Chapter 70: The Banquet at Hongmen

After Wu Boyi finished speaking, he glanced at Xu Mo, clearly hoping to see him embarrassed and flustered.

To his surprise, Xu Mo didn’t react at all; instead, he smiled and said, “I’m sorry, gentlemen. I was gravely ill last month and walked a fine line between life and death. There are many things I no longer remember.”

Wu Boyi, however, thought Xu Mo was just feigning ignorance and pressed on, “Young Master Li, Young Master Zhao, would you like to know why Mr. Xu was expelled from the academy?”

Zhao Han immediately leaned in, eager for gossip, “Tell us, tell us…”

Ning Yongqiang’s expression had already soured. He couldn’t help but interject, “Wu Boyi, what are you doing? If you can’t speak properly, then don’t speak at all—no one will mistake you for a mute!”

Xu Mo quickly held Ning Yongqiang back, his smile calm. “Young Master Ning, it’s fine. I truly don’t remember these things. Let Young Master Wu continue; I’d like to hear it myself.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xu Mo sensed a strange aura behind him. Turning, he saw Qin the Wooden standing there, fists clenched, his face full of anger.

Xu Mo shook his head slightly at Qin, signaling him to calm down. There was no need to get worked up over something like this.

Turning back, Xu Mo smiled at Wu Boyi. “Please, continue, Young Master Wu…”

Wu Boyi was secretly surprised. He hadn’t expected Xu Mo to endure all this without a hint of irritation. Had it been him, he would have lost his temper immediately if someone had so brazenly aired his dirty laundry in public.

Then Wu Boyi thought, since you’re letting me continue, I’ll do as you wish—let’s see how long you can keep your composure!

He raised his cup and took a sip of wine, then began to recite the story of Xu Mo’s expulsion with great relish.

After a short while, Xu Mo understood. The “gambler” he’d been before had been expelled for two main reasons: first, a chronic addiction to gambling that led to neglected studies and repeated, fruitless admonishment from the academy; second, borrowing money from everyone to gamble, refusing to repay debts, and leaving a terrible reputation in the academy.

But to Xu Mo, the past misdeeds of his predecessor no longer had any power to wound him. Even if they talked about it all night, he’d simply treat it as a joke.

As he listened, Xu Mo continued eating, occasionally commenting on the food—perhaps noting that the stir-fry wasn’t as authentic as at Zhenxiu Pavilion, or that a certain dish was quite good and worth learning from.

All in all, he gave off an air of not caring in the least for Wu Boyi’s words.

In the end, Xu Mo remained unbothered, while Wu Boyi himself grew agitated.

“Xu Mo, to think you call yourself a scholar! Aren’t you ashamed by all these disgraceful things you’ve done?” Wu Boyi finally exclaimed loudly.

At that, the room fell quiet. Li Changsi, Zhao Han, and Ning Yongqiang all looked at Xu Mo.

Ning Yongqiang had had enough. He stood and said, “Mr. Xu, let’s just leave!”

But Xu Mo smiled and shook his head, pulling Ning back into his seat. “Young Master Ning, it’s nothing. If I’m not angry, why should you be?”

Then he looked at the other three. “If what Young Master Wu said is true, then my former self really was beyond saving—a worthless person. The academy was absolutely right to expel me; I deserved it!”

Wu Boyi was confused. The information he’d gathered said Xu Mo was short-tempered and easily provoked. Why was the man himself so calm and collected?

“Young Master Wu, it seems I came to the right place today. Here, allow me to toast you—thank you for telling me all this!” Xu Mo said graciously, raising his cup.

Wu Boyi was stunned. He felt as though he’d thrown a punch only to hit nothing but air. Not only that, but Xu Mo’s magnanimous admission of his faults made Wu Boyi look like a clown.

Li Changsi saw Wu Boyi pause and immediately raised his cup, responding, “Young Master Zhao, Young Master Ning, let’s all toast Mr. Xu together!”

With that, Li Changsi discreetly kicked Wu Boyi under the table.

Wu Boyi snapped out of it and, though unwilling, raised his cup.

The five of them drained their glasses, and the atmosphere in the room improved somewhat.

Li Changsi refilled his cup and toasted Xu Mo again. “Mr. Xu, your open-mindedness and free spirit command our admiration. Allow me to toast you separately. If Young Master Wu said anything out of line earlier, I hope you’ll forgive him.”

With that, Li Changsi downed his wine in one smooth motion, showing off the empty cup with a flourish.

Xu Mo was no fool. He saw through it now. This had been a “Hongmen Banquet”—a trap all along. The three of them were working together: one played the villain, the others the peacemakers. From the start, their aim had been to humiliate him.

Since Li Changsi had finished his drink, Xu Mo filled his own cup and downed it as well.

“Impressive, Mr. Xu, truly impressive!” Zhao Han chimed in, playing the role of the jester, laughing and refilling Xu Mo’s cup. “Let me toast you as well—cheers!”

He poured himself another cup, drank it down, and followed Li Changsi’s example in showing the empty bottom.

Xu Mo thought to himself: Since you failed to shame me, now you want to get me drunk. The three of you really are cunning.

“Young Master Zhao, I’m afraid I can’t hold my liquor. I appreciate the gesture, but I’ll have to pass on the wine.” Xu Mo replied with a smile.

Before his transmigration, Xu Mo could handle his drink, but after taking over this body, his tolerance was terrible—a mere half a jug and he’d be snoring on the floor.

Zhao Han was visibly displeased, though he kept smiling. “Mr. Xu, it’s fate that we’ve met. Just have this one cup—don’t be so difficult, won’t you?”

Xu Mo sneered inwardly: Who do you think you are that I should give you face?

But his expression remained unchanged, and he smiled politely. “Next time, definitely next time.”

With that, he continued eating, ignoring Zhao Han.

Zhao Han felt slighted. He thought, “I don’t believe I can’t make you drink!”

He returned to his seat and, after a covert glance at Li Changsi, said, “Mr. Xu, I’ve heard from Young Master Ning that you’re well versed in everything from astronomy to geography, your knowledge is truly astonishing…”

While eating, Xu Mo immediately sensed trouble—this fat fellow was up to something again.

Hearing Zhao Han, Wu Boyi quickly joined in, “Indeed, Mr. Xu, whenever we meet with Young Master Ning, he praises you endlessly—surely you must have remarkable talents!”

Xu Mo shook his head with a smile. “If I were so talented, would I have been expelled from the academy?”

Zhao Han feigned humility. “Mr. Xu, you’re too modest. I just hope to consult you on a matter or two. It’s no fun if you refuse so quickly.”

Xu Mo exaggerated his expression, a half-smile on his lips. “Consult me? I’m just an idle man—what is there to ask?”

But Zhao Han persisted, “Mr. Xu, you managed to make Zhenxiu Pavilion’s business flourish in such a short time, and now everyone in the city knows of it. Clearly, you have a quick and clever mind. I recently encountered a tricky problem—perhaps you could help me solve it?”