Chapter 263 Drunkenness
As the banquet ended and the guests gradually departed, the hustle and bustle of the palace subsided.
An attack meticulously planned by the Empress Dowager was perfectly resolved by Xu Xiuyuan with his "Strategy of Loyalty to the Country" and "Ten Memorials to the Emperor," turning the tables on Xu and further enhancing the reputation of the Xu family.
Huo Lin was in a very good mood and did not return to his palace immediately, but instead moved to the warm pavilion next to the Imperial Garden.
He specifically instructed Wang Degui: "Go and invite the three young masters of the Xu family over, so that I may have a few more drinks with them."
Upon hearing that the Emperor had summoned them, the three Xu brothers felt both honored and somewhat apprehensive, and quickly tidied their clothes before heading out.
Inside the warm pavilion, candlelight shone brightly, and the atmosphere was much more relaxed than in the main hall.
Huo Lin changed out of his heavy dragon robe and into a simple black outfit, which made him look even more upright and gave him a touch of the lazy and casual air of a noble young master.
He gestured for the three of them to sit down and have some tea, without further ado.
"At today's banquet, Xiu Yuan handled things very well, which was quite impressive."
Huo Lin raised his glass, his gaze falling on Xu Xiuyuan, filled with undisguised admiration.
"Come, let me offer you a toast."
Xu Xiuyuan quickly stood up, raised his cup with both hands, and said respectfully, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise. It is all thanks to Your Majesty's great blessings."
Having said that, he downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, his movements steady and decisive.
Huo Lin nodded in satisfaction, then looked at Xu Zhiyuan and Xu Muyuan: "Don't be shy, just treat this as a family dinner, relax and make yourselves at home."
Xu Zhiyuan was naturally a bit outgoing, and seeing the Emperor's friendly attitude, he became bolder and raised his cup with a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Then I won't stand on ceremony."
"Your Majesty, I toast you!" He tilted his head back and drank, his movements bold and unrestrained.
Xu Muyuan also raised his glass: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
After a few cups of imperial wine, the atmosphere in the warm pavilion became even more harmonious.
Huo Lin set aside his imperial airs and chatted with the three Xu brothers about the scenery and customs of Jiangnan, even occasionally asking them about their interesting experiences there.
Xu Xiuyuan answered cautiously, while Xu Zhiyuan gradually loosened up, even gesturing wildly when he got excited. Xu Muyuan mostly listened with a smile, occasionally adding a few words, his words sincere and his insights remarkable.
As Huo Lin listened, the smile in his eyes deepened.
These young men of the Xu family are much less of a worry than his father-in-law.
He was simply going with the flow, and they were able to take advantage of the situation and move forward.
With this surging stream of clear water, there's no worry about it not washing away the sour and rotten atmosphere in the court.
After several rounds of drinks, Huo Lin's face inevitably flushed slightly, and his eyes became more misty and profound than usual, clearly indicating that he was somewhat drunk.
Just then, a slight noise came from outside the palace gate.
Jiang Huan, accompanied by two palace maids and carrying food boxes, walked in with a smile.
"I heard that the Emperor and his cousins are still drinking, so I had the kitchen prepare some light late-night snacks and desserts for you to have something to eat so you don't upset your stomachs."
She was dressed in casual clothes, without her heavy headdress, her black hair loosely tied up, which made her eyes and brows appear even more lively and charming.
Huo Lin looked up at the sound, his drunken gaze falling on her and he couldn't look away.
Under the candlelight, she seemed to be enveloped in a soft halo, making her even more beautiful and charming than usual.
Why is she here? Is she worried I've had too much to drink? Or is she thinking about her cousins?
Hmm...he's definitely more concerned about me.
He thought to himself, slightly drunk, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.
Upon seeing this, the three Xu brothers quickly rose and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Jiang Huan waved her hand, indicating that they didn't need to be so polite: "We're all family, there's no need for so many formalities in private."
As she spoke, she personally took out several bowls of steaming hot porridge and side dishes from the food box and arranged them neatly.
She first brought a bowl of porridge and naturally walked to Huo Lin's side.
"Your Majesty, have some porridge to warm your stomach."
As he spoke, he was about to place the bowl of porridge on the table in front of him.
However, just as she approached, Huo Lin suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.
His movements were somewhat sudden, carrying a hint of the force of drunkenness.
Caught off guard, Jiang Huan was pulled down and fell to the ground beside him.
Huo Lin's arm wrapped around her, pulling her half-into his embrace, his voice low and filled with a deep sense of intoxication and satisfaction.
"You still care about me the most."
This happened too fast and too unexpectedly.
"Your Majesty!" Jiang Huan's cheeks flushed instantly, both ashamed and anxious, and she instinctively tried to break free and get up.
These people, don't they know that showing off their love will lead to a quick breakup? There are people watching!
Huo Lin pulled his arm back, not letting go, but instead resting his chin gently on the top of her head in that position.
"Don't move... let me lean on you for a while..."
His breath, carrying the scent of alcohol, sprayed hotly onto Jiang Huan's sensitive earlobes and neck, causing her to stiffen and her heart to suddenly race.
[Let me rub against you... so fragrant and soft, it feels so good to hold you.]
I don't want to let go...
He let out a satisfied sigh, completely ignoring everything around him.
This scene happened so suddenly that the three Xu brothers stood frozen in place, dumbfounded.
Xu Zhiyuan nearly dropped his wine glass, his eyes wide with shock.
Even the most composed Xu Xiuyuan was stunned for a moment, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly before he quickly lowered his eyes, not daring to look any longer, though his ears turned slightly red.
As for Xu Muyuan, seeing his sister being treated so lightly, his protective instincts instantly overwhelmed his awe of imperial power.
"Your Majesty, this is far too reckless. Please release my sister!"
The moment the words left his mouth, you could hear a pin drop in the warm room.
Xu Xiuyuan reacted the fastest, immediately apologizing: "Your Majesty, please calm down! My third brother spoke carelessly while drunk, and had no intention of offending Your Majesty. Please forgive him!"
Xu Zhiyuan also snapped out of his daze and quickly bowed, not daring to breathe.
Jiang Huan steadied herself, but her cheeks were still burning hot.
Taking advantage of the moment when Huo Lin seemed to loosen his grip slightly from that reckless remark, she quickly got up from his embrace.
Caught off guard, Huo Lin looked at his empty arms, his lips drooping for a moment, the awkward atmosphere seemingly washing away most of his drunkenness.
[My head hurts, what's wrong with a hug?]
"Besides, she is my concubine. Isn't it only natural for me to hold her?"
What kind of looks are those? As if I were some kind of lecherous man.
Huo Lin rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling a little aggrieved, but his imperial dignity made him quickly adjust his posture.
He coughed lightly, his face regaining its usual solemnity, as if he wasn't the one who had just been holding the person in his arms.
Huo Lin sat up straight and straightened his sleeves.
"It's alright, Mu Yuan was just confused because he was worried, how could I blame him?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Xiuyuan and Xu Zhiyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but they still dared not be careless.
Xu Muyuan realized he had spoken out of turn and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your magnanimity, Your Majesty."
However, Huo Lin's inner thoughts were completely different from his outward calm.
[Hmph, though I don't blame her, she pushed me away, and I need to make amends.]
As he pondered this, his gaze drifted toward Jiang Huan.
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