The scene suddenly fell silent as countless eyes turned towards them.
How could a maid be so bold?
The person who had been splashed was a minor official from the Court of State Ceremonial. Though his rank wasn’t high, he was still an imperial official. For a lowly maid to throw a cup of wine at him so decisively in public was almost unimaginable.
The official, his face dripping with wine, was stunned. After a moment, he came to his senses and flew into a rage, “You insolent slave—”
Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guard, was already striding over.
Jiang Si lowered her eyes and said softly, “Sir, it was he—”
Han Ran was momentarily startled but quickly understood, secretly praising Prince Yan’s wife for her cleverness.
Using this method to point out the problematic person wouldn’t raise any suspicions from others.
If Jiang Si knew what Han Ran was thinking, she would have laughed at his overthinking.
Her splashing of the wine was purely out of disgust at the lecher’s behavior. She had acted on impulse to vent her anger first.
Han Ran looked sternly at the official.
The official felt quite wronged, “Commander Han, you see this lowly maid—”
This small banquet was hosted by Han Ran, the commander of the Jinlin Guard. Even though they were usually wary of the Jinlin Guard, today the Jinlin Guard was the host and they were guests. When a maid caused trouble at the host’s banquet, the guests naturally felt they could be more assertive.
Moreover, the official couldn’t imagine that Han Ran would defend such an audacious maid.
But the unimaginable happened.
Han Ran’s gaze fell on the official’s face, and he said coldly, “Take him away.”
The official coughed lightly, “It’s just an ignorant little maid, Commander Han, please don’t punish her too severely—”
Before he could finish, two Jinlin Guards stepped forward and gripped his shoulders.
The official was shocked, “Commander Han, what is the meaning of this?”
Han Ran gave him a look, his face expressionless, “Take him away!”
“Commander Han, Commander Han—”
The two Jinlin Guards ignored the official’s calls and struggles, quickly dragging him away.
The hall fell silent, with no more clinking of cups.
Everyone was stunned, unconsciously swallowing.
What was going on? Just for trying to touch a maid’s hand, which he hadn’t even managed to do, was he being sent to the imperial prison?
Han Ran smiled slightly at the crowd, “Please, everyone, continue drinking.”
People stared at the wine cups in front of them, feeling that the once-fragrant wine had lost all its appeal.
It was too frightening; who could drink now? Their courage had been scared away.
“Then I’ll drink first,” Han Ran raised his cup and drained it.
Seeing Han Ran drink, the others dared not hesitate and raised their cups as well.
Han Ran placed his empty cup on a nearby maid’s tray and said calmly to Jiang Si, “You come with me too.”
Jiang Si silently followed Han Ran out of the hall.
Once they were alone, Han Ran immediately bowed respectfully to Jiang Si, “I apologize for the abruptness today, Your Highness—”
Jiang Si smiled slightly, “It’s alright. Commander Han, could you please bring me a cup of wine?”
Han Ran immediately brought a cup of wine.
Jiang Si pricked her fingertip with a silver needle, squeezing a drop of blood into the wine cup. The amber-colored liquid briefly turned a light red.
She swirled the cup, and soon the wine returned to its original color. Smiling, she handed it to Han Ran, “Commander Han, have that official drink this cup of wine, and the worm inside him will come out.”
Han Ran took the cup, his lips twitching. He very much wanted to ask where the worm would come out from, but feeling that the answer might be terrifying, he decided it was better not to ask.
“Your Highness, what about the others—”
“The others are fine,” Jiang Si instructed, then quietly boarded a carriage parked behind the government office, heading towards Prince Yan’s residence.
The official was taken to a room, feeling anxious, when he saw Han Ran enter.
He stood up abruptly, “Commander Han—”
Han Ran carried two wine cups, offering one to him with a smile, “I apologize for the poor hospitality. Let me make it up to you, Official Liu.”
“No, no, I wouldn’t dare,” Liu took the cup nervously.
Han Ran clinked his cup against Liu’s, “Let’s drink this cup, then.”
Official Liu hesitated for a moment, holding the cup.
Han Ran had been so harsh in the hall, and now he was being so gentle. Could this be a cup of poison?
With this thought, Liu’s hand holding the cup began to tremble, the amber liquid rippling, threatening to spill at any moment.
Han Ran’s face darkened, and he said coldly, “What’s the matter? Official Liu won’t give me this face?”
“No, no,” Liu steeled himself and drained the cup in one go.