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"Ah, my worthy son-in-law is finally willing to treat us to a meal?"

In the largest Wangjiang Tower in Nanming Prefecture, a fully reserved restaurant, the leaders of several major powers, including their personal guards, were all present. Although the surroundings were festively decorated, the atmosphere was nevertheless tense.

The Princess Royale’s playful remark eased the mood slightly, but when eyes turned toward the protagonist, there was still a sense of mystery in everyone’s gaze.

Upon arriving here for a full two days, Chen Qing had been more patient than expected. The barrier over Nanming Prefecture had lasted for two whole days. The tremendous energy and intricate structure had left a group of people unable to find any flaws over the course of two days.

That also made those with ulterior motives refrain from probing too far.

"How could my aunt say such a thing?" Chen Qing quickly replied with a smile, "Isn’t it because the matter is so important that I needed to give my aunts enough time to consider? Now, now, please fill everyone’s cups with wine!"

Inside the restaurant, burly warriors from the Warrior Army took on the roles of servers, carrying jars of aromatic wine, and poured drinks for the personal guards seated around them.

Having the Warrior Army handle hospitality was a necessity.

In this feast, ordinary people would likely struggle to even stand, not to mention, for instance, the dozen or so zombie guards from the West Sea faction in the corner.

Even without intentionally releasing their nefarious aura, they could make any normal person weak at the knees.

"What a fragrant wine!"

As jar after jar of wine was opened, everyone, including the Princess Royale, brightened up.

Everyone knew how popular the wines from Jiangnan were, and they had all secretly tasted them. But the wine in front of them was obviously of a finer quality, the rich aroma alone sufficed to send one’s blood surging with a single whiff, clearly indicating excellent nourishing effects!

"This is Hongshen Wine from the Daqing Mountain in Lyuzhou, the latest variety," Chen Qing introduced with a smile. "It will be mass-produced soon, and I hope everyone can show their support when the time comes!"

"With such fine wine, who needs to be asked to support?" The Princess Royale drank heartily, her heroic demeanor as a woman among men shining through, earning her silent praise from the crowd, who also raised their cups in toast.

After a cup, everyone felt a fiery heat spreading from their chests through their bodies, the fragrance of the wine continually drifted up from their throats, intoxicating them.

The response from their bodies was even more miraculous; even strong figures like the Princess Royale and the Duke of Wei were visibly sweating.

Surprise was clear in their eyes!

Sweating was a rare occurrence for warriors of their level...

At their level, even using their families’ top secret techniques, it would take more than two hours of exercise before they could even warm up.

This is one reason why it’s so difficult for top-level warriors to improve—just the preamble to their martial practice takes at least four hours, which is an enormous waste of time.

And this wine, it was clear to everyone that there was no poison, nor did it burden the body in any way, but it allowed the blood to reach a state of warmth on its own, as if it were a divine elixir!

If Chen Qing dared to let this wine out, it would definitely never reach the common folk, no matter how much Chen Qing produced, it would be monopolized by the noble families!

"My clever son-in-law sure possesses a lot of fine things," The Princess Royale said with a beaming smile. "The tea from the first day, and now today’s wine, tsk tsk, they really make your aunt here envious!"

"My aunt flatters me. If you like the wine, I can have a ship load sent to you when the time comes."

Well now... another ship!

The crowd rolled their eyes, but their shock deepened. Just how many fine things did Chen Qing possess? To be able to send wine by the shipload?

"Well then, that’s great to hear. Ming Xue did not choose the wrong person indeed," the Princess Royale laughed even more happily.

"Being able to marry the Princess is my good fortune," Chen Qing said with a smile, and after personally refilling her cup with wine, he looked towards everyone, especially Minister Pang sitting to the left.

Like other magicians and scholarly officials, Minister Pang had turned completely red after only a small sip of the Hongshen Wine, looking completely unable to hold his liquor.

This reaction was quite fitting for a frail magician, given this was a wine that could make even the top-level warriors warm up, ordinary people naturally found it overwhelming.

"Minister Pang, would you like a different kind of wine?" Chen Qing quickly asked, seeing Minister Pang’s continuous stream of cold sweat.

"Ah, I’m troubling you, Lord Chen," Minister Pang replied with a pained smile. "This wine is too potent for an old scholar like me to handle."

"Oh..." Chen Qing nodded slightly, then smiled and said, "Minister Pang can rest assured, although my Hongshen Wine does contain special ginseng, it is a purely natural tonic with no side effects and no residual poison. Ordinary people, as long as they don’t overindulge, a small drink is absolutely harmless, you see, isn’t Minister Fei just fine? "

Chen Qing was naturally referring to the Princess Royale’s husband, the family head of the Fei Family!

Looking over, indeed, Fei Fu Ma, though also beet red, was entirely wearing an expression of enjoyment. Pores on his skin were secreting fine sweat, but he was not exaggerating like Minister Pang, looking like a waterfall of cold sweat.

Isn’t the difference too obvious?

"How can I compare with the Consort Prince?" Minister Pang said with a laugh. "The Consort Prince has been trained by Princess Royale for many years, his physique is certainly not like that of ordinary people."

"Cough, cough..."

At the Duke of Wei’s side, both sons were taken aback and began coughing continuously, covering their mouths; the others were also visibly startled.

No one expected that the usually stern Minister Pang would actually make a joke.

However, they were all quite curious to look toward Consort Prince Fei.

In bloodline noble families, it’s difficult for women to be in charge not only because they lack the physical advantages of men but also for this particularly crucial reason.

Scions of noble families, especially direct descendants, in order to ensure the purity of their bloodline and prevent contamination from other noble families, generally marry women of no noble blood.

But because people of noble blood possess much greater physical strength than ordinary people, when mating, especially in moments of arousal, it is very difficult to control one’s strength.

Men have it a bit easier, as long as they can endure and not shatter the woman’s pelvic bones.

It’s different for women—if they contract even slightly, any ordinary man is finished!

Princess Royale was a Super First Rank warrior, and naturally her control over her body was top-notch, but once a woman is excited, it’s very difficult to maintain control.

So when Princess Royale gave birth to Fei Jun without issue, many people secretly doubted whether he was actually of Fei blood, suggesting that the Fei Family was merely a facade.

However, Fei Jun later displayed extraordinary magical talent, which slowly dispelled those doubts.

Seeing everyone’s attention drawn to Consort Prince Fei by Minister Pang’s words, Chen Qing was momentarily at a loss for words—the world really does love gossip above all else.

He had guided the conversation for so long, finally drawing all attention to Minister Pang, but it had been deflected by a mere insinuation...

What was there to doubt in the first place?

With Princess Royale’s dragon-like presence, could Fei Jun, a mere magician, even arouse her? Was there anything she couldn’t control?

"Minister Pang seems different from the rumors," Chen Qing said with a smile. "You have a reputation for being stern, but I didn’t expect you to also have a humorous side."

Minister Pang glanced at Chen Qing and said with a smile, "That reputation comes from when I was teaching at the Yin Yang Academy. As a teacher, I naturally had to be strict. No need for such a serious face at a banquet, is there?"

"Hahaha..."

Aside from a handful of stone-faced living dead, everyone else was amused and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.

Chen Qing also smiled, but his heart sank a bit.

This guy really knew how to slide out of sticky situations!

If Chen Qing wasn’t mistaken and Lumings hadn’t made his move yet, he surely had another ace up his sleeve. Taking into account that his wife was a demon, and various factors like the merchant ships heading to the Capital City, Chen Qing came up with a bold speculation.

Perhaps... Minister Pang had already been replaced!

This speculation, though bold, would make sense of everything...

Lumings was calm and composed because the representative of the Imperial Court was already his person; there was no need for a forceful power grab!

Now the pressure was on Chen Qing himself.

The other side could stall, but if Chen Qing forced his hand without full confidence and failed to strike true, the other side could suppress him with righteous cause, and others might take the chance to probe and attack him!

So unless he was absolutely certain, Chen Qing couldn’t make a move. The only solution was to expose the other party, then take action on moral grounds, holding onto the principle. Even if others didn’t help him, they would choose to watch, and then Chen Qing could continue with his previous plans.

But this guy... was too slippery!

A sense of irritation arose in Chen Qing’s heart.

If Minister Pang had truly been replaced and this person was an imposter, then it’s highly likely he had been replaced by a demon.

Yet, this person’s expressions and movements were completely natural, entirely different from the situation with Mister Hua Pi previously.

What kind of technique could so naturally replace someone?

A skin-wearing ghost? Or maybe...