Chapter 11 You got drunk because you wanted to sleep with me!

On the way home, sitting in the carriage, Qingduo sighed heavily.

"Young Madam, what's wrong? Are the white jade loquats I bought not sweet enough?" Fangqing asked, puzzled, after seeing Qingduo sigh after eating one loquat.

Qingduo sighed again: "The sweetness only makes my heart feel more bitter!"

Alas, even if she were to become Zaofu, who could command six horses, she still wouldn't be as good as her father.

She picked up another loquat, took a bite, and frowned slightly; it was a bit sour. Well, they were all loquats, but some were sweet and some were sour. She and her father were both human, each with their own talents and limitations—what was so strange about that? If she couldn't be a sweet loquat, she could be a sour one. Of all the flavors in the world, there was always a loquat to bear them all.

Qingduo put down the sour loquat in her hand and comforted herself: Look, being a sour loquat isn't so bad, at least I won't get bitten by others.

Now is not the time to worry about this; she has other things to do.

"Fangqing, do you have any wine at home?"

"Yes, if the young mistress wishes to drink, we have Zhuyeqing (Bamboo Leaf Green) wine, Osmanthus wine, and Hibiscus liquor..."

Qingduo interrupted, "Which kind of liquor is stronger?"

"Strong liquor?" Fang Qing was surprised. "Young Madam wants to drink strong liquor? You are delicate, and strong liquor is spicy. I'm afraid it will make you feel unwell."

"It's alright, once you're drunk, you won't know anything about discomfort," Qingduo said meaningfully.

The fire-avoidance diagram couldn't solve her problem at all; it wasn't that she didn't understand, but that she dared not. Later, she asked Zhu Niang if she had any drugs that could make someone faint, wanting to complete their marital relations while unconscious. Zhu Niang, of course, refused. Those were methods used to seduce the new, unruly girls in the courtyard; how could she use them on Tang Li's daughter!

Moreover, after hearing Tang Li and A Zhao's description, she felt that A Zhao's husband was a gentle and refined gentleman. If he knew that A Zhao would rather faint than willingly share a room with him, it would surely damage their marital relationship. She could only say, "Using medicine is absolutely out of the question, as it might harm your health. If your father knew, he would definitely not forgive me. However, arousal doesn't necessarily have to be medicine; it can also be wine."

Inspired, Qingduo immediately decided that she would arrange a "trap" for herself that night.

She cupped her hands together, making a drinking gesture in the air, and declared with righteous indignation: "The wind howls, the Yi River is cold, the hero departs, never to return!"

*

"Madam, do you really wish to drink this cup?" Zeng Zhengqing asked Qingduo for the third time.

The two sat facing each other, with four dishes on the table. Zeng Zhengqing had a small drinking cup in front of him, while Qingduo had a large bowl of wine in front of her.

Qingduo picked up the bowl without changing her expression and said, "Madam, my alcohol tolerance is unfathomable. This is nothing."

"This is aged Shaoxing wine, it's quite potent, don't overindulge, or you'll have a headache tomorrow. Let Fangqing change your cup!" Zeng Zhengqing advised, reaching for the large bowl.

Qingduo grabbed the cup like a crab clutching a shrimp, took a sip with a "slurp," and exclaimed, "The aroma is rich and the taste is sweet." She smacked her lips, savoring the aftertaste, and added, "It has a slightly astringent taste."

"This is the best wine I've ever tasted!" she exclaimed happily. "Expensive wines are just different!"

Seeing his elated expression, Zeng Zhengqing smiled, but still advised, "Madam, drink slowly. Even the finest wine should not be consumed in excess!"

How can one get drunk without being greedy?

How can you sleep without getting drunk?

With a determined heart, Qingduo picked up the large bowl, poised to fight the wine in it to the death, like parched seedlings finally receiving rain, and drank heartily with gulps.

Zeng Zhengqing abruptly stood up and snatched the wine bowl from Qingduo's hand, but it was too late; Qingduo had already drunk most of the wine in the bowl. The spilled wine slid down her neck, and Qingduo, without wiping it away, stared blankly at Zeng Zhengqing's stern face.

"What are you doing! How can you not take care of your health!" Zeng Zhengqing said angrily. Seeing Qingduo's stunned expression, he suppressed his anger and tried to calm his voice to ask, "Is there something bothering you, Madam?"

Yes, it's about you.

Qingduo had a hard time saying it, but she forced a smile and said, "No, it's just that I've never drunk Shaoxing wine before, and I couldn't help myself."

Zeng Zhengqing decisively said, "No more drinking today." He summoned Fang Qing and ordered her to remove the wine cups and bowls. "A little wine is pleasant, but it should be sipped slowly. Madam, the way you drank today is harmful to your health and spirit. You must never do it again."

Ugh—it's so long-winded and noisy.

Qingduo didn't feel anything when she took the first sip, but after the second big gulp, the alcohol hit her, and it felt like a campfire was burning in her chest. The heat made her head feel hazy, while her body felt as if all the moisture had evaporated, making her feel light and airy.

She couldn't sit still; she wanted to laugh out loud, she wanted to hum a tune, she wanted to dance. She was overwhelmed with indescribable joy.

Qingduo shook her head, desperately resisting the urge to get up and spin around, silently chanting: "Round house, round house, round house, round house, round circle, round circle..."

I still want to dance.

Zeng Zhengqing was unaware of his wife's unusual behavior. He placed a piece of fish on her plate and said, "You've drunk a lot of wine. Eat something to line your stomach."

Qingduo jumped to her feet, staring intently at Zeng Zhengqing. He asked in surprise, "Madam?"

"Zeng Zhengqing, dance."

Whether it was calling her by her first name or asking her to dance, everything left Zeng Zhengqing bewildered. Qingduo, oblivious to his reaction, had already started spinning, muttering something unintelligible. After she swayed a few steps, almost collapsing, Zeng Zhengqing caught her from behind and finally understood what she was saying:

"Everyone has their own unique talents, and if I can't paint figures, I can paint flowers and birds."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Zhengqing guessed that she was troubled by painting. Seeing her struggling, he went along with her and said, "Madam is right! If this path is blocked, we will try another. If you want to paint flowers, fish, insects, and birds, I will take you to buy paints and other painting supplies tomorrow so that you can paint to your heart's content."

Stroking the donkey in her arms, Qingduo stopped kicking and exclaimed in surprise, "You also think I'm good at painting flowers and birds?"

He didn't know, but there was no other answer now. He said, "Yes."

When Qingduo stopped struggling, Zeng Zhengqing lowered his guard. Qingduo twisted her body, broke free from his embrace, and exclaimed happily, "You really have a discerning eye! You are my soulmate! Come, come, let me... draw something for you!"

The alcohol made her speech slurred and her steps unsteady, but it couldn't soften her stubbornness. She rushed to the table, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and started drawing on the paper. She stood swaying in front of the table, her eyes blurry and unable to see clearly. She tried to lean over to look, but her body was unsteady and her hands trembled.

Helpless, Zeng Zhengqing had no choice but to follow her and wait for her to finish painting. After Qingduo finished painting, she excitedly brought the paper to Zeng Zhengqing's face. He took a few steps back and examined his wife's masterpiece, but what was it? He reluctantly praised, "How vivid... an earthworm! Slender, curved, soft and lively."

Qingduo's expression changed drastically in an instant. Her lips drooped, and she cried out, "But I drew pine branches!" With that, she burst into tears.

Ah! She can't draw anything as well as her father! She can't even draw proper figures, and she can't even draw proper plants! She, Tang Qingduo, is just a useless Tang!

Zeng Zhengqing's words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back, crushing the composure that Qingduo had built up on the carriage.

Zeng Zhengqing had never seen a woman act like this before. He broke out in a cold sweat and didn't know how to comfort her. He panicked and bowed repeatedly, apologizing, "It's my fault, it's my fault. It's a problem with my eyes, not Madam's fault!"

"Madam's earthworm... the pine branches are strong and vigorous, thick and upright, proudly facing the frost. This painting is unique!"

Qingduo couldn't hear a word she was saying; if she had, she probably would have continued crying. Between sobs, she choked out, "I am Waaaaa!"

"What?"

"I am a sour loquat! I am a sour loquat!" Qingduo cried out.

Zeng Zhengqing closed his eyes, his head throbbing: What on earth is this all about!

Qingduo cried a few times and cried out, "I'm thirsty." Zeng Zhengqing wasn't good at comforting people, but this was something he could do. He hurriedly poured water and brought it to her lips. Qingduo stopped crying, drank the water in a few gulps, and then said, "I want more." After drinking her fill of water, she suddenly started crying again.

Zeng Zhengqing was powerless. He even had a strange thought: if he hadn't poured water for Qingduo just now, perhaps she wouldn't have been able to produce enough tears.

He regretted it.

Qingduo cried out twice, feeling a burning heat all over her body. The fire in her chest seemed to spread throughout her entire body. The water she had just used had not extinguished the fire, but instead fueled it.

It's hot! It's so hot!

She lowered her head and took off her long coat, revealing her bodice. She was about to untie her skirt when Zeng Zhengqing stopped her.

Taking advantage of her dazed state, he coaxed her into putting on the jacket, and without making a sound, he tidied her clothes, saying, "I'll have Fangqing prepare hot water for you, Madam, to bathe and rest."

rest--

Upon hearing this word, Qingduo felt a jolt of fear, as if a trigger had been activated. Before Zeng Zhengqing could call Fangqing, she decisively said, "I'll go!" and rushed out.

Zhengqing had just breathed a sigh of relief when he heard Fangqing and several maids outside calling out, "Where is the young mistress going?"

"Young Master! The Young Madam has run away!"

When Zeng Zhengqing and Fang Qing and the other maids found Qing Duo, she was lying in the pavilion by the lotus pond.

Zeng Zhengqing said patiently, "Madam, it's getting colder and the wind is strong outside. If you stay any longer, you might catch a cold. Let's go back inside together!"

Fang Qing and several maids tried to persuade her, but Qing Duo refused to move. She only shifted slightly, pressing her body against the railing. Helpless, Zeng Zhengqing bent down to pick her up and take her back.

Qingduo clung tightly to the railing, refusing to let go, crying out, "Let me go! I don't want to go back!"

“Okay, I’ll let go. I just want to carry Madam back to rest. You’re very emotional and must be tired. How about I carry you back?” Zeng Zhengqing let go, though exhausted, he patiently coaxed Qingduo.

"You just want to sleep with me!" Qingduo sobbed, her voice full of grievance.

"I don't want to be with you...with you..." The girl's shame prevented her from uttering the word. But everyone present understood.

In an instant, Zeng Zhengqing felt his whole body turn cold, as if he had been lying on a cold stone chair all night.

The servants' shocked gazes were like swords and daggers piercing his frozen back.

The moon cast a sorrowful gaze, and on this summer night, Zeng Zhengqing felt a chill in his heart.

A note from the author:

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