How can there be such a shameless person in this world!

Tie Yan was stunned.

He was the emperor, accustomed to people bowing or kowtowing before him, but had never seen someone so brazenly seat themselves right in front of him.

He looked up curiously, and in that one glance, instantly forgot everything else.

His heart cheered in admiration.

What a beautiful man!

Such beauty was beyond words, for ordinary beauty typically had representative qualities – either delicate or heroic or refined or gentle. But this person’s temperament seemed ever-changing. His slightly upturned eye corners were exquisite and magnificent, yet his skin was snow-white and pure. His dark hair and red lips belonged to the striking kind of beauty, yet his pupils were exceptionally clear and transparent. Every feature of his face exemplified contradictory yet perfect beauty. Combined together, it was dazzling and overwhelming, leaving one unsure where to look or what to praise.

Like countless others who had seen Murong Yi’s true appearance for the first time, Tie Yan stared seriously for a long while, letting out a sigh of admiration upon encountering such beauty. He subconsciously wondered who could be worthy of such a person, then felt as if struck by lightning, his gaze slowly turning to his daughter sitting sideways.

One was like spring breeze caressing the balustrade with dew-heavy blossoms, the other blazing like a lotus emerging from blue waves.

What was meant by handsome man and beautiful woman, a perfect pair – this was it.

With sudden understanding, just as he was about to speak, that person had already familiarly picked up the wine pot and poured him a cup.

He was about to pour one for Tie Ci as well, but she moved first, expressionlessly flicking her finger. The cup whooshed out and embedded itself in the wall.

Tie Yan: “!!!”

There’s something going on here!

His dignified and composed daughter, his daughter who remained unruffled even when Mount Tai collapsed before her, who could smile sweetly and drink even when old Xiao offered her wine – when had she ever been so temperamental!

Murong Yi didn’t even pause, the wine pot smoothly curved around and filled his own cup. Then he raised it toward Tie Yan.

With a respectful expression, he said: “Rong Wei greets Uncle.”

Tie Yan: “…”

His Majesty the Emperor had heard various forms of address – Your Majesty, Sage, Emperor were the most common. There were those who called him Uncle too, but they always added the character “Imperial” before it. This was the first time someone had approached him so warmly and called him Uncle right from the start.

Moreover, he somehow felt this person thought calling him Uncle wasn’t intimate enough?

He’d seen people who were naturally familiar, but never anyone this naturally familiar.

The rich wine fragrance now wafted to his nose, exceptionally clear and mellow, with a faint exotic aroma hidden within. Tie Yan started, instinctively saying: “Eternal Fragrance Wine?”

This was one of Daqian’s famous brews, personally crafted by master brewer Baili Yu, with extremely high requirements for materials, season, temperature and humidity. Only ten jars were made each year. Because it was infused with extremely precious medicinal herbs and had effects of strengthening the body, healing injuries, and extending life, this wine wasn’t sold to the public. Whether it was available depended entirely on Master Baili’s mood, making it priceless and worth a fortune.

Even someone of Tie Yan’s status had only tasted it once or twice, since this reclusive famous family didn’t care about giving face to the emperor either.

Moreover, in recent years the master had grown old and stopped brewing. He was slowly drinking his remaining stock himself, having already announced he would no longer sell this wine. Eternal Fragrance Wine had become a thing of legend.

Where did this person get it from?

If it were ordinary wine from some random person, no matter how gossipy Tie Yan was, he wouldn’t pay attention and would have had the person thrown out.

However, this wine was too precious. Thinking of its legendary effects, even he was tempted.

Besides, Baili’s wine could never be poisoned because it was extremely pure and would change color upon contact with any toxin. Right now the wine’s color was like a pool of soft jade, making one dizzy just looking at it.

He pushed the wine cup toward Tie Ci, saying: “This wine is acceptable, you should drink a sip.”

Murong Yi’s toast went unacknowledged, but he wasn’t embarrassed. Very naturally, he turned back and drank first as a gesture of respect.

Tie Yan ignored him and had someone bring another silver cup.

When the silver cup arrived, Tie Yan was just about to pick it up when he suddenly paused.

“Rong Wei?”

Murong Yi smiled and nodded.

Finally remembered.

Tie Yan turned to look at Tie Ci. “Rong Wei? From the seventh volume of Chronicles of a Compassionate Heart?”

Tie Ci thought to herself with amusement.

The pirated version had quite an impact.

Murong Yi poured wine for Tie Yan again, sincerely saying: “Uncle, I am indeed Rong Wei. That is, the one from Chronicles of a Compassionate Heart who had deep friendship with the Crown Princess and saved each other’s lives multiple times.”

He smiled and pointed to the dishes on the table. “This restaurant’s cooking is crude. Shiba is accustomed to my cooking, and I really can’t bear to see her eat such rough food, so I went to the kitchen myself. Please try some too.”

Tie Yan stared at the aromatic dishes that were no less impressive than those made by imperial chefs, and fell silent.

There was too much information in those words; he needed to process it.

Murong Yi wasn’t in a hurry either, smiling pleasantly. He beckoned, and Mu Si from outside brought in silver chopsticks, silver plates, and silver knives. He personally took action – cutting what needed cutting, dividing what needed dividing, ladling what needed ladling, arranging everything perfectly for Tie Ci, while not forgetting to prepare a portion for Tie Yan as well.

Tie Yan watched his movements. Setting aside everything else, just these skilled motions showed he was indeed accustomed to such service.

It wasn’t uncommon for people to serve Tie Ci, but this person’s entire bearing didn’t look like someone who served others.

Even his attendant had an extraordinary appearance, looking at those imperial guards like they were dust – this wasn’t something an ordinary household could cultivate.

However, if Murong Yi knew Tie Yan was studying Mu Si, he would have said the old man was overthinking it.

Mu Si looked at even a dog with that same disdainful expression. He was born looking down on the world, having urinated all over his father’s face as a baby.

Tie Yan looked outside again. Incredible – when that attendant entered, he seemed to have held Dan Shuang’s hand.

And Dan Shuang hadn’t drawn her sword to chop off his hand?

Now Tie Yan understood even more clearly.

If even the servants had hooked up, how could the masters be innocent?