The prince is more stable

Chapter 636 A Bold and Talented Woman
Li Qingzhao is the greatest female talent in Chinese history.

Upon hearing Li Qingzhao's name, Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned. His hand, holding the cup, froze, and he stared at her in disbelief.

To everyone's surprise, the clever and mischievous fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl in front of me was actually Li Qingzhao.

Fate is truly mysterious. In the bustling capital of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Xiaoqian, who should have had no connection with her, unexpectedly met and became acquainted with her.

Zhao Xiaoqian glanced at Li Kefei in front of her. He had never heard of the name before, but now he realized that Li Kefei was actually Li Qingzhao's father.

The people present exchanged greetings, but Zhao Xiaoqian stared blankly at Li Qingzhao. His strange reaction quickly attracted the attention of several people in the elegant room.

Su Shi's expression was a bit strange. Based on his understanding of Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhao Xiaoqian was not a lecherous man who would be easily swayed by beauty, so he wouldn't have lost his composure like this after seeing Li Qingzhao.

Li Kefei's expression was somewhat wary. Seeing Zhao Xiaoqian staring at Li Qingzhao without blinking, Li Kefei frowned secretly, took a step to the side without making a sound, and shielded his daughter behind him, covering her completely, like an old man wary of a young punk riding a will-o'-the-wisp.

After Li Qingzhao's figure was blocked by her father, Zhao Xiaoqian finally came to his senses. Seeing everyone looking at him strangely, he couldn't help but smile awkwardly.

"Whether you believe it or not, I'm not a lecher," Zhao Xiaoqian said awkwardly, touching his nose.

Behind Li Kefei came Li Qingzhao's soft snort: "You're kidding me. If you weren't a lecher, why would you be sitting in a brothel?"

Zhao Xiaoqian's eyelids twitched. Well, logically speaking, it didn't make sense.

But, I swear I wasn't lustful just now!
I simply admire the talent of China's foremost female scholar.

At this time, Li Qingzhao was still a young girl, probably just reaching the age of coming of age. Zhao Xiaoqian wondered if she had made a name for herself in the world of poetry. He figured she probably hadn't shown her talent yet, and this potential stock was worth investing in.

Seeing that the atmosphere in the elegant room had inexplicably become somewhat awkward, Su Shi had no choice but to smooth things over.

"This is the Prince of Hejian, Zhao Xiaoqian, also known as Zhao Zian, haha, also called 'Zhao Banque'. I'm sure you two have heard of him, right?"

Li Kefei and Li Qingzhao, father and daughter, were immediately taken aback.

Li Kefei immediately showed a look of surprise and hurriedly stepped forward to bow: "So it is His Highness the Prince of Hejian. I was rude just now."

Zhao Xiaoqian coughed awkwardly, and Su Shi next to him explained, "Li Kefei, Li Wenshu, was appointed as a Compiler of Imperial Records and was only transferred to Bianjing last year."

Li Kefei said somewhat nervously, "This humble official is extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the heroes of the Great Song Dynasty today. I was unaware that Your Highness was in person just now, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me for any offense I may have caused."

Just as Zhao Xiaoqian was about to exchange a few polite words, Li Qingzhao suddenly poked her head out from behind Li Kefei and asked, "Are you Zhao Banque?"

Zhao Xiaoqian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "I suppose so."

Li Qingzhao was no longer afraid. She jumped out from behind her father, looked him up and down, then nodded, and like an adult with her hands behind her back, said, "His appearance is decent enough, but he's a bit lecherous..."

Zhao Xiaoqian said with a wry smile, "I really didn't mean anything by it just now..."

Li Kefei shouted sternly, "Qingzhao! You mustn't act recklessly in front of His Highness!"

Li Qingzhao pouted unhappily: "Who's being ridiculous? I just want to ask him why he only wrote half a poem. Is he unable to finish the other half?"

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "Perhaps the other half didn't find it that amazing, so it was too lazy to make it. It's enough to leave the half that's wonderful for the world to see."

Li Qingzhao was taken aback by what she heard, then nodded: "What you said makes sense. It's better to hide things that aren't good, so as not to embarrass others when they find out. I also wrote some poems when I was young, and I still feel embarrassed when I read them now. So I simply burned them all and pretended that I never wrote them. So you think so too."

Zhao Xiaoqian laughed and said, "Me too. I'll burn all my bad writings to the ground, so that my integrity can remain in the world."

Everyone laughed. Su Shi stroked his beard and laughed loudly, "Although I am embarrassed to admit it, it is true. Some things seem wonderful when I first put them down, but after a few days they look like a pile of dog shit. So I quickly destroy them so that no one can see them and tarnish my reputation."

As they talked, the atmosphere in the private room became lively.

Li Qingzhao seemed to be a woman who didn't care much about etiquette. She excitedly sat down next to Zhao Xiaoqian. Seeing that there was a courtesan serving wine next to Zhao Xiaoqian, Li Qingzhao pointed to her father and said to the woman, "Go and serve my father wine. I want to have a chat with His Highness."

Zhao Xiaoqian was dumbfounded again. Judging from this, Li Qingzhao was very familiar with brothels and didn't care at all about her father's drinking and womanizing.

Seeing the strange looks in Zhao Xiaoqian and Su Shi's eyes, Li Kefei could only smile bitterly and say, "It is an unfortunate family situation. My daughter is unruly and quite different from ordinary girls. I have disciplined her many times, but she remains the same. I am really powerless to do anything about it, so I can only let her do as she pleases."

Su Shi laughed and said, "Who says that women can only stay in their boudoirs and miss their prime? Your daughter is quite good, and her temperament suits my taste very well."

As he spoke, Su Shi raised his cup to Li Qingzhao and said, "Come, little girl, drink with this old man."

Li Qingzhao didn't stand on ceremony and poured herself a cup of wine, saying with a chuckle, "Scholar Su, I've long admired your name. This humble woman toasts you with a cup."

After saying this, Li Qingzhao tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp, then skillfully showed the bottom of the cup to Su Shi.

Zhao Xiaoqian nodded secretly. Judging from the way she held the glass and drank, this talented woman was a seasoned veteran at the drinking table.

Seeing Li Qingzhao's boldness, Su Shi was even happier, as if he had found a kindred spirit in wine. He immediately downed a cup and playfully showed her the bottom of his cup.

"Girls are so much more straightforward. When I drink with Zhao Zi'an, that kid always tries to cheat. He either spills the wine on himself or holds it in his mouth and spits it out with his back to me. Every time I get completely drunk, he's perfectly fine. Drinking with him is just so frustrating."

Zhao Xiaoqian's face immediately darkened: "Mr. Zizhan, you shouldn't insult someone by revealing their shortcomings. That's not very interesting."

Li Kefei wanted to laugh but dared not, while Li Qingzhao, without such restraint, burst into laughter. Perhaps her laughter was too impolite, for after being glared at fiercely by her father, Li Qingzhao's laughter gradually subsided, but she still cast a disdainful glance at Zhao Xiaoqian. Zhao Xiaoqian was stunned when he met her gaze.

Did I just get looked down upon by a little girl?

Li Qingzhao snorted and said, "If you can't drink, don't pick up a cup. If you're going to pick up a cup, you should have good manners. What kind of behavior is this, cheating and being cunning? Go sit at the children's table. No one there will force you to drink."

Zhao Xiaoqian: "I f***ing..."

Before she could finish speaking, Li Qingzhao suddenly said, "Why don't you drink with me? Surely you can't outdrink a young girl?"

Zhao Xiaoqian sneered: "I could take on ten of you."

Li Qingzhao sneered, "Then let's give it a try?"

Li Kefei, standing beside him, said with a worried expression, "My daughter was rude, Your Highness. Please forgive her. Let's abandon the drinking. Your Highness, please reconsider."

Zhao Xiaoqian waved his hand: "It's alright. I happen to be in the mood for wine today, and I've also made some new friends. I should enjoy myself to the fullest."

Li Kefei hesitated, but Li Qingzhao chuckled and said, "Alright, but you can't go back on your word. Your Highness is a renowned hero of the Song Dynasty. Surely you wouldn't tarnish your reputation over drinking, would you?"

Not a single drop less.

Without saying a word, the two started drinking.

At first, Zhao Xiaoqian was able to handle it easily, and he would basically drink his cup down in one gulp.

The variety of alcoholic beverages available at that time was quite extensive. Apart from distilled spirits, other types of alcohol were available, such as huangjiu (yellow wine), rice wine, and grape wine.

Zhao Xiaoqian and Li Qingzhao drank rice wine, which is mild and has a low alcohol content, like white wine mixed with a lot of water, and you can't feel anything when you drink it.

But the effects of drinking too much kick in, and before you know it, your face turns red, your heart races, and you feel dizzy.

Zhao Xiaoqian gradually realized something was wrong. He was already seven or eight parts drunk, but Li Qingzhao was perfectly fine. Her complexion didn't even change; she remained as fair as ever.

After drinking an unknown amount, Li Qingzhao became excited and her emotions ran high. All that could be heard in the elegant room was her constant urging and encouragement to drink more, along with her arrogant laughter.

Zhao Xiaoqian couldn't remember how much he had drunk. After the effects kicked in, he finally realized that he couldn't outdrink this talented woman. By then, it was too late to cheat. Li Qingzhao seemed to have seen through his character and would personally check the bottom of his cup every time they toasted.

He tried every trick in the book to get away with it, but he couldn't get away with much. In the end, Zhao Xiaoqian slumped heavily onto the table and lost consciousness.

The dull sound brought the room to a sudden silence. Li Kefei stared dumbfounded at Zhao Xiaoqian, who had passed out drunk, and then at Li Qingzhao, who seemed completely unaffected. He immediately pointed at her in a fit of rage.

"You, you, you! You unfilial daughter, look what you've done!" Li Kefei roared in fury.

Li Qingzhao's eyes were clear, showing no signs of drunkenness. Upon hearing this, she carefully shook Zhao Xiaoqian, but seeing no reaction, she immediately lowered her head guiltily like a child who had done something wrong, muttering resentfully in a low voice, "Who knew he was so weak? I haven't even warmed up yet..."

"You still dare to talk back! You scoundrel, I shouldn't have brought you out. You're grounded for a month starting tomorrow!"

Su Shi, as if joining in the fun, came up to see Zhao Xiaoqian's appearance. Seeing that he was truly drunk, he couldn't help but laugh: "Really drunk? Haha, good, good! Not bad, little girl, you've avenged this old man."

Li Kefei said worriedly, "My daughter behaved badly today and got Your Highness drunk. Will Your Highness hold a grudge against me when you wake up tomorrow?"

Su Shi glanced at him and said, "Wen Shu, you are just too thoughtful. We should live life to the fullest and not walk on thin ice."

"Besides, Your Highness is not such a petty person. Otherwise, why would I consider him a close friend despite our age difference? Given my temperament, do you think I would be friends with a petty person?"

Li Kefei breathed a sigh of relief and said with a wry smile, "That's good. Scholar Su, please don't be offended. I have just been transferred to Bianjing and my position in the court is not yet secure. If I offend this prince, I'm afraid I will never have a chance to rise again in this life."

Looking at the drunken Zhao Xiaoqian, Su Shi stroked his beard and said calmly, "Zian will soon lead troops on a northern expedition. With this young hero personally leading the troops, the Song Dynasty's recovery of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun is just around the corner."

Li Kefei was startled, then exclaimed with delight, "Is our Great Song Dynasty about to recover Yan and Yun?"

Su Shi nodded with a smile.

Li Kefei looked at the engrossed Zhao Xiaoqian and said, "Is Your Highness personally leading the troops? With Your Highness in command, victory is assured. How fortunate I am to witness the hero who has achieved such unparalleled feats today..."

His tone suddenly paused. Thinking of how his daughter had just gotten this hero drunk without explanation, Li Kefei became even angrier. He glared at Li Qingzhao and said, "Look what you've done! If you make His Highness drunk and cause the royal army to suffer a defeat, you will not be able to atone for your sins even if you die a hundred times!"

Li Qingzhao said aggrievedly, "It was just one drink, Father, please don't put such a big label on your daughter."

Su Shi laughed and said, "Don't blame the girl. Today I hosted a banquet to see him off, intending to get drunk with him. Who knew that your daughter would get him drunk for me, which saved me from the pain of a hangover."

As he spoke, Su Shi looked at Li Qingzhao with a smile, his eyes full of admiration: "Young lady, can you still drink? How about having a few more cups with this old man?"

Li Qingzhao chuckled, not at all intimidated by Scholar Su's reputation, and said generously, "Alright, I just warmed up and got him drunk. I was feeling a bit bored. Today, this humble woman will accompany Scholar Su until we're both drunk."

Su Shi was startled and hurriedly said, "There's no need for the 'drink until we drop' rule. I'm too old for that. Let's just have a little and stop."

(End of this chapter)