(Finally managed to code a three-thousand-word chapter, let's see how it works!)
"What's wrong?" Qian Jin asked curiously, but because of his usual trust in Shen San, he subconsciously stopped.
"The person who served the dishes just now wasn't you. Where's the usual man?" Shen San ignored the fat man's confusion. Instead, he pressed his hand on the knife pouch at his waist and slowly stood up, staring coldly at the young servant who had brought the wine.
"Because there are too many guests, Li Er went on errands to the other rooms, so I'm replacing him. Sir, is there something wrong?" The young servant's face turned pale under Shen San's gaze, and he answered in panic.
Seeing this performance, Shen San's expression softened a bit, but he still wasn't at ease. He turned to Jinzhi, who was in Shen Chongshan's embrace, and said, "Miss Jin, do you know this man? Is he really from your Xiaoxiang Court?"
"Well..." The top courtesan showed a troubled expression, but finally said with some embarrassment, "To tell you the truth, Master Shen, this man does look very unfamiliar to me. But our Xiaoxiang Court has hundreds of people, so it's not strange that I haven't seen him before."
"Haha, San, aren't you making things difficult for Miss Jin? Such a delicate beauty, how could she know a servant? Do you think he's a killer who sneaked in from outside?" Shen Chongshan lowered his head and sniffed deeply at the seductive woman in his arms, speaking nonchalantly.
"Big brother, we earn our living on the blade's edge; it's better to be careful!" Shen San said expressionlessly, still staring fixedly at the young man who had brought the dishes.
"Heh! This man has light steps and dull eyes; it's obvious he doesn't know martial arts. If you're still not reassured, I have a method to instantly verify him and put everyone at ease." The Poison Scholar Fan Ju suddenly gave a few cold laughs and spoke sinisterly.
He had long been dissatisfied with Shen San, who had joined the Siping Gang later than him but had gained more trust from Shen Chongshan. He, who always considered himself the gang's strategist, decided to make Shen San lose face.
"Oh? What method? Brother Fan, go ahead and try." Although Shen Chongshan spoke with great bravado on the surface, he actually cherished his life very much, so he immediately changed his tune and agreed to let Fan Ju try.
"Since this man doesn't know martial arts, if he really wants to harm us, he could only tamper with the food and wine. So let him taste all the dishes and wine, then the truth will come out!" The Poison Scholar said confidently.
"Brother Fan, great idea! Boy, have a sip of the wine first, then eat some of the dishes. If you hesitate at all, I'll twist your head off!" The black fatty Qian Jin clapped his hands in delight, then immediately shouted at the young servant who had entered.
When the black-clothed Shen San heard Fan Ju's words, he thought the method was actually not bad, so he didn't argue and just watched coldly.
As for Shen Chongshan and Jinzhi in his arms, they had no objections.
So, under the watchful eyes of several people, the young servant, with a mournful face, drank a cup of wine and ate a few bites of the dishes.
Seeing that the man was perfectly fine after eating the food, Fan Ju smiled smugly and said to Shen San with meaning, "It seems Brother Shen is overly cautious. This man is just a servant. Don't spoil everyone's fun next time!" After saying this, he picked up a few bites of the newly served dishes and tossed them into his mouth, chewing leisurely.
"Hmph!" Shen San snorted, ignoring Fan Ju's insinuations, but he relaxed and sat back in his seat.
"Haha! It's nothing! It was just a misunderstanding." Shen Chongshan naturally knew of the discord between his men, but it was something he was pleased to see, so he pretended to laugh heartily.
"Since it's just a misunderstanding, you can leave now, servant. This silver is a reward for you!" Shen Chongshan took out a two-liang piece of silver and threw it to the servant.
"Thank you, master. Then I'll take my leave!" The young man dressed as a servant was overjoyed at the sight of silver, happily withdrew, and closed the door behind him.
"Oh, Master Shen is so generous! You can't be stingy with Jinzhi in the future either!" The coquettish voice of Jinzhi came from inside the room.
"Of course, my beauty, you are my darling! As long as you serve me well, I won't treat you poorly! Come, brothers! Let's all have a drink. We won't go home until we're drunk today!" Shen Chongshan's raspy voice followed, heard clearly through the door by the young man.
Outside the door, the young man suddenly smirked coldly. He didn't leave immediately but quietly stood under the eaves nearby, standing motionless like a ghost, as if waiting for something.