Chapter 106: She Wants to Drink Fruit Wine

Not only Duan Zi, but even those in the Taiyang Hall were momentarily bewildered by the name Ji Tianxin.

“Just now, Xin’er saved the Seventh Princess, right?” Sikou Yan offered a timely reminder.

Ji Tianxin seemed to recall then. “Ah, it’s you.” She still remembered that the person she saved was called the Seventh Princess.

Duan Zi’s eyes, which had dimmed moments ago, brightened again—her benefactor sister still remembered her!

Duan Qing was troubled by Ji Tianxin’s words. What was wrong with this child? Was her mind not functioning properly?

Ji Tianxin understood and looked at Duan Qing. “I’m a bit thirsty. Is there any fruit wine?”

Ji Tianxin had always liked fruit wine, but her master forbade her from drinking it because she was too young. Until now, she had never tasted it. Since the emperor had asked her what she wanted, she might as well request some fruit wine—after all, it hadn’t been brewed yet.

To make such a request to the sovereign so casually, without any sense of hierarchy or reverence, was something they were seeing for the first time.

Duan Qing was somewhat displeased but couldn’t say anything.

After all, this was a request he had allowed.

Out of consideration for the child’s age, he let it slide.

He resolved that in the future, General Ji should be reminded that their child needed to be taught proper manners.

With a grand gesture, he said, “Prepare some fruit wine for Miss Ji San.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The palace attendants promptly took the order.

A faint smile curved Sikou Yan’s lips as he looked at Ji Tianxin and spoke with a hint of admonition, “Drink sparingly.”

Hearing his voice, Ji Tianxin turned toward Sikou Yan and nodded. “Oh.”

Sikou Yan was momentarily taken aback but soon smiled.

After this matter was settled, Sikou Yan strode to the seat prepared for him.

As he sat down, he lifted his gaze and locked eyes briefly with someone from the Imperial Wind Academy across the hall. A cold glint flickered at the corner of his eye as he flipped his ink-black robe and took his seat.

At that moment, Lin Siyi appeared behind Sikou Yan, standing expressionless with one hand resting on his sword.

Once seated, Sikou Yan became the center of attention in the grand hall. Under the watchful eyes of all, he lifted a wine cup brimming with liquor but did not drink; instead, he gently swirled it in his hand, toying with it.

Partly a rake, partly world-weary, the contours of his side profile and the perfect curve of his neck seemed to shimmer subtly in the light.

This was the young Lord Rong...

For most present, it was their first time encountering Lord Rong in such a setting, and indeed, he was as eccentric and inscrutable as the rumors suggested.

Duan Yu, seeing his cousin for the first time, frowned slightly. He had not expected him to be even more reckless than the rumors.

Their father truly spoiled him excessively.

No... he felt it was not just indulgence. His father seemed to hold a kind of reverence for this cousin—as if he occupied a higher rank than himself.

Yet it was more than mere respect. Could it be his imagination?

Duan Zi had not expected that the person who had just been with her benefactor sister was none other than Lord Rong.

But she had no interest in Lord Rong. Smiling brightly at Ji Tianxin, she returned to her seat and specially instructed a palace maid.

“Go find some brewed fruit wine from the palace. After the banquet, deliver it to Miss Ji San on my behalf.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” The maid nodded and promptly took her leave.

Though Ji Tianxin also sat in the grand hall, it was as if everything around her was unrelated. She stood apart from all matters, showing no concern for the people or events nearby.

Her beautiful, jet-black eyes were solely focused on waiting for Su Qing to peel grapes for her and for the fruit wine to arrive.