Wealth and glory seek stability

Chapter 290 Maimu's Plan

Jian Xi waved her sleeves lightly, and her attendant handed over the visiting card.

The Lord of Maimu City personally stepped out of his mansion to welcome the distinguished guests.

His slightly rough face was flushed with a healthy blush, and his lips were no longer tightly pursed. Instead, he said loudly with an unconcealable joy: "Grand Minister of Agriculture, it's been a long time since we last met. It's really an honor to see you again today."

Jian Xi smiled brightly and responded, "Lord Mai, I heard that your wife is pregnant recently. To have a child in old age is truly a blessing from heaven and is very enviable."

Mayor Maimu waved his hand modestly, with an even wider smile on his face, "No, no, I'm flattered. Please follow me."

Mo Chuan and his followers followed closely and walked into the mansion.

They talked and laughed all the way, and Jian Xi felt that she had said all the polite words she could in her life.

In the banquet hall, the banquet had been arranged in an orderly manner, but Madam Qingzhu was nowhere to be seen.

In the delicate atmosphere of the banquet, Jian Xi secretly began to harbor doubts. Her eyes were like a probe, penetrating Mai Mu's seemingly calm appearance.

Mai Mu felt Jian Xi's scrutiny and responded with a smile: "Grand Minister of Agriculture, you have no excuses now. We must drink to our heart's content."

"Of course, of course." Jian Xi responded with a calm smile, gently raised the wine glass and took a sip.

As soon as the wine touched the tip of her tongue, it was like a spark ignited, and the spicy feeling spread instantly, like lava raging in her body. It was so strong that Jane Xi almost couldn't help coughing, but she suppressed the impulse and only her face turned slightly red.

Maimu's eyes flashed with anticipation, "How is it? Is this wine to your taste?"

Jian Xi covered up the discomfort in her throat with a brilliant smile, her eyes were hazy due to the strong liquor, "Highland barley wine is indeed worthy of its reputation."

Mai Mu was very pleased when he heard this. He raised his cup and said, "Grand Minister of Agriculture, come on, have a few more drinks. You can't go home until you are drunk today."

Jian Xi frowned slightly, feeling that the drinking issue was difficult, but still responded in a gentle tone: "When I drink, I always like to savor it slowly."

"That won't do." Mai Mu's voice was filled with unquestionable determination. "Now that you've come this far, if you don't drink three cups, it would be disrespectful to me." He widened his eyes, as if ready to get up and pour the wine for Jian Xi himself, "Do you want me to go over and fill it up for you personally?"

Jian Xi quickly reached out to stop him, "No, no, I know how to drink."

She knew that if Maimu came, the situation would be out of control.

Jian Xi picked up the wine jug on the table and slowly poured the warm liquid into the glass cup until it was eight-tenths full. The wine in the cup was slightly yellowish and turbid.

She raised her bare hands and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. The spicy feeling pierced her throat like a steel needle.

Jian Xi couldn't help but wonder, is this wine or alcohol?

Unlike the sweet fragrance of the kumis she had drunk before, the feeling of barley wine gave her just one word: strong.

After three cups, Jian Xi gently turned the glass over, with the bottom facing up, without a drop of residual liquid.

Mai Mu laughed loudly when he saw this. "Great, you are truly the heroic people of the grasslands. Grand Minister of Agriculture, you are a young and heroic man. I heard that the northern part of the Great Wall has become prosperous under your governance. This is really worth celebrating."

Jian Xi's gaze fell on Mai Mu again, and she saw him holding up the wine glass again, and her scalp tingled.

She couldn't help but feel helpless, and even began to wonder if the wine in Maimu's jug was just water? He was able to keep his face normal after drinking it, without any sign of drunkenness.

Thinking of Zhang Cen'er, she was the same. She had an amazing alcohol tolerance. Whenever she drank, she always drank it heartily as if she was drinking water.

Jian Xi picked up a piece of mutton with the silver chopsticks. She could already smell the strong aroma of spices before she even ate it. She took a bite and found that the spices covered up the original freshness of the mutton, which was a bit pungent. She gently put down the chopsticks.

Unappetizing.

Now is the time to bring up business. "City Lord, I wonder what you think of the matter I mentioned in my previous letter?"

Mai Mu pondered for a moment, a trace of worry flashed across his face, "Our Mai family in Kecheng and the Ruan family have had long-standing exchanges with each other, and we are considered old friends. If the Minister of Agriculture has any disagreements with the Ruan family, you may as well speak up. I am willing to mediate between you based on our old friendship.

The Ruan family is the most powerful family in Xuanwu. You are young and energetic, so it is inevitable that you will be impulsive. Don't let your anger hurt the harmony and dignity of the two families. "

Jian Xi clenched her fists under the table. She felt a little nervous but tried to remain calm on the surface.

She had sent people to investigate, and found that Maimu had always regarded himself as neutral and did not get involved in court disputes.

However, the situation before her made her suspicious. She was afraid that Mai Mu had some unknown connection with the Ruan family. She asked tentatively, "Does the city lord know Prime Minister Ruan?"

Mai Mu had a calm expression and his voice was as calm as water, "Of course, Prime Minister Ruan and my Kecheng have a deep friendship, and we have constant exchanges of wine, food and grain. The few Ferghana horses in my backyard were generously given to me by him." As he spoke, his eyes revealed a hint of complacency and pride.

The door of the banquet hall slowly opened, and an old man in a red robe strode in, his chin slightly raised, and wherever his eyes looked, there was majesty and arrogance accumulated over the years.

Jian Xi's heart almost stopped beating at that moment, and then she quickly stood up and respectfully performed the salute of a subordinate.

"Your humble servant Jian Xi, paying homage to Prime Minister Ruan." Her voice was clear and firm. Although her heart was turbulent, she remained calm on the surface.

Ruan Zhiyin's voice was low and powerful, "Grand Minister of Agriculture, how are you?" There was a hint of unquestionable authority in his tone.

Jian Xi raised her head and her eyes met Ruan Zhiyin's. "Thank you for your concern. Everything is fine."

After saying a few insignificant polite words, Jian Xi said no more.

They have different political views and are destined to be each other's enemies.

Jian Xi looked at Ruan Zhiyin's arrogant eyes and realized that the other party did not take her seriously.

This was exactly what she wanted.

She lowered her head, like a bottomless pool of still water, calm on the surface but undercurrents surging in her heart, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Jian Xi put her hands behind her back and made a light gesture to Mo Chuan.

Mo Chuan understood what he meant, and his right hand slowly slid to the sword at his waist, his fingertips lightly touching the hilt, ready to strike.

Mai Mu greeted him with a warm smile, "Prime Minister Ruan, it is an honor for me to have you come to Kecheng. Please take a seat."

Ruan Zhiyin nodded slightly, "No need to be polite, you are the host in Kecheng, just follow the local customs."

After saying that, he walked calmly to the seat opposite Jian Xi.