Chapter 138 Pouring Wine

Nothing happened all afternoon until the sun set and the lights flickered, and Mu Xun finally made it back from Moyang City.

Mu Xi hurriedly instructed Tao'er to bring the prepared banquet to the inner room.

Mu Xun changed his clothes and came over from next door, first handing a small box to Mu Xi: "Here, this is the box you specifically asked for, which we retrieved from Zhu Ming Pavilion."

Previously, Mu Xi's belongings had almost all been sent out of the Jun Mansion. This box contained all of Princess Yun Ying's dowry left to the original owner.

The Shen family was a prominent family of upright officials in the previous dynasty. The dowry that the birth mother, Shen Ying, could leave to the original owner was not much. However, now that Mu Xi is in dire straits, she has no choice but to use these to make up for it.

Previously, the 300,000 taels of silver obtained from Qi Yingyu sounded like a lot, but in reality, once spent, it vanished without a trace, like a clay ox sinking into the sea.

Mu Xi moved everything she could, but it still wasn't enough.

Upon opening the box and examining each item, one found only banknotes, jewelry, deeds, and more...

As Mu Xi was looking through the documents, Mu Xun sat down and took a sip of tea, looking exhausted: "Today we can confirm that although Mu Chong's eyes are not seriously injured, I'm afraid he will not be able to see things in the distance clearly from now on."

"Oh..." Mu Xi didn't even look up, having expected this outcome.

Previously, Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State said he would handle Mu Chong's affairs, but two days later, news spread that Mu Chong's room caught fire in the middle of the night.

Mu Chong was unharmed, but he was knocked unconscious by the smoke.

When I woke up again, I had no other symptoms except that I couldn't see.

It's obvious that this was Shen Lun's doing.

The Gao family successively invited a shaman, a witch doctor, and a physician.

Finally, the doctor determined that the eyes had been damaged by some kind of toxic fumes and prescribed medicine to clean them with eye drops every day in the hope of recovery.

It seems this is the final result.

It's lucky that he didn't go completely blind. Although Yan Sheng doesn't have those nearsighted glasses, he can still see things, so it doesn't interfere with his daily life.

A nearsighted marquis's son cannot ride a horse or shoot arrows, which is tantamount to ruining his future.

Mu Xun didn't seem to be in good spirits, but he forced himself to stay alert: "I went to see the Marquis again before leaving the city. His attitude was much better this time, so he must not be angry with us anymore."

"Oh..." Mu Xi was still focused on looking at the house deeds and land deeds in the box.

On the night of the birthday banquet, they made a last-minute decision to come to Qifengtai. Mu Xi did not discuss it with Marquis Shen Lun of Yong beforehand, nor did she intend to inform him afterwards.

Marquis Shen Lun of Yong was naturally angry and summoned Mu Xun for questioning.

Of course, while questioning them is one thing, afterwards you also have to help them clean up the mess and smooth things over.

So far, Mu Xi has been unwilling to have much contact with Marquis Shen Lun of Yong State. Mu Xun always brings it up on his own initiative. For example, the Marquis of Yong State stayed in Moyang City under the pretext of attending a sacrificial ceremony. Another example is that the Marquis has already spread the news that he is going to find a good husband for his daughter in Moyang City.

Attending the festival was a pretense; the real purpose was to find a suitable husband.

That's what Mu Xi thought, but it's none of her business.

Shen Lun clearly only saw her as a tool, neither coming to see her nor speaking directly to her. He kept a close eye on Mu Xun.

This also displeased Mu Xi.

Mu Xun may not want to restore his kingdom, but Marquis Shen Lun of Yong Kingdom is clearly on the same page as his scumbag father.

These things originally had nothing to do with her, but given her status, she probably won't be able to avoid them in the future.

After Mu Xi finished looking at the contents of the box, the banquet was ready.

Mu Xi led Mu Xun to his seat: "You look very tired. Have you not rested well these past few days? Today's dishes are all your favorites. Eat more and then get some rest."

The inner room is private and quiet, less likely to be disturbed, and more likely to share secrets.

Mu Xi dismissed everyone, leaving only Mu Xun to sit down across the round table.

Mu Xun forced a smile: "It's nothing, I've just been a bit busy lately."

Mu Xi then personally brought over a jar of wine: "This wine came from Yan Shu. He said he wasn't interested in the other wines, but he could still have a couple of sips of this 'Bihu Yipin'."

"You want to drink?" Mu Xun asked in surprise.

“I don’t really want to drink, but to keep you company, I’ll have to have a couple of sips.” As she spoke, Mu Xi poured a bowl for each of them. “This place is simple and we couldn’t find any wine glasses, so we’ll just have to make do with bowls.”

One bowl is deep, the other is shallow.

In order to drink alcohol, Mu Xi had already asked Doctor Luo for some hangover soup to drink in advance.

Mu Xun asked curiously, "What day is it today?"

"Why does it have to be a special day?" Mu Xi raised the shallow bowl of wine in a toast. "These past few days have been hard, and it's all specially prepared for you."

Mu Xun, unsuspecting, picked up the bowl with more wine and said, "I'll drink it, so don't force yourself. Your body isn't suited for drinking."

Without a word, Mu Xi drank it first as a sign of respect.

Mu Xun was only putting on a brave face, but he still went along with it.

Mu Xi immediately poured another bowl for both of them.

"Why are you still drinking?" Mu Xun tried to stop him.

Mu Xi had already prepared several reasons, and she started with the first one: "If you want to drink, I want to apologize to you."

Mu Xun asked in confusion, "Apologize? Apologize for what?"

"Drink, drink this bowl first." Mu Xi downed the rest of her drink in one gulp.

Mu Xun had no choice but to finish another bowl.

After finishing the second bowl, Mu Xi immediately wanted to pour herself a third.

Mu Xun pressed down on the wine jar, his voice weary but still gentle: "You can't drink anymore until you explain clearly."

Mu Xi continued to bluff: "I didn't know your identity before, but I still ordered you around. I should apologize for that."

Despite saying that, ever since she learned about Mu Xun's true background, she has continued to order Mu Xun around as before.

Mu Xun frowned: "What are you saying? If it weren't for my father and mother raising me and treating me like their own son, would I be where I am today? And you are..."

It's hard to find the right words when you've only said half of what you meant.

Mu Xi seized the opportunity to take back the wine jar and poured two bowls: "Then there's no more talk, drink another bowl."

Mu Xi took the lead again, and Mu Xun had no choice but to drink as well.

Mu Xun downed three bowls of wine in a row, then picked up his chopsticks to serve food to Mu Xi: "You can't drink anymore. Your injuries still need to be healed properly. Drinking is bad for your health."

Mu Xi took the opportunity to pour more wine: "These dishes were specially prepared for you, so you should eat and drink more."

Mu Xun drank three bowls of wine before taking a bite of food, and his cheeks flushed slightly.

Mu Xi pressed on, saying, "Don't just say you don't mind while secretly harboring resentment. To prove it, you have to drink another bowl."

"Okay, I'll drink it, but you can't drink anymore." Mu Xun picked up the bowl next to him and drank it all in one gulp, his whole body swaying.

When Mu Xi poured more wine, Mu Xun covered the bowl with his hand.

"By the way, does that young lady from the Qi family in Xiangnan like you?" Mu Xi asked abruptly.

Mu Xun was stunned: "Huh?"

"So, do you like her?" Mu Xi asked again, taking advantage of Mu Xun's dazed state to pour another bowl.