In the little courtyard, the four of them sat around a stone table.
After a few cups of wine, Zheng Hui seemed to return to his days at the Street Patrol Office. He opened the floodgates of conversation and unleashed his three signature chatterbox moves.
First, he talked about how hard he had worked in his youth. Then he pointed to the scars all over his body and recounted the dangers he had faced. Finally, he told stories and jokes about the Night Guard.
Just as before, all three still called him Captain Zheng.
Han Anbo never touched the wine. Even if Zheng Hui talked until the heavens split, he would not take a sip. No matter how Zheng Hui ribbed him, he simply smiled.
Li Qingxian had originally left himself time to go home, but once Zheng Hui got into the spirit of drinking, he refused to let them leave. They drank deep into the night.
Though Zheng Hui's dantian had been destroyed, his body still had a strong foundation, and he was especially excited. With his eyes narrowed, he stayed drunk from noon until night without ever passing out.
When he finally could not drink any more, he unleashed his three signature drunken moves.
First, he lamented the suffering of the common people. Then he cursed the court for being full of treacherous officials. Finally, he praised the emperor as a wise sovereign unmatched through the ages, declaring His Majesty enlightened.
Once Zheng Hui was too drunk to speak clearly, Li Qingxian carried him to bed on his back and settled him down to rest.
As he stepped out of the room, Li Qingxian heard Zheng Hui slurring his praises through wine-laden breath. "His Majesty is enlightened. His Majesty is enlightened..."
Passing the stove in the main hall,