C206

At the end of the year, the palace was filled with songs and dances. The banquet was filled with wine, delicacies, and rare liveliness.

Zhao Qingyan was holding a wine cup with one hand, her fair palm was paling against the white jade wine glass. The slightly turbid liquor swayed slightly with the gentle shake of his palm, reflecting the color of the candlelight. It was really beautiful.

The wine had been drunk several times and the dishes on the table had only been moved a few chopsticks.

Perhaps because of the drunkenness of the last time, the Renjian Sect had been more careful and ordered people to pour the rice wine mixed with water from the wine pot on Zhao Qingyan's table. The taste of the wine was not good, so Zhao Qingyan did not mind. He casually drank a few cups and then stopped drinking. The singing and dancing, the laughter, all failed to make him smile. He was lost in thought as he held the cup of never-ending rice wine. He had only drunk a few mouthfuls of the time it took to sing and dance.

"Mo'er? Mo'er?" Ren Zong called out a few times, and the sounds of discussion in the hall lessened a bit. Only Zhao Qingyan was still lost in thought, as if he had not heard anything.

Zhao Baiyi quietly pulled on his sleeve from under the table. "Seventh Brother! royal uncle is calling you! "

Zhao Qingyan came back to her senses. When she saw everyone looking at her, she quickly stood up and bowed with her hands folded in front, "Nephew is in a daze. I hope Imperial Uncle can forgive me."

Ren Zong said with a gentle smile, "It's alright. I just wanted to ask you to pick out the song and dance you liked because you were absent-minded. " He waved his hand and asked the young eunuch to show him the song.

Zhao Qingyan roughly swept a glance at the song he had clicked on before casually saying, "Then let's click on 'Guan Hu'."

Ren Zong said with a smile, "Since it's time to order, let's watch more carefully."

Zhao Qingyan couldn't help but laugh, "I've thought of some interesting things and was absent-minded for a moment. I've let Imperial Uncle down." Seeing that Zhao Boyi was about to dance, he sat down and exchanged a look of helplessness with Zhao Boyi.

Zhao Baiyi laughed in a low voice, "I wonder what kind of funny things Seventh Brother is thinking?"

Zhao Qingyan rolled his eyes and snappily said, "What fun do you think I can think of?"

Zhao Baiyi smiled mischievously. "That's not for sure. Maybe Seventh Brother found something interesting to do besides his Zither Moon Painting?"

Zhao Qingyan smiled leisurely and said, "What a coincidence. In recent days, I have nothing else to do besides painting."

Zhao Baiyi glanced at the dishes on his table. "You didn't eat anything? It's all light dishes that you specifically ordered the kitchen to make according to your preferences, and you're not going to eat it? "

"Didn't you already taste it?" Zhao Qingyan casually ordered a few dishes. Then, she half-jokingly looked at the dishes on Zhao Boyi's table, "Recently, I've been wanting to eat some oily meat …" Second Brother, what are you doing? "

Zhao Baiyi held onto the wine cup that was almost knocked down by Zhao Qingyan. With his other hand, he held the half chicken in front of his seventh brother. With an innocent expression, he said, "Didn't I see you salivating over this chicken, and bear with it?"

Zhao Qingyan stepped back an inch and pushed Zhao Baiyi's hand away. With a sincere expression, he said, "A gentleman does not rob others of their love. Second Brother, you should keep it for yourself."

Zhao Baiyi knew he couldn't smell the oil, so he didn't dare to act excessively. However, he couldn't help but joke, "Seventh Brother wants it, I'm willing to give it up."

Zhao Qingyan kept a straight face as he tried not to laugh, "If Second Brother gives me the entire chicken, I can consider it."

"Sure!" Zhao Baiyi immediately turned his head, "Uncle Wang, that chicken of yours still wants to eat …"

Zhao Qingyan quickly pulled him back, "Second Brother!"

Zhao Baiyi could no longer hold back his laughter, "Seventh Brother, look at that chicken. It's not even half as big as mine."

Zhao Qingyan subconsciously looked over, but before he could see it, he heard Prince Huan's laughter and scolding, "This is a chicken that I've worked so hard to raise for over a month. Although it's a little small, its skin is thin and tender.

Zhao Baiyi looked curiously at the chicken soup on King Huan's table and asked, "This is the second one?"

Duke Huai was slightly startled, "What second one?"

Zhao Baiyi said, "I didn't see any chicken bones on Uncle Wang's table, and I didn't see any missing meat in the soup either. Uncle Wang has never eaten this chicken, how would he know if it's delicious or not? "

"This …" Prince Huan was speechless. After looking at the chicken soup for a while, he answered confidently, "This chicken eats well. Six times a day. I've personally fed it. It must be delicious."

Zhao Baiyi's face was filled with curiosity. "Then why don't you let me have a taste?"

Duke Huan glared at him, "I'm not giving it to you to eat!"

"Huh?" Zhao Baiyi was shocked. He thought about it carefully and asked, "How about I taste the soup?"

Prince Huan immediately pushed the chicken soup further away. "This chicken and I have some feelings for each other. No one is willing to drink it."

Zhao Baiyi turned his head and stretched out his hand to grab Zhao Qingyan, who was trying to evade his hand, "Seventh Brother, look at Thirteenth Uncle's bowl of chicken soup. It seems to be very tasty."

A milky white chicken soup, a few green vegetable leaves, and a meat stew that seemed like it could melt with a single touch.

Zhao Qingyan looked at it silently for a moment and nodded, "You have mastered it well. With the addition of the milk and a few green decorations, this soup will make anyone who looks at it feel hungry. It seemed like this dish was cooked by Uncle Sun. After simmering the chicken broth for six hours, he would add the milk twelve times, mix for a quarter of an hour, set aside a quarter of an hour, and stir for another quarter of an hour. The last piece of meat was complete but tender, melting in his mouth. The chicken bones were cooked to the point that it could be eaten directly. The taste of the chicken bones was also very distinct. This chicken, must choose less than three months of chicks, and the early winter drinking snow water grow up to be the best chicks. "This dish …"

Feeling that he could use a calm voice without any fluctuations in it, Zhao BoYi quickly recited the dish again. He immediately interrupted, "Okay, Seventh Brother, I understand. This chicken is very delicious."

After getting rid of his restraints, Zhao Qingyan sat up straight and tidied up the wrinkles on his sleeves: "It is indeed delicious. But this dish usually uses two chickens, one male and one female, half each, and makes two separate soups. And this chicken, it would have to be more than two months, less than three months, for the best. The soup in front of Thirteenth Uncle was cooked using a chicken, so it tasted a bit worse. And this half of second brother's chicken — when it was a complete dish, in terms of practice, had to be improved. "Second brother's chicken is a meat chicken specially raised by the palace. It drinks spring water, eats traditional Chinese medicine to replenish blood and Qi, sleeps in a bamboo basket made of cotton, so …"

Noticing the stunned look on Zhao Baiyi's face, Zhao Qingyan couldn't help but laugh, "Second Brother, don't look at me like that, I'm a little scared."

Zhao Baiyi patted his own face, correcting his slightly twisted expression and solemnly said, "Seventh Brother, there is something you must tell me truthfully."

Zhao Qingyan was stunned. She thought she had overdone it and quickly retracted her smile. "Second Brother, say it."

"You …" Zhao Baiyi looked him up and down, "You learnt how to cook these dishes, don't tell me you have a photographic memory like you memorized them?"

Zhao Qingyan looked at him deeply for a while and then asked slowly, "When have I ever had a photographic memory?"

Zhao Baiyi said in surprise, "Didn't you have a photographic memory?"

Prince Huan took a bowl from the palace maid and started to scoop up a bowl of soup. "He … he still needs to watch it two or three times." He placed the two bowls of soup on Zhao Baiyi's table and raised his chin towards Zhao Qingyan.

Zhao Baiyi quickly carried a bowl of soup and placed it on Zhao Qingyan's table, "Still warm. Drink while it's hot."

Zhao Qingyan hesitantly looked at the chicken soup in front of him and raised his head to look at King Huan. He smiled slightly and said, "Then I won't be polite anymore."

Duke Huan nodded. "Mn, remember to give your evaluation after drinking it."

Zhao Baiyi agreed, "Uncle Wang told you not to forget to praise this chicken after drinking it."

Zhao Qingyan smiled, picked up the bowl and slowly finished the soup. With the unique sweetness of cow's milk, it perfectly blended into the taste of the chicken. Before the chicken came into the pot, the smell of the meat was removed through a simple process. After six hours of cooking, the fat was removed through the cow's emulsification, and the excessive sweetness from the cow's milk was also removed through the chicken soup. It entered his throat to lubricate and was neither sweet nor greasy. Even someone like Zhao Qingyan, who had a light taste and was used to eating delicacies, was unable to find anything wrong with it.

Moreover, this soup was something that Zhao Qingyan had learned from the chef who cooked this bowl of soup today.

Originally, he had thought that if he forcefully swallowed the bowl of soup, he would definitely feel unwell. However, after the mild chicken soup entered his stomach, the uncomfortable feeling actually lessened somewhat.

Seeing that Zhao Qingyan's eyebrows had unconsciously relaxed, Duke Huan raised his eyebrows complacently at Zhao Baiyi, then looked at his nephew. "How's the taste? Another bowl? "

Zhao Qingyan smiled and said, "It tastes good. It's a pity that I can't drink much more."

Zhao Baiyi casually said, "Anyway, Uncle Wang has raised a family of chickens. That's more than enough for you to drink for the entire winter." Casually picking up the bowl, he took a sip and his eyes immediately lit up, "Uncle Wang, there's going to be this chicken soup next time, remember to call me!"

Duke Huan curled his lips, "You're not the only one. If you want to drink, go feed yourself."

Zhao Baiyi immediately looked at his cousin. "Seventh brother, why don't we discuss this with each other? I'll go to Uncle Wang's house and steal a few chickens. If you stew the chicken, how about we split it? "

Duke Huan said angrily, "You dare!"

Zhao Baiyi smiled proudly. "Why would I not dare to?"

Prince Huan wanted to say more, but the dancers withdrew and raised a hand. It was clear that he had something to say, so he stopped himself.

Ren Zong cast his gaze towards Zhao Qingyan and said with a smile, "Mo'er wants to play a song called 'Guan Hu', do you have any beauty that you would like to ask for?"

Zhao Qingyan was slightly stunned before replying with a smile, "Uncle Huang is joking. Just now, Second Brother was laughing at me for spending every day in the midst of a pile of books. Playing zither and painting is a form of entertainment. How can there be a beauty who desires it?"

Ren Zong looked at Zhao Baiyi with a smile and said, "Your second brother became married at the age of seventeen. You have already won the title of the champion, so it's about time for you to get married."

Zhao Qingyan could not tell what he meant and only replied, "Nephew is not in a hurry."

Ren Zong looked at the officials with a smile. "Today's day is not bad. I wish to be a matchmaker for my nephew. What do you think, my beloved officials?"

Zhao Qingyan's fingers tightened as her palm was pricked by the nails. Only then did she loosen her grip. His expression was the same as before, but his eyes couldn't help but reveal traces of shock.

He was not the only one who was shocked. Everyone in the court was shocked by these words. Their expressions changed drastically, but no one knew what they were thinking.

Ren Zong kept the reaction of the crowd in his eyes and smiled, "Mo'er has been intelligent since he was young, and his character and looks are of the highest class. Although the thesis didn't have the ability to compose poems at the age of eight, it was still the ability to read four books and five scriptures at a young age. At the age of ten, it could chant. In terms of martial arts, although they had not fought on the battlefield, nor had they deployed troops, they were well versed in military strategies and martial arts. At the age of thirteen, they could kill a giant bear with their bare hands without panicking. "In terms of skill, there is no one who is not familiar with zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. When it comes to zither, calligraphy, I'm afraid that even in the entire imperial court, there are very few among the beloved officials who can match me."

Everyone agreed.

Ren Zong sighed softly, "Everyone knows that I am this nephew's favorite, and also dotes on this nephew the most. I dare say that in this entire world, there are very few people who can rival Mo'er in terms of character and ability. Mo'er was born with a pure and kind nature. She would rather be wronged than hurt others. "But, how can my nephew grow old with an ordinary person?"

Zhao Baiyi looked at his seventh brother and saw that his face was completely pale. He didn't know what to do at this banquet. He then looked at his father and fourth uncle, calmly sitting there without the slightest intention of interrupting.

Ren Zong looked at the gathered officials and asked with a smile, "I wonder which one of you is willing to betroth your beloved daughter to my nephew?"

The officials were all calm and collected, waiting to see which of them would be the first to speak.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Shu stood up and made a comeback. At this moment, Brother Mo was going to get married. This was the so-called double happiness! This was the joy of the world, the joy of the Great Song. This son wishes to congratulate royal father and younger brother Mo. "

"This subject congratulates His Majesty and the crown prince." All the officials stood up to congratulate him.

"Seventh Brother, Seventh Brother!" Zhao Baiyi tugged on Zhao Qingyan's sleeve and gave her a meaningful look. "Hurry up and thank her."

Zhao Shu asked with a smile, "Is Brother Mo happy to stay? Or shy? "

"It's time for us to get married. Don't worry, Fourth Brother."

Zhao Qingyan lowered her eyes as her face turned paler. However, she did not answer.

Zhao Shu was slightly taken aback. If no one answered before the officials, it would be too embarrassing for the Sect. She could only smile and smooth things over again. "Brother Mo doesn't go out often. I don't understand everything about girls and children. He's shy all of a sudden." He quietly gave Zhao Baiyi a meaningful glance.

Zhao Baiyi understood, and the strength in his hands increased a bit. He whispered, "Seventh Brother, quickly thank me."

Ren Zong raised his hand to indicate for everyone to be quiet. With a smile, he asked, "Mo Er, have you considered it?"

He slowly stood up and walked to the foot of the hall to kneel down. "Nephew thanks Imperial Uncle for this gift, but please forgive this nephew for not daring to comply."

His voice was very soft, but everyone could clearly hear it. They were all stunned for a moment. A hint of a smile flashed in the Qi King's eyes, but it was not a surprise.

After the discussion had died down for a while, Zhao Qingyan raised his voice so that everyone could hear him clearly, "My nephew and the daughter of the marquis, Mu Qinghan, have already been engaged for more than ten years. Three months ago, my nephew had personally delivered the betrothal gift to the marquis' house, and the marquis has already accepted it. "Mu Qinghan is my nephew's legal and unmarried wife. How can my nephew abandon her and marry someone else?"

Ren Zong said slowly, "My nephew should be known by the world for his marriage. Now that the world knows that the betrothal gifts between the duke of Trojan Horse's manor and those dozens of carriages have already come to an end, does this marriage still count as anything? "

The discussion started again. Zhao Qingyan took a deep breath and answered in a clear voice, "Yu Li, the betrothal gift has been given. Even if it hadn't, the marriage between me and Lady Mu hadn't been dissolved. Since it hasn't been annulled yet, why would his nephew enter into marriage with someone else? Emotionally, my nephew treated Miss Mu's wounds while sharing a room and making contact with her skin. Although it was only for the sake of a doctor, it was also because he was his nephew's fiancé's wife, thus he had less concerns during the healing process. In a month of healing, even if your nephew admitted that he did not commit any immoral acts and had a clear conscience, he would not be able to cause the world to have any doubts about this matter. Your nephew isn't willing to implicate the innocent girl's reputation because of me, so I hope that royal uncle can show mercy. " "Placing his hands on his forehead, he bent down to kowtow.

Ren Zong quietly watched him for a while, then asked again, "Do you remember your identity?"

Although the tone was gentle, but the Son of Heaven's question was not angry.