When the Crown Prince wanted to liven things up, who would dare to object?
Everyone present was in cahoots. The beauties in their arms were all famous courtesans from both sides of the Qinhuai River.
Performing was just a common thing.
Naturally, they all readily agreed.
Only Song Yinghuai and Sheng Jiangli frowned in unison.
Their gazes met involuntarily, both landing on Caiyu.
Since Sheng Jiangli had brought Caiyu with him, he didn't dare to misbehave. He had driven away all the beauties who were supposed to serve him as soon as he took his seat.
The only beauty by his side was Caiyu.
Asking Caiyu to perform...
Not to mention that he was reluctant to let Miss Lan San humble herself and perform in front of these hypocritical men.
Just thinking of his memories from childhood and Miss Lan San's atrocious skills in the six arts of a gentlewoman made his eyebrows twitch.
Coincidentally, Song Yinghuai and Sheng Jiangli were in complete agreement at this moment.
They both didn't want Caiyu to perform in front of these scoundrels.
At the same time, they were worried about Caiyu's subpar skills in the six arts of a gentlewoman.
While the two men were lost in their thoughts, Lü Baiwei had already started dancing.
It had to be said that Lü Baiwei's dancing was truly graceful.
She was indeed a woman from a noble family.
She had received excellent training.
She was like the bright moon floating on the Milky Way, her body as light as the gentle breeze rippling the waves.
When the dance ended, everyone cheered loudly.
Lü Baiwei took a light breath and shyly stole a glance at Song Yinghuai.
Her dancing skills were once among the best in the circle of noble ladies in the capital.
She had once invited Song Yinghuai to accompany her dance with his music, and they had made a perfect match.
Would Song Yinghuai recall their past affection after watching her dance?
Caiyu was just a maid. She didn't believe that this lowly maid could compare to their years of affection.
Sure enough, she met Song Yinghuai's gaze.
The man even faintly curled his lips at her, and his usually deep black eyes seemed to be filled with affection.
Lü Baiwei was overjoyed.
She knew that Xuanyao would remember their past.
As long as he was willing to recall their old feelings, there would be a chance for him to fulfill his promise and help her become the Crown Princess!
Xu Buyue, sitting in the upper seat, couldn't help but snort angrily.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan was really amorous.
One little confidante maid wasn't enough. He was openly flirting with his old flame.
Disappointing.
She was truly a bit disappointed.
Although Song Yinghuai casually glanced at Lü Baiwei, his eyes were actually constantly on Sheng Jiangli and Caiyu's table.
The urge to kill was almost palpable.
Caiyu poured a glass of wine for Sheng Jiangli with a gentle smile.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan unconsciously picked up his glass and downed it in one gulp.
The strong liquor suddenly entered his throat, choking him and almost making him cough.
Tears welled up in his eyes quickly, and the corners of his eyes turned red.
Caiyu then thoughtfully picked up a chopstick of vegetables for Sheng Jiangli.
Just then, the courtesan beside the Prince of Yan also picked up a piece of Dongpo Pork and carefully held it to his mouth. "Your Highness, please have some."
Song Yinghuai took it angrily. The greasy taste in his mouth made his stomach churn.
However, in the eyes of Xu Buyue and Caiyu, the Prince of Yan's jealous and angry actions seemed more like flirting with the two courtesans.
Only Xiao Rencheng, who was sitting closest, felt the low pressure. His buttocks seemed to be on fire.
"Should I go over and bring Caiyu here to pour you wine and pick up vegetables for you?" Xiao Rencheng leaned over and whispered.
Song Yinghuai raised his glass again and downed another cup of wine. He almost crushed the glass and gritted out a sentence:
"No need! She and her betrothed are in an open and aboveboard relationship and getting along well. Why should I press my warm face against her cold one?"
He still had his dignity!
"Oh." Xiao Rencheng murmured. "You're not any better. You're flirting with your rumored fiancée."
"What did you say?" Song Yinghuai hadn't drunk for years. After suddenly downing a few glasses of strong liquor, his ears were buzzing, and he didn't hear Xiao Rencheng's muttering clearly.
"Nothing." Xiao Rencheng smiled. "Take it easy. Although you're trying to ruin your image in front of the princess, your little darling is here. You'd better be careful. I'm worried you won't be able to handle the situation."
Song Yinghuai didn't respond.
What did he need to handle?
He had just glanced at Lü Baiwei a few more times and smiled at her.
Who was like her, pouring wine and picking up vegetables.
She served Sheng Jiangli as attentively as if he were her husband!
Time flew by quickly amidst the enthusiastic cheers and the intense looks.
The beauties beside everyone present took turns to perform.
Some of those with good taste even went on stage with the beauties to play music and sing in harmony, setting off wave after wave of unrestrained laughter.
Even Wen Zilong couldn't hold back. He pinched the buttocks of the beauty beside him and playfully asked her to go up and dance a song.
Xiao Rencheng looked at the over - excited Wen Zilong with a half - smile. "Sir Wen really has good taste. He doesn't want his beautiful wife at home but comes to look for these ordinary women."
Wen Zilong had a poor capacity for alcohol. The after - effects of the wine were hitting him hard, and he was already completely disoriented and showed his true colors.
Instead of being awakened by Xiao Rencheng's words, he felt even more proud:
"Heh! Hehe!"
"A wife... a wife is just a... tool for continuing the family line. Uh! No matter how beautiful she is, she has no... charm!"
Xiao Rencheng's gaze instantly became as sharp as a falcon's, sweeping over with a cold light.
Wen Zilong was shaking his head and looking lecherous. "You don't know. I've been suffering!"
Everyone's attention was immediately focused on him, full of curiosity.
They were already very curious about the mistress incident that had happened at the Wen Mansion yesterday.
Caiyu put down the wine pot in her hand and angrily stared at Wen Zilong, almost standing up to beat him.
Sheng Jiangli quickly pressed down on her restless hand and held it tightly. He leaned over and whispered in her ear:
"Calm down. You're now Lan Caiyu, the maid of the Prince of Yan's Mansion, not Miss Lan Jinyu, the third daughter of the Lan family."
Sheng Jiangli's words finally helped Caiyu slowly calm down from her anger.
He was right.
She was now Lan Caiyu and had no right to stand up for her eldest sister.
Caiyu tightly bit her lower lip, and her eyes were like a fierce little beast's, glaring fixedly at Wen Zilong.
Sheng Jiangli held her soft and jade - like little hand and kept whispering words of comfort. "Don't do it. If we need to do something, I'll do it. If you really can't bear it, I'll find a chance to kick him into the river later to let you vent your anger."
This scene fell into Song Yinghuai's eyes, but it seemed like the two of them were being lovey - dovey right in front of him. He was so angry that his temples were about to explode.
However, the timing was not right at the moment.
In front, Song Chengyuan was waiting to see his joke, and behind, the Princess of Nan'an was observing his character.
Glass after glass of strong liquor was poured into his throat without restraint. It was the first time he had broken his abstinence since he started practicing Buddhism, and the drunkenness came on fiercely.
At this moment, Wen Zilong was also drunk and pouring out his grievances to everyone.
"Everyone thought I married the most beautiful woman in the capital back then. Who would have thought that this beauty is so cold and has no tenderness at all. In bed, she lies there like a dead person, neither moaning nor making a sound. I really can't get the slightest bit of interest."
Wen Zilong's words were vulgar and obscene, which made everyone burst into laughter.
"No wonder Sir Wen keeps a mistress outside. I guess that mistress must be very good at making sounds."
"Sir Wen can't get excited with his wife. No wonder his wife hasn't had any news in six years, but the mistress is pregnant."
The vulgar words made Xu Buyue frown. "A bunch of dirty and hypocritical gentlemen! They've read the sages' books into the dogs' stomachs!"
Hearing this, Wen Zilong also threw his head back and laughed loudly.
Xiao Rencheng looked at him coldly and sneered through his teeth. When no one was paying attention, he flicked his finger at Wen Zilong!
Suddenly, Wen Zilong, who was laughing, felt something fly into his wide - open mouth, almost choking him.
He coughed violently, coughing until tears and snot were streaming down his face without any regard for his image. He no longer had the energy to say any more vulgar words.
Then, a fly was coughed out by him and spat on the table.
Wen Zilong was stunned for a moment.
The next second.
"Ugh!"
Wen Zilong staggered away from his seat and stumbled towards the deck.
The sound of vomiting came from outside.
Sheng Jiangli's sharp eyes swept over Xiao Rencheng and then frowned tightly. He waved his hand in front of his nose:
"Ugh! Sir Wen is really a killjoy. He's making me want to vomit too..."
It was really a bit disgusting.
Everyone also frowned and looked disgusted.
When Wen Zilong came back again, Caiyu suddenly stood up and gave the scoundrel a fierce look:
"Next, it's the maid's turn to perform."