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Prince Shou’s Estate.

This was the residence of Prince Zhao Qin, the sixteenth prince of the Da Qi Empire, and as the prince most likely to become a Celestial Man, he was very favored. His luxurious estate was extravagantly decorated, with countless treasures placed everywhere.

At this moment, Zhao Qin was lying on a carved dragon and jade bed in one of the courtyards.

Around him were young and beautiful maids attending to him, a total of ten, each in the bloom of youth, with delicate skin and outstanding beauty, all draped in thin silks, graceful and charming.

Some were massaging his shoulders, others were pounding his legs, a few were squeezing his feet, some were peeling fruit, some were slicing fruit, some were hand-feeding him fruit, and some were mouth-feeding…

Zhao Qin had his eyes half-closed, enjoying all this, relaxed and comfortable.

Just then, a middle-aged man in grey clothes hurried over, his expression one of urgency.

Though a man, his face was beardless and his features were soft, radiating a gentle aura, revealing that he was actually a palace eunuch.

It was Zhao Qin’s trusted aide, Cao Man, currently in charge of external affairs for the Da Qi court. He held a position of high authority and power, and he himself possessed a Martial Path realm of Absolute Fourth Rank, so his cultivation was not low.

Yet in the presence of the sixteenth prince, he remained utterly respectful.

After arriving, Cao Man saw Zhao Qin resting with eyes half-closed and didn’t dare to speak. He merely stood by, quietly waiting.

After a long while, Zhao Qin slowly opened his eyes, shifted his gaze to Cao Man, and smiled, “How long have you been here? Speak, what’s the matter?”

“Reporting to Your Highness,” Cao Man hurried over to salute, respectfully saying, “Zhou Heng has arrived at the Imperial City.”

“Zhou Heng?” Zhao Qin shook his head as if in confusion, then suddenly realized and smiled, “Ah, the disciple of Yan Shouyi, I remember now. Is he coming for the Chongyang Wine Meeting?”

“Yes,” Cao Man still kept his head down and said, “Along with him is Qi Rui’s personally-taught disciple, the fourth on the current people’s ranking ‘Jade Xiao Celestial Fairy’ Cheng Jianjian, as well as You Ziheng’s personally-taught disciple Zhu Zhenzhen.”

“Accompanied by two female disciples? The boy does have good fortune.” Zhao Qin sneered, sitting up, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the carved dragons of the jade bed, producing a series of clear, tingling sounds, “Do tell, Cao, what should I do in your opinion?”

“How dare I presume to know Your Highness’s thoughts?” Cao Man quickly shook his head, murmuring softly.

“Haha, Cao, you’re becoming more and more slick, but such slickness won’t make you Chief Eunuch of the Inner Court.” Zhao Qin got off the jade bed and turned his back to Cao Man, stating somberly, “Zhou Heng killed one of my chess pieces and messed up my plans; he cannot be let off lightly.”

“But Your Highness, he is a disciple of Pure Yang Palace, the junior brother of Yan Shouyi…” Cao Man cautiously reminded, “Just a few days ago, Yan Shouyi went to Yunxiao Heavenly Palace and slew three heads of the Scarlet Sky Beast.”

“When did I ever say I was going to personally punish him?” Zhao Qin chuckled and shook his head, “The Chongyang Wine Meeting will have Pure Yang Palace’s enemies present; Taixu Viewpoint would indeed enjoy seeing Pure Yang Palace lose face.”

“I am slow-witted, I beg Your Highness to enlighten me,” Cao Man said with an admiring face, still extremely respectful.

“Think about it yourself,” Zhao Qin suddenly turned around, waving his hand, and sat back on the carved dragon jade bed, declaring indifferently, “I’m tired, I need to rest.”

“…” Cao Man fell silent for a moment, then bowed and excused himself. However, he felt a bit baffled, “Why has His Highness’s temper become more and more peculiar recently? He didn’t used to be like this.”

He had always been a man of extreme caution, especially in dealing with this sixteenth prince. The two had been interacting in this manner for over a hundred years.

Normally, Cao Man wouldn’t make mistakes.

In situations like asking Zhao Qin to express his intentions now and that previous report about Chen Xingjiang, based on his hundred years of experience with Zhao Qin, the prince shouldn’t have gotten angry.

But strangely on these two occasions, Zhao Qin seemed somewhat displeased, which led to Cao Man’s confusion.

After Cao Man left.

Zhao Qin had the maids withdraw as well, leaving him the sole occupant of the vast courtyard, seated on the dragon-carved jade bed.

He lay back, gazing into the sky, slightly lost in thought, and after a long moment, he suddenly chuckled.

Murmuring to himself,

“Let’s see what you can do to me!”

…

Zhu Zhenzhen, this young girl, was greatly displeased about being served counterfeit wine, causing chaos throughout the entire estate, robbing it of any peace.

Ultimately, Zhou Heng pacified her by promising that once they returned to Ta Hua Mount, he would ask You Ziheng for the exquisite wine brewed from Cloud Sea Spirit Springs to appease her, and only then did the young girl calm down.

This finally allowed Zhou Heng and Cheng Jianjian to breathe a sigh of relief and have a leisurely chat.

They mainly talked about Zhou Heng’s recent experiences.

Speaking of his experiences in Fangzhou, Zhou Heng inquired, “Jiang Jian, how much do you know about the sixteenth prince of Da Qi?”

“The sixteenth prince, Zhao Qin…” Hearing this, Cheng Jianjian’s delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed as she said, “I don’t know much about him. The emperor of Da Qi has twenty princes, and Zhao Qin is the sixteenth. It’s said that he was a secluded character in his youth with poor aptitude for the Martial Path, not very likable.

“However, after he turned eighteen, his Martial Arts skills inexplicably soared. He reached the Secret Sixth Rank before thirty and became a Fourth Rank Absolute Grandmaster by fifty.

“Zhao Qin has now been an Absolute Fourth Rank for three hundred years and is reputed to be the most likely among the princes to become a Celestial Man… Unexpectedly, he would arrange to cultivate Evil Creatures.”

As they chatted, Zhou Heng tried to subtly extend the power of the Celestial Man’s Cave Sky and found that it indeed acted as a sound barrier, so they didn’t need to worry about being overheard.

“Do you think Zhao Qin will target me at this Chaoyang wine gathering?” Zhou Heng asked with a light laugh, “After all, I did mess up his plans.”

“He probably shouldn’t,” Cheng Jianjian replied with an uncertain tone, gently shaking her head, “With Master Yan Shouyi’s Chop Red Heaven Scripture before, he shouldn’t act rashly, I guess.”

“Nevertheless, Zhao Qin is unpredictable, so we should still remain vigilant.”

…

The second day of the second month is known in Da Qi as the Early Yang Festival.

It signifies the initial rise of Yang Energy for the year, the revival of all things, brimming with vitality, as severe cold departs, marking the harmonious beginning of the year. It is customary that on this day a wine gathering is held to offer sacrifices and pray for favorable weather.

This tradition is said to date back to the Ancient Era and has been transmitted through the long stretches of years, eventually becoming an official holiday of the Central Dynasty since the Middle Ancient period.

As the Imperial family of Da Qi is a continuation of the Central Dynasty’s imperial line, they have naturally retained this festival.

The reason Southern Jin chose this day for their visit is precisely because of the special significance it holds in Da Qi, as overshadowing Da Qi on this day would be akin to suppressing Da Qi’s fortunes invisibly.

And Da Qi’s agreement to set the meeting on this day is also due to the inherent meaning, as long as they triumph over Southern Jin that day, it signifies that Da Qi will prosper throughout the year.

Hence the Chaoyang wine gathering on the second day of the second month originated.

On this day,

As the second day of February arrived, the doors of Da Qi’s Imperial Palace swung open, with an honor guard extending for ten miles, all to welcome the distinguished guests attending the Chaoyang wine gathering.