Xu hour, fourth quarter.
Star Plucking Tower.
The lanterns had just been lit.
In the eighth-floor banquet hall, pearl curtains swayed lightly, and all thirty-eight Sandalwood round tables were filled.
On the stage beside them, colorful-clad dancing maidens showed off their dance, while String and Bamboo Music rang in everyone's ears.
When the appointed hour arrived, Zhao Yu lightly tapped the wine cup made from a Glazed Cup against the table and was the first to rise.
His low voice suddenly rang out. "Everyone, let us drain this cup for Champion Jiang, and wish him another championship in this summer's Provincial Examination!"
His calm voice carried with extraordinary force at that moment, entering the ears of the guests in every direction with perfect clarity.
Zhao Yulong taking the initiative to rise was him publicly backing Jiang Ning.
At once, no one dared put on airs. They hurriedly lifted their cups and stood.
"May Champion Jiang seize first place in the Provincial Examination in one stroke!"
"..."
Seeing this, Jiang Ning also rose at once.
Every person who came here had given him congratulatory money, and besides, one did not strike a smiling face with an outstretched hand, so he did not put on any airs.
He raised his wine cup.
"Thank you all for your kindness! I shall drink first as a gesture of respect."
As his words fell, Jiang Ning tipped back his neck and drained the wine in his cup. As his Adam's apple bobbed, the strong liquor entered his belly and spread like fire.
After draining it in one mouthful, he turned the cup upside down, and not a single drop fell.
Seeing this, though the crowd was somewhat stunned, they all raised their cups in acknowledgment, then each drained theirs in one gulp.
At this moment,