Zhu Qingyu had just taken a sip, but Madam Xue had already downed her entire cup.
Still wanting more, Madam Xue stared longingly at Zhu Qingyu's cup:
"How can there be such fine wine? I wonder where Lord Gu found it. Why did you stop drinking?"
Since it was rare for her to like something so much, Zhu Qingyu did not want to spoil her mood. She took another sip to keep her company and chimed in:
"It is good wine, but I am not good at handling it. It wouldn't be good if I drank too much and got drunk later."
The little maid serving their table today was especially attentive. After pouring wine for the table, she saw that Madam Xue's cup was empty and immediately came over to refill it, topping off Zhu Qingyu's cup as well.
After the little maid finished pouring, Madam Xue said dismissively:
"Fruit wine isn't really wine at all. How could you possibly get drunk? It's a delicacy of the mortal realm, so just drink it boldly and without worry. Even if you drank three pots, you wouldn't get drunk."
One could only say that everyone had their own tastes. She had clearly seen the little maid pour it from the same pot, and the whole table was drinking the same wine. Yet, what Madam Xue called a worldly delicacy, and what the other guests at the table praised endlessly, tasted bitter to Zhu Qingyu no matter how she drank it.
However, current distillation techniques were not very advanced, so the alcohol content was low. The fruit wine served to the female guests was more like a beverage than actual wine, and it truly couldn't make one drunk. Thus, Zhu Qingyu casually kept Madam Xue company and drank a few more cups.
After several rounds of drinking, halfway through the banquet, Zhu Qingyu didn't know if she was sleepy or drunk. Her head felt heavy, and she began to yawn.
Madam Xue whispered to her:
"How did you get so sleepy? Can you really get drunk on fruit wine?"
Zhu Qingyu's eyes were almost falling shut:
"It might be because I didn't take my afternoon nap. I have a habit of napping, and if I miss it, I easily get tired around this time."
Usually, at such banquets, there would be places for guests to freshen up and rest. Leaving when the banquet was only halfway through would be a slight to the host's face. But seeing that Zhu Qingyu was about to slide under the table, falling asleep right at the feast would look even worse. Madam Xue offered a suggestion:
"Shall I accompany you to rest on the side for a bit?"
The table they were seated at was rather secluded, right next to a side door. As soon as they stepped out of the door, a little maid came up to greet them:
"Do the two ladies wish to freshen up? This servant will show you the way."
Normally, the resting areas arranged for guests would not be too far from the banquet. But perhaps because they were seated in such an out-of-the-way spot today, they had to pass through several doors before reaching the place.
It was a small courtyard. Maids stood guard both inside and outside the room, and towels and water were prepared for the guests. The arrangements were very thoughtful.
Zhu Qingyu was so sleepy she was practically delirious. Madam Xue helped her to a small couch in the adjacent resting room and laid her down. Seeing her ready to fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, Madam Xue didn't know whether to laugh or cry:
"How are you just like my youngest daughter, needing to sleep right on schedule? Alright, you sleep for a bit. I'll watch over you here. When it's about time, we'll go back out and leave with the rest of the crowd."
Zhu Qingyu also didn't know why she was so exhausted today. Feeling quite embarrassed, she said with sleepy eyes:
"You should go back to the banquet first. It will be too conspicuous if both of us are missing. I'll just lie down for a moment and then get up. Don't let me keep you from your wine."
Ultimately still reluctant to part with today's fine wine, and knowing it truly wasn't appropriate to leave the banquet halfway through, Madam Xue said:
"Alright then, I'll come back to get you in a little while."
Zhu Qingyu was so exhausted that she didn't even have the strength to reply. Murmuring a soft "mm," she closed her eyes and simply fell asleep.
Madam Xue was startled. She stepped closer and checked her breathing. Realizing she was truly asleep and hadn't suddenly died, she began to laugh.
"Oh my, you are going to kill me with laughter. Your tolerance is so low that even fruit wine gets you drunk. Falling asleep just like a child! Just wait until you wake up; see how I tease you then."
Seeing First Madam Zhang overwhelmed by the alcohol, looking as beautiful as a sleeping spring begonia, Madam Xue thought to herself that even as a woman, she found the sight breathtakingly beautiful and couldn't look away. To marry such a gorgeous wife, Zhang Jingyan was truly a lucky man.
Madam Xue stepped out of the courtyard, took out a few pieces of broken silver, and handed them to the little maid guarding the door, saying:
"The person inside is First Madam Zhang. Please take good care of her. If anything happens, please come find me, and I will surely reward you again."
The little maid accepted the silver with a face full of smiles, agreeing profusely. She respectfully saw Madam Xue out of the courtyard. However, as soon as Madam Xue was far away, the maid dropped her smile, stayed completely silent, and firmly closed the courtyard gates.
...
Meanwhile, at the Yangzhou Prefectural Office, a celebratory banquet was being held today. The place was packed with guests and bustling with extraordinary liveliness.
It was supposed to be a joyous and harmonious occasion, but after a few rounds of drinks, a group of soldiers suddenly barged into the front courtyard. They surrounded the banquet guests in multiple layers. Instantly, the atmosphere grew tense, like a gathering storm with swords drawn.
Gu Zhao was the host, sitting at the main table. His companions were all top figures in the Yangzhou officialdom.
Governor-General of Liangjiang and Governor of Jiangsu, Lord Gao; Prefect of Yangzhou, Lord Liu; Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou, Lord Dai; and Transport Commissioner of Yangzhou, Lord Yang, were all present.
Lord Gao had been beaming with spring-like joy today, looking even happier than Gu Zhao, the great hero who had eradicated the bandits.
Having been a figurehead commander for so long and swallowing his pride for just as long, he was finally about to send away Gu Zhao, the cuckoo who had taken over his nest.
Indeed, Liu Wenhuan was quite capable. Having won over Gu Zhao, they would have Gu Zhao acting as their stabilizing pillar in the capital. From now on, their illicit salt trade could be conducted openly, without any lingering fears.
Although they had to give Gu Zhao a cut, he, as the Governor-General of Liangjiang, would not lose a single penny of his own share. The Liangjiang region would still remain his domain.
He was drinking merrily when this group of soldiers suddenly barged in. Lord Gao thought to himself that this was bad. He reached to draw his sword, only to find his hands empty.
He hadn't brought a sword to the banquet today. Not only did he lack a weapon, but he had barely brought any servants with him either.
Lord Gao stood up and sternly questioned:
"Lord Gu! What is the meaning of this!"
Gu Zhao continued to drink his wine as usual and smiled:
"Lord Gao, there is no need to worry."
After finishing the wine in his cup, Gu Zhao finally stood up, stepped to the front, took out an imperial edict from his robes, and announced:
"An edict from the Emperor."
Hearing that there was an imperial edict, everyone on the scene immediately fell to their knees. Even Lord Gao, upon seeing the bright yellow scroll, didn't dare to resist and dropped to his knees at once.
The Emperor's edict, delivered by an eight-hundred-li express courier, contained only a few sparse words, yet it determined the life and death of countless people.
The imperial edict read: Gao Zhongjie, Viceroy of Liangjiang, Liu Wenhuan, Prefect of Yangzhou, along with dozens of officials present and the two head merchants, have colluded with illegal salt smugglers and trafficked contraband to amass personal wealth, thereby betraying Our imperial grace. Their crimes are unpardonable. They are to be immediately stripped of their posts and investigated. Imperial Envoy Gu Shouming is hereby ordered to immediately escort the involved criminals to the capital under heavy guard. The properties and wealth within their households shall be sealed and guarded. Furthermore, their key family members are to be strictly apprehended at once and escorted to the capital alongside them. Respect this!
