If it were under normal circumstances, Wei Feng would absolutely never ask such a question.

His former admiration for his elder brother had long dissipated along with Wei Qiang’s subtle attitude toward Prince Pingnan’s residence, replaced by a mixture of dissatisfaction, bewilderment, indignation, and various other complex emotions.

But at this moment, Wei Feng somehow blurted it out, even carrying obvious resentment.

The smell of alcohol sprayed forth along with his grievance.

Wei Qiang’s temper flared up at once.

The Crown Princess’s disfigurement, His Majesty’s ambiguous attitude, years of walking on thin ice as heir apparent, Zhaohua’s assassination attempt, and… his inability to obtain his new target.

Each matter was like a stone pressing on his heart, one after another, until there came a time when he could no longer bear it.

“Wei Feng, aren’t you meddling too much?”

Hearing this, Wei Feng also grew angry, though he still remembered to keep his voice low. “This isn’t called meddling. I’m just asking. Don’t you care even a little about Father and Mother, Big Brother!”

“Wei Feng, watch your words.”

“Watch my words?” Wei Feng felt a surge of fury rush to his head as he sneered coldly. “What did I say? Does calling you ‘Big Brother’ displease you so much?”

“You’re drunk.” Wei Qiang stood up with a stern face.

Wei Qiang’s move to leave provoked Wei Feng.

He threw down his wine cup and abruptly stood up. “I’m not drunk! I’m just asking why you couldn’t conveniently go see Father and Mother. Don’t you know that Father is now no different from a cripple, that Mother can’t eat or drink?”

As the wine cup hit the floor, the scene instantly fell silent.

Hearing Wei Feng shout these words, the customers’ expressions became complex.

Ahem—they hadn’t originally known Prince Pingnan’s residence was in such dire straits, but now they did.

Under everyone’s attention, Wei Qiang’s face turned ashen. “Stop acting drunk. You should return to the Prince’s residence immediately.”

“Come back with me.” Wei Feng reached out to grab Wei Qiang.

“How dare you!” Dou Ren blocked Wei Feng and rebuked him. “If the Heir Apparent continues to disturb His Highness, don’t blame the Crown Prince’s guards for being impolite.”

“Get out of my way!” Wei Feng kicked Dou Ren aside and cursed, “You dog slave, I’m talking to my big brother—what right do you have to interrupt?”

Dou Ren stumbled and happened to fall onto Minister Zhao’s table.

The pickled cabbage and pork hotpot simmering on the small brazier was instantly knocked over, all of it spilling onto Dou Ren.

Dou Ren had served in the palace for many years and considered himself quite capable of maintaining his composure. Even if Mount Tai collapsed before him without changing expression, he couldn’t withstand a small hotpot that was genuinely scalding!

A scream immediately pierced the heavens.

Eunuch Dou, draped in pickled cabbage leaves and pork slices, had a pain-twisted expression as he spun around in circles.

By the counter, Luo Sheng sighed quietly to herself.

Unfortunately, it was winter now—the clothes were too thick.

Minister Zhao’s beard trembled continuously, nearly bringing him to tears.

It broke his heart—such fragrant pickled cabbage and pork hotpot, those thin wide slices, that fatty but not greasy pork belly—he’d only eaten a small portion!

This was his private savings scraped together from the charcoal allowances he’d received!

The big portion? Of course his wife had collected all of that.

However, this was an attendant serving the Crown Prince—he could only accept his bad luck.

The Crown Prince’s guards stationed outside heard the commotion and rushed in.

Wei Qiang’s head was splitting as he barked, “What are you standing there for? Take him to the medical clinic!”

Dou Ren was quickly helped out by two guards.

“Are you satisfied now?” Wei Qiang stared at Wei Feng. If not for this setting, he would have loved to slap him.

How had he never noticed before that Wei Feng was so impulsive and foolish?

“That dog slave threatened me!” For some reason, this chaos only further stirred Wei Feng’s violent temper.

“Big Brother, you must come back with me today. Mother, she—”

Wei Qiang’s heart turned cold as he slapped him across the face. “Shut up!”

This bastard—did he want to shout his birth mother’s maternal affection for him for all to know?

“You slapped me?” Wei Feng’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Everyone’s eyes also widened in disbelief. Beneath their calm surfaces, their hearts for gossip were boiling: Good heavens, the Crown Prince slapped Prince Pingnan’s Heir Apparent!

“Take care of yourself!” Wei Qiang dropped this line and strode toward the door.

Wei Feng, with alcohol surging through him, instinctively raised his foot to chase after.

“Please wait, honored guests.” A delicate, soft female voice rang out.

As everyone’s gazes turned over, Kou’er’s face reddened slightly as she timidly reminded them, “Which honored guest is hosting? The bill hasn’t been settled yet.”

Did they think acting drunk would let them escape? What kind of people were these?

Wei Qiang’s face was ashen as he looked at Luo Sheng walking over. “Note it down first. This Prince will send someone to settle it later.”

What could he settle the bill with now? The money pouch was with Dou Ren!

Luo Sheng smiled slightly. “Your Highness need not trouble yourself over such a small matter. Whenever it’s convenient, we can discuss it then.”

Wei Qiang strode out quickly.

“Come back!” Wei Feng shouted angrily.

The servant held him back desperately, sweating profusely with anxiety. “Heir Apparent, you’ve had too much to drink. Let’s return quickly.”

Not seeing Wei Qiang, the fire in Wei Feng’s heart died down somewhat. He finally stopped making a scene and let the servant help him away.

Shi Yan and the others quickly cleaned up the mess.

Minister Zhao cried out heartbrokenly, “The bill.”

Hong Dou said cheerfully, “Our proprietor said we won’t charge the two honored guests today.”

“Not charging?” Minister Zhao was shocked.

“That’s right. Just now other guests disturbed your dining, and our tavern also bears some responsibility, so we won’t charge you.”

Minister Zhao walked out in a daze. The cold wind blew and restored his clarity. Touching his bulging purse, he was suddenly excited.

Never would have thought—without anyone treating him, he still didn’t spend money!

Someone patted his shoulder. Minister Zhao looked over.

Minister Qian had a serious expression. “Brother Zhao, we’re friends, right?”

“Ah—” Minister Zhao nodded hesitantly.

“From now on, when you come to the Youjian Tavern to dine, you must call me.”

Compared to the liveliness at the tavern, Prince Pingnan’s residence appeared especially cold and quiet.

The table of dishes placed before Princess Pingnan remained untouched as usual. The young Princess Wei Wen sitting beside her was both worried and anxious.

Worried about her mother’s health, anxious about her brother’s prolonged absence.

Second Brother had said he’d return quickly, but it was already the residence’s dinner time—why was there still no sign of him?

“Wen’er, go rest. Mother is also going to rest.”

“Please wait a bit longer. Second Brother said he was going out to buy something palatable for you. Considering Second Brother’s filial devotion to you, please wait for him.”

Princess Pingnan nodded. Thinking of her children’s filial piety warmed her heart slightly.

Just then, a servant came to report, “The Heir Apparent has returned.”

“Second Brother’s back—why didn’t he come here?”

The servant’s face showed hesitation.

However, the residence had strict rules—when the master asked, one must answer.

“The Heir Apparent appears to have drunk too much. A servant helped him go straight to his room…”

“That’s impossible!” Wei Wen blurted out. She instinctively looked at Princess Pingnan. Seeing her mother’s unpleasant expression, she quickly said, “Mother, please rest first. I’ll go check on Second Brother.”

Wei Wen went straight to Wei Feng’s quarters. Smelling the strong alcohol odor all over him, she trembled with rage.