Chapter 251 Jealousy

Shen Jue let out a cold hum, pretending to be annoyed.

Just then, Qin Feng strode over briskly.

There was no trace of gloom on his face anymore—only openness and gratitude.

In his hands was a huge wooden tray, upon which sat four large bowls of the strong, distinctive rice wine from Southern Frontier!

“Commander Shen, Commander Lu, Miss Su, Miss Yu!”

Qin Feng set the tray heavily on the table with a flourish, causing the wine to slosh about.

“Tonight, I thank you all for saving our lives and granting us a second chance.”

“This rice wine is brewed by our own people in Southern Frontier. It may not be as precious as the fine spirits of the capital, but it’s certainly strong.”

“I’ll drink first, as a token of respect.”

Saying this, Qin Feng lifted his bowl, tilted his head back, and gulped it down in one go.

Unable to refuse such hospitality, Lu Yan and Shen Jue exchanged a glance, a hint of helplessness reflected in their eyes.

But in such a setting, even two powerful figures could not afford to lose face.

Lu Yan picked up the rough ceramic bowl. His expression remained stern and unreadable as he tilted his head and swallowed the night wine.

He frowned slightly—the Southern Frontier rice wine was sweet at first sip, but the afterburn was strong.

Shen Jue, holding his white jade bone fan in one hand, lifted his bowl with the other, taking only a shallow sip.

His delicate, feminine phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the faint trace of intoxication swirling beneath.

“Commander Qin, you are too polite.”

Su Hewan looked at the bowl, larger than her face, and her rational mind immediately kicked in.

Judging by sight, the alcohol content was extremely high, and it contained a lot of unfiltered fermentation residue, making it dangerously intoxicating.

She calmly lifted the bowl, touching only her lips and tasting just enough to sip.

“Commander Qin, you flatter me. From now on, we are all citizens of Great Wei. Living in peace and prosperity is the true path.”

However, when it came to Yu Qing, the scene took a sudden turn. Already in a highly excited state, she looked at the milky rice wine and mistook it for some delicious drink, ready for a cheers.

With unrestrained gusto, she lifted the huge bowl, imitating Qin Feng, and tilted her head back—downing it in one gulp.

The spicy wine immediately burned her throat, making tears stream from her eyes. But almost instantly, an indescribable heat surged from every limb to her brain.

Her fair little face flushed visibly with two bright patches of red.

She was lit.

At that moment, the Southern Frontier youth—praised earlier by Yu Qing for his eight-pack abs—dashed over to the table, wearing a sun-bright smile.

The youth had tanned skin and sparkling eyes.

Supporting his chest with one hand, he bowed deeply to Yu Qing and offered a warm invitation: “Beautiful lady, may I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?”

At his words, the previously harmonious atmosphere froze for a split second.

Shen Jue paused slightly with his fan, a mischievous glint appearing in his eyes, clearly enjoying the show.

Su Hewan silently slid her chair a little to the side, fearing she might get splashed with blood later.

The man sitting beside Yu Qing had already radiated a chilling aura, dropping the surrounding air pressure to freezing levels.

Lu Yan’s cold, hard face was now clouded with stormy intent as he fixed his gaze on the reckless Southern Frontier youth!

Yet the drunk Yu Qing was completely oblivious to the approaching danger. Her blurred, intoxicated eyes focused on the silver-adorned, smiling young man before her, and her courage instantly swelled to its limit.

“Sure, sure!”

Without a hint of hesitation, Yu Qing shoved her empty wine bowl into Su Hewan’s arms and leapt up, cheering with delight.

Lifting her intricate skirt like a runaway husky, she charged straight into the dance circle by the bonfire.

The young man laughed with excitement and grabbed her hand, spinning her around to the rhythm of the drums.

Although Yu Qing had no idea how to dance, and her steps were clumsy—more like stepping on a live wire—she was as joyful as a child!

She twirled around the bonfire, her smile blooming like a flower, and her silver-bell laughter pierced the night sky. The men of Nanjiang all clapped and cheered!

The atmosphere reached its peak.

Meanwhile, Lu Yan, sitting in the shadows, looked so dark that it was as if ink might drip from his face!

He gripped the hilt of his embroidered spring blade at his waist, veins bulging on the back of his hand!

His other hand clutched a freshly grilled skewer of lamb so tightly that the hard red willow stick snapped into two!

The sharp crack rang out, sounding jarringly horrifying amidst the noisy cheers.

Lu Yan cursed fiercely in his heart. This Nanjiang barbarian was far too close to her—holding her hand was one thing, but that dirty hand even dared to rest on her waist!

And she was smiling at him so happily!

She only ever grumbled silently when she was with him, yet she could be so carefree with this group of wild men.

“Hmph!”

A cold laugh, thick with sour jealousy, escaped from Lu Yan’s thin lips!

Nearby, Su Hewan and Shen Jue had instinctively moved to the quietest corner by the bonfire, showing perfect coordination.

The night wind was slightly cool, and Shen Jue leaned casually against the rough wooden chair.

The strong Southland liquor he had just drunk evidently affected this poor-drinking Eastern Depot supervisor. He furrowed his brows slightly, his narrow phoenix eyes half-lidded, long lashes casting shadows in the eye sockets.

Su Hewan noticed this and calmly stood up, walking over to the nearby charcoal stove.

With practiced hands, she poured out the bowl of rice wine he had barely touched and scalded the bowl with boiling water.

Then she took a small pinch of dried tangerine peel from her pouch, brewed a fresh cup of tea, and brought it to Shen Jue.

“Too much alcohol harms the body. It’s better to have some tea to calm your nerves.”

She spoke with a teasing smile as she looked at him.

She had never seen Shen Jue drunk before!

Shen Jue slowly opened his eyes. In the firelight, Su Hewan’s exquisitely refined profile seemed to be outlined with a soft golden glow.

He cleared his throat lightly and took the cup of hot tea with his long fingers, brushing his fingers against hers ever so slightly—ambiguous and tantalizing.

Su Hewan playfully glared at him. “Supervisor Shen, be careful, or I’ll accuse you of harassment!”

Shen Jue’s eyes sparkled with teasing amusement. “What’s wrong with seducing my own wife?”

Su Hewan pretended to ignore him, having realized that his mouth could never go unanswered.

Shen Jue lowered his voice, his gaze falling casually on her face.

“Aren’t you going to join in?”

Su Hewan shook her head slightly, a faint self-deprecating smile on her lips. “I’m too old and frail for this kind of physical activity.”

She glanced at Yu Qing, still dancing wildly in the distance. “It’s enough to watch her. Some joys can be felt even as a bystander.”

Hearing “old and frail,” Shen Jue couldn’t help but let out a low, soft laugh from his throat.

“If my wife is considered old bones at this age, then shouldn’t I be six feet under?”

The two of them shared a smile.

No scheming of the court, no life-or-death danger—just this deep night in Nanjiang, and the atmosphere was unexpectedly warm and tranquil.

However, this tranquility was soon broken.

By the bonfire, with the last resonant beat of the goat-skin drum, the wild Fire God Dance finally drew to a close.