Husband and Wife to Battle – Drink Too Much and It’s Sickening

　　Lord Zi told me he usually lived at his grandpa's place in Luoyang and returned to the capital to visit his parents at New Year. His maternal family were ostensibly wealthy, allowing him to lead an even more luxurious life at his home in Luoyang than the imperial palace. He stayed at the capital for longer than scheduled owing to the Orange Prince's revolt. After that, his eldest sister returned to the capital (so he was my relative in a way…). His second sister was then supposed to marry (I was the groom…). As a consequence, he didn't get to spend much time with the Emperor and extended his visit.

　　After spending so long in the imperial palace, Lord Zi tried to relieve his boredom and left the palace daily to play. The other Princes were no longer around in the palace. He, however, was still young and usually resided elsewhere. As such, he was permitted to enter and leave the palace to his leisure. Jinling, being the large city it was, offered many places he could find entertainment. He spent his days immersed in leisure, almost spending his nights outside the palace. On one certain day, he witnessed a scene at a restaurant that haunted him henceforward.

　　Lord Zi enjoyed a banquet of more than a dozen dishes by himself on that fateful day and even ordered two pots of wine, believing it made him an adult. Alas, he couldn't triumph over his physiology; he nearly pa.s.sed out after just one cup. Nevertheless, as the descendant of the dragon, defeat wasn't acceptable. Lord Zi proceeded to down half of the pot, resulting in him almost puking all over the floor. Not wanting to give others grief, the considerate kid held it in until he reached the toilet to unleash a storm from his mouth.

　　When Lord Zi finished throwing up, he realised his head was spinning so awfully he couldn't navigate his way back, nor did he know where he was. He walked into a random room and eventually succ.u.mbed to the alcohol in a chair. When he came to, he didn't have the foggiest idea as to where he was. As he went to get up, he overheard a conversation, consequently informing him he accidentally entered a booked room.

　　Lord Zi, being the righteous kid he was, intended to apologise but heard a man say, "Thank you for taking me in, My Lords. I have resigned from my duty as an official. His Majesty's entourage is investigating me. Had it not been thanks to Mr. Yang's foresight, I would have been apprehended tonight."

　　Lord Zi was wise enough to tell he was listening in to something important, since he heard the Emperor's entourage mentioned. It wasn't hard to realise an official the Emperor's entourage investigated couldn't be up to good. He, therefore, instinctively covered his mouth.

　　"You need not say any more," said an elder, in a composed voice. "Sir Lu, you have always shown this old one respect and taken care of him during your time managing Jinling and Jiangnan. How can this old one sit by and watch you suffer when you have contributed so much?"

　　Aforementioned Sir Lu was Lu Xiazou, who gratefully responded, "I offer you my heartfelt grat.i.tude, Sir. To avoid exposing you both, I cannot reveal myself. Could I bother you to help organise me an opportunity for me to meet my elder brother? I will not be back for eight to ten years once I leave the Central Plains."

　　"Eight to ten years? That's too short," said Yang Lianhua, voice high-pitched enough to be mistaken for a woman and be spine-chilling. "I am from Beijiang. I don't know the rules on the Central Plains; however, in Beijiang, it's considered a blessing to die for committing a mistake, for the torture that comes before it is far worse. Even a man as masculine as I am feels intimidated. Lu Xiazou, you think your bribery case will blow over in a meagre few years?"