The imperial palace, Qilin Virtue Hall.
Dusk descended slowly from the western clouds like a thin veil, staining the glazed rooftops a muted golden red.
All hundred glazed lamps inside the hall had been lit. Firelight shone through their shades, thin as cicada wings, casting pools of warmth across the white marble floor.
The banquet was over, and the civil and military officials had long since departed.
The young eunuchs had swiftly cleared away the leftover food, wine cups, and dishes from the tables.
Yan Qinyu sat on the imperial throne, the collar of his dragon robe loosened and his sleeves rolled up to reveal his well-defined forearms. "Someone, take away this tiny wine jug. Bring me the whole jar.
"I intend to keep drinking with my dear Minister Qin!"
"Yes..."
Before long, only Qin Yao and Yan Qinyu remained in the vast hall.
Grand Eunuch Nur attended them from a distance by the doors.
The ruler of Great Yan steadied the wine jar with one hand and gestured to Qin Yao with the other, grinning broadly. "Minister Qin, take a look at this jar!"
Qin Yao looked over.
A handsome earthenware wine jar sat on the long rosewood table. Red silk bound its mouth, and fresh, damp soil still clung to its sides.
The soil was dark brown and moist. The jar had clearly just been dug out of the ground!
Yan Qinyu patted its side, producing a dull thud. "Inside is Flame Marrow Brew. It's finer than the Blazing Flame Jade Nectar you shared with me back when you were in the Mystic Gathering Realm, and its fiery potency hits even harder!
"This stuff has a real kick!!
"Two Qi Activation Realm martial artists of our dynasty once drank so greedily that they died of intoxication.
"So? Do