After Xiaozhao took another bite of lamb.

With the feedback of a full stomach, a wave of drunkenness surged up.

Clatter—

He tossed a chopstick aside, holding the end of the remaining one, rhythmically tapping it on the ceramic dish.

At the same time, he shook his head and softly chanted:

"Those who abandoned me, yesterday is gone and cannot be held, those who disturb my heart, today is full of worries.

A long wind sends autumn geese over thousands of miles, which can be exuberantly enjoyed from a high tower.

The literary works from Penglai have the bones of Jian'an, and Xiao Xie among them has emerged once more.

All carry lofty thoughts with majestic desiring to reach the sky and grasp the bright moon.

Draw a sword to cut the water, but the water continues to flow; raise a cup to dispel sorrows, but the sorrows increase."

Xu Yun, seeing this, picked up a piece of fish but wisely refrained from praising the 'eloquence'.

If he remembered correctly, this should be Li Bai's "Farewell Banquet at Xie Tiao Tower in Xuanzhou for Uncle Xie," not an original by Xiaozhao.

Even though he majored in science, he still had an impression of such famous pieces.

After all, during his school days, he often mistook the characters '朓楼' in "Farewell Banquet at Xie Tiao Tower in Xuanzhou for Uncle Xie" for 'jumping tower'.....

What?

You ask where Xiaoli is?

See that dish of chicken over there that's already drunk like a puddle?

Looking at the rather carefree Xiaozhao, Xu Yun couldn't help but shake his head and sighed quietly in his heart.

"Farewell Banquet at Xie Tiao Tower in Xuanzhou for Uncle Xie" is a very typical farewell lyric poem that actually expresses emotions.

Although it's not particularly gloomy or melancholy, it reveals considerable anxiety and distress between the lines, with a taste of making merry amid hardship.

At this moment, Xiaozhao had consumed about seven liang of strong alcohol, and he was already a bit dizzy.

The selection of such poetry at this moment can largely reflect his inner emotions.

It makes sense.

After Emperor Zhezong ascended to the throne, whether it was Zhao Ji, Zhao Bi, Zhao Yu, or Xiaozhao, they were all essentially losers in the competition for the imperial throne.

Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne at the age of ten, still a young emperor, so his grandmother Empress Dowager Gao had to rule on his behalf.

In the Eighth Year of Yuan You... which is 1093.

With Gao's passing, Emperor Zhezong officially began his reign.

At that time, Emperor Zhezong had just turned 18, full of vigor and in good health.

From a bystander's perspective, living long aside, there seemed to be no problem with ruling for at least thirty years.

Unless Emperor Zhezong was incapable of producing heirs, there seemed to be no reason for the throne to pass to others.

Therefore, at that time, princes like Zhao Ji, Zhao Bi, and Xiaozhao didn't hope for the throne at all.

Either they enjoyed their blessings peacefully, or they freely indulged in their own pursuits—why else would there be the saying 'Prince Duan was frivolous'?

Without competition among themselves, the relationship between them remained good, with a show of brotherly respect and humility.

Who would have expected.

In just seven short years, Emperor Zhezong suddenly died young, leaving no heirs.

Zhao Ji suddenly transformed and ascended to the throne, instantly altering the former alliances with his brothers.

Additionally, Xiaozhao was Emperor Zhezong's biological brother and the original choice supported by most officials in court.

Therefore, Zhao Ji quickly changed his previously friendly attitude toward Xiaozhao.

Hence the saying, having no heirs is no good...

In any case.

In such a situation, the worries and distress in Xiaozhao's heart indeed weighed heavily on him.

Looking at the already somewhat dazed Xiaozhao, Xu Yun suddenly had a thought and came up with an idea:

Should he probe this Prince Jian a bit?

He covertly poured himself a cup of Qingshui, then filled Xiaozhao's cup with wine, saying:

"To drink at the same table with Your Highness is a blessing from the ancestors for this humble commoner. Come, I toast you again!"

"Oh... okay, another cup!"

Xiaozhao, slightly bewildered, smacked his lips and grabbed the wine cup in front of him, drinking it all down in one go.

"Hic!"

As the strong liquor went down, a burst of alcohol fumes immediately accompanied the hiccup.

Xiaozhao's body swayed slightly, needing to prop himself on the table with his left hand to stay seated, his eyes growing increasingly vacant.

Xu Yun pondered for a moment and refilled his cup with wine:

"Prince Jian, you've missed some sessions these days; shouldn't you also drink a cup as a self-penalty?"

Xiaozhao wobbled and stared blankly for a few seconds, then nodded repeatedly like a great thinker:

"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"

Before Xu Yun could urge him, he proactively picked up the wine cup again, raising his head for a bold sip.

Glug, glug—

In just a few seconds, the strong liquor was completely drunk.

He has a strong sense of self-management.JPG.

With two cups of strong liquor down, Xiaozhao finally fell completely into a drunken state:

This charming fellow was babbling, his eyes barely open, looking rather like Li Ronghao.

Xu Yun tested by waving a hand in front of him, saying:

"Prince Jian? Prince Jian?"

Xiaozhao showed no response:

"Ah ba ah ba...."

Xu Yun glanced at the Xiaoli next to him, yep, already snoring.

Ensuring no one around, he cleared his throat, and in a sharp voice, said:

"Your Highness, Your Highness, something's wrong; there's an edict from the palace, the Empress Dowager has appointed Prince Duan as emperor....."

This technique was one Xu Yun heard from a doctor friend in his past life, mentioning certain people or matters around a drunken person has a greater chance of triggering subconscious memory feedback.

This method is commonly used in modern operating rooms, scientifically named positive suggestive language, with a DOI of 10.15932/j.0253-9713.2017.01.030.

The success rate of such suggestions is generally around 30%, usually requiring milestone-like instances to take effect.

However, compared to modern times, Xiaozhao's current situation would be slightly special—he'd never encountered such strong liquor before.

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