After the meal began, Zhao Qiran suggested that everyone drink a toast to celebrate their gathering. As a disciple of the School of Mind, Qingchen naturally had no objection and raised his glass to drink along with everyone else.
The first sip of the wine was mellow and fragrant, but a bit strong.
The wine that Lord Zhao served to his guests was excellent.
"It's a rare treat that we've all gathered together today to catch up, reminisce, and discuss our studies. It's truly a joy..."
After everyone put down their glasses, Zhao Qiran, as the host, made some polite remarks before shifting the topic to Qingchen, "Especially since our faction has a newly promoted Vice Minister. You've all probably heard about Lord Shen's achievements in Yunnan. Although he's young and less experienced than many of you here, he's remarkably hardworking and dedicated to the people. I propose that, since Lord Shen has just returned, our second drink should be a welcome feast to celebrate his promotion..."
Although Zhao Qiran wasn't particularly clever, he had been in officialdom for many years and was quite adept at these kinds of polite words. Ultimately, his original purpose in hosting the banquet was to flatter Qingchen and keep her firmly in their faction.
Although the styles of the Xin Xue school and the Xu faction differ, their understanding of human relationships is not too different.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Lord Zhao." As the main character, Qingchen drank the cup heartily and decisively.
After two glasses of wine, Qingchen's face gradually began to turn slightly red.
“Not at all, it’s only right. You are Lord Song’s student and a disciple of my School of Mind. To achieve such success is an honor for my School of Mind. Lord Song, don’t you agree?” Zhao Qiran said, glancing at Song Yue.
He had finally managed to bring the two of them together, so naturally he hoped they could talk more and communicate more; it's better to resolve conflicts than to let them fester.
Song Yue's face remained expressionless as he calmly said, "How far a person goes in life depends on both ability and luck. Only by remaining humble and composed can one move forward steadily; acting too hastily is not necessarily a good thing."
Qingchen immediately took over, smiling and saying, "It's been over a year since we last met. I never expected to hear your teachings so soon after my return. I've learned a lot."
It was clearly a celebratory banquet, but Song Yue not only failed to praise them, but also started lecturing them, which infuriated Zhao Qiran. His attempt to reconcile them failed, and this only added to Qingchen's resentment. He quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Anyway, things are fine as they are now, aren't they? Qingchen is back, and we can all get together..."
Before he could finish speaking, Song Yue interrupted him, "Is it good? Is the world peaceful, the government efficient, and the people well-fed and clothed?"
Zhao Qiran: "..."
After a moment, he forced a smile and said, "Alright, alright, it's time for our third drink. Last year, eight provinces had a bumper harvest, and five provinces had a poor harvest, so it was still a good year. Let's wish the Ming Dynasty a prosperous future and its people a life of plenty... Come on, come on."
Qingchen picked up his cup and, like everyone else, drank it all in one gulp without hesitation.
She doesn't have a very high alcohol tolerance, and these three drinks were the most she'd ever had in public.
Drinking was inevitable on this occasion, and since she had agreed to meet with the disciples of the School of Mind, she naturally had to drink. Otherwise, she would seem too special and arrogant. So, before coming, she had drunk some herbal soup to relieve her hangover.
Song Yue finished his drink and slowly sat down, his gaze involuntarily drifting to the person beside him. His eyes stopped when they fell on the hand holding the glass; this glance seemed casual, or rather, very restrained.
Later, after everyone ate some food and chatted for a while, some people started to stand up and offer toasts. Song Yue was everyone's first choice, and Qing Chen was the second.
Song Yue's alcohol tolerance was undoubtedly exceptional; after several drinks, he remained completely unfazed. He was clearly more adept at handling such situations, dealing with them with remarkable ease and composure.
As for Qingchen, he drank several cups intermittently, but he drank them all thoroughly and didn't spill a single drop.
Her cheeks were getting increasingly red. Although she had some hangover medicine to neutralize the effects, the alcohol was already making her head feel throbbing.
However, she didn't show it. Sitting next to Song Yue, she continued to eat her food at a leisurely pace, occasionally taking a sip of tea, and always had a faint smile on her face when people came to toast her.
Qingchen had already decided that when she really couldn't take it anymore, she would find an excuse to say goodbye.
Just as she was eating, Song Yue glanced at Zhao Qiran. Zhao Qiran immediately understood, stopped the toasting, urged everyone to eat, and started a conversation.
Qingchen felt a little dizzy and didn't participate. He just kept his head down and calmed himself down.
Song Yue turned to look at her and saw that her fair profile was flushed with a rosy glow, and even her delicate little ears had turned red.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he pursed his lips.
Just then, some tactless person approached Qingchen with a cup, saying, "Lord Shen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'd like to offer you a toast..."
Qingchen picked up the cup and was about to stand up when Song Yue suddenly turned around and said calmly, "No need to rush. Tell Lord Shen to have something to eat first. You can go back now."
She couldn't help but glance at him.
"Ah...yes, Your Excellency."
After the man left, Qingchen raised her eyes slightly. "Lord Zhao's wine is so good, why won't my teacher let me drink it?"
"Drinking is for enjoyment; getting carried away will only harm your health," he said calmly, without looking at her.
"Is that so?" Qingchen smiled slightly. "I've forgotten that I haven't toasted you yet. Teacher, let's have a drink. I'll toast you..."
Song Yue frowned slightly.
He took a drink for her.
"Eat something first, then drink later."
"Teacher, you've already drunk everyone else's wine." Qingchen held a cup in one hand and a wine pot in the other, refusing to put them down.
Now that she was a third-rank official, she still had to go through these formalities. After finishing this drink with him, she was about to leave when she felt increasingly uncomfortable in her chest, as if she were about to vomit.
Song Yue blinked.
With so many people watching them, if he drinks, she'll have to drink an extra cup; if he doesn't, it's like he's offending her.
"today……"
He wasn't feeling well, so he decided not to drink it. He was about to refuse.
However, before he could finish speaking, Qingchen felt dizzy and dropped the wine pot he was holding.
The lid of the pot was flipped open, and the wine inside spilled all over the two of them.
Seeing this, Zhao Qiran hurriedly picked up the wine pot and greeted him, "It really is a case of good things coming to those who wait. How is Lord Shen? Is he alright?"
Qingchen shook her head. "I'm fine."
"That's good, the banquet has only just begun. Why don't you go to the retreat and change your clothes first?" After saying that, he called the steward over and led Song Yue and Qing Chen to the retreat.
After leading the two men to the residence, the steward said, "My lords, your new clothes are ready and are on the bed in the inner room. Please change first. I will wait outside the courtyard. Please call me if you need anything."
Today is a banquet, and some adults will inevitably drink too much and get their clothes dirty, so they have made preparations in advance.
Qingchen said, "Thank you."
The butler then retreated to the outside of the courtyard gate.
Under the eaves, only the teacher and student remained standing facing each other at the doorway. Qingchen looked up at Song Yue and smiled, "Teacher, please change first."
"You go first," he said calmly. "I'll stay outside."
Qingchen didn't refuse, "Oh, then this student won't stand on ceremony."
The alcohol was fermenting in her body, and her heart was beating a little faster.
"Um."
After the door closed, Song Yue stood outside quietly waiting, keeping watch for her.
After a while, a sound came from inside the room.
Is the teacher still here?
After a moment of silence, he finally spoke: "Yes."
"Could you come in and help me? I can't untie my belt."
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