Huangfu Jinxuan raised his eyebrows and smiled brightly, "Of course, there’s a name to it."

He leaned in closer, grinning, "The eldest young master’s Red Simurgh is stirring, good things are near, so you must drink this cup of wine!"

Huangfu Jing’s expression slightly brightened at hearing ’Red Simurgh stirring.’ For a man obsessed with women, they naturally piqued his interest.

Huangfu Jing glanced at Huangfu Jinxuan, saying, "Really? How come you know something that even I am unaware of?"

Huangfu Jinxuan laughed, "The eldest young master surely isn’t truly unaware? The Little Princess of the Huai County Prince Mansion is one of the three great beauties of the Capital City!"

Indeed, Huangfu Jing had taken a liking to the Little Princess of the Huai County Prince Mansion and had already sent people to propose marriage. Prince Huai hadn’t given a definitive answer yet; neither rejecting nor accepting, stating he needed to consider it.

Not getting an immediate agreement left Huangfu Jing quite displeased.

This was also why he found his cousins increasingly disagreeable today.

Huangfu Jinxuan offered another cup of wine and laughed, "Eldest Young Master, you might not be aware, but as Prince Huai gets older, he becomes more indecisive. How many occasions can he react immediately? What is your status? Sending someone for a marriage proposal is doing him a great honor! In truth, he’s secretly overjoyed! Regarding your marriage, I’d wager that within three days, there will be affirmative news from Prince Huai, and you’ll soon be entering the bridal chamber!"

"Three days?"

Huangfu Jinxuan vowed, "At most three days; if it extends by even a day, I’ll be your servant for life, Eldest Young Master."

Hearing this pleased Huangfu Jing. The Little Princess was indeed a beauty, famous in the Capital City, and her father was Prince Huai, which was much higher than a Third Rank Inspector. That match certainly suited his status.

Narrowing his eyes, he said, "You said it yourself!"

"Of course!" Huangfu Jinxuan assuredly stated, then dismissively added, "You know me, I can’t lose a bet! If Prince Huai fails to see the opportunity, I’ll haul the Little Princess to your bed myself!"

This statement entertained Huangfu Jing, who replied, "Then you’ll certainly be rewarded!"

Huangfu Jinxuan handed the cup over again, "Come, Eldest Young Master, let’s drink this cup in advance, wishing you to soon win over the beauty!"

This time, Huangfu Jing readily took the cup and drank it all at once.

Huangfu Jinxuan also drank his cup.

Huangfu Jinxuan had boldly approached the primary table, where everyone watched. Seeing Huangfu Jing drink the wine he offered, they couldn’t help being surprised.

Huangfu Jinxuan, equally pleased with himself, said, "Who said the Eldest Young Master wouldn’t drink a toast offered to him? You just don’t have the knack to catch his eye. When I step up, the Eldest Young Master gives his favor, doesn’t he?"

Everyone: "..."

Ha!

Who knew what sort of flattery he spouted!

Just as Huangfu Jinxuan proudly turned to walk back to his table, he hadn’t even taken three steps when a short cry from the primary table was heard, followed by the sound of a chair toppling and exclamations.

Not only was Tianhua Pavilion spacious, but it was also intricately laid out, with flowers and trees adorning the front.

The Emperor and Empress’s positions were at the main spot, while Imperial Concubine Zhou and the other concubines were placed in serene and elegant positions amidst the blossom displays, forming small sections.

The Princes were positioned in the east, and the Imperial Grandsons in the west.

It was divided into four areas.

Such an arrangement allowed everyone to enjoy themselves freely because being under the Emperor’s watchful eye would leave everyone silent and tense, wouldn’t it?

Now, while still in the same space, the flower trees and railings offered partial covers, so unless there was a loud disturbance, the four areas didn’t interfere with one another.

Given it was a palace banquet attended by royal relatives, loud noise wasn’t expected.

This showcased Imperial Concubine Zhou’s thorough considerations.

However, any loud disturbances would cause a stir.

Like now.

All eyes turned to see. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Just moments ago, the haughty and dignified eldest son of the Crown Prince, Huangfu Jing, had been relaxing by drinking, his hand now tightly clutched his throat, gasping but unable to speak, and with another hand, pointed towards Huangfu Jinxuan, who had just started heading back to his seat.

Someone screamed, "There’s poison in the wine!"

This was no trifling matter; poisoning during a royal banquet, and the target being the Crown Prince’s eldest son.

The Emperor shouted in a deep voice, "Summon the Imperial Physician!"

Then commanded, "Where are the imperial guards? Immediately seal the scene, and everyone involved must remain on stand-by!"

When the commotion began, the Crown Prince had already rushed over, upon seeing Huangfu Jing’s state, his eyes almost popped out, seemingly in great shock, as he lunged forward, trembling, "Jing’er, who is it? Who’s harming you?"

Consort Xian’s eyes rolled back, calling out, "My grandson..." before collapsing, as the palace maids and eunuchs surrounding her erupted into chaos.

Faced with such an event, everyone was panic-stricken, fearing implicating themselves, transforming the previously ’joyful’ scene into one of pervasive gloom and doom.

Someone cried, "Huangfu Jinxuan poisoned the Eldest Young Master!"

Huangfu Jinxuan hurriedly said, "I didn’t, it wasn’t me! I merely came to offer a toast!"

Before the Imperial Physician had arrived, in this brief moment, Huangfu Jing had rolled his eyes back and collapsed to the floor, no longer making a sound.

When the Imperial Physician arrived, he lifted Huangfu Jing’s eyelids and checked his pulse, then knelt and said, "Your Majesty, the Eldest Young Master is already..."

The Crown Prince suddenly lunged toward Huangfu Jinxuan, grabbing him by the front of his clothing, his eyes nearly popping out of their sockets, seething with rage, "Why did you poison Jing’er?"

The Emperor’s gaze turned icy, sweeping coldly over Huangfu Jinxuan.

A royal banquet in the Imperial Palace had resulted in a death.

Not only did the Emperor look displeased, but the Crown Prince was also heartbroken, and the faces of Prince Li and Imperial Concubine Zhou turned sour.

Prince Li was fuming internally, distracted by guarding against the Crown Prince’s schemes, never imagining the situation would escalate to this.

Imperial Concubine Zhou, once poised and graceful, could no longer maintain her smile. She couldn’t believe Huangfu Jinxuan orchestrated everything; if this playboy had such cunning, the Emperor would have guarded against him, not favored him.

Now, it was merely someone with an ulterior motive killing two birds with one stone, perhaps even more than two birds.

She was responsible for the banquet, yet the wine was poisoned, fatally affecting an Imperial Grandson, specifically the Crown Prince’s eldest son, implicating her.

If she was implicated, her son, Prince Li, would inevitably be affected, potentially destroying his advantageous position in court.

The Crown Prince’s eldest son was dead, and the Emperor’s sympathy over his son’s death would only increase his displeasure toward Prince Li.

As for Huangfu Jinxuan, he was an insignificant figure. He was merely unlucky to be the one offering the toast at that moment!