Chapter 10 Little Guy with a Voracious Appetite (1)

Could food prepared by the imperial chef taste bad? The Majesty was merely placating him. Lin En was relieved that he had correctly guessed the emperor's thoughts and did not misspeak, for if he had, he might have lost his head.

However... why did he feel that Majesty's affection for this pet was unusual?

"Are you not going yet?" During Lin En's reverie, the gaze of An Honghan switched over without warning.

Lin En broke out into a sweat of shock. How did he forget? There were times when he could guess the Emperor's thoughts, but only when allowed to.

As a steward, he lived daily in dread, fearing a wrong word or a misstep. Offending Majesty could mean losing multiple heads.

Everyone saw him in a lucrative position, but who could see the bile behind his success. To achieve the position of steward, Lin En had risked his life.

"We shall go at once." Lin En stepped down from the nine-step high platform to the center of the hall, and spoke a few words to the imperial chef.

The crisis was averted. Xi Xizhi heaved a sigh of relief. The fur on her head was dampened by sweat. She raised her paws to wipe her face, the wet fur clinging to her skin, making her uncomfortable.

Reclining on An Honghan's leg, Xi Xizhi took a breather before regaining her strength.

The night banquet had started, many ministers were watching the imperial chef prepare food at the center, while chatting and drinking.

"The cuisine of Feng Ze Kingdom is indeed exceptional, I, Shen Ji, am blessed today. Majesty, allow me, on behalf of Jiu Kingdom, to toast in your honor." The speaker was the envoy of Jiu Kingdom.

He was wearing the attire of Jiu Kingdom, which stood out in the hall. With a quick flick of her eyes, Xi Xizhi easily found his location below.

This person was humble and eloquent, and smooth in handling matters. It was no wonder the ruler of Jiu kingdom had chosen him to serve as envoy.

Lin En held the white jade wine pitcher cautiously, pouring full An Honghan's wine cup, pushing it in front of An Honghan.

As an emperor, some necessary social engagements were inevitable for An Honghan. He lifted his wine cup, merely raised it towards the envoy, downed it in one gulp without uttering a word.

Not only the envoys, but many ministers also took the opportunity to propose toasts. An Honghan remained silent throughout, finishing off one cup of wine after another as if drinking water, seemingly immune to intoxication.

Xi Xizhi secretly gave him a thumbs-up. What amazing alcohol tolerance! Despite consuming so much alcohol, there wasn't a flush on his face, nor was he panting.

In the wine cup, the liquor shimmered, creating ripples. Xi Xizhi was somewhat thirsty, seeing An Honghan drink so many cups without any sign of drunkenness, she reckoned that the alcoholic content must not be too high. She sneaked onto the table and stared blankly at the wine cup. With her plump paws, she grabbed hold of the wine cup, stuck her cute pink tongue out and tasted the fine wine.

The fine wine emitted a strong aroma. As soon as Xi Xizhi's tongue touched it, she felt a fiery sensation. But once it entered her mouth, it tasted unbelievably mellow. It was far more delicious than the fine wines that her master had been secretly stashing away.

She stuck her tongue out to lick it again, until the wine was nearly drained. She couldn't bear to let go of the wine cup with both of her paws.

Lin En looked on in surprise, worriedly speaking, "Majesty, that is your wine cup..."

An Honghan didn't get angry, instead, he found the sight of the little mink greedily drinking wine quite amusing.

"Pour another cup for it." An Honghan pointed at the wine cup that the mink was holding, excitedly.

Seeing the spectacle of a mink drinking wine for the first time, Lin En was rather curious too. Following An Honghan's instruction, he refilled the wine cup the mink was holding.

Still savoring the aroma of the liquor, Xi Xizhi was overjoyed to see the sudden refill of the cup, then began to squeak with delight.

Although An Honghan didn't understand her language, he could guess her thoughts from her twinkling eyes.

"This little creature certainly loves to drink." An irresistible smile began to bloom on his face, he seemed oblivious to the gentleness of his own smile.

Xi Xizhi wasted no time and began to sip again, smacking her lips every time she took a sip, seemingly savoring every drop.

Whenever she emptied a cup, Lin En would immediately refill it.

In her previous life, she would not pass out after dozens of drinks. But she had forgotten one fact: her past life was human, but this life she was a mink, more importantly, she was an underage mink. How much could she drink?

After finishing the third cup, Xi Xizhi began to see double. The world seemed to be spinning, swaying, making Xi Xizhi feel dizzy.

Staggering to her feet, Xi Xizhi swayed with each step she took. So drunk she could hardly tell east from west. Just when it seemed she was about to tumble off the edge of the table, An Honghan finally reached out to catch the mink and held her close in his arms.

"You were thought to be a good drinker, and yet three cups have caused you to be drunk." An Honghan couldn't help but laugh as he gently stroked her fur.

Little did he know that the tipsy Xi Xizhi mistook his hand for a drink, and stuck out her tongue to lick it.

The soft touch of her tongue on his palm startled him slightly. But being licked by the mink was quite comfortable, so he purposefully moved his hand towards the mink's face, to encourage her to lick more.

The mink, once fooled, wouldn't be fooled again; knowing that thing lacked wine's aroma and mellow flavor. She disdainfully turned her head away, flopped onto An Honghan's leg and fell sound asleep.

Lin En was trying hard to conceal his laughter. Who would have expected that Majesty would taste defeat, and from a little mink?

If others had seen this, they might have laughed themselves silly.

"Lin En, have I been too lenient towards you recently?" Nothing could escape An Honghan's keen sight. His narrow eyes narrowed even more, a glint of chill flashed through them.

Lin En immediately fell to his knees, the laughter chased from his face, "Begging for Majesty's forgiveness."

Remaining silent in the face of Lin En's plea, An Honghan neither punished nor pardoned him. As if he had not seen Lin En, An Honghan composed himself, glanced a few times at the mink in his arms, and then looked down at the ministers, and said, "As the day is no longer young, you should all retire early. I am tired too, and will return to the sleeping quarters."