"Hmm, today I need to be an understanding and generous patron.
Time passed quickly, and it was evening in the blink of an eye.
Ming Li traveled by carriage to the Imperial Palace. As she dismounted, she encountered Xing Zhi Lin, who was also dismounting. Their eyes met, and the air fell silent for a moment. A hint of awkwardness flickered in Xing Zhi Lin's gaze.
Ming Li had no idea where this awkwardness came from, her expression remained neutral.
Xing Zhi Lin, a grown man, dismounted and walked hesitantly towards Ming Li, looking at her as if he had something to say but couldn't.
A string of question marks floated above Ming Li's head. She asked, "What are you doing?"
Xing Zhi Lin rubbed the back of his head and awkwardly said, "Prince Yu, that... this... I..."
Ming Li's lips twitched. Feeling speechless, she asked, "What is it?"
Xing Zhi Lin clenched his fist and brought it to his mouth, clearing his throat twice. He then said, "Prince Yu, how much does that white horse of yours cost? Could this general buy it?"
Before Ming Li could respond, Xing Zhi Lin continued, "My Xing Feng seems to have taken a liking to your horse. I..." He coughed.
Three black lines slid down Ming Li's forehead. She replied expressionlessly, "...No."
That horse was originally an egg she found in a secret realm in the cultivation world. She had intended to roast it, but forgot about it while it was in her spatial storage. By the time she remembered, it had already hatched and consumed a lot of her spiritual herbs and elixirs, so it was no ordinary horse.
Xing Zhi Lin asked, "Why not? Xing Feng finally found a horse he liked. If we miss this chance, he'll surely become depressed."
Ming Li countered, "It's nothing. That's my horse. If I give it to you, what will I ride?"
Hearing this, Xing Zhi Lin quickly offered, "Then I'll find you a fine Ferghana horse?!"
Ming Li replied, "...No need. Other horses do not catch this Prince's eye."
Xing Zhi Lin was at a loss for words.
Xing Zhi Lin thought he could try to persuade her further, but before he could make a move, Ming Li, with her face as impassive as ever, had already walked quite far ahead.
Seeing this, Xing Zhi Lin quickly caught up...
...
The victory banquet began quickly that evening. Within two minutes of arriving, Qin Zhan Han, after a few brief words, claimed to be unwell, telling his ministers to make themselves at home. Then, supported by Eunuch Liu, he left the banquet.
After the Emperor's departure, the ministers relaxed and became less restrained. The banquet was filled with singing and dancing, and as the ministers clinked their cups, they began to toast Xing Zhi Lin and Ming Li. After all, they were the main contributors and the stars of the banquet.
When someone came to toast Xing Zhi Lin, he lifted his wine cup, filled to the brim, and drank it in one gulp. However, before he could even swallow, he spat it out.
What is this? It tastes so awful...
An official beside him said, "General Xing, this is the finest Osmanthus Brew gifted by His Majesty." Remembering that General Xing usually disliked alcohol and preferred tea, the official added, "General Xing might find it difficult to get used to at first, but after a few more sips, you'll adapt."
Xing Zhi Lin was speechless. "Do you people have a misunderstanding of 'finest Osmanthus Brew'? This stuff is so awful, are you sure it's really drinkable? And you want me to drink more..."