A Feast of Deception

Chapter 30: A Feast of Deception

"Bao, inform the spy to keep an eye on Princess Hua," Wang Wei ordered, his voice steady but laced with an under current of tension.

"Yes, my lord," Bao replied, his mind still lingering on the erotica book with Wang wei.

"Let's go and see what her highness has prepared," Wang Wei said, his curiosity piqued despite his reservations.

Bao's attention was still on the book. "Bao!" Wang Wei called, snapping him back to reality.

"Yes," he said, shaking off his distraction.

As they approached the garden where the dinner was set, the garden was tense, the air thick with unspoken resentments. The Wang family sat around a beautifully arranged table, but the atmosphere was far from festive. "Did she invite Miss Biluo too?" Bao asked, surprised to see the young woman among them.

As they drew closer, Wang Wei cleared his throat, signaling for everyone to know he has arrived. "Sit," Princess Hua commanded, her voice firm yet inviting. Bao assisted Wang Wei into an empty chair, positioning himself protectively behind his master.

"Thank you all for coming to enjoy my dishes with me," Princess Hua announced, her smile attempting to mask the underlying tension.

"Princess, did you have to invite me here?" General Wang grumbled, his tone skeptical as he rub her beards. 

"Yes, father-in-law," she replied, and the room fell silent, everyone taken aback by her boldness.

"Who knows if the food is poisoned?" Madam Feng interjected, her eyes narrowing.

"Madam Feng, how could I poison the food? I wouldn't dare mess with my own head," Princess Hua retorted, her voice steady. "I made this feast because ever since I married into the Wang family, we've never had a family dinner together. I want us to be a lovely family. Young Master Haoyu is getting married soon; it wouldn't be right for his fiancee to enter a shattered family. I also made this to apologize to Young Master Haoyu."

"You call this an apology after everything you and Wang Wei did to my son? He can't even sit properly!" Madam Feng shot back, her voice rising.

"What did we do to him?" Princess Hua feigned innocence, her eyes wide.

"Wang Wei beat my son just because of him! If not for the General, who knows if my son would be dead by now or worse? You don't want me to have a grandchild, do you?" Madam Feng's voice dripped with anger.

"Madam Feng, I never knew this happened. I would love to apologize," Princess Hua lied, her tone softening.

"Madam Feng, I thought we settled this yesterday," Wang Mei interjected, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Who do you think you are to interfere in my conversation? Just because you have the Empress's favor, you think you're something?" Madam Feng snapped, her anger palpable.

"Madam Feng, Miss Biluo is here. Causing drama would be inappropriate," Princess Hua said, stepping closer to Biluo. "I truly want to get closer to Miss Biluo. How can I do that if the family isn't on good terms, especially with the wedding approaching?"

General Wang cleared his throat, attempting to restore order. "I don't want to eat," he declared, standing up to leave with Haoyu and Madam Feng.

Princess Hua leaned over the soup, inhaling its rich aroma. "This is a soup made with a hundred-year-old ginseng and wine brewed by the head chef of the imperial kitchen. I never knew some would miss this," she said, her voice inviting.

"Did you say a hundred-year-old ginseng?" General Wang asked, intrigued.

"Yes, and the wine was brewed by the imperial kitchen's head chef," she confirmed, watching as he sat back down.

"Master, why are you sitting?" Madam Feng asked, her tone sharp.

"Sit if you want to," he replied curtly, and she complied, although reluctantly.

"I would love to try," General Wang said, his interest piqued.

Princess Hua signaled the maids to serve the soup. Wang Wei observed the unfolding drama, his eyes flicking between the family members, while Biluo watched with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "This is so smooth," Haoyu remarked, taking a spoonful of soup.

"Really?" Madam Feng asked, momentarily forgetting her animosity. As General Wang dipped his spoon in and tasted, his eyes widened. "Wow, this is amazing," he stammered.

"Hmm," Madam Feng sighed, blinking in surprise as she too took a spoonful, pride swelling within her.

"Madam Feng, how is it?" Princess Hua asked, her voice sweet.

"It's a bit okay," she replied, trying to maintain her composure.

Wang Mei, who had barely touched her soup, looked at Biluo. "I enjoyed it too," Biluo chimed in, her voice bright.

Princess Hua moved to sit beside Wang Wei. "Young master, why don't you have some soup?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.

"Honey, why don't you just feed me?" he replied, pulling her closer. Princess Hua's eyes widened in surprise, and she felt a rush of heat. Quickly, she composed herself and blew gently on her face, trying to dispel the warmth. "All I want is to gain their trust, not to flirt," she thought.

"I'm waiting, honey," he teased, and she took a spoon from the table, feeding him as their eyes locked. "I would love to know what you are capable of," Wang Wei mused silently as he savored the soup.

"Your highness, is there more?" Haoyu asked, glancing at the empty bowl.

Princess Hua looked at the big bowl and realized it was finished. "I want some too," General Wang said, his eyes gleaming.

Madam Feng coughed, her gaze fixed on Wang Mei, who had barely touched her soup. "Aren't you going to give me yours?" she demanded.

"Madam Feng, this is mine. You drank yours dry and even from the pot. Earlier, you said the food was poisoned. Sorry, I can't give you mine," Wang Mei replied, her tone unapologetic.

Princess Hua quickly intervened. "Let's have the brewed wine," she suggested, and the maids served them all.

Wang Mei wanted to offer her soup to Bao, who was yawning behind Wang Wei, but she hesitated. "This is so sweet and strong; the aroma is intoxicating," General Wang remarked as he savored the wine.

Princess Hua watched as they drank, the atmosphere shifting as the wine took effect. Wang Wei avoided that, observing the scene with a calculating gaze. After the feast, the guards assisted General Wang and Haoyu to their rooms, their laughter echoing in the night.

"Princess, thank you for the meal," Biluo said, bowing gracefully before entering her carriage.

Princess Hua smiled warmly at her and turned to Wang Mei. "Lady Mei, I noticed you didn't take more than a spoon of soup," she remarked, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, I'll take that later. Can I have a bit of the wine?" Wang Mei asked, her eyes sparkling.

Princess Hua nodded, granting her request. As Wang Mei left, she turned to her husband, who sat in his wheelchair with Bao beside him. "I hope you aren't planning anything," Wang Wei said, his tone serious.

"What do you mean?" Princess Hua asked, feigning innocence.

"Because I wouldn't be able to save you later," he replied cryptically, wheeling away with Bao toward the library.

"I will gain all your trust," Princess Hua thought.