Chapter 768: When You’re Happy, Drink to Your Heart’s Content

Sang Zhi’s dangerous aura instantly vanished. He blinked his wicked eyes with a hint of innocence and gave Ye Qianning another piece of meat.

The swiftness of his transformation surprised everyone at the table.

Zhan Chi was based in the Capital City, so he saw the Eighth Prince often. For the past nine years, the prince had been mercurial, holding everyone in utter contempt.

Whenever he was displeased, the entire Imperial Palace was thrown into turmoil.

Over the years, his nature had grown wicked and bloodthirsty, and his red eyes were utterly terrifying.

’This was a man who looked down on everyone as if they were ants, yet now, toward our little one, he was as docile as a tamed pet?’

Xiang Minghou drained his cup of wine, his expression dark. ’That brat spent all that time clashing with my Inner Strength, but he backs down after a single glance from my daughter?’

’He really has designs on my daughter. Once this birthday banquet is over, I’ll be sure to pay him a proper "visit"!’

"Master, a toast to you." Ye Qianning raised her wine cup.

"Yes, yes, of course."

Elder Chen picked up his cup, his face beaming with excitement.

Ye Qianning drained her cup, refilled it, and holding it with both hands, raised it toward Gu Shuo. "Daddy Gu, this toast is for you."

Ever since his daughter arrived, Gu Shuo had wanted to speak with her on several occasions. But with so many people around, he had never found the right moment. As a result, he still hadn’t managed to exchange a single word with her.

When he suddenly saw his daughter look his way, his heart was already pounding. The moment he heard her call him "Daddy," a tremor ran through his entire body. ’Daddy?’

’She’s willing to acknowledge me?’

"Daddy Gu," Ye Qianning called again.

"Ah, yes."

Gu Shuo scrambled to his feet, grabbed his cup, and drained it. The wine burned his throat, making him choke up and bringing a sting to his nose.

Ye Qianning also had a lot she wanted to say, but with outsiders present, she knew she would have to wait until after the birthday banquet to properly catch up with her fathers and her master.

Xiang Minghou remained silent, while a faint smile graced Qian Fanji’s usually cold face.

In the past, the four of them would have been fighting for her attention, but now— 𝖋𝘳ℯ

her return was more important than anything.

"Come on! We’re celebrating today, so no one leaves sober!" Zhan Chi declared, grabbing a wine jug and setting it on the table.

"Alright, no one leaves sober!" Gu Shuo agreed, grabbing a jug himself.

’He was overjoyed. He hadn’t felt this happy in many, many years.’

"You’re a lightweight and you want to compete with us?" Xiang Minghou looked up and laughed. He grabbed the jug, tilted his head back, and took several large gulps in a clear challenge.

"I’m not the man I used to be."

Not to be outdone, Gu Shuo also tilted his head back and began to drink.

"I will see this through to the end as well," Qian Fanji said coolly.

"HAHAHAHA! Drink up!" Zhan Chi, thrilled and excited, began to drink with abandon.

Ye Qianning, growing excited herself, picked up a wine jug. "A drinking contest? Count me in."

"..."

"..."

"PFFT... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

Xiang Minghou, Qian Fanji, and Gu Shuo had just raised their jugs to their lips when she spoke. As if by prior agreement, they all froze in unison and stared at her.

Zhan Chi, who had just taken a swig of wine, choked and sprayed it everywhere.

"...What is it?" Ye Qianning asked, confused.

Xiang Minghou: "You can sit this one out."

Qian Fanji: "Don’t overdo it."

Zhan Chi: "This is for the adults. What’s a little girl like you getting involved for?"

Gu Shuo: "...Have your injuries healed yet?"

Ye Qianning: "..."

"Hehe." Elder Chen stroked his beard, absolutely delighted. Then he remembered the honored guest beside them and turned with a slightly apologetic look. "My apologies for the spectacle, Crown Prince of Xi Yan. If Your Highness finds it too noisy, I can have a private room prepared for you."