Chapter 16: The Best Host Ever

Chapter 16: The Best Host Ever

By the time Liu Qingci got off the carriage, Xiao Yan had already fed him two pieces of pastry, a slice of goose breast, and a piece of candied fruit while holding him in his arms.

His Highness Prince Yu claimed to be hungry, but in the end, he only ate half a piece of pastry himself.

The rest all ended up in Liu Qingci's stomach.

I don't know what suddenly gave Prince Yu the interest to feed him personally.

Seems he's taken a liking to playing servant.

Truly capricious!

By the time Liu Qingci finally escaped from that demonic grip, he was completely flushed, like a ripe tomato.

Although he had steeled himself for Prince Yu's many cruel methods.

But this... was something he had never anticipated.

It unsettled him more than a direct beating would.

What was this? A new way to toy with him? Or the prince's latest hobby?

As soon as he stepped off the carriage, Xiao Yan instantly snapped back into his arrogant, haughty, and disdainful Prince Yu persona.

He left Liu Qingci behind without sparing him a single glance.

Fu'an hunched over and followed behind, casting a glance at Liu Qingci.

Wow, His Highness really did a number on him!

But despite this, Young Master Liu, as a noble scion, was still neatly composed and presentable except for his slightly unnatural complexion.

Fu'an still remembered how this Young Master Liu had been unyielding and proud a few days ago. He wondered if His Highness had managed to tame him by now.

As the most trusted servant by the master's side, one must know how to ease the master's burdens.

Fu'an took a few quick steps to come alongside Liu Qingci, seeming to remind him but actually delivering a threat:

"Young Master Liu, today's banquet is for a few imperial clansmen and nobles of the capital. Your Highness Prince Yu's temper, you know, he cares most about face. You must be cautious in word and deed, and not be like those previous ones who didn't know how to behave, sigh..."

He paused deliberately, leaving an ominous implication in a sinister tone, before continuing:

"... Their fates weren't quite decent. This old servant sees that you, young master, are a sensible man, which is why I presume to remind you."

Liu Qingci did not stop walking, but the fingers hidden under his wide sleeve curled slightly, the tips pressing into his palm.

Fu'an's words were like a cold, sharp needle, suddenly popping the brief, strange, almost illusory bubble of peace that had formed inside the carriage.

The nerves, briefly soothed by the food, instantly wound taut again, tighter than ever.

That's right.

For a moment, he had been dazed, nearly forgetting where he was and who he was facing.

Prince Yu was still the same capricious Prince Yu who regarded human life as worthless.

He took a slight breath. The cold early winter air filled his lungs, somewhat clearing his muddled head.

The stomach, just soothed by the pastries, now felt as if it were dropping heavily.

After a moment, he responded very softly, his voice as faint as a breeze:

"I'm obliged for your advice, Eunuch."

The gathering was held in a massive three-sided waterside pavilion, exquisitely luxurious, with translucent gauze veils hanging all around.

In the center of the vast pavilion, richly dressed young masters were sprawled drunk and disheveled, playing with dancing girls and indulging in pleasure. Decadent music hung in the air without end.

But what was most shocking was the enormous beast-fighting arena right outside the pavilion.

The fine iron railings glinted coldly in the sunlight, and dark red bloodstains remained on the sand inside. Though no beasts were fighting at the moment, the thick smell of blood drifted in on the lake breeze, mingling with the wine and perfume into a cloyingly sweet stench.

Xiao Yan walked in with an unchanged expression.

Little K went "wow": "Host, you've adapted really quickly. You're the best batch of hosts I've ever had!"

For someone from a modern civilized society to stay calm in this scene—his acting skills are amazing.

Xiao Yan remained expressionless: "How many hosts have you had in total?"

Little K told the truth: "You're my first."

Xiao Yan ignored it.

Little K kept chattering: "Host, you did a great job with today's first task! Keep it up!"

And you even exceeded the requirement. It was supposed to be just five minutes of physical contact, but it ended up being nearly ten minutes!

Xiao Yan had a general idea of today's plot tasks.

Just now, Little K had already released a few trivial task requirements, simply handling the people at today's gathering according to the original personality.

But today's gathering was an important plot point, and the tasks were far from that simple.

Sure enough, Little K soon started broadcasting excitedly:

"Host, host, the new task has been issued. This one is more serious!"

[Ding! "Beast Fight Scare Plot" task released!

Task requirements: Due to an accident in the fighting arena, Prince Yu is frightened and flies into a rage, publicly punishing Liu Qingci. Punishment method: slapping until he spits blood.]

Xiao Yan's expression finally showed a subtle change, a cold, sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"Understood," he replied.

"Host..." Little K's electronic voice was hesitant.

Xiao Yan was a bit annoyed: "Save the nonsense."

"It's not nonsense!" Little K's pixel screen put on a serious expression. It said, "Actually, I think Liu Qingci is quite pitiful. When you make your move later... take it easy on him."

Even though it wasn't human, it could see people's expressions, and its system could analyze their feelings and emotions.

After these past few days, just thinking about the subsequent plot, Little K felt a little sympathy for the protagonist's ordeal.

But it heard Xiao Yan give a derisive laugh and retorted:

"Wasn't the task to 'slap until he spits blood'? How can he spit blood if I go easy?"

Little K was rarely so dejected: "True. Then, host, do what you see fit, but you must complete the mission!"

The waterside pavilion was thronged with guests.

The moment Xiao Yan appeared with Liu Qingci, their arrival immediately caused a stir.

The gazes that fell on Liu Qingci were curious, contemptuous, but mostly knowing and anticipatory, as if they were waiting for a show.

Under Xiao Yan's casual, sweeping glance across the hall, everyone rose to pay their respects.

Xiao Yan waved his hand casually and went straight to a seat and sat down.

Liu Qingci, as ordered, stayed by Xiao Yan's side, kneeling with downcast eyes and lowered head, making himself as inconspicuous as possible, as if he were merely a quiet ornament by his master's side.

"His Highness Prince Yu is late today; you must punish yourself with three cups later!"

A slightly frivolous voice rang out.

Then a man in a crimson-purple brocade robe, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, smiling as he raised his cup and approached.

Xiao Yan recalled that this seemed to be the son of a certain marquis, who was a kindred spirit with the original host.

"Young Master Sun seems impatient." Xiao Yan leaned lazily against the armrest, without raising his cup, his tone nonchalant.

"Your Highness, you really know how to train people. Look at Young Master Liu—just a few days and he's already so well-behaved."

That Young Master Sun fanned himself, his tone flippant.

His gaze swept over Liu Qingci as if idly, but with undisguised scrutiny.

At this moment, another richly dressed young master also sidled over, a flattering smile on his face:

"Your Highness Prince Yu, you've finally arrived. The wine we were drinking just wasn't hitting the spot. Oh, so this is Young Master Liu? Truly, seeing is believing."

This person was Xu Ming, the eldest son of General Xu, a notorious playboy in the capital, a master at kissing up and kicking down.

He was Prince Yu's number one lackey.