Liu Dai suddenly felt dizzy. Ye Feng knew exactly what he wanted to do, but he couldn't understand what Ye Feng intended, so he could only nod repeatedly.
"The King of Chu is right, we cannot let evil flourish. Such matters must be dealt with severely!" Liu Dai echoed, "It is getting late today, and as this governor has urgent matters to attend to, I shall take my leave from the King of Chu. We shall meet again another day!"
"Wait a moment!" Ye Feng hurriedly called out to stop him, "I heard that the governor had a meal at Old Master Ma's house. It would be improper if he were to leave my humble abode without partaking in a meal. Come, prepare a feast. This King shall drink and dine with the esteemed governor. Would that not be a joyous occasion!"
Liu Dai's heart pounded, but he couldn't leave. He could only steel himself and watch as Ye Feng made all the arrangements. As various dishes were placed on the table, Liu Dai could only force a smile.
"Originally, the two ladies would not have dined together. However, this is but a simple family meal. My two ladies have come together. The governor does not mind, do you?" Ye Feng asked knowingly, "If the governor minds, then we shall have to forgo this."
Liu Dai had no right to refuse in the King of Chu's mansion, and he had no idea what Ye Feng was plotting. He could only nod repeatedly, "I do not mind, I do not mind. Please, Your Highness, do as you please!"
"Good, invite the two ladies!" Ye Feng commanded without hesitation, and then spoke, "You may have heard of Madam Diao Chan in Liangzhou City. As for the other lady, she has only arrived in Liangzhou City today. I fear the governor has not yet met her."
"The wives of the King of Chu must all be as beautiful as celestial beings. In that case, this governor should maintain a proper distance. I beg Your Highness to permit me to withdraw now!" Liu Dai cupped his hands and requested again.
His arrogance upon entering the King of Chu's mansion had vanished completely under Ye Feng's subtle reprimands. He was sweating profusely, only wishing to leave quickly to avoid any further trouble.
"Sir, please stay. They are not celestial beings, merely plain women. Do you find them distasteful?" Ye Feng retorted, throwing his chopsticks heavily onto the table.
With the conversation reaching this point, Liu Dai could only wait for the two ladies to arrive. Diao Chan caused no incident. Ye Feng smiled and inquired, "Why has the other lady not come with you?"
"Your Highness speaks of it, my sister's beauty is unparalleled, and I alone am unfit for such grand company. Without further ado, I have hurried here!" Diao Chan said with a charming pout, playfully teasing Liu Dai, "This young gentleman is quite handsome. I feel as though I have seen him somewhere before!"
"Are you perhaps displeased with this King?" Ye Feng gently flicked Diao Chan's nose. "If that is truly the case, I shall give you to this young gentleman, and it shall be a fine tale."
"Your Highness speaks nonsense! You are shameless! This consort shall take her leave!" Diao Chan said with a hint of resentment. As she spoke, Yang Yanqi slowly arrived. She saw Liu Dai at a glance but did not speak. She simply bowed leisurely, "This consort greets Your Highness. Having not seen Your Highness for many days, you have indeed become even more majestic."
"Come, come, come. This is the governor whom this King has mentioned many times. Have the two of you met before!" Ye Feng said with a smile, holding one person by each hand.
"Your Highness speaks amiss. How could we have met!" Yang Yanqi retorted. "Meeting today is all thanks to Your Highness. However, Your Highness must apprehend and severely punish the one who molested this consort."
"Good, good, good. This King promises you!" Ye Feng pointed at Liu Dai and said with a smile, "Even if this King is incompetent, is there not someone to help? We will surely apprehend the man with such audacity!"
"This governor will certainly do his utmost to assist!" Liu Dai hurriedly stood up to declare his allegiance. However, for him to catch himself, it was preposterous. For a moment, he couldn't fathom Ye Feng's true intentions.
"Brother Liu!" Ye Feng raised his wine cup, deep in thought, "Although this King appears to be in a position of great prestige, there are in reality many underlying issues that cause me considerable distress!"
"I have long heard that Brother Liu is adept at handling such matters. Why not stay in Liangzhou for a few days to assist this King? It would also count as a merit towards His Majesty!" Ye Feng probed.
"I should indeed stay to assist the King of Chu as you bid. However, I have many matters to attend to, and can only regretfully decline the King of Chu's kind offer. I beg for Your Highness's understanding!" Liu Dai hurriedly cupped his hands in apology. "However, this governor has heard that there are many talented individuals in the world today. Perhaps..."
By rights, Liu Dai should not have recommended any talented individuals to Ye Feng, his future adversary. However, his guilt was too great, and the words tumbled out of his mouth.
"Zhuge Liang of Nanyang, and the Hidden Dragon. These two are renowned scholars of the present era. To gain one is to gain the world. Why does the King of Chu not..." Liu Dai spoke sincerely, but Zhuge Liang was not easily invited. If Ye Feng could not persuade him to emerge, it would be a laughable matter.
"This King appreciates the governor's good intentions. However, renowned scholars often value their reputation. I fear this will require the governor's personal effort. This King can then borrow some of your light. If we can invite them back, the two ladies may also forget past grievances!" Ye Feng said meaningfully.
Liu Dai took a deep breath. Ye Feng had finally revealed his true intentions. He had indeed met these two individuals before, but they had not been in contact for years.
"At present, I fear this governor cannot invite them. Your Highness must sincerely extend an invitation!" Liu Dai neither agreed nor disagreed, looking elsewhere.
"Alas, my lady, please go and ask Lu Bu if he has investigated thoroughly who molested you. This King will surely flay him alive and make him remember this lesson!" Ye Feng clenched his fists and said coldly.
A threat, this was a naked threat!
For a moment, Liu Dai's mind raced. He knew that if he didn't reveal something substantial, he wouldn't be able to leave. He feigned remembering something and said with surprise, "I heard that the King of Chu had some trouble a while ago. How is it that you are so energetic now and show no signs of injury?"
"The governor is unaware. This King was once set up and nearly died in Liangzhou. It was thanks to two beggars that I survived!" Ye Feng sighed. "If not for that, my lady would not have come to Liangzhou, and would not have been molested!"
"Your Highness need not worry. Fortune accompanies misfortune, and misfortune may bring fortune. Perhaps Your Highness's luck is about to turn!" Liu Dai said with a smile. "Who does Your Highness consider a hero in this world?"
Discussing heroes over wine, Ye Feng was familiar with this. He rejoiced inwardly but still calmly threw the question back, "Although this King has been favored by His Majesty and merely occupies a position without contributing, I have never truly considered this question. I wish to hear your thoughts!"
"Old fox!" Liu Dai cursed inwardly but maintained a calm expression. "The Yuan family has inherited the legacy of their ancestors, so they are naturally not heroes. Ma Chao and Ma Dai have joined Your Highness's banner. As for others, they are insufficient. In my humble opinion..."
Liu Dai held his chopsticks confidently and said, "There is only Your Highness, the hero of this world, who has risen from obscurity and can handle the great affairs of the empire. Moreover, His Majesty is completely obedient to Your Highness!"
In the past, it was Liu Bei and Cao Cao. Now it was himself and Liu Dai. Ye Feng pondered whether he should feign surprise and throw his chopsticks onto the table. Just then, a bolt of lightning flashed, and Ye Feng slowly placed his chopsticks on the table, speaking earnestly.
"Regardless of the governor's evaluation, without legitimacy, this King cannot sleep or eat peacefully, for fear that the world will rise against me. I beg the governor for guidance. How can this King avoid all of this!" Ye Feng asked sincerely.
"Clang!" The chopsticks in Liu Dai's hand fell to the ground. This was clearly a major matter discussed and agreed upon by several lords. How did Ye Feng know about this? His face instantly turned pale.
"His Majesty is completely obedient to Your Highness, and Your Highness commands several legions. Even if there is turmoil, it will not affect Your Highness. Why does Your Highness worry so much," Liu Dai picked up his chopsticks and wiped them haphazardly on his clothes. "The Qin people once unified the world by marching out of the pass, let alone the current Your Highness."
"I fear that the longer this drags on, the more discontent there will be," Ye Feng observed Liu Dai's expression closely.
"Your Highness speaks the truth. However, those who wish to act have indeed miscalculated!" Accompanied by a flash of lightning and thunder, Liu Dai hurriedly ducked under the table. After a while, he climbed out, looking somewhat shaken. "I have been afraid of thunder since I was a child. Please forgive my childishness, Your Highness."
Yang Yanqi gently tugged at Ye Feng's sleeve. Ye Feng remained impassive and gently patted Yang Yanqi's hand. "I implore the governor to rise quickly. With the great matter yet unsettled, this King still needs the governor's assistance. His Majesty will also be more at ease."
"Naturally, naturally," Liu Dai said hurriedly. "I was truly startled today. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness. This governor shall take his leave now."
Seeing Liu Dai about to bolt, Ye Feng shouted, "Wait! Since the governor is startled, why not recuperate in the King of Chu's mansion for a while before leaving? I trust the governor will not refuse!"
"As Your Highness commands, as Your Highness commands!" Liu Dai hurriedly cupped his hands, and then followed Lu Bu away. Only then did Ye Feng and the two ladies relax.
"Your Highness, this consort sees that he is truly afraid of thunder. How can he accomplish anything great? His Majesty must be overly worried. Why not let him go!" Yang Yanqi said with a furrowed brow. "However, this consort has suffered unjust treatment."
"Sister speaks wisely. Your Highness might as well vent your anger and then send him away, as a form of revenge!" Diao Chan said coquettishly, taking Ye Feng's sleeve.
"My two ladies, this man is adaptable and resilient, and must be extraordinary. We absolutely cannot let him leave easily. Moreover, if he has truly grasped something, the King of Chu's mansion might face utter ruin!" Ye Feng said with worry.
In the past, Cao Cao had tested Liu Bei. Later, Liu Bei, starting from nothing, managed to establish a tripartite division of the world. For the same reason, there was now Liu Dai. Ye Feng truly feared that something might happen in the future!
Yang Yanqi and Diao Chan had always trusted Ye Feng. Their eyebrows shot up, "Why don't the two of us test him again, so that we can make a decision!"
"There is no need," Ye Feng raised his hand to stop them. "Instruct Lu Bu to keep a close watch on this man. I want to be informed of where he goes and whom he meets daily. As long as he does not leave Liangzhou, he cannot stir up any significant trouble!"
"Your Highness, if that is the case, why not kill him directly? Then we can put an end to it and have peace of mind!" Diao Chan's face showed a murderous intent. "Now is the opportune moment to act!"
"Killing him is easy, but it is difficult to guarantee that someone like Zhang Dai or Zhao Dai will not emerge. It is better to detain him!" Ye Feng explained.