For the next few days, Qingying stayed in the mansion. It wasn't until seven days later that the emperor's decree was issued, bestowing upon Yan Zhiyun the title of Princess Anyang. Soon after, she would return to the capital with the envoys from the Northern Yue to marry him.

During those seven days, Wei Huaixu only visited her once, saying that the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine both opposed sending Princess Anyang to marry into the Han Chinese family, and the conflict had raged for several days. He had put a lot of thought into this matter. As a result, the Empress Dowager fell ill, but she was unable to change the Emperor's decision.

The next day, Xie Jiaoying came to her door to chat about gossip.

She cracked sunflower seeds and asked with a puzzled look, "At the palace banquet, the envoys from Northern Yue judged her either by her appearance and figure or by her words and actions. But Princess Anyang performed neither of these things exceptionally well. How was she chosen?"

Qingying shrugged and said, "I'm afraid we'll have to ask the Second Prince of Beiyue to find out."

Xie Jiaoying pursed her lips and said, "I've heard that there are relatively few women in the Northern Yue Kingdom, so after a father passes away, his son can inherit his wives and concubines."

Qingying had heard of this rule before, but she still couldn't help but frown every time.

"So, if Princess Anyang marries into the Northern Yue royal family, she is currently the emperor's concubine, and she may become the new emperor's concubine in the future?"

"Yes," Xie Jiaoying said in a low voice, "The Second Prince's personal visit this time is probably aimed at selecting a consort for himself."

The emperor of Northern Yue was over fifty years old, but he only had three sons. The eldest prince had broken his leg in an accident a few years ago and had lost his eligibility to compete for the throne. The third prince was stupid and incompetent and unlikely to amount to anything. Therefore, the second prince was the most likely to inherit the throne.

Thinking this, Qingying couldn't help but frown.

Therefore, Yuchi Wuyou really did take a liking to her from the beginning. If she and Wei Huaixu hadn't been betrothed in advance, the matter would probably have been even more complicated.

Just then, a maid brought over an invitation. As was customary, Qingying tossed it to Yuyue, telling her to come according to her status and decline if possible.

Yu Yue opened it, glanced at it briefly, and was so shocked that her eyes widened. She quickly handed it to her, saying, "Miss, you should take a look for yourself."

She was wondering why Yu Yue's reaction was so intense when she took a look and her eyes widened in surprise.

It was actually an invitation from Yuchi Wuyou!

Xie Jiaoying blinked repeatedly at the reactions of the mistress and servant, puzzled. "What's wrong with you two? Why are you so surprised? Could it be that the Second Prince of Beiyue sent it?"

They both looked at her at the same time.

Their eyes met, and Xie Jiaoying slowly stopped eating sunflower seeds, clicking her tongue slightly. "No way, it really is him?"

Qingying took a deep breath and nodded.

Xie Jiaoying was silent for a moment, then hesitated, "How about... we accept the invitation? After all, they've come from afar, we can't refuse them, can we?"

Qingying rubbed her forehead in annoyance. "He invited me to Banxianju, but you know how little I can drink..."

Banxianju, that's a famous tavern in the capital. What does "banxian" mean? Anyone who steps inside will find themselves with at least half a day of leisure. Why? Because they get drunk.

The invitation was now like a hot potato in Qingying's hands; she couldn't accept it, nor could she throw it away. As Xie Jiaoying said, refusing Yuchi Wuyou's invitation would be slapping Beiyue in the face. But if she accepted it, it would be like "knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into the tiger's den."

"What should we do..." Xie Jiaoying was also distressed for her.

After pondering for a moment, she suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "Sister Liu, does the invitation indicate that you are going alone?"

Qingying shook her head.

"Then you can invite His Highness the Crown Prince to go together!"

Qingying's eyes lit up immediately.

Yes, Yu Chi Wuyou invited her to Banxianju for a drink, but he didn't specify that she could only go alone. It's not appropriate for a woman to meet a man alone, so it's not unreasonable for her to bring her fiancé along, right?

She hugged Xie Jiaoying tightly, "Sister Xie, you are truly my great benefactor!"

...

The next day, Qingying arrived at the appointment on time.

Yuchi Wuyou had deep-set, handsome features and a tall but not exaggerated build. Today he was dressed in Donglin clothing, a light blue wide-sleeved long robe with a moon-white wide belt around his waist, but his hair ornaments were still those of Beiyue, with his black hair braided into a head full of small braids, which did not look out of place on him.

Qingying stepped out of the carriage and looked into the distance, her eyes meeting his light brown gaze. He gave her a faint smile, and she instinctively looked away.

Yu Chi Wuyou stepped forward and was about to reach out to help Qingying when his other hand grabbed Qingying's wrist first.

He was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and saw Wei Huaixu, whose face was as gentle and refined as jade.

"Second Prince, my Crown Princess need not trouble you to help her up."

Yu Chi Wuyou frowned, then withdrew his hand and put it behind his back. He looked at Wei Huaixu and said with considerable dissatisfaction, "Why is His Highness the Crown Prince here?"

Wei Huaixu helped Qingying down, and after she stood still, he looked at Yuchi Wuyou again with his usual gentle smile and said, "Didn't the Second Prince send an invitation to Qingying?"

"Yes, but I only invited Miss Liu."

"That wasn't mentioned in the post."

Yuchi Wuyou gritted his teeth, about to explode in anger.

Qingying twisted her handkerchief, looking completely innocent, and said, "Your Highness, I am truly not a good drinker and was afraid of spoiling your enjoyment, so I invited Your Highness the Crown Prince to come with me."

She blinked and smiled as she continued, "Don't worry, His Highness the Crown Prince has an excellent capacity for alcohol and will certainly be able to drink with you to your heart's content."

Meeting the woman's radiant smile, Yu Chi Wuyou suppressed the pent-up anger that was about to erupt within him, forcing a smile. "In that case, so be it..."

The three of them walked into Banxianju together.

Yu Chi Wuyou had reserved a private room. The waiter led them in, and shortly after they sat down, various kinds of fine wines were placed on the table, along with several side dishes to accompany the wine.

He personally poured them wine and said, “The wine of your Donglin Kingdom is very fragrant, but not strong enough. It’s not like the wine of our Beiyue Kingdom, which is like a sword cutting into your throat with one sip. It’s very refreshing.”

Wei Huaixu picked up a cup, examined it, and smiled, saying, "The wine is not strong, but it is still intoxicating."

"Really?" He seemed somewhat skeptical.

"You can give it a try."

Yu Chi Wuyou smiled and poured Qingying a cup of osmanthus wine. "Since Miss Liu doesn't have a high alcohol tolerance, she should drink this. It won't make her drunk easily."

"Thank you." Qingying politely accepted it.

She had just taken a small sip when she saw the two men clink glasses and each tilt their heads back to drink it all in one gulp, then immediately refill their glasses.

They drank one cup after another without saying a word, yet they tacitly observed each other's condition.

Seeing that the pot of wine was almost empty, and having long heard that the people of Beiyue were skilled at drinking, Qingying was afraid that Wei Huaixu would get drunk, so she quickly interrupted, "I haven't yet asked His Highness the Second Prince why he suddenly sent me an invitation."

"Naturally, it's because of my admiration for Miss Liu."

Qingying was startled, not expecting him to be so direct. She glanced at Wei Huaixu's expression beside her and was shocked again.

The man, whose face was usually gentle, now had a sullen expression!