Murong Fu handled it quite well, engaging Li Daoqiang in various topics of conversation.
Objectively speaking, Li Daoqiang found it pleasant enough, patiently listening and waiting.
Of course, seeing this Murong Zheng from the Ming Dynasty, he certainly had many thoughts.
Murong Qiudi?
Or perhaps another woman from the Murong family?
Li Daoqiang pondered calmly.
At present, Murong Fu's way of winning him over was nothing more than women and marriage alliances.
This was the best approach.
With Murong Zheng's arrival, his daughter Murong Qiudi became a strong possibility.
Beyond that, he couldn't be sure if the several Murong branches in the Ming Dynasty were all connected to the Gusu Murong family.
If they were, the candidate could also be someone else.
Setting aside other possibilities for now, Li Daoqiang silently considered Murong Qiudi as a person.
All the relevant information he knew surfaced in his mind.
After a few breaths, he felt considerable admiration.
This woman was no simple character.
After thinking for a while, he set it aside for now.
No rush—first, let's see who the candidate actually is.
And how they would make their move.
After all, the initiative was in his hands; there was no need to hurry.
The banquet proceeded normally. Murong Fu's cousin didn't appear, nor did A'Zhu or A'Bi.
From every angle, it seemed like just a routine welcoming feast.
Yet Li Daoqiang grew even more intrigued.
When the banquet ended, Murong Fu personally escorted Li Daoqiang back to his room.
The night grew quieter.
Half an hour later, suddenly, a leisurely, elegant zither melody reached Li Daoqiang's ears.
It wasn't that he was deliberately listening—the sound came from not far from his lodging.
His eyes opened, a flicker of amusement rising, a hint of a smile forming.
Sensing further, he understood the situation.
He rose and left the room, following the zither's sound.
Just as he stepped out of the courtyard, Huanhuan emerged from a neighboring one.
Blinking her big eyes at Li Daoqiang, she tilted her head adorably and said with feigned innocence, "Chief, it's so late—where are you off to?"
"Just taking a stroll. What are you up to?" Li Daoqiang replied with a knowing smile at this drama queen.
"Are you going to check out that zither music?" Huanhuan puffed out her cheeks, looking a bit sulky.
Under the moonlight and lamplight of the night, she was almost unfairly beautiful.
And incredibly cute, stirring a strong urge to protect her.
"Heh, Huanhuan, what are you really trying to say?" Li Daoqiang chuckled, finding it amusing.
"Hmph." Huanhuan wrinkled her nose, putting on a cute, all-knowing expression, and said indignantly, "Zither music in the dead of night, so close to us, probably on the lake. The melody is gentle and tender—it must be from a woman. Hmph, who can't see what's going on? A late-night boat ride, a stunning beauty. The Murong family definitely has ulterior motives."
With that, she cut off the sound.
She perfectly embodied a slightly jealous young girl, without a single flaw.
Even Li Daoqiang's eyes showed deep appreciation for her acting skills—two words: superb.
Then, with a meaningful smile, he said, "Little girl, thinking so much. You go back now."
With that, he stepped forward expectantly toward the source of the zither music.
Huanhuan was inwardly speechless. She knew this lecher was eagerly anticipating it.
Faced with such an obvious scheme, he was probably ready to jump right in.
Instinctively not wanting Li Daoqiang to have his way, she quickly followed, pouting, "Huanhuan wants to go too."
"Little brat, don't disturb the Chief's good fortune. Go back." Li Daoqiang raised an eyebrow and said flatly.
Huanhuan fumed inwardly.
This bastard didn't even try to hide it.
And he said he wanted to marry me as his wife—pfft.
Did he think I was invisible?
Though she'd never considered marrying Li Daoqiang, being ignored like this stung.
And she couldn't stand it.
Cursing inwardly, she put on a coquettish front, "But I want to go too."
"Heh." Li Daoqiang suddenly smiled, his expression turning serious. "If you don't go back, we'll go to your room together and talk all night. What do you say, Huanhuan?"
Huanhuan's heart stopped, as if he'd hit her weak spot.
She didn't even dare to pretend to agree.
Because if she nodded, she had no doubt Li the Bandit would take it as consent and 'marry' her on the spot.
In some areas, she could play along with Li the Bandit.
But in this, she couldn't afford to.
Lowering her gaze, she said pitifully, "How could I dare disturb the Chief's good fortune? Huanhuan is going back to her room. Chief, don't let some vixen easily seduce you."
With what seemed like a well-meaning warning, she turned her little feet in white embroidered shoes and ran off.
Li Daoqiang smiled smugly. Trying to play games with me?
Ignoring this scheming drama queen, he followed the zither music at a leisurely pace.
Around him, Geshutian and the others tactfully stayed out of sight.
Elsewhere.
Back in her room, Huanhuan felt frustrated but didn't dare gamble.
Li the Bandit valued wealth and beauty most.
Crossing him in that regard was asking for death.
Pursing her lips, she calmed down and silently pondered the Murong family's true intentions.
By the lake.
Li Daoqiang looked at an exquisite little boat on the water. Under the clear moonlight and soft lamplight, a breathtaking scene unfolded.
A woman in a blue dress, stunningly beautiful.
Gentle and graceful, elegant and serene.
She seemed to embody every man's ideal of a virtuous wife—a lady from books and paintings.
Beautiful, very beautiful.
He had to admit, Li Daoqiang was drawn to her.
Such beauty, combined with master-level strength.
A rare, outstanding woman in the world.
He couldn't help but be tempted.
It was just a pity...
A fleeting thought of regret passed through his mind and vanished.
His face showed a warm, appreciative smile as he watched quietly.
On the boat, the woman continued playing the zither intently, as if unaware of his arrival.
In the quiet night, the music drifted.
The man on the shore watched appreciatively.
A beautiful scene unfolded.
After dozens of breaths, the zither music ended. The woman on the boat rose, a gentle smile on her face as she looked at Li Daoqiang on the shore.
She curtsied gracefully and said openly, "Chief Li, Murong Qiudi greets you."
Every move, every detail, was exquisitely and flawlessly elegant.
Like a perfect painting.
The appreciation in Li Daoqiang's expression deepened. With a few steps, he boarded the little boat.
Without hesitation, he admired her beauty and said with a smile, "Miss Murong is Brother Murong's cousin?"
"Indeed." Murong Qiudi studied Li Daoqiang calmly, speaking naturally under his gaze.
"Does Miss Murong know me?" Li Daoqiang asked curiously.
"No, but I wanted to, so I invited the Chief here." Murong Qiudi smiled frankly.
It added to her poised, refined, and magnanimous demeanor.
"Haha." Li Daoqiang laughed heartily, his admiration undisguised.
He felt the same inside—truly an exceptional woman.
And also a drama queen.
With a higher level than Huanhuan at present.
Just her frank admission that she'd deliberately lured him here earned his respect.
"Tonight is a delightful surprise. Meeting a remarkable woman like you makes me very happy." Li Daoqiang said sincerely.
"You flatter me, Chief. I hope you don't mind my boldness." Murong Qiudi replied calmly and gracefully.
"Why would I mind? If all the remarkable women in the world would invite me like you, Qiudi, that would be wonderful." Li Daoqiang said even more earnestly, with a hint of longing and regret.
Murong Qiudi's expression froze for a moment.
Though she'd prepared extensively, she was still caught off guard.
This world-shaking Chief Li truly made no effort to hide his lecherous nature.
A strong man's eccentricity?
The thought flashed by, and she naturally showed a resigned, wry smile, saying gently, "Chief, saying such things in front of a lady isn't quite proper."
Li Daoqiang praised her inwardly. Impressive.
She could handle even that smoothly and pleasantly.
Turning a "you can't be so crude in front of a woman" into such a graceful remark in an instant was no small skill.
His smile unchanged, he said frankly, "Qiudi has a point. I wonder if you're disappointed in me?"
Murong Qiudi looked thoughtful, then hesitated slightly before saying, "Disappointed? No, and I wouldn't dare. You're almost exactly as I imagined the Chief to be."
"Oh? What was the Chief Li in your mind like?" Li Daoqiang grew even more curious.
Such women were truly rare.
From their conversation alone, he thought:
A female枭雄, indeed worthy of the name.
(Chapter two, that's all for today. Rest early.)
......