Chapter 159 Drinking He hoped Guan Ye would remain wrong forever

With the Great Cold over, the Lunar New Year is just around the corner. West Street is especially lively before the festival. Little Swordsman said that the shops are still open past midnight these days, and Shiyage at the south end is noisy until dawn. The blacksmith joked, "Could it be that you guys are going to Shiyage for drinks?" Little Swordsman chuckled, "Once Xingguofang prospers and we get more money next year, it'll be enough for a lavish meal at Shiyage."

Next year… Guan Ye heard it in her ears, but would there be another day like this next year? Guan Ye clenched her fists. She just didn’t believe it. She had to come up with a way to make the runaway little horse regret it.

West Street was bustling with people. Guan Ye had already strolled around for a while, her arms heavy with silver, unsure of what to buy. Pei Bi had told her to wear new clothes to the palace banquet, but hadn't she already had several outfits made before leaving the island? Why waste this money? Guan Ye lingered in front of the clothing store for a while before turning to leave. The lights were dim, and A Jiu's face flickered in and out of the lanterns. His eyes were bright yet gentle, and the lantern light shone on his brow bone, making his features clear and distinct. He was not A Jiu.

"You're following me?" Guan Ye walked confidently toward Mu Chenbi.

Mu Chenbi relaxed, his expression as gentle as a spring breeze spreading across the earth. "Anyone can stroll on West Street, so why are you saying I followed you? You're supposed to be a magnanimous person. We talked things out that day, and I've thought it all through. But you seem to still remember. What? You still can't let it go?"

"I didn't," Guan Ye retorted. Mu Chenbi looked completely at ease, while she herself seemed conflicted.

Mu Chenbi didn't reply, but looked up at the clothing store's sign. "Want to get some new clothes made for the New Year? Why don't you go in?"

Guan Ye kicked at the pebbles under her feet, spread her hands, and said, "Am I not dressed decently? I won't do that."

Mu Chenbi couldn't help but chuckle, and said with his hands behind his back, "Of course Master Guan is a respectable person. She is a respectable person, and she is also a girl. Everyone has a love for beauty. Wearing new clothes is not shameful. Come on, I'll pick out the best-looking one for you." As he spoke, he opened his robe, stepped one foot across the threshold, and seeing Guan Ye standing still, he nodded and smiled, gesturing for her to enter.

The shop was filled with fabrics as beautiful as clouds and rosy hues, and beautiful women as picturesque as poems. Guan Ye wasn't particularly interested, but refusing Mu Chenbi would make her seem petty. There was no harm in going in and taking a look. Guan Ye imitated Mu Chenbi by opening her clothes and brushing against him as she stepped through the door. Mu Chenbi followed behind, his phoenix-feathered eyelashes filled with joy.

"Whatever you like, I'll give it to you." Mu Chenbi's eyes were filled with turbulent emotions.

Guan Ye looked at all the different styles, her big eyes finally settling on a piece of light blue. Ah Yuan was so lively and cute; she must look beautiful in that color. Thinking of Ah Yuan's few old clothes and the lingering bright red stain from when she saw them off, Guan Ye's eyes welled up with tears, and she couldn't help but reach out and touch the light blue satin.

Mu Chenbi followed her gaze. It is said that women are made of water, with a face like steel and bones, and deep down they are women who deserve to be cherished. This color is well chosen. "Do you like it?" Mu Chenbi asked softly.

Guan Ye lowered her hand, her gaze still lingering on the satin. Mu Chenbi called over a shop assistant, gesturing and saying, "This is it. Make two outfits in Rongdu's most fashionable style, according to her measurements..."

"No," Guan Ye waved her hand, "The clothes need to be a bit smaller." Guan Ye looked at her own height and limbs, "Height here, sleeves and legs here..."

Mu Chenbi looked doubtful. "Are there any other girls in Xingguo Ward?"

Guan Ye rolled her eyes at him, "Can't I have friends?"

Mu Chenbi lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, "I admit I was wrong, okay? Do you have any other friends? Why don't we go together?"

Guan Ye looked around with her hands behind her back, and then selected a dark blue fabric. Judging from her gestures, the owner of this fabric must be plump and older. Mu Chenbi suddenly realized that the friend Guan Ye mentioned should still be on Canglang Island.

"You're going back to Canglang Island?" Mu Chenbi's heart tightened.

“I do want to go back.” Guan Ye rested her chin on her hand, and Mu Chenbi relaxed, unable to resist glancing at her profile. “After the New Year, Ji Fang might return to Canglang Island. I’ll prepare some items for him to take back, including Ji Fang’s sister Ji Yuan, as well as Lou Cangyu’s mother and elder brother… I can’t leave any of them behind.”

Mu Chenbi stared at Guan Ye without blinking, "Why didn't they come to Rongdu with us?"

Guan Ye frowned, giving Mu Chenbi a sharp look. "Do you think everyone cares about the imperial city? The deserted island you speak of is their paradise. They work from sunrise to sunset, self-sufficient and happy. Why would they need to forge swords for your family, engaging in a dangerous business?"

A few words left Mu Chenbi speechless. Guan Ye suddenly realized her mistake and reached for her silver to pay the bill. Mu Chenbi quickly grabbed her hand and stood up to indicate that he would pay. The waiter smiled and held out his hand to him. Mu Chenbi pressed his hand to his chest, then reached for his waist... finding it empty and standing there awkwardly.

Guan Ye chuckled, "Where's the money?" Mu Chenbi's face paled. He remembered to bring it with him when he left. "Where's my money?"

The shop assistant, hands on his hips, looked on. "There are a lot of petty thieves around at the end of the year. Did someone strip you? What, are you still getting your clothes made?"

Guan Ye took out some silver from her pocket. "Of course I'll do it. I'll come and collect it after the Lantern Festival."

"Alright." The shopkeeper took the silver, weighed it in his hand, and gave Mu Chenbi a mocking laugh as he left.

“Guan Ye…” Mu Chenbi’s face turned from white to red, “I really did bring money with me, I didn’t mean to lie to you.”

Guan Ye deliberately turned away from him, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Is it really that big of a deal? I just made a few more outfits... and I didn't even bring any money?"

"I..." Mu Chenbi stepped forward to block Guan Ye's path, his face flushed, and insisted on talking to her, "I really didn't lie to you. Come back with me. I promised to take you home, and I will keep my word."

Guan Ye tilted her head, scrutinizing Mu Chenbi's stern face. Pointing at him, she burst into laughter before she could even speak. "A few taels of silver? Why would you lie to me? Mu Chenbi, you actually believed me?"

Mu Chenbi realized he had been tricked by Guan Ye. His handsome face lost its purplish-red color and turned into a deep melancholy. Yes, how could he have taken such an obvious joke seriously? It was all his fault… Mu Chenbi looked at Guan Ye, his eyes beneath his phoenix-feather eyelashes filled with sorrow. It was all his fault that he had fallen for the woman in front of him. Every word and action of hers affected him, and his joys and sorrows were intertwined with hers, making it difficult to sever ties.

Noticing that Mu Chenbi seemed a little off, Guan Ye stopped laughing and poked his motionless body with her finger. "Are you angry?"

Mu Chenbi took a deep breath but didn't answer. Guan Ye crossed her arms and walked around him. "Then I'm leaving?"

"Guan Ye," Mu Chenbi called out, "Is it that funny?"

Guan Ye turned her head, her big eyes sweeping over Mu Chenbi's gloomy face. "Are you really angry?" she said, touching her stomach. "Are you hungry?"

Mu Chenbi's phoenix-feather eyelashes fluttered slightly. He nodded to Guan Ye, then shook his head and said, "I lost my silver. Do you have enough silver on you?"

Guan Ye tugged at Mu Chenbi's sleeve and said, "Let's go. I'll treat you to everything today. You'll have to pay double next time."

"You said it." Mu Chenbi was overjoyed. "Double it, even ten times it, you must let me bring you back."

In the tavern, Guan Ye ordered a table full of dishes according to Wan Qixi's order. The pawnshop was dazzling. Mu Chenbi was also hungry. He picked up his chopsticks to pick up the Rouge Goose Breast, but just as he was about to put it in his mouth, he suddenly stopped and stiffly brought the chopsticks close to Guan Ye's bowl. Seeing that Guan Ye did not move, he loosened his chopsticks and the goose breast fell. A hint of naivety flashed across his handsome face.

Why does Mu Chenbi do something so strange, such a common act as serving food to someone? Oh… Guan Ye suddenly realized, Mu Chenbi is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. He has been pampered and spoiled since childhood, and he has always been the one being served. When has he ever taken care of others? This piece of goose breast in front of him… this must be the first time in Mu Chenbi’s life that he has ever served food to someone.

Seeing that Guan Ye didn't move, Mu Chenbi assumed she didn't like the food. He glanced at the dishes on the table, picked up a fried quail, and tentatively offered it to Guan Ye, "Do you... want some?"

Guan Ye reached out and took it. Before Mu Chenbi could react, she took a big bite. The quail was fried until crispy, and crumbs were falling everywhere. Guan Ye dipped her fingertip in the crumbs and lovingly sucked them into her mouth. Mu Chenbi followed her example and dipped his finger in the crumbs, pursing his lips to taste it. It was a taste he had never experienced before.

"You should eat some too." Guan Ye picked up a fried quail and handed it to him. "Don't you like it?"

"I like it." Mu Chenbi was afraid she would take it back, so he hurriedly took it and stuffed it into his mouth, eating it whole. He couldn't help but steal a glance at Guan Yan with his eyelids. "You ordered so much food, do you have enough money?" Mu Chenbi suddenly remembered something.

Guan Ye patted her chest. "There's plenty. If you're still hungry, just ask for more. Who knows when the next time will be?"

"Huh?" Mu Chenbi stopped chewing. "Just this once?"

Guan Ye swallowed her mouthful of food with difficulty, wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, and said, "Next time, and the time after that, it's all your treat. Do you expect me to pay again? I won't do it."

Mu Chenbi laughed heartily, "Then we must eat to our hearts' content today, and how about another jar of wine?"

"Are you even provoking me?" Guan Ye dusted off the crumbs of quail wine in her hand and called to the waiter, "Bring me a jar of Daughter's Red wine, the best of it."

Good wine was served, and Guan Ye filled both their glasses. She raised her bowl to clink with Mu Chenbi's, tilted her head back, and took a sip. The aged wine was strong and spicy, making Guan Ye frown. Of course, Guan Ye wouldn't show weakness in front of Mu Chenbi, so she swallowed it straight down and wiped the wine from her lips with her sleeve. Seeing that Mu Chenbi was still holding his wine bowl, Guan Ye raised an eyebrow and said, "I'm toasting you, are you looking down on me?"

“No.” Mu Chenbi’s knuckles trembled, and his phoenix eyelashes blinked somewhat hesitantly. “I…have never drunk alcohol.”

Guan Ye's eyes widened. Feng Shisan and the others in the neighborhood could drink wine until the wee hours, and even when the jar was empty, they would still chase after Pei Bi for more. Mu Chenbi was about the same age as them, with a heroic and dashing appearance, yet... he had never drunk wine? Guan Ye blinked and couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Mu Chenbi blushed. "Everyone says to drown your sorrows in alcohol, but I've never known sorrow since I was a child, and I never thought of drinking... What? Is that funny?"

Guan Ye pinched her thigh and said with a stern face, "You drink when you're sad, and you drink when you're happy. Don't you ever have a happy moment?"

Mu Chenbi looked back on his smooth first half of life, without worries or complaints, and it seemed that there was nothing to be happy about. At first glance, it was unremarkable, and he couldn't tell anyone about the ups and downs. Until... Mu Chenbi raised his eyelids and stared at Guan Ye. Until he returned to the capital from Xingguo Ward, in the abandoned Tianhu Ward, a girl in black suddenly appeared. The girl squatted down beside him and called him "Ajiu".

There was also the mysterious and unpredictable ghost market. On the canoe, she clenched her hand tightly, recalling Guan Ye's mistake that day. She could have easily pulled her wrist away and pointed out that Guan Ye had mistaken her for someone else, but she didn't. At that moment, what Mu Chenbi thought was not that Guan Ye had mistaken her for someone else, but that she hoped... Guan Ye could stay mistaken forever...