There is a happy inn in the capital.

Chapter 185 Not Dead, Just Fainted

Shen Fenghuang was quite surprised to hear this. He hadn't expected that Li Shuchen, a young woman, would know martial arts. He really wanted to drink the cup of wine, but his stomach was burning, so he decided to only take a small sip.

Li Shuchen saw what Shen Fenghuang was thinking, and downed her glass of wine in one gulp. She had already eaten a lot of food and rice, so her stomach didn't feel uncomfortable at all. After finishing her drink, she even raised her glass to show Shen Fenghuang.

"Young Master Shen, I'll drink it."

Shen Fenghuang looked at Li Shuchen's empty wine glass, feeling like crying. Now he had no choice but to drink, since the young lady had already finished hers. If he, a grown man, didn't, where would he put his face?

Close your eyes, tilt your head back, and gulp it down.

Li Shuchen didn't forget to praise Shen Fenghuang.

"Young Master Shen has a good capacity for alcohol."

After finishing his drink, Shen Fenghuang quickly put the food in his bowl into his mouth, his movements swift, decisive, and precise, likely before Gu Ziying or Li Shuchen would speak again.

I didn't want to choke on my food because I was moving too fast.

"Cough, cough, cough cough"

Princess Changning asked with concern

Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you.

Shen Fenghuang replied while coughing.

"Princess Changning, cough cough, I... cough cough, it's nothing, cough cough."

Seeing this, Li Shuchen laughed inwardly a hundred and eighty times, hahahaha.

Serves you right! Serves you right for bullying Xiao'er, now you'll taste what it's like to suffer!

Seeing Shen Fenghuang's disheveled appearance, Gu Ziying remained unmoved and spoke again.

"Does Young Master Shen have any siblings? We could have a meal together and he could introduce us."

Upon hearing this, Shen Fenghuang took a sip of tea, paused for a moment, and replied.

"There is only my elderly mother and a younger brother who is under ten years old in the family."

Gu Ziying understood immediately upon hearing this, and then said...

"With an elderly mother and a younger brother, Young Master Shen has to serve his aging mother, take care of his young brother, and also keep up with his studies. Young Master Shen is truly diligent. I admire your hard work and sense of responsibility. Let me offer you another cup."

Upon hearing this, Shen Fenghuang sat up straight and even stole a glance at Princess Changning. "Listen," he thought, "your friend praised me and acknowledged me."

Shen Fenghuang raised his wine glass with a smirk.

"Gu Xiangjun, please."

He tossed his head back and downed another cup.

Gu Ziying still took a small sip

Shen Fenghuang put down his wine glass and said proudly

"I have already achieved the rank of Juren (举人). If I am fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination the following spring and become a Jinshi (进士), and even more fortunate to become the Zhuangyuan (状元), Bangyan (榜眼), or Tanhua (探花), I will go to the Princess's residence to propose marriage to Princess Changning. However, Princess Changning will not marry me."

After Shen Fenghuang finished speaking, he looked at Princess Changning with deep affection.

Li Shuchen couldn't stand his sticky eyes glued to Princess Changning, so he interrupted again.

"I see that Young Master Shen is quite young, yet he has already passed the imperial examination. He is truly a genius among geniuses, the best among geniuses, a once-in-a-century talent. Come, Young Master Shen, let me toast you again."

Upon hearing this, Shen Fenghuang felt that Li Shuchen had also approved of him, and he was overjoyed. Ignoring his stomach discomfort, he raised his wine glass and said...

"Please, Miss Li."

He tilted his head back and downed another glass.

Li Shuchen, of course, didn't hold back and also drank a cup.

Li Shuchen had just put down his wine glass

Gu Ziying picked up her wine glass again and spoke.

"May Mr. Honjo's wishes be fulfilled, Young Master Shen. Please."

Shen Fenghuang was overjoyed upon hearing this. Gu Xiangjun's blessing for his wish to achieve his goal meant that she had agreed to his marriage to Princess Changning. With Gu Xiangjun's assistance, his marriage to Princess Changning would only be smoother.

Marrying Princess Changning as soon as possible would bring him rapid advancement in his life. The dowry from the princess's residence would be more than he could spend in three lifetimes, and he would never have to live this stifling life again.

I no longer need to submit to them or fawn over them.

Shen Fenghuang raised his wine cup and said sincerely.

"Thank you for your kind words, Lord Gu. Please..."

He tossed his head back and downed another cup.

Gu Ziying took another small sip

At this moment, Emperor Shen Feng was already somewhat dazed, and looking at Princess Changning with a confused expression, he confessed...

"Princess Changning, I will study diligently day and night, striving for success and to marry you in glory. Will you wait for me, Princess Changning?"

Princess Changning blushed upon hearing this.

"I do"

Li Shuchen listened to Shen Fenghuang's words with his head in his hands, as if they were nothing but farts. The imperial examination wouldn't be held until the year after next, and whether one could even pass was uncertain. Becoming the top scholar, second-place scholar, or third-place scholar was even more difficult; there were only three such positions available in the entire Zixing Dynasty.

Can he be sure he'll pass? What if he fails? Make Changning wait another two years? Waste Changning's prime years?

Even if he fails the imperial examination, Changning is still willing to marry him. But what will happen after he marries into the family? Will Changning be expected to serve her elderly mother? Will she be expected to take care of her young brother? Can she simply use the excuse of studying to dump all the problems on Changning?

Then let yourself feel light and carefree?

How will the family manage to eat, drink, and relieve themselves? Will Changning rely entirely on herself? Given Young Master Shen's circumstances, even getting enough to eat and wear is a problem. What kind of life is this? What kind of life is this?!

Li Shuchen could no longer bear it and opened his mouth to start vomiting.

"Young Master Shen, we people of Changning can't stand hardship. We drink bird's nest and red date soup every day, which only costs one tael of gold. We also can't do without those delicacies from land and sea, things that fly in the sky and swim in the water."

Every day she has to wear clothes made of fine silk and satin, especially the clothes from the Flower Robe Pavilion, which Changning loves the most. She could easily buy dozens of sets throughout the year. Since Young Master Shen loves Changning so much, surely he can provide all of this?”

Gu Ziying smiled upon hearing this.

"Shu Chen, don't worry. Young Master Shen will only marry Chang Ning. He loves Chang Ning so much, he can definitely do these everyday things for her, maybe even better than you say. Let's not get involved."

Li Shuchen smiled upon hearing this.

"Ziying is right, I was overthinking it, don't you think so, Young Master Shen?"

Shen Fenghuang trembled upon hearing this.

"I will do my best to ensure that Princess Changning lives a good life."

Princess Changning replied gently

I believe you.

Li Shuchen sighed helplessly upon hearing this. She stopped talking; further words were pointless. It was most important for Changning to realize the truth herself.

Throughout the drinking session, Princess Changning showed no participation whatsoever, so Li Shuchen prompted her to speak up.

“Changning, Ziying and I have already toasted Young Master Shen several times. As your savior, shouldn’t you toast him three more times?”

"That makes sense; I had completely forgotten about it."

Princess Changning raised her wine cup and spoke softly.

"Young Master Shen, thank you for saving my life that day, please..."

Shen Fenghuang was flattered and surprised.

"There's no need for thanks, please."

Princess Changning toasted three times.

Shen Fenghuang then drank three cups in a row.

After three cups of wine, Shen Fenghuang's face was flushed, and he was dizzy and disoriented.

Li Shuchen and Gu Ziying weren't going to let Shen Fenghuang off the hook. They made him drink several more cups of wine until he was completely drunk.

Li Shuchen smiled and said

"Young Master Shen is truly delighted; he's even gotten himself drunk, hahahahahaha!"

Of the four people at the table, only Shen Fenghuang passed out; the others remained perfectly sober.

Li Shuchen looked at Shen Fenghuang, who was so drunk he couldn't even get up, and said...

"I'll have someone take Young Master Shen home."