Xiao Jinxing took a small sip of wine and said, "Mm."
"In a while, I’ll find a way to get Father to drink more. Once he’s drunk, I’ll take you to diagnose him. Your medical skills are renowned throughout the Daxuan Kingdom; no one will suspect. Even if Imperial Concubine Shu and Prince Chu have their doubts, they’d only suspect that I am deliberately trying to please my father, nothing more." Xiao Jinxing deliberately leaned very close to Ye Qichi, his lips nearly touching her ear.
Ye Qichi knew that Xiao Jinxing was just doing so to prevent their conversation from being overheard.
But in Xiao Jinsen’s eyes, it appeared as if Xiao Jinxing was flaunting his affection to provoke him.
Xiao Jinsen’s hand gripping the wine cup nearly shattered it.
At this moment, he truly wished to tear Xiao Jinxing into a thousand pieces.
It had never crossed his mind that one day, Xiao Jinxing would become his biggest rival.
He originally regarded only the Empress with any concern, treating her—not even the Crown Prince—as his sole competitor. Unexpectedly, after the Empress’s failed betrayal led to her entire clan being executed, Xiao Jinxing rose to power.
Xie Ruiyao naturally noticed Xiao Jinsen’s fury as well.
When she arrived at the scene of Xiao Jinxing’s and Xiao Jinsen’s fight today and saw Ye Qichi there, she knew it was not a simple sparring match. No doubt, Ye Qichi was involved!
Xiao Jinsen truly desires Ye Qichi and is no longer concealing it?!
Xie Ruiyao was extremely vexed.
She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen!
The imperial banquet was extraordinarily lively.
Ministers chatted and toasted among themselves; the atmosphere was pleasant.
It seemed as if today’s earlier unpleasantness had already passed.
At this moment, the banquet reflected nothing but the prosperous and harmonious era of the Daxuan Kingdom.
"Father." Xiao Jinxing suddenly knelt in front of Xiao Zhanping, holding a cup of wine.
Xiao Zhanping was enjoying a performance.
He turned his head to look at Xiao Jinxing.
"Today, your son has upset you, so I shall punish myself with a drink," Xiao Jinxing stepped forward and drank the wine.
Clearly referring to the events of the afternoon.
Xiao Zhanping glanced at Xiao Jinxing and remarked indifferently, "What’s past is past, just don’t do it again next time."
His mood was quite good today.
And he did not wish to dwell on the matter.
"Yes," Xiao Jinxing promptly replied.
He then stood up, poured another cup of wine, and said, "Today is the Winter Solstice festival. I wish to offer a toast to Father alone."
Xiao Zhanping took the cup of wine cheerfully.
And drank it down in one gulp with Xiao Jinxing.
After drinking with Xiao Zhanping, Xiao Jinxing returned to his seat.
And then saw Xiao Jinsen approaching with his own wine cup.
The corners of Xiao Jinxing’s lips lifted into a faint smile.
Catching the fish was just that easy.
If he were to try to get his father drunk alone, it would be too obvious.
But if he took the initiative to toast, Xiao Jinsen would follow suit.
Xiao Jinxing definitely wouldn’t let him take the advantage.
And now that both Princes took turns toasting their father,
The ministers, keen on reading the room, would also take the initiative to toast.
It was easy for the Emperor to get drunk.
Originally, the Emperor’s alcohol tolerance was not very good.
Just a pot of wine could make him sleep throughout the day.
And in such an occasion,
No one would dare suggest that the Emperor drink less.
Soon, he would indeed get drunk.
It hadn’t even been two hours,
When Xiao Zhanping began to feel dizzy and his stomach started to feel uncomfortable.
He signaled to the eunuch beside him, "I am feeling unwell."
"Has the Emperor had a bit too much to drink?" Eunuch Mu hurriedly asked.
"It is a bit too much," Xiao Zhanping rubbed his head and said, "Help me back to the palace to rest."
"Yes," Eunuch Mu promptly agreed.
He stepped forward and announced loudly, "Today, on the Winter Solstice festival, with the company of the ministers, the Emperor celebrated and drank excessively. Now feeling a severe bout of dizziness, the Emperor will retire to rest. All ministers may continue to enjoy the banquet without adhering to formalities."
All the ministers hurriedly rose to their feet, respectfully seeing off the Emperor.
With Eunuch Mu’s assistance, Xiao Zhanping then departed.
Indeed, it was the same every year.
The Emperor usually left first.
After his departure, The source of thɪs content is NoveI-Fire.ɴet
Zhao Mengyu would naturally leave with him.
And with the Emperor gone,
The atmosphere of the banquet would naturally become more relaxed.
The ministers would then be more unrestrained.
Usually, over half of the attendees at such banquets would drink excessively and leave the Imperial Palace completely drunk.
Xiao Jinxing whispered something to Ye Qichi after Xiao Zhanping left.
Ye Qichi then followed Xiao Jinxing, and they left together.
Naturally, they were headed to the Emperor’s bedchamber.
This time they were exiting from atop the palace.
And immediately, they were greeted by a chilling wind.
Ye Qichi, freezing, sneezed.