Qiu Hu, who was following behind, quickly whispered, "Princess! You should drink less; it's not good to get drunk."

She knew her daughter's alcohol tolerance well. Back when she was still a young lady, she used to gamble on drinking with the eldest son, but she would get drunk after only a few cups and was scolded by the madam afterwards.

Li Chenjiao's fair face flushed red, her slender waist swayed slightly, her figure graceful. She turned her head and gave Qiu Hu a sweet smile, then pouted and said, "Why are there two Qiu Hu?"

Fortunately, it was late at night and the lights inside weren't too bright. Also, Li Chenjiao was still somewhat conscious, so the others assumed that Li Chenjiao was talking to Qiu Hu.

Qiu Hu understood immediately; his princess was drunk. He quickly poured her some warm water and fed her a sip. Then, he stood behind her, gently kneading Li Chenjiao's shoulders.

After a while, Li Chenjiao propped her head up with her hand, her pink lips curving into a smile, and whispered, "Qiuhu, I want to drink soup."

Qiu Hu quickly bent down and scooped a small bowl of lotus seed soup, placing it in front of Li Chenjiao while observing her expression.

Thank goodness, she wasn't so drunk that she passed out. Qiu Hu breathed a sigh of relief.

The dinner was a real nail-biter for Qiu Hu, who was terrified that her princess would get drunk and talk nonsense.

After all... their princess has a criminal record.

"What's wrong with Madam Li? Is she feeling unwell?" The Fujin suddenly looked at Li Chenjiao and asked.

Qiu Hu's heart jumped into her throat again, and she quickly tugged at Li Chenjiao.

But then she saw her mistress slowly rise and say softly, "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I'm just a little tipsy." Her voice was relatively calm.

The princess sat down gently and said, "Please sit down. Since you can't hold your liquor, drink less. Yuru, go and bring a cup of tea to help you sober up."

Li Chenjiao was carrying Qiu Hu on her back, so Qiu Hu couldn't see her princess's expression, but Qiu Hu knew that Li Chenjiao must be smiling again right now.

"Thank you, Madam." After saying this, she sat down, resting her chin on her hand, revealing a section of her snow-white arm. The little girl sat obediently and quietly, no longer speaking.

Qiu Hu let out a soft sigh, took the hangover tea handed to him by Yu Ru, and felt a little hesitant.

"Pour me a cup. This wine smells sweet, but how come it has such a strong aftereffect?" Li Chenjiao clearly remembered that she only drank three small cups.

Qiu Hu poured the hangover tea as instructed.

Li Chenjiao tilted her head back and drank, her hand moving from her chin to her temples and gently pinching them. She closed her eyes slightly, her eyelids drooping and casting shadows. A strand of hair fell to her face, tinged with the lingering taste of the hangover tea from her lips.

Wow...that's amazing!!!

Qiu Hu, standing to the side, glanced at her once and dared not look up again. Was her princess being far too alluring?

It's really a bit... tempting!

The Fujin (principal wife) couldn't see clearly from up there, but Bai Jia and Song, who were sitting opposite Li Chenjiao, could see it very clearly.

Bai Jia almost tore the handkerchief in her hand: "Vixen! I don't know where she learned such despicable tricks. She really is a pretentious Han Bannerwoman!"

Song, standing to the side, gave her a cold look: "Princess Bai, watch your words! There are many nobles from the Han Banner, be careful what you say." Song herself was from the Han Banner, so she was naturally displeased upon hearing this.

Bai Jia said awkwardly, "I misspoke, please don't blame me, sister." Song glanced away, ignoring Bai Jia, but her expression became even colder.

Bai Jia tightened her grip on the handkerchief, but inwardly she blamed Li Chenjiao. It was all her fault for stealing her favor! Li must have spoken ill of her to the Fourth Prince; otherwise, how could she have ended up like this?

Later that evening, Li Chenjiao had sobered up considerably.

Just when she thought the party was over, she was told she had to go see some kind of opera. Li Chenjiao squinted her eyes in annoyance as the wind blew through her.

Fortunately, the weather cooperated; it started raining after watching one segment of the play, so the princess consort told everyone to disperse and go home.

The rain wasn't heavy, but the roads were difficult to travel at night, so Lady Xingfu ordered a servant to carry a lamp.

Qiu Hu held an umbrella in one hand and supported his princess with the other, saying, "Princess, be careful."

Li Chenjiao smiled and agreed. Suddenly, she looked up at the sky, but it was all dark and she couldn't see anything clearly. Only raindrops rolled down her eyelashes, feeling cool and refreshing.

In this boundless spring scenery, the rain adds a touch of loneliness and desolation.

I've heard that Jiangnan is very beautiful...

Li Chenjiao couldn't help but laugh, and her drunkenness dissipated.

Back in the courtyard, Qiu Ci had already prepared ginger soup. Li Chenjiao changed out of her wet shoes and socks and instructed, "Send a bowl of ginger soup to that little eunuch as well, it's chilly at night."

Qiu Ci agreed.

After drinking the hot ginger soup, Li Chenjiao took a bath. Only after washing up and bathing did her body feel completely warm.

Li Chenjiao climbed onto the couch, snuggled into the quilt, held a cup of hot tea, and listened to the pitter-patter of rain outside the window.

I drifted off to sleep to the sound of rain...

Two maids quietly entered and turned off the lights. One tucked Li Chenjiao in, while the other lifted the gauze curtain. After doing all this, the two maids smiled at each other and quietly left.

They guarded the small path outside.

This courtyard is so warm and cozy, not just from the warm blankets, but from the warmth in my heart.

...

Meanwhile, the Fourth Prince, far away in Jiangnan, was not so warm and cozy; in fact, he was rather dark-skinned.

Yes, his face is dark.

The Cao family members weren't stupid; at least they didn't do anything foolish in front of the Fourth Master, but...

Fourth Master frowned deeply as he looked at the two beautiful women before him.

The two beautiful young women had been instructed by Master Cao, and seeing Master Si looking at them like he was a hungry wolf, they quickly clung to him.

Fourth Master's face darkened further, and he stood up with a flick of his sleeve: "Su Peisheng!"

Su Peisheng hurriedly agreed, called two guards to stop the two beautiful women, and turned to look at the Fourth Master: "Master?"

Fourth Master said coldly, "Back to the inn!"

Su Peisheng agreed, then glanced at the two women, clicking his tongue inwardly. His master never got involved in such matters when on official business…

Second Master Cao, you've miscalculated. Do you really think your master's reputation for being "cold-faced and upright" is just empty talk?

Not to mention outside, even at home, the Fourth Master's aloofness towards women remains the same.

As he came out, Su Peisheng saw that Master Cao next door was probably being ravaged by a slut, so he lowered his head and didn't dare to speak.

No wonder Master Cao invited Master Si to dinner tonight; it turns out it was a night of drinking with courtesans.

Fourth Master glanced at Su Peisheng: "If you don't want to leave, I'll sell you here today and let you have fun every day."

Su Peisheng's face was practically beaming with joy just now.

Su Peisheng exclaimed, "Oh dear, Master, this servant was merely lamenting Master Cao's..."

Fourth Master didn't say anything and quickly left the place.

Su Peisheng followed behind, saying, "Master, it's late, we should go back."

Fourth Master waved his hand: "Go check the river."

The purpose of this trip was threefold: first, to visit Old Lady Cao; second, to prepare for this year's offerings to the people of Jiangnan; and third, to inspect the river channels.

Su Peisheng said with a pained expression, "Master, it's already dark... I'm afraid there might be evil people causing trouble."

Fourth Master glared at him and said, "Men, take Su Peisheng to a brothel!"