Jiang Xingyan instinctively looked up at Xiao Zhenhuai.
As luck would have it, she caught the fleeting moment he hastily averted his gaze.
She narrowed her eyes.
For the esteemed Second Highness, this was rather impatient.
It actually made him look quite guilty.
She picked up her wine glass, intending to use a toast as an excuse to take the initiative and probe his real intentions.
Unexpectedly, an arm suddenly reached out from the side and hooked around her shoulder.
Her instinct was to throw him over her shoulder in a hip toss, but momentarily forgetting to use her inner strength, she found she couldn’t budge him.
Turning her head for a look, it was none other than the Imperial Guard Commander, Fan Qing.
He was powerfully built, as sturdy as an ox; a man weighing over two hundred jin was indeed hard to move.
Fan Qing was reeking of alcohol, thoroughly drunk, yet he still steadily held a wine goblet in his hand. He raised his voice:
“General Huo, come with me to offer a toast to Princess Huaiwan.
Even if there’s no fate between you two, we should still be thorough with our etiquette.”
His drunken tone drew roaring laughter from the colleagues around them.
Xiao Ao turned back, noticed the two, and feigned a scolding: “Minister Fan, We know you’re addicted to wine, but how can you be so undignified in front of Princess Huaiwan? Deserving of punishment!”
“Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!”
Fan Qing, looking as if he’d gotten exactly what he wanted, promptly downed three large cups. Wiping the stray wine from his chin, he sincerely exclaimed: “Excellent wine!”
His charmingly drunk appearance amused everyone present.
Jiang Xingyan had wanted to slip back to her seat amidst the commotion, but before she knew it, Fan Qing had grabbed her wrist.
“Hey, General Huo, why so coy today?
You’re not like the legendary ‘Living King of Hell’ who strikes fear into the enemy’s heart.
Don’t tell me we need His Majesty and Princess Huaiwan to invite you?”
Liu Suwu and Sun Miao exchanged a glance, seeing admiration, delight, and schadenfreude in each other’s eyes.
See? What goes around comes around.
Huo Ci, you bastard, you deserve this!
Gotta hand it to Commander Fan, bold and seizing the right moment to strike.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, right?
Maybe they could learn a thing or two from this?
They locked eyes again and nodded at each other.
Huo Ci, just you wait!
“Everyone knows General Huo has a low tolerance for alcohol.
Commander Fan, why make things difficult for him?”
Yun Chunfeng gently waved his feather fan, his expression cold, staring at Fan Qing with unfriendly eyes.
He was contemplating whether he should dislocate both of Fan Qing’s arms later.
But Fan Qing acted as if he hadn’t heard the warning in his tone, tilting his head skeptically: “What? Low tolerance?
But I heard just a few days ago that General Huo feasted his Huo family army and drank heartily all night long.
The next morning, he wasn’t even sober for the morning court session and got punished with a flogging by His Majesty.
Is that true?
Could it be that General Huo only celebrates with the soldiers in camp, not with His Majesty and the rest of us?”
Who said Fan Qing was just a crude guy?
He’s pretty good at using the emperor’s name, isn’t he!
Jiang Xingyan was now full of regret.
Back then, she just wanted to call more people to put pressure on Xiao Mingxu, while also clearing herself of the suspicion of privately associating with the princes.
She never expected to provoke someone so vindictive.
She smiled wryly, picked up her wine goblet, and patted his shoulder:
“Commander Fan, it’s a real waste of your talent that you’re not also an Imperial Censor.”
The two walked together to stand before Xiao Ao, who was stroking his beard and enjoying the show, and respectfully bowed.
“On this lively and fine night, your servant boldly toasts His Majesty, wishing His Majesty robust health and a reign lasting ten thousand generations!”
One cup down.
“Your servant toasts the Empress, wishing Her Majesty eternal youth and endless joy.”
Two cups down.
“Your servant toasts Princess Huaiwan, wishing Her Majesty joy and everlasting happiness.”
—Enjoy it while you can; who knows when your good days might end.
Three cups down.
Jiang Xingyan squinted with drunken eyes, not missing the flash of viciousness that passed through Shangguan Luoyue’s gaze.
She raised her glass, smiled sweetly: “General Huo, no matter the time, what Huaiwan said still stands.”
Jiang Xingyan vaguely replied: “St-st stands, good.”
As she finished speaking, she turned her back and leaned all her weight onto Fan Qing.
Fan Qing stumbled, nearly losing his composure right in front of the emperor.
With no other choice, he had to brace himself and carry the dead-weight, thoroughly drunk “Huo Ci” back to his seat face-up.
He put “Huo Ci” down and wanted to flee, but Jiang Xingyan held on tight.
“All the great sages of antiquity have vanished; only the great drinkers are remembered!
Commander Fan, you are such a perceptive man! Huo has truly learned something today.
If there are banquets in the future, I will definitely not forget you, Commander.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she collapsed onto the low table and went silent.
Fan Qing’s heart was bitter.
One good turn deserves another. “Huo Ci” tricked him, so he tricked “Huo Ci” back. That makes it even, right?
What’s wrong with this guy?
Why can’t he let it go?
Sun Miao and Liu Suwu, who had been eager to try their luck, instantly abandoned any thought of retaliation upon seeing this.
Can’t afford to offend, can’t afford to offend. This guy sticks to you like glue once you’re involved!
Jiang Xingyan felt two icy stares land on her, filled with scrutiny and suspicion.
At this moment, she was actually grateful for Fan Qing’s sudden move.
It allowed her to avoid subsequent variables and also indirectly explained the anomaly of how Huo Ci, who gets drunk after one cup, could drink all night with the Huo family army.
Sheer stubbornness.
The banquet gradually drew to a close.
Xiao Ao gave his concluding remarks: “The envoy from Great Xia has traveled a long way and is weary. After this welcoming banquet, you must rest early. As for the peace negotiation, we must wait until the Northern Luo delegation arrives in Western Zhou before further discussion. For the next few days, we ask Princess Huaiwan to stay in the Changle Palace. Feel free to move around to avoid feeling cooped up.”
Shangguan Luoyue was already eighty percent drunk. Supported by her attendants, she bowed to Xiao Ao to take her leave:
“His Majesty of Western Zhou is magnanimous and gracious, your hospitality is deeply appreciated. Huaiwan is most grateful.
For my impropriety today, I beg His Majesty and all the ministers’ forgiveness. Huaiwan has a low tolerance for wine and will now take her leave.”
“Princess Huaiwan, please go ahead.”
The civil and military officials who were still sober sat up straight: “Farewell, Princess Huaiwan.”
Xiao Ao glanced again at “Huo Ci,” who was practically lying under the low table, finally dispelling his doubts.
He waved his hand: “Alright, alright, everyone disperse. Strengthen the palace guard these next few days. There must be no mistakes whatsoever!”
“Yes!”
With that, he joined hands with the Empress and left early.
What followed was a scene of servants from various mansions arriving to help their masters—supporting some, carrying others—all dispersing under the direction of the eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial.
Jiang Xingyan was no exception. Since Xia Feng and Dong Yang had accompanied Huo Ci into the palace before, they led Xiao Mi and Lao Zhang to help her out.
To outsiders, Huo Ci was dead drunk, needing two sturdy soldiers to carry him out on a spring-loaded bench.
If you weren’t completely unconscious and could still use some strength, you’d just be supported on either side and walked out.
Who knew he really could only handle one cup?
What a waste of being such a great general.
Amidst looks of disdain, curiosity, or scrutiny, “Huo Ci” was carried into the carriage.
Inside, Qiu Yan had already prepared a night suit. Jiang Xingyan quickly changed into it, and Yun Chunfeng immediately handed her a talisman paper.
“This is an invisibility talisman. It can hide your traces for two hours. Young Miss might find it useful.”
Jiang Xingyan looked up into Yun Chunfeng’s deep, worried eyes, and her heart softened like cotton wool.
“Alright, Brother Yun, don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
Huo Ci was hopping with anxiety in the back.
An hour ago, seeing Xin Zhui carried out covered in blood, his heart had been in his throat ever since.
Finally, he endured until A Yan came out, and now she’s leaving again?
Dressed in night clothes, where is she going?
What on earth happened at the banquet that left Huo Ci so tormented and restless.
“A Yan—”
“A Niang, be careful.”
Xiao Ya hugged Jiang Xingyan’s neck and kissed her cheek.
Jiang Xingyan looked at her little face, noticeably plumper over the past few days, patted her round little belly, and rubbed against her affectionately:
“Xiao Ya, don’t worry. Niang will be fine.”
As she spoke, the carriage began to move slowly.
Jiang Xingyan lifted the curtain and vanished.
Huo Ci’s throat felt tight, his heart anxious. He wanted to ask Yun Chunfeng but couldn’t bring himself to speak, so he had to give up.
Maybe A Yan would tell him when she got back.
Jiang Xingyan activated all her senses, deftly evading the patrols of the Imperial Guard.
In a few swift movements, she arrived behind the rockery in the Imperial Garden.
A figure flickered. Jiang Xingyan darted forward and grabbed the person by the throat.
“Second Highness, aren’t you afraid I might kill you to silence you?”
She used the faint moonlight to see his face clearly.
Jiang Xingyan was puzzled:
“Why is it you?”