The most dissolute couple in the capital

The news of He Li's upcoming marriage quickly reached the Liang Prince's residence.

To show respect to his brother, Li Chengjing specially hosted a high-profile banquet at the Liang Prince's residence.

The main hall of the Prince's mansion was brightly lit, filled with music and dance, and maids moved about, serving a continuous stream of delicacies.

Wang Chengyuan was dressed in an extremely flamboyant dark gold brocade robe with auspicious patterns, holding a crystal-clear luminous cup in his hand: "Prince Liang, the wine cup in your residence is quite nice, but it's a pity that the maid who poured the wine used too much force, causing the wine to swirl and lose its mellowness. It's only because He Li is celebrating his wedding today that I'm doing this; otherwise, I would have flipped the table."

"Shut up already. You're nitpicking about how your cup broke while you're drinking. I'm being polite by not giving you a huge bowl." Li Chengjing retorted without any politeness, then turned his gaze to He Li, who was sitting to the side.

He Li, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore. He picked up his wine glass, cleared his throat, and tried to adopt a mature and composed demeanor: "Alright, alright, I'm treating today... uh, although it's the boss's territory. But on such a good day, let's not bicker too much, you two brothers. This wine is about the atmosphere and the sentiment."

Wang Chengyuan, holding his wine glass, looked He Li up and down, then clicked his tongue in disdain: "Your dark blue round-necked robe is so old-fashioned. Where did that He Er go, the one in the pink Shu brocade with gold leaves?"

He Li straightened his cuffs and stood up straight: "Brother Wang, you are mistaken. One should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation. I now have a proper official position and am about to settle down and start a family. My fiancée is a female official who will do important things, so I naturally have to be more composed and not embarrass her."

"Steady?" Li Chengjing scoffed, mercilessly exposing his past. "Who was it the day before yesterday, begging me to lend them two clever guards with tears streaming down their face? Who was it that said, 'The Great Ning Code is too hard to memorize, can someone lend me some to slack off?'"

He Li blushed, speechless, and retorted, "That's called...that's called the essential path for those who strive for advancement! You don't understand, it's a sweet burden!"

Wang Chengyuan covered his nose and shook his head repeatedly: "Oh dear, it's truly heartbreaking to hear and tearful to see. Back then, the three of us could walk sideways and no one dared to stop us. Now look what's happened, our Second Young Master He not only went to work as a laborer auditing accounts, but he's also eagerly rushing to become a henpecked husband."

He sighed, his gaze turning wistfully to Li Chengjing: "Boss, of the three of us, He Li has betrayed us. Fortunately, you're still here with me."

Li Chengjing was immediately displeased upon hearing this, and retorted, "What are you looking at! Who's like you? I'm working diligently for the sake of the Princess's career, how dare you slander me for no reason?"

Wang Chengyuan, heartbroken by the rebuke, clutched his chest: "The world is going to hell! People's hearts are no longer what they used to be! So now I'm the only one left upholding my playboy ways?!"

He Li couldn't help but laugh and scold, and the three of them raised their glasses and clinked them together, laughing and joking around again.

After the laughter subsided, He Li took his wine glass and went to exchange pleasantries with the guests at the other tables. His dark blue round-necked robe made him appear steady and upright, and when he returned the greeting, he actually had a certain air of competence as an official of the imperial court.

Li Chengjing narrowed his eyes and whispered in Cui Qingyi's ear, "Look, that bastard He Li is actually quite human."

Cui Qingyi nearly lost her composure: "Be careful what you say."

"Did I say something wrong?" Li Chengjing looked completely innocent. "Look at him, after following the Prince of Yan for half a year, he actually knows how to bow properly now."

Cui Qingyi glanced at him sideways and said, "She's about to settle down and start a family now."

"Yes..." Lee Seung-kyung drawled out the last syllable, then suddenly fell silent.

Li Chengjing was somewhat dejected, picking at a plate of chicken in front of him with his chopsticks.

Cui Qingyi understood Li Chengjing's behavior somewhat: "Your Highness, what's wrong? Did the chicken's death not taste dignified enough and disturb your appetite?"

Li Chengjing pointed at He Li with a pained expression: "Qingyi, my heart is breaking."

Cui Qingyi sighed inwardly: "Please elaborate."

Li Chengjing said, "Look at Lao He. Before, the three of us were all useless at everything, but we were always eating the wrong thing. Now, He Li went out with the Prince of Yan and not only got an official position, but he's about to win the heart of a beauty! What do you call that? You call it 'My friend is awesome, but I'm useless'!"

Cui Qingyi's expression was gentle and considerate: "Your Highness, why do you say such things? You are His Majesty's most beloved younger brother, the most esteemed Prince Liang of the Great Ning Dynasty. In the entire city of Chang'an, who doesn't know that you have the privilege of disregarding the rules? If you can lie down, why insist on standing?"

"That's not how it works!" Li Chengjing said sternly. "When you see someone virtuous, think of emulating them! As the Queen's husband, I can't just be content with being an ordinary Prince Liang! I also have to take responsibility and not let you go out and be laughed at for marrying a good-for-nothing!"

I've never seen you reflect on your own actions when you saw someone so unworthy!

Cui Qingyi wanted to say something more, but looking at Li Chengjing's bright eyes, she couldn't bear to.

This person was provoked by He Li today. All he wanted was to learn to be good. Was that not allowed?

Her gaze shifted slightly, and suddenly an idea came to her.

"Since Your Highness has such lofty ambitions, I naturally support you," Cui Qingyi said with a smile, wiping her hands with a handkerchief. "Your Highness possesses an astonishing intuition for identifying spices and making cosmetics. Many of those spices are also medicinal herbs. Perhaps Your Highness should study medicine?"

"Studying medicine?" Li Chengjing was taken aback.

"Yes, study medicine." Cui Qingyi encouraged her patiently. "Think about it, you can blend cosmetics so well. If you understand pharmacology, you can make more than just cosmetics; you can also use them to beautify the skin and cure diseases. Besides, if you practice medicine and treat the people in the area, who would dare say you are incompetent?"

Li Chengjing's eyes instantly lit up like two lanterns, and he envisioned himself as a healer, revered by the people. He clapped his hands sharply: "This plan is brilliant! I've decided, starting tomorrow, I will become the number one doctor in Da Ning!"