Chapter 17

As the first son of the emperor, Luo Yechen received countless attentions from the moment he was born.

He grew up pampered, developing a domineering and tyrannical personality.

He always felt that the position of Crown Prince should be his, but unexpectedly, the third prince took it from him, so he harbored a deep hatred for the third prince.

He could still hide it somewhat in normal times, but now, after drinking, the jealousy in his heart could no longer be suppressed.

Luo Yechen knew that the third prince did not like to drink, yet he deliberately forced the third prince to drink.

He wanted to make the third prince feel embarrassed.

If he himself was uncomfortable, he didn't want others to be comfortable either.

Seeing that everyone was looking at him, Luo Yechen not only did not收敛 (restrain) himself, but instead became even more aggressive.

"If you are a man, drink this cup of wine! Third Prince, don't let me look down on you!"

He wanted everyone to see that even if the third prince became the Crown Prince, he still had to behave properly in front of him, the eldest prince!

Eunuch Chang couldn't bear to see this and flatteringly said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince doesn't like to drink. Don't force him. If you want to drink, I will accompany you, okay?"

Luo Yechen directly scolded him back, "What are you? You have no right to speak here. Get lost!"

Then he shouted at Luo Qinghan again.

"Is it just a cup of wine? Why are you being so fussy?"

Luo Qinghan's gaze became even colder.

If it weren't for the fact that this was the Empress Mother's birthday banquet, he would have definitely left in a huff.

Just as both sides were at an impasse, a small hand reached out from the side and picked up the wine glass in front of Luo Qinghan.

The person who picked up the wine glass was Xiao Xixi.

She first smelled it and said dreamily, "What a fragrant wine!"

Without waiting for everyone to react, she drank the wine in one gulp.

Everyone was looking at her.

Luo Yechen frowned, his dissatisfaction evident, "Who are you?"

Xiao Xixi's cheeks were tinged with a light red from the alcohol, and she smiled, "I am Consort Xiao."

Luo Yechen sneered, "A noble Crown Prince, reduced to having a woman help him avoid drinking. Third Prince, don't you feel ashamed?!"

He looked at Luo Qinghan, his eyes full of mockery.

Luo Qinghan ignored his provocation and fixed his gaze on Xiao Xixi, his brows slightly furrowed, clearly displeased with her impulsive action.

He was about to scold her when he saw her clutching her stomach, her originally rosy face gradually turning pale, beads of sweat forming on her nose, and her face contorted in pain.

So, the scolding turned into a question.

"What's wrong with you?"

"My stomach hurts so much."

After saying that, Xiao Xixi opened her mouth and vomited a large mouthful of black blood.

Luo Qinghan's face changed.

He quickly embraced Xiao Xixi, his gaze falling on the wine glass beside her, his tone extremely cold.

"Eldest Brother, did you put poison in the wine?!"

Luo Yechen never expected this to happen, and he was so scared that his face turned white. The wine glass in his hand slipped and shattered on the ground.

He panicked and shouted.

"I didn't, it wasn't me!"

This scene stunned everyone present.

People stood up, and some even walked over.

Many had seen that Xiao Xixi suddenly felt stomach pain and vomited black blood after drinking the wine, clearly indicating that the wine was poisoned.

And that cup of poisoned wine was originally intended for Luo Qinghan.

If Xiao Xixi hadn't intervened, perhaps the one lying on the ground, vomiting blood, would be Luo Qinghan.