Madmen don't keep diaries

Chapter 190 189 The Deep Meaning of Vadracho

It would have been better if he hadn't said it, but when Feng Xiuhu brought it up, Mike's eyes started to look strange when he looked at Machete.

He had no idea about the ceasefire before, so he thought there was nothing wrong with using a scimitar as a gift.

But now that he knew, he seemed to feel that Vadlajo did have another meaning.

But Feng Xiuhu saw the clue in the scimitar.

The jewel-studded scabbard looked brand new and gorgeous, but the handle was covered in rust.

He took the scimitar from the box and drew it from its sheath.

I saw that the rust on the blade was even more serious.

The answer is obvious - only the knife itself is an antique that has stood the test of time, and the scabbard was newly added later.

Mike couldn't help but swallow his saliva: "You are right, Elder Vadra wants to crack down on the Duke of Daguo."

"The Great Duke is this rusty sword, and the jewel-studded scabbard—his current high position and power—is all given by the Church. Elder Vadra is reminding him not to forget his roots."

Mike glanced at the brooch on Feng Xiuhu's clothes and whispered, "Elder Vadela specifically instructed you to personally deliver the gift to the Duke of Daguo—just treat it as an ordinary gift and don't say anything you shouldn't."

The meaning is self-evident.

"Row."

Feng Xiuhu nodded in agreement. To put it bluntly, this matter had little to do with him. He was just delivering gifts. Even if the Duke was really unhappy about something, he couldn't find fault with Feng Xiuhu.

……

Mike finished his business and left immediately.

Feng Xiuhu carried the gift box and walked towards the gate of the Duke's Mansion.

He was stopped at the door - Feng Xiuhu also recognized the gatekeeper's attire, black shirt, black hat, and black cloth shoes. He was the personal guard of the Duke of Daguo who came to Bibo Street to take Zhao Yingxia that day.

Feng Xiuhu presented the invitation, and the men in black politely invited Feng Xiuhu to the side. One of them searched him while the other checked the gift box.

Feng Xiuhu reminded them, "That was something Elder Vadra specifically instructed me to give to the Duke of Daguo. Be careful."

After confirming that the gift box contained only a fancy antique knife, the man in black returned the gift box to Feng Xiuhu and politely invited him in.

The welcoming maid led Feng Xiuhu to the banquet hall.

Pushing open the heavy carved wooden door, Feng Xiuhu saw the entire banquet hall.

A huge crystal chandelier hangs in the center of the hall, and the crystal clear crystal pieces reflect brilliant light under the light.

The walls are covered with wallpaper with intricate patterns, and even the ceiling is painted with exquisite murals.

On one side of the hall, a Western band was playing. The melodious sounds of violin and piano intertwined, adding an elegant atmosphere to the banquet.

On the dance floor, men and women danced gracefully to the music. The men held the women's waists in a gentlemanly manner, and the women's skirts drew beautiful arcs as they spun.

Around the dance floor, guests gathered in twos and threes, holding wine glasses, talking in low voices or laughing out loud, and the crisp sound of glasses clinking together could be heard one after another.

The long table was covered with a white tablecloth, and the silver cutlery sparkled in the light. The table was filled with various delicacies, roast chicken, steak, desserts, and a mountain of fresh fruit.

The waiters, dressed in neat uniforms and holding silver trays, shuttled among the guests, ready to refill their drinks or serve snacks at any time.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall was very lively. Gentlemen in suits stood in the corner, discussing current affairs or business in low voices; socialites in evening gowns gathered together, talking about the latest fashions and gossip. Occasionally, a guest would go up to the balcony, hold the railing and look out at the garden.

Feng Xiuhu took a quick look around and saw many familiar faces.

Needless to say, there were people from the church and the temple, but the majority of people present today were dignitaries and officials.

Like the wife of the head of the Port Management Section of the Maritime Administration, Ke Mengyang - the person next to her should be her husband Wang Jingming.

And the owner of the Gilded Jewelry Store, Zhou Yazhen - she seemed to have used herself as a billboard, wearing more jewelry than anyone else.

There was also Li Wanshu, the granddaughter of a master of Chinese studies—she was trailing behind an old man, presumably her grandfather, Li Mao. Furthermore, Feng Xiuhu also spotted the current Director of the Planning Department, Shen Yanzhi—the unfortunate man who had been shot in the stomach by Feng Xiuhu before, and not only had he survived, but had actually recovered after receiving treatment at the temple.

There were several familiar faces around him. Although Feng Xiuhu could not remember their names, he remembered that they were all government officials who surrounded Mayor Yan Qingtian at that time.

In addition to these, there are also acquaintances.

The son-in-law of the Director of Education, the husband of the dim sum shop owner, Cheng Aimei—no, why is he here too?

Feng Xiuhu was stunned.

He quickly walked to the long table and grabbed Cheng Aimei who was fiddling with the dishes.

Feng Xiuhu shouted, "Great, you sneak in and eat for free, right?"

Cheng Aimei said anxiously: "What nonsense!"

Before the man in black noticed this, Cheng Aimei quickly pulled Feng Xiuhu aside and asked, "How did you get in?"

Feng Xiuhu slapped the invitation card in his face: "I'm the special guest!"

Cheng Aimei straightened her tie: "Me too."

Feng Xiuhu sneered: "Show me the invitation."

Cheng Aimei couldn't take it out, so she laughed dryly and said, "My wife is."

"The Duke's Mansion asked her to make desserts, and I'm here to help."

Feng Xiuhu suddenly realized that it was no wonder that Cheng Aimei was pacing around the table.

It's rare to meet someone you can talk to, and Feng Xiuhu doesn't want to let him go.

So he dragged Cheng Aimei back to the long table and started chatting while eating: "Why don't I see the Duke of Da?"

This place has a good location and you can have a clear view of the people in the banquet hall.

Cheng Aimei took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead and casually explained, "The banquet hasn't officially started yet. Not only the Duke of Da, but also the mayor, the archbishop, and the great priest are not here. These important people are probably smoking cigars in their rooms."

Seeing Cheng Aimei wiping her sweat, Feng Xiuhu noticed that although there was no fireplace in the banquet hall, it was unusually warm, so many guests took off their coats as soon as they came in.

"Where is the fireplace hidden?"

Feng Xiuhu looked around.

Cheng Aimei pointed to the wall near the window: "It's not a fireplace, it's a water heater. Look there."

Feng Xiuhu looked in the direction he was going and saw a row of brass metal sheets extending along the wall, connected by pipes at the top and bottom. They glowed softly under the light, and for aesthetic purposes, the surface was carved with intricate vine-like patterns.

Feng Xiuhu had never seen such a rare item in the lower city.

Seeing Feng Xiuhu's eyes sparkle, Cheng Aimei quickly warned him, "Don't touch it. It can burn your skin."

At this moment, a voice suddenly came from behind.

"Greetings to you, Father Feng Xiuhu."

Feng Xiuhu turned around and saw a young man, a stranger face he had never seen before.

Seeing Feng Xiuhu scrutinizing him, the young man tactfully introduced himself: "My name is Qin Shuzhe, and I'm a deacon at the Upper City Church. You can also call me Charlie."

Deacons can also attend the banquet? And Qin Shuzhe was obviously not wearing a deacon's robe, but a light gray dress, with his hair combed into a shiny oil.

Feng Xiuhu suspected that he was the one who sneaked in and got the free food.

But Cheng Aimei whispered behind her, "He is the youngest son of the Deputy Secretary for Finance."

PS: I have quite a few acquaintances, but unfortunately most of them don’t like Mr. Feng.

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(End of this chapter)