Although there was a lot of wine in that vat, the emperor drank it leisurely without spilling a single drop. He, on the other hand, drank too anxiously and spilled a lot in an attempt to win the race. His eagerness for instant success and benefits led to his defeat.
Wu Hongming was unhappy but had no choice but to accept his defeat.
He loved drinking and respected anyone who drank well.
He had disliked the Emperor at first, but he could not help changing his mind after this drinking session.
The Emperor was not that bad!
Thinking about this, he gave Lu Liangwei a thumbs up. “Weiwei has good taste and is very blessed.”
Hearing this, Lu Liangwei glanced at Long Yang. Seeing him look over, she smiled faintly, withdrew her gaze, then picked up her teacup from the table and said to Wu Hongming, “I’m counting on that, Uncle Wu. Let me propose a toast to you with tea in place of wine.”
Wu Hongming hurriedly picked up a cup of tea as well. “You’re too polite, Weiwei.”
After watching him drink his tea, Ling Lihua frowned and urged, “I think you’ve had too much to drink. Go get some rest.”
Hearing her words, Wu Hongming’s cold and hard features softened instantly. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”
Ling Lihua was left feeling a little resigned by his response. “Well, it looks like I should mind my own business. It’s your body, anyway.”
Wu Hongming raised his hands in defeat. “Alright, I hear you. Don’t be mad, I’ll go and rest right away.” With that, he stood up and said to Lu Liangwei and Lu Tingchen, “Don’t go back so soon; spend some more time with your mother. I’ve had a bit too much to drink, so I’ll take my leave first.”
Lu Liangwei and Lu Tingchen got up and replied to him in kind. “Go ahead and rest, Uncle Wu. Don’t worry about us.”
Wu Hongming nodded and entered the house next to them.
Lu Liangwei and Lu Tingchen exchanged glances and sat down in silence.
There seemed to be something between Mother and Uncle Wu.
When they remembered their father’s unrequited longing for their mother, the siblings’ heads ached with worry.
“What’s wrong with you two? Why are you suddenly as quiet as mice?” Ling Lihua looked at them in perplexion.
Gazing at her mother’s picture-perfect features, Lu Liangwei hesitated.
“Just say what you want to say. Don’t worry about it.” Seeing her reaction, Ling Lihua said this a little wearily.
The old beggar noticed the siblings’ reactions, and when he related those looks to Wu Hongming, who had just taken his leave, he seemed to realize something. However, he did not point it out and instead said, “Come, the food is getting cold. Let’s eat up.”
“Alright. Thank you, Senior.” Lu Liangwei exhaled in relief and served Ling Lihua a helping of food with her chopsticks. “Have some more, Mother.”
Ling Lihua’s heart warmed, and she was successfully distracted. “Alright. You should eat more too, Weiwei.”
Lu Liangwei smiled, then turned and served Long Yang some food as well.
“Have some more too, Your Majesty. All you did was drink just now.”
Long Yang’s gaze softened at the girl’s thoughtfulness, and he smiled and nodded. “Alright.” After he finished the food, he suddenly got to his feet.
Seeing this, Lu Liangwei hurriedly tugged on his hand. “What’s the matter?”
Long Yang gazed at her, then suddenly leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I drank too much. I want to go to the bathroom.”
Hearing this, Lu Liangwei blushed and quickly let go of his hand. She pointed in a direction and muttered, “Over there.”
Long Yang chuckled, resisting the urge to pinch her cheek, and walked in the direction she had pointed.
Lu Liangwei burned with embarrassment as she watched him walk away.
When Lu Tingchen finished his last piece of venison, he spotted Lu Liangwei’s flushed face, and could not help but wonder aloud, “Weiwei, why is your face so red?”