This table was very quiet, with only the faint clinking of bowls and chopsticks to be heard.

Beyond the screen, however, the other table rang with clinking cups and unceasing laughter and chatter, drifting again and again into Ling Jingshu’s ears…… It wasn’t that Ling Jingshu wanted to eavesdrop; the tables were simply too close, and she could hardly plug her ears — there was no way to avoid hearing it.

The one speaking with such spirited confidence and easy wit was, of course, none other than Prince Yan.

To become the imperial prince most favored by His Majesty, and ultimately seize the throne to become the Son of Heaven — this Prince Yan was naturally no simple figure.

The Crown Grandson, mature beyond his years with an innate air of authority, made people tremble with awe in his presence. Prince Yan, however, was able to set aside his rank, speaking with wit and ease, putting people at ease and lowering their guard without their even realizing it.

By the end of the meal, Ling Xiao had grown considerably more familiar with Prince Yan through their conversation.

Ling Jingshu sighed quietly to herself.

Ling Xiao had always been raised within the inner household, and apart from his cousins at home, had almost never associated with young men his own age. With Prince Yan possessing such cunning and depth, how could Ling Xiao possibly be his match?

Imperial Physician Wei spoke little, only occasionally interjecting.

“Ling Xiao must treat his eye ailment and shouldn’t drink. So today, this Prince will drink with Imperial Physician Wei until we’re both thoroughly drunk.” Prince Yan looked at Imperial Physician Wei, a trace of ill intent in his voice.

Imperial Physician Wei replied without any change of expression. “I fear I must disappoint Your Highness today. First, I am not skilled at drinking, and being drunk easily leads to losing one’s composure. Second, I must return to the Imperial Medical Institute, as His Majesty may summon me into the palace at any time. Should I delay important matters due to drunkenness, the lightest consequence would be a reprimand, the worst could cost me my head. I hope Your Highness will not press the matter.”

Prince Yan glanced sidelong at Imperial Physician Wei, his smile not reaching his eyes. “Imperial Physician Wei’s excuses come quite smoothly. But don’t bother using such excuses in front of this Prince. I happen to know a thing or two about your drinking capacity — all this talk of not being skilled at drinking is just a way to dodge. Besides, Father Emperor has always valued you highly, and Mother Empress has always been lenient with you. Even if you got drunk once by chance, it wouldn’t go so far as costing you your head.”

When he said “Mother Empress has always been lenient with you,” Prince Yan’s tone carried something strange.

Imperial Physician Wei’s expression shifted slightly as well, but quickly returned to normal. He replied evenly, “Very well! Since Your Highness has such an inclination, I shall accompany you, even at the risk of my life.”

Seeing that he had finally provoked Imperial Physician Wei’s temper, a flash of satisfaction and pride crossed Prince Yan’s eyes. He immediately ordered the maids to bring wine.

He had long found this Imperial Physician Wei displeasing to the eye. Today, he would make sure to humiliate him publicly, having him carried back to the Imperial Medical Institute.

Prince Yan curved the corner of his mouth in a sinister smile.

Imperial Physician Wei took in every change in Prince Yan’s expression, and sneered coldly in his heart.

A row of slender, lovely maids walked over, each carrying a tray laden with wine jugs…… then circled around the screen and brought them to Prince Yan’s table.

By a rough count, at least seven or eight jugs of wine had been brought out.

Why were they drinking competitively again?

Ling Jingshu frowned slightly.

Five days ago at the Crown Prince’s manor, Prince Yan and the Crown Grandson had drunk themselves into a stupor. Although Ling Xiao hadn’t touched a drop, he’d still had to stay to the end of the banquet. Today, Prince Yan was once again putting on the appearance of intending to drink himself senseless. Regardless of how much Imperial Physician Wei could hold, it seemed there would be no leaving any time soon……

Jiang Shi seemed to guess what Ling Jingshu was thinking and gently patted her hand, saying in a low voice, “Since we’re here, let’s make the best of it. No need to rush — we’ll simply wait a while longer.”

When young ladies of prominent families gathered, they compared looks, bearing, and conversation in every way. When men gathered and wished to outshine one another and settle who stood higher, a drinking contest was the perfect method.

Last time, the Crown Grandson and Prince Yan had competed at drinking for Ling Jingshu’s sake.

This time, Prince Yan was provoking Imperial Physician Wei…… and it was clearly tied to Ling Jingshu once again.

Thinking of this, Jiang Shi couldn’t help teasing in a low voice, “A’Shu, back when I was still unmarried, if someone had been willing to drink competitively for my sake, I don’t know how delighted I would have been.”

Prince Yan had deliberately sought out a drinking match with Imperial Physician Wei, and Imperial Physician Wei had only agreed under duress — how did that have anything to do with her?

Ling Jingshu’s heart skipped a beat, though her face remained deliberately composed. “Whether they want to drink competitively is their own business — how does it have anything to do with me? Cousin-in-law, please stop joking.”

This wasn’t a good time to argue the point.

Jiang Shi pressed her lips together in a smile and said no more.

Ever since seeing that bewitching Ping’er, Ling Jingyan had been considerably downcast and dejected. After only a few bites, she set down her chopsticks and stared blankly into space, lost in thoughts no one could tell.

She was like an eggplant struck by frost — wilted, without a shred of energy.

Ling Jingshu thought it over briefly, having guessed at least part of what was on Ling Jingyan’s mind, and leaned close to whisper in her ear. “Cousin Yan, don’t be sad. Now that you’ve seen things clearly, you can let it go completely, and you won’t need to keep thinking of it anymore.”

A thin mist of tears rose in Ling Jingyan’s eyes, and she gave a soft hum of acknowledgment.

“This humble servant toasts Your Highness!” No telling how much he had drunk, Imperial Physician Wei’s voice remained gentle and composed.

Prince Yan, his drinking spirit fully roused, had his tone return to its original unrestrained, domineering manner. “Enough of that — at the wine table there’s no distinction of rank. Calling out ‘Your Highness’ and ‘this humble servant’ every other word, what fun is there in drinking like that? Come, the two of us will finish this cup.”

After drinking it down, Prince Yan began complaining that the wine cups were too small and unsatisfying to drink from, ordering the maids to bring larger wine bowls instead.

One jug of wine was just enough to fill four bowls. Two bowls each, and they drank to their hearts’ content.

As he drank, Prince Yan grew increasingly pleased with himself.

Attending banquets daily, he had long since built up his capacity for drink. To say he could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk would be something of an exaggeration, but ordinary men were certainly no match for him.

Imperial Physician Wei, on the contrary, normally stayed either at the Imperial Medical Institute or within the palace, and never attended any banquets. No one had ever seen him drink wine. How great could his capacity possibly be?

Hmph!

Just wait and see how Imperial Physician Wei would humiliate himself shortly!

As Prince Yan thought of this triumphant scene, his mood improved greatly, and he signaled the maids to keep pouring.

Imperial Physician Wei furrowed his brow, looking somewhat troubled. “Your Highness, I already feel dizzy and my vision is blurring. I truly cannot drink any more……”

“What is this little bit of wine.” Prince Yan waved his hand grandly. “This Prince’s drinking spirit is in full swing — don’t you dare spoil it. Come now, drink this bowl as well.”

Imperial Physician Wei drank the wine with a furrowed brow.

With experience from the last time, Ling Xiao also knew that now was not the time to intervene — judging by Prince Yan’s manner, intervening would do no good anyway! His eyes couldn’t see, so he had no idea what expressions were on Prince Yan’s and Imperial Physician Wei’s faces at the moment.

Still, judging only by their voices, Prince Yan seemed to be growing more and more rambling, his voice louder and louder. Imperial Physician Wei’s voice, however, remained exactly as it had been from the start — neither loud nor soft, neither hurried nor slow……

Prince Yan continued to urge him to drink with grand enthusiasm, and each time before Imperial Physician Wei drank, he would first hesitate helplessly for a moment, before being “forced against his will” to drink it down.

So, who truly had the greater capacity for drink, and who would be the first to fall drunk?

Ling Xiao wore a puzzled expression, wondering uncertainly to himself.