Jia Changchao arrived with Zhao Zongyi; when they entered the central hall, even Yan Shu had already taken his seat.

  One by one, they all came over to greet Sun Fu, it seems that Sun Fu is indeed somewhat famous in Shilin.

  It was a bother for Zhao Xi, as he had to get up and make a bow every time someone came over, somewhat like the later custom of offering wine.

  It wasn't until then that Zhao Xi finally noticed that apart from those in charge, the other small tables all had a child with them, just like Sun Fu.

  Looks like he's still under ten years old, but it seems he counted himself short. Even if he grew rapidly in the past few months, he is still considered young in this circle.

  Children's special occasion, naturally there are snacks on the small table.

  Zhao Xi's eating habits had always been in line with those of the Empress Dowager, and she had never actually eaten street food before.

  So he concentrated on savoring the dim sum of the Song Dynasty at this time.

  "Gentlemen, this banquet is specially set up for Tongying. What is referred to as Tongying are the young heroes who have not yet reached the age of elementary school."

  "So, today's banquet is actually a gathering of distinguished guests, and I hope you will excuse me. At the same time, Tong Ying's presence also represents the future glory of our dynasty."

  "Being a prodigy, one must have exceptional talent. Although as a child I was not skilled in poetry, there was Sima Xiangru who could write at the age of ten, and also Yin Yong who recited poems at the age of six. Today's children at drinking parties are not willing to be left behind."

  "Today is also a playful day, with three types of topics: poetry, couplets, and wordplay."

  Sun Fu is not concerned with court disputes, and this does not mean he is stupid.

  At Jia Changchao's words, Jia Xianggong had already understood. This banquet was probably set up specifically for the sake of Prince E, and its purpose was not to make a name for the prince...

  He looked at Jia Changchao... That playful gaze told him that he was being played.

  It's not just him, everyone who clearly knows who Sun Wukong is understands.

  Fu Pi showed signs of standing up and was pulled back by Han Qi. Fan Zhongyan was also pulled back by Du Yan.

  "Yoshikuni, why?"

  Yan Shu was rich in Taishan, seeing his son-in-law like this, he changed and asked him what happened.

  "Returning to Yuezhang, Sun Fu's accompanying child is actually Prince E of Wu. The one who arranged this banquet is the Crown Prince of Boluo."

  "This..."

  Yan Shu is good at using luxurious words and is a kind old man, but that doesn't mean he lacks the mind for court politics.

  How can this be good?

  E Wang Ye has gained a certain reputation among the people and scholars in recent months. At just three years old, he already has such prestige; it's unlikely that his future will be ordinary.

  Even those who were originally clamoring for the imperial court to establish a crown prince have stopped, and the wind direction has completely shifted towards Prince E.

  The thirteen sons of King Bo, who had once been adopted by a government official, seemed to have been forgotten.

  This... this will not be to make the King of Wu famous, the purpose is self-evident. By borrowing Tong Yingyan's banquet, they searched for clever children from all over to prepare good poems, couplets and playful words to prove that the King of Wu being so intelligent is not unusual at all. Even for those gentlemen who have been promoting the intelligence of the King of Wu, there is also a hint of satire.

  "Leave the seat?"

  Yan Shu's temperament was such that he didn't have the heart to accompany them in these things, and even if he excused himself from the gathering, no one would say anything.

  "Just take a look. These miscellaneous officials are all personal attendants of the Imperial City Governor, there won't be any big deal."

  Mount Tai can leave the seat, but Fu Bian can't walk away. One step represents a guilty conscience. Can only pin hopes on King E himself now. His old dad... knows about it and that's all.

  Zhao Xi was fully focused on dealing with these pastries, and he tried each one. They really weren't that great. Although later generations didn't like to gossip, they had all tried them before. These exquisite-looking pastries were simply not presentable in the eyes of later generations.

  He didn't care what happened in the hall at all, and as for that something called Jia Xiang Gong Bai Hu, he seemed to have ignored it.

  "Rixi, today's drinking party might drag you down again tomorrow."

  "What makes you say that? Although I may not be able to recite poetry myself, I can still appreciate the talents of scholars and poets."

  "This banquet is set for young children, and scholars do not participate. Whether it's poetry or play, it's all led by the children present. Ming Fu specializes in explaining classics, and poetry is not good at all, nor have I ever taught you the way of poetry."

  What's going on? Child's play? Zhao Xi was stunned. No need, isn't it said that national affairs are like a beehive? How can this group of people have nothing better to do than play with children?

  "Who is in charge?"

  "Prince Zhao Zongyue of Bo."

  Zhao Xi suddenly understood, so that's how it was. The little doll's eyes narrowed... really not giving up, huh.

  "What is the topic?"

  It's impossible to leave now, let's see how these kids want to play.

  "Poetry and couplets, playful teasing."

  What's with these three? Playing around by myself is definitely not a problem... No! It seems that in the folk, it's all about playing around on one's own, and even among the scholars, except for those in the Secretariat, probably everyone knows about playing around on their own.

  That is to say, today's drinking party is specially prepared for oneself, what is called playing tricks.

  It's exhausting... I can finally say this now that it's over.

  Get out of here! What a scam? Bring it on then.

  Zhao Xi also had a literary dream in the past, and when he was in school, he even filled his notebooks with poetry. Now, he knows that the Three Su's have not yet made a name for themselves, Zeng Gong has not been heard of, Wang Anshi is just a minor official, and among the Eight Great Masters, apart from those of the previous dynasty, only Ouyang Xiu is present.

  Then there is Yan Shu, as for others, Zhao Xie hasn't heard of a single person who became famous in later generations for their poetry.

  "Gentlemen, since it is mainly for young children, we will naturally follow the habits of young children. Therefore, we will start with games and puzzles, such as the 'Luban Lock' and 'Nine Linked Rings', which have been popularized recently due to the cleverness of our dynasty's Prince of Heng."

  What a big deal! Zhao Xi saw the tray brought by the miscellaneous servant, all of which were carefully crafted copper nine-linked rings and red wood Luban locks... it seems that this game is also considered to be a painstaking effort.

  It's really vicious! Zhao Xi had already understood that even if he was now called Zhao Ri Xun, probably everyone present, except for the children, knew that he was actually Zhao Xi.

  First show off what you're good at, lift yourself up high, then play with poetry couplets and crash down hard!

  Played very well, very high!

  "Sunrise..."

  "It doesn't matter, sir."

  Zhao Xi didn't prepare to leave a seam, since others came prepared, they will naturally arrange for someone to slap themselves in the face.

  Whether leaving room for maneuvering or not, it will be stirred up anyway, so it's better to stir it all at once.

  At this time, Zhao Zhen accompanied Empress Cao in the Ciming Palace, and from time to time someone came in to report on the changes in every moment of the Zisheng Hall, and he could know at any time.

  "Is what you said true?"

  "Returning to the official's residence, it was indeed so. The drinking games had three categories: poetry, couplets and jests, with jests being placed first, including the Nine Linked Rings and the Lu Ban Lock that were passed down due to Prince Wang."

  The eunuch reported with an excited face, and the prince took down the head of the household without any problem. After all, no one has ever heard that a child can open the nine linked rings, even if scholars can open them, it's something worth boasting about.

  "Official, you go and call Xier back!"

  Empress Cao suddenly understood the viciousness of it all.

  A woman born into a noble family, how can she not see through the tricks of the world?

  "Immortal one, what's the point of calling Xier back? It's already been decided. How did it come to this?"

  Alas! With such a temperament, Empress Cao should take a look at her own husband... Better to worry about Xi Er instead. After today, the reputation he has gained among the common people and even in scholarly circles will likely earn him the nickname "The Playboy Prince".