiang Cihe's expression darkened as he glared darkly at Meng Shuping. But to his surprise, he didn't see Meng Shuping's lips move.
Just as he was puzzled, the voice spoke again. "What are you staring at? Never seen a handsome guy fall into water before? Are you insane?"
Jiang Cihe turned to Ling Feng. "Did you hear someone cursing me?"
Ling Feng looked surprised. "Someone insulted you, Your Highness? Who? Where?"
Jiang Cihe said thoughtfully, "Never mind, I was just asking."
It seemed only he could hear the voice.
He looked back at Meng Shuping, then smirked and ordered Ling Feng, "Ling Feng, help this young gentleman out of the water."
Meng Shuping was struggling to make his way to the edge of the pond. Hearing this, he couldn't help but wonder, "Was he actually trying to help me? Now that I think about it, a cold soak might actually help in my situation."
"But he didn't have to kick me into the water! It's so cold and dirty! Couldn't he have chosen a better, gentler way? He nearly broke my back with that kick!"
Thinking that Jiang Cihe might have misunderstood him and acted this way due to low emotional intelligence, Meng Shuping decided to cut him some slack for now. "Forget it. Although he's quite annoying, he did help me in a way. I'll let it slide today!"
"I'll curse him out another day!"
Just as he decided not to hold a grudge against Jiang Cihe, he saw Jiang Cihe give him a gentle smile, but the words that followed were cold as ice: "Once he gets out, kick him back in."
Meng Shuping stared at Jiang Cihe in shock. "You're really something! Are you even human? If you're so capable, why don't you just go fly a kite?"
Ling Feng, standing nearby, was also stunned by this crazy idea. "Your Highness, isn't this a bit too much?"
Although his lord was a bit petty and held grudges, he was mostly alright. Why was he suddenly giving this kid a hard time?
Had this young man offended him in some way?
Jiang Cihe lazily replied, "I'm just worried the effects of the drug haven't worn off. He asked for my help, so I might as well go all the way."
Meng Shuping felt at a loss for words. "Who asked for that kind of help? I just wanted him to call someone for me! And he's so 'helpful'—how thoughtful of him!"
Seeing that Jiang Cihe was only joking and didn't actually intend to kick Meng Shuping back into the water, Ling Feng quickly interjected, "I think the drug's effects have worn off. There's no need to push him back in, right?"
Jiang Cihe pretended to think for a moment. "Well, if that's the case, then pull him out."
Meng Shuping breathed a sigh of relief. Although he could have taken a swing at Jiang Cihe once he was out, he was at a disadvantage—alone, soaked, and facing two clearly skilled fighters. He could handle a fight with Meng Shuyang, but against these two, it was hard to say who would come out on top.
After helping Meng Shuping ashore, Ling Feng asked with concern, "Did you bring a change of clothes, young master? If so, I'll have someone take you to clean up and change."
Meng Shuping quickly replied, "Yes, I did."
Touched by Ling Feng's kindness, he silently apologized in his heart for misjudging him earlier. "Wow, this guy is both handsome and kind! He may look fierce, but he's actually so gentle!"
After praising Ling Feng, Meng Shuping went back to raging about Jiang Cihe. "Not like that scoundrel! He looks harmless, but he's so wicked. I'll never judge by appearances again!"