Would You Like to Have a Drink

Not long after Zong Luo returned, an unexpected guest arrived at his door.

 

“The Fourth Prince invited me out for a gathering?”

 

Chewing on the news reported by the servant, Zong Luo fell into contemplation.

 

Late at night, being invited out would always give people an unusual taste.

 

Remembering some seemingly unheard of methods in his previous life, Zong Luo felt that tonight was mostly a foreboding of impending storms.

 

In recent days, Zong Yuanwu and Zong Yongliu had come to visit, but only Zong Chengsi, who had already presented him with a pill, had not made any moves, only symbolically sending some greetings.

 

With such a sudden invitation for a gathering, Zong Luo inevitably would think too much.

 

Coincidentally, recently Gu Ziyuan had dreams about his past life. Although they were just some trivial details, if he paid attention and connected them with his current life, it would pose a significant threat to Zong Luo.

 

However, premonition was a premonition, since someone had come to invite him, Zong Luo, who was looking for a breakthrough point, naturally wouldn’t let the opportunity slip away.

 

Moreover, Zong Chengsi was the absolute leading role in the fight for the throne in his past life and was the true winner in the end.

 

If Gu Ziyuan dreamed of something but didn’t realize it was true and talked to Zong Luo about it, he could get information for free.

 

Most importantly, Zong Luo had planned to use the Fourth Prince as his target in this life.

 

Therefore he ordered his servant to bring a large crane cloak and went out with an umbrella.

 

Coincidentally, a Xuan Cavalry, who was on night patrol with the guards tonight, happened to be in front of the prince’s mansion and bowed in salute.

 

“How is Zong Ruichen doing these days?”

 

Zong Ruichen had been making a fuss about wanting to learn martial arts and had said he wanted to go to Xuan Cavalry to train for a while. Thus Zong Luo sent him over there, but also left a room for him in the mansion so he could come back and rest anytime.

 

“Your Highness, when we went out on patrol, the Eighth Prince was still practicing his horse stance in the martial arts field.”

 

Mu Yuanlong was a rigid and straightforward person. He was definitely the strictest type when teaching martial arts.

 

Even if Zong Ruichen was His Highness’ younger imperial brother, he would definitely not go easy on him. So much so that when he heard Zong Luo say that Zong Ruichen also wanted to follow them to the battlefield in the future, the original strictness only intensified.

 

Only those who have been on the battlefield know that it was not a place for games.

 

Not laying a solid foundation in basic skills at present, the enemy’s swords and knives would also never show mercy.

 

“Okay, I’m fine now. You guys can continue patrolling.”

Zong Luo brought Zhaoye Bai, who was yawning, tied his sword, mounted his horse, and said to the servant who came to report, “Lead the way.”

 

The servant was taken aback for a moment. He didn’t expect the Third Prince, who had been behind closed doors for the past few days, to agree to the invitation from the Fourth Prince. But since he had agreed, the servant quickly replied respectfully and led the way ahead.

 

The group passed through the alleys in front of the prince’s mansion and galloped towards the east of the city on the quiet streets.

 

The Imperial City was always quiet at night, but this quietness was relatively speaking.

 

For ordinary people, they were not allowed to go out after curfew, so they went to bed early.

 

However, for aristocratic children, curfew was just an opportunity to play in a different place. For example, the all-night district of Hualiu Street in the east of the city, where there were brothels and teahouses like Nanfeng Pavilion, and the inner streets were connected, so there was no need to go out on the street, and naturally, they did not violate the curfew rules.

 

The whole street was colorful, with red flowers and green willows. On both sides were three-story high buildings with wooden beams in the center and sequin colorful silks fluttering in the wind.

 

(t/n red flowers and green willows- describes a bright spring scene, also describes bright and colorful colors)

 

Behind the thin window paper, there were beautiful shadows reflecting on it. Many waved their hands to extinguish the lights, and the sound of silk and bamboo instruments and low laughter could still be heard from afar.

 

The Fourth Prince, Zong Chengsi, was a frequent visitor here, and he was well-versed in eating, drinking, whoring, and gambling. The idle sons of various aristocratic families in the capital were proud to play with him, and he was also the favorite patron of various brothel madams.

 

Unlike Zong Luo, someone who had never set foot in this place before.

 

So when the servant brought him to Hualiu Street, his eyebrows began to furrow. When the horse stopped in front of the largest Nanfeng Pavilion on this street, Zong Luo’s face was as cold as frost.

 

He sat upright on the beautiful white horse and said lightly, “If this is the Fourth Prince’s way of hospitality, then please forgive me for not obeying.”

 

“Hahaha, Third Imperial Brother, there’s no need to be like this.”

 

Just as Zong Luo was about to turn around and leave, a hearty laughter suddenly came from above.

Zong Chengsi was standing on the second floor of Nanfeng Pavilion, holding a fan in his hand.

 

He casually pulled the spilled curtain and flew down, landing outside. “It’s just that I didn’t think it through. While waiting for the servant to go and invite, I realized that the imperial brother must probably already be asleep. You see, I had already arranged a private room at Chunfeng Tower for tomorrow, but I didn’t expect that the imperial brother would be actually willing to pay me a visit.”

 

“This time, Nan Xiaozhu doesn’t do any flesh trade on ordinary days. It’s just a tea and wine shop where you can occasionally listen to some songs, there are also singsong girls inside. On weekdays, many court officials also entertain themselves and discuss matters here. Their top musician, Sir Shi, is even difficult to find, and people are queuing up for his performance until next year.” (TL: Nan Xiaozhu or Nan Small and Graceful Pavilion)

 

Zong Chengsi said with a frivolous smile on his face, but his gaze carried a completely different sense of prudence.

 

Since the last time he subtly guided Zong Hongji in the carriage, there had been no news from the palace.

 

The palace had always been as impenetrable as an iron bucket, and not even the Sixth and Fifth Princes had successfully planted any spies there.

 

It wasn’t until yesterday that he received news that the Ninth Prince had been confined by His Majesty again.

 

It was not clear which day he was confined, but Zong Chengsi knew it well.

 

Most likely it was the time he poured oil on the fire.

 

Unfortunately, he couldn’t get any information or contact Zong Hongji. After waiting for a few days, he heard from his informant that the Third Prince had successfully recognized Xuan Cavalry and knew that the latter was gradually recovering his memory. Unable to hold back any longer, Zong Chengsi took the initiative to attack.

 

He had originally thought that Zong Luo would refuse him like he had refused the other princes, but he didn’t expect him to come.

 

It must be the effect of the half pill he gave him. Zong Chengsi couldn’t help but feel a hint of joy in his heart.

 

Even if there was a risk of exposure tonight due to his lack of careful consideration, if he could win over this powerful imperial brother, it would be a steady profit without losing.