Chapter 166: Who Wins?

Chapter 166: Who Wins?

"Have you heard? The heir of Count Gu Chang went to the Bookstore to challenge Miss Kou to a drinking contest."

"Miss Kou? The Miss Kou who runs the Bookstore?"

"Who else could it be?"

"How could the heir of Count Gu Chang find Miss Kou for a drink?" The person speaking clearly had ulterior motives, winking and asking.

Someone immediately replied, "I heard it was to stand up for His Highness, King Qing."

"How did this get involved with His Highness, King Qing?"

"It's a long story. King Qing is the cousin of the heir of Count Gu Chang. At the banquet in the Eldest Princess’s Residence—"

Originally, the incident where King Qing was outdrunk by Miss Kou at Princess Zhaoyang's birthday banquet only circulated among the upper echelons, which is why Duan Shaoqing only heard about it a few days later. But when Dai Ze came to challenge Xin You to a drinking contest and was carried away by the servants while shouting at the top of his lungs, the news spread like wildfire.

When King Qing heard about it, he smashed his teacup in anger.

What a good-for-nothing!

Now, he couldn't immediately go after Miss Kou again without being accused of having a narrow mind. King Qing didn't really care what those commoners said, but there was no need to act while everyone was still paying attention to the matter.

Duan Shaoqing once again complained to his mother: "Drinking with King Qing can be excused as a social obligation, but to have a drinking contest with the heir of Count Gu Chang in her own bookstore is truly a lack of propriety."

The old lady remained calm: "If she can drink with a prince, then drinking with the heir of Count Gu Chang isn't surprising."

"Mother, if she behaves so recklessly, people will mock Shaoqing Mansion for not raising its daughter properly!"

The old lady gave her son a puzzled look: "What's there to worry about? Wan'er is raised on the estate, Hua'er is already engaged, Ling'er can consider marriage in a few years, and Yan'er isn't in a hurry. Besides, Qingqing is just staying at Shaoqing Mansion for four years; ultimately, she is a daughter of the Kou family."

"But I am her uncle, you haven't seen the looks from my colleagues."

The old lady sipped her tea slowly: "Doesn't the capital have enough distractions? In a few days, there will be new gossip. The biggest impact of this incident is that some families won't consider Qingqing as a suitable bride."

Duan Shaoqing was about to say more when he met his mother's composed gaze and suddenly understood: "You still want to keep Qingqing at home?"

"Yes."

"But what about Chen'er—"

The old lady said calmly: "Isn't there also Lang'er?"

Duan Shaoqing's pupils dilated, but he quickly regained his composure: "Mother always thinks things through."

After this complaint to his mother, Duan Shaoqing became even more eager.

His niece's wealth would all be her dowry, and if she married his nephew, it wouldn't be confiscated, ultimately benefiting the second branch of the family. This was something he absolutely couldn't tolerate.

At this point, Duan Shaoqing's resolve to eliminate his niece was unshakable, and he was just waiting for the right opportunity.

Princess Zhaoyang also heard about Dai Ze challenging Miss Kou to a drinking contest. She knew without a doubt that the playboy was causing trouble for King Qing.

During the birthday banquet, Princess Zhaoyang was already unhappy when King Qing tried to cause trouble for Miss Kou. However, since King Qing was the imperial brother's favored candidate for the throne, there was no need to worry as long as the emperor was alive. But thinking about the future, she had to consider her children, so she endured it.

She hadn't expected that after she held her breath, King Qing would continue to cause trouble.

This wasn't just about finding fault with Miss Kou; it was clearly a sign of disrespect towards her as an aunt.

Princess Zhaoyang, well-versed in the ways of the court, went to the palace to lodge a complaint.

It was almost the twelfth month, and preparations for various events were underway. Emperor Xingyuan had just finished handling some state affairs when he heard from an attendant that Princess Zhaoyang was seeking an audience.

Emperor Xingyuan had deep feelings for his only sister and felt no irritation at being disturbed; instead, he thought it was a good time to take a break.

"Is there something, Sister?"

"I haven't seen Brother in a while, so I came to visit."

Naturally, Princess Zhaoyang's birthday would not be without the emperor's gifts, but she couldn't attend the banquet due to royal constraints.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xingyuan's smile grew wider, and he casually asked about the birthday banquet.

The birthday banquet had just passed, and this topic was within Princess Zhaoyang's expectations. She smiled and talked about the banquet, then suddenly frowned.

Emperor Xingyuan listened with interest and, seeing her frown, hurriedly asked, "What's wrong, Sister?"

"There was an incident that has been circulating among the people. I wonder if Brother has heard about it."

Emperor Xingyuan glanced at the chief eunuch, Sun Yan.

Sun Yan bowed slightly but remained silent.

Emperor Xingyuan, of course, didn't expect the palace attendants to know everything that happened outside, so he shook his head: "Tell me what happened, Sister, that it could spread outside."

He knew his sister wasn't one to exaggerate; even for a grand birthday banquet, she invited few guests. For the news to spread, the incident must have been significant.

"Sister only heard about it later. Yi'er went to toast Miss Kou, and after a few rounds, he was completely outdrunk."

King Qing's name is Yi, and Chen Yi is his full name.

Emperor Xingyuan frowned deeply: "Is this the Miss Kou who saved Fu'er on the Double Ninth Festival?"

Princess Zhaoyang nodded: "Exactly. Brother knows I don't enjoy crowds, so I invited few guests to my birthday banquet. But Miss Kou saved Fu'er's life, and if I didn't invite her, people would laugh at our royal family for being cold-hearted."

"Your decision was correct—" Emperor Xingyuan paused, his face darkening.

It was already disgraceful for the second son to seek out a lady for drinking at his aunt's banquet, and it was even more shameful that he ended up being outdrunk by the young lady!

"Young people often drink a bit more and act more freely; it’s not a big deal. But I didn’t expect there would be more to come."

"What more?" Emperor Xingyuan pressed.

"Count Gu Chang’s heir heard about Yi'er and Miss Kou’s drinking contest. Whether out of curiosity or for some other reason, he actually went to challenge Miss Kou to a drinking match as well."

Emperor Xingyuan’s brow furrowed sharply at the mention of Dai Ze by Princess Royale Zhaoyang.

This boy again!

Princess Royale Zhaoyang’s complaint about Dai Ze was a ruse; her real target was King Qing, but she couldn’t directly accuse him: "I invited Miss Kou to my birthday banquet to express my gratitude, but I never expected it would cause her trouble. Perhaps Count Gu Chang’s heir was displeased with me over the events of the Double Ninth Festival and went to make things difficult for Miss Kou."

"That scoundrel," Emperor Xingyuan cursed, then comforted his sister, "Don’t be angry, Sister. I’ll have Count Gu Chang discipline that boy properly."

Princess Royale Zhaoyang’s face hardened. "If a son is not taught, it is the father’s fault. Count Gu Chang has indeed been too lenient with his son."

Emperor Xingyuan nodded, his eyes flickering.

Dai Ze certainly deserved a scolding, but the second son was also out of line. He, as a father, needed to discipline his own son as well.

Princess Royale Zhaoyang noticed the change in her brother’s expression and felt secretly satisfied. She then proposed to take her leave.

"Sister, wait a moment."

Princess Royale Zhaoyang paused.

"Cough, how did the drinking contest between Count Gu Chang’s heir and Miss Kou turn out?"