East Palace.

In the apse.

After a full meal, Hu Fei touched his bulging belly with satisfaction. He could hardly straighten his waist, for fear that his stomach would explode if he exerted force.

Things must be reversed when they reach their extremes, this seems to be the truth.

And he dared to be so unruly in front of Zhu Biao because of this reason.

He knew that Zhu Biao, like Zhu Di, had always wanted to conquer him, so the more unbridled he was, the closer he seemed to Zhu Biao.

Because a person wouldn't be so rude in front of someone he doesn't feel close to.

He couldn't say it, so he could only do it. Zhu Biao should be able to understand it.

"I am full?"

Zhu Biao looked at Hu Fei with a round belly and asked slowly.

Obviously, he understood what Hu Fei meant.

Regardless of whether he really understood it or only had a superficial understanding, at least he did not blame Hu Fei for it.

"full."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your hospitality."

Hu Fei cupped his hands and said with a smile.

"Originally, I planned to summon you to the palace yesterday, but I heard that you were away from the palace for something, so we had to postpone it until today."

Zhu Biao slowly took a sip of tea and said intentionally or unintentionally.

"Yesterday, His Highness King Yan insisted on giving a banquet to celebrate the ministers. He drank a few too many drinks, so he returned home a little late. Your Highness, the Crown Prince, forgive me."

Hu Fei smiled and said with an apologetic look.

"It doesn't matter. You have been promoted several levels in official positions and have been appointed as the number one scholar by your father. It's time to celebrate."

"But my fourth brother invites you to drink to celebrate, but I can only invite you to tea."

Zhu Biao said with a smile.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's tea is not something that just anyone can drink. It is far better than fine wine!"

"But the food is so delicious, Wei Chen is so full that he really can't drink it."

Hu Fei praised him, waved his hand, and said with a grimace.

After listening to Hu Fei's words and looking at Hu Fei's unable to straighten his waist, Zhu Biao couldn't help but smile and shook his head.

Hu Fei also smiled with him, showing a silly smile on his face.

"The Ministry of Education has all the necessary equipment, so there is nothing to do for the time being. However, you haven't reported yet for the errands of the Governor's Office, right?"

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, looked at Hu Fei and asked.

"Go back to His Highness the Crown Prince. Yes, Wei Chen plans to go there in a day or two."

Hu Fei nodded and said slowly.

"Okay, go early and don't make father angry again."

"With your ability, you will have many opportunities to make meritorious deeds in the future, and you will not always be ranked fourth."

"But it's time for you to think about it. It's not a problem to hang around like this all the time. You should have a regular position and do something for the court that you can do."

"This is what I and my father expect of you, do you understand?"

Zhu Biao looked at Hu Fei, suddenly became serious, and spoke seriously.

"Weichen will think deeply about the lesson His Highness the Crown Prince has taught. Perhaps when the time is right, Weichen's mind will change."

"But no matter what, in addition to being an official, whenever the court needs a minister, he will do his best!"

Hu Fei nodded, looked at Zhu Biao, and said decisively.

"Okay! I hope you won't let me down again!"

Zhu Biao nodded and said approvingly.

After the two chatted for a long time, Hu Fei said goodbye to Zhu Biao and left the palace.

Unlike Zhu Di, Zhu Biao preferred to serve the imperial court, perhaps because he had identified himself as the future heir to the Ming Dynasty.

But if Hu Fei told Zhu Biao that Zhu Biao would die of illness more than ten years later, I wonder what Zhu Biao would think.

But of course Hu Fei would not stupidly tell Zhu Biao: You will die.

Unless he wants to die himself.

...

North Street.

Hong Bin Building.

When Hu Fei arrived at Hong Bin Restaurant, he immediately saw Song Shen wandering at the door of the restaurant.

Song Shen also saw Hu Fei's carriage and hurriedly approached it with a smile.

"Brother Hu, are you here?"

Looking at Hu Fei who got off the carriage, Song Shen cupped his hands and said hello with a smile.

"Brother Song?"

"Why are you here? Why don't you go in?"

Hu Fei looked at Song Shen and asked with a smile.

"I didn't come here to eat and drink. I knew that Brother Hu had been promoted and won the top prize, so I wanted to say congratulations to Brother Hu, so I came to Hongbin Tower to try my luck. I didn't expect to meet Brother Hu."

Song Shen smiled sheepishly and said slowly.

"If you want to see me, you can go directly to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Why do you need to try your luck here?"

Hu Fei asked doubtfully.

"So many things have happened recently. I think Brother Hu must be very busy, so I won't bother you."

Song Shen replied slowly.

"You're out of touch when you say that. With the relationship between you and me, you don't have to worry too much."

"I have long said that we are friends. Since we are friends, there are not so many etiquette and rules."

Hu Fei smiled bitterly, shook his head, and said seriously.

"Now that I know it, I will never make Brother Hu laugh again."

Song Shen smiled awkwardly and said sheepishly.

"Okay, stop standing and go in."

"Chundie, let the kitchen prepare a table of wine and food and deliver it to the private room on the second floor."

Hu Fei smiled, motioned for Song Shen to come in, and said to Chundie.

Chundie agreed and immediately ran into the kitchen.

"I've met Master Jiu!"

As Hu Fei walked into the hall, the diners who were dining in the building stood up one after another and greeted Hu Fei respectfully.

Hu Fei returned the gift with his hand and took Song Shen to the box on the second floor.

Recalling the scene he just saw on the first floor, Song Shen became a little silent, always with a hint of awkward yet polite smile on his face, as if he had something on his mind.

It didn't take long for the food and wine to arrive on the table one by one, with a dazzling array of dishes.

"Eat it and see how it tastes. Several new dishes have been released recently."

"But you can only taste it yourself. I just came out of the palace and ate too much at His Highness the Crown Prince's place. I really can't eat anymore."

Hu Fei pointed at the food on the table and said with a smile.

But after hearing Hu Fei's words, Song Shen, who seemed a little reserved at first, couldn't help but be stunned for a moment. He put down the chopsticks he just picked up again and smiled without saying anything.

"What's wrong? Not to your liking?"

Hu Fei looked at Song Shen and asked calmly.

"No no."

Song Shen shook his head hurriedly and said.

"That means you have something on your mind."

Hu Fei looked at Song Shen and continued.

Song Shen hesitated for a moment and said nothing, looking a little on pins and needles.

"I know what you are thinking."
To be continued...