143: Chapter 139: Great Waves Sift the Sand, Not Recognizing You 143: Chapter 139: Great Waves Sift the Sand, Not Recognizing You The banquet was simple, held in Tang Buqi’s waterside pavilion, without going to any “better place.”

But Zhao Changhe felt this was the best place.

It was a large, solitary courtyard, the house built over water with winding wooden bridges, serene and elegant.

Water flowed everywhere with a tinkling sound, faintly accompanied by the music of strings and bamboo; stepping here, Zhao Changhe felt as if the dreamlike Haisi Water Pavilion and the Fragrant Water Pavilion had already materialized before his eyes.

Searching for a donkey while riding one, and asking if there is anyone from Gusu named Murong…

turns out you are Yanziwu yourself.

The maid led him to the location, slightly bowed, and said, “This servant shall take her leave.”

“Hey, hey!” Zhao Changhe pulled his gaze back from admiring the scenery and cheerfully called out to her, “Your young master invites us to dine, aren’t you supposed to stand by?”

The maid waved her hand as she retreated, “Each in the clan has their responsibilities; we must not mix them up.

I am not the one attending to the young master.”

“Then what is your role?”

“I handle miscellaneous tasks at the guesthouse…”

“So, you are in charge of looking after the guests, right?

That’s why you are guiding me?”

“Yes… well, not exactly, I only clean the guest area.

I am not responsible for greeting the guests.

There was no one else available just now, and I wanted to be a bit lazy…”

Zhao Changhe found this quite amusing and was about to tease her some more when he saw Tang Buqi poking his head out from the pavilion above, “Who are you talking to?

Tsk…

are you flirting with my maid?”

Zhao Changhe responded, “How does speaking a few words to a young lady equate to flirting?

Do you think everyone is like you?”

“Fine, fine.

Hey you—” Tang Buqi pointed at the maid but appeared unfamiliar and couldn’t remember her name; giving it no further thought as he couldn’t recognize a maid from the guest area among the many in his household, he directly said, “You’re from the guest area, right?

It’s part of your job after all.

Come up for the meal too, attend to Master Zhao.”

Having said that, he withdrew his head.

The maid: “…”

“Ha…” Zhao Changhe nearly burst out laughing, then asked, “Hey, we’re pretty familiar now, what’s your name again?”

The maid hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Sisi.”

Zhao Changhe smiled silently.

This didn’t seem like the Tang family’s style at all.

Look at the names of the maids beside Tang Wanju; aren’t they called Bao Qin or something similar related to the zither…

Anyway, that was the style, what kind of uncultured name is yours?

He didn’t expose her but smilingly followed “Sisi” up to the pavilion.

Inside the hall was a small round table, surrounded by several maids and musicians playing the zither and creating gentle, soothing music, the epitome of petit bourgeois flair.

However, Tang Buqi wasn’t surrounded by maids eating grapes as usual; instead, he was sitting alone by the window, pouring and drinking by himself, apparently preoccupied.

Seeing Zhao Changhe come in, he casually motioned, “Sit, no one else, just us brothers having a meal.”

“…” From nephew to brothers, it felt a bit awkward.

But Zhao Changhe knew that this “nephew” thing had always been his own exaggeration; Tang Buqi never acknowledged it as such, so he sat down across from him, feeling the discomfort and asked curiously, “Were you scolded?”

“No,” Tang Buqi said.

“My father actually praised me quite a bit, said I did well in the Yangzhou affair…

Although I know I didn’t contribute much.

But I was at the forefront attacking White Lotus Temple, so I deserved some praise.”

“You have things you think you deserve praise for, too…” Zhao Changhe couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Then why the thoughtful expression since you’ve been praised?”

“What’s the use of a few words of praise from home, does one live their life just at home?”

Zhao Changhe paused.

“You and Wan Dongliu offended Ji Chengkong, he doesn’t dare trouble you or touch Wan Dongliu, so he comes after me instead.

My Tang family, clearly larger than both you and the Cao Gang combined, seems to him the softer target.” Tang Buqi spoke softly, “You criticized me for sucking my aunt’s blood, which disturbed me greatly during the journey.

I wanted to retort a few times but couldn’t find the words… Others respect me because I’m a son of the Tang family, and others respect the Tang family because of Tang Wanju, not because of some long dead ancestor.”

Zhao Changhe stopped talking and slowly sipped his wine.

Tang Buqi spoke softly, “I know, the so-called journey to gain experience, I shouldn’t bring maids, shouldn’t have a fleet, shouldn’t stay at Uncle Wu’s, shouldn’t even have set foot in Yangzhou… I should be like you, alone with a sword, leaving Jiangnan.

But…”

Zhao Changhe, holding his wine, looked up at him.

“But it could lead to death, I could die at any moment, Brother Zhao,” Tang Buqi gripped his cup tightly, finding it hard to drink, “There’s still so much more I can enjoy…”

Zhao Changhe finally raised his cup, “Here, a toast to you.”

Tang Buqi was taken aback, “You’re toasting me?

Shouldn’t you be laughing at me?”

“Why would I laugh at you, do I look like I have a death wish?

I had no choice.” Zhao Changhe laughed, “If we were in each other’s shoes, maybe you would be me and I would be you.

Who would laugh at whom then?”

Although he didn’t mention what to do in this situation…

he really couldn’t say anything, but it was certainly a great consolation.

The sorrow on Tang Buqi’s face faded a lot, and he regained the smile of a flamboyant gentleman of the chaotic world, “Thanks.

It’s weird though…

for someone like you, it’s strange you don’t have many friends in the Worldly Society.”

“From now on, there will be more and more.” Zhao Changhe grinned, “What kind of Worldly Society would it be if we don’t make some friends?

You’re alright, nephew.

Just don’t go knocking on doors randomly next time, you are my friend now.”

Tang Buqi grimaced, “I don’t want to be your friend.”

Zhao Changhe was puzzled, “Why not?”

“When you start calling me ‘Brother Tang’ instead of ‘big nephew,’ then we can talk.”

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes, “Then it’s better to stick with ‘big nephew.'”

Tang Buqi’s eyes bulged.

“Drink up, drink up, you talk too much.

My hand’s going numb from holding this cup.” Zhao Changhe scoffed, “Heard you got drunk in the red light district for five days?

Looks like not only are you bad in fights, but your alcohol tolerance is rubbish too.”

“Damn!” Tang Buqi rolled up his sleeves, “Today, if I don’t knock you out, I’ll sew my mouth shut!”

What should have been a discussion about whether the Huqiu Sword Pool had been discovered, and a plan for exploring the mystery of the Evil Qi in Gusu, ended up not covering any actual issues.

Sometimes, drowning sorrows with friends in a bout of drunkenness is just as important as handling serious matters.

They were all martial artists with strong physiques and Inner Strength.

It was tough to have poor alcohol tolerance.

Indeed, Tang Buqi’s drinking ability was substantial, but compared to Zhao Changhe, he was obviously no match.

Especially since Zhao Changhe felt there was something off about his Maid and didn’t really intend to get drunk; he was quietly dissipating the alcohol with his Inner Strength.

Within half an hour, Zhao Changhe was as sober as ever, while Tang Buqi was visibly drunk.

And then, reverting to his old ways, he embraced the Maid who was continually refilling their drinks at the side, “Maid Qin, give your master a hug…”

Zhao Changhe: “…”

“Hey hey, who’s that?” Tang Buqi, with a thick tongue, pointed at Sisi, “You, you, you, go accompany my brother!”

Sisi: “…”

Zhao Changhe’s heart stirred, and pretending to be drunk too, he happily moved closer, “Sisi…”

Sisi jumped back, “Young master, disrespecting a Maiden like this can lead to family punishment!”

“Pfft!” Tang Buqi waved his hand drunkenly, “Then let my father punish me, no big deal.”

Sisi stood her ground, “Then let the young master kill me!”

“Eh?” Tang Buqi squinted at her, “Not much to look at, but quite spirited.

Brother Zhao, this kind of girl is good, I wouldn’t force her; it’s up to you.”

Zhao Changhe smiled slightly, “I wouldn’t force either.

We’ve had enough to drink, you rest now.

Sisi, you can come with me to do some chores, right?”

“It’s her duty, sure thing!” Tang Buqi waved his hand, “Go on, go on, take good care of my brother!”

Zhao Changhe pretended to stagger as he stood up, even knocking over a chair, and wobbled towards the door.

Sisi hesitated for a moment but went over to help him.

Zhao Changhe smoothly placed his weight on her shoulder.

Sisi’s face turned red, struggling like a child carrying a bear.

Little did Zhao Changhe know, he was even more puzzled now.

Strange, he originally thought this could be the fake Heavenly Girl, someone very casual even about kissing, and his lead for Gong Chaoqun seemed quite promising.

But now it didn’t seem right…

Was she trying hard to play the role of a spirited Maiden, or was she someone else?

Behind him, from the balcony, Tang Buqi’s singing voice came, “Born as I was, there must be a purpose…”

And then he laughed, which turned into crying: “Morning breeze brews wine toasts the bright moon, the great waves wash away sand oblivious to the nobleman.”