623 Drinking Penalty, Who is the Big Shot?

No matter what kind of banquet it is, the big shots, proud of their status, will never arrive early. They will come in on time after everyone else has arrived and become the focus of everyone's attention.

Logically, Wang Jinling, Xiling Tianlei, Xiling Tianyu, and Nanling Jinfan were all considered big shots. They should have been the ones to hold back and enter the Feng Mansion in a high-profile manner after all the smaller players had entered. However, none of these people played by the rules. They arrived early one after another, scaring the latecomers so much that... they were sweating profusely.

There was no other way. Wang Jinling was coming to support Feng Qingchen. He would never let a trivial matter of face ruin Feng Qingchen's big event. As long as Wang Jinling arrived, those who were waiting would have the courage to come in. Those who originally did not plan to come would also change their minds and step into the Feng Mansion, taking the opportunity to establish relations with the eldest son of the Wang family.

People in official circles all flatter the powerful and bully the weak. If you have no benefits to gain, why would others support you?

These officials simply don't take the Feng Mansion, which has only a title but no real power, seriously. Without the two signboards of the Ninth Prince and Wang Jinling, any official in the imperial city could crush Feng Qingchen. Without the two young masters, Wang Jinling and Cui Haoting, there would be nine-tenths fewer guests coming to the Feng family today.

As for Xiling Tianlei and Nanling Jinfan, they were just here to watch the fun. Besides, this was Dongling, so they didn't need to be the finale. It made no difference whether they came early or late.

Xiling Tianyu came early, one to thank Feng Qingchen for healing his legs, and the other to help Feng Qingchen look after Xiling Tianlei. With him around, Xiling Tianlei would never go too far.

Although the number of people who came today exceeded Feng Qingchen's expectations, fortunately Feng Qingchen had made preparations and had opened three halls early, each separate from the other so as not to disturb each other.

She was responsible for receiving the female members of the family, while Cui Haoting and Wang Jinling were responsible for greeting the young masters of noble families and powerful officials. And with Mr. Yuan Xi around, the occasion would never be dull.

Birds of a feather flock together. All those who came today hold official positions. Even if they do not hold official positions, they are from prominent families and enjoy a reputation among the literati. None of them are ordinary people.

Feng Qingchen invited Su Wenqing, but he did not come. He only gave a generous gift. If he showed up in such an occasion, he would just be a joke. Why bother?

No matter how rich and powerful a businessman is, he is looked down upon. In the past, he had the support of the Ninth Prince's uncle, so he could be considered half official and half businessman. Among the nobles, those people would more or less give him some face for the sake of the Ninth Prince's uncle. Now, the Ninth Prince's uncle is still famous, but after all, he is still in the clan prison and has not come out. It is understandable that Su Wenqing avoids him.

Everything was in order, and no one mentioned what happened at the door, but Xiling Tianlei and Nanling Jinfan could not let it go so quickly. If it were in Nanling or Xiling, they could kill Feng Qingchen just based on this sentence. The two of them sat in the first seat silently and did not talk to the officials of Dongling, while Xiling Tianyu just politely accompanied them.

A lot of officials, both big and small, came. When Zhai Dongming arrived on behalf of Prince Su's Mansion, the banquet reached a small climax, which also meant that most people had arrived.

As soon as Zhai Dongming came in, he saw that the main table was almost full, and he said embarrassedly: "I thought I came early enough, but I turned out to be the last one to arrive."

Zhai Dongming was depressed. After all, he became the finale guest of honor. If he was his grandfather, it would be okay, but he... lacked some importance.

Unfortunately, Feng Qingchen was unable to invite his grandfather to come.

Wang Jinling stood up with a smile and said jokingly, "Your Highness is late, so you should drink three glasses of wine as punishment."

As soon as Wang Jinling gave the order, servants immediately brought three large bowls of wine and placed them in front of Zhai Dongming.

"No way, Jinling, are you serious?" Zhai Dongming had a bitter face. His stomach was empty, and drinking these three bowls of wine would hurt his stomach.

"What do you think?" Wang Jinling answered without asking. The wine was already placed out, how could he not be serious.

The higher-ranking officials were all near the main table, and when they saw this, they immediately started to make a noise: "Drink a fine, drink a fine, the prince must drink a fine."

"Yes, yes, yes. Drink the wine, drink the wine. Don't worry, my Lord. This Feng Mansion wine is very tasty. You won't suffer any loss." The person who had just drunk Feng Mansion wine gave a strong recommendation.

"Yes, yes, yes, the wine of the Feng Mansion is mellow and fragrant. The prince deserves the fine." There are quite a few people who advertise for Feng Qingchen's wine. Of course, most of these people want to curry favor with the Prince Su's Mansion and leave a good impression in front of Zhai Dongming, the future Prince Su.

Zhai Dongming became interested when he heard this. He had drunk Feng Qingchen's peach blossom wine, which was very delicious.

Leaning forward, the strong aroma of wine hit him in the face. Zhai Dongming took a breath and said, "This wine is indeed fragrant. It's worth it. I will drink these three bowls of wine."

Zhai Dongming was also a drunkard. As soon as he smelled the pure aroma of the wine, he knew that the wine tasted good and was strong enough. A bowl of it in such a cold day would definitely warm him up. Zhai Dongming didn't need anyone to urge him, and took the initiative to drink the wine. Unfortunately...

When he wanted to drink, someone wouldn't let him.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived." Outside the door, the eunuch's shrill voice sounded, drowning out the noise inside the room.

This is the momentum of the finale and important guest appearance. When he/she arrives last, everyone has to stand up to welcome him/her.

What? The prince is coming?

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and some even scratched their ears, suspecting that they had heard it wrongly.

The prince must be bored to death. Feng Qingchen came to visit him, but he actually came to visit her. This...

Ahem, the prince's appearance on such occasions is not a personal relationship, but a political inclination. When the prince appears, people will not think that he is flattering Feng Qingchen, but telling everyone that he stands on the side of the Ninth Prince.

The prince is completely reckless and is just taking a gamble!

Be courageous!

Feng Qingchen was shocked when she heard that the prince had arrived in the inner courtyard. She didn't expect that the prince would dare to come to Feng Mansion at this critical moment. It seemed that the prince was desperate.

Feng Qingchen said something apologetically to the ladies and went out to welcome the prince. Of course, there was no need for these ladies to go to the front yard to welcome him, after all, the front yard was full of men. Feng Qingchen had no choice because she was the only owner of the Feng Mansion.

Ahem... No matter why the prince came, we had to go out to welcome him with proper ceremony. Wang Jinling smiled at Zhai Dongming, as if to say: Well, you can't drink this wine, you are not the last one to arrive.

Zhai Dongming had a bitter face.

"Let's go and welcome the emperor." Cui Haoting straightened his clothes and motioned Wang Jinling and Zhai Dongming to go with him. If the three of them didn't take the lead, these people would never dare to go out. As for the princes of Xiling and Nanling, forget it...

No one dared to let them go out to greet them.

Wow, wow, wow… The hall that was bustling just now was suddenly empty. Only the two brothers Xiling Tianlei and Nanling Jinfan were left sitting there, looking mysterious…