Chapter 320: The True Country Bumpkins are from the South
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
The Emperor took a deep breath, his eyes shining with an intense light.
The brocade box that he had barely spared a glance at before was now gripped tightly in his hands.
He had attended countless birthday banquets—those of the Empress Dowager, the late Emperor, and even, before he ascended the throne, the grand festivities of various Dukes.
Yet, never had he seen something like this!
Who uses Longevity Talismans as casual return gifts?
It was akin to attending a wedding and distributing candy to guests as an afterthought! She had simply tossed them onto the table, ensuring that each person had one!
Moments ago, the Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom had presented a single talisman, his face filled with reluctance.
Did he know that these were being handed out so freely?
The Emperor coughed lightly, suppressing his excitement. He quickly formulated a plan—when the banquet ended, he would be the last to leave!
From past experience, the return gifts left on the table were typically ignored!
His gaze swept across the hall, finding the court ministers oddly quiet today.
Normally, banquets were an opportunity to network and forge alliances. Today, however…
Everyone was earnestly focused on eating and drinking.
At intervals, Protectorate Duke Xiao would call out, “More wine!” and the maids would promptly replace the empty jugs with fresh ones.
Then came the Prince of Jingxi, his face flushed, also calling for more.
“More wine!”
“More wine!”
The chant continued, as ministers and nobles indulged, their faces growing increasingly red, their eyes hazy.
The Emperor was bewildered.
A rich, fragrant aroma filled the air—a powerful liquor, yet carrying a faint, exotic scent.
Curious, he asked, “What wine is this?”
Lu Yan Shu, who rarely drank, twitched his nose and responded, “Chao Chao brought it. She said it’s beneficial for health. Your subject does not know what kind of wine it is… But she brought several large vats of it, so it shouldn’t be anything too rare.”
The Emperor lifted his cup and took a small sip.
The moment it touched his lips, a wave of energy surged through his body, warming his very core. He let out a comfortable sigh.
Even in the depths of winter, this drink sent warmth through his entire being.
His eyes widened with realization.
“Strange, it has the depth of wine, yet it’s unlike fruit wine…” A light, peach-like fragrance lingered in the air.
The Crown Prince, seated beside him, sipped lightly, his eyes flashing with nostalgia.
This was Immortal Peach Wine.
In the cultivation world, the wine she brewed had been unparalleled. Crafted from spiritual grains and immortal peaches, it was an exquisite rarity.
Who would have thought she still had some in her possession?
The Crown Prince treasured his cup, savoring it slowly, then refrained from drinking more.
The Emperor had initially intended to engage in discussions with his ministers, reinforcing his bonds with them. But now? That thought had vanished entirely as he drank cup after cup.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao was contentedly stuffing herself.
By the time she looked up, half the guests had collapsed.
Madam Xu, who did not drink, was torn between laughter and exasperation. “Why has everyone gotten drunk?”
She ordered Rong Che to personally escort the Emperor.
The Emperor, resting his forehead on his palm, waved dismissively. “Let me rest a moment. Send the ministers first.”
Madam Xu sighed and relented.
“Quickly, send the guests home and make sure they are properly cared for. No injuries,” she instructed the servants, who began helping the inebriated guests out.
Imperial Uncle Xiao, clutching a wine jug, slurred, “One… one more jug!”
“What… What kind of wine is this? Never have I tasted such a thing!” Even as he hiccuped, he refused to let go of his jug.
As most guests were escorted away, the Emperor suddenly lifted his head.
“Your Majesty, are you not drunk?” Rong Che was taken aback.
The Emperor waved a grand hand and calmly ordered Wang Yuan Lu, “Bring all the return gifts back to the palace.”
Madam Xu: ???
Wait… Was he pretending to be drunk just for these?
“Your servant has already summoned palace attendants with carriages. The gifts will be delivered to the Imperial Study shortly.”
The Emperor shook his head. “No, have them placed directly onto my carriage.”
Wang Yuan Lu: ???
He watched in astonishment as the Emperor climbed into his carriage, swiftly disappearing beneath a mountain of brocade boxes.
As night fell and the guests finally dispersed, a few noblewomen who had abstained from drinking clung to their return gifts.
“If the Emperor himself values these so highly, they must be extraordinary.”
“His Majesty even disregarded propriety to snatch the return gifts from the table. Hurry, take yours!” one of the women whispered urgently.
Once the crowd was gone, Madam Xu sighed wearily.
“Did Chao Chao’s friend come?”
The Sixth Prince and Xie Yu Zhou were family by distant relation, but Chao Chao had never truly made friends of her own.
“No, she fought with him last time. She’s probably still holding a grudge,” Lu Yan Shu chuckled.
“By the way, what was Chao Chao’s return gift today?”
He turned to Yu Shu.
Now older, Chao Chao had started making her own decisions. The wine and return gifts had been entirely her doing.
Yu Shu hesitated, then reluctantly pulled a brocade box from her sleeve.
“See for yourself…”
Lu Yan Shu opened it.
!!!
His hands trembled as he pulled out the precious Longevity Talisman from the Southern Kingdom’s so-called grand tribute.
And Chao Chao’s talisman? It shimmered with radiant spiritual light, leagues beyond the one from the Southern Kingdom!
“How many of these did Chao Chao prepare?” he asked, his throat dry.
Yu Shu quickly calculated. “One hundred sixty.”
Lu Yan Shu choked.
No wonder the Emperor had thrown away his dignity just to seize them!
“The Southern Kingdom treasures these talismans like rare gems, yet in our household, they’re as common as cabbage,” Yu Shu whispered in amusement.
Inside the residence, Lu Yan Shu supported his mother, while the maids cleaned up the courtyard.
Madam Xu sighed softly. “We can no longer conceal Chao Chao’s brilliance…”
“The Southern Kingdom will trace this back to me soon.”
“Mother, don’t worry. We will protect you!” Lu Yan Shu reassured her, though his own heart felt heavy.
“Don’t think too much. The day after tomorrow is your wedding. Just be happy and enjoy the moment. Cross that bridge when we come to it.”
Shi Yun masked her worries with a smile and nodded.
Southern Kingdom Embassy.
“You actually brought back Princess Sunshine’s return gift?” Nan Mu Bai sneered as Ming Lang casually toyed with the brocade box.
“What could mere mortals offer? To them, gold melon seeds are already a grand gift.”
“Something even rarer might be a night-luminescent pearl. But do you lack such things? Just having them is an embarrassment,” Nan Mu Bai scoffed.
“Lord Lu insisted, so it was impolite to refuse,” Ming Lang replied with practiced grace.
Nan Mu Bai curled his lips mockingly.
“Our Southern Kingdom produces only ten Longevity Talismans per year. That speaks of their rarity…”
“That single talisman will cause the officials of Northern Zhao to fight to the death.”
The brocade box was carelessly placed on the table, but as a servant poured tea, he accidentally knocked it over.
The talisman slipped out into view.
Ming Lang froze. “Wait… What is this?!!”
He picked it up, eyes wide with shock.
“This… This looks like our Longevity Talisman?! No—this is even better! It was drawn in a single stroke, and the paper itself glows with spiritual light. Its effects surpass ours!”
Nan Mu Bai snatched it from his hands.
He tested the talisman’s energy.
The spiritual power was leagues above their own.
“How… how is this possible?”
“These country bumpkins actually possess such treasures? Wait—you said every banquet guest received one?!”
Nan Mu Bai’s voice sharpened with disbelief.
Ming Lang nodded, still too stunned to speak.
They had been distributing Longevity Talismans as casual return gifts?!
Recalling his earlier arrogance, Nan Mu Bai felt as if he had been slapped across the face.
Now, who were the real country bumpkins?