Peerless ( Meng Xi Shi )

Breaking the fruit plate was only the first step. After that, Cui Buqu rose to his feet and pointed at Chen Ji to shout at him loudly, "Do you know that I am the nephew of the Kucha King? How dare you molest my wife! Today is the birthday of Master Xing's mother, I received an invitation and originally wanted to dispense good wished to the old Madam Xing with the most heartfelt sincerity, who knew that I would cross paths with such a shameless worm like yourself! If this was in Kucha, I would have had you beaten to death!"

He said everything in one go so that the other people did not have time to react. Chen Ji also absolutely lost his soul from Cui Buqu's scolding, in his heart he said: I only asked for a name, I have not even bulged an inch, why did it turned to molesting all of a sudden?

He originally wasn't someone who would let himself easily be bullied, but Cui Buqu scolded him so suddenly, he could not think of anything to say back in such a short amount of time.

Xing Mao wouldn't have allowed two people to continue arguing during his party, so with a glance from him, the first in charge immediately stood out and said, "Today, both of you are my Master's guest, there is no need to fight, please give my Master some face..."

Cui Buqu cut his words and snickered, "My Uncle often said, although Master Xing is from Qiemo, he is the hero of his generation, but I couldn't help but believe my Uncle was praising the wrong person. Even when I represent the Kucha King, I couldn't sit in the inner hall and had to bare the sunlight out here. I no longer care for this party, farewell!"

The first in charge immediately went up to him to stop him and spoke with a nice and pleasant tone, "My Lord you've mistaken. This is my arrangement, but because the inner hall is too cramped, and there are limited space, it will not tolerate any more seats..."

Cui Buqu glared at him, "Then couldn't you separate them into groups of three? Couldn't you remove the walls and join all the halls into one?"

It was easy when he spoke, but if they really removed the walls, how would this still look like a manor!? When Cui Buqu was purposely angering someone, his words are sharp and offensive, it was enough to provoke an aggressiveness in the first in charge similar to a dog. Yet the other couldn't show his temper, instead he continued to smile.

"My Lord your words are correct, I was inconsiderate, please proceed to the inner hall, I will immediately order some men to arrange two seats for you!"

He waved his hand and immediately, some servants came and arranged the seats. The first in charge then invited both of them into the inner hall. Xing Mao rose to his feet and walked towards the centre of the hall to welcome Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao.

"I beg your forgiveness for my ill-manners, let me sincerely give my apologies to both of you now, please drink more during the party!"

Cui Buqu's original goal was to get a place in the inner hall, so he turned towards Duan Qigu and shouted, "I heard there are two powers in Qiemo, one is Master Xing, and the other is Master Duan. Since I'm here already, naturally I would want to sit close to Master Duan. There is no need for you to rearrange, simply put my seat and my wife's behind Master Duan would do!"

Duan Qigu laughed admiringly, "Haha, since my Lord looked well upon me, my adjacent is still spacious, why don't you just seat next to me?"

Cui Buqu displayed a look of happiness, "There is no reason for me to decline!"

At this moment, each of them have a small table each, only when two people are close would they share the same table. Cui Buqu did not know the meaning of 'shame', he immediately abandoned the first in charge and walked over to Duan Qigu's side in big steps to sit next to him.

Seeing that Xing Mao did not object to it, the first in charge could only snort and arrange another table next to Cui Buqu for Feng Xiao.

Since this way, Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao were not only sitting close to Duan Qigu, but they were also close to Xing Mao.

The only pitiful one was Chen Ji who got scolded for doing nothing at all. Once he recovered from his trance, Cui Buqu had already turned around and hugged Duan Qigu's thigh. Even if he wanted to flip the table now, it would have been too late. He could only looked at the Cui Buqu's back with fury. The first in charge also would not allow another ruckus to occur, so he immediately went to sooth Chen Ji. No one knew what he told Chen Ji, but the latter immediately returned to a happy state after that. He no longer cared about Cui Buqu, and instead went back to his seat.

Once one wave is gone, the first in charge let out a breath of air, in his heart he scolded the third in charge who had vanished. The party today was his responsibility, so these were also naturally his role to play.

"A few years ago I did went to Kucha and I was fortunate enough to have met the Kucha King. May I know how well he fares?" Duan Qigu asked after him.

"My Uncle sleeps and eats well. He could still shoot arrows from horseback, and when on the ground he could fight a wolf with his care hands. His health was never an issue, only because two of his grandchildren have passed away, so he was upset for a moment, he refused to even listen to his favourite music. Otherwise, it would never be my turn to be sent to the Central Plains."

Although Cui Buqu was imposing as the nephew of the Kucha King, he did his homework. Had he not, he might only have been able to cheat people like Gao Yi, but it would be very difficult to cheat old sly foxes like Duan Qigu and Xing Mao.

The Kucha King really had a nephew called Shang Jing, but because of his health, he was raised outside the city since he was young. He seldom saw people. So in every ten sentences Cui Buqu said, six or seven of them were true, only this way could he be obtain someone else's trust.

After listening to him, Duan Qigu nodded his head and sigh, "Please send my regards, tell the King to have my condolence."

The death of the King's grandchildren were news Duan Qigu and Xing Mao both received, so they both verified Cui Buqu's identity and was no longer suspicious.

Xing Mao clapped his hands. He had already prepared dishes and they were immediately served. Even the wine were served bottle by bottle and being opened in front of everyone. The fragrance of the wine filled the hall, and once everyone smelt it, they knew it was good wine. Even those who knew nothing of wine couldn't help but had to swallow their drool.

Beautiful maidservants carried the wine and poured them for the guests. Everyone raised their cups to wish the old woman for her day of birth. Xing Mao was the first to drank his cup of wine, then bowed towards his mother to thank her for raising him all these years.

Since Duan Qigu came to the party, he would not cause trouble for Xing Mao here. Once he saw the maidservants bend down to pour him a cup of wine, he also raised the cup and stood and said a few wishes to Xing Mao's mother.

But when Duan Qigu was about to drink his wine, Cui Buqu suddenly called out to him, "Master Duan, wait!"

Cui Buqu smiled and said, "Why is Master Duan's wine and my wine not the same? Could it be because Master Duan's place in Qiemo is high and lofty, the host treats him differently from his other guests?"

If one could say that Cui Buqu got provoked just because his wife was being teased just now, it was still reasonable, but now he was really looking for a fight for no reason.

Cui Buqu was picking at everything and creating trouble out of nowhere, making everyone hate him.

This is what the first in charge felt for him now, he couldn't help but shouted, "My Lord you've mistaken. The wine in our manor has reasons behind them. They're categorized into plum, orchids, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, stored during spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each wine has a different taste, but they're equally precious and cannot be found elsewhere. Once you've finished with this one, naturally you can also try the others, there is no need to be so impatient!"

Cui Buqu pretended that he did not notice the irritation beneath the first in charge's smile, he pointed at Duan Qigu's cup of wine, "I feel that Master Duan's wine is definitely not the same with others, now I want to switch cups with Master Duan!"

Duan Qigu laughed and surrendered the cup of wine, "Of course there is no problem to that. I'll give you my cup, then allow someone else to serve me another one!"

Xing Mao's eyebrows furrowed, he feel displeased, but did not say anything about it.

If Cui Buqu dared to cause trouble on the birthday party of his mother, he would have a hundred ways to make him regret it.

But after Cui Buqu took Duan Qigu's wine, he still refused to sit down quietly, instead he turned around to the beautiful maidservant standing behind Duan Qigu.

"Come, you, drink this wine!"

The maidservant looked stunned for a moment and took two steps back, looking at the first in charge to ask for help.

The first in charge also had enough of Cui Buqu, so he gave him a warning, "My Lord, today is the birthday party of my Master's mother, please refrain yourself!"

Cui Buqu raised an eyebrow, "Why am I the one looking for trouble? Everyone knows that Master Xing and Master Duan hated each other, it's not strange for some people who wants to disrupt their truce and sow distrust between then. For them to poison Master Duan like this, then blame it on you people. Am I not now taking care of this matter, and help Master Xing escape suspicion?"

The first in charge could not hold himself any longer, he went forward to catch Cui Buqu, "You brat. I don't think you're here for the party, you are obviously looking for a fight!"

For someone who can work underneath Xing Mao, the first in charge's martial arts is definitely not bad, when he moved, let alone Cui Buqu is someone who did not know martial arts, even if he did, he might not be able to dodge it completely.

But not long after the first in charge caught Cui Buqu's shoulder, the man shouted in pain and dared for say anything more, because his hand was being pinched firmly by someone else.

With only two fingers.

The first in charge bared the pain and turn around, what greeted him was Feng Xiao's shy little smile.

His smile make him shocked, for he had lost all control over his body.

Cui Buqu also did not pay attention to the first in charge, he continued to give the cup to the maidservant, "Drink this wine, then I'll not trouble you any further, and I would not give trouble to Master Xing either."

The maidservant lowered her head, refusing to move.

Duan Qigu also managed to notice that something wasn't quite right.

Xing Mao was already long angered by Cui Buqu, but what he hated more was the fact that he had lost face in front of Duan Qigu. Now the hall was still considered crowded, but everyone had already stopped drinking their wine, and instead looking at his direction. Everything else a little tensed.

"Since his Lordship has spoken, then you may drink this wine!"

After Xing Mao spoke, only did the maidservant took the cup of wine from Cui Buqu's hands.

She looked as if she was shocked by the situation, for both her hands shook violently, and most of the wine had fell out.

Cui Buqu held her wrist, forcefully pushing the cup of wine to her mouth and said in a gentle voice, "Don't be afraid. It's only a cup of wine, why are you behaving as though it was poisoned?"

Watching the cup of wine almost reaching her mouth, the maidservant suddenly shook herself free of Cui Buqu and lunged herself at Duan Qigu.

A blinding light flashed past, she had hidden a small dagger on herself, so at that moment the dagger drew, its head aiming at Duan Qigu's chest. Both parties were only a few steps apart.

Duan Qigu suddenly leap onto his feet as if he was extending his wings to take flight, not only did he managed to avoid the maidservant, but he even kicked her wrist and made a dent in her dagger. Her legs collapsed and she couldn't help but fell forward as he tripped over the small table, her dagger was thrust into her own chest and died on the spot!

No one knew who shouted first, but the original atmosphere of the party changed, everyone wore fear on their expressions, and the guests that were in the inner hall rose to their feet and took a few steps back.

Xing Mao pointed at Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao and shouted in fury, "Men, take them!"

Cui Buqu laughed coldly and said, "What use is there to take me? Yesterday I saw the third in charge on the streets plotting a scheme for Duan Qigu with someone else, had it not been for that, why would I sow trouble in the party? Who knew that it was as I have expected!"

"Xing Mao, I bare good intentions coming to this party, yet you welcomed me with a Hongmen Banquet!" Duan Qigu's face darkened. He originally brought two guards, and at this moment they were fending his left and right, as if they were afraid Xing Mao would suddenly attack.

"Everything that happened today, I know nothing of it!" Xing Mao bellowed angrily. If Duan Qigu really died here today, then nothing would clear up his name.

If Duan Qigu died, others would immediately think it was his doing, but even if Xing Mao wanted him dead, he wouldn't not have used a beautiful woman to poison him, instead he would have taken a violent yet straightforward approach. Additionally, today is the birthday of his mother, and who in this city didn't know that he is a filial person? How would be commit murder in front of his own elderly mother?

Yet returning to the topic at hand, since this matter has achieve came to his situation, regardless who it was that wanted to kill Duan Qigu, if the other really died, then naturally he could take over the business of the Duan family. Without Duan Qigu, they were like an eagle with broken wings. Either he do nothing at all, or he do it ruthlessly until the end...

As he thought of this, his eyes darkened, as if there was a storm bellowing within them.

All the three in charges had followed Xing Mao for many years, they have long became familiar with their Master's temperament. The first in charge was held down by Feng Xiao, as the second in charge saw this, he immediately waved his hands and all four directions were suddenly surrounded by guards of the Xing manor, crowding the inner hall. They were only waiting for an order before they would immediately lunge forward to attack Duan Qigu and murder him on the spot. Even if Duan Qigu is an excellent martial artist, with only the three of them, it was impossible to escape the manor that was nigh impenetrable.

Duan Qigu knew this was not a favourable situation for himself.

Today he came to the party knowing that Xing Mao would never dare to do anything during the event, but who knew something like this happened.

Whether the poison just now was orchestrated by Xing Mao was no longer important, because he was the same as the second in charge, he could see Xing Mao's intention to kill him on its owner's face.

Could it be that he will die right where he stand?

The first in charge finally let out a pained sound after he could no longer hold it in.

Feng Xiao smiles, "Perhaps I've used my strength a little too much, but who asked you to dare lay hands on my husband? Now, bear the consequences!"

As his voice dissipated into the air, the first in charge fell to the ground unmoving. Feng Xiao's body moved, and the second in charge only felt a gust of wind before his quickly reached out to welcome the battle and clashed his palm with the other. The second in charge couldn't stand the substance rushing up from his chest, and a mouthful of blood spilled from his mouth, his entire person falling backwards.

Feng Xiao on the other hand was completely uninjured, he spoke to Xing Mao, "You saw that. Even if your people surrounded us, I can leave this place completely unharmed, not only that, even if I want to take Duan Qigu away, it would not be a difficult feat."

Since when did a small city like Qiemo exists such an unparalleled master of the martial arts?

The one who called himself the nephew of the Kucha King was obviously weak and helpless, who knew that by his side hid a wife that was such an astoundingly skilled fighter?

Although Duan Qigu would admit that his skills weren't bad, but compared to the one before him now, he still falls very far behind, even the number one fighter of Göktürk that he knew would not have been able to win against him.

What was the true background of this set of couple?

Xing Mao was both shocked and angered, "Who are you people?"

"I am, of course, a beauty." Feng Xiao fished out a handkerchief to wipe his hand, then he did a flourish in mid-air, like an orchid blossoming its petals.

The handkerchief fluttered down and landed squarely on top of the first in charge's head.

The first in charge "…."

Cui Buqu said plainly, "Rather than being concerned about who we are, why not be more concerned who is the insider among your house. According to what I know, Duan Qigu has two sons, both have grown up and had their own businesses, if he dies here today, his eldest son will inherit everything in his legacy, to avenge his father, and become public enemies with you, even if you win in the end, you would only enjoy a pyrrhic victory. Think carefully, when the sandpiper and the mussel fought each other, who is the one who ultimately win the catch?"

Duan Qigu had also thought about this point, so although he was suspicious of Xing Mao, but he was still on guard.

Xing Mao's expression was conflicting, after a moment of silence, he immediately told the first in charge, "Call Peng Xiang here immediately! If he dared to retort, no matter what methods you use, bring him here alive will do!"

The first in charge's arm was broken by Feng Xiao, but compared to what happened in the manor, he had no time to care for that little injury, climbing to his feet as he sustained the pain, he immediately went out to look for the third in charge.

A pleasant party had turned into something like this. Xing Mao inhaled sharply, suppressing the impatient swirling in his chest and allowed someone to take his mother back to rest. Then he turned to his guests, "Something happened today, I apologize for everyone to have received a shock. When the culprit is captured, I will personally apologize to everyone. For now, please take a seat and eat something to calm yourselves down."

Who could still sit down and eat? They could only sit stiffly. Some of the guests even wanted to leave, but they could not. At this moment, the Xing manor would definitely not let anyone out.

Xing Mao refused to believe the betrayal of the third in charge, but now he couldn't not believe it, for the entire party was arranged by the third in charge, so since something happened, it was difficult for him to escape responsibility.

However, the entire matter was even more complicated then when they first imagined it.

After a while, the first in charge rushed back. He ran a long distance, but his face was even paler than before.

Once Xing Mao saw the panicked look on his face, he knew something wasn't right.

As he expected, the first in charge said, "Peng Xiang he, he committed suicide!"

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Hongmen Banquet: A historical event that took place in Hongmen (also called the Feast At Swan Goose Gate). The King of Chu (Xiang Yu) and the King of Han (Liu Bang) went to a feast where Xiang Yu suggested to summon a swordsman to do a sword dance, only use that chance to kill Liu Bang.

When the sandpiper and the mussel fought each other, who is the one who ultimately win the catch?: A proverb that means a third party was purposely watching two parties fight, waiting to sit back until they destroyed each other so that they could claim the final rewards easily. Came from a story if the sandpiper and mussel fighting each other, so they were both ultimately caught by the fisherman, who was the ultimate victor.