On New Year's Eve at the palace banquet, everyone raised their cups, the clinking of glasses echoed, and they enjoyed the harmonious singing and dancing.
Song Zhiyuan held a wine cup, being served by a young eunuch who poured him wine, while listening to messages brought from Kunning Palace and Cining Palace.
With a wave of his hand, a small ingot weighing five taels fell into the young eunuch's arms, making him beam with joy, endlessly uttering auspicious words.
Song Zhiyuan motioned the young eunuch to withdraw and looked in the direction of Prince Zhou with a smile.
It was the smile of a fox, cunning and calculating.
Song Zhiyuan collected his gaze and raised his cup towards Prince Wu, smiling as he said, "As the year passes, Your Highness is to be enfeoffed. This time, who knows when we shall meet again? Allow me to toast to Your Highness at this palace feast, hoping for a smooth journey ahead."
