Chapter 120: Xie Nai Gets Drunk

Chapter 120: Xie Nai Gets Drunk

That forged painting was still remarkably lifelike, but upon Shen Fuqing's examination, it was missing a crucial "mark," just like the first painting Xie Nai had brought back from Nanzhou.

Qin Jiao thought for a moment and asked, "Does this painting also feature a bridge?"

"No." Xie Nai shook his head, looking off into the distance. "This time, it depicts where my brother once taught his students in his early years—the Xie Hall."

"The Late Crown Prince was also a teacher at some point?"

Xie Nai nodded, then explained that years ago, Emperor Chengyuan had wanted to temper Xie Shu's temperament and also wanted him to interact more with the noble families to understand his subjects' circumstances. Thus, he made the Crown Prince double as a lecturer at the Imperial Academy. Back then, Xie Nai often went with Xie Shu to the Xie Hall to study, and it was there that he met Shen Fuqing and Xiaojiu.

Shen Fuqing goes without saying. Even though Xie Shu had only taught him for a year, he was extremely deferential to Xie Shu. Even after Xie Shu no longer taught at the Xie Hall, Shen Fuqing still went to the Eastern Palace daily to pay his respects. Back then, Xie Shu often sought Xie Nai out to discuss Go, and through these repeated meetings, Xie Nai and Shen Fuqing gradually grew familiar with each other.

As for Xiaojiu, he was from the Zhong clan. At that time, Xie Shu had just gotten engaged to Crown Princess Zhong Jia, and Xiaojiu had followed his family's arrangement to study at the Xie Hall. Later, when Imperial Noble Consort Li came to visit Xie Nai and Xie Shu, she accidentally fell into the water, and it was Xiaojiu who shouted at the top of his lungs, summoning the guards just in time.

Xiaojiu was young back then, and since he had saved Imperial Noble Consort Li, Xie Nai had always indulged his arrogant demeanor. But after Zhong Jia died, Xiaojiu went back to his hometown with the Zhong clan, and today was the first time Xie Nai had seen him since then.

After listening to Xie Nai's account, Qin Jiao ventured a bold guess. "The Xie Hall in the second painting is where the Crown Prince taught. If we make that connection, could the bridge in the first painting also be related to the Crown Prince?"

As Qin Jiao spoke, his reasoning was quickly refuted. "Shen Fuqing already checked. That bridge in Nanzhou is named 'Weizhu Bridge,' and my brother had never been there and didn't even know it existed."

Qin Jiao unconsciously rubbed his chin, a puzzled look on his face. "Well, that's odd."

"I've already sent Luo Ri to cut off Xie Chengyi, and Shen Fuqing went along too."

It takes over half a month to travel from the capital to Xihan. Xie Nai's plan was to intercept Xie Chengyi on the way and have Shen Fuqing question him again, but Qin Jiao thought this wasn't a good idea.

Now that Xie Xuanran was getting older and handling things with growing steadiness, he was no longer a naive child but a young wise ruler in charge of an entire dynasty. He should also know about these things concerning his father. Moreover, with someone as cunning as Lin Wen by his side, no one could possibly outmaneuver him.

Qin Jiao shared his thoughts with Xie Nai, who pondered for a long while before finally saying, "I suppose I was overthinking things before. Tomorrow, I will go to the palace and inform Mingjia of everything."

Qin Jiao gave a slight nod, taking it as his agreement with Xie Nai. Just then, the eldest son of the Marquis's household returned after finishing his business. He first apologized for neglecting the distinguished guests, then announced that the banquet in the front hall was about to begin and invited Xie Nai and Qin Jiao to proceed there.

But no sooner had Qin Jiao and Xie Nai arrived at the front hall than Jiang Qingrong came looking for them with a face full of misery. Seeing that there was still some time before the feast began, Qin Jiao stepped aside with him to talk.

Jiang Qingrong was visibly restless and irritable, constantly complaining to Qin Jiao about how the old Marquis had arranged things poorly—turning a perfectly good birthday celebration into a matchmaking event, which was utterly annoying.

He went on to say that he simply couldn't bring himself to engage in the rude behavior of picking and choosing among young ladies. If he had known this would happen, he'd rather have the old Marquis dress him up as a mascot, place him in the garden, and cover him with a curtain. The young ladies who came to the residence could just treat him as a decorative statue.

If anyone wanted to take a look at him, they could pay an admission fee to do so. He'd guarantee full cooperation, flashing a smile with all eight teeth showing. That way, the ladies would be spared any awkwardness, and he'd earn a bit of spare change—wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?

Hearing Jiang Qingrong's wild and fanciful nonsense, Qin Jiao thought to himself, no wonder you're known throughout the capital as the stingiest man around. Even at a time like this, you're still thinking about making money! These young ladies are here to meet a potential husband, and you're acting like you're some kind of monkey, just waiting for them to come and tease you with a couple of bananas.

"I really can't stand my parents. Sure enough, they've brought another young lady along..."

The Tianyuan Dynasty had no rule against men and women dining together, so when Jiang Qingrong saw the wife of the Marquis of Pingning arrive with yet another young woman, his head began to throb.

"Maybe you could..."

Just as Qin Jiao was about to suggest he deal with it, Jiang Qingrong grabbed him and darted over to Xie Nai's side.

His intention was to use Xie Nai as a shield to escape the situation, since the Marquis's wife certainly wouldn't dare bring up matchmaking in front of the Prince of Lingnan. But when he reached Xie Nai, he noticed that a handsome and alluring young man had somehow appeared beside him!

Moreover, this young man kept trying to get close to Xie Nai. Jiang Qingrong was already feeling vexed, and seeing this only made things worse. His own marriage prospects were a mess, and now someone was trying to steal his good brother's man?

No way—he had to help Qin Jiao!

The moment this thought took hold, Jiang Qingrong sprang into action. He shoved Xiaojiu aside, pushed Qin Jiao into Xie Nai's arm, and then, ignoring Xiaojiu's furious glare, pressed both Xie Nai and Qin Jiao into the seats of honor at the banquet.

Strictly speaking, Qin Jiao's status didn't allow him to sit alongside Xie Nai, but Jiang Qingrong held him down firmly, declaring that since he was the birthday boy, his word was law. Xie Nai naturally wouldn't quibble over such matters, and the Marquis of Pingning, being perceptive, wouldn't make an issue of it either. As for Xiaojiu, Jiang Qingrong took the liberty of having him sit with them.

Midway through the banquet, the Marquis of Pingning came with Jiang Qingrong to offer a toast.

Knowing that the Prince of Lingnan rarely drank, the Marquis had specially prepared "Hundred Fruit Tea," brewed from a hundred kinds of fruits and rainwater. The tea was rich with fruity fragrance, perfect for spring.

As Jiang Qingrong raised his cup in a toast, he leaned in close to Qin Jiao and gave him an encouraging look.

"What do you mean?" Qin Jiao asked with his eyes.

Jiang Qingrong replied with his eyes in kind: "I'm helping you, brother."

Qin Jiao: "What?"

Seeing that Qin Jiao still didn't catch on, Jiang Qingrong surreptitiously leaned in and whispered in his ear, "I had the Prince of Lingnan's Hundred Fruit Tea swapped for Hundred Fruit Wine. This wine I acquired last year—though it smells only of fruit and tastes nothing like alcohol, it packs a serious punch. Ten cups would knock out a strong man, no problem."

Qin Jiao: ???

So!! What Xie Nai had just drunk was wine?

Jiang Qingrong wore a look of heroic determination, as if to say "for my friend, I'll go all out." "Qin Jiao, you and the Prince are moving too slowly. Let this young lord give you a hand!"

Qin Jiao: "...You incorrigible rascal!"

Jiang Qingrong: "You're so happy you're talking nonsense, aren't you? I'm helping you here. Go find Xie Nai now."

"..."

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