Gu Zhixing frowned slightly as he looked at the jars of wine.

Although his alcohol tolerance is not bad, after a few jars of wine, he probably wouldn't be able to stay sober.

However, with the imperial examinations approaching, it would be a great loss if I delayed my studies because of a momentary impulse.

He was silent for a moment, then looked up at Gu Junze and said calmly, "Cousin Crown Prince, if I drink this wine, will you let the teacher give a lecture?"

Gu Junze raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening: "Of course. My word is my bond, and I will never go back on my word."

Gu Zhixing nodded, reached out and broke the seal on a jar of wine, then tilted his head back and gulped it down.

The liquor was spicy, burning down my throat and into my stomach.

Seeing Gu Zhixing's expression, Gu Junze narrowed his eyes.

It seems his cousin's desire to study is no joke.

A bad feeling rose in Gu Junze's heart.

Seventeen years old, she'll be eighteen after the New Year.

It's too late to start learning at this age.

But why is he studying so hard? Could it be for... the throne?

Gu Junze couldn't help but recall what the late emperor had said: the children of the eldest princess and her consort would take the eldest princess's surname, and if they were successful in the future, they could inherit the throne.

Previously, Gu Zhixing had never paid much attention to his studies, spending his time idly, so he had never thought about this aspect.

But now, Gu Zhixing clearly wants to focus on his studies.

"Thump—"

Gu Zhixing slammed the empty wine jar heavily onto the table, making a dull thud.

The wine jar rolled twice on the table before finally coming to rest on the corner.

His stomach felt like it was on fire, a burning pain spreading from his throat all the way to his abdomen, and a fine layer of cold sweat seeped from his forehead.

He raised his hand to wipe the corner of his mouth, his fingertips trembling slightly, but he still forced his back to straighten and looked calmly at Gu Junze.

Gu Junze sat to the side, toying with a white jade wine cup in his hand, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Continue."

He looked at Gu Zhixing with a hint of mockery and coldness in his eyes, as if he were watching an interesting show.

"good!"

Gu Zhixing opened another jar of wine, his brows furrowing slightly as he looked at the clear liquid inside.

He knew that Gu Junze was not only retaliating, but also trying to establish his authority over him.

As the crown prince, dignity is the most important thing to him.

If he were to strike the prince but receive no punishment, others would look down on him as the crown prince.

Gu Zhixing sneered inwardly, but showed no sign of it.

He knew that if he showed any dissatisfaction or resistance today, it would only make the matter worse.

He had to endure it, endure it until Gu Junze calmed down, endure it until this farce ended.

With the imperial examinations approaching, he couldn't let momentary anger interfere with his studies.

Outside the East Palace.

Shen Jintang stood under the corridor, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper.

She had been waiting for a long time, but Gu Zhixing did not come out.

She had checked the time of the Crown Prince's lessons.

Logically speaking, Gu Zhixing should have come out by now!

As night deepened, a cold wind lifted the hem of her coat, bringing a chill to her bones.

She felt a vague unease and was about to send someone to inquire again when she saw several eunuchs hurriedly carrying wine jars into the East Palace.

Listen closely, and you'll hear them muttering under their breath: "His Highness the Crown Prince is really angry today; he won't stop until the Heir Apparent finishes all this wine..."

Drinking? Getting angry?

Shen Jintang's eyes darkened as she suddenly recalled the rumors of Gu Zhixing beating the Crown Prince.

Could it be...?

She gritted her teeth and stepped into the East Palace.

Upon seeing this, the guards at the gate quickly stepped forward to stop them: "His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that no unauthorized personnel are allowed to enter."

Shen Jintang sneered, her gaze sweeping over the guard like a knife: "Get out of the way."

The guards were stunned by her sharp gaze and stood frozen in place for a moment.

Shen Jintang ignored him and waved her hand: "Flowing Fire!"

Her guard, Liu Huo, moved swiftly, his figure flashing like a ghost to the door, and in a few swift movements, he knocked down the guards blocking his way.

Shen Jintang didn't look to the side, and stepped straight into the East Palace, heading straight for the main hall.

Her steps were extremely fast, her skirt fluttering in the night wind, carrying a fierce and imposing aura.

Inside the hall, Gu Zhixing was holding yet another jar of wine, tilting his head back as if to drink.

His face was already somewhat pale, and cold sweat slid down his cheeks, but he still stubbornly refused to show weakness.

Shen Jintang strode forward, snatched the wine jar, and slammed it heavily on the table.

She looked at Gu Zhixing and asked with concern, "Your Highness, how are you?"

Gu Zhixing looked up and saw Shen Jintang. He was slightly taken aback: "Why are you here?"

Didn't he ask Chongyang to tell Shen Jintang to go back first?

She looked up at Gu Junze again.

Gu Zhixing then understood that Gu Junze must have thought he had sent Chongyang to deliver a message for help, so he stopped him.

Hearing Gu Zhixing's somewhat hoarse voice, Shen Jintang felt a little uncomfortable, but she didn't show it at all.

He simply helped Gu Zhixing sit down to calm down and sort out his thoughts.

What was the reason why the Crown Prince made things difficult for Gu Zhixing?

I initially thought it was Gu Zhixing who hit the Crown Prince, but judging from the Crown Prince's expression now, it seems that it's not that simple.

A gentle breeze swept by, like a tender murmur between heaven and earth, silently carrying a rich and mellow aroma of wine.

The aroma of the wine lingered in the air, almost tangible, adding an indescribable and enigmatic flavor to the already tense atmosphere.

Suddenly, Shen Jintang seemed to understand something.

She turned and helped Gu Zhixing up, her tone gentle yet tinged with reproach: "Even if you don't participate in the imperial examinations and can't earn me an official title, what does it matter? Why torture yourself like this for such empty fame?"

Gu Zhixing was taken aback. Before he could speak, Shen Jintang turned to look at Gu Junze and gave a slight curtsy: "Your Highness, I was impetuous today and forced my way into the East Palace. Please forgive me. It was also wrong of the Heir Apparent to talk back to Your Highness."

"Your Highness is very magnanimous and hopes you will forgive him."

When she looked up at Gu Junze, Gu Junze was also looking at Shen Jintang.

Gu Junze observed Gu Zhixing and Shen Jintang's interaction and overheard what Shen Jintang said to Gu Zhixing, and couldn't help but smile.

So it turns out he was driven to rage for the sake of a beautiful woman!

He really overestimated Gu Zhixing, thinking he had some grand ambitions, but it turns out he was only after a woman.

For the first seventeen years of his life, he was dissolute and unruly. Suddenly, he became studious and ambitious. No matter how I looked at it, it didn't seem right.

If someone suddenly starts studying hard for a while because of a woman, that's understandable.

Thinking of this, Gu Junze lowered his guard a little.

Seeing that Gu Junze's expression softened, Shen Jintang said, "I am willing to drink the penalty wine to apologize to His Highness on behalf of the young master."

After saying that, she reached out to pick up the wine jar on the table.

Gu Zhixing quickly stopped her and whispered, "This is all strong liquor, you..."

Shen Jintang gently pushed his hand away, her eyes filled with reassurance: "Sit down."

Gu Zhixing frowned, then Liu Huo pressed him into his seat.

Shen Jintang picked up the wine jar, tilted his head back, and began to drink.