445: Chapter 445 Escape from Marriage

As noon approached, the canteen in Xinghua Village was already bustling with noise.

To cope with the sudden influx of guests, the local villagers and workers of Xinghua Village all returned to their own residences to eat.

A large group of men who were infatuated with Qing Zaner felt deeply disappointed.

This was the first time Emperor Hong and his companions had entered a canteen where one had to serve their own food, and they found it quite novel.

Zheng Yangwei originally wanted to help Emperor Hong, but Emperor Hong refused and tried to order a few dishes himself.

Looking at the large basins of communal food, Emperor Hong didn't hold high expectations; he was just experiencing the hardships of the common people.

But after taking a bite or two, all three of them showed expressions of surprise.

"Who would have thought that while the food in this canteen looks so rough, the taste is so rich?"

Emperor Hong was astonished; having grown accustomed to the delicacies of the palace, he found that eating at this small village canteen was surprisingly not inferior at all.

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong was also very satisfied. "These vegetable meatballs are very flavorful. I don't know what spices they used, but they are very kind to my teeth."

"Everything is delicious! I've never eaten meat this fragrant!" Zheng Yangwei couldn't help but wolf it down.

A merchant at a nearby table heard this and scoffed, looking at the three of them as if they were ignorant bumpkins.

"First time in the Northern Territory? You don't even know about the New Northern Academy?"

"The chefs in this canteen are all from the New Northern Academy's culinary school, so of course the food is good!"

"If you really want to talk about the best, it's Master Chef Liaojie at the main branch of the Baiyu Pavilion; his skills are truly unmatched!"

"Indeed. It's a pity that only the Prince can eat it every day. For the rest of us, we have to book several months in advance."

Hearing this, the three of them felt even more incredulous.

This was actually food made by apprentices? How incredible must the master who taught them be?

"This Lin Xiao really knows how to enjoy himself," Emperor Hong snorted softly.

Since entering the Northern Territory, he had found that everything here surpassed the Capital Region.

Food, drink, daily expenses, and daily travel—everything in the Northern Territory was more comfortable and convenient.

The administration was clean, the people lived and worked in peace, and everyone from top to bottom spoke highly of the Prince of Zhenbei.

The most beautiful women were content to work in Lin Xiao's winery.

Chef apprentices were actually comparable to his own imperial chefs?

After the excitement faded, this series of events made him feel stifled!

Shouldn't these best things be in the capital?

Beauties, delicacies, and talents—shouldn't they be at his disposal? How could they be exclusive to the Northern Territory!?

If this continues, who will still regard him as the Emperor? Who will still believe that the heart of the Great Gan is in the Capital Region!?

As the Son of Heaven, what prestige does he have left!?

Things have come to this; Lin Xiao must be eliminated!!

With this thought, Emperor Hong immediately lost his appetite and pushed his food over to Zheng Yangwei.

Zheng Yangwei didn't know why this lord suddenly looked so unpleasant, so he trembled and didn't dare to eat big mouthfuls anymore.

After lunch, beside the stream in Xinghua Village, in an open area filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers, the Worlds Number One Wine Festival officially began.

Following Lin Xiao's instructions, Prefect Cai Heng had built a main stage, with VIP seats on both sides and tiered judge seats on one side.

To allow the audience to see clearly, a large-scale fan-shaped tiered platform was built in the back.

Just as Emperor Hong and his group were about to go to the stage to find seats, they were stopped by soldiers.

"Gentlemen, do you have the Hero's Invitation?"

"What invitation?" Zheng Yangwei asked, puzzled.

The soldier pulled out a "Wine Tasting Hero's Invitation" and said, "Only those holding this invitation are invited VIPs. Otherwise, please go to the general audience seating."

"How dare you!"

Just as Zheng Yangwei was about to curse in anger, he was stopped by Emperor Hong.

Emperor Hong sneered, "It's fine, let's just go to the general area."

"My Lord... this..."

"Say no more. In the Prince of Zhenbei's territory, we must abide by the rules."

Emperor Hong smiled and turned away.

Zheng Yangwei, however, shivered; this lord's smile was a bit terrifying.

"Old Yang, why don't you try to persuade him? He is so calm that I am actually worried. It's not good if he bottles it up and gets sick," Zheng Yangwei said anxiously.

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong panted, "Old Zheng, this old bag of bones can barely take care of itself. I've been standing for so long, and my waist and back are aching."

"How about this: you accompany the Lord to watch the event first, and I will find a place to lie down and rest."

Zheng Yangwei smiled bitterly. "It has indeed been hard on you, traveling since early morning. Very well, take it easy, and come over after you've rested well."

Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong nodded, waved for him to go serve Emperor Hong, and then walked away unsteadily with his attendants.

Seeing that Prime Minister Yang Gengzhong hadn't followed, Emperor Hong naturally inquired. Upon learning that the old man was exhausted, he didn't pay much mind to it.

As more and more people filled the stands, VIPs arrived on the main stage one after another.

"Prefect of Qinshui Prefecture, and one of the judges for this year's event, Prefect Sun Zhao has arrived!"

As the "hero" who wrote the manifesto denouncing Prince Bai, Prefect Sun Zhao was warmly welcomed upon his arrival.

Prefect Sun Zhao beamed with pride; with Lin Xiao crowned as Prince, he could be considered a meritorious official.

"Grand Scholar Zhu, Grand Scholar Li, and Grand Scholar Xu from the Academy have arrived!"

The three Grand Scholars arrived as promised, once again causing a commotion at the scene.

"Oh my, three contemporary Grand Scholars arriving all at once! Only the Prince of Zhenbei could command such a presence!"

"Indeed! This Worlds Number One Wine Festival truly lives up to its name!"

After the three of them, including Zhu Ming, went on stage, they originally intended to sit in the VIP section.

But Su Wansha, dressed in men's clothing, walked out and smilingly directed Zhu Ming to a mahogany chair on the stage.

Only then did Zhu Ming notice that there were five mahogany chairs on the stage, located near the center.

Each chair was quite high, and the bottom was sealed with wooden boards; it seemed to contain some hidden mechanism?

After Su Wansha explained it to Zhu Ming, he looked expectant and started fumbling around on the chair.

"Eh? What's going on with those mahogany chairs?"

"Yes, why are only Grand Scholar Zhu and Prefect Sun Zhao sitting there?"

"It seems only the judges can sit there. I wonder what the secret is."

Amidst the crowd's discussions, more VIPs arrived one after another.

"Head of the Daoist Sect, Taoist Master Cangshuzi..."

The Five Great Sects and the three Grand Scholars from the Academy arriving was already shocking enough.

But for the Head of the Daoist Sect, a legend of the martial arts world, to come in person made the crowd cheer in excitement.

If it weren't for this wine festival, ordinary people would have no chance to see Taoist Master Cangshuzi.

Taoist Master Cangshuzi, accompanied by Taoist Xinyizi, walked onto the high stage amidst gasps of astonishment.

"Junior Sister, don't keep such a sour face. After the wine festival is over and we've shown our support for the Prince, Senior Brother will take you to find Fangfengzi."

"No need. I will go kill him myself."

Taoist Xinyizi looked murderous; daring to escape marriage was courting death.

"Taoist Master Cangshuzi, Taoist Xinyizi, welcome to the wine festival," Su Wansha stepped forward and bowed.

"Haha, Boss Su, you are too kind. It is our honor to be invited to attend!"

After some pleasantries, Taoist Master Cangshuzi also sat on the judge's chair.

Zhu Ming and Prefect Sun Zhao both greeted Taoist Master Cangshuzi with cupped hands, and the three exchanged pleasantries.

Prefect Sun Zhao beamed; being able to sit with these two was worth a lifetime!

With the arrival of Taoist Master Cangshuzi, everyone became even more expectant about the identities of the remaining two judges.