After listening to Li Sheng's words, the crowd was filled with high spirits. Qi Sheng took the lead in shouting, "Our army will surely win!" The others followed suit, shouting in unison, "Our army will surely win!"
Everyone gathered together, drinking and making merry. Yet Old Madame harbored a trace of gloom in her heart; despite Lian Huishan's repeated attempts to comfort her, the Old Madame's smile remained strained. Liu Haitang wore a look of utter dejection, her deep grievances hard to put into words, forcing her to swallow them in silence. Lady Liu felt utterly disillusioned at that moment, deeply aware that Old Madame could no longer suppress Han Yuling, and her own backing had failed her as well. She no longer had any standing to compete with Han Yuling for favor, nor did she dare show the slightest displeasure before Li Sheng, leaving her with no choice but to force a smile.
Liu Ye'er asked Su Minglan, "Sister Minglan, could you find a flute?"
Su Minglan replied, "Do you need it right now?"
Liu Ye'er nodded.
Su Minglan said, "I'll be right back." She hurried off, returning shortly after with a long flute which she handed to Liu Ye'er.
Chapter 99