Fu Yunchen returned the greeting, "It is all thanks to the Prime Minister's recommendation that I, Yunrong, am where I am today. I have no way to repay this kindness, and I will gladly give my life for you."
"Brother Yun, you flatter me. Please come inside." Li Yilian led Fu Yunchen into the Prime Minister's residence.
Qiao Dongzi followed behind the two of them as if he didn't exist.
Li Yilian did not lead Fu Yunchen to the Liushang Pavilion where his group of纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy families) were gathered. Instead, he went to the Jinhua Banquet Hall, which was only used by the Prime Minister's residence to entertain distinguished guests.
At this moment, the Prime Minister was chatting and laughing with a noble and distinguished man dressed in a dark blue dragon robe and wearing a dragon-patterned jade crown.
Fu Yunchen followed Li Yilian into the Jinhua Banquet Hall.
The first thing I noticed was the man sitting in the most honored seat.
The other person also saw him, and the hand holding the wine glass unconsciously trembled slightly, causing a drop of wine to spill out of the glass and land on the man's finger, without him noticing.
Li Yilian was the first to bow and say, "Your subject Li Yilian greets Prince Zhou and Father."
Fu Yunchen also said, "Your humble servant Yun Rong pays respects to Prince Zhou and Your Excellency the Prime Minister."
"No need for formalities," the Prime Minister said with a smile, stroking his beard.
Prince Zhou also said, "No need for formalities." Then, his gaze remained fixed on Fu Yunchen, "You are Yun Rong, the third-ranked scholar?"
Fu Yunchen replied, "Your Highness, it is indeed your humble servant."
"Come closer," said Prince Zhou.
Fu Yunchen looked at Li Yilian to the side.
Li Yilian immediately gave him a look, signaling him to hurry over.
"Yes, Your Highness." Fu Yunchen sat down at the banquet table below Prince Zhou, only a few steps away.
The Prime Minister said to Li Yilian, "You may leave now."
Li Yilian replied, "Yes, Father."
Then he bowed to Prince Zhou and said, "Your subject will take his leave now."
After Fu Yunchen took his seat, a nanny and maids immediately brought out a variety of delicious dishes to the banquet table.
Finally, Guo'er carried three jugs of wine into the banquet hall and approached the banquet table.
Fu Yunchen noticed the chubby girl, Guo'er, and asked as she approached, "What's your name?"
Guo'er was stunned when the distinguished guest asked her name. "This servant, this servant's humble name is Guo'er."
“Guo’er…” Mu Run had once told him that she owed a girl named Guo’er two coins.
Prince Zhou was somewhat surprised to see Fu Yunchen staring at a maid and even talking to her. "Does the third-ranked scholar like this kind of woman?"
Before he could finish speaking, Fu Yunchen was stunned, and even the Prime Minister was caught off guard.
Guo'er knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Your Highness, it was my fault for being impolite. I once had a younger sister who looked very much like this maid, with a round and cheerful appearance. So I couldn't help but ask her name," Fu Yunchen replied.
Prince Zhou nodded. "I see. And what about your sister?"
Fu Yunchen's hand, which was placed on his side, suddenly tightened, as if he wanted to dig it into his flesh through his clothes!
However, he remained as handsome and refined as ever, and said with a touch of sadness, "She died in an accident when she was four years old."
Prince Zhou was taken aback, then picked up his wine cup and said, "I was being presumptuous. I will punish myself with a cup."
Fu Yunchen stood up and bowed respectfully, "It was Your Highness who spoiled your enjoyment, please forgive me."
The Prime Minister then lightly reprimanded Guo'er, "Put down the wine and leave."
"Yes, yes, this servant obeys." Guo'er hurriedly placed the three wine jugs on the three banquet tables, then collected the empty jugs and retreated.
Fu Yunchen poured himself a cup and offered it to Prince Zhou, saying, "Your Highness, this humble subject apologizes."
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