In ancient times, the powerful and wealthy seized power step by step.

Zhu Qingyu had just finished a sip when Madam Xue had already downed her entire cup.

Madam Xue was still somewhat unsatisfied, her eyes fixed longingly on Zhu Qingyu's wine cup:

"How can there be such fine wine? I wonder where Lord Gu found it. Why aren't you drinking it?"

Since she seemed to enjoy it, Zhu Qingyu didn't want to spoil her mood, so she took another sip and echoed her sentiments:

"It's good wine, but I'm not good at it. It wouldn't be good if I drank too much and got drunk."

The maidservant serving at the table today was particularly attentive. After pouring wine for the whole table, she noticed that Madam Xue's wine cup was empty and immediately came over to refill it, and also refilled Zhu Qingyu's cup.

After the maid finished pouring the wine, Madam Xue said dismissively:

"Fruit wine isn't really alcohol, so how could it make you drunk? It's a delicious treat, so drink it without worry. You can drink three jugs and you won't get drunk."

It can only be said that everyone has their own taste. Zhu Qingyu could clearly see the maid pouring the wine from a pot, and everyone at the table was drinking this wine. It was described as a delicacy by Madam Xue, and the other guests at the table also praised the fruit wine. However, no matter how much she drank it, Zhu Qingyu found it bitter.

However, the current distillation technology is not up to par, and the alcohol content of the wine is not high. The fruit wine given to the women is more like a beverage than an alcoholic drink, and it is indeed not intoxicating. So, Zhu Qingyu also accompanied Madam Xue and drank a few cups.

After several rounds of drinks, halfway through the meal, Zhu Qingyu, whether from sleepiness or drunkenness, felt dizzy and started yawning.

Madam Xue whispered something to her:

"Why are you so sleepy? You can actually get drunk just from fruit wine?"

Zhu Qingyu's eyes were almost closed:

"It could also be because I didn't take a nap at noon. I have a habit of taking a nap, and if I don't, I tend to feel sleepy around this time."

Usually, such banquets provide a place for guests to change and rest. Leaving halfway through the banquet would be impolite to the host, but seeing that Zhu Qingyu was almost falling under the table, it would be even more unseemly for her to sleep on the table. Madam Xue suggested a solution:

"Shall I come with you to rest for a while?"

The table where the two sat was off-center, next to a side gate. As soon as they stepped out of the side gate, a young maidservant came to greet them.

"Would you two ladies like to change your clothes? This servant will take you there."

Normally, the changing room for guests is not too far from the seating area, but perhaps because they were sitting in a particularly remote spot today, they had to pass through several doors before they arrived at their changing room.

It was a small courtyard, with maids both inside and outside the house, providing handkerchiefs and water for the guests; the preparations were very thoughtful.

Zhu Qingyu was so sleepy she was almost delirious. Madam Xue helped her to the small couch in the next room to rest, and seeing that she was about to fall asleep, she was both amused and exasperated.

"Why are you like my little daughter, always wanting to sleep at a certain time? Alright, you can sleep for a while. I'll stay here and watch over you. When it's almost time, we'll go out and go back with the crowd."

Zhu Qingyu didn't know why she was so sleepy today, and felt a little embarrassed, her eyes still blurry with sleep:

"You should go back to the table first. It would be too conspicuous if the two of us weren't there. I'll just lie down for a bit and then get up. Don't keep you from drinking."

Ultimately, she couldn't bear to part with the good wine, and besides, the banquet was only halfway through; it really wouldn't be appropriate to leave now. Madam Xue said:

"Okay, I'll come pick you up in a bit."

Zhu Qingyu was so sleepy that she didn't even have the strength to answer. She hummed in response, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

Madam Xue was startled. She went closer and checked her breathing. She was truly asleep, not suddenly dead. Then she laughed again.

"Oh my, you're really making me laugh. Your alcohol tolerance is so low, you can get drunk from just a little fruit wine, and you fall asleep like a child. Wait till you wake up, and I'll see how I laugh at you."

Seeing that Madam Zhang was drunk and looked like a sleeping begonia, Madam Xue thought to herself that even she, a woman, found her so beautiful that she couldn't take her eyes off her. Zhang Jingyan was truly blessed to be able to marry such a beautiful woman.

Madam Xue came out of the courtyard, took a few pieces of silver and gave them to the maidservant guarding the gate, saying:

"The woman inside is Madam Zhang. Please look after her. If anything happens, please come and find me. I will thank you again."

The young maidservant accepted the money with a smile on her face and readily agreed. She respectfully saw Madam Xue out of the courtyard. Once Madam Zhang was out of sight, she stopped smiling, remained silent, and closed the courtyard gate.

......

The Yangzhou government office is hosting a victory celebration banquet today, with guests filling the halls and creating a lively atmosphere.

What should have been a joyous and harmonious occasion turned into a tense situation when, after several rounds of drinks, a group of soldiers suddenly stormed into the front yard, surrounding the guests in layers. A storm was brewing, and tensions were palpable.

Gu Zhao was the host and sat at the main table, accompanied by some of the most prominent figures in Yangzhou's officialdom.

The Governor-General of Liangjiang and Governor of Jiangsu, Lord Gao, the Prefect of Yangzhou, Lord Liu, the Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou, and Lord Yang, the Transport Commissioner of Yangzhou, were all present.

Lord Gao was beaming with joy today, even happier than Gu Zhao, the great hero who had helped quell the bandits.

After being a lone commander for so long and enduring so much humiliation, I'm finally going to get rid of Gu Zhao, that usurper.

As expected, Liu Wenhuan was capable enough to win over Gu Zhao. With Gu Zhao acting as a pillar of stability in the capital, the smuggling of salt could now be conducted openly and without any further worries.

Although Gu Zhao should receive a share, he, as the Governor-General of Liangjiang, will receive his due share, and the Liangjiang region will remain his domain in the future.

Just as they were enjoying their drinks, a group of soldiers suddenly burst in. Master Gao knew something was wrong and was about to draw his sword when he found his hands empty.

He didn't bring a knife to the banquet today, and not only that, he didn't bring many servants either.

Lord Gao stood up and questioned in a stern voice:

"Lord Gu! What does this mean?!"

Gu Zhao continued drinking as usual, and said with a smile:

"Lord Gao, there's no need to rush."

After finishing his drink, Gu Zhao stood up, stepped forward, took out the imperial edict from his robes, and proclaimed:

"The Emperor has decreed..."

Upon hearing the imperial edict, everyone on the scene immediately knelt down. Even Lord Gao, upon seeing the bright yellow edict, dared not defy it and immediately knelt down as well.

The Emperor's decree, delivered by express courier, consisted of only a few words, yet it determined the fate of countless people.

The imperial edict stated: "Gao Zhongjie, Governor-General of Liangjiang, Liu Wenhuan, Prefect of Yangzhou, along with dozens of other officials present, and the two major merchants, colluded with salt smugglers to smuggle and amass wealth through illegal trade, betraying the Emperor's grace. Their crimes are unforgivable. They are to be immediately dismissed from their posts and investigated. Imperial Commissioner Gu Shouming is hereby ordered to immediately escort the relevant criminals to the capital. The criminals' homes and valuables are to be securely sealed and guarded. Their important family members are to be immediately arrested and escorted to the capital as well. This is the imperial decree!"