He Lingchuan raised his cup to Du Shan. “For those words alone, we ought to drink deep. Come!”

Du Shan smiled as well. The two raised their cups and drained them together.

He Lingchuan simply called the waiter over. “Bring five jars of Seeping Spring Fragrance and fill everyone’s cups. If five jars aren’t enough, bring another five.”

The students were delighted. “He Xiao is generous!” Not every Imperial Academy student came from a well-off family, and not all of them could afford five taels of silver for a jar of Seeping Spring Fragrance.

“After Crown Prince Huan set the fire, the Lord Emperor summoned Crown Prince Yue and me to the Heavenly Palace to soothe us.” He Lingchuan tossed a large silver ingot to the waiter, full of bold spirit. “What am I keeping this compensation money for? I might as well treat everyone to wine today!”

Everyone beamed.

However, the brows of Zheng Zewu, Gao Jilin, Du Shan, and several others furrowed.

The Lord Emperor usually remains at Heaven-Reaching Palace on Tianxin Island. Why would he summon those from Chiyan to the Heavenly Palace to soothe them?

Could the heavenly gods have been involved somehow?

The waters are deep indeed.

This round of drinking at Fragrance-Filled House lasted until the sun slanted westward. Only then did everyone decide to...