David Johnson raised his hand to signal that he would toast Henry Johnson first. Henry Johnson certainly wouldn’t refuse, taking the cup and draining it in one gulp. As for Brian Baker, he originally wanted to be the second, but couldn’t out-argue Emily Cooper, so he had to settle for third. Just as David Johnson was pouring the fine wine into his mouth, someone nearby protested.

　　“I’ll put up fifty taels of gold too—let her come over and drink with me!”

Chapter Fourteen: If You Hit, Hit With Satisfaction

　　The Huji girl was startled by the sudden shout. Turning around, she saw a young nobleman with a pale, greenish face. Though he wore fine clothes, his looks were poor and his complexion sickly, so she frowned at once. She had only just arrived in Luoyang and had already agreed with the shopkeeper that she would perform but not sell herself, and everything was up to her. Just now, seeing David Johnson so generous and the group all handsome youths, she had taken the initiative to offer a toast. Now, seeing someone causing trouble, she simply sat down beside David Johnson and asked in very clumsy Chinese, “Gentlemen, do you think my dance was good?”

　　All three were young and spirited, so naturally they were displeased at someone shouting. Now that the Huji girl sat down on their side, David Johnson and Brian Baker became excited again.

　　“Of course it was good! I’ve seen so many Huji girls dance, and yours is the best!”

　　“No doubt about it! I’ll definitely come to support you every day from now on!”

　　Hearing David Johnson and Brian Baker say this, Henry Johnson couldn’t help but burst out laughing, leaning closer to Emily Cooper and secretly winking at her. These two were genuine young nobles of the Five Tombs; they’d seen at least eighty if not a hundred Huji girls. Given David Johnson’s age, he’d probably had his share of them too—wasn’t he just lying through his teeth?

　　“Thank you for your praise! My name is Hamier, I just arrived in Luoyang, and I hope you’ll support me in the future!” The Huji girl didn’t know all these subtleties, only understanding that David Johnson and Brian Baker were complimenting her, so she was very happy. She immediately filled a cup to the brim, stood up, and said, “I’ll offer you gentlemen another dance with this cup of wine.”

　　With that, she gently parted her cherry lips, bit the wine cup in her mouth, and gracefully walked to the center of the room. After throwing a flirtatious glance this way, she began to spin lightly again. At this moment, the previously noisy crowd quieted down, and even the young noble who had been ignored stopped arguing with the shopkeeper, staring intently at Hamier in the center.

　　As the strings and drums sounded, Hamier’s body began to move with the rhythm. This time, Henry Johnson was no longer distracted and saw clearly that her toes were pointed high, spinning rapidly though appearing slow. As the drumbeat grew more intense and the music soared, her dance quickened, until in the end, only swirling sleeves could be seen, the figure within a blur. At this moment, thinking of the wine cup Hamier had bitten as she left the stage, he couldn’t help but gape in astonishment, immediately joining in the cheers.

　　No one knew how long she spun, but as the drums and strings slowed, Hamier’s movements also slowed, finally coming to a stop. She spread her arms and bowed gracefully to the audience. The cheers grew even louder, but Hamier ignored the shouts around her and walked straight to Henry Johnson’s table, gently removing the wine cup from her mouth. The wine inside shimmered, seemingly not a drop spilled. She offered the cup to the group, her eyes sparkling with charm.

　　“I wonder who would be willing to drink this cup dry?”

　　Wine may not intoxicate, but people get drunk on their own. Brian Baker, not caring about anything else, was the first to stand up. Just as he reached for the cup, a thunderous shout rang out: “Shopkeeper! Why does she only know how to serve those three pretty boys? It’s just about money, isn’t it? I’ll put up a hundred taels of gold—let her come to me! I have plenty of money!”

　　David Johnson, already tipsy and annoyed that Brian Baker had beaten him to it, was even more displeased at this interruption. He immediately cursed, “Get lost!”

　　The green-faced youth was instantly enraged, jumping up and shouting, “I’m the son of a meritorious official—what are you, daring to fight me over a woman?”

　　Smack—

　　David Johnson slammed the table and stood up. “Don’t think being a meritorious official’s son makes you so great! There are ranks among meritorious officials—my grandfather was a Lingyan Pavilion hero!”

　　At the mention of Lingyan Pavilion, the room fell silent, many showing looks of reverence. The young man, stunned for a moment, suddenly raised his eyebrows and said, “What’s so great about a Lingyan Pavilion hero? Our Wu family is still the top clan today, and I’m the Empress Wu’s nephew! If that Huji girl won’t come, then let that little beauty next to you come! How dare you insult me—think about what happened to Zhangsun Wuji!”

　　With that, everyone present was stunned, even David Johnson and Brian Baker froze, both turning to look at Henry Johnson. Henry Johnson hadn’t expected to run into a relative here, squinting as he sized up the other for a while, but couldn’t recall who he was. The Wu clan didn’t have much talent, and he usually avoided them when they came around, so apart from Lady Han and his grandmother Lady Rongguo, he barely recognized anyone else.

　　However, when he heard the other drag Emily Cooper into it, he was instantly furious! Who cares if you’re my mother’s nephew? Even if you are, can you compare to me, her own son? Judging by this guy’s age, he was probably the legendary Matthew Lincoln or Andrew Lincoln. If that was the case...