Chen Xiaobei clearly hadn't expected Shen Ziyan to act this way, nor that her alcohol tolerance was exceptionally high.
Shen Ziyan's self-imposed penalty of three cups meant not three small cups, but three large bowls.
Without touching a single dish, she gulped down the three large bowls.
Huang Ying, not to be outdone, called out to Xiaohua, "Xiaohua, don't play favorites, pour me three bowls too."
Huang Ying also finished her three bowls without eating anything, leaving Chen Xiaobei utterly stunned.
In a short while, Xiaohua and Dujuan refilled everyone's drinks.
With the wine poured, Shen Ziyan's smile returned. "Alright, alright, the penalty is served. Sister Hongyu, Brother Xiaobei, welcome to my home."
As she spoke, Shen Ziyan raised her large wine bowl again. Since coming to this world, Chen Xiaobei had never experienced such drinking. The previous two times he drank with Cui Hongyu at home, it was merely a light tasting.
But Shen Ziyan had already raised her bowl for a toast, and he couldn't back down. Chen Xiaobei raised his wine bowl and lightly clinked it with Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying. "Drink!"
Chen Xiaobei brought the wine bowl to his lips and slowly finished the wine, mouthful by mouthful. When he finally lowered the bowl, he noticed Shen Ziyan, Huang Ying, and Cui Hongyu watching him expectantly. Their wine bowls were already empty.
So, they had finished their drinks long ago and were just waiting for him.
This...
Chen Xiaobei hadn't expected this. If Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying's speed was understandable, he had mentally prepared for it. But Cui Hongyu had maintained an elegant demeanor while drinking with him earlier.
He hadn't expected her to drink so quickly too.
What surprised Chen Xiaobei even more was what came next. The group ate and drank, drank and ate, and soon two large jars of wine were finished. One jar contained ten jin, so that was twenty jin consumed by four people.
Although the wine at this time wasn't as strong as the forty to fifty percent alcohol he remembered from his previous life, it was still at least ten percent alcohol, much stronger than beer. Yet, these girls each drank four to five jin of wine.
Even more astonishing, the girls seemed to be chatting and laughing with no apparent signs of drunkenness, while Chen Xiaobei already felt a bit dizzy.
Shen Ziyan then said to Xiaohua, "Go get another jar of wine. Today, I want to drink until we're all thoroughly drunk."
Hearing this, Chen Xiaobei's heart sank. He was already close to being drunk.
But it was too late now, as the wine had already been brought out.
After two more bowls of wine, Chen Xiaobei knew he couldn't drink any more. If he continued, he wouldn't be able to leave today.
With that thought, Chen Xiaobei gave Cui Hongyu a meaningful look.
Before Cui Hongyu could say anything, Huang Ying noticed. "Brother Xiaobei, Sister Hongyu, what are you two exchanging glances for!"
Shen Ziyan also chimed in with a smile, "Yes, can't you just say whatever you need to say directly?"
Alright, Chen Xiaobei had no choice but to look at Cui Hongyu and say, "We can't drink any more. We need to return to the village this afternoon."
To his surprise, Shen Ziyan spoke first, "I said earlier that we're drinking until we're thoroughly drunk. What do you mean by leaving halfway through?"
Chen Xiaobei patiently explained, "We still have over twenty li to travel back. If we get drunk, we don't know where we'll end up."
"Oh, Brother Xiaobei, Sister Hongyu, if you're too drunk, just stay here and leave tomorrow," Huang Ying said with a smile.
However, it was evident that Huang Ying's eyes were already a little glazed, and she was showing signs of intoxication.
At this moment, Cui Hongyu finally got an opportunity to speak. She smiled at Shen Ziyan and Huang Ying and said, "Two younger sisters, I really must return today. How about we get thoroughly drunk next time we meet at Hetou Village?"
With Cui Hongyu saying this, Shen Ziyan found it difficult to insist further, so she relented.
"Alright then, we'll drink again next time at Hetou Village."
Chen Xiaobei grabbed Cui Hongyu's hand and, carrying Chen Qiaoer, quickly headed for the exit.
Once outside in the courtyard, a slight breeze cleared his head a little.
Turning to look at Cui Hongyu, he saw her with a nonchalant expression. She looked at him with concern, "Husband, are you alright?"
Chen Xiaobei marveled inwardly. The alcohol tolerance of these girls was truly terrifying.
He vowed never to drink with them again. Drinking with them was simply self-humiliation.
Meanwhile, in the capital of the Great Cang Kingdom.
Hou Liu peeked out nervously and appeared at the gates of the mansion of the Protector Duke of Great Cang, Liu Xiangnan.
Hou Liu clasped his hands in greeting to the guards at the gate and said loudly, "Greetings, everyone. I am from Qingniu County. Please inform His Lordship that I have important information regarding the second young master's attack."
Qingniu County, second young master – these words immediately put the guards on high alert.
Someone quickly turned and rushed inside to report to Liu Xiangnan.
"My Lord, a man is here from Qingniu County. He claims to have detailed information about the second young master's attack."
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiangnan's brows furrowed.
"Elder Brother, hasn't Ru Mei already reported in detail about this matter?"
The steward, Liu Kai, bowed respectfully and said, "Your Lordship, we do not know this person's name or occupation. For him to show up unannounced, it would be too risky for you to meet him."
Liu Xiangnan nodded slightly. "Very well. You go and meet him first. Gauge his intentions and see what he wants to say."
Liu Kai agreed and followed the messenger guard to the gate.
Seeing Liu Kai emerge, Hou Liu plastered a smile on his face and stepped forward, "I am Hou Liu, greetings to Your Lordship."
A guard at the gate chuckled, "Hey, kid, this is our Steward Liu."
Hou Liu, being adaptable, immediately said, "I am blind and foolish. Please do not blame me, Steward Liu."
Liu Kai nodded. "Very well, ignorance is understandable. Tell me, what is your name, and what do you do?"
Hou Liu grinned, "My name is Chen Ermao. I am from Hetou Village."
"Our village is located at the foot of Qingniu Mountain."
Upon hearing this, Liu Kai's brow furrowed slightly. Qingniu Mountain, Hetou Village – these words struck a nerve.
"Oh, then follow me." Liu Kai turned and entered the mansion.
Beside the imposing gate of the Protector Duke's mansion, there was a small room specifically for receiving guests, where the household servants and guards would entertain their friends and relatives.
Liu Kai chose this location, clearly still wary of Hou Liu.
He led Hou Liu to the room and, after serving tea, leisurely asked, "Tell me, what do you know?"
Hou Liu feigned mystery. "Do you know what happened on Qingniu Mountain before the second young master met his unfortunate end?"
Liu Kai looked at him and shook his head slightly. "If you reveal any important information, I will report it to His Lordship, and you will be handsomely rewarded."