Chapter 89: Hongmen Banquet? No, it's Panhu Conference!
The atmosphere at the most prestigious Zuixianlou in Yan Kingdom's capital was particularly eerie today. The doors to the largest private room on the third floor, the "Zhaixing Pavilion," were tightly shut. Two rows of solemn, unwavering royal guards stood at the entrance, shielding them from prying eyes.
However, the lobby downstairs was packed to the brim with people rarely seen on weekdays, including nobles, wealthy businessmen, and even a few low-ranking officials on leave. They were all crowded in the corners, seemingly toasting each other, but in reality, their ears were perked up like rabbits, their eyes occasionally glancing towards the third floor staircase, their hands tightly gripping their wine glasses, their clothes wrinkled at the base of their thighs.
Everyone knows there's a shocking revelation happening at Zuixianlou today! Princess Fuxing, Dongfang Yuning, is personally on hand to take charge and sort things out!
Inside the Zhaixing Pavilion, the atmosphere was even more... solemn yet a little humorous.
Dongfang Yuning, the most precious and lucky little princess of Yan Kingdom, was standing on a small rosewood stool that was specially brought in and padded with thick brocade.
She tried to straighten her body, put her hands on her hips, and tried to create an air of "looking down on everyone". However...
Looking around:
To her left stood her eldest brother, newlywed and cheerful, but now with a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, the Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng. Nine feet tall, a towering figure, his muscular build bulging his brocade robes. He thrust his weight there, exuding the menacing aura of "one man blocking the way for ten thousand."
He had just finished his honeymoon leave when he heard that someone wanted to take away the phoenix flowers he had carefully cultivated, so he immediately came with murderous intent.
To his right was his second brother, Dongfang Qichen, the Minister of Rites. He was tall, handsome, and possessed a gentle demeanor like jade. But now, all his elegance had been extinguished, his eyes sharp as a knife. In his hand, he leisurely toyed with a thin white jade wine glass. It wasn't a wine glass, but a hidden weapon about to fly.
Next to him stood the third brother, the imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan. He had just returned from checking accounts in the prosperous Jiangnan region. He was dressed in a low-key, luxurious brocade suit. His handsome face shone with a touch of shrewdness and ruffianism honed by the ups and downs of the business world. At this moment, a sneer played on his lips, and he was gazing at the door with the eyes of a fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered.
Next to Dongfang Linyuan stood his eldest nephew, Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian. The twenty-year-old heir, dressed in understated black attire, stood tall and composed, yet the deep eyes he inherited from his father were now filled with the words "protective" (shiyu gao).
The twins, the fifth prince Nangong Yijun and the sixth prince Nangong Lintian, leaned against the window like two door gods.
One crossed his arms, the other crossed his chest. Their two nearly identical handsome faces held the same look of discontent and scrutiny. Their sister was about to be kidnapped! How could they tolerate this?!
Behind Dongfang Yuning, half a step away, standing like a guardian angel was her fiancé, Prince Yong, Nangong Ye.
He was dressed in a black python robe, his posture was as straight as a pine tree, his handsome face showed the usual expression of "keep away from strangers", and his whole body exuded a coldness that could freeze a thousand miles.
However, his eyes, as deep as a cold pond, were now focused only on the small figure in front of him who was standing on tiptoe and trying to "raise" himself.
A large hand with distinct joints seemed to be casually resting on her waist, but in fact it was as steady as a rock, ensuring that the little ancestor on the stool could be caught firmly by him if she was not careful.
Dongfang Yuning stood on a small stool, trying hard to look straight ahead... well, he could barely see his eldest brother's chest, his second brother's chin, and his third brother's shoulders... his neck was still a little sore!
She was madly complaining in her heart:
[118! This perspective is so devastating! I feel like a hobbit who stumbled into a land of giants! And a malnourished one at that!]
System 118's electronic voice chirped with a hint of gloating electricity:
[Ding! Host, based on the data that the average height of men on site is over 185cm, your current physical altitude of 155cm is indeed at an absolute disadvantage.
But! The lineup you've created is incredibly luxurious! Its aura is MAX! Suggestion: Overwhelm with your aura! Kill with your eyes! (The system code simulates a waving flag cheering pattern.)
Taking a deep breath, Dongfang Yuning ignored the pain in his neck, tightened his face, and tried to put on the most serious expression (for the effect, refer to the baring teeth of a kitten). He cleared his throat and announced with all his energy:
"Dear brothers! Nephews! And my dear brother Aye!"
She first cast a sweet, reassuring look at Nangong Ye, then waved her hand, pointing to the tightly closed door of the private room, with an imposing manner (self-righteous):
"Today! We have only one target—Chen Xiaoyun! The black-hearted fox who might become our Yue'er's bedmate in the future!"
She paused, her eyes sweeping across the Yan Country's top boy band, who were all full of momentum and stunning looks, and gave the highest order in a resounding voice:
"Your mission is simple! Examine him! Examine him thoroughly! Key inspection item: his drinking habits!"
She raised a white and tender index finger, her expression extremely serious:
"As the saying goes, a person's character is revealed by his drinking habits! Truth comes out after drinking! Today, this princess wants to see whether Chen Xiaoyun, after guzzling a few jars of yellow liquor, will reveal his true colors, or will he be a good man who is as brave as gold and fears no fire! Will he cry out for his parents, or will he reveal his true feelings! Will he take advantage of the opportunity to take advantage of her, or will he remain calm? In short—"
She slashed her hand downwards, making a gesture of execution.
"Tell me all the tricks in his head! The ones who have the last laugh must be the men of our Dongfang family (and Nangong family)! Do you understand?!"
"clear!"
"Yes, sir!"
"rest assured!"
"Kill him!"
In response, she heard a uniform, murderous roar, like a battle oath! Dongfang Liezheng's fists clenched and cracked, Dongfang Qichen spun the jade cup in his hand even faster, Dongfang Linyuan's sneer deepened, the Crown Prince's eyes grew sharper, and the twin princes cracked their knuckles in unison.
Even Nangong Ye, who had an icy face, had a faint cold light in his eyes, which was called protecting his shortcomings.
The goal is clear: they will protect their niece's happiness! They must work on it! They must work on it until their own mother doesn't recognize them!
All the men instantly entered a first-level combat readiness state, the air filled with invisible gunpowder smoke and... the rich aroma of upcoming wine.
As for Chen Xiaoyun, who was named, he was standing at the gate of Zuixianlou with carved beams and painted buildings at this moment, and he felt an inexplicable chill on the back of his neck.
He looked up at the tightly closed window of "Zhaixing Pavilion" on the third floor and pulled the corner of his mouth helplessly.
He knew that his aunt Dongfang Yuning's invitation was a Hongmen Feast, but... he couldn't avoid it. For his little phoenix, he had to go through fire and water!
He straightened his meticulously crafted moon-white brocade robe, put on a gentle, flawless smile on his face, and stepped into Zuixian Tower.
However, as soon as he entered the door, Shen Xiaoyun's perfect smile froze almost imperceptibly for a fraction of a second.
The first-floor lobby was bustling with activity? No, it was eerily quiet! Everyone looked at him with an extremely complex mixture of awe, excitement, sympathy, and... desperately trying not to laugh.
The air is filled with a restless atmosphere called "eating melons".
What made his eyelids jump even more was the staircase leading to the third floor.
I saw Princess Fuxing, Dongfang Yuning, that petite little person who looked like she could be blown away by the wind, standing proudly on a conspicuous stool. Next to her, Prince Yong's protective attitude was too obvious! And behind her, lined up...
The Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng (killer aura)!
Minister of Rites Dongfang Qichen (Smiling Scholar)!
Imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan (the shrewd fox)!
Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian (the future emperor)!
The fifth prince Nangong Yijun (the cold-faced door god)!
The Sixth Prince Nangong Lintian (the grumpy door god)!
Plus an icy evil prince, Prince Yong, Nangong Ye!
Almost all of Yan Country’s most prominent, powerful, and most difficult-to-touch young men are here!
Each one was tall and slender, their aura was undeniable, and their eyes were sharp as a knife! How could this be a staircase? This was clearly the showcase for Yan Country's top male model team and ultimate bodyguard team!
And he, Chen Xiaoyun, is the protagonist on the T stage who is about to be the center of everyone's attention (public execution)!
Even though Shen Xiaoyun had a strong will and a wealth of wisdom, his scalp was tingling slightly at this moment. This scene... My aunt really thinks too highly of him!
[Hahahaha! 118! Look at Shen Huli's expression! Wonderful! So wonderful! Are you scared by the momentum of my shaking? Wahahaha! This princess is mighty! Who can compete with me! I just want to ask who else!]
Dongfang Yuning, standing on a small stool, looked at Shen Xiaoyun's expression downstairs, which froze in an instant and then quickly returned to perfection. The little man in his heart was already laughing wildly with his hands on his hips, so proud that his tail (if he had one) was about to rise to the sky!
System 118's excited electronic voice spread:
[Beep! Detected micro-expression changes in target Chen Xiaoyun: Shock Index +50%, Alertness +100%, Stress Index MAX! Heart rate slightly elevated! Host's lineup is incredibly effective! Aura suppression successful! Throw flowers in celebration! (System code simulates festive sounds of fireworks and drums)]
Shen Xiaoyun took a deep breath and quickly adjusted his mentality. The gentle smile on his face returned and even deepened a little.
He walked calmly, as if strolling in the garden, ignoring the countless fiery gazes in the lobby downstairs that almost pierced him, and went straight to the stairs.
"My aunt is well, Prince Yong is well, everyone..."
He walked closer, bowed gracefully, and glanced at the row of "Panhu Tiantuan" with an impeccable smile.
"Shen is late, I hope you will forgive me."
"Not too late, not too late! Master Shen has arrived just in time!"
Dongfang Yuning stood on a small stool, trying to maintain a "superior" perspective, and waved his hand with heroic spirit.
"The food and wine are ready, waiting for you! Please come upstairs!"
The posture was just like the king of the copycat greeting the new fat sheep (who were about to be slaughtered).
The group marched up to the third floor and into the Zhaixing Pavilion. The large round table was already filled with delicacies, but the most eye-catching thing was the ten jars of Shaodaozi (Chinese shaodaozi) lined up beside the table, each half a person's height! The strong, spicy aroma of alcohol could be smelled even through the mud seal!
Shen Xiaoyun looked at the ten jars of "murder weapons" and his eyelids twitched again. Was my aunt planning to send him away directly?
“Mr. Shen, please take a seat!”
Dongfang Yuning was carefully lifted down from the small stool by Nangong Ye and placed on a specially made high chair next to the main seat (to ensure a clear view), and then his little hand pointed to the position opposite the main seat - an excellent interrogation position half-surrounded by the Panhu Tiantuan.
The Panhu Conference has officially begun!
The opening was quite gentle. Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian, as the highest-ranking official (besides Prince Yong), was the first to raise his glass. His smile was gentle, yet it carried an invisible pressure:
"Mr. Shen is a young and talented man, renowned for his talent. I've heard of him for a long time. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is truly well-deserved. I offer you a toast."
Chen Xiaoyun raised his glass with a smile:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is so kind. Xiaoyun is unworthy of your praise. Your Highness, with his majestic demeanor, embodies the true royal bearing. Xiaoyun will drink first as a token of respect!"
After saying this, he drank it all in one gulp, his movements smooth and graceful, his expression unwavering.
[118! Scan! Was he drinking real alcohol? Did he secretly replace it with water?!]
Dongfang Yuning immediately called out in his heart.
System 118:
[Ding! Target wine glass scan: Confirmed to be a high-proof liquor! Alcohol content: 60% vol! Target swallows authentically, throat reaction normal! Verdict: Actual drinking! Alcohol tolerance score: Excellent! (System recording)]
Then, Dongfang Qichen, the Minister of Rites, raised his wine glass, his smile as gentle as a spring breeze:
"Master Shen is in charge of Yunshen and is extremely wealthy, but he cares about the people and is kind and generous. He is truly a role model for our generation. Qi Chen admires you and offers a toast to you."
The words were praise, but the eyes were scrutinizing.
"Minister Dongfang is overly flattering. The way of doing business is to take from the people and use it for the people. This is the duty. Xiaoyun respects the Minister."
Shen Xiaoyun still responded calmly and toasted again.
It was the turn of the imperial merchant Dongfang Linyuan. He directly picked up an unopened jar of Shaodaozi and slammed it in front of Shen Xiaoyun with a "dong" sound, smiling in a very rogue manner:
"Boss Shen, we're all businessmen, so forget the empty politeness! If you're a real man, drink the whole thing! We're in love, so drink it all in one gulp! I'll drink first as a sign of respect!"
After that, he broke the mud seal, tilted his head back, and poured the wine into the jar with a loud gulp! The wine flowed down his chin, looking extremely heroic!
[Third brother is mighty and domineering! Discuss him!]
Dongfang Yuning was cheering like crazy in his heart.
Chen Xiaoyun looked at the jar of liquor in front of him, then looked at Dongfang Linyuan's provocative eyes. His smile remained unchanged, but a hint of understanding flashed across his eyes, "As expected."
He also broke open the clay seal of a jar, his posture still elegant, but his movements were unambiguous. Facing the jar mouth, his Adam's apple rolled, and he drank it down without blinking! His speed was even no slower than Dongfang Linyuan's!
[Holy crap! 118! This vixen has a deep drinking capacity! Even this move from Third Brother couldn't knock her down?!]
System 118:
[Ding! Target Alcohol Metabolism Rate: Extraordinary! Stress Resistance: MAX! Acting Skills (Pretending to Stay Calm): SS-Level! Warning: This fox is a spirit from a wine vat! Host, our first round of attacks has been perfectly neutralized!]
Next, the twin princes took turns. The fifth prince, Nangong Yijun, said little, just one word: "Drink!" Then he drank the first glass. The sixth prince, Nangong Lintian, was even more direct:
"Mr. Chen, if you want to marry my sister, you have to get past me first! Drink!"
The two brothers mainly engage in a straightforward round-the-clock battle.
Chen Xiaoyun accepted everything, emptying every glass and jar. The gentle smile on his face remained, but the depth in his eyes became more pronounced, and his fair ears gradually turned a thin layer of red.
[It worked! 118! His ears are red! Is he about to collapse?]
System 118:
[Beep! Target's blood alcohol concentration continues to rise! Reaching the threshold for mild intoxication! Micro-expression analysis: Smile arc remains unchanged, but eye focus has decreased by 5%! Verdict: Starting to get into the zone! Please continue to increase your efforts!]
Finally, the heavyweight player, Marquis of Zhenguo Dongfang Liezheng, took action!
He directly picked up two jars of newly opened Shaodaozi, placed one in front of Shen Xiaoyun with a "dong", and took the other jar himself, saying in a loud voice:
"Shen boy! If you are a man, don't be a coward! Finish this with me! If you can still walk out of this, I... I will reluctantly recognize you as this..."
He almost let the cat out of the bag and said "nephew-in-law" instead of "brother-in-law".
Chen Xiaoyun looked at the jar of burning liquid in front of him, then looked at Dongfang Liezheng's burly body and his eyes that said "if you don't do it, you're not a man", and knew that this was the most critical hurdle.
He took a deep breath, suppressed the churning in his stomach, and kept smiling, but his voice was a little hoarse:
"My Lord, you are so generous. Xiaoyun...will sacrifice his life for a gentleman!"
After that, he picked up the wine jar with both hands and drank it! The spicy wine burned his throat and esophagus like a flame, but he didn't stop!
Dongfang Liezheng showed no sign of weakness and simultaneously began pouring! The two men, one as burly as a mountain, the other as elegant as a bamboo, were both drinking from their jars of wine. The scene was incredibly impactful!
The jar is empty!
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
The two empty jars fell on the table almost at the same time.
Dongfang Liezheng wiped his mouth, his eyes were a little blunt, but he still stood straight, but his steps were a little unsteady.
Chen Xiaoyun… He held onto the table, his body swaying. The perfect smile on his face finally couldn’t be maintained. His eyes were blurred, and two obvious blushes appeared on his fair cheeks.
He tried hard to stand up straight, but stumbled and almost fell. Fortunately, Dongfang Qichen, who was next to him, quickly helped him up.
"Good...good alcohol tolerance!"
Chen Xiaoyun stuck out his tongue and looked at Dongfang Liezheng with a hazy look in his eyes. Suddenly, he grinned. That smile was a bit silly.
"Marquis... Marquis! You... you really are this!"
He raised his thumb, then his body swayed again, completely leaning on Dongfang Qichen, and began to mumble incoherently:
"Yue... Yue'er... my little phoenix... is so pretty... even prettier... than... even prettier than the fairies in the paintings..."
"A long wedding dress... a sedan chair carried by eight people... I... I want to give her the best..."
"Who...whoever dares to bully her...I...I will kill him..."
"Little...Aunt...you...don't worry...I...I am sincere to Yue'er...the sun and the moon can bear witness to it..."
"I...I gave all the money...I gave it to Yue'er to manage...I...I'll be obedient..."
He mumbled intermittently, his voice low, but remarkably clear in the quiet of the private room. From his obsessive praise for Nangong Yue, to his longing for a wedding, to his declaration of loyalty to Dongfang Yuning, he even began to explain who would control the "financial power"... His logic was chaotic, but every word oozed with foolish sincerity and a deep, unwavering affection.
[118! Record! Record now! True drunken words! All the real stuff!]
Dongfang Yuning was so excited that he almost jumped off the high chair.
System 118:
[Beep! Target enters a state of deep intoxication! Reason is offline! Emotional center is completely unleashed! Language module: True feelings mode! Information collection: 100%!]
Keywords: Love Yueyue, fear of aunt, hand over financial power! (System code is so excited that it is garbled and frantically stores data)]
There was silence in the private room.
Dongfang Liezheng burped loudly, staring at Shen Xiaoyun, who was leaning against his second brother and grinning foolishly, with his misty tiger eyes. After a while, he uttered:
"Not... not bad! Consider... you're a brave boy!"
Dongfang Qichen supported Shen Xiaoyun, listening to him muttering his niece's name and those silly promises, his eyes were complicated, but the corners of his mouth were slightly raised.
Dongfang Linyuan touched his chin, looked at Shen Xiaoyun's "silly son of a landlord" look, and sneered:
"Tsk, he's a little silly, but he's honest."
The Crown Prince and the twin princes looked at each other and exchanged glances: It seems...something real has been uncovered?
Nangong Ye still had no expression on his face. He just looked at his little fiancée's face shining with excitement, and a helpless smile flashed across his eyes.
Downstairs, the onlookers in the lobby, their ears pricked up, almost pressing them against the floor, couldn't hear the specifics, but they could vaguely catch the key words like "Yu'er," "sincerely," and "give me all the money." Combined with the fact that Chen Xiaoyun was clearly drunk and lost, yet still grinning foolishly as he was being helped down the stairs...
"puff--!"
“Hmm!”
“Hiss—!”
Suddenly, suppressed, painful gasps and groans were heard from all over the lobby!
Countless people had distorted faces, some pinching their thighs, some gulping down drinks to cover up their tears, some burying their faces in their arms, their shoulders shaking wildly! Each one of them was flushed and tears welled up in their eyes!
The root of the thigh? It's already bruised! This melon... is so fragrant! So exciting! This "Panhu Conference" directed by Princess Fuxing herself is so effective! It's worth it! Even the swollen thigh is worth it!
Dongfang Yuning stood on a high stool, looking at Chen Xiaoyun who was being carried out by his second brother and the fifth prince, still grinning and mumbling "Yuer". He then looked at the "barely getting by" expressions on his brother and nephews' faces, and an extremely bright and proud smile appeared on his little face.
She waved her hand like a triumphant general:
"Mission accomplished! Team up! Go back and tell Yue'er that this fox...is a decent drinker, barely qualified!"
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