Gu Chengyu toasted each of the officials present one by one, and then picked a few straightforward ones to chat briefly. The honorary banquet approached its end with everyone harboring their own thoughts.
Today's banquet made it impossible for Gu Chengyu to abstain from drinking, even if he wanted to. Although most dared not toast him due to Xia Qing's imposing presence, Gu Chengyu was still valued by the Emperor, or else he wouldn't have received a personal courtesy name. Therefore, there remained twenty or thirty individuals who dared to clink glasses and converse merrily with Gu Chengyu regardless of Xia Qing's power.
Gu Chengyu, reeking of alcohol and carrying thirty taels of plaque silver, returned to the mansion with Ye Zhiqiu in a carriage.
