"Go." Feng Zhiwei pushed the prince. "Defying an Imperial Order on this small matter is not worth it.
Helian Zheng threw back his liquor before rolling up his sleeves and striding over to the drum; as he moved, he turned his head and called back: "You can't join. Ning Yi is looking for a wife; it's none of your business."
"How could I." Feng Zhiwei called back, shooing him forward, "Nobody's wife selection has anything to do with me.
She turned back to her liquor — how was this a good game? The Tian Sheng Emperor clearly wanted Hua Gongmei to win; setting such difficult rules was basically giving Hua Gongmei the win. The Hua Family was noble and high ranking but held very little power, and clearly the Tian Sheng Emperor did not want Ning Yi to marry a wife from a powerful line and give wings to the tiger.