Pang Xiao raised his wine cup and clinked it with Ji Zeyu’s, then drained it in one gulp.

Though he was on good terms with Ji Zeyu, both of them were now in situations beyond their control—both were people His Majesty was wary of, and they had to struggle to protect themselves.

Since the matter involved his marriage to Qin Yining, Pang Xiao dared not be careless in the slightest. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Ji Zeyu, but that he couldn’t trust Li Qitian.

Therefore, even though joy was bursting forth like a mountain flood in Pang Xiao’s heart, he still suppressed it, only drinking peacefully with Ji Zeyu.

Ji Zeyu’s extraordinarily handsome face showed some sorrow, his slender brows furrowed, the emotions in his eyes extremely complex. But many words dissolved into a single sigh.

He grabbed the hemp rope tied to the wine jar’s mouth with one hand, using skillful force to lift it, supporting the jar with his arm and tilting his head back to pour several mouthfuls into his mouth, not caring that it dampened his clothes.

Seeing Ji Zeyu drink so freely, Pang Xiao simply stopped using his cup. He took the wine jar from Ji Zeyu’s hands with both hands and also tilted his head back to pour several mouthfuls into himself.

Ji Zeyu smiled as he watched Pang Xiao drink in large gulps, swallowed the spicy liquor in his mouth, then laughed.

“Good! Refreshing!”

“Refreshing!”

The two finished a jar of wine and ate a few dishes. Ji Zeyu said: “Bring more wine.”

But Pang Xiao shook his head, patting Ji Zeyu’s shoulder: “Alan, we can’t get drunk. We still have things to do tomorrow. Drinking too much causes problems.”

Ji Zeyu’s brow furrowed as he backhanded the hand Pang Xiao had placed on his shoulder.

“This is our life—we can’t live freely, we can’t even choose someone we like for our own marriages to spend our lives with, we don’t even dare drink to our heart’s content!”

Ji Zeyu’s voice carried the hoarseness of someone who had been drinking.

Though he had drunk quite a bit and was somewhat intoxicated, his mind was still clear—he wasn’t unable to control his words and actions.

But he couldn’t hold back these words.

How helpless he had been back then, and now Pang Xiao was being granted an imperial marriage, walking the same path he had walked.

Ji Zeyu knew that Pang Xiao’s heart must feel terrible right now.

Seeing his brother so upset over his affairs, Pang Xiao felt truly sorry.

He knew Ji Zeyu was thinking of his situation with Li Helan.

But Pang Xiao was luckier than Ji Zeyu, because he had an extremely intelligent father-in-law with exceptional capabilities. His Majesty had granted him marriage to a woman he truly loved and hoped to spend the rest of his life with.

Compared to the superficial harmony but underlying discord between Ji Zeyu and Li Helan, he was actually the one who most deserved sympathy.

Pang Xiao said sincerely: “Alan, actually things are already very good as they are. You saw it in court today too. Minister Qin’s abilities are quite extraordinary—saying he could debate against all the scholars is absolutely right. Having such a father-in-law might allow me to be more stable in the future. Moreover, I do truly like the Qin daughter.”

Ji Zeyu smiled brilliantly, his peach blossom eyes gazing at Pang Xiao’s sharp phoenix eyes: “I know you like the Qin daughter—she’s indeed a peerlessly beautiful woman. But with the enmity of killing your father between you, can your heart truly have no reservations? Can you feel no resistance at all?”

Unable to explain in detail, Pang Xiao only smiled: “I’ve let go of those matters.”

His forced smile was more heartbreaking to Ji Zeyu than anything else.

But given their current circumstances, Ji Zeyu knew that saying more would only add to Pang Xiao’s troubles.

Life must go on, and imperial edicts must be obeyed.

“Forget it. A good man sets his aspirations on distant goals, not constrained by romantic entanglements. Since you can see it clearly, there’s no problem.” Ji Zeyu stood up: “Zhixi, I take my leave.”

“I’ll see you out.”

“You should see me out. My coming here to drink might reach others’ ears, and if people know we’ve formed an alliance, that would be hard to explain.”

Pang Xiao understood Ji Zeyu’s meaning. Even just friends having a drink would be reported to His Majesty by those watching—how was this different from losing freedom?

But this was their current environment.

Pang Xiao smiled at Ji Zeyu, then put on a stern face: “Go slowly, I won’t see you out.”

Ji Zeyu cooperated: “Aren’t you busy marrying your enemy’s daughter? No need to see me out—you go about your business.”

“You! Are you questioning His Majesty?”

“I wouldn’t dare think that way. I’m speaking your inner thoughts!”

“Ji Lan, don’t refuse the toast only to drink the penalty wine!”

“Pang Zhixi, I see your wounds have healed again!”

…

Pang Xiao saw Ji Zeyu out, the two continuously bickering all the way.

Ji Zeyu walked faster and faster, with Pang Xiao in hot pursuit. The two argued all the way to the second gate.

Finally, the mansion’s servants couldn’t bear to watch their two masters quarrel, fearing it might escalate to bloodshed, so they stepped forward with apologetic smiles to separate them.

Ji Zeyu ultimately left in a huff, and Pang Xiao returned to his study with a cold face.

Regardless of how this scene would reach His Majesty’s ears and how much amusement it would bring Li Qitian, at this moment in Yangxin Hall, Li Qitian sat on the heated kang by the window, holding white pieces while playing against Lu Heng who held black pieces, not forgetting to quietly observe Lu Heng’s expression.

“Worthy brother Lu, you must already know about my bestowing marriage on the Pang and Qin families today?”

Hearing Li Qitian’s careful and polite tone, Lu Heng smiled slightly and responded with equal courtesy.

“In response to Your Majesty, this minister already knows.”

Seeing him so properly mannered, Li Qitian felt much more comfortable and smiled: “My reason for bestowing marriage on these two families was also for the sake of state affairs. The father-killing enmity between Qin Huaiyuan and Pang Xiao is known throughout the realm. One is nobility, one is a surrendered minister—both can be said to be my trusted ministers. I truly don’t wish to see them create internal strife and kill each other.

“Since ancient times, marriage alliances have been the most useful method for binding two families together. For the stability of the court, a marriage alliance between these two families was inevitable.”

Li Qitian’s explanation was logical and well-reasoned. Though he maintained the imperial self-reference and dignity, explaining his actions to a noble family’s son still made Li Qitian feel extremely uncomfortable.

Lu Heng only smiled faintly, paying no attention to Li Qitian’s expression: “Can Your Majesty truly be certain that there is real discord between them?”

Hearing this, Li Qitian’s heart skipped a beat.

Lu Heng’s words inadvertently struck at Li Qitian’s greatest worry.

Now recalling the process of bestowing the marriage in court today, he always felt there was something strange about it. But what exactly that feeling was, he couldn’t quite grasp.

He had indeed wanted to bind these two families to prevent a bloody incident that would cost him either Qin Huaiyuan or Pang Xiao—losing either would affect his imperial enterprise.

But whether this binding was his own decision or the result of being manipulated into making this decision were two completely different concepts.

Seeing Li Qitian’s furrowed brow and failure to look up, Lu Heng lowered his eyes, revealing an inscrutable smile.