Qiang Wei examined his king for any changes. Lao Chun had promised that one flask of this wine would get even their king dead drunk. In fact, he had been positive that it wouldn't even need one flask. Half of it might suffice.
Seeing the king down the first cup in one go Qiang Wei grew hopeful. Maybe he'll collapse right after the first cup? That would save him a lot of trouble! Unfortunately, nothing could be gleaned. The king didn't even seem dizzy. He just happily filled his cup again and downed it just the same.
Qiang Wei's lips twitched. So that was the effect of the rumored strongest wine that could fell their king after one flask? Why did it seem nothing like that? Could it be the effect was delayed?
"Your Ma—" Qiang Wei coughed again. "Maybe you should slow down."
Qiu Ling regarded him with a deadpan expression and filled his cup for the third time. Slowing down? Never! The only way to stop him was to make him forget that sight.
Qiu Ling gulped his third cup down. The wine's strong flavor was lost on him. He could have been drinking water instead and wouldn't have noticed the difference. He was only waiting for his mind to get addled. He didn't want to think anymore.
Please, just let me forget that.
He frowned and refilled his cup a fourth time. The alcohol started to set in slowly. A warm sensation filled his body, but deep inside he still felt incredibly cold. And he couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering.
I might lose him. I might really lose him. He can't remember me so it's not surprising if he falls in love. Moreover, he's a child now. Falling in love with another child is normal. How could he even fall in love with a grown man?
Another cup was downed.
If he really falls in love with that boy and his family stays in the capital than the two of them will grow up together. With each day, with each passing year, their feelings will get stronger. They'd be inseparable when they come of age. What would prevent them from marrying? And even before that …
His mind conjured up the image of Jing He with another man. He saw him smiling at that man, haltingly reach out and touch him. Faced with that gentle approach, would any man refuse? Of course not!
Qiu Ling didn't even look and blindly filled the cup, gulping the wine down before he had even time to put down the flask. His face was completely scrunched up. He looked miserable.
Qiang Wei examined his face, still holding his own cup. He hadn't touched any of the wine. He knew he couldn't. Just looking at his king made obvious that he wouldn't stop any time soon.
Qiang Wei sighed and looked around. It had been a week in the nine heavens so the crown prince should be around seven years of age now. There were indeed two boys that age. They were sitting at the counter, looking quite intimate. Just at this moment, the slightly taller one was breaking a cookie in two, sharing with the other child.
So, it's like this. The crown prince fell in love for the first time in his mortal life. No wonder the king is like that.
Qiang Wei put down his cup and turned back to Qiu Ling. Talking wouldn't help. He could just watch over him while his king got drunk.
He wasn't the only one who worried. Madam Zhong came over and bent down next to him. "Is he alright?"
Qiang Wei tensed. He didn't want to talk to any of these mortals but his king had called her his mother-in-law. So this was probably the crown prince's mortal mother? If that was the case, he should better treat her with respect. His king would expect as much.
Thinking like that, Qiang Wei nodded. "He's in a bad mood. Just let him drink a while. It'll be better when he wakes up."
Madam Zhong nodded. She straightened up and wanted to go, but she couldn't help looking at Qiu Ling again. He hadn't even noticed her. He was just staring vacantly, filling his cup over and over again and guzzling down the alcohol like water. As of now probably half of the wine in the flask had vanished.
Unfortunately, Qiu Ling didn't feel better. Instead, it got worse. He could picture it perfectly: That man holding his beloved in his arms, these rough hands brazenly touching his slim body, those lips tasting what wasn't meant for them.
He could even imagine Jing He's reaction since he had fantasized often enough how it would be when he finally made his move on him: A slight blush would adorn his cheeks and that quiet sound escaping his lips would entice that man to passionately kiss him.
Damn, he could understand! He would do exactly the same. He had always held back to give Jing He some more time, just a little bit more so that he would feel secure enough with him. But then this damned trial had come along and his beloved forgot all about him and dared to kiss another man!
Qiu Ling slammed the table. "Damn this! How could you do this to me, Jing He?! I love you so much. How can you get intimate with another man right in front of my eyes?!"
All gazes focused on him but Qiu Ling was too drunk to notice. He picked up his cup, only to find out that it was already empty. Not finding the flask immediately he snatched Qiang Wei's cup and downed the content, smashing the cup after he was finished.
"I'll skin that guy alive! How dare he touch my beloved?!"
"Your Ma—" Qiang Wei cursed silently. Damn, being around mortals was really annoying. He couldn't even speak normally! "Please calm yourself."
"You want me to calm down? I'm pretty calm not rushing over and killing him!" He leaped to his feet.
Qiang Wei panicked. Who knew if his king really wouldn't rush over and kill that mortal in this state? "Alright, alright. You're really calm. Now sit down, please, and continue drinking." He reached out to grab Qiu Ling and guide him to sit back down, but Qiu Ling got offended instead.
"Don't you dare touch me! This one is solely reserved for the crown prince!"
Qiu Ling didn't notice the strange looks he was getting and Qiang Wei didn't dare to care. He still tried to reach out, but before his fingers could even grab the hem of Qiu Ling's clothes, his king lifted his foot and kicked him away.
Mn, his mother-in-law could probably be proud of him. Even though he was already more than a bit tipsy, he had still kicked Qiang Wei out of the teahouse without damaging anything.
Qiang Wei's figure described a less than graceful arc and finally landed butt first on the road outside. Damn this! Why didn't he ask Yi Zan to come down?!
Qiang Wei got up and dusted his clothes off, ignoring the people staring at him. "This isn't anything personal", he tried to convince himself. "His Majesty is just drunk. It'll be alright again after he sobers up." Muttering like that he straightened his sleeves and went back inside.
He didn't notice that a young woman stood some steps behind him, whose eyes started gleaming after she heard him mutter. "So this is where you are! I finally found you!" She smiled happily and followed him into the teahouse. With all those women inside, she didn't attract any attention.