By the time the banquet ended, Qi Ying already showed signs of intoxication.

This couldn’t be blamed on Young Master Qi having a poor tolerance for alcohol – there were simply too many people toasting him, and he couldn’t very well show favoritism, so he had no choice but to drink cup after cup. After drinking a full round, he was naturally drunk.

He was so drunk he couldn’t even stand up to personally see the various Highnesses off when they left the mansion – Qi Yun and Han Ruohui had to do it for him.

Fourth Highness had also drunk heartily tonight. When he went out and boarded his carriage, his whole person was somewhat unsteady. Fu Rong attentively cared for him from the side, being as tender and considerate as possible. Xiao Ziyu paid no attention to what state her fourth brother had drunk himself into, only standing at the Qi mansion’s entrance reluctantly gazing inward, attempting to catch another glimpse of her Brother Jingchen. Naturally, she couldn’t get her wish.

She felt deeply regretful but was helpless. She couldn’t very well throw a tantrum and insist on staying at the Qi family home, so she could only bid farewell to Qi Yun and Han Ruohui, saying to them: “Then we’ll be going now. Please take good care of Brother Jingchen.”

What she said actually made no sense, since the person she was entrusting had no actual relationship with Qi Ying, while those she was entrusting him to were his proper older brother and sister-in-law – the intimacy could be distinguished at a glance.

Qi Yun and Han Ruohui naturally had no reason not to agree, though they both felt slightly embarrassed for the Sixth Princess over this improper remark. However, both husband and wife had excellent breeding and still courteously and properly helped the lingering Sixth Princess board her carriage. Only after watching the carriage depart did the couple finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Han Ruohui rubbed her waist somewhat wearily, then gazed at the Sixth Princess’s departing carriage and sighed: “Ah, she’s also an infatuated child…”

The Sixth Princess indeed deserved this description.

Although Fourth Highness had emphatically claimed tonight that they had happened to encounter Jingchen at the palace gates and thus came along to the mansion for the banquet, anyone with eyes could see – where were there so many coincidences in this world? It must have been the Sixth Princess eagerly waiting at the palace gates, and her fourth brother, to preserve her reputation, had no choice but to accompany her out of the palace this once, even having to make up strained explanations to save her face.

How exhausting it must be.

Tonight Han Ruohui had been close enough to observe carefully. This Princess Highness’s peach blossom eyes had chased after Jingchen all evening long. Whenever she caught an opportunity, she would approach to speak with Jingchen. As long as he said two words to her, she would be delighted, but once he turned to socialize with others, she would become dejected again.

Both amusing and pitiful.

The Sixth Princess’s mother was also a daughter of the Han family and was Han Ruohui’s aunt by relation. Xiao Ziyu and her brother were also her younger siblings. Now seeing her cousin in such a laughable yet pitiful state, she really couldn’t suppress that sigh.

While she was feeling deeply moved here, Qi Yun beside her hadn’t clearly heard what his wife said. He only gently embraced her and walked with her through the mansion gates.

Entering the main hall, they saw the whole family was there. Qi Zhang, Yao Shi, and their third and fourth brothers were all seated in the hall. Even their second brother was there, sitting upright in a side seat, his features clear and bright – where was the drunken state from earlier when he could barely walk steadily?

Qi Yun realized what had happened. As he walked into the hall, he laughingly scolded: “Ha! So you were pretending to be drunk!”

Qi Ying turned his head to look at his elder brother, his eyes also showing amusement.

Of course he had to pretend to be drunk – otherwise how badly would he have been force-fed tonight? Even the wine he drank tonight had been diluted with water by servants beforehand, so although he drank much, he wouldn’t become heavily intoxicated.

Qi Yun laughingly patted Qi Ying’s shoulder, then took seats with Han Ruohui. He then asked with a smile: “What’s this about? The banquet has ended, so why is everyone still sitting together so neatly?”

Qi Zhang sat in the main seat at the head, but his expression wasn’t relaxed. His brow was slightly furrowed as he answered his eldest son: “We’re discussing your brother serving as chief examiner for next year’s metropolitan examination.”

Tonight’s banquet had been noisy, but this matter had caused quite a stir, so Qi Yun had also heard about it. Hearing his father mention it now, he pondered for a moment and said: “Serving as chief examiner for the metropolitan examination brings both fame and profit – Jingchen is also capable of the position. Does Father feel there’s something inappropriate about it?”

Qi Zhang’s brow remained furrowed as he fell into silence.

Of course he knew that serving as chief examiner for the metropolitan examination was a lucrative position, and he also knew his son was fully capable of it. It was just that currently, from his lineage alone, three people served as officials in court. He himself was the nation’s Prime Minister, and both his sons had already reached high Second Grade positions. For one family to have such honor was unprecedented not only in this dynasty but even looking back at previous dynasties.

Now the Qi family was at its peak, with Great Liang’s civil and military administration all within their grasp. But precisely because of this, he worried about decline after reaching the zenith. Now that Jingchen had also accepted this position as chief examiner for the metropolitan examination, this would add an even more prominent stroke to the Qi family’s honors. He worried that standing so high above others might not be a good thing.

Qi Zhang wanted to say these things, but with his eldest daughter-in-law present, he found it somewhat difficult to speak.

Though his eldest daughter-in-law had been married to his eldest son for many years and had even borne a daughter, she was after all a daughter of the Han family. No matter how much people said that a married woman should follow her husband, could a woman from such an aristocratic family truly sever ties with her natal family? If it were really so easy to cut off, his mother wouldn’t have lived to such an old age still thinking about promoting the Fu family.

Qi Zhang worried that Han Ruohui would take internal Qi family matters back to gossip with her natal family, so his current concerns couldn’t be voiced. But though he didn’t speak, his extremely intelligent second son already understood. He cupped his hands and said quite calmly: “Father, rest assured. Your son understands.”

Qi Zhang looked up at his second son. Seeing his clear gaze and the meaningful expression in his features, he surmised the young man already had his own plans in mind, so his heart was somewhat at ease.

At that time, Qi Zhang actually didn’t know what his second son was thinking, nor did he know whether there were other reasons for accepting this position as chief examiner. It was just that Qi Ying had now become capable of handling things independently, and he trusted him, no longer providing constant guidance and questioning everything as when he had first entered officialdom. He believed Qi Ying could handle all matters clearly himself.

He had always given him peace of mind.

Qi Zhang thus nodded, having no intention of further inquiring into his second son’s inner deliberations. He simply waved his hand and said: “Never mind, as long as you have a clear understanding.”

Qi Ying nodded in acknowledgment. The father and son exchanged cryptic words, each understanding the other had deeper meaning, but the others in the hall couldn’t decipher these verbal sparring matches – for instance, Qi Le.

When he heard his second brother had become chief examiner for next year’s metropolitan examination, he was truly overjoyed. If his father weren’t right there, he would have jumped onto the roof with happiness. Even now, though forcibly suppressing his joy, he still said with great enthusiasm: “Second brother being chief examiner is really wonderful! Excellent! When grading papers, if he happens to encounter mine, wouldn’t I be able to…”

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted mid-sentence by his elder brother. Qi Yun sternly reprimanded the family’s youngest: “Nonsense! How can examination matters be treated as child’s play! Don’t get carried away just because you luckily passed the provincial examination before! Your second brother absolutely cannot give you backdoor advantages – dismiss this thought immediately!”

This harsh scolding frightened Qi Le into immediately lowering his head and shrinking his neck, not daring to make another sound.

But Qi Yun wasn’t finished. He was someone who always valued laws and regulations and most couldn’t tolerate people engaging in fraud, especially being stricter with his own family members. Seizing this opportunity, he immediately lectured both younger brothers who still had to take examinations, continuing for quite a while without stopping.

Qi Zhang, sitting at the head, listened to his eldest son disciplining the two younger ones in the family without interrupting. Only after Qi Yun finished did he turn to look at his third son, calling his name in an even tone: “Jingan.”

The named Qi Ning shrank slightly, looked toward his father, and hesitantly responded.

Qi Zhang sighed and said: “This year you must study even more diligently and at least catch up with your fourth brother, understand?”

Speaking of this matter, it was quite interesting. Qi Ning was two years older than Qi Le and had always mocked his fourth brother as an idiot when they were children. Yet Qi Le had passed the provincial examination and would take the metropolitan examination this year, while he hadn’t even passed the provincial examination and had no chance to take the metropolitan examination at all.

Being pointed out by his father publicly at this moment, Qi Ning again silently lowered his head, answering with a muffled “Yes.”

Qi Zhang glanced at his third son and said nothing more. Soon after, he rose to rest, and once he left, everyone else dispersed as well.

Only Yao Shi lingered a step behind, so Qi Ying rose to help his mother back to Jiaxi Hall.

The autumn night was cool as water, while the moonlight was exceptionally clear. This night was cloudless, and the mansion’s pavilions and towers were as grand and luxurious as three years ago, unchanged in the slightest detail.

Mother and son walked along the mansion’s covered walkways under the bright autumn moon. Yao Shi looked sideways at her son’s increasingly tall and straight figure, her eyes showing gratification. She felt that time flowed like water and years passed like arrows – in the blink of an eye he had grown into such a solid and reliable appearance, truly making her sigh with emotion.

She gently patted Qi Ying’s hand that was supporting her and said: “Tonight I only saw you drinking wine and hardly saw you eat any food. I’ll have servants bring some food up for you in a while. Eat some, lest you get stomach pain again.”

Qi Ying looked at his mother, and before he could speak, he heard Yao Shi continue: “Now that you’ve become a high official, it’s naturally a good thing, and these people currying favor with you is also unavoidable. But being like this now is still a bit too exhausting. You’re already busy with daily affairs, and now even a good birthday can’t be spent quietly and happily by yourself – instead you have to force yourself to socialize with them. It truly makes people suffer needlessly.”

Yao Shi’s temperament was just like this – outwardly entertaining guests with smiling faces, then unable to help but complain privately once she turned away. Decades ago she complained for her father; now she had changed to complaining for her children.

Qi Ying well knew his mother’s temperament. Hearing this, he smiled and consoled her: “It’s fine, I’m used to it.”

Hearing this, Yao Shi sighed and said: “You may be used to it, but I still feel sorry for you. Sometimes I really wish you weren’t so accomplished, so you wouldn’t have to be as tired as you are now.”

Qi Ying smiled without speaking. Yao Shi seemed to suddenly remember something and exclaimed “Oh my!” saying: “Today is your birthday, and you haven’t yet eaten birthday noodles – shall I have someone make them for you? While today hasn’t passed yet, hurry and eat a bowl for good luck.”

As Yao Shi spoke, she was about to send someone to arrange this, but Qi Ying stopped her.

Qi Ying said: “Mother needn’t trouble herself. I’ll eat them later when I return to Fenghe Courtyard.”

This remark made Yao Shi pause, then laugh, supporting her forehead as she said: “How could I forget – you’re still thinking about Wenwen. I just saw you hadn’t returned to your separate residence for several days recently and thought you were staying home tonight too.”

Hearing that word “thinking about,” Qi Ying coughed somewhat unnaturally and said: “She went away on business to collect debts half a month ago and wasn’t home. She only returned today.”

Hearing this, Yao Shi was somewhat surprised: “She went to collect debts in another place by herself? And was away for half a month?”

Qi Ying nodded, a hint of helplessness showing in those beautiful phoenix eyes as he said: “Yes, even busier than I am.”

Both helpless and carrying shallow amusement.

Hearing this, Yao Shi shook her head and showed disapproval: “Wenwen is still so young and so pretty – you’re at ease letting her go out alone?”

Qi Ying answered: “I had Bai Song accompany her.”

Hearing this, Yao Shi paused, then nodded.

Bai Song was the Qi family’s retainer, skilled in martial arts and reliable in handling affairs. With him along, presumably nothing would happen. It was just that he usually followed Qi Ying. In recent years, as Qi Ying’s position in officialdom had risen higher and higher, the troubles he attracted had also increased. Just in these past few years he had encountered no fewer than several dozen assassination attempts. If he had arranged for Bai Song to go with Wenwen, then he himself…

Qi Ying saw his mother’s worried expression. After a moment of silence, he consoled her: “It’s fine. The Privy Council can handle these matters well. Besides, they’re returning today.”

Since he said this, what more could Yao Shi say? She could only nod. After a pause, she seemed to remember something and turned to smile: “Speaking of which, Wenwen is almost ready for her coming-of-age ceremony, isn’t she?”

Qi Ying nodded: “Yes, still a few months.”

Yao Shi smiled and said: “The coming-of-age ceremony is a major event – a once-in-a-lifetime great ritual for a young lady. How do you plan to arrange it for her?”

Qi Ying raised an eyebrow and said: “Her temperament is quiet, and she doesn’t like ostentation. She probably wouldn’t like a grand affair – I’ll discuss it with her further.”

Yao Shi nodded, instructing meaningfully: “Don’t shortchange the girl.”

This was actually a very ordinary remark, but when mother said it, her expression carried some teasing, which gave it a double meaning.

Qi Ying was stunned for a moment. When he understood his mother’s deeper meaning, his expression immediately became somewhat unnatural as he said: “Mother, between Wenwen and me, it’s not…”

Before he could finish, Yao Shi began laughing, saying: “Right, right, right – you don’t have romantic feelings for each other. I didn’t say anything either, so why such a big reaction?”

Though Yao Shi spoke this way, the teasing expression on her face became even more obvious. Seeing that though Qi Ying’s expression was still somewhat unnatural, his mood seemed quite pleasant, the smile in her eyes deepened.

Tsk, her son had always been decisive and swift in handling political affairs, yet for some reason was so dilatory in matters of love. But as a mother, it wasn’t appropriate for her to interfere in such things – she could only quietly wait for them to work things out themselves.

She had a feeling it wouldn’t be much longer.

Yao Shi smiled, then looked up at the sky and decided not to delay Qi Ying’s time further, laughing: “Alright, go back quickly. Remember to give my regards to Wenwen as well.”

Qi Ying agreed. After seeing his mother back to Jiaxi Hall, he left the main house to return to Fenghe Courtyard.

The autumn evening breeze was cool and quite effective at sobering one up, but he had drunk too much wine tonight. Though it was diluted, he was still slightly intoxicated.

Slight intoxication was pleasant. In this slight intoxication, he thought of that person he hadn’t seen for half a month, and those beautiful phoenix eyes hazily revealed flickering traces of amusement.

More intoxicating than all the fine wines the guests had drunk tonight.

Author’s Note: After drinking wine, of course one should go home to find one’s wife (Hah, what pretense – it was just fake wine diluted with water anyway)