When Shen Youying finally came out, Xue Shen was no longer in the room.

Bai Luo and Dan Zhu had also returned, and Shen Youying felt somewhat relieved. She then asked Bai Luo to help her change her clothes.

Danzhu took a dry handkerchief and wiped her hair. Seeing that her face was flushed, she asked in confusion, "Is it too hot in the room? Should we open the windows more?"

Shen Youying couldn't possibly admit that her flushed face was from embarrassment, so she could only gloss over it.

After changing and dressing up, it was almost time for the banquet.

Shen Youying changed into a proper and elegant dark green dress and went to the banquet with Xue Shen.

Because it was a temporary palace, the rules were not as strict as in the capital. At this banquet, male and female guests were not seated separately. Shen Youying sat at the same table as Xue Shen. The Crown Prince sat to their left, while the Crown Princess, being pregnant, could not endure the long journey and did not accompany them. Below them sat Prince Chen and his wife, who also sat together. The Princess sat affectionately beside Prince Chen, appearing very loving.

Perhaps out of consideration for Princess Chen, neither Zhou Zhenrong nor Shen Muyu came along this time.

Following him was Prince Shou, Xue Gui.

This was the first time Shen Youying had seen Prince Shou since marrying into the Prince Qin's mansion. He was not tall, and his appearance was not as outstanding as his brothers', so he seemed honest and simple.

Prince Shou's mother was of humble origin; she was merely a palace maid who was fortunate enough to be favored by the emperor. She died not long after giving birth to Xue Gui. Xue Gui was not favored by the emperor and had no mother to protect him, so he had little presence in Tokyo.

Shen Youying's gaze swept past him, taking in the guests at the banquet.

The Xishan hunting grounds were a long way off, and hunting was physically demanding, so the entourage this time consisted mostly of young officials. Among the women, there were also many matriarchs with their young wives.

A quick glance revealed that the young men were eager and ambitious, hoping to use the autumn hunt as an opportunity to show off their skills and impress the steward. The young women, too, were vying for attention, each more elegant and beautiful than the last; if fate allowed, they might just find their ideal husbands on the hunting grounds.

Shen Youying picked up her wine cup and took a sip, thinking that this autumn hunt was much more lively than before.

Emperor Cheng'an, having spent much of his time in the capital, was in high spirits as he made the rare trip to the imperial palace. The banquet lasted until late in the evening.

Influenced by the atmosphere at the banquet, and because the sweet wine tasted good, Shen Youying unknowingly drank a bit more. When she returned to Shuangxue Palace, her cheeks were flushed and she was slumped on the chaise longue in a blissful state.

Seeing this, Danzhu said to Bailuo with some concern, "You keep an eye on the girls, I'll go tell the kitchen to prepare some hangover soup."

Bai Luo nodded solemnly, her round face expressionless.

As soon as Danzhu left, she moved a small stool and sat in front of Shen Youying, almost face to face with her.

Those girls are great in every way, except maybe their drinking habits are terrible. If they drink too much, they become very unruly.

She was determined to stay by the young lady's side, but unexpectedly, the Prince of Qin was pushed in by a maid. Seeing Shen Youying lying motionless, her eyebrows twitched slightly: "Is the Princess drunk?"

Bai Luo knew something was wrong as soon as she saw him. She nodded and whispered, "The princess has a low alcohol tolerance. Danzhu has already gone to ask someone to prepare a hangover soup."

Xue Shen nodded and casually said, "You can go out now. Bring the hangover soup over when it's ready."

Unexpectedly, he wanted to kick her out as soon as he arrived. Bai Luo was a little anxious and mustered up her courage to say, "The princess is drunk. I... I'll stay and take care of the princess."

The person is asleep on the chaise lounge, what needs to be taken care of?

Xue Shen said, "I need to take a bath. The princess is asleep, so there's no need for you to stay and take care of her."

Bai Luo hesitated, reluctant to leave, but Xue Shen's gaze was too sharp, and she dared not confront him. In the end, she left, turning back every few steps.

"Your maid looks like she's afraid I'll eat you up." Xue Shen spun his wheelchair closer, glanced at Shen Youying who was fast asleep from drunkenness, and poked her flushed cheek with his finger.

The drunk person didn't react; only their eyelashes trembled.

Xue Shen glanced at her and then looked like he was about to undress and go to the bathhouse.

Just as I turned around, I heard the person behind me mumble groaning, "It's so hot, take off your outer robe."

Her tone of voice was different from usual; it was soft and gentle, with a soft, coquettish tone, much like she was being coquettish.

Xue Shen turned around and saw that Shen Youying hadn't opened her eyes and was uncomfortably tugging at her wedding robes and sleeves.

Today she wore a dark green, wide-sleeved dress, and to appear dignified, she layered a silver-green shawl over it. She was poised and elegant, with impeccable manners. While the dress looked beautiful, taking it off now would be quite a challenge.

Especially since she was drunk and confused, her hands were clumsy. She struggled for a long time but couldn't get the long-sleeved shirt off, and instead ended up sweating profusely.

Her expression grew increasingly aggrieved. She struggled to her feet, supporting herself with her limp arms. Her watery eyes looked at Xue Shen, and it was unclear who she mistook him for. She opened her arms as if it were the most natural thing in the world and said, "Undress me."

Xue Shen stared at her intently for a while, and then, amidst her urging mutters, slowly turned his wheelchair forward and unfastened the hidden clasps and straps on various parts of her body.

She took off her embroidered robe and wide-sleeved shirt, leaving only a thin blouse and a silver bodice embroidered with begonias.

Shen Youying finally felt cool and let out a satisfied hum, then slumped back down, her body limp and powerless.

Xue Shen's gaze swept over her half-covered skin with restraint. Just as he was about to leave, he heard her mutter a complaint: "My head is so heavy, it's pulling my scalp."

Xue Shen: "..."

Xue Shen had no choice but to resign himself to removing her hairpins and ornaments. The heavy hair ornaments were removed, and her full head of black hair cascaded down, flowing through her fingers. Xue Shen withdrew his hand, grasped a strand, and wrapped it around his fingertip, his expression inscrutable.

Shen Youying waited for a while, but he didn't make a move. She looked up at him in confusion, and then naturally moved her head to his knee and rested it against his hand. Her cheek was pressed against the back of his hand, and her long hair spread out on her knee like flowing water.

"Give me a massage."

Xue Shen looked down at her. The only person who dared to order him around so confidently was probably the one in front of him.

However, I guess he only dares to show his true nature when he's drunk; normally, he acts all dignified and polite in front of him.

He suddenly smiled, held her head with one hand, and gently began to massage her hair with the other.

Shen Youying nestled obediently on his lap, making soft, animal-like whimpering sounds.

Xue Shen looked down at her, his expression playful: "There will be no going back when you wake up tomorrow."