After Zhu Ping'an took the initiative to toast, the wind direction at the table quietly changed and was not blowing on Zhu Ping'an for the time being.
The wine was flowing and people were excited. Yan Shifan's arrogance became stronger and stronger, especially after everyone toasted him. He was even more arrogant. No matter the official position or age of the people at the table, Yan Shifan was always arrogant and domineering. Even the older people in Yan's party were not respected by Yan Shifan.
The only one who dared not to praise Yan Shifan at the dinner table was Shen Lian. Although Shen Lian's official position was only that of Jinyiwei and he was at best a grassroots cadre of Jinyiwei, Shen Lian had a backer. He was appreciated and valued by Lu Bing, the highest officer of Jinyiwei.
Yan Shifan also had some concerns about Shen Lian. In addition to being concerned about Jinyiwei commander Lu Bing, Shen Lian's character was another factor. Shen Lian worked for Jinyiwei and was upright. He was not greedy or corrupt, so people could not find any handle on him, and therefore he was difficult to deal with. In addition, he hated evil and would speak out when he saw injustice, so he was destined not to be a peaceful Jinyiwei. Although he was in Jinyiwei, his heart was with the censor, so he was much more diligent in submitting letters to the emperor than the censor.
Theoretically speaking, Shen Lian's personality makes it difficult for him to get along in Jinyiwei. He often makes petitions to the censors, which easily offends people. However, there are exceptions to everything. Shen Lian not only firmly established himself in Jinyiwei, but also has the momentum of promotion. The reason is that his personality and ability are appreciated by Jinyiwei Commander Lu Bing. Lu Bing thinks Shen Lian is a talent, so he protects him more. Lu Bing takes Shen Lian with him in many activities and actions, such as this small banquet, with the intention of training Shen Lian and preparing for future reuse.
Yan Shifan was a smart man, and he saw through Lu Bing's intentions clearly, so he treated Shen Lian differently from others, and turned a blind eye to some of Shen Lian's uncooperative behaviors and actions, just to give Lu Bing face.
Making an exception for Shen Lian does not mean making exceptions for others, including our own people, including Zhu Pingan...
After drinking a few more glasses of wine, Yan Shifan felt unhappy, so he waved his hand and signaled the servants serving at the Xiao Enrong Banquet to fetch a few large bottles.
After the maid brought the huge jar, Zhu Pingan was a little confused after taking a look at it. The jar was made of gold. It looked a bit like a retro three-legged wine jar, but it was definitely huge. The size of the jar was twice the size of an ordinary teacup. This cup was enough to make him drunk! Most people would get drunk after drinking this cup, not to mention himself.
"Hahaha, this is more delicious."
Yan Shifan, a short, fat man with a single eye emitting a domineering luster, looked at the huge barrel and laughed as if no one was around.
Seeing the evasive looks from everyone, Yan Shifan's only eye shone with excitement. The most exciting thing in the world is the fearful look from others.
Yan Shifan's one eye swept across the crowd, looking for the first person drinking from the giant jar. Wherever his one eye saw, the birds and beasts would be startled.
"Zihou took the top spot and won the palace examination. It is reasonable and moral that the first bottle of wine should be used by the number one scholar first." Yan Shifan narrowed his one eye and glanced at Zhu Ping'an like a hawk.
As soon as Yan Shifan said this, Luo Longwen, who was sitting on the side, was the first to respond, saying that a good horse goes with a good saddle and a good wine goes with a champion. He fanned the flames and looked at Zhu Ping'an with amusement, wanting to see how Zhu Ping'an would react.
But he knew that Zhu Ping'an couldn't drink much.
The other people at the table were also watching how Zhu Ping'an would react.
Zhu Ping'an was not surprised at all by Yan Shifan's behavior. As early as when he received the invitation to the Yan Mansion's Xiao Enrong Banquet, Zhu Ping'an had been mentally prepared. Yan Shifan had made so many preparations for Ouyang Zishi to win the first place. It can be imagined that in addition to his own series of actions, Yan Shifan must have made more preparations in other places, such as finding a breakthrough from the examiner, studying the recent series of travels of Emperor Jiajing, guessing possible questions, etc. Everything was ready, but in the end, he got the first place. It would be strange if Yan Shifan was happy.
Zhu Ping'an had known a lot about Yan Shifan from historical books and unofficial histories. He knew his temperament and habits. He was a conceited and arrogant person. He had just heard him bragging about how many things he had helped Yan Song deal with, and he joked that at least half of the world was on his shoulders.
The arrogance caused by this kind of entitlement generally makes it impossible to listen to opposing opinions, let alone opposing actions.
For this bottle of wine, I only have two choices: one is to drink it without hesitation; the other is to find a bunch of reasons to refuse, and then be forced to drink it, and be fined...
After just a moment of thought, Zhu Ping'an made his choice.
"I have a low alcohol tolerance. If I get drunk and do something inappropriate, please criticize me, seniors, and Lord Yan will protect me."
Zhu Ping'an stood up and took the full bottle of wine handed to him by the maid, smiled slightly and bowed slightly to everyone.
Before he finished speaking, everyone present was amused at the sight of Zhu Ping'an, who actually described being drunk as so refreshing and refined, and even made preparations in advance for his drunken behavior, and also flattered Yan Shifan in passing. The key point was the sentence "My seniors criticize me, and Lord Yan protects me". This contrast was really interesting.
After hearing what Zhu Ping'an said, Yan Shifan pointed at him with his fat finger and smiled, "You are so honest. OK, drink without worry. I will hold up the sky for you."
"Thank you, Master Yan."
Zhu Ping'an bowed to Yan Shifan, and just as he was about to drink, he suddenly stopped.
What happened again? Luo Longwen looked at Zhu Pingan impatiently.
"Uh, can you give me a portion of that caviar? Ahem, Ping'an comes from the countryside and has never seen such a delicacy." Zhu Ping'an said somewhat embarrassedly.
Well
Are you worried that you will get drunk and won’t be able to eat the caviar you have been coveting for a long time
Hahaha
When everyone saw this, they remembered the nickname "Good-for-Nothing Zai Yu" that was circulated a few days ago when Zhu Ping'an took the imperial examination in Nanzhili, and they couldn't help laughing. Luo Longwen laughed the loudest among them.
"Zihou, you are really honest and simple." Yan Shifan couldn't help but smile, then waved his fat hand to signal the maid beside him to bring the caviar and Zhu Ping'an in the middle of the table over.
"Thank you, Master Yan, for your kindness."
When everyone's eyes were focused on the caviar, Zhu Ping'an whispered thank you, then held up the wine glass in one hand and with the other hand, he waved his wide sleeves around the other side and also landed on the wine glass. His two sleeves just blocked everyone's sight. While raising the wine glass, he quickly tilted it and poured the wine in the bottle into it through his sleeves.
When the maid brought the caviar to Zhu Ping'an, and everyone's eyes fell on him, Zhu Ping'an had already finished the wine in the wine bottle. He wiped his mouth and turned the wine bottle upside down to indicate that there was no drop of wine in the wine bottle, and then sat down. (To be continued.)