His gaze carried a hint of shrewdness and sharpness, as if trying to read something from Nangong Yehen's face.
Nangong Yehen curled his lips into a faint smile, his expression betraying nothing. "Likewise."
The next round was Gong Liye's turn. His horsemanship and marksmanship were equally impressive and precise, hitting the bullseye with a single shot.
Three rounds determined the winner, and he had already won two.
Huo Luan grew worried about Nangong Yehen. In the past, such concern would have been unnecessary.
Now it was Nangong Yehen's turn again, following the same pattern as before—a single, precise shot!
They played three rounds, and after all three, neither had won or lost.
Gong Liye dismounted from his horse and patted Nangong Yehen on the back with a brotherly camaraderie, remarking with emotion, "Master Nangong, excellent skills!"
Nangong Yehen curled his lips into a faint smile, his expression elegant.
Huo Luan watched him anxiously, noticing that his complexion remained unchanged, showing no signs of pain or weakness. He breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"Master Nangong, dinner is ready."
A bodyguard approached and spoke respectfully to Nangong Yehen.
On the rectangular jade dining table, an array of sumptuous dishes was laid out, each one aromatic and visually appealing, alongside freshly cut fruit arranged beautifully.
Nangong Yehen took the seat of honor, with Gong Liye seated to his left.
The spacious table, the lavish dishes, and the variety of fruits—all for the exclusive enjoyment of these two esteemed young masters—seemed exceedingly extravagant.
Servants attended to their meal.
Chu Lingzhi, dressed as a servant, emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of stewed soup.
The moment she saw Nangong Yehen's complexion, her heart sank.
Gong Liye might not detect any change in his expression, but as a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine, she could roughly gauge his physical condition from his face and eyes.
The anesthesia had worn off; he was enduring it, holding on.
He was suppressing his weakness, showing only his resilient side to Gong Liye.
Seeing Nangong Yehen like this, Chu Lingzhi thought of a saying: "In the world of men, one often has no choice."
She brought the soup over and placed it before Nangong Yehen, speaking with utmost respect, "Master Nangong, please enjoy."
Nangong Yehen shifted his gaze, glancing at her coldly.
She then placed another bowl before Gong Liye. "Master Gong, please enjoy."
Gong Liye's lips lifted slightly, maintaining that faint, elegant smile.
Yet his gaze remained devoid of any emotion or fluctuation. When Chu Lingzhi brought the soup over, his look at her was utterly indifferent.
To a young master of his esteemed status, servants were beneath notice.
But when he saw Chu Lingzhi's face, his pupils involuntarily tightened, a flicker of surprise passing through his eyes.
What a beautiful woman!
After Chu Lingzhi withdrew, his gaze unconsciously followed her.
Nangong Yehen took note of this, his eyes turning cold and sharp.
"Master Nangong, a toast!" Gong Liye raised his crystal goblet, smiling at Nangong Yehen.
Nangong Yehen also lifted his glass, clinking it in a silent toast across the table.
Both tilted their heads and drained their glasses. A servant stepped forward to refill Gong Liye's glass, while another did the same for Nangong Yehen.
After pouring, they stepped back, one standing beside Gong Liye, the other beside Nangong Yehen.
The wine bottles the two servants held were identical—both 1992 pure red wine.
The bottles and the color of the wine were exactly the same.
Gong Liye had no idea that the bottle held by the servant attending Nangong Yehen was actually a beverage that looked exactly like red wine, not alcohol.
Gong Liye clinked glasses with Nangong Yehen several times in a row, and a whole bottle of red wine was finished.
"Master Nangong, you have quite the capacity for drink!"